February 25, 2008

San Antonio Calzones of Laredo and Arlington Bureaucrats

July 31st, 2007

Arlington receives:
CF Mario Hernández (29, ML) - $7.2/$7.2
$2,500,000 cash

San Antonio receives:
CF Bob Jefferson (29, ML) - $3.6/$3.6

Since Then:
Jefferson played 50 games with San Antonio batting .241 and 18 RBIs. He was traded to New Jersey in the offseason (12/13/07). He continues to be a solid utility outfielder and currently plays for Crystal Lake as of the '09 season.

Hernández batted .234 and 18 RBIs in 55 games with Arlington in the '07 season. As of the '09 season, he remains with Arlington as a solid decent centerfielder.

San Antonio Calzones of Laredo and Canton Longshoremen

July 31st, 2007

Canton receives:
1B Jing Duan (22, ML) - $1.6/$1.7/$1.8
SP Ryuichi Yamauchi (22, AAA) - minor league contract
MR Sadao Ichihara (20, AAA) - $0.94/$1.5/$0.38/arbitration/arbitration/arbitration
San Antonio's 2nd round 2008 draft pick (LF Bill Rice - 17th pick)

San Antonio receives:
1B Juan Otero (27, ML) - $3.9
C Donald "Awesome" Hawkins (19, A) - minor league contract

Since Then:
Otero played horribly for San Antonio. He was released in the offseason after batting .193 in 32 games (10/04/07). He played 2 All-Star caliber seasons for Bani Depredadoras del Peravia of the Liga Dominicana de Béisbol Invernal League. He led his team to win the 2008 Liga Dominicana de Béisbol Invernal Serie de Dominicana Final. In '09 he found his way back to PEBA signing a 1 year deal with Bakersfield.
Hawkins has been a great defensive catcher throughout his young career. He serves as San Antonio's backup catcher in the '09 season. He appears destined to be a career backup or AAA catcher.

Duan performed well for Canton during the '07 season hitting .279 with 25 RBIs in 57 games. He was claimed off waivers by Reno on 7/15/08. Since then, he has played for several PEBA teams as well as teams from the League of the Rising Sun. As of '09, he has played for Canton, Reno, Niihama-shi, and Shin Seiki.
Yamauchi, a decent prospect, was traded to Aurora on 11/02.07. He has established himself as a big leaguer after being traded to Manchester (7/31/08). He threw a No-Hitter in a 3-0 win against Florida on 4/29/09.
Ichihara was traded to Bakersfield 8 months later (3/18/08) where he has established himself as a reliable middle reliever.
Rice remains in Canton's farm system and projects to be a big leaguer one day. He ranks as the #32 prospect in PEBA as of 4/06/09.

West Virginia Coal Sox and San Antonio Calzones of Laredo

July 31st, 2007

San Antonio receives:
RF Ki-Tong Pei (33, ML) - $15.9
1B Alberto Benítez (32, ML) - $5.5/$5.5
CF Martin Griffin (21, AA) - minor league contract

West Virginia receives:
C Victor Salgardo (25, ML) - $2.8/$3.3
CF Kenny Parker (28, ML) - $3.7/$3.7
MR Cade Phillips (25, ML) - $2.3/$2.6/$2.6
San Antonio's 3rd round 2008 draft pick (SP Santiago Sánchez - 17th pick)

Since Then:
Salgardo had 2 disappointing seasons with West Virginia and was promptly traded to Aurora (12/18/08).
Parker batted a meager .197 in 45 games with West Virginia and was traded to Gloucester in the offseason (10/13/07). As of '09, he has moved onto New Jersey where is a servicable outfielder.
Phillips went 2-2 with a 2.34 ERA in 24 games with West Virginia. He was traded to Charleston in the offseason (12/12/07) and remains a dependable reliever.
Sánchez has pitched well in the minors but suffered a major setback when he ruptured a disc in his back (4/27/09).

Pei batted .326 with 13 homers and 38 RBIs in 57 games with San Antonio. He became a free agent after the season and signed a 2 year deal worth $26,660,000 with the Shin Seiki Evas of the League of the Rising Sun. He continues to be an All-Star caliber slugger over in Japan.
Benítez batted .325 with San Antonio in '07. He was traded back to West Virginia on 6/28/08 where he continues to be an All-Star caliber contact hitting first baseman.
Martin has been a decent utility outfielder for San Antonio.

