Winter's Biggest Trade Goes Unnoticed

Last December, the Texas Rangers agreed to trade pitching prospects, Edinson Volquez and Daniel Harrera (irrelevant) to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for centerfielder Josh Hamilton. At the time, the deal received little to no attention from the media. However, it has produced two of this years best.

Hamilton tore up spring training and earned himself the starting job. He has began the season on a blistering pace, he is fourth in average (.333) tied for second in homeruns (12), and holds a commanding lead in RBI’s (53) which is 11 more then the next guy. Numbers like these are few and far between, and although the season is young, it appears he has a legitimate shot at the triple crown if he stays healthy. Hamilton’s success has been well documented all season and was recently featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Of course, you cannot mention Hamilton’s name without talks of how he was once an addict, once dismissed from baseball, and a former first round pick. At first glance, this deal looks to be a steal for the Rangers. Hamilton is only 27 years old, and he is only making about 370,000 dollars a year.

With all the focus on Hamilton this season, Edinson Volquez has gone virtually unnoticed. Much like Hamilton, Volquez is making a run for the triple crown, the pitching triple crown of course (wins, strikeouts, and ERA). He is second in the NL in wins with 7, tied for first in strikeouts with 76, and leads the Major Leagues with a nearly transparent 1.33 earned run average. In his 10 starts this season, he has allowed only 9 earned runs in 62 innings. Although Volquez has not received the spotlight so far, he is more then deserving. He is only 24 and has never stayed in the majors for a complete season; however, he is carving up the National League with relative ease.

This trade has been significant for both clubs thus far, the Rangers desperately needed an outfielder, and likewise, the Reds were in dire need for a solid starter. If both continue on this pace (which would be remarkable), it could be another one of those deadlock-Hanley Ramirez for Beckett and Lowell- type deals.

-Brian B