The DMO has made only one trade this year, and that was 100 days ago (mid-May), acquiring the two young relief arms from Charm City. And now the team has acquired another arm from the RP-rich Jimmies in 25y.o., 6' 7" Alphonse Lease (9/5/7), who has great specs. He'll be immediately shoved into the Kernels MR corps in the hopes he can at least be effective against Y9 and Madison, the two team's on the DM schedule this week. That also makes him playoff-roster eligible.
Rumors, or rather, speculation had been circulating that DM might try to improve its bullpen. And rumors have it that the only seasoned reliver the team was interested in is Omaha's Dave Ferrell, but the Cyclone weren't excited about trading their captain.
As for the May trade with the Jimmies, it has basically come down—as far as this season is concerned— to a starting centerfielder (Dennis Armitage) for a RP with stamina 1, and that's probably far little return. But former Jimmie Alonso González has been a mainstay (JR recently said "a force") in the bullpen since his acquisition. The Kernels also acquired Pedro Soto, whose return on investment has not yet been as solid. "We're hoping when he fully develops his breaking pitch, he'll be another force to be reckoned with."
"In all, our bullpen is in excellent shape, has improved greatly since May—that includes the guys out there since we broke ST camp in April, especially Every Ready and Sutphin. Sutphin, especially, an extremely valuable peg in the bullpen, with a sub 2.00 ERA in each of June, July, and August.
Here's hoping Alphonse Lease sticks around for a while (is more than a lease), and that he can further increase his skill in movement in the new D-Lab to be unveiled this offseason.