Bandit Post, Vol 2.31, 1997

[aaronweiner]

News and Notes


Birmingham Close to Trade for Impact Bat

Reports out of Dixie tonight have Birmingham very close to dealing for a significant bat. Word is that the deal is done and that the league office will be notified later this weekend of the deal.

A source inside the Birmingham organization says that the Bandits are likely to upgrade at second base. The Bandits are currently using a rotation of Portfirio Garza and Willie Greene at second base and could use a two-way player at that position to end the controversy.


Damian Bedgood Negotiations Ongoing

Damian Bedgood, expected to sign a five-year extension this week with the Bandits, has instead told the team he wants another $200,000 over those five years. Birmingham was so outraged and shocked that they granted his request immediately, if not sooner; we shall see if Bedgood will have enough money after this concession.

"We fully expect to reach a deal with Damian - unless he asks for another $200,000, in which case we're just gonna through the guy out on his tailbone," said GM Aaron Weiner. "How dare he."


James Moultrie Claimed

And then there was one. Omaha didn't want Porter Capps back, and neither did anyone else. James Moultrie was another story. The young righthander was claimed by New Orleans after being waived by Birmingham under proper Rule 5 procedure.

"We wish the best to James in his career with the Crawdads," said GM Aaron Weiner. "There's no reason why he shouldn't have a successful major league career; it just wasn't going to be here."

Gene Reilly, the team's mop-up man, is the only one of the Rule 5 draftees left on the team. Reilly, who has had mixed success with Birmingham, will be with the team the entire year barring an injury, Weiner said, and then be optioned to AAA Monroe.


Owner Ecstatic

A sight that few teams have ever seen: Birmingham's owner, Walter Sobchak, was seen dancing in his office high above the Bandits' Racquetos Field. Supposedly, the owner had predicted that Birmingham would finish around .500 this year; their 34-20 record has apparently moved him to strange and bizarre actions.

"He gave me a kiss, right on the cheek!" said Jack Dark. "I think he's high."

However, the rat bastard hasn't increased the budget one dollar.

[recte44]

Those relievers could have gone either way. Funny, I thought Capps was the best of the bunch. Small samples and relievers go hand in hand.

[aaronweiner]

I thought it was going to be Moultrie.