Writings on baseball by Matt Barnard and Dan Stein.

 
Leskanic to Kansas City for Obermueller and Machado

Kansas City Royals get: Curtis Leskanic.
Milwaukee Brewers get: Wes Obermueller, Alejandro Machado.

I guess this signals that the Royals will be buying and not selling as we approach the trade deadline, and for a franchise that's been mired in many consecutive losing seasons, that's a good thing. Curtis Leskanic's an upgrade to what's been a pretty lousy bullpen, and he'll certainly help. As much as some people have fallen in love with Mike "Mac the Ninth" MacDougal and his lofty save total (he's got 21 so far), he walks an awful lot of guys (20 in 37.1 innings while allowing nearly a hit per inning), and for my money, the Royals just acquired their best reliever and he's the guy I'd use in high leverage spots. Fortunately, since he's unlikely to be installed in the closer role, Tony Pena will be free to use Leskanic as needed, not just when the team's up by three or less heading into the ninth inning.

As far as the two new members of the Brewers' system are concerned, there's some upside here as these aren't worthless players. While Wes Obermueller is getting a little long in the tooth for a guy who's pitched just 7.2 innings in the major leagues (he's 26), he's performed adequately for AAA Omaha this season (10-5, 4.40 ERA, 108 hits and 42 walks allowed in 106.1 innings while striking out 62). Okay, that's not wonderful, but he's going to an organization that can use AAAA pitching and is in a position where they can give this kind of guy a chance to see what he can do in an extended tryout at the major league level.

That said, Machado's probably the more interesting of the two. He's a young (21-year old), fast shortstop out of Venezuela with limited power but decent plate discipline. Currently at AA Wichita, he's posted a .287/.368/.377 line thus far in 78 games, including 13 doubles, 5 triples and a homer while stealing 20 bases in 29 attempts. This doesn't appear to be a finished product by any means, but there's some reason to be optimistic, especially when you consider who the man is currently holding down the position on the major league level (Royce "Waa-ce" Clayton).

Leskanic's a good pitcher, but he's also a waste of resources (especially considering his $3.7 million salary, though I'm not sure if there's any money changing hands in this transaction) on a crappy team like the Brewers. A free agent at the end of the year, Machado's probably a better and more advanced prospect than you'd have gotten had the Brewers elected to let him become a free agent and gotten compensatory picks. At the same time, this clearly bolsters the Kansas City bullpen in the short term, and while they may yet regret giving up Machado (Angel Berroa's having an adequate year, but I'm not sold yet), it's defensible if they're committed to making a run at the AL Central title this season.
posted by VZW Watcher at 9:08 PM -

 
Carl Everett to the White Sox.
It's hard to judge a trade when all parties involved aren't yet known, but I'll do so under the assumption that whatever the Rangers are getting in return for Carl Everett (at this point, known only as "two minor leaguers and future considerations") are no great shakes. If they are...and whenever it's announced, we'll take a look at that too...there's more to be said about this trade. For the time being however, the White Sox have added a pretty productive offensive player who can play a needed defensive position for nothing off their major league roster. And that's good.

While he struggled some in June (just .211/.273/.389), Everett has put up pretty solid numbers thus far this season (.274/.356/.544 is actually better than just "solid"), and apparently has behaved and endeared himself to Rangers management with his hard work. While Jerry Manuel is no Buck Showalter, you'd have to assume that he'll retain at least some of his focus and continue to be reasonably productive.

Aaron Rowand's been much better lately (.375/.429/.719 in June), and apparently will get to continue playing center, splitting time with Willie Harris, who can no longer get time at second with the arrival of Roberto Alomar. I don't know that this is a great idea, seeing as you could use the more consistent, established guy in center in Everett and not shunt him to DH, where he'll be taking the place of a better hitter than either Roward or Harris has been. If this takes at bats away from Paul Konerko, at least until he shows some signs of life in reduced duty, that's a good thing, as he's been, amazingly, the worst regular in baseball this year.

The White Sox have a chance to make this a really good deal (again, assuming they're not giving up much) if they utilize Everett properly and play him everyday in center. This doesn't look like it's going to happen, but it can't hurt to add a bat of Everett's quality at virtually no cost, particularly if you're in the position the White Sox currently are, making a run at a very attainable division title.
posted by VZW Watcher at 12:15 PM -