We are the Champions again! I refused to cut the budget and it paid off. We have some salary issues to work through with some of the kids due to be paid now. Should be interesting.
Our owner is thrilled with the title but wanted me to cut payroll. He was obviously happy with the title and I even made him the profit margin he desired but I did not cut payroll.
Here are his new goals for me...win a 3rd title, cut payroll to 130M, keep building a consistent contender.
Our budget is 170M for player salaries
Retirements
SP Jose Quintana (expected Hall of Famer) retired and we have retired his number 62.
Arbitration-
Regular raises except for big hikes for Marrero, Casas, De Jesus, and Peters, none of whom are interested in long term offers at this time.
Awards
AL Reliever of the Year- CL Zi-yang Fen
AL Silver Slugger- 3B Twig Macia
AL Silver Slugger- 1B Li-ben Situ
AL MVP- 1B Li-ben Situ
AL Manager of the Year- Auggie Alguacil
AL Cy Young- SP Edwin Diaz
Team Transactions
We traded LF KL Thum (12M), SP Henler De Jesus (8M), RP Stephen Keller (2M), C Tomas Nido (5M), LF Nick Bitsko, and AAA SP Josh Weaver to Baltimore for backup top prospect CF Luis Quintanilla, IF Jose Antonio Gomez (AAA) CL Randy Wehking, SP Alpha Osagie, CL Joe Wilmoth, and 1B Teagan Greer.
Fanbase upset at the move, KL was an entertaining player, Nido was a Mist
original, and De Jesus always seemed to have huge potential. We cleared some big $ without creating any holes.
We are sold on Kennan Rainville and Dan Beck BOTH in the rotation next year.
Thum didn't have a starting role, and Nido was a hardly used backup catcher.
Quintanilla gives us a potential huge star in CF, allowing Peters to move to LF.
Billinger to 1B and Situ to DH.
After Casas complaining in the playoffs of fatigue for playing DH, he will not be given priority.
C Kale Ledford signed a minor league contract with Spring Invite. he will
compete for backup C
2B Jose Altuve re-signed a 1 year 1.7M deal to provide offensive depth. He
still wrecks LHP.
League Transaction (Bad year for FAs)
- CHA traded NL MVP 2B Bobby Harrison to MIN for two top prospects
- POR traded LF KL Thum to BAL for two players
- WAS signed SP Forrest Whitley
- ATL signed RF Seth Beer
- DET signed SP Carlos Martinez
- LAA signed CF Jeison Rosario
- KC signed 3B Tyler Nevin
- POR signed 2B Jose Altuve
- WAS signed CF Victor Robles
- STL signed LF Wei-sng Choe (international FA)
- SEA signed SS Logan Warmoth
- TEX signed 2B Scott Kingery
- TOR signed LF Mike Trout
- HOU signed SP Mike Soroka
- PIT signed SP Trevor Rosenthal
Pre-season
National Media is questioning the move of Jim Peters to LF where he doesn't grade out as well. People are also speculating that Peters has been playing over his head and could regress.
MVP Twig Macia is raising money to help the Portland area and we funded the Twig Macia Foundation.
National Media predict over 100 wins for the Mist again but also giving an OUTRAGEOUS prediction that HR king Li-ben Situ will hit 62HR as a full time DH. Also, putting it out there that Aydan Nauss (borderline MLB) would be a top 10 pitcher. We might be getting trolled.
2027 Spring Training
As Champions we have many roster spots set. The starting rotation loss two members in Quintana's retirement and De Jesus departure by trade. We have a rookie going for starting CF and our CF going for LF, that could shake out differently than we expect.
March 6- SS Orlando Garcia tore his rotator cuff (out 4 weeks)
March 21-SP Kennan Rainville will miss 3 months will a sore elbow. Placed on DL.
