Clarkson World

With the trade deadline fast approaching the Twisters made some interesting and surprising moves today, namely shipping out Season 10 gold glove third baseman and fan favorite Sammy Galarraga to the Kansas City Monarchs.

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Sammy Galarraga

Galarraga, the focus of some trade interest early in the season, was thought to be a franchise player for Iowa City. Recent struggles with the bat and durability issues prompted ownership to make a move. Slick fielding Midre Lind will slide into to the vacated third base position while Yorvit Amezaga was once again called up from AAA to take on the utility role.

The Twisters received highly thought of pitching prospect Wiki Balboa in return along with catching prospect Domingo Roque. Balboa will add to Iowa’s already impressive stock of relief pitchers in the minors. AA pitching prospect Donovan Gordon was also included in the deal heading to Kansas City.

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Wiki Balboa

In another bold move, Iowa just completed a deal for the San Juan Rebels Patrick O’Neil. O’Neil is thought to be able to provide some much needed pop in the Twisters lineup. Bench coach Jacob Sherman says O’Neil will become Iowa’s everyday right fielder allowing Tomas Alvarado to move back to his natural position in left field.

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Patrick O’Neil

The Twisters gave up a pretty penny to acquire O’Neil as they shipped off 3 well regarded pitching prospects along with AAA center fielder Aaron Morgan, who was acquired from the Detroit Ducks earlier this year. Of special note, Iowa sent Turner Lloyd to San Juan. Many within the Iowa organization believed Lloyd was earmarked for a spot in next year’s big league rotation. When reached for comment, Iowa owner J.P. Mazzoni said, “When you have an opportunity to bring in a player like O’Neil, a guy with big potential, you do it. No one thought we’d be in a pennant race so soon since moving to Iowa, but now we are and we owe it to the fans to try and win it.”

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Turner Lloyd

Pitching prospect Sammy Shumpert was also included in the deal heading to Iowa.

O’Neil is expected to join the team for their huge upcoming series with the Salem Witch Hunt. “He should be in uniform for the second game of the series.” said bench coach Jacob Sherman, “He’s got to tie up a couple loose ends before he joins the team.”

The Twisters are hanging onto a slim 4 game lead over the surging and 8 time defending NL South champion Louisville Bats. The Bats just came off a tremendous 12 game winning streak that saw them whittle Iowa’s lead down to as little as 3 games.

To date this looks to be the most important series of the year for the upstart Iowa City Twisters. Taking on the Witch Hunt will be no small task though. Early in the year the Twisters split a 4 game series with Salem, losing twice to the improbable Pat Sutton. Since then Salem has only gotten stronger with the addition of Vincenzo Wakeland (acquired from the New York Bombers) and the emergence of Tripp Alston. Salem has perhaps the most imposing front three of any rotation in Clarkson, and the Vegas odds makers have them at 5-2 to take it all this year.

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Pat Sutton

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Vincenzo Wakeland

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Tripp Alston

It’s sink of swim time for the Twisters, and although there’s still plenty of season to go, a sweep at the hands of the Witch Hunt would be a major blow for the hopes of all in Iowa City.

Over the Allstar break, ESPN was granted an exclusive interview with Quackers’ Majority Stake Holder and GM Butch Horowitz.

Q: Take us back to Day One after you bought the majority of the team. What were your first steps as GM?

A: Well, right off the bat, it was clear we had the talent to compete. The next decision was if we were content with competing this year, waiting for some of our prospects to develop, or if we wanted to make a push for the division. After talking it over with the minority share holders, it was decided that unless we thought we could make a serious push into the post season, we would be content with waiting around a season or two.

Q: That obviously isn’t what happened. What changed?

Well, as a GM, you have to explore all possible options. Some very talented players became available, and we were able to put together some solid offers. Once it became clear that we were going to make that push, we went all out. We traded away, reluctantly, the majority of our higher-ranked prospects, but only because we felt as though we were getting equal or better value in return. After some of these trades went through, I went back to the investors, and we decided to increase our payroll to the highest it has ever been.

Q: Can you tell us about some of those players you aquired?

A: Absolutely. We were extremely active in the trade market, picking up 13 players, of which 6 were position players and 7 were pitchers. Of those 6 position players, 4 are starting in our everyday lineup, while one of them (Jeremi Sheffield) is being groomed as the future third-basemen of our team. 3 of the 7 pitchers aquired account for half of our pitching rotation (after the early season switch to a six man rotation).

Q: You also picked up a few players from the waiver wire, correct?

A: Yes, Homer Kirk and Yamid Villa. Homer had an impressive bat, and we had the financial flexibility to take on his contract. While he is behind two players at 1st on the depth chart, we have managed to get him ABs at the DH spot quite a bit, which he has handled quite nicely. Yamid Villa was a steal for us. We were desperate to complete our rotation, and he has been a fantastic #2 starter, going 8 – 5 with a 2.72 era up to this point.

