I hear from an Arkansas source that 2nd Round Pick Brett Eibner signed with the Royals on Monday. Terms or the deal are unknown. Eibner has been seen with Royals officials including Dayton Moore and Mike Arbuckle at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Arkansas, the past several days.
I wouldn't be surprised if the deal was a bit overslot and thus will not be announced until the deadline is nearer. Eibner also sustained an arm injury and still may not be ready to play and so there is no rush for the Royals to make the deal public at this point. Eibner was a two way star at Arkansas but the Royals plan to make him their centerfielder of the future.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
Ankiel and Farnsworth Dealt to Atlanta
Royals Lose: Rick Ankiel & Kyle Farnsworth
Like Podsednik, I supported the Ankiel signing with the reasoning that he could have a good first half and then be good trade bait at the deadline. This didn't exactly workout as I had hoped but amazingly the Royals were able to flip him at the deadline along with probably the most effective reliever to ever be so hated by the Royals faithful. He pretty much sealed his fate with his first week in the Royal blue. Anyways, Farnsworth should provide some help to the Atlanta bullpen and Ankiel got just hot enough to allow the Royals to package him, opening up another roster spot for something that could be a part of the future of the organization.
Royals Acquire: Jesse Chavez, Gregor Blanco, & Tim Collins
My I first glanced over the stats of the three players acquired I told my friends that "I was less than overwhelmed by the return." Two days later, this statement doesn't entirely hold true and here is are my reasons:
1) Jesse Chavez- Originally I saw his career era of 4.95 and the fact that he has been abysmal this season in the NL East. But after watching him pitch the on television I am somewhat optimistic that with the quality of his stuff and McClure's track record of improving bullpen arms that he could be turned into a viable reliever that is under team control for the next several seasons.
2) Gregor Blanco- I am still less than thrilled about Gregor Blanco, however he seems to have decent speed and a knack for getting on base at a decent clip. Hopefully he can develop into a somewhat decent defensive outfielder and he can be a fourth outfielder guy. If not he can help hold down the fort until an outfield prospect is ready to claim it from him. Anyone? Please...
3) Tim Collins- Collins is the reason why I am excited about this trade. At first glance (literally a couple of seconds before I had to go out the door.) of his statistics there were two things that my eyes focused on: his height which is 5-7, and his 5.68 era last season in double-A. But wait! This season as a twenty year old his double A era is a glistening 2.29 and even more impressive is the fact that he has averaged 15.4 Ks per 9 innings this season. Collins will be assigned to triple A, Omaha and should be a fast riser to the majors. He could be a lefty set up man with his low 90s heat, deceptive arm angle, and plus curveball.
For Collins I've heard comparisons to Billy Wagner thrown out there and even a lefty Tim Lincecum. He's an exciting prospect but let's not get crazy. It's not that unordinary to record that many strikeouts. How many was it? Oh yeah 308 in 202 career minor league innings. Okay, I'll admit that's impressive.
Conclusion:
Once again Royals open two spots for younger guys that will be under team control for longer than the remainder of the season. They acquire several years of a reliever with above average stuff, several years of a fourth outfielder, and six years of a potentially dominant reliever. I approve.
Like Podsednik, I supported the Ankiel signing with the reasoning that he could have a good first half and then be good trade bait at the deadline. This didn't exactly workout as I had hoped but amazingly the Royals were able to flip him at the deadline along with probably the most effective reliever to ever be so hated by the Royals faithful. He pretty much sealed his fate with his first week in the Royal blue. Anyways, Farnsworth should provide some help to the Atlanta bullpen and Ankiel got just hot enough to allow the Royals to package him, opening up another roster spot for something that could be a part of the future of the organization.
Royals Acquire: Jesse Chavez, Gregor Blanco, & Tim Collins
My I first glanced over the stats of the three players acquired I told my friends that "I was less than overwhelmed by the return." Two days later, this statement doesn't entirely hold true and here is are my reasons:
1) Jesse Chavez- Originally I saw his career era of 4.95 and the fact that he has been abysmal this season in the NL East. But after watching him pitch the on television I am somewhat optimistic that with the quality of his stuff and McClure's track record of improving bullpen arms that he could be turned into a viable reliever that is under team control for the next several seasons.
2) Gregor Blanco- I am still less than thrilled about Gregor Blanco, however he seems to have decent speed and a knack for getting on base at a decent clip. Hopefully he can develop into a somewhat decent defensive outfielder and he can be a fourth outfielder guy. If not he can help hold down the fort until an outfield prospect is ready to claim it from him. Anyone? Please...
3) Tim Collins- Collins is the reason why I am excited about this trade. At first glance (literally a couple of seconds before I had to go out the door.) of his statistics there were two things that my eyes focused on: his height which is 5-7, and his 5.68 era last season in double-A. But wait! This season as a twenty year old his double A era is a glistening 2.29 and even more impressive is the fact that he has averaged 15.4 Ks per 9 innings this season. Collins will be assigned to triple A, Omaha and should be a fast riser to the majors. He could be a lefty set up man with his low 90s heat, deceptive arm angle, and plus curveball.
