Cardinals Acquire All-Star Closer Troy Fountain

July 27, 2020 - Boston Globe

The Boston Cardinals and Brooklyn Outlaws today announced a trade that sends all-star closer Troy Fountain and young starting pitcher ZZ Feng to the Cardinals in exchange for reliever Stanley Mills, four prospects, and cash considerations. The prospects include highly regarded outfielder Pat Pittman, closer Ryan Beasley, and infielders Artie Woodward and Junzo Sato. Sources close to the negotiations indicate that the Cardinals sought to strengthen the pitching staff while the Outlaws attempted to further plans to restructure the team's financial position.

For the Cards, the key to the deal clearly is Fountain. The team is in the midst of a hotly contested pennant race with the Jacksonville Jacks in the Earl Weaver Division of the TML despite shaky performances by several members of the pitching staff. Fountain provides the home town fans with a bona fide star closer who will be counted on to slam the door on opponents in close games.

In five and one-half seasons with the Outlaws, the 27 year old relief specialist compiled a 27-18 won-lost record, saved 152 games in 174 opportunities (87.4%), and recorded a career ERA of 2.65. In 2020 Fountain has a 3-2 record, 27 saves in 29 opportunities, and an ERA of 2.33. Fountain features a sinker that can reach 101 miles per hour on the radar gun and one of the premier curveballs in the ABL. With Troy at the ready to snuff out late-inning rallies, the Cardinals are confident that the acquisition of Fountain improves their chances of claiming a playoff berth this season.

In ZZ Feng the Cardinals obtained a starting pitcher who already has achieved success at the major league level. In the three seasons preceding 2020 the 25 year-old, Taiwanese southpaw earned 47 wins against a mere 21 losses. In 2018 his record was a sparkling 18-8. During the three seasons his ERA hovered around 4.50, a very respectable mark in the ABL. He began the current season by pitching very poorly, but Cardinal scouts believe he can return to form. For the time being, the Cardinals will provide Feng with an opportunity to improve his repertoire while pitching at the AAA level.

The Cardinals hated to part with Pittman. Scouts across the league agree that he has the potential to develop into a top-tier outfielder. However, a team must deal away talent in order to acquire talent. Beasley also could develop into a top-notch closer. Woodward and Sato are long shots, but each could develop into an infielder who could one day earn a spot on a major league roster. Finally, rookie reliever Stanley Mills will have an opportunity to shine as a member of the Outlaws. The Cardinals wish each player well.

Given that the trade deadline is days away, it is not anticipated that the Cardinals will make further moves to strengthen the squad. Hopefully the addition of Fountain will prove to be an instrumental move that helps the Cardinals secure a playoff berth in their final year playing in Boston.