Everything went great for the Royal Rumble in round 1 of the playoffs. The best part, the players will be rested after the sweep of the Dingo's. I really didn't expect a sweep of a team I have generally had problems with. Matter of fact, I expected losing the series in 5 games at best. We move on to play the Anaheim Sluggers. The regular season saw the Rumble humble the Sluggers 7-3, but I don't expect that kind of reception in the Playoffs.
What has the Royal Rumble done so differently this season to right the ship? Well, for one I never paid much attention to defense through much of the season. It wasn't that I was playing players out of position, more or less weak at the position and their hitting was not making up the difference. Actually I was very sick much of the season, so paying attention to what was really going on was very minimal.
In a nutshell most of the games were being lost late. To figure out what was wrong I had to analyze what was going on. Orval Varitek had 16 errors at 3B, but 9 plus plays. The 16 errors bothered me and couldn't figure out the reason even after looking at the box scores. Esteban Izturis also had 16 errors, not really uncommon at SS as his somewhat weak glove can cause that. Alex Flores had 13 errors at 2B which also could be because he is a little under-rated in the glove department. The three had a combined 37 plus plays and 1 minus play though. That told me the major infield positions wasn't the problem.
However, the combination of Vic Seneca playing RF and Ed Wood playing 1B did turn out to be a huge problem and probably contributed to the errors of the other 3.
Wood really doesn't have the efficiency to play 1B all that well but his big bat should help the cause. 3 errors and 5 plus plays with 6 minus plays doesn't sound all that bad but his offense didn't cover enough as to what happened to the other players on defense.
Seneca didn't play a very good RF this season either, 5 errors and 7 minus plays with 0 plus plays. His arm is good enough to play the position but that didn't even garner a plus play.
So with Wood out of the lineup and Seneca playing 1B, things changed. Seneca had 0 errors and 4 plus plays at 1B in 37 games. The errors from the other 3 went very minimal in that time frame. One of the problems solved. Brett Stohr was inserted into RF to fill the vacancy, his range and glove are very good for the position but his somewhat weak arm was a concern.
To make up for the short fall of power in the lineup, Tito Yamakazi was quickly promoted to AA to get some higher level AB's in before being promoted to the majors before the playoff roster deadline. Although I consider him still weak at the position, a work in progress so to speak, I had no other choices as I needed another power bat with Wood out of the lineup.
Aubrey Speaker was the odd man out in this move unfortunately for him, just to give Tito playing time. Comparing the two and their regular season play looked like a bad move in the end. Speaker actually had a pretty decent season, though his hitting was a bit off in the BB to SO ratio and his average was down some. The power from Tito never materialized until the playoffs though.
The pen was a sore spot as they couldn't do anything right. Changing the Manager settings cleared most of that up, getting the bench in the game defensively. Also it didn't hurt that I picked up Lorenzo Borbon and Armando Rincon who were sitting unmolested in the FA pool. That allowed me to move three under-performers out to greener pastures in AAA.
Oscar Chang had been complaining about a sore arm and shoulder early in the season. As usual when he pitched, the offense was no where to be found. He normally buckles down in the second part of the season to make him a Cy Young candidate. He had already pitched a lot of innings and nothing much to show for it and I needed a Closer. So to rest him and still use him effectively it was off to Closer school. All of those playoff appearances as a starter under his belt he had only ever won one game, so no loss there. You would think that he would make a shut down Closer, but au contraire. His performance in the role is far from exceptional as 0-2 with 23 saves out of 27 opportunities may sound good but many of the performances were actually a far cry from good even.
Basically most of the last 40 games was back to Spring Training with a never give up attitude. The catch is to identify the problem and try to solve it the best you can without destroying team chemistry. After all the moves, I don't think the team gelled together until the last 10 games of the season and it was just enough to make the playoffs. Did all the changes make a big difference in the playoff against Tampa Bay? I seem to think it did and may have took the Dingo by surprise. Will the way I play the Sluggers change from the Dingos, Probably!
