BREAKING NEWS: Preliminary Agreement in Place to Send SP Hoss Collins to the Montreal Shamrocks

By KYLE KEOUGH
Double Day AP

A preliminary agreement has been reached to send Albuquerque Dukes starting pitcher Hoss Collins to the Montreal Shamrocks for a package of prospects and cash.

The UK-born Collins was coming off of a disappointing outing against the Boston Beaneaters, in which he was tagged for 6 earned runs while lasting only 4 innings in the process. The 24-year-old starter with the tantalizing 4-seam fastball has teased Dukes fans with near-limitless potential since his acquisition as an international free agent during season one.

Over the course of his career, Collins now stands at 22-17 with a 4.82 ERA. Last year, his first full season as a major league starter, Collins could muster only a 7-9 record with a 4.51 ERA.

Still, the Montreal Shamrocks remain confident that Collins remains one of baseball's brightest young stars. He has been called by scouts as perhaps the best young pitcher in baseball--at least, on the basis of sheer talent--but has yet to see his enormous ability translate on the field.

The deal marks a transitional phase for both teams: the Montreal Shamrocks (7-13) have seemingly pegged Collins as their future ace, and with a disappointing start to season three are looking ahead to build around players like Collins, 2B Hector Castillo, and DH Valerio Pizzaro. Meanwhile, Dukes GM rootgargle seems resigned to the fact that "Albuquerque isn't a pitching town" and has instead committed to outscoring its opposition with season two Most Valuable Player Philip Maxwell and a revamped lineup.

For Collins, the Shamrocks will trade SP Barney Blue (1-2, 4.64 ERA), DH Allie Holmes (.338, 27 RBIs in High A), and CF Andruw Lyons (.276, 13 RBIs in AA). Also included in the deal is $100,000, so that the Dukes, whose payroll will potentially stand at $76,036,982, can remain under the salary cap.