OOTP 20 Franchise Progress Thread

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Re: OOTP 20 Franchise Progress Thread

2034 Season
Foxes Miss Playoffs Despite Nearly .600 Record

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The NL East was as insane as usual. This year, there were four teams at .600 or higher in the division. Four. The prospect of a .600 team missing the playoffs and being in fourth place was a real possibility.

As it turned out, the Marlins could only be good for five-sixths of the season. In September, the team fell apart, whatever Dill was doing to keep the team going suddenly stopped working and the Marlins fell out of contention but with a still respectable 90 wins.

Also what transpired was that the Phillies slugged and pounded their way to the top of the NL East. Their 407 home runs, led by the 75 from Michael Contreras, pushed the Phillies to 937 runs and a 102-win season. Behind Contreras there's Murphy with his 66 HR and then, batting 7th, is Venegas with "only" 51 home runs. Batting seventh.

Meanwhile, the Foxes slumped themselves in September and fell to third place and out of the playoff picture. The Cardinals had 100 wins. A wild card team. With 100 wins. The Foxes lost a one-game playoff with the Braves to be sent packing before the postseason begins.

"What a blow to us and the fans. We just couldn't take care of business and this is what happens, you get sent home, " DuBose said after the tie-breaker game.

Casteles, who had a historic first half, regressed a bit to finish at a 2.15 ERA, which still represented the best mark in his young career. Lavanche still did his thing, throwing 140 innings in relief. His new manager was even more persistent in using him in tight situations, posting a career high 1.4 leverage index.

There is concern in the rotation for the first time in a while. McIntyre and Kikuchi struggled and Matano will certainly be elevated from the #5 spot he occupied during the season. McIntyre might be seeing age catching up to him, and it's not out of the question for Kikuchi either.

Offensively, there's a clear "haves and have nots" in the lineup. DuBose is a "have". Bob Kennedy, until September, was a "have". Romero is blossoming into a very strong lead-off hitter. Brenes...was very much mixed. Part of that is also the Foxes ballpark. Montero was just not his usual self and scouts are concerned. Then there's Godinez.

Clearly, the Foxes will have work to do to shore up the lineup. They need to decide what to do with Brenes and Montero and how they will use them in the lineup to try to jump start their production a bit.

On the farm, Mike Hills, the team's 2nd round pick in the draft this year, has started his career off trying to become a two-way player. Early signs are promising, but it's far too early to draw any ideas.

The team's best hitting prospect, SS Keishi Murata, graduated to the Low A level and continued to swing the bat well. However, watching Luna struggle to get out of full-season A-ball is keeping optimism in check.

At the team level, AAA Honolulu won 94 games and also won the International League Championship. So, at least, the Foxes might have decent talent to call upon to fill gaps at the majors - for example, guys like Bob Kennedy.

One of them is Amari Dopwell, who's become a dark horse prospect coming into his own. Scouts think he's ready to push for a roster spot, which might pressure someone like Brenes in the near future.

The Foxes will have plenty of think about that future after the lick their wounds about missing the playoffs, snapping an eleven season playoffs streak.

"I'm going to take a lot of heat and probably rightfully so. We had no idea there would be a team in the Central with 100-wins and not winning the division, but that's why you win YOUR division so it doesn't even matter. We couldn't do it, so we get what we deserve, " manager Jerad Head commented.

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Re: OOTP 20 Franchise Progress Thread

O's Jorge Caswell Signs Mega Extension
Final Years Can Reach $50 Million

The O's wanted to retain the services of their first baseman and not test the waters of free agency for years to come.

However, it will cost them quite a bit.

Jorge Caswell signed a seven-year extension with a potential total value of $307 million. The last year is a team option.

"We hope Jorge will be a big part of our lineup for years, and we wanted to show our commitment to him, " G.M. Mike Elias commented.

Manager Alex Hidalgo, former manager of the Foxes, was happy to hear the word of Caswell staying on.

"He's a big part of our offense. We need him to keep our heads above water in this division, and I'm glad the front office knows what's up, " Hidalgo said.

Many will wonder about the money, especially in the final few years where the contract will reach $50 million per year.

