2011 IAL Trades & Drops

IAL TRADES

MOLLY PUTTS MARAUDERS send SS EVERTH CABRERA to the RISING BAMM BEANO’S in exchange for SS RAFAEL FURCAL.  Don’t really like either player.  Cabrera is younger and is likely to get older.  While Furcal is older and might retire sooner.
MARAUDERS 5, BAMM BEANO’S 5 – EVEN

MOLLY PUTTS MARAUDERS send 2B JEFF KEPPINGER to the GREEN ROCK BOMBERS in exchange for P CARLOS ZAMBRANO.  Keppinger is a utility infielder.  But this year he is a fulltime secondbaseman, the Bombers needed one of those, thus the trade.  Gonna miss Papa Bunch’s swearing @ BIG Z, when Carlos walks the bases loaded.  Zambrano has the talent to be a front-end starter.
MARAUDERS 7, BOMBERS 3 – ADVANTAGE MOLLY PUTTS

CHICAGO HIGHLANDERS send 2B HOWIE KENDRICK & #3DC (P BRIAN MATUSZ) to the THREE RIVERS GAMBLERS in exchange for P* BRIAN SANCHES & P* CRAIG BRESLOW.  Look at what Molly Putts got for a regular secondbaseman and then look at what the Highlanders got for a regular secondbaseman, and Kendrick is better than Keppinger, this one is a real head scratcher!  A couple of journeyman relief pitchers for a starting secondbaseman and a starting pitcher.
HIGHLANDERS 2, GAMBLERS 8 – ADVANTAGE GAMBLERS

TWIN CITIES THUNDERCHICKENS send IF JULIO LUGO & P* JOSE MIJARES to the CHICAGO CHAMPIONS in exchange for IF FELIPE LOPEZ & P* HIDEKI OKAJIMA.  Julio Lugo is a better fielder than Felipe Lopez, Lopez is the better hitter of the two & he gives the T*Chix more coverage at 3B.  Okajima is closer to becoming a draft pick, while Mijares, although limited, is the better pitcher.
THUNDERCHICKENS 4, CHAMPIONS 6 – SLIGHT ADVANTAGE CHAMPS

GREEN ROCK BOMBERS send IF RONNIE BELLIARD to the KENTUCKY KERNELS in exchange for P DAVE BUSH.  Both are bums!  This is strictly a coverage trade.
BOMBERS 5, KERNELS 5 – EVEN

MOLLY PUTTS MARAUDERS send SS JOSE REYES to the RISING BAMM BEANO’S in exchange for P ADAM WAINWRIGHT.  This trade was made after Wainwright hurt his elbow & would miss the upcoming season with Tommy John surgery.  It was also known Reyes was an alcoholic & would be an underperforming shortstop.  Don’t get me wrong, I loved Reyes when he first came up, but that was long before the luster wore off.  Three things I don’t understand about trading Wainwright.  1) He’ll still be a good starting pitcher when returns in a year.  2) Why not shop him around for the best offer (there are six teams competing for four playoff slots), rather than settling?  3) Why not just draft SS Starlin Castro & keeping Wainwright than trading for SS Reyes & drafting P Jaime Garcia?
MARAUDERS 8, BAMM BEANO’S 2 – ADVANTAGE MARAUDERS

COLONA UPPERDECKERS send C JOHN BUCK & P* RAFAEL PEREZ to the TWIN CITIES THUNDERCHICKENS in exchange for 3B CASEY McGEHEE & OF MIKE CAMERON.  McGehee was stuck behind Ryan Zimmerman with the T*Chix, while Buck was behind Mauer with the Upperdeckers.  This trade was on the table for a long time, I give both teams credit for doing what was necessary to get this deal done.  Perez was cannon fodder, while Cameron was dropped.  This trade helps both teams.
UPPERDECKERS 5, THUNDERCHICKENS 5 – EVEN

CHICAGO CHAMPIONS send P* RYAN PERRY to the COLONA UPPERDECKERS in exchange for OF DEXTER FOWLER.  Recently the Champions have traded outfielders Shane Victorino, Matt Kemp, B.J. Upton, & Delmon Young, so they needed some outfield help.  Fowler also gives the Champs much needed speed.  Perry throws 100 MPH, so he’ll fit nicely into Colona’s pen.  This trade helps both teams.
CHAMPIONS 5, UPPERDECKERS 5 – EVEN

COLONA UPPERDECKERS send 3B EDWIN ENCARNACION to the NORTHSIDE HITMEN in exchange for P* MATT LINDSTROM.  Lindstrom will replace Perez in the pen for Colona, while Encarnacion provides a nice bat off the bench for the Hitmen.
UPPERDECKERS 5, HITMEN 5 – EVEN

DROPS

OF JACOBY ELLSBURY – TWIN CITIES THUNDERCHICKENS: Jacoby stole over 100 bases in two years, scoring over 100 runs & batting over .300 last year, besides that he’s a gold glover.  Some things are a mystery, why wouldn’t you protect this guy?

