Friday, March 07, 2003
ELEPHANTS BREAK IN THE ROOKIE
Austin (Foxsports)-- The Heads today pulled off their first trade in the DCBA, dealing with the ever-trading Elephants. The deal sends Austin Kearns (NC) to the Elephants in exchange for C Paul Loduca (8C) and 3B Ty Wigginton (5C).
The deal looks like a good one for both teams. The Heads get two great keepers in Loduca and Wigginton and had no catcher on their roster until now. And the Heads had 8 NC players they want to keep, so while they may have traded their most valuable, it still frees up a spot for a keeper that would otherwise have been cut. The Heads now have the tough decision on whether or not to extend Loduca's contract. Wigginton should not be extended due to his uncertain long-term role, but in the short-term, things look great for Ty who is having a nice Spring and looks to be the Mets Opening Day 3B.
The addition of Kearns strengthens the Elephants 4th NC with Rod Barajas likely to be traded or returned to the draft. The loss of Loduca and Wigginton hurts, but the Elephants have another catcher already in Brian Schneider, and two third basemen in Matt Williams and Aaron Boone. The move allows the Elephants to have position flexibility at the auction, and have room to keep two additional players they may otherwise have cut. It is looking more likely that Javier Vazquez will be on the Elephants Opening Day roster, and with Hoffman hurt, Jay Witasick may lock down a bullpen slot.
posted by Mariner Optimist 9:10 PM