"Caswell will be well into his 30's by the time those years come around. He could still be plenty productive, but it's far from certain, " one analyst commented.

Caswell batted .265 with 36 HR and 92 RBI last season. He posted an even 4.0 WAR, coming off a season where he hit 7.3 WAR the year prior.

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Re: OOTP 20 Franchise Progress Thread

Cubs Win World Series
Defeat Twins in Six Games

The big free agent acquisitions paid off in the best way possible for the Cubs as they hoisted the Commissioner's Trophy after defeating the Twins in six games in the World Series.

The journey for the Cubs was as difficult as it could be.

The team needed five games to get past the Braves and reach the NLCS. Once there, the Cubs had to fight the Rockies to the bitter end, needing the full seven games to claim the NL Pennant.

Cubs third baseman Juan Robledo was named World Series MVP. His bat was critical to the Cubs' success all postseason long. He batted .480 in the World Series and .406 in the playoffs as a whole with six postseason home runs.

The Cubs won an NL-best 102 games in the regular season, edging out the 100-win Cardinals.

Mitch McIntyre Retires

"It's clear I don't have it. I had a good run, and I get to retire with most of my career for one team, a team and city I love, " McIntyre spoke at the press conference.

McIntyre's retirement came as a bit of a surprise. He had a down year for sure and the last two seasons were not up to his usual standard, but many thought he'd return.

His 2033 campaign was interrupted by injury and he made just 18 starts. This year, he got a full season in, but was just 9-9 with a 4.58 ERA. By any metric, last season was the worst season of his career, including his first couple in the majors. However, it was also the first subpar year in his career, and many felt he could shake it off and return to even the "just a solid season" levels of production.

But McIntyre didn't want to hang around.

"I couldn't help the team, and I feel like I let us down, especially since how close we came and how we missed the playoffs. If I pitch better in, literally, one start where I took a loss, we are in the playoffs, " McIntyre continued.

The Foxes announced that his number, #5, will be retired. McIntyre was the first true ace of the franchise and was one of the early building blocks that got the Foxes off and running into the contender they are now and have been over a decade. Through it all, McIntyre was there providing stability, both in the clubhouse and on the field.

He retires with a 139-55 record and 15 saves. He collected 1,841 innings and struck out 1,778 batters and walking just 232. He amassed 53.7 WAR in his career. His best season came in 2027 where he went 17-3 with a 2.28 ERA and compiling 6.5 WAR.

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Dill Axed by Marlins
One Year and Done

The Marlins had a strong overall season, and while the fall in September leaves a bitter taste, the season was one of the best the Marlins had in a stretch dominated by struggle.

However, that wasn't enough for Casey Dill, who found himself receiving his pink slip.

"This is why that franchise is awful, " Dill spoke, "I supported the players, we had things working and looking up, but they wanted instant playoffs and couldn't see what we had because we didn't make the postseason, like that's something this franchise was doing."

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Re: OOTP 20 Franchise Progress Thread

2035 Foxes

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There's a lot of angst among the Foxes fans for the coming season as they worry that the team is heading in the wrong direction. Not only the missed playoffs last year, but now Montero is gone along with the retirement of McIntyre, and the fans are concerned about the "newer" Foxes.

It's pretty much the same team, according to projections. The fans loved Montero, but his production last season was awful...and the Foxes won 97 games. His replacement, either Joe Bradley or Juan Tamez, won't do much worse, and the Foxes are expected to be around 97 wins again this year.

The team is expected to regain the NL East crown, though they weren't expected to lose it last season. What also hasn't changed is the three-way dogfight at the top of the NL East: Foxes, Braves, and Phillies should again battle to the end in a tight race.

The offense is still the big question mark for the Foxes. It's likely to be a case where the top half of the lineup will have to do a lot of the heavy lifting and hope for something decent from the bottom half.

What isn't a question mark is the infield defense. The Foxes should field one of the best defensive infields, and defenses overall, in the majors. The outfield defense might be a bit of a let down from the quality of the infield defense, but it shouldn't be an issue at all.

