2047.02 - The Long Beach Independent - Terrence Kelly Re-Acquired

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RELIEVER, GHOST OF BARRERA SENT TO OMAHA FOR KELLY

August 31, 2047
Long Beach, CA

Shortly after the 7pm CST trade deadline this evening, it was announce that the Long Beach Surfers and Omaha Cyclones completed a last minute deal that could end up as a win for each side.

The Cyclones, in search of bullpen help, acquired 29 year old righty Renato Lacerda, with Long Beach retaining his $7 million annual salary which ends after the 2049 season. The cost for this was the contract of Mario Barrera, 31, who had posted just a .683 OPS so far this season. He was immediately released by Omaha, who will be responsible for the approximately $45 million dollars that he was owed.

Additionally, Terrence Kelly was also sent to Long Beach. After a wildly successful first season in Omaha, 150.2 innings, 3.46 ERA in 21 starts, he has struggled this year. His starting days are likely behind him, but he could prove useful as a reliever, especially at arbitration prices.

The original return for Kelly from Omaha was Yasutoki Sato and Abdul-Quddus bin Khair al Din. You may remember al Din for being traded primarily because his name was too long for Cyclone's GM @niles08 to type out. Apparently no one told him about the old CTRL+C/CTRL+V trick.

As for the Independent's assessment of this trade? On talent, this is a clear win for Omaha. Organizationally however, it looks much more even, or perhaps a slight win for Long Beach. Poor attendance has sapped cash reserves and reduced the budget for the team, and the relief of Barrera's salary is a big step in the right direction. It will hurt for the team to operate with an effective cap of $103 million dollars through 2049, however that will likely be the very beginning of their next competitive window so it will likely not be a significant impediment.