"The AL North is Still Ours for the Taking"

By KYLE KEOUGH
Double Day AP

Those soon-to-be-infamous words were uttered by Montreal Shamrocks owner Tomhighway in a recent statement following a slew of major deals which have rocked Double Day and perhaps shifted the balance of power in several divisions.

Tomhighway said:

"After checking the division standings and evaluating the talent on my roster, I realized that a few key moves could lead to Montreal winning the division. The AL North is still ours for the taking. Toronto and Salt Lake City better pack a lunch because they are in for a long hard fight."

In one of the more surprising moves of the season, the Shamrocks have parted ways with young starter Hoss Collins, who was the prized catch for the Shamrocks earlier in the season but has yet to truly realize his potential as an ace. Collins--5-5 with an ERA a whisker's width under 4--showed promise in his move to the Shamrocks, but struggled to win games and was just 2-5 with Montreal despite a 3.63 ERA.

Collins now joins the third team of his young career in the stalwart Oakland Oaks, who, despite a fire sale just a short time ago, remain stubborn in their conquest towards the NL West title. Currently, the Oaks sit in a precarious second-place in the division, just two games ahead of Honolulu and one game behind Omaha.

In return, the Oaks jettisoned as the principle player from their side of the deal third baseman Robert Robinson. Robinson represents the ideal player for a young Shamrocks team to build around: the 23-year-old plays an above-average 3B, is a good five-tool offensive player with both base-stealing and power, and is both durable and lauded for a tremendous work ethic. In 88 games with the Oaks this season, Robinson is hitting .265 with 22 home runs and 68 RBIs to go along with 21 stolen bases.

Robinson hopes to be one of the few players in Double Day's history to finish the season with 100 RBIs, 30 home runs, and 30 stolen bases, and he'll attempt to do it adorning red and yellow.

Montreal further solidifed their offense with acquisitions Steven Wood--another infielder-type youngster who has suffered this past season with limited playing time--and brought in Lariel Espinoza, a starting pitcher who was based in AA in Oakland and has scouts believing he has middle-of-the-rotation major league potential.

In return for the package, the Oaks also acquired 3B Archie Meachem (.254, 15 HR, 41 RBI) as Robinson's potential replacement. Meachem has struggled at the plate this year but is still revered as a capable defender and an effective offensive weapon.