LA at it again

Well it didn't take long for LA GM zhawks to completely re-engineer the clubs entire ML lineup and re-stock the teams farm system.

To be fair, he did have a few good pieces to start with, although nobody seemed to be slotted at the right position. At first it appeared the club had a plethora of 2b prospects, but after further examination it actually was one of the farm systems biggest weaknesses.

The club had two key prospects, both listed at second, Bernie Monroe (now in LF) and Mitchell Duncan (now at 3b). 1b Steven Hackman was also already in the farm system, as last years 22nd pick out of Portage High School in Portage, WI.

"We're looking to contend for a playoff spot 3 years from now," zhawks confirmed recently before a spring training game. At this point there were swirling rumors that the clubs trade of SS Rich Swann, which was reported prior to spring training, had completely fallen through due to SS Max Velazquez, who was included in that deal with the Austin Stunners was not protected from the Rule 5 draft where he was selected. However, after quite a bit of back and forth flytekk and zhawks were able to strike a deal that was agreeable to both sides. Flytekk ended up acquiring RP Yorvit Johnson late in the process, agreeing to pay part of his salary, something that was a major contention point in completing this deal the second time around.

The 3 year plan may still be be in effect, but it's likely to be a bit longer than that.

"We're really happy we got the deal done," zhawks said," adding Chacin Oliva gives us a solid middle of the rotation lefty for the future."

P David Moss was also included in the deal, his stamina has been his downfall since he was playing ball at East Carter County High School, but zhawks said he thinks they can get him in as a spot starter and relief pitcher, and that he could be a valuable asset in the postseason.

C Haywood Cora was also included in the deal, he isn't an every day player but has the potential to be a good power hitter behind the plate.

Overall the club continued to get younger, which has been most important to zhawks.

"We've got some great key pieces and we've added quite a few more."

None may be bigger than 2b Zeus Hodges who the club just agreed to a deal with the Dover Devils to acquire. Hodges isn't a great defender and zhawks hopes he can develop well enough to stay at 2b (which isn't a given), but he brings the speed and base running ability that zhawks desires and lacked with any of his current prospects.

They also received CF Chirinos Lucano, another threat on the base paths.

To make this trade work, zhawks had to convince second all-time saves leader Danny Brinkley to go to a club where he might not be the closer, and might not be able to set the record. Brinkley got many of his saves when he played for zhawks ran Wichita Black Lightning.

"It wasn't easy," zhawks said," but Brink realized he wanted to win, and let's face it, he wasn't going to be doing that here, hell he'd be lucky to get the 29 saves he needs with us being our closer."

Brink goes to a Devils team that has revamped quite a bit late this spring. He goes with teammates RF John Hayes, who will likely be asked to play a lot of 1b for the Devils and 1b Yusmeiro Mercedes. The trade filled the hole at 1b that Dover had and the club was already full of 2b prospects, having Kevin Hubbard and Jin Ho Shibata to go along with Hodges.

LA also got SP Walter Halter, while he is an end of the rotation starter, he will likely end up being near the top of the rotation for LA this year, filling a big whole that the club still has.

"We like where this trade gets us," zhawks said," we're really in a good position at third and second now. We're lacking the SP depth in our system that we'd like, but we have quite a few picks this year and it's likely we'll be near the top of the draft next year to help fill that hole."

Let the clock start ticking: 3 years and counting...