The Daily Jumper - 2032
Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2020 8:09 pm
Meet the 2032 Coqui, Same as the 2031 Version
It was a quiet offseason for the Coqui. But whose to argue that returning pretty much the same lineup that won the PEBA Championship is a bad strategy? So, as with the last couple years, fans should expect heavy platooning.
“Always good to have new blood but then maybe we will bond that much more too,” said General Manager Mike Best. “We did try to re-tool some but finances and options just didn’t pan out.
After looking at second basemen, Boxcar Gonzales was eventually re-signed. Since moving to second upon arrival in San Juan two years ago, Boxcar has had 4.9 range and a +14.1 ZR. That, and that he is entering his prime at 27, gave him the edge over others available.
The team also sought potential DHs, lefty and righty, and discussed bringing in a star outfielder (thus moving Mike Rose to DH) but nothing materialized.
The team was hampered by low trade interest for veterans Luis Bonilla and Dmitri Hill, both of whom tie up money. Bonilla, at $14.75 million, mostly platooned last season although he had a headline grabbing postseason. Hill is essentially $10.5 million insurance for oft-injured Roberto Salazar but not a bad option considering he was an all-star two years ago. When he hit .349 in the postseason after a middling performance post-midseason trade, the team grew warmer on keeping him. Word is San Juan did have an appealing offer for Bonilla from a Sovereign League team but didn’t pull the trigger fast enough.
The only new offensive face is Valentin Nieto, claimed off waivers from Havana Dec. 13. Nieto is happy because he was sent to his home country - the Dominican Republic - where Santo Domingo (AAA) plays but the Coqui will give the 25-year old a shot at that potentially open outfield slot. He has a career .393 on-base percentage and 233 stolen bases in the minors.
One area San Juan would like to have improved was starting pitching. The team has mostly relied on a deep staff of number-three type guys. But the feeling is there is an outside chance one of those in waiting at AAA might be that guy. If not, the team has sufficient depth to go with the five hottest arms.
That said, two Rule 5 hurlers were brought in mainly to get a look in spring training. Silvio Bolt is a 28-year old career minor leaguer who is 27-14, 2.75 in three AAA seasons, primarily as a starter.
“Kid deserves a chance,” says Best.
The other is Gennaro Averlino, a 23-year old former international bonus baby. According to scouts Averlino not only alerady has big league stuff but possesses an elite slider and change-up. Control and the long ball are said to be his weaknesses.
“We felt those were mostly projections,” Best said of the shortcomings. “The stats didn’t jibe with the reports so we want to take a closer look at him. He did throw a perfect game in A-ball three years ago and then got buried there but had a fast rise last season so he might be ready.”
Pitching slots will be scarce in San Juan so both need to impress to make the squad.