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After two years off, I, Jim Hunt have made a return. Sorry if y’all missed me, but I was helping out with the family Potato business, as we had a typhoon a while back.
To start off my return, I must let y’all know about the Yellowknife Bluenotes.
In what is arguably the second toughest division in the CBL, the Bluenotes have been underdogs for years. Out of 7 .500+ seasons, they have made the playoffs once, and not for the past decade. They currently sit on an 8-game win-streak and face Creston (25-40) for 2 more home games, and have Sherwood Park (24-40) visit as well. They sit behind division leader Moose Jaw Dragons by 13.5 games but trail the wild-card leading Saskatoon Yellow Jackets by just 7 games with still just under 100 games left in the season.
Owner Hearst Davencrest ha decided that they are making a run at the golden oldies, the Moose Jaw Dragons. With the Dragons rein appearing to be diminished over the next 2-4 years, the Bluenotes have sacrificed part of their future to help with this run. They have built from the ground up, and now with a strong young supporting cast, have added two seasoned veterans in 1B Darcy Slaff and P Carl Malcyk from the PEI Argonauts as well as P Gordon Winsett. In exchange they have given up their 2013 first rounder LF Zack Smith, 2014 Draft Package and LF Steve Atiwell.
1B Darcy Slaff – In acquiring Darcy Slaff they are helping a potent .277 team offence, with a man who is a career .285 hitter. He was a major part of Calgary’s success in the past, and is looking forward to leaving PEI behind for winning days. The 33 year old can hit 30 HR’s on any season and can achieve 80+RBI’s no problem. Slaff actually began his career with the Bluenotes for 3 seasons before being dealt to the Remparts.
P Carl Malcyk – Came over from Australia in the SUPP draft as a #5 overall pick by the West Bay Red Skulls. He was traded in 2011 to PEI for P Chad Grove. He hopes to help a weak Yellowknife pitching staff with his 3.78 career ERA, and a .251 Oavg. The 34 year-old should really boost the pitching rotation immediately.
P Gordon Winsett – A very inconsistent pitcher that was drafted in the 3rd round in 2005. A career 5.27 ERA, he has been absolutely hideous at times, and stunningly brilliant at others. Sort of a throw-in to the trade, he may be a surprise starter for the Bluenotes. A career 9-11 he has pitched 130+ innings in back-to-back seasons as a long relieve for the Argonauts cleaning up messy games.
As you can see, the Bluenotes aren’t messing around anymore, and should be challenging for the wildcard right up until the last game. Look for a 90-72 season!
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