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With the 2031 off-season almost over the Daily Keg has looked over which teams are gaining and which teams are falling as Spring Training is now right around the corner. With season tickets being sold around the country and fans gearing up for the upcoming campaign we here at the DK are sure ready for some baseball.
Trending Up
1. Phoenix Roadrunners
Finally in the hands of capable management again the Roadrunners gained 14.2 WAR so far this off-season. For a team that won 74 games last season this has to be exciting far the fans who haven't seen their team reach the playoffs since 2024.
Players gained:
P Mark DeGennaro - Last season in Denver he went 13-8 with a 3.52 ERA and 3.5 WAR and then opted out of his contract. With a checkered injury history if the 35 year old can stay healthy he could anchor the middle of the Roadrunner lineup.
LF T.J. Asbill - Another player who has battled injuries but when healthy can be a major contributor. Last season in Maine he hit .307 with with 24 HR's in 121 games.
P Ethan Jackson - The 27 year old left New York this off-season and was scooped up by Phoenix to the tune of $86m over 5 years. He was the 2029 Last Call winner and in 2030 had 43 saves and a 3.44 ERA.
2. California Kodiaks
The goal this off-season for California was to bring in talent that were not only players on the field but leaders off the field. So far mission accomplished as they were the #2 team in WAR gained with a +8.8.
Players gained:
CF Danny Garza - Coming from Maine in December trade Garza posted a 3.1 WAR last season when he .263 with 30 HR's and posted a +14.7 ZR in right field.
2B Robby James - Another player that came to Cali via trade from Washington. James is a born leader and last season hit .301 with 12 HR's.
P Johnny Martin - Last season in New Orleans he was 10-8 with a 3.88 ERA. He declined his option for almost $7m then signed with California this off-season for $6m a year.
3. Batavia Red Jackets
The Red Jackets 4.74 team ERA last season was 8th in the IL and their one complete game was tied with California and Pawtucket for lowest in the entire BLB. They focused a lot on pitching this off-season and their +4.5 WAR gained was 3rd best overall.
Players gained:
P Hoon 'Yard Man' Park - After being traded to Montreal last season in hopes of a title run Park was played well as he went 12-6 with a 4.04 ERA. Batavia gave him $22m a year though in hopes he can be the #1.
P Ron Wireman - Last season in Baltimore he had 60.1 IP and went 4-4 with a 3.88 ERA. He signed a 2 year contract for $6.25m and could end up as the closer.
P Earl 'Blueprint' Frizzell - At 34 his best days are behind him as he spent most of last season in AAA before getting called up to Maine and only pitching in seven games. He's highly intelligent though with a great curve ball and management is hoping he can be a veteran leader.
Trending Down
1. Seattle Pilots
Its not often the Pilots are last in anything, but this off-season their -10.8 WAR is last in the league. Not to fear though we're sure their GM has a plan and it won't be pretty for the rest of the division.
Players lost:
P Dave Teel - Last year for Seattle he was 18-5 with a 2.78 ERA and even at 36 is considered by many the best pitcher in the league. Philly signed him to a 2 year, $54.2m contract and he's already slotted into their #1 starter spot.
P Pang 'Freeze' Shuai - Freeze wasn't all that was hoped for last year as he went 10-6 with a 4.18 ERA. This season his $44m contract wasn't worth it as Seattle jettisoned him to Denver for a 5th round pick.
C Landon McClelland - Currently a free agent that might return to Seattle he played in 50 games last season and hit .307 with 6 HR's and 29 RBI's.
2. New Orleans Dukes
The Dukes are down 10.3 WAR and are lacking management which could be the beginning of the end for a team that has made the playoffs four out of the last five seasons.
Players lost:
P Dave Koehler - The 33 year old opted out and jumped to the Ale as he signed with Wilmington for $83m over four years. In his two seasons with the Dukes he was 26-12 and will be missed.
P Johnny Martin - As mentioned earlier he departed New Orleans for the sunshine and beaches of California.
SS Dave Ryman - After playing his entire career in New Orleans he left this off-season to play for Maine thanks to a four year $20m contract. A lifetime .290 hitter with a +85.9 ZR at short stop makes him a big loss.