The pitching staff should be strong once again and is the strongest part of the team. Matano will hopefully be back before April ends and that will put the rotation at full force. Mike Harrist breaks camp with the team for the first time as scouts think he's made impressive progress with his command, and the Foxes are going to give him more chance to show his improvement.

The farm might be getting a little better. Juan Tamez, signed in the offseason, became the team's top prospect, #19 in baseball according to Baseball America. Behind him, there's still a lot of if-and-maybe, and still the consensus is that the team will be fortunate to get average major leaguers out of the current crop.

Overall, the Foxes should be a competent, competitive team again this year, whether the Montreal fans realize it or not right now.

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Matano Signs, Lerma Talks Rocky

The Foxes came to terms with Shigekazu Matano on a 6-year $150 million extension with the last year team optional. The Foxes were happy with the negotiations.

"I'm glad we could get Matano signed and early in the season so it's not a distraction for anyone involved. We're thrilled to have him continue to blossom as a key part of our rotation and team, " G.M. Ander Lyle commented.

Matano was a discovery by the team scout that quickly caught attention for his command and repeatable delivery that's easy on his body. After a slow start to his minor league career, he started to put his repertoire together and his command began to shine as a strength he could exploit. Since then, he's been a solid part of the Foxes rotation, now elevated to one of the team's top three starters.

Talks for Lerma, however, are not going so well. The team and pitcher have decided to take a break, especially with it so early in the season.

"We want to get a deal done, and I think the Lerma camp does as well, but we got off to a rocky start and we don't want to cause any lasting ill will. So, we decided to table the talks for the moment and Lerma agreed it was best as well, " Lyle said, "We don't want to burn bridges in April."

Sources close to the negotiations said the contract length and some of the language is a major sticking point. Sources also state that Lerma wants a longer commitment than what the Foxes are currently willing to give.

"I just want to focus on the game and helping the team, and I think they want that too, that's why they didn't push things. We have a tough division and us pitchers have a big load to carry. I know that, they know that, so we're going to focus on the game between the foul lines at this point, " Lerma spoke.

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Opener and Follower Nearly Combine for Perfection
Harrist Allows One Walk, the Only Baserunner

With Matano returning but no one in the rotation doing terribly, the Foxes had to do something to make room for their young star.

Veteran journeyman Brad Petterson took his knuckleball to the bullpen and also as the follower on days Mike Harrist pitches.

That combo nearly worked to literal perfection as the Foxes try to turn around a slow start to the season. A walk in the 7th inning was the only base runner the follower, Harrist, allowed in his 7 innings of work.

The combined no-hitter has been a bright spot in a slow start to the season. April was terrible, but as the team went on an NL East stretch in the schedule, the team started turning things around.

This game put the Foxes over .500 for the first time this season, on their 39th game of the season.

"It's been a grind but I think a lot of bad breaks are starting to swing our way, " manager Jerad Head said after the game.

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Re: OOTP 20 Franchise Progress Thread

Foxes Swing Major Trade
Foxes Take Gamble on Young Struggling Slugger

The Foxes decided to make a splash this trading deadline. The offense has struggled and G.M. Ander Lyle targeted Michiomi Koda of the Marlins.

The rub? Koda has struggled mightily for the Marlins. In his first full year for the Fish, Koda posted 2.5 WAR, which is quite an under performance from his projections. So far this year, he's not even reached replacement level, checking in at -1.6 WAR.

The fans, for now, love the move since Koda is a very popular figure with the baseball media and tends to endear himself to the fans. So far, most have overlooked his poor production, writing it off as growing pains.

"We feel like this move with ignite some energy into this batch of Foxes as we continue to reposition for the years ahead. We think think the team is fine, but a little pizazz never hurt, " G.M. Lyle said at the press conference.

The "pizazz" was costly in terms of prospects, something the Foxes are already struggling with replenishing, including Juan Tamez, the signed free agent prospect that became the team's #1 prospect. The young player became a hot commodity after a few months in the league as scouts were able to get a better look at him.

Koda will replace Juan Rosales, who also struggled.

Koda is currently batting .207/.286/.348 with 14 HR and 40 RBI.

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Re: OOTP 20 Franchise Progress Thread

2035 Foxes

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The Foxes were able to return to the postseason, this time successfully securing the second wild card spot in the NL.

