Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks Acquire Catcher Wilfredo Gimenez
In American Association Daily, Rob Pannier analyzes the trade sending catcher Wilfredo Gimenez from the Gary Southshore RailCats to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. The RailCats receive a player to be named later in return, plus cash.
How This Effects the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
Everything was coming up roses for the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks until catcher Daniel Comstock suffered an injury about a week ago. Comstock was catching fire, and was producing some huge hits for the RedHawks. A division title seemed almost a certainty before the injury.
Since the injury, Brian Olsen has done a fine job filling in for Comstock, but he does not have the same experience nor the pop in his bat. This necessitated a move, and the RedHawks made a big one by acquiring Wilfredo Gimenez from the RailCats.
Gimenez was hitting .244 in 55 games for Gary Southshore. He only had two homers and 22 RBI, but one must consider the ballpark he was hitting in. In addition, no one is going to confuse the RailCats with the ’27 Yankees (aka – the Cleburne Railroaders). This puts him in a lineup where he isn’t required to carry the load, as the RedHawks were already the best hitting team in the league prior to his arrival.
Add to it the fact that Gimenez is outstanding behind the plate, and it is easy to see why the RedHawks made this move. Even if Comstock is ready to go come playoff time, Fargo now has a seasoned backup who knows how to win and to get the most of his staff.
How This Effects the Gary Southshore RailCats
There are two things that every player knows when they play for the Gary Southshore RailCats: no one is indispensable and Manager Greg Tagert is always looking to improve his team. Gimenez had been a key piece in Gary for the last three seasons, and had been a key reason why the team had been so successful in 2017 and 2018.
However, this is a team that is trying to stay out of last-place, and that is really their only goal at this point. Right now, Gimenez was a luxury, and there is little doubt that the player to be named later will be someone that could be a difference maker for the RailCats in the future. It wouldn’t be surprising if it was Olson. Plus, Gimenez had already been supplanted by Danny De La Calle.
There is likely already another catcher that Tagert has in mind to replace Gimenez, so things will move on in Gary as always. This gives the team’s manager more flexibility, and the opportunity to give a new catcher a chance to prove himself for next season.
By Robert Pannier