Free Agent Activity

GM Goldberg says, "We are not fnished in free agency!"

Fans question where did all the money go?  Well it was clear that the market was well over priced for aging veterans.  I told the experts at the trade deadline, that CASH will be king.  In the off-season, it worked out just that way.  BSA star Martin Griffin CL, was still on the market after his original asking price of $10+M for 5+ years was ignored by everyone in the BSA.  The market continues to drop and we will be ready to make the right move when it makes sense.

Goldberg has a history of sticking to short term deals.

Lets look at the two major free agent signings so far for the Titans of Toronto.

Jose Brito  (1 year deal, $3.71M)  Goldberg says, "Lets see how he does in a larger ballpark..."

 "Living in Canada makes it easier for my family to visit me and watch me play!"

Carlos Garica  (1 year deal, $3.00 M)  Goldberg says, "perform or there will be no return back to Toronto next year - we needed some pop in our lineup and he can hit them out to any field!"

 "I hope to return to my 2011 form when I had 36 dingers!  I love the ballpark changes"

Opening Day/Week in the BSA

It was a disappointing start to Toronto Titans baseball in the BSA.

Fans were excited, Management was excited, all the work that went into the team in the off-season and pre-season came down to right here, right now.

Unfortunately the start of the season did not go as planned.

Newly acquired CL Jose Gomez had the worst stretch of his professional career.

Nicknamed Heartthrob, GM Goldberg said, "he better worry about pitching and not worry about the girls before the game and signing their bras...."  We gave him a healthy extension, he was hot in the spring training so all jokes aside we expect him to rebound nicely.  Asked if there was a rumor that a taxi was coming in ala Martin Cab Fare Griffin - Goldberg laughed, "Ha,,, not unless he lessens his $$$ demands.."

Game Log for Gomez

1 IP, 7 Hits, 8 runs (all earned), 2 HRs, 2 BB, 1K, 0-2 record with 3 Blown Saves

Toronto managed to come home at 2-3 despite the closers poor effort.  Fans are weary though with an opening night loss to division rival Kansas City and a home opener loss to another division rival Indianapolis.

If we can't close the games we will be in for a long season!

Titans Spring Training Review - 2 Prospects Make the Team!

Toronto used the spring training to give work to the young prospects in the system to see if any of them could crack the ML roster heading to Kansas City for opening day.

2 bright stars and past top prospects did make the club:

LF - Santiago Frias

RF - Luis Gonzalez

Santiago Frias was developed within our organization meanwhile Luis Gonzalez was acquired from HAD (newly relocated to IND).

Both players will see some time right out of the gate as Chien-Shih Cuan OF was nursing an injury during the spring.

The fans are excited to see the influx of new talent on the Titans roster.

Toronto Ownership Delivers on Promise!

Ownership delivered on their promises this off-season;

Toronto was one of the most active organizations this off-season.  Almost turning around their complete roster and minor league system.

In the eyes of management, Toronto lacked that ace needed to dominant a playoff series.  It was clear with the loss to Greenville in last years playoffs that SP was one of the biggest reasons for the loss.

To send a message, Toronto acquired Shawn Jackson from STL as a tease and then delivered the fans a special treat with Guillermo Mendoza from HAD.  Mendoze clearly is one of the elite pitchers in the BSA universe.  Toronto was very sad to see popular and producing players leave the organization but, clearly had to pay the price to bring home an ace.

Toronto was not done.  Lacking funds to be an active player in the Free Agent market, Toronto moved solid prospects that were a few years away from making the big club for CASH.

Then in a big a trade that made star Martin Griffin upset to walk to Free Agency, the Titans acquired solid closer Jose Gomez from POC plus obtaining more CASH to help resign star Raul Gonzalez 1B.

During Spring Training, Toronto completed two more moves to bring in future stars in the rotation.  First the Titans acquired;  Mike Saunders from CLE and then acquired Reagan Wear and Cesar Martinez from VIS. Both those trades probably hurt the major league roster a bit but, the feeling was by our management team that we could absorb the losses because of our depth.

A list of all the major trades are shown below:

Traded 17-year-old minor league right fielder Xamida Machuka, 23-year-old minor league first baseman Jesús Ontiveros and 23-year-old minor league reliever Didyu Ghosh to the St. Louis Browns, getting 26-year-old starting pitcher Shawn Jackson in return.

