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Art Deco · 04-26-2024, 11:38 AM

We did make it to the LCS with a team that seemed to struggle for large sections of the season so I can't be too dissatisfied with 2031, although the memories of the bullpen blowing 9th-inning leads in 3 of the 4 losses will haunt me for a while.

On to 2032, and the big development is the end of the Wander Franco era in Tampa Bay as the star SS becomes a free agent. His final season with the Rays was a huge disappointment as he only earned 2.5 WAR, and as he entered his 30s he seemed to be a downslope as he was good for 4.3 WAR in 2030 after averaging a little over 6/season for the four years before that. We're also losing a pair of starters to free agency in Taj Bradley and Luis German but we still have four returning. Finally we say goodbye to Gunnar Henderson, who was supposed to be our rental star last season but got off to a miserable start and missed the second half of the year with injury so we barely knew him enough to miss him. Otherwise the team remains largely intact. Here's the salary situation:

I don't really see us non-tendering anyone above. Rather than do a position-by-position outlook that consists of mostly "so and so returns", I'll identify our areas of need. We should have around $20M to play with so no big splash signings but enough to fill some holes.

Catcher. Angel Rivera will be brought back at his arbitration price but I feel he's someone we can improve on so I'll be on the prowl for someone better to share the job with him than Cade Arrambide.

Shortstop. We already have Wander's heir apparent in the fold with Isaac Cedillos. While he won't hit like Wander he's a far superior defensive SS and stands a decent chance of meeting or exceeding the 2.5 WAR Franco put up last season.

Rotation. As mentioned we do have four starters returning. The fifth could be prospect Jaheim Lennon and lefty reliever Ryan Okuda has the ability to start as well.

Otherwise it's steady as she goes with amazingly the entire bullpen coming back; most seasons in most saves I usually need a arm or three but not this time around.

04-26-2024, 11:38 AM	#810
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,075	2031-32 Offseason: State of the Team We did make it to the LCS with a team that seemed to struggle for large sections of the season so I can't be too dissatisfied with 2031, although the memories of the bullpen blowing 9th-inning leads in 3 of the 4 losses will haunt me for a while. On to 2032, and the big development is the end of the Wander Franco era in Tampa Bay as the star SS becomes a free agent. His final season with the Rays was a huge disappointment as he only earned 2.5 WAR, and as he entered his 30s he seemed to be a downslope as he was good for 4.3 WAR in 2030 after averaging a little over 6/season for the four years before that. We're also losing a pair of starters to free agency in Taj Bradley and Luis German but we still have four returning. Finally we say goodbye to Gunnar Henderson, who was supposed to be our rental star last season but got off to a miserable start and missed the second half of the year with injury so we barely knew him enough to miss him. Otherwise the team remains largely intact. Here's the salary situation: I don't really see us non-tendering anyone above. Rather than do a position-by-position outlook that consists of mostly "so and so returns", I'll identify our areas of need. We should have around $20M to play with so no big splash signings but enough to fill some holes. Catcher. Angel Rivera will be brought back at his arbitration price but I feel he's someone we can improve on so I'll be on the prowl for someone better to share the job with him than Cade Arrambide. Shortstop. We already have Wander's heir apparent in the fold with Isaac Cedillos. While he won't hit like Wander he's a far superior defensive SS and stands a decent chance of meeting or exceeding the 2.5 WAR Franco put up last season. Rotation. As mentioned we do have four starters returning. The fifth could be prospect Jaheim Lennon and lefty reliever Ryan Okuda has the ability to start as well. Otherwise it's steady as she goes with amazingly the entire bullpen coming back; most seasons in most saves I usually need a arm or three but not this time around.