More release news from the Overwatch League, and this one is a mass exodus for the Boston Uprising. From experienced players from the inaugural season to new acquisitions from trades or just signings, a lot of players got released. The Boston Uprising have released Min-seok “AimGod” Kwon, Kristian “Kellex” Keller, Zion “Persia” Yang, Renan “alemao” Moretto, Richard “rCk” Kanerva and Do-hyung “Stellar” Lee. They also traded Jeffrey “blasé” Tsang to the Houston Outlaws.
The mass exodus
While most people suspected some departures, releasing six players at once was surprising to say the least. Not only were recent acquisitions like Stellar, Persia, and rCk released off of poor performances, but veterans AimGod and Kellex were released as well. You can argue that even the veterans didn’t play well in their second season, but this choice to not renew their contracts sends a message to their fans: That wasn’t good enough and we need to change.
Today we say goodbye to several members of the Uprising.
Roster announcements: https://t.co/Mv2kJkq4bG pic.twitter.com/3re8Y18fQP
— Boston Uprising (@BostonUprising) October 21, 2019
Many teams this off-season are doing the same, including the Toronto Defiant and many others. However, many people argued that the players staying on the Uprising could have been released as well. Either way, the 2020 Uprising will be a much different team, for better or worse.
A not so blasé trade
A day after the six-player release from the Uprising, Boston tweeted another big move for their team. But it wasn’t an acquisition; it was a trade. They traded DPS player Blasé to the Houston Outlaws. While he didn’t show his true potential on the Uprising, it was clear he wasn’t going to work out staying there. But it was curious that he was traded to the Houston Outlaws of all teams. Currently, the Outlaws have five DPS players on their roster. This probably won’t stay for long, but if they do go that route (which has been done before), they will have to expect some players getting mad at playing time and lack thereof.
We've traded blasé to the Houston Outlaws.
Full announcement: https://t.co/jefyHokSYE pic.twitter.com/KYHsWiG33Y
— Boston Uprising (@BostonUprising) October 22, 2019
However, one thing that Blasé brings from the Uprising to the Outlaws is flexibility. He is known for being able to play most DPS heroes at a high level. He will be a nice addition to a growing team for 2020. But the true question is this: Does this mean one or more of the other DPS players on the Outlaws are leaving? With João Pedro “Hydration” Goes Telles being added to the Outlaws recently, one of the original players is most likely out the door. Is this the end for Jacob “JAKE” Lyon? Or even possibly the exit of Jiri “LiNkzr” Masalin? Stay tuned for more news on the Houston Outlaws and Boston Uprising both.
