Bombers Add To Bullpen

The Bombers have announced that in the early morning hours they finalized a trade with the Eureka Hornets and have acquired two ABL quality relievers in exchange for two blue chip prospects and two high level minor league relievers.  South Carolina also received and cash in return.

Coming to South Carolina will be  37 year old Jim Dorsey, and young phenom Cal "Bijou" Henry.

Henry was the key for South Carolina.  "Bijou" is just 23 years old and almost reaching his full potential (4.5* / 5*).  The hard throwing right handed reliever tops out on most radar guns at 98, and when opposing batters do not whiff, they'll hit it to one of Henry's infielders, to the tune of 73%.

Scouts are saying he is above average across the board and the only area that could stand improving would be his control. 

Also acquired was Jim Dorsey.  While not a natural leader as a rah-rah type guy, he does put long hours in, and hopefully that translates to the other players in the bullpen.  But what he does off the field doesn't matter nearly as much as it does with how he performs on the field.  And even at 37, he's still logging many innings and being exceptionally reliable.  Primarily a flyball pitcher, and topping out at a modest 94 MPH it appears he has a lot left in the tank.  His WHIP rating the last 3 seasons were 0.88, 1.21, and 1.09. 

Couple these two with Mike Hamilton and Charlie Arnold as well as the rapidly developing Kevin Rutledge and Jose Carreon, South Carolina addresses an area that was overwhelmingly disappointing ranking 11th or 12th in most pitching categories.

Of course, to acquire this kind of talent, talent has to be given up.  South Carolina gave up blue chip  18 year old prospects in 1B Rodrigo Flores, A Ball, 2B Katsumoto Matsui, A Ball as well as relievers Stuart Lang, AAA, and 28 year old John Ward, ABL. 

It would appear that Bomber roster is just about finalized for Spring Training and possibly Opening Day 2015.   But there could be another surprise that GM Altman could pull off.  But that remains to be seen!

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Actual Trade:

 

South Carolina sends

Francisco Flores, A

Katsumoto Matsui, A
Stuart Lang, AAA
John Ward, 28 years old, ABL

Eureka sends

Cal Henry

Jim Dorsey
$4,000,000