Trade: River Cities and Cleveland

Dateline: Marietta, OH July 16, 2013. The day the baseball fans of the confluence anticipated has finally come to pass: River Cities has acquired a left fielder to fill the hole left by the season-ending injury to Alan Callahan. The newest Sternwheeler is Franklin Jackson, formerly of the Cleveland Steamers.

Jackson, currently hitting .309 with 17 home runs and 65 RBI, was dealt from the lakeside squad in return for River Cities prospects, William Midkiff (SS) and James Watts (1B). Midkiff, said to be ready for the majors right now, is hitting .279 with 3 home runs and 42 RBI at AAA Dayton is considered a strong contender to move directly to the major league level.

River Cities owner, Nate Wooley, reached at an undisclosed location having nothing to do with secret space launch facilities in the Mediterranean, declaimed, "We knew Dubreil was doing his best but it was clear he wasn't ready for the role being forced upon him. Jackson will fill in for Callahan and give Jesse time to develop."

Asked on the loss of Midkiff, a player rated the 50th best prospect in the SDMB League, Wooley replied, "I'm sure he's good, but let's be honest. Who's he going to replace? Hukill? Palacio? I doubt it. He's not even good enough to be in the same locker room with those guys. Here's hoping he's allright with those other guys."

Reached in Dayton, Midkiff said that he was glad for the opportunity. "At least I'm staying in Ohio. It's not as warm as my home at Myrtle Beach, but it'll do. How cold can it get in Cleveland, anyway?"

Reached at the Canton-Akron airport, Jackson claimed to be happy about the deal. "There are two reasons I'm truly happy right now. First, I just gained 31 games in the standing and am pretty much assured of going to the playoffs with the defending world champions. Second, I'm away from being a 'Steamer'. I mean, honestly, that's just damn embarassing. Have you seen that logo? There were times I just didn't want to take the field."