The Kraken Release 2000.04

[cheekimonk]

The Kraken Release
June 1, 2000
Charlotte, NC
**********************************

With the Kraken still saddled with the worst record in baseball at the end of May, the front office has made some interesting moves. Chief among these, without a doubt, is making perennial all-star and MVP candidate Rafael Rodriguez available for trade. While this may upset new fans in Carolina, it's strictly a strategic move for GM Ben Teague. "You can only have so much sentimentality in this game. With where we are, we have to assess when it is likely we will be in a position to compete again for pennants and titles. In the meantime, does it make more sense to hold on to one of the best players in baseball when he could be worth multiple prospects who could be ready when the time comes?" This explains why Larry Sunderland was not made available as he is a few years younger and is still making the league minimum salary.

Another move was shifting long-time starter John Ross Riles, Jr. to the bullpen. Teague explains that the Kraken simply have more prospects who project as starters and the time is right to give them the chance to prove themselves.

News and Notes

- While the seemingly unexplainable struggles of CF Edward Framaggio continue, Carolina has been faced with another unanticipated and mysterious dropoff of production with rotation stalwart Williamson Prushnok. I might not be so much of a mystery if his dropoff was slight, but Prushnok has registered an 8.27 ERA and 1.72 WHIP this season. The ERA is nearly 4 runs above his career ERA of 3.49 and a drastic drop from last year's 2.93. The first place to look for a clue would seem to be the team's new stadium, but Prushnok has actually fared better at home (7.09 ERA) compared to the road (9.82). A semi-encouraging indicator is that his BABIP has ballooned to .344 and that could mean his struggles are temporary or related to a poorer defense, but until he starts to turn things around the Kraken can only continue to trot him out every 5th game and hope the veteran can make the needed adjustments.

[braveheart]

Carolina must be pissed. We get a team, but they are struggling!