2055-0003: Talons Season Perview: The Hitters (C/IF)

[jiminyhopkins]

Daytona Beach, FL --

It's that time again. Time to eschew the 6 points for previewing another team and get 10 points for shotgunning out 5 TN's about our own. So let's look at the Talons' infield, eh?

Catcher: Ichizo Sugiyama
Sugi has been one of the top ranked catchers in the BBA for a few seasons now. Last year was one of his best yet, slashing .291/.364/.552 with a 5.2 WAR in 124 games. The club has done a great job thus far of managing rest and keeping Ichizo healthy, but he does turn 34 later in April, so his playing time might be even more curtailed. In addition, questions remain about his future with the Talons: he's a free agent after 2055 and will only entertain long term extension offers; a tough proposition for an aging backstop.

First Base: Aarnoud Budding
Budding signed a 5 year deal before the 2054 season and was a disappointment, to say the least. He's regressed into a platoon player against RHP, and only hit .280 with 26 home runs last season for a mere 1.9 WAR. The Talons are hoping that his pending Opt Out clause will motivate the big Dutchman to have a good season and then hit the open market.

Second Base: Chua-kah Yang
Old Friend Alert! Everyone knows Yang can hit. Last season for Tokyo he launched 35 dingers, and his last season in Phoenix (2051) he smoked 43 bombs with a 4.7 WAR. And though he is an average 3B defensively, there's only one problem. The Talons signed him to play second base, where he is decidedly flat-footed. Phoenix is hoping that the offense outweighs the defensive liability, and Yang will have to approach 40 dingers again for that to be the case.

Shortstop: Ian Patrick Anderson
The Talons are fond of calling IPA the "most valuable negative WAR player in the BBA" as if there is such a thing. But there's no denying that Anderson's defensive skills (10-SS / 11-2B) are still top notch even at 38 years old. It's simply a matter of not being able to find anyone better, the club says. Sure. Right. Supporters of the North Carolina native point to his highly regarded leadership skills, but we're not buying it.

Third Base: Steven Collins III
The man, the myth, the legend. Future HOFer Collins III will take his 80.2 career WAR and give it one more go at third base, albeit with a defensive replacement on constant standby. Collins definitely took a step back last season, seeing an obvious regression from his career high 7.4 WAR in 2053 to a mere 3.6 last season, and a fractured foot in May didn't help matters. It doesn't seem likely that his $17 mil team option for 2056 will be picked up, so this will likely be Steven's last season with the Talons. Hope it's a good one!

BENCH: Despite the club trying to find him a full time gig via trade, Farid bin Mubarak returns as Sugi's backup behind the dish after recording 1.4 WAR last season in the same capacity. Budding's platoon mate at first base looks to be Burhan bin Bishr. Hopefully Alex Herman won't embarrass himself as the middle infield backup, while Bruce Tyler will keep a close eye on old man Collins at third.

Go Talons!