While surfing the message board, Jason messaged me and asked if I would consider coming back as his co-GM. Being nice, I told him I'd consider it and let him know - I never intended on actually coming back. However, the more I thought about it, the more the co-GM idea grew on me.
I'm usually one who likes totally control over everything - my way or the highway! But I don't want to feel like I'd be doing the team or the league of a disservice if I have to leave for awhile as well as not wanting to feel like I need to be present for every little thing the team could need.
I've probably been more active (and have taken charge) more than I anticipated, but it's the nature of the beast. I really like working as a team with Jason. It's nice to have another opinion on trades (or someone to reign me back from doing something stupid). It's refreshing and unique to me to be talking trade with Rocky, all the time while I'm relying the information back to Jason, and having to consider what both are saying in order to come to an agreement. The George Marks trade was probably the most fun that I've ever had in trade negotiations. Working with what Rocky wanted in return and what Jason was alright was giving up for Marks was a challenge that proved to be just as enjoyable to see the process unfold.
When I decided to team up with Jason, we talked of our strategy with the team. It was obvious that this team had a lot of young, show-ready positional players and painstakinly little-to-no pitching. It was when Jason said he was tiring of being in a perpetual rebuild that I knew exactly what we needed to do. With what holes we had, stashed away in Triple-A were so many young talented prospects, so the decision was to sign relatively young players to 2-3 year deals as stopgaps and then maybe a few prove good enough to stick around in year 3, maybe even year 4. I feel the off-season went about as well as one could hope. I don't think you'll ever get all of your targets, unless you have globs of money to throw away.
FREE AGENCY
OF Alan Williamson - $10M/4 Years
After it's all said and done, yes, I would have loved to have been around when Hick was apparently shopping him for a cheap price. However, that's not the case.
We would have loved to have gotten him at around 7M/4 Years, but that wasn't in the cards for us and we're excited for his potential. We believe if given full-time duties he can put up a .290/.355/.415 slash line.
OF Zach Fields - $5M/2 Years
We really feel Fields will have a bounce back season. If he can regain his 2052 form, we'll be happy since 30 bombs in KCR likely turns into 33 or 34 bombs in CHC.
OF Lyle Woodcock - $6.5M/3 Years
After the dust settled, this is one I regret. Though just 27, he looks to have been regressing for the past 3 seasons. Like Fields, we think he'll rebound, 30+ homers would be a welcomed addition to our lineup.
IF Jerry Johnson - $Draft Day
I really like him for a future bench spot. He can't hit for much, but he can walk and plays good defense at 2 positions.
SP Gio Dominguz - $9M/3 Years
He was a target of mine all the way back in the '42 draft. With good control, movement, and curve he should slide nicely into the bottom of the rotation.
SP Erik Taylor - $8M/4 Years
I think he was one of the steals of Free Agency. Maybe many were scared away from his low fastball, but judging by his career 0.79 HR/9, it hasn't hindered him any. He does have three other good pitches which help. The big question remains how long he'll stay as a starter. He's probably the top candidate to move to the 'pen once Brant Legg is ready.
CL Aaron Pitman - $2.5M/2 Years
His movement, good pitches, and great ability to still keep the ball in the park makes him our choice for first dibs as our Closer. We're just hoping regression isn't too terribly rough on him.
SU Matt Doyon - $3M/2 Years
He's never relieved a game in his life, but he has a killer changeup and we're hoping he can turn that into success in the bullpen.
MR Eric Mrocekova - $1M/2 Years
If you're following our logic, it's easy to see why we like him. He's another low homerun guy and above any other indicator, that is the most reliable metric (HR/9) in Mogul for pitching success.
TRADES
1B Richard "Dick" Pickle III - $13.1M/4 Years
Like Melvin Upton Jr. in 2015, Pickle will be going back to his given name and 6th grade nickname. He's always had a fascination with whacking balls and now he'll play in the most hitter friendly home park to date.