February 23, 2008

San Antonio Calzones of Laredo and Bakersfield Bears

July 31st, 2007

Bakersfield receives:
C Chance 'Scandal' Tidwell (26, AAA) - $0.38/$0.38/$0.38/arbitration/arbitration/arbitration

San Antonio receives:
C Gerald McKnight (32, AAA) - minor league contract

Since Then:
McKnight served as an excellent defensive backup for San Antonio during the '07 campaign. He threw out 41.7% (5/12) of runners attempting to steal a base. He moved on to play in the Alianza Béisbol Al Sur de la Frontera League after being released by San Antonio at the end of the season (10/13/07). As of the '09 season, he has played for the Ciudad Juárez Velas, Zapopan Torrenas, and Tlalnepantla de Baz Progresivos.

Tidwell batted .270 in 11 games for Bakersfield. He has played poorly in a backup role in subsequent seasons with Bakersfield.

Commentary: I knew Salgardo was moving in another deal, so I needed a replacement catcher, one who hit right handed preferably to give Gonzalez a rest. I wanted a guy in that spot with good defensive ability. While I trade away a modest prospect in Tidwell, I get in return a veteran guy whose experience and defense will hopefully pay dividends down the stretch. Tidwell was not bad defensively, but McKnight is better behind the dish, and what I get out of his bat means nothing. I was already getting nothing from Salgardo, who hopefully does better with more playing time in West Virginia eventually. - San Antonio

February 22, 2008

Kentucky Thoroughbreds and San Antonio Calzones of Laredo

July 31st, 2007

San Antonio receives:
SP Xue-qin Yuan (26, ML) - $4.0

Kentucky receives:
San Antonio's 4th round 2008 draft pick (MR Ángel García - 17th pick)

Since Then:
García has potential to be a big league reliever in the future. As of 2009, he has spent two seasons at Kentucky's SS-A affiliate with very limited real game experience.

Yuan went 2-1 with a 4.29 ERA and recorded 2 saves in 9 games for San Antonio in '07. He was traded to the Tempe Knights in the offseason (10/25/07). As of '09, he has moved on to play for New Jersey, Yuma, and back to Kentucky.

February 19, 2008

West Virginia Coal Sox and New Orleans Trendsetters

July 24th, 2007

New Orleans receives:
SP Jorge Sánchez (30, ML) - $1.4/$1.4

West Virginia receives:
New Orleans 2nd round 2008 draft pick (3B Larry Martin - 22nd pick)


Since Then:
Martin has performed well down at West Virginia's Class-A affiliate and has good potential to become a starting 3B one day if he puts it altogether.

Sánchez went 4-5 with a 4.06 ERA with New Orleans in '07. He was traded to Kentucky during the offseason (1/01/08) and subsequently later traded to Omaha (3/17/09). He remains a servicable back end rotation starter.

Commentary: Wonder how long it'll take Sánchez to demand his way out of New Orleans? This guy is one big prima donna. - PEBA Commisioner John

February 15, 2008

West Virginia Coal Sox and Manchester Maulers

July 16th, 2007

Manchester receives:
SP Javier Reyes (25, AAA) - minor league contract

West Virginia receives:
MR Steve Davis (31, ML) - $0.38/$0.82/$0.82

Since Then:
Davis pitched well for West Virginia in '07 going 4-3 with a 2.97 ERA 24 games. He had a subpar '08 season and has missed most of the '09 season with bone chips in his elbow.

Reyes went 2-8 with a 5.57 ERA in 15 games started with Manchester in '07. He was converted into a reliever in the '08 season pitching serviceably. He has pitched better in '09 after a stint down at Manchester's AAA affiliate.

February 14, 2008

Connecticut Nutmeggers and West Virginia Coal Sox

July 8th, 2007

West Virginia receives:
C Willie Jeffries (25, ML) - $0.38/$0.38/$0.38/arbitration/arbitration/arbitration
SP Jorge Sánchez (30, ML) - $1.4/1.4
MR Tom Daugherty (19, AAA) - minor league contract
CL Edward Johnson (21, AAA) - minor league contract

Connecticut receives:
3B Miguel Lluea (27, ML) - $3.5/$3.5/$3.5/$3.5
MR Chris McKinney (24, AAA) - minor league contract
SP Harry Ladd (25, AA) - minor league contract
MR Cisco Morales (24, AA) - minor league contract

Since Then:
Lluea played decently for Connecticut batting .249 with 28 RBIs in 68 games in '07. He has been a steady third baseman for Conncticut.
McKinney has pitched well in Connecticut's farm system. He has since been called up in the '09 season pitching decently in middle relief.
Ladd has battled back and forth between Connecticut's AA and AAA teams. His multiple arm and back injuries has slowed down his career.
Morales remains in Connecticut's farm system but appears to be a career minor leaguer.

