Trade Analysis

The best prospect sent over in the deal is Art Gibson. Despite having a medicore fastball (374) he has 12 stars and could be a phenomenal pitcher someday. At worst, he can still be a middle of the rotation guy.

The other two prospects are solid, but they are not stars. They are 2nd tier guys, and should be valued as such.

However, Latman is also a second tier guy at his core. His 481 avg is nothing special, and his 439hr has little value. He has been an overchiever his whole career.

Winner: A distinct advantage goes to Boston in this deal. Gibson straight up for Latman would have been a win for Boston in my book as Latman is a slightly above average hitter and nothing else.

The saving grace for SF is the fact that Latman has proved to be a capable hitter his whole career. If he keeps it up, the trade is not that bad, but if he comes back to earth, Boston wins this one hands down.

By Bleacher Creature, Dodgers

Toronto gets:

George Miller (30/SS 471-478-310-386) should be one of the top SS in the game. Underachieving with a .269 career avg is reflected in only a 5mil/year contract. Gives TOR a bit more pop in their lineup.

Chicago(A) gets:

Charlie Knouff (30/SP 453-397-411-434) a decent starter at under .5mil can be serviceable.
Steve Bordley (25/SS 4-4-2-436) has the potential to be of Miller quality
Rick Murphy (21/OF 4-2-4-348) can be a decent OFer but has to work on his batting to make an impact.
$4,500,000 in cash - This will make about 9mil dollar turn around for the White Sox.

Advantage:

An immediate advantage to TOR but I don't see the need for another SS with Howard Palmer (26/SS 499-374-251-452) and Chief (Rum) Wright (33/SS 482-412-322-378). We will all have to see if Bordley can pan out at the age of at least 27 when he will be ML ready.

New York (A) gets:

Phil Mcmakin (27/SP 426-388-457-463) a solid pitcher with no glaring weakness. A 15mil/season contract makes him a bit less attractive though.
$6,000,000 cash will lessen that contract a little bit.

Boston gets:

Ron Lezcano (31/SP 459-368-409-474) almost the equal to Mcmakin, the biggest difference is the age.
Roy Hansen (23/SP 339-4-4-4) will have to make up for his fastball but should be in the majors eventually as a #4 or #5 starter somewhere.
Ken Moore (19/OF 4-4-1-482) after only 2 years in the minors Moore will be playing for the Redsox next season. He can be a huge impact player.
Roberto Latman (27/2B 4-4-4-380) a NL product that looks like he will pan out. If he can improve a little bit more this season he will start next year and start to look for the big money. Latman is like fine wine, he got better with age.

Advantage:

A good trade but an advantage to BOS. It looks like they will have two allstars in Moore and Latman. That will fill their need positions; a quality 2B and a power hitting outfielder.

[Analysis by Synocco (who will analyze any future trades involving the Dodgers)]

Los Angeles gets:

Bob Smith is one of the elite relievers in the league, perhaps one of the 5 best relievers in the NL. He is the kind of guy that you can stick in the middle relief spot and then forget about. At 27 years of age, he still has a long fruitful career ahead of him.
$1,5000,000 is nothing to write home about.

Montreal gets:

Hack Alexander is the key player heading to Montreal. A typically jouneyman type starter, Alexander won't contend for any awards, but will soak up his share of innings. His low control may lead to some erratic outings and sleepless nights for the Montreal GM, but he should be good for 200 innings and an ERA under 5.00.
Bob Caton is a borderline major leaguer. He has a phenomenal fastball and breaking ball, but won't find the strikezone with any consistency. Opposing hitters can also feast on his changeup, which is AAA quality. It is hard to justify Caton's $3 million salary.
Doc Hernandez isn't a bluechip prospect, but may be part of the Montreal starting rotation someday. With a little luck he could turn out to be a solid back-of-the-rotation starter.
Billy Nixon gives Montreal a solid if not spectacular prospect at second base, a position where the organization is weak in the minors. Nixon doesn't have much speed, but could turn out to be a good hitter, especially if he develops some power.

Advantage:

Montreal needed a starter and acquired one in Alexander, who should perform adequately. Los Angeles greatly fortified its bullpen by dealing players who were mostly spare parts on his team. From a financial standpoint, Montreal could afford to lose Smith due to his hefty $6 million salary but in turn added even more salary in Alexander and Caton. On top of that, the team had to pay Los Angeles cash to consumate the deal. Montreal only breaks even if Hernandez or Nixon turn out to be above-average major leaguers. Los Angeles wins this one.

