Trade Review - Urban Achievers and Montezuma's Revenge

Urban Achievers receive:

SS Derek Jeter, 3B Pedro Alvarez

Montezuma’s Revenge receive:

3B/SS Jhonny Peralta, SP Ervin Santana

This is one of those trades that everyone should remember when you’re looking at your team right after the draft, before the season starts and think “this team is going to rock! I’m not sure I’ll need to make any transactions!” For me, I started the season loving my offense (particularly having young studs Alvarez and Ian Stewart at the hot corner!!) and hating the depth of pitching. Turns out it’s the offense that has struggled, while the depth of pitching has kept me afloat despite injuries. I can’t remember the last time my team only occupied two DL spots, and it kept adding on Wednesday when EBedard went on the DL (thankfully, not arm-related). Trading two DL players will help me manage my roster more easily going forward, at least until the next injury occurs. Peralta has been one of those sneaky good players this year (35 R, 13 HR, 47 RBI, .360 OBP – ranked 60 overall by Yahoo!) who provides depth at two thin positions, and Santana has been a fine contributor (92 Ks with a reasonable 4.08 ERA and 1.28 WHIP and 9 QS) and addresses the need for a strikeout pitcher. Jeter was made expendable by my new binky, JJ Hardy, and, even if he comes back before the All Star break, it was going to take some time for Pedro to work himself back into the circle of trust. Overall, it weakens my team in the speed category, which I am already weak in, but hopefully Jemile Weeks will continue to tear up the basepaths. I also like that I managed to fix some problems without trading Posey, my biggest chip for teams that drop out.

For Urban, this trade makes a lot of sense. Alvarez was by far the biggest flop in the draft, but he still has a half season to prove his worth and could very well live up to his pedigree by the end of the year. His immense power potential could make me look foolish. Certainly, a decent second half would make him keeper-worthy on this expansion team, especially considering the lack of depth at 3B. Jeter, meanwhile, is probably no longer keeper-worthy, but should at least yield Dan a decent pick from one of the teams starting fringe shortstops or with questionable UTIL players.

On the surface, Jeter and former top MLB draft pick Alvarez are much bigger names, but their seasons have not come close to the size of their perceived talent. I was obviously convinced, having grabbed him with the fourth overall pick (I would’ve drafted him with the first). Look no further than their O-Rank before the season (Alvarez 83rd and Jeter 40th) to see which side has the most potential. But given the injuries to the Revenge, this makes a lot of sense from both a depth and roster management perspective. All in all, not a truly impactful trade, but one that made sense for both teams.