June 18, 2063
by Banjo Jackson
Nashville, TN
Losing someone of David Molina’s caliber is devastating to most franchises. He’s simply not replaceable, but luckily the Bluebirds are in a good enough position to take the blow and still sit on top of the division. Giustino Modica has done a great job as the anchor of Nashville’s young bullpen, but changed roles from stopper to closer. He has only allowed runs in three games this season and has two blown saves, highlighting the success of the bullpen. Nashville is 11-4 in one run games and 3-0 in extra innings, so they have found success in close games and are ranked 4th in FL for bullpen ERA. However, there was something missing when you had someone enter the game and didn’t have to hold your breath.
Until now. Nashville GM, Chad Nason, got on the phones and started poking around. “I made a few calls to gauge the trade market and see who was available,” said Nason. I got a few bites and then realized what we were looking at wasn’t really that much of an upgrade. Our pen is deep, but lacked star power, so naturally, I shifted gears and put the pedal to the metal. I called Imber and inquired about Butler…but what was he really gonna change? No, let’s ask about Williams. Then I thought, well if I’m gonna go big, let’s go big game hunting. Who is the one guy I always wanted? I rang Shoeless, fresh off his latest mushroom trip. Let’s go for the big dog Torres who has always been unobtainable. Both got back to me around the same time and instead of settling for one, we did what we do here in Nashville and get crazy. Let’s just blow this up and make the most envious pen in the league.”
Williams is 5-1 with a 2.65 ERA, including a victory over the Bluebirds this past Saturday. He’s got a devastating cutter and curveball combo, but no slider, despite his nickname. He keeps the ball in the park and is a pleasure in the clubhouse, but needs to work on his control since he’s bene walking more batters than he should since arriving to the BBA. Williams just turned 20 at the beginning of the season and has a promising career ahead of him after being drafted in the 1st round last year, but with the Bears waving the white flag in June, San Fernando was able to trade their first rounder from last season for three pitchers who would have been first round picks in this year’s draft: Brent Chappel, Enrique Perez, and Tony Moran. Chappel is the headliner, but has spent the whole season on the IL since being injured in spring training. He was originally drafted by Yellow Springs with the 4th overall pick before heading to Nashville in the blockbuster deal for Majd bin Nawaf. Perez is a former first round pick by Nashville in 2060 and Moran was a 4th round pick in 2061.
RHP Carlos Williams
Torres was the first overall pick in 2059 by the Brooklyn Robins, with every GM drooling over him. However, the elite southpaw lost some stamina and has been more effective as a reliever, albeit an elite reliever. He’s got five elite pitches in his arsenal and has a 3.17 ERA this season. Torres rightfully cost the Bluebirds a nice package including: Luis Medina, Dave Labonte, Cosmin Grigore, and Lau-po Chou. Medina and Labonte were drafted two years ago and project to be middle of the rotation starters in the BBA. Chou, meanwhile, is a tantalizing shortstop prospect with a lot of developing to do, though the ceiling is enormous
LHP Jose Torres
Fans are excited with moves, but with trepidation. Mega fan, Hunter Cooper says “These are the bold moves that make of the best in the league. Sure, it might wipe out the farm system, but it will help us win for the next five years or so.”
And while losing six pitchers and a top rated shortstop will hurt, Chappel is ranked the Bluebirds 4th best prospect. Labonte is 10th, Perez 11th, Medina 13th, Chou 15th, Moran 21st, Grigore 37th. Getting two of the league’s best bullpen arms and only losing two top-10 organizational prospects seems like a win. The farm will take a hit, but many of the team’s best players remain, including Daniel 'Hopalong' Grasia and Cüneyt 'Roomba' Tanju.
