Trade Trauma and Drama
Just when things were looking bad, and then worse, and then just plain gruesome, the Hops pulled the string on three major trades, completely changing the profile of the team. The effects may not be felt for a few seasons, but management felt it was necessary.
First, of course, was the preface trade: Jean Claude Petit going to Maple. That was just the tip of the iceberg. After an absolutely horrific losing clump, San Diego managed to drop 17 of 18 bracketing the All-Star game. Determined to change direction, Hops' brass reached out to their fellow GMs to come up with these deals:
Kenny Allen, a vaunted closer with little to show in a Hops uniform, SP Phil Kettenring, SP Tim Gary, and SP Jose Rios, all in the minors, for 2b Bryce Rice, RP Mai Do, and OFers Jorge Moreno and Ian Riley of Jacksonville. The keys to this deal were Rice, to move, Do and Riley to add depth, and the young pitchers given up were all performing at a marginal level, though admittedly with not a lot of data.
Grade: B- [higher if the players garnered in the Rice deal pan out, and none of the three youngsters, Kettenring, Gary and Rios go on to be superstars]
Then, in quick succession three deals:
Salah bin-Atif, SP, and the ace of the San Diego staff was dealt to Bloomington for veteran SP Loeck Jurgens, minor league pitchers, Chris Elwell, Cedric Gold, and pictured above, Francisco Zúñiga, as well as OF Jason Colaiainni. This was an economic manuever, as bin Atif, like a number of other players on the Hops roster, was not going to re-sign, nor extend their contracts. The minor league arms more or less correspond to the arms given up in the Rice deal.
Grade: B+ with our scouts very excited about Elwell's electric fastball and hammer curve.
Bryce Rice, lasted less than 24 hours in San Diego, before he was on the move to Dallas; SD picking up outfielders Antonio Carranza and Jeff "Train" Dotson, along with 2b Andy Hegarty, and reliever, Luis Castillo. All four of these young men could see significant major league time if they continue to develop, especially Dotson who is the heir apparent in LF.
Grade: A Dotson and Hegarty are closest to the bigs
Finally, former first round pick, John Watt, once thought to be the catcher of now and forever, was moved to South Carolina, where perhaps a Bomber uniform will bring out the bopper in him. In return, San Diego received Sweet Spanker, who will try to learn 1b in case Taniguchi bolts California for greener pastures, and a bullpen commodity, Ronald Stevens. If Spanker doesn't learn first, he is a fantastic outfielder, so this will be a work in progress, perhaps Jejomar Butardo moving to first sack making way for the plethora of young outfielders, Colwill, Arias and now Spanker and Dotson.
Grade: B+ or higher if Stevens bridges the bullpen into the good years coming.
San Diego, thanks to the trades and yet more disastrous injuries, will go with a rotation of lefty Jim Phillips, then all righties-Robinson Pedercini, Juan Vasquez, fresh from his former closer role, Zúñiga, and Do. DOH
Alberto Rivera becomes the closer, though look for Alejo or Stevens in that role shortly.
Moreno is the only newcomer to break into the starting lineup, supplanting Rivzi to some degree.
