2060 Offseason Review: Bronze League
Another offseason in the CBA has flown by with teams jockeying to bolster their teams for the 2060 season. There are still a few big names out there on the market, but the offseason is beginning to wind down, with the World Cup of Baseball set to kick off this season shortly. With the bulk of the movement in the rearview mirror, let’s take a look at each team’s offseason in the Bronze League.
Atlanta Swarm (WAR added: 2.9, WAR lost: 3.9)
The Swarm were in contention for a promotion spot throughout the season but much like other Atlanta sports teams, they failed. Travis Hoyman is gone after his loan ended while outfielder Mike Guerra was brought in from Boston after a trade. JD Shelgren was just acquired in a trade as well and his Premier League experience should be a boost to the Swarm rotation. Atlanta could be in contention again this year in what looks to be a wide-open Bronze League.
Boston Shoremen (WAR added: 0.1, WAR lost: 10.4)
Boston lost a good chunk of production this offseason and it seems the Shoremen are still in a building period. Outfielders Mike Guerra and Eric Wireman, infielders Willie Maciel and Archie Hewitt, and pitcher Chance Bernecker all left Beantown this offseason. The Shoremen acquired a package of minor leaguers for Guerra and will continue to build their club. I don’t think they compete for a top three finish this season but be on the lookout for Boston in the near future.
DC Eagles (WAR added: 5.3, WAR lost: 0.0)
DC’s tear down and rebuild continues and if you look into the foundation of what they’re building it looks quite formidable. The Eagles got a number of players back from loans, but they could well be sent out again this season. They also sent starting pitcher Sam Mayer to Galveston for what looks to be more solid pieces down the road. This is a club that has a clear vision and the intelligence to continue building up to a future powerhouse in the CBA. Just don’t mention golf or the PGA Tour to their front office.
Kentucky Bootleggers (WAR added: 0.6, WAR lost: 5.6)
Kentucky was just relegated to the Bronze League last season, and they are a team in a bit of limbo. They made a trade this offseason to bring in pitchers Mike Stowe and David Adkins and Adkins promptly lost his drive for the game and decided to retire. Veterans Angel Perez, Sean Johnson, and Preston Loyd all left over the winter, and we may see the Leggers beginning a rebuild. It remains to be seen if their general manager has the intellectual fortitude to accomplish something so lofty.
Los Angeles Chilis (WAR added: 0.0, WAR lost: 0.3)
The Chilis just missed out on promotion last year after being upset by Charlotte in the promotion series. Like Denver in the SL, Los Angeles comes in to 2060 mainly with the same team and should be one of the favorites to win the league this year. If the Chilis don’t run away and hide from the BL early on, I fancy them to make some moves to strengthen the squad mid-season. This is a team that we may not see in the Bronze League much longer.
Mexico City Chupacabras (WAR added: 0.0, WAR lost: 13.3)
New management has arrived in Mexico City and a full tear-down began almost immediately. Sluggers Dustyn Buckley and Keegan Shaheen, shortstop Phil Wheeler, and pitchers Kevin Hetrick and Chris Lagace are among those who headed north to other teams this offseason. The Chupacabras have acquired a number of picks, 5 in the first round of the upcoming draft, and youngsters to begin the process of getting Mexico City back to a competent CBA franchise.
New Orleans Krewe (WAR added: 2.0, WAR lost: 4.6)
New Orleans rose to the peak of the CBA in the Premier League and now they have found their way back in the Bronze League after relegation last season. Second baseman Luis Garcia left in free agency but was replaced by the signing of former Miami Warrior Ricardo Nava. The Krewe are in an interesting situation, do they fight to get back in the SL or begin to rebuild things down in the BL? As long as they stop trading future MVPs, they should be just fine.
Philadelphia Liberty (WAR added: 6.4, WAR lost: 0.0)
The Liberty look a team poised to begin their ascension in the CBA. This offseason they got pitcher Travis Hoyman back from loan and added big hitter Dustyn Buckley. They did have the untimely retirement of one of their prospects, but they have a bevy of young arms on the horizon, led by future ace Pearce Andrew. Philadelphia likely isn’t done wheeling and dealing, look for this team to excel in 2060 and compete for a spot in the promotion series.
San Diego Steam (WAR added: 0.0, WAR lost: 11.3)
San Diego’s brand-new general manager has not had the time yet to make much of an impact this offseason. They did use the amnesty clause to get out from under Alberto Avila’s contract, and this is likely just the first step of many in rebuilding the Steam. A lot of big-league talent left the roster this winter but to be quite honest, it should come as a welcome sign since this team needs a full overhaul. I think for everyone across the CBA when I say I am looking forward to what their new front office can do to get this team back on the right (train) track.
Seattle Steelheads (WAR added: 4.4, WAR lost: 11.6)
The Steelheads have been mired at the bottom of the Bronze League for some time but their return to relevancy may be on the horizon. Seattle lost veterans Jerry King, Ramon Sardon, and Ramon Torres along with pitchers Nick Vitale and Jake Akehurst. This team has been building some young talent and they will look to integrate big-ticket signing Yasumitsu Hayashi into the squad this season. Will this be the year Seattle rises from the depths of the Bronze League or will 2060 be another flop, the jury is still out.
