Morning Wood - 62.13 - Vineyard To Be Utility Infielder
Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2025 7:26 pm
With the impending loss of Rich Dares to free agency, the Lumberjacks front office felt it a necessity to find another middle infielder that could not only play 2B like Dares but also be a replacement shortstop for when Sammy McNeill needs a day off or, god forbid gets injured. The team seems to have found their guy in the form of 29 year old Jim Vineyard.
Vineyard, an 8 year veteran of the Brewster, has spent a good portion of his career in the Frick League Pacific, including splitting time with Charm City and the dreadful Mounties in Vancouver. He saw just 54 games of action last season, hitting just .245 with a .624 OPS. Granted his numbers dropped off severely after being traded by the Jimmies to Vancouver after playing just 9 games.
"I mean, it's obvious isn't it" commented AGM Sandy Mounds. "Who wants to play in Vancouver? Of course your numbers will suffer playing there."
Vineyard posted a career worst -0.3 WAR last season, -0.4 of that coming while in Vancouver.
Previously in his career, Vineyard has shown the ability to be a decent backup, role player type guy. In 2059 and 2060, he played a good portion of both seasons for Boise and Charm City and posted a 1.3 and 1.1 WAR during those campaigns respectively. In fact, he was a part of the 2059 Jimmies squad that lost to Portland in the Brewster Series.
"I was pretty bitter after that series" commented Vineyard this week. "But I guess if you can't beat em, join em they say!"
As for Vineyard's role with Portland in 2062, manager Mons Raider commented "We'll see how it goes in the spring, but I expect him to get plenty of opportunities, especially with the glove. My first instinct says he'll be a defensive replacment for Edward Roundfield, IV late in games in the early going. We'd like to give him a start a week to keep him fresh. That could come at 2B or SS when Sammy needs a day off. We think he's going to be extremely helpful for us in both positions this season."
Vineyard signed a 1 year contract worth $1.9 million. It's the second highest payday of his career, just behind the $2.55 million extension he signed with Charm City in 2060. Vineyard was also a former 1st round draft pick, drafted 7th overall in the 2053 season by the Long Beach Surfers.