April 24, 2011 in Announcements
Rosehaven RiverDogs sign 13:
January 3, 2011 in Trades
With 13-16 draft selection Elvis Andrus now slated to play shortstop for the Seoul Fighters, the Rosehaven RiverDogs send starting pitcher Johnny Cueto and pick 19-134 in exchange for Chris Volstad, sp, Alcides Escobar, ss, and pick 20-143 from SEO.
“Escobar and Andrus were the two top-rated shortstops in the 2009 MLB rookie class,” noted Rosehaven GM Chester Caulder. “The RiverDogs hope he can improve his batting average and on-base percentage in the change of scenery and become a viable replacement for Derek Jeter in future years. It’s tough to part with a starting pitcher with the numbers and future of a Johnny Cueto, but if nothing else having Volstad and Doug Fister on the RRD roster gives us a tremendous height advantage in IIBL intramural basketball games.”
Seoul GM B.J. Chang said, “While Chris Volstad was a first round pick out of high school and we fully expect he will be pretty good in the future, the Fighters needed to improve its starting rotation now, and Johnny Cueto has shown himself to be — at a very young age — a workhorse at the front of a rotation over the past two seasons. Alcides [Escobar] will be better with the move to RRD.”
Caulder indicated Escobar will play second base in 2011 as a trial at replacing Jeter in future seasons.
December 22, 2010 in Trades
After failing to make the playoffs in 2009 following a runner-up finish in the 2008 championship, Rosehaven landed the first pick in the IIBL 2010 player draft, termed by most observers as the Jason Heyward sweepstakes.
Rosehaven sends picks 13-1 and 18-112. Cambridge sends SP Mat Latos, SP Brett Cecil, DH/OF Johnny Damon, and pick 24-250.
“Jason Heyward is a generational prospect, a notch below ARod and Pujols, and this is one of the few times in IIBL history I felt there was a no-doubt first pick in the draft,” Rosehaven general manager Chester Caulder explained. “The RiverDogs were thrilled at the opportunity to land a player of Heyward’s caliber, but the team has so many holes to fill on its aging roster we also felt this is our best opportunity to improve several positions.
“Rosehaven opted to fill two big holes in its rotation with two young horses that we hope will anchor the rotation for years to come. And we were able to add a veteran hitter with some gas left in the tank. I feel bloodied by the deal, but I believe it is in the best long-term interest of the RiverDogs.”
Longfellows general manager Jay Patrick said, “It was a difficult decision for both teams to make this trade. Any time you make a big trade like this, both teams feel like they’ve been in a 15-round championship fight. I feel sufficiently bloodied, but Heyward is a player that comes along once in a decade. When you have a chance to grab a guy like that, you have to take it.
“Cambridge received several worthy offers for its abundance in quality starting pitching,” Patrick continued. “It was a tough choice, but ultimately only one team could offer the first pick in the draft and the rights to select Jason Heyward.”
