Warehouse Wire 2042.01: Swinging a trade
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2020 7:18 am
In a need to get an established SP in their rotation, the Jimmies swung a trade with Portland to acquire Feliciano Rafael. A decent gamble by the organization.
It isn't a gamble because of his talent. Even in down years, he tends to outperform his peripherals and the organization seems to be betting he can meet those with the team. His injury history however is a bit of a show. Back issues, shoulder issues, arm issues, hamstring issues. He's been banged up all around. Despite all the roadblocks, he's still a top of the rotation type.
Another gamble is on his contract. If he manages to stay fairly healthy and pitch like he can, his contract isn't terrible. However, he has an opt-out after this year. If he pitches like he can, he's clearly gone. If he gets more hurt and regresses, they're saddle with him through 2045 for sure, but you might as well add 2046 given that's is a player option. The team has no control, something they try to avoid with big contracts, especially since the Carlton Winson deal.
To keep from getting a bloated salary to make another deal, they sent back 1B/DH Mario Guerrer. The team will save at least $7M overall as they didn't plan to pick up his team options if he didn't opt-out. He's been solid for the team but hadn't been quite as good as the team hoped for. In a league where offense has risen, his numbers have gone done. Dealing him also kept the team with plenty of salary cap room, only adding $2M to the cap in the swap.
They shed another $500,000 in cap by trading Ray Verhoeve. He had previously signed a $775,000 contract for next year so comes at a very cheap rate for Portland the next two years. Still just 24, the young arm has talent and just hasn't put it together for the Jimmies. His flyball tendencies don't really fit Old Bay Park. Reports from the warehouse were that their was some consideration in moving to the 'pen. In Portland, he will be given every opportunity to turn his career around for a team still building after coming to the league in 2040.
The last piece sent was 2041 1st round pick Greg Brown. In a fairly weak draft, the team was happy to get a pitcher with so many potential plus pitches. The team was hoping to work with him on upping his velocity while also upping his cardio so he could pitch deeper into games while throwing harder. Portland seemed to have saw the same potential from him and asked for him as well. Brown should plenty of time to develop and make his way through the system.
Despite the lack of success last year, the rotation looks to be pretty good. Jorge Nevárez struggled after some injury issues in 2041. Hopefully he can bounce back as he comes into Spring Training healthy. Bronco Rojas was the best SP in the rotation last year and has continued to develop. He comes into the Spring with his already plus changeup looking better and his slider looking better. It's still inconsistent but the coaches hope to have that ironed out by Opening Day. had a pretty successful 2041 after missing all of 2040. His peripherals were better and bumping him to #4 in the rotation may take some pressure off him. And of course, adding Rafael at the top should help.
The team is hoping to add another arm to the rotation. Even if they don't, they should have enough ready arms to have a better rotation this year. Considering it was over 6 most of last year, anything under 5 should put the Jimmies in better position for a playoff spot.
It isn't a gamble because of his talent. Even in down years, he tends to outperform his peripherals and the organization seems to be betting he can meet those with the team. His injury history however is a bit of a show. Back issues, shoulder issues, arm issues, hamstring issues. He's been banged up all around. Despite all the roadblocks, he's still a top of the rotation type.
Another gamble is on his contract. If he manages to stay fairly healthy and pitch like he can, his contract isn't terrible. However, he has an opt-out after this year. If he pitches like he can, he's clearly gone. If he gets more hurt and regresses, they're saddle with him through 2045 for sure, but you might as well add 2046 given that's is a player option. The team has no control, something they try to avoid with big contracts, especially since the Carlton Winson deal.
To keep from getting a bloated salary to make another deal, they sent back 1B/DH Mario Guerrer. The team will save at least $7M overall as they didn't plan to pick up his team options if he didn't opt-out. He's been solid for the team but hadn't been quite as good as the team hoped for. In a league where offense has risen, his numbers have gone done. Dealing him also kept the team with plenty of salary cap room, only adding $2M to the cap in the swap.
They shed another $500,000 in cap by trading Ray Verhoeve. He had previously signed a $775,000 contract for next year so comes at a very cheap rate for Portland the next two years. Still just 24, the young arm has talent and just hasn't put it together for the Jimmies. His flyball tendencies don't really fit Old Bay Park. Reports from the warehouse were that their was some consideration in moving to the 'pen. In Portland, he will be given every opportunity to turn his career around for a team still building after coming to the league in 2040.
The last piece sent was 2041 1st round pick Greg Brown. In a fairly weak draft, the team was happy to get a pitcher with so many potential plus pitches. The team was hoping to work with him on upping his velocity while also upping his cardio so he could pitch deeper into games while throwing harder. Portland seemed to have saw the same potential from him and asked for him as well. Brown should plenty of time to develop and make his way through the system.
Despite the lack of success last year, the rotation looks to be pretty good. Jorge Nevárez struggled after some injury issues in 2041. Hopefully he can bounce back as he comes into Spring Training healthy. Bronco Rojas was the best SP in the rotation last year and has continued to develop. He comes into the Spring with his already plus changeup looking better and his slider looking better. It's still inconsistent but the coaches hope to have that ironed out by Opening Day. had a pretty successful 2041 after missing all of 2040. His peripherals were better and bumping him to #4 in the rotation may take some pressure off him. And of course, adding Rafael at the top should help.
The team is hoping to add another arm to the rotation. Even if they don't, they should have enough ready arms to have a better rotation this year. Considering it was over 6 most of last year, anything under 5 should put the Jimmies in better position for a playoff spot.
