POSADA'S GHOST?

Prince Fielder (2nd in BARB with 31 HR) went 0-for-5 in Las Vegas's 95th game of the year, which was bad enough, but when the dust settled, he was one of many players (and perhaps the biggest name) sent packing in early August with the league's trading deadline approaching!



Not all details were available as we went to press, but Yuma, Casselton and (surprise) Lexington were also among the active clubs positioning themselves either for next season or a playoff run.

The Firebirds pronounced themselves satisfied with their deal with Vegas, getting the big bat they had been looking for, trading for Fielder and RHP David Aardsma in return for RHP Matt Cain, RHP Clay Buchholz, and 1B Adam LaRoche. "We got the big bat we wanted. This is what depth can do for you. We aren't done dealing yet. This year is literally all or nothing," said owner Chris Melkonian. As if a prophet, news shortly reached league officials that the Firebirds had bolstered their pen by acquiring RHP Trevor Hoffman from Casselton. In return, the Horned Toads picked up a pair of arms for the future (RHP Tim Alderson and Philip Hughes).


Las Vegas was less sanguine about their season. As team officials admitted, "Tonight, Vegas officially enters a rebuilding mode. Despite our dominance in the Central Division due to our unstoppable offense, the Luchadores have considered this year to be a terrible failure."


Wearing a necklace made of bone fragments* from animals of indeterminate origin, Las Vegas GM Charlie Oliver was solemn: "We are cursed. Taking on Jorge Posada has cursed this team." Oliver then performed an elaborate ritual with the help of a voodoo priestess that involved a bubbling cauldron, some flaxseed oil, and the tongue of Jessie Foppert. No questions were answered during this ritual. After the smoke cleared (literally; there was smoke), Oliver revealed that the Luchadores were focusing on next year's team and the additions of Cain, Buchholz, and LaRoche would do much to shore up the team's spirits (pun intended). "Expect some more magic....in next year's draft!" whispered Oliver and then, in a puff of green acrid smoke, he was gone.

*

Now, do you think that Yuma's long-time rival under various incarnations (San Diego, Arizona, etc.) was going to take this lying down? After all, the rechristened Lexington Rebels are in nearly a dead heat with the defending world champs for the lead in the Western Division, probably their best opportunity window for a playoff berth in play. And so it was that Casselton GM Landon Bolt was, in his words, offered "a smart deal that could not be passed up. At one point we were looking a few years down the road, now we are looking at next year."

The deal in question involved sending the Horned Toads and a player to be named for journeyman pitcher 2B Rickie Weeks, CF Justin Upton, David Riske and slugging 2B Brandon Philips. As you might expect, Lexington was pleased with the latest of their many moves.

GM Ronald Melkonian remarked, "We are of course in a win-now mode and we aren't holding anything back. My offense is further boasted by the 30-HR talent in Phillips and Riske, who had an shut-down year last year, will further improve a good pen. With my team's ability to still out pitch opponents with either the top 2 or the #1 staff in all of BARB, my offense should now be able to hit with even Las Vegas, every inning of the way, with guys like Phillips, Wright, Lee, Gonzalez, and (B.J.) Upton leading the way!"

*

Wow, quite a bunch of talent moving. And yet, as Vegas GM Charles Oliver seems to now recognize, there was no move with more long-term impact this year in BARB than the Luchadores' decision to sign Oakeyland C Jorge Posada as a free agent. The Ballers, minus their projected starting catcher, raided Lexington to get Ivan Rodriguez. With Posada off the market, Black Mesa snatched Jason Varitek from Darwin's hands minutes after the Finches had dealt Trevor Hoffman to acquire Varitek's rights. The Rebels, minus Pudge, pursued Darwin prospect Jarrod Saltalamacchia, while the Finches plundered Lexington's rival (Yuma) in signing Yadier Molina and snatched Ryan Doumit off of Worcester's scrap heap after the draft. I mean, what a soap opera. So, indeed, it seems fitting that Posada's injury-plagued run with Las Vegas has left them with a case of buyer's remorse . . .

* But see the graphic above on the right