Player Relocation Means Hectic and Confusing Upheaval

Player relocation, as in the case of recently-traded David Phelps, can be, and usually is, a whirlwind of confusion. Phelps, a reliever for the Florida Marlins, was recently traded to the Seattle Mariners, who were looking for bullpen help.  Here’s how it all went down.

As the trade deadline of July 31st approached, the trade rumors heated up.  Rumors were circulating that Phelps was going to be traded, and the team supposedly interested was the Seattle Mariners.  One of Phelps closest friends, reliever Steve Cishek, a Mariner, called Phelps and asked him what was happening with the trade.

Phelps told his friend the truth, he had no idea, he had heard from no one about any trade.

With that as the backdrop, the Marlins were off the following day, Thursday, July 20th, so Phelps went to the pool with his wife and three young children, and while enjoying an off-day at the pool he got the call….he had, for sure, been trade to the Seattle Mariners, and he was to report to Seattle as soon as possible.

“It was a little bit of a whirlwind (Thursday), getting as much packed up as I could and then flying 6 ½ hours,” Phelps said on his first day as a Mariner, last Friday.  “But I’m excited.  I really am.  It’s meaningful baseball again.”

To recap Phelp’s journey, he received the trade call on Thursday afternoon, packed, said goodbye to his family in Miami, flew 6 ½ hours, and was in uniform for the Seattle game against the Yankees, in Seattle, twenty-four hours later.

Welcome to the world of player relocation in the Major Leagues!

Sports Relocation, Inc. Sports Relocation, Inc assist players/coaches of all professional sports leagues including the NBA, WNBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, and entertainers relocate nationwide by servicing their Real Estate & Relocation needs. Ikem Chukumerije is licensed to practice real estate in New York, California, Nevada, Florida, & Georgia. Sports Relocation, Inc operates nationwide and provides elite athlete relocation services in all 50 states and internationally.