2047.4: Expectations

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2047.4: Expectations

Post by Rubaboo » Sat Aug 07, 2021 3:11 pm

During a presser focused around leading into the offseason Aztec GM Fred Holmes was asked how he felt about his team exceeding all expectations for the season. His answer was very telling. After a short pause, he simply asked, "Whose expectations?"

Expectations are a funny thing. They can be practically non-existent, having no bearing on reality or on the freedom with which a team plays. They can also be a stockade that hinders the most talented teams until it eventually crushes them. For the 2047 Aztecs a dichotomy existed within the expectations for the team. The yahoos in the Projection Room had the Aztecs as a 78-84 team, finishing 6th in the division. The year was supposed to be a 'getting the kids accustomed to the bigs' kind of season. Instead, Mexico City signed Angel Zalapa and Luis Pena, allowing them to keep the kids down and ride a pretty good offense (led by Manny Collazo leveling up) to an 88-74 season, only flaming out at the very end to miss the playoffs. The league-wide expectation was for Mexico City to be an also ran, instead they ran by Calgary, San Antonio, and Phoenix to nearly take a playoff spot from New Orleans.

The internal expectations were different. Aztec GM Fred Holmes was planning on contributions from young players coupled with a few FA signings to fill holes. Instead, the free agent market went completely stagnant and the Aztecs made several impactful signings and were able to keep Geauxinue and Jiong Liu in AAA for the season. Results were mostly positive. The kids will have another year under their belt and will surely be more ready to contribute in 2048. I think it would have taken a very bold prediction to make Mexico City a playoff team and, in the end, they had the look of a team that was struggling under the weight of being a frontrunner before crashing at the finish line.

Speaking of 2048... What are the expectations for this team?

Well, it depends. A cop out answer, but true nonetheless. Zalapa and Pena's contracts were structured so that they can opt out this offseason if they so choose. Zalapa, after putting up 3.8 WAR in 116 games would seem to be almost a lock to be back in the free agent pool, looking for the last big money deal of his career. Pena is less of a sure thing. He only actually has $12M in salary guaranteed, will someone spend big looking for an elite glove in FA? The Aztecs are more ready to start Geauxinue this season than last, but would surely be ok with another season for him to deputize behind an established big leaguer. Outside of those two, the team still has a gaping hole at CF that needs to be addressed and could use some bullpen help. Will their sneak attack in 2047 be a one off, or will the Mexico City front office be able to continue to move up the standings with another offseason of sound investment? Whatever happens, expectations will be higher for the Aztecs based on recency bias if nothing else. Mexico City has always been a 'puncher's chance' kind of team, I would expect that to be the case again next season.
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Mexico City Aztecs - BBA

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JL Sun Belt Champs - 2035, 2036, 2038
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Re: 2047.4: Expectations

Post by Dington » Sat Aug 07, 2021 10:44 pm

Collazo had a great year!
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Re: 2047.4: Expectations

Post by Rubaboo » Sat Aug 07, 2021 11:47 pm

Hopefully it's a full on level up and not just a career year...
Fred Holmes
General Manager
Mexico City Aztecs - BBA

BBA Champs - 2052
JL Champs - 2027, 2052
JL MW Champs - 2022, 2023, 2024, 2027
JL Sun Belt Champs - 2035, 2036, 2038
JL Frontier Champs - 2051, 2052
JL Manager of the Year - 2023, 2024, 2026, 2052

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