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DG18 · 09-24-2019, 09:56 PM

2024 Offseason
Rule 5 Draft through the beginning of the Preseason

Transactions:
We signed LF Ron Goldman to a 2-year contract worth a total of $6 million. Goldman batted .272/.341/.403 with the Heroes last year, and is also a capable defender in the infield. The 27-year old's versatility will be very useful, and he is also a solid base stealer (17 for 22 in 2024). Goldman will probably see most of his time in left field, which may shift Ben Grates over to right, and Alex Roberts to a backup role.

Shortly after the Goldman signing, 35-year old 2B Manny Batres agreed to a 2 year deal worth $8 million. Batres hit .267/.362/.374 in 2024, and like Goldman, also played for the New York Heroes. Batres is a big improvement defensively over Jordan Limas, and is good at finding ways to get on base. We might hold on to Limas for now, but if we can get a decent return, he may be gone before Opening Day.

To add to the pitching staff, we signed LHP Sergio Torres to a 2 year contract worth $5 million. Torres went 13-11 with Boise and St. Louis last season, recording a 3.14 ERA. He isn't a strikeout pitcher (only 100 K's in 180.2 innings), but last year he did a great job of keeping the ball in the yard (10 HR allowed). He'll likely begin the year in our rotation, but he could also serve as a good lefty reliever.

Just before the official beginning of the Preseason, we made our biggest signing by bringing in C Pedro Guzman. The 31-year old batted .247/.339/.391 with 11 home runs for the Thunderbirds last year, and will make $17 million over the next two years. Guzman is expected to open the season as our starting backstop, moving Michael Decker to the bench.

Around the League:
-The Salukis signed SP Billy Boltz to a 7 year deal worth $202.6 million. Boltz went 14-9 with the Foxes last year, striking out 208 in 247.2 innings and recording a 2.58 ERA.
-2B Jason Colford signed a 4 year deal with New Mexico worth $39.6 million. Colford batted .320/.370/.460 with the Explorers last year, hitting 10 home runs.
-The Foxes signed 26-year old SS Manny Portillo to a 4 year deal worth $117.8 million. Portillo batted .275/.354/.523 with 33 home runs and 117 runs driven in for the Impact.
-The Gamblers signed RP Roberto Coello to a 3 year deal worth $24 million. Coello saved 16 games for Indianapolis before getting traded to the Robins, where he posted a 3.53 ERA.
-The Waves signed CF Aymeric Patitucci to a 7 year deal worth $107 million. The 27-year old won a Platinum Stick Award with the Comets last season, batting .298/.360/.442 with 14 home runs and 12 triples.
-New Orleans signed 2B Orlando Vega to a 6 year deal worth $40.8 million. Vega hit 21 home runs for Omaha in 2024, and won the Great Glove Award in the Western League at second base.
-The Vandals signed SP Carlos Miranda to a 1 year deal worth $3.08 million. Miranda missed almost all of last season with a torn labrum, and he may not be ready for the beginning of the 2025 season.
-The Comets signed SP Michael Simpkins to a 7 year deal worth $83.5 million. Simpkins is coming off a year with New Orleans where he went 13-8 with a 2.59 ERA.
-The Bobcats traded RP Javier Ruiz to San Jose for a minor league pitching prospect, Pete Harris. Ruiz had a 3.76 ERA in 38.1 USBL innings.
-The Thunderbirds signed SP Corey Baker to a 7 year deal worth $93.1 million. Baker went 9-13 for San Antonio last year, but had a solid 3.32 ERA with an even 200 strikeouts.
-The Gamblers signed Japanese CF Yoshiie Shimaski to a 4 year deal worth $23.86 million. The 28-year old is one of the best international free agents joining the USBL, and has a good power/speed combo with the potential to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with where we're at heading into the season. I'd like to bring in at least one more relief pitcher, but otherwise I feel that our lineup and starting rotation is in pretty good shape. Jordan Limas, William Lizarraga, and Tony Palacios are guys I've toyed with shopping, but so far there haven't been any good enough offers.