As for the the other three sweeps by the Wild Card teams. I was surprised that New York completely shut down Arizona. Three shutouts in the Playoffs? Chicago out hitting Hartford wasn't that much of a surprise, the sweep was. Scottsdale's sweep of Burlington wasn't actually a real surprise but shutting down the Burlington offense in Scottsdale was.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Royal Rumblings III
I didn't get around to posting team happenings after the 20 game stretch. Was 12-8 in the stretch but it kept me in the hunt for the playoffs. It finally donned on me why I was having problems winning 1-run games. A minor change to the Manager settings and suddenly I am 22-29 in 1-run games, vast improvement from 15-26 I would say. So what was the change? I know everyone wants to know. The old configuration wasn't allowing my bench to get in the game. Sounds a bit ludicrous right? Why would I want my bench players in the game and take offense away. Most generally I was winning the game before losing it that is why. I needed my backup defensive PC catcher in the game and he wasn't getting there. 12 points of pitch calling and a much better defense has more meaning to me in tight games and to the pen it seems. The rest of the players coming in late is not going to have that much of an adverse effect defensively or offensively for that matter. Also it got me to wondering if they may have put an upper level cap on 1-run games so I did some checking in other worlds. It seems it is possible that it could be 55 as I found a bunch of those but never found one over 55.
So here I set with 1 game to play in the regular season and suddenly find myself with a 1 game lead for the last wild card spot. The final 17 games had my nerves in an uproar believe it or not. Losing 2 of 3 to Minnesota didn't help. Then losing 3 of 4 to Austin, I got the pepto out. I was actually resting some players, they needed it, but it was disheartening. Another small change to the Manager settings and I was back in business taking 3 of 4 from Helena. Then took 2 of three from arch-rival Chicago. It should have been a sweep if you ask me. What happened in the loss threw me for a second, couldn't figure out the lineup from the box score to the one I supposedly had in place. Something I had never seen before happened, mostly because I don't let it happen. The sim auto rested my tired players. Ok, so now I had to change the auto rest feature for position players something that I have never had to do before, except for pitchers.
So after a decidedly disastrous start to the final 17 games, I have finished with an 8-2 run that I am pretty sure has put me in the playoffs as the #6 seed. I am resting my players anyway in the final game of the season. The reason, a 1 game lead and if I did my counting right, I hold the tie-breakers, so if I lose the last game I should back into the playoffs. I know I hold the H2H with Jacksonville 7-3 for the tie breaker with them. Chicago and I are 5-5 H2H but I hold the division record. So I will get Tampa Bay in the first round, egads things never get better but then who said it would be easy?
So here I set with 1 game to play in the regular season and suddenly find myself with a 1 game lead for the last wild card spot. The final 17 games had my nerves in an uproar believe it or not. Losing 2 of 3 to Minnesota didn't help. Then losing 3 of 4 to Austin, I got the pepto out. I was actually resting some players, they needed it, but it was disheartening. Another small change to the Manager settings and I was back in business taking 3 of 4 from Helena. Then took 2 of three from arch-rival Chicago. It should have been a sweep if you ask me. What happened in the loss threw me for a second, couldn't figure out the lineup from the box score to the one I supposedly had in place. Something I had never seen before happened, mostly because I don't let it happen. The sim auto rested my tired players. Ok, so now I had to change the auto rest feature for position players something that I have never had to do before, except for pitchers.
So after a decidedly disastrous start to the final 17 games, I have finished with an 8-2 run that I am pretty sure has put me in the playoffs as the #6 seed. I am resting my players anyway in the final game of the season. The reason, a 1 game lead and if I did my counting right, I hold the tie-breakers, so if I lose the last game I should back into the playoffs. I know I hold the H2H with Jacksonville 7-3 for the tie breaker with them. Chicago and I are 5-5 H2H but I hold the division record. So I will get Tampa Bay in the first round, egads things never get better but then who said it would be easy?
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Royal Rumblings II
Well, I am back to being bewildered again. After wiping out the division opponents I figured I would win a few in the next 23 game stretch. 10-13 was not my idea of a fun stretch. Scoring 73 runs, what happened to the offense? Only gave up 62 so it probably isn't pitching or defense. I have a wonderful 1-run record also, 15-27, rivaled only by Louisville at 12-26 in frustration.
Well, the way I see it things won't get much better. I face one winning team, Anaheim, in the next 20 games. That is right, 17 games against sub 500 teams. You would think I would be happy about that. Problem is I haven't been beating these teams, so why would it change now?
