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While not official, rumors are rumbling that the two worst teams in the Continental Association have agreed on a six player trade that will occur after the conclusion of the 1929 World Series. The Chicago Cougars are in a verbal agreement to acquire SP Max Wilder and SS Russ Combs from the Cleveland Foresters for 1B Luke Nixon, SP Harry Parker, SS Pat Schuring, and C Ben Richardson.

Wilder, 32, has seen his name in trade rumors multiple times the last few seasons as Chicago will be his fourth stop in three seasons. Originally the 10th Overall Pick in 1916 by the Baltimore Clippers, he debuted for the Cannons in 1921. He was then claimed off waivers by Montreal during the 1927 season. The move paid off for the Saints, who then flipped him to Cleveland the next season with CF Frank Mosley and 1B Gene Hand for CF Felix Bradford, SS Ernie Herndon, and a 2nd Round Pick. He put together a solid season in his only year with the Foresters, going 14-14 with a 3.97 ERA (113 ERA+), 1.31 WHIP, and 106 strikeouts in 242.2 innings. For his career, he's 89-78 with a 3.71 ERA (117 ERA+), 1.31 WHIP, and 598 strikeouts in 1,542 big league innings. He gives the Cougars a dependable arm behind Dick Lyons while the rest of the rotation is a big question mark.

Combs, 25, was a Rule-5 Pick from St. Louis in the 1927 offseason draft. He was a 2nd Round Pick of St. Louis' in 1922, but burst on to the scene in the 1928 season with Cleveland. He hit .293/.353/.473 (131 OPS+) with 16 homers, 30 steals, and 79 RBI's in 625 trips to the plate. The past season was a little bit of a let down and he hit just .289/.345/.427 (95 OPS+) with 7 homers, 32 steals, and 59 RBI's. He was an excellent fielder in the minor leagues, but has been about average in the FABL. The Cougars are betting on him regaining his 1928 form, but the addition of Combs allows Harry Simmons to shift back to third and Mack Deal take a crack at second base.

Nixon, 25, was an 11th Round Pick of the Cougars back in 1925. He took the starting first base job this season, and hit .328/.375/.467 (104 OPS+) with 5 homers, 11 steals, and 51 RBI's. With Bill Ashbaugh's struggles defensively at second and a desire to move his bat to first, Nixon became expendable for Chicago. He is too good of a bat to sit on the bench of rot away in AAA, so at least now he will be given a chance to start with the Foresters.

Parker, 20, was a 23rd Round Pick in 1927, but he's overachieved since starting organized baseball. His velocity is up to 92-94 and he added a sinker to his arsenal. He spent most of his time with Class B San Jose, going 6-5 with a 4.01 ERA (116 ERA+), 1.36 WHIP, and 37 strikeouts in 103.1 innings spanning 17 starts before a call up to A Lincoln. He was a perfect 2-0 in 3 starts with a 2.89 ERA (152 ERA+), 1.18 WHIP, and 5 strikeouts in 18.2 innings with the Legislators.

Schuring, 22, was a 2nd Round Pick by the Stars in the 1925 draft. They sent him and CF Bob McCarty to the Cougars in 1927 for RP Phil English, RP Bert Houston, and CF Bob Worley. The slick fielding Schuring ranks 12th in the Cougars system and 130th in the entire FABL. In about 1,000 innings at short this year, Schuring earned a +10.4 ZR and an efficiency rate over 1.050. His bat isn't quite there yet, but he's a smart hitter who draw a ton of walks. With Clyde Hinzman and Slim Bloom, the Cougars #3 and #4 prospects, much closer to being major league ready, Schuring would have had trouble breaking the active roster in Chicago.

Richardson, 19, was a 15th Round Pick by the Cougars in the 1927 draft. Checking in at 17th in the Cougars top 30 prospects, he's the best catching prospect in their organization now that Fred Barrell has graduated. But due to Barrell, the Cougars have their catcher of the future and Richardson was expendable. He had an excellent season in Class C La Crosse, hitting .292/.345/.411 (122 OPS+) with 4 homers and 41 RBI's in 283 plate appearances.

Neither team would comment when asked on the potential trade, however, it is widely expected to be announced after the conclusion of the World Series.