Traded 26-year-old second baseman Steve Robinson, 25-year-old starting pitcher Alfonso Gutiérrez, 25-year-old starting pitcher Ross Holley and 19-year-old minor league center fielder Héctor Camacho to the Haddonfield Hackers, getting 26-year-old starting pitcher Guillermo Mendoza, 25-year-old minor league center fielder Donovan Price, 19-year-old minor league center fielder Jorge Gutiérrez and 24-year-old right fielder Luis González in return.

Traded 26-year-old minor league third baseman Ángel García to the Greenville 84s, getting $2,000,000 in cash in return.

Traded 26-year-old minor league center fielder Jesús Santos to the Greenville 84s, getting $2,000,000 in cash in return.

Traded 15-year-old minor league closer Adrián Martínez, 24-year-old minor league starting pitcher Cho-yeong Cho and 16-year-old minor league reliever Manny Benavides to the Pocatello Boccabellas, getting 29-year-old closer José Gómez and $6,000,000 in cash in return.

Traded 25-year-old starting pitcher José Orozco, 28-year-old second baseman Jesús Valdéz and 26-year-old minor league left fielder Eduardo Bautista to the Cleveland Monsters, getting 24-year-old minor league starting pitcher Mike Saunders, 26-year-old starting pitcher Gary Cox, 32-year-old first baseman Rich Smith, 23-year-old minor league second baseman Will Newman and $2,600,000 in cash in return.

Toronto Sends; SP/MR John Stricker, CF Donovan Price, SP Clint Murphy, SP Ban-xao Lam, MR Alfredo Soto, 1B Claudio Hernandez

Vista Sends:  SP Reagan Wear, SP Cesar Martinez, DH Santiago Marquez

Relocation Announced for the Entire Organization

Out with old management in with new management, stated GM Jason Goldberg.

We have a lot of respect to the former management that draft, ran and led the former OKC organization to being one of the most successful franchises in the BSA.

However; with new ownership in place there is only one goal for management, coaches, players and our fans.  We are in this to win the BSA Championship!  An estimated crowd of 100,000 people gathered at the base of the CN Tower to listened to the press conference.

Our management team will live with a philosophy as simple as, "There is plenty of time to sleep where we are all dead...".  We will play hard, work hard and have fun.  We will not stop working until we have the Championship.

The new organization:

ML - Toronto Titans (black and gold)
AAA - Lansing Lugnuts (red and grey)
AA - New Hampshire Fisher Cats (green and yellow)
A - Dunedin Blue Jays (blue and grey)

Expect a ton of changes in the off-season as we take our step towards being a not just a Continental Central Division contender but, a BSA champion.

BSA - Update

The Oklahoma City Redhawks finished the season with a strong 100-62 record finishing in 2nd place behind a strong Regina team in the Continental League Central Division.  The first round opponent for the Redhawks was Greenville.  Greenville were the winners of the Continental League East Division with a 97-65 record.

OKC managed to win game 1 by scoring 5 runs in the bottom of the 9th to win 8-7.  The turning point of the series felt by most fans of the BSA was in game 2 in OK.  OKC led 1-0 going to the top of the 9th after 1B slugger Raul Gonzalez went deep in the 7th.  Future HOF superstar Martin Griffin took the mound and didn't get the job done as Greenville scored 4 runs and held on for the 4-1 win in game 2 to tie the series 1-1.  A key play in this game was an error by future HOF Kyuso Fujita catcher in the 9th that allowed the flood gates to open.  GM Goldberg said after the game, "we had our chance to take control of this series heading to Greenville and we let it slip away".  The scene then shifted to Game 3 in Greenville.  In Game 3 it was similar to Game 1 except this time there would be no comeback from OKC.  Greenville won 4-2 to lead the series 2-1.  In Game 4 and a must win game for OKC, Salvador Perez easily our best SP all year got rocked in the 1st inning giving up 3 runs and Greenville blasted Oklahoma City 9-0 to lead the series 3-1.  OKC had their backs against the wall in Game 5 desparately trying to get the series back to OK.  Ross Holley just didn't get the job done.  Greeville jumped out early yet again with a 5-0 lead and held on for a 8-5 win  and thus took the series easily at 4-1.  Most of the BSA experts predicted a 7 game series with most feeling the experience and depth of OKC would give them the slight edge.  This is why Vegas is Vegas my friends, anything and everything can happen in the BSA.  A big congratulations to John Bosma for not only winning his very first BSA playoff game but, winning this series in convincing fashion.

