Angier Trades Goldschmidt, Everyone Else, "Isn't Finished"

Within hours of an overhaul of The Daily Grind's labor agreement, Gregg Angier, the maverick owner and GM of Tom Emanski, pulled the trigger on 2 blockbuster trades comprised of 18 total pieces. Angier, whose club has won 2nd place in both of the first two TDG seasons, has now sent away 7 players whose 2014 contracts total $73, including Carlos Gonzalez, Curtis Granderson, and Paul Goldschmidt.

Goldschmidt's inclusion was particularly noteworthy: not only was the superstar first baseman signed to a very team-friendly $4 contract for 2014, but earlier this year Emanski sent 4 minor leaguers to Roosevelt and the Broncos to acquire him. Apparently the enigmatic Angier changed his mind.

In return for all of this, Angier has now received 7 minor slots (only one of which is currently occupied, by Danny Salazar) and 4 major leaguers, including Aroldis Chapman and Jurickson Profar.

These two deals constitute nothing short of a total league shake-up, and opinions on Angier's moves have been correspondingly outspoken and negative. Sources from within The Spruce Bruce organization have called his decisions "terrible" and asked rhetorically, "How can he win in the next 3 years?" Smashbox GM Matthew Morris has openly stated that Angier is now out of contention for 2014, quipping, "One down 12 more to go Sent from my iPhone" (sic). 2013 champion owner Joseph DeClercq openly asked if it was a "joke."

Angier, right, partying earlier this year with
one of his many girlfriends/mistresses. 

But Angier insists that he's nothing if not serious.

Such was the tone of his official comment when asked about his moves earlier today: "Yeah, we traded a bunch of dudes. And we'll trade some more. This team isn't finished making deals that will make us better. I have only one question for my haterz: how many times have you finished 2nd place in this league? That's what I thought. Merry f****** Christmas."

No word yet on whether or not the rules committee will move to fine Angier for his comments.

Stay or Go

One of the big questions that was floating around the winter meetings last week is what are teams going to do with over priced stars?  Verlander, Holliday, Kershaw, Pujols, Kemp, Tulowitzki, Braun, Bautista, Upton, A Gon, Lee, Lincecum and Fielder were a few of the names up for debate.  After sorting through all the whispers and speaking with some owners directly here is our best prediction early in the process.

Certain to go:  Pujols (38) Lincecum (24) and Lee (25)
Albert may once have been worth this price tag but those days are behind us.  Spruce traded for the expiring contract in hopes of a title run but a gimpy foot derailed those hopes.  Hard to imagine one of the new teams taking him on at that price so all signs point to Albert being a key free agent up for auction.  Like Albert Cliff Lee is an aging star on a team with budget issues its almost certain he will end up back in free agency but may end up costing around the same price.

Likely to go: Adrian Gonzalez (26), Kemp (33) Braun (33) Holliday (25) Verlander (26) Fielder (27)
Adrian just has not lived up to the power potential of his earlier years and Kemp is riddled with injury risk, but despite what seem like obvious drops Kurt is a true wild card.  Holliday and Verlander may not make it to free agency but we would be surprised if they are on Spruce's Roster come the spring.  Braun and Fielder are the most intriguing names on this list. Just too many question marks surround and steroid less Braun to risk 15% of your salary.  The only reason Fielder is on this list is because Joey's salary currently sits at a whopping $262 making some moves necessary.  Fielder could be moved via trade or shopped for some less expensive talent.

Likely to Stay: Bautista (31) Kershaw (41) Upton (27)
Despite the astronomical salary for Kershaw his game 7 performance has earned him the price tag and manager Joey's love.  Hard to see him moving.  Bautista almost certainly would have been gone had he stayed with Gregg but after giving up a cheap young piece to get him Andrew will almost certainly keep him.  Upton is a question mark and has perhaps the worst contract/value ratio of anyone on this list (outside of Lincecum) but his Andrew's lack of offensive talent will force him into paying the bad contract for at least another year.

Certain to Stay: Tulowitzki (33)
Another high risk high reward player but after giving up budding superstar Mike Stanton to get him Tulo will be staying put at SS for the Saberbeans.  Hard to imagine him going for any less on the open market at such a scarce position.

Reporting From The Winter Meetings,

-Geter Pammons