The offense fell apart much more than expected, but the steady-as-they-go pitching staff more than stabilized the squad. The NL's best rotation kept the team in the vast majority of games and protected leads with the league's best bullpen. Lavache again was a corner stone, and this year he was matched by Shing Liu and rookie Juan Acevedo.

So the fans were right to worry about the team, who again finished 3rd in the division. But, it is also unfair to say the team is weakening in terms of wins. The Foxes finished with 95 wins on the ledger, one good win streak from 100 wins. The NL East is just a very tough division, this year as in years past.

The Phillies had 106 wins and the Braves had 99. Coming in a close third to those two is no shame.

Part of it is from the gamble on Koba. Yes, the Marlins got two of the few good hitters in the Foxes system, Dopwell and Tamez, and both immediately joined the Marlins' major league squad. However, Koba came alive for the Foxes, hitting as many home runs (14) in 50 games with the Foxes as he did in 100 games with the Marlins.

"When you're on a club that wants to win, it makes you play better. You don't want to read about how you cause the team to lose, so you elevate your game and play hard, " Koba said.

Koba's batting average fell out of the .300's but the power and on-base percentage stayed strong. Scouts continue to think he'll be more than fine, perhaps even a bit better.

Elsewhere on the offense, Alani DeBouse struggled this year but found a way to deliver 36 HR and 94 RBI. Jorge Rivera had a horrendous start of the year but finished with a respectable 2.0 WAR and led the team in RBI with 98. Meanwhile, Juan Romero continues to lead the charge from the lead off spot, scoring 100 runs and producing a .386 OBP.

On the mound, Castelles, Lerma, and Kikuchi held down the fort with Matano suffering a season-ending injury. Manager Jerad Head decided to give Butch Clegg, a promising young reliever that looked slated for a closer job, the #5 starter role as a follower. Clegg responded with a quality season, posting a 3.48 ERA in 93 innings of work.

The only weak spot in the rotation was Luis Flores, a prospect that's had issues in the past with not getting his chances. Well, he got them, 15 starts, and did not impress. He got "better" as his first foray produced nearly a 10 ERA. This time, his ERA was "only" 5.74.

Veteran knuckleball journeyman Brad Peterson provided 130 quality innings in a mixed long-relief/opener role. His ERA was 3.91 and he ended up 11-6. His role is not one he is happy about having, but it worked. However, it remains to be seen if he'll push aside his objections to stay with the team.

As for the farm...

"Well, let's say it's back to square one. However, the reason why it is might also be why we're in the playoffs right now, " G.M. Andre Lyle commented.

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Lerma, Foxes Finally Come to Terms
Pitcher Signs 6-Year Extension

Contentious, on-again, off-again talks continued between the Foxes and Jorge Lerma, the team's #2 starting pitcher. The biggest sticking point became the contract length after Lerma relented on his sky high salary demands.

The Foxes were not comfortable going eight more years on a 31-year-old pitcher, even one as steady as Lerma, whom the Foxes defended and groomed against naysayers. The "multi-fastball pitcher" proved his style can work.

And now, he was looking to get one, likely final, contract extension.

The Foxes and Lerma eventually settled on six years...but the two sides still had issues to iron out. The sixth year went everywhere from guaranteed, to player-optioned, to vesting optioned, to team optioned, to not there at all, according to once source.

In the end, Lerma got it to be player-optional, but gave back some of the per-year salary in compromise. That allowed the two sides to finally agree to terms.

Lerma, soon to turn 32, has pitched his whole career with the Foxes, and next season will be his 12th season. He's never won more than 15 games, and did that just once, but he has a solid 3.12 ERA, good enough for 147 ERA+ and 42 career WAR earned in 1,675 innings of work.

Reese McGuire Retires

Just as one long-time Fox extends, another retires. Reese McGuire will call it a career after the postseason, ending a 18-year career.

McGuire was a product of the Blue Jays system, but spent all but 14 games in a Foxes uniform at the major league level. The Foxes selected the then 23-year-old catcher in the expansion draft, and he's been a fixture in the dugout and behind the plate ever since.

