Topic: Sharks reported off Texas coast; get OF 02-21-03 11:21 PM Heatwave The Marlboro Hammerheads and Houston Heatwave hook up on a deal to meet some mutual needs for both clubs. Houston was in desperate need of a lefty in their bullpen acquired Eddie Guardado from Marlboro this evening. Guardado has had a rough start of the season in Marlboro, but hopes the confines of Heatwave Field will allow for better results. In exchange for Guardado, Houston deals outfielder Marquis Grissom. Grissom was acquired in the auction. "Eddie Guardado will come in and help anchor this bullpen and gives us some flexibility we didn't have," Heatwave general manager Greg Newgard said via phone. "We were having problems late in games but not having a lefty to turn opposing switch hitters around or to force the opposing managers to pinch hit. Marquis was a high price to pay, but we feel the numbers that Eddie will put up will balance this out." While it is unclear who will patrol LF for Houston, a platoon of Matt Stairs, Wes Helms and/or Orlando Merced is likely. 02-21-03 11:41 PM BDBLcommish There's a new Jedi in town, and his name is "The Shark." In addition to this trade, where Sharky was able to dump a guy that I literally couldn't GIVE AWAY before the draft in exchange for a player with an OPS of nearly 1.000 against lefties, Marlboro also made another trade tonight with the Law Dogs. In that deal, they got Kevin Young (896 OPS vs. LH) AND top-25 prospect (according to Sickels) Bobby Crosby in exchange for Doug Spankiewicz (769/750 splits) and Mike DeJean (4.6 BB/9). If you're keeping score at home, here's what Sharky has traded since last year: Ichiro "Slap Happy" Suzuki Drew "Future All-star...in the NFL" Henson Hensley Muelens-Ramirez Corey "One-Year Wonder" Bradford Paul "Overpaid Mediocrity" Konerko Sidney "Injury Waiting to Happen" Ponson Jimmy "Injury Waiting to Happen" Journell Juan "Perennial Sleeper" Encarnacion Luis "One XBH Every 100 AB's" Castillo Sean "The Other" Lowe Ugueth "Still Looking for Employment" Urbina Runelvys "The King" Hernandez Eric "26-year-old Prospect" Munson Aaron "Top 100" Cook Dennys "Released on Cutdown Day" Reyes Tony "Released on Cutdown Day" Womack Jason "Who?" Davis Doug "Weakest...1B...Ever!" Spankiewicz Mike "Walk This Way" DeJean "Unsteady" Eddie Guardado Some useful players there, but no one that stands out as a possible all-star this year, next year or two years from now, right? Now, here's what The Shark has received since last year (no nicknames necessary): Roy Halladay Ryan Anderson Matt Clement Doug Spankiewicz Mike Timlin Carlos Delgado Hiram Mouthgirl Vladimir Nunez Scott Eyre Eddie Guardado Marlon Anderson Kevin Young Bobby Crosby Marquis Grissom Can we just hand Sharky the GM of the Year award now, or do we have to go through the formality of voting? 02-22-03 12:08 AM Shark Get.....a.....life! I traded for TWO PLATOON PLAYERS - and they are BOTH righthanded platoon players, good for about 35-40 more starts this year vs. LH starters AT BEST!. Geez. P.S. I don't even want to mention the blockbuster I am working on, that might just push the commish over the edge. 02-22-03 12:55 AM BDBLcommish Two platoon players...that's funny. I can't even imagine what sort of trade bait you have to offer anyone at this point. Every time I think you couldn't possibly have anything left to trade, though, you prove me wrong. I can't wait to see this "blockbuster." As always, I'm sure it will be worth its weight in gold just in sheer entertainment value! 02-22-03 10:30 AM Shark Kevin Young is one of the WORSE offensive firstbaseman in baseball. Period. He is a good platoon player against LHs but that is it. Mientky is the best defensive 1B in the league who has a solid LH bat. It was a perfect fit for KC, in need of defense for Mo Vaughn. Mike DeJean is a very solid RP and great vs. RHs. Again, exactly what he needed. Young is good for 35 starts and won't even bat 4 times in those starts. Marquis Grissom, again, is good for about 35 starts. He has great stats vs. LHs but that is all he is for me, a platoon player. Guardado is a very solid LH setup RP, good againt both LHs and RHs (a rarity). I have the innings in the pen, I could afford to move him. Again, Greg really need a lefthander in his pen and in Guardado he gets what he needs. I made to minor trades to shore up my LH lineup. 02-22-03 10:44 AM BDBLcommish I'd like to nominate Ken Kaminski for "BDBL Spin Doctor of the Year." 02-22-03 06:52 PM LawDogs Mike..I really like Bobby Crosby, but a top 25 prospect??? Come on. I think your reaching their pal. 02-22-03 07:36 PM BDBLcommish It's not my ranking. Crosby is rated #23 by John Sickels (as I stated.) I like Crosby a great deal, though I don't think he'd make my top 25.