Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Topes Make Two Big Offseason Deals - More to Follow?


Springfield (AP) - The Topes have won at least 92 games in each of the last seven NASBL seasons and have only finished below .500 in one of the last ten NASBL seasons. It's not very often that GM Doug Sherlag comes out and issues a statement like he did last month. "I'm not sure we have the horses to compete next year," said Sherlag.

Sherlag issued that statement in a press conference in which the Topes announced that the Topes had traded Andre Ethier to the Grizz for Melvin Upton and Ricky Romero. Ethier was one of the key components of the controversial Josh Hamilton trade of last offseason and had a very solid season in his first year with the Topes, serving as a table-setter for Carlos Gonzalez and Adam Dunn in the Topes lineup. Romero has had limited success for the Grizz in parts of two seasons since being drafted in the 11th round of the 2010 NASBL draft. After a Rookie of the Year season in 2008, Upton hit .198 in 405 at bats for the Grizz last season and has failed to live up to his pedigree as the 3rd overall pick in the 2008 NASBL draft. Both players are younger than Ethier and this appeared to be a classic example of a rebuilding move.

Not so fast...it appears that Sherlag is sending a mixed message. Upton was not long for the Topes as Sherlag shipped Upton and set-up man Tyler Clippard to the Shawnee Crows for David Wright and Ryan Doumit. Wright and Doumit are both older than Upton AND Clippard. Wright should replace Ethier's production in the middle of the Topes lineup and Doumit has had success in NASBL as a primarily offense minded catcher.

So, are the Topes sending a mixed message? Not according to Sherlag. "Guys like David Wright do not become available all the time. He is a premium player at a premium position." said Sherlag. "David is only 29 years old and will be a big part of the Topes for years to come. I stand by my statement that it will be difficult to put a winner out on the field next year, even after this trade. However, it won't be long before the Topes are back to where we expect to be and David will be a big part of that."

Asked if he anticipates that there will be more deals this offseason, Sherlag responded with a resounding yes. "We have some nice pieces that can help contenders. I would anticipate at least one or two more trades before roster cutdown day," said Sherlag.

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