7/31/2009: LEXINGTON, KY – For as long as the Connecticut Nutmeggers have been in the cellar this season, it has been assumed that they were submitting to being in a smaller market and selling off big names.  I imagine we all know what they say about assumptions.

The Nutmeggers managed to flip José Cortéz for a 1^st round draft pick and Jorge Ruíz, a talented young outfielder from New Orleans.  Cortéz's contract was going to expire and the Nutmeggers could not afford to extend him, so it was a good deal.

But what told you the Nutmeggers were in it for the long haul was that they traded their 1^st and 3^rd round picks to Kentucky before they dumped Cortéz!  In return they got an awesome pitching prospect who was ready to help out in the majors in António Cruz.  Cruz was supposed to help deliver the 1 -2 punch behind Adrián Reséndez, but when Reséndez went down the acquisition of Cruz almost became a necessity.

Up next was the big one.  The Nutmeggers sent Tim Higgins, Jason Oliver, Juan Flores, a minor leaguer and their 1^st and 2^nd round picks to West Virginia for Hamilton Cole, Tom Kirkland and former Nutmegger Bernardo Marín.

Still not convinced the Nutmeggers are trying to compete?  Last week they completed a trade with San Antonio, sending two minor leaguers in exchange for Francis Phillips.

Sounds like the IL Pan-Atlantic is going to have some competition next season.  I wouldn't even be surprised if the Nutmeggers were able to pull out a 3^rd or 4^th place finish in the division this season.  Watch out folks and prepare for baseball in Connecticut to get spiced up!