Brooklyn State of Mind: Why Robins Made Blockbuster Trade (2044.4)

[lordtoffee]

In his second year in charge of the Brooklyn Robins, GM Ben Heuring has not been shy about making moves to upgrade the Robins. Between trading for infielders, signing free agents, and using his farm system as trade chips, Heuring has become a GM who is not afraid to attempt to improve the roster. With the Robins sitting in a playoff spot after a strong April, the Robins made a move that signals that they are all in this year in the Atlantic and postseason race.

In exchange for DH Fernando Cruz, 3B Luis Lucero, and three prospects, the Robins acquired 3 players from the Sacramento Mad Popes in the midst of their retool. Those three players are SS Jorge Lugo , 2B Edgardo Encarnacion, and 1B Rafael Mota. So why was this trade made, and what does this mean for the Robins?

When looking at the Robins roster and performance this year, the pitching has been very good and ranks among the best in BBA. Both the starting rotation and the bullpen have performed well and have given the team a chance in most games. The problem has been the offense and in particular the infield offensive production. By making this trade, the Robins are hoping that the run production can improve as well as making sure that the team improved right away. The infield has become about league average according to positional ranks across both leagues, and it looks like the infield might finally be less of a weakness. Heuring was concerned about it, and explains why he reached out to his opposite number in Sacramento.

What this means in the long term is more financial flexibility. A couple of the players have various out clauses this offseason that would have pushed the team into making some uncomfortable decisions that Heuring would have rather not made, and actually would have been hoping for those clauses to be used. Cruz was making 8 million a year, and Lucero was making 5 million a year, and with that trade now the team has more cap space for the deadline, and cap room to work with even if all the players with options stick around. If all of the players with options don't stick around, the Robins could have close to $30 million in cap space. That is important because the young outfield the Robins have need to be given their new deals in the coming years, and having the room even if the league doesn't add cap space in the future gives Heuring some space to work with.

There is a risk that this trade goes horribly wrong, someone in the Atlantic makes a better trade, or the prospects he gave up turn out to be very good. But you have to be willing to acquire talent to win in this league, and this market especially expects the best. After all, the Brooklyn State of Mind requires you to keep working the trades, free agency, drafts, and scouting to be successful.

[usnspecialist]

I always enjoy reading explanations of deals like this.

[recte44]

Bold. I like it

[lordtoffee]

Bold. I like it

Thank you sir. I feel like I have to give myself the best chance I can with this team. They have told me through the first couple of sims that they can fight for the playoffs. I would be letting myself and the league down if I didn't do anything in my power to maximize this chance.