PVBL: Punxatawney Groundhogs
Hogs Fill Out Roster with Two Deals
Febuary 2, 1998

Punxatawney (AP)--With two deals in rapid succession last night, the Punxatawney Groundhogs filled what they considered the two most notable holes on an otherwise stellar roster. First, the Hogs sent top prospects Terry Adams and Wilton Guerrero, along with catcher Greg Myers, to the Galena Hamsters in return for catcher Rick Wilkins and veteran CF John Cangelosi.

Myers knew a deal was coming, and was not surprised to hear it announced. "I think he [Shapiro] is a bit ungrateful for services rendered. I hit over 25 homers last season. That doesn't merit a trade--that merits an extension."

However, Shapiro looked at it differently. "That deal had been on the table for a few days, but it didn't include Myers or Cangelosi. When Matt agreed to take Greg off my hands and give me Cangelosi in return, I had to do it. Myers is a defensive liability and I'd rather led [Jorge] Posada get some experience as the backup."

He was certainly right about Myers being a defensive liability. Greg made 8 errors behind the plate while racking up an inordinate amount of passed balls and threw out very few runners on the bases. Wilkins was injured for most of last season, but in the past has been a stellar defensive catcher with good power hitting.

Neither Adams or Guerrero were too annoyed. "It's hard to become attached to a team that gives you one chance early in the year and then leaves you in AAA to rot," Adams said.

Guerrero agreed. "I was playing nearly full time until Punxatawney traded for me, then I rode the bench behind Giambi and Klesko and only played when people got hurt. I don't know if I'll get more playing time in Galena, but I'm tired of Pennsylvania already."

Wilkins and Cangelosi were both a bit sad to leave Galena, but are happy that they are still on a contender. Wilkins was injured for most of last season and was looking forward to playing full time this year. Cangelosi, a speedy veteran CF who stole over 28 bases last year in only 63 games, might have thought that he was going to be slated to start, but Punxatawney then made another trade for an outfielder.

In this deal, veteran starter Rick Aguilera and young prospect Johnny Badgro headed to Spokane in return for Luis Gonzalez. Gonzalez fills out of the Hogs outfield and is coming off a great season in which he hit .302 with 26 homers and 87 RBI on the potent Spokane offense. However, that Spokane offense lacked a supporting pitching staff and Aguilera and Badgro will help that problem.

"Aww, [expletive deleted]," said Aguilera after hearing the news. "I was really getting to like the guys here on the Groundhogs. Mark my words, Shapiro, you'll regret trading me away."

Badgro had no opinion, as he had spent the year in Rhyolite with the Eddie Gaedels, the Hogs LOW minors team. He was glad to know that he was sought after enough by another team, and may get some playing time in the majors this year with Spokane.

"I look at it this way. Rick is getting old--he's already at 33. He might have a few good years left, but he wasn't going to be anything more than a long reliever this year with Lieber, Thomas, Hampton, Aldred, Coppinger, and Hermanson fighting for rotation spots. Badgro, well, he's got a great young arm, but the boy struggles because he doesn't have an out pitch, he just hasn't developed anything phenomenal yet, and at 23, we don't think he's going to mature into anything better than a question mark," said Shapiro.

Luis Gonzalez was happy to hear of the news. "Punxatawney, huh? Sounds good. I just hope I can contribute as well there as I did with the Paladins."

These deals have more or less concluded Punxatawney's preseason dealings. They do wish to put out a standing offer to all teams--Mike Hampton or Scott Aldred for a top 5 draft pick.

Punxatawney later released their projected batting order and rotation for this upcoming season.

2B Tony Batista
LF Marty Cordova
SS Jose Valentin
1B Ryan Klesko
DH Jason Giambi
C  Rick Wilkins
CF Luis Gonzalez
3B Scott Rolen
RF Roberto Kelly

Rotation              Long relief             Setup
Jon Lieber            Hermanson               Ruffcorn
Bobby Thomas          Worell                  Munoz
Mike Hampton
Rocky Coppinger       Middle relief           Closer
Scott Aldred          Bergman                 Bottalico
                      Ludolph


In related news....

Punxatawney has opted to dismiss a member of its front office. Sean Corwin, hired as the GM last year, has been largely inactive and has not done much to help the Groundhogs (while he certainly has done more good than bad in his brief tenure). So team owner and manager Shapiro will also take over the duties of general manager again.

--written by Dan Shapiro