Dol Guldur Trades Carlson to Grey Havens for Belurion

Several Dragons and Stars players soon will have to start shopping for a new home. It was announced today that the two teams came to agreement on a trade. Dol Guldur will get 29-year old starting pitcher Isiclya Belurion and Grey Havens will pick up 23-year old minor league starting pitcher Thuvthor Carlson and 21-year old minor league center fielder Minto Miller in return. "I'm not surprised by the news," one of the players told reporters, "It's part of the business and I understand that. I am looking forward to playing for the Dragons."

In her career Belurion has notched 78 wins and 63 losses and compiled a 3.58 ERA.

Speculation: Veteran Foxburr Talks with Grey Havens

GREY HAVENS - It's not every day a goliath of the game is implicated in contract talks with your favorite organization, but such was the case today as Minto Foxburr and Grey Havens wrestled with the possibilities of a settlement.

Sources close to the situation insist that Foxburr could, should he sign, earn a hefty $36,000,000 over the next 3 years.

Pair of Mirkwood greats take on new roles

MIRKWOOD - Hall of Famer Mohair *Catsquisher wasn't fond of resting on his laurels. So, when Mirkwood management offered him the chance to shape young minds in the Marauder farm system, he leapt at it. Mo will be installed as the new AAA hitting coach at Taur e-Ndaedelos starting immediately.

"I just didn't know what to do with myself sitting around the house all day," the normally media shy *Catsquisher said. "There's only so much 'As the World Turns' a guy can watch, after all."

Meanwhile, another name Mirkwood fans will recognize is stepping in as the AA pitching coach. Disin 'The Hatchet' Axesmith has agreed to take the job at Eryn Lasgalen. Axesmith, who was the Marauders closer for many years, will take his pitching philosophy to the Old Forests next season.

Eagles, Devils Confirm Deal

Several Eagles and Devils players soon will have to start shopping for a new home. It was announced today that the two teams came to agreement on a trade. Erebor will get 20-year old minor league third baseman Kendur the Devastator, 24-year old minor league second baseman Hildibrand Dogwood and 30-year old reliever David Mejias and Dunharrow will pick up 25-year old minor league third baseman Thaitai Fandir, 26-year old shortstop Wong Imraihil, 37-year old starting pitcher Arweolbo Arweoden and $1,000,000 in cash in return. "I'm not surprised by the news," one of the players told reporters, "It's part of the business and I understand that. I am looking forward to playing for the Eagles."

In his career Arweoden has chalked up 120 wins and 73 losses and compiled a 4.11 ERA.

In Mejias's career he has 3 saves with a 26-39 record and a 4.80 ERA.

Mauhur *the Looter takes on Uruk-hai Coaching Job

DEAD MARSHES - Former Uruk, Mauhur *the Looter, returned to Dead Marshes today, signing on as the new hitting coach for the major league team. The Hall of Fame second baseman made a career out of consistent hitting and speed on the basepaths. Dead Marshes management hopes he'll instill some of that knowledge in the younger players.

Meanwhile, another former Uruk-hai player, Lasil Ironmaster, was named the AAA hitting coach. Ironmaster was a teammate of Mauhur's from 2003-2010, retiring with a .293 average and nearly 1300 hits.

Are Fairies Ready for Big Free Agent Splash?

BUCKLEBURY - It's not every day a goliath of the game is implicated in contract talks with your favorite organization, but such was the case today as Ishwush the Basher and Bucklebury wrestled with the possibilities of a settlement.

Sources close to the situation insist that the Basher could, should he sign, earn a hefty $32,000,000 over the next 4 years.

SGCBL News: Free Agents File

Today marks the start of the SGCBL free agency period.

Clubhouses across Tolkien Baseball were already abuzz with rumors as players began filing at midnight. They will be able to negotiate deals with any club in the league.

Once the first major signing is announced, teams will scramble to gobble up whatever talent they can reasonably get. The only thing that is certain is that there will be a lot of new faces in the clubhouses at the start of next season.

Media analysts expect the biggest news to center around a handful of free agents, including:

Ishwush the Basher, 31-year old starting pitcher
Vincent Rogers, 36-year old starting pitcher
Donnie Ling, 34-year old starting pitcher
Andrack Antslammer, 34-year old starting pitcher
Minto Foxburr, 32-year old third baseman
Stanley Walczak, 32-year old starting pitcher
Ugbag Blacktooth, 34-year old catcher
Hildibrand Bridger, 36-year old relief pitcher
Ralin Rockbinder, 37-year old left fielder
Hudash Elfprodder, 33-year old right fielder

Brilhirion Wins 2nd MVP

Hallalonn 'Bring It' Brilhirion of the Dunharrow Devils has won the 2017 Mordor Conference Aragorn MVP Award, and in the process he becomes the first pitcher to win it in both conferences. In 2012, Brilhirion was the first pitcher to win an MVP when he was named the Shire winner while with Mirkwood. His 23-6 record and 1.84 ERA is nearly identical to his finish 5 years ago when he went 23-7 with a 1.98 ERA.

Brilhirion wins the award this year among a crowd of first-place contenders, including teammate Jiminy *Monkeybone, who finished second, Isengard's Ragnar *Stonecutter, and perennial star, Buffy *Balrog Slayer. Samwise Peatfingers of Dol Guldur also received first place votes.

Scimitar Named MVP in Close Tally

In one of the closest races in recent memory, Rhedry 'Bloodstained' Scimitar of the Minas Tirith Titans edged out Moria's Splinter *Jack to become this year's Aragorn MVP for the Shire Conference. Scimitar, who tied the 13 year old season record for RBI with 159, won with just 2 points over the Sam Gamgee Batter award winner. Splinter *Jack received one more first place vote than Scimitar, but the Titans outfielder appeared on more ballots.

For the season, Scimitar hit .324 with 56 HR and 159 RBI.

Other vote getters included third place finisher, Shaglakth the Devastator of Moria, and Old Forest hurler, Yvestil Ala'Niel. Glodunter Bromburg of Bywater and Bucklebury's Scarlett *III also received first place votes.

Ala'Niel Grabs SC Gandalf Pitcher Award

There's less room in Yvestil Ala'Niel's trophy case today after she brought home the 2017 Shire Conference Gandalf Pitcher Award.

The talented Old Forest Merry Fellows star finished the year 22-6 with a 2.27 ERA. She struck out 275 in 254 innings while walking 25.