News from northern Minnesota

After missing the playoffs for the first time in league history, Frostbite Falls management is thinking of making some substantial changes, according to rumor.

One of the possible changes is in the managerial department. The Squirrels are discussing firing Mike Noakes, who had been the skipper throughout the franchise's history (including their inaugural season in Santa Barbara), because they feel the team has stumbled down the stretch each of the last three years. This year the Squirrels were leading the division with 10 games to go, but they lost six of their last 10, including three out of the final four to cellar dwelling Pottsylvania, to finish one game out of a playoff spot. No word yet on who they might look at to replace Noakes if they do indeed relieve him of his duties.

Insiders were also saying that the club has been trying to re-acquire a former star infielder, and that it might have been SS Jimmy Rollins or 3B Scott Rolen. This was their first full season without Rollins, who they traded to Las Vegas for Brad Penny at the trading deadline in 2006, and Frostbite management might believe it wasn't a coincidence that the only season without Rollins is the only season without a playoff appearance.

As for the Johan Santana trade rumors? That front is pretty quiet right now, what with the playoffs winding down and the Christmas season upon us. Earlier, word was the Squirrels were intrigued by a few offers and were starting to talk to a few other teams.

by Duhn Ewsguy
The Frostbite Falls Picayune Intelligence

Bruce named Minor League Player of the Year

The Frostbite Falls Flying Squirrels organization is proud to announce that respected baseball prospect company Baseball America has named Squirrels OF Jay Bruce as its Minor League Player of the Year.

Bruce, a 2005 1st-round draft pick of the Reds (12th overall) and 2007 late-round B.A.R.B. pick by the Squirrels, hit .319 with 26 HR and 89 RBI in 133 games over 3 levels, including .305-11-25 in 50 games in AAA as a 20-year-old. Bruce also hit 46 2B and 8 3B and scored 87 times.

He did, however, strike out 135 times and was successful in only 8 of his 15 stolen base attempts (although he stole 19 in 2006).

"We are going to love having this kid patrol center or right for us in just a few years," said Frostbite Falls Owner/GM Andrew Haynes. "I think he definitely has a chance to be a consistent 30-homer, 20 steal guy. He'll hit for a good average and strike out less as he matures. And his defense is already good. Jay is going to be one heck of a player."

At one point early in the season, the Squirrels had three players who now have BA Player of the Year awards in their trophy cases. Alex Gordon (2006 winner) was traded in the Carlos Beltran deal, and Rocco Baldelli (2002) was dealt to S-Mart as part of a package to acquire Luis Castillo.

Update from the Springs

Hey people, Mr. Hatfield wanted me to post a blog to update everyone on how it is going in Colorado Springs. So here is the one I have written (which is already posted on myspace, so some of you might have seen it already).

Wow. It's been a while since I blogged. Not exactly sure how long, but I'm sure it's been nearly a year.

Anyway, I arrived in Colorado Springs last Tuesday. Had orientation Wednesday and Thursday. Was about 9,000 feet above sea level Friday-Sunday at a retreat for all of the students here at the Focus on the Family Institute. The 88 students are split up into eight teams. Each team did exercises to build confidence and get to know the other people in your group. The first four teams are from one apartment complex (where I live) and the last four are from the other complex.

So that was a fun weekend. I even got to go disc golfing on a "course" they had at the retreat center. I also got to play a couple hours of volleyball (I had a good serve and even blocked a spike attempt once).

We have different classes such as Marriage Studies; Christian Worldview; Family, Church, and Society Studies; and Family Life Studies. I also have a practicum (basically an internship). Today was the first day of class (I had Christian Worldview).

But if there is one thing I have learned, it's that I'll probably come home bearing somewhat of a Southern accent. Out of the 88 people, probably 30 or so are from the South. Most of them have at least a bit of a twang (and this one girl from South Carolina has a very authentic accent). Two of my roommates are from the South (Georgia and Tennessee), though the other is from SoCal.

Oh, and 64 of the 88 students are girls. But that's not the important thing here, right?

So that's a small summary of the first week.

Squirrels Fill 2B Hole

FROSTBITE FALLS- Since trading 2B Tadahito Iguchi less than a month ago, Flying Squirrels management has been vigorously exploring replacement options.

After trying Julio Lugo and debating calling up Esteban German from AAA, GM Andrew Haynes decided to look outside the organization for the solution. Almost immediately he noticed that S-Mart had two talented second sackers, Dan Uggla and Luis Castillo.

Out of that realization came the trade with the Boom Sticks that will be giving Castillo a starting job after playing behind Uggla for most of the season. Coming to the Frozen Tundra with Castillo are 3B Edwin Encarnacion, C J.D. Closser, and RHP Jason Schmidt.

The now-former Squirrels are Lugo, RHP Tim Wakefield, and OFs Rocco Baldelli and Dave Roberts.

"I am very pleased to add Castillo to this organization," said Squirrels GM Andrew Haynes. "We have actually been inquiring about him for a few years now but were never able to get a deal done. We have high hopes for Encarnacion, and Closser is the emergency catcher just in case something happens to Victor or Kenji. And while it's good to have Schmidt back in the fold, we don't expect him to throw another pitch in a Squirrel uni, let alone in B.A.R.B. He was a throw in because he's out for the season and the release of his salary gets S-Mart much closer to having a team salary under the cap."

