The Replacements

[The Mike!]

Hey, I've been around the boards for a little while but I don't post much. Anyway, the dynasty boards have always intrigued me and my real-life friend who introduced me to Out of the Park is a regular here (UngratefulDead), so I thought I'd give a dynasty a shot. UD is helping me a bit with the technical aspect but the material is mine, as is the idea. Hope you enjoy it.

[The Mike!]

April 1, 2004
Entire Cleveland Indians Team Kidnapped in Venezuela!

In the most daring of a string of high-profile MLB-related kidnappings, the entire active roster of the Cleveland Indians was kidnapped from the hotel where they were staying. In addition, most of Cleveland's minor-leaguers, currently playing winter ball in the South American country were reported missing as well. With the beginning of the season quickly approaching, this certainly begs the question: Who will be taking the field for Cleveland, come Opening Day?

[The Mike!]

April 2, 2004

Replacement Indians Make The Roster

Only a day after the kidnapping of the Cleveland Indians ballclub, GM Eric Wedge announced that, due to budgetary constraints the new Indians roster will be composed entirely of what remains of Cleveland's farm system. Most of the players were Low-A fixtures or recently drafted prospects, many of whom who have never enjoyed much success at any level beyond college. None of the players were previously considered ready for the major leagues, but nobody could have predicted the circumstances that brought them there. A squad made mostly of no-names, this "Replacement Tribe" is lead by talented but underdeveloped prospects Adam Miller and Michael Aubrey.

[UngratefulDead]

This has a lot of potential, and I'm not just saying that 'cause you can kick my ass.

[Jackie-O]

I love the picture. Vert creative way to start your dynasty. This will be a funny new dynasty to read.

[UngratefulDead]

Dude, so far your feedback is all from people you personally know. Good sign.

[The Mike!]

Here, I'm going to start with a completely unbiased review of my All-Star caliber team by position, beings as all of them are still prospects, some of which aren't even old enough to drink away there woes, I will also list there possible potential which I pray to god that they meet :

Catchers - Getting the starting job is 21 year old Javy Herrera. Compared to the rest of the team ( which disgusts me in ways you cannot imagine) he has an average amount of skill with the bat, however he is slow as death so the few times he does manage to get on base he'll be taking it one step at a time. He manages to do fairly well on defense with a slightly above average range and average arm. He has the potential to become nothing more than a fairly average catcher, however he shows signs incredible plate dicipline and if coached properly may have a great eye for pitches. Backing him up is 20 year old Miguel Perez. Perez being possibly the slowest and worst hitter of all my position players doesn't show the potential to ever be very good,however he has great range and a strong arm, so he could make a strong defensive replacement.

First Baseman - The one and only first baseman on my team will be 21 year old Michael Aubrey. He showed hints in his brief college career that he would become on of the leagues great first baseman of the future, however at the fair age of 21 he has far from met these expectations and remains one of the poorer members of the squad as far as batting and baserunning is concerned. His defense at first is average but his arm strength is slightly lesser than that of a crippled 4-year old, luckily this won't be needed to much at first.

Second Baseman - Platooning in second base will be 21 year old Micah Schilling against righties, and 22 year old Rodney Choy-Foo against lefties. Schilling while slightly better against righties is still an awful hitter and he will never hit a homerun so long as he shall live. He is, however, fast and a smart baserunner and he has fairly above average defense. He has also shown the potential to OWN the plate. Choy-Foo, whom from now on shall be know as Kung Foo is about the same as Schilling in the hitting department, just against lefites instead, the only downside is he shows no signs of ever being better than average and in the upcoming year he may strike out close to a thousand times. Luckily he has the body of a god, with a cannon for an arm and legs of a ..cheetah or something else very fast. He is also my DH against righties. Also should be mentioned backup infielder, 24 year old Shaun Larkin, who is a festering ball of a suck that's sole purpose is to give me a twenty fifth man, and also DH against lefties.

