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.