Pelicans Make Splash on Major League Trade Market
As the Myrtle Beach Pelicans keep churning out Major League baseball talent - 52 and counting since 1999 - three former Beach Birds were sent packing today in trades that may have tilted the balance of power in the 2007 National League pennant race.
The Pelicans' parent club, the Atlanta Braves, landed All-Star and Gold Glove first baseman Mark Teixeira from the Texas Rangers to solidify their everyday lineup, in exchange for 2005 Pelicans star catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia and 2007 Myrtle Beach shortstop Elvis Andrus.
Teixeira was arguably the most coveted position player available on the Major League trade market. His acquisition - in tandem with that of Kansas City Royals closer Octavio Dotel, who was obtained later in the day in exchange for 2004 Pelicans alumnus Kyle Davies - puts the Braves in prime position to reclaim a National League East title that, until last year, had been theirs and theirs alone since the early 1990s.
But were today's moves really enough to put the parent club over the hump, and push aside the two division rivals currently ahead of them (the cheesesteak-eating Philadelphia Phillies, and hated reigning division champ New York Mets)?
Sure, the Philles improved with some pre-deadline trades of their own. But these are the Phillies we're talking about, and if there's a way for a Philadelphia sports team to choke when the pressure's on, they'll find it.
That leaves us with the boys from Shea. Call it a hunch, but with the Mets making a key deadline deal of their own and their best players returning from injury within the next few weeks, I think both teams will make the playoffs: the Mets will defend their division crown, and the Braves will emerge from a frantic, six-team scrum (including the Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies) to take the Wild Card playoff berth.
But that's all a good two months from being decided. In the meantime, there's still plenty of time left to catch the 2007 Pelicans in action at Coastal Federal Field, and see the stars of tomorrow for yourself.
Tell us, Beach Bloggers: who's your favorite Myrtle Beach Pelican of all time?
He’s probably not one of the most remembered, but Adam Wainright had the most filthy breaking ball I’ve ever seen. Worked well for him in last year’s playoffs!
Typical Mets fan living in denial. Braves will romp the rest of the way!