31 July 2061
Boise, Idaho
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by Stubby Bardenwerper
With on-field results showing the desperate dash for a WC will be in vain despite trades to that end, GM Ben Teague has made some lineup changes that he anticipated as possibilities:
25yo 2B Fernando Segura
(AAA) 81 G, 365 PA, 49 R, 20 R, 1 3B, 2 HR, 35 RBI, .322/.414/.411, .825 OPS, +2.4 WAR
2B: 81 G, 469 TC, 10 Errors, .979 PCT, 718.1 Innings, 5.75 RNG, +5.4 ZR, 1.034 EFF
The Spuds current everyday starter at second base, Ryan Geauxinue has put up excellent numbers at the plate this season. In 80 games, the 36yo veteran has posted a slash of .324/.353/.434, .786 OPS, 7 2B, 3 3B, 8 HR, 45 RBI, and 26 stolen bases. He will be a free agent after 2062 so Teague has evaluated whether he will return to Boise or not after this season. His offensive numbers say, "Yes", but his defense is not so positive. Playing a critical position up the middle of the field, Geauxinue has put in 700.1 IP at second base and while he has only committed 3 errors for a .992 PCT, but his range is below average which hurts his overall numbers. He has recorded a -13.3 ZR and .861 EFF, and that has been detrimental to a struggling pitching staff. So, regardless of his production at the plate, it's been more and more likely that the Englishman will not be extended.
The pressing question, of course, is who is the alternative. The Spuds could go to FA but Segura has commanded attention at Salt Lake City. In addition to his respectable offensive numbers, the would-be rookie has handled second base at a high level committing 10 errors in 469 chances (.979 PCT) and showing a ZR of +5.4 which puts his total EFF at an impressive 1.034.
Boise returns nearly all of its position players in 2063 so the question marks that do exist, like Geauxinue at 2B, are most critical. To that end, Teague has called up Segura to be the everyday starter at 2B at the ML level for the last two months of the season instead of waiting for September roster expansion. Segura is not really an extremely high risk as his offensive ratings are respectable and his defense will certainly be an upgrade.
Geauxinue will continue to spot-start and be the primary backup at second, but Segura will be given full chance to succeed starting versus both RHP & LHP. Beyond Segura, there is 24yo prospect Zahid 'Chaser' bin Farooq in AA whose development hasn't impressed and 18yo Jonathan Oates who grades out as an average fielder at 2B unless he bumps in development. That makes it all the more urgent for the Spuds to know what they have in Segura with an eye towards 2063 and beyond.
