Musical Chair Picks

Perhaps never in the history of NASBL has there been as much movement predraft.  This week saw several deals take place which are reshaping the draft.  The Honolulu Hawaiians, long rumored to be in the market for a forst baseman, maybe Eric Hosmer or Freddie Freeman, sent lefty specialist Darren Oliver to Slatington for first baseman Casey Kotchman. This is Kotchman's second stint with the Hawaiians as he was with the club from 2007-2009 getting released after hitting below .230 with only 3 homers.

The Hawaiians hope to have Kotchman get on base more and they especially want the veteran first sacker to flash the leather over at first. With that deal done and Hosmer and Freeman most likely no longer on  the horizon for the Hawaiians, it became apparent that the Hawaiians would be seeking pitching. The Georgia Road Kill, long rumored to be enarmored with Michael Pineda were sitting at 5 and soon became worried that the Hawaiians would take Pineda. Georgia then moved up to the #2 pick and gave up Sean Marshall in the process to Slatington.

This deal, now all but cementing that Pineda wont be available, triggered yet another deal where in the Hawaiians sent their first rounder, 3rd overall to the Pilots. The cost was steep as the Pilots gave up Mark Buerhle, annother former Hawaiian, and swapped a very early third for a very late 4th and  two very late picks.  That deal sees Buerhle also return to the Hawaiians after a several season hiatus. Hawaiians management believes he can contribute this season.