Flying Squirrels make pair of deals

Just before the pre-draft trade deadline, the Frostbite Falls Flying Squirrels made a pair of trades to improve the future of the franchise.

First, the club finalized the long-rumored trade of Carlos Pena to Pottsylvania. Originally the Squirrels were planning on getting an established relief pitcher back, but in the 11th hour the Creepers offered two top young arms, RHP Kyle Gibson and LHP James Paxton, for the first baseman.

And, literally one minute before the deadline, GM Jack Zduriencik swapped one young player coming off a down season, C Chris Iannetta, to the Madtown Murlocs for another, LHP Francisco Liriano.

"Coming into the draft we looked at our farm system and determined we were a little short on future impact talent," Zduriencik said. "So we identified our strengths, catcher and first base, and traded our backups from those positions for very talented young players. Pena and Iannetta weren't going to see much playing time behind Albert Pujols and Victor Martinez, respectively, so we determined they were tradeable.

"We are very excited about bringing these three dynamic arms into our system. We already have one of the top young rotations in the league (with an average age of 25), and this ensures our rotation will continue to be top-notch, young and cheap many years into the future."

In other news, the Flying Squirrels were forced to cut ties with longtime closer Joe Nathan. Amid news of Nathan's impending Tommy John surgery, the Squirrel front office decided they couldn't hold onto him and his salary while he was on the sidelines.

"We wish Joe the best," owner Andrew Haynes said. "We hope his recovery goes well and that he returns to his old self next year. If that is the case, we might look at bringing him back."

Nathan is a career Squirrel. He was drafted by the team in the 6th round in 2004 and pitched for the team until 2009. He became the full-time closer in 2005 and saved 145 games in his six years with the club, the best mark in the league. Joakim Soria is expected to take over as the closer.