I hope everyone in APBA-land had a nice holiday season with their families. As for me, we had a quiet Christmas day since we will be spending time with my daughter and her husband in Tennessee over New Year’s.
The Thunderchickens’ general office was anything but quiet in the days leading up to the holidays. With the APBA GO set released for 2024, the Illowa APBA League hot stove league was in full swing. I was in negotiations with several managers over text and by email.
I had a few positions to cover. With Gomes retiring, I had just Sean Murphy behind the plate. And while Michael Massey and Whit Merrifield do cover a full season at second base, Merrifield’s hitting is less than ideal (though APBA did him some favors in my opinion).
And of course, I want pitching just like anyone else.
Deal #1: Catching for eternity
Knowing my dearth of catching, Dennis Jennings emailed me and made me an preliminary offer for either Danny Jansen or Francisco Alvarez. I won’t go into the details but know that high prospect Alvarez would come at a higher price.
Indeed it did. Here is how the deal eventually went down.
Thunderchickens receive: Alvarez, last round pick
Thunderchickens give up: 4th round pick, 6th round pick
With Murphy and Alvarez on the roster, I feel I am set at catcher for years to come.
Even with this deal, I will probably have to draft a catcher. The beauty of this trade is that I don’t have to depend on picking the one rookie catcher who will help me (and honestly, has any lasting value).
Deal #2: The blockbuster
Okay, here’s the situation. I made the decision to trade Elly De La Cruz. And I didn’t even make a general offer to the league that he was available. I knew exactly who would want him. The question is ‘did I get enough for him?’.
Don Smith and I haggled over this deal for eleven days. It involved choices of several pitchers which ended up to be Max Fried.
Thunderchickens receive: Max Fried, Rhys Hoskins, 1st round pick, 3rd round pick
Thunderchickens give up: Elly De La Cruz, Kyle Hendricks, 2nd round pick, 5th round pick
What do I get out of this deal? I get one B starter and possibly two depending on what I do with Don’s first round pick. Last year, I had no B starters and right now before the draft, I have three. I should have one of the better pitching staffs of the IAL.
I know Don likes Kyle Hendricks too. I do too. As a D pitcher, it’s a good pickup. He probably won’t be a D next year.
Deal #3: Bolstering the rotation
In the midst of my negotiation with Don, commissioner Mike Bunch emailed me with a simple offer.
Thunderchickens receive: Bailey Falter
Thunderchickens give up: Giancarlo Stanton
I had Stanton all this year. Like this upcoming card, he had double ones and he barely played. He’s slow, an OF-1 and other than the double ones, his hitting card was pretty useless batting .151 for me.
I waited a day or two before greenlighting this deal. Once the Elly trade was done, I let Mike know it was a done deal. Why? Rhys Hoskins (1-5-5 with four 14s) can fill in fine as designated hitter and Stanton’s services will no longer be needed.
Falter is a C pitcher and will help our already growing pitching staff.
Team Outlook
The Thunderchickens lost a few draft picks in just a few days. And we still have spots to cover in the roster. With the trade of De La Cruz, I’ll need a backup shortstop. And don’t forget about the few games at catcher.
The league knows who I want to pick with my first round pick but that’s only if I have the first pick in the draft. That may require some more wheelin’ and dealin’. I really can’t afford to give up any more picks if I can help it.
And hey look, another email with a trade proposal. For those of you in leagues, how’s YOUR off-season going?
