The Outlaw Chronicles 2045-7 Who Replaces Who

[bigmike13]

Who Replaces Who

At the end of every year, teams inevitably part ways with some players and some players inevitably part ways with some teams. The reasons range from bad fit, more money or just natural progression from the farm system. The Landis Champion San Antonio Outlaws are no exception.

The changes were relatively light but gone from the Outlaws ands on to greener pastures are 1/2 their Infield. SS Chip Puckett parlayed his exceptional play, and his 3rd Landis ring, into a nice fat 6 yr, $103 million contract from the Twin Cities River Monster. 2B Tu-fu Yong is also gone after one very good season in San Antonio, GM Calvaruso felt his contract demands were excessive and decided not to offer an extension. The last one is 1B Mario Deortez who platooned with Lucio Cuellar at Dh and backed up 1B Larry Stinson. Deortez was a one year rental anyway and was never really considered for an extension.

San Antonio now has a couple holes to fill and have brought in some options for a spring tryout. AT Shortstop the Outlaws have SS Bob Allen hoping to make his mark after spending most of 2044 in AAA. A former Rule 5 pick, he is a defensive wizard but doesn't strike fear into the hearts of pitchers when he is at the plate. If Allen can progress at the plate he could easily be the starting SS come opening day. Also vying for the SS job is last years Infield bench player Ian Patrick Anderson. Another fantastic defensive player with a suspect bat, he seemed adequate in a very limited role last year but will be given a chance to prove he is ready for a starting role. The final, and most likely, piece is Free Agent signing Leonard Jones. Jones has a high Work Ethic and could, at the very least, work in a platoon situation.

The options at 2B get a little more interesting. Super utility guy Rodger Gonzales will be getting first crack at the starting job on the right side of the Infield. Gonzales is excellent defensively both in the infield and outfield. He was invaluable in a super utility role last season and showed well for himself. Another option is minor league signing Tomas Valdez. While Valdez is not the defensive stalwart GM Calvaruso usually looks for, he is pretty good with a bat especially from the Right side. The eyes will be squarely on Valdez this spring.

Potential options to take Deortez spot on the roster look top be plenty. 1B Takanibu Arihyoshi offers some pop but never played above AAA aside from a game in September last season. Another minor league journeyman is Jose Lopez which could make for a spirited battle. Another potential change is depth in the Outfield. While CF Mennac Shakes has done a splendid job defensively He struggles mightily against Left Handed pitching. A couple players in for tryouts are former Yellow Springs Nine Abdeljilill Sediki. Sediki had some great seasons for YS from 2039 to 2042 but has been in a slump the last two years. It would be real beneficial for everyone involved if he can reclaim some past glory. Another camp body is former Wichita Aviator Hector Garza. Garza looks like a carbon copy of Sediki and will certainly fill the bill if he can show the consistency needed at this level.

With so few true positions up for grabs it could be a boring spring, then again it could also be one of the most exciting springs in a long time.