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2020 - In Progress
The owner gives the following goals going into the offseason;
Don't suck completely - Should be easy to improve on 2019, especially with more scouting and player development budget, a generous free agent allowance for a small market team, and Zach Kohler now scouting as a Major League ready 4/4 stars.
Upgrade CF - I feel pretty good about my free agent signing here;
Scott Allen(28, CF, RHB) A solid journeyman leadoff hitter for the first three seasons of the league, he should be good for a .270-.280 average, .330 OBP, and 15-30 steals, plus he's a sparkplug.
Acquire a power hitter - A carryover from last year, when I traded Wegner mid season, but I feel like I've got a solution
Matt Watson(27, LF/RF, LHB) The Rob Deer with speed from my trade for Mickle, he hit .252 with a .317 OBP in the Arizona Fall League, leading it in HRs with 8 and SB with 11, and continues to show decent contact through spring.
Find a top prospect - I've got until 2022 on this one, but I'm scouting the guys on the list and their teams for a trade in July.
Have a top 6 farm system - Again not due until 2022, but I'm intending to dump my good guys in their final contract year anyway so doable.
Make the playoffs - A starting goal from the beginning of the team, it's actually build team to make the playoffs. I'm not as confident about this one, expecting to be in the wildcard race before bowing out with a July selloff.
So in free agency besides Allen I add;
Jaime Rivero(C, 28 RHB) Posted a .266/.337/.425 line with 10 HRs in 112 games for the Reds, 2017 and 2018 were less impressive with .194 and .203 respectively but he seems to be coming into his prime. Plan is to start Gingras against right handers, and move him to DH in favor of Rivero's superior defense against lefties. Fuentes isn't a high platoon split hitter but I felt he tailed off in August and September and could use the rest early in the season.
Brian Howell(28, LH SP) Another coming into his prime type like Rivero, the fireballer posted a 3.07 ERA with 9.2 K/9, 3.6 BB/9, and 0.8 HR/9 for Arizona, and I think he can do even better for me as I've got a power pitcher specialized coach promoted from AAA after the Eagle's staff dominated the IL.
My 3 signings give me the 3rd highest WAR added with 9.6, and I also grab a few minor league option guys for Spring Training, including 40 year old DH Bill Flynn, an old but popular player who I figure can help attendance if he manages to stick. He posts a .400 plus OBP but hits around .120 or so, but the Pirates are willing to send me a minor league filler pitcher and;
Jose Barrera(25, 2B/3B/SS RHB) Unimpressive at the plate in short major league stints for the Pirates, he's a superstar with the glove at second, with skills to improve at third and short, and even has some outfield talent and experience. He also hit a promising .320/.355/.418 at AAA in 2019. He starts the league in AAA as my defensive sub infielder spot is won in spring by;
Angel Ramirez(23, 2B/3B/SS RHB) Acquired with Watson in the Mickle trade, he hit .250/.307/.378 at AAA with 13 HRs. Not expecting alot of production from him at the plate but he can come in for Carranza in close games and spot start at 3 positions.
I also open the season with 2 more rookies worth mentioning;
Leo Guzman(26, 3B RHB) Acquired along with a speedy rangey non hitting young outfield project in my first year for a too good for an expansion team reliver, he's progressed steadily and earned his spot out of camp. He scouts as have decent range, somewhat sure hands, with a rocket arm. Could be decent at the plate, but isn't expected to draw too many walks.
John Adelman(23, RH SP) Wins the #4 slot mostly because Wilner drops in the last game of spring AGAIN. Glad I made 2021 a team option year there. The groundballer has some zip on his fastball too, he was one of 2 pitchers I acquired for Wegner last year.
Anyway I'll post more when I reach September.
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