Warehouse Wire 2035.03: Expansion Talk

[bcslouck]

On November 18th, the BBA held an expansion draft that welcomed the Boise Spuds and Wichita Aviators to the league. Both franchises managed to hire experienced BBA GM's and appear to be in good hands.

The Jimmies lucked out in the process, not losing a single player. While that may sound like this is a team that lacks talent or depth, taking another look may suggest they were lucky. The 19 spots were plenty for the team to protect.

Some speculated that Alfredo Salazar would be left unprotected. But the team plans to try and extend him and despite his high salary, still has trade value given he's only signed for 1 more season. Paul Backstrom was another player who's protection was up in the air, but again, they had the space. As of now, the team looks to give him some looks at 1B this spring. There is still a chance he mans the keystone at least part time, but the team would like him to play 1B.

Of course, the team protected the likes of Egbert Behner, Aubrey Anderson, Carlton Winson, Maximo Quezada, Jay-hoon Ch'oe, Norberto Leon, Arturo Reyes, and Wilmot Schlondorff among others.

Prospect wise, their wasn't much to protect. The team protected Sergio Hernandez and Bartolo Costa. Rumbles from the warehouse have suggested that these two will get long looks in Spring Training as platoon mates behind the plate. Top prospects Michael Best, Mutsuhito Imai, Thiongo Muiru, and David Marquez were not eligible for the draft and did not have to be protected. If the team would of had to of protected those players, they surely would of at least lost 1 player in the draft. After those players, the prospect pool is thin for the Jimmies.

With the expansion draft behind them, he team can now worry about moving forward with initial offseason plans. With extensions looming and some players on their radar in free agency, it could be an interesting offseason in Baltimore.