July 21, 2064
by Banjo Jackson
Nashville, TN
It’s not secret the Bluebirds are having a disappointing season. They sit 7 games back from Twin Cities for the Heartland crown and are tied for the final playoff spot in the Frick. Despite a recent upward trend, the revamped bullpen has faltered too many times. Starting pitching hasn’t fared much better and Bin-ying ‘Bye Bye’ Yen has not pitched like a top of the rotation starter, let alone middle of the rotation. One would be wise to bet on the Bluebirds making the postseason, but how would the rotation fare?
Enter a familiar name - David Molina. Nashville had to let him walk when they didn’t have the financial flexibility to pay him starter money to a reliever. In retrospect, they could have made it work, as the Bluebirds have been well under the cap for the past couple seasons, but paying that much seemed irresponsible at the time. Though they won the 2063 Monty without Molina, this season has played much differently. Molina was traded for a handful of prospects – SP Emilio Diaz, RP Dorsey Miller, 3B Elliot Shreve, and RHP Ian Huggett. Molina, used strictly as a starter in Rosenblatt, expects to see a similar role in Nashville in his second stint.
LHP David Molina
There are a couple caveats in acquiring Molina. For one, his injury history is quite lengthy and it’s concerning that he led the JL in GS last year when he was previously used in a relief role. Will his arm hold up or is it now stronger? Secondly, Molina can opt out after this season, which would make this trade an overpay if he only stays in Nashville for half a season. Of course, if he helps bring home another Month then it will always be worth it. Thirdly, if he opts in, Molina is owed $65.6 million over the next three years. Rosenblatt will be on the hook for 25% of his remaining salary to help lessen that blow, but it will still be a significant hurdle and may affect Nashville’s ability to extend players looking for a lengthy extension. Finally, Molina just hasn’t been that good this season. His 4.63 ERA is pedestrian and he may already be on the decline. Hopefully the change of scenery and some good home cooking will change his output.
Armando Ortíz looks to be the odd man out in the rotation, and being out of options he was put on the chopping block. Cobble Hill sent three prospects for the former Gillstrom winner. Shing Tung, Ron Bowden, and Carlos Martinez are the trio of pitching prospects headed to Nashville to help replace the pitching depth lost in recent years.
