Notes From The Nat

Andy Dunn was announced as the Canadians 10th President today, following the resignation of Aileen McManamon back in June.  Dunn has been a ‘consultant’ to the team since July, and controlled the ship per-say.  

The Vancouver Canadians are proud to announce the addition of Andy Dunn to the organization in the role of President.
The announcement came at a press conference at Nat Bailey Stadium where owners Jake Kerr and Jeff Mooney introduced Dunn to the media.

Dunn, 38, has a vast amount of experience at all levels of MLB with his most recent position being Director of Player Development for the Washington Nationals.
Prior to his role within the Nationals organization, Dunn was the Vice President of Ballpark Operations which included the task of turning RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., into a facility ready for Major League Baseball.  Dunn was the Vice President of Florida Operations for the Montreal Expos during their transition to Washington, D.C.

He also worked with the Florida Marlins organization, both as president of Sales and Marketing and Director of Florida Operations and General Manager for the Marlins Class A Brevard County Manatees. 

Dunn was named the Florida State League Executive of the Year in 1999 and 2000.  He was also awarded the Bob Stower Minor League Baseball Award in 2002.
Dunn’s background in baseball gives the Vancouver Canadians an immediate presence across North America as his experience and relationships have earned him the respect of many at all levels of the game.

Andy lives in Vancouver, B.C., and is married to wife Kristi with his three daughters, Hailey (9), Colby (7) and Kennedi (3).

 This making you excited for Opening Day?  A great day for Canadians fans indeed.

Oh and by the way, when I mentioned a few days I guessed Andy Dunn would become the new GM/President, I had no idea he would occupy that position a few days later.  I had no knowledge of who would become the new boss, so don’t go thinking I ruined the surprise for the Canadians to announce - my guess was as good as any of yours.

Player-favourite Clubhouse Attendee Glenn ‘Magic’ Hall, a West Van resident, will be returning to the C’s in 2008 as the ‘Clubbie’.  

Making the players meals, washing the uniforms, watching over the clubhouse etc. are just part of his duties with the Canadians.  Essentially, it’s a 24-hour job and not many people are cut out for the position.  Luckily for the Canadians and their future players, Glenn is.  From the C’s site:

Glenn Hall will be returning for the 2008 season marking his fourth year with the Vancouver Canadians. A die-hard Bruce Springsteen fan, Glenn spends countless hours at Nat Bailey as the ‘Boss’ of all that goes on in the C’s clubhouse. Glenn prepares meals for the team, ensures their uniforms and other personal belongings are ready for each and every home game and is generally every players ‘big brother’ during the season.
Glenn resides in West Vancouver, B.C. during the season.

And, here’s an excerpt from an article The Province did on Glenn Magic back in 2006.

Hall ? dubbed "Glenn Magic" by the C?s ? also does all the cooking. And the grocery shopping. And the cleaning. He has an apartment at Horseshoe Bay, but he?s never there. In winter, Hall works in northern Alberta and B.C. as a cook in work camps for the oil and gas industry. He?s used to being around gangs of hungry men. But working for a sports team ? in particular, a baseball team ? is something he always wanted to do.

"I was always curious about doing this job," says Hall, who found out about the Canadians job on the Internet. "The atmosphere is tremendous," he says. "The baseball knowledge that you?re exposed to and the players at this level are totally appreciative. ? You don?t get the bitterness you might get with some of the older players further along [?] And you get invested in how they do. That?s one thing I wasn?t prepared for. You get emotionally involved in how they?re playing."

Well, a lot has gone on with the C’s behind the scenes while we’ve been in off-season mode, and much of it I can’t yet talk about, simply because it’d be spoiling some neat surprises.

Here’s what I can tell you: Nat Bailey Stadium baseball Version 2008 is going to be awesome.

Let’s roll through the highlights.

First, yes, as has been mentioned below, there will be a new logo. The ‘concept logo’ Jeremy found will not be it, nor will it be close to it. Not sure where that one came from, but while the new logo will in all likelihood not be too far removed from the current logo, it will be a far, far, FAR improved version - thank god.

Much as I’ve been pushing for a team name change for a while, and have support on the issue from some folks on the inside, the Canadians name will not change. And to that I say, "Go Capilanos."

The team will have new uniforms - they’re going retro to a degree, but I’m not able to tell you in what way just yet. Suffice to say, you’ll notice the change. From a mile away.

