Sticking Points 2035.7: Pikemen Sign Seven IFAs

[aaronweiner]

The Rockville Pikemen signed seven international free agents in the recent free-for-all, spending over $30 million in the process. The amount wasn't a record for the Pikemen, but the amount of players was unusually high and the first time that Rockville has spent over the limit on IFAs in almost a decade.

"We have today signed seven international free agents which we hope will play valuable roles in the Pikemen organization," said Rockville GM Aaron Weiner. "The franchise feels that we have improved our farm system through this process."

The Rockville Pikemen currently have the #5 farm system in the BBA, but there's a catch. #1 on their prospect list is Chip Puckett, who will never see the minors again. #2 is Lorenzo Palacios, who might or might not spend part of the season in the minors for seasoning but won't ever see the minors again after that. #3 is Larry Blake, pegged as the starting 3B. #4 is Manuel Marino, who's the starting DH. In fact, the only top 100 prospect that Rockville has that isn't going to be in the majors in 2035 is Yoshitoshi Ota, the towering righty who needs to work on his changeup.

"Reports about our farm system are nice, but all of our players are about to hit the majors and our farm system is looking a little bit thin," said Puckett, the likely starter at shortstop in 2035. "We're so talented in the majors but I'm glad the organization recognized the talent drain in the minors."

With the Pikemen's 99-win season last year that ended in the Cartwright, they don't expect to be drafting low any time soon. So they opened their pocketbooks. Highlights include:

RF/DH Pedro Ruela: Ruela is a lefty slugging outfielder who might be able to play a decent left field after some seasoning. His batting eye is questionable but he should make good contact.

OF Manuel Rivera: Rivera needs to grow a little bit to play center field, but if he does he could be a good one; he has a potentially above average lefty bat for the position.

RP Angel Romero: Romero isn't going to be a starting pitcher probably, but if he maintains his potential and gains some velocity he could be one of the BBA's best lefty relievers and is an excellent reliever conversion candidate.

Also signed:

1B Nathan Forbes, who could be a solid righty bat, CF Donovan Pierson and CF Alfredo Sanchez, lesser-regarded lefty outfield bats with potentially passable gloves, and 3B Youp Lenoir, who has a chance to be a fair third baseman.

"We felt we had to cast a wide net here, and we did," said Weiner. "We feel we made a difference in the franchise."

[RonCo]

Nice crop. The Nine were in on Ruella.

[aaronweiner]

He's the prize here, but I don't think there's a bad player in the group.

[bigmike13]

Good looking group.