Bandit Post, Vol 4.3, 1996

[aaronweiner]

Another disappointing sim brought the Birmingham Bandits another step closer to the .500 mark and another game closer to the wild card lead, but, considering the competition, the Bandits would be right to feel as if the season may be slipping away. Birmingham still has one more game upcoming against Montreal and three against last-place Long Beach, but only managed two series splits against cellar dwellers Des Moines and New Orleans.

The Bandits' bullpen, which had been performing at a much higher level, blew two saves, including giving up ten runs to New Orleans in the tenth inning to blow an eight-inning, two hit, eleven strikeout shutout performance by Damian Bedgood. A day later, Rob Dibble managed his team-leading eighth loss by allowing four runs in the top of the eleventh inning at home, as a chorus of boos reigned down upon him.

"Obviously, it's been a frustrating season," said Dibble, whose 5.40 ERA belied the hopes that he could be the closer on this team. "I hope that I can get it under control."

There wasn't really a lot of good news in this stretch of games, even though the team went 6-4 and are now over .500 for the month of July. Brett Favre managed to extend his RBI lead and now has 22 home runs on the year. Sammy Bodeen lowered his team-leading ERA to 2.52 and got his seventh and eight wins on the year.

However, this sim, more than any, exposed the weakness of the bullpen. The team has been scrambling to try and get a pen together that can perform, and, unfortunately, Birmingham's pen is still the culprit for more losses than their fair share.

"There's not a lot you can do about it," said manager Lou Brown. "We can't afford to have so many problems in the pen."

Notes


No Bullpen Moves Coming

Despite the fact that Birmingham's pen has been the biggest problem in the league this year, the Bandits' front office has decided that adding one more bullpen member won't make a big enough difference to mortgage the future.

Sources inside the Bandits' office say that while GM Aaron Weiner has considered a number of trade possibilities for bullpen help this year, he has been reluctant to pull the trigger on any deal that would sacrifice the team's middling farm system.

An anonymous source told the Bandit Post that if the Bandits cannot solve their bullpen problem from within, they are unwilling to move more prospects to augment the pen, especially since the acquisition of Mike McGrevey has not worked.


Suarez, Tamland Down, Tutmosa, Howser Up

In what will hopefully set the Birmingham roster for the year, the Bandits sent Brick Tamland along with Carlos Suarez back down to the minors and brought up AAA outfielder Douglas "Doogie" Howser, a big part of the Hi Brown deal this offseason. Birmingham also signed Abdal Tutmosa for the rest of the year for $380,000.

Tamland, who had been in the major leagues for most of the year, had been one of the worst players in the MBBA this year, posting a .571 OPS in 94 plate appearances. The former top prospect's star has faded fast.

"I'm a little disappointed, but I understand why they did it," said Tamland. "They're putting me in the lineup in Monroe and maybe I can get it back."

Howser had been a very solid contributor at AAA Monroe, posting a .306 average and a .785 OPS this season. Howser, who received his M. D. at age 14, is considered to be the smartest player in the Birmingham system and could be the best defensive outfielder in the MBBA.

"We're excited that Doogie is ready for the majors," said GM Aaron Weiner. "We have him fifth on the depth chart in the outfield, but we think his defense will get him into a lot of games."

Howser, who would have been vulnerable to the Rule V draft if he wasn't promoted, was thrilled to get the call up.

"This is a very exciting moment for me," said Howser. "I'm told that I'm still able to see patients on the side, too. And they've set up an apartment for my best friend Vinny, too, so I'm even getting some love for my entourage."

Tutmosa, who hasn't pitched since 1994, will fill the last bullpen spot, bringing Birmingham's staff back up to 12 pitchers. Tutmosa is expected to throw mop-up duty for now but may get a bigger role if he performs.

[recte44]

The Very Best of Brick Tamland

[aaronweiner]

That actually made my day.

And back to you, Matt.

Aaron