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TRADE LEAVES ALL PLAYERS PLAYING FOR THE SAME TEAM
Special report to the Laporte Herald-Tribune
By Sportswriter James Caprara, Jr.
It had to happen eventually, with two teams named the Knights in the same league. Six players moved from one team to another late this evening, and all of them are still playing for the Knights.
After a day of intense negotiations, Larimer and Sacramento finalized a deal that sent pitcher Paul Quantrill, catcher Hector Villanueva, and outfield prospect Bud Fisher to the Larimer Knights, and sent outfielder Todd Hollandsworth, second baseman Jose Vizcaino, and pitcher Alan Benes to the Sacramento Knights.
Larimer owner/GM John Dybala released a statement announcing the trade shortly after 9:30 PM Mountain time, stating, in part, "We wish Alan Benes all the best and we hope he can play up to the potential we believed he had when we drafted him in the free-agent draft when the league was first being formed." Benes has performed poorly this season, going just 1-1 in 6 starts with an ERA that has continued to hover around 6.
"I was a little worried about this," commented Hollandsworth when contacted by phone this evening. "When they got Offerman, I knew there was another shoe waiting to drop. Brian [Giles] and I have had a few long talks about this in the last couple of days, which one of us it was going to be. I can't really blame the management. If I had to choose between keeping me and keeping Brian, I can't say for sure that I'd keep me either, especially with Jose Offerman around."
Vizcaino, contacted at his home in Fort Morgan, Colorado, where he has been playing with the AAA team since being acquired from Hartford, was less generous in his comments on the trade. "I don't believe this. Hartford tossed me out the door because they didn't think I could perform on their schedule, and now Larimer trades me without even giving me a chance with the big club. At least I know I'll be needed where I'm going. Maybe I can even try stealing a few bases with some oxygen in my lungs. Baseball at 5,000 feet ... what a joke."
Most uncertain in all this is the status of Curry Powell. Manager Don Baylor said in a statement this evening that Powell would be behind the plate tomorrow, with Villanueva starting as the team's DH. Still, Chris Hoiles is expected back in a couple of weeks (wait, how long have we been saying that now?) and then it's anybody's guess what happens to the youngster who has stepped up and done well after being thrust into the starting catcher's role. Word is that the team may try to find another position for Powell to play, or trade him.
Other rumors leaking out of Larimer County Stadium's executive offices this evening have Cal Eldred possibly moving to Hartford in what would be the third trade this season between the two teams, and pitcher Jack Broskie heading to destinations yet unknown. Clearly the revolving door has not stopped turning yet here in Laporte, Colorado.
Written by John Dybala