Trevor Foss Traded To Somerset Patriots For Player to be Named

WASHINGTON, Pa. - The Washington Wild Things announced today that right-handed pitcher Trevor Foss has been traded to the Atlantic League’s Somerset Patriots for a player to be named. Foss, who will turn 28 in November, is no longer eligible for the Frontier League based off his age, as he was able to play under the league’s veteran status in 2017. That status is being removed from the league, forcing the team to trade Foss.

Foss was a big part of the last two seasons with the Wild Things, as he came to Washington after a stint in the Los Angeles Angels’ organization. In 2016, Foss was 8-3 with a 2.50 earned run average in 15 appearances for Washington (14 starts). He spun eight complete games and had a save to go along with three shutouts in 100.2 innings, while allowing only 28 earned runs with 66 strikeouts under his belt. The right-hander was one of four Wild Things to be selected to the league’s All-Star Game in 2016. 

His success did not go unnoticed, as Foss was signed by the Cleveland Indians before the Frontier League season ended, as he’d report to Lake County in A-ball. Foss returned to the mound at Wild Things Park in 2017, with what he described as “unfinished business” to take care of. He’d go on to have a 12-5 record and a 3.06 ERA in 132.1 innings. Foss made 20 starts, struck out 88 and had four complete games. The second of those, his 10th as a Wild Thing, set the new franchise record for career complete games from a pitcher. That record now stands at 12 for Foss.

Foss was the leader of the pitching staff in 2017, and in some ways, the leader of the team in the clubhouse, in a year he made his second-straight Frontier League All-Star Game appearance and helped lead the team to the 800th franchise win and the team’s first playoff berth since 2014 and only the second since 2007. 

Though the team knew it would have to trade Foss, management wanted to make sure Foss “went somewhere he wanted to go." 

“Unfortunately the veteran status has been removed for 2018 and trading Trevor was our only option, despite his desire to return to Washington,” said Wild Things’ general manager Steven Zavacky. “He will surely go down as one of the best Wild Things’ pitchers of all-time, taking the mound with the win being his top priority. Awards or not, Trevor Foss was the best starting pitcher in the Frontier League 2016 and 2017. We want to thank Trevor for all his efforts, his dedication to our organization and the role he embraced here in Washington. Without Trevor, our memorable 2017 season making the playoffs would never have happened.”

Foss is grateful for his time in Washington, and had these comments to make following the trade becoming official:

"My two years with the Washington Wild Things have been two of my favorite years playing baseball. I can't thank Stu (Williams), Steve (Zavacky), Tony (Buccilli) and the entire front office enough. They made day-to-day life extremely easy, and allowed us players to simply focus on trying to win everyday. From the top down this is a stand-up organization. (Manager Gregg Langbehn) 'Banger' is bar none, one of my favorite managers that I've ever played for. He is a great baseball mind and the ultimate player's coach. I am grateful that I had the honor of playing for him, and look forward to keeping in touch with him over the years.

I refuse to believe there was a baseball team anywhere that had more fun than the Wild Things. I was fortunate to be surrounded by incredible teammates in my two-year stay in Washington, but more importantly surrounded by friends. My teammates made coming to the field each day extremely fun. It's always a good thing when you wake up in the morning - or for me the afternoon - and are excited about what you have to do that day. Spending as much time as we did with each other sometimes can seem relentless, but with my teammates I never felt that way. We were a family, and we were together on and off the field. It is an honor to be able to call many of these teammates my new lifelong friends.

Finally to the community of Washington, PA, and all of the Wild Things fans... Thank You!!! It was by no accident I ended up back in Washington for my second year. In fact it took a lot of work from the Wild Things to make it happen, and for that I am extremely thankful. The city of Washington and surrounding area was so supportive and encouraging of the Wild Things and all that we did that I had no choice but to come back. I had so much fun interacting with the community off the field, and then with all the support I got on the field, it truly feels like a second home for me.

I wish the Wild Things the greatest success in the years to come and will certainly be following closely. Thank you to everyone involved with the Wild Things: players, coaches, the front office and especially thank you to our fans. You have made these last two years very special for me. Hopefully our paths cross again down the road, but until then thank you and Go Thangz!!!"