Saskatoon Press Release
Hoping to keep their faint 2008 pennant hopes alive, the Saskatoon Cossacks acquired SP Jose Delagarza from the Hickory Huskers today in exchange for RP Gerald Mattson, SS/2B Gerald Sukeyasu, and OF Jason Reeve.
Saskatoon will be the third home in a year for the well-traveled Delagarza, whom Hickory acquired from River Cities in the off-season. The durable right-hander, a free agent at the end of 2008, is expected to slot into the #3 spot in Saskatoon's rotation. Rumours that contract negotiations between Delagarza, 34, and Hickory's management had broken down over Delagarza's demand that all other Huskers adopt the "Delagarza Muttonchops" are, as of yet, unconfirmed.
The 24-year-old Reeve had posted stellar numbers in stints at both A and AA-ball this year, hitting above .320 at both stops. A bit of a late bloomer, Reeve was selected in the 7th round of 2005, and had spent three years at A-ball before making his breakout in 2008.
Sukeyasu, 27, hit .239 in 46 AB in three different cups of coffee with the Cossacks. Always a solid singles hitter, Sukeyasu's erratic fielding had kept him from sticking with the big league club. Nevertheless, it's expected he'll bolster Hickory's middle infield, and given the opportunity he may make a name for himself as a serviceable backup.
Over six years in Saskatoon's minor league system, the 29-year-old Mattson was 16-9 with 16 saves.
I wondered who was going to make a move for Delagarza. I have to admit that I didn't think it would be Saskatoon, given the massive ELEVEN game deficit facing the Paris of the Prairies.
ReplyDeleteNot that I'm keeping track of these things.
It wasn't the Delagarza Chops, which we felt that the rest of the clubhouse would grow to like eventually, that was the wedge in our negotiations, so much as it was the fact that Senor D's only response to our contract offers was, via his agent, to spit in our faces. Hickory wishes him the best of luck.
ReplyDeleteWell, hopefully I will be able to sweet talk said agent into a lucrative contract extension. That's mainly why I wanted Delagarza - two months of exclusive negotiating rights.
ReplyDeleteIt'd be unfortunate if he went elsewhere, but since there was little chance that Sukeyasu, Reeve, or Mattson would ever evolve into anything but bit players in the Cossack system, it's not like I'm crippled if he moves on.
If they're Cossacks, shouldn't it be the Moscow of the Prairies? Or, maybe it should be the Saskatoon Cheese-Eating Surrender Monkeys? :)
ReplyDelete