As it so happened, quite a few pieces of e-mail were sent off over the weekend and I'm just now getting down to writing it out. Here's the major news:
SQUIRRELS, MOABS IN CHALLENGE TRADE
Brooklyn and Frostbite have reached an agreement to send IF Aki Iwamura to the Squirrels for 2B Jeff Kent and RP Pat Neshek. According to Moabs GM Eric Caskey, "Kent can fill in until he gets injured as help around the IF. As for Neshek, who is out for the season, he is likely to help in late inning situations next season setting up for Frankie Rodriguez." Iwamura, a utility infielder for the Moabs, will be missed, but Caskey was satisfied with his end of the deal. "Aki was a damn fine player who had an excellent season, but we like what we are getting in return. Neshek has been filthy against us and throws in the high 90s from a low angle. Still working on next season as these two players just help out," said Caskey.
So, Brooklyn was looking down the road. What were the Squirrels, tied at 77-50 for the league's best record with the Finches, looking for? Essentially, they wanted a little versatility and a healthy bat off the bench, with Kent ailing. You can read more about their thought process here.
WORCESTER AND CASSELTON INK DEAL FOR '09
The Eliminators, in their final move of the year, have acquired RHP Philip Hughes and a player to be named from the Horned Toads for LHP Adam Loewen and a player to be named. To put it bluntly, this appears to be a deal for next year that will not have any effect on this year's pennant race.
LUCHADORES CALL UP LIRIANO
Highly-touted southpaw Francisco Liriano, out much of the year battling control problems in the minors, has finally been recalled by the red-hot (winners of 11 straight) Las Vegas Luchadores, who plan on inserting the youthful lefty into their rotation. Insiders say the long-expected move could have a bigger impact in the playoffs than any of the September trades. "After all," said one scout, "A good left-hander is a real neutralizer for most offenses, and the other clubs haven't really seen Liriano. The advantage really goes to the pitcher in that case. This could really hurt a lineup like Darwin's, that has so many hitters who go colder against lefties."
Showing posts with label 2008 Trades. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2008 Trades. Show all posts
9.17.2008
9.13.2008
FINCHES DEAL, RECALL WAKEFIELD
The Darwin Finches have made a deal with the Pottsylvania Creepers to get RHP Gil Meche, widely-regarded as the best starter still available on the open market. Meche (10-11 with a 2.77 ERA in 25 starts with the Creepers) will no doubt step into the rotation. Pottsylvania also parted with LHP Hideki Okajima and a player to be named. To get the pair, Darwin sent the Central Division doormats OF Jeff Francouer, reliever Jonathan Broxton, starter Josh Johnson and a player to be named.
Creepers GM Jeff Moore had this to say, "We are a sad to see Gil and Hideki go, but they haven't got the run support they deserve here. The fact is our offense has been junk, even for the Central division. We needed to make a move for next year and sending Gil and Hideki, both having pitched well, to Darwin seemed like the right move. The next season is what we have to think about now and Broxton will go a long way toward shoring up our pen. Jeff will move into the outfield and provide some offense hopefully. Getting some youth and guys healthy is going to be key for next season, then we roll the bones and see what happens."
More details on Darwin's blog!
To set up their rotation, the Finches recalled 41-year-old knuckleballer Tim Wakefield (4-4, 4.44 ERA in 24 games) to make a spot start against the Lexington Rebels and indicated they may keep the veteran depending on how their middle relief shakes out. Wakefield certainly did his part, overcoming a two-run first by the host Rebels which was keyed by Curtis Granderson's leadoff triple. But the Finches hung around against Brandon Webb (13-8, 3.52) in the third, kicking across three runs after a bad throw by Granderson allowed Chipper Jones to score and the Finches went on to beat Lexington by a 4-2 score, with Okajima working a scoreless eighth to get the ball to J.J. Putz, who overcame a pair of singles to post his 13th save of the season.
With the win, Darwin pulled within one game of Eastern-leading Frostbite Falls (76-49) with 27 games left to play.
In other BARB action:
YUMA 4, BROOKLYN 3
WP: Rafael Perez (7-2, 1.41)
LP: Rafael Betancourt (7-4, 3.07)
Nick Markakis hit a two-run homer in the sixth, a game-tying double in the eighth, and was on deck when Francisco Rodriguez walked in the winning run with one down in the bottom of the ninth, as the Freebirds came all the way back from trailing 3-0 in the fifth to win at home in Yuma. With the win, their third straight, Yuma has pulled two games ahead of sibling rival Lexington with 23 games left to play in the Western Division.
WORCESTER 14, CASSELTON 9
WP: Heath Bell (7-7, 3.44)
LP: Clay Hensley (0-2, 9.75)
Kendy Morales hit two home runs to give the Horned Toads a 9-8 lead after seven innings, but the Casselton pen melted down in the eighth, allowing six runs as Jason Bay and Alex Rios each smacked run-scoring singles off Hensley and Mark Teixeira drilling a two-run double off Kevin Correia.
BLACK MESA 7, FROSTBITE FALLS 2
WP: Ted Lilly (8-13, 4.61)
LP: Cole Hamels (7-9, 3.60)
SV: Bailey (1)
Adam Dunn singled in the go-ahead run, and when Jeff Kent's throw to home plate bounced away from Mike Napoli, the Anomalies would go on to score four unearned runs and knock out Cole Hamels. Much-punished (9.45 ERA) rookie Homer Bailey, the bearer of so much unrealized expectations, finally had a positive moment in BARB by pitching three scoreless frames in relief to earn a save.
LAS VEGAS 6, OAKEYLAND 2
WP: Erwin Santana (7-12, 5.08)
LP: Bobby Howry (7-3, 3.86)
Erwin Santana outlasted Daisuke Matsuzaka, using just 117 pitches to go TEN innings, only the second-such outing this year by a BARB hurler (Tim Hudson, now on the DL, was the other). Once 'Dice-K' was out, the Luchadores went to work on their divisonal rival. Prince Fielder reached with one out on a throwing error by rookie 3B Andy LaRoche, and Joey Votto then drilled a two-run double for the go-ahead runs. Vegas would go on to score four times, and so Santana was allowed to work the bottom of the tenth....with the result being that Las Vegas (67-62) would win its ninth straight game. The Luchadores now lead the moribund Central by five games with 23 games to play.
