The Hawaii Tropics and Calgary Pioneers came to an agreement with the Trops shipping minor league catcher Nahele Akeakamai and RF Michael George. The Trops get starter Nalany Ahotaein and veteran pitcher Jimmy Fisher in return.
Ahotaein has two years left on his contract but a player option after 2064. He gives Hawaii a starter that can go 5+ innings and keep the ball in the ballpark. He doesn’t have flashy stuff but is a 5/6/6/6/7 with a 6 fastball (92-94 MPH, 6 slider, 7 change and a 4 curveball. He’s average at holding runners and is listed as an Iron Man in Injury Proneness.
Fisher is an aging veteran that will provide the Trops with some minor league depth to fill in as a starter and is on a minor league deal.
Hawaii GM Jim Walker said, “Akeakamai and George were assets that we could sacrifice to fix a need. We're hoping Ahotaein pitches well and stays on for another season.”
Hawaii also signed veteran starter John Avery to a 1-year deal at 3 million dollars. He is still a 5/7/7/6/5 pitcher with a 7 slider, 6 screwball, 5 change and 7 cutter. He has 6 stamina and holds runners well with an 8 rating.
“He isn’t going to asked to throw 180 innings at his age. We’ll take what we can get from him then lean on the bullpen.”, stated Walker.
