Laredo Lemurs Lingo: March Update
A lot of changes are going on for the Laredo Lemurs this off-season, including the building of a new website. The team is looking to piece together a roster that is as talented as last year’s playoff team. That is a tall order, and for much of 2015 the team has been quiet about building its roster. Since our last examination of the Lemurs off-season, the team has made just two transactions. That means they have some work to do, but no worries for a team with a quality front office and a commitment to winning. They will be in the thick of things comes season’s end. You can count on that.
On February 20, Laredo acquired RHP Matt Jackson from Winnipeg for a player to be named later. Jackson has been playing professional baseball since 2009. Until the 2013 season he had been with the San Diego Padres organization, reaching as high as AAA in both 2012 and 2013. In 2012 he looked good at AAA-Tucson, posting a 2-0 mark in two starts with a 0.00 ERA, but in 2013 he struggled mightily. He had a combined ERA of over six at three levels and was released by the organization.
The Padres loss was the Winnipeg Goldeyes gain. They signed the right-hander and he delivered, winning all three of his decisions in 2013 and posting a 3.70 ERA in six starts. Last year he won 11 games for the North Division winners, with a 4.18 ERA in 21 starts. Jackson will fit nicely in the Laredo Lemurs rotation.
Four days after acquiring Jackson, Laredo released RHP Caleb Graham. The right-hander had been a solid performer in their bullpen last season. Graham made 42 appearances and was 2-1 with 2 saves and a 3.51 ERA.
With just 10 weeks before the season begins the Laredo Lemurs have some work to do on getting their roster set. It is a transition time for sure as the team develops their plan on the direction they would like to head this year, but this is still a team with a lot of talent and a solid offensive attack.
Wichita appears to have taken a step back, so there is an opening for Laredo to capitalize and be the team to beat in the South Division. The upcoming weeks should be exciting for sure as the team looks to fill out their roster. There is a great deal of talent available out there, especially from moves the Wingnuts have made, and it will be interesting to see if the Lemurs make a move for any of those players that are available. It would be an ironic situation for sure, but not one that is unheard of in baseball.
By Robert Pannier