Q: Tell us about Charlie Webb.

A: We had to overpay to get him, but we needed that ace at the top of the rotation, especially since we weren’t certain what Yamid would give us. But he has produced thus far, notching 11 wins, which could very easily be 12 or 13 if not for the spotty bullpen.

Q: Speaking of which, your guys’ bullpen started out the first few months as one of the best in the league, and has since dropped off significantly. Can they pull themselves together?

A: Good question. It’s hard to say right now. They account for almost 1/3 of our losses thus far, which is not very encouraging. But on the otherhand, they are all extremely expierienced, and we have a lot of ball left to be played.

Q: What move are you most proud of?

A: Hands down, the aquisition of Buddy McDowell. We went into Spring Training not terribly certain whether he was ready for the big league level, and kept our trade options open, but about midway through it was clear he was going to be our catcher. Many GM’s didn’t think he could produce, one even asking “Who is that promising young catcher you think you have?” But we had faith, and have been rewarded. He is in the top 10 in the league in homers, and is on track to hit over 60, which would be amazing for a 22 year old kid with more room to grow. We overused him a bit in the first half, but plan to give him some more breaks in the coming weeks.

Q: We are at the halfway point of the season now. Are you happy with the product on the field?

A: Extremely satisfied. When you look at the history of the ballclub, there hasn’t been much success. We have had one playoff appearance, as the wild card team, exiting in the first round. Granted, we had a 93 win season two years later, but it wasn’t good enough to make it into the post season. We have already achieved more wins this year than last, which is what matters to us.

Q: Sure, that improvement is all gravy and whatnot, but it doesn’t mean much if you dont make it into the postseason, right?

A: True. Which is why we feel very fortunate to be 10 games in front of the second place team, New York, who recently stated that they are prepared to trade away any and all players making above the minimum, a good sign for us. We actually made a play for two of those players, but that didnt work out.

Q: Any more trades in the making?

A: Perhaps, we would like to move our starting 3rd baseman and one of our first baseman to replenish some of our farm system, but only if the perfect deal comes along. Otherwise, this is probably what the roster will look like for the rest of the year, with Sheffield getting a couple more ABs at first and in the DH spot, and maybe a call-up or two, especially to relieve our bullpen.

Q: One final question. We have talked a lot about the deals you made, shipping off many highly ranked prospects. Where does that leave your team in the coming years?

A: We feel we have a fantastic young hitting core, especially with McDowell and Emi Gil, both guys who have 60+ homer potential while hitting above .280 or so. We have a solid outfield that will be in place for the next few years. We went to a lot of trouble to lock up all of the guys we wanted to stay a part of this team, and with the exception of James, we have come to agreements with everyone. The one major concern is our bullpen; with the only young talent 3- 5 years away, and the current guys getting older and losing effeciancy and close to retirement, we may have to work a few more deals. But we think we have a few more seasons of 100-win ball in us, and then we will start the process all over again.

ESPN: Thank for your time, and good luck to you and your ballclub for the rest of the year.

When the much traveled El Paso El Tacos touched down in Iowa City, no one knew quite what to expect. For a franchise that had been run out of just about every town they set foot in, fresh beginnings were nothing new. There was some brief success in the early years while in Memphis and Atlanta, even making the Series in Season 3, but those days were a distant memory now. Widely regarded as a perennial door map, the El Tacos, as they were briefly known, limped through Season 10, a sure victory for any opponent.

Enter Iowa City native and self made millionaire, J.P. Mazzoni, or Cactusmaz, as he is widely known. Mr. Mazzoni made his fortune turning rotten old cacti into a clean renewable energy source that now powers most of the Southwest. The process of Cactusification made him a beloved figure and folk hero throughout the region, giving “Cactusmaz,” the means to finally achieve his lifelong goal of bringing a team to Iowa City.

It wasn’t until traveling through Texas promoting Cactusification that Mazzoni would get his chance. It was a brief encounter with then El Paso owner Arthur Johnston, known widely as “Masterdeb8r.” (You see Johnston made his fortune on the now defunct online debating show “Deb8 This”) Johnston would bemoan the rigors of trying to run a baseball franchise. He had been talked into purchasing the team by his former manager Artie Fufkin, yes that Artie Fufkin, and he knew next to nothing about baseball. Johnston was an Oxford blue blood who was more familiar with polo than the Polo Grounds. But and opportunity to try and capitalize on his fame by owning an American baseball team was too much to pass up. Who could forget such disastrous promotional nights like “Cricket Night,” “God Save the Queen (K)night,” and the coronation of their mascot Jesus Taco. Not to mention the food at the stadium, one would think a team named the El Tacos would serve Mexican themed food. Not on Johnston’s watch though, Bangers and Mash were the order of the day. Needless to say Johnston was in over his head and this provided Mazzoni with the opportunity he had waited his whole life for. So a deal was struck and the El Tacos were whisked off to Iowa City to begin anew once again.

