The Long Beach Armada announced tonight that the team has traded RHP Jose Lima to the Edmonton Capitals in exchange for RHP Kris Honel, a former first round draft pick of the Chicago White Sox. The two pitchers have similar records in the GBL this season.

Lima has been one of the top pitchers on the Armada staff this season, but will be a free agent at the end of this season. Honel, one of the best young arms in the GBL will be with the Armada next season as well, if he doesn't get picked up by a major league organization, since his contract has an option year left on it that Long Beach can exercise.

Honel, 26, 6-5, 195 was the 16th overall pick in the 2001 amateur draft as the Chicago White Sox made him their first selection that year out of Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, Illinois. On a fast track, he rocketed up through the White Sox organization reaching AA in two years as he had strikeout totals of 152 and 122 in two short minor league seasons. Injuries sidetracked him in 2004 and 2006 and he moved to the St. Louis Cardinals organization in 2008. Released just this year, he joined the Edmonton Capitals and quickly became one of the leaders of their pitching staff. His four wins this year are third best amongst Capitals' pitchers and he has the second best E.R.A. of the starters on the Edmonton staff and is second in strikeouts. He beat the Armada and Jose Lima in a pitcher's duel on June 17th earlier this season, as he struck out 9 and gave up only two hits and allowed no runs.

Edmonton initiated the trade as they try to solidify their hold on the second playoff spot in the North Division. Lima has pitched very effectively against the Capitals this year and was a huge fan favorite on the Armada's visit to Edmonton in the first half of this season.

Click here for an interview with Jose Lima about his trade to Edmonton