2062-2 Shakeups

[Knucklehead254]

Well, are we really surprised that I've made a couple of trades? Let's take a look at arguably the more blockbuster of a deal and see who's coming and going.

I feel sorry for Dirk Bessi, the main piece being sent in a seven player deal with Long Beach. We weren't able to make the playoffs the two years he was here. He filled the role of Ace beautifully and looked to be a potential mainstay of the Mounties for awhile. But things changed and I when I got an offer that I felt I couldn't refuse I let him go. A couple of reasons for being ok with this.

1. It frees up another $15 million, which is helpful for a team that was hemorrhaging money last season.
2. He has opt-outs the next two years, meaning I could have potentially lost him later for nothing more than a comp pick.
3. Let's be real, we probably wouldn't be contenders this year anyways.

That being said it once again leaves an ace sized hole in the rotation that Tom Miller, Rusty Miller and Stephen Clulow Jr won't be able to fill despite early high hopes for them. It sucks to lose a pitcher of Bessi's caliber, so who the heck was brought in to the Mounties organization?

Vancouver receives:
SP Fernando Sandoval (#2 LBC Prospect)
RF Lorcan Bryson (#6 LBC Prospect)
C Cory Gaudreau (#7 LBC Prospect)
CF Kareef Nazeeh (#19 LBC Prospect)

Long Beach receives:
SP Dirk Bessi
1B Willard Clark
1B Liam Peden

Whilst it might look like I got a lot, it should be fair to note that Gaudreau and Nazeeh are both from the International Complex, which always gives mixed results. Let's start from the top.

Fernando Sandoval was on my draft list right behind Royce Hinkle in last year's rookie draft. We obviously took Hinkle with our 13th pick, but I was generally shocked to see Sandoval fall a couple of picks until Long Beach grabbed him at 17. The 18-year-old's got the potential to have a plus fastball and splitter with an average change-up, and should induce weak groundballs if he can fully develop. He has high adaptability and work ethic, but a measly stamina of 4 complicates his potential future as a starter.

Lorcan Bryson is a pretty interesting right field prospect. He's already developed a very powerful bat against righties as has the foundations defensivly to be an everyday right fielder. His ability to make contact with the ball needs some work and he doesn't have the best time hitting lefties. If things go well he could certainly become a platoon for the outfield.

Cory Gaudreau has the highest ceiling of the four prospects coming in, but he'd need a few bumps to help him reach that. While his potential offensive ratings are mouth watering, his defensive ability behind the plate is non existent and would need the most work there. Thank god for the dev lab right? Right?

Kareef Nazeeh will join Hector Ruiz and Mohanakrishnan Sankrant in the hall of interesting center fielder prospects. He has the promising range and speed to fill the role defensively, but will still need some work there along with his bat. Hopefully we can help him reach his potential.

It should be noted we did give up two 45 pot first basemen in Willard Clark and Liam Peden. Both have decent bats but won't play anywhere else then first or DH, and since I'm overloaded on those propspects I was fine with giving them up.

[Knucklehead254]

Annnd he's back