Palm Springs looming decisions

[Codgers]

The Palm Springs Codgers made some aggressive moves in an attempt to be more competitive this season. GM Rob Sullivan has completely revamped the roster since taking over improving the talent level of the roster across the board. The Codgers have put together three months of winning baseball after two disastrous months to start the season. April and May the Codgers were a combined 18-34, June, July and August has seen a rebound in fortune to a combined record of 43-33. With 34 games to play the Codgers are pushing hard to reach the .500 mark but a 1-4 week has then 6 games under .500.

While the short term goal of reaching .500 is a nice stepping stone for the struggling franchise, it is just that - a stepping stone on the path to a PEBA Championship.

GM Rob Sullivan is going to have some interesting decisions leading into the offseason. Here is a quick look at some of those pending roster decisions.

C Antonio Mesegue: The veteran catcher was brought in at the deadline in an effort to solidify the catching position. Since arriving in Palm Springs Mesegue has done very little to earn a contract extension for 2040. The 33 year old catcher is hitting a paltry .170 with a .222 OBP for the Codgers. The veteran brings leadership intangibles to the club but his asking price of $10.4MM over 4 years is a lot to ask for an offensively challenged catcher. The Codgers also brought in rookie C Samuel Batterham who was recently rewarded with more playing time down the stretch to gauge his long term value to the team. On a small sample size, Batterham is hitting .286 with a .312 OBP. If he is able to maintain that level of productivity it does not look good for Mesegues chances of resigning with the team.

Prediction: He gone

INF Vasil Albers: Albers was brought over in a trade with New Orleans for a 3rd round pick to bring depth to the infield. Since arriving Albers has been one of the more productive infielders for the Codgers. He is a good defender at three infield positions with second base being his best position. He has hit .265 with a .319 OBP since arriving who starting at second. Albers is arbitration eligible and his current arbitration estimate is $8MM. Complicating things for Albers return is the emergence of INF Javier Cervantes who had a breakout season in AAA (.368 with a .407 OBP) and while not quite the defender Albers is, he is more than adequate at the same positions and offers more on the offensive side of things. Cervantes will be a September call up and given an opportunity to seize the role currently held by Albers

Prediction: Things aren't looking good but there is a path for him to return

Bottom of the rotation: The Codgers top three starting pitchers are set for the foreseeable future. Yamamoto, Yamaguchi and McCoy are the centerpieces in which the franchise is currently building around. SP Nate Comyn has exceeded expectations as the #5 starter throwing 153 innings with a 3.24 ERA while going 9-11 so far on the season. The final spot in the rotation is up for grabs and has been a battle between lefthander Brendon Cardenas and veteran righthander Ryan Tate. Both have held their own at times and been a raging dumpster fire at others. Cardenas is signed through 2040 at a very reasonable $3MM with a team option for 2041 while Tate is a pending free agent and will not return. The Codgers have a host of internal solutions in Brant Haines, Hyun-Seung Kim, Ramon Morales, Alex Sanchez, Angel Reyna and Sergio Melendres. Sanchez, Reyna and Melendres will be called up in September to state their case for a 2040 spot in the rotation.

Prediction: Comyn and Melendres will be given every opportunity to seize the job. Don't discount the chances of a veteran free agent coming in for one of the two rotation spots.

Offense: In a search for offense the Codgers added some veteran bats at the deadline in hopes of finding some offense for a team that struggles to score runs. Veterans Stephen Hoopers (free agent), Leonard Inman (waivers), Antonio Canseco (trade) were veterans were brought in hoping to catch fire and bring the Codgers offense to an average level. So far the results have been mixed leaning towards underwhelming. Canseco has been the lone bright spot thus far hitting .303 with a .338 OBP with 7 home runs since his arrival. Hooper has hit 2 homeruns to go with a .222 batting average and .300 OBP since joining the team while Inman has moved into his DH spot since arriving.

Prediction: Canseco and Inman return, Hopper retires. Look for a big free agent signing or possibly two.

The Codgers will continue to be aggressive in their quest to rebuild the roster. The easy part of building an average PEBA roster is complete. The more daunting task of turning an average team into a contender is at hand. In addition to filling the remaining holes, look for the Codgers to attempt to bring in a couple impact players this offseason through trades and free agency.