Creepers GM Jeff Moore had this to say, "We are a sad to see Gil and Hideki go, but they haven't got the run support they deserve here. The fact is our offense has been junk, even for the Central division. We needed to make a move for next year and sending Gil and Hideki, both having pitched well, to Darwin seemed like the right move. The next season is what we have to think about now and Broxton will go a long way toward shoring up our pen. Jeff will move into the outfield and provide some offense hopefully. Getting some youth and guys healthy is going to be key for next season, then we roll the bones and see what happens."
More details on Darwin's blog!
To set up their rotation, the Finches recalled 41-year-old knuckleballer Tim Wakefield (4-4, 4.44 ERA in 24 games) to make a spot start against the Lexington Rebels and indicated they may keep the veteran depending on how their middle relief shakes out. Wakefield certainly did his part, overcoming a two-run first by the host Rebels which was keyed by Curtis Granderson's leadoff triple. But the Finches hung around against Brandon Webb (13-8, 3.52) in the third, kicking across three runs after a bad throw by Granderson allowed Chipper Jones to score and the Finches went on to beat Lexington by a 4-2 score, with Okajima working a scoreless eighth to get the ball to J.J. Putz, who overcame a pair of singles to post his 13th save of the season.
With the win, Darwin pulled within one game of Eastern-leading Frostbite Falls (76-49) with 27 games left to play.
In other BARB action:
YUMA 4, BROOKLYN 3
WP: Rafael Perez (7-2, 1.41)
LP: Rafael Betancourt (7-4, 3.07)
Nick Markakis hit a two-run homer in the sixth, a game-tying double in the eighth, and was on deck when Francisco Rodriguez walked in the winning run with one down in the bottom of the ninth, as the Freebirds came all the way back from trailing 3-0 in the fifth to win at home in Yuma. With the win, their third straight, Yuma has pulled two games ahead of sibling rival Lexington with 23 games left to play in the Western Division.
WORCESTER 14, CASSELTON 9
WP: Heath Bell (7-7, 3.44)
LP: Clay Hensley (0-2, 9.75)
Kendy Morales hit two home runs to give the Horned Toads a 9-8 lead after seven innings, but the Casselton pen melted down in the eighth, allowing six runs as Jason Bay and Alex Rios each smacked run-scoring singles off Hensley and Mark Teixeira drilling a two-run double off Kevin Correia.
BLACK MESA 7, FROSTBITE FALLS 2
WP: Ted Lilly (8-13, 4.61)
LP: Cole Hamels (7-9, 3.60)
SV: Bailey (1)
Adam Dunn singled in the go-ahead run, and when Jeff Kent's throw to home plate bounced away from Mike Napoli, the Anomalies would go on to score four unearned runs and knock out Cole Hamels. Much-punished (9.45 ERA) rookie Homer Bailey, the bearer of so much unrealized expectations, finally had a positive moment in BARB by pitching three scoreless frames in relief to earn a save.
LAS VEGAS 6, OAKEYLAND 2
WP: Erwin Santana (7-12, 5.08)
LP: Bobby Howry (7-3, 3.86)
Erwin Santana outlasted Daisuke Matsuzaka, using just 117 pitches to go TEN innings, only the second-such outing this year by a BARB hurler (Tim Hudson, now on the DL, was the other). Once 'Dice-K' was out, the Luchadores went to work on their divisonal rival. Prince Fielder reached with one out on a throwing error by rookie 3B Andy LaRoche, and Joey Votto then drilled a two-run double for the go-ahead runs. Vegas would go on to score four times, and so Santana was allowed to work the bottom of the tenth....with the result being that Las Vegas (67-62) would win its ninth straight game. The Luchadores now lead the moribund Central by five games with 23 games to play.
9.12.2008
DEADLINE FOR DARWIN?
As this report went to press, the Darwin Finches (three games out in the East, and with a three-game lead in the wild card) were pressing hard on the trade market, in an attempt to insure themselves a playoff spot. It was known that the Unnatural Selections, eager to return Chad Billingsley to the rotation and return Josh Hamilton to the lineup, have been dangling (among others) LHP Tom Glavine and RHP Cla Meredith...but have received no takers.
Now news has reached this front that a deal with the Pottsylvania Creepers involving an outfielder and pitching for a package involving RHP Gil Meche is imminent . . .!
Now news has reached this front that a deal with the Pottsylvania Creepers involving an outfielder and pitching for a package involving RHP Gil Meche is imminent . . .!
8.23.2008
MORE INSURANCE FOR REBELS
In a long-rumored but delayed* transaction, the S-Mart Boom Sticks (still in the Central Division hunt) confirmed that they would deal starting C A.J. Pyrzinski, RHP Juan Cruz and LHP J.C. Romero to the Lexington Rebels. In return, the Boom Sticks would receive highly-touted catching prospect Matt Wieters and a player to be named.
More details on Lexington's view of things here.
* Editor's Note: This trade was originally announced on Lexington's blog on August 4th, but confirmation of the trade was not received through e-mail from both parties until August 18th, and it has taken some time to sort out all the particulars. This shows that if parties want trades to be completed, they really need to make sure they submit matching e-mails in a timely manner.
More details on Lexington's view of things here.
* Editor's Note: This trade was originally announced on Lexington's blog on August 4th, but confirmation of the trade was not received through e-mail from both parties until August 18th, and it has taken some time to sort out all the particulars. This shows that if parties want trades to be completed, they really need to make sure they submit matching e-mails in a timely manner.
8.21.2008
STARTERS BACK, BUT MOABS PACK IT IN
The Brooklyn Moabs got two stalwarts back to their rotation as the league approached Game Day 100 (!)....with two-thirds of the season officially in the books, and management rumored to be ready to pull the trigger on a MAJOR deal with the (who else?) Lexington Rebels, how would the club respond to the return of Fausto Carmona and (especially) club ace Roy Oswalt in a doubleheader with the visiting Oakeyland Ballers?
