First year GM scootermcray took one look at his ball club and decided it was a good time to rebuild. When first year GM yojames took his first look at his ballclub he decided "Win now Baby". Case in point the Pablo Maduro and Carl Thurman for Paul Hukata and Kenneth Simmons deal. Veterans for prospects plain and simple.
The Grasshoppers picked up 2 seasoned vets that were former 1st round draft picks back in season 7. Maduro a carear .298 hitter in 8 big league seasons is off to a good 1st half in season 18 hitting .304 with 11 dingers and 52 rbi's. Thurman a carear .280 hitter over parts of 11 big league seasons has never lived up to his potential. The former University of Richmond star was the 6th overall pick of the season 7 draft and decided to forego his senior year. Everyone expected him to be a 30 HR 30 SB guy. yojames is hoping the change of scenery in Syracuse will help ignite his carear. Since the trade Carl is hitting .257 with 8 longballs and 34 rbi's.
The Maize and Blue definately got younger. Hukata 23, from Japan, signed as an international free agent in season 13 receiving an 8 million dollar signing bonus. Milwaukee currently has Paul at AAA and the results have been promising. 10 saves, 2.50 era and 0.81 whip. Simmons 22, was the 12th pick overall in the season 16 draft after his sophmore year at Mid-state Technical College. Ken finished season 17 at AA with Syracuse but Milwaukee placed him with their High A ball club. Not happy with the demotion Ken got off to a slow start but things have gotten better and he currently has 12 saves, 3.76 era and 1.01 whip. He also has 43 k's in 40 innings.
Time will only tell who wins this deal but it seems both GM's got what they wanted.
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