Miracle Wrap-Up

GM Chris Renner spent the past two weeks molding and remolding the 2011 and beyond version of the Michigan Miracles. We had a couple of ideas of things we wanted to accomplish during the meetings and once those were completed other opprotunities came along that we just couldn't pass up. By the time it was over the Miracles had traded their first round pick (1.5), Ian Kinsler (a spectacular but fragile 2B) and Austin Jackson (probably set for a regression in 2011) along with a small number of late, late, late round picks. In return the Miracles have 2 extra picks in round 2, and one extra pick in rounds 3, 4 and 6. Between draft pick 2.6 and 7.5 (79 selections), the Miracles have 11 of them. Couple that with the 11 contracted players the Miracles picked up and we see that the vast majority of the entire Miracle roster will be complete by the end of round 10. The players picked up along the way to complement the extra draft picks include pitchers Ubaldo Jimenez, Scott Kazmir, Jose Valverde and Joe Nathan. The only new bat that was brought in was Julio Borbon of the Texas Rangers who does seem to be slated to start the year in CF for the AL Champion Rangers. Borbon should put up solid numbers in avg, runs and stolen bases (providing he gets consistent playing time). As the meetings went along it became apparent that the top two closers available in this years draft, Rivera/Bell, would probably be gone before Renner makes his first selection. This prompted a late Sunday pair of trades that brought to Michigan, Nathan and Valverde. An earlier trade for Jimenez allows Renner to select the best possible players when the time comes. Overall an extremely busy winter meetings for Renner and his staff and only time will tell how all of these moves will pan out. Early indications show that the entire staff is very happy with how the team looks before the draft.