Burns and Arnold Out of Crystal Lake in Florida Deal

[Sandgnats]

CRYSTAL LAKE HERALD

SPORTS – GNATS NOW
Burns and Arnold Out of Crystal Lake in Florida Deal
Updated: November 22nd, 2032 – 11:40 AM

By Howard Heskin, Gnats Beat Writer and ESPN PEBA Correspondent – Twitter @HowardHeskin1

Gnats fans woke up today after a surprise over-night deal that will send perennial All-Star Closer Bob Burns and 2030 Wunderkind Award Winner Starting Pitcher Joe Arnold to the Florida Farstriders in exchange for #80 rated prospect, outfielder Tony Torres and Starting Pitcher Ty Evans along with minor league pitchers Manuel Serrano and Victor McKay. Reportedly, the deal includes Florida and Crystal Lake exchanging 17th through 20th round picks plus Florida providing cash consideration of $5.5 million dollars.

"At the end of the day, we felt that our biggest hindrance in our short playoff run was our starting pitching. Today, we think we've taken a great step forward by acquiring a stable of arms that can help us compete with the top teams in PEBA." stated Florida GM Ken Hannahs today from his off-season headquarters at the Streets Palace Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. In regards to moving up in the draft in rounds 17 through 20 Hannahs commented, "We're going to use those draft picks to further bolster our team with our new state of the art scouting algorithm that we've been working on for the better part of two years."

Florida will be acquiring one of the best closers in the game with the acquisition of Burns. Burns was a trade deadline acquisition last season by Crystal Lake in a deal with New Orleans. In 39 innings pitched Burns saved 6 of 7 with 13 holds and 2 wins and 2 losses. His ERA was 1.62 with a K/9 of 14.2. On the other hand, Joe Arnold has been less than impressive in the 2 seasons since winning the Wunderkind Award. During that time period he has posted a record of 22-24 with a combined ERA of 4.51. In 2031, Arnold gave up a league high 36 home runs.

"We just wish Joe the best in Jacksonville. It just didn't work out here the last 2 seasons. Sometimes a change of scenery is what's needed." Stated GM RJ Ermola of the Sandgnats from and unstated location where the sounds of slot machines could be heard in the background.

In the exchange Crystal Lake is obtaining an end of the rotation starter in Ty Evans who will fill the production that Arnold left behind. But the acquisition of prospect Tony Torres has perhaps placed Right Fielder Clarence Carpenter on notice that his days in right field perhaps could be numbered past 2033. Carpenter has been noticeably slowing down since his 114 record steal season of 2029 which was followed up in 2030 with 100 steals. Carpenter's steal numbers have consistently gone down along with his defensive prowess. Carpenter has an opt out in is contract for 2034 - so should he choose to move on, the Gnats are well positioned to have Torres, a speedster in his own right, move up into that position for the future. We will likely see Torres in AAA for 2033, but keep a close eye on his development.

"You know sometimes you just got to place the chips on a number and spin the wheel. That's what we are doing here." Ermola stated at the end of the press phone call. "Other times you just have to pay up your bookie or they break your legs."

Prior to these moves the Gnats were poised to have the highest payroll in PEBA - closing in on the $200 million dollar mark. This transaction will lower the Crystal Lake payroll to about $183 Million which will provide more financial flexibility down the road.