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June 19, 2007

Wait 'Til Next Year

Midseason Acquisitions

by Bryan Smith

As June slowly fades into July and the trade deadline inches closer, rumors have begun to fly about which teams are looking for midseason help. When you think of moves that can propel a team into the playoffs, you think "trade." But that's not the only midseason acquistion that can help a contender. When the Milwaukee Brewers called up Yovani Gallardo last week, the first-place Brew Crew added an elite pitcher that PECOTA projected a 3.92 ERA from in 2007--and that was before he left Indianapolis with the minor league strikeout lead (110 in 77.2 innings).

It is doubtful a pitcher will change hands in July that matches Gallardo's talent. Furthermore, it's entirely possible that, given a place in Milwaukee's rotation for the season, Gallardo could outperform 2007's big-name midseason acquisition, Roger Clemens. Prospects often fuel playoff pushes, and with the major league standings in such disarray, the call-ups of Gallardo, Chase Headley, or Kurt Suzuki could be enough to eventually propel their organizations into October.

Don't believe me? Since 1996, the first year of 162-game baseball after the strike, 13 players have given their team a win and a half in the standings (more specifically, 15 VORP) despite not being called up until June 1. Here are the top eight:

1. Barry Zito, A's, July 22, 2000.
2000 VORP: 37.8
Team Record in Appearances: 8-6

Minor League History: Zito was the ninth overall choice in the 1999 draft after a fantastic college career at USC. He finished that season splitting 13 starts between three levels, reaching Triple-A, and striking out 97 in 68.1 innings. Baseball America ranked Zito the 41st-best prospect in baseball during the winter. The A's started the southpaw in Sacramento to begin the 2000 season, then called him up after 18 starts, when Zito had a 3.19 ERA after 101 innings.