There will be a team mascot, which is a positive step from a fan experience point of view, especially speaking as a soon-to-be dad of two.

All the C’s games will be broadcast in season 2008 - be it via radio or webcast - but here’s the kicker; the home games will be broadcast online via streaming video. FINALLY!

The long awaited changes to the NWL set-up, where the Arizona League is killed off and the Northwest League becomes the new rookie league, have not come, and will likely not arrive in 2009 either, due mostly to nobody in the Major League farm systems having the time or inclination to actually make it happen. That will continue to be threatened for another few years, but nobody is too keen to lose 30 players from their system in any great hurry.

The new Vancouver Team President will be announced next Monday, and though I know who it’ll be, I’m keeping my mouth shut for a bit so the team can announce it to full fanfare, which the announcement will deserve. 

As for this blog, the arrival of video webcasting of the C’s home games means we can shelve plans to do that ourselves. It’d been something I’d been planning for a while, and that we actually had a little budget for this season (thanks to those people who keep hitting the Westjet ad for their holiday travel plans), so we’ll either use that money to pick up a speed gun (so we can finally see how fast C’s pitchers are hurling), or do what we’ve done the last two years and send it to charity.

I’m guessing speed gun. 

On a personal note, I’ve sold my editorial services company, Unreel Media, to an American buyer, so I have a little more spare time than usual. Expect that to bring some more improvements to the site over the coming months - at least until I get my new PR firm up and running.

Oh, and we’ll be looking for new writers for the blog to join Jeremy and myself and really round out the coverage, so if you like the baseball, are committed to seeing a bunch of games this season, and know how to string a few interesting words together, drop us a line. We’ll talk.

What better way to storm back onto the blog after a few months rest than by coming back on and directly refuting the guy who has been keeping the hot seat hot in my absence? (Thanks for keeping the blog a-rockin’, Jez. You are, and shall continue to be, the man.)

Yes, today Billy Beane and the Oakland A’s did what few saw coming and traded favorite son, Moneyball 1st round draft pick, and sometime switch-hitting slugger, Nick Swisher, to the Chi-Town Chaussettes Blanches for a handful of solid prospects.

The collective wisdom on this from A’s fans is "booo."

I say otherwise. I think this is a great move, and here’s why.

Frankly, Nick Swisher is ass. Sorry, I know he’s a homegrown talent, and I know he’s a former Vancouver Canadian, and I know he’s a bubbly dude with a great personality who lights up a clubhouse and treats the fans with respect, and I know he’s been a great return on a first round draft pick…

But he’s also a tubby dude who doesn’t hit nearly as hard and long as he should, labours around the outfield, is more suited for the first base spot that’s usually reserved for harder hitters than he, and is prone to long bouts of slumpishness.

Young? Check. Cheap? Check. Better than Eric Chavez? Well, duh.

But still ass.

If we go by batting average (and yes, I know how flawed a stat BA can be), Nick Swisher hasn’t hit above .269 over a full season since his High-A minor league days - and most of those seasons have been far below that level. Yes, he hits home runs, but last year he hit quite a few less (22) than the season before (35), and experienced some horrible dead spots where the only thing he could hit without striking out three times was a nightclub.

In short, he’s a younger Gary Matthews Jr - overrated, full of holes, and despite much promise, unlikely to deliver on anything close to a grand scale. 

So look at it this way - Swisher *might* have a breakout season in 2008 and smack 45 home runs, and if he does, both myself and Beane are fools. But he also might hit *less* dingers than he did in 2007, or, just as bad, the same number. And then he won’t be ‘a kid with great promise who might hit 45′, he’ll be ‘a kid who’ll hit 20 homers a season for you and not be too terrible in the outfield’. 

Swisher’s value is, right now, as high as it’s likely to be, in my opinion. I might be wrong, but I think it’s more likely that I’m right. So by selling him now, before he has a chance to hit .220 next season, the A’s made sure to get the utmost return on their Moneyball investment. 

Look at it this way; clearly, the A’s aren’t looking to compete in year 2008. But with what they’ve got back, they’re a shot at not only competing in 2009, but also the three seasons following - right through the time when their new stadium will be built. 

