37.6. The Start of a Fire(sale)?

[agrudez]

After a 15-12 April, the Phantoms put in an 8-19 May - including a current 14 game stretch where they have gone 2-12. The normally patient Stever - always quick to point out BABIPs, FIP-ERAs, run differentials, etc. as a crutch to hope for reversion to mean - however, reportedly got anxious last week as reports began to circulate that he was contemplating a sizable retool of the roster. Those reports yesterday were confirmed as long time team ace Heinrich Peithner was jettisoned to California today in exchange for 2 top tier pitching prospects and 2 lottery ticket prospects. Peithner - like many in Huntsville in 2037 - has struggled mightily with a 6.52 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 5.27 FIP thus far this season. A far cry from his career 3.85 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 3.83 FIP - and perhaps even more surprisingly after his career year (5.7 WAR) in 2036. When asked about the move, Stever had this to say.

"Heinrich has been a mainstay for us for his whole career and we are sad to see him go. Ultimately, this position requires tough decisions and when the team digs itself a hole like it has this season sometimes it makes sense to go a different direction with the future in mind."

When pressed about what he meant by 'future in mind', considering Peithner is only 26, he continued.

"Age isn't the only factor in a decision like this. You can't get around the fact that he will be a FA after next season and we're going to have a slew of these types of decisions coming up in the next few years. If you pay one guy now, you can't pay another guy later - and there were some additional factors that were causing us some potential concern for a long term deal in this case."

Beyond the overall struggles thus far this season, it's my best guess that what Stever is alluding to is Peithner's LHB splits thus far in 2037. It was reported during spring training that Peithner's ball wasn't moving as much from the perspective of LH'd hitters, but at the time it didn't cause too much consternation. After watching him pitch these first two months; however, I think it's worth revisiting those concerns. In 161 ABs against LHBs thus far this season, Peithner has allowed a staggering 1.028 OPS with 11 HRs against in 56 hits. While it's certainly possible that this is an aberration, it deserves mention as a potential cause for pause. After all, we all know that the Opera House is a LHBs favorite place to hit, so management has to be careful to not 'double down' on that by providing said hitters their favorite pitcher to hit against. When asked if this was what he had in mind with that latter comment Stever refused to confirm nor deny verbally, but he did offer a final vanilla platitude for the team's return in the deal.

"We are very excited to have Archer and Reyes in the organization. In the latter's case, this is a guy we have been targeting for quite some time. A pitcher that can get LHBs out like we think he will be able to is a very valuable asset to us."

He said the last bit with a slight, almost imperceptible smirk - as if silently confirming our suspicions about the rationale behind Peithner's availability. Regardless of conspiracy theories; however, the comment stands on its own as well - Archer and Reyes are very exciting pitchers to add to the team's up and coming crop of prospects. In Reyes, the team gets a very well developed (1 MOV and 1 CON away) Southpaw starter that, by all reports, is absolutely vicious against LHBs. When questioned about Reyes, one anonymous scout had this to say:

"If he could get RHBs out like he can get LHBs out, he'd be a true blue chip, top 10 OSA prospect. Still, he doesn't project to be entirely inept against the former. I see definite mid-rotation potential - and think he could really thrive in a place like Huntsville that emphasizes mitigating the damage a LHB can do. I wouldn't be surprised if the team gives him a cup of coffee in September and then pencils him in for a rotation spot in 2038."

Presumably his proximity to the majors was one of the big selling points for Reyes to a front office that traditionally eschews drafting/collecting raw prospects when it can be reasonably avoided. Likewise, Archer is also very well developed (5 STU to go) and well on his way to reaching his potential as well. Another scout had this to say about him:

"There are three outcomes when you face this kid: a strikeout, a walk or a weak seeing eye single. I like his chances of being able to string together enough of the first category to get out of innings without being hurt by the second from the back of a bullpen. One thing to look out for, too, is that there is still the possibility - with some endurance training - that he could sneakily become a SP as well. He's really right on the cusp of what that would require (SP conversion requires 5 stam, he has 4). Either way, he's a great asset to have."

As the team seemingly turns the page on 2037 and begins to look towards the future, these two arms seem like they could be salves to heal Phantoms Nation's wounds over the lost season - especially if they can make appearances themselves as soon as 2038.