2060 - Trade Analysis: Des Moines Sends Hector Cano Jr. To San Antonio

[lordtoffee]

Des Moines isn't just satisfied with getting Shaw in a trade. In a very interesting deal, both Des Moines and San Antonio ended up swinging a deal that a lot of peers think could be a win win. Let's take a closer look. A quick disclaimer, I obviously don't know what happened during the discussions that Jessie and Tim had.

The Deal:
Des Moines Kernels send:
CF Hector Cano, Jr. (ML)
3B Maimun bin Tayyib (AA)

San Antonio Outlaws send:
SP Leland Rogers (ML)
CF Dennis Armitage (ML)

What Does This Deal Mean For Des Moines:
While the Frick playoff picture at this point in the year isn't as bunched up as the Johnson, Des Moines is in a good position as of this writing. They are currently in a playoff spot, and their offense has looked very good this year even with Thistle out for a little bit longer. Where the Kernels could use some improvement is their pitching staff, which is in the bottom half of the Frick in a lot of ranks. So for Des Moines, dealing Cano Jr. isn't going to hurt a whole lot. While Cano Jr. hasn't fallen off a cliff completely, he has only played 6 games before getting hurt, and will be out until August. Another thing to note is that dealing Cano Jr. also gives Des Moines some financial flexibility. Both Rogers and Armitage are still in their arby years, and that means that Jesse has some room to work with financially should be feel that is in his best interest. But what about Armitage and Rogers?

Armitage makes sense for Des Moines because while he isn't going to hit for a high average, his glove and ability to play all over the outfield are going to give Jessie some flexibility. He is going to pick up some of the slack, and having another good outfield glove could help boost up Des Moines pitching staff. Even if Armitage doesn't become a star, he isn't the worst piece to have and can help fill the Cano Jr. hole in part. His plus speed is a nice tool to have, and can give the Kernel offense a different dimension.

Rogers is a very interesting pitcher. He has had two 2+ WAR seasons in his time with the Outlaws, but has struggled to find consistency. Rogers isn't going to be asked to front the staff, given that Des Moines now sports an impressive rotation. What he can be is a useful back end guy that can give the Kernels a chance to win every 5th day. The biggest concern that Des Moines has is getting their rotation to pitch up to their reputation, and I feel like they can. Rogers is going to help with that, and provides extra depth to an already loaded pitching rotation.


What Does This Deal Mean For San Antonio:
This trade is something that I wasn't expecting. San Antonio hasn't been the type of team to go after the big splashes in recent years, but I think that it is good that they are going for it. With the playoff race in the Johnson competitive this year, San Antonio made the determination that they are going to go for it, and based on what Tim has said I think this deal makes sense from his perspective. He does have a couple of interesting pitching prospects coming up, and at the end of the day I never begrudge a team for trying to improve themselves.

Cano Jr. has been a great hitter and fielder for a long time, and was a key part of the Kernels ending the infamous playoff drought. He hasn't shown any decline, but it is hard to predict what he is going to give San Antonio given that we won't see him in their uniform until August, and that is a long time in baseball. He is a risk, but an understandable risk given his career history and obvious talent. He should help the Outlaws out if they stay in the playoff hunt, and Cano Jr. has taken a team to the next level before. Ask any Kernels fan about that.

bin Tayyib is going to help San Antonio out at third, but is still going to need some time in the minors. I like that he is going to be a fine defender, and his hitting ratings still have some potential for him to work towards. This fills a long term need, and in a couple of years we shall see him in the big leagues as a solid 3B, though I don't think he is going to be a star.

[trmmilwwi]

Good writeup! The gamble for us is what Cano does in fall but more importantly in '61/'62. If he can see the field in 75% of the games those two years I like the deal. bin Tayyib will be up then and we really targeted him as the key player we wanted since 3B prospects are a bit thin. The originally deal was just him and then things expanded form there, which they usually do in this universe.

[JRamirez]

Great writeup. In pessimistic times I don't think Cano will start 100 games again in a season. That wasn't gonna do it for DM. Too unpredictable when he was gonna be in the lineup or not.

[Trebro]

Great writeup. In pessimistic times I don't think Cano will start 100 games again in a season. That wasn't gonna do it for DM. Too unpredictable when he was gonna be in the lineup or not.

I tend to think that way too but I also am not a good GM to use as a model haha.

If I had a Cano type with that many injuries I'd also trade if the time was right. I think you both did well but maybe slightly edge towards DM side. All depends on Cano future health.