OF CHRIS COGHLAN – MOLLY PUTTS MARAUDERS: Coghlan batted .311 as a rookie & he’s out of Tarpon Springs, FL.  If you don’t want him, why not shop him around?

P BRANDON WEBB – GREEN ROCK BOMBERS: The Bombers protected Webb last year, after trading World Series MVP, Alfonso Soriano to get him, now he’s getting ready to pitch, why not protect him?  Ryan endured his former skipper throwing his card around, he managed a 3.60 ERA over six years, averaging 33 starts & 200+ innings per season, with a disappointing record of 64-78.

2010 IAL Trade Analysis

KERNELS get Ryan Madson & Jim Johnson
HIGHLANDERS get Michael Young & Jayson Nix
ANALYSIS I knew the Highlanders would obtain Young from the Kernels, but thought it would be in exchange for Miguel Tejada, because Kentucky needed SS & Moore needed 3B.  Madson & Johnson will provide bullpen depth, while Young takes over as the starter at the hot corner for the Highlanders.  Nix is a power hitting utility infielder.  Very slight advantage Highlanders.

MARAUDERS get Vernon Wells & Jeff Keppinger
UPPERDECKERS get Huston Street & Alexei Ramirez (dropped)
ANALYSIS The best days of Wells are long gone.  Keppinger provides coverage as a utility infielder.  Street is a quality reliever.  Ramirez, while a shortstop with pop, was just included to make it a 2 for 2 swap.  Advantage Upperdeckers, only if Huston’s arm doesn’t fall off.

HIGHLANDERS get Scott Kazmir
GAMBLERS get Adrian Beltre
ANALYSIS Scott Kazmir is a quality lefthanded starting pitcher, we’ll have to see how he develops.  Todd has traded pitching in the past Brandon Webb for Adam Dunn, and C.C. Sabathia was on the block a few years back.  Beltre provides the Gamblers with a solid thirdbaseman, nice glove, decent power, nothing to get excited about.  Advantage Highlanders, based on potential.

UPPERDECKERS get Daniel Bard & Dexter Fowler
GAMBLERS get Matt Wieters & Brian Sanches
ANALYSIS Any way you slice it, the Upperdeckers got hosed on this one.  Matt Wieters is a switch hitting version of Joe Mauer, one problem – Marc already has Mauer.  Still he should’ve gotten way more than a hard throwing reliever in Bard and a fleet footed outfielder in Fowler, that pick was gold.  Sanches is a one year A*.  BIG advantage Gamblers!

CHAMPIONS get Delmon Young & Clay Zavada
HITMEN get Ryan Doumit & Bobby Crosby
ANALYSIS Doumit & Crosby return to the franchise that traded them one year ago, in exchange for the Champ coveted Young and mustached reliever Zavada.  Slight advantage Hitmen, nothing wrong with Doumit’s bat.

MARAUDERS get Randy Wells & Justin Masterson
KERNELS get Rick Porcello & Joba Chamberlain
ANALYSIS DonS should never have taken advantage of his little brother like this.  Porcello & Chamberlain are better than Wells & Masterson, and I’m not a Joba fan.  Only thing is Keith’s defense is he’s going for the playoffs and Randy is a B.  Large advantage Marauders.

KERNELS get Brendan Harris
BOMBERS get Ronnie Belliard
ANALYSIS This was a coverage trade, Bombers needed more at 2B, Kentucky needed more at SS, no advantage.

MARAUDERS get Hanley Ramirez, Chris Coghlan, Dan Uggla, Kevin Jepsen, Everth Cabrera, Daisuke Matsuzaka, & Brad Lidge
RISING BAMM BEANOS get Adam Wainwright, Aaron Hill, Mariano Rivera, Mike Lowell, Rafael Furcal, Ken Griffey Jr, & Nomar Garciaparra
ANALYSIS BLOCKBUSTER!  Marauders gave up a #1 pitcher in Wainwright, a slick fielding great hitting secondbaseman in Hill, and a 42 year old relief pitcher who is still doing it in Mariano for the best young players in baseball, Hanley.  Molly Putts also landed high average hitting outfielder Chris Coghlan & a secondbaseman who’s name is Dan Uggla.  I give the advantage to the playoff seeking Bamm Beanos, who should win 100+ this year.

