Trail Droppings 2045-17 Rice to Fry in San Antonio

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Rice to Fry in San Antonio

The Pioneers shipped disgruntled center fielder Todd Rice to the San Antonio Outlaws for two minor league pitchers. Rice had outworn his welcome after only a season and a half in Calgary, both on the field and off. Acquired in the big deal for Chairman Mao, Rice never showed the talent that he had in Seattle. He has missed a large chunk of this season with a hamstring injury.

“Normally I don’t bad mouth a guy, but lets just say I am glad somebody took him off our hands,” GM Kevin Dickson said. “He bitched about the weather when he first got here, well let’s see how he likes it down there. Last season we put up with his attitude, but he played crappy center for us and then milked a hammy longer than probably anyone else in league history.”

In his absence Rice lost his starting job and then asked to nearly double his salary with a $14+ million extension. Complicating things after the trade, Rice got on the wrong flight and ended up in Mexico City. He has finally reported to San Antonio, but wouldn’t comment when asked by this reporter. Unless a raised middle finger counts as a comment.

Pitchers Arturo Baez and Kendrick Pearson are the minor leaguers that Calgary acquired in the deal. Baez started this season in the Omaha system before being dealt to San Antonio and now Calgary. The promising left handed starter pitched 15 games at Short A and still has a lot of development ahead of him. Pearson was taken in the 4th round of this year’s draft and has already progressed to AAA. With a blazing fastball and little else, his future looks to be in the bullpen.