Mounties new GM Brett Schroeder institutes new team uniforms on first day back.
Vancouver, British Columbia
What’s old is new again. Welcome back to the Brewster and welcome back to the Vancouver Mounties Brett Schroeder (aka “Fred’s Friend”). Brett GM’d this team for 24 seasons, (2010-2033), compiling a 1971-2059 record with 5 division titles, 8 playoff appearances, good enough for a 10-22 playoff record. However, in 2034, he suddenly stepped away from the team from what officials will only say was a case of “UPS-idis”, (others say he longed for some Idaho Potato’s). Flash forward to 2048, and he was welcomed back to the fold by Owner and Vancouver native Chris Fraser this season to the cool toon of a 1.3M 2-year contract.
Vancouver Owner
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Last season the Mounties finished with an 81-81 record good enough for 3rd in that other division in the Frick. The team has struggled since making the playoffs in 2041, finishing no higher than 4th since that time. The 2047 BBA Media Guide Prognosticators had them pegged at a 74-88 record, but they proved the doubters wrong by winning 7 more games.
Players Lost Of Note:SP – Edwin Gilliam – The “Crime Spree” was another aging arm on the Vancouver staff who came to the club last season via a trade with Long Beach. He was just a rental, as he became a free agent at the end of 2047 and only appeared in 8 games last year for Vancouver. I’m sure this wasn’t a hard decision to not resign him, and GM Schroeder will look from within to replace his arm. I’m sure the current GM would still rather have 22yo SP Enrique Serrano in his system, traded away for the rental of Gilliam with the ways things are with the staff today.
RP – Luis Ortega – Hmmm resign a 38yo relief pitcher? His time was over in the great white north. Still he did appear in 59 games last season posting a 3.86 ERA. But based on what Vancouver targeted in the free agent market this was an easy decision to let him walk.
SS – Atissi Mbamba - Playing in at team leading 158 games last season, it was time to say goodbye. Slashing an anemic .177 / .258 / .240 falling under the Mendoza line for the season. But let be honest, he was there for his defensive skills anyway. His 18.7 ZR & 33.08 Defensive runs saved will be missed. Let’s hope the signing of free agent Pena makes them forget.
CF – Cristo Lopez – A backup CF/OF utility player at most, he was going to be nothing more than that in Vancouver. The 30yo signed a minor league deal with the Athens Fighting Centaurs of the UMEBA. I’m sure he was asking for well north of 1M for a backup role with the team. The front office opted for younger and cheaper options.
Players Added Of Note:SS – Luis Pena – Signing the FA away from best banana bread bud and fellow GM in Mexico City. The 28yo SS was signed to a 6-year deal with a player opt-out in 2049, which could end up saving the team paying a 30+ aged SS another 23m until the 2052 team option comes due. Growing up in the Yellow Springs system, he brings INF ratings of 10(A)/11(R)/9(E) (14.6ZR & a 27.20 DRS) definitely lessens the blow of losing a defender like Mbamba somewhat. Hitting anything over .200 will be a plus.
CL – Francisco Salgado – The former Black Sox now makes his way to the Great White north signing a 3-year 22M deal, with a player option after this season. So hopefully the 26yo sticks around for the additional 16M, or he can walk after one-year for 6M. One wonders if pitching in the friendly confines of Black Sox Park helped with the 1.97 ERA & 2.4 WAR he put up last season. We shall see.
RP – Shinsaku Ine – Continuing to bolster their bull-pen in the offseason the Mounties signed another reliever, this time by the way of Jacksonville, and wait for it… (Mexico). Hmmm if Fred won’t invite him over the house anymore, he can damn well sign his ex-players to get his attention. The 25yo was signed to a 5-year 30M deal, with a player opt out after one season (I’m sensing a theme), then back to back team options in 2051 & 52, with buy-outs of 1.2M each season. His career high IP was back in 2043 in Mexico, but it looks as if the last two seasons he’s only averaged about 70IP, changing his focus to more of specialist. It will be interesting to see how Brett decides to utilize him.
RP - Juan “MayDay” Pinto – Signed away from Louisville in the offseason this 28yo reliever signed a 5-year 21M deal. Once again, the front offices in Vancouver could get out of this contract after only a single season, as it has a player opt out after year one, which would only cost the team a cool 3.2M for this season. If he stays they are on the hook for another 8M before the next team option in 2051. Appearing in over 95 games the last two seasons for Louisville, by the above signings it looks as if the Mounties will be pushing some innings to their bull-pen this season.
Projecting The Starting 9Not much turnover I see in their starters except for FA SS Pena
1B – Francisco Martinez – Another player Vancouver still gets on the cheap for one more season. He hits arbitration starting next season, so look for this kid to put up some numbers this season
2B – Pet Brace – The 2043 1st rounder continues to live up to his billing. Pencil in the lineup for years to come.
3B – Alex Ramirez – Signed by former GM Bettencourt, the “Mirror” is not going anywhere (for now). In year 2 of 38M deal, the team has an option next season. At 32yo does he have one more productive year left in the tank? Batting .266 with only 16HRs he might step it up if he wants GM Schroeder to pick up that option next season.
