2043 has not been a good year for the Valencia Stars. After 4 straight winning seasons that included 2 trips to the playoffs ended in 2042 with a 2 game under .500 record, the Stars are on pace for just 70 wins and a 5th place finish. Most recently they are dealing with the second GM change this season, meaning a third regime in the the span of one season.
New GM Greg Smothers did not sugarcoat the problems saying "We have a lot of work to do here to get to where we want to be. Things may very well get worse before they can get better, but I plan to be here to see this thing through to the end."
Smothers has little track record as a top notch GM, only directing the expansion CSKA franchise in the UMEBA for a few months before getting a call to come back to the Western Hemisphere. His most notable achievement achievement, other than a .284 winning percentage(YIKES!), was revamping the farm system to something resembling a respectable baseball operation.
"I'm most proud that we were able to get a grip on the minors. I think the franchise is in a better place than I got it, as at least now, half the players aren't firstbasemen who hadn't picked up a glove in 2 years. We'll take a patient approach here as well and build something the fans can be proud of year in and out".
So far the team has gone 8-12 since Smothers arrival as he has made few changes, clearly getting his bearings in the BBA before plotting a course. Time will tell just how successful he will be.