Unfortunately, not too well! Carmona (5.2 IP, 2 ER) left in the sixth inning of the opener with a 4-2 lead, and a wild (5 BB) Oswalt managed to leave with a one-run lead in his start, as well. But the bullpen (which has been so good, if heavily-worked over the last month) faltered terribly. In Carmona's start, Ryan Sweeney delivered a go-ahead single in a four-run ninth off Francisco Rodriguez (1-3, 1.97) in a nightmare inning triggered by a Troy Tulowitzki error. Oakeyland would win the opener 6-4, with Aaron Fultz (5-3, 1.86) picking up the win and Brad Lidge earning the save.
In the nightcap, the game went into the ninth tied at 3-3, as well, where Jim Thome hit his team-leading 21st HR of the year off Rodriguez to make a winner of Bobby Howry and save #15 for Lidge. How demoralizing! With management having already moved Damaso Marte to Yuma amid well-documented injury woes, and the expected return of two strong starters a bust, small wonder that the Brooklyn organization would then make SWEEPING changes in their roster with a pair of blockbuster deals, essentially closing the door on any shot at a playoff spot this season.
In the first deal, the Moabs sent OF Jason Bay, RHP Adam Wainwright and LHP Scott Olsen to division (and sibling) rival Worcester. In return, Brooklyn receives Chris Marrero and Mark Teahen along with two players to be named later. As Eliminators GM Matt Caskey remarked on his blog, the Eliminators remain committed to winning now and are attempting to address injury woes of their own. You can read Matt's take on this deal here.
But Brooklyn wasn't done, no, not by a long shot. In the most shocking deal of the season, the Moabs essentially sent much of their bench strength to the Lexington Rebels, swapping LHP Mike Gonzalez, OF Curtis Granderson, C Bengie Molina, and SS Jhonny Peralta for the stretch run, while receiving C Jarrod Saltalamacchia, OF Lastings Milledge, RHP Anthony Reyes and two players to be named later!
In a word, wow. Lexington, as you might imagine, feels that they have obtained the usual 'final piece of the puzzle' but many observers were stunned by another Rebels move. As GM Ronald Melkonian exulted about 'doomsday in the West', he also announced the club's decision to cut 2B and leadoff hitter Luis Castillo as well as LHP George Sherrill. A shocking move, given that both were likely to be sidelined with injuries and will see the club 'eat' $3.2 million in salary.
But, really, is it more shocking than the jigsawing of Brooklyn's roster? A club that was 52-45 just a few days ago, just two-and-a-half games out of the wild card, has apparently packed it in on the 2008 season and is making moves entirely with an eye to next year . . .
Unfortunately, not too well! Carmona (5.2 IP, 2 ER) left in the sixth inning of the opener with a 4-2 lead, and a wild (5 BB) Oswalt managed to leave with a one-run lead in his start, as well. But the bullpen (which has been so good, if heavily-worked over the last month) faltered terribly. In Carmona's start, Ryan Sweeney delivered a go-ahead single in a four-run ninth off Francisco Rodriguez (1-3, 1.97) in a nightmare inning triggered by a Troy Tulowitzki error. Oakeyland would win the opener 6-4, with Aaron Fultz (5-3, 1.86) picking up the win and Brad Lidge earning the save.
In the nightcap, the game went into the ninth tied at 3-3, as well, where Jim Thome hit his team-leading 21st HR of the year off Rodriguez to make a winner of Bobby Howry and save #15 for Lidge. How demoralizing! With management having already moved Damaso Marte to Yuma amid well-documented injury woes, and the expected return of two strong starters a bust, small wonder that the Brooklyn organization would then make SWEEPING changes in their roster with a pair of blockbuster deals, essentially closing the door on any shot at a playoff spot this season.
In the first deal, the Moabs sent OF Jason Bay, RHP Adam Wainwright and LHP Scott Olsen to division (and sibling) rival Worcester. In return, Brooklyn receives Chris Marrero and Mark Teahen along with two players to be named later. As Eliminators GM Matt Caskey remarked on his blog, the Eliminators remain committed to winning now and are attempting to address injury woes of their own. You can read Matt's take on this deal here.
But Brooklyn wasn't done, no, not by a long shot. In the most shocking deal of the season, the Moabs essentially sent much of their bench strength to the Lexington Rebels, swapping LHP Mike Gonzalez, OF Curtis Granderson, C Bengie Molina, and SS Jhonny Peralta for the stretch run, while receiving C Jarrod Saltalamacchia, OF Lastings Milledge, RHP Anthony Reyes and two players to be named later!
In a word, wow. Lexington, as you might imagine, feels that they have obtained the usual 'final piece of the puzzle' but many observers were stunned by another Rebels move. As GM Ronald Melkonian exulted about 'doomsday in the West', he also announced the club's decision to cut 2B and leadoff hitter Luis Castillo as well as LHP George Sherrill. A shocking move, given that both were likely to be sidelined with injuries and will see the club 'eat' $3.2 million in salary.
But, really, is it more shocking than the jigsawing of Brooklyn's roster? A club that was 52-45 just a few days ago, just two-and-a-half games out of the wild card, has apparently packed it in on the 2008 season and is making moves entirely with an eye to next year . . .
8.20.2008
HEARD AROUND THE LEAGUE
The sibling struggle for control of the Western Division continues. Just hours after learning that the Commissioner's Office had nullifed a trade that would have netted them 1B Prince Fielder, the Firebirds acquired Brooklyn LHP Damaso Marte from the Moabs.
Moabs GM Eric Caskey has made no bones about shopping some of his club's talent, including recently-activated relievers Damaso Marte and Mike Gonzalez, C Benji Molina and IF Jhonny Peralta. As he put it, "I just think that injuries have put me out of the running for this season and I'm looking to the future."
For the services of Marte, Yuma had to part ways with RHP Carlos Carrasco. Caskey remarked, "Carrasco has ace-like stuff with a great change and tailing fastball. He is susceptible to the gopher ball though. Marte was a great Moab, but the Brooklyn front office felt time to deal the set-up man for the future."
