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gehrig38 · 01-17-2026, 03:34 AM

CHICAGO BRINGS BACK AN OLD FRIEND
After one of the worst and most embarrassing losses in club history Chicago wasted no time. Sending veteran LHP Matt Wright and P prospect Jason Montano to Fresno for former Iron Pig closer Mario Mendoza. Fresno had been looking to move Mendoza for a few weeks for reasons unknown, as their bullpen is ranked atop the NL.
The 14-0 loss and implosion of the bullpen and its season long struggles had forced them to look outside for solutions and that was not a message missed by any IBL team.

Fresno is 30-22 and 5 games up on San Francisco and LA in the NL West.
Wright was having a nightmare season (1-2 7.42) and is a FA at years end while 22 year old Montano was 3-1 4.68 at AAA New Orleans. He's on the 60-day IL and out 2-3 more months.
Mendoza, 1-0 16 Saves 1.68 in 22 appearances is signed through 2015 at a very affordable 2.76 million. Players in Chicago were elated at the news as Mendoza is a popular player in the clubhouse and the city and many were upset when GM Curt Schilling, after just days on the job, dealt the right hander.

BACKROOM CHATTER
The bullpen is beyond a disaster right now. These aren't bad nights, they're total meltdowns. Mendoza will slide into the mix for now with Gross still holding down the job. The move saved us over 3 million this year though that had zero to do with the reasoning.
A very good offense is being sabotaged by a bullpen that cannot seem to put 2 nights of pitching together.

01-17-2026, 03:34 AM	#314
gehrig38 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Medfield, Mass Posts: 5,992	CHICAGO BRINGS BACK AN OLD FRIEND After one of the worst and most embarrassing losses in club history Chicago wasted no time. Sending veteran LHP Matt Wright and P prospect Jason Montano to Fresno for former Iron Pig closer Mario Mendoza. Fresno had been looking to move Mendoza for a few weeks for reasons unknown, as their bullpen is ranked atop the NL. The 14-0 loss and implosion of the bullpen and its season long struggles had forced them to look outside for solutions and that was not a message missed by any IBL team. Fresno is 30-22 and 5 games up on San Francisco and LA in the NL West. Wright was having a nightmare season (1-2 7.42) and is a FA at years end while 22 year old Montano was 3-1 4.68 at AAA New Orleans. He's on the 60-day IL and out 2-3 more months. Mendoza, 1-0 16 Saves 1.68 in 22 appearances is signed through 2015 at a very affordable 2.76 million. Players in Chicago were elated at the news as Mendoza is a popular player in the clubhouse and the city and many were upset when GM Curt Schilling, after just days on the job, dealt the right hander. BACKROOM CHATTER The bullpen is beyond a disaster right now. These aren't bad nights, they're total meltdowns. Mendoza will slide into the mix for now with Gross still holding down the job. The move saved us over 3 million this year though that had zero to do with the reasoning. A very good offense is being sabotaged by a bullpen that cannot seem to put 2 nights of pitching together. __________________ The Chicago Iron Pigs 2012-2024 The IBL's first 13 years The Alaska Avalanche 2024-2030 Moving on to my birthplace The San Antonio Silver Stars 2030-2034 From one big state, Alaska, to another, Texas!