| Moose Jaw Gamblers do just that 
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| (CBL Newswire) - By Niko Jackoman of the Moose Jaw Melorist |
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Moose Jaw Gamblers GM Torin Stefanson proved that his teams nickname is appropriate as he rolled the dice on a stunning total of 4 trades that saw 19 players and 4 amateur draft picks change hands. This unprecedented turnover of players was precipitated by Moose Jaw falling from 5.5 games ahead in their division to 3.5 back. "We intend to compete for a playoff spot this year", Stefanson said, "this team has the pitching we need we just haven't been hitting enough."
To stem this trend the team brought in CF Eliaso Daubenspeck and C Josias Gagliano from Creston in a deal that also saw the arrival of LHP Tellis Spirko. Spirko is also joined on the pitching staff by new arrivals RHP Gordie Taboada and LHP Manoli Cremin acquired from the Sault Ste. Marie Stampede.
When asked why a team that was built on pitching and couldn't hit would acquire three frontline pitchers at the deadline Stefanson laughed, "Well we wanted to trade for more hitters but James (Woods of the SSM Stampede) only had one (CF Stewart Gilks) and that from Taber stole him. But seriously this gives us pitching depth, it gives us options and provides injury insurance. We just picked up two pitchers (Lefty Spirko and Righty Taboada) that would be top of the rotation starters on most teams and we are probably going to use one in the bullpen. And adding a crack set-up man like Cremin to what is already the best bullpen in the league makes us that much better. This also lets some of our young pitching prospects like Fernholz, Curtis, Cryder and Minnema have more time to develop in the minors."
But it wasn't all happy news for Gamblers fans, to get these player Moose Jaw gave up its entire 2003 draft picks ( plus one acquired from London) and several excellent prospects including 1B Jacquez Papineaux and RF Fred Ritchie. When asked about moving to their new teams both players felt that it would be exciting to be a part of the rebuilding processes in SSM and Creston but commented on the lack of an "s" at the end of their new teams names. "Why aren't they the Kokanees and the Stampeders?"
Also traded was former All-Star LF Jule Needleman who is the franchise career leader in hits, doubles, homers, and RBI. "We felt that a change of scenery would benefit Jule and that we could acquire some quality prospects for him." Needleman had mixed feelings about the trade "I always wanted to win a championship in Moose Jaw but at least I got to go to a contending team."
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