Trail Droppings 2042-14 Pioneers Say Goodbye to 3 Pitchers

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Pioneers Say Goodbye to 3 Pitchers

“It is a business and sometimes you have to make decisions based on dollars and what is best financially for the future of the franchise,” Calgary GM Kevin Dickson said while explaining the departure of pitchers Carlos Rodriguez, Ken Bates and Juan Sanchez. “We needed to make room both on the roster and on the balance sheet and we had to let them become free agents. Plus they were all on the wrong side of 30 and we are trying to get the team younger.”

Rodriguez had been with the team the longest, coming over before the 2034 season as a Rule 5 pickup from Edmonton. One of the better Rule 5 acquisitions that Calgary has had. Used as both a starter and a reliever, Rodriguez posted a 36-48 record, with a 4.54 ERA and averaged 11 strikeouts per game. It was his fastball that he was most known for and twice he recorded over 200 K’s in a season.

“We really like Rodriguez, he was good for the team and he cost me nothing to get,” Dickson said. “If he had been willing to sign for bullpen money, he might still be here.”

While his strikeout numbers dazzled many around the league, Rodriguez wasn’t as effective on the mound as many people may have thought. He only started 104 games for the team while relieving 174. His performance was much better out of the bullpen. His career ERA as a starter was over 5.00. Rodriguez was asking for between $10-12 million a year and the team felt that was too much to pay a guy that was a swingman. He ended up signing with Jacksonville for 4 years/$57.5 million. The Pioneers will get a round #2 supplemental pick for him.

Bates spent 3 seasons in Calgary after coming over from Louisville in a deal that saw Hugh Mangrouthormone and Jose Mantano going the other way. In his 3 seasons with Calgary Bates was 21-20, 4.07 ERA. Bates biggest asset was his control, his WHIP while in Calgary was 1.20. He split his time equally between the rotation and the bullpen and like Rodriguez he was more effective from the pen. He signed back with Louisville for 3/$25,5 million, which was similar to what he was asking the Pioneers for. The team will also get a round #2 supplemental pick for him.

“Kenny was good for us, but again more of a reliever than a rotation guy. And we are loaded with lefty relievers,” Dickson said.

The third pitcher to depart and the longest tenured was reliever Juan Sanchez. He had played his whole 7 year career in Calgary where he went 21-22-3, 4.66 ERA. Sanchez had always struggled with control and the team should have cut him loose 2 seasons ago. The team did not attempt to sign him. He signed a 1 year deal with San Antonio and promptly got hurt and will miss the whole season.

After his departure Dickson got this message -

Clubhouse secretly appreciates cutting ties with Juan Sanchez

"Even though nearly everyone on the roster are great friends, and routinely hang out together, few are complaining that Juan Sanchez has left. He was widely regarded as a negative influence in the locker room."

“Frankly he was a sullen, selfish dick, “ pitcher Jefferson Pierce said. “I mean I know you’re not supposed to talk bad about a teammate, but seriously nobody is sorry to see him go. He was rude to the equipment guys and was one of the laziest players I’ve ever seen. Talented yes, but what a waste of a human being.”