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."
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