Wexler’s Ledger – The One Where Toronto Changes Its Mind

The Toronto Blue Jays trade OF Luis Gonzalez, 3B Carney Lansford, and P John LeRoy to the Charlotte Knights for INF George Arias, 3B Jeff Branson, and P Pat Combs. If this feels familiar, that’s because it is. I just finished praising Toronto for acquiring Luis Gonzalez. And now? They’ve flipped him. Let’s start in Charlotte. Charlotte’s Side: Betting on the Best Player Much like I wrote when Toronto acquired Gonzalez, he is — once...

Wexler’s Ledger: Orlando Buys a Glove, Charlotte Cashes a Check

The Charlotte Knights trade CF Lenny Dykstra to the Orlando Devil Rays for a 1999 3rd-round pick and RP Jay Powell. Let’s start in Orlando, because this wasn’t so much a luxury move as a necessity. Brian Jordan’s injury forced their hand. And in a bit of cruel timing, they had just dealt Tony Womack — the most obvious internal replacement — leaving them staring at the very real possibility of regular Ron Jones innings in center field....