56.05 Brittle Barrett Breaks Bones on the Bases

[pandan]

London Monarchs front office announced today that SS Barrett Marshall would be out for the rest of the season after breaking his knee on a collision on the basepaths during a game versus the Sydney Sharks. Doctors estimate Marshall will miss roughly 10 months tending to his broken left kneecap, the same kneecap he broke 10 months prior that kept him sidelined for 6 months.

Marshall is no stranger to the injured list. He's been plagued with poor health luck through his lengthy career. Fractured feet, strained obliques, pulled hamstrings, even dead arm -- Barrett's suffered a bevy of injuries in his lengthy career.

London fans and teammates alike are dismayed by the news. Marshall, in the twilight of his career, was having one of his best seasons to date. In 72 games, Marshall has put up career highs in WAR (2.4) and most offensive statistics. His .272/.342/.383 slashline is good for 98 wRC+, a smidge below average. While these numbers are nothing special, for a shortstop posting an 8.9 ZR, it's fantastic.

With the book now closed on his 2056 season and his second long knee-related stint, fans are left to wonder what is next for Barrett Marshall. His recovery will determine if he can make a comeback for an age 36 season. He'll be entering free agency coming off both his best career season and his most devastating injury.

Inside sources confirm that Marshall's camp and GM Rigatoni were beginning discussions for an extension in June, with leaked communications indicating that as recently as June, Marshall reached out to Rigatoni to discuss an extension, claiming he and his family wish to remain in London for the forseeable future. Given Marshall's success here, it isn't much of a mystery why he'd wish to stay.

Marshall was originally drafted in the 6th round out of Wal-Mart by the Montreal Blazers in 2039. He played in their minor league system for a 8 years before being granted free agency and signing with the Portland Lumberjacks in 2047. He'd never break the majors in the BBA and would sign with Sydney in the GBC in 2051 on a minors deal, before being selected by London that off-season with the 4th pick of the GBC rule 5 draft. At age 31, Marshall made his GBC debut and has remained a mainstay on London's infield (at least when he is healthy).

In the interim, London must figure out how to configure its infield without Marshall. For now, 2B Raúl López will slide over to SS with youngster IF Naruhiko Okada taking over starting duties at 2B. London announced adding fellow 35-year-old IF Cary Brackett to the 40-man roster. Brackett will fill in as a backup infielder for now. However, given Brackett's dismal performance at AAA (183 PAs, .191/.291/.265 slashline), it seems likely Brackett will only remain on the roster as long as needed until the Monarchs can work out a deal with a free agent shortstop.

At 50-34, London sits atop the GBC with a 2 1/2 game lead over Sydney with just over half a season of play remaining. Marshall's contributions has given the team some cushion, but his loss will be felt deeply both on and off the field.

"We wish Barrett a speedy recovery," Rigatoni shared at an official press conference. "We won't let this setback stop us from our goals of a championship."

[Jwalk100]

Ouch! Great defender that found his bat.

[pandan]

Yeah this one hurt me too. He's been outperforming his offensive ratings and not many other options right now that look promising.

[cheekimonk]

"Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica" (bonus for knowing the source of that)