Just moments after his initial press conference announcing him as the new general manager of the Montreal Blazers, Herb DeSpain made his first trade. "We filled some holes today without digging new ones," the 48 year old executive was overheard explaining to his owner. Going to Omaha is 24 year old starter Jorge Hernandez and 27 year old OF Jim Antolin. Hernandez was the number four starter in 2043 but he was already pricing himself out of future plans in Montreal. "We offered Jorge a generous extension to buy out his arbitration years," said DeSpain. "But he wasn't interested so we made a move. Jim is a case of a talented guy who just could not get things going here for the Blazers."
Heading to Montreal in the deal is a collection of misfit toys who have struggled at the Brewster level but DeSpain hopes they can find a home witht the Blazers. For 27 year old starting pitcher In-sung Yi it will be his fourth different BBA team in four years. Many industry insiders are curious if the change of scenery will help Yi as he has been prone to giving up the long ball allowing 2.5 HR/9 in 322 BBA innings. He'll likely get first shot at replacing Hernandez in the rotation as DeSpain hopes he'll improve with the help of dimensions of Ubisoft Field, a clear pitcher's park.
22 year old catcher Romiro Cheron will get an opportunity to play right away as the Blazers hope he can translate his AAA success to the BBA. The same goes for slick fielding, 20 year old SS Orlando Lopez who has shown he can hit at the AAA level and will, as of now, be the team's every day short stop.
At 24 years old Raul Luna is already a reclamation project. A pitcher with electric stuff, Luna has major trouble finding the strike zone. In just 72 BBA innings he's averaging 7.1 BB/9 and an ERA over 8.00!! He'll get a chance to restart his career but look for the leash to be short.
The final piece to the trade is 16 year old, SS Kwan-uk "Tommy" Chong. Chong is a project for sure but if he pans out he'll be a major piece of the organization in five to six seasons. "If the scouts are right," DeSpain said excitedly, "then he'll be a very good player for us in five to six years."
