Omaha roster down to 26 2 weeks before deadline, sign of a trade coming?(44.06)

[niles08]

Omaha has routinely employed the strategy of not having many more than 27 guys on their spring training roster and this season was a bit different as the club had 32 members on the roster until their announcement today trimming the roster to 26, one less than the BBA allows which some have speculated could mean a current BBA player is being targeted by the Cyclones to join the roster by way of trade.

Both starting pitching prospects Juan Ruiz and Carlos Silva were optioned to AAA, while fan favorite knuckler Leonardo Ramos was also optioned down to AAA as it appears all 3 will have to wait for injury or another opening in order to prove themselves at the BBA level.

3B Ronan Christophe was also optioned to AAA, where he managed 2.5 WAR last season. With the signing of Williamson, it was expected Christophe would be sent down as his services as a backup shortstop were no longer necessary.

One of the team’s top hitting prospects, Pedro Mendoza was optioned to AA Sioux City. Mendoza was acquired from Calgary in November of 2042. The 21 year old had 300 at bats at AA last season, and is expected to be promoted to AAA at some point.

Catcher Warrington Gilette was a surprise option to AAA after spending the entire 2042 season in Omaha. He was expected to be the backup catcher once again but his negative 0.7 WAR last season likely played a role in sending him down. Catcher Sergio Cortesini was also sent down. C Angel Garcia, the 2040 2nd round pick and the 10th ranked prospect for the Cyclones was invited to camp this week, a sign that he is likely in line to have backup catching duties.