Trades in the AUDL just don’t happen, we aren’t kidding ourselves here. But, theoretically, if they did, the Wind Chill would absolutely be a team in 2023 looking to trade up and make a strong push to solidify their standing and win it all at the end of August.
With the season half over, the Wind Chill are now 4-1, with sole possession of first place in the Central Division, and this would be the time to evaluate where the team is at and where they want to be: on the field in Eagan, not in the bleachers. Currently, the Chill are competing well within their division, although their offense remains to be somewhat inconsistent, their defense has certainly been stronger in recent years, and they need a bit of a boost to push them to the finish line.
Trades, whether they are real or not, require a refined eye to determine a player’s trade value. Balancing immediate return with long-term payoffs is a key consideration, and one not many teams may have the patience or experience to navigate. (And in a volatile league such as the AUDL, that probably makes sense). So, we are attempting to grade players around the league and determine trade value based on stat sheets, highlight reels, and gut feelings.
Here is what we propose.
Trade Proposal 1: Bret Bergmeier and Tristan Van de Moortele for the Yorgason Brothers
Okay, I’m gonna admit, this trade proposal that I began to write a few weeks ago aged like milk. Bret Bergmeier and Tristan Van de Moortele have had huge breakout seasons for the Wind Chill this year, with a combined 19 assists, 17 goals, and 2,055 total yards so far. But let’s play this out still. (If anything, it makes my case stronger.)
The hurdle Salt Lake is facing is the Colorado Summit, a team whose strengths so far this season appear to be on defense (at least stat-wise, leading the league in break percentage and red zone conversion percentage). Minnesota needs a bit more depth on offense — although admittedly, in recent weeks, they’ve shown they can hold their own without some star performers. (While at the same time, really failing to put up bigger numbers on the road in Chicago.)
Bergmeier and Van de Moortele are two strong players (especially recently) who can add a bit of a boost to the Shred’s defensive and offensive lines, while the Yorgason Trio can complete a more well-rounded picture for the Wind Chill.
TVDM is more of a defensive player, which would fill in some gaps for the Shred, though he also can be flexed over to offense as needed. Bergmeier, too, can be used on an offensive point. Both of these Minnesota players put up more offensive stats than defensive, while still applying critical pressure to their opponents. Their utility-player capabilities allow both players to be used on any given point as needed, and they will show up big. This can be an effective add for the Shred, although they’d be giving up three players with future All-Star potential.
Each Yorgason brings a lot to the table in a different role. Luke Yorgason is an offensive player through and through, and he’d be a perfect fit for Minnesota’s handler set, giving the team another option to work the disc downfield with speed and precision. Chad Yorgason brings value to the other side of the disc, and if he could learn a few tips and tricks from Dylan DeClerck, he’d become one of the Central Division’s most dangerous defensive players in no time.
And finally, the rookie McKay Yorgason has already put up some impressive numbers no matter where he’s played — a true utility player, in my book. If he and Chad can force a few more turnovers, they’d be deadly on a Wind Chill defense. These three are so fun to watch, and they complement each other’s abilities perfectly. Slot them into their designated roles on the Wind Chill, and you’ve got yourself a Championship-caliber team.
Trade Proposal 2: Jimmy Kittlesen for Cody Spicer
A classic vet-for-newbie trade. Jimmy Kittlesen has been a Wind Chill staple for eight years, with three playoff appearances and earning himself 11th in the league’s all-time block leaders. The Summit would do well for a player of Kittlesen’s experience and skill, quickly becoming a leader on the team and showing some of the younger guys the ropes.
On the Wind Chill’s side, well, let’s face it. Kittlesen hasn’t put up the same kind of numbers in recent seasons, especially coming off an injury in 2022. Kittlesen racked up 28 blocks (!!) in 2019, but since then, his contributions have been more in the way of goals and pure leadership, something that would fit neatly into a Colorado Summit team.
And if you don’t know who Cody Spicer is yet, learn his name.
Spicer is in his sophomore AUDL season, already with 29 assists, 18 goals, and 16 blocks in his career. He was awarded the AUDL’s 2022 defensive player of the year for a reason. The young phenom can make a loud impact in the Central Division, where experience playing with a team like the Summit can carry a lot of weight. The Summit are good, and Cody Spicer has played a big role and made a name for himself already. Putting him on the Wind Chill defensive line could work wonders for the team as they make a playoff push.
