2034.04 - CCJ acquires Backstrom

[bcslouck]

On March 31st, a day before Opening Day, the Jimmies acquire Paul Backstrom from Hawaii for $2,000,000. Hawaii had put him on waivers and the team needing an upgrade at 2B jumped at the chance to acquire the power hitting in fielder.

Some GM's questioned the move given his age and contract. But the Jimmies had plenty of cap space to take him on after whiffing on middle infield help in free agency. Since turning 30, his game hasn't been as good and at this point, his value comes from his power and defense at 2B. Originally a SS, he's turned into a steady defensive 2B and has show he still has 25+ home run power. He's due to make $14,000,000 each of the next two seasons with a $12,500,000 player option for the 2036 season.

"We think he can be productive for us," said GM Brandon Slouck when told what other GM's were saying. "We think with him coming to our team, in our park and some of the other parks in our division, he will succeed. He has better lineup protection now. He won't have the pressure of having to carry our lineup. He hits lefties. That's something that's been an issue for us. We are happy to have him in our lineup and manning the keystone."

Reports say he'll be batting 6th versus right handed pitching and 5th versus lefties. The team has plenty of cash to move so they were happy that they could acquire him for just cash. While he isn't the player he used to be, he can still be a productive player for them.

[Spiccoli]

Seems like a win for both teams and just the kind of player to push CC to another level.

[bcslouck]

We'll see. Off to a good start so far.

[nerfHerder]

I think it was a good trade. I needed the salary relief in the worst way, and Backstrom can still hold his own defensively while giving some pop to the lower part of a lineup. Just don't count on him being a top to middle guy.

[bcslouck]

I think it was a good trade. I needed the salary relief in the worst way, and Backstrom can still hold his own defensively while giving some pop to the lower part of a lineup. Just don't count on him being a top to middle guy.

Yep. I don't need him to be so it works. He'll hit behind Salazar, Winson, and Anderson.

[udlb58]

He isn't much different than what I have in my middle infield, so I shouldn't throw stones....

[Edward Murphy]

Backstrom was a former top prospect who has achieved a ton of ML success in Hawaii and holds one of the richest contract on the team. Hawaii will miss him but glad to make a profit this year.