|
Rivals: Hachinohe Horses <-> Morioka Rock Smashers
Kyoto Rats <-> Tokyo BC(dormant)
Morioka Rock Smashers <-> Tokyo BC (one sided)
Team Situations:
Powerhouse: Tokyo Baseball Club, Kobe Golden Planets
Spark Needed/Retool: Hachinohe Horses, Kyoto Rats, Morioka Rock Smashers,
Stuck: Mito Extrals, Niigata Garden Eels, Yokohama Blue Flame
Rebuild End: Sapporo Herons
Rebuild Start: Nagoya Daikons, Sendai Solars, Tokyo Metro Sox
Central League:
Kobe Golden Planets
Starting their history with just 1 playoff appearance in 23 years and 10 last place finishes, the Golden Planets finally have had success with a string of playoff appearances culminating in 2 Japan Duel championships, including the most recent season with a 8-1 playoff run. With most of the team being in their primes, the current top rated farm system, alongside aged legend Tomioka still producing in his twilight, it will be up to you to extend this team into a dynasty and flip the script of the historic cellar dweller.
Kyoto Rats
Starting the league off hot with 8 playoff appearances and a championship in the first 9 years, the Kyoto Rats have fallen into mediocrity for most of their team history. They have only made the playoffs two more times in the 19 years since, but have finished 1 spot away 9 times and never finished last place. Fresh off a Japan Duel appearance two seasons ago, with a roster filled with young quality players facing inconsistent results. Young star players Asahi (MVP winner at just 24 years old 2 seasons ago) and 25 year old ace Sano lead the roster, complemented by 39 year old team legend Katsutosho Matsui still producing on his last legs. With a huge market and budget to match, but limited financial flexibility, can you turn this historic underachieving into the powerhouse they can be and get Matsui the sendoff he deserves?
Nagoya Daikons
After only making the playoffs one time with the league’s best player Big City Oishi, the Daikons decided to trade away his last year and enter a full rebuild seeing a period of 6th straight bottom two finishes in their league. After the long process they emerged as a true contender, making 7 playoffs in 8 years, capped by a Japan Duel Championship. But that was 5 years ago now and the few who still remain are long past their prime. Outside of a trio of 26 year old players the future is bleak. With this job the rebuild will be in your hands to prevent Nagoya from slipping back into the mud.
Tokyo Baseball Club
The largest budget, the biggest city, the most fans. The Baseball Club is the face of the JBNA. With an ability to develop true faces of the team, the pockets to sign established stars when they hit free agency, and an ability to seemingly pull quality players from out of nowhere, BC does not spend much time out of contention. 6 Japan Duel wins, 17 playoff appearances. 10 out of 24 current hall of famers spent time on the team, with 3 more retired players all but guaranteed to join that list. However the third expected dynasty has not gone the way they have hoped. After signing 4 time MVP 28 year old Wei-Qian Sung to join homegrown superstar 2 time mvp at the age of 24 Kiyo Sunada and several other young 20 contributing players they won the championship, but 4 years since have only made the playoffs one time. Seeing repeated injuries, regressions, and degradation of the pitching group. Now following a quick first round exit that saw Kiyo break his kneecap in his 2nd at bat, Tokyo sees some aged pitchers off the books and plenty of money reach glory again. More likely to be a thorn in your side instead of your job of choice, choosing the BC will see you take control of the true powerhouse and try your hand at seeing the third dynasty come to fruition around Sunada and Sung.
Tokyo Metro Sox
Now the (much) lesser Tokyo team.Making the playoffs 1 time in the first 14 years the Metro Sox. They were able to build 1 championship team that fell apart quite quickly, some due to the numerous negative personalities the team had, some due to rapid regressions by players who should have been in their prime. Outside of that there is not much more to say about this team. In the 7 years since their last playoff appearance, it has been 4 last place finishes and 3 5th places. Most contracts will be over within 2 years and the large market leaves a potential giant budget if the team can become competent. Choosing this team would be taking over a blank slate, in history and roster constraints where you can make your mark and try to make a true rivalry with the big brother cross town.
Yokohama Blue Flame
Many children of the 90s became a lifelong fan of the Blue Flame after their dominant run in the decade. 6 straight playoff appearances and 2 championships with a team of homegrown stars. They followed that by not making the playoffs through the high school years of those kids, or their college. 14 years straight of disappointment and confusing management at the top. Despite a strong market and loyal fans, Yokohama has tried to be in sell mode and buy mode every year, fielding a roster with all star level players along with others ranked last in their respective position in the league. In recent years they have achieved some stability, not finished in the bottom two in 8 years. They roster multiple young stars for the first time in many years on both sides of the plate, however their two top pitchers will mix next year with injuries. Taking over this team will be using the sizeable available funds to complete the roster while navigating the nagging injuries in in year one, but sees the potential to be a multi Japan Duel winning dynasty.
|