2032-01: I-Rod trade... Fans love it, Pundits not so much...

[jiminyhopkins]

Phoenix, AZ-

A week ago, the Talons traded CF Abdelwahab Kamade and SP Feliciano Rafael to the Havana Sugar Kings in exchange for SP Ignacio Rodriguez and CF Manuel Martinez. In the interim, there have been two rather distinct reactions.

To put it simply, the fans love it. Offseason buzz around the Phoenix area is as high as it's been since the expansion draft three seasons ago. Jersey sales are up, and team marketing officials report sufficient interest to predict a doubling or even tripling of the club's season ticket base compared to last year. The general consensus among the average fan is that the Talons now have a true ace to go along with newly minted superstar Carlton Winson, reigning fireman of the year Timofei Bakitski, and future MVP candidate Mario Deortez.

The pundits and analysts, however, paint a different picture. They see the deal as a sign of a franchise that doesn't have a true direction. They point to last year's Rupert Grant trade in particular. When Grant was dealt, the club was seemingly out of contention, until roaring back down the stretch to finish only 1 game out of a possible Wild Card berth. Talking heads on BBACentral.com are of the opinion that the front office was secretly embarrased: If they had held on to Grant (who would go on to hit 58 home runs), the Talons might very well have made the postseason.

So now, they claim, the team is overreacting by trading for an expensive ace so soon. Too soon, in fact, for the club to contend. Although the franchise has the #2 ranked farm system in the BBA, only one of the many prospects (Deortez) is anywhere close to the big leagues. And, although I-Rod has elite stuff, what will he look like at age 33, when the contract is up?

Valid questions. What does the team have to say about all of this?

Team Spokesman Jim N. E. Hopkins had this to say. "We are very excited to welcome such a talented pitcher as Mr. Rodriguez to Phoenix, where he will be the ace of our staff and the Opening Day starter. Because is career FIP is nearly half a run lower than his career ERA, we feel that he will finally show his true ability here with the Talons. Although Kamade is definitely a great talent, we felt that last season represented the peak of his abilities and he was due for some regression. Rafael, our former #7 prospect, will be a competent pitcher, but lets not forget about Manuel Martinez, who is now our #7 prospect and will absolutely be a contributor in CF when he is ready."

"What we have given Talons fans here this week is excitement. To have such an elite talent in I-Rod, one who we feel can contend for the Nebraska, will change the look of our entire staff. We are confident that the lineup can absorb the loss of Kamade. And we also feel that I-Rod's contract will end up looking like a bargain in the end," Hopkins concluded.

So, just the bluster of a PR man, or is the statement more truth than marketing? Guess fans will have to buy some season tickets and find out!

GO Talons!

[usnspecialist]

lets have deortiz play more than 1 season of professional baseball (and only 1/3 of that season at AAA) before we call him a future MVP candidate haha. His minor league numbers are impressive to be sure, but plenty of minor league studs never pan out.

[jiminyhopkins]

lets have deortiz play more than 1 season of professional baseball (and only 1/3 of that season at AAA) before we call him a future MVP candidate haha. His minor league numbers are impressive to be sure, but plenty of minor league studs never pan out.

I think our PR guy wrote that too, lol

[RonCo]

Well, he is going to be very good.

[Ted]

This should be 2032-01, right?

[jiminyhopkins]

Yes it should be 2032-01. My bad. Thanks.