2055.06: New Bears Debut on Opening Day

[BaseClogger]

4/1/2055

Rounding up all the Bears players on the 2055 Opening Day roster who didn't play for San Fernando in 2054.

P Tiernan 'O'Macken - I may have overcompensated on LHPs in my bullpen, but that's been a weakness since I took over. His age, low stamina, and splits means he'll probably only throw 50 innings as a specialist out of my bullpen.

C Felipe Delgado - I'm cheating my own rules because Delgado got 11 ABs in September 2054. He's going to be my primary catcher this year. He was great in AAA where he hit .340, he should be a defensive upgrade, and even his BBA career (7.8 WAR in 1,573 ABs) is solid production. Don't lump on me now.

C Rainer Scheffer - I've defended this guy on the forums so I'll take him on a cheapie deal to be my backup catcher.

2B Rashad bin Hadad - my rule 5 pick will be the short side of a platoon at 1B with Tyler Ober. He's *double-switch into-the-game defense-only* in the field at 2B. I had the flexibility to use this roster spot after the continued demise of Ken Donahue.

3B Tsuyoshi Kobayashi - perhaps my greatest need of the offseason was a starting 3B. My depth of RH backup infielders gave me a preference for a 3B who can bat left-handed, so its even better than Kobayashi is a switch-hitter. The return of the 2052 Kobayashi who hit 36 HRs for Charm City would go a long way to enhancing the middle of my order offensively.

2B Stepan Shabrov - Shabrov's been claimed off waivers four times in his career, and one of those instances--back in 2050--is one of the first transactions I remember making as a BBA GM. Alas, I tried to pass him thru waivers and he was claimed again. Having just turned 30, I hope Shabrov can maintain his profile as a contact-oriented, RH platoon utility man.

CF José Leyva - starting CF was another chief need this offseason. Leyva checks a few boxes for me in that he's a strong defender with at least 6 contact, and I wanted a RH hitter since I've run out of bench spots for platoon mates. The biggest concern is probably his age. He did produce a couple of 3.4 WAR seasons in the GBC.

RF Chris Thomas - in addition to needing a starting 3B and CF, the last major item on my offseason checklist was to add a big bat to the OF. Many veteran OFs departed my roster by the end of 2054 and other than upstart Jim Young there weren't many options internally. Thomas remained available long enough for his price to drop, and don't let the three years on his contract fool you--he can opt-out after the first year, and the last two years are team options.

CF Oscar Lewis - despite some offseason lumps I couldn't find any free agents I liked better for his bench role than Lewis. I claimed Oscar off waivers towards the end of the 2054 season and he never played a game because he was hurt. He'll get to start against RHP frequently so I can rest the veterans Leyva and Thomas.

[Dington]

Was strongly considering Kobayashi as Frosts’ replacement if I didn’t sign Mendoza, but whiffed all over this off-season.

[BaseClogger]

Was strongly considering Kobayashi as Frosts’ replacement if I didn’t sign Mendoza, but whiffed all over this off-season.

At least your already best-in-the-BBA farm system added a bunch of 16 year olds to its ranks!

[Dington]

Was strongly considering Kobayashi as Frosts’ replacement if I didn’t sign Mendoza, but whiffed all over this off-season.

At least your already best-in-the-BBA farm system added a bunch of 16 year olds to its ranks!

Lol I consider that the biggest whiff of all. Not even sure how that’s gonna play out in future years and if it will handcuff my future budgets.