CANADA – The La New Bears of the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan have purchased the contract of the hottest hitter in the Northern League, Brent Metheny, to a guaranteed two-week contract in the $10,000-per-month range that runs to August 6th.

The Winnipeg Goldeyes slugging third baseman enjoyed a 27-game hitting streak recently and carried The Fish from a 5-10 mark to the top spot in the league with a 27-21 card at the all-star break. Metheny was hitting .397 with nine home runs and 43 RBIs.

“It’s just the end of the run for me and the Goldeyes will keep on playing. Business decisions had to be made and I had to look at what was best for me right now,” said the 27-year-old. “Independent leagues are about bettering yourself as a player and financially, and I just don’t see a reason to stay in the same place when you have a chance to move up.”

“That’s what happens in independent ball. Players move on for better opportunities and good for Brent Metheny,” said Goldeyes manager Rick Forney.”

Unlike most players who depart quickly once their rights are owned by another team, Metheny decided to play a few more games with the Goldeyes before embarking on his Asian adventure.

“I talked to them and I could have left Wednesday but I wanted people to know I wasn’t just leaving to leave the team,” said the left-handed hitting infielder. “I’m trying to better my career and with these next four games at home, I thought I’d stay home and play these four games in front of the fans that have come out this season and last season.”

Regardless if he is successful for his new team, the slugger would welcome a chance to return to Winnipeg.

“I’d love to hook up there in September and have a ring and see my final stats. If my contract here was the same as the contract I now have, I wouldn’t even consider leaving,” said Metheny. “I have a guaranteed two-week contract that runs to Aug. 6 and then they have to decide whether to keep me for the rest of the season or send me back to Winnipeg.”

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Tags: Canada, Taiwan