S1 - How They Were Built - St Louis

Jack Torrance - contributing reporter

A baseball roster, much like a fine old hotel in the dead of winter, has a way of revealing the character of those who built it. Some teams are assembled with meticulous precision—carefully orchestrated trades, shrewd free-agent signings, and waiver-wire heists that border on grand larceny. Others? Well, they stumble through the offseason like a man lost in a hedge maze, their plans unraveling with each ill-fated contract and hasty deal. But whether by genius or madness, every roster tells a story—a tale of ambition, desperation, and the relentless pursuit of victory. So, let’s take a look at how this particular team, the St. Louis Archers came to be, piece by painstaking piece, and see if they’ve crafted a masterpiece… or something destined to collapse under its own weight.

The team started off to the hottest start we've ever seen (so what if it's only Season 1) in Hardball Stitches history, let's see how it was done. 

  • C
    • Philip McCartin - ORIGINAL - Arbitration 2 signing of $1.5M.
    • Kenshin Choi - TRADE - with Bossman Bob (Fresno), gave up SP Shouta Tamura and SP Cy Ingram, who both received late season promotions while the Romans were fighting with the Sazeracs for the division title out West.  Choi took on Righties while McCartin took on Lefties. 
    • Greg Harmon - ORIGINAL - Started on a $328K rookie level contract
  • 1B
    • Jacob Donald - WAIVER CLAIM - Donald went through Arbitration 3 with Buffalo but was waived shortly thereafter. Nearly had a 20 2B - 20 HR - 20 SB season.
  • 2B
    • Glenn Green - ORIGINAL - Started with a 2/$12.6M contract. Likely ends the season as the #2 SB leader in Hardball Stitches and behind teammate Len Priest. 
  • SS
    • Ron House - ORIGINAL - Started with a 2/$10.4M contract
    • Grayson Ryan - FREE AGENT - Signed a 3/$17M contract this offseason - plus defender up the middle. 
  • 3B
    • Rylan Benson - ORIGINAL - Started with a 2/$10.4M contract
  • LF
    • Len Priest - ORIGINAL - Started with a 2/$9.2M contract. Solid 1-2 punch with Green, as mentioned the two lead the league in SBs. 
    • Corey Smalley - ORIGINAL - Started with a 2/$13M contract. Doesn't get many ABs but when he does he's become a .300+ hitter. 
  • CF
    • Fred Sowders - TRADE - Another deal with New Orleans, this time giving up 1B Wayne Pennington who has above average contact, power, and eye; but his splits could use a good bit of improvement. 
  • RF
    • Koji Katou - FREE AGENT - This one is well documented, he signed a max contract this off-season. $30M this season for 87 runs, 34 hr, 92 rbi, on a .299 avg....through only 98 games played. Just wait for next season. 
    • Sergei Fabregas - ORIGINAL - Started on a $328K rookie level contract

  • Starters
    • Alen Baldwin - TRADE - w/ New Orleans as first trade of the season. Gave up DH John Hearn and SP Bernie Rosado. Both players were promoted to the majors. Hearn a 2 year rookie hasn't improved this season, but his splits were already 97/94 with a 94 eye. Rosado has performed very similar to Baldwin this season.  
    • Babe Rodgers - ORIGINAL - Arbitration 1 signing of $1.3M.
    • Edgmer Wilfredo - ORIGINAL - Started with a 3/$16.8M contract
    • Derrek Cone - TRADE - with Montgomery, gave up prospect RP Sherry Merrick and SP Dolf Hillenbrand. Hillenbrand looks to be the future of the Fightins rotation. 
    • James Richardson - TRADE - with Salt Lake City. Easy add, was a salary dump for SLC. Been amazing since joining the team. 
  • Bullpen
All-in here's a recap of the moves
  • 14 original contracts / arbitration / promotions
  • 2 free agent signings
  • 1 waiver claims
  • 8 trades

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