*
Darwin continues to play with house money, enjoying their largest lead of the season (4.5 games) in mid-August, and getting lucky. 3B Chipper Jones, who had been DH-ing for weeks, finally faced the inevitable and was placed on the disabled list, a major blow for most clubs....but at the very same time, Opening Day DH David Ortiz was pronounced fit to play, and activated. "We are leading a charmed life," confessed GM Scott Hatfield. "Other than losing Smoltz and Glavine early on, we've been pretty fortunate. Speaking of Glavine, he may be able to pitch later this month, and this is going to put us in a bind with Jonathan Sanchez, who has been inconsistent but seems to do better starting."
*
FROSTBITE FALLS 6, S-MART 0
WP: Felix Hernandez (4-5, 4.99)
LP: Chuck James (2-4, 7.71)
“King Felix” went all the way, throttling the Boom Sticks on just five hits while fanning ten batters for his first shutout of the year, and Corey Hart and Edgar Renteria both hit two-run home runs to key the scoring as the Squirrels (53-40) moved within three games of East-leading Darwin.
OAKEYLAND 11, DARWIN 3
WP: Jamie Walker (2-1, 3.19) LP: Oliver Perez (8-3, 3.08)
Oliver Perez is the ‘girl with the curl’: when she is good, she is very, very good but when she is bad, she is horrid. Perez threw only 59 of 125 pitches for strikes, and the Ballers put together a six-run seventh against the lefty and reliever Tim Wakefield, capped by a grand slam off the bat of 2B Mark Ellis, to help Oakeyland (41-53) move within four games of the lead in the strange Central Division.
BROOKLYN 9, POTTSYLVANIA 2
WP: Scott Baker (5-6, 6.16)
LP: Braden Looper (3-12, 5.51)
Braden Looper became the BARB loop’s second 12-game loser, as the Moabs, led by Ichiro, scored early and often against the visiting Creepers. Suzuki collected three hits, among them his second circuit shot of the season, and Ryan Howard delivered a three-run blast, his 17th of the season, to help Eric Caskey’s club improve to 52-45.
LEXINGTON 8, CASSELTON 6
WP: Brandon Webb (10-6, 3.46)
LP: John Danks (0-4, 9.71)
The Rebels bullpen nearly let the Horned Toads back in the game, as the Casselton came off the deck to score six runs in the top of the ninth before Torri Hunter lined out to former teammate Brandon Philips. Hunter had begun the inning by grounding out to David Wright, but in-between those two outs Hunter’s teammates had worked the Rebels over: a Jose Guillen pinch-single, a wild pitch by Ryan Madson, a bases-loaded double by John Buck, and a three-run home run off the bat of Kendry Morales prolonging the agony.
Early on, it appeared that starter Brandon Webb might go all the way with a shutout bid, but Lexington’s ace tired after seven frames and was given the day off, leading to the nervous ninth. The Rebels (54-43) thus maintained the slimmest (a half-game) of leads over rival Yuma.
YUMA 9, BLACK MESA 7
WP: Roy Halladay (6-8, 3.70)
LP: Jarrod Washburn (3-12, 6.96)
SV: Corpas (6)
Rookie 1B Billy Butler had three hits, including a tie-breaking double in the fourth, and the Rebels put up enough runs against the middle of Black Mesa’s bullpen to survive Kevin Youkilis’s two-run single in the eighth. Butler was lucky to even be with the club, after a deal to acquire Las Vegas 1B Prince Fielder was nullified by league officials, but he did damage against Black Mesa’s pen. After posting a superb 2.93 ERA in relief, the pen (minus injured Takashi Saito) is finally showing signs of overwork. The quartet of Saito, Papelbon, Kuo and Fuentes has combined for 204 appearances, tops in the league.
Moabs GM Eric Caskey has made no bones about shopping some of his club's talent, including recently-activated relievers Damaso Marte and Mike Gonzalez, C Benji Molina and IF Jhonny Peralta. As he put it, "I just think that injuries have put me out of the running for this season and I'm looking to the future."
For the services of Marte, Yuma had to part ways with RHP Carlos Carrasco. Caskey remarked, "Carrasco has ace-like stuff with a great change and tailing fastball. He is susceptible to the gopher ball though. Marte was a great Moab, but the Brooklyn front office felt time to deal the set-up man for the future."
*
Darwin continues to play with house money, enjoying their largest lead of the season (4.5 games) in mid-August, and getting lucky. 3B Chipper Jones, who had been DH-ing for weeks, finally faced the inevitable and was placed on the disabled list, a major blow for most clubs....but at the very same time, Opening Day DH David Ortiz was pronounced fit to play, and activated. "We are leading a charmed life," confessed GM Scott Hatfield. "Other than losing Smoltz and Glavine early on, we've been pretty fortunate. Speaking of Glavine, he may be able to pitch later this month, and this is going to put us in a bind with Jonathan Sanchez, who has been inconsistent but seems to do better starting."
*
FROSTBITE FALLS 6, S-MART 0
WP: Felix Hernandez (4-5, 4.99)
LP: Chuck James (2-4, 7.71)
“King Felix” went all the way, throttling the Boom Sticks on just five hits while fanning ten batters for his first shutout of the year, and Corey Hart and Edgar Renteria both hit two-run home runs to key the scoring as the Squirrels (53-40) moved within three games of East-leading Darwin.
OAKEYLAND 11, DARWIN 3
WP: Jamie Walker (2-1, 3.19) LP: Oliver Perez (8-3, 3.08)
Oliver Perez is the ‘girl with the curl’: when she is good, she is very, very good but when she is bad, she is horrid. Perez threw only 59 of 125 pitches for strikes, and the Ballers put together a six-run seventh against the lefty and reliever Tim Wakefield, capped by a grand slam off the bat of 2B Mark Ellis, to help Oakeyland (41-53) move within four games of the lead in the strange Central Division.