Oh well, back to the sludge pool and see what shakes out.
Well, the way I see it things won't get much better. I face one winning team, Anaheim, in the next 20 games. That is right, 17 games against sub 500 teams. You would think I would be happy about that. Problem is I haven't been beating these teams, so why would it change now?
Oh well, back to the sludge pool and see what shakes out.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Royal Rumblings
Before the All-Star break my team looked dismal and couldn't beat anyone, well, except Jacksonville. They were bewildered, I was bewildered. The only thing I could figure out was, we had 46 losses and 21 of those were by 1-run. Then after the All-Star break I changed the lineup a little. Opened up against the Dark Knights at home, oh great another 1-run loss. I was ready to throw in the towel as I had no clue as to why and 16 games behind Minnesota. We were still strong enough to make a run at a wild card maybe, but the way we had been playing I doubted that even.
Next thing I know, we mopped up the division with that towel I threw in. Never saw it coming. No way, no how. We went into Minnesota with a sudden 7 game win streak. I figured this series would end it all right away. But no, we humiliated them on their home field, the fans actually booed them off the field. With a 16-0 shellacking to start the series and a 10-1 thumping to end it, easy to understand the fans resentment. I think that has been their worst two defeats all season.
Suddenly we are on a 10 game win streak and closed the gap from 16 games to 10. And we also caught Chicago in the mean time. We scored 86 runs in those 10 games, 10 or more in 5 of them with 3 shutout victories.
Other than the little change the lineup, I picked up Lorenzo Borbon from the FA scrap heap to replace a pen pitcher that was in my dog house. He hasn't even gotten a chance to pitch as the starters have been going deep into games with little worry and the short relief has been shutting everything down all of a sudden. Of course it is relatively easy when you have comfy leads to start with.
Not sure what changed, but I am not complaining and hope it continues.
Next thing I know, we mopped up the division with that towel I threw in. Never saw it coming. No way, no how. We went into Minnesota with a sudden 7 game win streak. I figured this series would end it all right away. But no, we humiliated them on their home field, the fans actually booed them off the field. With a 16-0 shellacking to start the series and a 10-1 thumping to end it, easy to understand the fans resentment. I think that has been their worst two defeats all season.
Suddenly we are on a 10 game win streak and closed the gap from 16 games to 10. And we also caught Chicago in the mean time. We scored 86 runs in those 10 games, 10 or more in 5 of them with 3 shutout victories.
Other than the little change the lineup, I picked up Lorenzo Borbon from the FA scrap heap to replace a pen pitcher that was in my dog house. He hasn't even gotten a chance to pitch as the starters have been going deep into games with little worry and the short relief has been shutting everything down all of a sudden. Of course it is relatively easy when you have comfy leads to start with.
Not sure what changed, but I am not complaining and hope it continues.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
For the New Owners and Old
Spring Training is time to get the rust off the Vets and give some ML experience for the minor league players that have a ML future. This is some of the do's and don'ts.
Starting Pitchers, set their TPC and MPC so they pitch no more than 3 or 4 innings max. You really want their IP total some where near 10. The same can be said for the pen, but here you want about 8 IPs'. Also you don't want your starters pitching in the last two Spring Training games if you can help it, especially opening day and day 2 starters. When Spring Training ends there are no off days where pitchers can rest before the start of the season, even for the minors.
Starting Positions, play them about 25 AB's, catchers about 20 AB's or 4 to 5 starts.
The reason, if you over extend them in Spring Training, you risk injury and becoming fatigued more easily in regular season games. Other than getting the rust off and getting experience, Spring Training actually has little bearing on how a player will actually perform during the regular season. I have seen players that hit .350 in Spring Training and barely hit .250 in the regular season.
For those that don't know, fatigue is not based on AB's but PA's. A PA report can be gotten through the Player's Statistics using the extended function. This formula: (730 * .Durability = approximate PA's during the season) It is pretty close to accurate. Normally about mid season is when players may go into fatigue status if they do not have any regular game days off. BTW, Spring Training Games count. Normally those with a durability with 85 and above are not that prone to go into fatigue status unless they hit in slot 1 thru 5, because these lineup slots receive the most PA's. Those with durability below 80 is the ones that you must worry about the most and need the most game days off.
