Blasters Add 3 Via Trade with Lincoln, Including Former AA All-Star
Published on November 4, 2014 under American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
JOPLIN, MO- The Joplin Blasters have announced a trade made with the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association for RHP Jake Meiers, RHP Justin Kuks, and the reversionary rights to INF Maikol Gonzalez in exchange for cash considerations.
The Blasters have acquired the reversionary rights to Gonzalez, who spent the 2014 season with the Arkansas Travelers the AA affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Owning a player's reversionary rights means that should Gonzalez be released by his affiliated team he would be eligible to sign back with the Blasters.
"We wish nothing but the best for Maikol, and hope that he continues his pursuit of playing in the major leagues," said Blasters' GM Shawn Suarez. "He is in my opinion, and in the opinion of many around the league, the best middle infielder if not overall player in the American Association. And should he need a place to play in 2015, the Blasters would welcome him with open arms."
The 28-year old Gonzalez has spent 7 seasons in the minor leagues, he has a career batting average of .309 with 640 hits in just 561 games played. In his last full season in the American Association, with El Paso, Gonzalez hit .337 with 130 hits and 47 stolen bases in just 99 games on route to being named a league All-Star. In 2014, he was signed by the Angels after just 7 games with Lincoln where he had 15 hits in the first 7 games of the season.
Kuks and Meiers were both part of Lincoln's pitching staff that saw the Central Division team advance to the American Association Championship Series. The 25-year old Kuks collected 5 wins as a rookie starter, while the 24-year old Meiers contributed 3 wins of his own from the bullpen.
The American Association will play as a 13-team league in 2015, with Joplin joining the South Division. The schedule will be a 100-game, full-season format with the three division winners and one wild card team making the playoffs.
Season Tickets are available for purchase and make great Holiday gifts. Single-game tickets for the 2015 season will go on sale at a later date to be determined. Corporate sponsorships are also filling up fast. For more information please call 417-437-6105 or visit our official team website at www.joplinblasters.com.
American Association Stories from November 4, 2014
- Blasters Add 3 Via Trade with Lincoln, Including Former AA All-Star - Joplin Blasters
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