[Westheim]

Oh, and how the tug of war for Victor Salcido continued; soon enough not only with the Stars, but also with the Scorpions, and also the Miners. The more the other teams kept nagging me for the priced prospect, the more stubborn I became, hugged Honeypaws tighter, and drew a snoot whenever Maud told me someone was on the line.

The Scorpions pitcher in question? Craig Czyszczon – before you break your tongue, I’m told it’s pronounced “shone”. Polish people are weird – so many redundant letters. The right-hander had a groundball tendency, not exactly overwhelming stuff, but kept the walks and the homers down. He usually had a very fine BABIP because he pitched well to the defense. He was a bit of “me first” and very intelligent, the sort of evil genius that could make a team if things went well… or break it if not.

The Miners guy? Right-hander Ryan Person, who had only arrived there from Richmond this past season, missing out on a ring after parts of nine seasons with the Rebs, which were mostly sad seasons. Person had the distinction of having led the FL in both strikeouts and walks at different times. When somebody put the ball in play, actually, it usually remained on the ground (although he ha one season with 23 bombs away). The Raccoons did not have a high volume strikeout pitcher at this point – Person had rung up as many as 220 batters in a season. The current record for anybody on our payroll? Jake Jackson, 2041, with the Indians, merely 162 strikeouts.

Person and Czsz- … Szyzz- … Sizzles- … the Scorpions guy were both making around $2.5M; Person for one year, the other one for two. The latter would turn 30 in July, Person would be 31 before Opening Day. I’d like a high-K guy!

And the Miners would like to talk about Victor Salcido once more, says Maud. (picks up the speaker on the antique black-lacquered rotary phone on his desk) Hul-lo …?

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February 3 – The Titans sign former Aces 3B/2B Doug Richardson (.253, 89 HR, 403 RBI). The 28-year-old righty hitter receives a 3-year, $10.36M contract.
February 3 – In the same tune, the Titans trade 3B Ivan Lugo (.276, 19 HR, 235 RBI) to the Pacifics for 2B Gerardo Galaz (.254, 19 HR, 111 RBI).
February 5 – After one year with the Miners, 38-year-old 2B Dan Schneller (.293, 305 HR, 1,272 RBI) returns to the CL North with a 2-yr, $3.3M contract from the Crusaders.
February 5 – Ex-WAS C Manichiro Toki (.255, 97 HR, 469 RBI) inks a 3-yr, $4.86M deal with the Rebels.
February 6 – Richmond also thinks former Bayhawks lefty Jake Bonnie (35-39, 3.56 ERA, 65 SV) to be a key requirement to their title defense, signing him to the tune of $5.04M over three years.
February 10 – The Falcons deal OF David Vasquez (.281, 12 HR, 81 RBI) to the Wolves for MR Jose Santamaria (4-6, 4.58 ERA, 2 SV) and a prospect.
February 11 – The Crusaders sign former Gold Sox left-hander Jordan Calderon (49-33, 3.36 ERA, 30 SV) to a 2-yr, $2.6M deal.
February 13 – After splitting 2045 between the Scorpions and Pacifics, 35-year-old CL Antonio Prieto (51-52, 3.30 ERA, 164 SV) signs a 3-yr, $4.02M deal with the Falcons.

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New deals for old Raccoons? only Jeff Kilmer, who signed with the Caps for $432k (thus barely making more by playing FOR them than NOT playing for the Raccoons)

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Yes, I have been stuck on the trade screen for three days. I can’t make up my mind. Tomorrow I’ll throw a die to get it over with.