Abrupt End to Gonzo-era

The Brooklyn Moabs have announced that the organization needs some changes. Brooklyn is under-.500, which ownership has sought to make a thing of the past. Yet to make matters worse, the Moabs are ten games behind sibling rival Worcester entering game day 37. So changes are justified.

What has changed is the manager. Fredi Gonzalez simply could not get the lineup going in Brooklyn. The pitching has been horrid and inconsistent. "Rarely have I seen my teams lose so many games by double-digits, while only scoring two runs," stated GM Eric Caskey. "The way we are losing isn't customary. In the past, the hitting has been there and its been a struggle to get through middle innings. As it appears, the starting pitching has been pathetic." Roy Oswalt has been anything but an ace. While young lefty hurler Jon Lester has looked good, the club is troubled by the number of walks. Three Moabs rank in the top 10 in walks, Lester, Ubaldo Jimenez, and Chris Volstad. The stat is interesting considering that Jimenez is a spot starter and a fill-in starter for Scott Baker. As a result, Caskey has hinted that Scott Baker, James Shields and Roy Oswalt need to step-up their games if they expect to stay in the rotation.

To replace Gonzalez, the Moabs have hired from outside the organization. Although the contract was expensive, as hinted by management but not disclosed, Mike Scioscia was hired to jumpstart the offense while patching together the pitching staff. Scioscia is known for his small ball approach to a designated hitter's league, which should fit the bill with the Moabs, which have desired to run more to put greater pressure on the defense.

Other changes include shuffling the lineup completely. In an attempt to help the defensive play behind the pitching staff, the organization has announced that Ty Wigginton's contract has been purchased from Triple A Flint Stones. Wigginton will serve a defensive replacement for 3B Miguel Cabrera as well as starting 3B when Howard or Cabrera is at 1B and DH.

Draft Day 2009: A Coup

"Simply a coup," stated GM Eric J. Caskey. "Our draft effort was tremendous. Scouting Director Dan Evans found what the Brooklyn Mobas have lacked as an organization since our BARB Championship that being power relievers." 

With seven of Brooklyn's thirteen selections, the Moabs selected power arms. Justin Masterson was selected with the 19th pick, followed by the 26th B supplemental selection of Ryan Perry. Both figure to aid the bullpen this season with Masterson in competition with Matthew Lindstrom for the primary setup man. But the Moabs did not stop there. In addition to Masterson and Perry, Brooklyn drafted southpaws Daniel Schlereth, Nick Hagadone, Jose Mijares and Jeremy Affeldt. Again, Schlereth, Mijares and Affeldt figure to serve the bullpen prominently. Schlereth and Mijares will open in Triple A Flint and serve as a disastrous one-two punch in the Stone's pen. Hagadone had Tommy John surgery in the off-season; yet, the club deemed fit to select him in the latter rounds. He has made tremendous progress and could be ready at full strength by June. Affeldt will battle Manny Parra to become the primary lefty specialist, however, club insiders have hinted at the fact that Affeldt could do much more. "We see Affeldt getting everyone out. He might start, get lefties out, and also close ballgames. he was a superb selection by Evans and Caskey," stated Manager Fredi Gonzalez.

Brooklyn selected an additional reliever, future closer Joshua Fields. Fields has a rocket for an arm with an absolutely wicked slider. He could be in Brooklyn in September, if not earlier. The team has the highest expectations.

Relievers were not the only position selected by the Moabs. The club's first selection was flamethrower Neftali Feliz. Like Fields, Feliz has a devastating slider. But what makes the slider so devastating is the 100 mph fastball that is thrown with absolute effortless arm action. Although Feliz is not expected to contribue in Brooklyn this season, but is certainly a shining star in the system. Additionally Aaron Poreda was selected as a power lefty starter to help add the system's lack of southpaws. Poreda, who can hit 100 mph with ease, has had issues with his command. For that reason, the organization has discussed the possibility of turning Poreda into a BJ Ryan like closer. But, for the foreseeable future, Poreda will continue as a starter developing his off-speed pitches.

Position players were also selected. Shortstop Jed Lowrie will make the most impact this season. He will start situationally at thirdbase and around the infield, especially to spell the recooperating Chase Utley. Also, the Moabs gave up compensation to acquire speedster Shane Victorino. Victorino will fill in for the departed Jay Bruce (a story for another day). While BJ Upton is on the disabled list following off-season surgery on his shoulder, Victorino will play centerfield and leftfield with Jacoby Ellsbury, Jermaine Dye, Lastings Milledge, and Cameron Maybin all contributing. Lowrie and Victorino were selected among Nick Noonan and Brett Wallace. Both of whom have bright futures with the ballclub but are not expected to contribute this season in BARB. 

Perhaps what GM Caskey is most thrilled about was Evan's efforts behind the plate. Although the team has hardly a weakness behind the plate with All-Star Brian McCann and Jarrod Saltalamacchia, the team wanted to add catching depth. "Every championship caliber ballclub has catching depth," stated Caskey, "And if we are meant to be a contender, then we needed to be no different." The team added prospects JP Arencibia and Jason Castro. Although at this stage, neither will contribute to the Moabs this season, Arencibia is far more advanced. He will be the everyday catcher in Flint and should be able to get promoted in September. Castro, on the other hand, whose game resembles that of a lefthanded Russell Martin, will be one of the team's highest ceiling players.