We were thrilled to get him and were pleased that we were able to move Sean Gialde in the deal, who we thought was a little too old for our core players. Pickle should be a mainstay in our lineup for years to come.
CF Brandon Hertz - $500K/3 Years
If I recall correctly, he was a guy that I liked in my final draft with the Mariners, but cautioned that he was taken too high and would probably never live up to his 1st round billing. Anyways, I love the vroom on this kid and he'll make a fantastic platoon option.
DH Horacio Aguilar - $Money Bitches!/1 Year
It was a deal we couldn't up. Potentially getting a .900+ OPS threat AND a 1st round pick? Even if he doesn't hit quite up to what we hope, the future Hall of Famer, should still be good for 25 homers and an .800 OPS in the least.
SP George Marks - $21.1M/6 Years
I'll be honest, I asked for Kyle Arrington and after getting no response, we sent out a search party, looking for other options. It quickly became clear that Marks (and Rocky) were the most sane option. Seemingly others were demanding both the #4 pick and Jones plus wanting another top SP prospect. There was no way we were parting with the #4 pick and Jones.
He has two outstanding pitches to go along with fantastic health and has the kind of vitals that makes you think he could be a top tier pitcher for years even beyond his current contract. The bonus to this deal was taking on Aguilar made this possible.
SP Grant McNatt - $500K/2 Years
How this guy is only rated an 87 we do not know. He had a rough go-around in '53, but we're aren't phased. His great vitals and great AAA HR/9 numbers make us believe he'll be a great player for us.
SP Manuel Santillan - $Draft Day
He'll probably never amount to anything great, but we're hoping he can be a servicable long reliever with his Career Window jump.
YOUTH INFUSION
CA Scott Laduc - $500K/3 Years
A switch hitting catcher who has a cannon, a good eye, and look like he'll be a quality overall offensive threat in the future? Yeah, that's my kind of backstop.
2B Lee Brinker - $500K/1 Year
He hasn't lived up to expectations yet, but he has the tools for success. He has already showed off his power and defense. Now it's time for him to complete his game by walking more and putting up a respectable average.
3B Jeremy Gladthorn - $500K/3 Years
Though he may struggle with contact in 2054, he could soon be one of the most dangerous 3B in all of FCM. He looks to have legitimate 30 HR, 100 BB abilities to go along with what should be high quality defense when his development is all said and done.
SS Luis Henchoz - $500K/3 Years
This is another guy who looks like he should walk a lot and play good defense. He should also provide solid pop and hit for a nice average. A .275/.360/.450 slash line would be considered a smashing success with his defense.
OF Tom O'Sullivan - $500K/3 Years
Originally, he was slated to start out at Triple-A, but after seeing him hit his Career Window, we decided his rangey defense and solid contact/eye combo were enough to platoon him vs LHP.
SP Dustin Georges - $500K/1 Year
This guy is quite underrated. His low homeruns are, of course, a bright spot for me. His super heater and high quality movement are just he needs to continue out producing his overall.
Oh Know, What About The Monies?
It's true that we need a little bit of cash to balance out and stay in the black by the end of the year. However, it's not as bad as it looks. Once you consider that the Cubs have seen their budget rise to $95.6M (2052) and $105.5M (2053), we'll obviously be increasing our budget - and more than the past 2 seasons since we'll be more than a sub-80 win club.
If that's not enough to persuade you on feeling comfortable with our finances, consider that I have Payroll sheet in Excel...
...It's the same Payroll sheet that I've been using since I joined FCM and what I found it hilarious when a new LAD GM named sxr007 thought the Rockies were doomed to run into financial problems. Like in Colorado and Seattle, the northsiders have it under control.
OUTLOOK
It's hard to say how much we should win. We're easily much improved from 2053. We'll certainly win more than 60 games and most likely wins more than 80 games. I feel we have some quite underrated players, so on the surface we don't look like a team who could challenge for a playoff spot, but I think we're good enough. The issue is, as stated on the pod, will all of these young guys experience the early career woes that plaque many players upon being called up?
No comments:
Post a Comment