Brewers Deal Parra, Gamel, and Salmone to Rays in Exchange for Matt Garza and Kelly Shoppach

[TwinsBrewersWorldSeries]

(AP) - In a rather stunning move, the Brewers, apparently unsatisfied with their rotation in what could be their final season with Prince Fielder, have agreed in principal to send LHP Manny Parra, 3B Mat Gamel, and minor leaguer Angel Salmone to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for starting pitcher Matt Garza and reserve catcher Kelly Shoppach. The Rays, with their stockpile of pitching apparently have decided to upgrade the catching position and secure a replacement for Carlos Pena should be leave via free agency next season. Parra, who has shown flashes despite a 6.36 era last season, will fight for the 5th spot on a strong Rays pitching staff.

 

The Brewers, with the emergence of 3B Casey McGehee have apparently decided that 3B Gamel was expendable. "You have to give something to get something" GM Doug Melvin commented in announcing the trade. We had an outstanding offense last season, and we feel adding another #1/#2 type pitcher will really be able to give us one of the best staffs in the national league. Garza, with a 3.99 career era, will slide into the #2 spot in a rebuilt rotation that will also feature Yovani Gallardo, Randy Wolf, Doug Davis, and Dave Bush.

 

When asked where he got the scoop, Brewers reporter TwinsBrewersWorldSeries replied that he gets a call from a "high placed source" in the Brewers organization once annually on April 1st. Things are looking up for the season, and hopefully this trade won't make me a liar with my annual prediction of a "Twins-Brewers World Series".

[Invader3K]

Hah, nice.

[thumperden]

Ahh! You got me! Good one.

[prophet]

You got me too. And i was so excited and happy. Then i realized it was a joke, and now my day is boring and terrible again waiting for opening day. Which seems like it is about 8 years away.

[Tedaldtada]

I knew it!

[1992casey]

Ah, yes, the annual April Fools topic. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

Good work.

[Funketown]

Weak sauce.

[rcon14]

Bah, you got me all excited. I rushed to mlbtraderumors to try and find it and didn't find anything...

 

Damn.

[Dragonbait]

Got me too... I had JUST played a trick on a guy at work too....

 

D'oh

[Outlander]

April Fools is one of the worst days of the year.

[RyDogg66]

My heart skipped a beat, but before I got the end of the thread title I remembered what day this was, so there.

[alwz4gbp]

I nearly soiled myself and also ran to MLBtraderumors. Nicely played.

[And That]

The inclusion of Kelly Shoppach was a nice touch.

[RobDeer 45]

Hahahah. I read it and got so pumped for 2 seconds and as I clicked on the thread my heart sank before the page even loaded. Son of a.......!

[Invader3K]

The inclusion of Kelly Shoppach was a nice touch.

The next move is to deal for Jonathan Papelbon.

[SoCal Brew Crew Fan]

Ohhh...you are good...real good.

[brewmann04]

nice try but you should have gotten more from TB

[logan82]

If you had replaced Parra with a minor league pitcher and not had a catcher coming back you might have had me fooled for a bit.

[brains and braun]

We included Salmone? Say it ain't so!

[MJLiverock]

I'll admit you got me. Completely forgot what day it was.

[joepepsi]

Totally got me. Just got out of a long taxing meeting and fell for this hook, line and sinker.

 

Well played, man, well played.

[sheethead]

Wasn't Manny Parra traded last year on 4/1 as well?

[PrinceEatMeat]

How would people feel if this was actually true? It actually seems like a decent deal, although we don't need Shoppach at all right now. Garza would be a nice add to the rotation. Gallardo Wolf Garza Davis Bush. That's really solid.

[LS Brewer]

The five stages of reaction to an April Fools Joke. First, a shout of excitement. Then realization that this is a joke. Then

extreme anger at being had. Then grief that the trade did not really happen. And finally acceptance at the well-played prank.

[sheethead]

4/1/2009