Overall, the Moabs effort addressed the team's lack of depth in the bullpen. It added two potential aces and several potential closers. The hole, known as thirdbase, was also addressed with Jed Lowrie and Brett Wallace. Catching depth is no longer the team's concern. Ultimately, the team's effort will depend on the organizations progression back to the playoffs and in a deep run.

Next Season: A Petition

Brooklyn's front office has decided to petition the league's office in the off-season to do away with the 40 man roster. If a limit by the league is desired, then Caskey proposes a 35 man limit. The 35 roster would mean that only 35 players can contribute to the big league club. Anyone over 35 men would be kept for the keeper aspect of BARB. All players would still count against the $110 salary cap. The 35 man roster is sufficient to compensate for injuries, but doesn't hamper the keeper aspect that makes BARB so special. A major league organization has the majority of their players off of the 40 man roster, and only players on the 40 man roster can be placed on the 25 man roster.

The biggest reason is the injuries that Brooklyn has experienced this season. Despite being an atypical season, hopefully, the injuries have hampered BRooklyn's ability to compete. Having a half dozen or more prospects means that Brooklyn only has a couple of slots open. Consequently there was little the front office could do but sell for the future.

As for the 35 man roster, which is to be declared at the beginning of the season, it can be altered during the season. UNless a player is dealt or released, he must remain on the 35 man roster. Players not placed on the 35 man roster must only be prospects without a major league rating that qualifies them as eligible in BARB standards for both pitchers and hitters.

Example would be Cameron Maybin. He does not qualify for eligibility for Brooklyn despite brief experience in the majors; therefore, wouldn't be mandated to be placed on the 35 man roster. But, had he played with Florida since the All-Star break, he would have been eligible. In order for Brooklyn to utilize his talents, the front office would have to deal or cut a man on the 35 man roster. Maybin would need to be on the 35 man roster to be used on the 25 man roster.

The petition will occur at the League's Winter Meetings. It is a change that many owners have stated as necessary as a direct result of the 40 man roster.

In a series of moves, the Moabs have acquired Carlos Carrasco, Christopher Marrero, Lastings Milledge, Mark Teahen, and four players to be named at a later date. Without compromising the names of the PTBNs, Brooklyn is positive that these deadline deals for bench and bullpen arms will cement Brooklyn a playoff spot next season.

The Logic

Well all that is the beauty of a league that determines which owners are taking expansion teams before the deadline. Brooklyn management, on one hand, is not taking an expansion team and is firmly implanted in the league and organization's future. On the other hand, the other set of brothers and another league official (although has been very silent to his credit) are taking expansion teams next season. What does this mean?

It means that Yuma and Lexawhatchacallits can sacrifice the future for the present. SO, a team like Brooklyn, who is invested beyond the year must make a decision to compete in the Arm's Race or acquire future talents that will be unestablished and dangerous next season.

The latter is exactly what Brooklyn management decided was necessary for livelihood. "Could we have competed and traded the like of Cameron (Maybin), CHris (Coghlan), Volstad, Ross (Detwiler), and Elvis (Andrus)? Yes. Instead we decided to pack it in, since we need to jump three teams for the East lead and 3 teams for the Wild Card (hint: the WC is not coming from the Central!!!)," said GM Eric Caskey. "So now while others are rebuilding with current, and need-to-be protected talent, Brooklyn can look to the future and realize that for next season, the East will look up at Brooklyn and so will the rest of the league, duh."

It was a strategic move to sacrifice this season. "We apologize to the fans and beg for their support. After all we can still score runs, we haven't traded starting pitching that has contributed this season, nor have we mortgaged the future, while strengthening it," exalted Caskey. "It will come down to the bullpen and our ability to catch the ball. And I guarantee if we fall out of it, we will be dreaded to play against down the stretch for others searching playoff spots."

State of Affairs: Brooklynites

The injury bug has ripped apart the Moabs. Chien-Meng Wang and Adam Wainwright have joined Scott Baker and Fausto Carmona on the disabled list. Although Baker is within days of being back and Wainwright is out for only 3 starts, Wang may be out the rest of the season. In fact, Wang may be in a cast for the next six weeks.

GM Eric Caskey has said that the Moabs are not counting on Wang contributing this season. So, Brooklyn has purchased the contract of lefty starter Scott Olsen. Olsen will likely be the long man until the arm gets streched out.

Meanwhile, the Brookln rotation features four BARB rookies: Ubaldo Jimenez, Micah Owings, Manny Parra and Scott Baker. All four are expected to fill in and compete for a long-term position in the rotation once Wainwright and Carmona return to the lineup. "It is a open competition in a sense. They need to keep in mind that they have the luxury of a great offense and a good fielding team behind them," said manager Bobby Cox. "We expect to compete every night and expect Oswalt to step it up a notch."

The bullpen does get a boost today with the activation of Mike Gonzalez from the disabled list. Gonzalez will get some late-inning duty and look to stabilize an exhausted staff.

13-12?

"Absolutely pathetic," said manager Bobby Cox.
Caskey has stated that the Moabs sought a fifth starter to fill into the rotation, but exclaimed that all the talent is now in the East. On paper, the Moabs have gone from a top 3 team to top 7, maybe, as the busy East GM's have been wheeling and dealing with the dumb desert. As for the next few weeks, Caskey and Cox have called up the starting rotation to go out there and "get it done." We need quality innings and we need timely hitting. "Just a couple of games ago, we had the highest scoring offense, but a barely above .500 record. THis means, someone isn't doing their job," said Caskey. "We need to start pitching unless they want to be moved."