Marlins - Brewers Trade

[New York Mets]

Marlins get:

Ryan Zimmerman 1B WAS – 14/14/18/18 (TO)/UFA



Bewers get:

Ian Desmond CF, LF Col – 13/17/17/15/8/15 (TO)/UFA

Jeff Samardzija SP SF – 18/18/18/18/UFA



Reason:

I was discussing 1B options with other teams since the season started. My problem: Desmond doesn´t figure to play 1B for the Rockies anytime soon and „Mr. Swinging K“ Brandon Moss ain´t the answer for this issue – especially since he will lose 1B eligibility next season being the full time DH in KC. With Zimmerman´s backup Lind already on my roster I have a found a solid solution here – even if Zim takes his yearly DL stint. In terms of performance there is hope that Zimmerman keeps going as insane as he did over the first 6 weeks of the season. Fact: Washington´s 1B combination of Zimmerman/Lind has scored 204,64 so far. Not bad at all.



Desmond was traded because with four LF on the roster he was expendable. Shark was added from my side because with my hopes for this season dwindling every day I wanted to cut payroll in order to create some flexibility for future moves. Also counting Eddie Butler I had 7 SP on my roster. So the whole trade is one part filling the void at 1B and one part shedding payroll.



I want to thank the Brewers management for the pleasant trade negotiations and wish Ian and Shark the best of luck going forward.

[Milwaukee Brewers]

I agreed to this deal for a couple different reasons.  First, my team needed a shake-up.  My team had fallen to 8 games under .500 and I needed to do something.  Second, Zimmerman's injury history scares me, as I'm sure it would anyone who employs him.  Third, getting a 6th SP on my roster that's more than a noodle arm is very appealing.

Giving up Zimmerman is hard given that he was by far the highest scoring player on my team, but sometimes you count your blessings and move on.  He gave me some great stats while I had him (which wasn't really all that long) and he looks fully healthy for the first time in a long time, but his injury history is too massive to ignore.  I'll let someone else take that risk.  

In Desmond and Samardzija the Brewers get two accomplished professionals that have had very productive careers thus far.  Desmond may get 1B eligibility at some point, but until then I have other options there.  He already has multi-position eligibility in the OF so that's a bonus.  Shark steps right into the top of my rotation as the #1 guy in both experience and points scored.  He plays in a great home ballpark for pitching and is striking out more than a batter an inning.  The character and experience both of these guys bring to the Brewers figures to pay huge dividends on a team in sore need of veteran leadership.

Best of luck to Zimmerman and the Marlins.  Welcome to the Brew Crew, Ian and Jeff!