Casinotes 55.13- Outfield Inlook

[chicoruiz]

Okay, I did infield and catching earlier today, so let's move to the outfield.

I wrote a team post last season at this time bemoaning the state of the Atlantic City outfield. A year later, well, things are a little better, but there’s still a passel of work to be done. Let’s review:

On a really good team, Bronx Cortez would be, like, a nice #6 hitter. On the 2055 Gamblers, he was the unquestioned star. As I’ve previously noted, he was the only everyday player with a WAR of over 2. I’m happy to say he’ll be back, although a move from right field to left isn’t out of the question.

Free agent Bill Bowers began the year in center field. He started the season in what I thought was a slump, but unfortunately that turned out to be his true level of competence. He’ll be seeking fame and fortune on the open market this winter; I’d suggest a return to the GBC might behoove him. His departure, though welcome, leaves a void in center. Steve Pick, who had an okay year in AAA, is probably my best option right now, but he’s not someone you want to just hand a regular job to without bringing in some competition.

I acquired LF Jin-Soo Chong in a deadline deal, and he slashed .290/.342/.420, leading me to hope he can at least be the short end of a platoon. Right now, the left-handed side seems to be Michael Harris, who crunched it in AA to the tune of 5.1 WAR. He hasn’t played an inning in AAA yet, but he’s supposedly fully developed, and desperate times call for desperate measures. Shane Webb will return as insurance in case Harris isn’t ready. Keith Schultz, Julio Garcia and Adrian Nilsen will receive lovely parting gifts and be sent on their way.

John Molyneaux was technically an OF, but appeared strictly in the role of DH. He’s asking for almost four million in arbitration; I’m thinking I can get a guy in free agency to duplicate his production (.757 OPS, -0.7 WAR) for less money.

So, summing up, right now I’m looking at:
LF: Harris/Chong platoon
CF: A free agent if I can find a decent one; if not, Pick with maybe a rule 5 glove guy to platoon.
RF: Cortez
DH: Line forms here

Work to do here as well. Pitching tomorrow.

[RonCo]

Free agent Bill Bowers began the year in center field. He started the season in what I thought was a slump, but unfortunately that turned out to be his true level of competence. He’ll be seeking fame and fortune on the open market this winter; I’d suggest a return to the GBC might behoove him. His departure, though welcome, leaves a void in center.

This made my night.

[Trebro]

How I envision the meeting between the GM and the Manager....

Who's playing Center?
Pick
No, I'm asking you, who is playing Center?
Pick!
You want me to choose the player?
Pick. Him.
Okay, fine. Harris.
No, Pick.
Sigh. Sure. Chong.
No, Pick!
That's it, I quit!!