2033 St. Louis River Walkers: And the saga continues

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The St. Louis River Walkers have hired veteran GM Theo Epstein to be their new assistant general manager.
He replaces Antonio Alfonseca, who recently left the role to become the general manager of the Cleveland Juke Box Heroes.
Alfonseca, 65, had been with St. Louis since the 2027 season and helped build teams which made the postseason four times.
Epstein, who served as GM of the Chicago Cubs in MLB, previously had been with Cleveland as its GM since the 2020 season.

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MBL news: Dec. 21 -- Former Walkers pitcher Josh McDonald signs with Louisville

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MBL news: Jan. 6 -- Hall of Fame votes comes up empty

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The St. Louis River Walkers have announced the signing of left-handed relief pitcher Keith Kirby to a two-year contract.
The contract is worth $2.84 million per season.
Kirby, 30, has spent his entire career with the Cedar Rapids Grapplers, with six seasons in the majors.
He missed almost the entire 2037 season after he suffered a fractured elbow on May 17.
Before that, he had pitched in 15 games going 0-4 with five saves and an 8.16 ERA.
In his career, Kirby has pitched in 266 games going 12-28 with 142 saves and a 2.95 ERA.

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The St. Louis River Walkers have announced the signing of free agent right-handed pitcher Miguel Cisneros and Jesse Gaither.
Cisneros, 35, will take one of the spots in the starting rotation created by the free agent departures of Josh McDonald and Jesse McNaboe.
Cisneros, who has spent his entire career with Rockford, went 12-8 with a 4.38 ERA in 32 starts last season for the Lightning.
For his career, Cisneros has pitched in 304 games (264) starts and gone 75-88 with two saves and a 4.96 ERA.
Gaither, 34, comes to the Walkers after spending most of the season with Green Bay before later pitching two games for Detroit.
For the season, Gaither was 1-1 with one save and a 6.10 ERA in 42 games.
In his career, Gaither, who also has pitched for Twin Cities, Cleveland and Evansville, has gotten into 701 games (all in relief) and gone 46-42 with 152 saves and a 4.12 ERA.
Cisneros contract is worth $8 million per year over three seasons.
Gaither's deal is worth $2.56 million per year and covers two seasons.
The last season of both contracts features a team option.

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The St. Louis River Walkers have announced the signing of right-handed closer Craig Fritzler to a three-year deal worth $9.75 million per season.
The third year features a player option.
A three-time selection as reliever of the year, with Quad City in 2033 and 2035 and last season with Rockford, the 31-year-old Fritzler went 6-3 with a NL-high 39 saves last season for the Lightning.
He pitched in 74 games and posted a 2.39 ERA.
For his career, six seasons in Quad City and one in Rockford, Fritzler has pitched in 498 games going 32-31 with 282 saves and a career 2.26 ERA.
The acquisition of Fritzler means Bobby Westerman will go back into a set-up role.
While Westerman did convert 27 saves in 2037, he also led the league with 11 blown saves.

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The St. Louis River Walkers announced they have re-signed utility infielder Jordan Quinto to return for the 2038 season.
Quinto played a key role off the bench and was an effective pinch-hitter for St. Louis last season.
In 117 games, he batted .285 with 12 RBIs in 117 games (33 starts).

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The St. Louis River Walkers have signed utility infielder Jonathan Vaughns to a one--year contract worth $1.5 million.
Vaughns played in Grand Rapids last season, hitting .304 with five homers and 17 RBIs in 32 games (27 starts).

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The Des Moines Harvesters have announced the signing of second baseman Marcos Francis to a four-year contract worth $80.8 million total.
Francis spent the last two seasons in St. Louis making the NL All-Star team both years.
In 2037, the 33-year-old Francis hit .273 with 28 homers and 78 RBIs.
For the two combined seasons, he hit .285 with 52 homers and 170 RBIs.

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MBL news: March 1: Preseason predictions at start of spring training games

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Walkers spring training news: March 1 -- St. Louis 3, Louisville 0, 1-0

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Walkers news: March 2 -- Milwaukee 8, St. Louis 2, Record 1-1

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Walkers news: March 3 -- Springfield 5, St. Louis 1, Record: 1-2

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Walkers news: March 4 -- Rockford 6, St. Louis 2; Record 1-2

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Walkers news: March 5 -- Green Bay 11, St. Louis 2; Record: 1-4

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Walkers news; March 6 -- Twin Cities 2, St. Louis 1; Record: 1-5

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Walkers news: March 7 -- Kansas City 6, St. Louis 3; Record: 1-6

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MBL news: March 7 -- Standings after Week 1 of spring training

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MBL news: March 7 -- Leaders after Week 1 of spring training

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Walkers news: March 7 -- Statistics after Week 1 of spring training