Deadline is approaching
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Last year, Washington was a seller at the deadline, sending pitcher Shawn Sanford to the Schaumburg Boomers, who went on to win the league championship. A few days before the deadline, Washington dealt relief pitcher Anthony Collazo to the Evansville Otters. Collazo was the winning pitcher Friday night in Evansville's 5-4 victory in 10 innings over the Wild Things.
Washington is a buyer instead of a seller this time. During the team's series this week at Windy City, manager Bob Bozzuto told WJPA Radio's Randy Gore that he's actively pursuing a few deals, talking to teams not only in the Frontier league but other independent leagues as well.
Will Washington make a move? Should they make a trade?
Adding a quality hitter seems the most logical thing the Wild Things can do. They had the 11th-lowest batting average in the league in June and 12th in July, and those numbers were put up with both Stewart Ijames and C.J. Beatty in the lineup. In August, Washington has the best batting average in the league at .308, but can the Wild Things keep that up without Ijames, Beatty and Danny Poma, who hasn't played since last Sunday because of an injury? They were the three players who carried this team offensively for the majority of the season.
Washington does not play another game the rest of the season against an opponent with a winning percentage or less than .570. Six of the remaining 17 games will be played in the hitter-friendly parks at Gateway and River City. Would the Wild Things be willing to deal for a clout-or-an-out power hitter? Should they?
Should they try to add another arm? That they have listed tonight's starting pitcher as "To be determined" suggests they need another starting pitcher. The bullpen, which has been stretched to the limit recently, could use another arm. Pat Butler has pitched each of the last three nights. Matt Purnell had a similar stretch recently.
The clock is ticking. Will the Wild Things pull the trigger on a trade?
posted by Chris Dugan at
12:30 PM
3 Comments:
Stick a fork in the Wild Things because they are done. The season is over. Thanks for playing. See you next year when you miss the playoffs again.
Hitting: It's obvious that not one but two more effective hitters are needed. Specifically a strong armed outfielder who can hit for power but more importantly, a proven capacity to hit breaking pitches and hitting in the clutch.
Pitching: A quality starter or stopper is a priority. One of the starters should be moved into the role of a long man. At this stage, you can't stay with a starter when things go wrong early.
Defense: Outfield arm strength is critical a swell as range in left field.
I would not hesitate to trade Carter Bell. His bat has been erratic with very low power output for the hot corner.
Finally, I have to agree with anonymous. these are trades that should have been made 5 weeks ago even before the Stewart Iiames exodus. At this stage, Southern Illinois just keeps on coming, Evansville is a powerhouse hitting team and here comes the Crushers.
Four times, Washington could have distanced themselves from the pack and ruined the opportunity. They at the time of this writing are in third place rapidly heading for fourth. Until a real mindset changes with ownership and general management occurs, this team is doomed as a second division team.
The fans and the employees deserve better.
Remember, winning isn't everything unless you have cancer. Right now, Washington is suffering a serious malignancy a of profit only mentality. The fans are wise to it. One wonders how long Mr. Williams will live in denial before a therapeutic transformation occurs.
Based on what I have witnessed, the patient is doomed.
Well said William. This is what happens when a Lawyer and a Grass Cutter "run" a baseball team. Even if they ran away with the league and won it all, the seats would still be empty...for years. I would guess trades within the league would be difficult also, the other owners cant stand these two bozos. (No offense to the clown.)
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