My Opening Rosters this season are the most different they've been in a few seasons, due to changes over the last 6 (in-game) months....
Painter's Wife's Islanders survived their 2nd Diamond season (a year after making the Playoffs in their first
), and the All-NL/All-NeL squad have some new faces to open the season. Outgoing - RF Harper, SS Machado, 3B Turner, all sold off to bring in some cash. Incoming - More Negro League Stars, such as 1B John O'Neil, SS Ray Dandridge, SP Rube Foster, and an LR bullpen role for John Donaldson. Tony Gwynn (1987) makes a return, after a tough stint in the team way back at the start of PT '20. He starts in RF, while 3B Freddie Lindstrom from the 1928 Mets joins the infield. The pitching staff will once again be led by the inimitable Ben Sheets (2004) and Greg Maddux (1992).
The similarly placed Sannikov Land Stunners, with exactly the same experience over their first 2 Diamond seasons, are still in the middle of a refresh to their All-AL squad. 2008 Dustin Pedroia was a surprising success at 2B last year, managing an All-Star appearance, and so keeps his place, as does LF Roy White (1970), who came in mid-season to replace the outgoing Albert Belle. RF Mookie Betts (2016) is a new face, relieving the long-serving Larry Doby(1952), who moves to Outfield utility player. The biggest move of the offseason was the addition of C Ivan Rodriguez (1999), with C Yogi Berra (1956) outgoing, although a delayed transaction for Berra has left a financial shortfall to start the season. The SP rotation has the same names in a different order - Felix Hernandez (2010) moves back to No.1, while Nolan Ryan (1989) moves to the No.5 spot, where it's hoped his strikeout ability will be balanced better with his liabilities. RP Will Harris takes over again at Closer after a tough season for Jeff Russell (1989).
Finally, the start to this season of Bob's Milwaukee All-Stars suggests that the team is as annoyed at their 3rd consecutive Playoff exit as their owner - they hit 19 runs on the Opening Day, and stand at 6-0. Not much has changed, though C Ted Simmons (1977) takes the lead catching role over Del Crandall (1958). Rico Carty (1964) also returns at DH, after a season's absence, with Ryan Braun (2011) returning to LF in place of Ben Oglivie (1980). The All-Stars may well be tempted to 'phone-in' the regular season after 105 & 98 win seasons, but lead batter, RF Christian Yelich will be pushing to make sure that doesn't happen. Yelich led the team, and the league, to a second MVP award in a row with a 35 HR, 131 RBI season, and a 1.074 OPS.
(teams attached below in order of signature
thanks for reading that if you did, heh)