Tuber Times 2056.8: Tater Skins - Commish Clash, Fan Interest Craters, & Long Ball Blues

[cheekimonk]

Tuber Times
15 Apr 2056
Boise, Idaho
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by Fish McWilliams
Sources: Boise Front Office and the Commissioner's Team Clash During Offseason
It's now confirmed that a clash over a free agent caused some heat between the Spuds and the Governing Board during the offseason. Apparently, the Spuds made a run at free agent pitcher Mike Alexander and felt certain that it was a done deal. However, Alexander signed with Las Vegas without a bid from Boise. This began a heated exchange in early December until it was discovered that a Boise employee failed to file the paperwork properly and Alexander was missed due to unfortunate timing. Spuds fans were certain, and excited, that Alexander would be a rotation fixture in 2057, so they will have an interest in the performance he turns in for the Hustlers. The Spuds picked up SP Marvin 'Groucho" Winston.

Just Bad, Spuds, say Fans
During the offseason Boise elected not to retain SP Gavrilovich Mastinsky, 2B Tomás Durán, and C Andy Elmer. Fans were having no part in the departures especially Elmer who sent fan interest crashing. GM Ben Teague says, "Mastinsky was an expected departure as he wanted to test free agency. We wouldn't have minded keeping Durán, but in Elmer we just wanted more defense behind the plate and so signed Bryan Harris to a one-year deal." Mastinsky would land in Jacksonville while Des Moines scooped up Elmer. Fans did slightly approve the signing of 2B Marcello Custello but that didn't move the needle very far.

Spuds Serving Up the Homers
Some of the early struggles of Boise pitching can be attributed to giving up the long ball. Starters Marvin Winston and Ommar bin Ayyub haven't been great in allowing 1.5 and 1.3 HR per 9 innings, but that's serviceable. But Geoffrey 'Mack's Boy' Greening comes off a season where he allowed 1.2 HR/9 to begin 2057 getting mashed at a 5.6 clip. Arguably more dangerous, relievers Pete Bonnadio (1.9) and Jeff Doane (3.7) are sabotaging the middle innings of games. Doane is of the most concern as he simply can't fill a setup role allowing a large number of home runs.