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.......... Is Angel Zalapa the Missing Piece in Montreal? .....
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When asked about the Zalapa trade being a failure in his post season press conference Montreal GM Herb DeSpain made it clear that the deal could not yet be judged a failure or a success. “We didn’t really bring him here for 2044,” he said. “We brought him here in 2044 FOR 2045 and beyond.” It’s a good thing because after being acquired on August 25 Zalapa only played 23 games before hitting the injured list for the remainder of the season on September 20 with a concussion. Before the injury Zalapa hit only .250 but slammed seven homers and knocked in 19 while scoring 18 while helping the Blazers to an 18-9 September record and a near miss in the Johnson wildcard race. “He’s a ball of energy,” said 2044 BBA All-Star game MVP Lineu Aldo. “I thought I was full of energy, but this guy makes me look like I’m sitting still.” The game in which he was injured tells a lot about his personality. In the middle of a sixth inning Montreal rally Zalapa tagged from third base and scored the go ahead run by running over Charm City catcher Quinten Lara. “That’s Angel,” said Blazers catcher Joe Bradshaw. “I’m just glad it wasn’t me that took that hit from him.”
To many around the league Zalapa is a mystery, especially in the Johnson League. He spent the first eight plus seasons with Valencia, the team that drafted him fifth overall in 2033. He broke into the BBA as a 20 year old starting shortstop in 2036 and has not looked back. Two years later he won the Frick League Sawyer Silk award with a 51 homer, 132 RBI season for the ages. During spring training of 2041 Valencia approached him about an extension. “People call me greedy,” Zalapa told us in an exclusive interview. “But Valencia offered me the money…was I suppose to say no?” The contract was a six year, $158 million extension that would take up about 25% of the Stars’ salary cap space and make it difficult for the front office. “I played harder after the contract,” he said. “I felt like I had to justify making that kind of money.”
With Valencia toward the end of a third consecutive losing season they decided to see what they could get on the open market for Zalapa and his contract. “Montreal really wanted me!” Zalapa said as his eyes widened with excitement. “They thought I could put them over the hump if not 2044 then for sure 2045 and 2046.” Heading into the 2045 season the Blazers are still not projected to make the playoffs but that will not stop Zalapa from playing all out for his new team. “I only know one way to play and that’s all out, all the time!” After tinkering with the active roster almost all of 2044 the Montreal front office finally has a team they think can complete for a playoff spot. “It’s time to see if I know what I’m doing,” said DeSpain with a grin. “Whatever happens, it should be fun to watch.”
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