Scott Powers was a popular name around the Jersey Shore clubhouse this off-season. With Damien Balmforth leaving via free agency, it left Ramon Tavarez, Joe Hernandez and Bill Welshman as the only RH OF bats on the roster. While neither of these players are slouches, management didn't view either as everyday starters. Powers was rumored to be headed to the Shore in an off season trade but things fell through and the two sides couldn't seem to work things out after that. As we know Jersey went in a separate direction and acquired power bat and RH OF Leon Foster from the New York Knights. It was Jersey's only big move of the offseason and paid dividends as Foster is in the Top 5 in HR and is on pace to hit 48.
Powers
Through a sluggish May and even into June even though the Bags lead the CL in BA/OBP/SLG/Runs/Hits they lack consistency. No one complains when in the past 7 weeks they have scored 9 runs or more 15 times. It's the 13 times during that same stretch they have scored 3 or less runs and the 4 times they have been shutout.
After a slow start by the Niagara Falls Frenzy and even slower start by CF Scott Powers, Jersey again reached out and inquired about Powers. After posting a triple slash line of .311/.376/.434 with a VORP of almost 40 last season, Powers line through the time of the trade looked like a shell of his former self at .250/.361/.321. A line that is marginally better than a replacement player. Powers has a contract of nearly 4 million this year and just over 4 million for the next 2 years, which would be put him over the age of 30. Talks resumed last week and the two teams finally found an agreeable point.
Niagara Falls sent Powers and a small sum of cash to Jersey Shore in exchange for AAA MR Alonso Jiminez, AAA 2B Benny McCafferty and AAA SP Marty Twombly. Though Jersey did in fact get their man, they also parted with some quality pieces.
Jiminez in a solid bullpen arm that some scouts say could be a very good setup man. He has dominated at every level he has pitched at, including that set up role in AAA this season. McCafferty was a college on base machine playing at St. John's before being drafted by Jersey. He struggled in his first 3 minor league seasons before really busting out last season in AA/AAA. He hit a scorching .351 with AA Gainesville before being promoted to AAA Tuscaloosa where he found a power stroke, bashed 12 HR, amassed 36 XBH in only 114 games. He should step in and start for Niagara Falls.
McCafferty Jiminez
It is unknown where Powers will hit and at this point where he will play for Jersey Shore. He has seen all his playing time at CF this season, but Jersey sees him more of a corner OF, where he once won a Gold Glove. If he can get his OBP to his career levels, a lineup of Taylor-Powers-Bonniface-Foster-Lozano could produce a ton of runs and should give fear to many GM's in the league. That isn't even mentioned former All-Star Parker Morrow, SS Jerome Lindsey, and young studs Mike Bryant and Antonio Ruiz. If healthy this team could get scary. They already lead the league in most offensive categories, the two the lack in: BB and SB.....two of Powers specialties.
With Powers now on the team the Jersey Shore would now like to announce a merchandising special. We would like to introduce the Power's Muscle Tank. Perfect for taking to the gym or laying on the beach. Who's gunna question those guns of yours when you have the word "Power" on your back?
ORDER YOURS TODAY!
No comments:
Post a Comment