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THE TRADE:

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The Barnegat Banana Slugs trade [High Minors] SP/RP Matt Strahm, CF Ender Inciarte and RP Cam Bedrosian to the Manchester MooniniteZ for CF Carlos Gomez and SP/RP Juan Nicasio.

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THE BANANA SLUGS RETURN:

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CF Carlos Gomez – 31 year old Rangers CF/possible head case/possible guy who just DOESN’T RESPECT THE GAME. I personally enjoy his antics. .292 OBP, 22 doubles, 1 triple, 13 HRs, 45 Rs, 53 RBIs, 18 SBs across 411 ABs in 2016. Much like the other part of the Slugs return it is perhaps best to look at the latterest parts of Gomez’ 2016 season, because prior to arriving in Texas he was awful. However for the Rangers in August and September he sported a .362 OBP, 6 doubles, 8 HRs, 18 Rs, 24 RBIs, 5 SBs across 116 ABs. The Slugs are certainly hoping they acquired that version of Gomez, and there are signs the Rangers made some serious adjustments to Gomez’ swing/approach. If he’s right a return to a 20/20 season is not at all out of the question.

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SP/RP Juan Nicasio – 30.6 year old FIRE MAN or what have you for the Pirates. The Bucs attempted him as a starter last season and he was terrible, but was muchhh better as a reliever. 2nd half ERA of 3.50 (1.91 FIP), aka once he got to the relieving. 63 Ks in 44.1 2nd half IP (12.79 K/9 [14.54 in July, 13.21 in August, 11.21 Sept/Oct.]). The Pirates have a bit of a crowded field in the bullpen but nobody especially inspiring, Nicasio can very easily pitch himself away from a long man role and into a more high leverage (aka holds) role very early on. The MooniniteZ like him a lot and wish him all the best.

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THE MOONINITEZ RETURN:

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SP/RP Matt Strahm – 25.5 year old Royals lefty set up man/future starter probably, their second ranked prospect according to Baseball America. 2-2, 1.23 ERA (2.06 FIP), 30 Ks in 22 IP (12.27 K/9), 6 Holds in 2016. REALLY GOOD in 2016, enough to work himself into the setup man conversation for KC to being 2017. REALLY BAD yesterday, which probably kinda sorta lead to this trade in the first place. Should eventually get a crack at the rotation but should also spend just about all of 2017 in the bullpen. Could (hopefully) be a solid source of holds out of a minors-eligible SP-eligible arm in the early going for the MooniniteZ, before transitioning to a majors SP-eligible holds source. I forget if I was doing major league comps for high minors guys but DOING ONE NOW, simply to show that it is possible to do a Matt Strahm comp whilst avoiding the LAZY Danny Duffy comparisons that are out there. Major League Comparison: DAMMIT, it’s Danny Duffy (pre-velocity boost and abandoning of curveball).

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CF Ender Inciarte – I already dropped him so not much point talking about him but HE IS PRETTY GOOD. I encourage someone in need of CF or OF help to give him a look. Here is things I previously wrote about him (he keeps getting traded):

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Inciarte is completely devoid of power, but like a good little slap hitter he doesn’t strike out too often/can draw the occasional walk/can steal some bags.  Inciarte should bat leadoff for the Braves this year and if the offense ever gets their shit together, that would be to his fantasy benefit as it could get him to score a few more runs.

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26 year old Braves CF coming off an ever so slightly injury shortened season that might have hid his sleeper potential a wee bit. .351 OBP, 24 doubles, 7 triples, 3 HRs, 85 Rs, 29 RBIs, 16 SBs in 2016. Should bat leadoff in ATL and AS I ALREADY NOTED LAST TIME HE WAS TRADED, could be a good source of runs (as all leadoff guys can be I s’pose) if the Braves offense gets its proverbial shit together.  Let’s let Fangraphs contribute another thing:

• A strained hamstring cost Ender Inciarte the first month of the season and likely had some impact on his awful May (.216 AVG, .539 OPS), but he was even better than the strong 2015 version from June on with a .308/.363/.411 line in his final 470 PA (.303/.338/.408 in ’15). Could be a sneaky runs asset if the Braves are anywhere near their second half prowess all season.

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RP Cam Bedrosian – 25.5 year old Angels set up man/should be closer but who fucking knows with Mike Scioscia. 2-0, 1.12 ERA (2.13 FIP), 51 Ks in 40.1 IP (11.38 K/9), 1 Save (1 BS), 7 Holds in 2016. Good mid 90s fastball and slider combo, easily the best reliever in the Angels pen so there is LITERALLY no reason why he shouldn’t just be named the closer outright. The MooniniteZ aren’t sure if they even want that but it is probably an inevitability, given that it is only Andrew Bailey and eventually Huston Street standing in the way.

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RETURN SEAN LIKES MORE:

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MINE. I always like mine. Unless I guess Carlos Gomez has SUCH a dominant April that it becomes clear I wouldn’t have just dropped him upon Ian Desmond‘s return, and THEN he continues to dominate all year and looks like 2014 Carlos Gomez. Then I might have some regrets. Until then MINE.