May 6, 2056
by Banjo Jackson
Nashville, TN
Heading into the season, the Bluebirds had a 26 man roster with around $5 million in salary cap space. The signing of Jeremy Webb to fill the role as utilityman was a timely acquisition as starting shortstop Niaz Minhas went down with injury in week one. The more glaring hole was 3B since Brooks Eliot was moved away from his better position of 2B to fill the hole while Helmut Grün and his concrete feet played 2B. With Tsuyoshi Kobayashi sitting on the market, Nashville threw out a two year offer with a player option for year 2 and was able to lure the 2055 Puckett winner.
3B Tsuyoshi Kobayashi
The switch-hitting Kobayashi gives the Bluebirds another power bat from the left side, but it expected to sit with southpaws on the mound. While he isn’t the slicked fielder at the hot corner, the signing improves the defense up the middle with Eliot going back to 2B. Kobayashi slashed .265/.321/.527 with 35 HR in 2055 with San Fernando and Sacramento. He hasn’t hit great out of the gates with a .675 OPS through his first 12 games, but that can be blamed on his lack of preparation during spring training. Once he receives more Abs and gets more comfortable at the plate, his timing should improve and he will be a valuable addition to the Bluebirds already potent offense.
For his career, Kobayashi is slashing .255/.312/.460. Minhas will return from the IL in a week and the first place Bluebirds will finally be running on all cylinders.
