The Pastime Baseball League

[EMSoccerCoach]

November 20, 2017

Not Dunn Yet

His first year in a Boston uniform was a dynamic one. After fifth place finishes in their first two seasons, a four-year deal for then San Antonio slugger Adam Dunn and a strong draft helped launch the Boston Riders' fortunes.

Dunn hit 48 homers, drove in 121 runs, scored 100 and hit 14 of those homers during a September pennant race en route to winning Northern League Outstanding Hitter honors.

His last two seasons have seen a decline, most recently hitting .253 with 28 homers and 84 RBI this past season. But Boston believes there's more to come.

Dunn, 30, and Boston have agreed to a four-year extension that will keep the brawny Texan in town through the 2022 season.

"Their faith in me means a lot," Dunn said. "You don't always get that in this business. Now I need to deliver."

Boston General Manager Daniel Santos said Dunn earned it despite hit recent slide.

"Adam lifted us to prominence," Santos said. "His off year is 28 homers, 84 runs and 84 RBI. I'll take my chances that at 30 years old he can better that again."

The deal is reportedly worth $25.9 million.

Dunn currently sits fifth on the PBL's alltime home run list with 241.

Adam Dunn

[PhillieFever]

Originally Posted by EMSoccerCoach

Yeah, but you guys have had something to cheer about this year. I'm just hoping my team doesn't botch its GM and manager selections.

That's right we do. No need to talk smack tho...

[EMSoccerCoach]

December 1, 2017

Las Vegas, Charlotte Deal

Desperate to reshape their franchise, the Las Vegas Bosses stayed busy this offseason, dealing 29-year-old left fielder Manny Mota to the Charlotte Cougars for 25-year-old starting pitcher John Candelaria and $847,200 in cash.

The deal is surprising for Charlotte, as Candelaria - coming off ulnar nerve surgery that ended his season - has been a solid starter for them since being drafted in the first round of the 2014 draft.

But his physical with Vegas checked out.

"We're thrilled to pick up a pitcher of John's caliber," Vegas manager Dick Howser said. "Manny was great for us, but we couldn't pass this chance up."

Las Vegas has already brought in Gene Richards from Louisville for Randy Jones and reliever Ted Breitenstein for second baseman Ron Hunt. They are also reportedly eager to ink Candelaria to a contract extension, and are in the hunt for another starter.

Mota has a lifetime .300 average and .342 on-base percentage in his career with 373 hits, 73 doubles, 11 triples, 7 home runs, 128 RBIs and 162 runs scored.

Lifetime Candelaria has 43 victories and 34 defeats with a 3.89 ERA.

[EMSoccerCoach]

December 3, 2017

Idols, Knights Swap Prior, Murray

In a hastily-called press conference, Los Angeles announced today a trade with New Orleans that will send 27-year-old first baseman Eddie Murray and $1,705,000 in cash to the Knights in exchange for 30-year-old starting pitcher Mark Prior.

Arguably the best pitcher over the first five seasons of the Pastime Baseball League's existence, Prior went down with elbow surgery after an incredible start to his 2014 campaign during which he posted an 0.65 ERA in his first six starts. Prior went 22-25 over the next two seasons as he struggled to regain his form.

But the deal is a confusing one because this season, Prior seemed to get it back. He went 17-9 with a 4.12 ERA...higher than his peak ERA's for certain, but he showed dominance at times again.

Murray has been in the unenviable position of being stuck behind one of the best hitters in PBL history, Dan Brouthers, a guy who is so good that Luke Easter had to change positions to accommodate him. Murray was deemed to good, to useful to give up, but was unable to play every day.

Over the last two seasons, Murray has posted an .870 OPS, and the Knights became intrigued with having him - 27 and seemingly ready to enter his prime - become part of their attempt to get back to the big dance. New Orleans has won four titles in the PBL's nine years. No other franchise has won more than one.

