On Oct 23, Rockford traded Amanda Freed to the Chicago Bandits, in exchange
for Megan Willis, Krista Jessup, and Gina Oaks. Freed spent the last 3 years
with the Thunder, but she hasn't seen much time in the circle since 2005, and
she really slumped at the plate this past season. None of the 3 players going
to the Thunder have been any better at the plate, but 2 are solid behind it
(Willis and Jessup). Oaks has started about 10 games each of the past 2 seasons,
winning about 60 percent of them. Rockford could lose their star catcher from
last season, Mackenzie Vandergeest, as she pursues her firefighting career, so
Willis and Jessup are important additions.
The Bandits will likely be without the services of Jennie Finch next season,
due to the Olympics, but they may not miss her thanks to their trade Oct. 31 for
NPF Rookie of the Year Kristina Thorson. In return, the Philadelphia Force
get pitchers
Peaches James and Amy Harre (80 innings total in 2007), plus outfielder
Autumn Champion. The Force also get the first overall draft pick in the 2008 draft,
giving them picks 1 and 2.
From the Force's perspective, they get great potential in both Harre and James.
Harre had a decent 2007, but in 2006 she was on fire, with an ERA of 1.41
in 114 innings, posting a record of 10-2 plus 3 saves. James had a poor, and winless,
year in 2007, and pitched just 12 innings in 2006. But she had an excellent year
in 2005, with an ERA of 1.53 over 128 innings, posting a 14-5 record plus 2 saves.
Champion is a proven speed demon in the outfield and at the plate, batting .370
over the past 2 seasons, while stealing 30 bases.
If both of these pitchers can get back to their winnings ways, the Force
will indeed be a force in the league.
From the Bandits perspective, even though they finished just above the bottom in average,
and third in runs, they seem to be concentrating on pitching for their trades.
And with Thorson,
they have succeeded big time. In her debut season,
Thorson was 5th in strikeouts, and second only to
our own Desiree Serrano in wins with 14. She tied for the league lead with 12
complete games, was second in ERA with 1.22, and tied for second in games started (18).
Here's the Thunder/Bandits trade.
Here's the Force/Bandits trade.