Off Topic
Superstar Dealt to Charlotte
June 29, 2045: MADISON, WI – Moments after hearing news that the YS9 front office had traded Ricardo Mendoza to the Charlotte Cougars fans hit the social media wire to bemoan their future.
The team currently stands in first place in the heartland division, But is fending off curious charges from the blusterly Omaha Cyclones, the sluggards in Loserville, the foul-fielded floozies in Chicago, the maggoty Cheeseheads in Madison, and even the Trashville Bluebirds. On top of that, you’ve got the Trade-minded Trolls in Twin Cities making Horrible deals in hopes of winning now and hamstringing their franchise forever. Add it all up and you’ve got a dubious moment to be trading a superstar outfielder at age 24, one who has represented about 4.5 WAR every year he’s stepped onto the field.
Garcia Comes to
Utopia Field
Kawashima the Man
The move corresponds with the club’s commentary that they felt young Sazui Kawashima (a one-time first round supplemental draft pick) was finally ready—though their views have admittedly been made against Kawashima’s .167/.286/.194 slash line in limited play so far this year. “Sazui will be fine,” said hitting coach Emilio Rodriguez. “His mechanics are still great. He’s just settling in.”
If minor league numbers are to be believed, Kawashima will be spraying balls all around Utopia field, but not hitting as many of them over the wall. His 2044 numbers were .333/.417/.488, with 10 homers and 25 doubles. In 151 plate appearances with Indy this year, he’d drilled only 2 homers, but posted a .382/.464/.527 slash that, admittedly sounds nice.
Fans, however, want something more than “sounds nice.”
It’s of note, too, that Garcia is only a few seasons removed from having been viewed as a solid starter, and that his inclusion provides the team even more depth. “He’ll throw in the bullpen, but it’s nice to know we’ve got a guy who can eat innings if we have a problem pop up,” manager Sam Brewington said. Given that both Ernesto Ramos and Carlos Pineda are coming off injury-plagued seasons, and fifth starter Tomas Ramirez has some past injury history, having an ace in the hole probably doesn’t hurt.
“We still think we’re going to win the Heartland,” Brewington said. “The boss has told us to go build a dynasty, and we’re going to give it the best we’ve got,” he added, referring to a news piece the surfaced recently in which owner Bo Jordan has said he wants the team to become a true dynasty. “We’re going to win 95 games a year for as long as I’m drawing breath,” Jordan was said to have said.
Minor Leaguers Build Future
Goal #1: Keep
Arm Attached
to Shoulder
Ratcliffe entered professional baseball by signing a minor league deal with Sacramento (then California), after injuries caused him to be released, he was picked up by Calgary, then selected in a Rule 5 process by Charlotte. A subsequent return and trade allowed Ratcliffe to be assigned to the minors. In the meantime, scouts note that both his movement and control have improved. At present, his 11 innings in rookie ball have resulted in a 0.82 ERA and a 13.1 K/9 rate.
“I’m excited to be in an organization that values me,” Ratcliffe said.
Weber Considered
Hard Worker
Weber is more baseball rat than star—a guy who comes to the park ready to play,runs the bases well, and scratches his way on base. “The laundry guys hate him,” one teammate said, “his uniform is always dirty.”
"I'm excited to be able to learn from a guy like Thum," Weber said when told of the deal. "But I know I've got to beat out a lot of other guys just to get that chance."
