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Originally Posted by ifspuds
Did the Beavers get anything of note for Harris? Tough to trade an All-Star caliber catcher even if they do have Gibson, but if they picked up some decent prospects, I won't be too upset. Or is Harris just having a career year?
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Henry Harris is far from a one-year wonder. The only regular catcher the Beavers ever had, Harris has a lifetime batting average of .332 and a lifetime OBP of .389. In 14 seasons, Harris has batted at least .300 13 times; the one year he didn't, he hit .297.
Harris has never hit for much power (64 career homers in over 7000 AB), but he's driven in and scored 60 or 70 runs a year as regularly as clockwork. He has been a better-than-average receiver with a decent arm.
He and
Tim Stephens, the long-time star of the Oakland Oaks, are usually regarded as the greatest catchers the league has ever seen. Incidentally, Stephens is currently Harris' backup with the Reds.
The Beavers acquired three players for Harris.
Mike Christensen, 26, is now the Beavers' starting first baseman. A lefthanded hitter with a decent eye and line-drive power, Christensen is hitting .308 with 29 RBI in 59 games.
Wally Pacheco, 23, is an infielder who offers nothing except tremendous defense; he's an automatic out at the plate who is hitting .179 with Lynn (Class A).
The real prize in the deal is
Chris McPhee, a 22-year-old outfielder who projects as a tremendous leadoff man. McPhee has the potential to hit .300 with a .400+plus OBP, and he has plus-plus speed and baserunning instincts. He demonstrates superb range in centerfield.
If McPhee, who is ranked #15 on the latest list of top prospects, matures in to a star, the Beavers might come out of this deal on top. Of course, that also depends on Gibson becoming the superstar he's been predicted to be ever since the day he was drafted.
Thanks for the comment, Jeff.