EHCC Trehde Rumors: Trade Deadline Conference 2017

Tuesday, August 1, 2017 marks the final day teams can finalize player trades without being impeded by EHCC waivers. It's always been an exciting time around the league. By this time teams have figured out if they've got a chance or if they're playing for next year, or in some cases for 3 years down the road. With the shortened season it was thought this would be even easier to figure out who the sellers and who the buyers would be as there's one less week to make up any ground, but the trade deadline stayed in the same spot. Then the 2017 season happened. When the 11th place team is still just 6.5 games back from a playoff spot, and the 1st place team is going all in it makes 7th place teams sell and 10th place team buy, and 2nd place teams stand pat. Up is down, left is right, the dead rising from the grave, human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria. You get the point.

EHCC Trehde Rumors: Trade Deadline Conference 2017

By: Jim Fierkes, www.EHCCTrehdeRumors.com

Half of the EHCC is scheduled to meet for an 'unofficial" trade deadline conference this Friday at Fenway Park, with representatives from Quebec City, Weymouth, San Juan, Santo Domingo, and San Fernando Valley confirming their attendance. It's certain owners from across the league will be available via teleconference and other means as well, but we all know how easy it is to get left out in the dust when you're not physically present at these sorts of meetings. So let's take a look at five trades that could (or should) come out of this unprecedented meeting.

1.) Quebec City will attempt to restock their draft assets.

The Piglets have been part of almost every big splash trade this season, but one has to wonder what else they could possibly do. Their farm is gone. They don't have any MiDP until 2019. Their best assets for sale are guys that won't make their keeper roster but possibly would be top 15 guys on most other rosters. Their best bet is talking one of the contenders into taking their scraps as guys that would round out their roster. Basically, becoming fringe sellers.

Trade that should happen:

From QC - Gregory Polanco (OF) + Luke Weaver (SP) + 2018 1st Round MaDP (QC)
for
From SFV - Salvador Perez (C) + 2018 2nd Round MiDP (LV) + dropped player

Sure, QC just pulled Weaver off the heap. Somehow he cleared waivers and the rich will use him to get richer. He's a valuable asset, especially to a rebuilding team, where as Polanco is expendable by QC and brings a big risk/reward return with his injury history combined with his talent. Perez ties up the only lose end of the Quebec City offense.

2.) San Juan will sell off their farm.

In an attempt to keep pace, and to make what was starting to look like a lost season thanks to a poor second half, the Guertites have made it known they're buyers. The turned down "seller-like" offers, and made a big-time trade with Rio de Janeiro (who's made it known they are doing the complete opposite) netting them a win-now package of JD Martinez, Jose Quintana, and Trevor Cahill. All these players have the potential to helping San Juan for a few more years, so the immediate future wasn't hurt, but the Guertites have come to terms they're ok rebuilding for 2020 and beyond later, and attempting to take down the Piglet juggernauts and overtake the beast in the East Shaddupu.

Nick Williams and Mike Taylor are San Juan's two best MiProtected bats and will make a tempting package to a team selling win-now assets. Only problem is the only known sellers at this conference are San Fernando and they've traded away just about all their "win now" players. San Juan might be better off just calling one of them up to the show to help out their offense directly.

Trade that should happen:

From SJ - Nick Williams (OF) or Michael Taylor (OF) + dropped player
for
From QC - Dustin Pedrioa (2B)

So San Juan's offensive weakness sits in the outfield. They have two outfield prospects, who are currently up in the majors, but rather than call them up they'll look solidify other areas. In walks Quebec City to help. With the addition of Robinson Cano, Pedroia becomes expendable to say the least. After being discarded by Dublin, Dustin has actually put up some fine numbers and would fit right in at 2B in San Juan, while they could move Whit Merrifield to a utility role, or possibly even have him start in the outfield. Who ever San Juan doesn't trade away could (should) be called up during the playoffs as needed. It makes sense for Quebec City, who just traded away their young OF in Polanco, assuming my trade forecast works out.

