Ghosts Punting on 38?

[Ghosts]

Niihama, Japan – 19 July, 2038

The Ghosts, just two months after acquiring him, have dealt star 3B Yosuke Morimoto to the Reno Zephyrs. What’s more, they have included SP Carmelo Lamberti in the deal, acquiring more of the front office’s favorite buzzword – “future value” – for the pair of all-stars. Over the course of June, the Ghosts lost 14 of 27, posting a losing record as the Wind Dancers flurried to a massive 10 game lead in the division. As of this moment, the Ghosts are 9 games back of the division, and hold a thin lead in a wide open Wild Card race. Perhaps the Niihama management believes the team is safe, given the league’s expansion of the playoffs to include a third Wild Card, but it’s hard to believe they didn’t take a step back on the season.

Morimoto brought substantial fanfare along with his hardware, and contract. He was an instant hit with fans, replacing Roberto Tall in what appeared to be perhaps the finest infield in baseball. “Gigantor” Zambrano, “The Celestial Jaguar”, and the platoon of “Ghost” and Santiago Aranda at 1B complimented Morimoto. The short-lived Morimoto era was exciting on paper, but for any number of reasons, didn’t translate into many wins. With the move, Gilberto Fernandez will play 1B against righties, allowing Aranda to play at 3B. Meanwhile, “Reezy” Mori will take Fernandez’s DH spot and attempt to replace the bat of “Tofu” Morimoto. The former first round pick has been crushing AAA pitching with a .303/.352/.484 line in 315 PAs. The 23-year-old will be making his second appearance in Niihama, after going 10 for 40 with 4 2Bs and 1 HR during a recent stint while Harold Stowe recovered from a concussion. Time will tell if Reezy can ease the sting of Morimoto’s departure.

Meanwhile, the Lamberti era is also at a close in Niihama. In 1.5 seasons, Lamberti never really reached the peak that was promised. It was hoped that Lamberti would be the dominant righty that the team lacked behind lefties Leith and Valdez. Instead, Lamberti held down a spot, but never reached an elite level of play. He accumulated 5.7 WAR, however, pitching steadily while limiting HRs, free passes, and pitching deep into games regularly. Lamberti is currently 3rd in the SL in K/BB and WHIP, and 4th in BB/9. If he can maintain those numbers, or finally reach that peak scouts believe he can, he may help usher in Reno’s 4th division title.

In Niihama, however, questions remain. “Sub-Zero” Murakami has once again been removed from the rotation, and Hector Trejo has been recalled after a disappointing debut – a 6.35 ERA in 6 games and a start. His AAA season has gone much more smoothly, however, as he’s posted a 2.97 ERA in 14 appearances including 11 starts. The Ghosts will allow Trejo to earn a spot in the rotation first as he is slated to start against Yuma on Wednesday.

It should be hoped that the Niihama faithful take to this move generously, and the wins keep pace, as attendance and revenue are both down already this season.