General Manager Gary Altman, and manager Tom Ritchie attended the press conference confirming that CF'er Juan Marin has been traded, pending physicals.
Altman stated that in return for the 34 year old veteran who played in 159 games in 2013, hitting .285 with 16 HR and 71 RBI's.
In return for Marin, the Bombers received SS Ben Kessler and SP Jeremy Fisher.
The question posed to Altman was by Dickie Dunn, and his question was "Is this a salary dump?".
Altman - I can see where you can assume that. Marin is due to make 13.5 M in 2014 and 2015. While we here in South Carolina feel that Marin will be productive and re energized on the west coast. Also, where as we were very happy with Marin's production with the organization, we didn't see the ROI. To be the highest paid Bomber and be fifth in HR, 3rd in RBI and AVG and batting 6th in the lineup, we felt it prudent to move Marin at this time.
Dunn - What's the story with Fisher? He's on the DL right now.
GM - Fisher is a hard throwing left handed pitcher. He started his career at 18 years old and went 18-4 with a 2.02 ERA. The injury Fisher suffered was a torn triceps and is not only anticipated to fully recover, but be recovered in time for the start of the season. Before his injury, Fisher was at 12-5 and 1.48 ERA and he was only 19. He'll be starting the season the 2014 season in AA, and would not be surprised to see him pitch with the Bombers in late 2015, or 2016. We're very high on him and felt that he offers us something for moving a quality man like Marin.
Dunn followed up with how will man the cavernous South Carolina CF and where will he bat?
GM - Well, we are really happy with the development of CF'er Martin Evans. An 82nd overall selection in the inaugural draft. Evans has really found himself. In 2012, at AAA, he hit 314, 403 OB, 1 HR, and 19 SB. His 2013 campaign, at 24 years old he took a big step up. In 141 games, he hit .333, 442 OB, 3 HR and 45 SB. 2013 saw Evans be selected to the AAA All Star Game.
Ritchie - Evans, I feel, is ready now, and is a gold glove caliber center fielder. He'll hit bounce between 1st, 8th and 9th in the order. Our long range goal is to have him bat lead off, but we won't to take as much pressure off the kid as possible.
Dunn asked about resigning Alfonso, and if not who would play RF.
GM - Alfonso situation is interesting. We'd love to keep him here, but he'll be 39 or 40 next season. Not quite the direction we're looking to spend money on either. We received our message about our budget loud and clear from the owner, and there's no help coming. We have to control our destiny. We've removed over 9 million this season and we're looking to save another 5 or so. We're also planning on cutting another 20 million off of next season's payroll.
MGR - As for RF Brant Lee and Mark Buchanan will likely man the position. They offer two different perspectives and game sets and makes us a different team depending who's in the lineup. Buchanan, 24, will be given every opportunity to make the squad out of spring training against RHP.
Overall, at AAA, Buchanan hit 287, 397 OB with 18 HR, 82 RBI in 125 games. But against RHP, Buchanan went 297, 414 OB, 495 SLG, 16 HR, 67 RBI in 327 AB.
Lee, 27 can run. His bat needs to come around if he'd like to make the squad out of training camp, but he has stolen 71 bases in his minor league career. Factor that speed with some power and you have a very intriguing asset. Lee was a 20-20 man in AA this year, and that was missing about 5 weeks while in AAA.
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