Besides Dan Murrell, Ben Bateman is the biggest question mark in the free agent season, based on the fact that we know he is going somewhere else and how good of a competitor he is. Where he goes will change the course of free agency. Unlike Murrell, who I feel can work with just about any manager or competitor, The Boss will not only be more picky with his choice of management but will also be that way toward the competitors on the team as well. So, let us go on a journey to find this answer, shall we?
So, first thing, let’s eliminate some possibilities. Shannon Barney is out since she already has her three and no one can touch them. That leaves seven factions. I feel like we can eliminate Coy because I do not see a way that he does not keep Shazam and Kevin Smith. So, now we are down to six. There are the newly named The Starz with Roxy. She can go two different ways here, but either one she does, I think she is locked. So, she goes with the Odd Couple and then keeps either Chris Jericho or Alex Damon. That’s her three.
We are down to five. We obviously know that he isn’t going back to the Finstock Exchange, so that makes it four. When it comes to S.W.A.G., there is a chance that Winston goes after someone big. But with that said, he has a great core of players to choose from. Liz Shannon Miller, Final Exam, and Chandru. The way I see this going is Winston dropping Lon Harris and keeping Paul Oyama, Miller, and Chandru. If that happens, then S.W.A.G. is out.
That leaves three factions – the Den, the Usual Suspects, and the Dungeon. It’s going to be hard to choose between these three factions because they all need to almost start over completely. The Usual Suspects will most likely keep Ethan Erwin, and I see the Dungeon keeping Robert Parker. Because of their respective characters, I do not see Bateman going with Samm Levine and Rachel Cushing. I mean, he is The Boss now.
So that leaves The Den and The Dungeon. And the thing that I know is that Bateman and Kaiser have a friendship behind the scenes.
With all of that said, I think Ben Bateman will be in The Dungeon next season. Or, I could be like Jon Snow and know nothing. But it will be fun to find out when it happens.
And honestly, isn’t that the fun of all this?
My gut has him going to the Den. I feel like Kate is the one who will listen to him the most which is something he greatly enjoys. Kaiser has his own takes and feelings on how all should go.
thanks for the response brandy. and i also agree with your view could go either way