Building a Contender in St. Louis

 

The St. Louis Redbirds sit a handful of games under .500 and 8 games back in a loaded AL South. It's been 8 seasons since long time Owner gambler62245 has posted a winning record, 10 since making the playoffs, and a dozen seasons since the Redbirds defeated my Cincinnati Reds in Game 7 of the Season 52 World Series.

By all accounts it appears to be another long summer for the Redbirds, but a closer look reveals a roster that could very well bring this team back to it's glory days. gambler62245 has been quietly building the most impressive farm system in the World, and those prospects are ready to become Big League stars.

Veteran pitchers Dillon Christenson and Bart Boone were resigned to long term deals this offseason, both to contracts with large bonus money and declining salaries. The structure of the contracts, and willingness to pay such a players, indicate gambler62245 is ready to make another run in the coming seasons.

Prospects Hughie Wilson and Wilkin Martin were recently called up, giving this staff two potential All-Star level pitchers to go along with the steady performances of Christenson and Boone. The rest of the staff is filled with solid ML pitchers on cheap, short term deals with super star prospect Jolbert Mendoza waiting for his chance at stardom. 

The lineup doesn't have much pop, with the exception of the reigning AL ROY, David Nieves. Outfield prospect Carl Howard was promoted along with Wilson and Martin this season and should provide this lineup with another plus bat. AAA first basemen Zip Tomberlin (a name only HBD could generate) will take a spot in the middle of the lineup when he is called up next season.

The Season 64 team still has a chance to make some noise in the AL Wild Card race, but the focus is clearly on Season 65 and beyond. This team has more pitching than it knows what to do with, a future MVP bat in Mendoza, prospects waiting to be called up, and cash to spend. Improving the defense at key positions (SS, CF, C) next offseason will go a long way in turning this team from an interesting team into a true contender.

To Memphis, Huntington, and the rest of the AL, get your licks in now because the Redbirds are coming for you!