3.) San Fernando Valley will shop and sell anyone over the age of 28.

Which doesn't include many options at this point. San Fernando has done a good job of filling their roster with young talent, both on the EHCC and ESSEC rosters, even if it's at the expense of having players who actually play. 11 of their 29 EHCC rostered players are either hurt or inactive, making their quest for the top MaDP that much easier.

Trade that should happen:

From SFV - Mike Moustakas (3B)
for
From SD - Triston McKenzie (SP) + Alex Bregman (3B) + Lewis Brinson (OF) + dropped player

I mean, this just makes sense right? Sell high on Moustakas, and get depth at positions in need. Bregman should fill in right away at 3B for SFV, and fits within the age requirements of being on the team, and McKenzie will be spun from trading Matt Harvey to Weymouth (see below). San Fernando will obviously go after Acuna or Eloy Jiminez, but after a quick balk by Santo Domingo ownership, will settled for Brinson as an OF upgrade. Santo Domingo simply has enough of a farm that this trade, or something like it, just makes too much sense for them to make - so it probably won't.

(Editors Note: I really wanted to suggest a Salvador Perez / Gary Sanchez swap here, but just couldn't bring myself to do it. (but I guess I just did huh? Oh well, we all know it won't happen)

4.) Weymouth will add a starting pitcher and a closer.

Maybe. Shaddypoo is expected to stand pat this year, as they're still feeling hurt by the Aaron Judge fiasco from last year's deadline - especially since their move got them kicked out in the semi-final round of the playoffs. If they do anything, it'll be to strengthen their beaten up rotation. If they hope to keep pace with Western rival Quebec City, or fend off nearly reloaded Eastern rival San Juan, they'll need to add one more arm to the rotatuon and another to the back end of their bullpen. With Cody Allen switching places (and then switching back it seems) with Andrew Miller, Matt Bush out as closer, Betances now buried behind Robertson, and Tyler Clippard being, well, Tyler Clippard, the Poo should be targeting at least a mid-level closer to hold up against Santo Domingo, Tijuana, and San Juan come playoff time.

Trade that should happen:

From WEY - Triston McKenzie (P) + 2nd Round MiDP (WEY) + 2nd Round MaDP (WEY) + dropped players
for
From SD - Matt Harvey (SP) + Raisel Iglesias (RP)

Matt Harvey has been dead weight on Santo Domingo's bench for some time, but he's expected back at the end of the EHCC regular season or at the start of the playoffs. Santo Domingo is in the same boat as Weymouth regarding their closer situation, but they've been much better all season at scouring the free agent market for vulture saves and new closers so they could make due losing their best closer - one who's only been doing the job for a year and does it in Cincinnati of all places as well. The price has been set for decent/good closers and that's anywhere between a low 1st round MiDP and a 2nd round MiDP. Iglesias fits the bill, and tacking in Harvey brings up the return a bit for Santo Domingo.

5.) Santo Domingo is the wild card

Who knows what they're up to. If they were owned by any sane owner they'd realize they have a great squad now and make the moves that Quebec City has done to fortify their chances this year and next. Sure, their trade for Osuna was a positive one. And they still, more often than not, lose offensive categories. They are less than a .500 winning percentage in 3 of the 5 pitching categories as well. It's looking as if they'll get Trea Turner back for the playoffs, but if they could add one more power bat - even if it's a rental, they'd have a solid chance of holding their own against any current playoff team in a one-week battle.

Trade that should happen:

From SD - 2nd Round MiDP (WEY)+ dropped player
for
From SJ - Jose Bautista (OF)

Ok, Sure, Bautista sucks. Sure, San Juan could (and should) have cashed in on him a long time ago. But something tells us he's thrive in Santo Domingo. He's still got power left in the tank and makes for a good rental for the All-Star Factory. They'll be able to spin the extra 2nd round MiDP they got from Weymouth and it'll be as if they paid nothing for him. I mean, if Nelson Cruz is being sold for the same amount, Bautista should (could) net that too, right?


