James, Durand Traded to Winndy City

August 16, 2011 - Frontier League (FL)
Rockford RiverHawks News Release


LOVES PARK, Ill. - The Rockford RiverHawks have parted ways with two of their most recognizable names.

Rockford's only professional baseball team announced Tuesday it traded outfielder Jason James and closer Brett Durand to the Windy City ThunderBolts in exchange for righthanded pitcher Nick Gaudi and future considerations. The trade was made before Monday night's Frontier League roster deadline. James and Durand will face their former team this week, as Rockford and Windy City begin a three-game series at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday.

The RiverHawks also signed outfielder Michael Hur and pitcher Adam Osteen. They released outfielder Esterlin Perozo.

James and Durand have prominent roles in the team's all-time record book. James is the RiverHawks' all-time home run (48), hit (555), RBI (272), batting average (.336), double (115), run (240), games (430), at-bats (1,653) and outfield assists (39) leader. Durand is second on the team's all-time strikeout list (261), third in wins (22), fourth in saves (17) and first in losses (18) and home runs allowed (43).

"JJ and Durand, I have a tremendous amount of respect for them," RiverHawks manager Rich Austin said. "I appreciate what they've done for me in my first year (as manager) and during their years here, I just want them to have an opportunity to play for a Frontier League championship this year. Unfortunately, we couldn't do it. I wish them the best of luck."

Windy City is in fourth place in the Frontier League East, but just 1 games out of a playoff spot. Rockford is in last, 9 behind Lake Erie for the division's second postseason berth.

Durand, who moved from the rotation to the bullpen late last season, was promoted to closer this year, his third in Rockford. The former Florida farmhand was 4-4 with a team-best 1.77 earned-run average and 16 saves, two short of Scott Roehl's single-season team record. Durand, who pitched in last month's Frontier League All-Star Game, has 45 strikeouts and 13 walks in 40 2/3 innings.

James, who turns 27 on Aug. 30, was ineligible to return to the Frontier League next year. James began his career with the RiverHawks in 2006, and other than a spring-training stint with the Chicago Cubs last year, spent his first five seasons with Rockford. He was an all-star in each of his first four full seasons, 2007-10, and won the Frontier League batting title in 2009, when he had a league-record 40-game hitting streak. He was also named to Baseball America magazine's All-Independent League's All-Star team that fall. The RiverHawks dealt him to Fargo-Moorhead of the American Association in April and re-signed him in July after he was released by the RedHawks. James hit .316 with four home runs and 17 RBI and had six outfield assists in 26 games. He hit .263 with four home runs and 27 RBI in 51 games for the RedHawks. James, who missed the last four games of the RiverHawks' last trip because of an ankle injury, is expected to be available to play Tuesday.

Gaudi, 25, had no record and a 4.67 ERA in eight appearances, two as a starter. He has 19 strikeouts in 17 1/3 innings. Austin said Gaudi is a late-inning option for his bullpen.

Hur is a rookie from the University of California-Riverside. He hit .329 with eight home runs and 43 RBI last year, his senior season with the Highlanders. He was a two-time all-Big West selection.

Osteen, 23, is a former Arizona farmhand. He had no record and a 7.15 ERA in five relief appearances with short-season Class A Yakima of the Northwest League earlier this season.

Perozo was 1-for-6 without a RBI in four games with the RiverHawks.

The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, a 12-team independent professional baseball league in its 19th season. Advertising and ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit www.rockfordriverhawks.com.



Frontier League Stories from August 16, 2011


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