Wichita opens Winter with a BANG!

In the Year of Free Agents, Wichita made sure they were not going to be going home empty handed.

The club had cleared almost $62 million to be able to offer two max contracts to Elite Free Agents before the Winter Meetings had started, things changed quickly when the club realized that All-Star 3b Ryan Carr was available the club quickly shifted it's attention to working out a deal to acquire him.

The club started out by declining to offer arbitration to last years starting 3b, Nick Hunter and 2b Ethan Ellis who were both asking for over $7.5 million. The move was cost cutting so the club could reach their $62 million mark but quickly offered the opening for Carr in the lineup.

Carr, who has played most of his career for the Sioux Falls Badlands Franchise who's new owner has decided to rebuild the team. Carr agreed to a sign and trade extension before the trade was completed, signing a $39.5 million, 5 year deal.

In return for Carr the Badlands received last year's #15 pick, 2b prospect Jeff Bradford, who projects to be a very good every day 2b along with power hitting LF/1B Felipe Romero and closer Colby Friedrich.

"We are very excited to be able to agree to terms to the sign and trade deal for Ryan Carr," said GM Zhawks," We had saved our money to make a push for an Elite pitching staff but the money is better spent here and will give us a top notch lineup for years to come."