Trade Proposal 3: Dylan DeClerck and Jimmy Kittlesen for Khalif El-Salaam and Garrett Martin; Garrett Martin for Thomas Edmonds
Oh yeah, we’re playing the three-team trade game. Seattle’s opponents are really good at holding onto the disc. The team struggles to force any kind of defensive pressure and cause turnovers. Sure, they’d give up one of the best defenders in the West, but they’d get two strong defenders with chemistry and experience backing them up. Both rank among the leading blockers among active players, consistently pestering offenses and breaking up rhythms.
This definitely contradicts my own take that Minnesota could increase the amount of turnovers they force, but I think reinforcing some offensive efficiency at this point in the season is going to be what pushes them past their Central Division foes. (Plus, El-Salaam would generate turns, and they always have Abe Coffin to fall back on if their defense begins to look skimpy.)
Minnesota would keep El-Salaam and utilize him on defense primarily, aiding in transition offense and clinching defensive points. Garrett Martin, on the other hand, can make his way across the country to Washington, D.C., joining the Breeze in return for Thomas Edmonds, who many thought would be joining the Wind Chill for the 2023 season anyway when he showed up in a Wind Chill jersey to play an exhibition game at the Vikings halftime in December. Edmonds is a phenomenal downfield receiver whose talents are being wasted in D.C.
So far in 2023, Edmonds is averaging just 108 receiving yards per game with D.C., whereas he reeled in an average of 338 yards per game in 2022 and 278 receiving yards in 2021. The Breeze’s offensive style doesn’t necessarily cater to Edmonds, but the Wind Chill’s sure does. And D.C. would be the perfect fit, on the other hand, for Martin, whose well-rounded resume is criminally underrated and unnoticed, already with 29 assists, 12 goals, 1 block and 3,226 total yards this season.
The Breeze would be able to utilize Martin effectively all over the field; this season so far has not played out in their favor, dropping to third in the East Division, still trying to get that ever-elusive win over New York, and now facing an unexpectedly competitive Boston Glory.
Trade Proposal 4: Jordan Taylor for Paul Owens
Defensive pressure continues to be a hard stat to measure, though it is one of the most important qualities of ultimate players. Paul Owens is that guy for many. His East Division peers lauded him for his route selection and sneaky defensive tracking. In short, Paul Owens is a guy who causes discomfort and disruption for some of the best players in the AUDL. I think the Wind Chill would benefit from a player of his caliber.
Trading someone like Jordan Taylor is a tricky task, but I think this actually would work out to be a pretty even trade all around. Taylor and Owens have very similar stat sheets, and both have extensive defensive experience. Philly would benefit from a Wind Chill player whose career has seen an even spread of assists, goals, and blocks over very consistent spreads of games and points played. Minnesota receives a quiet defender who sneaks up on opposing cutters and shuts down anything deep.
Trade Proposal 5: Paul Krenik for Ben Jagt
I have tears running down my face as I type this trade proposal. But unfortunately, it makes at least a little bit of sense. Jagt isn’t slowing down anytime soon, New York can invest in a young player who is going to terrorize the league soon, and Minnesota can reclaim one of the biggest names they’ve had on their roster in club history. Jagt is tall, fast, and a powerhouse. Put him on offense and he is unstoppable. Put him on defense and he’s unstoppable. A player like Jagt is the exact kind of jolt the Wind Chill need to push them harder, cause discomfort to opposing teams, and make an appearance against PK in a New York Empire jersey during Championship Weekend.
This trade makes so much sense, actually. The Empire receive a sleeper utility player who isn’t even near his ceiling, while getting rid of perhaps a riskier, aging veteran in Jagt. Minnesota loses the PK potential, but gain a veteran whose leadership and sheer skill can inject Championship Weekend into the blood of his teammates the moment his plane touches down at MSP.
Listen, I love PK. When we’re at the function, he’s the guy I’m seeking out to shoot the breeze and meme around with. He’s going to be one of the Wind Chill’s best players when he gets out of college. But that’s the thing: he’s still in college, and right now, inconsistency is hurting the Chill. Jagt’s immediate availability would make a huge difference in the trajectory of the team. His presence on defense can totally disrupt opponent’s offense, and his cutting ability can slot in perfectly with Klane’s and Coffin’s gun-slinging tendencies. Who doesn’t want to see that?
SOUND OFF: Who would you want to see in a trade?
Who do you think the Wind Chill would benefit in a trade deal?