BROOKLYN 9, POTTSYLVANIA 2
WP: Scott Baker (5-6, 6.16)
LP: Braden Looper (3-12, 5.51)
Braden Looper became the BARB loop’s second 12-game loser, as the Moabs, led by Ichiro, scored early and often against the visiting Creepers. Suzuki collected three hits, among them his second circuit shot of the season, and Ryan Howard delivered a three-run blast, his 17th of the season, to help Eric Caskey’s club improve to 52-45.
LEXINGTON 8, CASSELTON 6
WP: Brandon Webb (10-6, 3.46)
LP: John Danks (0-4, 9.71)
The Rebels bullpen nearly let the Horned Toads back in the game, as the Casselton came off the deck to score six runs in the top of the ninth before Torri Hunter lined out to former teammate Brandon Philips. Hunter had begun the inning by grounding out to David Wright, but in-between those two outs Hunter’s teammates had worked the Rebels over: a Jose Guillen pinch-single, a wild pitch by Ryan Madson, a bases-loaded double by John Buck, and a three-run home run off the bat of Kendry Morales prolonging the agony.
Early on, it appeared that starter Brandon Webb might go all the way with a shutout bid, but Lexington’s ace tired after seven frames and was given the day off, leading to the nervous ninth. The Rebels (54-43) thus maintained the slimmest (a half-game) of leads over rival Yuma.
YUMA 9, BLACK MESA 7
WP: Roy Halladay (6-8, 3.70)
LP: Jarrod Washburn (3-12, 6.96)
SV: Corpas (6)
Rookie 1B Billy Butler had three hits, including a tie-breaking double in the fourth, and the Rebels put up enough runs against the middle of Black Mesa’s bullpen to survive Kevin Youkilis’s two-run single in the eighth. Butler was lucky to even be with the club, after a deal to acquire Las Vegas 1B Prince Fielder was nullified by league officials, but he did damage against Black Mesa’s pen. After posting a superb 2.93 ERA in relief, the pen (minus injured Takashi Saito) is finally showing signs of overwork. The quartet of Saito, Papelbon, Kuo and Fuentes has combined for 204 appearances, tops in the league.
8.19.2008
POSADA'S GHOST, PART TWO
In a brief statement, BARB Commissioner Scott Hatfield confirmed that an earlier press release detailing a supposed deal between the Yuma Firebirds and the Las Vegas Luchadores contained some inaccuracies.
"It was WRONG of us to announce the deal before it was checked," Hatfield said. "In fact, I might be WRONG to say that there was a deal in the first place involving Prince Fielder. You would be MISTAKEN, too, if you thought that (Yuma RHP) Matt Cain was likely to be dealt to any BARB club, inasmuch as he is a 'keeper'.
"Anyway," Hatfield concluded, "As Howie Mandel might've said, 'no deal.' Sorry about the confusion."
"It was WRONG of us to announce the deal before it was checked," Hatfield said. "In fact, I might be WRONG to say that there was a deal in the first place involving Prince Fielder. You would be MISTAKEN, too, if you thought that (Yuma RHP) Matt Cain was likely to be dealt to any BARB club, inasmuch as he is a 'keeper'.
"Anyway," Hatfield concluded, "As Howie Mandel might've said, 'no deal.' Sorry about the confusion."
8.15.2008
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
8.04.2008
CHAMBERLAIN'S FIRST LOSS A NO-HIT BID
Office of the League Commissioner----For a third time this season, a BARB hurler seriously flirted with a no-hitter, and for the second time, they would end up being the losing pitcher of record as new Chamberlain, of course, was the first pitcher taken in this year’s draft, and made his long-awaited BARB debut back in May with the team that drafted him, the Lexington Rebels. Chamberlain began the year in the bullpen, collecting a save in his very first game (against Casselton) and was unscored-upon in his first six appearances.
But, as if often the case, Lexington GM Ronald Melkonian got itchy fingers and early in July the Rebels shipped Chamberlain and reliever Brandon Morrow to Worcester for starter Danny Haren, left-handed reliever George Sherrill and rookie Joey Devine.
As Haren (8-2, 3.66 in 111.2 IP) was arguably the Elim’s most durable hurler, this was a sign that Worcester GM Matt Caskey saw Chamberlain as more than a setup man! Sure enough, as soon as Chamberlain arrived, Caskey placed the 21-year-old phenom in their rotation against division rivals, and he didn’t disappoint: Joba ‘ruled’ against
So, in Chamberlain’s third start (on the road in Oakeyland), anticipation ran high, but what occurred was a weird reminder that, just when you think you’ve seen everything…..well…..read on…
Against the Ballers, Chamberlain walked a batter in three of the first five innings and uncorked a wild pitch with a runner on in the fifth, but made pitches when he had to against Oakeyland hitters, striking out both Conor Jackson and Orlando Cabrera with runners in scoring position to preserve a shutout…while allowing no hits. His teammates, meanwhile, had launched a pair of solo home runs (Jeter, Ramirez) against Ballers starter Justin Duscherrer (2-2, 5.12), and added a third tally in the fourth with a little ‘inside baseball’. So Chamberlain had a 3-0 lead after five innings, and was seemingly in control.
But Cabrera, Jackson and Nick Swisher all walked to start the sixth inning. Chamberlain, challenging with fastballs, got Jim Thome and Mike Lowell to hit fly outs, but these were deep enough to score a pair of runs. Ivan Rodriguez fanned to end the inning, but Oakeyland had scratched out two runs without a hit, as the Ballers (in their best imitation of a Billy Beane-style offense) seemed content to wait the big rookie out. Still, Chamberlain had a no-hitter going and so was allowed to start the seventh inning, unfamiliar territory for the rookie.
