The Seattle Monarchs today announced a trade with Norfolk. In exchange for young first baseman Luis Lozano, Seattle sent away OF Lucio Muniz, pitcher Yoshifumi "Wolverine" Tanaka, prospect shortstop Art Whitaker, and $2,000,000 in cash.
"It's a tough day for the Monarchs family," said Owner/GM Mack Shultz. "Lucio and Yoshi have been key parts of the success we've had. Yoshi stepped up big for us last year as a starting pitcher, finishing 12th in the league in WAR. He was great."
"And Lucio," Shultz continued, "where would we have been without him? He's been the perfect leadoff hitter and the best defensive right fielder in the game. He's been first or second in WAR four of the last six years. He gets on base, steals bases, scores runs, just does it all. We've won five titles since he came up from our minors, after being drafted first overall a decade ago. Muniz is and always will be a fundamental figure in Monarchs history."
Organization insiders suggested that the problems that current first baseman Masahide Ueda had last year, plus the adoption of the designated hitter, led the team to be aggressive about upgrading at first base this season. Once Seattle was priced out of a deal for long-time All-Star Nigel Bryant, the club's attention turned to Lozano. The development of prospects Roy Watts and Manuel Jaimes enabled the team to consider trading Muniz and Tanaka.
I have a feeling other owners are going to look at this trade and say oh look Mack just another owners best player for nothing.. I will tell you why I went with this trade, Lozano is a top 5 all-around hitter in this game and his loss will be bad for us but... my plan is to change the WORST Fielding team and help my pitching even more. My ZAR was -35.9 by far the worst in the league and I had a pretty good pitching staff last year so if I fix the defense we win more than 78 games. Muniz will help in RF with his good WAR and Whitaker will be my starting SS and will bring some pop that none of middle infielders had last year. Tanaka will join a group of vets in the rotation and maybe teach them how to win. As much as I wanted to keep Lozano I feel 1 player doesn't make a team and know he will be really good in Seattle.
ReplyDeleteThomas: I think that this is a pretty fair trade, considering what you got in return. I just wish you had made this deal with any other team than Seattle, :)
ReplyDeleteThis is not a bad trade for either side. Yes I think Tanaka will suffer from the post-Seattle effect that most pitchers face without the top defense and top offense behind him, but he will be a very good MR and Muniz is one of the best. Whitaker should be good as well. I always try to get the best player in the deal, but trading the best player for 3 good to very good players can't be scoffed at. I would have tried to get his 1st round pick as well :)
ReplyDeleteJeremy in the first trade he offered he did offer a 1st but I don't do draft picks since i've traded my last 2 to him but I agree if my offense can stay middle of the pack to up than hopefully my improved D will help not only Tanaka but my other vets.
ReplyDeleteMichael, I wasn't looking to trade but Mack approached me and since my scouts liked the return than I felt ok with it.