Jeffries played for West Virginia's AAA team before being traded to San Antonio (6/28/08).
Sánchez was traded to New Orleans two weeks later for a 2nd round draft pick (7/24/07).
Daugherty has pitched well in West Virginia's AA team and was selected to the 2009 Great Northern League All-Star Game (AA).
Johnson was traded to Bakersfield 3 months later (10/27/07). He has yet to do much at the major league level and is out for '09 season with a torn tricep muscle.

February 13, 2008

New Orleans Trendsetters and Manchester Maulers

July 8th, 2007

Manchester receives:
CF Roberto Aragón (27, ML) -$5.9

New Orleans receives:
SP Onne Adriaanse (34, ML) -$5.6/$5.6/$5.6

Since Then:
Adriaanse went 0-3 with a 8.51 ERA in 9 games with New Orleans. He was traded to Connecticut (10/20/07). Since then, he has played for Fushigi Yugi and Makurosu of the League of the Rising Sun.

Aragón played horribly for Manchester batting .211 in 65 games. He was released on 11/08/07 and subsequently has played for Florida and Reno.

Charleston Statesmen and Palm Springs Codgers

July 8th, 2007

Palm Springs receives:
SP Yu-zeng Fong (23, AA) - minor league contract
SP Aaron Lapp (20, A) - minor league contract
$1,300,000 cash

Charleston receives:
3B Mike Titcombe (31, ML) - $2.7

Since Then:
Titcombe played subpar for Charleston batting .233 in 57 games in '07. In '08, he played his final career baseball season for Acapulco Zambullidores del Acantilado of the Alianza Béisbol Al Sur de la Frontera League.

Fong spent '07-'09 in Palm Spring's farm system. He has since then been released after suffering a tender elbow and strained back muscle in '09.
Lapp remains in Palm Springs' farm system and most likely will be a career minor leaguer.

West Virginia Coal Sox and Omaha Cyclones

July 8th, 2007

West Virginia receives:
1B Jack Price (28, ML) - $1.4/$1.4
SP Flobert Hoeks (25, ML) - $0.38/$0.38/$0.38/arbitration/arbitration/arbitration

Omaha receives:
C Ching-hsia Chin (22, ML) - $0.38/$0.38/$0.38/arbitration/arbitration/arbitration

Since Then:
Price played poorly in his limited opportunites and was traded to Bakersfield (10/27/07). Since then, he has moved to Canton and Gloucester.
Hoeks pitched adequately for West Virginia before being traded to San Antonio (7/14/08).

Chin played terribly for Omaha batting a meager .174. He was traded to Aurora (10/27/07) who subsequently traded him back to West Virginia (12/18/08).

Omaha Cyclones and West Virginia Coal Sox

July 8th, 2007

West Virginia receives:
1B Jack Price (28, ML) - $1.4/$1.4
SP Flobert Hoeks (25, ML) - $0.4/$0.4/$0.4/arbitration/arbitration/arbitration

Omaha receives:
C Ching-hsia Chin (22, ML) - $0.4/$0.4/$0.4/arbitration/arbitration/arbitration

Since Then:
Price struggled in a platoon for WV and was traded to Bakersfield in the offseason.
Hoeks pitched well for WV and was traded to SA halfway through the 2008 season.

Chin was traded to Aurora after the 2007 season.

February 12, 2008

Fargo Dinosaurs and Kentucky Thoroughbreds

July 8th, 2007

Kentucky receives:
SP Ron Colton (37, AAA) - minor league contract

Fargo gives:
SS Osano Itsweire (21, Hi-A) - minor league contract

Since Then:

February 10, 2008

Aurora Borealis and San Antonio Calzones of Laredo

June 30th, 2007

San Antonio receives:
LF Vicente Ibarra (19, A) - minor league contract

Aurora receives:
SP Pat Edwards (23, AAA) - minor league contract

Since Then:
Edwards was traded after the season to Canton. Heading into the 2009 season, he's the #73 prospect in the PEBA.

Ibarra has advanced to AAA but has done poorly in the minors.

