[illeracula]

League News:
Trades:
The Georgetown Sixteens looking for some offense pulled off a deal with the Ellicott city Express. The Sixteens sent two prospects to the Express, including Jesus Rodriquez the #42 prospect in the game, to get back Adrian Smith. Smith hit .263 with 18 HR's last year.

The Express weren't done there, as they shipped off their back-up catcher Michael Shoemaker (.167, in 6 AB's) and single-A player Doug Sackett, to the Christiana Blue Hens for 27-yr-old SP Johnny Jones. Jones went 8-17 6.24 for the last place Surf Dawgs last season.

The Milton Brewers acquired MR Rob Evans and $760,000 from the Iron Pigs for 2 minor leaguers, including #157 prospect SP Gilbert Porter.

Random News:
Skinner Convicted, Career and Life Suspended: After a short trial, enormous amounts of evidence showed that Sam Skinner indeed was a part of a scheme to defraud investors across the nation. Skinner's high powered lawyers were rendered powerless by the prosecution's case against their defendant. Skinner now faces 5 years in prison and an end to his career as a major league ball player. Through tears, he told the media, "I'll be back. I will appeal and I will win! The truth is on my side". That was the last thing he said before being corralled back by the deputies.

Free-Agency:
DBL News: Free Agents File: The stroke of midnight signaled the arrival of the often wild and unpredictable free agent filing period. Most general managers across the DBL already have an iron or two in the fire. The players, too, are well-prepared for negotiations. The only participant to get a true head start was the rumor mill, which has been steadily building up heat over the past several weeks. General managers have the whole offseason to work the free agent market, but the big explosion will probably come quickly as some of these hot properties hit the market today:

1. Jorge Padilla, 37 year-old starting pitcher
2. Francisco Durango, 38 year-old left fielder
3. Vince Moy, 35 year-old catcher
4. Tony García, 35 year-old starting pitcher
5. Errol Williams, 29 year-old shortstop
6. Abraham Thomas, 36 year-old third baseman
7. Julián Codne, 32 year-old starting pitcher
8. Keith White, 40 year-old starting pitcher
9. Carlos Mateo, 33 year-old starting pitcher
10. Stan Miller, 37 year-old center fielder

International Free Agents Enter Market: League officials have been informed that the following international free agents have indicated interested in playing in the DELMARVA Baseball League next season, and are now visible in the free agents list:

P Noboru Yama****a out of Japan
C Weon-chun Song out of South Korea
P Manabu Sato out of Japan
P António Cortés out of Cuba
SS César Silva out of Cuba
P Yong-ho Ch'oe out of South Korea
CF Isamu Kamida out of Japan
P Yoo-hyun Kim out of South Korea
RF Seung-heui Ch'oe out of South Korea

Cavaliers News:
Arbitration news (our offer in parens):
Derek Carter lost $3,250,000 ($2,730,000)
Joe Chambers lost $1,006,950 ($1,000,000)
Denny Dooley won $750,000
Vaughan Griffith lost $2,496,000 ($2,400,000)
Rafael Rodriguez won $1,000,000
Javier Janchez lost $4,389,000 ($4,200,000)
Dan Nelson won $1,800,000

I am happy with our results, however I believe that Janchez is now overpaid for what he has to offer, which is a disappointment, because I like Janchez and was hoping he'd be around for while. I have a decision to make with him. This past season was his first playing over 100 games (144), hopefully he can beat that "fragile" injury rating.

More on Janchez later, he is a glove wizard caliber outfielder, and the best CF on the team.

Julio Sandana declined arbitration and has become a free agent. He looks to be trying to cash in a multi-year deal after a wonderful season in Norfolk (3-0 1.36, 14 G, 33.0 IP). He sat out all of 2020, when there was no interest in him, but maybe the career year will perk some buyers up. We wish him luck.

Will Rose has also become a free-agent, he wasn't offered a contract to return and I am fine with that. He had a disappointing 2021 season, just unable to bounce back from the injury 2.5 years ago.