Newly acquired waiver claim Rich Burks enters clubhouse to meet new teammates.
The Twin Cities River Monsters wasted no time in essentially taking a kerosene lamp to the foundation of the franchise that would make Mrs. O'Leary's cow feel upstaged. Casualties were found left and right. Next to nobody was spared. Numerous coaches, players, scouts, analytic people were all layed to waste. It was an act that was both symbolic and prolific.
The next phase came when dozens, if not hundreds of minor league free agents were brought in for a one day tryout to fill out the now vacant minor league system. While this may have been a shocking scene to some, it has been a status quo step in GM Alan Ehlers bag of tricks. The gist of the strategy is that there are 154 minor league players per BBA franchise. Even the deepest of the deep teams only have 20-30 "future BBA" players in their system. That leaves well over 100 roster spots that usually get taken by age appropriate riff raff. Twin Cities gutted the fat and used many of those roster spots for what they call "accessory players". Team Captains, strong defenders, master pitch framing catchers are just a few of the subcategories. Basically anyone who can make players around them(real prospects) better.
With the minor league culture change in check, it is now time for the River Monsters to focus on finding a new manager and coaching staff. Most likely this process will drag into the official off season when many other candidates likely will emerge.
Then next week comes the biggest sim of the River Monsters season. I'm talking about player option decisions where the team could be on the hook for $70 million next season... or not. Obviously the team is hoping for the latter so they can distribute some/or all of that money in a more sweeping manor to cover some of the many holes on the major league roster. If most/all the options are picked up.. then it will leave Twin Cities with very little room to add players this off season. Thus making 2050 a very long season as well.
I've added a Poll at the top for fun. Coming off a 45 win season, there has to be no place to go but up, right? I figure even if we lose 97 games, that's a +20 win season. What do you think?
