MaineBucs wrote on Nov 19
th, 2022 at 11:48am:
Well, it sure looks like Cruz is now the starting shortstop for the immediate future.
I always liked Kevin Newman, but his lack of offense (nearly worst in the league for 2 seasons) and the number of minor/major league infielders in the system made this a relatively easy decision for BC. And, with the Reds' decision to send Farmer to the Twins, their ability to immediately obtain Newman for someone who is likely a fungible reliever opened the door for BC to make a quick trade.
I also note that the Pirate 40 man roster has experienced a lot of turn-over in the past 3 weeks. The acquisition of Choi (a trade I am not thrilled with), claiming Vilade (someone will need to explain this one to me) on waivers, designating 6 players (Delay, Solomon, Collins, Cederlind, Sulser, and Stout), reactivating players from the 60 day injured list (who were on the roster), then designating another 4 players (Heineman, Fernandez, Beasely, and Baneulos) as they added 4 players (Rodriguez, Triolo, Selby, and Burrows), and now the trade of Newman and adding Moreto.
In short, a roster turn-over of about 30% in 3 weeks, and with the exception of Choi, none of the added players may make the 26 man roster come April. Perhaps BC has decided to compete with Eon Musk (but, hopefully with more fore-thought and better results).
Mainer, I'm downright angry about the so-called Newman trade, which I think should be called the salary dump it most certainly was. The Reds reliever doesn't thrill me. Here are four reasons why this move sucked:
1. Newman was the best defensive shortstop/2nd baseman on our roster. With the new no-shift rule, he would be more valuable next year for his defense than ever before.
2. Newman hit left-handed pitching pretty well. He had the highest batting average and OBP of any 2022 Pirate with over 10 at bats. He was a good leadoff hitter.
3. Newman had the highest batting average on the team after the All Star break (all players over 35 at bats). In other words, he was not regressing - he was getting better.
4. Newman was, by all accounts, a good teammate who provided some veteran leadership in the clubhouse. He worked hard to improve his weaknesses as a player.
I've been the president of the Kevin Newman Fan Club here at OnlyBucs for a few years now. Everybody has a player on their favorite team who they especially like even when there are logical reasons to like others much more. For me, Newman was that guy. I expect that he will do very well at the Cinci bandbox. They will appreciate his defense. We will miss that skill and his penchant for walkoffs.
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Newman Trade (Read 671 times)