A reflection of the series:
Kyuso Fujita batted .188, Steve Robinson batted .125, Martin Griffin blew his only save opportunity and the SP just didn't show up.

There are strong indications coming from this camp that major changes are ahead.

Triple AAA - Update

The Tulsa Drillers failed to achieve their ultimate goal by losing to San Jose in the Pacific Coast League finals 3 games to 2.  Tulsa finished the regular season winning the Central Division with a 117-45 record.

The playoff results are shown below:

Post-Season Results
Divisional Series	Tulsa over Spokane, 3-0
Divisional Series	San Jose over Houston, 3-1
PCL Championship	San Jose over Tulsa, 3-2

Double AA - Update

Monterrey Desperadoes celebrated the Southern League Championship after defeating Black Iron in the series 3-1.  BlackIron finally stopped the winning streak of Monterrey at 21 games after winning game 3 of the finals.  Monterrey finished the regular season winning the West Division with a 106-56 record.

Playoff results are shown below:

Post-Season Results
SNL First Round	BlackIron over Montgomery, 3-2
SNL First Round	Monterrey over Key West, 3-0
SNL Championship	Monterrey over BlackIron, 3-1

Single A - Update

The Omaha Redhawks winners of the Atlantic Division in the Appalachian League with a 96-66 record didn't achieve their ultimate goal this year.  Omaha lost in the first round to Nantucket 3-2. 

Playoff results shown below:

Post-Season Results
NAL First Round	Louisville over Savannah, 3-1
NAL First Round	Nantucket over Omaha, 3-2
NAL Championship	Louisville over Nantucket, 3-1

What is September 1st, 2013?

That is the last time the Monterrey Desperadoes lost a SNL AA game in the BSA.  Yes that is a remarkable 16 game winning streak!

123 - 24 are the total runs for and against during this streak.

News from the OKC Organization...

Week's Best Player Honored by APL
Monday, September 16th, 2013: Mario Quiñonez kept his eye on the ball last week and now all eyes are on him. The Omaha Redhawks second baseman easily swung his way to the Appalachian League Player of the Week Award with 11 hits in 23 at-bats.

Quiñonez hit .478 last week with 3 home runs, 7 RBIs and 6 runs scored.

This year Quiñonez is batting .370 with 30 hits and 6 home runs. He has scored 19 times and has batted in 24 runs.

Week's Top Performer Honored by SNL
Monday, September 9th, 2013: It can be difficult for a young player to step out of the shadows and assert himself in the Southern League, but last week Joshua Harris of the Monterrey Desperadoes reminded everyone just why he's here as he threw up numbers that made him an easy selection for Player of the Week. Harris rocked opposing pitching for a .414 average (12-29), 3 home runs and 12 RBIs to come away with the award.

Presently Harris is batting .364 with 32 hits and 5 home runs. He has knocked in 20 runs and scored 13 times.

Santos Earns PCL Player of the Week
Monday, September 16th, 2013: Jesús Santos burst onto the Pacific Coast League stage in a big way last week. This promising rookie center fielder for Tulsa garnered everyone's respect by putting up some remarkable numbers and picking up the Player of the Week trophy.

The 26-year-old haunted opposing pitchers hitting .600 (18-30) with 2 home runs and 12 RBIs last week.

Batting .341 to date, Santos has 12 home runs and 73 RBIs.

Omaha Redhawks Clinch Atlantic Division in the APL

The Omaha Redhawks clinched the Atlantic Division in APL Single A for the 4th consecutive season.

Joey Jacobs 1B and Pedro Zaragoza DH lead the way on the offensive side meanwhile Clint Murphy SP and Adrian Martinez CL lead the way on the mound.

GM Goldberg, "We may not re-sign OKC stars"

GM Goldberg reported, after a tough 2-2 series split in Regina in which OKC star CL Martin Griffin blew a SAVE in game #1 to set the tone of the series;  that a few OKC stars may not be re-signed in the offseason.