For those that need help setting a lineup, I have found this the most convenient way of doing it.
Slot 1 - Your best OBP guy that is not a power hitter. Speed is a plus but not necessary.
Slot 2 - I put in the guy on the roster that has the best walk to strike out ratio that is not a true power hitter.
Slot 3 - Can vary a little, you can either put in your best AVG hitter (second best if you used him for slot 1) or your best power hitter.
Slot 4, 5, 6 or (3 thru 6) - Needs to have your best power hitters.
Slot 7, 8, (9) - The remaining. I would suggest Contact over Eye then adjust after the first 20 games for best fit.
The object is to get runners on so the power hitters get them home with the long ball otherwise you get a lot of solo shots.
Minor league pitching fatigue happens but we frown on constant dead pitching. The best way to combat it is to have five starters and 4 long relievers that could be starters and maybe 1 inactive. It doesn't matter how good they are as long as they can chew up innings when needed. Also you can have spare pitchers inactive just in case, I usually carry a couple ugly spares. If you try and run a bunch of short relievers, they will get chewed up quick.
Starting Pitchers, set their TPC and MPC so they pitch no more than 3 or 4 innings max. You really want their IP total some where near 10. The same can be said for the pen, but here you want about 8 IPs'. Also you don't want your starters pitching in the last two Spring Training games if you can help it, especially opening day and day 2 starters. When Spring Training ends there are no off days where pitchers can rest before the start of the season, even for the minors.
Starting Positions, play them about 25 AB's, catchers about 20 AB's or 4 to 5 starts.
The reason, if you over extend them in Spring Training, you risk injury and becoming fatigued more easily in regular season games. Other than getting the rust off and getting experience, Spring Training actually has little bearing on how a player will actually perform during the regular season. I have seen players that hit .350 in Spring Training and barely hit .250 in the regular season.
For those that don't know, fatigue is not based on AB's but PA's. A PA report can be gotten through the Player's Statistics using the extended function. This formula: (730 * .Durability = approximate PA's during the season) It is pretty close to accurate. Normally about mid season is when players may go into fatigue status if they do not have any regular game days off. BTW, Spring Training Games count. Normally those with a durability with 85 and above are not that prone to go into fatigue status unless they hit in slot 1 thru 5, because these lineup slots receive the most PA's. Those with durability below 80 is the ones that you must worry about the most and need the most game days off.
For those that need help setting a lineup, I have found this the most convenient way of doing it.
Slot 1 - Your best OBP guy that is not a power hitter. Speed is a plus but not necessary.
Slot 2 - I put in the guy on the roster that has the best walk to strike out ratio that is not a true power hitter.
Slot 3 - Can vary a little, you can either put in your best AVG hitter (second best if you used him for slot 1) or your best power hitter.
Slot 4, 5, 6 or (3 thru 6) - Needs to have your best power hitters.
Slot 7, 8, (9) - The remaining. I would suggest Contact over Eye then adjust after the first 20 games for best fit.
The object is to get runners on so the power hitters get them home with the long ball otherwise you get a lot of solo shots.
Minor league pitching fatigue happens but we frown on constant dead pitching. The best way to combat it is to have five starters and 4 long relievers that could be starters and maybe 1 inactive. It doesn't matter how good they are as long as they can chew up innings when needed. Also you can have spare pitchers inactive just in case, I usually carry a couple ugly spares. If you try and run a bunch of short relievers, they will get chewed up quick.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Yo Adrian, I did it! - Balboa Cashes In
By KYLE KEOUGH
CANSECO COURIER
Hector Balboa, formerly of the Philadelphia Athletics, was unsurprisingly the prized free agent catch of this off-season. The 30-year-old third baseman agreed to terms yesterday, ending speculation as to where he would finally end up.
The lucky recipient? The Arizona Destroyers.
This season saw what will soon become an alarming trend come to fruition: players are opting to test free agency rather than sign extensions at a much higher rate than previously experienced. Seasons ago, a player of Balboa's caliber might never have made it to the open market.
Now, however, he's raked in the dough as the Destroyers' newest addition. With the franchise's first division title and 96 wins in its immediate rear-view mirror, new owner bpang kept spirits high and proved he was committed to continued success all in one fell swoop.
