Nabo48 - 2043 and beyond ...

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1. The Starting Rotation - Mesa was 18th in SP ERA in 2043, while being in the top 5 for runs scored on offense. Alberto Vargas will make 19M over each of the 4 seasons with an inherited contract that GM desperately tried to move in the offseason. No team was really interested, and when one was mildly interest, Vargas used his option to refuse the trade. He was placed on waivers with no teams claiming him .... so he's a Mesa Monster for the next few years.

SP Mario Morales was extended 3 more years at 10M per season after his breakout 2043 season. The team also signed lefty veteran Chris Silver to lead the rotation.

2. What to do with 1B JJ Sutton?

Sutton is emerging as a bona fide star with 1y of team control left. He will likely be commanding 30M+ for 8-12y in his demands. The team added 1B Ken Maxwell to serve as DH, and he has produced very well and is under team control for 5 more seasons. If the team extends Sutton to a long-term deal, that likely means the team allows CF Jim Bond and SP Kenzie Norman walk into free agency.

3. What is the future of RF?

The team has RF Gil Felipe manning the position, with 3 more years on his 9M/y contract. But, 2042 ROY Rick Fitzgerald looks to bounce back after a down 2043.

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I don't usually post many early season box scores, but this was the most absurd opening day I've seen in OOTP.

If the team just plays like this all year, we should be okay. Shuh!

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The Opening Day onslaught did not continue. Still, this is a decent start with quite a few games against top teams.

Fitzgerald making a major push to join the starting lineup as Felipe struggles mightily. 2B Sam Reid's reduced production with increasing strikeout rate is becoming a concern.



Chris Silver has performed as expected, leading the team in pitching war for the month of April. However, the team's pitcher of the month is Matt Duah, leading the team with 4 wins and ERA of 1.41.

Kenzie Norman, the subject of many trade proposals in the offseason, has gotten off to a slow start in the final year of his contract. The highly criticized Alberto Vargas has impressed with his strikeouts. His main problem has been allowing home runs, but so far in 2044, he's limited to solo shots instead of the 3-run homers that sunk his 2043 production.

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Fitzgerald injured on diving play at the plate. Acevedo called up to replace him in the rotation. The team is looking to move RF Gil Felipe and other veterans at or near the end of their contracts for cheaper pieces in order to extend Sutton or add a topline FA SP after next season.

Mesa has a handful of 25-27yo "non prospect prospects" that can fill in a big league role while the top prospects continue to develop.