It has been pretty common knowledge for awhile that the Denver Brewers were looking to deal veteran left-handed pitcher Hector Hard away soon but it came as a bit of a surprise when they ended up packaging him with veteran left-handed reliever Liann-wei Hua in a deal for two minor league prospects from the Detroit Falcons organization.
Hard, who the Brewers acquired mid-season 1974, was a valuable member of the rotation down the stretch last season but has struggled with injuries this season (now profiles as Fragile) and has been languishing in the bullpen with very little activity. At age 31 he really didn't figure in the Brewers long-term pitching staff plans. And Hua, who has been one of the best relievers in the Brewers 'pen for most of the last six seasons, is having a horrible 1975, is eligible for free agency at the end of the season, and the Brewers scouting staff sees slippage in his skills at age 29.
Trading these two veteran lefty's to one of the Brewers main contenders for the MGL pennant this year, the Detroit Falcons, and indeed when the Falcons were in town and with a game to play still in the three game series, was a controversial move. And the fact that the Brewers got back in the deal two players who likely won't have an impact this season made it even more questionable. (Rumor has it that the Seattle Alligators offered veteran star shortstop Mike Silveira for Hard and Hua, and many believe that with Chad Brown continuing the scuffle at the plate, the fine hitting and fielding Silveira, whose current contract runs through the 1978 season would have been just the player to give the Brewers the definitive edge in the race this year. But in the end the team went a different direction, for reasons not fully explained.)
In young second baseman Brett Taranto the Brewer do get a possible replacement for Jonathan Koch, whose very poor 1975 performance has continued. Taranto is about as hard working as a prospect comes and profiles as a well above-average big league hitter with pretty good pop for his position. He likely wont' walk much and his defense is pretty average. But the feeling now is that at least he offers the club another option short-term should Koch continue to falter.
The other young infielder the Brewers got in the deal, 25-year old Emile Brunelleschi, is an excellent defensive player with plus speed who is capable of playing pretty much any infield position and even a little left-field in pinch. He does not have much of a hit tool but is capable of drawing his fair share of walks. His ceiling is likely that of a utility infielder.
With the two youngsters being assigned to AAA Chester and AA Nashville respectively, the Brewers recall Ben Flynn and Mike Lizarraga to the big league club to join the beleaguered bullpen.