March 18, 2018  – Gloucester  

The news may become official by the time this blog is published, but the word is that the F’men have the inside track on signing free agent slugger Carlos Guerera. This would appear to be a major switch in philosophy for Gloucester management, who have consistently let high-priced players leave for richer teams. Paired with 2B/3B Chris Holmes, the F’men have now invested nearly $28 million for 2018 in the right side of their infield. Why the switch in philosophy?

“It’s simple,” (this from GM Paul Moots), “we let people move on that we felt were not going to help us get back to the top. Carlos and Chris should give us much more offense than we got from their positions in the past, and Chris, especially, is a great defender. The time is right for us to make a considered gamble on these two salaries. As painful as last year was, it was necessary to make this year possible. Most of our pitching staff and our outfielders will have manageable salaries for the next couple of years – we can hold the bulk of this team together for at least those two years in order to take a shot at getting back to the PEC. Once that window closes, we’ll have to make some tough decisions, but for now, we think we are legit contenders.”

Of course, all this depends on two players in their thirties reaching expectations, consistency from the pitching staff, a healthy season, etc. etc.  We’ll see.

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Speculation continues about the sudden retirement of Gloucester’s former manager,  Bob Howard.  At least one source inside the front office suggests that loyalty – or the lack of it – might be behind Howard’s retirement.

“Look at how many of that squad are gone,” the insider pointed out. “So many of the guys who won the title are playing elsewhere or out of the league altogether. Bob felt terrible that so many who made that win possible – Kurt (Thornton), especially – got no loyalty from the guys at the top.”

Howard could not be reached for comment.

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Just how much turnover has there been from the 2015 champs? Only four remain from the championship pitching staff: SP Manuel “Mayor” Corona, SP Cristo Santiago, MR David Rivera, and CL Jim Ratzlaff. As for the “everyday” players, the turnover has been even more: SS George Arias, LF/DH Mark “A-Jo” Adams, and 1B/3B Reynaldo Estrada are the only three who remain. Is there another team in the PEBA with that kind of turnover – especially a successful team? Perhaps Howard has a point.