The Nest | 48.06 | Bluebirds Mix Things Up with Intradivision Trade
Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2021 4:49 pm
Bluebirds Mix Things Up with Intradivision Trade
August 18, 2048
by Banjo Jackson
Nashville, TN
The Nashville Bluebirds see themselves in a familiar spot in August – fighting for the coveted final Frick League wild card spot. Sitting two games out of the playoffs with about six weeks to play, GM Chad Nason decided to make a couple bold moves to give the team a boost into the playoffs. Nason looked to Des Moines Kernels’ GM, Geoff Webb, in an attempt to swap players.
Nason made an interesting trade prior to the 2047 season, acquiring overpaid 2B Marvin Isworth and pitching prospect, Jon Brown. At the time of the trade, Nashville was in need of a second baseman and his salary was in tune with demands from free agents. The following week, all free agent demands mysteriously dropped due to what many say was an effect of the crippling global economy. Now Nashville was saddled with an overpaid contract for the next several years. While posting decent numbers at the plate, Isworth never lived up to his price tag and struggled to get on base, so he was immediately expendable.
Fast forward to today and the Bluebirds found a trade partner willing to take on his contract. Nason shipped away Isworth and Brown along with outfielders Pedro Mendoza and Hasheem Makin to Des Moines in exchange for 2B Roberto Viramontes, 1B Juan Mateo, C Dave Butler, and pitching prospect, Steven Clayton.
At the BBA level, Viramontes provides the Bluebirds with a veteran able to make good contact and draw a walk at the top of the lineup. His contract is similar to Isworth’s, but he is seen as the better player and certainly someone who should help Nashville’s OBP woes. Mateo, whose contract expires at the end of the season, will replace Mendoza as designated hitter, who is still in arbitration and accrued 4.3 WAR in 2047. The acquisition of Butler was very timely as team captain, Alberto Rodríguez, is nursing a strained hamstring and won’t return until late September. The switch hitting Butler, 23, should see the majority of playing time until A-Rod’s return and might catch most games slated against left handers.
2B Roberto Viramontes
The other component of this trade, of course, is the swap of top prospects. Makin, the #11 BBA prospect, is a BBA-ready outfielder likely limited to the corners, but able to play CF in a pinch. He has an amazing power/eye combination, but has still shown below average ability to make contact. Brown is a 20 year old pitcher who relies heavily on his control. His changeup is good, not great and his other pitches need to develop in order for him to see a BBA rotation. He could be a solid #2 SP if he develops. Bluebirds fans should be excited for Clayton heading to the farm. The 4th overall pick in 2046, Clayton has climbed to #10 on the BBA prospect board. The 20 year old is already well developed for his age and has ace potential written all over him. His cutter, slider, curveball combination will be a problem for right-handed hitters in the BBA as early as next season.
RHP Steven Clayton
Overall, I see this trade as a big win for Nashville. The team improves immediately and adds a future top of the rotation starter in exchange for an outfielder who was largely seen as blocked by others in Nashville. Grade: A+
August 18, 2048
by Banjo Jackson
Nashville, TN
The Nashville Bluebirds see themselves in a familiar spot in August – fighting for the coveted final Frick League wild card spot. Sitting two games out of the playoffs with about six weeks to play, GM Chad Nason decided to make a couple bold moves to give the team a boost into the playoffs. Nason looked to Des Moines Kernels’ GM, Geoff Webb, in an attempt to swap players.Nason made an interesting trade prior to the 2047 season, acquiring overpaid 2B Marvin Isworth and pitching prospect, Jon Brown. At the time of the trade, Nashville was in need of a second baseman and his salary was in tune with demands from free agents. The following week, all free agent demands mysteriously dropped due to what many say was an effect of the crippling global economy. Now Nashville was saddled with an overpaid contract for the next several years. While posting decent numbers at the plate, Isworth never lived up to his price tag and struggled to get on base, so he was immediately expendable.
Fast forward to today and the Bluebirds found a trade partner willing to take on his contract. Nason shipped away Isworth and Brown along with outfielders Pedro Mendoza and Hasheem Makin to Des Moines in exchange for 2B Roberto Viramontes, 1B Juan Mateo, C Dave Butler, and pitching prospect, Steven Clayton.
At the BBA level, Viramontes provides the Bluebirds with a veteran able to make good contact and draw a walk at the top of the lineup. His contract is similar to Isworth’s, but he is seen as the better player and certainly someone who should help Nashville’s OBP woes. Mateo, whose contract expires at the end of the season, will replace Mendoza as designated hitter, who is still in arbitration and accrued 4.3 WAR in 2047. The acquisition of Butler was very timely as team captain, Alberto Rodríguez, is nursing a strained hamstring and won’t return until late September. The switch hitting Butler, 23, should see the majority of playing time until A-Rod’s return and might catch most games slated against left handers.
2B Roberto Viramontes
The other component of this trade, of course, is the swap of top prospects. Makin, the #11 BBA prospect, is a BBA-ready outfielder likely limited to the corners, but able to play CF in a pinch. He has an amazing power/eye combination, but has still shown below average ability to make contact. Brown is a 20 year old pitcher who relies heavily on his control. His changeup is good, not great and his other pitches need to develop in order for him to see a BBA rotation. He could be a solid #2 SP if he develops. Bluebirds fans should be excited for Clayton heading to the farm. The 4th overall pick in 2046, Clayton has climbed to #10 on the BBA prospect board. The 20 year old is already well developed for his age and has ace potential written all over him. His cutter, slider, curveball combination will be a problem for right-handed hitters in the BBA as early as next season.
RHP Steven Clayton
Overall, I see this trade as a big win for Nashville. The team improves immediately and adds a future top of the rotation starter in exchange for an outfielder who was largely seen as blocked by others in Nashville. Grade: A+