44.08 Long Beach Calls Out Rule 5 Additions

[shoeless.db]

February 26, 2044

Rolio Elder
Apprentice to the Exalted Mystic
Camacho Order #26
Donkeagle Press

Signing a stable of over-priced and overrated free agents this off-season left one rival GM with an inflated self-worth. Stephen Lane, the cyborg equivalent of a knock-off, under-charged Roomba and General Manager of the frail Long Beach Surfers, wrote in a recent team news article that his squad "won the offseason". Also, as part of his mechanical rant, Lane likened the Mad Popes' dip into the Rule 5 draft as an effort to build a Quad-A Squad -- a team full of players too good for AAA but not good enough for the Brewster.

"I guess it makes it easier to find dirt to throw when your team's been dragging on the bottom for so long," said GM Shoeless. "I actually thought the Surfers had been relegated to the UMEBA by the league."

With room on the roster, the Popes selected three players via the Rule 5 draft. In round one, Sacramento selected starting pitcher Manuel Ortiz from Mexico City. The Spanish right-hander has shown consistency throughout his time in the Aztec organization with an above average ability to induce ground-balls. Ortiz will have an uphill battle to make the team this spring and could very likely be on a train ride back to Mexico City before the season begins.

Round two brought OF/DH Jose Dominguez to the Popes out of the Vancouver organization. Shoeless was enamored with the 22-year-old's stellar play in every step in his development through the Mounties' minors. In the FPL this offseason, Dominguez hit in 21 straight games on his way to compiling a .341/.411/.576 slash-line. The strong-hitting lefty will get every opportunity to win the DH job against RHP this spring.

In round three, the Popes used their roster flexibility and selected a longer-term project from New Orleans in first baseman Augusto Martinez. The right-hand-hitting Puerto Rico native has much development to do, but Shoeless loved his potentials enough to bring him to Sacramento. If Martinez matures as the scouts believe he may, he should have ratings against left-handers of 6/5/8/7/8. Martinez will likely see minimal action this season with a move to AAA Black Hills next year to further season.

"Rain drops, puddles, streams, rivers," said Exalted Leader Ralph Dewaldo. "Camacho grows!"

[HoosierVic]

And yet Camacho himself still languishes in free agency ... what about that, Donkeagle Press? With all that "roster flexibility" Sacramento didn't see fit to bring the Exalted One back in the fold? I smell apostacy!

[Lane]

The Surfers front office has issued a Press Release regarding comments erroneously attributed to their upstanding General Manager.