They Might Be Giants

Trades have been hard to come by in 2013, but the ones that have come along have defined how the season will turn out. With Quebec City breaking up the band and Las Vegas taking risks to reach that elusive 4th title, one has to wonder what the rest of the league is planning to keep up, in one direction or the other.

They Might Be Giants
By: Conor Intabedd; Reno Weekly Rag

Tim Lincecum knew this day was coming. Piglets' GM Pat Renaud had always been his biggest fan. Ever since trading for him back in 2007, Timmy had been a staple in the Piglets' rotation and one of the corner stones to their 2011 Championship. Then, he cut his hair. His long, flowing, shiny game winning hair. With it went his Cy Young talent and his championship swagger. The 2012 season brought out a disturbing side of the star pitcher that many had never seen. He wasn't hurt. He didn't have blisters. He wasn't just playing out an inflated contract. To many it seemed all too clear: His hair held the key. Once it was gone there was no chance.

For over a year and a half Renaud was in denial. He had purchased his very own Lincecum shirt for heaven's sake, he just couldn't give up hope. He failed to see through all the smoke and mirrors that most called talent and see what was really going on. To see that Timmy just couldn't cut it, ever since he cut it all off. Sure, the kid can still strikeout a batter an inning, but at what cost?

But it was only a matter of time before it happened. Timmy's time was up north of the border. It was time to pack his bags and head south. He knew sooner or later Renaud would finally give in and part ways with the former All-Star. But who would take the chance? Who was still a believer?

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The Las Vegas Doggs haven't sniffed the air of a championship since 2008. The once bi-annual champions failed to make the playoffs twice of the last four seasons, and choked the two chances they had at another title. Their fans have been getting restless. 2012 seemed like it was the turning point. Their bats were some of the hottest in the league and their pitching was rated tops in the EHCC for the first time in franchise history. They had it all. They brought in talent to push them over the top - Jonathan Neise, Ryan Dempster, Jon Lester helped round out the rotation while their solid line up core of Votto, Posey, and Chase Headley held things together on the offensive front. They let go of so much of their future, banking on the fact that their entire pitching staff outside of Dempster was under the age of 30, at a chance at just one more title. And they choked it away.

Some teams might learn their lesson - the one that says "don't mortgage your future on a risky move just for a short time gain". Some would have made some managerial changes or even General Managerial changes. Some may have even blown up the roster. Not the Doggs. They were too far in the hand to fold now. They had to see this through, just one more time. There had to be some new hope in Vegas.

Enter Kevin Gausman. With the top waiver priority entering the 2013 season the Doggs selected

Gausman off EHCC Waivers hoping he would add a new spark to the rotation. He did. He added the spark that lit the bomb that sent the entire squad exploding. Gausman was lit up in his first few starts and spread whatever he was infected with to the rest of the staff. Gallardo, Lester, Cain all started to falter. Newly acquired Jim Johnson, Jonathan Neise, and even ace Mat Latos weren't immune. Something was clear - Gausman had to go. But where? To tend to the wound quickly the Doggs sent Gausman on an errand to find the key to the elevator that led to the pool in the basement of the stadium. The rookie fell for it and searched for the non existant key to the non existant pool for almost two full weeks. When he finally came back to the bullpen GM Howe Dogg had informed him to clean out his locker, as he was expected to be traded in the coming day or two and to get his passport in order as it was clear he'd be headed to the Western Division.

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Net sum of all trades made by each team this season as of June 29th:

Quebec City Piglets

Received:

Chase Headley (3B)
Austin Jackson (OF)
Kevin Slowey (SP)
Chad Billingsley (SP)
Kevin Gausman (SP)
Trevor Bauer (SP)
3rd Round MiDP (SD-2013)
1st Round MiDP (AUG-2014)
2nd Round MiDP (AUG-2014)

Gave Up:

Jose Reyes (SS)
Matt Carpenter (2B)
Brandon Morrow (SP)
Kris Medlen (SP)
Tim Lincecum (SP)
Edward Mujica (RP)


Las Vegas Doggs

Received:

Matt Carpenter (2B)
Tim Lincecum (SP)
Jim Johnson (RP)
Edward Mujica (RP)
1st Round MiDP (TIJ-2014)

Gave Up:

Chase Headley (3B)
Ryan Dempster (SP)
Chad Billingsley (SP)
Kevin Gausman (SP)


Tijuana Hispanics

Received: 

Ryan Dempster (SP)
Kris Medlen (SP)
1st Round MaDP (TKO-2014)

Gave Up:

Nick Markakis (OF)
Trevor Bauer (SP)
Chris Archer (SP)
Jim Johnson (RP)
1st Round MiDP (TIJ-2014)


Augusta Albatross

Received: 

Nick Markakis (OF)
Brandon Morrow (SP)

Gave Up: 

Kevin Slowey (SP)
1st Round MiDP (AUG-2014)
2nd Round MiDP (AUG-2014)


Tokyo Omyoujis

Received:

Chris Archer (SP)

Gave Up:

1st Round MaDP (TKO-2014)


Santo Domingo All-Star Factory

Received: 

Jose Reyes (SS)

Gave Up:

Austin Jackson (OF)
3rd Round MiDP (SD-2013)