Unable to reach extension agreements with OKC stars CL Martin Griffin, 1B Raul Gonzalez and OF Carlos Garcia continue to frustrate not only the owner but the fans in Oklahoma City.  It is rumoured that each player is seeking anywhere from $12-20M per season on long term contracts.  "We just don't have those funds to sign everyone!", stated GM Goldberg.  Asked if the reason they wouldn't sign Griffin is because he has lost 2 mph off the fastball of late, Goldberg shouted, "He is still one of the best out there".

Asked if there were any rumours to a blockbuster trade after this post season that would send at least 1 or maybe 2 of those players packing to one of the new owners of the BSA, Goldberg stated, "No Comment!".

GM Goldberg ended the conversation by saying, "our performance in the post season will go a long way determining which road we take in re-signing these players".  It is clear, produce or be shipped out is the new slogan in Oklahoma City under new management.  It is also clear that the minor league system is full of bright, young, future BSA stars just waiting for their chance to compete at the BSA Major League level.  Finally, it is clear that the available cash of some of these owners in the BSA is driving up the market for some aging veterans so it will be interesting to see what happens in the offseason.

Before then, OKC focuses on clinching a wild card playoff spot in the BSA.

Continental League Rookie of the Month - Ben Moss - OKC

Continental League Names Rookie of Month
Sunday, September 1st, 2013: Ben Moss is still a bit shy, but then, who could blame the newest Continental League Rookie of the Month honoree? He hasn't been around the league long enough to fully know the ropes yet, despite the fact that he's putting up veteran-like numbers.

In August the Oklahoma City hitter tagged opposing pitching for a .365 average with 38 hits, 4 home runs and 17 RBIs.

So far this year Moss has hit .329 with 4 home runs, 22 RBIs and 19 runs scored.

Monterrey Desperadoes clinch SNL West Division Title

The defending SNL champions clinched their 4th SNL West Division Title in the past 7 years.

The key player the past few weeks has been Joshua Harris.

Southern League's Best Batter Announced
Monday, August 26th, 2013: Joshua Harris is respected by most Monterrey Desperadoes fans for his no-frills style of play. The 25-year-old first baseman went about his business with vigor last week to grab the Southern League Player of the Week honors.

He compiled a .444 average (12-27) with 2 home runs, 5 RBIs and 5 runs scored.

Harris is batting .424 with 2 home runs and 6 RBIs this season.

Tulsa Drillers win another PCL Central Division Title!

The Tulsa Drillers clinch the PCL Central Division for the 6th time in 7 years.  The Triple A farm team of the Oklahoma City Redhawks are 1st in 7 out of 11 offensive statistical categories and are 1st in 8 out of 10 pitching statistical categories.

It will be interesting to see how good the Drillers finish the year in the PCL with the September call-ups soon to be announced by OKC.

1st Round Pick goes YARD on very first pitch of his BSA career....

1st round draft pick David O'Neil, 2B who signed a minor league contract earlier in the week with OKC after tough negotiations, hit the first ever pitch he has seen in the BSA 512 ft for a Home run in Single A ball for Omaha last night.  There is strong indication by all credible scouts that he will be a future MVP of the BSA at the major league level.  David said after the game, "my parents wanted me to be a math professor" oh well... The sign on bonus was rumoured to be over 1M++ to land this elite player.  I will show every team that passed up on me in the draft how big their mistake was...Nava went on to say...  OKC was shocked he was available late in Round 1.  In an unsual request by todays standards, Nava plays the BSA game without his name on his jersey.  Growing up my dad always said its all about the team.  There is no "i" in team but there is an "i" in win.

Vincent Hobbs surprised and excited about being added to the playoff roster for OKC

Vincent Hobbs who is lighting up AAA for the Tulsa Drillers received a knock on his hotel room last night from his skipper indicating that he was being added to the 40 man roster.  Hobbs said, we have a lot of clowns on this team so you never know what that knock may mean...  He went on to say he is happy with his relationship with his girlfriend of 3 years, Miss. Mary Lou Lumber who is original from Crossett, AR.  Her dad works for the GP Pulp and Paper Mill.  Mary Lou likes to bake in her spare time.  Hobbs may see some starting action at 1st base for the Oklahoma City in September.

