The IBL's Chicago Iron Pigs

[gehrig38]

GAME 3
Chicago Iron Pigs-Alfredo Alejandrez (0-0 4.91)
@
Tulsa Drillers-Joel Downs (2-0 1.59)

For whatever it’s worth I have literally zero confidence in Alejandrez to shut this team down. I don’t know why really, but for the past 2-3 seasons I’ve felt the guy was a #1 in title only. If he does manage a gem here that will all change, but I’m not feeling it.

1st Inning
TOP-Coates doubles leading it off, Chartier moves him to 3rd on a grounder and Collins brings him home. Chartier, Collins and Alexander all go down 4-3.
BOTTOM-Wally Reed pops to center to start it, with an out Young singles, and Alfred grounds out. Alejandrez then proceeds to walk Whimster, Ladd and Olvio in succession, Olivo’s bringing in a run. Becker grounds to Morgan to end it, disaster averted but what a pathetic inning. Downs with 11 pitches, Alejandrez needs 31, which likely means we’ll be blessed if he manages 5.
1-1 after 1

2nd Inning
TOP-Riggs gets HBP with 2 outs, and moves to 2nd on a Downs balk, Lorenzelli goes 6-3 to end it.
BOTTOM-Nothing beyond a German Valdez 2 out single. Downs 18, Alejandrez 42 after 2.
1-1 end of the 2nd

3rd Inning
TOP-Coates singles with 1 out, and after a Chartier K Collins singles. Alexander lines to 2nd to end it.
BOTTOM-Alejandrez walks Alfred leading it off and Whimster follows with a single. Problem averted when Ladd grounds into a 5-4-3 DP. Olivo goes F8 to end the inning. 59 for Alejandrez, 41 for Downs.
1-1 after 3

4th Inning
TOP-Chavez walks with 1 out but Riggs and Lorenzelli go quietly to end the inning.
BOTTOM-Eric Hudson boots Troy Beckers bunt attempt leading off the inning, and Becker scoots into 2nd. Cox can’t move him and Valdez does with a 4-3, Wally Reed lines to Chartier to end it. Alejandrez at 69, Downs 64, after 4.
1-1 end of 4

5th Inning
TOP-With 2 outs and none on Chartier crushes a ball to deep right center for an opposite field solo shot. Colllins K’s to end it.
BOTTOM-Young singles leading off but Alejandrez clutches up, getting Rich Alfred to ground into a 5-4-3 DP. Whimster grounds to Riggs to end the inning. Both pitchers at 82 after 5.
2-1 Chicago after 5.

6th Inning
TOP-Downs goes 1-2-3 on 8 pitches.
BOTTOM-Ladd doubles on an 0-2 pitch leading off, Alejandrez tiring? Olivo then walks on 5 pitches. Becker moves to runners up with a sac bunt. Double barrel action in the pens as Alfredo works Cox with the lead on the line.
Cox pops to Lorenzelli at third for the 2nd out and Alejandrez gets Valdez to ground to Morgan unassisted to end the inning. Downs at 90, Alejandrez at 106 and likely done for the night (6-5-1-1-5-1).
2-1 after 6.

7th Inning
TOP-Riggs walks leading it off and Lorenzelli singles on the 1st pitch to put runners at 1st and second.
Eric Hudson doubles, Riggs scoring, to make it 3-1. With runners on 2nd and 3rd Coates taps a ball back to the mound, failing to move the runners.
Albert Camp is called on and Downs night ends.
Camp gets Chartier for a HUGE K and the 2nd out.
Collins then laces a 1-2 pitch to right for a single, scoring Lorenzelli, Hudson moves to 3rd.
One the next pitch Alexander silences the stadium with a line drive down the right field line for a 3 run home run and a 7-1 lead. Morgan punches out to end the inning.
BOTTOM-Jose Torres comes on for Alejandrez. Reed grounds out and then Young and Alfred single, Young gets to third to put runners at the corners. Whimster brings him home with an RBI groundout. Ladd singles to load the bases and Olivo follows with an RBI single. Alex Browne is summoned with the bases drunk, and gets Becker on a 4-3 to end it.
Chicago 7 Tulsa 3 after 7

8th Inning
TOP-Richard Groves comes into the game, and works around a 1 out walk to Paul Riggs for a scoreless 8th.
BOTTOM-Jorge Sanchez on for Alex Brown and Cox leads off with a single. Valdez K’s and Wally Reed hits into an inning ending U4-3 DP.
7-3 after 8.

9th Inning
TOP-Coates, Chartier and Collins go in order.
BOTTOM-Young singles off Sanchez to lead it off, Alfred K’s looking and Whimster singles but Young is called out at 3rd! Cruz comes in and walks Ladd but retires Olvio to end the game.

[gehrig38]

GAME 4
Chicago Iron Pigs-Gerardo Zamora (1-0 1.29)
@
Tulsa Drillers-Antonio Rodriguez (1-1 6.61)

Excited and nervous for the kid. A gem and we’re staring a World Series Title in the face, a dud and we’re playing a best of 3.

1st Inning
TOP-Rodriguez sets us down 1-2-3 in the first.
BOTTO-Zamora’s nerves show. Reed singles, Young singles to start it. He then walks Alfred to load’em up. Whimster hits a sac fly, and then he settles in to get Ladd on an F9, and Olivo on a ground out to avert a 1st inning disaster.
1-0 Tulsa

2nd Inning
TOP-A 2 out error by Rodriguez, followed by a Riggs walk end up factors when Lorenzelli drills a 2 out 2 run double to put us up at the end of the top half.
BOTTOM-Zamora walks Becker and Cox to start the inning but gets Valdez and and then K’s Reed for the 2nd out. Young singles with 2 outs and Becker and Cox score to make it 3-2. Whimster works a long at bat, before drawing a full count walk and veteran slugger Dave Ladd ends Zamora’s night when he drills an 0-1 offering deep into the night for a Grand Slam.
Torres relieves Zamora and gets Olivo to end the inning.
7-2 Tulsa after 2.

3rd Inning
TOP-We go 1-2-3 on 9 pitches as Chartier singles and gets caught stealing.
BOTTOM- Torres has a 1-2-3 inning.
7-2 after 3.

4th Inning
TOP-Another perfect frame for Rodriguez on 11 pitches. He’s at 58 after 4.
BOTTOM-And Torres does the same on 9.
7-2 Tulsa after 4.

