Kyle Galdeira  -  K-Zone
SID/Web Editor

kyleg@hawaiiwinterbaseball.com


Trade Winds
Posted on Sun Jul 29, 2007 at 02:00pm HAST

 

With the trade deadline now less than 24 hours away, this is the time for teams to make the necessary moves to bolster their rosters--both for the near and distant futures.


The wheeling and dealing can drive fans nuts, whether they are cheering for a contender or pretender. It's up to general managers to decide whether to pick up an experienced veteran with the baggage of a usually hefty contract, or stockpile prospects with the hopes of them maturing within the next five years.


As an Atlanta Braves fan, I love the idea of getting Mark Teixeira to fill the lack of production at first base. But is it really worth giving up Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Elvis Andrus, the top two prospects in the organization? This is the eternal dilemma faced by organizations: gamble now with the hope of making a championship run, or play it safe and stockpile talent for years to come.


Some 2006 HWB alumni have changed addresses as a result of recent deals. Last week, Joe Thatcher--the winning pitcher for the North Shore Honu in the 2006 HWB Championship Game--was sent to San Diego by Milwaukee in a bullpen swap. Thatcher has already reaped the benefits of the trade, advancing to the major league club to fill a hole in the bullpen.


And today, another pair of former Honu in Drew Butera and Dustin Martin were sent from the New York Mets organization to Minnesota in exchange for second baseman Luis Castillo. The Twins got a bargain, as they would have lost Castillo to free agency after this season anyway while the Mets are trying to stack the deck and win it all this year.


Although the results of these deals and those to come in the following hours may not be seen for months or even years, it is definitely an interesting time to be a baseball fan. Hopefully your favorite team will make the right moves to get or stay on the winning track...as long as they don't get in the way of the Braves!


Posted under - Players | 3 comments


Comments

  1. Lance Coughlin said on 08/05/2007:
    Butera has a gun for an arm.

  2. Sam said on 08/06/2007:
    That's too bad that Butera had to go to Minnesota. I don't see Joe Mauer going anywhere, which means Butera will be stuck in the minors for a while.

  3. Kyle said on 08/06/2007:
    I agree guys, with Mauer locked in at catcher, I think Butera might have to make a switch to one of the corner infield positions. But, his strong arm is a plus if he tries his hand in the outfield, so we shall see what the Twins will do. Thanks for the input, Kyle