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Trade Bait: Jay Witasick for DeAngelo Jimenez
How badly did the Padres need a shortstop? Chris Gomez is a utility infielder at best. Damian Jackson was better suited for second. They traded a reliever for the Brewers’ Triple-A World Series MVP, but he never panned out. They even tried the Rule-5 draft for help at the position.
Now they have what they needed. An impact player at the position that can hit over .300 with 15 to 20 dingers once he gets a couple years of experience under his belt. Questions have been raised since the car wreck that slapped Jimenez in a neck brace that he may not be the sure thing that he was before with the Yankees. I believe that Jimenez will become the shortstop that the Padres envisioned when they traded for him.
As for Jay Witasick, finally someone realized that he is not going to be a starter. The Padres realized that, with only two good pitches, he was better suited to be a setup man. Now Jay is a dominating pitcher who is trade bait. The Yankees, who lost Nelson in the off-season, were desperate for bullpen help. They traded one of their top prospects for a pitcher that has never amounted to much until this season.
I believe that this was a great trade for both teams. The Yankees now have the bullpen (along with the Wohlers addition) that can put them over the top towards another ring. The Padres received a future star in Jimenez for converting a washed up starter into a possible premier setup man.
I know a GM that has my vote for executive of the year. Sure the Padres aren’t going anywhere this year, but give them a couple years and look out. An infield of Burroughs, Jimenez, Crespo, and Nevin with Klesko, Kotsay, Trammell and possibly Darr in the outfield, this team could become interesting.
Trade Bait: Rocker – Karsay & Reed
The much-maligned John Rocker has been traded to the Indians. The idea of a trade from the Braves has been the subject of rumors for the past two years. In exchange for Rocker the Braves acquire Steve Karsay and Steve Reed. Now who got the best of this deal?
On paper it looks like the Indians won on this deal. They now have the most dominant left-handed closer in the game at this time. They also received a marginal prospect in third-baseman Troy Cameron. Troy has decent developing power with seven homers in 252 AB, but his strike zone judgment is questionable with a .251 average and 62 Ks at A-Ball. He could develop though. Karsay is also known to spend some time in the infirmary. Another reason for the possibility for this trade to a great lift for the Indians is their bullpen’s record in the post season. John Rocker has, by himself in innings pitched, nearly two-thirds of the experience that the whole Indians bullpen has. With that experience Rocker has an ERA of 0.00, yes, the big goose egg in the playoffs. What does the Cleveland bullpen have for an ERA with a third more experience? 7.12!
But did the Indians really win this trade? I don’t think so. First, they inherit all the baggage associated with Rocker. Will the great team chemistry that the Indians have now be affected? You could tell that Rocker’s antics were still affecting the Braves clubhouse this year.
Also, there are some holes in the Braves bullpen this year. With the injuries to the starting rotation Odalis Perez and Jason Marquis have been force into the rotation. Perez was ready for the rotation, but as a fifth starter until he gets more consistent and another year away from Tommy John surgery. Marquis also needs to spend more time in the bullpen on his control. I believe this move solidifies the bullpen immensely with two decent proven relievers to make this bullpen interesting.
Many downplay Steve Karsay’s ability to close, but now that he has a more definite role in the bullpen unlike in Cleveland, he may flourish. Steve has a 92-95 mph fastball and great forkball and a knee-buckling curve. The curve is the main reason for his success this year (ERA below 2.00). The curve is reemerging as a dominant pitch with the expansion of the strike zone. And Steve Reed is a good setup man as well.
Now, where does this leave Cleveland? They have two good closers now and little else. Earlier in the year the bullpen was regarded as one of the best in baseball. Reed, Karsay, Shuey and Wickman were held with high regard. Now they have Wickman and Rocker with Shuey on the shelf.
But it all comes down to one question: Will Rocker put a cork in it?
