The reigning Intercounty Baseball League MVP's time on the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers is coming to an end -- again.
CK Barnstormers GM Harry Muir confirmed with CK News Today that fan favourite slugger Seth Strong has been placed on the "inactive list" and that the team is in trade talks to move him ahead of Monday's IBL transaction deadline.
The first baseman, whose nickname is "The Panda," returned to the Barnstormers earlier this month after starting the spring with the Lake Erie Crushers in the Frontier League.
Strong's return to the lineup was punctuated with a grand slam during his first at-bat in a game against Kitchener on July 3, but he has struggled at the plate since then.
The 28-year-old, who racked up a .344 batting average during his MVP season in 2024, only has a .184 batting average through 10 games this season with just four hits in his last seven games.
"It's just not going the direction we wanted it to go this year," said Muir, adding that he has offered to move Strong via trade. "If that trade goes through, I'll be bringing in another pitcher."
Muir said putting Strong, who is American, on the "inactive list" also frees up a coveted "import" spot on the Barnstormers' roster. Each team has a limit of five "import" spots.
Moving Strong to the "inactive" list gives the team more flexibility when it comes to addressing their need for pitchers.
"We're really desperate for arms, we've had some injuries," said Muir. "I've been really looking for arms and Canadian arms are hard to come by -- we're all looking for the same guys and at the same time, we're all looking for the same Canadians."
Muir said time is running short for Barnstormers' outfielder Braxton Haggith and second baseman Evan Morrison who are both leaving the team in August for their last years of post-secondary education.
"That opens up a couple of big holes in our starting lineup," said Muir. "We've been trying to fill those two holes and having an import spot available allows me to bring in an import fielder."
In order to address the need on the mound, Muir was able to officially acquire two Canadian arms on Friday.
The team announced they have signed right-handed pitcher Mike DeLong who was a member of the London Majors for three seasons. The team also inked Greg Farquharson who is returning to Canada after playing in Japan this season for the Oita B-Rings in the Kyushu Asia Pro League. Farquharson was also a member of the Brantford Red Sox last season.
But there is still more work to be done ahead of Monday.
Muir said in addition to the two new pitchers, the Barnstormers are adding infielder Andy Groening, who grew up in Blenheim.
The team also moved Sam McKinley to the inactive list and released Noah Murciano.
The Barnstormers' next game is Saturday at 4:05 p.m. in Barrie.