Spring is in the air and it's a good time to be a part of the UMEBA expansion Libyan Generals. GM Herb DeSpain will send 39 hopeful men to spring training this week but the surprise is there are not many spots open for competition. "We have our core 25 that we expect to break camp with," said the first time GM. "but if someone comes in and has a great spring or someone gets hurt then those dynamics would change. We didn't pay Jose Rivera what we did just so he could watch someone else catch. The infield is solid with veterans all around including slick fielding SS Arief Altas who was brought in not just to flash the leather but to provide a solid bat at an otherwise normally defense first position." "We hope he can hit close to as good as he can field," added DeSpain. We know his glove is great and we also know he's allergic to walks but he's a career .258 hitter in the BBA and we are anticipating that translating well to the UMEBA. One of the first transactions DeSpain made upon arriving in Libya was to claim OF Henry Rectenberg and 2B Felix Membiela off waivers from division rival Kuwiat City and both will be expected to carry heavy loads. "They are veterans who can play...that's why they are here." said DeSpain. "We expect them to be leaders and set examples. This is not your average expansion team." Barring any unexpected performances in in spring games the pitching is also set. "Based on our scout ratings there is a pretty big gap between the top ten and the rest of the group," said DeSpain "but this is baseball and anything can happen."