Ok, that's it for now. Of course not all of these trades (or possibly even any of them) will get done at the conference, and they only involve 5 teams in the EHCC, with 11 teams still up for a playoff spot, but it seems with 5 owners in the same ballpark, 4 days before the trade deadline, something has got to come from it. Right?


Jim Fierkes is the founder and editor of www.EHCCTrehdeRumors.com. He can name all 11 actors in the remake of Oceans 11, but has never seen any of the movies. 

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EHCC Trehde Rumors: Deadline Looming

Quebec City and Las Vegas finalized their second blockbuster trade of the season, sending Joey Votto to Canada. Since then the league has been relatively quiet, leading us ever closer to the EHCC non-waiver Trade Deadline (August 1st). With an unofficial semi-league wide retreat scheduled for late July in Boston, other things are bound to happen. Here's a few rumors of things that may be working themselves out from around the league, and where some teams stand with the deadline around the corner.

EHCC Trehde Rumors: Deadline Looming

By: Jim Fierkes, www.EHCCTrehdeRumors.com

After finally unloading Jon Lester, Las Vegas no longer have any starting pitching to pawn off. With no one around the league truly understanding what manager Hank Scorpio is doing, including ownership it seems, the Doggs are destined to finish in 7th place, making their draft picks mediocre, and the fanbase disgruntled at the same time. They'll be doing what any good non-playoff contender will do at the deadline and try to pawn off their elder statesmen (Carpenter, Kinsler) for some fringe prospects or a pick or two, but the Doggs may have made their biggest moves well ahead of the deadline. 

Quebec City on the other hand may be looking to continue to go all-in on 2017. After barely missing another championship in 2016, it's obvious the Piglets ownership is ready to do what it takes to get their name back on the plaque. Yoan Moncada is off the table (and in all honesty, will probably be a part of that playoff run this year anyway), and Gleyber Torres has already been dealt, but QC still has top prospect Kolby Allard and Jose Peraza to dangle out there for one more piece to round everything out. The biggest rumor is the availability of Julio Urias, who's literally wasting a roster spot for Quebec as he's out of options. Holding a spot for an NA player may not be a big deal for a rebuilding team, but for a franchise on the brink of a championship run it could be the difference in a tight H2H playoff match up. Look for Quebec to add another upper tier arm to their rotation utilizing what's left from their farm. 

Rakeville doesn't have a history of making big waves at the deadline, though rumors are swirling they think they're just a piece or two away from a decent chance of not only making the playoffs but going deep. With San Juan faltering, and Vegas destined to miss out, Rakeville actually has an outside chance to take the East over Weymouth down the stretch. Just look at Rakeville final 3 match ups of the regular season. After what could be a decisive match up against Shaddupu in Week 18, the finish the season facing off against Bridgewater (currently 11th place), San Juan (currently 10th place), and San Fernando Valley (currently, and forever in 12th place). Rakeville may have their eye on very select players around the league, mostly notable Dee Gordon (LV), Mallex Smith (SJ), and Eduardo Nunez (RIO) - all assuming Billy Hamilton (QC) is not on the table to add speed to their line up. What they won't be going after is a closer - as they have publicly stated that Sam Dyson is perfectly capable of taking care of the entire bullpen the rest of the way. 

Rio de Janeiro is officially in sell mode, as they send young stud closer Roberto Osuna packing for what is destined to be a low first round MiDP. One may expect Edwin Diaz would be available for a slightly lower cost if a team would simply offer it up. The Cristos are rumored to be looking for a similar package the Doggs got back for Votto in order to part with one of their older, but still productive bats, most notably Robinson Cano. In his age 34 season, Cano has been as productive as ever and would be an upgrade at second base for most teams trying to make a run. If Yoan Moncada doesn't gain 2B eligibility, Quebec City would make a good landing spot for Cano. Weymouth and Santo Domingo are also expected suitors.

