Pels Acquire Former Tampa Bay Devil Ray

Published on January 15, 2007 under American Association (AA)
Pensacola Pelicans News Release


The Pensacola Pelicans announced today that a former Tampa Bay Devil Ray is reunited with Pelicans manager Mac Seibert and the Pelicans for the 2007 season. The Pelicans received right-handed pitcher Scott Vandermeer in a trade from the Lincoln Saltdogs who had the best record in the American Association in 2006. Seibert first saw Vandermeer when he was an area scout for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

"I feel our club got better today with the addition of Scott Vandermeer," said Seibert. "He is a solid veteran that can throw at lot of innings for us."

The hard-throwing righty will be added to the starting rotation and has the proven ability to come in late in the game as a closer.

Vandermeer was originally drafted in the 15th round of the 1999 Major League Baseball draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays where he played for seven seasons. His highlight season, to date, came in 2004 with the Charleston Riverdogs of the single-A South Atlantic League. Vandermeer finished third in saves (22), second in games pitched (52), and third in games finished (46), earning his spot on the league all-star team.

In return for Vandermeer, the Pelicans trade the re-visionary rights of current New York Yankees shortstop Carlos Mendoza. During the 2006 season, New York purchased his contract from the Pelicans. American Association rules state that a team retains re-visionary rights of a player purchased by a Major League team. Lincoln now holds the rights of Mendoza for any future transactions.

"Based on my conversation with club officials, we do not anticipate Mendoza's return to independent league baseball any time soon. The Yankees are very pleased with Mendoza," said Pelicans general manger Talmadge Nunnari. "I don't think we would have went through with this trade if there was a chance to get Mendoza back."

Pels Notes: *The Pelicans Training Academy is now open for individual and group lessons. The Academy also offers several camps and clinics.

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American Association Stories from January 15, 2007


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