Trash Heap looking to clean up

The numbers don't lie; the Trash Heap lost 102 games last year. 2007 was easily the worst year in the franchise's existance and New Jersey fans weren't happy. Fans went to extreme measures to get their point across with boycots, sites dedicated to firing the management, and walkouts during games.

However, there is cause for optimism. New Jersey, a team that has traditionally been very conservative with trades, pulled off a big one to leapfrog over the rival Roadkill. With the consensus that GRK was going to draft a pitcher, NJT made Jack Howard an offer they couldn't refuse. Fortunately, there were no horseheads or canolli; only draft picks. To move up 2 spots, NJT gave away their 3rd round pick but received the GCG 6th round pick (81th overall).

While GRK denies it, NJT believes that Tim Lincecum was #1 on their board. The Roadkill PR is smart enough to spin it that Gallardo was #1 on their books so we might never know. With pitchers that talented and with that little MLB experience, there really is no way to determine which one will be better. The Heap just went with their gut .... and the player with an incredible K/9.

Even better for the Heap was the slide of two prospects they had ranked rather high: Delmon Young and Chris Iannetta. There's little doubt that Delmon Young would have been considered for the 1st overall pick last year if he was eligible. However, a non-spectacular 2007 MLB campaign caused Young to slide to 19th overall. NJT still believes in the talented Young. With Iannetta, NJT hopes to solidify a C core that has been anything but solid. Most fans cannot remember the last time NJT kept a catcher from one year to the next.

NJT has dedicated their last 3 drafts to youth and they are hoping it will pay off. The youth core of NJT now includes Howie Kendrick, Ian Kinsler, Chris Iannetta, Jeremy Hermida, JJ Hardy, Delmon Young, Jeremy Bonderman, Chad Billingsley, and Tim Lincecum; all of whom are 25 or younger. All were once very highly touted prospects and now most of them are starting to use that talent to produce.