5th Inning
TOP-2 quick outs when Hudson singles and Eric Coates drives him home with a double. Chartier follows with another double to make it 7-4.
BOTTOM-Whimster singles leading off the 5th, Ken Johnson relieves Torres and gets Ladd on an F8, K’s Olivo and Becker to end the 5th.
Tulsa leads 7-4 after 5.

6th Inning
TOP-Morgan singles with 1 out, Chavez walks behind him, Riggs grounds to 3rd, moving them up and Lorenzelli goes 4-3 to end it.
BOTTOM-Pennington comes on for Johnson. Cox K’s, Valdez goes 5-3 and Reed punches out looking to end the inning.
Tulsa up 7-4 end of 6.

7th Inning
TOP-3 up 3 down on 11 pitches, 8 to Coates.
BOTTOM-Young gets drilled leading off, Alfred flies to right and Whimster doubles to the gap in right center. Browne relieves Pennington and throws a 1-1 pitch to the backstop. Which becomes even more painful when he punches out Ladd and gets Olivo on 1 pitch.
8-4 Tulsa after 7

8th Inning
TOP-Rodriguez night is over after 7 (7-6-4-2-2-4), Arturo Ramirez on. Collins K’s leading off, Alexander singles and Morgan reaches on an error by Whimster. Wu-shiun Fou comes in to face Chavez and he lines a single to left center that plates Alexander.
Albert Camp gets the call, and induces Riggs into an inning ending 4-6-3. Was sure we were going to do something there.
BOTTOM-Browne gets Becker leading off, and Mike Moore gets the call. Cox coaxes a walk, Valdez punches out and Reed grounds out, 4-3, to end the 8th.
8-5 Tulsa heading to the 9th.

9th Inning
TOP-Stewart Ward comes on to close it out. PH Will Harris chases a 3-2 pitch leading off.
Eric Hudson doubles on the 1st pitch he sees…..
Coates chases a 1-2 pitch for the 2nd out….
And Charter works to a 2-2 count……
And grounds to short to end it.
8-5 final, series tied 2-2

[gehrig38]

GAME 5
Chicago Iron Pigs-Walt Thompson (2-0 3.27)
@
Tulsa Drillers-Esteban Valdez (1-0 3.86)

Well, THIS is the game we traded for Walt Thompson for now At 2-2, you win this one you feel like you are ‘there’, a win away and it’s going to happen.

1st Inning
TOP-Chartier singles with 1 out but Valdez escapes unscathed, 13 pitches.
BOTTOM-Foul out, K and tapper in front of the plate, rather feeble inning as Thompson stuff is there, 12 pitches.
0-0 end of 1.

2nd Inning
TOP-Two K’s on 7 pitches and a 1st pitch fly to center, Valdez has his “A” stuff as well. 21 pitches through 2.
BOTTOM-A 1 out Dave Ladd single nets nothing as Thompson retires Olivo on a ground out, moving Ladd to 2nd and punches out Becker on 3 pitches. 20 pitches after 2.
0-0 after 2.

3rd Inning
TOP-Valdez needs 15 pitches to do it, but gets the side in order with a K. 36 pitches after 3.
BOTTOM-Cox singles to open it up. Valdez follows with another single to right center and Cox ambles to 3rd.
Hudson throws behind Valdez and first and the ball gets away from Morgan, Cox scores and Valdez moves up to 2nd.
Young goes down swinging.
Alfred lines a single to right, Valdez comes around making it 2-0.
Whimster flies to left to end the 3rd. 46 pitches for Thompson.
2-0 Tulsa

4th Inning
TOP-Another 3 up 3 down inning, this time on 15 again, 51 through 4 for Valdez.
BOTTOM-Ladd K’s and Olivo follows with a bomb to left to make it 2-0.
Becker grounds out 5-3, Cox walks on 5 pitches.
Valdez singles to the hole at 2nd on the 1st pitch.
Wally Reed goes down for Thompsons 6th K. 73 pitches after 4.
3-0 Tulsa end of 4.

5th Inning
TOP-Valdez is rolling, a K and two week outs, he’s 1-hitting us through 5 on 66 pitches.
BOTTOM-Thompson settles in, getting the side on 11 pitches, and is at 84 after 5.
2-0 Tulsa

6th Inning
TOP-Lorenzelli singles to open it, the first hit since the 1st inning. Hudson moves him over with a sac bunt. Coates singles to put runners at the corners with 1 out.
Chartier singles, scoring Lorenzelli, and putting runners at 1st and 2nd with 1 out.
Collins goes FC, Coates to 3rd.
Alexander grounds to Whimster to end it.
BOTTOM-Thompson punches out the side, regaining momentum in the process. He’s at 99 pitches, and 9 k’s through 6, Valdez now at 85.
3-1 Tulsa after 6

7th Inning
TOP-Wes Morgan kicks it off with a solo shot to right. Chavez grounds out and Riggs punches out looking.
Lorenzelli walks on 4 pitches and Hudson follows with a double up the alley in left center, amazingly Lorenzelli is held!......
Valdez punches out Eric Coates looking to end the top half.
BOTTOM-An 8 pitch inning leaves Thompson at 107 after 7, and him fighting to stay in it.
3-2 Tulsa after 7 full.

8th Inning
TOP-Valdez is just on, he needs just 5 pitches to retire the side, the last 2 (Collins and Alexander) on 1 pitch outs.
BOTTOM-Thompson takes the hill, and retires Young on a long AB with a K, for his 10th, and Alfred on a comebacker.
There’s discussion on whether to call it a night but we decide to leave the ace in to finish the inning.
Curt Whimster makes that a regrettable decision 4 pitches later, drilling a 401 foot blast to right center for a solo homer and a 4-2 lead. Thompson is clearly furious…..
And Dave Ladd feels it, as Thompson punches him out on his 125th pitch for the final out, and his 11th K (A Chicago post season record)
4-2 Tulsa into the 9th.

