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Orcin · 01-25-2013, 01:11 PM

July 22, 2008 (cbatraderumors.com)
EXCLUSIVE BREAKING NEWS

Subject: Colonels Trade Haley to New York

The Louisville Colonels have sent 33-year-old 1B Josh Haley and 29-year-old reliever Jeffrey Woods to the New York Monarchs in return for 23-year-old SS Ray Manning. The Colonels also provided $4 million in cash to the Monarchs, roughly half of Haley’s salary for the remainder of the year. Haley and Woods are both eligible for free agency at the end of the season. Fans in Louisville were not happy about losing Haley.

The Monarchs (47-47) are near the bottom of the Patriot League in runs scored and home runs. Haley will solve both of those problems. He is having one of his best years in recent memory, hitting .324 with 27 HR and 68 RBI. Most of that production came in the Patriot League before he was traded by Nashville in July. Haley will bat cleanup for the Monarchs in tonight’s game against Charleston.

Manning was drafted in 2004 (2nd round, 87th overall) by the Monarchs out of high school. He was rated as the #24 prospect in the CBA prior to the 2006 season, but a broken kneecap cost him an entire year. He made the AA all-star team in 2007 and was called up to the majors as a utility infielder this year but played sparingly. Louisville GM Otto Orcin said that Manning would be sent to AAA for more seasoning.

Orcin said, “We expect Ray Manning to develop into a quality shortstop. His defense is outstanding and he is a great contact hitter. We want him to work on his pitch selection and be more patient at the plate.” Manning finally gives the Colonels a true shortstop to backup Cristo Rodriguez on the depth chart.

Lexington outfielder Arlen Craig was called up to Louisville, replacing Josh Haley on the active roster. Craig will likely just keep a seat warm until CF Pedro Dominguez is ready to be activated. Dominguez is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment next week.

GM Otto Orcin commented that his roster was finally balanced and the club was now in a good financial position to address some of the expiring contracts facing them over the next year or two. Orcin said that he wants to continue to bring young talent like Manning into the organization without jeopardizing the team’s ability to compete for division titles. The team has completed several deals with this goal in mind over the past year, and some of those new young players are now established in key roles for the stretch run.

Orcin was asked about rumors that outfielder Ron Hartman and starting pitcher Ray Alexander were being shopped. He insisted that these rumors were false and the team was happy with the roster as it stands now. Alexander has shown signs of improvement lately, so the Colonels may be out of the very competitive and expensive market for a starting pitcher. Hartman was starting in center field until recently, when young star Tracy Sweeney took over the position. An interesting three-way battle for playing time will ensue when 2007 Gold Glove winner Pedro Dominguez returns from his injury.

01-25-2013, 01:11 PM	#1512
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,850	July 22, 2008 (cbatraderumors.com) EXCLUSIVE BREAKING NEWS Subject: Colonels Trade Haley to New York The Louisville Colonels have sent 33-year-old 1B Josh Haley and 29-year-old reliever Jeffrey Woods to the New York Monarchs in return for 23-year-old SS Ray Manning. The Colonels also provided $4 million in cash to the Monarchs, roughly half of Haley’s salary for the remainder of the year. Haley and Woods are both eligible for free agency at the end of the season. Fans in Louisville were not happy about losing Haley. The Monarchs (47-47) are near the bottom of the Patriot League in runs scored and home runs. Haley will solve both of those problems. He is having one of his best years in recent memory, hitting .324 with 27 HR and 68 RBI. Most of that production came in the Patriot League before he was traded by Nashville in July. Haley will bat cleanup for the Monarchs in tonight’s game against Charleston. Manning was drafted in 2004 (2nd round, 87th overall) by the Monarchs out of high school. He was rated as the #24 prospect in the CBA prior to the 2006 season, but a broken kneecap cost him an entire year. He made the AA all-star team in 2007 and was called up to the majors as a utility infielder this year but played sparingly. Louisville GM Otto Orcin said that Manning would be sent to AAA for more seasoning. Orcin said, “We expect Ray Manning to develop into a quality shortstop. His defense is outstanding and he is a great contact hitter. We want him to work on his pitch selection and be more patient at the plate.” Manning finally gives the Colonels a true shortstop to backup Cristo Rodriguez on the depth chart. Lexington outfielder Arlen Craig was called up to Louisville, replacing Josh Haley on the active roster. Craig will likely just keep a seat warm until CF Pedro Dominguez is ready to be activated. Dominguez is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment next week. GM Otto Orcin commented that his roster was finally balanced and the club was now in a good financial position to address some of the expiring contracts facing them over the next year or two. Orcin said that he wants to continue to bring young talent like Manning into the organization without jeopardizing the team’s ability to compete for division titles. The team has completed several deals with this goal in mind over the past year, and some of those new young players are now established in key roles for the stretch run. Orcin was asked about rumors that outfielder Ron Hartman and starting pitcher Ray Alexander were being shopped. He insisted that these rumors were false and the team was happy with the roster as it stands now. Alexander has shown signs of improvement lately, so the Colonels may be out of the very competitive and expensive market for a starting pitcher. Hartman was starting in center field until recently, when young star Tracy Sweeney took over the position. An interesting three-way battle for playing time will ensue when 2007 Gold Glove winner Pedro Dominguez returns from his injury.