December 1, 2017
Las Vegas, Charlotte Deal
Desperate to reshape their franchise, the Las Vegas Bosses stayed busy this offseason, dealing 29-year-old left fielder Manny Mota to the Charlotte Cougars for 25-year-old starting pitcher John Candelaria and $847,200 in cash.
The deal is surprising for Charlotte, as Candelaria - coming off ulnar nerve surgery that ended his season - has been a solid starter for them since being drafted in the first round of the 2014 draft.
But his physical with Vegas checked out.
"We're thrilled to pick up a pitcher of John's caliber," Vegas manager Dick Howser said. "Manny was great for us, but we couldn't pass this chance up."
Las Vegas has already brought in Gene Richards from Louisville for Randy Jones and reliever Ted Breitenstein for second baseman Ron Hunt. They are also reportedly eager to ink Candelaria to a contract extension, and are in the hunt for another starter.
Mota has a lifetime .300 average and .342 on-base percentage in his career with 373 hits, 73 doubles, 11 triples, 7 home runs, 128 RBIs and 162 runs scored.
Lifetime Candelaria has 43 victories and 34 defeats with a 3.89 ERA.