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Death Valley Scorpions 92-70 (1st, Stout)
Lost in the Division Series 4-3 to PHI
Overview:
Since recovering from The Scandal and turning the corner in 2005, the Scorpions have made 6 playoff appearances, captured 4 Stout division titles, and won an average of 97 games a year. However, that success is yet to translate in the playoffs where they've lost in the Wild Card Round four times and the Division Series twice. Particularly painful is an 0-4 record in Game 7's with losses to BAT, CHI, and PHI (twice) in consecutive seasons.
The Plan:
On a sunny Saturday afternoon in late October, just after the loss to Philadelphia in Game 7, Death Valley owner David Miranda Jr. called a meeting of his top executives at the Aria Hotel. Overlooking the pool in true Vegas style, the team decided the best way to change their bad luck was to double down on the basics - a strong bullpen, better positional depth, and a re-focus on defense and player versatility.
Who's In?
MR Jonathon Burns (FA $1.2m)
CL Edgar Salazar (FA $1.5m)
SS Javier Villarreal (FA $2.0m)
CF Hector Gutierrez (Trade w/ LAD)
Who's Out?
IF Johnny Ingle (FA)
OF Dave Perkins (Trade w/ LAD)
OF Shaun Hague (FA)On a sunny Saturday afternoon in late October, just after the loss to Philadelphia in Game 7, Death Valley owner David Miranda Jr. called a meeting of his top executives at the Aria Hotel. Overlooking the pool in true Vegas style, the team decided the best way to change their bad luck was to double down on the basics - a strong bullpen, better positional depth, and a re-focus on defense and player versatility.
Who's In?
MR Jonathon Burns (FA $1.2m)
CL Edgar Salazar (FA $1.5m)
SS Javier Villarreal (FA $2.0m)
CF Hector Gutierrez (Trade w/ LAD)
Who's Out?
IF Johnny Ingle (FA)
OF Dave Perkins (Trade w/ LAD)
Pitching:
From his time rebuilding Hartford into Brewmaster's contender, to his rebuilding and rebranding of the Virginia Colonials into the Scorpions, GM Bob "umd" Smith has a reputation of assembling some of the best rotations in the BLB. The current iteration of Death Valley is no different.
Superstar Gil Brummett anchors a rotation that features Top 20 caliber starters in Robby English and Adrian Pulido, rising star Tyler Clarke, and emerging stars Dave Honea and Sid Bourne. The trend away from 6 man rotations hasn't influenced manager Steve Boyd and pitching coach Frank Kershner. They continue to preach about benefits that include the ability to create better match-ups, provide starters with a lighter workload, and ease the transition for young arms from AAA to the BLB.
With the rotation locked in for a second season, the Scorpions looked to bolster an already strong bullpen. Flexibility has always played a huge role in player personnel decisions, and the bullpen's makeover this offseason was no different.
The front office had two names at the top of their free agent board and came away with both. SP Jonathon Burns was signed immediately following a midnight doorstep meeting with Smith and Miranda. The two convinced the Brewmaster champion to move to the bullpen and bring his championship experiences with him. Just 5 days later the ink was dry on CL Edgar Salazar's deal, with the Scorpions selling the future HOF closer on pairing with another future HOF closer in RJ Manning to shut down opposing hitters.
Add in three more closer quality arms in Jamie Gruell, Danny Melgoza and Tom Bell, brilliant lefty specialist Pat Bryant, and established MR Jonathan Marrujo and the Scorpions are poised to lead the league in runs against.
Hitting:
In a fast moving deal, Death Valley quickly came to an agreement with the Los Angeles Dinos that sent RF Dave Perkins to California for CF Hector Gutierrez. The move solidified a CF position in turmoil in the wake of Colin Cash's decline and trade to Denver in the middle of last season. Gutierrez immediately anchors the clean-up spot in an improving line-up. Travis Anthony will return to the top of the order as an emerging star and franchise cornerstone. Tom Cole and Damian Dowling return in the #2 spot. Danny Salcedo and Masao Nara will bookend Gutierrez. Tony Garza takes over full time in LF, after having a breakout season. He joins the quiet and under appreciated Edgar Castillo adds power and experience to the backend of the line-up. Free agent IF Javier Villarreal joins IF Dave Sherrod to bolster the defense up the middle.
Rumors:
Despite all the positive spin coming out of the Scorpions front office, rumors continue to swirl that Robby English was about one phone call from being traded and that RJ Manning has been actively shopped because of his salary. It remains to be seen if the two actually change addresses, but it is something to watch early this season.
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