While making trades in the BBA isn't typically a big story unless some big names are involved, it does appear to be a big story in Portland. Sure, there are some years we report every little story here at the Morning Wood but lately we've not reported as much. But this time a trade is big news. Sure, it's big news due to a name involved but it's also big news for another reason. The Portland Lumberjacks General Manager Chris Wilson is still alive and awake at the wheel. We only state this because this is the first trade the Lumberjacks have made since the 2060 when Portland acquired Slawomir Trzinksi from Long Beach. Oddly enough, Portland's trade today was with.... Long Beach.
"Maybe it's just a sign of good front office work" smiled Wilson. "We don't need to make trades. Let me remind you, who the last team was to win a Brewster title before Nasvhille's run! We've also made the post-season three of the last four years."
Well, Wilson must not think Portland is that good any more and a trade was needed despite the team sitting atop the Pacific division. Wilson announced today that the team has acquired SS Steveland Morris from the Surfers in exchange for 3 minor league players. Those minor leaguers include: Jesus Morales, Herman Ney, and Doyle Patrick. The last of which I didn't know we had and assume Long Beach only wanted for his speed. Morales is a promising infield hitter without much of a position right now. Ney was a recent Portland draft pick that the Lumberjacks liked as future pitching depth down the road.
Nonetheless the team adds Morris who is having a great season for the lowly Surfers in 2063. He brings over a 2.7 WAR and whopping 43 steals to the Lumberjacks lineup that is in need of a morale boost after losing Uecker for a month.
The move has caused a wave of curiosity over the Lumberjacks' move wondering where this placed Sammy McNeill, Greg Squires, and Daniel Frampton. "It's a good problem to have" said manager Mons Raider. "You can't have too many good players on your team."
Some speculation is Morris will play SS and McNeill will shift to possibly 3B as he's lost some steps at SS. Some speculate McNeill could be relegated to a super utility, rotating around the infield as each infielder plays 4-5 games per week. Some speculate Wilson doesn't know what he's doing and made a stupid move.
"Some felt I was stupid for signing McNeill when we did" Wilson said as he puffed some hot air on his ring finger that sported a Brewster ring in which he proceeded to polish off on the breast of his shirt. "I guess we'll wait and see."