Triple Threat in Triple-A

The Flash finalized a minor league trade two days ago that sent slugging 3B prospect Gil Crow to the Chicago Cubbies, of course in exchange for SP Tony Diaz and cash considerations. The Flash made the move to continue to expand their options for future starters now that their ML arms are aging.

Diaz, along with SP Julio Reynoso, acquired earlier this season from Colorado Springs, and SP Kareem Duckworth provide the Flash with a solid core of young arms, all of which look capable enough to jump to the big leagues as early as next season. As it stands right now, the Flash could have a 5-man rotation next year where only SP Maximo Lemon would be over the age of 28.

SP Louie Dali, SP Willie Rodriguez, and SP/RP Carl Oliver all seem likely to depart at year's end. When the Cubbies put Diaz on the market, the Flash did not hesitate to add him to their collection of options for next season. He has been in the majors before and has posted a 3.25 career ERA in 69.1 innings, and is still only 24-years-old.

He does not come without a drawback, though. Scouts say his inability to recover quickly between starts could force him into a long relief/spot starter role instead of being an actual starter. Still, that is the same role Oliver is likely to free up when he departs next season.

As for the other half of the deal, Crow is a respectable defender at 3B and should put up big power numbers in the majors. Last year at AAA he blasted round-trippers 34 times, and scouts expect he has not yet peaked in the power department. The Flash viewed him as expendable, however, because they do not think he will ever hit for much of an average. He is a career .259 hitter throughout his minor league career. Crow is already 26 and blocked by 3B Cozy Thomas as well, another factor working against him.