Infielder Baltasar Frontiero is on his way to Atlantic City. Not to gamble, but to continue his career as a Gambler. The Tropics received SP/RP Francisco Gonzalez in return in a deal that was all about need for both cubs. The Gamblers needed a cheap SS, and the Tropics needed an arm to fill in their injury ravaged pitching staff. Gonzalez figures to be in the bullpen for most of this season, with a shot to possibly be a part of the rotation in seasons to come while the franchise sorts out their rebuild. Frontiero will more than likely help all over the diamond in ATC.
Frontiero was acquired in another need deal from Havana just a season ago for minor league pitcher Mei-shan Ngui. At the time the club had a hole in the IF and decided to slot Paul Backstrom over to second base. Then regular third baseman Pedro Hernandez went through some struggles, and Baltasar found himself playing 3B more than ever before in his career. It's Frontiero's defensive versatility that makes him so attractive. Throw in his above average power, and his average contact skills and he is a solid player in the BBA. Now he'll get to work his trade in ATC. Hats off to him.