Blowing in the Wind 2054.7: Jacksonville Loses Last Six, Falls Short

[aaronweiner]

Jacksonville went into their final six games with a chance at the playoffs. Had they won all six, they would have had a one-game playoff for the fourth and final wild card spot. Talk about flipping the script: the Hurricanes went ahead and lost all six, finishing six full games back of the fourth wild card and showing them how much work they had to do this offseason.

"Well, that's what happens when you screw around for three months," said catcher Spencer Hillson. "You don't get to dance."

There were some significant successes for Jacksonville this year. Stefan Adilov was one of the best third basemen in the BBA. Pedro Hozven had a very good season for Jacksonville and mid-season acquisition Greg Godwin looked good in 34 at bats and will likely start as a platoon DH next season. Donald Miller had a solid month for the Hurricanes and will be back next year. Yoshitoki Goto was terrible defensively, but was able to hold his own at the plate. And, of course, Bob Anderson showed why most people think he's one of the best young pitchers in baseball.

"We have a solid core going into next year," said manager Khayyat Bin Luqman. "We're all feeling very good about our chances next season after our stretch run."

Unfortunately, the Hurricanes' insult also came with injury, as veteran outfielder Dane Licht suffered a knee injury that will likely lead to his release. Licht had come on very strong down the stretch, but the soonest he will be back is August.

"That's life," said Licht. "You can't anticipate everything that will happen."

Jacksonville's bullpen also came together down the stretch, and most of them will be back, as will #2 starter Mark Thomas, who won 10 games and looked very good pitching in Jacksonville. The Hurricanes will have to replace the back half of the rotation and likely add several hitters, but they will have around $65 million in cap space with which to do that. The Hurricanes end the year with a final mark of 78-84, avoiding a 90-loss season for the eleventh straight season, and it will be interesting to see what they do moving forward.

"We're excited about next season," said Jacksonville GM Aaron Weiner. "We think we have a solid core."

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