10 Teams in 10 Days # 6: Rojo’s Resurgence

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KNOW YOUR OWNER!:  ROJO!  Lovable fan favorite Rojo.  Resurgence fans may be all but out of patience heading into 2017, given their quiet offseason and their quiet 2016 in-season.  The double R dominated headlines and power rankings in last year’s first half, before slowly losing their grip on the #1 seed and STUBBORNLY refusing to consider making a deal to stay at or near the top.  All of this inaction culminated in a slide alllllll the way down to the #5 seed and a predictable first round exit (albeit in a close battle that ended in tie with the eventual champions, YA COULDA EASILY BEEN THE #4 SEED ROJO). Rojo enjoys Tinder and being able to turn his neck in both directions without debilitating pain. BEST OF LUCK TO ROJO IN THE UPCOMING SEASON!

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KEY ADDITIONS!:  The INDISPENSABLE CF Jackie Bradley Jr., Kyle Schwarber in his return to health, Ozzie Albies maybe eventually

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KEY SUBTRACTIONS!:  Kyle Schwarber’s catcher eligibility, the magic of a new name and logo

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THE HITTERS!:  Rojo’s Resurgence will be trotting out essentially the EXACT same lineup that slowly lost their grip on that #1 seed last year, sans Jarrod Dyson but plus Kyle Schwarber and Jackie Bradley Jr. And Schwarber can certainly make a difference (he GOT DAMNED better), when healthy in 2015 he gave the Cubs 16 HRs in 232 ABs (and another 5 in 27 postseason ABs). Schwarber will be attempting to keep pace with Resurgence teammates like Nelson Cruz (he of 3 straight 40 HR seasons) and Matt Kemp (he of an UNEXPECTED 35 HRs in 2016), although I for one wouldn’t count on such a HR output from Kemp again. Cruz is probably still good for it. JBJ comes over in the MUCH DEBATED deal with the Punchouts, he was hideous in 2014 but much improved in 2015 and last season. Where his true talent lies it is tough to tell, he probably won’t rattle off 29 game hit streaks every season but should be a solid fantasy contributor. Elsewhere there is ageless wonder Adrian Beltre, who is supposed to retire at some goddamned point but will likely be productive up until the day he does. Ian Kinsler makes for a solid 2B in fantasy even as he possibly begins changing his swing to sell out for power. And OH YEA Paul Goldschmidt, best player on the Resurgence arguably the best 1B in all of fantasy. He is good. And Joc Pederson is supposed to be great, he has been good but can improve if he picks up the SB pace or improves the plate discipline. Overall there is plenty of solids, and a few greats, in this lineup but also plenty of room for regression amongst the vets. Also Chris Owings is currently starting which probably shouldn’t even be allowed.

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THE ROTATION!:  QUIETLY SOLID! The quartet of Yu DarvishMashahiro TanakaCorey Kluber, and Johnny Cueto has the potential to be the finest trio of pitchers outside of Pine Lake, and the finest foursome if Tanaka’s health can hold up. Beyond that there’s also the youthful promise of Tigers righty Michael Fulmer (2016 AL ROY) and Dodgers southpaw Julio Urias, and beyond that there is NOTHING. I think. But still this is one of the more impressive rotations in the wholeee Backyard, particularly if Fulmer continues to hone his craft and Urias progresses and Tanaka’s arm continues to stay attached.

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THE BULLPEN!:  Ahhhh the most infamous bullpen in the entire league, THE HOLDSPEN one might call it if one was unimaginative.  Resurgence owner, Rojo, has been trotting out this strategy for a few seasons now and it will continue in 2017 and likely beyond. Perhaps purely out of spite at this point. Hector Neris is the best pitcher in this pen, and is SO GOOD in fact that he probably ends up the Phillies closer sooner rather than later. At which point I guess the RR are supposed to drop him or something. Joining him in this ode to hold are Will Harris from the Astros and for some reason Edubray Ramos from the Phillies. I guess because he is minors eligible? And that is it, not even a 4th holds guy to be found thus far. WHATTA MESS.

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THE OUTLOOK!:  When I look at this team I see 3-5 impressive starting pitchers and 1-3 impressive offensive pieces, and the rest just has a feeling of MEH. This is the same roster that started out 8-2 last year, however, now with the added benefit of Schwarber and Jackie Bradley Jr. So perhaps they can start out equally hot or perhaps they are equally as inconsistent as the double R was in the second half last season. Perhaps the reality lies somewhere in the middle. It certainly isn’t a roster that jumps out at you.

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SEAN’S PREDICTION!:  8-9-1, 9th place.  I am of the thinking that all of this inaction will lead to the Resurgence’s worst season in Resurgence team name history, forcing a midseason name change.  And POSSIBLY an abandonment of that silly goddamned holds guys only strategy, which will in my humble opinion cost him in a few matchups (everyone knows if you are going to use that strategy it should be in the other direction, saves guys only.  Anyone can grab a holds guy to stream over a weekend.  BUT I GUESS I WILL JUST MANAGE MY OWN DAMN TEAM).

 

10 Teams in 10 Days # 6: Rojo’s Resurgence

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