After Much Speculation, Webb has a New Home

By KYLE KEOUGH
Double Day AP

In accordance with the mutual wishes of both DH Ronald Webb and his organization, the slugger, who has played out of position at first base with the Omaha Spikes, will now make the trip to the American League, where he can focus on what he does best: hitting the ball.

Far.

Webb was part of a five-player deal between the Spikes and the St. Louis Maroons, who are medicating a mid-season collapse with a brilliant young hitter to stash away for years to come.

Webb was one of just several high-profile youngsters in the swap. AAA pitching prospect Dean Gardner--who yours truly identified earlier in the season as a prospect to watch--will be packing his luggage alongside Webb and making the trip to Omaha. Gardner, 10-3 with a 3.21 ERA in AAA this season, is heralded as an ace-type with huge potential.

In return, the Spikes land three players. Paul James, a very good starting pitcher prospect who has seen some time in the ML this year (1-3, 4.25 ERA) is one of the players reported to be involved. Joining James is Major League veteran Willie Guapo, who will be for Omaha a substantial defensive upgrade at first as well as a player who gets on base at an extremely high rate - despite playing two seasons in pitcher-friendly Tampa Bay, Guapo boasts a career .402 OBP.

What Omaha loses in power in the exchange of Webb for Guapo, they perhaps make up in the third player in the deal, 20-year-old Al Gonzales, who is an extremely talented prospect from St. Louis' AA system with tons of power to boot. Gonzales will perhaps wait in the wings for a little longer as a 2B or RF of the future.