The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks have traded 1B Jesse Hoorelbeke to the Laredo Lemurs in exchange for RHP Dan Griffin.
Griffin, who still needs to be signed to a contract for the 2012 season, joins the RedHawks after pitching for the Shreveport-Bossier Captains in 2011. Griffin was 3-1 with a 3.04 ERA and 14 saves in 27 games for the Captains last season. He pitched 26.2 innings and allowed 10 runs (nine earned) on 19 hits. Griffin struck out 31 batters and walked 15.
Hoorelbeke, 34, batted .295 with 26 doubles, 15 home runs, 75 RBIs and 49 runs scored in 94 games with the RedHawks in 2011. He posted a .360 on base percentage and a .490 slugging percentage for Fargo-Moorhead.
Hoorelbeke, who played with the RedHawks in 2006 and 2010 as well, set the RedHawks all-time home run record with 65 career home runs with the RedHawks last season, surpassing former DH Darryl Motley’s 64 career RedHawks home runs.
“It’s never easy to move players who have been major contributors to our success,” said RedHawks Manager Doug Simunic. “Jesse was a great player for us and a great guy, but we felt we needed to upgrade our pitching with Griffin and to get talent you have to give up talent.”