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Monday, August 07, 2006

 

Hernandez Traded; Rizzo makes his impact (two prospects drafted under his supervision)

Livan Hernandez, as the many oddly very similar news stories note, has been traded to the Diamondbacks for some pitching prospects (RHP Garrett Mock (apparently has only played in AA this year; though the Cube has 1.1 innings pitched in the majors) and LHP Matt Chico - played in both advanced A and AA; and maybe 1 IP in majors, according to the Baseball Cube).

Official Release
:
The Washington Nationals today acquired a pair of 23 year-old starting pitchers, righthander Garrett Mock and lefthander Matt Chico, from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for right-handed pitcher Livan Hernandez. Nationals Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcement.

"I'd like to thank Livan Hernandez for the many contributions he made to this organization during his four years with the club," said Bowden. "Ultimately, the opportunity to acquire two young starting pitchers is consistent with the organization's goal to build toward long-term success."

The 6-foot-4, 215 lbs. Mock entered 2006 rated as the Diamondbacks' No. 7 prospect, per Baseball America, after going 14-7 with a 4.18 ERA (81 ER/174.1 IP) in 28 starts for Single-A Lancaster last season despite pitching in the California League, which is arguably minor league baseball's highest-scoring circuit due to a combination of dry climates, high elevations and small ballparks. Mock's 160 strikeouts (8.3 per 9.0 innings) led all Arizona minor leaguers in 2005. Using Mock's top-flight performance in his first full pro campaign as its guide, Baseball America rated Mock as the second-ranked pitching prospect in Arizona's system.
...
Right, before I end up quoting everything, information about Mock and Chico can be found in the press release.

The current ESPNstory was just the AP story, until two seconds ago when the official press release was merged with the AP story, and some additional reporting was also uploaded.
ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney is reporting that the Diamondbacks also received $2 million from the Nationals in the swap.

The Nationals tried to force Livan Hernandez through waivers so they could make a deal with any team, but Arizona blocked the move, limiting Bowden's options. But Hernandez helped his own value by winning his last four decisions, a remarkable turnaround following his early season struggles.
So, the Diamondbacks received $2 million and Hernandez, and the Nationals received two 23 year-old pitching prospects.

The current Examiner.com article is just the AP story.
The move is symptomatic of last-place Washington's desire to build for the future under new owner Ted Lerner, while Arizona is looking for an edge in the competitive NL West. The Diamondbacks trailed first-place San Diego by two games entering Monday's play.


The SI.com article disagrees with ESPN as to the amount of money going to Arizona.
The Nationals agreed to pay about $1.5 million of the approximately $2.4 million owed Hernandez for the reaminder of this year, SI.com has learned. Also, the Diamondbacks will pay Hernandez's entire $7 million salary for 2007. Hernandez was placed on waivers on Tuesday and claimed by Arizona on Thursday.
....
Bowden said the Nationals have yet to figure a plan to replace Hernandez in the rotation the rest of the season. He said the team will purchase the contract of right-hander Chris Schroder from New Orleans on Tuesday. Schroder will be assigned to the bullpen.


The Washington Times only have a seemingly slightly different AP story (only thing different appears to be the last line).

The Washington Post actually took the time to work in their own words - create their own article about the trade (unlike, say, me). The article is by Svrluga.
The Washington Nationals today traded workhorse right-hander Livan Hernandez, the man who brought baseball back to the nation's capital by throwing the first pitch at RFK Stadium last year, to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for two pitching prospects.

The move -- in which the Nationals acquired 23-year-olds Garrett Mock, a right-hander, and Matt Chico, a left-hander -- is the kind of transaction most in baseball expected the Nationals to make before last week's non-waiver trade deadline, a deal that sent a veteran to a playoff contender in exchange for young players that might help the Nationals in coming years.
... Both players were third-round picks . . . taken under the supervision of former Arizona scouting director Mike Rizzo, who was hired last month to oversee the Nationals' scouting operation. ...rank first and second in the Diamondbacks' system in strikeouts this season


The best article, oddly enough, can be found in a blog. "Livan to the Diamondbacks" by Brian J Oliver of the Nationals Farm Authority.

Gone:
Livan HernandezClayton grounds out to himself . . .Bray pitching 2Majewski throws the ballRamirez starts the 9th
and others not pictured (including Brandon Watson).
PDF (with images) via RSS2PDF

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