Why did Maple Management look to improve at 3B?

Rosters have expanded in the ABL in season #10 - 2021.  Maple is in a great position to win the Billy Martin division in the TML.  Jersey and South Carolina are giving us a run but, a double digit lead this late in the season places the Marauders in an unique position they have never been in before.  This division usually comes down to the wire but, this year Maple has to decide to continue to plug away with the regulars are look to rest some players for the post season.  We are not counting a playoff spot until we pop the champagne but, with a magic # down to 16 we are close.  We have a tough game remaining tonight versus South Carolina who is 1 of only 2 teams we have a losing record with this year (Eureka is the other team).  Then we fly north to Jersey to face a strong team coached by a GM that actually spoke today or yesterday - I can't remember.  Then we continue to fly north home to face a team that we aspire to be after this season is over and that is an ABL Championship club.  Kansas City is still fighting for their playoff lives with a slim lead in the Wild Card race in the TML.  Maple would love to play spoiler here for sure.

So rosters expand and this is an exciting time of year.  So many players in the organization so many choices.  Some are personal & some are made with smarts.  Our first move prior to the SIM tonight is having Bill "The SINGER" Nelson, OF on a REHAB stint to Astoria, NY.  Bill is a critical player to our offense and we don't want to take any chances prior to the playoffs.  My second move was a sentimental one in calling up Don Strickland, 1B from Astoria AAA to the big club for his last hoorah! in the ABL.  Those original ABL GMs will remember his early days on Maple where he started his career as a R18 pick in the inaugural draft #423 overall.  Don had a dream first season, winning a gold glove, player of the week twice and rookie of the month.  Nobody expected him to hit .332 bavg with 20 homers that season!  Don will have some value on the team during the stretch run as his defense is still very solid and he will give some late inning rest to Blake Reynolds.  Our other moves included;  Archie Sardeson INF, Brian Daniels MR, Jake Robinson SP and Martin Jenkins OF being called to Maple for the stretch run.  This will be the last stunt with Maple for Archie as he will become a Free Agent in the offseason.  Daniels and Robinson are getting close looks for next years team.  Martin Jenkins was a highly touted player in our organization acquired from New York.  His OF defense will be a welcomed addition late in games.

So back to the title of this PR - why did Maple look at 3B before the trade deadline?

The answer is clearly below:

By Position (regular season games only)

Split G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS C 136 531 64 150 27 1 19 84 34 104 0 0 .282 .324 .444 .769 1B 136 533 80 140 22 1 29 80 46 120 2 0 .263 .327 .471 .798 2B 136 551 76 154 50 3 11 61 39 113 18 8 .279 .324 .441 .765 3B 136 494 60 109 18 6 7 41 34 86 9 5 .221 .276 .324 .599 SS 136 494 49 106 27 4 3 52 34 128 23 10 .215 .264 .304 .568 LF 136 527 85 160 34 4 24 83 44 92 10 4 .304 .364 .520 .884 CF 136 506 90 145 28 6 30 87 65 116 28 14 .287 .378 .543 .922 RF 136 519 80 154 22 10 9 71 54 38 16 12 .297 .369 .430 .798 DH 136 542 86 158 36 5 24 85 49 85 15 2 .292 .349 .509 .858

Good luck to everyone in the stretch run!