EDMONTON (AP) - On August 1, 2015, the highest priced free agent of all time returned to the club that made him so. A mere 6 seasons ago, Todd Walker inked an 7 year, $112,000,000 deal with the Edmonton Orcas. Now, he’s back to finish out the last of that contract.

You may recall, Walker was a victim of the Orcas’ 2013 purge, and was traded to the Havana Cigars for first baseman Paul Burnett. Now, he joins that one time prospect, as Edmonton sent outfielders Chuck Isbell and Rick Randolph, as well as southpaw pitcher Jay Lozado to the Cigars for Walker and a player to be named later.

“Honestly, this was an odd front office move,” remarked Orca coach Robin Yount. “We all read the Ringler Report. Nobody really should be upset about comments made by a sports reporter. I guess someone was.”

Although GM J.J. Wurz was unavailable for comment, a source close to the Orca front office did let on that the team was disappointed with both Randolph and Isbell, especially since this was their free agent seasons. Still, for two home grown guys, it was a let down. “I don’t know what they are thinking over there,” commented an irate Rick Randolph. “I moved from right field to third base, then over to second to earn a spot on the team, and then I’m shifted to a platoon in left field? It doesn’t make sense. Why bring in crusty old veterans who need to be retiring and not taking time away from guys like me and Chuck!” After hearing Randolph’s statement, Chuck Isbell had this to say, “He’s kinda right. I mean, I won’t knock the Orcas, because they gave me a chance and all, but, as my gran used to say, ‘somethin’ just don’t smell right’.”

Since the start of the season, the Orcas have been playing around .500 baseball and hanging in the middle of the pack. However, the All-Star break brought light to the team, going 18-8 since then, and moving into second place in the Roehm Division behind the Long Beach Lobsters. The distance between first and second currently sits at 11 games, but with Walker on the squad, that gap might actually be closed. Since the veteran second baseman joined the team, Edmonton won 6 of 7 games. Perhaps his defense, speed, and leadership are what the team was lacking. Perhaps Long Beach will repeat history and collapse late in the season. Perhaps a streak of cold weather injuries hit the Orcas and they plummet to last place. Anything is possible. As for now, we wait with held breaths.