He is one of those players who stuck and was valued for his "soft skills", the intangibles, as they are often called. His bat was always decent enough, but it was his leadership on and off the field that endeared him to the front office and his teammates alike.

"Reese will be missed. He was always that calming force in the clubhouse and grew into one of the games best leaders and true team captains. He didn't wear the title because he was the best performer, but because he was one of the best people, " G.M. Ander Lyle spoke at the press conference.

Reese, now 40, retires with a career .250 batting average and a .690 OPS, just short of average over his playing tenure. However, it will be the unknown value of his positive impact on a then young, budding squad trying to keep it together, and now the calming force when the pressures of contending threaten to boil over that will be remembered in Montreal.

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Re: OOTP 20 Franchise Progress Thread

Foxes Fall in Five
Phillies Nip Foxes 2-1 to Advance to NLCS

The Foxes faced both their NL East rivals this playoff run.

They had to defeat the Braves in the Wild Card Game, getting a brilliant performance from Castelles to push the Foxes onward.

The Phillies jumped on the Foxes rotation at Citizens Bank Park. No Castelles available showed up big time as the big bats for the Phillies easily took the first two games of the series.

Back at the Fox's Den, Clegg survived a poor opening start by Harrist to keep his team in the game and the Foxes would win 7-4, thanks a large part to Koba continuing to shine.

Game four saw Castelles get a turn and he, along with Lavache, got the job done. This would force a decisive game five back at Citizens Bank Park.

Ironically, it was the Phillies pitching that won the day. Lerma, the Foxes starter gave up two home runs, but they were solo home runs. Steve Bell for the Phillies gave up a triple and a sac fly. Phillies held the lead 2-1. The Foxes got completely shut down by the Phillies bullpen, who pitched 3 perfect innings of relief. The score stayed 2-1 and the Phillies advanced.

"To see Steve [Bell] pitch like this, in this place, with the wind blow out...it was the best performance I've seen from him, " Phillies manager Jose Valentin commented, "The whole team, they pitched their hearts out. That's a good team we beat, and they pushed us to the very end."

Steve Bell credited his rookie pitching coach, Kyle Lohse, for the win, saying, "Kyle, he gave me a new game plan to try. He watched some video on what pitches those hitters can crush and had me try something different. It obviously worked."

Lohse also was credited with Masyn Winn actually producing a capable season... at age 34. Winn won game 2 in the series, defeating Shigeru Kikuchi.

"He [Kyle Lohse] has been a big part of what we're doing on the mound. It's why we're going to the NLCS today, and why we won this division, " Winn commented.

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Re: OOTP 20 Franchise Progress Thread

Giants Say They "Humbled" Phillies, Blue Jays
Giants Claim 2035 World Series in 4-0 Sweep of Blue Jays

The Giants slugged their way past the Phillies to advance to the NLCS.

While his team celebrated, Giants manager C.J. Fick threw some shade on the Phillies and the Foxes.

"They [the Phillies] were over there congratulating their [expletive] pitching coach because they beat those Foxes. Maybe it's more like the Foxes offense is trash. They are well-named, because like a scrawny fox, they are smoke and mirrors. We all know they have a trash offense. Worst of any playoff team. Doesn't make them bad, but don't pat yourself on the back for beating a Triple-A offense, " Fick said.

No one for the Foxes had a reply other than G.M. Lyle saying that he "had more important things to do than read about a loudmouth manager."

The Phillies' Jose Valentine fired back, saying, "He shades us for thanking those that help us succeed while he's setting a horrible example and embarrassing his organization on what should be a great day."

Fick's outbursts continued as the Giants swept past the Blue Jays.

While holding the Commissioner's Trophy, Fick said, "These 100-win teams always think they are hot [expletive] but look who has the Trophy, us and our lowly [expletive] 90 wins. That's because we play ball, not stats and wins collecting, and all of San Fran can revel in today because of it."

"Those Blue Jays had their big bad offense, just like those Phillies. I guess Canadian runs don't count as much over here, " Fick laughed.

The Giants have the last laugh this year, like it or not. They will begin 2036 as the defending champions.