In his 268-game career Murray is batting .298 with 196 hits, 24 home runs, 100 runs scored and 87 RBIs.

To date in his career Prior is 129-84 with an ERA of 3.54 and 1560 strikeouts.

Eddie Murray Mark Prior

[EMSoccerCoach]

January 22, 2018

Engines sign Musial to 4-year extension

Convinced first round pick Willie Mays can help turn them around quickly, the Indianapolis Engines have agreed to lock up rightfielder Stan Musial, hoping the pair can serve as a dynamic duo at the heart of their lineup over the next several years.

The Engines already traded for solid swingman Lary Sorensen from Alabama (7-14, 3.70 ERA) and signed Mike Easler (.295-10-48) to an extension, plus traded for second baseman Ron Hunt from Las Vegas (.296-5-47) in recent weeks as they try to thrust themself back into contention in baseball's tightest division.

"We believe in our plan," GM Gerald Drake said. "We think our offense will be rejuvenated this season. We still plan on addressing our pitching staff," which saw its ERA rise from 4.16 to 4.51 last season in a year where the league ERA dropped from 4.22 to 4.12.

"I'm glad to be staying," Musial said. "I feel good."

Those words are vital to Indianapolis, which saw Musial suffer through injuries and slumps for several years since his stellar rookie season of 2011. But he played 145 games last season, and the Engines still believe Musial (.284-20-64) can become one of the PBL's most dominant performers. And the tandem of him and Mays in the outfield, and the lineup, is a mouth-watering prospect.

The new deal will pay Musial an average of $6.2 million over the following four years after this season, in which he will earn $3.2 million.

Stan Musial

[EMSoccerCoach]

January 23, 2018

Beaumont on the move again

Fans in Oklahoma City woke up this morning to learn that their team had traded 31-year-old right fielder Ginger Beaumont and $3,000,000 in cash to the Orlando Orcas. In return, the Scorpions will receive 24-year-old starting pitcher Pete Vuckovich.

Beaumont has a lifetime .278 average and .344 on-base percentage in his career with 1160 hits, 172 doubles, 32 triples, 127 home runs, 506 RBIs and 590 runs scored. In 2017, Beaumont hit .277 with 12 homers, 47 RBI and 24 stolen bases. The deal makes Orlando the fifth stop in Beaumont's career, having played for Sacramento, Boston, Milwaukee and Oklahoma City.

Vuckovich has yet to appear in the PBL after being taken in the 2016 draft.

Ginger Beaumont

[EMSoccerCoach]

Top Free Agents Still on the Market
Feb. 1, 2018

1. Mickey Harris (SP, Louisville, 29 years old) 21-5, 2.90 ERA
2. Erik Bedard (SP, Indianapolis, 33 years old) 10-9, 3.69 ERA
3. John McGraw (3B, Arizona, 27 years old) .272-9-50
4. Juan Cruz (SP, Las Vegas, 31 years old) 12-9, 4.00 ERA
5. Bronson Arroyo (SP, St. Louis, 32 years old) 18-8, 3.81 ERA
6. Eppa Rixey (SP, Sacramento, 28 years old) 13-15, 3.82 ERA
7. Pedro Guerrero (3B, Indianapolis, 28 years old) .272-18-70
8. Hank Wyse (SP. Milwaukee, 32 years old) 11-12, 3.98 ERA
9. Mike Moynihan (SS, Wichita, 33 years old) .272-9-43
10. Pete Hill (LF, Milwaukee, 30 years old) .275-9-45
11. Albert Pujols (1B, Charlotte, 30 years old) .267-26-79
12. Jack Glasscock (3B, Orlando, 28 years old) .269-10-70
13. Wally Pipp (1B, Wichita, 30 years old) .254-17-70
14. Allie Reynolds (CL, Las Vegas, 25 years old) 3-3, 16 SV, 2.70 ERA
15. Sam Crawford (LF, Orlando, 28 years old) .285-6-29
16. Bob Horner (3B, Boston, 27 years old) .244-27-90
17. Bruce Sutter (CL, Milwaukee, 30 years old) 5-5, 4 SV, 3.45 ERA
18. CC Sabathia (SP, Wichita, 29 years old) 5-13, 4.88 ERA
19. Mike Donlin (LF, Charlotte, 29 years old) .245-19-77, 32 SB
20. Charley Jones (LF, Chicago, 34 years old) .213-22-66

