NABO48 w/ MLBPA ... Updated for '26

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Seems like every day in the offseason I received trade proposals for 1B to replace Tommy "Tanks" (OOTP nickname) White. Seems like much of NABO doesn't think too much of his future, but I'm sticking with the guy. He's a type of Pete Alonso, as long as his strikeouts don't happen with sacks full, they're some value.

BOS nabs a decent arm at a good price.

Gotham grabs one of the games best closers and SS Lindor.

Mexico City rebuilds its infield with 3 key free agents.

NY, the team that traded Scherzer to StL in the Mookie Betts trades, signs the 43yo to a 3-year contract, paying him to be an above average SP.

StL gets a 1st round pick as compensation.

Ohio finds their cornerstone player.

Philly wins the bidding war and signs the best free agent of the season.

Owner said to acquire a gold glove winner, this is the cheapest one I could sign.

Tampa spends big on the league's premier closer. Tampa's team payroll in 77M, Clase is nearly 1/3rd of it.

The Towers sign Aaron Nola to a reasonable contract, paying him to be a league average starter ... which he should be.

StL gets a 3rd rd pick.

Alonso signs for 13M a year. I'll be comparing Tommy White to Alonso throughout the season.

Windy City signs Nootbar, and their replacement for Witt Jr, Dansby Swanson. I think it's cool when a player signs to the same city in OOTP that they do in MLB.

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So, I didn't make any big moves in the season, after the big on Witt Jr fell through. I was resolved to just letting the kids play and see who can make it in NABO and who is minor league filler. Sometimes that makes for a very interesting season.

However, as the weeks passed, I kept noticing that Ohtani is still available, and he's demanding 80M AAV for 6 years. My mind starts working on "How little would he play for at this point. I have to be the only franchise with a heap of money left over?"

A few bids back and forth and he's not really budging for less than 60M/y. So, I let it go. Then, he messages me that he'd like to resume negotiations if I want to.

Well, here is. I thought it was a decent price and a good storyline. But after signing him, I felt like it would have been more fun to just let the kids play and develop. DH is a great spot in the lineup to rotate batters, and it would mean a pitching spot open in the rotation.

But, I signed him, so we'll see how it goes.

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2028 PRESEASON PREDICTIONS ...

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G1 - Logan Webb serves up a HR on his 1st batter of the season, always a good sign. Ohtani responds by hitting a 3-Run HR in his first game with St Louis. Webb gives up a rally in the 5th that the Shires could not overcome.

G2 - StL pitchers, this time Aldegheri find themselves putting the team behind with early runs. StL comes back and then Phillips gives up a 5-run 9th, Shires lose.

G3 - Early runs put StL behind again, trailing 3-0 at the end of 2. Bello rights the ship and the bullpen is solid ... but not Nebraska's bullpen allows and StL wins. Not a good series for bullpens.

StL: 1-2, 1-2 vs NEB

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G4-6, Home series against Kansas City

G4 - Good solid win. Great offense, good pitching.

G5 - well pitched game, bullpen tried to give it away at the end, but the "Gonzalez Brothers" weren't having it and led us to a walk off win.

Another well pitched game, bullpen was in lockdown mode, and a 5th inning rally was all that was needed

StL sweeps KCK at home

StL: 4-2, 3-0 v. KCK

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Shires traveled to San Diego to get their butts kicked. Game 1 of the series will wreck some ERA's for quite a few weeks. Stole game 2 from the bullpen in an otherwise depressing series.

StL: 4-2, 1-2 v. SDG

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StL takes 2 out of 3 against NEB as Tommy White bats start to come alive. StL is 4-2 v NEB on the season.

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Shires waste a great outing by Bello as Kerkering gives the game away.

Ohtani gets bombed in his 1st game as SP.

Bullpen taking turns giving games away, making sure no one reliever is the scapegoat. "Team Building"

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StL sweeps MIN is a good series for the bullpen and situational hitting.

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After exchanging convincing wins, Oklahoma ruins a good start by Webb with 2 runs in the 7th.

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To end the month of April, StL drops a close fought series with Phoenix, a rematch from last year's WLDS.