The Scotsman: Claymores improve but miss playoffs again

[Claymores]

Claymores improve but miss playoffs again

Missing the playoffs six straight seasons is nothing to be proud of, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. The Claymores Pitching and Defense once again anchored the team, and helped improve the previous seasons win total by eight games. If the Claymores can improve their win total by eight again next year, fans can expect to be playing meaningful games in September battling for a playoff spot.

As the PEBA moves past winter meetings, fans have been debating at their local pubs what the Claymores need to do to reach the goal of eight or more wins than last season. Understandably, the primary focus has to start at creating more runs. The Claymores at the back of the IL in nearly every offensive category, so the optimist would say it's hard to do that again. The pessimist would point out that running the same roster out there again would end up with similar results.

The Niihama-Shi Ghosts and Claymores agreed to terms on a trade that helped address areas both teams were looking to improve during the offseason. The major pieces of the trade involved RP Herb Williams going to the Ghosts and prospect 3B Juan Ramos back to the Claymores. Ramos may get a shot in Spring Training to crack the Opening Day Roster, but appears to be a solid option in the future at 3B.

As free agency opened up, OF Paul Oglethorpe was targeted as a player that could add some much needed power to the lineup. The Claymores team leader in home runs last season had 14 total home runs, while "Bananas" had 32. Some may question the amount offered to Oglethorpe, but it's hard to really question a three year contract at $8.5 mil per year with the third year as a team option. The Oglethorpe signing is just one piece of a much larger puzzle, and GM Sean Bain had this to say about the rest of the offseason.

"We're definitely not done tweaking this roster, and have time before Opening Day to address areas we want to improve. We look forward to showing our fans that their support is appreciated and that we are not rebuilding anymore. We are no longer running a lineup out there of players that are only elite defenders. Our pitchers deserve better run support and so do our fans."

[Claymores]

The Scottish Claymores remained active with another three free agent signings this past week, adding to an offense that is in much need of improvement.

1B/DH Carlos Saenz was the first to reach agreement with the Claymores this week on a one year deal at $1.4 mil. Saenz is a power hitting veteran that mashes against LHP and looks to slot in as the DH against them this season. GM Sean Bain had this to say to the media outside The Castle.

"Saenz provides veteran leadership and fills avoid we've had against LHP. He's a guy we can count on coming off the bench when we need some power off the bench too."

The Claymores added to the other side of their DH platoon with the signing of veteran OF Stephen Hooper on a two year deal (2nd year team option) at $3.6 mil per season. GM Sean Bain emphasized the importance of adding a player like Hooper to a team with a lot of youth.

"We made a lot of calls around the league asking if the media reports about Hooper's leadership were true, and they all confirmed that they were. He's the type of guy that is cool under pressure and leads by example. Hooper is going to be put in a situation where he plays everyday against RHP and will come off the bench when we need his bat late against LHP. We want to make sure he's in a situation where his at bats aren't being wasted."

Veterans and bats could be a nice and short way to summarize the Claymores moves this week but what fun would that be? The final signing of the week was the addition of 3B Harley Schneider. The three time champion and three time all-star inked a two year deal(2nd year team option) at $4.4 mil per year. 3B was a revolving door for many years for the Scottish, so for GM Sean Bain it was a priority to provide Manager Sergio Manetti with a player he could plug in the lineup everyday.

"Sergio and I joined the club the same year, but he was hired by the previous GM. I made it a priority to sit down with him on my first day, and just get to know him. His family and community involvement really stood out and we didn't even talk baseball until after a few beers. I asked him what he needed to turn this thing around, and his big thing was bringing in some veterans that could show this young guys how to win. So we sat down again after the season was over and identified players we thought still had the ability to contribute, and were able to get three guys that were on the list."

Analysts around league seem to view the moves as low risk with the potential to spark an offense that has been dormant for years.

[Claymores]

True to his word, GM Sean Bain wasn't done retooling the Claymores roster and used the PEBA Rule V draft to continue that process.

Before we dive into the additions to the roster, the Claymores did lose AAA RP Jose Espinosa to the Okinawa Shisa. Espinosa at times has shown promise, but the Claymores expect him to rejoin the organization at some point later this season.

The Claymores added 5 players via the Rule V draft to help provide hitting depth and competition in Spring Training.

2B David Wilson was drafted in the first round from the Palm Springs Codgers organization. Wilson looks to be a player that can compete for at bats at 2B and provides additional depth on the bench.

RF Aaron Jenkins was taken in the second round also from the Palm Springs Codgers organization. Jenkins can play both corner outfield spots and appears to be in contention for one of the OF bench spots this season.

1B Gerardo Casillas was selected in the third round from the Yuma Arroyos organization. Casillas was selected to compete for playing time at 1B, but became expendable once the Scots decided 1B Rob Woodard was ready for everyday at bats at the PEBA level.

2B/OF Xin-Fang She was selected in the fourth round from the West Virginia Alleghenies organization. She is expected to compete for at bats and a roster spot at the 2B position.

1B/3B Gregg Vasquez was selected with the fifth and final selection by the Scottish from the Kalamazoo Badgers organization. Vasquez was brought in to provide additional depth at 1B/3B but was returned shortly after the signing of 3B Harley Schneider.