State of the Switzers
Pre-Draft 2001

The 2000-2001 off-season has been a busy and critical one for the Oklahoma Switzers.  The 2000 campaign saw the club capture its sixth consecutive division title and seventh in eight years, posting over 100 regular-season victories for the 3rd straight year.  By this measure it was another successful season.  In spite of this, the Switzers failed in their pursuit of the SWBA title for the 10th time in their 11 seasons in the league.  In a repeat of the 1996 playoffs, the Switzers fell to the Capistrano Valley Cougars in the SWBA World Series.

The club is showing some age, and this fact is illustrated by the rash of injuries to Switzer players in the 2000 MLB campaign.  Regulars Ivan Rodriguez, Quilvio Veras, Juan Gonzalez, Billy Wagner, Sterling Hitchcock, and Wilson Alvarez all missed significant chunks of the season.  Switzer teams had in the past been relatively injury-free, owing in no small part to the youth of the 40-man roster.  As the roster ages, injuries will no doubt become more frequent, and this was indeed the case in 2000.

The disappointing World Series loss, coupled with the aging roster and injury situation, made the 2000-2001 off-season a crossroads in the history of the ball club.  Switzer management seriously contemplated the potential directions the club could take:

• Stand pat — This approach was not feasible given the playing-time shortages created by all the 2000 MLB injuries suffered by the roster.
• Blow it up completely — Serious consideration was given to this option.  The talent on hand that was relatively older still had substantial trade value.  In the end, the more conservative nature of the front office won out and this option was eliminated.  The consensus was that the nucleus on hand was still capable of championship-caliber baseball for a few more years.
• Pursue veteran “band-aids” — Never seriously considered as Switzer management firmly believes this to be the quickest path to a losing franchise.
• Re-tool while attempting to get younger — This approach would involve identifying team surplus areas, determining which players with trade value could be parted with, and seeking mutually-beneficial trades which would land the Switzers quality young talent.  Team management determined that this would be the best course of action.

Team surplus areas were outfielders and bullpen.  Needs were numerous: starting pitching, shortstop, and at-bats at catcher and second base.  The most pressing need was raw innings pitched from starters.  Management wanted a young pitcher who was durable and had at least a decent upside.  Sidney Ponson was targeted, and a deal was consummated with the Ahwatukee DiamondSox, the Switzers surrendering reliever Derek Lowe in a one-for-one swap.

Next management attempted to address the long-standing problem at shortstop.  Miguel Tejada appeared available, and talks were begun with the Ohio Heat, but it quickly became apparent that the Switzers didn't have what the Heat were seeking for the young shortstop, and he was subsequently dealt to the Diamond Dogs.  Option #2 in the Great Shortstop Search was the drafting of Rafael Furcal, and talks began with the Chicago Cobras for the #1 overall pick in order to secure the young middle infielder.  A match could not be reached, and management then inquired with Twin Cities about the #2 pick, but the Centurions brass made it clear they were set on keeping the pick.

Management still felt the club could be improved and believed they had enough available resources to secure a top five pick.  The Switzers' baseball staff believed the three best players in the 2001 SWBA draft were, in no particular order, Pat Burrell, Rafael Furcal, and Barry Zito.  Were any or all of these three players worth one of the surplus of outfielders?  Talks were initiated with the Pennsylvania Sluggers for the #3 overall pick.  GM Billy Beane offered outfielder Juan Gonzalez for the pick and a deal was struck.

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