BORA BORA (AP) - "There's no place like home... There's no place like home."

Tahitians everywhere welcomed future hall of famer Mike Castro back home with open arms this week, as the Lobsters and Surfriders completed a massive trade.

"While I'm sad to leave Long Beach and Ken (Paplanus) runs a first class organization--I'm very happy to be returning to paradise. I'm happy to be going home with a chance to win another ring."

Going to Bora Bora with Castro are all-star right fielder Jermaine Dye and highly touted centerfielder Sam Thomas. Completing the deal is veterans catcher Jose Valentin and reliever Kevin Haid and a 3rd round ammy pick.

All this didn't come cheap for the Surfriders. Super base thief Tris Speaker heads off the new class of Lobsters. A young vet at 29--he will help groom all the new youngsters for the Paplanus' rebuilding efforts. Three of those youngsters include fellow ex-Surfriders catcher Ed Thomas, shortstop Lep Kauffman and hurler Alan Moran. Wrapping up the deal is knuckleballer Roy "Silver" Bullett, starter Daryl Walker and Bora Bora's 2nd Round Ammy Draft Pick.

There were a ton of questions when new owner Sean Uezu tore apart the championship squad of Belfast. Many Tahitians questioned if they were getting "Brewer'd" when they built the brand new stadium and got a shell of the dominant Bomber team. It seems like the management in Bora Bora has finally gotten serious. The rich farm system has been turned into key cogs--either by being called up to start or traded for veterans to fill holes.

When mentioned this at a recent Surfrider game, owner Sean Uezu stated, "I guess there is a method to the madness. While rebuilding is always tough--we have always put a quality product on the field. It's time to move on past the Belfast thing and establish a new identity for the Surfriders. While it's time to move on, I won't forget the past though. Castro started his career as a Bomber and he'll finish it bringing a title 'home' to Bora Bora"

So will Mike Castro once again be able to carry a team on his shoulders to the promised land? Will all-world prospect Johnny Hubbell--the man he was originally traded for provide the second half of a 1-2 punch, live up to all the high expectations? How will the new additions mesh with the Surfriders?

With a stacked Barnes--nobody can predict anything other than an exciting 2016.