Squirrels Kick Off Winter Meetings with a Bang

Sources have confirmed that the Springfield Flying Squirrels of Republic have traded for two impact bats at the winter meetings.

GM Adam Anson has sent picks 2.12, 3.12, 5.12, 13.12, and Anibal Sanchez and has acquired Brett Lawrie(3/14), Hunter Pence(3/14), and picks 3.1 and 6.13. These of course were in separate deals, but in the end, the Squirrels look like they have made out well, and now have a dynamic offense for the 2013 season.

Lawrie is still somewhat of a question mark, but Anson spent a 3rd round pick on him last year and was quick to snatch him back up. Pence will provide good power numbers across the board, and his average is likely to rise from last year given that he will finally spend a full season with one team this year. "We planned to aggressively seek offense at this year's winter meetings, and that is precisely what we have done. You have to pay for offense in this league, and while we sent some early picks for these guys, we feel we got good return in a year that the draft looks really weak," said Anson.

Rumors are flying that Lawrie could be flipped, and re-opening a 3yr deal makes sense, but Anson may be all-in for 2013. "We're still looking to improve our team in as many ways as possible. No one is untouchable, but our players know that the first day they put on the uniform. We've added quantifiable value in our deals so far, and we would be happy to go into the season with our roster the way it is pre-draft." The beauty of these deals is that if the Squirrels do stand pat, they have extended their window of contention with Cano/Lawrie/Freeman/Pence and a likely extended Trout.

It's an interesting time in Squirrel land and it looks to get more interesting in the week ahead.

2013 Squirrels as of Day One at the Winter Meetings


05yr -- Robinson Cano -- 2016

03yr -- SP -- Roy Halladay-- 2013
03yr -- 1B -- Freddie Freeman -- 2014
03yr -- SP -- Dan Haren -- NT
03yr -- OF --Hunter Pence -- 2014
03yr -- 3B -- Brett Lawrie -- 2014

02yr -- OF -- Josh Willingham -- NT
02yr -- OF -- Mike Trout -- 2013
02yr -- 3B -- Mike Moustakas -- 2013
02yr -- SP -- Adam Wainwright -- 2013
02yr -- OPEN
02yr -- OPEN
02yr -- OPEN
02yr -- OPEN
02yr -- OPEN
02yr -- OPEN
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Flying Squirrels Depth Chart

C --
1B -- Freddie Freeman
2B -- Robinson Cano
3B -- Mike Moustakas
SS --
OF -- Mike Trout
OF -- Josh Willingham
OF -- Hunter Pence
OF --
UT --Brett Lawrie

SP -- Roy Halladay
SP -- Adam Wainwright
SP -- Dan Haren
SP -- Anibal Sanchez
SP --
RP --
RP --
RP --
RP --
RP --

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