Today in the CBO
News and Notes - Reports from around the Commonwealth
by Nat Wright-Kowalski
18 August 2296 - Rumors Galore Out of Brotherhood League
Teams have not made the full switch to the offseason, yet rumors are swirling around the Brotherhood League for teams looking to make changes.
The Brotherhood League was one of the more competitive leagues in the entire Commonwealth Baseball Organization. Last place County Crossing finished 12 games back of league winner Finch Farm. That was the closest of all last place teams. Even going into the final weekend of the season, four of the six teams had legitimate playoff shots.
Perhaps the competitiveness in the Brotherhood League made it the best league overall and that is why the teams there are not waiting to announce their intentions, even if they have yet to hire a full front office or coaching staff for their clubs.
Here is what we have heard:
The Bloodbugs blame their lack of victories entirely on their lack of offense, noting that outfielders Mushy Levy and Tom Mastodon were the only two players to consistently produce. They are looking to move a pitcher for a goo bat, but they also said that they would not consider dealing Front Porch Potter unless a bat they could not resist was offered.
On the flip side of that equation, The Slog may be in the playoffs, but they feel their pitching did not help them and may lead to an early exit in the playoffs. Apparently manage Mack O'Shea is often upset at pitching performances. We're not sure who would be on the trade block should they lose out in the playoffs, but Po Greenzone, Millioncap Go, Lernz Tentsleep, and C.T. Woodard were their most effective producers on offense. Players like Boots Yellowhair and Stoop Bugwing were productive, too, meaning the Ghouls can be in a good position to improve their pitching while not hurting their top-ranked BL offense.
Nordhagen Beach has had the worst luck with pitching, especially when pitching with late leads. The Party Boys led the CBO in blown saves with 12. They converted only 10 saves on the season, which is the lowest in the CBO. One would think they would move anyone to get a true closer. Six different pitchers had at least one blown save. Sia Abber had the most saves (5) and the most blown saves (4). Ray Human, who was traded to Quincy, was the most successful, earning three saves in three opportunities. That trade was a head-scratcher since Human, who wished to be a starting pitcher, was probably the best closer the Party Boys could have.
The final rumor involves Salem and shortstop Sean Koester. We are not sure why, but there are rumors that his defensive production was the reason despite his good offensive numbers. The 7th-round pick was second in the Brotherhood League in total errors behind Nordhagen Beach third baseman Tommy Talkington. Koester also made some critical errors that could have led to a few more late-season victories for the Witch Hats. The Witch Hats lost to The Slog in a playoff play-in game. Koester did not make an error in that game, but some of those other victories would have meant no end-of-season tie.