9/25/2008: New Orleans, LA – Three is a magic number, yes it is!!!

Actually the magic number is 1 for the playoffs.  Don’t forget the Bureaucrats are only 2 games behind the Pan-Atlantic division leading New Jersey Hitmen.  With just 6 games to go, the season finishes with a road trip against New Orleans and San Antonio.  The series against the Trendsetters should be a playoff preview.  New Orleans has dominated with 9 wins and just 3 losses.

The week was a great success with 6 wins and 2 losses.  Outfielder Travis Bunch was the star hitter of the week, batting .407 with 9 runs, 2 home runs and 5 RBIs.  Outfielder Jesús Suárez belted the ball with .364 average, 3 home runs and 11 RBIs.  Outfielder Larry Hoskins and third-baseman Kiril Nijenboer were very strong as well.  Starting pitcher Ronald Workman won his league leading 18^th game.  Tough luck starter Armando Pineda threw a one-hit shutout on September 23^rd.  Peter Goodwin saved 3 games to increase his lead on saves.  He now has saved 40 out of 44 games this season.

With all the good news, the Bureaucrats are facing some tough financial decisions this off-season.  What do they need to sign closer Peter Goodwin long term?  The 28-year-old newcomer has been incredible and will most likely get an incredible contract.  Travis Bunch has a team option at $7.22 million that might not get picked up.  Part time infielder Pablo Souza is a luxury that might not be affordable next year.

All financial decisions hinge on DH Ernest Cunningham.  Age has not been kind to the 38-year-old veteran.  Cunningham played only 88 games last year, mainly at third.  This season he has been able to bat only and play 117 games.  Unfortunately, the numbers are not kind (23.0 VORP last year versus 6.5 this year).  These numbers do not warrant a $9.3 million salary.  Maybe retirement is in the air.  Or maybe he finds some kindness in his heart and walks away from his player option.  A Planetary Extreme Championship could have a lot to say about this.