A New Pronktract

Signed 1B Travis Hafner to a three year, $7M contract with an option for 2008

The contract essentially buys out his arbitration years; the contract is timed so that Hafner will be able to file for free agency after the 2008 season.

First of all, let me say that I like Hafner; he's a tremendous talent. That being said, I think this a mistake. Not a huge mistake, given the dollars involved, but a mistake nonetheless. Hafner is as about as close as you can get to a full-time DH, and if Michael Aubrey progresses as planned, that's where Pronk will stay. Designated hitters are fairly easy to come by, and although Hafner's 2004 was an MVP-caliber season, his value to the team wasn't as much as Victor Martinez's was. Martinez plays a position where any offense is a bonus; locking him up is a great idea. Locking up Pronk is more questionable. I'll have more on this in the coming week.

Placed 2B Danny Garcia on the Disabled List (AAA - shoulder); Recalled IF Jake Thrower from Extended Spring

It looks like it's bad karma to be the Bisons' starting second baseman. Warren Morris injured a finger in Spring Training, and now Garcia is out with a shoulder problem. Thrower is a AAA veteren, though this is his first time in the International League.

Placed OF Ben Francisco on the Disabled List (AA - thumb); Promoted OF JJ Sherrill to Akron (AA) from Kinston (A+)

Promoted OF Ricardo Rojas to Kinston (A+) from Lake County (A-)