Now, I’m not going to say that Beane’s odd desire to keep Eric Chavez as he nosedives, season after season, is clever. Nor will I say that I understand why Mark Kotsay hasn’t been traded to the Yankees for a rosin bag, a salted pretzel and a 2-for-1 dry cleaning coupon. But if you understand and adhere to the theory that you sell high (think Mulder, Hudson, and Swisher), buy low (think 39 prospects acquired in the last two weeks), then you’ll see not only what Beane is up to right now, but why he HASN’T sold off Kotsay and Chavez - yet.

 

Trust me - if Chavez starts the season in good form, he’ll be gone by the end of the first month. And if Kotsay just manages to avoid needing more back surgery - ditto. 

It’s going to be a bad time to be an Oakland A’s fan, but if you’re a fan of the system, and of the future, this is going to be an interesting ballclub to be watching up close.

(NOTE: To those who have emailed and called over the past few weeks/months, sorry about being out of reach. I’ve been selling my business and dealing with the imminent birth of kid #2, and making a concerted effort to just leave baseball alone until things get interesting again. That time is here.) 

 

First, to John: I have no idea who will be named the GM, but my best guess would have to be Andy Dunn, who is the ‘consultant’ to the team.  On the C’s staff page it doesn’t list him, even though he’s been the man running the show over the last few months.  We shall see…

Now, onto why Billy Beane has lost his mind completely. 

Today the A’s announced they’d traded fan favourite OF Nick Swisher to the White Sox for three prospects.  I’ll give Beane this - they’re top prospects but in all honesty this trade is worth nothing. 

Oakland picks up LHP Gio Gonzalez, RHP Fautino De Los Santos and OF Ryan Sweeney.

Gonzalez lead Minor League Baseball in strikeouts this season, and the former Compensation Round pick was named to the Southern League All-Star team after playing for AA Birmingham in 2007.

Fautino De Los Santos was the South Atlantic League’s (A) Most Outstanding Major League Prospect and named to the midseason and post-season All-Star team while pitching for Kannapolis.  He pitched for the World Team at this season’s Futures Game, as a MILB sophomore and went 10-5 with an ERA of 2.65 all season.  Fautino also managed to strikeout 214 batters in just over 170 innings.

The OF Sweeney was the White Sox #1 prospect going into ‘07, and has played a total of 44 games in the major leagues, combining for an average of .213, while having 17 hits in 80 at-bats.  He has hit a dinger and two doubles in that time.  In thhe minors, he’s hit .289 over five seasons, sending 33 balls out of the park, and 239 RBI.

While the three guys have impressed in the Minors, can they really help Oakland in the Majors?  Oakland is giving up Swisher, who has hit .251 in the American League (in four years), sending 80 balls out of the park which is Oakland’s franchise record for most HR’s hit by a switch-hitter.  Swisher only spent two years in the minors before making the Majors, and started his minor league career with the Canadians in ‘02.  He lasted only 13 games and went up to Visalia to close out his first pro season.

The A’s are severely relying on their prospects for ‘08, with only five veterans starting out of the whole 9-man system (forgetting the pitchers).  Mark Ellis, Bobby Crosby, Eric Chavez, Jack Cust and Mark Kotsay being the five guys, and four out of those five have had major injuries over the last two seasons.  While Oakland will be loaded in AA and AAA this season, can their prospects’ success result in major league success?  Only time will tell.
 

From the official press release:

January 2nd, 2008 (Nat Bailey Stadium - Vancouver, BC)

The Vancouver Canadians will introduce the club’s newest President and General Manager on Monday, January 7th at 11am.  The announcement will take place at Nat Bailey Stadium in the home clubhouse.  In attendance for the announcement will be team owners Jake Kerr and Jeff Mooney  along with the C’s 8th President in the teams 30-year history.  

The Canadians will have a media conference at 11am.  Limited seating is available for fans who wish to come and be a part of this new chapter in team history.  RSVP to rfai@canadiansbaseball.com if you wish to reserve a seat within the clubhouse for this coming Monday.  We are extremely limited in number of seats, so no fan without a RSVP commitment letter from the club will be admitted. 

Tickets for the upcoming 2008 season are available right here at http://www.canadiansbaseball.com by following the links to our ticket pages.  We have a number of great packages available right now and have a number of staff ready to help you choose the one that best suits your family, friends or co-workers.  You can call us as well and we will be sure to guide you through this site to ensure you have all the information you will need to make sure you have a seat to a Canadians game this coming season!

So, if you want to be the first person to see the new President/GM, click on the email link, and reserve your seat now!

The Canadians also mention on their site the front office has re-opened after the holidays.

