In White and Valdez we have two elite outfielders. Our medical staff is concerned than Jonno Moulton’s injury may have a lasting effect. He already struggles for contact so if his power drops off he becomes very run-of-the-mill. Which makes me think we should trade him away to free up some $$ and go for a gun at LF.
Another area I want to upgrade is our rotation; I’m just not happy with Rob Moore in there, so I’d like to move him on and find a gun to replace him, as well as two more relievers, one of whom can step into the rotation if needs be.
Finally, I am after a good but cheapish utility IF / OF.
I have $240k room but only want to spend $180-200k of it. Hopefully the boss will tick it up a notch come preseason like he did last year. (He doesn’t.) Our good 1951 season means the Draft is a waste of time: we have pick #319.
I’m not going to bore you with all of the to-ing and fro-ing, here’s how it all panned out:
- I kill two birds when I trade Moore to Bismarck for John Lanman, a fantastic gamer of a player who plays anywhere but in the battery. It’s virtually a straight swap when we retain a sliver of Moore’s salary.
- I have a massive lash at Aaron Mecham, historically a 3B but plays LF well also and that’s where we’d slot him. To get him, however, involves a 6-year $400k deal and losing our 2nd and 5th round picks in next year’s Draft as compensation (not that they are worth much). Maybe the fact I won’t be here past this year sways me, but only a bit – this guy is an out-and-out gun. I lock him down.
- The FA market for starting pitchers is ludicrous, so I go the trade route instead, upgrading Steve Hart to another lefty Gene Bickett, costing us about $25k in salary.
- We swap Moulton for a backup OF, David Daley from Thornton. So long Jonno, I wish you all the best.
- The straight reliever I get is Jason Evans, a southpaw. He costs us $40k. I also trade Cory Hanes, who has never really been given a chance with us and is unlikely to from here, for excellent lefty relief prospect Cody Covington. That eases any residual guilt I might have about the Mecham deal.
Still after a swingman but waiting to see how things pan out.
Here's our OD Team Photo