Omaha active at deadline, unsure of which way to go.(49.9)

[niles08]

To be hovering around .500 at the deadline can be looked at in a number of ways. Either it can be a really good thing as your team is theoretically in contention for the postseason, or it can be a horrible thing if your team that you thought was in contention falls off quickly after making a few moves potentially mortgaging your future.

That was the case in Omaha, as GM Justin Niles refused to go commit to either road, but did make a few moves that potentially could help this year and in future years.

First, in a unpopular move with the fan base, Niles sent Pedro Guzman despite Guzman hitting .295/.377/.658 with a 171 OPS+ in his 237 at bats and 21 home runs with the team. With Guzman went Russell Sharp, who has been a on again off again shortstop in Omaha. Both players were set to be free agents at seasons end and with Omaha’s cap number sitting right against the edge, it’s unlikely Omaha would have found a way to resign either player. This was clearly a trade made on the “future seasons ahead” road as Omaha also retained a bit of Sharp & Guzman's expiring deals.

In return, Omaha did acquire Thomas Jefferson, who the team is hoping can handle playing shortstop long term. It's been a long time since Omaha has had a reputable everyday shortstop. Jefferson has less than 2 years of service time, but had a negative WAR at the time of his acquisition.

Next, Omaha acquired catcher Jason Bowen from Las Vegas. Bowen was on waivers and is also a potential free agent at seasons end. He has struggled a bit this season between Charlotte and Las Vegas and hasn’t put up a positive WAR number since 2045(0.3) with El Paso. None the less his .302 OBP is a uptick from current Omaha catcher William Henley who is sporting a cool .197/.245/.320 triple slash in 261 at bats. Heading to Vegas in this one was corner infielder Merrill Blaquiere who looks to be more of a depth piece despite some power potential and good defense. This trade was clearly a “let’s try to see what happens this year” turn on the road.

As the trade deadline came closer, Las Vegas and Omaha came together again with Vegas acquiring back end reliever Renato Lacerda and minor league pitcher Wally Bowden. Lacerda was on a free contract as Long Beach was paying it, but that deal came to a close at this seasons end. He was the teams closer last year leading the league with 36 saves. He had arguably been better this year, but Omaha has been rocking Francisco Hernandez with closing duties this year who has been excellent (1.45 ERA, 26 saves). Bowden was a 28 year old in AA who was saving a good year, but unlikely to have any impact at the BBA level.

In return, Omaha acquired outfielder Lao Kum. Kum figures to be a decent 4th outfielder, and has the bat to be very useful against south paw pitchers. Kum reported to AA Sioux City when the trade was completed.

Chop this one up to a deal made for future seasons but not one that necessarily hurt the team as Omaha had the #1 ranked bullpen in the Frick and a few players to pick up the slack(Fernando Villarreal and the return of currently injured Jose Lopez).

Last but not least, right at the deadline it was announced that Omaha had moved starting left handed pitcher Gary Goodchild to El Paso in exchange for outfielder Ramon Pagan.

Goodchild, who is 22 years old, was just signed this past offseason to a 6 year contract worth up to $66,300,000. He does hold an opt out after the 2051 season and the 2053 season is a player option. None the less, he’s 23 years old and has a 10 rated knuckleball. He was just coming into his own in Omaha with a 4.09 ERA this season over his first 169 innings of BBA play and identical splits at home and on the road despite playing in Omaha.

Ramon Pagan is 10 years older than Goodchild, but is still a very good outfielder and is signed through next year at an $8,000,000 commitment. Pagan is likely to fill in as needed in the outfield which seems to be quite often against left handed pitching considering Andre Ly and Eric Wagner both struggle against lefties.

Looking at this deal, it is really a split road for Omaha. Not only are they picking up a need for this year in Pagan but they are moving towards the future by getting rid of Goodchild’s contract. The start of this entire write-up mentioned Omaha’s upcoming cap issues. There was a $3,000,000 difference for 2050 between Pagan and Goodchild’s salaries so this move may keep Omaha from being over the salary cap next season without any additional moves being made. It does look like Omaha will have to make one more adjustment before the 2051 season begins as right now they are estimated to be $12 or so million over the cap when figuring arbitration and minor league contracts(which count as just $80,000 instead of $500,000).

[Dington]

Sooooo....did you buy or sell? I'm confused.

[niles08]

Sooooo....did you buy or sell? I'm confused.

We belled.