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Pawtucket, RI - Johnny McDade gave a rare interview from a foreign location - the visitors locker room at Pawtucket Park. It was the first time he's been on the other side. McDade spent eight seasons with the Pawtucket Patriots before the franchise ace was shockingly traded to the Toronto Canadians this past offseason. The usually low-key McDade finally opened up and gave a rare interview to Toronto media.
As expected, McDade was shocked as everybody else by the trade. "I was absolutely floored when I received the call, we were successful in Pawtucket, I had just won the Pale Ale for the first time. I never heard my name in any rumors. I was shell shocked." Once the initial surprise wore off, McDade was excited about the new opportunity. "On the flip side, it felt good to be wanted by a new team. There is a lot of excitement within the organization, a lot of talented young kids, including one of the game's emerging stars, Dylan Owens".
McDade's excitement grew further on January 24th when the Canadians held a press conference to announce the signing of SP Brendan Watts to a 6 year $87M deal. "That showed me this organization is serious and looking to spend money, they want to win now. It's go-time." McDade was then comforted by the 1 year deal given to catcher Wayne Nelson. "I know he's a veteran leader in the clubhouse and I think that's exactly what this young group needs".
Nelson is expected to start behind the plate and take control of a staff led by McDade and Watts. Followed by returning arms Pat Tortorici, youngster Jimmy Bires, and veteran Troy Donovan.
The bullpen also received a facelift with the additions of Jarod Davidson, Tom Michie, Jonathan Arnholt, Kazuyuki Shimada. They will join closer Ted Hatch setup man Adan Michaels, and veteran lefty Ian Phelan.
While the entire pitching staff has a strong veteran presence. The rest of the diamond will be filled with rookies and sophomores.
The reigning New Brew winner Dylan Owens and returning sophomore Geoff Reisinger will provide the offense with a punch. The rest of the diamond will be rounded out by veterans TJ Choate, Wayne Nelson and a handful of players that are making their full season BLB debut. Handful of players that contain highly touted prospects such as Jamie Kitchen (3rd overall draft pick, 2017), DH Robby O'Neal (1st overall draft pick, 2015), LF Dave Ingram (2nd overall pick, 2016), RF Tommy Horning (5th overall pick, 2018) and even the 1st overall pick in the 2018 draft 2B Jimmy Anderson.
Many were impressed with the team's spring training performance and optimism is high as the team heads north for the season. It is also the first time experts have predicted the team to be over .500 in over a decade. They may be inexperienced but expectations remain high.
The question is on everybody's mind, can the kids perform in front of the bright lights?
Veterans McDade, Nelson, and Watts are expected to lead the talented young group. The vets don't seem to be worried.
With a smirk McDade added "In this case it's not so bad to be one of the oldest guys in the room".
On Monday the Toronto Canadians will open the season on the road against the Pawtucket Patriots. Johnny McDade will take the ball against his former team on the same mound he's spent most of his career. It's a new chapter for McDade and the Canadians organization.
As expected, McDade was shocked as everybody else by the trade. "I was absolutely floored when I received the call, we were successful in Pawtucket, I had just won the Pale Ale for the first time. I never heard my name in any rumors. I was shell shocked." Once the initial surprise wore off, McDade was excited about the new opportunity. "On the flip side, it felt good to be wanted by a new team. There is a lot of excitement within the organization, a lot of talented young kids, including one of the game's emerging stars, Dylan Owens".
McDade's excitement grew further on January 24th when the Canadians held a press conference to announce the signing of SP Brendan Watts to a 6 year $87M deal. "That showed me this organization is serious and looking to spend money, they want to win now. It's go-time." McDade was then comforted by the 1 year deal given to catcher Wayne Nelson. "I know he's a veteran leader in the clubhouse and I think that's exactly what this young group needs".
Nelson is expected to start behind the plate and take control of a staff led by McDade and Watts. Followed by returning arms Pat Tortorici, youngster Jimmy Bires, and veteran Troy Donovan.
The bullpen also received a facelift with the additions of Jarod Davidson, Tom Michie, Jonathan Arnholt, Kazuyuki Shimada. They will join closer Ted Hatch setup man Adan Michaels, and veteran lefty Ian Phelan.
While the entire pitching staff has a strong veteran presence. The rest of the diamond will be filled with rookies and sophomores.
The reigning New Brew winner Dylan Owens and returning sophomore Geoff Reisinger will provide the offense with a punch. The rest of the diamond will be rounded out by veterans TJ Choate, Wayne Nelson and a handful of players that are making their full season BLB debut. Handful of players that contain highly touted prospects such as Jamie Kitchen (3rd overall draft pick, 2017), DH Robby O'Neal (1st overall draft pick, 2015), LF Dave Ingram (2nd overall pick, 2016), RF Tommy Horning (5th overall pick, 2018) and even the 1st overall pick in the 2018 draft 2B Jimmy Anderson.
Many were impressed with the team's spring training performance and optimism is high as the team heads north for the season. It is also the first time experts have predicted the team to be over .500 in over a decade. They may be inexperienced but expectations remain high.
The question is on everybody's mind, can the kids perform in front of the bright lights?
Veterans McDade, Nelson, and Watts are expected to lead the talented young group. The vets don't seem to be worried.
With a smirk McDade added "In this case it's not so bad to be one of the oldest guys in the room".
On Monday the Toronto Canadians will open the season on the road against the Pawtucket Patriots. Johnny McDade will take the ball against his former team on the same mound he's spent most of his career. It's a new chapter for McDade and the Canadians organization.
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