Trade Context
- Vancouver Mounties are fighting for the final wildcard spot in the Frick League, in win-now mode.
- New Orleans Crawdads, sitting 10 games under .500, are shifting focus to the future and shedding payroll.
- Jamie Angwin was immediately inserted into VAN’s starting lineup post-trade.
Trade Summary
Vancouver Mounties Receive:
- RF Jamie Angwin (MLB, 50 OVR) — $11.6M salary (NO retains 50%)
New Orleans Crawdads Receive:
- 3B Guo-feng Rao (INT, Pot 45, 18 y/o)
- RP Wilbur Carter (A-ball, Pot 45, 19 y/o)
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Jamie Angwin – RF, 50 OVR (Age: 30)
Season Stats:
- 142 G, 514 AB, .239/.314/.422, 22 HR, 32 SB, 3.3 WAR
- Above-average pop and speed, solid defender in RF, useful WAR contributor
Post-Trade Performance (17 G):
- .179/.233/.299, -0.2 WAR — cold stretch since joining Vancouver
- 3 BB, 18 K — possibly adjusting to new environment or a late-season slump
Contract:
- Signed through 2063, but NO retains 50%, so Vancouver is only on the hook for about $5.8M annually
- That’s a reasonable price tag for a league-average or better corner outfielder with power and speed
Guo-feng Rao – 3B/CI, 45 Pot (Age: 18)
Profile:
- Raw offensive profile with 7 Power potential, 6 Contact ceiling
- Fringe defender at 3B; likely to move across the diamond
- Lacks speed and baserunning acumen
- Lottery ticket bat who may develop into a 1B/DH type with pop
Wilbur Carter – RP, 45 Pot (Age: 19)
Scouting Report:
- Great fastball (8 current, 9 pot), good changeup
- Solid stuff potential (9), but mediocre control and movement limit his upside
- Flyball pitcher with stamina to maybe fake a spot start
- Ceiling: Middle relief/setup man
Trade Verdict: Who Wins?
Slight Edge to Vancouver — for now.
- For Vancouver:
- They get a starting-caliber corner OF on a reduced contract who helps them push for the playoffs.
- Even with the sluggish start in VAN, Angwin has positive WAR value overall and can make a difference in a close race.
- They gave up no top-tier prospects, so the cost is minimal in the short term.
- For New Orleans:
- They clear some payroll (even retaining half) and get two young, long-shot prospects.
- Rao could be a future bat-first role player. Carter is a bullpen arm in the making.
- No surefire talent in return, but at least a couple developmental chips.
Grade for Vancouver: B+ – Even with Angwin’s slump, the gamble makes sense in the context of a playoff push, especially at half price.
Grade for New Orleans: B- – They did well to dump salary and pick up depth prospects, but the return lacks high-ceiling talent.
Since an ex-Wolve was involved in this trade, felt I had to support my ol' player. (You give me 6.3 WAR I'll return the favor)