But rookie Carlos Quentin walked on four pitches. Derek Jeter mishandled a grounder to put two on, and Ramirez threw a ball away to score a third run. Clearly, no-hitter or not, Chamberlain simply didn’t have it any more: nine walks, six in the last two innings, and 140 (!) pitches thrown. It was time to get him out of there. And so, with the game tied 3-3 and the bases loaded, Pedro Feliciano came into the game to pitch to the left-handed hitting Jim Thome. Former Eliminators prospect Mark Reynolds was sent up as a pinch-hitter and delivered a ground ball that scored Mark Ellis with the go-ahead run. Jesse Litsch, brought in to pitch to
Anyway, eventually Oakeyland did get a hit or two, rapping out four straight singles in the eighth off Litsch to earn an insurance run, and Brad Lidge (uncharacteristically cool) survived a Mark Ellis error that led to an unearned run in the top of the ninth, collecting his ninth save and preserving a 6-4 win for his team. Chamberlain (2-1, 1.16) had finally taken a loss in his 15th BARB appearance, and his final pitching line (0 H, 9 BB, 5 runs, two of them earned) was surely the oddest of this year’s campaign…
A HISTORY LESSON
How weird would it be to pitch a no-hitter, and lose? Just for the record, it’s been done more than once (Jim Maloney, for example). For the record, I can recall a game (Sept. 19, 1986) wherein left-hander Joe Cowley (pitching for the White Sox) no-hit the playoff-bound Angels despite allowing seven walks. After the game, the normally mild-mannered Wally Joyner (a rookie sensation that year with the Angels with 22 HR and 100 RBI) was quoted as saying that if Cowley pitched that way again, they would beat him, that anyone would beat him like a drum.
Joyner turned out to be a prophet. Cowley didn’t win another game that season, was traded to
In other BARB action:
WP: Francisco Cordero (5-2, 3.69)
LP: Bobby Jenks (2-3, 2.62)
SV: Street (14)
Carlos Lee singled home the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth to cap a furious rally that saw the Rebels score five times against Trevor Hoffman and Bobby Jenks, and Lexington held on to win their biggest comeback of the year. Trailing 7-1 after three innings and 8-3 after six, the Rebels batted around in the eighth and could’ve had more runs, but had two runners thrown out at the plate.
It was a compelling inning to a game that had seen new starter Danny Haren melt down (2 IP, 7 H, 6 ER) early. Haren was reportedly troubled by rumors that, after being acquired by the Rebels, he was already being shopped by Lexington GM Ronald Melkonian. As usual, there was no denial from the club and Casselton (and former
BROOKLYN 12,
WP: Micah Owings (8-4, 4.27)
LP: Brett Myers (5-4, 3.62)
Still reeling from the loss of Roy Oswalt (their fourth starter to be sidelined this season), the Moabs took out their frustrations on Myers and the host Luchadores, with Jhonny Peralta lashing a three-run homer and Chase Utley adding a two-run triple to send Las Vegas’s starter to an early shower. Utley, whose triple gave him a BARB-leading 72 RBI, later started a pair of exceptional double plays to back Owings, and the
WP:
LP: James Shields (8-6, 4.14)
SV: Broxton (5)
Josh Hamilton singled in a run, stole second and scored in an error-fueled third inning, and the Finches scored just enough runs to hold off a Boom Sticks rally in the fifth against a wild (7 BB) Chad Billingsley, as the Finches (51-35) held on to edge their hosts in…um….S-Mart. In an interesting tidbit, this was the first time in three weeks that any BARB opponent had managed to keep both Dan Uggla and Alex Rodriguez in the park. The pair of sluggers are likely All-Stars, having combined for 51 jacks, more than any other two teammates in BARB.
8.02.2008
GRIFFEY DEAL CONFIRMED
Office of the League Commissioner----With a sheepish expression, the Head Czar of all things BARB confirmed that the Brooklyn Moabs had acquired high-priced veteran Ken Griffey Jr. from the Horned Toads, continuing Casselton's recent trend of shipping out sluggers for prospects.
The price? Moabs OF prospect Travis Buck, hitting just .231 in limited duty with Brooklyn but a young player scouts project as a regular capable of hitting .275 with good strike zone judgement, and perhaps 20-25 HR a year.
"This deal was set to be finalized right before I went on vacation," admitted a red-faced Hatfield. "The confirmation was sent while I was away, and while it was implemented in the software, I didn't remember to publicize the move. Sorry if that created any confusion for either club."
Griffey was hitting .271 with 15 HR and 41 RBI for the Horned Toads at the time of the deal, and was actually slated to be the club's likely representative in the league All-Star Game. "What can I say?" Hatfield snapped, throwing up his hands. "He's no longer a member of that club, and from what I understand, he's likely to be a platoon player with the Moabs. At least, that's what I hear from Bobby Cox and the Moabs management. An expensive luxury, I suppose. But it's not every day a club picks up a player with 608 career HR and 1,756 career RBI. He's one of the top 10 players of all time, and yet we treat him as an afterthought. Kind of strange."
7.18.2008
EASTERN CLUBS DEAL, LEAGUE MUM
The Lexington Rebels have made their third deal of July...read about it here! They made the deal with the Worcester Eliminators, who sent them.....Danny Haren! And what did Worcester get to justify the loss of a talent like Haren? Read their spin here!
The league blog would write about this a LOT more, but let's just say that league officials received a total of 10 e-mails about this deal before finally getting a pair that agreed. Hmmmmm. I wonder why?
League officials aren't talking, but an anonymous insider did say that 'general managers in BARB should avoid high-pressure sales tactics and late-night negotiations. They lead to bad karma when the time comes to complete a transaction. The Commissioner's Office has an official policy that they require matching e-mails in order to complete a deal. Other evidence, such as text messages or doodles on napkins, is not accepted by the league at this time due to the difficulty to verify the claims."
As this issue went to press, another deal seemed imminent in the East, with the Brooklyn Moabs talking to the suddenly-active Casselton Horned Toads. Further details will follow, once they can be confirmed.
The league blog would write about this a LOT more, but let's just say that league officials received a total of 10 e-mails about this deal before finally getting a pair that agreed. Hmmmmm. I wonder why?
League officials aren't talking, but an anonymous insider did say that 'general managers in BARB should avoid high-pressure sales tactics and late-night negotiations. They lead to bad karma when the time comes to complete a transaction. The Commissioner's Office has an official policy that they require matching e-mails in order to complete a deal. Other evidence, such as text messages or doodles on napkins, is not accepted by the league at this time due to the difficulty to verify the claims."
