Trade Rumors: June 11, 2012

Here is the first article on the ABL's many trade rumors. I hope that it proves useful and gets the old creative trade juices flowing! If I missed anything or made a mistake, please let me hear all about it in the comments.

Carolina Crush Rebuilding

GM Baylor is shopping all players over the age of 27 as the Carolina Crush try to rebuild. This includes a pair of top relievers and a pair of strong corner infielders.

Ánibal Machado, age 28, has been arguably the best closer in the ABL: in 26 IP, he has struck out 39 and walked 6 en route to saving 18 games on a .69 ERA. Gene Cooper, age 29, has electric stuff: the middle reliever has struck out 47 batters in 33 2/3 innings. George Gilliam is only 28 and has two more years of team control on his contract: he plays 1B and has a slash line of .296/.357/.514. Scott Andrews, age 33, puts up solid numbers at 3B: .274/.344/.443. Andrews comes with a price tag, as he has $36 million left on a contract after this season.

Dallas Searches for a Starter, Offers Prospects

Dallas may be leading their division with the best pitching in the Roberto Clemente League, but most of that is due to ace Rich Bussell's incredible season (7-2, .85 ERA). In fact, Bussell and Peter Klein are the only two starters with an ERA under 4.00. The Texans would like to add another arm to the rotation and word is that GM Don is willing to part with prospects to get his man.

The biggest name being offered is starting pitcher Joe McDowell. Drafted in the fourth round, Big Red is only 23 and has been pitching well at Triple-A Fort Worth: 5-3, 2.62 ERA, 79 IP, 59 K, 24 BB. Also of note is Marvin Welch. A 22-year old right-fielder who has has been hitting the cover off the ball in Forth Worth, Welch is batting .326 with 17 HR and 49 RBI, and his 1.045 OPS is fourth in all of Triple-A.

The Dallas front office has also leaked the names of 2B Pedro Nevárez (AAA), SP Glaucio Palhas (AA), SS Rob Nolan (AA), and SP Eric Ford (AA).

Las Vegas Floats Jumbo for Southpaw 

Las Vegas is looking for a left-handed pitcher, and they might be willing to trade a young starter like Roberto González in return. Jumbo, only 23 years old, impressed the scouts enough to be drafted at the beginning of the 5th round.

Maple Has Prospects, Needs Bats

Maple has the best pitching in the ABL, but their lineup has a hole or four—and it doesn't help matters that the entire Marauder outfield is injured. GM Goldberg is looking to upgrade at catcher or at any infield position, preferably with some late-20's players.

With a strong minor league system and plenty of prospects to offer in return, Maple should have little trouble finding a trading partner. However, with little room in the budget, making the dollars balance out might be a problem.

Montreal Offering Hitters for Starter

Montreal's lineup is loaded with stars, but their pitching, aside from ace Raúl Peréz, leaves a lot to be desired. GM Latulippe is looking to trade for a top starter, under 30 years old, and is putting some of his best young hitters on the block.

Greg Forrest plays a good right field, is only 26, and is both powerful and patient. His OBP is over .100 points higher than his average. Stanislav Izyurov, 25, provides pop from second base: his line this year is .299/.340/.493. Joe Sharpe, 25, has flashed some power as the designated hitter, and Lou Smith is an innings-eater starter.

Nottinghamshire Has Young Bats, Do You Have Young Arms?

Nottinghamshire has already traded away one of their young hitting prospects (swapping young corner-sacker Dan Best to Mile High for right-fielder Wade Smith and pitcher Andy Gates), and all indications are that they have not finished dealing. With his organization loaded with young hitters, Ol' Gaffer would love to convert a few more of these into young pitchers. The emphasis is on young, of course, as as the Outlaws are building strictly for the future.

Seattle Aims to Extend Johnson, Sanders Status Unsure

Two of Seattle's top hitters have contracts that expire at the end of the season: CF Edgar Johnson and 1B George Sanders. Sources confirm that negotiations are ongoing on an extension for Johnson, despite his several injuries this season. However, Sanders has been vocally upset that he has not been contacted about an extension of his own. Will Seattle keep Sanders for the playoff run? Or will they try to swing him a trade?

So Cal GM: "Tear it Down! Tear it Down!"

The 2012 season has not been kind to the So Cal Republic, owners of the second-worst record in the ABL, and GM Brouillette is ready to start from scratch. At a recent press conference he shouted in exasperation, "Might as well tear it down! Tear it down!" He has already traded away starter Charles Luce to Cabo, and, suffice to say, all older players on the Republic can be had cheaply.