[Westheim]

Never say nothing interesting happens in February. Just before the end of the month, the Knights offered up Brad Santry, the reigning CL Pitcher of the Year (!), and ex-Coons lefty David Fernandez. Granted, we had no use for another lefty reliever, but those things could be subject to negotiation. Also, the price was rather steep – Jesus Maldonado and Matt Waters.

No way. We need Maldo. And we already had fortified the rotation. I mean, would I take Santry over Mathers? ABSOLUTELY. But we can’t plunk Berto back in at third base – we loaded up on groundballers… and we didn’t get any other third baseman.

The Blue Sox also got in on the comedy, offering Cory Cronk (remember that guy?) for Art Goetz … and Matt Waters.

You know, sometimes a prospect isn’t exactly killing the ball in the minors, but when you get five phone calls about him every day you get a hunch that he’s gonna break out sooner or later. Cronk, by the way, hit .215 with five homers last season. No thanks.

Goetz and Waters was also the preferred package for the Buffaloes in an offer of RF/LF Benito Mendoza, who you will have never heard of, because he has never played above AA at age 25. The Thunder also made the same offer with Jesse Stedham rejoining the Critters.

Moments like these are assuring for me, because they make me realize time and again that I am not the only GM habitually drinking himself senseless.

Or some sort of in-joke and they’re dissing me.

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February 6 – The Stars sign ex-POR SP Bernie Chavez (109-103, 3.73 ERA, 1 SV) to a 1-yr, $1.72M contract. The Raccoons receive a supplemental round pick for compensation.
February 14 – The Titans pick up 1B/2B James Arnett (.269, 10 HR, 42 RBI) from the Condors for the washed-up remains of SP/MR Andy Bressner (163-117, 3.46 ERA, 1 SV), who was the 2036 Pitcher of the Year, but pitched to an 8.16 ERA in relief last year and is in the final year of his contract.
February 25 – The Miners grab RF/1B/LF John Marz (.279, 99 HR, 450 RBI), coming off the Thunder’s roster. Marz, 28, will make $7.06M over three years.
March 19 – The Scorpions add former Stars 2B/SS Oscar Aguirre (.226, 77 HR, 495 RBI) on a 2-year deal worth $3.72M.
March 25 – Atlanta acquires outfielder Justin Kristoff (.289, 19 HR, 109 RBI) from the Wolves for LF/CF/1B/SS Luis Inoa (.271, 131 HR, 633 RBI) and a prospect.

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By the time Bernie signed and gave the Raccoons their final supplemental round pick, we’d have four picks in the first 41 of the ’42 draft, but of course with ample of preseason to go and players still signing.

Former Critters with new surroundings: Dave Myers joined the Caps on a $426k deal; Gilberto Rendon will make $560k with the Buffaloes; Rafael Zacarias hitched his wagon to the Wolves’ for $356k; Danny Monge was back with New York for $380k;