Brains! 2062.5: To Everyone's Surprise, Team Plays Better Without Anderson

[aaronweiner]

When you trade the guy who has been the face of the franchise for ten seasons, a few things usually happen. First, the team plays worse. Second, the team looks despondent and lost. And third, the guy usually helps the team he went to in the trade. Nope, nope, and nope. Jacksonville had their best or second best month of their lost year after dealing Bob Anderson to the division rival Charlotte Flyers, and after the trade, Anderson played considerably worse, going 1-1 for Charlotte with a 7.46 ERA.

"None of that makes any sense at all, and we miss Bob, but we think the deal might have galvanized us," said Majid Husam, who had a huge September (.932 OPS) to pick up his ninth career .300 season. "We got a little momentum going into next year."

A few other things helped the surge. The pitcher that replaced Anderson, prospect Mahilai Manaalii, had a great September, going 3-1 with a 1.61 ERA, and Dan Voelkze continued showing why Jacksonville will hand him the ball on Opening Day next year, going 3-0 with an even lower 1.52 ERA in September. The surge from the Zombies nearly carried the team back to .500, though it had no chance of saving their playoff hopes.

Paul Long, the most ready piece in the deal, didn't get a lot of action in September but is projected to be the Opening Day first baseman for the Zombies next year, replacing Benedict Daniel in the everyday lineup. Daniel receded this season from his superb rookie debut in 2061, as the 2059 first round pick saw his home run and walk rate plummet this year and may not be a large part of the team's plans going forward.

"I know I'm still a starter in this league, but I know I didn't do my best this year," said Daniel. "Paul's an excellent batter and while I hope I get another chance, I understand if they decide to go another direction."

Additionally, there is a strong chance that Isoruko Takimoto, the team's 2056 first round pick, will have a lineup spot next year. He has proven too good to take out of the lineup next year, as the multitalented prospect put up numbers far beyond what he had ever done in the minors, including a huge, huge September (.985 OPS) Some regression is probably in order there, but he looks to be an above-average switch hitter with good power, making him a real win for the team.

"Iso had it going on this year," said hitting coach Sixto Gutierrez. "We all agree we need to get that guy more at bats."

The Zombies finished this year at 80-82, their worst record since 2054, GM Aaron Weiner's first year with the team. The losing season also breaks a three year playoff streak for the franchise.

"This was such a strange year for so many reasons," Weiner said. "A lot went right this year, too, and we're going to figure out how to make that work next year, but we have some work to do."

[RonCo]

It was a bad year to throw a clinker in the Atlantic.

[aaronweiner]

It was a bad year to throw a clinker in the Atlantic.

Or a really good one. Maybe everyone's not quite as good next year.

[Trebro]

It was a bad year to throw a clinker in the Atlantic.

Or a really good one. Maybe everyone's not quite as good next year.

That division was insane. Even Bluebirds would have looked human.