2036.22 - The Long Beach Independent - Return of the Velasco

[Lane]

VELASCO RETURNS TO LONG BEACH

June 24, 2036
Long Beach, CA

It's been no secret that the starting rotation has been a bit of an Achilles heel for the Surfers this season. They rank near the bottom of the Frick League in starters ERA, while the bullpen has been performing as a top 5 corps. When one considers that the offense has been average to plus compared to the Frick, it is clear that the rotation's struggles have contributed to the Surfers' disappointing record so far.

In an attempt to rectify the matter, Long Beach reacquired starting pitcher Julio Velasco, in a trade with Calgary. Velasco, a sidearmer, was originally acquired by the Surfers from the Las Vegas Hustlers in exchange for the legendary Gary Estes all the way back in 2029. He would pitch only 46.1 BBA innings for the Surfers before being traded back to Las Vegas for third baseman Leyli Yelanian. Velasco went on to have three excellent seasons as a starter for the Hustlers before being traded to Calgary in 2035.

Meanwhile, Yelanian was having great seasons in Long Beach, before being traded to Huntsville in exchange for Michael Best, who will now share the clubhouse with Velasco. It's a fun little trade tree, if I do say so myself.

Anyway, Velasco is a different pitcher now than he was back in 2029; he's found some more control and he gives up a few more home runs than before. He spend his time in Calgary as a swingman, but for now in Long Beach we anticipate he'll be a fixture in the rotation. With just over five years BBA service time, he'll be around one more season if the front office so desires.

Velasco is slated to start the game against Des Moines on June 27th and it has been reported that lefty Allain Jolivet will be optioned to AAA Santa Fe to make room on the roster.

[Ted]

Looks like Best is well on his way to the over for year one. I'm good and truly screwed on this. What did we bet again?

[Lane]

he's WAY overperforming right now, considering is AvK is still just 6/9.

Anyway we bet $500,000 per WAR over or under 10 WAR from ages 21-25.

At his *current* pace (just over 9 WAR per season) he would approach 40 WAR for those years, netting me a cool $15 million