Slayers making deadline waves

via Mordor Times Dispatch

MINAS MORGUL - The Slayers have been busy with trading this deadline. All of the moves were largely centered around their pitching staff, especially the bullpen, and were aggressive moves that carry risk. The keystone trade was just announced by league offices, the Slayers moving Bagdred the Hated. Bagdred was off to an excellent start and was one of the three no-hitters for the team this season. He had 18 wins already and was a big part of the team's success so far. However, speculations of the re-signability of Bagdred were picked up on by SGCBL analysts, and K.L. didn't deny that had some impact in the decision.

"There's no doubt. I hate losing players to free agency when they are core players of this magnitude. So if we could get something for him, I would. However, it would have to be a real return. I would have held on to him for the playoff push and beyond before dealing him for a return that didn't help the major league team." K.L. commented, "We were having talks, but it looked like it would fall through, but Rivendell was persistent and we were able to strike a deal."

Ironically, the Slayers get another ex-Moria pitcher in Denedaur. Denedaur, recently signed to an extension, has been struggling along with most of the Miners this season. However, K.L. liked how he looked in his ratings scores to another one of his pitchers.

"He reminds me of Kashi [Darkleaf], and look how well she's played in recent years." K.L. spoke.

Denedaur is pretty much Darkleaf with better control and slightly less movement. If he can pitch like Darkleaf, the team could conceivably not even miss Bagdred.

Also coming over is another one of K.L.'s movement fetishes in Foemaker. He's all movement with decent control. He needs defense behind him, but with Chubb/Petunia/Halflinglover up the middle, the defense is strong where it matters most. Foemaker will likely get another spot in the rotation, probably the 4th spot for now while Nilcarion will move to the bullpen.

"I like Nilcarion a lot, but I think he's struggled to getting us deeper into games, especially with our 4-man rotation strategy, he can help boost our bullpen and go from a marginal endurance starter to a durable reliever." K.L. spoke.

The Bagdred move was the big one, but not the only one by any means. The Slayers recently completed a deal with Numenor to bring over Noriand, a reliever, in return for constantly disappointing Arborna, among others. Arborna was always a bit of a problem for the team, first getting into problems with Elensar - then next was then-ace Galealbo Elvawen - and finally just constantly not measuring up to her ratings. Noriand is another in the "movement and control" line of pitcher.

Next on the list is a rumored deal between Dol Guldur and the Slayers, sending 3 rarely used major leaguers and a couple picks to the Dragons for catcher prospect Faleivirin. "We are stripping our depth, but we need a catcher prospect. He's raw still and it's a gamble, but it's a risk to take considering the 'quality' of our minor league catchers.

Lastly, the most minor trade on the Slayers' dockett is another rumored deal, this time with Weathertop. The Slayers drop Sabino Valdez, once considered a diamond in the rough by scouts, and a 6th round pick for Weathertop's 5th round pick.

"It will be interesting to see how things go with the team, especially with the Bagdred move. It looked like things were going well, but front office concerns reared their head. Hopefully, the Slayers will keep things going in the right direction." a local analyst spoke.

Posted at December 20, 2006 07:27 AM | more from Minas Morgul