PLAYER MOVEMENT PICKS UP

Two trades on the same day. Both with one common denominator. Oddly enough, not a Melkonian or Guerra to be seen.

That's right, "Trader Ron" wasn't involved in either deal. News of trading might ignite that trigger finger, however...

The New England Yankee Stompers, disenchanted with Derek Jeter's performance, engineered two swaps that sent him away and brought in youth and salary cap room.

Jeter, who "adamantly hated donning the Yankee Stompers jersey the moment he arrived," was dealt away mainly because his offense had declined.

"We were convinced he would play out his contract in our uniform," Yankee Stompers Owner/GM James Herndon said. "But it was in our best interest to move him to a team that would need him now and in the immediate future."

Landon Bolt, apparently not scared off by Jeter's .216 average over 15 games in New England, felt good enough about the iconic shortstop's remaining talent to send OF Torii Hunter from Casselton to the east coast.

"We hope Hunter the best. He is one of the last players from the team I inherited three years ago, and we appreciate his role in leading us to our first playoff appearance last season," Bolt said.

Hunter, apparently upset at being benched (9 AB in 5 G) because of Casselton's youth movement, immediately jumped into the starting right field position with the Yankee Stompers. Jeter was needed, according to Bolt, to address the lack of middle infield depth due to injuries.

Herndon, however, realized he had a decision to make. Without Jeter, the best option at shortstop remaining on the roster was ... Brent Lillibridge?

That's when Eric Caskey came calling. Caskey, like Herndon, was dealing with just a few million dollars of room under the salary cap. So the two teams agreed to a deal that made a change of $0.69 million in both teams' team salaries.

The MOABS, stacked at many positions around the diamond, dealt three unestablished players, C Alex Avila, SS Jed Lowrie and RHP Chris Tillman, to New England. In return, Brooklyn received oft-injured OF Carlos Quentin and RHP Brandon League. Quentin immediately stepped into the starting lineup as a right fielder and DH, while League went to the bullpen.

"We had to make this deal," Caskey said.

Manager Ron Washington, "giddy" with the thought of Quentin in his already-powerful lineup, added, "For the first time in Brooklyn's historic existence, we have three righties that could hit 35 homers in (Troy) Tulo(witzki), (Adrian) Beltre and Quentin."

Herndon was equally pleased with his take.

"We got our man today in Jed Lowrie, who will immediately fill the void at shortstop. We also received a catcher in Avila that will battle J.P. Arencibia for the starting job either this or next year.

Free agent signings

Many teams picked up added depth in free agency. A quick rundown:
Yuma: 3B Ty Wigginton, SS Jason Bartlett
Casselton: 1B/DH Travis Hafner
St. Francis: RHP Jason Frasor
Philadelphia: OF Carlos Beltran (and they released OF Ryan Raburn)
Frostbite Falls: C Ronny Paulino
New England: RHPs Jon Garland and Chris Ray

In addition, Eric Caskey has started a league-wide season preview, beginning with the Yuma Firebirds. To check out what one of the league's founding owners has to say, go to his team Website at http://barb-brooklynmoabs.blogspot.com/