2050.04 - The Long Beach Independent - Danya's Stellar Season

[Lane]

TCHEKANOV REMINDS LEAGUE OF HIS ACE STATUS

Surfers Season In Review Series, #2 of However Many I Feel Like Writing

Just when you thought he might be winding down, washed up, or just not the ace he used to be, Danya Tchekanov set out to prove you wrong in 2050.

After three straight seasons of good-but-not-great performances, Tchekanov dominated Frick League hitters, allowing just a .233/.269/.339 line to all batters, while striking out 178 over 223.1 innings. With his strikeouts down compared to his career average, he found a new level of movement this year, allowing a career low, and FL best 0.4 HR/9. He also led the league in starts (35) and WAR (7.0).

The league has yet to announce the results of the season award voting, but we anticipate a competitive race for the Steve Nebraska Award with Sacramento's Ruben Vazquez. The award would be Tchekanov's second, having previously won for his 8.7 WAR, 212 strikeout performance in 2041.

Danya remains under contract with the Surfers for one more season on his current deal, for $30 million. One of the biggest questions as the offseason approaches is whether he will be signed to an extension or traded away. The Surfer front office has been reluctant to rebuild the team, but this may be the last time that the 33 year old pitcher could demand a significant return from a contending team.

[Dington]

Definitely quite the comeback season. He got my vote for Nebraska.