Starscreams: A Valencia Stars Baseball Blog
One Star for Another
1/22/2048
Brianna Robles, Starscreams contributor
Aaron Haney for Dennis French. The Stars and Aztecs swapped some big names this week.
On the one hand, the Stars avoid the nightmare scenario of a total collapse by their erstwhile center fielder, and having to yet again work through a dead money scenario, just as they are about get their heads above water. I don't think anyone is predicting a dramatic decline in production for Haney in the coming years, so it's debatable how much that entered into the thinking of management. A Haney who continues to play at a high level might decide to opt out of the last two years of his contract. The long term risk to whatever team he plays for doesn't appear that great right now, though a couple of months can change that.
What the Stars did get is added payroll flexibility, particularly in 2049, though what they ultimately do with all that money next season is, for now, anybody's guess. Peaking ahead, way too early, to potential free agents, you see some interesting names (Pedro Bustamonte, anyone?), but are the Stars going to be a team comfortable with big contracts this soon after dealing Haney and concluding the Arthur Dempster adventure?
For Haney this looks like a great move. One, he gets to play center field in Mexico City, whereas the Stars were making noises about a move to left this year. Two, he gets to play for a winning ball club that has been on an upswing that may carry it into the playoffs this season. I don't think even the most optimistic Stars backer makes that claim for Valencia in 2048.
French is a pro's pro; a classy guy who has said all the right things since arriving in the valley, but it's hard to imagine that this is anything like a dream destination for him. This is still a franchise in transition, trying to wake from a years-long torpor. In the last year of his contract, French may not be around to see the club come to life firsthand, and we can only speculate as to any interest in an extension beyond this season on the part of either party. His Jekyll and Hyde '47 season makes one wonder what's in store this year.
The Stars added three prospects as well.
Harold Newbold had a 92 mph fastball and went undrafted in '42, when the Black Sox brought him into their minor league system. Today his fastball tops out at 98 mph, and consensus is that he could soon become a mid-rotation starter.
Carlton Day, still a teenager, is a soft tossing lefty. The Aztecs drafted him out of high school in the third round two years ago.
Turkish catcher prospect Gani Birdal is now the Stars' most promising farmhand at that position. Twenty years old and still pretty raw, projections have him on the bubble for a big league spot.
Starscreams (48.07) One Star for Another
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Starscreams (48.07) One Star for Another
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Re: Starscreams (48.07) One Star for Another
This will be a fun trade to look back on in several years.
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