YS 25.08 – Weird Bullpen

[RonCo]

April 1, 2025:

Like most of the Yellow Springs crew, the bullpen will be a strange mix of interesting talents. Admittedly, the bullpen, though, may be stranger than most.

Take, for example, the projected closer. Right-handed Estaban ‘Spud’ Parra (10/8/4) was expected to be let go in the off-season, then his option was picked up, and now he may well be asked to reprise his 36 save, 3.18 season of two years back. Unfortunately, he’s got a 5 save, 5.13 ERA season to hurtle over to make that happen. The good news is that his 4.43 FIP wasn’t much different last year from the 4.42 FIP he posted two years back. The bad news is that his FIP was 4.42. We’ll see how long this idea lasts.

Look for RH António ‘Flying Frenchy’ Rodríguez (7/8/9) and LH Sven ‘Suds’ Trauner (8/7/7) to split set-up duty. At 37, Frenchy is still a fairly dependable arm, and at 31, Trauner has been a steady starter with Birmingham. The club hopes the ability to focus on 1-2 innings at a time might turn him into something more special, though. Jury is out, but the late-middle innings should be okay.

From that point on it gets interestinger and stranger.

You’ve got 26-year-old lefty Juan Urdiano (9/6/7) and 30 year-old righty Mauro Zúñiga (6/7/9) who are mirror images of each other. And you’ve got a pair of 22-year-old fire-ballers in Jason Olsen (10/6/6) and Rafel Delgado (7/7/7, with a 9 stuff talent to grow into). And then there’s “roogy” Pancho Bojórquez, (8/8/6, but 9/8/6 vs. RHB, and 7/7/5 vs. lefties).

And if you think those guys are weird and strange, you should see the next wave down in the minors.

Talented: yes, fairly, anyway.

Capable: yes.

Will they do it? Eh … let’s just say that we’re guessing most MBBA teams will not be too threatened when the Nine get to their bullpen. We do, however, hope they change their tunes by the end of the year.

[agrudez]

I was trying to grab Trauner myself. The rest of that 'pen, though, looks pretty terrible. Luckily, for next offseason, bullpen is the easiest spot to upgrade!

[recte44]

Delgado is going to be really good. Problem is, you're going to have to live through some pretty hard times first.

[agrudez]

Delgado is going to be really good. Problem is, you're going to have to live through some pretty hard times first.

Why can't he live through them in AAA?

[RonCo]

Out of options.

[recte44]

Yup, otherwise do you think I would have traded him for what I did?

[RonCo]

We can afford to be a little adventurous this year and see what happens.

[agrudez]

Yup, otherwise do you think I would have traded him for what I did?

Should've tried to sneak him through waivers during ST when no one is looking.

[recte44]

10/7/7 talents? Someone would be looking.

[Chey]

He'd be a Sugar King faster than you can say viva la Communist Cuba!, that's for sure.

[agrudez]

Meh. A lot of people don't pay attention to waivers during ST since they know the big wire purge comes after its over. I've had good success in multiple leagues sneaking guys through during March.

[recte44]

Not here.