American Association SUNDAY Insider: American Association Stock Exchange- East Division

 Kevin Luckow

(non member of IBWAA)

I've always been a connoisseur of addictive habits. In my youth, collecting sports cards, wrestling magazines and other trivial sports memorabilia. In my early 20's I was a professional drinker. The 30's brought collecting bobbleheads and hockey pucks. Recently another addiction has been planted in me, the stock market. I don't know much more than what they tell me on Fox Business News, but my Dad left me quite a bit of stock when he passed. And when I had too much time on my hands on vacation earlier this Summer, I started tinkering around with stocks and it has consumed me. 

Much like the stock exchange, managers in the American Association have a stock exchange of their own with their rosters. Do you trade or release a struggling player only to have him come back and bite you in the rear playing for his new team? Do you trade a veteran in order to sign another veteran that may or may not pan out? Do you pay big money for a vet and get saddled with having to trade players or go with more rookies in order to stay under the salary cap? You can consider the managers in the American Association stockbrokers and financial planners. 

With one month remaining in the season, I examine which American Association teams are buyers, sellers or holders. Granted the trade deadline is still a few weeks away, but a trade at this point where the buyer can get a month plus out of the player, can fetch a higher yield in the end. Let's start this week with the East Division


1. Milwaukee Milkmen- The Milkmen, currently sitting on top of the East Division do not have the pressing needs like others may have, but they could use reinforcements just in case. Michael Hallquist was long ago signed by the Cubs but still is second on the team in home runs. Griffin Doersching and Andy Blake have 16 and 11 respectively. I think another slugger would provide protection for those two. As far as pitching goes, I was thinking hold on starting pitching until Solomon Bates was signed to the Mexican League. I thought that was filled with the signing of Henderson Alvarez III, and maybe it will be in time. But as of now Alvarez III has been going two innings max out of the bullpen.

2. Lake Country DockHounds- This is a team where the hitters have home plates in their apartments as they score runs in their sleep. And that is a nice luxury. I believe they are set on that front, especially if Ryan Hernandez were to come back from the Mexican League at some point. But, the starting pitching is a huge need at this point. The DockHounds were victimized early on with signings, the big blow being Luke Hansel. It has been a state of constant tryouts since. Only two pitchers have five wins, and both sport an ERA north of five runs a game with one of them, Shane Anderson, getting released this weekend. Granted they are pitching in the cozy confines of Kamp Oconomowoc, but still, the need with this team lies in starting pitching. The bullpen also has been shaky with the regression of Alan Zhang Carter. He leads the team with six saves but he also has an ERA over five runs. In a playoff system with the first round three game series, we've seen teams that rely heavily on scoring runs make a quick exit because they were out pitched by the other team's top two starters. 

3. Kane County Cougars- The Cougars have been hit with the injury bug continually this season. They have had a great homestand this week and the only missing regular is Alex McGarry. The loss of Claudio Finol hurt immensely but so far the offense has not miss a beat. Sometimes it's not a case where you need to bring in one person make up Finol's production, but a case where everyone else in the lineup can pick up their game a bit to compensate for the loss. The Cougars did make a move, trading for Jairus Richards, someone who is very familiar with the East Division. But I feel like the Cougars would be served well to find another big bat to provide protection for Todd Lott and McGarry in the middle of the Cougars order. Richards can be that guy, and also could help the top of the order though I don't think you want to tinker much with the 1-3 combo of Armond Upshaw, Josh Allen, and Matt Bottcher. The Cougars may have something in T.J. Sikkema as someone that could compliment Konnor Ash to be the 1-2 combo for a three game series. Vin Timpanelli has struggled this season but pitched well on Friday. Reese Sharp has rebounded a bit after a tough string of rough outings.  If and when Westin Muir can come back from injury, he could be a true #3 starter, but going out and getting another starter would be the only  ed for this pitching staff. The bullpen is solid in middle relief and the back end of the pen with Joe Warren and Jake Gozzo is as good as it gets in this league.

Cleburne Railroaders- It was a struggle early for the Roaders, but once they got hot, they got back to where they are accustomed to being, in the playoff hunt. But, with both Delino DeShields Jr. and Mallex Smith both being released, there will be a need to replace their veteran presence in the Railroaders lineup.  Merik Carter has made an immediate impact right out of the NCAA with with six hits and four walks in his first 15 plate appearances. The starting pitching is a need for the Railroaders. John Baker has come on to put together six wins with a 3.86 ERA to lead the starters. All Star Aaron Mishoulam has six wins, but his ERA took a beating at the hands of the Milkmen on Saturday night. Ryder Yakel has ten saves and a 2.59 ERA and Connor Richardson has been good as well with a 2.11 ERA in 42.2 innings. From there it hasn't been as good for the Railroaders. I feel a starter and a couple of bullpen pieces are needed to shore up the pitching staff if they want to get past Milwaukee or Lake Country and advance in the Miles Wolff Cup playoffs. 

Gary SouthShore RailCats- In stock words, the RailCats held on to their stocks too long and they nose dived. About a month ago, experts were buying in on the RailCats. They were pushing Cleburne and Kane County for a playoff spot. But a nine game slide has put the RailCats on the outside looking. Can a doubleheader sweep of the DockHounds be a springboard for a streak? If not, the RailCats should sell, sell, sell. They have stock that could yield major dividends in Elvis Peralta and Korry Howell. How good would Howell look back in Cleburne? Peyton Long could immediately be a top two pitcher on most staffs. Jacob Coats would be a closer that many teams would salivate to have on their squad.

Chicago Dogs- I know, it's tough to give up. Send a message to your fans that we are not going to be able to compete for a playoff spot, but buy a ticket and watch some baseball. Well, that is where good promos come into play. Have a nice giveaway and lots of fans will forget about whether they saw a win or loss. The Dogs pitching staff have been decimated by injuries, signings and ineffectiveness. The only piece that could fetch much of a return is closer Austin Eaton who has a 3.42 ERA and five saves. There are plenty of bats however that could fit nicely into a contending lineup. Jaxx Groshans, Giovanni DiGiacomo, Ethan Wilder and Chance Sisco could fetch quite a return to get the Dogs back to prominence in 2027. 

American Association Power Rankings as of August 2

1. Milwaukee Milkmen 48

2. Kansas City Monarchs 45

3. Winnipeg Goldeyes 44

4. Lake Country DockHounds 43

5. Kane County Cougars 42

6. Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 42

7. Sioux Falls Canaries 41

8. Cleburne Railroaders 39

9. Sioux City Explorers 34

10. Lincoln Saltdogs 33

11. Gary SouthShore RailCats 32

12. Chicago Dogs 22




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