2008 V4 - Black Sox Hit the Trade Market

[kestu]

The Black Sox completed two trades this week with an eye on both this season and looking towards the future. The Sox currently sit in first place with a five game lead in the JL Midwest and are on pace for their first division title since 1996 and their first season over .500 since 1998. They also sit with the #2 overall system in the MBWBA and are toeing the line between winning this year and not losing sight on the potential their system could produce over the next 5-10 years.

First, after months of negotiations, the Sox traded former All-Star Starting pitcher Clarence Murray to Omaha along with pitching prospect Manny Caro in exchange for prospects Enrico Torres and Roberto Montoya. Caro was the final piece to complete the deal. According to sources in the Black Sox front office, the Sox were hesitant to include Caro in any deal and that fact had held up this deal since Spring Training.

Murray burst upon the scene with the team back in 2005 and had his first, and only, All-Star appearance during his rookie season. His #46 jersey was a popular seller over the past few seasons, but he's regressed to the point where his ceiling seems to be a back of the rotation starter. With the development of Juan Rivera (21/6 k/bb in June vs. 42/40 during April/May - and check out this start), Roy Nevel Jr. and Jason Brooks, Murray had an unknown role for future seasons and was expendable this year.

Torres and Montoya are both solid prospects that give the organization additional depth in two areas of need - primarily in the middle infield and an additional power source. Torres is currently putting up solid numbers in AA and could potentially contribute to the big club in 2010 while Montoya is a little further behind and has an estimated arrival of 2012. Both have a long way to go, but represent a solid return.

As a result of the trade Nevel Jr., last year's #1 overall pick, will be promoted to the big club following a month of June which saw him post a 26/1 k/bb ratio in 25.2 innings - following a solid 41/16 ratio during the first two months of his professional career. Brooks, who was expected to be next in line, is expected to remain in AAA for the rest of the season barring injury to another starter.

Secondly, the Black Sox also acquired first baseman Brian Jennings from Atlantic City in exchange for shortstop prospect Ismael Fabre. Jennings is currently hitting .322/.377/.481 during the best season of his young career. He's a great bat against RHP and is expected to take playing time away from last year's team MVP, Jesus Cruz, who has been a huge disappointment this year following last year's breakout season. Rumors are that his elbow injury from last season has continued to impact his swing and there are doubts if he will ever fully recover. Fabre is a wizard in the field and has the skills right now to play defensively at the MBWBA level. His bat will be the key to his success/role in the future. He is an intriguing prospect, but the immediate impact of Jennings' bat was too good to pass up.

Only time will show how these moves will impact the team for 2008 and beyond, but it is an exciting time to be a Black Sox fan. When was the last time that could be said?

[Al-Hoot]

As I recall, Cruz had a torrid first half last year, then hit few homers the second half the season. I call that statistical or performance normalization. compare Josh Hamilton's 2012 MLB season.

Pretty much everyone is surprised the Sox are (still) in first place. But it ain't over yet.

[kestu]

Agreed - by no means do I 'expect' to win the division, but I'm feeling pretty confident about .500 at this point.

Cruz missed the last 6 weeks or so of the season last year, so he didn't have much of a 2nd half, but yes, his first half was incredible - he hit .370 or so.

[agrudez]

Months of negotiations... haha.

[kestu]

Months of negotiations... haha.

Sim months of course...

[felipe]

I'm glad Murray went to a good home

[Fat Nige]

Fabre was needed as both my regular SS are now in their 30's while Jennings is one of a nice crop of 20-something 1B's