9th Inning
TOP-Stewart Ward on, and Tulsa fans are deafeningly loud… Morgan, Chavez and Riggs due up….
Ward gets Morgan swinging for the 1st out….
Ca
Chavez taps to 2nd on the 2nd pitch for out #2…
Paul Riggs lines a shot to left for a 2 out single….
Ron Miller is called on to PH for his 1st World Series at bat….
And on a 3-1 pitch he grounds to Valdez at short, who steps on the bag to end the game…

[gehrig38]

GAME 6
Tulsa Drillers-George Perkins (3-0 2.05)
@
Chicago Iron Pigs-Ken Lee (1-1 3.48)

Heh, well, win or go home time now boys. Never had better experiences or more fun than playing in these, knowing 95% of the guys on the field were terrified, while I was beyond excited. You can make people remember you for life in 9 innings of 1 game, period. Any other outlook is folly. You find out who the true ‘gamers’ are. If you watched the 2001 WS, and you happen to go back and check it out, watch Jeter and I, before the 1st pitch, smile and wink at each other, we knew. We knew we were about to play a game no one would ever forget, and that we’d do something, good or bad, that day. I’ve got as good a pitcher as I could possibly want going, but so do they. Perkins has been a stud so far, unbeaten and dominant, any early mistakes could be huge for either team…

1st Inning
TOP-Becker flies out to open the game. Young hits a ground ball single through the right side.
On a 1-1 pitch Rich Alfred hits what many are calling the longest post season homer in IBL history, 487 feet to straight away center field….
Lee looks flustered and walks Whimster on a full count.
Ladd follows with a sharp single to center. Olivo drills a ball to deep right center….
But Collins runs it down, Whimster tags and makes 3rd.
Brady flies to left to end the inning.
BOTTOM-Coates reaches on a bunt single to 2nd leading it off. Chartier erases him on a fielders choice.
Collins works a long AB into a 1 out walk, putting runners at 1st and 2nd.
Alexanders FC puts runners at the corners with 2 outs, bringing Wes Morgan to the plate….
He flies to center to end the inning. Lee needs 24 pitches to get out of the 1st, Perkins 19.
2-0 Tulsa after 1 inning.

2nd Inning
TOP-A 1-2-3 top, on 12 pitches. Lee at 36 after 2.
BOTTOM-Riggs singles with 1 out, goes to 2nd, and then 3rd on back to back wild pitches from Perkins.
Lorenzelli scores him on a grounder to short. Hudson k’s to end the inning. Perkins needing 18, for 37 total through 2.
Tulsa up 2-1 after 2

3rd Inning
TOP-With 2 outs Whimster singles and Ladd works Lee for a 2 out walk, but Olivo pops to center to end the top half. 23 pitches for Lee, for 59 after 3.
BOTTOM-Coates opens with another single, Chartier moves him to 2nd on a grounder.
Collins hits one off Perkins, who recovers to field it, but Coates moves to 3rd.
It ends up mattering 2 pitches later when Perkins apparently balks to force him home.
Alexander then singles, and is nailed trying to stretch it into a double.
Perkins at 51 after 3, Lee at 58.
2-2 as we head to the 4th.

4th Inning
TOP-A 2 out Cooper Patton single is all they get. 15 pitches and Lee’s at 73 after 4.
BOTTOM-Morgan singles off Perkins to kick off the bottom of 4. Chavez K’s looking, Riggs FC puts him at first for Lorenzelli who flies to right to end the inning. 17 more for Perkins in the 4th, for 68 total.
2-2 after 4.

5th Inning
TOP-Lee gets the side in order on 12 pitches.
BOTTOM-Eric Hudson and Eric Coates single to open the bottom half of the 5th. Chartier moves them over with a bunt.
Hugh Collins is walked intentionally but the move backfires when Alexander works a full count walk 7 pitches later.
Wes Morgan drills a ball to left that easily scores Coates, 4-2 now.
And on a 1-0 pitch Luis Chavez brings the home crowd to its feet as he slams the George Perkins offering to deep right for a 3 run homer and a 7-2 lead. Perkins night is done (4.2-8-7-7-3-2). Edison Sisson is in the game.
7-2 after 5 full.

6th Inning
TOP-Dave Ladd makes it clear this isn’t over yet, tripling into the right field corner to open the 6th.
Oilvo follows with an RBI single to make it 7-3.
Ben Brady works a walk and the bullpen is scrambling. A meeting and Lee lets it be known he’s fine. 1 more hitter is what I am thinking…
German Valdez then doubles to left center and Olivo scores making it 7-4. Lee’s night ends (5-8-5-5-3-1) as Alex Browne is summoned.
Patton taps back to the mound with runners at 2nd and 3rd, no outs, and they hold.
Troy Becker grounds to 2nd to score Brady, 7-5 now, runner on 3rd.
Browne gets young to line out to Riggs to end it.
Chicago 7 Tulsa 5 after 6 and a half.
BOTTOM-Lorenzelli doubles on the 1st pitch from Sisson in the bottom half.
Eric Hudson then fouls off 5 2 strike pitches before lining a single to left center, Lorenzelli holding at 3rd.
Eric Coates fouls off 3 more pitches, and proceeds to draw a full count walk.
Jean Chartier grounds to 2nd, and they just miss turning 2, but Lorenzelli comes home.
Collins grounds softly to 3rd and Hudson comes across. Sisson night ends and Vincente Guzman is in the game. Alexander flies to right to end the inning.
9-5 Chicago after 6.

7th Inning
TOP-Browne walks Alfred leading off. Curt Whimster pops to 2nd. A wild pitch moves Alfred to 2nd and Dave Ladd doubles him home on the next pitch.
Arturo Olivo pushes a routine grounder to Riggs at 2nd who can’t make the play, and his errant throw scores Ladd.
Brady hits into a FC at 2nd and Valdez K’s to end the inning.
BOTTOM-Morgan walks to open it and Chavez singles behind him. Riggs flies to left and Massi Lorenzelli hits a wicked line drive up the middle. Valdez makes an amazing stab and flips to Young racing to 2nd for an inning ending DP.
Chicago up 9-7 after 7 full.

8th Inning
TOP-Dave Winston is summoned for the 8th. Patton goes 6-3 and Becker K’s to open it.
Young reaches when Morgan mishandles a grounder.
Jose Torres comes in to get Alfred, who drills a 2-2 single to push Young to 3rd. Torres remains to get the left handed Whimster but he has other ideas.
Whimster drills a 1-2 offering down the 1st base line and into the right field corner to score both Young and Alfred, and tie it up at 9!
Ken Johnson is called on to get Dave Ladd and he does, catching him looking at a 1-2 pitch. Now tied at 9…
BOTTOM-Arturo Ramirez is called on to hold it there.
Eric Hudson singles to lead it off, and Angel Lopez is called on to run. Eric Coates sac bunt turns into more as he beats the throw. Chartier moves the runners to 2nd and 3rd with his own sac.
Hugh Collins is then intentionally walked to load the bases (we’ve been here before!)
Alexander then comes through big time, singling on a 1-0 pitch scoring Lopez and Coates without a throw! 11-9 Chicago!
Wu-shiun Fou is summoned from the Tulsa pen. He gets Morgan swinging.
Chavez lines the 1st pitch to right and Collins is waved home, Olivo’s throw and the ensuing collision, which Alfred hangs onto, nail Collins at the plate.
11-9 Chicago up, Cruz coming in, heading to the 9th.

