As they do every off-season the Phoenix Speed Devils sign a big-name free agent veteran reliever. In the past several off-seasons they have become known for stockpiling star relievers.
And yet clearly this strategy has not proven successful as the Speed Devils have underachieved pre-season expectations the past three seasons.
One thing that is different this year is that the long-time anchor of the Phoenix bullpen, Pat Brooks, himself was a free agent and ended up signing with the Brooklyn Aces. The 36-year old Brooks had pitched his entire career with the Speed Devils and is a 6-time All-Star and 2-time MGL Reliever of the Year.
So the Speed Devils first big off-season signing is 35-year old Jason Bowman, himself the winner of the 1969 MGL Reliever of the Year award and a 2-time All-Star. In fact, the Speed Devils signed Bowman last off-season as well, to a hefty contract which they were able to void with a 13K buyout at the end of this most recently completed season. It was not a very successful 1973 for Bowman. But they chose to sign him again, though this time to a more modest 2-year contract.
The problem with Bowman though, other than his advanced age, is his personality. He is not well liked or well respected. He has the reputation of being a disruptive force on a team.
There is still a lot of off-season left for the Speed Devils to improve their team. But this does not seem like an auspicious start for a perennially disappointing ball club.