Steve Stein wrote this article about the 2011 Transcontinental Baseball League draft. It’s actually quite an enjoyable read, in my opinion. It includes analysis of the pre-draft situation not to mention the drama that surrounds a league draft. Thanks, Steve!
For a couple of months now, the hot topic in the Transcontinental Baseball League draft has been – who would Munch Marauder’s GM Paul Montague select with his number 1 pick?
It was common knowledge that the first 5 picks were going to be, in some order: Jason Heyward, Buster Posey, Michael Stanton, Carlos Santana and Starlin Castro. The only question was, what was the order going to be?
I was of the opinion that Jason Heyward was the most talented rookie available and was the obvious #1 selection. Others roundly (and justifiably) criticized me – Paul had recently traded Brian McCann and the 108th pick in the draft for the 6th and 45th pick and A.J. Pierzynski. He would NEVER have done that unless he planned on taking Buster Posey.
The plot thickened when the GM of the Brobdingnag Barbarians, Joe Auletta, acquired the #2 pick in the draft as part of a blockbuster 8-player deal (giving up Stephen Drew and Phil Hughes, a second rounder, getting Jimmy Rollins, the #2 pick and a first-rounder next year). Joe is affectionately known as “The Prince Of Darkness”, and is rumored to possess the power to compel managers to give up their whole draft for a handful of beans, if only they chanced to gaze into Joe’s eyes.
Joe coveted Heyward with the heat of 1000 suns and was feeling confident that with the #2 pick, he would land his prize.
Adding to the suspense was the fact that Paul and Joe would be traveling to the draft in the same car, spending 3 hours together on the road to Fishkill, NY. Would Paul be able to avoid Joe’s eyes?
As happened, everyone got in without incident, no draft choices had changed hands. High Noon (actually, 12:20 or so – the meeting went long) on Saturday Feb 12 arrived. Paul took the floor and announced the number one selection:
Jason Heyward!
Pandemonium reigned. To his credit, though, Joe was cool, calm and collected. He announced his intention to trade the #2 pick down if anyone was interested. Someone was – Paul Montague! Joe and Paul want out in the hall for a few moments of discussion, and returned with a deal –
The Marauders had traded the #6 pick and their 2012 first-rounder for the #2 pick and the Barbarians’ 2012 second-rounder. And with the #2 pick of the 2011 draft, the Marauders selected:
Buster Posey.
The story’s denouement arrived at the #6 selection, after Santana, Castro and Stanton went 3-4-5. Joe, who is building what he hopes will be a mid-teens dynasty, chose Stephen Strasburg.
“Joe coveted Heyward with the heat of 1000 suns…”
priceless!
and “denouement”… I learned a new word today.
great piece, Steve,