Recent Trade-Bud Klein Heads South

In a recently completed trade, the Nashville Sounds acquired slugging 3B Bud Klein from the Chicago Cubs for three minor league prospects. I think this is a good deal for both teams, as each squad gets something that they need.

Nashville finds itself squarely in the middle of the playoff chase at this point, as they currently have a record of 34-24, tied with New York and Cleveland for the wild card spots and only 2 games back of division leading Monterrey. Ranking 10th in the AL in runs and 13th in batting average, Sounds management felt they needed to make a move to upgrade the offense. Klein will fill in nicely, especially with opening day 3B Daryl Lyons falling out of favor with the manager for failing to produce as much as expected. As Nashville was already a solid team before the deal, I'd say the Klein deal gives them a leg up on the other wild card contenders. I'm not sure it puts them in the same category as Milwaukee and Monterrey, although they get closer now.

As for Chicago, they are now fully in rebuilding mode. At 14-44, making the playoffs this year seems extremely unrealistic, so the Cubs are looking to acquire minor league talent. In this deal they get AA pitchers Kid Johnstone and Dennys Miceli and High A catcher Tony Escuela. While none are listed in the ACEROTHSTEIN Top 100 prospects, they still got some talent back in the deal. Johnstone and Miceli are both relievers with potential to be ML closers one day- they could be a nice combination out of the pen together in Wrigley fairly soon. The question mark is Escuela- he's a 19-year old listed as catcher. While he should be a big-time hitter, his pitch calling rating probably limits his ability to play the catcher position and he doesn't have a good enough glove to play much of anywhere else- he'd even be questionable at first base. He'd seem to be a dynamite future DH, but since the Cubs are in the NL, he can't do it full time in Chicago. He is a future major leaguer, but where and in what capacity is yet to be determined.