C-Notes 2049.08 - New Cougar Settles In

[GoldenOne]

On 28 April 2049, the Charlotte Cougars traded for Edmonton OF Pedro Huerta. There had been many rumors over the last several seasons of GM Brett Golden trying to pry Huerta away from the Jackrabbits and with a new GM in Edmonton looking to tear things down and get his plan in place, the time was now right. Huerta, the 2-time All Star and 2-time Landis winner, should bring some added experience to the Cougars.

In Huerta's first press conference before donning the Charlotte pinstripes, he said, "I'm excited to become a Cougar. This is a team that's made the playoffs 3 years in a row, getting more wins each of those years. The core of this group is still together and I hope I can bring that little extra to this team to make that next leap. I cant wait to get started."

Huerta showed his enthusiasm in becoming a Cougar in his first 6 games with the team. Despite only being in town for one game before hitting the road for games in Jacksonville and San Antonio, Huerta has responded well to being penciled in as the DH and batting 4th in the lineup. In his first 6 games with the Cougars, Huerta has a .385/.393/.692 slash line with 2 doubles, 2 HRs, 7 RBI, and 2 SBs.

Also coming over from Edmonton in the trade was 1B/DH George Washington. Washington will report to AAA Richmond but wont need much more seasoning before he is ready for the BBA.

Heading the other way in the deal with Edmonton were 1B Manuel Aguilar, Jr., P Hatitosa Sandipan, and P Juan Oliver.

Aguilar is the tough loss in this group. He was a huge favorite of the fans and had a monster season for the Cougars last season when he went .320/.400./624 for a 4.8 WAR. Aguilar was struggling so far this season though and GM Golden must have felt that he wasnt going to be able to get back to the performance he had last season and made the move to bring in some extra offense.

There are some murmurs that Sandipan is the real star of this trade leaving Charlotte. GM Golden commented on the reasoning behind giving up on a young pitcher: "Sandi, yeah, he might end up being a decent pitcher. It was never going to be for the Cougars though. He's a flyball pitcher and even at Family Dollar Field, that wasnt going to work for this team. Also, his potentially best pitch is his changeup and at 21-years old, that pitch has just not developed to the point where would like it to be."

[7teen]

Yeah, I wouldn't be too hung up on the Sandipan loss. I don't see him being much as a starter. Maybe give you some decent 5th starter spots or a decent MR.