New York Carloses Offseason

The New York Carloses made the playoffs for the third year in a row, and management seems content to roll the dice on the same core of players for Season 4. The only notable departure from the team is Jose Gonzales who played admirably last season, in what looks to be his last. He is being replaced with veteran Art Long, who is being asked to take on a utility role for the first time in his career.

The Carloses still return with veterans allstars at catcher, first base and center - but the rest of the offense is young and there are only 3 true veterans on the pitching staff.

That said, the youth has been maturing well and the team should be entering its prime, with 15 players on their active roster who are under 27. The Carloses are gambling on their few veterans being able to act as a bridge until the future stars of Beamon, Singleton, Keller and Fernandez are prepared to take over - this transition season will be interesting to watch.

Greg Sherman, SP, New York Carloses

Greg Sherman has been a revelation to the Carloses.

Going into Season 2, Sherman was an afterthought, making the bullpen as the Mop-Up pitcher. His efforts didn't go unnoticed, and he was soon moved into long relief, posting an ERA under 3 in relief. There his dominance continued, and he moved into the rotation about 50 games in to Season 2, never to look back.

It is safe to say that Sherman is on the brink of stardom, and if not for his low stamina, would already be there. The Carloses are envisioning him as their future ace, which says a lot in light of Pete Hayes and Ismael Herrera at the front of the rotation.

Stats:
Season 3: W - 14, L - 6, IP- 205, SO -138, WHIP - 1.27, ERA - 2.98
Career: W - 24, L - 10, IP - 381.1, SO - 279, WHIP - 1.27, ERA - 3.19

Olmedo Gonzalez, 1B, NY Carloses

Olmedo Gonzalez is undoubtedly the stud in the New York Carloses lineup.

Prior to Season 3, the Carloses signed Gonzalez to a 3-year contract extension at a discount. Observers justified the bargain price ($6.1 million per year for the lifetime 1.100 OPS slugger) by citing his declining skills (with his overall rating dropping from 78 to 74 in two seasons), yet 'Made' (as he is known by teammates) was undaunted.

Made proceeded to put up monster numbers in the first half of the season and, despite a real fall-off in the second half, he managed to lead the league in HRs (61) and RBIs (192). He also set personal highs in average and slugging, while improving his discipline on the basepaths by dropping his caught stealing from 10 in Season 1 to 1 in Season 3 (one might question why he ever runs considering that he has NEVER STOLEN A BASE!!!).

Looking to Season 4 is difficult to predict.

Is the decline of the 2nd half due to a real collapse in ability?

Or is it due to overusage, a problem that the front office has identified and plans to manage better next year?

This much is clear though, the Season 1 MVP must come through if the Carloses intend to make the playoffs for the 4th year in a row.

This observer, for one, is excited to see whether the legendary slugger will continue to blend in with all the young players that NYThrill has surrounded him with!

Stats:

Season 3: BA - .350, HR - 61, RBI - 192 OBP - .426, SLG - .733, OPS - 1.159
Career: BA - .344, HR - 166, RBI - 532, OBP - .428, SLG - .689, OPS - 1.117