The 2042 Charlotte Cougars: Not terrible. Not Great.

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The 2042 Charlotte Cougars: Not terrible. Not Great.

Post by 7teen » Sat Mar 28, 2020 3:41 pm

It's interesting to watch how the two latest expansion teams in the BBA play things. Here we are, 2042, and both the Cougars and the Portland Lumberjacks are starting year 3 of their existence and the two teams appear to be building in entirely different philosophies. Charlotte last season traded away it's top draft pick in Amos Swallows to acquire a quartet of players, both young and veteran alike. Those players will both help this team remain somewhat competitive in 2042 while the younger guys will help maintain some stability for seasons to come. Portland on the other hand is just acquiring assets for the future in hopes of flooding the active roster in a few seasons with a loaded team that the front office hopes can sustain a future. So while these two organizations will likely be compared for many seasons to come, this preview isn't about Portland, it's about Charlotte.

Charlotte opened up the bank account this off-season, bringing in big named free agents David Noboru and Lee McHone. They also spent some money on aging veteran and popular player Carlos Gonzalez (CarGo of Long Beach fame) and 35-year old reliever Cristobal Hernandez. All in all, the Cougars front office spent roughly $45.5 million on big name free agents this off-season to try and maintain some competitiveness in a hotly contested Johnson Atlantic Division.

On the flip side of things, Charlotte lost two major figures from last year's team in Albert Gaona and Luis Ortega. Losing Gaona is of very little significance as finding a 1B in today's BBA isn't that difficult to do as indicated by the fact Gaona still sits on the open market with a hand full of other guys. After being exhiled from Portland in year 1 of expansion, Charlotte took on the big contract of Ortega and benefited from his 47 saves over the last two seasons. Ortega took the big money in free agency and signed with Edmonton this off-season for $10 million. Other than that, only the loss of catcher Antonio Tobias left an impression, but overall the Cougars probably gained more this off-season than they lost. So let's take a look at the roster.

The Infield
It appears Charlotte will shift Jharrod Thealer from his typical 2B slot over to 1B this season. The high OBP guy who was acquired in the Swallows trade, has never played the position but has shown the ability to be able to do so this off-season. In fact, he could be a gold glove caliber guy at the position as he joins former Madison teammate Mons Raider in the move from middle infield to 1B. Thealer won't hit for power at the position, but he'll get on=base and help supply some runs atop the order. Also look for 24 year old Freddy Rijo to platoon some at the spot and even Luis Perez to get some looks. Perez is the more typical looking, slugging 1B option but he can't hit LHP so he'd be a strictly platoon look.

The reason you'll see Thealer shift over to 1B is because Charlotte will likely play Joey O'Brien (one of the key pieces in the Swallows trade) and Quinn Richardson command the up the middle spots. This 25 and 20 year old duo will be an exciting pair to watch up the middle for many years in Charlotte. Richardson, the 2040 overall #1 pick in the draft, has an elite level glove for a SS and the ability to hit the ball out of the ballpark with some regularity, something rare in top level SS these days. Don't be surprised to see Richardson's name on the All-Star ballot at mid-season and near the top of a lot of Gillstrom Award ballots at season's end as the league's top rookie.

The catcher's spot looks a little thin, as Peadar Mclihome will get most of the duty behind the dish. Good defense, good arm. That's what they'll ask from him behind the plate. Then the aforementioned David Noboru, leaves his Jacksonville home of the last 12 seasons, and brings his 427 homeruns to Charlotte. He adds instant credibility and excitement to this infield group that has both young and old mixed in. Not a bad unit!

The Outfield
If games are won up the middle, then the young duo in the infield mixed in with Niccolo Machiavelli in CF give the Cougars a top level middle defense. Machiavelli, the 3 Time Diamond Glove Award Winner, saw a huge boost in his offense last year after going to Charlotte while continuing to play elite level defense. While fans can expect the defense to continue, I wouldn't be suprised to see that offense come back down to earth this season. There is little reason to feel Machiavelli isn't still at least a 1 WAR player. Jaime Geerdinkck is a promising looking 4th year player who really busted onto the scene last year with 21 homeruns and a 3.2 WAR. He'll get most of the starts in LF while platooning with Dax Norris. Norris is a run of the mill 4th-5th OF type who can help spell some starts in both LF and CF when a LHP pitches or Machiavelli needs an off-day. The final OF spot will go to Sebastian Fredesso (also acquired in the Swallows trade). Fredesson had a brief cup of coffee last year with the Cougars with minimal success. He's a solid OF option and will also likely get some Gillstrom votes.