Weymouth may be struggling, but don't expect them to make any rash moves at the deadline. Sure, Daniel Murphy is doing just fine and Cody Bellinger is mashing, but that Aaron Judge trade last year near the deadline is still haunting GM Yukon Cornelius. No one expects any big moves by the Poo this year. They recently welcomed back Mike Trout to the line up, and that may be the biggest move they needed to make. 

Tijuana made their biggest splash recently acquiring a new third baseman Evan Longoria from Quebec City. It's been noted that Tijuana ownership has been trying for years to get Longoria on their roster, but finally, with his production down and no clear need for the 31-year old on the Piglet's roster, the Hispanics got their man. Does anyone in the league value MiDP's less than Tijuana? Two years in a row they traded a 2nd round MiDP for a future 2nd round MaDP, and now gave up a 1st round MiDP for Longoria - a guy Quebec City has been trying to pawn off all season. He was supposed to sent to Las Vegas in the Bogaerts/Arrieta deal, but the Doggs took a chance on McCutchen instead (by the way, why hasn't Las Vegas cashed in on that yet? Why are there no rumors swirling around him at the deadline?). Tijuana is about to have a big hole in their bullpen, an area that has helped carry them all season, as Jim Johnson and Bud Norris are expected to lose their closer positions. With literally no farm system (seriously, they don't have ANY protected MiPlayers), it's hard to believe Tijuana will make a big splash at the deadline. 

Jim Fierkes is the founder and sole writer for www.EHCCTrEHdeRumors.com. He spent half of the 2005 season as the bat boy for the Plymouth Bells, but quit halfway through the season to follow his dream to become a trapeze artist. He's a weird dude. 

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Trade Deadline Success Stories

The 2017 trade deadline is quickly approaching, but no one seems to mind. History has shown however that the right deadline deal can push a fringe team to a championship, so why is the league so quiet? Will there be another Cliff Lee traded this year that pushes a team over the top?

Trade Deadline Success Stories by Max Powers / Baseball Tri-Weekly

The 2017 season is shaping up to be one of the quietest years on record for trades. With only four completed trades since the off-season began, it is on pace to take over the record for least trades in one season, currently held by the 2011 (6 total trades). Only two actual players have been involved in any of the trades, and only one trade coming on a non-draft day. Yawn.

Let's take a look at the top three deadline deals made by the teams that ended up winning it all that same year:

3.) Las Vegas / Golden and Las Vegas / Tijuana - August 1, 2008

Las vegas receives: Rickey Nolasco, Bronson Arroyo

Gives up: 2009 1st Round MaDP, 2009 2nd Round MaDP

Sometimes its the small things that make a difference. These trades were far from blockbuster status. Bother players involved were far from aces, but they made the difference for the Doggs when it counted. Arroyo, sporting a 5.97 ERA int he first half of the year, turn it up a notch in the final three months putting up a 3.47 ERA with 70 extra strikeouts (26 of them during the EHCC playoffs). Nolasco similarly wasn't anything special in the first half of the year except for his double digit wins. He sported a 4.12 ERA in the first half, and brought forth a 3.29 ERA in the second, striking out 31 batters during the EHCC playoffs. Both pitchers notched two wins in the playoffs as well.  

Only Nolasco ended up being a keeper for the Doggs the following offseason, but the draft picks given up for both players turned into Kenshin Kawahami and Micah Owings respectively. Both pitchers went 7-12 in 2009, totaling 173 K's combined. Kawahami never pitched past the 2010 season. 

Ya, pretty sure the Doggs would make these trades again, especially to help sure up their 3rd championship. 

