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San Antonio Receives: CF Todd Rice
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Calgary Receives: P Kendrick Pearson and P P Arturo Baez
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Todd Rice is scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the season. San Antonio needs a better CF than what they have to they took a chance that Rice would sign an extension with them and stay for many years to come. Rice is not the defensive player in CF that he once was but he is a lot better at the plate than what the Outlaws have been sending to the plate this year. This deal only works for San Antonio if Rice resigns.
Not all 20 year old players are the same. Pearson is the main draw for Calgary as he is only 20 and holding his own, not dominating, in AAA. He could be a starter and he does have six different pitches. The problem is that none of his pitches are dominating. He has an eight fastball and two, seven rated pitches with one each pitch rated six, five, and four. He looks like a good candidate for a relief pitcher conversion during the offseason. That would at least make some use of those lower rated pitches and give him at least one really good pitch and another very good one. He has some personality drawbacks but that can all be overlooked when put on the right team(winning cures everything, right Ted?).
Baez is just a 20 year old "Lottery Ticket" that could pan out. He is not nearly as developed as Pearson and he is struggling mightily in Short A ball to the tune of a 7.97 ERA. He's a 50 potential but that is somewhat skewed by the three, eight potential pitches. Two should develop just fine as they are both already sitting on five but his changeup, like most youngsters, has not even started to show signs of moving up(1 of 8). He has a good work ethic so he still has the possibility of bumping those potentials. With out some bumping help I really don't see him making the BBA.
The trade has made headlines throughout the league due to the front office shenanigans of the Calgary front office. First they sent the wrong player to San Antonio to complete the trade. When this error was brought to light that player was returned. In what can only be considered a bold move, the Pioneers front office declined to send Rice to San Antonio but rather granted him his unconditional release. Obviously this will all get sorted out by the league office but will it get done in time for Rice to agree to a contract extension with the Outlaws.
Overall this trade is good for both teams. The Outlaws may get a long term solution in the outfield and the Pioneers get something for a guy that was pushed out of their lineup and didn't wan to resign anyway.