9th Inning
TOP-Olivo, Brady and Valdez due up, Flores now catching, Lopez at 2nd.
Cruz gets Olivo on an 0-2 chase, 1 out.
Brady lines a 2-0 pitch to center and Collins runs it down…
Valdez flies to Alexander on a 1-1 pitch, series now tied and heading to a Game 7! WOO HOO!

[gehrig38]

2016 WORLD SERIES
GAME 7
Tulsa Drillers-Joel Downs (2-1 3.13)
@
Chicago Iron Pigs-Alfredo Alejandrez (1-0 3.71)

Irony abounds I guess. The guy who’s been the ‘ace’ for 5 years, our 1st ever Opening Day SP, and he’s got the ball for a World Series Game 7, cool in a way. He’s thrown well, issue is he’s barely gotten through 6 in 2 of his 3 starts. I need him today, in a big way. Downs is a Koufax award winner, and a guy that knows how to win games. He’s 2-5 5.48 in the post season lifetime, (2-3 3.89) if you take out a horrendous 2014. Alejandrez is 1-2 5.82 and has managed just 51.1 IP in 10 starts. Either way this season has been a win, we achieved every goal but 1, and that one’s 27 outs away.

1st Inning
Both guys go 1-2-3, each with 2 K’s. Alejandrez on 13 pitches, Downs on 12.

2nd Inning
TOP- Dave Ladd, with 1 out, drills a Alejandrez offering 438 feet to dead center for the games 1st run. Olivo then singles, Becker doubles him to 3rd. But Alejandrez settles in and K’s Cox. All seems good when Valdez grounds to Riggs but the ball rolls between his legs and two runs score!
Reed then hits another grounder, same play, and Riggs ends the inning.
BOTTOM-Alexander singles to lead it off but we get nothing more.
4-0 Tulsa after 2, Alejandrez at 37 pitches, Downs at 25.

3rd Inning
TOP-With 1 out and Alfred on first after a single, Whimster grounds into a 4-6-3 inning ending DP.
BOTTOM- Coates doubles with 2 outs, and Chartier leaves him there, grounding to 2nd on the first pitch.
Downs at 40, Alejandrez 52, after 3 full.
Tulsa up 3-0 heading to the 4th.

4th Inning
TOP-With Dave Ladd on 1st Wes Morgan flashes his leather, turning a 3-6-1, and Alejandrez gets Becker looking to end it.
BOTTOM-Collins singles leading off, and on an 0-1 pitch gets nailed at 2nd attempting to steal. Alexander makes it hurt when he singles on the next pitch. Chavez goes 4-3 on a 1st pitch.
62-51 pitch count, Alejandrez-Downs, after 4.
Tulsa up 3-0, 15 outs left in the season.

5th Inning
TOP-With 1 out Alejandrez walks Valdez and Wally Reed back to back. Edward Young, on a 3-1 pitch, could have cinched a World Series for the Drillers as he lines a 2 run triple into the right field corner. Randy Pennington is summoned, Alejandrez ends with a 4.1-6-6-4-2-4 night.
Rich Alfred grounds out, Young remains at 3rd.
Whimster is walked and Dave Ladd doubles to bring in Young.
With runners at 2nd and 3rd Olivo grounds out to Morgan to end the inning, but the damage is done. 6-0 Tulsa.
BOTTOM-After 5 straight foul balls Paul Riggs lines a sharp single to left.
Lorenzelli flies to right and Hudson pushes Riggs to 3rd with a single.
Eric Coates doubles, Riggs scoring, Hudson stopping at 3rd.
Chartier brings Hudson home with an RBI ground out, and Collins flies to right to end the 5th.
6-2 Tulsa after 5.

6th Inning
TOP-Pennington retires the side in order.
BOTTOM-Wes Morgan singles with 1 out and Chavez follows by lining a 2-2 pitch over the wall in right for a 2 run shot. Riggs pops out and Lorenzelli singles, but is erased after being picked off with Eric Hudson up.
6-4 Tulsa after 6.

7th Inning
TOP-Reed greets Pennington with a lead off single and Ken Johnson is summoned. Ed Young singles off him and Mike Moore is called on to get Rich Alfred.
In what might be a season defining AB, Moore induces Alfred to hit into a 6-4-3 DP.
Whimster is intentionally passed, and Moore punches out Dave Ladd to hold the game right where it is.
BOTTOM-Downs gets 2 quick outs before Jean Chartier lines a 380 foot shot to right for a solo homer that trims the lead to 1.
Downs night ends (6.2-11-5-5-0-5) and Wu-shiun Fou is called on. Collins and Alexander greet him with back to back singles and a wild pitch to Wes Morgan moves them to 2nd and 3rd.
Morgan works to a full count before grounding to Valdez to end the inning.
6-5 Tulsa after 7 full.

8th Inning
TOP-Olivo singles off Mike Moore to start the 8th. Troy Becker bunts him up. Dave Winston is called on and he comes up huge, punching out PH Ben Brady and German Valdez to end their half of the 8th.
BOTTOM-Fou, and the state of Illinois, are stunned, as Luis Chavez hammers a titanic 444 foot blast on a 1-0 pitch to tie up game 7 of the World Series!
It’s clear he’s rattled 1 out later when Lorenzelli taps a ball back to him and he misplays it.
With 2 outs Lorenzelli steals 2nd, but Eric Coates goes down swinging to end the 8th.
Game of the World Series is now tied, and heading to the 9th inning.

9th Inning
TOP-The thinking is to get Winston three outs, if we can, and hopefully score and win it. Otherwise we’ll use our remaining lefty if needed for Alfred and/or Whimster.
That all goes to hell in a hand basket as Wally Reed opens the 9th with a leadoff double. Ernesto Cruz is brought in right now, with the season on the line.
He K’s Edward Young, who was trying to bunt the runner over! Rich Alfred up….
And Cruz clutches up, getting Alfred to fly to left for the 2nd out. Whimster is intentionally walked, bringing up Dave Ladd….

Speechless, stunned, without breath? Amazed…… Not even sure what I am right now…
Dave Ladd hits the 1st pitch he sees from Ernesto Cruz 438 feet to dead center for a tie breaking 3 run homer with 2 outs in the 9th inning…..
And Arturo Olivo follows him with his own, a solo shot to right center! Wow, just wow.
Troy Becker mercifully ends the inning. OMG, not sure if I created 1000 ‘what ifs’, if this would even be on my radar….