"We're certainly okay with saying goodbye to most of the players we dealt. Lugo wasn't playing much (or well, when he did play). I love the knuckleball, but Wakefield is old and we have a more talented "Timmy" in the minors. Baldelli was definitely the hardest to trade. While he has a history of injury problems, his talent is so enticing that we had major second-thoughts about including him. As for Roberts, well, we appreciate that he kind of helped us with the World Series last year."

Penny-Iguchi press release

As the rest of BARB already knows, we have recently completed a deal with the Las Vegas Luchadores to send 2B Tadahito Iguchi to the desert and recieved RHP Brad Penny.

"This really helps our rotation," said Flying Squirrels GM Andrew Haynes. " We have had some injuries (most significantly Chris Carpenter's Tommy John surgery) that have hurt us. I mean, we've had thoughts of putting three rookies in the rotation. So Brad should solidify the staff and help us in our division chase. We definitely think we have one of the best pitching staffs in the league."

Penny was the #3 starter on the 2006 Squirrels squad that won the World Series, but he wasn't protected in the draft after having a record near .500 with an ERA in the high-5.00s.

Iguchi, who was projected as the #2 hitter and an important cog in the defense, started the season hitting just .177 through 59 games but has played better as of late, hitting .394 with three home runs in his last 127 games.

"We will certainly miss him," said Assistant GM Brian Sabean. "He's been playing very well lately and we don't have another true second baseman in the system.

"At the same time, we acquired an outstanding pitcher by meeting a need for the Luchadores, and there are enough second basemen out there that we could probably get one."

Beltran deal press release

The Frostbite Falls front office is very excited to bring a player of Mr. Beltran's talent into the fold. As many know, we have had problems with inadequate center field play each season. The story had been the same in 2007, with Dave Roberts and Rocco Baldelli splitting time in center. Both of those players bring their own unique talents to the table, but they aren't complete players and they have both spent time on the disabled list this season.

Carlos Beltran is a true five-tool player. He makes good contact, hits for a lot of power, runs well, possesses a great glove, and has a very good arm. He will make this a very exciting season in Frostbite Falls. Flying Squirrels management is very excited to add his bat to an already power-packed lineup including the likes of Albert Pujols, Barry Bonds, Victor Martinez, and Jason Bay.

We also love the young talent we picked up. Evan Longoria will be an outstanding third baseman as soon as next season. Rich Hill is going to move into our rotation immediately, and we expect him to have much success. Also, we believe that Matt Garza will become a top of the rotation major league starter. Just imagining our possible future rotation of Johan Santana, Chris Carpenter, Ben Sheets, Hill, Garza, and Tim Lincecum makes us ecstatic.

Unfortunately, to get talent you have to give up talent. In this case, we had to give up the top two prospects in baseball, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Alex Gordon, and a possible five-tool guy in Chris Young. Trading Matsuzaka was the main sticking point in getting this deal done because he is already proving his mettle at the big league level and he should continue in success for many years to come. Even though he is struggling, Gordon is very well rounded and should be an All-Star third sacker for a long time. Young is showing glimpses of his 30-30 possibilities, but it remains to be seen whether he will hit for a respectable average.

We are very pleased with this trade, and we plan on making a serious run for the Eastern Division championship.

Lincecum shuts down Diamondbacks!

San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum had the game of his young career Sunday, throwing 7 shutout innings against the rival Diamondbacks to win his 3rd game. In a promising change from previous starts, Lincecum did not walk a batter, gave up only 3 hits, and threw less than 100 pitches. The only extra base hit Lincecum gave up, a double off the bat of SS Stephen Drew, was really just a high pop-up to shallow center field that Giants fielders couldn't quite get a bead on.

Lincecum, who has been given many different nicknames by the Giants fan base including Franchise and The Nun (because you can't hit that!), struck out a career-high 12 Diamondback batters, 2 better than his game at Houston on May 17.

With Johan Santana, Chris Carpenter, and Ben Sheets in the major league rotation and Lincecum, Rich Hill, and Matt Garza in the minors, the rotation of the Frostbite Falls Flying Squirrels promises to be very good in the near future.

Gagne deal press release

The Frostbite Falls Flying Squirrel franchise is very pleased to bring Mr. Gagne back into the fold. For those that remember, Gagne was the closer for our team in 2003 and 2004 and when he wasn't injured in 2005. In his career as a Storm/Squirrel, Gagne was 13-12 with 62 and a 2.70 ERA while 277 K in 190 IP. He won the league's Fireman of the Year award in both 2003 and 2004, and was our closer in 2005 before succumbing to injury, whereupon Joe Nathan replaced him. After 2005, Gagne was sent to Seattle.

We are giving up a very talented catcher in Josh Bard. We just didn't have room for him, though. He couldn't be sent to the minors, and with him in the majors we had three catchers. He was just going to rot on the bench.

We also expect Humberto Sanchez to become a very good starter, although if he doesn't start he can be a great closer. He, like Scott Elbert, was a guy in the minors who was injured and was about the 5th best starting pitching prospect we had.

We are very pleased with this deal and our improved bullpen. We are confident that, with just one or two more smart trades, we can compete very well in this division.