2009/10 Off Season Review (Part 1)

As most owners realize, the baseball season doesn't end in September. It was an active off season for most teams in the EHCC, either building for the future or trying to add the missing piece to make their roster a contender for the 2010 crown, as seems to be the case with the EHCC's newest team, the Woodland Park Wops, as they traded away Pedro Alvarez for established talent. How did your team utilize their off season?





2009/10 Off Season Review (Part 1 of 4)
By: Conor Intabedd / Reno Weekly Rag

Below is part one of a four part series which reviews exactly how the off season was used by each team in the league. Enjoy.


WOODLAND PARK WOPS

Gave Up...

Kevin Youkilis (1B,3B - BOS)
Cole Hamels (SP - PHI)
Rick Porcello (SP - DET)
Gio Gonzalez (SP - OAK)
Pedro Alvarez (3B - PIT)*
2nd Round MaDP (2010 - WP) - R2P4 [Ryan Rowland-Smith (SP - SEA)]
1st Round MiDP (2010 - WP) - R1P7 [Player TBD]
2nd Round MiDP (2010 - WP) - R2P10 [Player TBD]

Took On...

Dustin Pedroia (2B - BOS)
Scott Kazmir (SP - LAA)
Frank Francisco (RP - TEX)
Stephen Drew (SS - ARI)
Ted Lilly (SP - CHC)
Aramis Ramirez (3B - CHC)
Adam Dunn (1B, OF - WAS)
3rd Round MaDP (2011 - LV) - R3P? [Player TBD]


The league's only rookie owner tried to make up for the team's former owner's lack of movement all before his first regular season match up. Right out of the gun the Wops went after their targets: Pedrioa, Kazmir, Drew. They knew what they wanted and were willing to pay for them. Filling out the roster came later, with additions of Dunn and Aramis Ramirez. Their offense is considerably better, no question. It may have come at the expense of their pitching and future however, as they shipped off young, talented starters in Porcello and Hamels, only adding on Scott Kazmir and Ted Lilly and their injury baggage. Can't fault them for being aggressive however.
Grade: B


SOUTH CAROLINA FIGHTING WRENS

Gave Up...

Joey Votto (1B - CIN)
1st Round MiDP (2010 - SC) - R1P10 [Player TBD]
4th Round MaDP (2011 - SC) - R4P? [Player TBD]

Took On...

Ricky Nolasco (SP - FLA)
Carlos Beltran (OF - NYM)
4th Round MaDP (2010 - ARL) - R4P5 [Matt Guerrier (RP-MIN)]

The Wrens made no secret of the availability of their two young first baseman. The only issue they had is that no one needed them as much as they wanted to get rid of them, that is until the dust settled on the Las Vegas off season trading frenzy. Bringing on a solid arm in Nolasco was a good move for the Wrens, even if Votto may have been worth more. It was simply a situation of supply and demand. South Carolina had the supply, but there was just a lack of demand as the majority of the teams out there were satisfied with their first base situation. The Wrens probably did the best they were going to do considering the market. Grabbing Carlos Beltran as a veteran presence in their outfield doesn't hurt either.
Grade: B+


RAKEVILLE ROCKETS

Gave Up...

3rd Round MaDP (2010 - PEO) - R3P8 [Gil Meche (SP - KC)]
4th Round MaDP (2010 - RAK) - R4P11 [Joe Nathan (RP - MIN)]

Took On...

3rd Round MaDP (2011 - WP) - R3P? [Player TBD]
4th Round MaDP (2011 - ARL) - R4P? [Player TBD]

Another boring off season in Rakeville. Draft day trades aside, the Rockets haven't made an off season trade since December 10, 2007 when they traded for BJ Upton. The off season prior they made only two trades, both of which sent away players for draft picks. Management might still be hurting for their terrible 2005/06 off season, as the team has become a big player at the trade deadline and appears to go into hibernation come the off season. They didn't hurt themselves, but didn't help themselves either, and with the majority of the teams in the EHCC getting better now or in preparation for the future, it doesn't help the Rockets to stand still. The lack of moves for a roster in need determines their grade.
Grade: C