Bold Move by Nomads and Asterisks

August 11, 2018, 04:25:27 PM

By Renton Brewz

Mutinysphere, USA, August 10, 2018 - Alex Bregman, one of 2018's breakout stars, has been traded by the Foothill Nomads to the Arizona Asterisks. Nomads GM Matt Buland, has used his systems enviable depth at third base to strengthen multiple positions on both the major league and minor league level, acquiring highly touted shortstop prospect Royce Lewis along with major league catcher Wilson Ramos and starter Tyler Mahle.

With Eugenio Suarez, Rafael Devers, Travis Shaw, and Yuli Gurriel all currently on the Nomads roster and all capable of playing third base, the Nomads were able to make available even a player of Bregman's stature. After engaging in numerous trade discussions over the last several months revolving around their third base depth, the Nomads finally pulled the trigger on one. Bregman may not have been Buland's first choice to move, however he did prove to bring back the highest return.

Lewis, a consensus top 10 prospect as of this writing, has begun to fulfill the immense potential he showed as a high school star at JSerra High School in San Juan Capistrano, California. After a good but not great 2017 campaign split between Rookie ball and Low A, Lewis has come into his own in 2018. He is showing not only the top of the scale hit tool, speed, and smooth defensive actions at short most predicted for him, but he has developed his power much earlier than most thought he would. And to a greater extent than many thought he could. He now stands as not only a solid everyday regular, but quite possibly as a star, face of the franchise type cornerstone. He is, however, still a Single A prospect with a lot of growth and development ahead of him, but as Buland commented, "we've been on a quest for a shortstop of the future for years. Royce Lewis fits that bill." The team does have Dansby Swanson at short currently, but he has been slow to develop his vast abilities. "Lewis will need a few years so that will give the team a chance to see if Swanson progresses," said Buland.

Ramos comes to the Nomads and will immediately solidify the catching position moving forward. After injury and surgery cut short his 2017 season and forced a late start to the current season, Ramos has bounced back nicely, producing average and power at the plate while still proving to be one of the better defensive backstops in the game. Buland stated, "The catching market next year is going to be really tough and picking up a catcher the quality of Ramos gives us some relief." Similarly, Mahle offers the Nomads additional rotation depth. While he may have hit a wall in the second half, Mahle proved over the first half of this season that even as a 23 year old, he has a future in a big league rotation.

Trading away Bregman was not easy for Buland and the Nomads. "He was one of our favorites. He's intense and talented and leaves it all on the field. And he's having a brilliant season. As a franchise we are saddened to see him go. But in the end, he plays a position that we have a lot of depth at with Suarez looking great currently, Devers on the way back, and even Travis Shaw and Yuli Gurriel. We simply couldn't pass up strengthening the franchise as we have."

Even though they gave up high quality players in the deal, the Asterisks certainly received quality in return too. Bregman has blossomed this season into one of the very best third basemen in the game. And that alone states his quality considering the hot corner boasts the likes of Kris Bryant, Nolan Arenado, Jose Ramirez, Anthony Rendon, and others currently. Bregman has solidified his play at third base while breaking out offensively. Already a quality hitter, Bregman has lowered his strikeout rate while raising his walk rate and his power to elite levels. All of that growth, and he is still just 24 years old himself. Even considering the steep price to acquire him, Asterisks GM, Kyle Coffin commented, "We’re talking about Alex Bregman here. Rarely does a player live up to the hype. And he’s only 24. We get 5 ½ seasons of control of a player who has reached almost elite status. The hope always was that Royce Lewis would develop into exactly the player Bregman already is. Even if that eventuality comes to pass, as long as Bregman continues being this type of player, we will be more than happy with the deal because of his primary position and his positional flexibility."

Considering what each team gave up, it's understandable when fans of each team say, 'What on earth were they thinking?' But when considering what each team received, it's also understandable when fans of each team say, 'We were able to acquire a player that talented? Wow!'

I think that is the very definition of a win-win deal.

Re: Bold Move by Nomads and Asterisks

Reply #1 – August 12, 2018, 02:01:45 AM

Great recap, Brendt! I mean, Renton...