Completed Trade for an Ace

Looking to upgrade Brooklyn's starting rotation, management went out and re-acquired stud Justin Verlander. Verlander was traded two years ago straight up for Ryan Howard. Now Brooklyn dealt third starter Jeremy Bonderman, long reliever Scott Baker, fireballer Jeff Niemann, and prospects Joel Guzman and Jose Tabata. Clearly, Black Mesa was desperate for depth in the starting rotation and acquired three arms who will contribute for years to come. In addition, Black Mesa added a utility player in Guzman, who can play first, third, left and right. He has unbelievable raw power. And, Black Mesa adds Jose Tabata, who might get a September callup this season. He can be a real asset in the offseason.

Coming over with Verlander is OF Franklyn Gutierrez. GM Eric J. Caskey is proud of his scouting department: "Clearly this deal would not have been done without the accumulated depth of prospects from past drafts and deals." Baker was added as a player to be named later in which Brooklyn dealt young shortstop Stephen Drew for Joe Kennedy. The other four were acquired in past drafts, as Jeremy Bonderman has only known the Moab uniform: "We hope JB all the best. He was a joy to work with and hopefully the change of scenary will jumpstart his arm." For the short time, Gutierrez will serve as a platoon RF with Travis Buck. Both men are playing in a platoon until Curtis Granderson returns. Caskey also claimed that Brooklyn is now the team to beat in the East, "We have improved the starting rotation as Wang will be the team's fifth starter despite winning 19 games in the American League. Carmona will serve as the third starter behind Oswalt and Verlander, and Carm won 18 games and had the lowest ERA in the second half last season. Our rotation should be able to compete and could endure injuries better than ever before despite dealing three pitchers for Verlander. The bullpen is deeper than ever before as Brooklyn barely missed out of the playoffs a year ago with Bob Wickman and Joe Kennedy setting up. Now those two would have been cut from the roster. Also, the lineup is just as good if not better with Granderson, Jason Bay and Troy Tulowitzki."