3. Maine Guides
After failing to reach the Brewmasters for the first time in three seasons the Guides are making some roster moves and are down 10.0 WAR this off-season. Just like the Pilots we aren't too worried and neither should their fans be.
Players lost:
P Scooter Nackers - In 144 games in California he was 36-43 with a 4.39 ERA. In 74 games in Maine he was 21-11 with a 3.59 ERA. He took his new found success and turned it in a 3 year, $26m contract for New York.
2B Tom Lewis - Still in free agency mulling options the 36 year old hit .270 with 20 HR's and 48 RBI's last season while starting 90 games at second base. He's one of the most decorated players in BLB history with 10 All-Stars, 6 Designated Drivers, 4 playoff series MVP's, 2 championship rings, a DWI, and Rookie of the Year.
CF Danny Garza - As mentioned before Garza was sent packing to California in exchange for minor league pitcher Efren Heise.
Other Notable Signings
P Tony 'Moo' Castillo, Pawtucket - In four seasons with Pittsburgh he was 61-47 with a 4.09 ERA. He has a great work ethic, is very smart, and is considered a 'sparkplug'.
P Fenton 'Clank' Soto, Washington - Like 'Moo', 'Clank' came into the BLB as an international free agent. Moo was from Panama and Clank came from Cuba and is now $67.5m richer after signing a five year deal with the Bats. He will be their closer from day one.
P Erik Miner, Pittsburgh - After cutting off negotiations last season everyone in Pittsburgh figured he was off to greener pastures. Contact was kept up with agent and he signed back with the Millers for $11.4m over three years. Last season he had 44 saves and a 2.87 ERA.
P Ian McManus, Pawtucket - In 2029 with Seattle he pitched 49.1 innings and was 4-2 with 19 saves and a 2.37 ERA. He was going to be a big part of Seattle's bullpen this season but tore his labrum in March and missed the entire 2030 season. He was not offered arbitration and signed with the Patriots for $9.48m over two years.
P Jamie Steele, Philadelphia - Steel and Jaime Stone make a great name game in Philly and last year with the Freedom he was 2-2 with a 4.01 ERA after coming over from Santo Domingo. Philly liked him so much they signed him again to a two year $10m contact.
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Five Things We Think We Think
1. Denver's payroll now sits at $220 million, almost $90 million more than 2nd place Philadelphia. They are projected to have a -$137 million dollar balance and will still have $200 million in players salaries on the books in 2032. After taking some criticism from other organizations their GM fired back with some choice words and has taken the "you just wait and see" approach. With a rotation of Hamada, Stokes, Shuai and Bernardi the Daily Keg might have been wrong in last years season predictions as this might be the year the BC take home the Brewmasters.
2. The Phoenix Roadrunners have taken over the rankings as the top minor league system in the BLB with third basemen Pat 'Melody' Nunes rated the #2 prospect overall. So this team won 74 games last year, added 14.2 WAR, and has the top system? Is an annual playoff contender being born in the desert?
3. Pat Goldsmith is the lone top pitcher still unsigned as ranked by the OSA. The 39 year old went 9-14 with a 3.33 ERA for Baltimore last season in 32 game started. Drafted with the 1st overall pick of the 2012 draft the ageless one has won 208 games over his career, tied for 21st all-time in the BLB.
4. The off-season has been a time for healing for many players. As mentioned earlier McManus will pitch for the 1st time since 2029. Some other guys on the mend are Bill Roman and Alex Martinez, both for Montreal. Roman was traded to the Exports and 11 days later was lost for 10 months. He should be back around opening day. Martinez tore a ligament in his elbow in late September and and still has another six months to recover and will miss most of the season, but could return for a playoff push.
5. Welcome back LA Dino's outfielder Tom Seikmann. After being drafted with the 22nd overall pick of the 2028 draft he retired to pursue football and missed the entire 2030 season. Realizing that baseball was his first love he is back and ready to play. Look for him to start at A ball for LAD and work his way up as he will be extremely rusty and missed out on developing his fielding while gone.
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