Past & Present meet the Future
Who do you think has been the best position player and pitcher the last two decades in Cobbfather? There are a few you could argue but one of the easy debates would be for two who have spent their entire careers on the same team together, having played at the Major league level for the last 14 seasons. That's the Buffalo Bisons' own Alex Tarraga (1B/RF) and Gregory Lopez (SP). Let's take a look at them separately before looking ahead to the next two decades in Cobbfather.
- Tarraga is has close to a no-brainer as you can get. He got the call up S38 and hasn't looked back, taking the first of his AMAZING 9 MVP awards in just his second season. Only two other players have 3 or more and both are currently enjoying having their bust in the Hall of Fame but neither has more than 6. He currently ranks #2 All-time on the career HR list and with just 23 HRs next season he'll soon own the record for himself. Only his rookie year has he been held to less than 40 HR in a season, though he still hit 18 in 50 games. He was a S36 International Free Agent signing with a bonus of $24.3M who is still hitting above .300. With his recent 4/$26.4M extension, he'll be a Bison through S56. More then enough to pick up a few more records, like most career RBIs which should take him only two more seasons to reach. As long as he can keep up that average and with the right bats behind him, he has a solid chance to have the most career runs by the time that contract expires as well. If he's not your #1 pick for any time peroid, much less the last 20 seasons, I don't know who would be.
- The best pitcher the last two decades might be a little more debatable, but I think it comes down to Chick Munson or Gregor Lopez. but let's take a look at Lopez's numbers. He has a Cobbfather best, 6 Cy Youngs (tied with HoF James Haselman) and is well within reach of the all time Wins record, needing just 23 more to tie. At the age of 38 with scouts feeling he's dropped a few ratings this season, and a contract that expires after his age 39 seasons, we'll see if he has enough gas left to get there. Chick Munson's strike out record is likely just out of reach given his age, but he has already made it top 5 and will likely end up being #2 or 3 on the list when he's done. But he's currently sitting on the best all time WHIP by 0.02, so we'll see how he finishes out his career. He's also sitting at #2 all time in ERA, though first definitely feels out of reach. Lopez was a S32 International Free Agent signing with a $27M signing bonus.
You can't argue the success these two have brought to the city of Buffalo even if the LCS has proved difficult for the duo. They did bring Buffalo two World Series titles, seasons 39 & 49. If that's the past and present, who can we look to for the future of Cobbfather? As we all know it's hard to predict how prospects will pan out, but I think you can look at another two players that just so happen to be on the same team. Only time will tell if their owner can keep them around for as long as bjc30 has done with Buffalo or if he's able to have better success winning the last game of the season.
- Wei-Yin Wan (1B) is the one everyone has their eye on and rightfully so. He was an 18 yr old International Free Agent who signed just last season and has moved his way quickly through the minors; ending this season in AAA. That $49.1M signing bonus had everyone talking! His bat could easily hit at the ML level now and he's only 19. Depending on how long cwiddoes holds him back, will depend on what Cobbfather records this guy ends up holding. Tarraga will surely be watching from his lawn chair while telling kids to get off his lawn.
- Roger Simon now has 4 games under his belt at the age of 22 that saw him go 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in 22 innings and a 1.00 WHIP. Sim was the #1 overall pick in S49. It's going to be hard for anyone to match his control and ability to throw against both lefties and righties. But will the lack of keeping the ball down and a quality second pitch be enough to be the #1 ace of the league for many seasons?
Only father time knows if it will indeed be these two or if another who will show up, taking the title as best duo of the decade. The bigger question is, will these two lead Huntington to more than the two World Series championships that Tarraga and Lopez were able to secure.