Duluth/Tampa Bay Trade Star Baggers April 30, 1998
Duluth MN--The Duluth Bjork didn't play today but did they ever help their
chances of making this season all the more tougher on da Bums. The Bjork
traded fan favorite John "J.J." Jaha and Marc "Juan" Valdez for young
slugger Frank "The Big Hurt" Thomas and Esteban Loaliza. GM Lund had this
for comment, ".. # wise this season it looks like I messed up, but Thomas
is younger and has a lot better potential than Jaha, I would've liked to
keep John as a DH but Tampa was calling, besides he was never one for the
cold weather. As far as Loaliza is concerned, he's a #5 starter for us,
he's young, got great raws and has told me he looks forward to coming to
Duluth and making us a contender. Valdez has enjoyed a great start, but
just didn't fit in our lineup, he's been bounced up and down from the
Barons in AAA to here and back again, I'm very happy with our deal..
very." Jaha had this to say while waiting his flight at Duluth Airfield,
"... Dyno mite!!!! Seriously though, I look forward to playing in a
warmer climate, it's kinda too bad I have to leave the beloved Bjork as
they become a contender, but hey, what can I do. It also gets me 3000+
miles away from that bad ass Gonzo..."