Upon arrival in Iowa City, Mazzoni knew he had his hands full. Here was a team that hadn’t sniffed success in 7 years. A culture of losing had been bred into this franchise that was going to take more than a new name and city to wash away. But it always starts with a name doesn’t it. Mazzoni appropriately chose the Twisters. Growing up in Tornado Alley, Mazzoni had vivid memories of the twisters that would wreak havoc throughout the Midwest. What better name for a team he hoped would eventually wreak havoc throughout the major leagues. A team he hopes will one day be known as “Middle America’s Team.”

Name in place, Mazzoni set out to put the best baseball people he could find on the field to help guide he’s newly minted franchise. Enter Jacob Sherman and former Boston Brown Sox pitching coach Randy Jones. Along with hitting coach Bobby Caufield, a holdover from the Tacos who Mazzoni took a shine to, he felt he had the right people in place to begin a turnaround. After filling out the coaching staffs on all levels with highly qualified veterans and newcomers the Twisters were ready to get rolling.

From the beginning of the season it wouldn’t be easy though. A new attitude had to be fostered and that meant some players would need to be brought in and others moved. Not being a big money team, Mazzoni is only a millionaire after all, not a billionaire like the owners of the Mounties, Quackers and Primetimers. Fiscal restraint would have to be part of the equation. Having made his fortune off of dried out cacti, Mazzoni knew a thing or two about turning the discarded into success.

The Twisters approached the free agent market with a keen eye and restraint, and landed themselves top closer Davey Baez. Baez has proved to be a welcome addition to the Twisters, and was even their loan representative in the All-Star game. He’s hit some hard times of late, having been shellacked in his last 3 appearances, blowing 2 saves and losing 2 games. He’s a pro though, and pitching coach Randy Jones is working to get his mechanics back on track. Baez was the kind of player Mazzoni was looking for to help turn this franchise around.

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Davey Baez

Being a Midwest boy, Mazzoni loved the St. Louis Cardinals of the now disbanded Major League Baseball Association. The teams of Herzog were his blueprint: speed, pitching, and defense. With this mindset the Twisters began to assemble a team of veterans and newcomers that embodied this credo. Overlooked players like Henry Moore, the sparkplug of the team. Veterans like Jerome McDonald and Santiago Vidal, cast off, thought past their usefulness. Rising stars like Tomas Alvarado, Flip Karl and King Campbell. And an assortment of overlooked and underappreciated gamers that “Cactusmaz” hopes to turn into another success story.

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Henry Moore

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Flip Karl

The Twisters have come a long way so far this season, but there’s still a lot of games left to be played. Much like their namesake, they’ve been a team of ups and downs. Streaky to say the least, but they’re toughing it out. Weathering the storm in hopes of bringing a winner to Iowa City, and if not this year, then maybe the next.

J.P. Mazzoni is in it for the long haul, his lifelong dream was to own a baseball team and he’s finally achieved it. For this self-made man from the Midwest, harsh conditions are no deterrent. It’s going to take a gust of wind not seen since the Wizard of Oz to knock him from his lofty goals. And maybe, just maybe, the Iowa City Twisters won’t just be Middle America’s Team, they’ll be the worlds.

Mark Lee New York Bombers Age: 21 B/T: S/R Born: Kobe, JP Position(s): P (P) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Pitcher Mark Lee has signed with the Bombers.  While Lee had asked for a $2.4 million bonus, the market value for starting pitcher talent carried Lee’s price tag to the inflated number.  If he can meet his potential, $12.4 million could be a bargain – we’ll have to wait and see.

After several weeks of the season there are several GM’s throwing in the towel.  These decisions have affected the trade market.  New York has declared they are looking to move all higher salaried players with GM Yanks21 stating ” Still looking to move anyone making over the league minimum on ml roster”.

The GM of the San Diego Fish Tacos has been quoted with “I may start tearing down as well since it appears we are all playing for second place now”.  This quote came after the news broke that divison rival Salem aquired ace Vincenzo Wakeland with his 8 wins and 3.38 ERA.  This aquision gives Salem the best one two punch with Sutton and Wakeland.

The Ottawa Mounties are looking to unload Rafael Olivo and his 9 million a year salary.

Watch the ESPN newswire because am sure more trades are to come!!!!

Pat Sutton Salem Witch Hunt Age: 29 B/T: R/R Born: Wellington, KS Position(s): P (SP1) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Notes about this: the season isn’t half-over.  Sutton’s on track for 34 wins.  And the next highest total in the majors is 10 wins.  The record is 28 in a season: Sutton had 27 in season 5.