The 2034 Nashville GoatsApril is always the most exciting time of the year for a team that perennially struggles. The "There's Always Next Year" is right now. The Off-Season moves have been made, the Rookie Draft is in progress and more importantly, all the Win-Loss Records have been reset.
However, for Nashville, the excitement this year is at a higher peak than usual. There's a new GM in town by the name of Brett Golden, who's appears to be extremely experienced and talented in turning around a franchise, according to Mr Joe Peters himself.
It's best to ignore last season's 66 wins... or the previous season's 56 wins before that or even the 66 wins from three years ago. That was then and this is now.
First of all, there were lot's of holes to fill Nashville's roster and fortunately the Front Office before Mr Golden was brought in was extremely busy. Several pieces were acquired and even better for new GM Brett Golden, all were short term contracts of two years or less, except one that's three years. This will give Brett extreme flexibility in the coming season as there are no long term, high value boat anchor contracts dragging the team down. In fact the team's current player payroll is just a tick over $60 Million, $50 Million below the BBA's Salary Cap....
See! It's not all bad news.
As for the player reviews, we're going to focus only the key pieces, especially the younger guys who may be the future. There's likely going to be a ton of turnover as Front Office determines what they have going forward.
The Pitching Staff
Starters - There's lot's of mid range to lower end talent in project starting pitching staff. However there are a few young pitchers who may be the future.
Guillermo Martinez, 24 (9/7/7) - Talent wise, probably the team's best option as a #1 starter. He's pitched well when available over the last two years, but has been plagued with nagging injuries... Including an injured hamstring at the start of this season's Spring Training that's predicted to keep him out until the first or second week of the regular season.
SP Sancho Delgado, 34 (8/7/6) $2.2 Million - Sancho has only pitched for one team in the BBA, Nashville/Halifax for 11 seasons. However, he was traded to Charm City last season during Spring Training and promptly tore his UCL two days later and hasn't pitched since. He was released before the season started and has been anxiously rehabbing ever since. Sancho was the first Free Agent signed by Nashville this season and is the only player on the team with a contract longer than 2 years. If he's able to return he might be the Team's #1 this year with his 3.97 career ERA and 124 career wins (vs 105 losses). He's the kind of steadying influence a young team needs. He could be a bargain for the Goats, though it remains to be seen if he's able return to form after such a devastating injury.
SP Stephen Clulow, 21 (8/7/7) - $500K - Last season's workhorse, Stephen started 35 games and threw 226 innings. Realistically a number #3 or #4 starter, Clulow still has room to grow and may be long term contributor as a his best assets are his age and contract.
SP Juan Nicto, 22 (7/9/4) - $500K - Juan has a solid pitch selection and lot's of movement on his pitches. However, he still needs to development his command to reach the next level. Nicto struggled in his rookie campaign for 2033, going 9 and 12 with a 5.36 ERA. However, he's also still improving and managed a BABIP of .284, though he gave too many walks.
SP Nicholas Sutton, 28 (7/7/7) - $5.5 Million - Signed as a free agent, but will be a non-factor this season due to a elbow ligament surgery that will keep him out the entire year.
Relievers - Nashville has three solid pieces in the bullpen who are going to be counted on heavily on if the there's to be any hope of keeping the team out of last place for the 4th consecutive season.
Closer Peter Grady, 23(10/7/8) $500K - Grady was excellent in 2033, saving 34 games (only 5 blown saves) while pitching a heavy 68 innings. He's been selected to the JL All Star team the last 2 seasons. He didn't serve in the typical Closer spot last year as he was called upon, and delivered, in many varied key situations in games.
R Armando Figueroa, 26 (9,6,8) $1.2M - An extremely solid set-up and/or middle reliever. Was excellent in 2033 with a .92 WHIP / .222 BABIP and 2.45 ERA. However, he only pitched in 29 innings. Likely to see a heavier load in 2034 if he can maintain that production.
R Manny Vargas, 37 (6/7/9) $2.8M - By far, Manny is the old man on the staff and he's been productive for a long time in the BBA. He's floated around several teams in recent seasons after spending 11 seasons with Valencia. It appears that age might have finally caught up with Manny in 2034 as it looks like his Stuff took a decent hit, but scouts have been wrong before. However, it's a low risk chance for Nashville to take on Manny as the Goats only signed him to a one year deal. He's extremely popular with the fans and is a leader in the clubhouse which is a positive on a team filled players under 25 years of age.
OFFENSE
Offensively, Nashville is much more rough shape than the pitching staff. However, a few veterans were brought in to fill holes in a lineup needing a facelift.
DH - Antonio Sanchez, 36 (5/7/8/8/6) $4.4M - Another veteran brought in on a 2 year deal to fill a need, Sanchez is a sabermetric machine. Decent batting, great slugging and a good OBP. He's banged out 552 home runs over 16 seasons and has showed only limited signs of slowing down. He's hit 29 or more homeruns in 13 straight seasons.
