The Kraken Release 2004.07: Kraken Shorts & A New Era

[cheekimonk]

The Kraken Release
June 2, 2004
Charlotte, NC
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The Beginning of Another Beginning

While no one expected Carolina GM Ben Teague to send a press release officially announcing that the club had decided to use this year's trading deadline as a starting point for a rebuilding, he might as well have with the two massive deals announced yesterday with little fanfare. While The Release saw the transaction wire first, it's illuminating to get Teague's perspective on the decision to rebuild and, thus, the motivation behind the deals before breaking them down. To the question of whether this truly begins a rebuilding effort, Teague responded, "I think that's a fair consideration. I've always believed that you better be a buyer or a seller at the trade deadline. Being neither indicates, I think, an incomplete understanding of a team's makeup and depth - not to mention plans for the future." When this reporter pointed the distinction between "selling" and "rebuilding", Teague shrugged, "Call it what you want. When you do what we did to our roster before 2003 (referring to the near wholesale addition of proven pitchers and fielders) then once you reach a point in the future where you're no longer competitive it's an all or nothing game. In other words, if we can't be competitive with the 33-year-old pitching ace, it's not likely we are going to be immediately more competitive when we deal our #2. You're delaying the inevitable if you don't follow through."

Finally, Teague was asked if it is logical that the complete rebuilding of a franchise could result from the loss of one player (Aguilar). "Of course not," he said. "It's just impossible to determine the effect that a season like Aguilar's had on our team. We know the numbers, but how much were (1B Larry) Sunderland's and (C Matais) Ferrero's offensive numbers boosted by hitting ahead and behind Manuel? How much did he influence the sudden success seen in (P) Jose Mijangos or (P) Bob Stephan? We had to kind of wait and let those questions answer themselves. Unfortunately, they weren't the answers we wanted."

Trades:

June 1:
Carolina sends SP Kim Rodas to Las Vegas for SP prospect Terry Dumont and 27-year-old infielder Silvio Garcia

Let's face it, giving up Rodas hurts. But if Teague is determined to rebuilding it's hard to imagine letting such a valuable player as Rodas trudge out to the mound for two or three seasons because the GM couldn't swallow his pride and emotions. Dumont is more than two years younger than Rodas and, more importantly, has some development ahead of him which will fit the goals of this offseason and beyond. Garcia was an interesting addition with the depth the Kraken have in their infield, but he is four and five years younger than 3B Joseph Guillen and 2B Kosuke Fukudome which makes the more immediately ready to be dealt. It also means Garcia is more likely to still be highly productive when the rebuilding is complete.

June 1:
Carolina sends SP Chip Foodie and closer Segundo Prado to Washington for SP prospect Morgan Ackerman and 30-year-old pitcher Joey Cienfuegos[/i]

This one obviously came down to age in the case of Foodie, but with Prado there is the fact that the Kraken have 3 to 4 prospects that fit the profile of a major league closer. Where they are lacking is in starting pitching prospects and the addition of Ackerman almost single-handedly solves that as he is the #4 prospect in all of the MBWBA. Cienfuegos was brought on as a versatile arm to bridge the gap between a staff that is dealing stars and waiting on prospects.

[recte44]

Getting Ackerman is a huge pickup for you.

[mrbornac]

Getting Ackerman is a huge pickup for you.

Agreed, Ackerman is a guy I have been watching and I am jealous of him being in Carolina 8)