Hops move minor league prospects with eye on future

by Frerin Rockear
Caradhras Courier-Journal
Misty Mountain Hops Baseball

MISTY MTN - In two separate trades this past weekend, the Misty Mountain Hops juggled their minor leagues with an eye toward the near-future. First, in a trade with Bree, Misty Mountain dealt Wilibald Fumlefot to the Cheese for Nunk Gnomedragger, the infamous player of all positions save catcher and pitcher. The club has desired a multi-faceted utility fielder such as Gnomedragger, and were weighing the future of Fumlefot when the offer from Bree came. A quick back and forth resulted in both players finding new homes where they can hopefully prosper.

The other trade the Hops made was with Dagorlad, and involved key catching prospect Tobias Devries. Offered up to the Hops for a combination of players, the deal expanded until the final result saw Misty Mountain trading away a number of talented pitching prospects for two players. The breakdown is thus:

Misty Mountain traded Burzarz the Sly, Gromwakh the Masher, Ishnakh Tombhammer, and Tavla Legil-Gar, and in return from the Disaster received Tobias Devries and Vaor Thrarith. While the loss of starting pitching prospects may hurt in the long run, the Hops feel pleased with the increase in depth at catcher and shortstop.

Said manager Smahsh Ehn'Bahsh, "Smahsh glad have Devries in system now. Feels could be top five catcher, and was glad when owner make trade. Now if only Smahsh get knuckleball thrower..." With that, the orc chomped his cigar and grunted as he tossed this reporter into the trash for no apparent reason.

Posted at June 13, 2004 11:49 PM | more from Misty Mountain