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Re: OOTP 20 Franchise Progress Thread

Mets Chaos Continues
Mickey Callaway Reportedly Threatens GM, Gets Fired.

It must be a new generation of manager because there's some loose cannons in the dugouts across MLB these days.

The lastest came from the debacle that is the Mets. Perhaps this is what happens when you go from 100 wins to 58 in just four seasons.

"I wasn't taking that garbage any more. You're not going to tell me I don't know how to run my dugout or do my job when you're ruining the team, " Mickey Callaway commented, "So I quit. They will spin it like I got fired, but no, I walked out on those losers."

Indeed, it came out on the media that Callaway "used coarse and threatening lanugage" and had to be removed from the front office, presumably by security personnel.

"I used a few words but nothing you don't hear on the average movie. Guess their delicate ears couldn't take the truth. Of course, if I cost my team 42 wins in four years, I wouldn't want to hear it either. Removed? Total [expletive].

No word on where Callaway has an interest in landing for his next job or who the Mets will have in the dugout for the coming season.

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Re: OOTP 20 Franchise Progress Thread

2036 Foxes

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The Foxes haven't made many changes over the offseason. The largest is the departing of Kikuchi, which was replaced by the signing of Yasutoki Shibuya. Brad Peterson's knuckleball returned and will be largely the same role as last season, while Clegg moves to a full bullpen role on Opening Day. For now, at least, he will not be a follower or an opener, though that will be subject to change.

Rule 5 selection Teagen Wither takes the 5th starter spot on a tentative basis. Should the finesse pitcher falter, the team would likely return to Clegg being the follower on the 5th starter's spot in the rotation.

The rest of the staff is the same. Casteles and Lerma remain on top and Matano healed on schedule from his shoulder surgery rehab, though all eyes will be on how he performs. Lavache returns to anchor the bullpen while Liu and Acevedo hammer down the later innings.

Offensively, the excitement is around a full season of Michiomi Koba. The stir he caused during the stretch run and playoffs has everyone pumped for what a full season of the revitalized young slugger could mean. Former top-10 prospect Juan Romero will excite things from the top of the lineup as he's emerged into one of the game's premier base stealing threats and he has the batting average and plate discipline to take full advantage of it. He is also fiery when he splits the gaps, creating exciting movements every time he puts the ball in play.

A full season of Kenishi Kadota has the organization intrigued as well. The spunky young prospect came over in the Brenes trade with the Indians last season and broke into the majors for a couple hundred plate appearances last season.

The Foxes liked what they saw in that time and named him the starting third baseman after a competitive spring training performance. His make-things-happen approach at the plate and take-chances play in the field has scouts and coaches very curious to see how it holds up over the course of a full season.

Overall, the Foxes are expected to be where they have been for most of the last six years, around 95 wins and in the hunt for the postseason. This year, the Phillies are thought to have taken a severe step back with their pitching staff, putting Braves on top and the Foxes in a solid second place, plenty good enough for another postseason berth.

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Re: OOTP 20 Franchise Progress Thread

Foxes Stand Pat at Deadline
Magical Season Has Team Confident

The Foxes are in the midst of a season that no one expected.

The team is on pace for a franchise record win total as August carries on, sitting on an 11-game lead in the division in the process.

Much of the credit is being given to Koba, who is having a magical season in his own right. Koba is on pace to hit 65 home runs to go with 183 RBI and a 1.046 OPS. One player who has certainly benefited from Koba's amazing play is Juan Romero, the team's leadoff hitter. Romero has basically matched his season run scored total from last year with two months to play.

Ajain DeBouse has rebounded as well, now up to 35 HR and looking more like his usual self and perhaps on his way to a career high in the power department.

The outburst from Koba, though, is what's got everyone talking, especially after his season with the Marlins.

What's funny is the Foxes rotation hasn't been up to the usual standard, especially Castellas, but it's still good enough for 4th in the NL. The bullpen? Anchored by Lavache, surrounded with solid performances. That's been the Foxes pitching so far. Solid, dependable, and it's been good enough.

The Foxes can't relax too early. The Braves and Phillies are still playing well, nearly .600 ball, so any slips will likely be punished with a shrinking lead.

But the first four months of the season? Purely magic.