Seattle Acquires All-Star Second Sacker

May 27, 2012
AP (SEATTLE)

The Seattle Monarchs today acquired second baseman Duane Gerhardt from the Los Angeles Scorpions in exchange for reserve infielder Cristobal Santoyo, elite pitching prospect Roger Painter, and the Monarchs' first and eleventh round picks in next year's draft.

"We're delighted to add someone with Duane's talents to the team," said Seattle Owner/GM Mack Shultz. "He brings a good bat and his speed and basestealing is off the charts. He'll step right in as a starter and go into the top of the lineup given Sean Arant's injury. When Arant comes back, we think we'll have a pair of basestealers that this league has never seen."

Rumors swirled last year that the Monarchs had tried unsuccessfully to acquire Gerhardt before he was dealt by Covington (now Cleveland) to Los Angeles. Gerhardt went on to steal 82 bases and post an OPS of .889 while winning the Slick Fielder Award at second.

"We're also happy that Cristobal Santoyo likely will get a chance to start for Los Angeles. He's been great for us off the bench, and has been a very useful utility infielder," said Shultz. Santoyo has posted a .348 batting average and .452 OBP in 115 at bats over the three years since he was selected in the Rule 5 draft.

Roger Painter jumped to elite prospect status over the last offseason when he simultaneously improved his stuff, movement, and command. A fourth-round pick in 2011 by Seattle, he had a 2.08 ERA in five appearances last year with the Monarchs and has a 2.22 ERA as a starter this season in AAA Tacoma. "We liked Roger a lot," mused Shultz, "but we weren't sure whether he would fit best as a starter or reliever. Hopefully, he'll grow into a great starter for the Scorpions."

It would appear that Shultz has lost patience with prospect Danny Lorenzen, who will likely replace Santoyo as utility infielder alongside Robert Ramsey (who is three for four since coming over from Los Angeles in an earlier trade).

- Correspondent Max Mercy