BOTTOM of the 9th….
Chartier, Collins, Alexander. At least I got my meat up, if nothing else. Fou remains in the game.
Chartier goes 4-3 on a 2-2 pitch….
Collins reaches on an Alfred error…..
Alexander walks on a 3-1 pitch…Ok, don’t tease me boys…. Stewart Ward is now in the game….
Wes Morgan just singled in Hugh Collins with 1 out… Runners at 1st and 2nd… No way, no way does this happen….
And Stewart walks Chavez to load the bases!!!!! 10-7, 1 out, bases loaded…..
Paul Riggs grounds into a fielder’s choice, Alexander scores, Morgan to third. Runners on the corners, 2 outs, 10-8….
Ron Miller is being called in to pinch hit….
And Miller SINGLES to bring Morgan home!!!!!! Riggs to second, holy crap!!!!
Ward is better vs lefties than righties, Eric Hudson due up, Lopez a switch, and Harris a lefty on the bench. Flores can catch if I hit for him, but I’m going to let him hit…I think…Ya….Ok ya, he’s hitting…
And Hudson hits a fly to left, Ladd, appropriately, camps under it, and squeezes it and the Tulsa Drillers have beaten us 10-9 to win the 2016 World Series. Wow, holy cow what a game.

[gehrig38]

To 2016 World Series MVP Dave Ladd (13-27 6 Runs 3 2B's 1 3B 4 HR's and an IBL World Series record 15 RBI's) and the new World Champion Tulsa Drillers.

[gehrig38]

Of 97, nice, no consolation, but nice...

And off season early news...
Our 2017 budget has been set, we will have 76 million to spend and 5.1 million for the draft.
Our fan interest finishes the season at 75. Loyalty remains around average.

LEAGUE NEWS

Staten Island has let go of manager John Wilson today. After 2 straight years of post season activity a 72-90 season did him in. He's only 36, so I'm guessing he'll find something again soon.


The White Caps fired GM Tom Vantassell.

Michigan let go of Manager Melvin Snow after just 1 season. The former Battlecat Bench coach took over last year, and steered them to a 66-96 record.


Speaking of Michigan, former Battlecat Manger Will Bernard was ousted after just 1 year in Phildelphia. His 63-99 record and 5th year of finishing 4th or worse made it a no brainer for Philly phans. Giving his reputation working with hitters I've extended an offer for him to be our Belleview HC, can't seem him taking it but who knows his state of mind this soon after losing his job.

The Baltimore Railcats let go of GM Chris Jones today, and he was followed out the door by manager Zander Fox. Fox had been the bench coach in Sacramento and came to the same role in Baltimore in 2015, before being given the reins last winter. The club was a huge disappointment this year, finishing 68-94.

And finally the Roughriders let go of manager Manny Gonzalez after a 3rd straight season of missing the playoffs, the last 2 under Manny.

[MizzouRah]

That was intense! Great series, I had my Iron Pigs hat on!

[Orcin]

That was a really great 9th inning of game 7. Tough loss, but it gives the guys something to strive for next season.

[gehrig38]

What an amazing season, with an amazing ending. I think it's obvious I was playing the game, as I was writing the game report.

When Ladd hit the homer I sat at my keyboard, speechless, for a good few minutes.

Not sure what that says about OOTP, but it's all good, that much I know. The post season sort of shocked me, I expected to have far more difficulty getting out of my league, than I did.

Also, I don't like the WC being as 'easy' as it is, hence the format change coming in next years playoffs.

I feel good about the team, and organization as a whole, as we prepare for more expansion and our first true winter of free agency, and meaningful dollars being thrown around..

[gehrig38]

Independent Baseball League expands by 2 more clubs:

The IBL has announced to creation of 2 new franchises, the Boston Bombers and the Dallas Texans. Both will enter the Coastal League, with Boston heading to the Keystone Division with Pittsburgh, New Hampshire, Baltimore, and Philadelphia while Dallas will enter the Lone Star Division alongside in state rivals Tulsa, San Antonio, Houston and Corpus Christi.

Plans were in place to move El Paso, but that fell through when the Hawaii Warriors franchise bid failed.

The league also announced a new playoff format for the upcoming 2017 season. There will be 2 wild card teams in each league, and those 2 teams will play in a 1 game playoff after the final day of the regular season, to determine the leagues wild card winner. The Wild Card cannot have home field advantage in any series, except the World Series should their league win the All Star game.

Logos, and MLB player additions to these rosters will be forthcoming

[gehrig38]

The IBL's two newest franchises unveiled their logos, team colors and announced their picks in the MLB signing period.

The league, in conjunction with the IBL PA amended the earlier agreement and limited the number of players to 3 former MLB players, and 1 minor league prospect. Many feeling that the former expansion clubs (Alaska, Green Bay) benefitted farm more from being able to add 6 players, than they should have.

[gehrig38]

The Dallas Texans have announced the signings of 4 players, 3 to their IBL roster, and 1 minor league prospect.
24 year old 1B Lance Berkman, 27 year old RF Ichiro Suzuki and 25 year old SP Tim Hudson have inked IBL contracts, rookie P prospect Josh Beckett has been signed to a minor league contract.
The Bombers today announced the signing of 21 year old SS Jimmy Rollins, 25 year old CF Torii Hunter and 21 year old SP Mark Buerhle. They also announced they'd signed P prospect Carlos Zambrano.
These moves were made ahead of the upcoming expansion draft.

[gehrig38]

An amazing season. I 'inserted' myself into a few awards. The FL Cy, had Romano picked, and in looking at the seasons I felt Zito had a way better and more deserving year. In the CL Cy I had Hobbs 3rd, over Harvey, and I rearranged 2-3 in the FL Rookie voting. Didn't feel Grant deserved it over Whitney or Holt.
Just realized I messed up the 2nd and 3rd places in Rookie, damn. Thank goodness it wasn't the winners. Either way The game had Whitney winning the Rookie in the CL, when I felt Elisary was the clear winner, and Acosta was deserving as well.
I also just realized I didn't mess it up, Beau Whitney played 28 games in Houston, hitting .356, and 57 games in Michigan, hitting .320... So there ya go.
Suhayb won his 2nd straight Rivera award, at 122 pts over Wads 110. Clark won with 111 pts to Woodard's 102.
New Hampshire CF Will Vaughn is the first, and only, 4 time gold glove winner.

[MizzouRah]

This game is an addiction.. and you've proven it.

Looking forward to next season!

