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In an unexpected move today, the second-place Washington Sea Dogs traded their first baseman and cleanup hitter Tino Martinez to the Deadwood Outlaws for starting pitcher Todd Stottlemyre and outfielder Darren Bragg. In a rare display of emotion, GM/manager Aaron Weiner expressed his sorrows over the trade.
"We hated to give up Tino," said Weiner, "but we felt the time had come for him to move on. But it's always sorry to give up one of your own, especially our co-captain. But to get a starter with Stottlemyre's arm who's entering the prime of his career lessens the blow a little."
Weiner also expressed some joy surrounding the move. "While we lose one of the better clutch hitters in the league," said Weiner, "we also gain a top-flight starter in Stottlemyre and a fine young outfielder in Bragg. The key to the deal was our current emergence as a power in the Data Division and our need for pitching."
When owner Aaron Weiner was asked why he would deal one of the major power sources on the team second-to-last in homers in the DL, he explained the manuever.
"Tino wasn't producing anywhere near the numbers that he was drafted for," said owner Aaron Weiner. "One homer and a sub-.400 slugging percentage just wasn't going to cut it as our cleanup man."
Weiner also was very pleased that they were able to get Darren Bragg. "He's really the key to the deal," said Weiner. "Darren Bragg is a fine young outfielder who's only going to get better, and he's already pretty good."
Manager Weiner also had some praise for Bragg. "We think he's going to turn into a very good hitter, along the lines of a Bernard Gilkey," said Weiner. "He also fits into the team strategy this year of manufacturing runs, and he has above-average power and speed. And we're going to move Marquis (Grissom) to right field because of that great arm of his, and give Bragg a full-time shot in right. His defense is a real upgrade from Derrick May."
This wasn't the only move. They also sent down pre-season closer Gus Brocail to AAA.
"We really thought that Gus let us down this year," said manager Weiner. "A 15 ERA isn't going to cut it in this or any league. We still see him as a future closer, but right now, we're going with Bobby Ayala."
The Sea Dogs also shook up the rotation today. Besides adding Stottlemyre, Weiner said that Shawn Boskie and Brian Bevil were being moved to long relief.
"Brian's really better suited for long relief," said Weiner. "He's got that great slider, but a 1-pitch starter can often run into trouble. He's great insurance in case of an injury, too, and he can make some spot starts. In Shawn's case, it's just the case of a veteran not producing. We think he'll be back in the rotation soon, but we want to give him some time to work out the kinks."
Notes and Quotes: GM Weiner said today that today's trade wasn't the only one brewing. "We're looking for more middle relief, somebody to bridge the gap between our new-look rotation and Bobby (Ayala)." Weiner wouldn't name anyone, but the need is apparent for another Fred Smith, who has been the only consistent reliever besides Ayala this year.
In addition to their other transactions, the Sea Dogs also released second baseman Nellie Fothergill and Jim Poole from AAA and picked up lefty Buddy Groom, who will jump in immediately as the lefty setup guy.
"How could this guy still be out there?" said GM Weiner. "He's got a good arm and good control, and his presence will be felt immediately. We really needed a guy in the pen who could retire lefties, and Groom's 57 vL rating will really be a shot in the arm."
Written by Aaron Weiner