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July 18th, 2023
Raiders Split Whitehawks Series as Roster Moves Add to Turbulent Week
It has been a hectic and eventful few days for the San Jose Raiders, both on and off the field. The club managed to steady itself slightly by splitting a four-game road series with division rivals the Los Angeles Whitehawks, dropping the first two games before responding with wins in Games Three and Four. While the split helped stop the bleeding, the Raiders remain a long way from building real momentum and now sit at 41–53 on the season.
The series itself was highlighted by the emphatic return of Steve Kibler to the starting lineup on July 13th. In the series opener — a heartbreaking 9–8 loss — Kibler delivered one of the best individual performances of the Raiders’ season, going 5-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI. His performance included three doubles, tying a Wolf Conference record for most doubles in a single game.
Over the full four-game set, Kibler went an impressive 11-for-18, clearly trying to make up for the time lost to injury. His return immediately helped the Raiders’ offense find some life, as the team was competitive in three of the four games. Joey Watts continued to hold his batting average steady, while Elimilton Janeiro also chipped in with some timely hits, giving the lineup a more balanced look than it has had in recent weeks.
Once again, however, pitching proved to be a mixed bag. Inconsistency from the bullpen came into sharp focus on July 15th, when the Raiders made a surprise mid-series move — trading reliever Boudewijn Shingler to the Whitehawks in exchange for minor league second baseman Mike Saunders.
From the Raiders on the Bay perspective, the return appears underwhelming, as Saunders does not project as a clear future contributor at the major league level. The trade forced the Raiders to briefly recall Chris Benton from AAA to cover innings, though Benton was soon demoted again following another move.
Ironically, the trade did not hurt the Raiders on the field in the short term. Shingler, now pitching for Los Angeles, blew a save opportunity in the Raiders’ 5–2 win on July 15th. Shingler departs San Jose with a 4–0 record from 23 relief appearances, though his 8.31 ERA tells a far more concerning story.
On July 18th, the Raiders officially moved to reshape the bullpen, signing free agent reliever Greg McPhillips to replace Shingler and sending Benton back to AAA.
With questions swirling around the timing and logic of the move, Raiders on the Bay spoke with General Manager Emanuel Black to get clarity on the decision.
Interview: General Manager Emanuel Black
Q: You have traded Boudewijn Shingler away for a minor league player. How do you see this trade and how it will help the team?
Black:
“We looked beyond the surface numbers. Boudewijn picked up wins, but his overall effectiveness wasn’t where we needed it to be. An ERA over eight puts a lot of strain on the rest of the pitching staff, and we felt it was time to move in a different direction.”
“Mike Saunders gives us organizational depth at second base, which is something we’ve lacked at times this year. This move also opened up a roster spot so we could pursue another bullpen option that better fits what we’re trying to do.”
Follow-up: Some fans feel Saunders doesn’t project as a future major league player. How do you respond to that?
Black:
“Not every move is about immediate upside. Depth matters over a long season. Saunders gives us coverage in the system and flexibility to make other moves. Sometimes the value of a trade isn’t just the player coming back — it’s what the move allows you to do next.”
Q: Why did you decide to make the trade now, especially while the Raiders were in the middle of a series against the Whitehawks?
Black:
“The timing wasn’t ideal from the outside, but the opportunity presented itself. Los Angeles was motivated, and we were ready to act. Waiting doesn’t always make things better, especially when you feel a change is necessary.”
Follow-up: Was there any concern about how this might affect the clubhouse mid-series?
Black:
“There’s always concern, but this is a professional environment. Players understand the business. Credit to the group — they stayed focused and responded well on the field.”
Q: Do you think the signing of Greg McPhillips will help the bullpen more than Shingler did?
Black:
“We believe so. Greg brings a more consistent profile. He throws strikes, keeps hitters off balance, and doesn’t try to overpower everyone. That kind of reliability is important for us right now.”
Follow-up: Will McPhillips have a defined role, or is it performance-based?
Black:
“It’s performance-based. He’ll earn opportunities as he goes. We’re looking for stability first, then we can build roles from there.”
Q: Shingler was one of the quieter players in the clubhouse, and McPhillips appears to be similar. Was that intentional?
Black:
“Yes, to a degree. We weren’t looking to change the dynamic of the clubhouse dramatically. Greg is professional, keeps his head down, and focuses on his work. That fits where this team is right now.”
Follow-up: Does this move signal more changes ahead as the trade deadline approaches?
Black:
“We’re evaluating everything. Nothing is guaranteed, but we’ll continue to look for ways to improve the team. The goal is to make smart, measured decisions that help us both now and in the future.”
As the Raiders attempt to build off a hard-earned series split and adjust to yet another roster shake-up, the coming weeks will reveal whether these calculated moves can finally bring some stability to a season defined so far by turbulence and inconsistency.
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