Balboa, 30, is listed as a second baseman, but could very easily play Gold Glove-caliber third base, adequate center field, and occasionally fill in at shortstop. The Destroyers entered the off-season looking for a little offensive help, and they'll more than receive it in Balboa.
The pricetag, naturally, will be high. Balboa's 5-year deal is worth an estimated $87.5 million; that's just short of the Courier's prediction of 5 years and $90 million, but still an astronomical sum. Still, the three-time All-Star has proven to be one of the top players in baseball over the course of his career.
CANSECO COURIER
Hector Balboa, formerly of the Philadelphia Athletics, was unsurprisingly the prized free agent catch of this off-season. The 30-year-old third baseman agreed to terms yesterday, ending speculation as to where he would finally end up.
The lucky recipient? The Arizona Destroyers.
This season saw what will soon become an alarming trend come to fruition: players are opting to test free agency rather than sign extensions at a much higher rate than previously experienced. Seasons ago, a player of Balboa's caliber might never have made it to the open market.
Now, however, he's raked in the dough as the Destroyers' newest addition. With the franchise's first division title and 96 wins in its immediate rear-view mirror, new owner bpang kept spirits high and proved he was committed to continued success all in one fell swoop.
Balboa, 30, is listed as a second baseman, but could very easily play Gold Glove-caliber third base, adequate center field, and occasionally fill in at shortstop. The Destroyers entered the off-season looking for a little offensive help, and they'll more than receive it in Balboa.
The pricetag, naturally, will be high. Balboa's 5-year deal is worth an estimated $87.5 million; that's just short of the Courier's prediction of 5 years and $90 million, but still an astronomical sum. Still, the three-time All-Star has proven to be one of the top players in baseball over the course of his career.
Rule 5
Ever wonder what another owner looks for in the the Rule 5 setting? This is my personal scouting report on the best players by position.
C - After looking over the top 4 catchers, they are really posers. I would consider Jim Higgins as a backup and maybe even a starter. May not hit well but he will give the pitchers the best chance of success with his pitch calling and defense. There are a couple others listed way down the list I would consider just as good if you need a quality defensive backup.
1B - Eddie Reese is rated by my scouts as the best, but I wouldn't even consider drafting him due to fact he is not ready for the ML.
Michael Tamura his hitting and fielding could grow into the position, he is not really ready for ML action and I wouldn't consider drafting him due to his health.
Ryan Moreno is actually the best of the three in my books, he is not ready for the NL either and I wouldn't consider him with his low makeup.
2B - Junior Mendoza probably comes on most boards as the best but I would only consider him for COF. My board is littered with wannabes but none can play the position well enough to be considered, and most would be hard pressed for an OF position.
3B - I didn't even find one at the listed position that deserved the time of day.
SS - There are several available that would make great IF/OF utility bench players but none of them will wow anybody at the plate. Since there are so many I am not going to list them and they are all about the same.
LF - If your looking for a power hitter, even a stop gap moldy one, forget it. I didn't even find a player I would consider drafting even for 1B.
CF - There isn't a player I would even consider a bench player at any position let alone play the position.
RF - Theo Darwin is the first one that comes up on the list. He is intriguing due to the fact that he could be a walk machine.
Weldon Reynolds could be an interesting choice with his power.
P - Danys Bournigal is probably the only player in Rule 5 that should have been protected. He is ML ready though I would be hard pressed to use him as a closer with his lack of durability. He can give you up to 70 innings a season easy in a setup role but not every day.
Coco Sweeney would make a good long reliever as I don't think he is quite ready as a starter. He could be good in the future on the right team.
Marty Cameron would be an interesting pick but is not ready for the ML at this time.
Kiki Carrara interests me because he is ready but suffers from the lack of durability.
Junior Torres would be a good choice as a long reliever and emergency starter.
There are several pitchers that could are good enough to be used as stop gap measures that could surprise everyone but no one I would consider consistent.
C - After looking over the top 4 catchers, they are really posers. I would consider Jim Higgins as a backup and maybe even a starter. May not hit well but he will give the pitchers the best chance of success with his pitch calling and defense. There are a couple others listed way down the list I would consider just as good if you need a quality defensive backup.
1B - Eddie Reese is rated by my scouts as the best, but I wouldn't even consider drafting him due to fact he is not ready for the ML.
