On that note, the Lumberjacks made another major move just moments after the expansion draft completed in which the team sent some high priced relievers to Las Vegas in exchange for a handful of names people are still trying to learn. Going to Vegas were popular relievers Joe Whitaker and Jason Morris (from New Orleans, and reliever Zhi-xin Chien from Jacksonville. All of whom were supposedly part of the team's plans to flip assets.
"We drafted all 3 with full intentions of sending them off in exchange for younger pieces and prospects" Wilson stated. "Sure, maybe we could have built a solid staff of nothing but great relievers, but budget concerns after the draft kicked in and we need to send some guys away."
In all, Portland send over $15 million in salaries to Las Vegas for a collection of the following individuals:
Sadaharu Oh III
Positions: COF
Age: 23
SOIII played DH last year for Vegas and produced a solid 3.2 WAR. The left handed hitting Oh can put up similar offensive numbers in Portland this year thanks to the park favoring lefty bats. What may dictate Oh's production will be whether he's asked to play the outfield, which early reports are he will assuming the Lumberjacks put Dempsey in at DH this season. Oh does enter arbitration after this season so his 500K salary may balloon to a problem very soon for the Lumberjacks but the solid performing Oh could possibly be another trade chip for the Lumberjacks if Wilson opts to flip him down the road or even in the near future.
Matsuo Yamamoto
Positions: SP/RP
Age: 21
The Lumberjacks will be a very trial and error based pitching staff this season (should fit right up Wilson's alley). Yamamoto is a low movement guy that probably won't work out extremely well in Portland like it did in Madison so seeing Yamamoto in a Portland uniform any time soon may be a stretch. Nonetheless, he has some good pitches and some ratings that may make him an option this year and next for the Lumberjacks.
Ryosei Akahori
Positions: SP/RP
Age: 25
As a lefty, the Lumberjacks liked what Akahori could bring to the table. That was of course until he was flipped to Edmonton today. Portland GM Chris Wilson liked Akahori as a lefty, but felt hanging on to pieces when younger prospects could be involved just wasn't worth it at this point in the franchise.