[EMSoccerCoach]

February 3, 2018

Donlin heading to New York

Sources are reporting that outfielder Mike Donlin has agreed to a two-year deal with the New York Heroes.


One of the Pastime Baseball League's premier bats in its first few seasons, Donlin was the 2011 Southern League Outstanding Hitter (.358-32-121, 133 runs scored). He hit .344 the next season before a broken leg ended his 2013 campaign in June.

He hasn't been the same player since, but coming off a .245-19-77 season with Charlotte, New York management believes the 29-year-old Donlin still has lots of quality baseball left in him.

The rumored deal would pay Donlin $6.27 million over two years.

[EMSoccerCoach]

February 3, 2018

Rixey inks deal with San Antonio

Hoping to revitalize the pitching staff that spurred their past success, the San Antonio Sheriffs have reportedly signed free agent pitcher Eppa Rixey to a two-year deal worth a reported $5.3 million.

Rixey went 13-15 last season despite a solid 3.82 ERA for Sacramento.

The Sheriffs posted a sub-4.00 team ERA each season from 2013 through 2016. Last season, however, their team ERA was 4.16, nearly a run higher than their incredible 3.27 mark of 2016.


Of course, the Sheriffs have long lacked any potency in their offense. They traded for catcher Lance Parrish in December, but the team will need far more work to compete.

Eppa Rixey

[EMSoccerCoach]

February 3, 2018

Orlando Signs LF Pete Hill

30-year-old leftfielder Pete Hill has inked a deal with Orlando. Many baseball people question whether he is really worth $5,060,000 over 2 years.

However, the team thinks that Hill, a stalwart defensive outfielder, will be a solid contributor this season.

In his 1151-game career Hill has tagged 1048 hits with 221 doubles, 51 triples and 98 home runs. His lifetime batting average is .255 with 465 RBIs and 613 runs scored.

He hit .275 with 9 homers and 45 RBI last season, stealing 29 bags in the process while with Milwaukee.

Pete Hill

[PhillieFever]

I see your Mickey Harris had a fabulous season as well! So far this year, he is 10-2 for the Red Sox with a 3.02 ERA. This despite a .315 BABIP(.282 league avg.), so he's been unlucky, and still great.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by PhillieFever

I see your Mickey Harris had a fabulous season as well! So far this year, he is 10-2 for the Red Sox with a 3.02 ERA. This despite a .315 BABIP(.282 league avg.), so he's been unlucky, and still great.

Yup, he earned Northern League Outstanding Pitcher honors, and was a vital cog in Louisville's first championship. If he leaves, Louisville will take a huge hit.

[EMSoccerCoach]

February 4, 2018

Cruz staying in Las Vegas

The Bosses today announced that they have come to terms with Juan Cruz on a four-year deal, locking up the original member to a deal worth about $5.4 million total.

Cruz was 12-9 with a 4.00 ERA last season. The Bosses are still seeking their first winning season but have been active this offseason, most notably bringing in Gene Richards and John Candelaria. But their attempts to bring in reigning Northern League Outstanding Pitcher Mickey Harris have not advanced beyond cursory discussions, so the Bosses decided they should lock up a consistent if not stalwart hurler they are already familiar with.

In his career Cruz has tossed 1861.2 innings, fanned 1287 batters and walked 870. His lifetime won-lost record is 90 wins and 102 losses with a 4.14 ERA. Cruz has made at least 32 starts in each of the last seven seasons.

