We Got Wood - 42.06 - Portland Demotes Aicon

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Amidst rumors this week that several high profile players, especially pitchers, were refusing to talk to the Portland Lumberjacks in contract negotiations over fear the player wouldn't gel with team manager Jose Aicon, the Lumberjacks announced today that they have demoted Aicon all the way down to their Rookie League squad to manage and have begun a search for a new manager for the 2042 season. The managerial search will mean Portland will start its third season in the league with its third manager.

"We know the timing is way off but we wanted to make another change" said GM Chris Wilson today in a press conference. "We really like Jose and think he can be a good manager in the BBA down the road, but after another 100 loss season we felt it necessary to find someone that may fit in better with the organization and help build a winner here. We know whoever comes in for the 2042 season will have a very limited roster to work with at the moment, but we are hoping that at least free agents will talk to us moving forward as we continue to try and build a BBA contender."

As for now, Wilson did not state who exactly the team may go out and get. Wilson did comment that the team would "like someone with BBA experience in the past" and has "shown the ability to win at the big league level."

Aicon had never managed in the BBA prior to his one season with Portland in 2041. He had spent a few seasons in the UMEBA league as well as some time in the short minors before his debut with the Lumberjacks last season.

[HoosierVic]

Based on a quick look at Aicon, it appears he prefers dealing with veterans (players with at least 10 years experience, per OOTP’s definition) by a huge margin. I wonder if spending some PPTs to dial up his “deal with Rookies” (players under 25) or “deal with players” (guys older than 25 with less than 10 years in the league) might make a difference in who’s willing to play for him. Given that he seems to hate dealing with young players, the low minors might be a tough row to hoe for him ...