[mikev]

Crusaders Aquire Centerfielder Before Opening Day

In what was undoubtedly a move prompted by the injuries to outfielders Jose Avila and Francisco Mendez for the entire 2010 season, the Crusaders announced a trade had been finalized with the Warsaw Falcons just before Opening Day of the 2010 season.

The deal sends starting pitcher Jeff Ladner and left fielder Jorge Villalobos - who was aquired by the Crusaders only 4 days earlier from Las Vegas for a 3rd round pick - to the Falcons in exchange for South African pitcher Chadili "Six Pack" Tengelei, Japanese center fielder Tagashashi (I need a nickname!) Takahashi, and third base prospect Alfonso Encarnacion. As part of the deal, Ladner was signed to a 5 year contract extension.

"Well, I think it was pretty apparent that we were going to need some outfield help," said Crusaders GM Mike Voelker. "We'd actually been negotating a deal involving Ladner and Avila, but obviously the injury keeps us from doing anything involving Jose at this point. We really like the players we're getting back though."

Takahashi is an above average defensive outfielder with no power to speak of. In 122 games with Warsaw last year, the 25 year old hit two home runs - the only two of his career in the GUBA. Still, if the team can get a .700-.750 OPS from him along with solid center field defense, that's got to be considered a plus.

In Tengelei, the team gets a replacement for Ladner who will basically be a #4/#5 type of pitcher who can eat up a lot of innings if needed. In his first full campaign last year, he made 31 starts and tossed 187 innings for Warsaw.

Encarnacion, 20, spent the 2009 season with the Short Season A ball affiliate of Warsaw, batting .312 in 31 games as a 19 year old. He'll likely spend 2010 in Single A, though the Crusaders now find themselves with a trio of high ceiling third base prospects, with Menkir Kipanga and Fergus Gaselee already in the Crusaders system.