So why haven't the Outlaws had a winning season since?
The 2045 edition of the Outlaws slipped with a team WAR of 36.9 (12th), but the win-loss was brutal as the team only managed 72 wins on the year (27th). The ballclub had become a two-legged stool. The rotation and the lineup were still world-class, but the bullpen scuffled and the defense was awful (24th in ZR, 29th in Def Eff). They were a stars and scrubs team, but unfortunately their role-players weren't cutting it.
In 2046, the Outlaws made some improvements with a team WAR of 44.1 (10th), but were frustratingly still a losing a club with just 79 wins (19th). This team was a real puzzle, under-performing their pythagorean record by an eye-watering 9 wins. The defense was improved (13th in ZR and 9th in Def Eff). The infield defense in particular had been bolstered, though Todd Rice was making a hash of it in center field (-11.2 ZR), and outfield defense in general was a considerable weakness with negative ZR in all three positions. Still, it seemed like the quality the club did have should have overcome what weaknesses were there.
That year marked the end of the Calvaruso era. The Outlaws have had a handful of general managers since then, but have struggled to find consistent leadership in the front office. 2055 marked San Antonio's eleventh straight season without a winning record.
In 2056, general manager Time Meseck enters his third year at the helm with some positive momentum. Their 79 wins last year was the Outlaws' best season in quite a while. The construction of the team looks eerily reminiscent of Outlaws past, with a combination of star players and others who will struggle to make a positive contribution.
The heart of the order will include some combination of third baseman Taroemon Omori, first baseman and designated hitter Majid bin Husam, and left fielder Patrick Strolz. These three should generate good production. Lead-off man and first baseman Ricardo De Jesus can get on base and run, though he has zero power. The rest of the lineup doesn't fill you with confidence. Right fielder Sebastian Fradesso hasn't played up to his ratings since 2051. Center fielder Lee Mcintyre will likely struggle to hit at replacement level. Catcher Bradford Mc Bearett is solid defensively, and should make progress this season, hopefully a lot of progress, because he was dreadful in his 45 plate appearances last season. Shortstop Julius Lewis fields his position quite well, but a 33 wRC+ last year made him virtually an automatic out. Second baseman Jeremy Owbridge is many seasons removed from his peek years in the GBC/UMEBA and will also be lucky to make an above-replacement contribution. Then there's Alex Ramirez, who, at 40, appears to be past his expiration date. This is tough, because between Owbridge and Ramirez, that $27.2M in salary right there.
The rotation has an exciting 1-2 combo in Sakutaro Kawano and Kent Pickford, both 27 years old. Kawano put it all together last season and had a career year with a 5.4 WAR and 79 FIP-. Pickford looks poised to follow suit in 2056, and appears to be turning into a strikeout machine (9.1 K/ 9 IP) with one of the most effective changeups in the association. After these two, the picture gets murky. The next three pitchers, Tak-keung Liao, John McClain, and Quinton Manning, combined for just 15 big league starts last season (McClain spending the entire season in AAA).
The bullpen is similarly top-heavy, with recent addition Todd Stone (15 saves, 3.14 ERA, 61 FIP-) set to close out games, and likely to do it quite well. Getting to the ninth may prove to be an adventure, though. Set-up man Kelyn Lomond looks competent (4.65 ERA and 95 FIP-). No one else in the bullpen had a FIP below 4.00 last season.
In-game predictions call for 84 wins from San Antonio, but, paradoxically, a -16 run differential. The latter seems more believable right now, and it looks like the lack of depth on the roster will limit this team to no more than 82 wins on the season. A key injury here or there, and that win total could plummet.
