The Medina Mustangs pulled another stunning trade
today, sending superprospects Angel Kaat and Amaris
Ramirez to Ann Arbor for speedster Quinten McCracken
and hurler extradoniare Scott Sanders.
"Holy cow!" exclaimed Mustang owner Randy Reese. " Is
this exciting or what? Basically, after 60 games, we
saw that our division was going to be a tight race. We
were only 9 games out of first place with 100 to go.
We figured it was time to make moves. Frankly, I was
sick of being in last place."
The first move was bringing in outfielder Brian Giles.
"His batting average has gone up 60 points since
coming over from that black hole in Battle Axe. Our
park is definitely more hitter friendly, " said Reese.
Trading Troy Pervical was hard, but worth it, says
Reese. "We came to realize our outfield was slow,
really slow. Marquis Grissom was acquired, giving us a
great center fielder. In addition, we got Josh
Ludolph, who took over where Troy left off. He has a
bunch of saves for us already."
Pitching hadnt been a problem for Medina, but the
offense was real slow out of the gate.
"Well, the original plan was to let our hitters
develop another year, but as I said, we thought the
division was winnable this year."
The Mustangs sent pitcher Jeff Austin and 3B Mike
Lowell, plus their 1st round ammy in 2002 for CF Jim
Edmonds and 3B Matt Williams.
"Edmonds has been one of the most consistent hitters
in the PVBL the last five years, "said Reese, "and
while Williams struggled in Battle Axe, we figured we
could get the same improvement out of him as we are
out of Brian (Giles)."
All those trades made Medina the hottest team in the
PVBL. They have won 9 of their last 10, and for the
first time in 4 years, have risen to third in the Kirk
Division.
"Hey, we are only 4.5 games out of first!" said Reese.
The trading didnt stop their, as the Mustangs traded
the future for the present.
"Man, Ann Arbor is getting some players that are going
to be superstars, thats for sure, "said Reese, "but if
we've gone on a tear before our last acquisitions,
imagine what we can do now."
The latest trade completes the Mustangs goal of
improving the speed on their team.
"We didnt acquire Quinton really to be a leadoff
hitter, but to give us a burner in the outfield."
The addition of of Scott Sanders bolsters an already
formidable rotation. Sanders was 2-3 with a 2.93 ERA in
Ann Arbor. More importantly, right handed batters were
hitting only .191 against him.
"This rotation rivals if not exceeds the rotation we
had last year (when the Mustangs had Scott Erickson,
Mike Mussina, Albie Lopez, Pat Hentgen, and Brett
Tomko)."
Indeed, a rotation that includes Alex Fernandez, Pat
Hentgen, Albie Lopez, Andy Pettitte, and Scott Sanders
is enough to send fear through any team. The move
actually bumps the Mustangs best pitcher this season,
Ariel Pietro (4-0 3.23) to the bench when he returns
from the DL.
The Mustangs might not be done. The recent moves have
sent hitters Jeff Kent, Butch Huskey, and Richie
Sexson to the bench. All are available to a team that
needs to boos it's offense.
"We need to restock our farm system a bit, now" said
Reese.