[gehrig38]

Tragic event in Baltimore:
Baltimore Railcats Pitcher Fernando Martinez was involved in a 1 car accident last night at 2am. The 27 year old apparently lost control of his Ferrari in the bad weather. Alcohol was not a factor. The young pitcher was pulled from the burning car, alive, but unconscious. The team issued a statement this morning “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Martinez family in this challenging time. We were glad to hear the Fernando will pull through, but obviously saddened to learn that his career, at such a young age, is over. He will always have a home in the Railcat organization”

The right hander was a career 40-36 4.42 in 223 games, 86 starts over the past 3 years. He had blossomed into a SP the Railcats were planning on as a rotation anchor prior to the accident.

NOTABLE SIGNINGS
Fresno announced the signing of young star slugger Orlando Rios to a 2 year 19 million dollar extension and announced that SS Alonzo Garza had agreed to a 1 year 3 million dollar extension

Green Bay opens the bank vault:
Green Bay signed Closer Earl Roberts to a 1 year 700K extension. They also came to terms on a 2 year 20.5 million dollar deal with CF Andruw Jones and signed 3B Scott Rolen to a 2 year 20.5 million dollar deal. Batting champion Todd Helton signed a 1 year 9 million dollar deal and they announced a 3 year extension with SP Grant Thomas, at 19.5 million. They committed another 16.5 million over 2 years to OF Dave Miller and inked SS Rick Williams to a 2 year 7.6 million dollar extension.

Avalanche pay out:
Alaska announced a 3 year 36 million dollar deal with SS Alex Rodriguez.
New York extended 2B Ricardo Quintania for 2 more years at 16 million.

Pittsburgh signed SP Ramon Roa to a 3 year 19 million dollar extension.
World Champs work to keep the core together:

Tulsa signed SP Antonio Rodriguez to a 2 year 20.5 million dollar deal. They also signed leadoff hitter Wally Reed to a 1 year 7 million dollar deal as well as Closer Stewart Ward to a 1 year 6 million dollar deal and extended All Star Catcher Rich Alfred for 1 more year at 7 million dollars.

El Paso signed SP Corey Elkins to a 1 year 6 million dollar deal, avoiding arbitration.

Vegas inks two stars:
The 51’s came to terms on a 2 year 16.5 million dollar deal with slugging 1B Drew Leduc, and gave star OF Jesus Andrales a 1 year 9 million dollar extension.

Edmonton finalized terms on a 1 year 8 million dollar extension with star slugger Dave Palmer.

Clippers ink veteran to 3 year extension:
3B Haqverdi Hamidov was all smiles at today’s press conference as they club announced a 3 year 19.5 million dollar extension with the 34 year old. Hamidov will receive base salaries of 5.8/6.5 million the next 2 seasons with a vesting option (550 PA’s) of 7.2 million for the 2019 season. He brings a career .274/.351/.453 line with 142 doubles and 62 home runs as well as 80-109 stolen bases.



ORG NEWS
I fired Denison Manager Hector Rodriguez today. That club and players at that level need more coaching, and better coaching. There’s a former AAA pitcher on the market who has IBL manager written all over him and I’m going to get him into this organization if at all possible.

We declined arbitration to 34 year old OF Steve Blue, and have opened extension talks with 2B Paul Riggs. Problem is he’s looking for 6 a year, for 3 or more years. We went back and forth enough that I think he’s a bit peeved, and I’m going to shelve the talk for now and I might risk going to arbitration this year and next.

TRADE NEWS
Stanton Hall is out of options and arbitration eligible. Tulsa has offered 26 year old Troy Becker, a right handed bat, and with options left, in a trade. I am surprised by this, as Becker appeared to be settled into a lineup that won the World Series, but jumped at the offer.

IBL Leading hitters with 1/out (totally random stat, which I feel could be far better handled, but I’ll check it out)
Jean Chartier (CHI) .433
Hugh Collins (CHI) .368
Rich Stone (FRE) .361
Jesus Andrales (LV) .356
Alfonso Gallegos (DAY) .353

INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING
Our scouts found a 17 year old P prospect by the name of Juan Moreno, whom they just signed as a right handed arm. He’ll head to Omaha for next year.

[gehrig38]

If you have followed along, some HUGE names you'll recognize on what is really the first ever true free agent filing day. Monster names, and players that will allow anyone with cash and a plan to compete next year.

[gehrig38]

2016 Managers of the Year
Green Bay manager Jose Ramirez took home the Frontier League Manager of the year after his club went 102-60 this season. That marked a 26 game improvement of his team’s 2015 season.

Ben Robinson of Fresno won the Coastal League award. The former Bison bench coach, in his 3rd year at the helm, has seen his club improve every season, making the playoffs the past 2.

IBL CAREER OPS LEADERS
Alex Rodriguez (ALK) 1.056
Todd Helton (GB) 1.043
Curt Whimster (TUL) .996
Angelo Gomez (COL) .979
Bill Alexander (CHI) .975


TRADE NEWS
Edmonton ships SP to Arizona for prospects:
The Trappers have sent 27 year old Paco Gonzalez to Arizona for 2 prospects. 19 year old OF Bernardo Montoya (Houston #2 pick in 2014 and a 2 star prospect) and 21 year old 3B Johnny Hanson (2016 20th rounder 1 star). Gonzalez is 32-29 5.28 in 85 games, 79 starts, in his IBL career, he was the FL Pitcher of the Month in August of this year.

TRADE NEWS
Alaska ships star slugger to Houston:
The Alaska Avalanche have traded slugging 3B Troy Glaus and 20 year old IF prospect Roger Thompson to the Houston Roughriders for 29 year old CF Mitch Ball. Glaus has hit 55 homer runs and driven in 188 runs the past 2 seasons, and is just 25 years old. Thompson was a 5th round pick in 2014, of El Paso, failed to sign, and was drafted in the 6th round by Alaska in 2015. Ball is a career .272/.352/.406 hitter in 317 IBL games and is expected to play CF and hit 2nd, ahead of Alex Rodriguez, in the Alaska lineup next year.

San Antonio ships SS to Dallas for prospects:
The San Antonio Silve Stars today sent 25 year old SS Ron Bradshaw to the expansion Dallas Texans for 20 year old P prospect Josh Beckett and 19 year old OF prospect Sakutaro Sanu. Bradshaw is a 2 time Frontier League gold glove winner and the 2013 SB champion in the FL. Beckett was the lone MLB minor league prospect Dallas was able to sign prior to the franchise’s opening. Many believe this is a costly move for the Texans.