2.) Santo Domingo / Tijuana and Santo Domingo / Weymouth - August 1 and August 15, 2013

Santo Domingo receives: Ryan Zimmerman, Cliff Lee

Gives up: Allen Webster, Mike Zunino, Nick Castellanos, 2014 1st Round MaDP, 2014 2nd Round MiDP

This trade was only 3 years ago, so you'd think the players involved would still have a place in the EHCC today. Well, in this case you'd be wrong, but it doesn't mean the acquisitions at the time didn't help propel a team to victory in September. Lee was the real difference maker in this one, and he netted the biggest return (for Weymouth) at the deadline. The ace posted up a 2.85 K in the first half of the season, and followed it up with a 2.89 in the 2nd half, allowing only 8 runs during the EHCC playoffs in 39 innings pitched (1.84 ERA). Oh ya, and he tacked on 54 strikeouts during the playoffs as well en route to claiming semi-final round MVP honors against Tijuana and the raising the EHCC championship plaque after demolishing Las Vegas in the finals. 

Where are they now you ask? Zimmerman is currently sits as a free agent, though does have double digit home runs in the first half of 2016. Zunino, also a free agent, can't quite say the same. Webster remains without any MLB affiliation, and Castellanos - oh, he mans the hot corner for, you guessed it, the All-Star Factory after Shaddupu traded him back to Santo Domino prior to the start of the 2015 season along with their 3rd round MaDP (which turned into John Lackey) for nothing more than Santo Domingo's 1st round MaDP, which they turned into Trevor Rosenthal. Go figure. 

The draft picks turned into nothing more than Andrelton Simmons, one of the better defensive shortstops in baseball, and Domingo German, who hasn't made it past single EH-ball, and missed the entire 2015 season. Just proves that draft picks are only as valuable as the person using them. 

1.) Quebec City / Las Vegas - July 31, 2011

Quebec City received: Brandon Morrow (SP)
Gives up: Chris Perez, 2012 1st Round MiDP, 2012 2nd Round MiDP

Easily the most lucrative deal of any deadline deal on record, and it's not even close, though you have to take into account the actions that happen after the trade to really measure this one. At the time it seemed like a great deal for the Doggs. Vegas was having one of their few off years, and ended up being a seller at the deadline. Morrow was really their only decent chip to sell off as he had amassed over 100 K's in the first half. Even with that he had an ERA over 4.50 and only 5 wins in the first half. Somehow the Doggs pried two MiDP from Quebec City, which in today's market would be unheard of. Win for Vegas, or it may have seemed at the time. Fast forward two months when Quebec City solidified their second championship after Morrow added in almost another 100 K's and 6 wins to the Piglet's stat sheet (2 during the EHCC playoffs). Was he the difference maker? Maybe not, but he didn't hurt. But QC gave up those draft picks for an average at best starter who probably wasn't the reason they won it all. Sure - but here's the catch: Quebec City, somehow, ended up with both those draft picks back anyway. 

Between July 31, 2011 and July 30, 2012, exactly 1 year's time, Quebec City and LV made three major trades, which after it was all said and done looked like this:

LV received Jonathan Niese, Ryan Dempster, Chris Perez (all pitchers, none of which helped the Doggs in any meaningful way)

QC received Randal Delagado, Kris Medlen, Brandon Morrow, 2012 1st Round MiDP, 2012 3rd Round MiDP, and a 2013 1st Round MiDP. (Those picks turned into Travis d'Arnaud, Daniel Corairo, and Kyle Crick respectively) 

None of the names here stand out in any meaningful way really, but the fact remains that LV had a good thing going after the Morrow trade, until they got short sighted and traded those picks away. One of the picks turned into Xander Boagarts, who currently mans shortstop for the Piglets, and the other into Francisco Lindor, who in regularly in the lineup for Quebec as well. 

Oh ya, and Quebec City has a championship to show for it as well, so they've got that going for themselves, which is nice. 

Max Powers writes for Baseball Tri-Weekly every 5 weeks. He likes to take time during the other 4 weeks to dance like no one is watching and sing like no one is listening.77

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EHCC Key Trades

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