The Detroit World
Monday 13th, 1935
Sports News
From the Desk of "Fast" Freddie Farhat
What a week! But Wait for the Ending!
There were a lot of changes this week in the Dynamo's camp and the team really looked like they put all the offensive pieces together. The Dynamo's ending their winning 5-2 week with a resounding thumping of the Washington Eagles by a 17-2 count. With that win the Dynamo's have a 13-13 record and are just 1.5 games out of first place. That was the good news.....
And Now the Bad News.....
New GM DD Martin is wasting no time putting his stamp on the franchise. Less than a week into his reign he set out on what some are calling "his master plan" but a lot of the fans are now shouting "Go Back to Cleveland". In 2 moves that are sure to set back the Dynamo's fortunes for years.
Martin Ships out Wheeler and Vance to Kings
What is being called the largest trade in at least modern FABL history, the Dynamo's traded 3B Frank Vance, OF Art Wheeler and SP Jack Beach to the Brooklyn Kings. In return the Dynamo's receive the Kings first 8 picks in next years draft and 5 prospects. When reached for comment Martin proclaimed "This trade will start the progress of rebuilding the Dynamo's and making them a contender down the road."
While the belief among many is that the Dynamo's window closed several years ago. The thought that the team is aging and is likely to be in the battle for the #2 pick in next year's draft is a strong one. But the fact that these trades of some of the most popular and productive players comes when the team is just 1.5 out of 1st. The deal sent shockwaves through the fans and tonight's game against Washington there might be some kind of demonstration.
Not to be outdone, the GM then traded SP Roy Calfee to Pittsburgh for a 4th round draft pick and minor league SS Frank Davis.
Rumors are already circulating that OF Henry Jones might be next and the returning SP Wayne Robinson who is back from injury might be showcasing what he has left.
Players acquired -
RHSP Earle Robinson (age 19 - Prospect Rank #37) - A former 1st round pick of the Kings is from LA Presa, California. At his peak his repertoire should include an above average sinker, an average curve and change. While his secondary pitches aren't "great" he somehow manages to throw them all for strikes on almost any count and his pinpoint command and control. Robinson could rise to the level of a solid #2 or #3 starter. Robinson will start in the Class B League with Chattanooga.
LHSP Jack Wood (age 23 - prospect Rank #75) Wood is an intimidating 6'4 SP from NY who was drafted in the 3rd round of this past draft from Henry Hudson University. He leans heavily on his plus slider which is the best of his 5 pitches. His pitches have plenty of movement that should help to keep the ball in the park. At his peak Wood can expect to occupy a mid-rotation SP slot. Due to the lack of pitching depth, Wood has been assigned to the Newark Aces (AAA) and the hope is that he might be ready for the big leagues as early as next year.
SS Tip Harrison (age 23 - Prospect Rank #53) Drafted in the 2nd round in the 1934 draft out of Bluegrass State. His glove is outstanding and his has top of the scale speed. He has great strike zone recognition. The feeling is he will be an above average, everyday big league player. He has been assigned to the Class A Heartland League Terre Haute Brewers.
CF Jose "Roach" Serna (Age 22) Who's name might be familiar to some Dynamo fans, was originally signed out of the Dominican Republic by the Indy League Houston Bulls in May 1929. After the season he was then signed by another Indy League team the Springfield Hustlers before again signing with Houston in 1932. The Chicago Cougars drafted Serna from the Houston team in 1933 but traded to Detroit in the ill-fated Doc Love trade. At the end of the 33 season he was not promoted to the 40-man roster so was left unprotected by the Dynamo's and taken as a rule 5 draft pick. Now he is back in town coming back in a trade from Brooklyn. Serna did show some promise hitting 295 in Brooklyn in 132 AB's. He was hitting 340 in AAA before the trade. He has plus-plus speed with advanced instincts on the base paths. He looks to be a solid defensive CF and can chase down a lot of balls with his plus range. He is figured to be an average solid option for a team as a CF. In 1933 he was the #11 rated prospect in the FABL before he wasn't protected by Dynamo's. Serna will start in AAA Newark.
LF Jay Buckingham (age 24) He was originally drafted in the 6th round out of high school in 1929. He has the potential to be a 330 hitter and has plus speed that will put pressure on defenses. Buckingham should be a frontrunner for an audition as a RF. Buckingham will start in AA Akron but is figured to be moving up to AAA Newark hopefully by the end of June.
SS Frank Davis (age 18) Was drafted in the 8th round of the 1934 draft. While he won't compete for batting titles he projects to be a 310 hitter someday with quality defensive abilities. Speed is not his game though as he is very slow on the base paths. His future looks bright though and he will be starting his Dynamo journey at Class C Biloxi.
GM Martin stated his goal was to start rebuilding the broken farm system with an eye on getting as many players into the system as possible the next several years. These deals will accomplish that goal and the team is busy reviewing the free agents market as well for any players that might be a factor.
Whether or not the fans will have the patience for this time of building of a team will be interesting to be seen. Right now fan "interest" is at an all time low.
Next week 2 in Detroit - Any more moves?