[ayaghmour2]

It happened! He was traded!

The double agent Billy Riley, who allowed 11 hits, 12 runs, and 5 walks in his last two starts against the Stars, including game 153, which officially eliminated us from the playoffs. Despite that, Riley did finish the season top five in the CA in ERA (4th, 2.87) and WHIP (5th, 1.16) as well as shutouts (2nd, 4). In two-and-a-half seasons as a Cougar, Riley was 39-26 with a 3.13 ERA (112 ERA+) and 1.17 WHIP with 160 walks and 238 strikeouts. Since debuting with the Stars back in 1938, Riley has made 279 starts and thrown 2,155.1 innings. He owns a 3.37 ERA (110 ERA+) and 1.26 WHIP with 617 walks and 899 strikeouts, and Riley has started 29 or more games in each of his last eight seasons. He's been a durable and reliable starting pitcher, but we have too many of those, and Duke Bybee needs to be pitching at the big league level.

His third team will be his first in the Federal Association, as he'll join the reigning Federal Association champions, along with $11,000 cash. In return, the Eagles will send us their 4th Round pick, veteran infielder Jim Jenkins, and a pair of prospects. The 32-year-old Jenkins was a surprise star in the final war season, going on a 36-game hit streak and slashing .334/.363/.461 (143 OPS+) in 99 games. The infielder swiped 24 bases and hit 23 doubles, 10 triples, and 4 homers with 60 runs and 52 RBIs. As good as that was, it was his first season with a WRC+ above 85 since his old career high of 93 in 1939. 85 is also his career mark, as it dropped to that after "Hoot" hit .268/.277/.372 (83 OPS+) in 193 PAs this season. He did still provide some value with the glove, playing above average defense at third and second. With an affordable $16,000 contract, he can replace Jim Beard for cheaper, filling his role as veteran infielder and good clubhouse presence. The initial trade saved just under $10,000 and then with Jenkins instead of Beard we'll save another $7,000. Beard did post a slightly higher 97 WRC+ this season, but his defense at third leaves plenty to be desired.

Neither of the two prospects acquired rank in the top 100, but Rupert Abbott comes close at 121. A 4th Rounder in the most recent draft, Abbott hit an impressive .320/.387/.435 (122 OPS+) with 9 doubles, 4 triples, 2 homers, 3 steals, and 32 RBIs in 226 trips to the plate. A natural center fielder, he spent most of his time in left field, where he produced a 6.2 zone rating with a 1.084 efficiency. I think he has the range and speed to stick in center, but they have another talented defensive center fielder Mickey Holloway (who I inquired on as well), on the roster who was already manning center once Abbott signed out of Opelika State. The glove is his best tool, but the 21-year-old outfielder has a good eye and the lefty can hit to all fields. He's a hard worker who comes prepared into his at bats, allowing him to give professional at bats each time he's up. He's not much of a home run hitter, but he could hit a lot of doubles and triples with his speed and level swing. He'll never be a star, but even if he doesn't reach his potential, he's got all the tools to be a capable fourth outfielder. He has the chance to be a capable regular, but he's got to earn his way up with all the talented outfielders in our system.

The other piece fills a need in our organization, as the Eagles are deep behind the plate while beyond Eddie Howard, we don't have many potential regulars in the farm. Mike Bordes is ranked 149th, very high for someone once selected in the 11th Round. After not playing much in his draft year of 1944, he played regularly last year and reached AA at just 19. He turned 21 this November, so he was 20 when he hit .262/.302/.342 (80 OPS+) with the Atlanta Peaches this year. I think we'll start him in Lincoln, but there's a chance he could finish out his year in AA. A bat first catcher, Bordes has a solid hit tool and strong knowledge of the zone. Defense isn't his strong suit, so he may have to play a little first as he moves up, but the offense should more then make up for it. Unlike Abbott, hard work isn't his thing, so he may never help too much behind the plate. But it's clear there's some talent, and he's already made himself a much better player in his two and a half seasons in the Eagles organization.

As big as the trade itself was, the biggest part of this means that Duke Bybee has a spot in our rotation. The 24-year-old had one of the best seasons ever for a Milwaukee Blues pitcher, going 14-6 with a 2.05 ERA (190 ERA+) and 1.12 WHIP with 40 walks and 100 strikeouts. He made 26 starts with the Blues, and has now made 5 more in Cuba, an unlucky 1-4 despite a 3.07 ERA (117 ERA+) and 1.15 WHIP. The underlying numbers suggest Bybee is even unluckier then you think, as he's struck out 31 hitters while walking just 10 in 41 innings. This has helped contribute to an elite 2.09 FIP (58 FIP-), tied for third lowest in the CWL. Another potential ace, Bybee has a deep six pitch rotation, ranging from a fastball that can touch 97 to a devastating forkball that has turned into his out pitch. As good as the 6'4'' southpaws stuff is, the command is what makes him special, as he's truly gifted for someone his age. He has the makeup to compete in high stress environments and his leadership has made him one of the captains on any roster he inhabits. It's going to be exciting to see the consistent top 10 prospect get his first real shot in the majors, potentially rivaling even Donnie Jones once he reaches his full potential.