Nevin and LaMacchia Traded

This week the Rangers made 2 trades. I will analyze them both.

Trade 1 - The Rangers traded Phil Nevin to the Cubs for Jerry Hairston Jr.

Phil Nevin:

Phil has struggled the past 2 seasons, and I don’t see him coming back in Chicago. He hit .182 for Texas in 2005 and has hit .216 in ’06 for the Rangers. He has really been slumping and I think it was a good idea to trade him.

In ’04 with San Diego, he hadn’t started his drought yet, as he hit .289.

San Diego:
147 games, 547 AB, 26 HR, 105 RBI, .289 AVG, .368 OBP, .492 SLG

In ’05, he made an unexpected downfall.

San Diego:
73 games, 281 AB, 9 HR, 47 RBI, .256 AVG, .301 OBP, .399 SLG

Texas:
29 games, 99 AB, 3 HR, 8 RBI, .182 AVG, .250 OBP, .323 SLG

Jerry Hairston Jr.:

Jerry has only played in Baltimore and Chicago, with a career .259 AVG and 30 HR. He has OK speed as he has stolen 105 bases in parts of 8 seasons. Also, his dad, Sam Hairston, was the first African-American player for the Chicago White Sox.

In ’04, Jerry had a career year, playing over half the games. It was his only year with a batting average over .300.

Baltimore:
86 games, 287 AB, 2 HR, 24 RBI, .303 AVG, .378 OBP, .397 SLG

In ’05, Hairston played 114 games, batting just over .260.

Chicago:
114 games, 380 AB, 4 HR, 30 RBI, .261 AVG, .336 OBP, .368 SLG

So far in 2006 Hairston has struggled, batting only .207 in 82 AB.

Chicago:
38 games, 82 AB, 0 HR, 4 RBI, .207 AVG, .253 OBP, .244 SLG

Trade Evaluation:
I think this trade works out for both teams because the Cubs need a 1st baseman, which Nevin can be, and the Rangers needed to get Botts and DeRosa more playing time, which they did.

Grade B+

Trade 2 - The Rangers traded Marc LaMacchia to the Marlins for Juan Gonzalez.

Marc LaMacchia:

Marc was drafted by the Rangers in the 21st round of the 2003 draft but had Tommy John surgery and didn’t pitch until 2005.

In 2005, he only pitched 62.2 innings but had a pretty good ERA, record, and hit total. He had only allowed 48 hits. Marc’s record was 4-2 and he had a 3.73 ERA

Clinton:
4-2, 3.73 ERA, 32 games, 0 starts, 62.2 IP, 53 SO

So far in 2006, LaMacchia has struggled with a 6.12 ERA in 32.1 innings.

Bakersfield:
1-3, 6.32 ERA, 12 games, 2 starts, 31.1 IP, 27 SO
Greensboro:
0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 game, 0 starts, 1 IP, 0 SO

Juan Gonzalez:

In 2006, Juan has struggled at the plate for the class-A Jupiter Hammerheads, batting .254, with a .333 OBP, a .310 SLG, and one home run. He is a very good defensive player.

Trade Evaluation:
I think this trade was pretty good. I look at it as trading a non-prospect pitcher for a future Adam Hyzdu type player.

Grade B-

Come back next week for my May awards.