How thick is your bullpen?

This much can be said about the Frontier League's all-star break: It sure came at the wrong time for the Wild Things.

After winning eight of 11 games heading into the break, the Wild Things were swept by Oakland County coming out of the break. The Wild Things are now mired in fifth place in the East Division, 21-29 overall, 13 1/2 games behind the first-place Cruisers and 7 1/2 games out of a playoff spot.

"We were playing so well heading into the break," Washington manager Darin Everson said. "We were doing the little things. We were getting the lead, then our pitchers were putting up zeroes. This series, we gave up some leads, then we didn't answer."

During the series, it seemed as if the Wild Things installed a revolving door on their clubhouse. Players were being added an dropped from the roster on a daily basis. The most recent activity included Everson's first trade with another Frontier League team. Washington sent first baseman Adam Amar (.255, 2 HR, 26 RBI) to the Normal CornBelters in exchange for relief pitcher Chris Bennett (0-2, 2 saves, 5.21) and a player to be named.

Normal is managed by former Houston Astros manager Hal Lanier. Everson played for Lanier in 1999 with Winnipeg of the independent Northern League.

Amar began the year as the Wild Things' cleanup hitter but he never developed into the power hitter Washington envisioned. After hitting nine home runs in 252 at-bats for Auburn in the New York-Penn League in 2008 (when Everson was managing in the league), Amar has hit only four homers in 266 professional at-bats since then.

Washington also signed infielder Wilson Matos, who hit eight home runs last year while playing for Windy City and Gateway, and released pitcher Matt Lackner (0-0, 45.00). Bennett was en route to Washington on Sunday afternoon. Matos did arrive at Consol Energy Park about an hour before game time, but he didn't get his gear unpacked, contract signed and into uniform until the bottom of the first inning. The Wild Things actually started Sunday's game with only one available position player (catcher Alan Robbins) on the bench.

Washington also is making one change to its starting rotation. Tim Smith (4-3, 7.16), the opening day starter, is being moved to the bullpen while Justin Edwards (2-0, 3.34) will start Tuesday night's game against Windy City.

"We were looking at how we could make our bullpen thicker and stronger," Everson said. "We looked at the numbers Edwards has put up, and after the rain delay Friday night he threw 44 pitches. We decided if he's up to that many pitches, what about moving him into the rotation? We're trying to thicken our bullpen, with Smith going to the bullpen and acquiring Bennett."