For Collins I've heard comparisons to Billy Wagner thrown out there and even a lefty Tim Lincecum. He's an exciting prospect but let's not get crazy. It's not that unordinary to record that many strikeouts. How many was it? Oh yeah 308 in 202 career minor league innings. Okay, I'll admit that's impressive.
Conclusion:
Once again Royals open two spots for younger guys that will be under team control for longer than the remainder of the season. They acquire several years of a reliever with above average stuff, several years of a fourth outfielder, and six years of a potentially dominant reliever. I approve.
Scott Podsednik takes Playmate Wife back to Hollywood
Royals Lose: Scott Podsednik
This past offseason I was one of many Royals fans that viewed the signing of Scott Podsednik as a blend of a stop gap and a sign and trade option. I approved of the deal at the time, and even more so now that the Royals have been able to flip in for a couple of pieces that should be able to add some depth to the organization.
Podsednik exceeding my expectations this season with the stick, batting .310/.353/.400 in his time with the Royals. He also added 30 steals and played an average left field. Podsednik should be a useful player on the Dodgers roster, but I don't expect him to tip the scales in the NL West.
Royals Acquire: Lucas May & Elisaul Pimentel
Lucas May is a 25 year old catching prospect. He entered the season as the top catching prospect in the Dodgers system, and upon his arrival in Kansas City he will be the most major league catching prospect in the organization. Like other present and former Dodger catching prospects, Lucas May has converted from another position on the diamond. As a result of this he is a bit behind in his ability to block baseballs and his game calling. May is said to be a strong fastball hitter, that can struggle mightily with offspeed stuff. Oh and John Wathan- did I mention that May is a good runner for a catcher? May has a strong arm, but his mechanics are a work in progress.
This season May was hitting .296/.352/.496 in the Pacific Coast League before being traded. However, this is in one of the most hitter friendly enviornments in triple A. I'd like to think that May has the upset of a good obp, decent pop kind of catcher that could provide a great match with the defensive first Manny Pina, until Wil Myers or Salvador Perez are ready to take the throne, however I'm skeptical that his offensive success will translate to the Major League level.
The other part of the deal is a 22 year old righty by the name of Elisaul Pimentel. Pimentel is a mildly intriguing arm, but given his age and the fact that he is only in the Midwest League I'm not overly excited by him. He has averaged over a strikeout an inning this season and he has shown the ability to keep the ball in the ballpark. He should provide some starting pitching depth in the system and probably has the upside of a back end starter or a bullpen guy.
Conclusion:
The Royals did what they needed to do by trading Podsednik. Dayton Moore is initiating the youth movement by creating openings on the Major League roster, while acquiring more depth in the minor leagues. In this deal the Royals acquired a team's top catching prospect and an intriguing arm for the last two months of a 34 year old veteran.
I don't know what other deals were available to the Royals, but it's hard to complain about this one. The haul wasn't overly impressive but then again neither was the player that was being dealt.
This past offseason I was one of many Royals fans that viewed the signing of Scott Podsednik as a blend of a stop gap and a sign and trade option. I approved of the deal at the time, and even more so now that the Royals have been able to flip in for a couple of pieces that should be able to add some depth to the organization.
Podsednik exceeding my expectations this season with the stick, batting .310/.353/.400 in his time with the Royals. He also added 30 steals and played an average left field. Podsednik should be a useful player on the Dodgers roster, but I don't expect him to tip the scales in the NL West.
Royals Acquire: Lucas May & Elisaul Pimentel
Lucas May is a 25 year old catching prospect. He entered the season as the top catching prospect in the Dodgers system, and upon his arrival in Kansas City he will be the most major league catching prospect in the organization. Like other present and former Dodger catching prospects, Lucas May has converted from another position on the diamond. As a result of this he is a bit behind in his ability to block baseballs and his game calling. May is said to be a strong fastball hitter, that can struggle mightily with offspeed stuff. Oh and John Wathan- did I mention that May is a good runner for a catcher? May has a strong arm, but his mechanics are a work in progress.
This season May was hitting .296/.352/.496 in the Pacific Coast League before being traded. However, this is in one of the most hitter friendly enviornments in triple A. I'd like to think that May has the upset of a good obp, decent pop kind of catcher that could provide a great match with the defensive first Manny Pina, until Wil Myers or Salvador Perez are ready to take the throne, however I'm skeptical that his offensive success will translate to the Major League level.
The other part of the deal is a 22 year old righty by the name of Elisaul Pimentel. Pimentel is a mildly intriguing arm, but given his age and the fact that he is only in the Midwest League I'm not overly excited by him. He has averaged over a strikeout an inning this season and he has shown the ability to keep the ball in the ballpark. He should provide some starting pitching depth in the system and probably has the upside of a back end starter or a bullpen guy.
Conclusion:
The Royals did what they needed to do by trading Podsednik. Dayton Moore is initiating the youth movement by creating openings on the Major League roster, while acquiring more depth in the minor leagues. In this deal the Royals acquired a team's top catching prospect and an intriguing arm for the last two months of a 34 year old veteran.
I don't know what other deals were available to the Royals, but it's hard to complain about this one. The haul wasn't overly impressive but then again neither was the player that was being dealt.
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