California's first deal
The new ownership of the California franchise made their first transaction today shipping out flame-throwing reliever Grant Balfour and speedster Ryan Freel to Oakland in exchange for a trio of recently drafted youngsters, left-handed starting pitchers Gio Gonzalez and Greg Smith, and second base prospect Luis Valbuena. The young starters will significantly improve the California rotation with Smith stepping in this year, and Gonzalez hopefully living up to his high potential in the future. The Demon Squirrels also acquire a good second base prospect, a position that is in scarce supply in the Joe Shlabotnik baseball league. Oakland picks up a right-handed bat off the bench to support Nomar Garciaparra and one of the best right-handed middle-relievers, two key components management felt they were lacking as it attempts to make a championship run this year.
With two weeks before the start of the regular season teams are making their final preparations, rumors of possible moves have been flying, be sure to stay tuned.