Tripoli, September 1, 2046 - The 2046 UMEBA trade deadline saw a smattering of activity, mostly involving the ever-aggressive Mumbai Metro Stars. But what left observers wagging their tongues wagging and scratching their heads was the decision by the Tripoli Piranhas to trade for a third baseman when they already have the best in the game.
The best, of course, is Best, Michael "Neighbor" Best, who is having another phenomenal season, at the top or near top of most offensive and defensive categories for the position in UMEBA.
Dominguez and Best
Dunn was predictably mum on his reasoning for the trade. "When you have the opportunity to acquire a tremendous young talent like Juan, you don't worry about small details like where you're going to play him," Dunn wrote in an email statement to reporters that prompted guffaws in the press box.
For his part, Best, when asked for comment on whether the move bothered him, simply shrugged. "Whatever. My focus is on the next game and the next at-bat. I don't worry about things like that."
However, Piranha Bites has learned of Dunn's plans: he is shifting All-Star second baseman Takechi Eida from his natural position at second to shortstop, then installing Dominguez at second. The odd man out is O-min Paek, a Rule 5 pick in the off season with a outstanding defense but a mediocre bat. Paek will ride the bench for the time being.
"It's risky," said one source. "They are downgrading their middle infield defense considerably, but effectively swap Dominguez's outstanding bat for Paek's forgettable one, getting an offensive boost at a time when the team has, lately, been mediocre."
Another source sees another motive. "I heard that at least one other rival in the Bancroft Division was talking with Riyadh about Dominguez. By offering a better deal, he keeps another team from improving. That, in fact, may have been his primary motivation."
A third theory involves the fact that Best isn't cheap. He is locked in at around $9 million for each of the next two seasons, so perhaps Dunn may be looking to shop him around in the off season while Best, 31, is still a superstar. This would allow Tripoli to re-stock the depleted farm system and clear major salary space. Fans would revolt, but it is possible.
Whatever the reasons, this change--upgrading offense while downgrading defense--is clearly a roll of the dice that could help, could hurt, or could simply be a wash. One thing is clear -- with the team now locked in a lengthy battle for the Bancroft Division wildcard against the surging Bucharest Impalers, Dunn was not content to stick with the status quo as the WC battle comes down to the final four weeks.