Shortstop - My starting shortstop will be 21 year old Ivan Ochoa, another of the terrible terrible people on my squad, he CANNOT hit, plain and simple. He does save face however by being a solid defender and baserunner, but he may never get on base so this is a problem...I hate him

Third Baseman - My starting Third baseman will be 21 year old Corey Smith, This guy may nor have much potential but he does have have a fairly decent (in comparison) amount of contact, he looks like a badass and he's a good leader, so I love him. It doesn't hurt that he's a decent runner/defender as well.

Left Field - Starting in left field will be 22 year old Ben Francisco. He is a fair hitter on the team but he has only poor defence at best, and on a team where speed is probably one of it's greatest strengths he isn't much of a contributer. He does interestingly have explosive power potential so I hope that come's into play some time in the year. Backing him up will be 23 year old outfielder Jason Cooper. He showed great promise in his youth but appears to have been more dud than stud though you never know when those sleepers are going to turn into a productive player.

Center Field - Getting the call to duty in center is 21 year old Mike Conroy. He is about average at best in every category. He manages to lead the team in his affinity for ..not getting ..hit by pitches and he actually has what one might call average gap power so expect some doubles from this guy. Backing him up will be outfielder, 22 year old Ryan Golesky, who basicly is terrible but he has good random power potential so he may very well become the next Russell Branyon, by which I mean a god.

Right Field - Finally the shining star of my lineup 21 year old Brad Snyder, with incredible power that would be average on any other, he may quite be the greatest hitter on my team so I'm expecting him to lead me to victory. He has good speed and fair defense. He has great character and great eye potential. I also love him.

[The Mike!]

Originally Posted by Jackie-O

I love the picture. Vert creative way to start your dynasty. This will be a funny new dynasty to read.

I don't know how funny it will end up being unless you find humour in other people's terrible, terrible, soul-sucking misfortune.

Originally Posted by UngratefulDead

Dude, so far your feedback is all from people you personally know. Good sign.

Well, it's late at night. They'll come. You'll see!

[Dagrims]

I don't know you, but if you're a friend of UD's, then this dynasty should absolutely suc...er, I mean should be great! Good start so far, with a creative idea. Why did you decide to use the Indians?

[Jestor]

This should be a hilarious ride.

Major League brought to real.. err.. OOTP life

[The Mike!]

Originally Posted by Dagrims

I don't know you, but if you're a friend of UD's, then this dynasty should absolutely suc...er, I mean should be great! Good start so far, with a creative idea. Why did you decide to use the Indians?

They had the most players in their a-ball team to work with.

[The Mike!]

Due to rather erratic computer access, this dynasty will generally only be updated on Saturdays.

Now for the pitching:

Starters:
1. 21 year old Travis Foley, he's not much of a shining star in any category, but no one on my staff really is. he has the fairly high stuff compared to all my other starters but he still won't be able to throw it past many. He doesn't have all that much potential, he never would have made more than an average starter, but where he stands now he's probably my best guy.

2. 24 year old Keith Ramsey. He's got no stuff to speak of however he actually has good control so I expect him to just give up lots of hits, no walks. His endurance is a real problem though and he may struggle greatly going deep into games. He is an average prospect again at best mostly all in control.

3. 21 year old Rafael Perez. He has the highest stuff of my starters, you could say it's just about average, but he's basically crap everywhere else. He has endurance problems as well. Not to much expected from him in the future

4.19 year old Adam Miller. He, while having the most potential of all my starters, is number four on my staff because of his young age and little experience, he has some strength but not much else. Perhaps if God smiles upon me he'll live up to what he's supposed to be about five years early.

5. 20 year old Sean Smith. ... He's tall. ..thats about all you can say about this guy other than that he has more stamina than my relief squad, But hey you never know who can turn into what.

Relief:
22 and 21 year old Matt Davis and Mariano Gomez. These guys I stuck in the mop-up position, they both suck but I think the idea of my team needing to mop anything up is ridiculous.

At 22 years each my standard middle relievers are, Fernando Cabrera, and Carlos De la Cruz. Cabrera is a good prospect he shows the potential to be a truly dominating reliever, but for right now he is merely another filler for the endless amount of holes in my squad. It should also be mentioned that he will be a frequent pinch hitter, having the highest power on my team. De la Cruz, on the other hand is nothing more than your average 22 year old pitcher. He never projects to be nothing better than middle of the line, though.

