\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
![\"MIKAELA](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4204260_web1_260506-Goldeyes-00200.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n
MIKAELA MACKENZIE \/ FREE PRESS<\/p>\n
Winnipeg Goldeyes slugger Max Murphy believes the time has the right personnel to make a run at the American Association title this season.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s talking about an American Association championship, which the Goldeyes last accomplished in 2017. They came close to winning it all in 2024 \u2014 the first year under skipper Logan Watkins \u2014 but ultimately lost in the final. Last year represented a step back, with a 41-58 record which led to missing the playoffs entirely.<\/p>\n
Hope springs eternal, and Watkins has assembled a 26-man roster that includes 13 returning players and 13 fresh faces.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlenty of guys coming off good years, and a good mix of experience. Even the young rookies that we have all have maybe a year of pro experience,\u201d said Watkins.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got a pretty good idea of what we\u2019re going to get from almost everybody. It\u2019s just nice having options.\u201d<\/p>\n
Camp began this past weekend, and Winnipeg has already made a quick trip down to Fargo for a pair of pre-season games on Monday and Tuesday against the RedHawks, going 1-1 in frigid conditions.<\/p>\n
The on-field workouts continue until Friday when they\u2019ll board their sleeper bus and hit the road for four more exhibition contests leading up to start of the 100-game season next Friday in Milwaukee. The Goldeyes will then return after that three-game set for their home opener on May 19, which is already nearing a sellout.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would say it\u2019s a really good mix this year with the returning guys and some new faces bringing a lot of energy to the clubhouse here,\u201d said starting pitcher Mitch Lambson, who is returning for a seventh season.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s good vibes. And a lot of fun to be a part of right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lambson was a member of that 2017 team, his first year in Winnipeg, and the longest-tenured member of the roster would love a repeat performance this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the goal. That\u2019s why we\u2019re here. That\u2019s what it\u2019s all about,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Lambson, who is originally from California, now makes Winnipeg his full-time home. He and his wife have a 19-month-old son. Murphy, who is from Minnesota, has also planted permanent roots in this city, along with returning catcher Kevin Garcia (born in Mexico, raised in California) and another starting pitcher in Landen Bourassa, who is from Alberta.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t MIKAELA MACKENZIE \/ FREE PRESS<\/p>\n Pitcher Mitch Lambson warms up with his 19-month-old son, Kolby, at practice on Wednesday. Lambson is one of the Winnipeg Goldeyes\u2019 \u201ccore four\u201d who have made Winnipeg their full-time home.<\/p>\n They are, in a sense, the \u201ccore four\u201d of the Goldeyes.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the best way to describe it would be community,\u201d said Bourassa, who is about to begin his sixth season.<\/p>\n \u201cThe people that are around here, the continuity with the front office and people that have been here. You get close bonds and that keeps you wanting to come back. It\u2019s been such an enjoyable experience for me.\u201d<\/p>\n Other returnees including infielders Ramon Bramasco, Keshawn Lynch and Ray-Patrick Didder, outfielder Roby Enriquez, starting pitchers Luke Boyd and James Bradwell and relievers Derrick Cherry, Tasker Strobal and Weston Lombard.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a real international flavour to the roster. Didder and new teammate Jiandido Tromp are both from Aruba and recently competed for their country at the World Baseball Classic. And the Goldeyes have new pitchers from the Dominican Republic (Willian Suarez), the Netherlands (Arij Fransen) and Japan (Ryo Kohigashi).<\/p>\n There\u2019s also plenty of American and Canadian content as well.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery opening day comes with a lot of hope and a lot of potential. Seeing guys after they\u2019ve been working their tails off all winter to really improve their craft and be the best ballplayers that they can be and seeing everyone out here at the start of the year is exciting,\u201d said Bourassa.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s just a lot of talent on the baseball field. Being from Canada myself there\u2019s only so much baseball talent in our country, and it\u2019s kind of cool we can bring in guys from other places, too, to be a part of this and try to put on the best possible show for the people in attendance.\u201d<\/p>\n The Goldeyes were hit hard by injuries and illness last year which quickly depleted a roster Watkins admitted wasn\u2019t deep enough. He believes they\u2019re better prepared this time around.<\/p>\n Offensively, there\u2019s a lineup that should be a bit more potent \u201cone through nine\u2026 I think we\u2019ve kind of built that,\u201d he said. And the bullpen now includes some hungry young flamethrowers who have been in affiliated baseball and are fighting to get back to that level.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t MIKAELA MACKENZIE \/ FREE PRESS<\/p>\n Winnipeg Goldeyes manager Logan Watkins believes he\u2019s built a solid one through nine lineup this year.<\/p>\n \u201cThis should be a good opportunity for them to come here and prove they should be back,\u201d said Watkins.<\/p>\n And then there\u2019s the likes of Lambson and Bourassa to lead a rotation that, at least on paper, looks to be among the best in the 12-team loop.<\/p>\n \n\t\tWinnipeg Free Press | Newsletter\n\t<\/p>\n \t\t\tThe Warm-Up<\/p>\n Winnipeg Jets Game Days<\/p>\n On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop.<\/p>\n \t\t\tSign up for The Warm-Up<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t \u201cPlaying at home here is really an awesome experience and definitely keeps me coming back,\u201d said Lambson. \u201cThe energy in the stadium here, in the city, the way the fans love the Goldeyes. It\u2019s so much fun playing here.\u201d<\/p>\n Knock on wood, but Bradwell is the only current injury they have. The Vancouver product threw a no-hitter last year through nine innings \u2014 a game the Goldeyes ultimately lost in extras which Watkins said perfectly reflected the frustrating type of season they had. He\u2019s expected to be ready by the end of May.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll have a lot of versatility. Guys that can bounce around the lineup and play all over the field. It gives me a lot of flexibility,\u201d said Watkins.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just trying to get 25 guys in here that can help us win, and not feel like it\u2019s just 17 or 18 and we\u2019re trying to make up the difference at the back-end of the roster that maybe isn\u2019t as consistent as we need.\u201d<\/p>\n winnipegfreepress.com\/mikemcintyre<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t Mike McIntyre Mike McIntyre is a sports reporter whose primary role is covering the Winnipeg Jets. After graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College in 1995, he spent two years gaining experience at the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in 1997, where he served on the crime and justice beat until 2016. Read more about Mike<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Mike produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Reporter
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n