In other Canadian news (seems to be a lot lately), they have posted an "in-depth look" at the minor leagues.  There’s no way this post could handle the info that’s written, so here’s the link.   

Numerous Vancouver Canadians alumni are getting ready for Spring Training, which starts in just over two months, by playing in the Winter Leagues, south of the border.  Here’s a round-up of where some players are.

Venezuelan League: 

Leonardo Martinez, El Gordo himself, is playing with Aguilas del Zulia, alongside fellow A’s prospect Henry Alberto Rodriguez.  In one appearance so far this year, closing out a game, Leo gave up a walk in 1/3 of an inning.  Rodriguez has pitched 33 innings, and if my Spanish (babelfish) is correct, he’s 1-3 on the hill, in 8 starts.

Carlos Arrieche and Walter Correa are listed on Aguilas’ roster but haven’t played yet.

Gregorio Petit, Brad Knox and Ben Fritz are all spending their winter in Caracas, playing for the Leones.  Javier Herrera was originally supposed to play with them, but is injured.  Drew Macias, brother of Lorenzo (2006 Canadian) is patrolling the outfield in Caracas as well.

Petit is batting .225 in 29 games, while Fritz and Knox are each doing pretty well, with Knox’ ERA at 4.24, and Fritz’ at 4.40 respectively.

Stockton catcher Raul Padron and former Athletic and current Toronto Blue Jay Marco Scutaro are also playing in Caracas.

Dominican League:

Two-time Vancouver Canadian catcher Sandy Madera (’01 and ‘02) is struggling with Azucareros del Este batting .063 in 16 at-bats. 

A bunch of ex-C’s are holding ship in Cibao, like Nelson Cruz (’02), Eduardo Sierra (2002) and Keith Eusebio (2006 and 2007).

Eusebio hasn’t set foot on the mound, but Sierra did going 0-0 with a 2.57 ERA in 7 appearances.

Cruz held a big role with his Dominican club, batting .314 with 4 dingers, 17 RBI and 5 doubles in 29 games.

Yeah, it’s a long title to start off the New Year but there are a lot of things to talk about concerning our Canadians.  By the way, Happy New Year to all the readers.

First, the C’s have introduced ‘Canadians TV’ which will be updated every two weeks by Play-By-Play/Media Director Rob Fai, on the A’s system, the Canadians and Nat Bailey in general.  This is the first thumbs up of the day.

The second is finally confirming that the team is receiving a new logo and mascot for the upcoming season.  We all knew it was coming, and personally I can’t wait until it’s all revealed.  No date and time has been set as of tonight for the launch. 

The final positive of the night, is that the C’s will be video broadcasting all 38 home games in 2008.  They’re only the second NWL team to do so, with Boise being the other.  If you can’t make a game, be sure to tune in because Fai’s crew will be adding post-game highlights as well.  Now that’s a first in the Northwest.  Well, freaking done!

You can check it out here, and look on the right-hand side of your computer screen.

I don’t know why I just found this out now - but the Yakima Bears have announced a new logo for the 2008 season.

The logo is easily one of the best in the Northwest League, and the hats and jerseys are even better.

Announced on November 20th, the Bears will have a new logo, uniforms, hats and a youth logo as well.  Unfortunately, the only known photos of the new gear aren’t available for saving to computers, so I can only link you the page (to see the pictures click on the photo gallery).

The Bears, who are apparently in the festive spirit, are also giving fans a chance to park for free at all of their Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday games.  There are 15 games in total when you can park for free, but there are still 23 when you must park for 5 dollars.

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 The Canadians are probably a few months away from announcing their future logo, but has it been already put on the internet?

On sharkbite.ca, there is a logo, where the description is "Vancouver Canadians baseball mascot concept". 

Is this a good logo?  Is it even the future logo of the C’s?  Post your comments down below. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: What a shame to see the Bears trash what was one of the best logos in the NWL, and replace it with logos that are just so pedestrian. There’s no history there, no modernity either, just letters and some terrible stock images. The road logo, in particular, is a shocker.

Not sure where the C’s concept logo came from, but if it’s close to what’s coming in February, I’m comfortable with it. I like the big V, and a beaver is a natural fit for the last Canadian minor league ball club. I’d still like to see a new name for the team, personally, but at least this brings the team closer to what is the best sports logo in Vancouver proper - that of the Vancouver Giants.

