2059.09: Rummaging Bears - Outfielders

[BaseClogger]

3/7/2059


As they rummage a campsite some Bears find picnic baskets while others are shooed away.

Sure-Fire Locks
LF Jose Romero, CF Sonny Bigalow, RF Tommy Harrison, DH Don Moore, LF Tynan Rose

Another San Fernando position group without a lot of suspense. Five spots in the outfield are locked up, starting with their most recent free agent signing, Jose Romero. Romero will move over from right field where he played last season in Madison to left field for the Bears. Romero signed a 1 year, $9.5M contract on the strength of accruing at least 3.0 WAR 9 of the past 11 years. Center field will be patrolled by our big trade acquisition at last season’s deadline, Sonny Bigalow. He really struggled after joining the Bears, batting .157/.245/.281. We don’t expect much batting average but he’s gotta hit more than 2 home runs ever 89 ABs to be productive in Chico Bail Bond’s Field. We know the power is there since he hit 33 home runs for Des Moines before the trade. Harrison and Moore took steps back last year and we’d just be happy if their production could settle somewhere between the highs of 2057 and the lows of 2058. Tynan Rose made himself a roster lock by abusing left-handed pitching and batting .358/.406/.599 overall.

Near Locks
CF Mick Scott

Mick Scott had an eventful 2058. He signed a minor league contract (major league option) with San Fernando before getting scooped up by Charlotte in the rule 5 draft. Charlotte eventually returned Scott even though he managed to play above replacement-level at a difficult position to field. Most of his value comes from his 9 outfield range and the fact he's still young enough that lumping is unlikely. He could platoon in a corner with Romero or Harrison. It won't offer much offense but would greatly benefit the San Fernando pitching staff.

Trying to Break-In
CF Miguel Montero, CF Fareed bin Sa'eed

A couple 26 year-olds give the Bears depth in center field. Montero looked like part of the Bears’ future after breaking camp with the team in 2057, hitting .258/.311/.358 and playing steady defense. Then 2058 happened: Montero nose-dived, OPSing .520 before tearing his UCL. He’s healthy now but has a lot to prove to make it back to San Fernando. Fareed bin Sa’eed was claimed off waivers from Yellow Springs last year because he has 9 outfield range. That’s great, but he’s going to be challenged to produce offensively in AAA or he’s likely to be DFA’d to make room on the 40-man roster so we can add one of the youngsters below.

Breaking in the Back Door
CF Lorenz Spee, LF Roberto Delgado, LF Keith Tims

Lorenz Spee’s lump from 9 to 8 outfield range was one of the more disappointing developments (or lack thereof) for San Fernando’s farm system in 2058. However, he continued to hit, once again posting an OPS over .800. He’s an injury to one of the other center fielders and a DFA of bin Sa’eed away from getting his call to the show. Another young Brooks outfielder in the mix in spring training is 22 year-old Roberto Delgado. He’s not great at anything but he can hit and play defense in either corner and already got a taste of AAA last season. Keith Tims was awesome last year across the A and AA levels of the minors but with the veterans in front of him and Delgado one step ahead on his minor league journey Tims looks all but guaranteed to head to AAA Brooks.