eMLB converts to OOTP 12 - Openings available

[eMLBCommish]

eMLB 2.0, a reboot of the eMLB Franchise that began 11 years ago in 2000, is making the leap to OOTP 12, as it just completed its 3rd season in this reboot. We'll be entering the 2001 season, where Free Agent phenom Ichiro Suzuki leaves Japan and will be looking for a new home in the Majors, as he did in real life.

If you are interested, please contact me at commissioner at emlb-baseball dot com. Please indicate your Top 3 teams you would like, in order of preference.

The following teams will be available:

Tampa Bay Devil Rays - 68-94 in 2000, 205-281 Career (.422)

The Rays have been the doormat of the AL East. This is mostly due to inconsistent GM management. With the right TLC, this team has potential. The team has some great offensive talent in the minors, but lacks pitching depth. While expensive, a player like Bret Boone (.250, 27 HR, 91 RBI) has produced enough to be a good player, but when your top hitter is Gregg Zaun at .297, you know this team needs to find players who get on base. Randy Winn and his .303 OBP is not a great leadoff hitter. Ryan Klesko hit .262, 29 HR, and 89 RBI.

What this team needs most is Pitching. Livan Hernandez is 25, and went 14-12 with a 3.80 ERA on a bad team. They have him under contract until the end of next season, although there's talk to consider extending him now. Outside of him, no one in the rotation has impressed.

The Rays will have the 6th Overall Pick in this coming Draft.


Florida Marlins - 60-102 in 2000, 180-306 Career

The Marlins have just never gelled as an organization. Always in the Top 3 of Draft Picks thus far, this will not change as they get the #1 Overall Pick this coming draft.

The only positive is that their farm system is robust with potential. Boasting prospects the likes of Josh Beckett, Dontrelle Willis, Victor Zambrano, and Adrian Gonzalez, the team has a bright future if these players pan out. But this team may not be a factor until 2003, depending on the farm.

There are two solid starters in Ryan Dempster (8-15, 3.83 ERA), and Mark Clark (11-12, 3.82).

Offensively, this team is building around 27 yr old Cliff Floyd (.268, 33 HR, 102 RBI) and 24 yr old Juan Encarnacion (.295, 20 HR, 69 RBI). Outside of that, the Majors appear barren. This team needs a shakeup. Either using their farm system to get talent to compete now, or biding their time and developing players is the two ways to look at this. Be patient with this one.

Pittsburgh Pirates - 100-62, Lost in World Series - 274-213 Career

The Pirates became available when GM Troy Vogel moved to Cincinnati to take over a favorite team of his. The Pirates are riding high, only losing to Baltimore in the World Series in 5 Games.

This team was a beast on the mound in '00. 3 Starters winning at least 14 games, and Francisco Cordova going 15-2 with a 2.41 ERA, the team will be back and just as strong, with only David Segui being the most noteable risk of loss to Free Agency. The Pirates have one more extension they can offer this season, using one to sign Jason Schmidt to a two-year extension back in June.

Aramis Ramirez, all 22 yrs old of him, hit .301 with 40 HR and 133 RBI in a Monster Year. Segui's .297, 32 HR and 97 RBI could be missed. Andruw Jones was amazing in the OF this year, hitting .268, 31 HR, and 99 RBI with 23 SB. Jones has one more year before hitting Free Agency, while Ramirez is under Pirates control for several more years.

San Diego Padres - 84-78 in 2000, 267-219 in Career

The Padres missed the playoffs for the first time ever this year. Despite aging a bit, 35 yr old Kevin Brown has remained dominant, going 19-9 with a 2.64 ERA. He's now 66-13 in his career in eMLB 2.0. A decent season by Andy Ashby (14-9, 3.97) was a good contributor, but unlike previous seasons, there was less balance beyond the two. Trevor Hoffman continues to anchor the Friars Bullpen, with 36 Saves and a 3.42 ERA, but he is a Free Agent.

The team has yet to use either of its two Contract Extensions. The biggest issue for San Diego is the level of Free Agency befalling the team this year. Under contract next season are Brown, Ashby, Willie Greene (.244, 34 HR, 89 RBI), Brant Brown, and Wil Cordero for example. The new GM will have to consider which two (if any) players they want to consider offering an extension to...beyond 2002, the entire starting rotation and lineup could have complete turnover.

San Francisco Giants - 87-75 in 2000, 254-232 Career

On paper, they've been competitive...but they've not taken that next step to get to the playoffs. This team took a chance on former reliever Julian Tavarez, and that one year deal got them a 14-12, 3.97 ERA in 38 Starts. That's a workhorse! Shawn Estes went 19-11, with a 3.78 ERA, and youngster Barry Zito was 10-11 with a 3.97 ERA. Robb Nen also notched 31 Saves last season.

The team is founded on older vets trying to get that one last glimpse at greatness. 40 yr old Tony Gwynn did well coming off an injury late last year to hit .320 with 10 HR and 55 RBI in 105 Games. He's now a Free Agent...do the Giants take him back? Barry Bonds is now 36, but hit .337 with 24 HR and 64 RBI. His .476 OBP is mind numbing. 32 yr old Jeff Bagwell also produced, hitting .272 with 34 HR and 88 RBI.

A new GM will have two players they can sign to Contract Extensions prior to Free Agency to consider.

[Smithusaf22]

Im interested in one of your poen teams if they are not filled yet

[Syxx34]

hey I would like San Fran

[Smithusaf22]

if you still have an opening i would like to join your league. Thanks

[eMLBCommish]

Thank you all again to those who expressed interest. We are full, and moving forward. Apologies that we didn't have enough room for all of you.