BOMBERS get Brandon Webb
KERNELS get Alfonso Soriano
ANALYSIS If Webb comes back this is a steal, if Bonanza comes back on TV I’ll watch it.  Soriano will bring his powerful bat to Kentucky, just a coincidence he’s a Cub.  Kernels get the nod here.

HITMEN get Brett Anderson & Colby Rasmus
CHAMPIONS get Gordon Beckham & Jeff Francoeur
ANALYSIS Anderson is one of four blue chippers in this year’s draft & Rasmus brings a power bat to centerfield.  Beckham looks to be the Champions secondbaseman of the future.  The shine off Francoeuer’s tout boy status is gone.  Nice deal by the Hitmen.

MARAUDERS get Jose Contreras
BOMBERS get Daisuke Matsuzaka
ANALYSIS I like Dice-K, don’t like Contreras.  That said, Contreras might take to the pen in Philly and Matsuzaka might come back from injury, or it might just a be a D for a D.  No advantage.

BOMBERS get B.J. Upton, Delmon Young, & Matt Capps
CHAMPIONS get Jason Marquis, Hideki Okajima, & Daisuke Matsuzaka
ANALYSIS This trade allowed the Champs the flexibility to draft Beckham rather than taking a starting pitcher.  Marquis moves into the 5th spot in the rotation in Chicago.  While Okajima adds to the relief corps.  Dice-K provides insurance if/when Marquis falters.  Upton, Young, & Capps are three youngsters, who look to get older.  Both B.J. & Delmon have plenty of skills, while Capps brings his elastic arm & pinpoint control to Green Rock’s pen.  Bombers get the best of this one.

RISING BAMM BEANOS get J.D. Drew
BOMBERS get Jonathan Broxton
ANALYSIS Despite the fact that everybody hates J.D. Drew, the guy can play!  Broxton moves from being third man in the Bamm Beanos pen to ace with the Bombers.  A fair deal for both ballclubs, both got what they wanted.

Final List of 2010 IAL Trades

Player are listed under the team that they were originally on. 

2010 Illowa APBA League Trades to date

Highlanders Trade Adrian Beltre for Scott Kazmir

The Highlanders and Gamblers have announced a major trade: the Gamblers receive Adrian Beltre and the Highlanders get Scott Kazmir.

Adrian Beltre has been a fixture at the hot corner for the Highlanders since being drafted in 1999.  He was one of the slew of slick-fielding thirdbasemen that the team had at that time; Travis Fryman (who was traded from the Hitmen), Edgardo Alfonzo, Eric Chavez, and Adrian.  Chavez, ironically, was also dealt to the Gamblers after his rookie year due to the logjam.  Eventually Fryman and Alfonzo fell to the wayside and Adrian took over the 3rd base job fulltime in 2005, and responded with a career year, hitting .266 with 49 home runs and 123 RBI; numbers he has not approached since.  Since then, he’s settled in as a solid 20-25 HR bat that has mostly hit out of the 5 and 6-holes in the Highlander lineup while playing Gold Glove defense at third.  He has hit 84 HR in the 4 years since 2005, but was looking to be relegated to defensive duty only with the arrival of Michael Young.

Kazmir came into the league as a highly regarded youngster, much like Beltre.  He was drafted in 2006 by the Gamblers and has a 36-29 record with a 3.75 ERA through 2008, and is 15-3, with a 3.88 ERA in 2009 so far.  Questions about his durability remain, although he still is thought to have great potential.

Beltre will fill the hole left by Troy Glaus’s retirement (which in turn filled a hole left by Chavez’s injuries) and should solidify the left side of the Gambler infield for years to come.  Kazmir gives the Highlanders another young, potentially high-impact arm as they try to get younger and create a more dynamic, exciting team.  For 2010 he’ll slot into the 4th spot in the rotation behind Felix Hernandez, Roy Oswalt, and Jon Garland.  He pushes Ian Snell back to the 5th slot in the rotation, Andrew Miller to swingman, and Jeremy Guthrie to the bullpen.

The Highlanders are not done dealing yet – they may have more moves to make, although none that need to be made.  Miguel Tejada and Johnny Damon are both high-quality bats at their positions who might find themselves at new addresses this spring, though both could also anchor the Highlanders offense in 2010.

2008 IAL TRADE ANALYSIS

THUNDERCHICKENS get Ray Durham

GAMBLERS get Juan Uribe

ANALYSIS This was a trade to help teams with coverage, no advantage.