New York gets:

Jim Monroe (32/SP 477-490-336-452) with a hefty 15mil a season contract. A 28-16 4.29 pitcher isn't worth that kind of money.

Oakland gets:

Ben Branom (23/SP 453-421-306-375) is one of the three best SP prospects (453-4-4-4) in the league. He should anchor this staff for years.
Bill Cottrell (31/OF 429-495-261-482) is a throw in player because you his salary (4.5mil for the next 4 seasons).

Advantage:

OAK has a HUGE advantage here. I, as do many other owners, wish they could have gotten in to this deal also. An aging superstar with a big contract for a young stud? My only thoughts was the NYY can challenge this season but, I can't see them getting past TOR. I am puzzled!

Oakland gets:

Bob Welch (29/SP 477-463-428-464) arguably has the best pitches of any pitcher in both leagues. 37win 17loses and a 3.85era can compare with any pitcher and now going to the World Champions. Can you say Cy Young?
Owen Rowland (32/SS 471-469-260-331) is getting up there in age but is still at the top of his game. At 3mil/year he is a bargain. Only age can keep this guy from producing for the next 5 seasons.
Mario Mccoy (24/OF 440-464-376-320) will not see any playing time unless there is a rash of injuries. Mccoy is probably a career minor leaguer.
Seattle's 1st round pick (#19) - This will be a quality pick because the draft is sooo loaded this season. We should get quality in to the middle third round.

Seattle gets:

Gerry Baldwin (21/SP 458-406-410-446) will be a ROY candidate this season. Throws all 3 pitches with finesse and control.
Bud Landrum (22/SS 477-485-275-235) had a solid rookie season (.277 22hr 81rbi). Bud will make a huge impact on Seattle's lineup with his power.
Frank Sullivan (27/OF 495-369-405-420) going in to his 3rd season where he will be looked to play a full season and probably will walk home often after a Landrum homerun.

Advantage:

OAK has a slight advantage in this deal because the ultimate goal is getting to the WS and they are clearly the best team. While SEATTLE built a solid foundation for the future. I would have to say this trade will help both teams in the long run.

Detroit gets:

Bill Paredes (29/SS 442-476-433-206) and his agent were extremely pissed off at the Dodger organization for not even letting Paredes get up to the plate even once last season. Bill came off a solid .256 24hr 92rbi season probably deserved better treatment. Paredes' most hated player is FRITZ STRICKLAND (.300 24hr 116rbi 42SB last season).
Jim Upp (30/RP 467-351-483-411) a solid long reliever for the Dodgers over the last 2 seasons was surpass to me in this deal. It seems his 4 mil/yr contract he was asking would be too much with the other RPs under contract. The Dodgers loss is the Tigers gain.

Los Angeles gets:

Wilcy Minahan (21/OF 4-4-2-423) will be at least 4 years from the majors but he is extremely promising. He was the prized possession on the Tigers and now is in a deep minor league system. He will have to work hard to remain in Dodger blue.
George Robertson (20/SP/RP 461-3-4-3) doesn't have the stamina(293) to go the full 9 innings but be can still be effective. He will be the number 4 or 5 pitching prospect but will have a great chance to make it to the show.

Advantage:

Detroit has the advantage mostly because of Upp but Paredes was expendable. The Dodgers are getting their payroll under 90mil for the first time in seasons. LA is making a serious youth movement.

Detroit gets:

Billy Iorg (31/SP 467-386-479-383) looking to sure up their pitching staff gets a pitcher that now gives them insurance in case of retirements. The average age of Detroit's starters is 33 with 3 players over 35. Iorg was 32-16 4.40 with 2 WS appearances (4 gms pitched). Career notes: 9th is wins(36) 16th in IP(413) 22nd in K's with (243) T-13th in Win.Pct with .667. A definite solid starter but going to a tougher league could be a problem.

Los Angeles gets:

Ed Kennedy (20/SS 4-3-3-483) Detroit's 1st Rd pick in season 1. "Fast Eddie" Kennedy gives them youth at a position that is aging (Strickland 30, Parades 29). He is just about ready to start AAA and is 3 years away from the Majors.
John Newman 22/3B 4-1-2-488 A former Dodger, hasn't even moved his wife and family knowing he would soon return to the City of Angels. Needs to improve his defense (298) before he can even be considered a ML prospect.
$1,000,000 in cash. Doesn't even buy a pack of gum in GSB.

Advantage:

Detroit gets the nod for the immediate future but only time can tell is "Fast Eddie" can pan out.

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