VANCOUVER (AP) - The Vancouver Mounties today traded recent free agent acquisition Ruben Rivera, starting pitcher Bryan Rekar, minor leaguers Bob Benjamin and Gary Mahady, along with their 1st and 2nd round picks in the 2013 amateur draft. What did they get in return for this?

Two of the premier bats in the league. Former Rio de Janerio Capybara slugger Carlos Hernandez (.308, 29 HR) and minor league prospect Lloyd Lauer come from Rio. Also arriving in town today, center fielder Pavel Chmura (.281, 15 HR) - formerly of the Havana Cigars and Tokyo Tsunamis. Chmura, who just signed a free agent contract with the Tsunamis, was shocked to learn of his trade.

"I'd been expecting to lead the young Tsunamis into next season", said Chmura. "Now I've been dealt to another up and coming team. Looking around the clubhouse when I dropped off my gear, I saw names like Tipper, Gomez and Simpson alongside the likes of Denny McLain and Sean Johnston. This is a team that is going to be very fun to watch in the seasons to come and I am really pleased to be a part of it."

Hernandez, who knew that he was on the way out of Rio weeks ago, was pleased to be landing with another BL team.

"Being able to continue my career here in the Blizzard League is important to me - I think I have established myself as one of the elite players in the league and have a good handle on the pitchers over here. I'm very much looking forward to playing in the infield alongside youngsters Dick Simpson, Eric Gomez, and Jim Tipper. I think this team has the makings of a contender, and I'm really going to be excited to hammer Rio when they come to town."

Manager Ryne Sandberg was very pleased with the deals.

"If you look at it from an objective point of view, we've acquired two complete and utter stars - along with one very talented young prospect. What have we given away? A couple of picks and a couple of good young pitching prospects. As I see it, this is a win-win for the Vancouver Mounties. Being able to slot Hernandez and Chmura in the lineup next season is going to be really exciting for the fans and the players. Losing this year's picks will hurt us a little, but honestly are we going to get players of the calibre of Chmura and Hernandez without giving up something?"

Jim Tipper, Vancouver's leadoff man extrordinaire for the last three seasons, summed it up best when he said, "The so called big guns of the league had better watch out. Vancouver is going to be a different team this season."

Rumours that Jamaica had contacted Tipper, Hernandez, Chmura and Sandberg regarding the manager position with the Rastas were denied by the club.