Saskatoon-Cleveland swap

Saskatoon (CP)

The Saskatoon Amigos bolstered their bullpen Friday, picking up closer Curtis Barksdale from Cleveland in exchange for outfield prospect Ariel Gutierrez.

The deal is a homecoming of sorts for Barksdale, 28, who was drafted by Saskatoon in the 50th round of the 2002 draft. He was a Zotti League all-star as a rookie in 2011 and has 12 saves so far this year.

Barksdale will share the set-up duties for Amigos' closer Teodoro Amaral, said Saskatoon GM Trevor Pritchard.

"We're happy to bring one of the original Amigos back into the fold," said Pritchard.

"With (current set-up man Glenn) Harvell we've now got a potent one-two punch before Amaral gets into the game."

Coincidentally, Harvell was picked up by Saskatoon from the Seattle Monarchs in 2009 in a deal involving Barksdale.

Unnamed sources say that the Amigos may be looking to move Amaral, a potential free agent who has 15 saves and a 2.83 ERA in 36 games this season.

Gutierrez was hitting .327 with single-A Tisdale before Friday's deal.