[EMSoccerCoach]

February 6, 2018

Pipp the latest free agent chip to fall

With less than two weeks before pitchers and catchers report, the last of the free agent class had begun to find homes in rapid succession. The latest is Wally Pipp, who completed a deal with the Chicago Hitmen in a signing that caught many off guard, given Roger Connor's status there.

Pipp (.254-17-70 for Wichita in 2017) signed a four-year deal for $20.3 million. With Roger Connor signed through the 2019 season, and with Pipp being a lefty like Connor, the deal seemed a bit puzzling to many. But Chicago general manager Ken Snyder made clear it's simply an addition to a strength.

"Roger's still our everyday first baseman, no question," Snyder said. "Out of respect for Roger and who he is, we talked with him before this signing to make clear our plan. But Wally gives us another potent lefty bat to load up against righties, and he can DH or spell Roger occasionally if the situation calls for it."

Connor (.279-14-77) had a down season last year, which prompted much of the speculation. But Snyder's point is valid. Still, with a heart of Babe Ruth, Connor and Frank Baker - all lefties - one wouldn't assumed Pipp would be the direction Chicago would go.

Wally Pipp

[EMSoccerCoach]

February 15, 2018

Knights bring back Bedard

He was here for parts of three very productive seasons, including winning the 2012 PBL Championship and contributing to the 2014 championship before being dealt away at the trade deadline. But today, the Knights and Erik Bedard reached agreement on a contract to bring the 33-year-old lefty back to the Bayou.

Bedard signed a 4-year deal worth almost $17 million.

"I'm ecstatic," Bedard said. "Baseball decisions are baseball decisions, and I understand that. But I hated having to leave here. So when they called me, I definitely wanted to hear what they had to say."

Bedard went 10-9 with a 3.69 ERA for Indianapolis last season.

Thus far in his career, Bedard has put up a won-loss record of 80-75. Lifetime he has an ERA of 4.12, struck out 1137 batters and held opposing teams to a .249 batting average.

During his tenure in New Orleans, Bedard went 28-23 with a 3.69 ERA.

Erik Bedard

[EMSoccerCoach]

February 16, 2018

Slugger Jones finds home in Boston

With strengths as obvious as his weaknesses, Charley Jones has a new home.

The slugging strikeout machine - third on the PBL career homer list and the career leader in strikeouts - signed a three-year deal worth slightly less than $7.5 million.

Last year with Chicago, the 34-year-old Jones hit .213 with 22 homers and 66 RBIs, while posting a disturbing .268 OBP.

"I don't see how they can tolerate him and [Adam] Dunn, with their strikeouts, in the same lineup," one opposing GM who didn't want to be named said. "At least Dunn gets on base, though. This guy will jack a few, but he'll kill far more rallies than he keeps going."

Still, Boston general manager Daniel Santos said Jones should be well protected.

"With the development of Keith Hernandez in the 2-hole and Adam hitting cleanup, Charley should get some good pitches to hit."

Jones is hitting .239 lifetime with 1079 hits, 262 doubles, 19 triples, 263 home runs and 758 RBIs to date. He has scored 653 runs, walked 507 times and has a .318 OBP.

[EMSoccerCoach]

February 23, 2018

Hitmen ink Reynolds as new closer

Brandon Lyon was excellent as Chicago's closer last season, going 11-6 with 26 saves and a 2.88 ERA. But his strikeout rate of 32 in 59 1/3 innings wasn't what the Hitmen envisioned as closer "stuff."

So today the Hitmen announced the signing of Allie Reynolds, who saved 16 games for a poor Las Vegas team last season, while striking out a batter an inning over 50 innings of work.

The deal, a one-year pickup for $5.75 million, puzzled many, who wondered why the Hitmen would pay nearly $6 million for a closer who arguably is no better than the one who led them to a division title for $400,000 last season.

But the response is depth.