CHAMPIONS get Chad Patrick Cordero

GAMBLERS get Shane Patrick Victorino

ANALYSIS Even though in real life Cordero’s a closer, he’s only a B*Y in APBA. Even though in real life Victorino’s a smurf, he’s a great defensive outfielder, with leadoff man skills in APBA. Advantage Gamblers.

MARAUDERS get Tim Hudson

HIGHLANDERS get Justin Upton

ANALYSIS Future for present, still anytime you can get 200 B innings for a prospect, even a superstar prospect, advantage Marauders.

HIGHLANDERS get Miguel Montero

SLUGGERS get Ronnie Belliard

ANALYSIS You’d think a draft pick would be worth more than Belliard, but you’d be wrong. Advantage Sluggers.

BOMBERS get Roberto Hernandez

HITMEN get Jose Valentin

ANALYSIS This was a trade to help teams with coverage, no advantage.

MARAUDERS get Huston Street

THUNDERCHICKENS get Ryan Zimmerman

ANALYSIS A quality closer for a quality thirdbaseman. In this draft three quality thirdbaseman weren’t taken, while journeyman graded relievers were. Things that make you go hmmm, advantage Marauders.

BOMBERS get Jorge Julio

CHAMPIONS get Jim Edmonds

ANALYSIS This was a trade to help teams with coverage, yet Edmonds is going to be so bad in SD, while Julio has a chance to be good with the Tribe, advantage Bombers.

SLUGGERS get Robinson Cano & Jarod Washburn

BAMM-BEANOS get Jeremy Bonderman & Dan Uggla

ANALYSIS Even if Bonderman only pitched like he does in the first half of the year, it wouldn’t make up for giving away Cano, advantage Sluggers.

CHAMPIONS get Alex Gonzalez, Jeremy Sowers, & Juan Rincon

BAMM-BEANOS get Josh Barfield, Boof Bonser, & Alex Cintron

ANALYSIS Sowers, Barfield, & Cintron are bums. Alex Gonzalez provides some pop off the Champs bench and Rincon adds some depth to the pen, while Bonser may bounce back from a sophomore slump. No advantage.

GAMBLERS Dustin Pedroia & Miguel Cairo

BAMM-BEANOS Jonathan Papelbon & Alex Gordon

ANALYSIS Best closer in baseball and a better player in Gordon over Pedroia, Cairo doesn’t quite make up for the difference, advantage Bamm-Beanos.

CHAMPIONS get Nick Swisher, Josh Barfield, & Boof Bonser

BAMM-BEANOS get Matt Kemp, Jim Edmonds, & Jeremy Sowers

ANALYSIS The upside of Bonser is not enough to offset Kemp over Swisher, the other three guys are bums, advantage Bamm-Beanos. Don’t play the slight of hand trick with Magician the Fabulous Brando.

BOMBERS get Hank Blalock

HITMEN get Omar Vizquel

ANALYSIS Blalock can hit off the bench, Vizquel can’t, even though Chuck’s happy with the deal, advantage Bombers.

CHAMPIONS get Jose Guillen

BOMBERS get Juan Rincon

ANALYSIS One juicer for another. Still Guillen can hit pretty well off the bench, for a pitcher who can’t get anybody out, advantage Champions.

BAMM-BEANOS get Jonathan Broxton & Matt Garza

UPPERDECKERS get J.J. Hardy & Jarrod Saltalamacchia

ANALYSIS Two hard throwers for a SS and a suspect, advantage Bamm-Beanos.

UPPERDECKERS get Jose Contreras

MARAUDERS get Rafael Furcal

ANALYSIS Furcal is way better than Contreras, but somehow we all saw it coming, the Cuban was going to be soon on his way to Papa Bunch, advantage Marauders.

BOMBERS get Jose Contreras

UPPERDECKERS get Juan Rincon

ANALYSIS Did you ever see a trade that was too insignificant to even comment on? No advantage, but we all saw it coming.

BOMBERS get Brendan Harris

SLUGGERS get Damaso Marte

ANALYSIS Now I hate both Nick & Papa Bunchie! I had no idea Nick traded Mike the pick he used to draft Harris, that after not dealing Belliard to me. Sheesh, I thought Nick just gave me a ride to the convention. No advantage.

THUNDERCHICKENS get Austin Kearns

HITMEN get Kenny Lofton

ANALYSIS Although Kearns does walk, hit for power, and field better than Lofton, Kenny was just the leadoff man the doctor ordered for the Hitmen. No advantage.

THUNDERCKENS get Kyle Kendrick & Felix Pie

HIGHLANDERS get Stephen Drew & Andrew Miller

ANALYSIS Drew looks to be coming into his own and Miller is an outstanding lefty, even if Pie is the real deal, this was a steal, advantage Highlanders.

