Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
March 26, 2007
Pitcher Trade

The Diamondbacks and Marlins swapped pitchers, with Jorge Julio traveling to Florida and Yusmeiro Petit heading to the desert.

The Diamondbacks wanted any team that acquired Julio to pay his entire $3.6 million salary, but they made an exception for the low-revenue Marlins in order to get a better prospect.

The Cardinals, Pirates and Devil Rays also had been interested in Julio, who was perhaps the most attractive reliever available on the trade market.

Julio is an interesting pitcher. His major league strikeout numbers are very good, and his walks are okay. But his home runs are high. Dolphin Stadium should be a good park for a pitcher like that.

Petit owns tantalizingly good minor league strikeout numbers. However, his rate goes down as he rises through the system. Is that real, or did he just rise too quickly? I'm guessing Arizona thinks the latter.


Posted by David Pinto at 10:46 PM | Trades | TrackBack (0)
Comments

Hi David, it was great to meet you at the BP event tonight. Upon further inspection this looks to be an interesting trade for both sides. Arizona can stop waiting for Julio to get his control issues worked out, which won't be as big of a problem in his spacious new ballpark.

On the other hand, I had forgotten earlier at dinner that Petit was only 22. He's been rushed through the minors, and a 4.28 ERA in AAA at age 21 that is supported by peripherals is nothing to scoff at. Even if it takes him a season or two to regain his control, he could develop into a serviceable finesse-style pitcher at the big league level. The only thing that really worries me is his extreme flyball tendency, which could be murderous in that desert bandbox. I guess that's something for Byrnes and co. to worry about further down the line.

I'm looking forward to reading your column next week. Best of luck!

Jason Pare

Posted by: Jason at March 27, 2007 12:24 AM

I guess Benetiz is staying in SF...

Posted by: Tan The Man at March 27, 2007 01:18 AM

"Yusmeiro Petit."

I just wanted to say that out loud.

Posted by: Adam Villani at March 27, 2007 03:53 PM

re: jorge julio contract

yep, this is definitely the deal that seals the pennant for both clubs.

--arthur j kyriazis, philly

Posted by: arthur john kyriazis at March 30, 2007 12:09 PM
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