Looters part ways with Carlos "CarGo" Gonzalez, shakeup rotation

Today the Looters announced that they have come to a mutual agreement with Carlos Gonzalez to buy out his contract and make him a free agent.  Acquired in a trade from the Baffin Island Beavers in the offseason, the Looters hoped CarGo would continue his upswing from last season and be a dependable back end of the rotation contributor.  However, he only spent a few games in the rotation before getting thrust into the mopup role.

In the process of making 13 appearances, 4 of which starts, the pitcher had a 1-2 record with a 9.10 ERA and 2.02 WHIP.  He just wasn't having much success, and with the Looters looking to continue winning and try to jump back into the wild card race, they just couldn't continue to let him take up a bullpen spot.

The other announcement that the Looters announced was that James Kelly would be moving out of the rotation and into a setup role in the bullpen.  Kelly had been inconsistent in the rotation and the third pitch he learned a couple offseasons ago has yet to materialize.  In 24 games (14 starts) on the year he has a 6.78 ERA and 1.71 WHIP; however, he had been knocked around pretty badly in some starts this year while also having some dazzling starts.  With CarGo gone from the bullpen, a reliever was needed and Kelly was the best option.

Taking his rotation spot will be Kevin Lane returning to the rotation.  Lane earlier in the year was 4-6 with a 7.62 ERA and 1.89 WHIP in 12 starts in the majors.  However due to continued wildness walking 35 in 65 innings, the Looters sent him to AAA to try to iron out his mechanics.  In 8 starts in the minors, he put up a 4.21 ERA and 1.6 WHIP with a 4-2 record.  Most importantly he walked 13 in 51.1 innings while striking out 59.  The Looters are hoping he can return closer to what he was last year pitching out of the 4th spot in the rotation.

Meanwhile, the Looters will have a decision to make on rehabbing starter Alex Torrez whose time in rehab is up after his next start.  So far in 5 starts he has a 6.40 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in 32.1 innings.  Walks have been a problem for him in his first two starts racking up 9 walks, but he only has 3 over his last 3 starts.  As well his strikeout numbers have returned a bit with 13 Ks in his last 2 starts.  He could possibly come up and pitch as a long man out of the bullpen should he have another good start, or else the Looters may have a tough decision on their hands prior to the trade deadline.