Brian Downing Kaat, 2001-2019

The Miami Stars lost their manager today after a battle with kidney disease.

The last few days have been difficult.  Brian has lost a good deal of weight over the last few years, and especially so in the last 2 months.  He has had more difficulty moving around and less appetite.  On Thursday, Brian suffered a seizure while sitting in my lap.  After a bit of a rest, he recovered enough to show that he was still mobile, but walked with noticeable pain and seemed to be confused, wandering around the house and yowling sadly.

He would also yowl at his water bowl before trying to drink from it.  Our doctor explained that was probably related to the kidney disease.  Brian wanted to drink but his body was not working well and made it difficult.  He also yowled whenever the heat in the house went off, as it denied him the chance to get warm air by resting over the vent.

Last night I heard Brian yowling and thinking he was cold, picked him up with his blanket and brought him to sleep on top of me.  He was content there for a while, though this was very unlike Brian.  For most of his life he prized his independence.  He might snuggle on top of a human, but would not like to be covered by a blanket, he wanted to be able to leave whenever he wanted to.  Last night there was little fight left in him.

We took him to his doctor this morning and discussed our options.  We could try to fight the kidney disease by getting IV fluids into him, but at his age the odds were that it would not last long, and I did not like the idea of Brian kept in a kitty hospital for days or even a week, without his human companions.  Sadly, we made the choice to spare Brian any more pain, and said goodbye.

Brian's entire immediate family was on hand to wish him farewell, to sing the song of Brian one more time, and reminisce about our life with him.  The world is a better place for having had Brian in it for the last 18 1/2 years.

Week in review

It was a big week for OOTP transactions as the top pitcher on the market signed a massive deal and two blockbuster trades were completed.

After entertaining free agent offers, Roger Blackwood resigned with the Florida Penguins for 328 million over 9 years.  The contract is the third highest for a pitcher, after the 10 year deals signed by Stephen Hamburg and Silveran Kanan Bonis.  Blackwood had offers from contenders St Louis and Boston, and an even higher total dollar package from the rebuilding Philadelphia Grays, but ultimately choose the familiarity of the Penguin organization.

The team will have a different look in 2020 as several rookies will replace more expensive veterans, and more free agent signings may be on the way after the team freed up additional payroll space through a trade.

The Penguins acquire shortstop Bruno Vogler from Chicago.  As a rookie Vogler played excellent defense and also hit .270 with 23 homers.  The only concern about his game is a propensity to strike out, as he whiffed 190 times.  Vogler is under team control for the next 5 seasons, so getting him had to come at a cost.

Chicago picks up Peter Buchanon and Melvin Ortiz, two veterans on reasonable contracts but who will be free agents at the end of the year.  They also pick up prospect Greg Haase, a promising outfielder with excellent on base skills and speed, plus a player to be named later.

Buchanon, who won 25 games combined in the 2016 season and Penguin championship run, was devastated to learn of the trade.  He gave a farewell speech to listeners of his conservative talk radio show on WPEN, voice of the Penguins.  “Let me assure you that I did not initiate this trade.  I wanted more than anything to be a Penguin for life.  I have truly enjoyed the support of you, the best fans in baseball over these years.  Unfortunately, baseball is a business and this is one possible consequence of the contract I signed.  I will do my best to bring the Chicago Winds back to the World Series, and it would be wonderful if I can meet the Penguins there.”

Chicago followed that trade up by dealing outfielder Byron Jones and starter Ruben Ramirez to Boston for C.C. Salbacca and reliever Ralph Everett.

Ramirez, 34, was 56-42 with a 3.27 ERA in 5 seasons with the Winds.  Jones, 26, hit 28 homers, knocked in 95, and scored 100 runs last year.  He will take over center field in Boston.  Both players will be free agents after the 2020 season.

The Wookiee Salbacca comes with 3 years and 96 million left on his contract.  He had a disappointing 2019 season (11-13, 4.61 ERA), but offers a durable arm and top of the line strikeout ability (248 whiffs).  Salbacca throws 97-99 MPH and the team hopes he returns to his 2017-18 form, when he posted sub 3.00 ERAs.  Everett combines power and control in the bullpen, and had a 70-7 K-W ratio in 53 innings last season.