The Kraken Release 2000.06

[cheekimonk]

The Kraken Release
August 21, 2000
Charlotte, NC
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Kraken GM Ben Teague has the unfortunate pleasure of knowing early on this season that he would enter the trade market as a seller and not a buyer. Given the fact that the Kraken's top 5 prospects were all pitchers and the team's second draft pick was in the Supplemental 2nd round, the strategy shifted from preparing for next season to preparing for 2002 and beyond. With that in mind, and the trade deadline long passed, let's review the moves:

June 11

Leaving:
OF Monty Lynch ($13mil thru 2003) to the Birmingham Bandits

Arriving:
OF Geddy Lee ($300k)
P Hector Molina (minors)

The skinny: The baseball world would find out later that there was an ulterior motive to this trade, but more on that later. Lynch was signed in the offseason to play 1B and get on base for the heart of the Kraken's batting order. The Kraken, however, needed to move a corner outfielder. With OF Tom Mohler firmly entrenched in the role of "golden albatross" due to moves by a previous GM, Lynch was the easiest target for trade. Lee, while not being able to play 1B, was an excellent target due to his solid defense at either corner of the OF, his offensive potential as a well-rounded hitter, and his league-minimum salary. To make up for the fact that Lee was still developing Teague secured pitching prospect Molina.

The verdict: Even though he does not have the power of Jack Robbins, the Kraken OF's frequent trips to the DL promise plenty of time in the starting lineup for Lee. Indeed, since arriving in Charlotte Lee has played in 49 games while delivering a stat line of .276/.350/.402. Decent numbers but with only one homerun. Meanwhile Lynch, who is current on the DL, has played in 31 games for the Bandits hitting .343/.380/.510 with 2 homeruns. Molina is currently with the Kraken's AA affiliate (10 saves, 1.47 ERA, 1.28 WHIP in 36.2 innings) and could make his MBBA debut later this season.

June 21, 2000

Leaving:
SP John Ross Riles, Jr. ($10.9mil thru 2000) to the Baltimore Monarchs

Arriving:
OF Jimmy Spikes (minors)

The Skinny: The Kraken didn't need another OF prospect, but they did need to get some return for Riles. A legend (lifetime 3.14 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 286 wins in a 19-year career), Riles was in the last year of his deal and Carolina had made it clear that they could not afford to re-up with the 38-year-old. Spikes is an excellent defensive OF.

The Verdict: To be honest, Carolina could have gotten a rosin bag for Riles and, in the big picture, come out ahead on their end. The Monarchs, meanwhile, needed a solid arm in their rotation for the playoff push this year. Unfortunately, after 4 starts in Baltimore Riles suffered a torn flexor tendon in his elbow...likely a career-ending injury at his age. He was subsequently released. Spikes has been playing in Carolina's farm system (AAA). Though he has hit .289 with 7 HR and 21 RBI in 180 AB, it's not clear when he will get a shot in the bigs with Carolina's crowded OF.

July 1, 2000

Leaving:
SS Rafael Rodriguez ($11.9mil thru 2003) to the Des Moines Kernels
OF Mike Kelly ($920k thru 2001) to the Kernels

Arriving:
2B Jaiden France ($300k)
SS O'Shea Jackson ($3.0mil thru 2001)
SP Kim Rodas ($300k)
CF Esteban Diaz ($600k thru 2002)
SS Wallace Holmes ($300k)

The Skinny: This deal was nearly a month and a half in the making. The Kraken received numerous inquiries about Rodriguez, one of the best players in MBBA, but it was quickly clear that the Kernels were the most determined team to land the superstar. From the start the teams established their must-haves to make the deal work: the Kraken targeted France for his flexibility and offensive prowess, while the Kernels insisted that Carolina take on Jackson (obviously expendable with the arrival of Rodriguez) and his $3.0 million salary. As talks progressed, Teague began to feel that another piece was going to have to be offered to close the deal. That led him to deal for Geddy Lee on June 11th which meant either Lee or Kelly could be added to the deal. Carolina originally requested that top prospect OF Raleigh Harrington be included in the deal, but the teams settled instead on Diaz.

The Verdict: In 41 games with Des Moines, Rodriguez has delivered a stat line of .378/.449/.555 with 6 HRs, 18 RBI, and 7 SBs. Meanwhile, Kelly has struggled in his new digs with only a .214 average and .278 OBP in 98 ABs. In Carolina, France has played both first and second base in 37 games and logged a .277 AVG, .296 OBP, and 3 HRs. As the 26-year-old develops his flexibility will allow him to play wherever the Kraken need him, but the team is keeping a close eye on the progress of 2B Benicio Herrera and 1B Ray Moreno with the plan that France will take the starting role of whichever player lags more in his development. Jackson, meanwhile, has stepped right into the starting job at SS but struggled as he has only hit .193 with 3 HRs. The Kraken could slide France over to SS, but with Jackson signed through next season they would rather see the 31-year-old play up to his potential. Rodas, Holmes, and Diaz immediately became the 3rd, 5th, and 8th best prospects, respectively, in the Kraken system when they joined the team. Rodas has already spent time in the rotation for Carolina and logged a 1-5 record in 8 starts with a 5.44 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. The 22-year-old Diaz has a long way to go in his development, but it is hoped that he will be ready to step into CF Edward Framaggio's shoes when Cheesy's contract is up after the 2001 season...hopefully with better results than Framaggio has delivered the past two seasons. Wallace has settled in at AAA Dodge City with a .270/.316/.428 stat line, 4 HRs, and 19 RBI in 44 games.

[Fat Nige]

I think to be honest both Spikes and Riles jr were cannon fodder for both sides. You couldn't afford Riles, I couldn't find a place for Spikes. Unfortunately the injury ended my experiment - hopes Spikes is able to force his way in at the Kraken

[cheekimonk]

I agree, Bobby. I hate that Riles got injured as I would have liked to have seen what he could do for a contender. I don't think the Kraken came out ahead...just that if I hadn't dealt him before the deadline he would have walked for free at the end of the year.

[lynchy34]

I hated moving that much for Rodriguez, but he's been worth it so far.

[cramsey51]

I hated moving that much for Rodriguez, but he's been worth it so far.

I think Rodriguez was a steal for you personally.