In Part 2 of this series, we’ll begin to take a deeper look into how the roster was constructed specifically on the everyday fielders side of the roster. For projecting future performance, we’ll be using OOTP Calculator (if you haven’t used this before, I highly recommend checking it out) and Statslab (Thanks Frank) in addition to our league file. I used the Cincinnati Reds Great American Ballpark for OOTP Calculator because it is similar to my Scottish Claymores The Castle, both being a HR friendly park.

Catchers

Francisque Coimbra – Much of Coimbra’s career has been as a AAAA player, or a backup catcher. His playing time will most likely be split here with his backup. He’s a solid defensive catcher, with plus Catcher Blocking and Framing skills. His career 162 game AVG in game shows him at 9 HR 57 RBI and a slash line of .212/.322/.344 with an OPS+ of 94. Coimbra has never been given much of a leash at the PEBA level, but we’re not seeking elite offensive production from this part of the lineup either.

Keegan Cooper – Cooper is another career AAAA/PEBA backup, but costs the league minimum. His career 162 game AVG shows him with 13 HR 57 RBI and a .224/.295/.335 with an OPS+ of 86. Cooper is another defensive first option that will split time with Coimbra.

Infield

1B Norberto Escamilla– Escamilla hasn’t played full-time in a few seasons, but for the all free agent team he’s playing everyday. If he can put up similar numbers to his 2037 season in Tempe, he’ll be a great value at 1B. In the 2037 season, he hit 25 HR 92 RBI and a slash line of .263/.392/.459 with an OPS+ of 135. Even if he’s trending down, he still put up an OPS+ of 129 in 2039.

2B Bang-Xao You– You might be one of my favorite low cost/high reward signings of the offseason by Palm Springs. You’s last opportunity for a full season of playing time came in 2037, and he put up 3.4 WAR. He’s a high contact, high stolen base guy that appears to have something left in the tank. I wouldn’t be using him at 1B all that much, but his position flexibility helps in a pinch.

3B Florian Antuofermo– Antuofermo fits the mold of the type of player we are looking for with this team. He’s had a few opportunities but hasn’t run with any of them for a long term role with a team. With his 9 arm, we are going to plug him in at the hot corner, and let him wreak havoc on the basepaths when he does get on. It’s odd that he doesn’t have a SB since 2037, and that run ends now.

SS Decheng Jia– Like catcher, we’re going defense first here and not spending $30 mil to do it (looking at you Gloucester). Jia put up a 13.6 ZR at AAA last season in 92 games (75 starts), and can provide elite level defense up the middle for this roster.

Outfield

LF Antonio Canseco– Canseco can play above average defense in the corner OF spots, and provides some power to our lineup. Canseco’s 33 but still has some life left in his bat, and for $1.4 mil I’ll gamble that he still has some life left. For his career 162 game average, Canseco has a 32 HR 98 RBI and a slash line of .255/.297/.491 with an OPS+ of 125. If Canseco gets anywhere close to that, he’s well worth the investment.

CF Francisco Rodriguez– Rodriguez isn’t going to win any gold gloves in CF but he’s more than sufficient there. Nice power/speed combo and just put up 3.5 WAR last season in K-zoo. $8.5 mil will be on the higher end of our individual player budget, but the options in CF are pretty thin.

RF Lorenzo Valdes– Valdes hasn’t been getting consistent at bats the past few seasons, and I don’t really understand it. I’m sure it was hard to get at bats in Temple last season, but still. He can hit both handed pitching. I’m guessing the contact is closer to 4 than it is to 6, and maybe his outspoken personality contributes some to how he’s been handled but $1.2 mil is cheap.

DH

DH Jose Cruz– Cruz is a player that used to be a Claymore and never seemed to produce up to his ratings. A change of scenery seemed to be a good thing in 2039 but he reverted back some in 2040. Some of that was the pitcher friendly park in Bakersfield, and I’m eagerly watching to see what he does this season in Kentucky. I like Cruz, and he can spell in the corner OF if a guy needs a day too. You could spend $3.2 mil in a lot worse ways than on Cruz.

Per Statslab, the average runs scored in the IL last year was 3.98 runs per game and 3.97 in the SL. In the comments, where does this primary lineup rate? League average? Below? Above? I’d love to get your thoughts in the comments.