Gerald Russell Hurls No-Hitter Against Reds in Double A

Wednesday, August 21st, 2013:  It was a terrific day for Gerald Russell of the Monterrey Desperadoes at Las Olas Riverfront Stadium.  He stood out with a fantastic 3-0 no-hitter against the West Palm Reds.

"I knew I had a No-No going in about the sixth inning, when I noticed no one was talking to me anymore," he said, referring to the time honored superstition of teammates avoiding the pitcher so they won't jinx the no-hitter. "Don't let people fool you. Everybody on the field and in the ballpark knows what's happening. They just pretend they don't."

For the game Russell totaled 1 walk and 12 strikeouts in a very strong outing.

The Monterrey pitching coach marveled at his performance, "His mechanics were perfect and I don't think he threw one bad pitch in the whole game.  He was that good."

This year Russell has compiled a 7-4 mark with a 2.98 ERA in 25 starts.

Tulsa Drillers using "CORKED" Bats...

Tulsa entered the top of the 9th in Vancouver leading 8-7 in a wild and crazy game in one of Canada's most beautiful parts of the country.

However; the game took a wild turn of events when Tulsa scord 14 runs in the top of the 9th to win going away 22-7 in PCL Triple AAA action.

Here is how the crazy inning went:

Top of the 9th - Tulsa Drillers batting - Pitching for Vancouver Canadians : LHP Arturo Reyes
Batting: RHB Ángel García	0-0: Ball 1-0: SINGLE (Groundball, 3S)
Batting: RHB Michael Cooke	0-0: Called Strike 0-1: Ball 1-1: Swinging Strike 1-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F 1-2: Ball 2-2: DOUBLE (Line Drive, 5D) Ángel García to third
Pinch Hitting: RHB Joshua Harris	0-0: Intentional Walk
Batting: LHB Manny McCall	0-0: Ball 1-0: Ball 2-0: Called Strike 2-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F 2-2: SINGLE (Line Drive, 9S) Ángel García scores Michael Cooke to third Joshua Harris to second
Batting: RHB Ben Johnston	0-0: Ball 1-0: Ball 2-0: Ball 3-0: Called Strike 3-1: Base on Balls Michael Cooke scores Joshua Harris to third Manny McCall to second
Batting: RHB Vincent Hobbs	0-0: Ball 1-0: Called Strike 1-1: Ball 2-1: Ball 3-1: Base on Balls Joshua Harris scores Manny McCall to third Ben Johnston to second
Pitching: LHP David Austin
Batting: SHB Santiago Farías	0-0: Swinging Strike 0-1: Ball 1-1: Ball 2-1: Called Strike 2-2: DOUBLE (Flyball, 9LM) Manny McCall scores Ben Johnston scores Vincent Hobbs to third
Batting: RHB Jesús Ontiveros	0-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F 0-1: SINGLE (Groundball, 56D) Vincent Hobbs scores Santiago Farías to third
Pinch Hitting: RHB Millard Douglas	0-0: Ball Wild Pitch! Santiago Farías scores Jesús Ontiveros to second 1-0: Ball 2-0: Swinging Strike 2-1: Ball 3-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F 3-2: Base on Balls
Batting: RHB Ángel García	0-0: Called Strike 0-1: Ball 1-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F 1-2: Strikes out looking
Batting: RHB Michael Cooke	0-0: Ball 1-0: Ball 2-0: Ball 3-0: Base on Balls Jesús Ontiveros to third Millard Douglas to second
Batting: RHB Joshua Harris	0-0: Ball 1-0: Ball 2-0: Foul Ball, location: 2F 2-1: Ball 3-1: Base on Balls Jesús Ontiveros scores Millard Douglas to third Michael Cooke to second
Batting: LHB Manny McCall	0-0: Ball 1-0: Called Strike 1-1: Foul Ball, location: 2F 1-2: Foul Ball, location: 2F 1-2: Ball 2-2: SINGLE (Flyball, 8LS) Millard Douglas scores Michael Cooke to third Joshua Harris to second
Pitching: LHP Clint Davis
Batting: RHB Ben Johnston	0-0: Ball 1-0: Ball 2-0: Swinging Strike 2-1: Ball 3-1: Base on Balls Michael Cooke scores Joshua Harris to third Manny McCall to second
Batting: RHB Vincent Hobbs	0-0: Ball 1-0: Called Strike 1-1: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 8RM) Runner from 3rd tags up, SCORES, throw made
Batting: SHB Santiago Farías	0-0: SINGLE (Groundball, 5D) Manny McCall to third Ben Johnston to second Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, throw made home Ben Johnston to third Santiago Farías to second
Batting: RHB Jesús Ontiveros	0-0: SINGLE (Groundball, 6M) Ben Johnston scores Santiago Farías to third Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, no throw or cutoff
Batting: RHB Millard Douglas	0-0: Called Strike 0-1: Ball 1-1: Swinging Strike 1-2: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 8LD)
Top of the 9th over - 14 run(s), 8 hit(s), 0 error(s), 1 left on base; Tulsa 22 - Vancouver 7

