Trail Droppings 2042-5 Calgary 1B/DH Competition

[indiansfan]

Calgary 1B/DH Competition

While there is little question who the Pioneer’s first baseman will be this season, the DH spot has been blown open by recent statements from manager Terry Cochran. It looks like there is going to be a real competition for the starting spot here.

1B - Chairman Mao - Last season’s Puckett winner is getting better every year. In his 3 seasons Mao has averaged .318, .630 SLG and a 1.015 OPS. Add to that 40 homers and doubles each year and he is an offensive force. So 1B is a lock

DH - Werner McConnell, Jr. - It was assumed that McConnell will once again be the DH against RHP. He has averaged 45 homers per year and a .955 OPS so there is no reason for him to think his job is in jeopardy. However, the team has announced it intends to make some changes in CF and that could impact the DH position.

DH? - Jose Figueroa - The team’s starting CF the past 2 seasons has found out that he may be looking for another position. His .307 bat isn’t the problem. His decrease in homers and doubles isn’t the problem. His glove is the problem. The team was alright with the -3.5 ZR he posted his rookie year, adjusting to the BBA is a tough thing. However, in his sophomore season it ballooned to -7.4 ZR and his errors tripled to 15. If the team replaces him in CF, where will he play? The team has indicated it will listen to offers for him.

1B/DH - Henry Jones III - Jones has been the team’s platoon against lefties the past 4 seasons. His production has dropped from 11 HR and a .314 average his rookie year to 6 HR and a .242 average last year. The team was planning on bringing someone up from it’s system to compete, but a newcomer has not only entered the competition, but might have the edge.

1B/DH - Mahdi Kojo - He wasn’t the player the Pioneers asked for originally in the Puckett trade, but he could fill the hole they are looking to fill. He has the potential to be a force against lefties in The Stockyard. Kojo hasn’t lived up to his potential the past 2 seasons, hitting just over .200 each year. The Outlaws were using him against right handed pitching at times which watered down his effectiveness. The Pioneers think he might displace Jones in the platoon resulting in Jones going up on the trade block.

Calgary has a good problem here. Too much talent and not enough at bats. There are also some outfield bats in play for DH. The team would like to trade someone, but as there is a glut in the BBA at these positions it is more likely that one of these guys is going to AAA and 2 more to the bench.

Most likely outcome - Mao, McConnell and Figueroa make team.
AAA - Jones and Kojo