Saskatoon (CP)
The Los Angeles Scorpions inched closer to the Zotti League title today, as they picked up catcher/outfielder Carlos Barrera and closer Norman Fuentes from the Saskatoon Cossacks in exchange for catcher Ronald Sims and two prospects.
The Scorpions, who are one game back of River Cities, also sent their 1st round pick to Saskatoon in exchange for Saskatoon's 3rd round pick.
"It's been a great six seasons on the Canadian prairies," said Barrera, 31, a career .329 hitter and one of the few left-handed throwing catchers in the majors. "But let's face it: I was never going to star in a prime-time soap opera unless I moved a bit further south."
Both Barrera and Fuentes, who led the Adams League in saves in 2010, are slotted to become free agents after this year.
"I've got mixed feelings about leaving Saskatoon, the camaraderie, the after-game beer and nachos at Amigo's" said Fuentes. "I'm not going to rule out coming back next year just yet."
With the Seattle Monarchs off to a blistering 22-3 start that puts them eight games up on second-place Hickory, the writing was on the wall that it was time to think about rebuilding, said Cossacks' GM Trevor Pritchard.
"Our (darn) scout couldn't draft a (gosh darn) major-league caliber player if he was (having sexual intercourse with) Nostradamus," said an excitable Pritchard. "So we decided to go the trade route."
Sims, 24, is hitting .257 with one HR and will be part of a platoon behind the plate, said Pritchard. Saskatoon also picked up minor league outfielders Jose Diaz and Jonathan Boettcher in the swap.
Well, Mr. Fuentes won't rule out coming back until Michael offers him one of those massive piles of cash the Scorpions always have lying around.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure the beer and nachos are enough to cover that.