As this issue went to press, another deal seemed imminent in the East, with the Brooklyn Moabs talking to the suddenly-active Casselton Horned Toads. Further details will follow, once they can be confirmed.
7.12.2008
TOADS CROAK AGAIN, ELIMS EMPOWERED
Fresh on the heels of swapping Adrian Gonzalez, the Casselton Horned Toads made another major deal a few weeks before the All-Star Break, this time sending OF Jermaine Dye (13 HR, 44 RBI in 70 BARB games) and a player to be named to the Worcester Eliminators. In return, Worcester will send Casselton RHP Joaquin Benoit and two players to be named.
The Eliminators, widely-perceived as being a little short in the power department compared to its Eastern rivals, was obviously eager to upgrade there and wasted little time asserting what this trade means to them.
An anonymous observer admitted, "It appears that Worcester has beefed up their attack, and this means that, all other things being equal, they should be a lot more dangerous in the late innings. This Eastern race is going to be a dogfight!"
As for Casselton, this sudden flurry of deals is apparently dictated by their position. "It's really a sell-him-while-he's-high moment to us. Dye is up there in years and we are not a team that can win now. So we get another reliever to throw into the mix now, and a couple solid players to throw into the lineup next season."
Benoit, whom the Eliminators described as 'streaky', is 1-1 with a 3.65 ERA in 16 appearances this season in the deep Worcester bullpen and was unable to claim a closer's job with both Heath Bell and George Sherrill around.
The Eliminators, widely-perceived as being a little short in the power department compared to its Eastern rivals, was obviously eager to upgrade there and wasted little time asserting what this trade means to them.
An anonymous observer admitted, "It appears that Worcester has beefed up their attack, and this means that, all other things being equal, they should be a lot more dangerous in the late innings. This Eastern race is going to be a dogfight!"
As for Casselton, this sudden flurry of deals is apparently dictated by their position. "It's really a sell-him-while-he's-high moment to us. Dye is up there in years and we are not a team that can win now. So we get another reliever to throw into the mix now, and a couple solid players to throw into the lineup next season."
Benoit, whom the Eliminators described as 'streaky', is 1-1 with a 3.65 ERA in 16 appearances this season in the deep Worcester bullpen and was unable to claim a closer's job with both Heath Bell and George Sherrill around.
7.11.2008
LEXINGTON ACQUIRES GONZALEZ
The Horned Toads have made a deal!
Slumping Casselton 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.209, 11 HR, 39 RBI in 70 G) has been dealt to (dum-da-dum-dum) the Lexington Rebels, their second trade of this week. The Rebels used just-acquired IF prospect Mike Moustakas, OF prospect Fernando Martinez and their own starting 1B, James Loney (.303, 4 HR, 42 RBI in 70 BARB contests) to make the deal.
The Horned Toads, in talking up their first mid-season deal as a franchise, remarked: "This is the first of many moves we plan on making before the end of the season. Adrian has been great for us and he definitely is a great young player, but looking ahead, we see alternative options at first base and also see potential in all three of the young players we acquired."
As for the Rebels, they maintain that "today, we are showing just how serious we are about winning this year and years to come. With a balance of powerful arms and bats, we can win. We have the arms, but we needed that one power bat. That is what we found in Adrian Gonzalez, who will provide more power to my line-up than Loney. Loney is good, but Gonzalez is better, only like a year or two older, is a gold-glove defender, but most of all a .300 AVG, 30 HR + lefty bat so it was a perfect fit. I strongly believe that he will help give the push my offensive needs."
Keeping in mind that the Rebels dealt RHP Brandon Lyon straight-up to acquire Moustakas, this really represents a prospect and two major-league starters for Gonzalez. This also has to be a major blow of sorts to division rival and defending world champion Yuma, which has been attempting to acquire a power-hitting 1B for some time with Travis Hafner hobbled and the Firebirds offense in the freezer. We can expect that the Firebirds will probably redouble their efforts to acquire help at first!
Slumping Casselton 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.209, 11 HR, 39 RBI in 70 G) has been dealt to (dum-da-dum-dum) the Lexington Rebels, their second trade of this week. The Rebels used just-acquired IF prospect Mike Moustakas, OF prospect Fernando Martinez and their own starting 1B, James Loney (.303, 4 HR, 42 RBI in 70 BARB contests) to make the deal.
The Horned Toads, in talking up their first mid-season deal as a franchise, remarked: "This is the first of many moves we plan on making before the end of the season. Adrian has been great for us and he definitely is a great young player, but looking ahead, we see alternative options at first base and also see potential in all three of the young players we acquired."
As for the Rebels, they maintain that "today, we are showing just how serious we are about winning this year and years to come. With a balance of powerful arms and bats, we can win. We have the arms, but we needed that one power bat. That is what we found in Adrian Gonzalez, who will provide more power to my line-up than Loney. Loney is good, but Gonzalez is better, only like a year or two older, is a gold-glove defender, but most of all a .300 AVG, 30 HR + lefty bat so it was a perfect fit. I strongly believe that he will help give the push my offensive needs."
Keeping in mind that the Rebels dealt RHP Brandon Lyon straight-up to acquire Moustakas, this really represents a prospect and two major-league starters for Gonzalez. This also has to be a major blow of sorts to division rival and defending world champion Yuma, which has been attempting to acquire a power-hitting 1B for some time with Travis Hafner hobbled and the Firebirds offense in the freezer. We can expect that the Firebirds will probably redouble their efforts to acquire help at first!
7.08.2008
FINCHES ACQUIRE PEN HELP
In a surprising move, the Darwin Finches picked up a valuable bullpen arm in the form of RHP Brandon Lyon. Lyon, who is 1-0 with no saves and a 3.65 ERA in 18 games with the Rebels, had been seen as the potential closer-in-waiting to Lexington stopper Huston Street, but the emergence of rookie Joba Chamberlain (4 saves and a 0.69 ERA in nine appearances this season) has apparently made him expendable.
