Shark Tales #2058.2 - Pitching is here!

[forcarrying]

Fans of the sharks can take a sigh of relief, or should I say a sigh of starting. The rotation worries after losing most of their big guns from last year has been resolved so let's get into what they'll bring and what their contracts look like.

Let's first mention the ace of this rotation, and the reason as to why the contracts of fellow starters are a big deal. Niegloslaw Woywitka will more than likely be the opening day starter purely because of his previous great 4 years in Sydney. He will receive $29 million over the next two years, so there is a lot of pressure on the 25-year-old to play up to that value, but with his elite stuff and potential to only get better Shark's fans are hopeful.

So who are the two, three punch to cement the top of the rotation? The known quantity and probable number two is righty Geoffroy Robert He's started 227 games in the GBC up to this point in his career, last year throwing a solid 24 starts and 109 ERA+ for Tokyo and the year before throwing 12 starts for the Sharks at an impressive 3.48 ERA. He is, unfortunately, an injury risk, he tore his meniscus in that season with the Sharks and missed 4 months. However, the 190 innings across AAA and the GBC were enough to comfort GM Williamson to give him a one-year $1.1 million contract, which ultimately is a fairly low risk deal.

The unknown quantity and likely number 3 starter currently is Garth Gunn. After stints with the LV Hustlers and Brooklyn Robins in the BBA, he has spent the past 4 years in the minors, including a total of 15 innings pitched across 2056 and 2057. Yes, you heard that correctly, and yes, you have a reason for this to worry you. However, what is for sure is that his 6'8 frame and good stuff were ultimately enough to earn him a one-year $1.2 million deal, where Williamson hopes to get a solid season out of the 32-year-old, who is also projected to be the only lefty in the starting five.

Let's talk about the back-end options available to the Sharks currently, number four more than likely will be Aussie GBC veteran Richard Balgera. Despite his 186 starts in the GBC, a minor league deal was ultimately what was settled upon. Although Williamson has made it explicitly clear he views Balgera as a back-of-the-rotation starter, despite maybe a couple of average years at Buenos Aires. He has a great three-pitch mix with his fastball and slider already elite and a curveball that whilst great, is reckoned to have more movement to add to it, which the Sharks scouts hoped will improve him over this season. Ultimately, this was arguably the best pick-up so far, getting an experienced starter in on a minor league deal when money is so tight but ultimately he will have to improve on last year to win fans over.

Currently, the last spot on the rotation we will put together with the closer. Weirdly enough, the two candidates for the last starting spot will more than likely contain the closer as well. The two candidates are Luis Alonso and Carlos Rocha. Let's talk about Alonso first, known for his elite stuff, he didn't pitch in 2057 but had two great years pitching in AAA as a starter. Earlier in his career, he was an elite reliever for the Pheonix Talons, hence the reason Williamson feels he can be both a back-end starter and an elite closer. As for Rocha, he has three seasons of poor AAA starting under his belt but did pitch out of the Twin Cities bullpen for a few years. As of recently, he struggled at London last year posting a 5.21 ERA with most of his 67 innings being out of the pen (only 4 starts). Between these two, $1.6 million was handed out, which ultimately could prove to be a good deal.

It's unlikely this is the end of the offseason for the Shark's staff though, offers have been handed to 3 more potential starters, all of whom have good bullpen potential too. It's clear Williamson wants to keep his staff flexible, with many players coming off of poor years or a lack of innings, the Sharks must have as many options as possible on opening day to improve their overall average year on the mound in 2057.

We'll bring you news if and when more pitchers join but until then, this has been Shark Tales.

[Jwalk100]

Keep us updated!

[recte44]

Once upon a time Gunn was a Hustlers prospect!