Reflecting on the Trades of Three Closers

One year ago, the Tartans entered last season with 3 big league relievers with Closer level talent. These veterans all over the age of 30 and with high dollar contracts did not fit into the Tartans long term strategy. And a little more than a year later all three players have been traded away. The remainder of this article will reflect on those moves and highlight the fortunes of those gone and those acquired.

Dwight Pritchett, 31 yrs, $6.8 million
17/18 saves, 3.33 ERA, .196 OBA
for
CF Vernon Belle (AA), 21 yrs, $37,500
.420 AVG, 1.233 OPS, and a Gold Glove last season

- Pritchett has done really well this season for the Seven Hills, and by the length of the contract they gave him, they plan to keep him at Closer for the next several years. The outcome of this deal is simple. At the time of the trade the Tartans had no plans of keeping Pritchett long term. By trading him early they were able to acquire a CF prospect for the future. Good deal for both sides.

Ernie Woodson, 33 yrs, $4.6 million
6/7 saves, 2.45 ERA, .258 OBA
for
CL Nash Howard (HiA), 22 yrs, $26,350
7/11 saves, 4.22 ERA, .313 OBA

- This trade gets an incomplete. The Tartans were concerned about paying Woodson $4.6 million over the next two seasons, in addition to having no real benefit of keeping during Season 2 as they did not plan to compete for a title by then. However, with Howard not dominating at HiA this trade does not warrant a compliment to the Atlanta scouting department just yet.

Armando Gonzalez, 34 yrs, $4.8 million
10/11 saves, 2.12 ERA, .222 OBA
for
3B Brad Perry (AAA), 23 yrs, $48,108
.316 AVG, .900 OPS

- This trade was mostly a salary dump. As Atlanta started off the season with the success they felt increasingly confident about their ability to win 64 games. They threw in $2.5 mil and cut Gonzalez contract off the books next season, and add depth to their future 3B pool and Corner OF pool. Incomplete, have to see if Gonzalez ages in Season 3, and if Perry continues to develop.