EARLY BLOCKBUSTER

The first game results were barely off the presses before a bombshell of news: Arizona (no surprise) had agreed to a swap with Carolina (also not a big surprise). The eye-openers were the number and names of players involved.

Carlos Gonzalez. Josh Donaldson. David Robertson. Giancarlo Stanton. Nolan Arenado. Danny Salazar.

Those six are arguably the biggest names of the first trade of the regular season, a deal between the Arizona D-Backs and Carolina Wildcats. They don’t even make up half of the players involved, though. In all, 15 players swapped sides between two teams with thoughts of contending in seemingly wide-open Central division.

In essence, you could call this a challenge trade. But knowing the GMs involved, it is more likely just a “big name” trade. CarGo, Donaldson, Robertson, Scott Kazmir, Aaron Crow and Lonnie Chisenhall were all sent from Arizona to the east coast. In return, Stanton, Arenado, Salazar, free agent signee Jeff Mathis, Jon Schoop, Matt Davidson, Brandon Beachy, Kyle Lohse and Tom Windle are the new D-Backs.

Ronald Melkonian was up front and bold about his strategy: “We decided to move a mass amount of talent in order to pave a new direction for the organization; one which is younger, dynamic and finically (sic) manageable and dependable. Stanton and Arenado (are) two players who have the raw talent to be cornerstones in rebuilding a franchise. Acquiring Danny Salazar was an example of taking steps in rethinking our future rotation. This is just one of many bold moves we see completed this season, as we set out to make a franchise which can stay together for years to come.”

For his part, Anthony King skipped the press conference and simply rolled up his window and drove away from the stadium.

Just days later, Anthony Guerra of Nor Cal also swung a deal to attempt to position his team well in the brutal East division. Guerra picked up first baseman Anthony Rizzo from Brownsville in exchange for George Springer, Trevor May and Nicky Delmonico.

“Nor Cal Pirates have replaced their stolen treasure,” said Guerra. “After Casselton drafted away Prince Fielder, we hoped Justin Smoak would continue his hot streak from last season. He’s off to a slow start, so the treasure hunt began.”

Word has it multiple players from both trades have already been brought up in other negotiations.

FREE AGENT SIGNINGS:

Recent moves:

-Pottsylvania releases RHP Alex White and Jair Jurrjens

-Nor Cal releases C J.P. Arencibia and RHP Vinnie Pestano

-Pottsylvania signs 2B Chase Utley

-Nor Cal signs OF Jason Kubel

-Brownsville signs RHP Jake Peavy

-New England signs OF Nick Markakis

-Oakland signs LHP J.P. Howell

-Arizona signs RHP Ubaldo Jimenez

-St. Francis signs 2B Danny Espinosa

-Carolina signs C Jeff Mathis