Miami Palms Blog

The Palms knew going into the offseason that their rotation was going to be rebuilt, and the first hint at what it might look like next season was given yesterday evening, as former Palms starter Dallas Chastanet signed with the Houston Astros. After having a break out year in the bullpen two seasons ago, then pitching well for the 2009 season, but he fell off severely in 2010, with his ERA rising almost a full point, and his peripherals matching the decline. Still, Chastanet is a young pitcher that will be well served by going to the lighter hitting National League, and should serve the Astros well in 2011, especially when he gets a chance to face his old battery mate, Eddie Black, who is now with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Palms’ all-star catcher, Eddie Black has decided to leave the team. After bouncing between the minors and Miami while Kyle Vic was the starter and Jon Bogaard was on board as the backup, Black became the full time back up to Gerald Laird in 2008 before becoming the full time starter in 2009 and 2010, where he broke out as a power hitting star.. Black’s decision was based on family. He grew up in in Latrobe as a Pirates fan, and he wanted to return closer to home, especially in the prime of his career, hoping to help a struggling team move back to relevancy. The Palms will now have to search for a catcher to complement Omir Santos, whose option was picked up this season, the second of two options he had when he came to the team in 2008. The Palms will be looking not necessarily for an offensive powerhouse like they had in black, but a veteran game manager to help a pitching staff that languished in 2010.

With free agency jut getting underway, Ryan Henning was the first of the roster questions to be answered for the Palms. Long time Palm and recently starting 2nd baseman Ryan Henning has decided to stay in Miami. Terms of his deal were not disclosed. It's likely that Henning will not be the starter at 2nd this year, but he still decided to remain with the Palms.