The before mentioned CarGo will tip his cap to the fans as he steps into the batter's box as the DH, a spot he may share some time with with Manuel Marino. Neither are exactly strong options against LHP but both have some pop in their bat and can get on base.

The Rotation
The rotation has some very interesting parts. By interesting we mean they could be very good and times and very bad at times because they all have some sort of wart. I mentioned McHone as the key free agent pick-up for the rotation, well, control is his wart. He's posted a total of 9.1 WAR over the last 3 seasons in Valencia while also walking 302 guys over that time. He's coming off his worst year of those 3 in 2041. Keijo Reini has the stuff, control, and pitches to be good. But does the have the movement? The number 1 pick in the expansion draft got a cup of coffee last year and his 7.78 ERA indicates it didn't go well. Nonetheless, he still had a positive WAR in 4 starts so we'll have to wait and see.
Guillermo Sanchez may be the most balanced of the starters in the rotation, but a 5 stuff isn't eye-popping. But above average movement and 3 great pitches make this sophomore player another guy to watch. His rookie season was just so-so for the 21 year old but he's a solid guy.

The bottom two guys are at the bottom for a reason. Sean Gardner and Tony Cabrera have good pitches, but their pitcher ratings lack a lot to be desired. You can do worse at the bottom of the rotation in today's BBA (just look at Portland) but these two guys are hardly enough to keep Charlotte in the Atlantic race in 2042.

The Bullpen
Adergazoz Ouakili has a name I want nothing to do with pronouncing. The expansion draft pick-up from Yellow Springs will be asked to be the closer in place of the departing Ortiz in 2042. Ouakili looks like a viable option as he's had some success as a reliever in his career, posting a 1.3 WAR last year with the Cougars and a 1.6 WAR with Yellow Springs in 2037. The guys tasked to get from the start to Ouakili are all in a shaky type mold. Jose Harrara (low movement, low control), Felix Garcia (low movement), and Paul Jones (ditto) will all have their ups and downs due to the warts. When they're on the could keep the Cougars in the lead, but they could also be prone to let downs. Something you hate to see as a fan. Cristobal Hernandez leaves Calgary where he spent 13 seasons and hopes to add some stability to the pen. But even Hernandez is showing signs of shakiness. In two of his last 3 seasons, he's posted a 0.1 and 0.2 WAR.

Final Thoughts
Carolina definitely has some pieces in place to be competitive in games. It's a roster mixed with veterans and youth. Fans can cheer on young, future stars like O'Brien and Richardson, while also cheering on aging veterans like CarGo and Noboru. Will they win the division? No. Will they finish last in the division, I don't think so. I think this team has enough pieces in place to probably knock a team or two off, even though the Atlantic is a tough division to keep your head afloat.

It's hard to make a prediction being so blind to the rest of the division so I'll go with a 70-92 win season for the Cougars, becoming the first expansion team from 2040 to crack the 62 win plateau. I also predict this team will win more games than the Portland Lumberjacks, setting Portland up for an eventual #1 pick in 2043!
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Re: The 2042 Charlotte Cougars: Not terrible. Not Great.

Post by GoldenOne » Sat Mar 28, 2020 4:55 pm

Sounds about right Chris. The guys were moaning about not having any older leadership so after taking a look (my BBA's team average age was lower than my AAA and AA teams), I made a point to go get some older leaders. CarGo was mainly looking to add a Captain to the team that was there for more than just being a Captain and taking up space. The pitching, like a lot of the rest of the league, needs some help but I am hoping the home ballpark and the great defense can help hide some of those warts.

Great job! Thanks!
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Re: The 2042 Charlotte Cougars: Not terrible. Not Great.

Post by CTBrewCrew » Sat Mar 28, 2020 7:52 pm

Both of these franchises fates will forever be tied together...someday we may see a Portland v Charlotte Landis....who knows.
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