Setting it up for my closer will be 23 year old Kazuhito Tadano, and 23 year old Todd Pennington. Tadano is actually good enough to make the last spot on many teams relief squad as a mop-up guy, which effectively makes him my best reliever. He has average movement and control on his pitches, but below average stuff. he also doesn't hurt himself to much by fielding his position greatly. Pennington is another normal pitcher as far as my staff goes, he isn't all that great of a prospect, but has an unnatural, almost godlike affinity for holding runners, so hopefully he'll be able to pick guys off that only get singles against him.

Finally, closing out the games I manage to hold down a lead by the ninth untill, will be 20 year old Shea Douglass. he has good control, and almost average movement, but like Tadano lacks a bit in the stuff catagory. Being a lefty he naturally does slightly better against right handed batters ( ). He isn't likely going to ever get much better than he is now though, sadly.

[The Mike!]

TINY EYES! WATCHING ME!

Cleveland vs. Minnesota
On opening day in Minnesota it's Travis Foley pitching up against Johan Santana. both pitchers look strong in the first inning retring the side in order. It wasn't untill the 2nd inning when the decimation began. with a combanation of a few walks and a double by Michael Cuddyer the Twins got up one to nothing against us. Foley manages to strike out Michael Cuddyer (My new nemisis) in 3rd. The Twins manage to extend their lead in the fourth and fifth innings thanks to a myriad of hits, errors, and general terribleness, making the score 5-0. Corey Smith manages to stop Johann from a no hitter by getting a single in the 5th, the peak of our glory. After 104 pitches Santnna is pulled away from his one hit shut out after giving up back to back walks. As Aaron Fultz comes to the mound I start to notice...he has very tiny eyes. Fultz's tiny eyes get a double play and pitch the next two innings in the first of what will probably be many, many shutouts.

Final Score: Minnesota 5, Cleveland 0

[Vris]

Excellent idea. I know nothing about the Indians, much less their farm teams, so this will get more acquainted.

[The Mike!]

Originally Posted by Vris

Excellent idea. I know nothing about the Indians, much less their farm teams, so this will get more acquainted.

Thanks for the Praise. I didn't know too much about them either, but due to the circumstances they were the best choice.

[The Mike!]

A ****ing god.

Game 2
On day 2 of this enthralling series it's my number 2 guy Kieth Ramsey against Brad Radke. Once again our pitching was solid at first, however it melted down by the middle of the game allowing a total of seven runs in just 3 innings. We did manage to avoid getting shut out though, and Brad Snyder went 3-4 with a double. The man is a god. Thanks to his great day and a few walks in the right place we managed to score two runs, however the twins unstoppable defense just managed to hold down our young hitting in this game.

Final Score: Minnesota 7, Cleveland 2

[The Mike!]

Torii Hunter went 4 for 11 with three doubles and a home run in the series. Torii Hunter is my nemesis.

Game 3
On the final game of this first series of the year we were looking to stop the sweep and get some revenge. Unfortunately this would proove to very impossible. Rafael Perez wasn't even good in the first inning this time and more or less got destroyed 7 to 1, giving up about four homeruns. Now after a shaky start against what obviously must be the best team in the MLB, we look forward to hopefully having a little more luck in our next series against the Royals.

Final Score: Minnesota 7, Cleveland 1

[NDIrish937]

Hey this should be pretty good.

Are you interested in trading for other teams "stars", or not stars, but you know, more seasoned players? Also did you just delete the other players from the game altogether?

Thanks, and good luck!

[The Mike!]

Originally Posted by NDIrish937

Hey this should be pretty good.

Are you interested in trading for other teams "stars", or not stars, but you know, more seasoned players? Also did you just delete the other players from the game altogether?

Thanks, and good luck!

Thanks for the feedback.

I allow trading and waivers, but have limited myself to picking up only guys on minor league contracts. And, yes, the original Indians are gone forevah.

[ifspuds]

This ought to be a good read. I'd had the idea to make an entire league of single-A rookies and see what came out of it, but I could never do it the way I wanted. I'll be interested to see what your junior Indians can do against the big boys.