09-24-2019, 09:56 PM	#24
DG18 Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 204	2024 Offseason Rule 5 Draft through the beginning of the Preseason Transactions: We signed LF Ron Goldman to a 2-year contract worth a total of $6 million. Goldman batted .272/.341/.403 with the Heroes last year, and is also a capable defender in the infield. The 27-year old's versatility will be very useful, and he is also a solid base stealer (17 for 22 in 2024). Goldman will probably see most of his time in left field, which may shift Ben Grates over to right, and Alex Roberts to a backup role. Shortly after the Goldman signing, 35-year old 2B Manny Batres agreed to a 2 year deal worth $8 million. Batres hit .267/.362/.374 in 2024, and like Goldman, also played for the New York Heroes. Batres is a big improvement defensively over Jordan Limas, and is good at finding ways to get on base. We might hold on to Limas for now, but if we can get a decent return, he may be gone before Opening Day. To add to the pitching staff, we signed LHP Sergio Torres to a 2 year contract worth $5 million. Torres went 13-11 with Boise and St. Louis last season, recording a 3.14 ERA. He isn't a strikeout pitcher (only 100 K's in 180.2 innings), but last year he did a great job of keeping the ball in the yard (10 HR allowed). He'll likely begin the year in our rotation, but he could also serve as a good lefty reliever. Just before the official beginning of the Preseason, we made our biggest signing by bringing in C Pedro Guzman. The 31-year old batted .247/.339/.391 with 11 home runs for the Thunderbirds last year, and will make $17 million over the next two years. Guzman is expected to open the season as our starting backstop, moving Michael Decker to the bench. Around the League: -The Salukis signed SP Billy Boltz to a 7 year deal worth $202.6 million. Boltz went 14-9 with the Foxes last year, striking out 208 in 247.2 innings and recording a 2.58 ERA. -2B Jason Colford signed a 4 year deal with New Mexico worth $39.6 million. Colford batted .320/.370/.460 with the Explorers last year, hitting 10 home runs. -The Foxes signed 26-year old SS Manny Portillo to a 4 year deal worth $117.8 million. Portillo batted .275/.354/.523 with 33 home runs and 117 runs driven in for the Impact. -The Gamblers signed RP Roberto Coello to a 3 year deal worth $24 million. Coello saved 16 games for Indianapolis before getting traded to the Robins, where he posted a 3.53 ERA. -The Waves signed CF Aymeric Patitucci to a 7 year deal worth $107 million. The 27-year old won a Platinum Stick Award with the Comets last season, batting .298/.360/.442 with 14 home runs and 12 triples. -New Orleans signed 2B Orlando Vega to a 6 year deal worth $40.8 million. Vega hit 21 home runs for Omaha in 2024, and won the Great Glove Award in the Western League at second base. -The Vandals signed SP Carlos Miranda to a 1 year deal worth $3.08 million. Miranda missed almost all of last season with a torn labrum, and he may not be ready for the beginning of the 2025 season. -The Comets signed SP Michael Simpkins to a 7 year deal worth $83.5 million. Simpkins is coming off a year with New Orleans where he went 13-8 with a 2.59 ERA. -The Bobcats traded RP Javier Ruiz to San Jose for a minor league pitching prospect, Pete Harris. Ruiz had a 3.76 ERA in 38.1 USBL innings. -The Thunderbirds signed SP Corey Baker to a 7 year deal worth $93.1 million. Baker went 9-13 for San Antonio last year, but had a solid 3.32 ERA with an even 200 strikeouts. -The Gamblers signed Japanese CF Yoshiie Shimaski to a 4 year deal worth $23.86 million. The 28-year old is one of the best international free agents joining the USBL, and has a good power/speed combo with the potential to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases. Overall, I'm pretty happy with where we're at heading into the season. I'd like to bring in at least one more relief pitcher, but otherwise I feel that our lineup and starting rotation is in pretty good shape. Jordan Limas, William Lizarraga, and Tony Palacios are guys I've toyed with shopping, but so far there haven't been any good enough offers.