Outfield Star Swap

The Berserkers trade of OF Tim Duncan to the Earthquakes for another corner OF, albeit the stylish Tom “Calvin” Klein, puzzled some analysts.  However, the Minnesota front office insists this was a good deal now and in the long term for both teams.

With Keven Tolbert returning shortly from injury and Larry White crushing the ball (.901 OPS), Minnesota needed to make a move as putting both the range challenged Tolbert and Duncan at the corners in the OF was going to put too much pressure on CF Harley Fisher to track everything down. This is without even including AAA Tony Parker, who is not only knocking on the door but has smashed it down and is stomping on the pieces.

When Minnesota heard rumor that Klein wasn’t talking with San Fran about an extension, they offered Duncan , who still has another year of team control, for the veteran OF.  Added into the deal were Minnesota’s elite defender 2B/SS Armando Rodriguez and 1B/OF prospect Jonathan Fletcher for the Earthquake’s CL prospect Bryce Hesketh.

Duncan offers the Earthquakes a better bat than Klein, especially this season (126 OPS+ vs. Klein’s 104) and an extra year of team control.  However, the Berserkers also got what they wanted in a better corner outfield defender who switch hits in a lefty heavy outfield despite the fact that this does little to help with the glut of outfielders this season.

Fletcher makes up for a possible type A that San Fran would have received in compensation as well as provides a major league ready hitter at three positions if needed.  Rodriguez with help them shore up their middle infield defense and is also relatively young.    Meanwhile, Hesketh gives Minnesota a young relief ace, an area they feel is deficient, and also a bit younger player in a minor league that is full of 22-24 year-olds, strengthening the system’s long term depth.

Overall, Duncan was a great addition to Minnesota and, at the time, a player the lineup desperately needed after a very weak hitting previous season.  The surprisingly quick development of two young outfielders in the offseason and early this season, though, made him moveable. At worst, Duncan should enjoy the better weather.

This still leaves Minnesota with a lot of outfield depth and a big question of what to do with Larry White, who has provided a good bat and defense, when Klein is ready to play.