It was reported by Baseball America last week that 2002 Vancouver Canadian side-armer Shawn Kohn was released by the A’s, after six years in the system, bringing him to AAA Sacramento.  The University of Washington product had good seasons as a mamber of the organization, but with all the recent minor league signings (and trades aka the Dan Haren trade), his release was only a matter of time.

Today, the Oakland Clubhouse talked to Keith Lieppman, as he explained of four more minor leaguers getting the boot. 

Trent Peterson, 2003 Canadians southpaw, was let go, after playing most his A’s career in Stockton and Midland.  He’s had an average few years, but he should be picked up by another MILB team.

Michael Rogers, a 2004 top pick in the first-year draft, will have to find a new team to work for, after a very poor couple of seasons.  He was one of the most hyped players in Vancouver back three years ago, but didn’t really show off his skills, going 1-2 with a 4.87 ERA in Canada.

That was his second lowest ERA in the organization, which gives you a good reason why he was let go.  He was a starter-turned-reliever that never really blossomed into something big.

Two years ago TJ Franco came to Vancouver (in 2005), as a closer who ended up being sent to Kane County just days later, and that was just the beginning for the 30th round pick who turned more than a few heads with the A’s.  He split his time between Kane County and Stockton after that, as a starter, but the thing that ended his Oakland stint was the 5.73 ERA in the California League. 

The final player released was Ramiro ‘The Arm’ Mendez.  Ramiro was with Arizona in 2006, before being sent up to Vancouver at the end of the year, where he blasted six home-runs in just 28 games.  He started 2007 in Vancouver, but was immediately sent to the Midwest League, after opening his season with a .600 average in three games.  He struggled with the Cougars, batting .200 in 35 games.

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The C’s are changing up their seating chart for 2008, removing the General Admission, Premium Festival and Premium Festival Reserved sections, combing them all to make a ‘Reserved Grandstand’.  Here is what Ticket Manager Jason Takefman said in response to a question about the new chart.

You are correct; every seat at The Nat will be numbered this year, ensuring
each fan will get their very own numbered seat without fear of losing it to
get up to the concession stands, bathrooms, or to walk around and stretch
their legs.

This makes the most sense for Fireworks Nights, when the stadium is full and if you leave your seat, it’ll be gone by the time you get back.  The Box Seats will remain the same, as will the Service Master Diamondclub sections. 

The Arizona Diamondbacks made a pair of huge deals Friday, sending closing sensation Jose Valverde to Houston for Chad Qualls, Juan Gutierrez and former playoff hero Chris Burke, while also acquiring Dan Haren and Connor Robertson from Oakland, giving up six prospects.

Yes, the one-game Vancouver Canadian Robertson is on his way out from Oakland after making his MLB debut this season, with the All-Star pitcher Haren.  Oakland picks up pitchers Brett Anderson, Greg Smith, Dana Eveland and positional players Carlos Gonzalez (OF), Aaron Cunningham (OF) and Chris Carter (1B).

After being named Midwest mid-season all-star, LHP Brett Anderson was added to the Baseball America Low Class A All-Star team this off-season, complimenting his combined 11-7 win-loss record from stints in the Midwest League and Visalia of the California League.  He had a 3.07 ERA, as well as striking out over a batter an inning in 23 games as a starter.  The best part?  He turns 20 in early 2008.

If Oakland had acquired LHP Greg Smith last off-season, I’d be ecstatic.  Really, I would.  But now?  It seems like a case of turn-around now, more than prospect for the soon-to-be 24 year old. His Senior Year of University he was 9-0 with a 0.12 ERA, and struck out a Louisiana state record 20 batters in one game.

In his first professional season (all-be-it in short-season), he was named to the Pioneer League All-Star team, in addition to being the league’s pitcher of the year.  He was also named to the Baseball America Rookie All-Star team after that 2005 season.

He moved to the California league in 2006, and was a Post-Season All-Star in that Single-A league, plus he was a High Class A All-Star, per Baseball America.  Why was he so good?  Try going 9-0 with a 1.63 ERA in 13 games, with two comploete game shutouts, allowing just 16 earned runs in 88 innings.  Want the short form?  He was dominant.

This year he was a combined 9-5 with a 3.54 ERA between AA and AAA in the Diamondbacks organization.  He spent this fall in the Winter League with Scottsdale where he went 2-2 to go along with his 2.61 ERA in six appearances.  Still, he’s a good pick-up.