Michael Tamura his hitting and fielding could grow into the position, he is not really ready for ML action and I wouldn't consider drafting him due to his health.
Ryan Moreno is actually the best of the three in my books, he is not ready for the NL either and I wouldn't consider him with his low makeup.
2B - Junior Mendoza probably comes on most boards as the best but I would only consider him for COF. My board is littered with wannabes but none can play the position well enough to be considered, and most would be hard pressed for an OF position.
3B - I didn't even find one at the listed position that deserved the time of day.
SS - There are several available that would make great IF/OF utility bench players but none of them will wow anybody at the plate. Since there are so many I am not going to list them and they are all about the same.
LF - If your looking for a power hitter, even a stop gap moldy one, forget it. I didn't even find a player I would consider drafting even for 1B.
CF - There isn't a player I would even consider a bench player at any position let alone play the position.
RF - Theo Darwin is the first one that comes up on the list. He is intriguing due to the fact that he could be a walk machine.
Weldon Reynolds could be an interesting choice with his power.
P - Danys Bournigal is probably the only player in Rule 5 that should have been protected. He is ML ready though I would be hard pressed to use him as a closer with his lack of durability. He can give you up to 70 innings a season easy in a setup role but not every day.
Coco Sweeney would make a good long reliever as I don't think he is quite ready as a starter. He could be good in the future on the right team.
Marty Cameron would be an interesting pick but is not ready for the ML at this time.
Kiki Carrara interests me because he is ready but suffers from the lack of durability.
Junior Torres would be a good choice as a long reliever and emergency starter.
There are several pitchers that could are good enough to be used as stop gap measures that could surprise everyone but no one I would consider consistent.
Friday, September 4, 2009
The Royal Rumble
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Originally the franchise was founded in Cincinnati and called the Coneys. Current management purchased the team in season 2 and moved them to New Britain and named them the Naughty Kitties, a common moniker there. In New Britain the team had little success in its first two seasons but took the division crown in season 4 and a wild card berth in season 5 with a matching 90-72 record, the fans were ecstatic. Both times they were ousted in the first round by some very close games. After a dispute with the New Britain Stadium group, management was forced from their comfy confines and found a suitor in Rochester and the newly renovated Frontier Park. The players on the team actually came up with the new nickname of Royal Rumble after the bitter dispute in New Britain.
Team song: Royal Rumble...what else.
Team Mascot: The Hulkster..who else.
Management, of course, expects nothing less than a World Series title in season 6, getting there will be very tough as 162 plus games and at least 19 teams stand in our way. The players are loose and ready to play and want nothing less than that title. The new fans are excited as all home dates have been sold out already.
Coaches - All ML coaches were either rehired or were hired from within the organization.
The team roster stands as follows before the Rule 5 Draft:
C - Charles Nakano returns for his sixth season as primary backstop. Pedro Valentin was called up mid season last year when things went badly for Furio O'Brien who retired in the off season.
1B - Ed Wood who was newly acquired a few minutes ago will take over the duties from Vic Seneca.
2B - Rafael Perez will get the start again after his Gold Glove performance last year.
3B - Orval Varitek and his gold Glove will assume the duties for another year.
SS - Esteban Izturis happily returns after last minute FA negotiations that broke down early in the off season.
LF - Aubrey Speaker returns for another season.
CF - Al Mendoza who was called up mid season last year in an emergency situation wowed teammates and coaches alike. He provides comic relief when the team is in need.
RF - Vic Seneca was the 1B most for most of last year, but was called upon late in the season to take over the RF duties and performed admirably. With the recent release of Clint Mercedes and the signing of Ed Wood, the move was made permanent for this season.
Bench at the moment consists of Alex Flores, Trent Flores (no relation as far as we know), Junior Alicea
SP - Oscar Chang (season 4 Cy Young winner) an Mario Swift will be the number 1 and 2 starters for season 6, however the other three positions will have to be earned this season.
Joining the SP fight will be: Clarence Branson, Roger Allen, Christopher Krause, Alton Francis, Benji Lopez, Stuart Carver and Ira Richard.