THUNDERCHICKENS get Dustin McGowan & Scott Podesednik

SLUGGERS get Austin Kearns & Carlos Silva

ANALYSIS Interesting deal, no advantage.

BOMBERS get Jarrod Saltalamacchia & Juan Rincon

UPPERDECKERS Joel Zumaya & Asdrubal Cabrera

ANALYSIS Don’t be too hard on your kids when they’re young, cuz they’ll turn the tables on you when you’re old & senile. Big advantage Upperdeckers!

BAMM-BEANOS get Brad Lidge

MARAUDERS get Yunel Escobar

ANALYSIS I like what John’s done with his pen, rotation, and lineup. Don’t know what DonS is doing hoarding shortstops, it’s like I’m missing something. No advantage.

BOMBERS get Eric Hinske

HITMEN get Jorge Julio

ANALYSIS Maybe Mike still thought Hinske was with the Upperdeckers and he was dealing with Marc, otherwise why would you trade the potential of Julio for the nothing of Hinske? Advantage Hitmen.

Now quick, without looking, what team did Juan Rincon start out on, how many times was he dealt this offseason, and where did he end up? I don’t know why anyone would think inseason trading would be confusing.

2009 IAL TRADE ANALYSIS

CHAMPIONS get Felipe Lopez

UPPERDECKERS get Vernon Wells

ANALYSIS Need sometimes creates desperation, V-Dub is WAY better than F-Lo. Big advantage Upperdeckers!

GAMBLERS get Scott Rolen

BAMM-BEANOS get Juan Uribe

ANALYSIS Rolen gives the Gamblers a regular at 3B and Brooks Uribe gives the Bamm-Beanos some flexibility as a utility infielder. This was a trade to help teams with coverage, no advantage.

CHAMPIONS get Ryan Doumit, Ian Stewart, & Bobby Crosby

HITMEN get A.J. Burnett, Hiroki Kuroda, & Boof Bonser

ANALYSIS Pitching for hitting, as simple as that. Doumit fills in for the injured Victor Martinez and Burnett gives the Hitmen a solid #3 starter. Doumit for Burnett would’ve been a fair trade, advantage Hitmen.

UPPERDECKERS get Jeff Keppinger

MARAUDERS get Ken Griffey, Jr.

ANALYSIS Junior’s closer to becoming a draft choice, advantage Marauders.

BOMBERS get Adam Dunn

GAMBLERS get Troy Glaus

ANALYSIS Dunn will eventually become the starting firstbaseman for the Bombers. Glaus is an upgrade over Rolen at 3B, any way to get Uribe back for Rolen? Even Steven.

MARAUDERS get James Loney

BOMBERS get Yunel Escobar

ANALYSIS DonS must’ve convinced Papa Bunch you can never have too many shortstops. Another fair trade.

KERNELS get Robb Quinlan

HIGHLANDERS get Julian Tavarez

ANALYSIS Thinking about this swap makes my head hurt, no talent here.

MARAUDERS get Geovany Soto

HIGHLANDERS get Felix Hernandez

ANALYSIS A good young pitcher for a good young catcher, no advantage.

MARAUDERS get Evan Longoria & Ramon Hernandez

THUNDERCHICKENS get Geovany Soto & Mark Hendrickson

ANALYSIS DonS should’ve stopped here, IMHO. The Marauders need young blood at the hot corner, can’t top Longoria! Nelly gets the man he wanted, wouldn’t it have been easier just to lose more games down the stretch? Marauders get the nod in this one.

MARAUDERS get Nick Blackburn

HIGHLANDERS get Rickie Weeks

ANALYSIS A young pitcher for a young secondbaseman, talent’s still up in the air, slight advantage to Marauders.

BOMBERS get Evan Longoria & Glen Perkins

MARAUDERS get Edinson Volquez & Johnny Cueto

ANALYSIS Johnny Cueto is that much better than Glen Perkins to once again give the advantage to the Marauders, despite the fact that Longoria is clearly the best player in the trade.

BOMBERS get Mike Jacobs

THUNDERCHICKENS get Eric Hinske

ANALYSIS The Manasha Mauler fits into the T*Chix lineup as a leadoff man and Jake will be the starting firstbaseman this year in Green Rock. This deal helps both clubs.

GAMBLERS get Omar Vizquel

HITMEN get Scott Rolen

ANALYSIS Gamblers should’ve hung on to Uribe. The Hitmen should’ve kept Omar and drafted Blake DeWitt. This trade is a bad one for both teams. It’s another coverage deal.