Spokane(AP) The Spokane Pirates, who have already added Guzman and McDowell to their
roster this off season,
have brought home David Cone in a deal with the Brooklyn Flaming Skulls.
Also sent to Spokane were
pitchers Brian Boehringer and Jack Armstrong. In exchange three Spokane
pitchers will never wear the
new Pirate Logo. They are: Ariel Prieto, Darren Oliver, and Cliff Magrane.
"Basically we traded some good young prospects for some better players who
can help us today.
We know that our team is old already, but we feel that we have a team that
is really close to being
able to go the distance this year." Says Owner Jeremey Stephens, he
continues, "It is kind of an all or
nothing gamble, if we don't do it in the next couple years, were going to
be in trouble. But with our
new found pitching, the Spokane fans are going to have a lot to look
forward to this year."
In order to sign Cone, who carries a rather hefty price tag, McGwire
re-negotiated his contract
in order to make room under the salary cap. Said Stephens,"that guy is a
class act. A real leader.
We sat down and basically I asked him what was more important, money or a
championship. He looked
me, grinned ans said 'Who did we get?' We laughed for awhile,and we talked
some numbers. His reply was
'Whatever the team needs.' You gotta respect a guy like that, he plays for
the love of the game."
We asked for an interview with Mac, but were denied. We were able to speak
to Cone Briefly on the
phone.
Cone said,"Well, when he traded me at the beginning of last year, I
actually laughed at him!
I asked him if he was nuts or something. They had no pitchers without me!
He [Stephens] just
said the he was the one to make those decisions, and we would see who was
laughing at the end
of the season. I guess now we know! But, seriously I am happy to be going
back to Spokane. Juan
[Guzman, who was traded from Brooklyn to Spokane earlier this year] and I
have become good friends.
We were roomies and I was upset to find out he was leaving. Little did I
know I would be next!"
Will this improved pitching staff be enought to bring a pennant to Spokane?
On paper it may seem
so, but there is entire season to seperate theory from reality. Time will
have to tell.
