2063.15; State of the Cobble

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Game Date: 8/13/2025

Cobble Hill Record: 51-71

Major moves up to this point: Robins leadership completely dismantled the former Brooklyn Robins, selling off anyone of value and any player making above league minimum. Reliever Felix Feliz is the only player with any substantial major league service time still on the team from last season (he'd be gone, too, if I could find a buyer .. why I extended him for $1.2m next season is beyond me).

Wringing of hands: The trades involving SP Larry Jensen (traded to Charlotte) and RP Jose Torres (traded to Nashville) must result in net positives in the long-term for the Robins. Dealing away two top tier pitchers while still playing for league minimum heightened the risk for procuring solid players who will contribute over many seasons in Cobble Hill. The two trades need to be looked at as one, since I wasn't going to trade one without trading the other (go big or go home..).

As I've mentioned prior, a major tenet of my team-building philosophy is to have all 27 players on my roster be elite contributors in some form or above-average contributors in several forms. The Robins' organization was lacking any real talent at many key positions, specifically middle infield and defensive-capable outfielders. Abas and Chou immediately become the team's top middle infield prospects, allowing focus to be moved to pitchers, catchers, and centerfielders in upcoming drafts and IFA. There was no way to build a possible contender when having to fill all those positions through normal means. Byram and Ramirez are both above average OF prospects who could be major contributors if they fill out or bump even in the slightest.

On the pitching side, Labonte, Medina, and Lewis are all BBA ready prospects who will fill three of the five rotation spots in 2064. Gonzalez should be a solid bullpen piece for many years, and Grigore is a middling prospect with possible upside. It's never a bad idea to fill your minors with young, AAAA-potential prospects and hope for a blessing from the bumper gods and goddesses.

Players acquired for Jensen and Torres:
SP David Labonte (Torres)
SP Luis Medina (Torres)
SP Ignacio Lewis (Jensen)
RP Jose Gonzalez (Jensen)
SP Cosmin Grigore (Torres)
IF Kutsi Abas (Jensen)
IF Lau-po Chou (Torres)
OF Daniel Byram (Jensen)
OF Carlos Ramirez (Jensen)
$4m cash (Jensen)

Remaining organizational holes:
CATCHING -- Despite my attempt to solidify a catching prospect via the draft, my main catching targets were gobbled up right before my turn to pick (looking at you while shaking my fist, Yellow Springs!). We were able to select C Gerald Shelton in the 4th round, but he is quite pedestrian and lacks star qualities. Current AAA backstop Gonzalo Perez has some ability to hit for a high average, but his lack of power and mediocre defensive acumen leave me wanting.

CENTERFIELD -- Ugh. I've done the best I could to bring in any guy with nine or better outfield range, but the position depth is lacking in most, if not all, BBA organizations at the moment, leaving me only scraps or defense-only options. Looking ahead to next season's draft only made me more depressed. Current Robins' centerfielder Bob Park will be relied upon for many seasons, barring a surprising overpay in free agency.

RELIEF PITCHING -- The organization was flush with high-stuff relievers. Unfortunately, most were lacking in movement and/or control. I tend to prioritize movement -> control -> stuff, which made it easy to ship many of the high stuff guys in the multitude of trades I made. Thankfully, I'm no stranger to looking for bullpen diamonds in the rough via the waiver wire and at the end of free agency. I would not be opposed to taking a high-end stopper at the top of the upcoming drafts either.

OVERALL FEELING REGARDING THIS SEASON -- I've likely failed at both reaching .500 for the season (barring a 30-10 finish) and easily securing a high draft position. There are currently six teams with lower records, and the Robins are tied with Madison who has a near identical win-loss totals the last two seasons. Trading away Jensen and Torres did not make us worse. If anything, we improved. My goal is to win 70 games and to look forward to the influx of young BBA ready talent currently waiting in AAA -- SP Labonte, SP Medina, SP Lewis, SP Betancourt, SP McHone, 3B Delgado, 1B Rodriquez, 1B Fernandez, and C Perez.

[Graham]

For an org who has had a sub-.400 winning percentage 14 of the last 17 seasons, having this scrappy bunch playing at a .418 clip would be a success in my book, especially knowing the roster and financials are on the way back to bearing fruit.

[Krathan]

I already miss Kutsi Abas but fortunately, Jensen has started to pitch better lately.

[CTBrewCrew]

This is a fun ride to watch!