Kyuso Fujita - Allstar C in the BSA speaks up!

<Tokyo>

Kyuso Fujita of the Oklahoma City Redhawks today told reporters in Japan through a live feed that he is very much looking forward to hitting his 100th career HR in the BSA.  He said, when you hit 100 in this league you are hitting 100 in the best league in the world!   Kyuso who recently turned 30 years old still has plenty of game in the tank.  When asked what he likes to do in Oklahoma he said, “I like to watch the Sooners and go fly fishing”  Redhawk fans are happy to have him in their colours flying balls all over the park in the BNA.

<copyright protected by Tokyo/sony media v.1209abejx>

Player	Years	From-To	G	GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	VORP
Kyuso Fujita	4	2010-2013	484	475	1868	319	525	144	13	94	355	0	1	226	367	.281	.370	.523	.893	204.5

 Later that same week;

Continental League Winner is FujitaMonday, August 12th, 2013: There's nothing like being in the prime of your baseball career -- and playing like it. Just ask Kyuso Fujita, the Oklahoma City catcher, who swung a sweet bat all week to not only aid his team, but also pick up the Continental League Player of the Week honors.

Fujita piled up 10 hits in 26 at-bats, 2 home runs and 12 RBIs while hitting .385.

So far this year Fujita is batting .304 with 23 home runs, 77 RBIs and 75 runs scored.

Pitching Changes in Oklahoma City

GM Goldberg, is looking to shake things up in the rotation in order to maximize the playing time of his future stars. The following pitchers had face to face meetings with himself and the respective pitching coach to discuss a move to the bullpen.

Single A
Migual Palmeiro
Miguel Remirez
Juan Velazquez

AA
Cho-yeong Cho
Anthony Lewis
Ramon Pena
Gerald Russell
Curtis Tucker

AAA
Jung-Keun Yi

In addition, fans were caught off surprise in a morning sports talk show when SP John Stricker of the Redhawks phoned in from his car to state that his agent was just informed that the Redhawks pulled off the table the 2 year deal he said verbally was approved. GM Goldberg, was not available for comment.

ML NEWS:
Extension offer for John Stricker, SP pulled off the table at the last minute.

GM Goldberg looking to shop 18 game winner SP...

<OK Citizen>

GM Goldberg said last night, "I’m looking to make a few other moves prior to the trading deadline".

Everyone is contacting us about available SP.  I understand there is a shortage in the league of quality SP so, the following player may interest those teams trying to land one before the trade deadline. 

SP Jose Orozco is available.  See my commentary on him below:

He was an 18 game winner last year for our playoff OKC team.  He is due to come off the DL either at the end of the season or at a minimum be ready to pitch in the new season. 

He could benefit a playoff contender and/or a team looking to add a SP to their rotation next year and beyond.

He is young at 25 and coming of an injury.  He is good enough to be a #2 and definitely a strong #3 in the rotation for some teams.

He throws 4 pitches and has good stamina.  2 of the past 3 seasons he started 30+ games and throw 200+ IP with a sub par 3.00 ERA and WHIP around 1.30.  6’-2”, 212 lbs and bench presses 285.3 lbs in the weight room.

ESPN reacts to the latest trade by OKC...

<ESPN>

The fans in Oklahoma were scratching theirs heads when they woke up early this morning to find out fan favourites Joseph Newsome and Koshiro Shibutani were sent packing.