San Antonio Calzones of Laredo and Tempe Knights

June 30th, 2007

Tempe receives:
SP Lorenzo Herrera (23, ML) - $0.663/arbitration
SP Ernie Lowe (24, AA) - minor league contract
MR Whit Andrews (21, A) - minor league contract
2B Richard Hebert (25, AAA) - minor league contract
C Jeff Black (34, AA) - minor league contract
C Tim Peterson (29, A) - minor league contract
SS Jaime Dueñas (27, AA) - minor league contract

San Antonio receives:
SP Jesús González (26, ML) -$2.7/$2.7/$2.7/$3.2
SP Cristián Básquez (34, ML) - "unknown"
LF Manny Díaz (27, A) - minor league contract
RF Oscar Simpson (21, A) - minor league contract
SS Jeff Watson (21, AAA) - $0.38/$0.38/$0.38/arbitration/arbitration/arbitration
SS Dave Hatfield (22, AAA) - minor league contract

Since Then:
González went 5-8 with a 3.60 ERA in 16 games with San Antonio. He has since been traded to Manchester (10/27/07) and New Jersey (11/06/08). He has pitched well for Manchester and New Jersey serving as a middle rotation starter.
Básquez was shortly released (8/08/07). He has since signed a 3 year deal with the Toa Baja Gringos of the Liga Dominicana de Béisbol Invernal League.
Díaz was released on 9/25/07 and subsequently signed a minor league deal with the San Juan Sharks of the Liga Dominicana de Béisbol Invernal League.
Simpson remains in San Antonio's farm system and projects to be a career minor leaguer.
Watson retired after never playing an inning for San Antonio.
Hatfield is out of baseball.


Herrera was released on 9/01/08. He signed a 3 year deal with El Ray Vampiros of the Alianza Béisbol Al Sur de la Frontera League.
Lowe was released on 6/23/08. He went on to sign a minor league deal with Bakersfield.
Andrews was traded to West Virginia on 12/17/08.
Hebert was released on 9/01/08. He went on to sign a 3 year deal with La Vega Luchadors de las Calles of the Liga Dominicana de Béisbol Invernal League.
Black has since been out of baseball.
Peterson retired after the '07 season after appearing in only 12 games with Tempe.
Dueñas has been out of baseball since the '08 season after playing 2 seasons with Tempe's farm system.

February 9, 2008

Fargo Dinosaurs and New Orleans Trendsetters

June 30th, 2007

New Orleans receives:
MR Hae-nim Yang (36, ML) - $5.3
$1,433,889 cash

Fargo receives:
SS Dean Jefferson (21, AAA) - minor league contract

Since Then:
Jefferson got big-league exposure in '08 and is playing well as Fargo's starting shortstop in 2009.

Yang played well in the second half of the season and signed to play in Japan afterwards.

February 5, 2008

Kentucky Thoroughbreds and Crystal Lake Sandgnats

June 30th, 2007

Crystal Lake receives:
MR Alfonso Hernández (36, ML) 0 $1.6/$1.6

Kentucky receives:
CL César Leal (24, AAA) - minor league contract
SS Carlos Paz (26, AAA) - minor league contract
MR Dale Jones (17, AA) - minor league contract

Since Then:
Leal was shortly traded to Bakersfield half a year later (12/12/07). He has since been released by Bakersfield and currently plays for Azua Zafiros Blanco of the Liga Dominicana de Béisbol Invernal League.
Paz was released by Kentucky (9/09/07). He signed a minor league deal with La Vega Luchadors de las Calles of the Liga Dominicana de Béisbol Invernal League.
Jones remains in Kentucky's farm system where he attempts to make a comeback from his bone chips injury in 2007.

Hernández went 2-1 with a 3.0 ERA in 33 relief appearances for Crystal Lake in the '07 season. He retired after the '08 season after a servicable but subpar season for Crystal Lake.

Crystal Lake Sandgnats and Kentucky Thoroughbreds

June 30th, 2007

Kentucky receives:
MR Alfonse Hernandez (36, ML) - $1.6/$1.6

Crystal Lake gives
CL Cesar Leal (24, AAA) - minor league contract
SS Carlos Paz (26, AAA) - minor league contract
MR Dale Jones (17, AA) - minor league contract

Since Then:
Leal has bounced around the minors without any significant contributions.
Paz has been out of baseball since 2007.
Jones has put up mediocre numbers in the minors.

Hernandez had a great second half in '07 for CL and a poor 2008.