Vegas gambles on Beckett

A Las Vegas Rat Pack fan who had gone on vacation for a couple weeks may be surprised to find that he doesn't recognize the team when he gets back. The Rat Pack completed yet another trade, this time acquiring Josh Beckett from Blue Ridge for Clay Buchholz and a 4th round draft pick. Beckett, who was the pet project of former owner Paul Barbosa, never realized his potential in the DMBL. This is probably his best season in the DMBL and he is 6-11 with a 5.45 ERA. For his career, Beckett is 32-71 with a 6.13 ERA and 1.64 WHIP. Beckett will replace rookie Tim Lincecum (10-6, 5.97 ERA) in the rotation. Owner Eric Wickstrom has high hopes for Beckett, despite his failed prospect label. "I just can't help myself!" he said in an interview. Meanwhile, Blue Ridge owner Tom Zagenczyk thinks that Buchholz may have a high ceiling. "He could be the next Beckett!" he said. "He's got a 5.70 ERA already (at AAA East Newark), so he's got that going for him."

The D.C.-Blue Ridge deal will execute Saturday morning as the players involved will go through a physical. "Carl Crawford is already on the freakin' DL for crying out loud" said Zagenczyk. "I want to make sure Landsman isn't trying to pull a fast one." Crawford is eligible to come off the DL, but D.C. will hold him there so that they can retain the roster spot until the trade is executed.

Hillsborough took another hit yesterday, losing a 5-0 game to Sardine City. The game was held up by an unexpected rain delay in the second inning. Both starters were forced to leave the game - Hillsborough starter John Lackey caught a cold because he was slipping and sliding on the tarp during the rain and Sardine starter Dice-K Matsuzaka wouldn't go back out because he had just bought new cleats and didn't want to "mess them up". The Hitmen would end up getting blanked by the Sardine pen and losing their fifth in a row. The loss narrows their lead on the final playoff spot to only 2 games over Tampa Bay and 4 over Sardine City. Carolina, Arkansas, and Blue Ridge are not too far behind and, with a nice winning streak, work their way back into contention. Add in the fact that D.C. seems to be in "sell mode" and we could be seeing a good battle for the final two playoff spots.