GM Jason Goldberg stated, “lets just say I’m bringing a different attitude to the team & the laid back attitude is not going to be tolerated in the club house”  There has been speculation that the team owner is having financial issues due to some recently reported gambling problems.  The owner wasn’t available for a live comment but, he did tweet as follows, “there isn’t any bit of truth to the rumour, I’d love to call you but, I am at the Porsche dealership picking up my new 911 GT3…”  Goldberg did appear on the early morning radio show, “Lets Get Crackin in Oklahoma” and made a key announcement, “I am extremely happy to report that Ray Kennedy has looked awesome in his 2 rehab starts in Single A and we have decided to call his arse up … excuse me call him up.  Kennedy has supposedly reached 101 mph on the radar gun (wind assisted mind you).....  We are sorry to see Newsome go but, we needed help against the better LHP in the league and Seung-“WON” Ton name says it all.  Listen, our scouts also had McGrath, Baker and Kay rated in the top 100 which closely matches BA’s list. 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

TO SAC: 

OF Joseph Newsome OKC + SP Koshiro Shibutani OKC

TO OKC:

C Bill McGrath – SALEM AA, OF Seung-won Ton - SAC, $5,000,000 CASH, SP Josh Baker – HARTFORD AAA, OF Neil Kay – HARTFORD AAA

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 

GM Goldberg remains busy before the trade deadline...

Newsome, Ton Swap Clubs
Friday, July 26th, 2013: Officials for Oklahoma City confirmed that they have traded 25-year-old left fielder Joseph Newsome and 28-year-old starting pitcher Koshiro Shibutani to the Sacramento Mentalists. In return, the Redhawks will receive 30-year-old left fielder Seung-won Ton, 24-year-old minor league starting pitcher Josh Baker, 25-year-old minor league center fielder Neil Kay, 23-year-old minor league catcher Bill McGrath and $5,000,000 in cash.

So far this year Newsome has no home runs and a .300 batting average.

For the year Ton is hitting .305 with 3 home runs. His stats include 31 runs batted in and 41 runs scored.

GM Goldberg signs his first big extension with star MR Fred Martin!

Star MR Signs Extension with Oklahoma City
Thursday, July 25th, 2013: Fans hailed the signing of Fred Martin today as the Oklahoma City Redhawks reliever came to terms with the club.

Set to make $4,500,000 over the upcoming 2 years, Martin signed primarily out of loyalty to the organization, thrilling the most diehard supporters who think there isn't much loyalty in a market driven by free agency.

To this point in the season, Martin has rung up no saves in 54 relief appearances. He has also crafted a 2.29 ERA, 5 wins and 1 loss and 72 strikeouts in 74.2 innings.

GM Goldberg, struggling to reach teams with Drafted Players

<AP Oklahoma City>

GM Jason Goldberg today revealed that the team is struggling to come to terms with ALL 9 1st year drafted players.  The likes of Dave O''Neil 2B, Emilio Carrillo SS, Jesus Suarez SP and MR Malcolm Moore are all gifted kids in school and it is not going to be easy to convince them to skip a professional career for a chance to wear a Redhawks uniform in the BSA.  Goldberg went on to say, "I will be personally visiting the families of each of these talented kids in the next coming weeks to make them feel at ease with our organization and our strong committment to making them reach their dreams of playing in the BSA for Oklahoma City".

Entire staff receives extensions

<AP - Oklahoma City>

Today GM Jason Goldberg announced that the entire coaching staff has received contract extensions.

This includes;
Jacques Delage - Manager at Double AA - Monterrey
Tom Lucott - Pitching Coach at Single A - Omaha
Reggie Miller - Hitting Coach at Double AA - Monterrey
Tommy Cox - Hitting Coach at Single A - Omaha
Chester Barnes - Pitching Coach at Double AA - Monterrey

I think it is important to realize alot of our past success has come from the development of our younger prospects.  I want to recognize the hard work and leadership of those individuals that make it all happen for the organization and for these young kids who have dreams to play in a Redhawks uniform.

Oklahoma City introduces new GM

<AP - July 16, 2013>
Oklahoma City announced today that it has reached an agreement with Jason Goldberg to become the teams next General Manager.

Goldberg said, "I am fortunate to take over the team which on paper is in great shape in terms of talent, finances and fan enthusiasm".  My only goal in Oklahoma City this year is to bring home a championship.

I expect our organization to play hard each and every game.  I also would like to mention that I appreciate all the kind welcomes I have received from the other GM's in the BSA.