by Scott Plack

2/1/2020 New Orleans, LA – In some cases, no news is good news. After a long period of speculation and rumor it seems that the home run king is returning to New Frontier Park and will continue to pile on long bombs to his historic total. In an offseason filled with memorable ups and downs and changes the Trendsetter first baseman found himself in the middle of a media storm after responding strongly to the suggestion of a drop in talent leading to a drop in the batting order. Some sources even pointed to the idea of him being traded to Kawaguchi after he was seen visiting their facilities, just last month.

However, shortly after the visit Kawaguchi head man Higgins responded to the idea with the following quote, “”I can make trades happen. But to move Morimoto, it is probably going to take someone who walks on water.” He added later, “Odds of Morimoto playing for Kawaguchi……..35.3 million to 1.”

Why then was Morimoto at the Kawaguchi facility. Apparently, he was visiting friend, and former teammate Mike Harrison. Harrison was released by the Trendsetters after pitching out of the bullpen since 2015. “I promised Mike I would buy him some sushi when I heard he had been picked up by Kawaguchi. In turn, he showed me around the facilities,” Morimoto later clarified by email.

Despite denying the suggestion that the Trendsetters were looking to move on without Morimoto, Tanner picked up another first base/designated hitter type. The timing of the move seemed to signal that Morimoto was headed elsewhere. However, it seems that the Trendsetters are content to see both Heard and Morimoto in the lineup on a regular basis. Other sources, wishing to remain anonymous after Tanner issued a gag order from the organization on the situation, have indicated that Morimoto (after playing in every game last year) will most likely not see any regular starting time against left handed pitchers. He managed a .162 batting average, and just six of his 33 home runs. If that is true, then manager David Parks  would have one of the greatest power hitters in the PEBA as a pinch hitter to torment right handed relievers in the latter part of games.

While the relationship remains rocky, it seems that the Trendsetters are not yet willing to let Morimoto go. Skeptics wonder if this distraction will carry on through spring training and into the early season, as feuds between management and players so often do. Either way, it seems Spring Training will be anything but boring in Trendsetter camp!