Blue/yellow flag changed to white

Stockholm general manager Michael Weintraub announced today that the proud blågult Swedish flag flying outside of the team's offices at the old Olympic Stadium in Stockholm has been replaced with a white flag, commonly associated with surrender.

"We had high expectations this year, but once Ben Towell got hurt, it all unraveled."

Classified ads in the back pages of Svenska Dagbladet and the Sportbladet section of the popular tabloid Aftonbladet mentioned the following players available for trade:

• SP Chad Gomez - once an ace, and possibly the best pitcher in the league at the time, he has struggled this year after recovering from a season-ending injury last year. In his last start, he showed signs of returning to ace status with seven and two-thirds shutout innings in a win over Jersey City.
• SP Chad Kinlaw - during the chaos of the 2003 Stockholm season, he was the anchor that stabilized the team as they finished just shy of the playoffs. A free agent after this year, he's an affordable pickup for any team needing another starter for the playoff push.
• SP Theron Mire - a waiver-wire pickup in the 2003 season, he helped Kinlaw stabilize the rotation. Struggling a bit this season, perhaps he needs another change of location to get better again?
• MR Cedric Iverson - a 1.88 ERA out of the bullpen. What more needs to be said?
• MR James Artman - okay, a 2.86 ERA out of the bullpen isn't as amazing as 1.88, but his salary is only $660k for the season!
  
• IF John Avelar - former Rookie of the Year, John has performed capably as a pinch hitter and utility infielder this year. He's able to play 2B or 3B, and has high gap hitting ratings.
• SS John Covas - acquired to take over for Towell at short stop when he was hurt earlier this season, Covas has suffered along with the team. A proven playoff bat (OPS over 1000 the past two seasons!), he knows how to win.
• CF Mark Peters - after a torrid start of the season, Peters has settled into a dependable spark plug for the line-up. Capable of playing in center or left, his .396 OBP is made for the top of the lineup, especially with his high ratings in stealing bases and baserunning instinct.

Surely one (or more) of these players will help make the difference in being in the playoffs and watching them on TV. Contact GM Weintraub at mweintr@gmail.com to discuss trades. Offers involving a 3B prospect will move to the top of the list!