Mexico City's momentum stalled out in 2060 after winning at least 90 games every year in the 2050s except 2058. They finished with a 77-85 record, allowing 750 runs while scoring 735. That run differential means they played two games behind their pythag record. The Aztecs' record was also two games unfavorable to their xW/xL record. Now they have a new generation of young talent coming up thru their farm system to help replace some aging household names. Lets run thru the 2061 lineup and pitching staff to see what we should expect.
Batters
The Aztecs remain quite young at catcher even after the trade of 24 year old Juan Suárez to Omaha as Mexico City will feature a duo of 24 year old Juan Chávez and 25 year old Abid Kakakhel. Switch hitter Kakakhel's been the main guy ever since he debuted four seasons ago. He reached new heights in 2060 batting .300/.333/.437 on the way to 3.8 WAR. Chavez is a defense-first guy who tries to bat left-handed.
One of the biggest free agent splashes of the offseason will play first base, Wafid Bishr. He's closer to the end of his career than the beginning at this point but Bishr looks like a lock for 4 WAR. Post-hype sleeper/perennial underachiever Juan Schorr has to make the Opening Day roster or face waivers.
There's five guys left at the end of Spring in the conversation for an Aztec middle infield roster spot. Asil 'Cherry' Colasan lead the clubhouse in 2060 with 412 ABs as the Mexico City starting shortstop. He hits a little bit, but Cherry's 35 now and atrocious at shortstop defensively. Next was Zhi-fu Huang's 352 ABs as a second baseman with a slick glove. Huang's been an extremely underrated player and should get the lion's share of time at that position. Shortstop Javier Cadona is out of options after spending parts of five seasons in Mexico City and his $680K contract extension is a vote of confidence he'll make the team again. I think the front office will prioritize depth and stash him on the bench. Another shortstop, Edmond Spits, and former San Fernando utility infielder Zero Dimotsios both look ready to spend time with the Aztecs but have options. Nobody in this collection is an all-star but my shot in the dark guess is they could contribute 5 WAR combined as a group.
Third base is an interesting group and potential area of depth. Juan Anaya was worth 4.4 WAR in 2058 but he's played like poop since then again and no longer looks like the favored son. His left-handed bat and strong defense keep him around on the bench. If he can pick it then it might be time to see if José Gómez can hold down some of the fort after hitting .300 so routinely in his career he's made it look like taking out the trash. But most of the playing time probably belongs to Jeremy Cherry whose uninspiring if meagerly effective all-around game seems worth about 2 WAR.
Mexico City should carry eight of the above infielders because there are only four outfielders ready for the bright lights of Opening Day. The player drawing the headlines these days is 25 year old Charles Barling after he hit 38 home runs last season with 3.9 WAR. Barling's big arm should get him into right field, opening up left field for Jonathan O'Quinn. O'Quinn has tantalizing ratings but he's been routinely worth negative WAR. Júlio Martínez must play every inning in center field since he's the only one adequate defensively. I like him as a sleeper player who could pop a bit. Which leaves icon of the Aztec Félix Román. At 41, he's just not very good this year. He slugged his way to 2.2 WAR last year but I think he'll struggle to do that again now limited exclusively to DH.
So that's a really thin position group. Barling could be worth 5 WAR and Martinez might hold his ground but replacement-level would be improvement from O'Quinn. Maybe Dimotsios spends a little time out there. Prospects Tian-yun Yeh and Kadambi Kusagra are coming but still need more development to look like effective big leaguers.
Pitchers
The Aztec rotation continues to be lead by the legendary DAVE CORFIELD. If he's slowed down half a speed it hasn't prevented him from being worth at least 4 WAR while he further pads a Hall of Fame career.
The second starter is a guy who's spent an entire career playing second fiddle to Corfield, Vassilis Zorba. The mid-30s look pretty good on Zorba too but he did begin to falter with a 4.52 ERA in 2060. Keep your expectations in check for more like 3 WAR in 2061 and you won't be too disappointed
Pitching third is the new kid on the block, Guo-dong Cong. His 3.85 ERA across 163.2 innings last year was worth 3 WAR but I personally wouldn't expect too much more than that in a given year from Cong. His high stuff give him potential but 5 MOV and 5 CON will make him a volatile yet pretty good pitcher.
Ji-e Woo and his $12M salary will have a spot in the rotation. The former GBCer and lefty has been great only once in his eight year BBA career despite strong ratings. He's capable of chewing average innings as a fourth starter.
The final rotation spot probably belongs to veteran Juan Cruz after Johnny Nicholson shifts to the bullpen. He's a solid fifth starter whose had some solid campaigns.
The Mexico City bullpen only has one sure fire good pitcher in lefty Richard Lawrence. The rest of the bullpen is honestly going to be a work in progress. The team's front office should be aggressive in churning thru this part of the team. 20 year old Jonathan Sobers has a major league contract but should use his second option to spend time in the minors.
Kurt's Prediction: 81-81
Bishr brings the Mexico City Aztec offense up to average and they mix in a few stronger defenders (keep Roman out of the field) but they can't get much production in the bottom half of the lineup from Huang/shortstop/O'Quinn/Martinez. They need support at third base and DH for their good hitters at catcher, first base, and right field. Mexico City desperately hopes one of those corner outfielders develops.
On the whole, the Aztec rotation looks solidly above average at each spot. Unfortunately, the team's bullpen will weigh the team ERA down closer to average.
The most likely projection adds up to around a .500 team but there are volatile young talents in the Aztec organization that could put this team in contention. The biggest decision this front office has to make is whether Corfield should retire a lifelong Aztec like Roman will, or can he traded if the time comes to put the next Aztec team over the top?
