The Planetary Extreme Baseball Alliance

CRYSTAL LAKE HERALD

SPORTS – GNATS NOW
Rob Raines to Join Sandgnats
Updated: March 9, 2026 – 10:55PM CDT

By Howard Heskin, Staff Writer – Twitter @HowardHeskin1
Contrary to the youth movement we have seen in Crystal Lake the last 2 seasons, GM RJ Ermola made the unusual move of acquiring 40 year old free agent first baseman, Rob Raines. Raines signed a $9M, one year deal to move out of the beltway and into the heartland. Raines is a 10 time All-Star and 4 time Royal Raker award winner. He is only 2 seasons removed from his last All-Star selection. Raines spent the last 16 seasons with Arlington posting incredible numbers and taking home the 2013 Planetary Extreme Baseball Alliance Championship. His career includes 470 Home runs and a lifetime .293/.423/.511. In 2025 at 39 years old he still was able to blast 27 home runs in 495 at bats. Crystal Lake does forfeit it's 1st round pick to Arlington in the upcoming draft as compensation since Raines rejected its 15M qualifying offer.

"We look forward to having Rob join our organization as a key power hitter at first and DH and a guy that can share his knowledge of the game with our other young players.", stated GM RJ Ermola at the introduction press conference. "Even though he had a down year last season, Rob was willing to come in at a reasonable number, even if his production drops slightly, his knowledge of the game and ability to role play in our offense will be key for this coming season."

When asked about giving up the 1st round draft pick Ermola stated, "Well I have to miss this year's draft, so who cares."

Little brother Royce welcomes Rob to the Superior League!

I hate seeing Rob Raines in a different uniform.

Ya, we should have rules about this, preventing guys from going to the Sub-par League when their legacy is in the Immortal League

(There ya go Denny...... )

$9 million's a step down from what her used to pull when he was a yuonger man. Now when it Raines it poors.

Leones wrote:$9 million's a ste down from what her used to pull when he was a yuonger man. Now when it Raines it poors.

And he turned down a 15M qualifying offer

Codgers wrote:Little brother Royce welcomes Rob to the Superior League!

Nice article writing material when they face off this season.

Sandgnats wrote:

Leones wrote:$9 million's a ste down from what her used to pull when he was a yuonger man. Now when it Raines it poors.

And he turned down a 15M qualifying offer

His agent was not informed on the new scouting system it seems.

Thoroughbreds wrote:Ya, we should have rules about this, preventing guys from going to the Sub-par League when their legacy is in the Immortal League

(There ya go Denny...... )

I see what you did there

Leones wrote:$9 million's a step down from what her used to pull when he was a yuonger man. Now when it Raines it poors.

Maybe it was worth it to escape the awful puns!