2058.2 Iowa Ionizer - 37 is the New 17

[joshd19]

We've been on a hiatus here at the Ionizer as pressing military matters have arisen over defense of our hard-won water pipeline, as faithful subscribers and mercenary citizens will no doubt be more than aware. Let's take a moment to survey the object of our recreational affection, our beloved Kernels, and what they look like heading into the 2058 season.

One key is plugging the mid-rotation gap left by outgoing SP Jon Brown, who signed what some have called a radically lucrative deal for a 4th starter with Madison. (Brown has admittedly yielded strong results in ST and in his first start of the season, though his xFIP suggests that there's trouble under the hood.) In his place, DM signed veteran SP Adam Barber, who offers good mid-rotation value and is not yet at major regression risk at age 33. Barber had some elbow trouble during ST but looks ready to make his first BBA start in the second week, displacing SP Jacome Kretchner, who looked quite overmatched in his first (and perhaps only) BBA start.

Top SP prospect Mike Young pitched a few BBA innings at the end of last season, but his spin rate needs some honing at AAA El Paso before he's really ready to face the bigs. El Paso stalwart Alonso Amaya will fill in until Young is ready to come up (or until another suitable replacement is discovered).

In the bullpen, journeyman Pole Slawomir Trzcinski comes over on a team-friendly contract to augment a strong backend led by Garth Dobbs. This one-two punch is already looking elite.

The Kernels' lineup was a larger question mark coming into '58, and FA signings have addressed a number of gaps, if hesitantly. Sufficient cap space has been left to provide for a buy or sell mid-season scenario. Flexibility is key for a team with some lingering unknown factors, including a quintet of 37-year old FA signings.

LF/DH Wilson Alomar was a nice pickup on paper, though regression will be a concern at age 37 and likely explains why he came cheap. He has looked underwhelming coming out of ST, but scouts continue to see him as an elite masher against RHP.

Stalwart 3B Jeremy Pickens has the range to plug the gap at 2nd for the Kernels, where he's posted a positive ZR in seasons past. He, too, will need to fight the regression demons this year at age 37, and hopefully he'll find motivation to do so with his one-year prove-it contract.

SS Jeremy Webb will fill in nicely as a utility IF coming off the bench. If he can post a .650 OPS, that will pair nicely with his defensive chops. He will need to work hard on the practice field to maintain his agility at his age.

Our fourth 37-year old looking to beat the odds this season is 1B Pepe Madrid, a fan favorite plucked from his 15-year Boise tenure in the Rule V. Madrid will platoon nicely with the charmingly named Yo Miyamoto, another 37-year old Rule V pick who kills lefties. It's not clear how much playing time either of these bat-forward vets will see, but it stands to reason that either or both could be punted back to their Rule V teams before October.