In order to obtain Lyon, the Finches agreed to send Royals minor-league IF Mike Moustakas to Lexington. Moustakas was the top-ranked high school prospect in the 2007 MLB amateur draft and is currently hitting .237 with 8 HR in 57 games at low A ball. "In discussion with the Rebels," GM Scott Hatfield acknowledged, "Lexington pretty much challenged us to put up or shut up on the question of winning it all now. We don't think Lyon is going to be our primary closer. He'll still be a setup guy, but one who allows us to stretch our bullpen out a little bit and maybe not overwork our young starters."
For Lexington's take on the deal, check here.
In order to obtain Lyon, the Finches agreed to send Royals minor-league IF Mike Moustakas to Lexington. Moustakas was the top-ranked high school prospect in the 2007 MLB amateur draft and is currently hitting .237 with 8 HR in 57 games at low A ball. "In discussion with the Rebels," GM Scott Hatfield acknowledged, "Lexington pretty much challenged us to put up or shut up on the question of winning it all now. We don't think Lyon is going to be our primary closer. He'll still be a setup guy, but one who allows us to stretch our bullpen out a little bit and maybe not overwork our young starters."
For Lexington's take on the deal, check here.
6.20.2008
REBELS, SQUIRRELS DEAL YET AGAIN
For the third time this season, the Lexington Rebels have made a major move involving multiple players with three-time Series champ Frostbite Falls. You may recall this earlier deal, in which the Squirrels acquired LHP Cole Hamels. Well, hold on to your horses...
Frostbite Falls has acquired RHP Joakim Soria and Dustin McGowan to help their parent club now, along with two prospects to be named at the end of the season, one of them apparently an OF. In return, the Squirrels have sent Lexington . . . .
Mega-prospect Jay Bruce.
"Yes, that's right," one baffled scout commented, "a 4-for-1 swap, with the club making the deal already having one of the thinnest rosters in BARB. This has been this organization's pattern, always dealing multiple players to get a talent that they always describe as 'the last piece of the puzzle.' We've given up trying to figure this out."
Insiders confirmed that this deal has been in the works for some time, but league officials waited until Squirrels OF Brad Hawpe was healthy. Bruce showed a flair for the dramatic in his brief stint with Frostbite Falls, hitting .294 (5-for-17) with 6 RBI in just four games....but now, he's the property of the Rebels, who will apparently send Justin Upton back to the minors to clear a spot for Bruce, who is obviously expected to be an impact player. It is not known at press time whether Upton or some other talent is expected to be the OF sent to complete the deal after the end of the regular season.
Frostbite Falls has acquired RHP Joakim Soria and Dustin McGowan to help their parent club now, along with two prospects to be named at the end of the season, one of them apparently an OF. In return, the Squirrels have sent Lexington . . . .
Mega-prospect Jay Bruce.
"Yes, that's right," one baffled scout commented, "a 4-for-1 swap, with the club making the deal already having one of the thinnest rosters in BARB. This has been this organization's pattern, always dealing multiple players to get a talent that they always describe as 'the last piece of the puzzle.' We've given up trying to figure this out."
Insiders confirmed that this deal has been in the works for some time, but league officials waited until Squirrels OF Brad Hawpe was healthy. Bruce showed a flair for the dramatic in his brief stint with Frostbite Falls, hitting .294 (5-for-17) with 6 RBI in just four games....but now, he's the property of the Rebels, who will apparently send Justin Upton back to the minors to clear a spot for Bruce, who is obviously expected to be an impact player. It is not known at press time whether Upton or some other talent is expected to be the OF sent to complete the deal after the end of the regular season.
5.22.2008
LEXINGTON...DEPTH?
In a major, breaking deal, the Lexington Rebels may have finally (gasp!) made a deal in which they acquired significantly more depth.
Their partner in trading crime? None other than the catching-strapped Luchadores, who had to be wincing in the last few days watching the likes of Joey Votto and Jorge Cantu trying on the tools of ignorance in an emergency basis with both Jorge Posada and Michael Barrett on the DL.
Las Vegas, with a high payroll as well as injuries, was forced to send some talented hurlers to Lexington's stockpile, parting with RHP Derek Lowe and three prospects in order to obtain C Ramon Hernandez, OF Hunter Pence and minor-league free agent IF Tadahito Iguchi.
More on this development as press releases fly!
Their partner in trading crime? None other than the catching-strapped Luchadores, who had to be wincing in the last few days watching the likes of Joey Votto and Jorge Cantu trying on the tools of ignorance in an emergency basis with both Jorge Posada and Michael Barrett on the DL.
Las Vegas, with a high payroll as well as injuries, was forced to send some talented hurlers to Lexington's stockpile, parting with RHP Derek Lowe and three prospects in order to obtain C Ramon Hernandez, OF Hunter Pence and minor-league free agent IF Tadahito Iguchi.
More on this development as press releases fly!
5.08.2008
LEXINGTON MOVES ANOTHER STARTER
Less than 20 games into the season, the peripatetic Rebels organization has once again moved another one of their projected spring training starters----and it's a major name, going to an Eastern contender! Curious, to say the least....and if you're curious, read here and here. By the way, in spite of any rhetoric you might read elsewhere, the Rebels announced that they were sending the player they acquired to the minors, so this is essentially a deal for the future on their part.
5.07.2008
4.14.2008
BROOKLYN DEALS FROM STRENGTH
Few BARB clubs have as much depth in healthy, established starting pitching as the Brooklyn Moabs, and GM Eric Caskey was finally able to make good on an earlier move, sending Jeremy Bonderman (11-9, 5.01 in 28 starts last year) as part of a pair of moves with Casselton and Black Mesa that appeared to have strengthened his club and made them some observer's pre-season pick for the Eastern Division pennant. More details here!
4.08.2008
DARWIN, LEXINGTON SWAP
In a relatively-unheralded deal, the Darwin Finches have sent promising young OF Lastings Milledge to the Lexington Rebels for minor-league free agent Eric Hurley. The Rebels wanted a fourth OF to start the season, and have hopes that Milledge might develop into more than that. The Finches, meanwhile, are facing a roster crunch and simply decided that this was a move in both the player's and organization's interest.
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