56.06 McCall Gets the Call after Barfoot Breaks His Knee

[pandan]

LF Taylor Barfoot is having a career season. On pace for 6.7 WAR, the left fielder was having a renaissance to kick of 2056 after spending 2055 in the minors. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, and Barfoot broke his kneecap on the bases. He's projected to miss 4-5 months, enough to make it clear his season is over. He will be hanging out with fellow kneecap breaker, SS Barrett Marshall, from the sidelines, who suffered an identical injury just a few weeks prior.

The 30-year-old is leading London in a number of categories, in fact he's winning the London Monarchs team triple crown with a .310 batting average, 26 homers, and 69 RBIs. He's been the biggest contributor on offense and a big reason why the team has a 4 1/2 game lead in the GBC, despite ranking 6th in runs scored on the season.

London's options for a backup LF are deep, but modest. OF Amin Asim is a highly ranked prospect and has struggled off the bench and may get more reps in LF. The team also added LF Monte McCall to the 40-man roster, who will make his debut. At 32 years old and 208 days, McCall has accrued 0 years of service time. Absolutely none.

McCall was originally a 4th round pick in 2045 by Charm City, but was released after toiling in the Jimmies' minor leagues in 2051. He's bounced around GBC teams' minor leagues since, playing fill-in roles in numerous level, including a previous stint with London.

McCall may seem like an unorthodox choice for a call up given his lack of experience and age. So it begs the question: Why McCall? For one, he has options and can be sent down easily should the team procure a free agent with a track record. London has the biggest budget in the GBC and the 6th highest payroll. With a few million to play with, London could make a more expensive move, but they'll need a stopgap in between. With injuries across the GBC and BBA wracking up, the top remaining free agents that can be squeezed onto payroll is looking thin, and it takes time to negotiate.

McCall's been starting in AA this season and having modest success beating up on youngsters, with 1.5 WAR and a .246/.369/.406 slashline. However, when you focus just on his splits versus righties, he's slashing .270/.404/.449 in 223 PAs, good for a 142 wRC+. With passable fielding marks, McCall might be set up for success in a RHP heavy GBC in a platoon role with Asim.

McCall's time in London could be short -- Thankfully, LF is a much easier position to fill in than Marshall's role at shortstop. 1B Stewart Cannell, who has picked up the pace after a slow start, is also experienced in LF and could slide over, giving the team an option to pursue a more bat-first 1B/DH type as well. Pending who is available on the free agent market, we may see a few different moves made to accommodate this injury.

In short, there's no way around it. Barfoot breaking his kneecap halfway through the season stings, and it'll put more stress on the rest of the roster to produce. No immediate option looks to be as satisfying on paper, but we'll see who is willing to step up to the plate.