Long Relief and Setup: Darrin Dipoto, Karim Parra, Carlos Gonzalez, and Julio Torres
Departures for last season: RP - Andy Walsh, RF - Napoleon Bowles, RF - Clem Davis who signed with the Burlington Mean Green, C - Furio O'Brien who retired, Geraldo Moreno who was released, and RF - Clint Mercedes who was recently released as a last minute option.
It is doubtful the Royal Rumble will participate in the Rule 5 draft. Drafting 21st and from the looks of things at the moment a possible 17th pick, makes it look bleak. Although we will be checking things out from top to bottom. What we look for in the Rule 5 draft is players that are better than the current roster and that is hard to come by.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Santa Fe Fireworks
The Santa Fe Fireworks, formerly known as the El Paso Libere El Taco Rosado, have historically been a good franchise that has fallen on hard times only recently. In season one, El Taco Rosado finished with a 106-win mark and advanced to the World Series. Since then, however, the Fireworks have yet to win a second division title; seasons two and three were marked by two wildcard appearances and subsequent early exits from the playoffs, and the Fireworks have not been back in the playoffs since.
Captained by owner fumanchu for the first four seasons, the team was bought by Keosawa in season five and suffered through its worst season to date, a 73-89 mark. Located in WhatifSports field, Santa Fe's stadium boasts limited seating but guaranteed fireworks, hence the moniker. However, a high-octane offense has yet to have a positive effect on the team's win total.
The Fireworks are led by veteran third baseman Harry Torres, power-hitting second baseman Kyle Briggs, and up-and-coming starter Matty Tracy.
Team Awards
AL South Champions (season one)
ALCS Champions (season one)
Team Hall of Fame
Is this something that players are interested in doing?
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Free Agent Flurry: Coomer, Chavez, and Hardy Inked
By KYLE KEOUGH
CANSECO COURIER
A mad dash for free agent pickups resulted in three of the off-season's biggest names signing long-term contracts today, as the free agency season capped off with a bang.
Shawn Coomer was perhaps the biggest winner of the early year, with a 5-year deal worth an estimated $46 million. 4 years and $36 million of said deal is guaranteed for the 30-year-old 3B, who will now look to improve the lineup of the Washington D.C. Generals.
Coomer was perhaps the best pure power hitter available this off-season: in five seasons, he has hammered 238 career HRs to go along with 623 lifetime RBIs.
The Scottsdale Snipers inked 33-year-old Vladimir Chavez to the surprisingly reasonable tune of 4 years and $35.2 million. Chavez is coming off a lengthy deal that paid him $94 million.
Chavez, known as one of the best pure hitters in the game, is a lifetime .340 hitter.
Wil Hardy, 30, become the third of a trifecta of big-name hitters to sign today, as he found an interested party in the Detroit Badasses. Hardy was signed to a 5-year deal worth an estimated $35.4 million.
Hardy was one of the few legitimate centerfielders on the market this season, and despite recent on-field struggles, has the talent to be a key contributor for the Badasses this season.
All three signings seem to suggest that owners in Canseco will take a spendthrifty approach to free agency; all three signings were below predictions made at the Courier.
CANSECO COURIER
A mad dash for free agent pickups resulted in three of the off-season's biggest names signing long-term contracts today, as the free agency season capped off with a bang.
Shawn Coomer was perhaps the biggest winner of the early year, with a 5-year deal worth an estimated $46 million. 4 years and $36 million of said deal is guaranteed for the 30-year-old 3B, who will now look to improve the lineup of the Washington D.C. Generals.
Coomer was perhaps the best pure power hitter available this off-season: in five seasons, he has hammered 238 career HRs to go along with 623 lifetime RBIs.
The Scottsdale Snipers inked 33-year-old Vladimir Chavez to the surprisingly reasonable tune of 4 years and $35.2 million. Chavez is coming off a lengthy deal that paid him $94 million.
Chavez, known as one of the best pure hitters in the game, is a lifetime .340 hitter.
Wil Hardy, 30, become the third of a trifecta of big-name hitters to sign today, as he found an interested party in the Detroit Badasses. Hardy was signed to a 5-year deal worth an estimated $35.4 million.
Hardy was one of the few legitimate centerfielders on the market this season, and despite recent on-field struggles, has the talent to be a key contributor for the Badasses this season.
All three signings seem to suggest that owners in Canseco will take a spendthrifty approach to free agency; all three signings were below predictions made at the Courier.
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