Sticking Points 2060.1: Breaking Bad

[JimSlade]

"Just 5 more wins," says manager Francisco Catazara during an December fundraising event, "and we're a .500 club. Just 5 more wins."

"Hell," says GM Jim Slade at the same event, "why stop at 5? Let's get at least a half dozen more wins to start feeling like a team that can once more compete for the postseason."

The 2059 Pikemen gained 4 wins over their 2058 total, as they let SS Socrates Kazantziakis walk and added almost no one from free agency. The 2059 team's pitching ticked up a notch thanks to the return to health of 2 veteran starters who missed most of 2058, Nathaniel Davis and Jon Keys. The rest of the starting rotation is even less capable of dominating, but Pikemen starters typically did just enough to hand the game over to the bullpen with the outcome manageable. Sometimes the bullpen was able to manage things enough and see if the team's decent offense could put up 6-plus runs.

The team expects to compete for pitching depth in free agency while continuing to find ways to get the most out of the staff. "Our defense can get better. Our bullpen can pick it up another couple of notches," says Catazara. "We don't ask for a lot of innings out of our starting pitchers. It's on us coaches to better manage our resources, construct the right series of bridge relievers in the late innings."

So far, it's looking like most of the 2059 roster is returning. The team surprisingly extended veteran infielder Cam Whitten following his worst season as a pro. Or maybe not so surprisingly, knowing Slade's penchant for high-quality guys who don't get injured and are pretty good at a few things. "We like his leadership," explained Slade, "and the fact that he can give us some pop from either side of the plate." His $2.85M annual salary for the next 2 seasons (with a team option for Year 3) shouldn't prevent the Pikemen from locking in younger players when their time comes.

Young bats like Masahiko Harada and Octavio Martinez were a feature of the 2059 squad. There are more gap hitters where they came from, and then there's second baseman Richard Vernon, the team's one bona fide star. "This is the year we need to take another step forward in building a team around Richard," says Catazara. "That kid's the man!"

Cesar Rodriguez, whether he soldiers on as a passable third baseman or a full-time first baseman, expects to be one part of the equation. The team got more than it expected out of shortstop Roberto Lopez. "The kid needs to cut down on errors," said his manager, about his 25 errors, "but he's got the tools to be a plus fielder. What shocked us was how competitive his at-bats were. I think he's got a place in Rockville."

Slade agrees, but he cautions that only a few players have a starting position locked in. "Roberto, Kyle Ray...they showed us they belong, but we can't turn a blind eye to an established veteran up the middle or even a platoon partner for one of them."

One more dynamic everyday player could help earn those 6 additional wins, another guy like Harada, who can win a game with one swing of the bat, or another player like Vernon, who can string together multiple hits on a regular basis. Slade hopes to get more active in the trade market in 2060. "If we can even begin to sniff a wildcard spot," he explains, "we could take on a high-priced veteran for the price of a prospect. There's no point in doing that, however, if we're still chasing .500."

[BaseClogger]

Positive developments on the baseball side in Rockville. Just gotta keep an eye on those finances so you’re ready to pounce like you mentioned.

[Krathan]

You’ve got some solid young players and a plan. I like it.

[Trebro]

Things are definitely pointy stick side up!