2026 Opening Day Roster
Manager: Auggie Alguacil
1- Edwin Diaz
2- Tristan Casas
3- Esteban Serrano
4- Aydan Nauss
5- Dan Beck
CL Zi-yang Fen
SU Gabe Carrig
ST Koda Glover
LH Lieth Gilberds
LH Randy Rosario
RH Doug Peters
RH Phil Piper
C. Elih Marrero
C. Nick Cuiffo
1B Blake Billinger
2B Steve Cacchio
3B Twig Macia
SS Andres Gimenez
IF Jose A. Gomez
LF Jim Peters
CF Luis Quintanilla
RF Eloy Jimenez
OF Christian Robinson
DH Li-ben Situ
DH Jose Altuve
DL- Kennan Rainville, Orlando Garcia, Jorge Alaniz
Top 200 Prospects
System ranked 5th- last year 1st
1. SP Dan Beck 4 MLB
2. LF Kevin Bortnick 22 AA
3. SP Andy Camacho 57 R
4. LF Juan Miramontes 77 R
5. SP Jorge Alaniz 78 AAA
6. 3B Chris Kidd 179 AAA
7. 1B Teagan Greer 181 A
8. LF Andy Weiss 183 AAA
My owner thinks we should win it all again
2027 Regular Season
APRIL
10 3B Twig Macia fractured finger and will miss 1 month. Placed on DL
3B Carlos Jo. McCleary called up from AAA
12 We signed CL Greg Mahle to a 1 year 3M deal to help the bullpen.
RP Phil Piper placed on waivers to send him to Sunnyvale AAA
15 DH Li-ben Situ has blurred vision. Out for a week while getting things resolved.
21 3B Carlos Jo. McCleary re-assigned to AAA, SS Orlando Garcia activated from DL
22 SP Tristan Casas tossed a complete game shutout vs Oakland (He no longer plays offense because of stamina issues)
Record- 18-6 1st place
MAY
4 SP Jorge Alaniz activated from DL to rehab assignment in Sunnyvale
10 3B Twig Macia activated from DL, SS Orlando Garcia placed on waivers to send to AAA
11 LF Jim Peters strained oblique. Placed on DL (out 4 weeks), LF Carlos J. Ventura called up from AAA
14 SP Dan Beck tossed a complete game shut out vs Houston
Record- 37-16
We are winning games without anybody really rolling yet. Jim Peters returns first week of June
JUNE
2 SP Jorge Alaniz completed minor league rehab but was assigned to AAA, LF Jim Peters activated from DL, OF Carlos J. Ventura re-assigned to AAA
6 Drafted Oregon native CF Jeremy Bogusch with 1st round pick
16 SP Kennan Rainville activated from DL to minor league rehab assignment. Could join the MLB team soon.
18 SP Kennan Rainville activated to MLB team, SP Joe Schaefer called up from AAA, SP Aydan Nauss and RP Doug Peters re-assigned to AAA
25 There are some national reports that our 25 year old CF Luis Quintanilla may have lied about his age when he originally signed with the Orioles, RP Leith Gilberds has a herniated disc. Out 6 days, SP Kennan Rainvilles debut was ugly.
26 RP Joe Schaefer re-assigned to AAA, RP Zach Warstler called up from AAA
28 Player of the Week- 1B/DH Blake Billinger
We traded RP Gabe Carrig, RP Phil Piper, (AA) SP Josh Palmer, and (A) 3B Danny Fenlon to Mariners for CL Rory Boatswain. Boatswain will be our closer, Fenlon who struggled in the playoffs last year and isn't sharp this year will go to middle relief where we are too soft.
Record- 55-25
JULY
4 CF Luis Quintanilla is frustrated over a DNA test that showed he is older than he says. He denies the whole thing. We will see how the fans react.
Head Scout Tom Allison signed a 4 year extension
Bench Coach Jed Lowrie signed a 2 year extension
7 C Nick Cuiffo re-assigned to AAA, C Kale Ledford called up from AAA
9 DH Li-ben Situ gets 5 hits, 3 of them home runs vs Seattle
11 All-Star Game Selections - 7 Mists Voted as Starters by the fans - Macia top vote getter
Starters: SP Edwin Diaz, DH Li-ben Situ, 3B Twig Macia, C Elih Marrero, 2B Steve Cacchio, LF Jim Peters, RF Eloy Jimenez
Reserves (Selected by Auggie)- SP Tristan Casas, SP Esteban Serrano, RP Koda Glover, CL Rory Boatswain
17 SP Kennan Rainville tossed a shutout vs Oakland
Record- 75-31
AL Player of the Month- RF Eloy Jimenez
AL Pitcher of the Month- SP Kennan Rainville
AUGUST
14 AAA RP Connor Lillis-White informed us he will not be returning to the team, C Elih Marrero hammered 3 HR's in one game vs White Sox
25 SP Kennan Rainville tossed a shutout @ Twins
31 3B Twig Macia named AL Player of the Week
Record- 96-37
AL Player of the Month- 3B Twig Macia
SEPTEMBER
1 Roster Expansion- SP Jorge Alaniz, SP Aydan Nauss, SP Joe Schaefer, RP Connor Lillis-White, RP Eric Weddle, RP Doug Peters, C Nick Cuiffo, 1B Eric Porter, 3B Carlos Jo. McCleary, SS Orlando Garcia, LF Carlos J. Ventura, LF Andy Weiss
