WHIV 2056.5- Preseason News and Notes

[recte44]

Here's what our insiders are hearing out of Las Vegas:

- With the recent signings of a couple of starting pitchers, the focus now turns to the bullpen. There are a lot of candidates, but not many lefties. Besides top prospect Bret Harrell, all of the rostered Las Vegas relief candidates are right-handed. Don't forget about last year's Rule 5 draftee, Jimmy Fisher, as a candidate to make the big club. He re-invented himself as a reliever with Milwaukee (AAA/RHML) after the club traded for his rights, posting a 2.78 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 11 relief appearances (22.2 IP).

- Las Vegas claimed catcher John Stanley off waivers from Montreal. He figures to get every opportunity to become the backup catcher.

- Barring any additional signings or trades, Las Vegas is planning to go into the season with platoons of inexperienced players at two run-producing spots. At first base, it's likely that rookie Brian Flint will be the strong half of a platoon with Cecil Clarke (who is looking to redeem himself from a really, really subpar 2055). At designated hitter, fellow rookie Chris Hall is the lefty swinger, and will likely be teamed up with Joe Edwards.

- The addition of Jose Levya gives manager Edward Allen a true center field option that is not named Tom Rudge.

- Las Vegas also signed RHP Kinzo Iwamoto to a two year deal, with the intention of using him in relief. He figures to be in the mix for a high leverage situation, probably as a setup man.

[jleddy]

Good luck with Iwamoto...he was a bum for us after trading for him. If he starts to stink up the joint, I recommend dangling from his feet atop the Stratosphere.

[BaseClogger]

Expecting Leyva to channel his inner Ashton Books and have a great season for you.