[mikev]

Crusaders Announce Biggest Trade In Team History

Crusaders GM Mike Voelker sat in front of an assembled group of media. The team had called a press conference to announce what was possibly the biggest, most blockbuster trade in team history.

With cameras and microphones fixated on him, the GM took a deep breath and started talking.

"I'm here to announce that we have traded Henry McHaney to the Sydney Roos."

There was a collective gasp heard throughout the conference room. McHaney? The 26 year old phenom, just a year removed from one of the best pitching seasons the GUBA has ever seen? The nearly unanimous 2009 Golden Arm winner? It defied logic. McHaney, along with twentysomethings Jorge Enriquez,, Ken McKain, and Arturo Fernandez were going to make up one of the best rotations in the MBBA for years, weren't they? How could this be?

One of the reporters in the back of the room finally asked the question that everybody else wanted to.

"Who did you trade him for?"

Voelker looked towards the general area of the reporter who had asked, but was unable to pinpoint who exactly it had been. With a bit of a grin beginning to show, he replied.

"Rafael Lopez."

The 25 year old FIBB All-Star shortstop was headed to the west coast. Immediately the questions began flying around the room, but were quickly silenced when the GM started speaking again.

"The bottom line is that we felt the rotation was a position of strength and middle infield was a position of need. Vargas has already been informed that he'll be moving back to second base, where he'll get the majority of playing time. The initial plan is to get Carl in there against lefties or when Vargas needs a day off. I think that it's going to be the way to put the best team out there, day in and day out. I'd like to thank you all for coming, but I've got a plane to catch. Spring Training is here and I want to go watch some baseball."

In addition to the trade, the team announced that veteran starter Javier Lugo to a one year contract. It is expected that Lugo will be the team's 4th starter, with Masahiko Hayagawa rounding out the rotation.