The final pitcher picked up in the trade was Dana Eveland, a 24-year-old currently pitching in the Mexican Winter League.  He stands at 6′1, 240 throwing as a southpaw, where he has a 2.33 ERA for Aguilas de Mexicali, in addition to his 3-1 win-loss-record.  He was 1-0, 1.65 in 9 games (7 started) in the minors this season (between Visalia and Tucson), but when he reached the majors he struggled, allowing 8 earned runs in five innings, despite picking up a win.

The Washington State native is no rookie to the majors, having played 9 times in 2006, going 0-3 with a 8.13 ERA.  He should start the year in Sacramento or Midland.

Moving onto the position players, Carlos Gonzalez is a good person to start with.  Once considered the next top prospect for Arizona, he is an outfielder who has more than a dozen accolades to go with his career.  This off-season in Venezuela, he batted .266 with 11 extra-base hits including two dingers.  In exactly 500 at-bats this season between AA Mobile and AAA Tucson, he had 144 hits, 38 doubles, 3 triples and 17 home-runs.  Maybe not the next Tori Hunter or Ichiro Suzuki, Gonzalez will probably be the next Nick Swisher, to an effect.

1B Chris Carter comes from California, and is what one might describe as a power-hitter.  He was sent from the White Sox to Arizona last week, and is now becoming a member of the A’s organization.  He batted .291 in almost 500 AB’s, sending 25 balls out of the park, and picking up an OPS of over .900.  He was named a Low Class A All-Star this year, and will probably open up 2008 in Stockton or Midland.

The final prospect picked up in the trade is Aaron Cunningham, an outfielder who is 21 and 5′11, 195 pounds.  Between three teams within Arizona’s minor league system this year, he batted .308 with 16 home-runs, 10 triples and 31 doubles, striking out just 89 times.  Cunningham was a teammate of Andre Piper-Jordan at Everett CC, and the Anchorage, Alaska native could be the outfielder of the future.  A well-rounded player, Aaron batted .282 with Scottsdale in the AFL this year, sending two balls out of the park. 

(Nat Bailey Stadium ? Vancouver, B.C.) ? The Vancouver Canadians are proud to announce that Manager Rick Magnante, Pitching Coach Craig Lefferts and Trainer Travis Tims have been assigned to Vancouver (A) for the 2008 Northwest League baseball season.

 Rick Magnante returns for his 3^rd season as Manager of the Canadians compiling a record of 76-75 (.503) guiding Vancouver to 2^ndin the NWL?s Western Division in 2007.  Rick is one win away frombecoming the Canadians Short-Season winningest coach as his 76 wins asManager trail Dennis Rogers 77 (2003-04).  This winter, Rick traveledto Taiwanas Manager of the South African National Team for the 2007 WorldBaseball Championships, and remains active with the South Africanprogram trying to develop their program.  Rick resides in Van Nuys, CA and has been with the Oakland Athletics organizations since 1997 both as a Manager and as a area scout.

Craig Leffertsmakes a triumphant return to Nat Bailey Stadium after missing theentire 2007 season due to health concerns.  Craig?s health is muchimproved and will now focus his efforts on helping Vancouver?spitching staff this coming season.  A major league career that spanned11 seasons, Lefferts pitched in 696 games over his career, placing him87^th all-time in MLB appearances.  ?Lefty? as Craig is knownaround the ballpark also has pitched in two World Series (84-Detroit,88-San Francisco) as well as a career 72-45 record with 101 saves. Craig resides in Arizona; this will be Craig?s 4^th season in Vancouver.

Travis Tims takes over the trainers room for Nate Brooks who this season takes over in Kane County (A).  Tims is a graduate of Western Kentucky University graduating with a B.A. in Sports Medicine.

The release from the Canadians goes on to mention how a hitting coach has not been announced as of today, but the name will be released as soon as it is official.

After talking with Rick Magnante at season’s end, he wanted to come back, and he will after all.  As for Lefferts, this is tremendous news.  After sitting out last season he is back in Vancouver for the 4th time, and of course having him as a coach is motivation enough for the players - considering his baseball past.

Jimmy Escalante is heading to where he was originally going last season, the Arizona A’s where he’ll be their pitching coach.  Fan favourite Benny Winslow - former player and hitting coach - will remain in Kane County after a good start in the Midwest League in 2007.

Just a few days over six months until the Canadians open the season, buy your tickets now!