[mikev]

2010: Well, That's A Wrap

So, that's that.

The Crusaders, after beating Birmingham in six games in the Cartwright Cup (Division Series, for you non-GUBAites out there), were felled by Green Bay in the Landis Memorial Series (MBBA Championship), 4 games to 1. It was a small consolation to see the Wolves continue on and beat Mexico City in the Hemispheric Series (GUBA Championship), so at least we can say that we lost to the eventual World Champs, right?

Now, generally I subscribe to the "Playoffs are a crapshoot" theory, widely publicized by that stat guy who wrote a book about himself or something, but whatever. In this case, the best team won. Green Bay and Mexico City were pretty much the class of the MBBA and FIBB divisions, respectively. They were the winningest teams in their leagues, so it's not really a surprise that they met in the Hemispheric Series.

Heading toward the offseason, there isn't really a whole lot that needs to be done. Pedro Vargas was a more than acceptable solution for the team at shortstop in 2010, and will be expected to remain there next year. The ageless Carl Hollingsworth put together a nice season at second base, batting .301 in 126 games played. Forest will be back in time for Spring Training, and Sake-Bomb looks to have found his home with the Crusaders.

The outfield is fairly well set also, with Tony Reyes nearly duplicating his 2008 numbers in right field, Takahashi leading the team with a .311 batting average and taking centerfield, and Carlos Garza having quite possibly the worst 29 homer, 86 RBI season ever. Former leadoff hitter Francisco Mendez will return from his season ending injury to the role of 4th outfielder/platoon partner with Garza, as a season on the DL has sapped his skills a bit. That only leaves injured center fielder Jose Avila, who the team has negotiated with several times on an extension but deemed his asking price signifigantly too high.

The pitching staff will remain essentially unchanged, aside from a slight juggling of the order of the rotation. The playoff rotation of Enriquez, McKain, Fernandez, McHaney will be what California goes with in 2011, with Hayagawa rounding out the 5th starter's spot.

Budget is in good shape, attendance is high, fans love the team, and there are no big free agents leaving. Right now, things look good in California, even though getting beaten up in the Landis Memorial Series stings.