3 Mist clinched the Division Title
14 DH Li-ben Situ named AL Player of the Week
19 CL Rory Boatswain and RP Fen will switch roles after Boatswain has blown some saves
Record- 114-45
OCTOBER
3 Mist finish with a team record 116 wins in the regular season and are favored to win the World Series again!
Team Leaders
AVG- Macia (.311), Jimenez (.294), Cacchio (.292)
HR- Situ (51), Jimenez (45), Billinger (41)
RBI- Situ (137), Jimenez (122), Macia (114)
ERA- Casas (3.68). Serrano (3.86), Diaz (4.25)
W- Serrano (20), Diaz (18), Casas (17)
RBI- Serrano (223), Diaz (170), Casas (157)
League Leaders
Gimenez R. SB
Cacchio 2B
Serrano W
2027 Playoff Roster
Manager: Auggie Alguacil
1- Esteban Serrano
2- Edwin Diaz
3- Tristan Casas
4- Kennan Rainville
CL Zi-yang Fen
SU Greg Mahle
LH Randy Rosario
LH Leith Gilberds
RH Gabe Carrig
RH Doug Peters
RH Rory Boatswain
RH Dan Beck
C Elih Marrero
C Kale Ledford
1B Balke Billinger
2B Steve Cacchio
3B Twig Macia
SS Andres Gimenez
IF Jose Altuve
IF Jose A. Gomez
LF Jim Peters
CF Luis Quintanilla
RF Eloy Jimenez
OF Christian Robinson
DH Li-Ben Situ
We are looking to steamroll these playoffs and defend our Championship title
2027 Playoffs
2027 WILD CARD ROUND
AL- Colorado Rockies vs Baltimore Orioles 3-1
NL- Atlanta Braves vs Washington Nationals 3-0
2027 DIVISIONAL SERIES
AL- Portland Mist vs Colorado Rockies 4-1
AL- Boston Red Sox vs Minnesota Twins 0-4
NL- Chicago Cubs vs Atlanta Braves 1-4
NL- San Diego Padres vs New York Mets 3-4
ALDS- Colorado Rockies @ Portland Mist
HOT-CL Zi-yang Fen, RP Koda Glover, RP Greg Mahle, 2B Steve Cacchio, CF Luis Quintanilla
COLD- none
Game 1- Nikorak @ Serrano
COL 8 15 0 W- Clissold 1-2 Sv- Rivera
POR 7 11 1 L- Fen 0-1 BS- Mahle
POG- Dahl 3/6 4 RBI
HR- Macia
Dahl, Rockies Slip Past Mist in Game 1
Game 2- Spickerman @ Diaz
COL 1 4 0 L- Rivera 0-1
POR 4 10 0 W- Diaz 1-0 H- Boatswain
POG- Diaz 7IP 4H 1R 7K
HR- Situ
Roucus Intel Stadium Crowd Propels Mist to Tie Series 1-1
Game 3- Casas @ Medina
POR 4 9 0 W- Boatswain H- Glover, Mahle Sv- Fen
COL 3 10 1 L- Rivera 0-2
POG- Siani 3/4 HR
HR- Peters
Road Win Lifts Portland to 2-1 Lead
Game 4- Rainville @ Inojosa
POR 8 10 2 W- Rainville 1-0
COL 3 5 0 L- Inojosa 2-2
POG- Marrero 2/3 HR
HR- Marrero, Situ (2), Peters (2)
Almost There: Portland on Cusp After 8-3 Win
Game 5- Serrano @ Spickerman
POR 9 12 1 W- Boatswain 2-0 H- Glover (2), Mahle (2) Sv- Fen (2)
COL 6 10 0 L- Sugihara 0-1
POG- Crujo 3/5 HR
HR- Peters (3), Quintanilla
Mist Advance to League Championship
ALDS MVP- Colorado's David Dahl
League Championship Series
AL- Portland Mist vs Minnesota Twins 4-1
NL- Atlanta Braves vs New York Mets 4-1
ALCS- Portland Mist vs Minnesota Twins
HOT- Casas, Serrano, Fen, Glover, Mahle
COLD- none
Game 1- Weathers @ Serrano
MIN 2 7 0 L- Weathers 1-1
POR 5 11 0 W- Serrano 1-0 Sv- Mahle
