TN 63.04 What To Fix Next?

[Chuck V]

AUSTIN, TX Shredders' GM Chuck Valenches is not one to make big trades. He really doesn't trust his deal making ability and tends to value his own players too highly. In fact, the Shredders's GM is kind of a cowardly, paranoid bipolar douchebag who is scared of his own shadow when it comes to trading away his players. Which is why:
1. He never makes many deals
2. He is in last place.
Bolder teams in the league pull the trigger on deals that net them prospects and sell a year early rather than a year too late and reap the benefits. Which is why it was such a surprise to see Austin deal former top prospects Pepe Rivera and Julio Blanco, both former first round picks, away and actually get something back. Defensive stalwarts Jerry Woodall and Jorge Madrid.
But, what to fix next? The team has plenty of power in the corners with Jorge Herrera on pace for 32 homers, Felix Cabral and Takanobu Komatsu both likely to surpass 20. Even 2B Bill Irvine is projected to hit 22 HR, his most in six seasons. Third base is the only corner with out much of an electric bat and even the Old Professor is getting on base at a .337 clip. I'm not sure if he thinks he is playing for a new contract but, hint, he's not getting one.

With possibly a little bit of faith that the offense this year is an aberration, that leaves the pitching. Outside of Harry Bransington, the team has pretty much admitted defeat. Glenn Hargrove, once the top prospect in the organization, is now in the pen. He was just never really able to develop that third or fourth pitch despite numerous trips to the development lab. Pedro Guerrero loafed his way off the team and the rest are warm bodies. The exception this year may be Mus'ad Amr. Amr, the 29 year old former first round pick, is putting up his best year since his rookie season in 2058. He is 7-5 with a 3.53 ERA and while he may not look like a true #2, he can be a nice #3 if they ever do find another #2. Bransington has settled down to another season of excellence. While "Steamboat" is just 4-7, most of the blame for that record can be laid at the feet of the anemic offense which has offered only 2.4 runs of support per game and that is almost a run better than it was at the beginning of the season.

The true disaster is in the pen. Nelson Middlebrooks has suffered a sophomore slump, but does seem to be getting his feet back under him and Hargrove has managed to look more comfortable in the pen. The rest is an unmitigated disaster and the lowest ranked bullpen in the league. Finding proven arms in the BBC is not easy and the team may have to rely on interior candidates in the next few years such as Gustavo Brannen or Alfonso Costello, acquired in the Pedro Guerrero trade.

For now, and really until the end of the season, the Shredders will hope to plug a few holes and identify some future arms and regulars while being on the lookout for young arms and maybe a 3B in the draft next year.