Pastime Baseball League
July Review (cont.)
Trade deadline recap
We already covered the big one that saw Cap Anson go to Orlando for Tim Keefe. Here are the other July trades:
The New Orleans Knights traded 27-year-old SS/2B George Wright (.212-0-3) to the Memphis Strummers, getting 28-year-old starting pitcher Erik Bedard (13-5, 3.03) in return: A complete head-scratcher, as Memphis deals the guy who was second on the team in ERA for a middle infielder two-years removed from a good season. The Strummers have prospect Alan Trammell to back up Otto Krueger at short, and rookie Ron Oester has filled in brilliantly for the injured Cupid Childs, winning Rookie of the Month for June. A puzzler.
The Indianapolis Engines traded 26-year-old first baseman Nick Johnson (.324-6-24) and $1,453,100 in cash to the Memphis Strummers, getting 29-year-old starting pitcher Lady Baldwin (9-12, 5.23) in return. The deal that laid the groundwork for trading Anson. Is Memphis better with Johnson/Keefe than with Anson/Baldwin?
The Sacramento Stingers traded 29-year-old first baseman Travis Hafner (.233-0-5) and $639,800 in cash to the Wichita Brigade, getting 27-year-old shortstop Julio Lugo (.222-1-12) in return. Two guys who haven't panned out. You get the feeling, given how these franchises have gone, this will work out for Wichita.
The Alabama Airmen traded 26-year-old second baseman Bobby Lowe (.281-1-13) to the Los Angeles Idols, getting 29-year-old starting pitcher Rodrigo Lopez (9-8, 5.68) in return. Lowe can play OF as well, so he adds versatility to Los Angeles for a pitcher who hasn't gotten it done, despite the winning record.
The San Antonio Sheriffs traded 28-year-old right fielder Oyster Burns (.319-2-13) to the Charlotte Cougars, getting 27-year-old pitcher Pete Alexander (0-1, 2.25) in return. With this season done in San Antonio, the Sheriffs try to regroup with pitching, going for Alexander who at 27 has still not gotten a real chance to show his stuff. This could be a steal down the line.