SS – Luis Pena – Free agent prize for the off-season. ‘Nuff said.
LF – Fernando Castillo – The 31yo lead the team in AVG last season, and provide 5.2 WAR for the club. Let’s hope these legs can stay fresh for another 155 games. Having the honor of being the highest paid positional player on the team for the next two seasons he needs to remain at this level or don’t expect the team to pick up that option in 2050.
CF – Declan Hounsell – In the final year of his contract, he will probably see some platoon time. His injury issues still continue to follow him during his career. Was last year a fluke missing only 6 days all year vs. 4 months in 2046? We shall see.
RF – Jeffery Smith – The 29yo is really playing this season for his team option 15m of next season. I expect him to be motivated to endear himself to the new GM. Show me the $!
DH – Ricardo Yanez – He’s an affordable somewhat productive DH for the team. Appearing only 11 games as a RF last season. He is paid 1.2M to hit. If he wants his arb $ next season, he better produce in 2048.
C – Etienne Kop – the 28yo Dutch catcher is a nice team friendly contract number for the next few seasons while “Rotten-tooth” gets a little more seasoning. By the time he completes his next 3 arbitration seasons, he’s still looking to be at or about 1M. Not a bad problem to have until your catcher of the future arrives.
Bubble position players to make the final 2523yo SS – Carey Gray – He would add a LHB off the bench, and the kid can also play multiple INF positions.
23yo 3B – Mitchell “Tango &” Cashmore – Climbing his way up the minors, he provides backup at 3B, or at 6-2’ 1B in a pinch. Did I say in a pinch?
29yo OF – Keith Sanchez – he can play all 3 OF positions and play them well. A great player to have on your bench in a 162-game season. Don’t be shocked if you see him pushing Hounsell for playing time this year.
23yo C – Davenport Hinkle – “Rotten Tooth” just enough to push for the #2 catcher spot. He’s also a good fill-in for DH if needed.
Editor’s Note: As of the writing of this review, its probably easier to say who’s not in play on the team with 24 arms invited to camp.
It’s going to be interesting to see how new GM handles the loss of the teams #2 starter Rick Childress who suffered a season ending injury on 8/1/2047, that requires him to be out at least 13months. They also lost Angel Romero #5 starter last season, who made the jump to the UMEBA Baghdad Kings AAA club. Still he did put up 127IP that needs to get replaced. I’m guessing one of the two camp invites I mention below slides into the rotation at 4th or 5th. With the off-season signings to bolster the bullpen, GM Schroeder might be looking to push some of those innings off of the back end of the rotation and towards his bolstered bull-pen.
Projected Starting RotationSP - Miguel Ayala – Lead the team in innings (211.2) and starts (33) last season. Expect much of the same from the 29yo. He’s still very affordable 3.5M for the next two seasons (followed by team option with a 700k buyout). They have been lucky with his health status and the amount of innings he seen, that he hasn’t missed more time. Whoops! Was that a reverse jinx?!
SP - Hideaki Shibutani – He will need to have a good enough spring training to get the nod to move into the #2 spot in the rotation. He did cut his HR allowed from last season by almost half in only his second full season in the bigs. Hopefully he continues to trend in that direction again this year if the Mounties want to contend in the other division in the Frick (or as we like to say 9th place in the #Heartland).
SP - Ivan Ruiz – Acquired in a trade with Louisville last season, he spent his entirety of his first hear with the club at AAA. He put up a respectable 159IP with 134Ks and 30BB, while allowing only a HR/9 or 1. He looks to be getting his chance during spring training, and has 4 above average (>=6) pitches in his arsenal. He was selected by Nashville 19th overall in the 2041 draft.
SP - Jose Torres – Another young arm, the 24yo 2042 1st round pick continued to trend in the right direction in his third season with the club. He has continued to lower his ERs, WHIP, K/9 and BB/9 in the last two seasons as he heads into his first season of arbitration in 2049. This kid will be motivated to continue to put up some good numbers as he looks for a payday in arbitration.
Camp Invites Who Could Make The Opening Day RotationI could see one if not both of these guys making the opening day roster. One will in this prognosticators option, will make it into the starting rotation.
SP – Jose Barron - I see Barron impressing enough to get that final 5th rotation spot for opening day. He’s got a little more stamina and Hurt, and his pitches seem to be further developed at this time as well. He did throw 114.1 innings in AAA last season, putting up a 2.2 WAR in the process.
SP – Carlton Hurt - I see Hurt filling in as a long reliever low leverage situation this season, while he continues to grow and get some valuable big-league playing time. He’s got a nice knuckle curve and change-up in his repertoire. He’s went right from college ball to the AAA club, where he has spent the last two seasons. He did undergo elbow ligament reconstruction surgery in 2047, so that might also limit his role (for now).
Why You All Have Read This Far (Whos Name Is Not Brett)My prediction for the 2048 Vancouver Mounties? With some veteran GM seasoning that Schroeder can provide, I see the Mounties improving by a few games this season, finishing with a 83-79 record (or good enough for 9th place in the #Heartland), however still falling short of making the playoffs in his first year back in Vancouver.
