The Spokane Pirates did the unthinkable. They traded away Mark McGwire.
Mac was sent to Hartford in exchange for top notch closer Troy Percival, 1B
Fred McGriff, and a first round pick in next years Free Agent draft, which
looks
to be a top ten pick.
"McGriff is no McGwire, but we just aren't getting anywhere the way things
are going. He was the heart of our team since the creation of the league,
but we
haven't finished better than third in our division....ever.", said Jeremey
Stephens,
GM of the Pirates. He continued," I am sick of going into the ninth with a
3 run
lead and wondering if we have a chance. Percival is just about the best
closer in
the league and who knows what will turn up at next years free agent draft.
Overall we are very happy with the trade. We are only nine and a half out
this
year and I really think we could make a run for at least a wild card spot."
Other news and notes:
THE SHOE IS ON THE OTHER FOOT:
Pitching coach Seth McMullen is in hiding following the news of the trade.
Who is he hiding from? None other than hitting coach Paul Molitor.
( For those that don't remember, there was an "incident" involving Seths
hands around Pauls neck after a trade that involved sending away Maddux
for Caminiti)