POG- Billinger 3/3 HR 3RBI
HR- Billinger
Billinger, Portland Start ALCS Strong With Home Win
Game 2- Vela @ Diaz
MIN 11 12 1 L- Vela 1-1
POR 16 17 0 W- Beck 1-0
POG- Cacchio 4/4 HR 4 RBI
HR- Cacchio, Situ (3), Peters (4)
Cacchio, Mist Sink Twins Again in Game 2
Game 3- Casas @ Leach
POR 0 4 0 L- Casas 0-1
MIN 5 10 1 W- Leach 1-0 Sv- Redd (3)
POG- Leach 6.1 IP 3H 0R 4K
Minnesota Wins at Home to Narrow Series Deficit to 2-1
Game 4- Rainville @ Cassel
POR 6 9 0 W- Rainville 2-0 H- Gilberds, Mahle (3) Sv- Fen (3)
MIN 3 10 0 L- Cassel 1-1
POG- Peters 2/3 HR 3 RBI
HR- Peters (5), Quintanilla (2)
Almost There: Mist on Cusp of World Series Again
Game 5- Serrano @ Weathers
POR 3 9 0 W- Serrano 2-0 Sv- Mahle (2)
MIN 2 7 0 L- Weathers 1-2
POG- Serrano 7IP 5H 1R 4K
HR- Quintanilla (3)
Portland Moves on to the World Series!
ALCS MVP- Jim Peters
2027 WORLD SERIES Portland Mist vs Atlanta Braves
HOT- Koda Glover, Jim Peters
COLD- none
Game 1- Gracia @ Diaz
ATL 2 6 0 L- Gracia 1-2
POR 5 5 0 W- Diaz 2-0 H- Boatswain (2) SV- Mahle (3)
POG- Diaz 5IP 3H 2R 7K
HR- Situ (4), Billinger (2)
World Series Game 1- Diaz, Mist Victory
Tristan Casas and Keenan Rainville will swap starts so Casas can hit in Atlanta
Game 2- Terrell @ Rainville
ATL 10 13 0 W- Ortega 1-0 Sv- Anderson (3)
POR 5 11 0 L- Peters 0-1
POG- Correa 3/5 2 HR 4 RBI
HR- Situ (5), Billinger 2(4)
INJ- Rainville left game in 3rd inning with shoulder injury
Correa, Braves Wallop Mist in Game 2
Kennan Rainville has shoulder inflammation and could still start if needed again in the series
Estaban Serrano and Tristan Casas will swap starts to get Serrano available for a close series
Luis Quintanilla will be odd man out in Atlanta without DH. Peters to CF, Billinger to LF, Situ to 1B
Game 3- Serrano @ Swann
POR 0 4 0 L- Serrano 2-1
ATL 1 3 0 W- Swann 4-1 Sv- Anderson (4)
POG- Swann 7.1IP 4H 0R 3K
Atlanta Shuts Out Mist to Take Series Lead
Game 4- Casas @ Epps)
POR 3 10 1 BS- Boatswain L- Mahle 0-1
ATL 4 7 0 W- Anderson 3-0
POG- Casas 5IP 3H 2R 6K 1/2 hitting with RBI
Braves 1 Win Away from Title
Game 5- Diaz @ Gracia
POR 9 8 1 W- Boatswain 3-0 Sv- Fen (4)
ATL 8 9 1 L- Ortgea 1-1
POG- Gimenez 3/3 HR 2RBI
HR- Gimenez, Marrero (2)
INJ- Diaz left game in 4th inning with shoulder injury
Insane 9th innings Gives Mist A Survivors Win - Intentional Walks, HBPs, Bench Clearing
Kennan Rainville to pitch injured in Game 6, lining up Serrano for possible game 7
Game 6- Terrell @ Rainville
ATL 6 12 0 W- Epps 2-0
POR 5 10 0 L- Fen 0-2 (BS)
POG- Correa 3/5 RBI
HR- Cacchio (2), Jimenez
Atlanta Braves Win the World Series
We were ahead, in a save situation, 1 out away from forcing a game 7, and then it was over. A great season ends with a bitter pill. Where do we go from here?
Almost the entire bullpen are free agents and big man Situ too.