Salary Arbitration day
Angel Lopez (IF)-Asked for 1.005m, offered 650, team won
Mike Moore (RP)-Asked for 1.013m, offered 750, team won
Massimo Lorenzelli (IF)-Asked for 1.005m, offered 650, team won
Paul Riggs (2B)-Asked for 4.75m, offered 3.99m, player won (this one hurts, has been unreceptive to what I thought were decent offers…)
Will Harris (IF)-Asked for 982, offered 650, team won
Jose Torres (RP)-Asked for 2.00M, offered 1.30m, player won
Arturo Rodriguez (RP)-Asked for 1.005m, offered 750, player won
Rafael Flores (C)-Asked for 1.005m, offered 650, team won

That’s gonna hurt. Way more in the few losses than I’d anticipated, or hoped.

11/15 Tulsa moves to get younger in the OF
The reigning world champs dealt a piece of their winning mix today, sending 29 year of CF Ben Brady and 20 year old OF prospect Victor Maldonado to Michigan for 26 year old slugger 3B Jamie Vance and 1.398 million in cash. Brady is a lifetime .283 hitter with 31 homers and 182 RBI’s in 366 IBL games. Michigan has stated that he’d likely move to RF in their OF, and hit in the 2 hole. Maldonado was the #2 draft pick of the Las Vegas 51’s in 2015 out of Doral Academy HS in Florida. He was sent to Tulsa with RP Wu-shiun Fou for Catcher Jeff Weeks last year and is considered a top prospect in many scouts eyes, but a needed piece to acquire a player of Vance’s caliber. At 26 many believe he’s one of the 10 best hitters in the game. He’s hit 82 HR’s in the past 2 seasons, and driven in 244 runs for a struggling Michigan club. He’s still 2 seasons from Free Agency and set to earn 5 million next year. He’s a 4.5-5 star player on every board in the league. His versatility is almost as valuable as his bat, as he can man any position on the field (11 or better at every position but 1st with RF (18) and 3B (17) being his best spots. No shortage of opinions on the deal but no one thinks Tulsa got anything but better with this trade.

11/17 Staten Island deals top prospect to bolster staff
The Yankees today dealt 29 year old Marcos Lopez (22-19 5.27 career) to Houston for top pitching prospect 19 year old Carlos Castillo. Lopez fell into the ‘change of scenery’ guy and most knew Houston was shopping him, so it came as somewhat of a surprise that Staten Island dealt heralded SP prospect Carlos Castillo to acquire him. Discovered in Puerto Rico and signed just 5 months ago, Castillo is a 4+ star arm on everyone’s board. At 19 there’s a lot of room to grow but he’s potentially a 2-3 guy in a good rotation in many eyes. Lopez will try and jump start his career again in the Yankee rotation.

It’s coming due…..
I have 4 potential free agents coming into next season, and here’s what I am looking at. Chartier, at 22, is looking to clear 21 million a year, Ernesto Cruz (31) is asking 14-15 per, Alejandrez (30) is looking at 20 and Alexander (28) is in the 20 neighborhood as well. The rubbers meeting the road. I can’t resign them all, hell I don’t know if I can get even 2 of them. We’ve made up our mind that we are going to aggressively shop Alejandrez this winter. Chartier is the top priority on this list though his ability to stay healthy scares me. Alexander is likely 2 with Cruz not far behind. I’ve got 20 million for extensions, let’s see how far I can stretch it….

Initial talks are not promising. Alexander’s first task was 20x9…..This is going to take some work.

11/19 Arizona bolsters their rotation
The Greyhounds acquired 25 year old SP Junior Harvey and 650K in cash from the New Hampshire Fishercats, for 20 year old 1B prospect Geraro Fernandez and 20 year old IF prospect Lance Smith. Harvey is 43-44 5.16 lifetime in 117 career starts and is now penciled in as the #3 in the Greyhound rotation. Fernandez was signed by Arizona out of Puerto Rico late in the ’15 season and is a ++ runner and 3 star prospect on our board. Smith was Arizona’s 9th round pick in this years draft out of Auburn University, a very good defender and decent runner who’s bat doesn’t project on our board as well.

Expansion Draft
Dallas and Boston will finish up their rosters prior to free agent signings this winter with a 35 round expansion draft. Teams were limited to losing just 2 players, and could protect 50, as well as no player with less than 3 years pro service is eligible for the draft.
Boston took 2B Enrique Ramos (SAC) a 27 year old 2B/3B with the first pick, and Dallas selected 3B/LF Joe Brebner (COL) with it’s first pick.

We lost OF George Weeks (DAL) who was on the Tulsa roster, and 3B Kohei Fukui (DAL) off the Denison club.

[gehrig38]

TRADE NEWS
Chicago moves SP Kelly and 1st pick to Railcats:
The Kelly deal was not my finest hour. Even if he does start throwing well he’ll never have the ability to work deep enough into games to make it matter. So I cut my losses and packaged him with the #18 pick in the draft next year, to Baltimore for AAA OF Greg Leonard and their 1st pick (#9 overall). Leonard can fly, play very good D and his bat is 4th OF ready right now. He has 3 options, and is a legit insurance plan for AAA Tulsa. The move also clears up a 40 man spot with the rule 5 coming up and I likely am going to need all 40 spots.

TRADE NEWS
11/20 Arizona deals pitching to get catching:
The Greyhounds, after two recent deals to acquire SP, have deal SP Tucker Benjamin to West Michigan for 25 year old catcher Jesus Gonzalez and 20 year old OF prospect Steve Haas. Benjamin was 4-3 4.17 in 15 games, 13 starts last season, and will move into the White Cap rotation, while Gonzalez has hit .245 over the past 2 seasons backing up in West Michigan. He figures to handle the majority of catching duty for Arizona right now. Haas is a burner who was signed by the White Caps after being released by El Paso (2013 6th rounder for the Diablos).

ORG NEWS
Signed Pitching coach Will Coleman to handle the duties at Omaha over the next few years. Saw about a half season in Philly as their IBL pitching coach so he’s been around, and knows a thing or two.

FREE AGENT RUMORS
Early word has LA, Dallas and Edmonton in on 29 year old 3 time all star and former 20 game winner Vincente Romero. His asking price is rumored to be in the 22 million range for 6+ years.

FREE AGENT SIGNINGS!
Alaska inks 2 time Rivera winner:
The Avalanche showed off their newest toy today, 2 time Mariano Rivera Award winner Anbar Suhayb will make 36 million dollars a year for the next 3 seasons, closing games in Anchorage. The IBL’s career saves leader, he’s 25-12 2.04 with 199 Saves. The deal is for 10.3/12.2 with a club option at 14.1 for the 2019 season or a 2.6m buyout.

