Who is safe? (pictured: António Ramirez)
There is one member of the current rotation who is believed to be a certainty to keep his spot for 2057, with current #1 starter António Ramirez under a team option worth $3.2 million for 2057. He leads the league in ERA, and is 3rd in the league in strikeouts. There is no reason to suggest that Swain is looking to move him.
The front office is believed to be keen to bring back #2 Marvin Winston for next season also. The #2 starter is the team leader in strikeouts, heading Ramirez by 2 batters. He will likely be looking for a deal worth more than his current $2.4 million salary, but there is believed to be a mutual feeling in an extension.
Who is out? (pictured: Richard Balgera)
One man who definitely won’t be back is Dutchman Darren Asseldonk. He has been solid if unspectacular since being traded by the London Monarchs as part of the Joshua Koka/Ielimia Falatose blockbuster deal in 2055, currently pitching to a 4.12 FIP (roughly 10% better than average), but has made it known to the top brass that he would like to test free agency. He may even be dealt prior to the deadline.
Several other bigger names may find themselves as the odd men out, including free-agent acquisition Bani Marita, who has not been playing to the level expected when he signed his 2-year deal prior to the 2056 season – rumours are abound that Swain may not take up the 2057 team option worth $3.6 million.
Free agent signing Richard Balgera has a contract for 2057, but has not quite lived up to expectations, having come off a 3.2 WAR season in Sao Paulo prior to signing. His future will likely hinge on his play down the stretch, but his recent rocky start in a 9-3 loss to Cairo will not endear him to the new GM. In a similar boat is Deron Alexander, who holds a player option for 2057, and led the league in pitcher WAR in 2055 for Athens, but again has not quite hit those heady heights this season.
The contenders (pictured - Ostoja Omeragic)
There are a number of names who Swain is believed to be keen to bring back for 2057, though in what capacity remains to be seen. 2052 first rounder Ostoja Omeragic recently had a spot start against Cairo where he showcased his skills, giving up just 2 runs in 6 innings of work, and has shown well across other relief appearances, but question marks remain about his ceiling and whether he will hit the heady heights the came with his selection. His roster flexibility, with a lower salary and a minor league option, may see him given more chance to show his credentials in 2057.
For 2050 3rd-rounder David Bin Adnan though, it may be a more difficult ask. He has pitched well out of the bullpen this season after a shaky start to his Buenos Aires career, but has less starting experience, and has no minor league options remaining. He has been one of the better relievers in the Brisas bullpen, and given he is projected to renew on the minimum, he should remain on the books for 2057.
A former darling of the Brisas minor league ranks, Sofian Jalil, probably falls somewhere between Bin Adnan and Omeragic. He flew up the system, pitching well at every level, but has faltered during his time in the GBC, and has no minor league options left. Given he is projected to renew on the league minimum though, this should buy him some favour similar to Bin Adnan.
Another member of that 2055 London trade was Jeremy Donahue, who has spent the season in Ndali but has GBC and BBA experience. He may find himself shuffled out in favour of cheaper options, but his fate is undecided.
The prospects (pictured - Evgeny Daibov)
The situation is complicated further by the presence of top pitching prospects Evgeny Daibov and Ferede Keohi, who are the #1 and #3 ranked pitching prospects in the GBC. Daibov was a first round pick in 2051, and after struggling initially in Rookie ball, he has started to assert himself as a leading prospect. Keohi meanwhile came across to Buenos Aires in a trade with Tokyo prior to the 2056 season that saw the Pearls acquire SS Juan Luis Manuel, and has had an excellent 2056 for Caracas. Both players have been gaining experience in the ABA, with a view of moving up to the GBC shortly.
The Koka/Folatose trade keeps on giving, with another piece of that being Puerto Rican righty Jose Mendez. The 24-year-old has also been making noise in Caracas this season, and like Daibov and Keohi has just been moved to Ndali also. Swain is thought to like Mendez’s repertoire which includes a nasty Circle Change, though struggles with Control.
One thing that's for sure is that it will be fascinating to watch show GM Swain will try to fit all of these parts together, but it looks increasingly likely that this area of the team, despite its strength in the GBC, will see a facelift over the coming weeks and months. And this is all before the upcoming Trade Deadline and any off-season acquisitions.
