After missing out on Arroyo and Baldelli, the
MattroStars set their sights on Garrett Atkins.
Having lost out on the Bronson Arroyo-Rocco Baldelli sweepstakes earlier this month, the MattroStars responded by calling up a reinforcement from their own so-called minor league team. With phenom Alex Gordon waiting in the wings, Brandon Brown's Jackrabbits shipped 3B Garrett Atkins and their second-round pick (No. 18 overall) to the 'Stars for OF Chris Young, SP Scott Elbert and OF Juan Rivera.
Third base has been a position of disappointment for the MattroStars since Adrian Beltre's 48-homer season, thanks to multiple Eric Chavez injuries and Beltre's apparent contentment after getting his big contract. In Atkins, they likely remedied that problem, obtaining last year's best fantasy 3B. The 27-year-old exploded with a line of .329/.409/.557 with 29 HR, 120 RBI last season, following a pedestrian .287/.347/.426, 13 HR, 89 RBI season in 2005. He may eventually have to move to the other side of the diamond, but by that time Thome's career should be winding up, allowing the 'Stars to slide him to utility. The 'Stars also recoup the second-round pick they lost in last year's trade with the Bashful Satanists. If there's a negative to the deal for the 'Stars, they completely depleted their OF depth, meaning the team will rely heavily on Austin Kearns and hope for healthy seasons from 30-somethings Vladimir Guerrero and Ichiro.
The 'Rabbits, seemingly on the cusp of being a fantasy force, may have taken a slight step back to take two steps forward. If Young develops into the 30-30 talent many predict for him, Elbert cuts down his walks and Rivera returns healthy from a broken leg, the trade could be a stroke of genius. All big ifs though. The five-tooler Young hit .276/.363/.532 with 22 HR, 71 RBI and 17 SB last season in 400 triple-A at-bats. The 23-year-old will start in CF for the D'Backs this year. Elbert, 21, was dominant in two levels last year, going a combined 11-9, 2.90 ERA and 173 Ks in 146 IP. Opponents batted just .190 against him, but he'll go as far as his control takes him. He walked 85 last year. Rivera, 28, had a breakout season last year, hitting .310/.362/.525 with 23 HR, 85 RBI in 448 at-bats. He badly broke his leg in winter ball, however, and will open the season on the DL.
With most teams already in possession of a top-notch 3B option, and with a few highly-regarded 3B prospects available in the draft, trying to trade Atkins couldn't have come at a worse time for the Rabbits. The 3B position is very deep. The only other offer rumored to have been made was 33-year-old OF Jermaine Dye, who was picked up off the scrap heap last season and went on to have a career year. His '06, however, looks more like the exception to his career, rather than the rule. The 'Rabbits, as they have in the past, went with youth. This move appears to be all about making room for what could be their best young player, Gordon. With Travis Hafner firmly entrenched at the utility spot, either Gordon or Atkins would have to sit eventually. That said, is it foolish to expect Gordon and Young -- the respective AL and NL rookie-of-the-year favorites -- to perform like starters right away? Only time will tell.
1 comment:
all in all, depth at 3b being considered, when you trade a 27 year old number 1 fantsy player at a position, and a draft pick and all you g et back are if this and maybe that and project to be this, it is a bad trade. good job by mattro ensuring that his aging team will remain a force for years to come. and good job to brandon as well for always looking towards next year
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