(So that’s my market for Cruz I guess, somewhere in that neighborhood, damn)

Patriots get their stopper:
The Phildadelphia Patriots, who were rumored to be in on Suhayb made their own splash today, and with a closer as well. Signing 33 year old Closer Julion Salinas to a 3 year 36.6 million dollar contract. Salinas will make 12.2 million a year over the three seasons.

(Follow on talks with Cruz, and I couldn’t get him down, he’s looking at 13-14 annually, which is just too much money for 4 years for a closer.)

ORG NEWS
48 year old Louis Simmons, a guy with an all around good reputation as a hitting coach, will handle the Belleview duties for the next 3 seasons.

11/28 FREE AGENT SIGNINGS
Edmonton retains star 2B Davis:
Edmonton announced the signing of 31 year old 2B Tim Davis to a 4 year 70.8 million dollar extension. Davis is a career .277 hitter with 152 home runs and 555 RBI’s. He will earn 15 million next season and the his 2020 season will see his salary escalate to 20.4 million.

(If this is the 2B market, I had better start grooming a replacement)

Railcats get a World Champion:
Baltimore has announced the signing of 34 year old SS Edward Young to a 2 year 33.2 million dollar deal. The SS is coming off a career best .317-28-93 season for the World Champion Drillers.

Michigan gets a Koufax winner:
The Corpus Christi Hooks said goodbye to 2013 Koufax winner Cecil Watts today, sending him (and his 47-47 4.46 lifetime mark)and 1.55 million dollars to the Michigan Battlecats for 34 year old 3B Luis Manuel Osorio. Osorio’s arbitration award of 6.25 million guaranteed his ticket out of Michigan. His best year was 2013 when he hit .270-29-79. He’s slumped the past few years and is looking for one last go around with the Hooks. Watts will look to help the perennial door mat Battlecats attempt to get to .500 for their first time in 2017.

11/30 Houston adds to its stable of “Horses”
The Roughriders, a team no one had in the hunt, snuck in at the 11th hour and snatched another ace, signing what many people believe to be the best arm on the market in Vincente Romero to an IBL record 5 year 99 million dollar contract extension. The 3 time all star and #2 all time in IBL wins (86-49) is said to be elated to join Raul Gonzalez and Sergio De La Garza atop the Roughrider rotation.

12/1 Houston commits more big money
A day after committing almost a hundred million to one player, the Roughriders add an impact bat in 4 time All Star and 2012 CL Batting Champion Rich Stone to the fold. Houston commits 58.8 million for the next 3 seasons to the 25 year old outfielder. In his young career Stone has played in less than 150 games just once (134 in 2013) while leading the league in hits (228 in ’12) total bases (347 in ’15) doubles (47 in ’16) triples 3 times (15 in ’13 18 in ’15 and ’16) runs (116 in ’13) Avg and OBP (.357/.445 in ’12) VORP and WAR (97.4 and 10.0 in ’12). Next to Angelo Gomez he’s believed to be the best all around bat on the market.

12/1 Pittsburgh lands the big one:
The Bulldogs announced today, that they’d inked 28 year old perennial MVP candidate Angelo Gomez to a 4 year 80 million dollar deal. The deal calls for a base salary of 17/19/21 and 23 million. A 2 time all star and the FL’s 2016 Hank Aaron Award winner, he brings immediate credibility to the Bulldog lineup, as it looks to regain it’s footing. His career .318/.415/.564 line includes 159 home runs and 141 of 184 stolen bases. He will sit atop the bulldog lineup ahead of 2016 CL Hank Aaron award winner Allen Hedden.

(HOLY COW, last years MVP’s in the same lineup…WOW)

12/1 Wizards opt for the veteran:
A few days after their chase to sign Vincente Romero ended the LA Wizards announced the signing of 35 year old Shawn Calhoun to a 3 year 55.2 million dollar contract extension. Calhoun is a 4 time all star who’s apparently fully recovered from elbow reconstruction in July of 2015. The third year of the deal contains a 180 IP vesting option at 21.4 million.

(Wow, that’s a crap ton of cash for a 35 year old)

STUFF
For what it’s worth there are 4 HUGE bats still out there. Hill, Wright, Bryant and Conway are all still available. All asking 20+ million for 5+ years. Wright is the only one under 30 (28).

[gehrig38]

12/2
Rumor mill
33 year old Ron Pearce (2015 FL Koufax winner) is rumored to be talking to LV, BAL, HOU and Sacramento. Word has it that Sacremento has a leg up and has tabled a 35.6 million dollar 4 year offer.

Knights make a splash:
New York inked 2 time all star Catcher Mark Doyle, 33, to a 4 year 64 million dollar deal today. Doyle has a .399 lifetime OBP and has led the FL in walks 2 times.
(ton of cash for a 33 year old catcher who’s marginally at best, behind the plate)

Hooks and Cyclones swap first basemen:
Corpus Christi traded 26 year old 1B Carlos Andrade (.281-13-72 in 152 games, 3 time rookie of the month and an All Star) to Brooklyn for 33 year old 1B Frank Goodman. Goodmans career .215 average and 17 homers, 17 stolen bases confirm what many thought, that this deal was donw due to Andrade being as toxic in the clubhouse as any player in the IBL.

Michigan moves SP for power hitting prospect:
The Battlecats have continued to rework the rotation, today dealing 25 year old SP Steve Hurst (17-25 5.59 277 K’s and 73 HR’s in 365.2 IP) to Staten Island for 17 year old power hitting prospect Jesus Cruz and 23 year old P prospect Chris Stone. Cruz was signed out of Puerto Rico this year and scouts give his power a top of the charts score. Stone is in AA and has the arm to fill a spot in an IBL pen someday soon. Hurst will join newcome Marcos Lopez in the Yankee rotation.

12/3
Arizona finds its replacement:
With Closer Arthur Newton moving into retirement everyone knew Arizona was in the market for a closer and today they got him. Signing former Edmonton closer Esteban Mendez (38), to a 2 year 23.8 million dollar contract. Mendez has never saved fewer than 30 games, and sports a career 2.20 ERA. He’s coming off his ‘worst’ season last year, 33 saves 3.89.

STUFF
The winter meetings are coming up. 3 of my 4 big ticket free agents are compensation guys, but if I can’t get something done with 1 or 2 I am going to have to seriously look at doing something.