C Luis Miguel Carrillo 29, (5/6/9/9/7) $7.5Mil - The Nashville Goats best offensive player and highest paid player. The team still hasn't signed him to a contract yet and is playing on arbitration. Predicted to make almost $10 million next season if Nashville elects the arbitration process again, however that could go against them and head upwards of $12 or $13 million. Therefore, the Goats have a tough decision with Carrillo. He's solid hitter, but only average defensively and he's definitely not a presence in the clubhouse. He set the Single Season league record for Errors by a Catcher in 2033 with 31. He doesn't have the hitting skills to command high dollars as a DH.... May be interesting to see how his future plays out.
1B Joe Wilcox 33 (7/7/6/6/7) $5.5Mil - Joe continues the list of veterans brought in on a short term deal to fill a hole. Joe spent 12 seasons playing in the tropic sun at Hawaii before turned loose to test Free Agent waters this year. Joe's power has dropped off over the last two seasons and it's hurt his productivity a bit. He's a consistent .270 batter with an OPS that hangs out in the range of .800-.900. He's a liability at 1B with his woeful range, but has a good glove and excellent arm when needed. Can definitely fill in a Third Base in a pinch.
As for the rest of the offense, it's difficult to say how the projected lineup will play out. There's lots of guys who are average or below and who could be interchangeable.
Some players of note
3B Pedro Gomez (7/5/1/4/9) $500K - Gomez looks like a great utility fielder who probably shouldn't be starting. However, he's a great candidate to play as a pinch runner as he lead the JL with 98 steals last season. He can also play any infield position well. These kind of guys are great to have on a team to provide flexibility as late game substitutions or to fill in to rest players or injury replacement.
OF Ron Whitney, 34 (5/6/7/7/7) $900K - Adding to the list of veterans brought in this off season, Ron Whitney has been professional role player for a long in the BBA. A career .250 hitter, hitting around 20 HR's per season when he's been given a chance to play full time. But that hasn't been the case over the last two seasons. For the Goats, he may get that chance and should do well enough to not get benched or released and might be well worth his cheap contract. There's a chance however, that he's time in the BBA should be over and he'll be too much of a liability to take a place in the starting lineup.
It certainly appears that the offense is going to struggle this season for the Goats. However, the pitching staff has a chance to rank around the middle of the pack in the JL.
To turn this Team review in a positive direction, let's review the future of the team, possibly players who could have an impact this year.
Top Prospects
#1 CF Grant Lee 20 (8/8/9/6/7) AA - The Goat's #1 Pick (#3 Overall) in 2033 out of college, an exciting player all around for the future. Stellar defense at CF, combined with Offensive firepower. He's already on Goat's fan radar, but he's looking to be around 2 seasons away. With him being drafted so late, the Goats have time to let him improve before bringing him up to the BBA.
#2 SS Angel Garcia (6/5/9/8/8) AA - A potential high OBP batter with excellent power, Garcia is a defensive wizard at Shortstop. Acquired in a trade with Havana in 2032, was a found in the International System by the Montreal Blazers organization in 2039. Garcia was dealt times in 2032 before ending up in Nashville (then Halifax). He's also at least a couple of season away from the BBA.
#3 OF Justin Jackson (8/9/9/5/7) A - Lacking the defensive tools of Grant Lee, Justin will probably end up in Left or Right Field. However, he's definitely on par with Grant offensively. Justin was the 6th pick overall in the 2032 draft and has maintained his forecasted abilities, unlike the other projected "TOP" outfielder from that draft, CFWes Savage,, who's looking like a complete disappointment as the #2 over-all pick of the same draft. (No, I'm not upset about that... lol)
#4 SP Martin Torres, 24 (9/7/7) BBA - Torres was brought in during the same trade with Havana that saw Angel Garcia become a Goat, Martin Torres made his debut last season, but is still qualified as a rookie for 2034. Martin has good velocity and large array of pitches. Scouts have high expectations for Martin, it's a just unfortunate he may not have the stamina to be a workhorse starter.
#5 SP Jefferson "Black Lightning" Pierce (13/8/6) - As the #3 over-all pick in 2034 for Nashville, the only question seems to be... Can they sign him? At 17 years old, he's already throwing 100+ MPH, he's got excellent movement and four high quality pitches to choose from. The league will be paying close attention to this situation to see if he'll be around in next year's draft. Will a $10 Million signing bonus be enough?
Summary - 2034 looks to be another tough season for Nashville as the rebuilding process continues. However it doesn't appear that it's time to make lot's of big moves as there's key players incoming in the next couple of season in the minors. The kind of players that will turn around the Franchise offensively. However, the team doesn't seem to have that #1 Starting Pitcher anywhere in sight yet. Even if Jefferson Pierce is signed, he'll be years away from the Majors.... However, if Manager Golden is looking to play the long game, 3 or 4 years might be his time frame and Jefferson could step right in to take that spot. However, that's a long time and the League has a funny way of ruining the best of long term plans.
