2061.17 bin Nawaf Bye Bye: Staggering Disappointment Finally Traded

[Trebro]

bin Nawaf Bye Bye: Staggering Disappointment Finally Traded

by Edwin Wardman, for the Yellow Springs World

Despite the fact that GM Rob McMonigal is still MIA, most likely because he's afraid of the multiple criminal investigations going on against him, the Nine are still moving forward with transactions and trades, some of which are doing their best to correct his multiple grave mistakes.

One of those mistakes was trading with Nashville for overrated and undertalented Majd bin Nawaf, who was shipped off to the Jacksonville Zombies with 50 percent retention, presumably because he's been a zombie in a Nine uniform anyway.

The once-promising player promptly decided he'd unlearn all the things that helped him become a 6.4 WAR, triple-crown threat in Nashville in 2059, regressing from 40 home runs and .992 OPS with the perpetual winners and going down to a 1.2 WAR, 17 home run, .764 OPS player in 2060. Compounding his mistake, GM McMonigal gave him an arbitration extension for 13.5 million this past off-season, likely because bin Nawaf's agent, Marcus "Bot" Scoras, is twenty times the negotiator McMonigal will ever be.

It was a desperate attempt to salvage a terrible trade, a Hail Mary (if I may borrow the term from another sport) shot that he'd return to form in 2061. It didn't happen. By the time of this trade, he was batting .251 with 9 home runs and an OPS of a flatline 1.0. It was slightly better than 2060, but not nearly enough to justify one of the highest payrolls on the entire team. What a total train wreck of a mess!

It's hard to believe the Nine could get anyone to pick up bin Nawaf, but Jacksonville apparently wanted him for some reason. They didn't send anyone amazing, but the three minor leaguers (Sam Hooten, Alfredo Rodriguez, and Fareed bin Harun) at least have some potential to do something good in a Nine Uniform, which is more than can be said for bin Nawaf.

Hooten, a 6th round pick in 2059 by Jacksonville, struggles with his defense but has national scouts impressed by his power that comes with about average contact. But he's been looking pretty bad in 2061 so far, batting just .188. The Zombies won't miss him.

Rodriguez, selected 4th in the 2061 draft by Jacksonville, was immediately placed in A-ball, where he appeared to be a bit overmatched despite being 21, hitting .202 there. I'm told he's a natural leader, very humble, and works his tail off, which is likely why the Nine targeted him in this trade. He's almost the polar opposite of bin Nawaf. He hit 19 homers in his final college season, showing he has some pop in the bat, though once again defense could be an issue. Probably the best of the trio coming back, though my colleague Nes Lessman might have a different opinion because he is the oldest.

Bin Harun comes from the Zombies' international complex, so there's no official game experience to draw from. He's also a hard worker, and unlike the other two bin Harun's game is more focused on contact than hitting the long ball. He's also a far better defender. At just 17, he could prove to do well with the right coaching, which means he'll be fine until he gets to the big league club.

Currently, none of these players are anything special. Combined, one of them might have a minor impact. It's the typical McMonigal-style trade buy too high and then sell to at least get something out of the deal (See Cole, Phil.) So maybe I'm wrong about him being in hiding from the Feds maybe he's just hiding from the fans.

As for bin Nawaf? Well, fans here won't be sad to see him go, especially those of you smart enough to be my loyal readers. But we all know how this goes, right my friends?

We'll soon be reading about superstar Zombies player Majd bin Nawaf.

Par for the course, right?

Good grief, Bo! How much longer are you going to let this go on?

[Dington]

Can’t believe how bad he was for you. Then, of course, he reverts back to his normal self once shipped out.

[aaronweiner]

So have I told you about this superstar I just picked up?

Seriously, I don’t get it either. Maybe he contract yeared me too - hard to know.

[ae37jr]

You can make the trade come full circle by claiming Zee-loo Tsao on waivers in April of 2063.

[Trebro]

So have I told you about this superstar I just picked up?

Seriously, I don’t get it either. Maybe he contract yeared me too - hard to know.

I think some of it may be he only does well if he's ultra protected in the lineup? Or perhaps there's something in his coding about hating losing?

*shrug*

It sure is weird. but I am glad he did well for you!

[Trebro]

You can make the trade come full circle by claiming Zee-loo Tsao on waivers in April of 2063.

It has crossed my mind.