2016 Season Preview

The starting pitching is beginning to mature.
The bullpen was lengthened with the acquisition of Gary Payne.
Roy O'Quinn has returned from his season ending injury and started to come on at the end of spring training.
Dan Mullen wins the 3B job with a .980 OPS in spring training.
20 year old Jorge Rosas, the odds on favorite to win the Rookie of the Year Award, will be the Opening Day 2B in his rookie campaign, and is projected to put up some monster numbers by ABL Reporters covering Spring Training.

All in all there is a lot of optimism here in South Carolina.  Quietly, team management believes that this squad can have the Bombers competing for a playoff berth.  The Billy Martin Division is getting stronger. 

Maple always seems to find a way to compete and win their games, whether it's with 60% of their rotation going down to injury or pulling off a white hot September.

San Francisco, coming off their first Division crown and playoff appearance are gunning to make it two in a row.

Jersey, is getting better and it shouldn't be too long before they're tightening the division up.

But not everything is looking well in Bomber-Land.  One major surprise has taken place.

Dave Nicholson, winner of 26 games over the last two seasons finds himself being demoted to AAA. 
In the last start of the spring, Nicholson only managed to go 1.1 IP, giving up 7 hits and runs with 1 K and a HR.  His spring training ERA was an inflated 11.45.

GM Gary Altman was obviously annoyed with Nicholson's performance.  Altman was overheard speaking with the manager and trainers, "You should be coming to Spring Training in shape, not to get in shape!".

Nicholson when asked about his demotion, "I was just trying to get my work in.  I would have pitched much differently if I knew my job was on the line.  This is bull crap!  I'm gonna have a talk with my agent and see what can be worked out."

Replacing Nicholson in the rotation will be Aaron Harris.  Harris tripped a bit in his opening start, but then locked in.  In his last 3 ST starts, Harris has gone 12 innings, given up 9 hits, 2 runs/earned, 2 walks and 4 K's.  For the spring, Harris has gotten 23 ground ball outs, and just 8 flyball outs.  This will be important as O'Quinn improves on his CF defense.

Let the games begin!