Old Farts in Omaha mad as Yellow Springs and Omaha strike a deal.(42.06)

[niles08]

Division deals aren’t dead.

Omaha and Yellow Spring fans may hate each other during the season, in the off-season, and even sometimes when there is no season.

It’s a long time joke that once upon a time Little Tommy went to Kindergarten one day wearing a Hawks hat. His teacher asks him why he was a Hawks fan. He said, “Because my parents are”. His teacher said that’s not good. What would you do if your parents were drug dealers and hookers? He replied, “Well, then I would be a Yellow Springs fan”.

This long rivalry left many fans shocked and even the most loyal old farts upset that the two front offices would even speak to each other regarding a player swap.

Well, a swap is what we have.

Heading to Yellow Springs is top prospects Brett Powers and Ernesto Martas. Powers was thought to be the heir apparent to left field duties had Jimmy Starks decided to opt-out after this coming season, but that apparently will be occurring in Yellow Springs now. Martas was expected to begin his season cracking the BBA bullpen and given an opportunity to shine in Omaha’s thin pen. Injuries have drastically reduced the impact that Martas was once expected to have on the team.

Heading to Omaha is a trio of pitchers, which anybody would agree is a necessity in Omaha. Not only three pitchers, but three pitchers who may be able to actually strike out an opposing batter.

In-Sung Yi is probably the big piece in this deal, with Yi expected to fill the #5 starter spot in Omaha this coming season. Yi struggled in 10 relief games last season in Yellow Springs, but has been a consistent starter in the minors. He does have an injury history similar to Martas however, missing 8 weeks last season.

Juan Garcia is the second pitcher packing for Omaha this season. Well, he will be packing for 50 miles west of Omaha in Lincoln. The 22 year has excellent stuff, but very little movement on his pitches. He pitched significantly well in AA last season over 147 innings compiling a 5.1 WAR.

Last but not least is the pitcher who is expected to take over closing duties for the departing Jose Canales, the team’s longtime closer and all-time team saves leader. Raul Luna appeared in only 2 games in 2041 at the BBA Level and struggled in AAA last season so Luna taking duties seems to be a risk but one apparently Omaha feels they can make.

All 3 players come with 6 seasons of team control with Garcia’s service time not yet started.