"Letting Reynolds close lets us team Brandon with Joe Bush for a 7-8-9 combo if necessary," general manager Ken Snyder said.

That setup is fine with Lyon.

"My job is to get outs," he said. "First inning, ninth inning or anywhere in between."

Allie Reynolds

[EMSoccerCoach]

February 24, 2018

Scorpions Sign Pujols

Oklahoma City knew it couldn't have another year at first base like they did last year.

Getting a .228 average and 15 homers out of the power position - split between Lee May, Dan Driessen, Ed McKean and Kid Elberfeld - wasn't going to cut it anymore. And so general manager Albert Vroonland pursued and eventually found someone to hold down the spot this season, and hopefully bolster what last season was baseball's worst offense by nearly 70 runs.

Albert Pujols, a three-time 100-RBI man and one of only 13 players in PBL history to amass 200 homers, has signed a 4-year, $15.3 million deal with the Scorpions, who are trying to retool after a disappointing first five seasons as an expansion franchise.

"We made a pick in Mickey Mantle we're all excited about. We got younger in the pitching staff, picking up [Pete] Vuckovich and [La Marr] Hoyt, prospects we view highly," Vroonland said. "Mantle's a bit away we think, but we think putting Albert in the middle of this lineup, and once Mantle is ready to contribute every day, we're going to be a much improved ballclub."

Huge things were expected for Pujols when he was taken in the PBL's inaugural draft prior to the league's 2009 opening season. And despite a solid career that places him high on the alltime homer (13th), RBI (7th) and run (8th) charts, there's a feeling Pujols is capable of exploding beyond that.

"I'm 30 years old," he said yesterday. "I believe I'm getting ready to break into my prime, and I look forward to doing it here in Oklahoma City."

Albert Pujols

[EMSoccerCoach]

February 27, 2018

Moynihan staying in Wichita

Mike Moynahan and Wichita put the finishing touches on a $5,726,250-a-year deal that will keep the 33-year-old in a Brigade uniform for 4 years.

Team officials reportedly held their breath at the last moment, since Moynahan had second thoughts mulling over other offers.

In his career, Moynahan is hitting .284 with 1138 hits, 72 home runs, 525 runs scored and 538 RBIs. All of those numbers have come with Wichita, which took the shortstop in the 26th round of the inaugural draft. He would go on to earn Rookie of the Year honors and entrench himself as a fan favorite.

Last season, Moynahan hit .272 with 9 homers and 43 RBI in 390 ABs.

[EMSoccerCoach]

March 3, 2018

Orcas make Harris PBL's first $10 million man

The Orlando Orcas have signed reigning Northern League Outstanding Pitcher Mickey Harris to a three-year, $31.58 million deal, sources have learned.

The signing of the 21-game winner, who is 40-14 over his last two seasons, is undoubtedly a coup for the Orcas, who have suffered two losing seasons after 6 straight winning years that included a PBL Championship in 2011.

General Manager Bill Jones said the deal is "huge for our franchise and our city. Mickey's become one of the premier pitchers in baseball. With St. Louis and New Orleans as good as they are, and with Alabama making the strides they have, we knew we had to do something big to keep from falling back of the pack. We think this fits the bill."

Orlando is drawing raves as possible baseball's most improved team this offseason. The free agent pickup of Sammy Strang to fill the void at third base, the pickup Ginger Beaumont for outfield depth and the signing of Pete Hill, combined with the drafting of Ernie Banks and now the Harris signing have folks in Orlando optimistic.

The signing, of course, comes at a price, as Harris becomes the first PBL player to make $10 million in a season. Hardy Richardson's two-year, $18.5 million deal signed prior to last season with the Los Angeles Idols was the previous high-water mark.

The Idols are reportedly in talks to sign Richardson - who has been solid if unspectacular - to an extension...at a more reasonable salary in the $4 million to $5 million range.

Mickey Harris