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Wish List: Rakeville Rockets
Even the perfect season couldn't earn them a championship
By Conor Intabedd / The Weekly Reno Rag
First place in the regular season, a first round bye in the playoffs, and an Eastern Division crown. The Rockets couldn't have planned for a better 2005 season, unless that is they won the championship to go along with it. Even being in another country won't stop the powerhouse of Rakeville from attempting another run at the title next year. In order to do so they're going to try and figure out which of their many, many young talents will be able to carry the load and which they may have to part ways with.
Last year, the Rockets made a few gamble-like moves; one of which was dropping Bret Myers, who they've been nursing for 2 full seasons waiting for his breakout year. It finally came, just not for the Rockets but the Green Monsters instead. "We dropped some pitchers we had been developing for a few years, namely Brett Myers. I am really happy for him that he had his breakout year, and I think a lot of credit should go to Justin Fuller and the Rockets pitching staff. We nurtured him for two plus years and it would have been nice to see him in Maroon for another season," cried a disappointed Rockets fan outside the team's stadium. Other risky moves panned out for the best, including the pick-ups of Derrick Turnbow (a free agent signing and Matt Morris, who cleared waivers after being dropped by Shaddupu after the 2005 draft last March. Turnbow ended up being one of the five best closers in baseball and Morris had an all-star season for the Rockets.
The Rockets may not make any big moves this off season but watch them to talk about trading away one of their star third basemen (Blalock, Wright, Cabrera). Cabrera won't be available in the outfield soon and the Rockets don't have a use for 3 all-star 3rd basemen. They may also take some offers for starting pitchers Scott Baker and AJ Burnett. Both are young studs and could bring in decent filler for the Rocket's already stellar pitching staff. "We are always looking to cement our pitching staff as the best in the league and could move Burnett or Baker for two starters, but right now I think we are going to be patient," commented GM Jack Reed.
Rakeville came very close to trading for power hitting Barry Bonds, but due to injuries the deal with Haverhill fell through and the Rockets never had the chance to add the big stick to their outfield. Rumor has it that they may go after him again during the 2006 season, just expect them to give up team captain Pedro Martinez. "I would also like to see Barry Bonds in maroon. We tried to work out a deal last season for him. Barring injury or lack of at bats, we would pay a little extra to get his stick in out outfield for a season," Reed told Haverhill reporters, "We have a few players that are young, talented, and worth a hell of a lot of money. The only person who is truly 'untouchable' is Pedro. He is the heart and soul of this team. He was the Rocket's very first player, and I guarantee he will be with us until he is tired of baseball."
Rakeville Wish-List: Barry Bonds, Dave Roberts, Danny Kolb, Travis Bowyer, and Carl Crawford.
The Rockets think they can do better in 2006, and they hope to fight for another bye. I'd say to watch for them to finish right where they did last year in the regular season: 1st place. Hopefully for them however, the regular season will carry over to the playoffs.
Side note: When GM Jack Reed was asked about Edgar Renteria's departure from Boston his response was, "As bombs explode around me, and people die just miles away, I can still say there is justice in the world and that God is merciful."
Conor Intabedd writes an opinion column for The Weekly Reno Rag. He has never been to a foreign country, but his trip to Bushkill, PA, was an international escapade to say the least.
