Orcin's Story

[Orcin]

Task: Submit arbitration offers to eligible players or decide not to tender them

There are eight players eligible for arbitration, and some are really important and expensive. Six of the eight players will receive offers.

Pitcher Ron Sims is eligible but I already declined his $2.5 million team option. I will not tender an offer to Sims.

Shortstop Matt Silver (84 AB, .238/.281/.298, 0 HR, 3 SB, age 31, 1 star) was signed as an injury replacement for Howard Archuleta. I won’t tender an offer to Silver.

Left fielder Dennis Morgan (70 AB, .200/.253/.514, 7 HR, 0 SB, age 24, 5 stars) is a “super-2” qualifier and a very special case. His estimate is $6.3 million. He wouldn’t be close to that based on last season, but it is based on his 2003 season and his potential. We might be able to shave a few dollars off for the injury. I will go in at $6 million with my fingers crossed. I don’t really want to negotiate a long-term contract with him yet, especially coming off a missed season.

Outfielder Hugh McGlone (440 AB, .295/.326/.498, 19 HR, 17 SB, age 28, 2.5 stars) made a great case for a long-term contract last season. However, he is not interested in a backup player contract. He wants a four-year deal at roughly $9M per year, which he could get as a starting player. He won’t start for us if everything goes according to plan, so I will offer him the $5 million estimate and review his situation again next year.

Reliever Hector De La Hoya (77 IP, 5-2, 7 SV, 1.64 ERA, age 27, 4.5 stars) will either be the setup man or the closer next season. I can’t fool around with him since I am already losing Sanders. I will offer De La Hoya the $4.6 million estimate, which should be enough to win the case.

Outfielder Jeffrey Jackson (415 AB, .296/.364/.381, 3 HR, 26 SB, age 26, 3 stars) is a very valuable utility player. He plays all three outfield spots plus first base. He has great speed and base stealing ability, and he is a high-contact, left-handed hitter. He could be a starter for a lot of teams, and maybe even ours. His estimate is $3.8 million and this is his final year of arbitration status. I will offer $4 million in arbitration, but I hope to avoid it. I have sent his agent a proposal for a three-year contract at $4M, $4.5M, and $5M.

Second baseman Mariano Gonzalez (322 AB, .252/.303/.366, 4 HR, 10 SB, age 25, 4.5 stars) is in his first year of eligibility. His estimate is $2.2 million. I will offer $2 million and hope for the best. I am thinking of a long-term offer for him toward the end of next season if he ends up being the starter. Last year at this time, his arbitration estimate was $4 million so it’s good that I waited.

Infielder Juan Aponte (173 AB, .306/.372/.434, 5 HR, 5 SB, age 28, 2 stars) is back for a second arbitration year. His estimate is $850,000 and that sounds about right to me.

[Stromson]

Oi, I go on vacation and come back to find the Colonels are World Series Champions! I'm pretty bummed I missed Sal's party, but it's great to find the trophy living in Louisville this year. As always, thanks for the run and I'm looking forward to what the next season brings.

[Sal, The Barber]

Stromson, Sal missed you at the party, although to be honest Sal didn't notice your absence at the time. But you mean to write: "thanks for the rum." Sal has plenty left. Stop by the shop for a "trim."

And, Mr. Orcin, let Sal set the record straight. Sal never said to fire Mr. Byrne. Sal said to tell Byrne you'd fire him if he didn't win the WS. These two things are two things and not the same thing. Since Byrne won, he gets to stay. But Sal's philosophy with the manager is to keep a few ants in the pants.

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by Sal, The Barber

And, Mr. Orcin, let Sal set the record straight. Sal never said to fire Mr. Byrne. Sal said to tell Byrne you'd fire him if he didn't win the WS. These two things are two things and not the same thing. Since Byrne won, he gets to stay. But Sal's philosophy with the manager is to keep a few ants in the pants.

Good point!

[CecilCooper]

Congrats Orcin!

[Orcin]

Task: Make offers to potential free agents (or not), including minor leaguers

There are 21 possible free agents. I have already made decisions on 6 players (Head, Patterson, Sanders, Archuleta, Campbell, and Harris), leaving 15 to consider.

Louisville Colonels: projected secondary roster for 2005
Starting Pitchers (9): Westaway, Fletcher, Wilson, Davidson, Alexander, Castro, Savard (AAA), Yates (AAA), Corbishley (60-day D/L)
Relief Pitchers (10): De La Hoya, O’Daniel, Garza, Brooks, Jones, Barajas, Reed (AAA), Trejo (AAA), open spot (AAA), open spot (AAA)
Catchers (3): Bland, Daniels, Matchim
First Base (2): Brown, open spot (AAA)
Infielders (8): Simon, Martinez, Gonzalez, John, Aponte, open spot (AAA), open spot (AAA), open spot (AAA)
Outfielders (7): Morgan, Jaramillo, Olivares, McGlone, Jackson, open spot (AAA), open spot (AAA)

Most of those open spots will be filled with the players (listed below) that will be offered minor-league contracts, assuming that they accept. Some of these players are Rule 5 eligible, so I will make note of them when I get to the point of protecting them. In the meantime, they will just be signed to keep them from being grabbed by other teams.

I offered minor league contracts to 11 AAA players…
SP: Bill Jackson, Eric Davis, Jerry Jones
MR: Jesus Flores, Neil Simpson
C: Mark Taylor
1B: Alfredo Rivera, Roberto Jimenez
INF: Ray Holliday
OF: Kevin Adams, Dave Nelson, Bruno Klingensmith

There were three players that wanted major-league contracts or didn’t figure to see much playing time, and they were not offered contracts.

[Orcin]

CBA 2004 Hall of Fame Class

Three very deserving players were inducted into the Hall of Fame this year.

1B David Page (1981-1999)
Smith played his entire 19-year career with the Seattle Falcons. He played in 2748 games, batting .276 with 655 home runs, 2662 hits, 1879 RBIs, and 1523 runs scored. He is the CBA career leader in home runs, runs batted in, and games played. He is also #2 on the CBA all-time list in WAR (86) for position players. Page was the Outstanding Player twice in his career and was selected for the All-Star team ten times.

LF/RF Mark Robbins (1986-1998)
Robbins split his playing career between the Nashville Tigers and Cincinnati Bobcats. He played fifteen years and put up some impressive statistics. Robbins batted .298 with 2144 hits, 575 home runs, 1518 RBIs and 1358 runs scored. He is #2 on the career home run list, #3 in RBIs, and #3 in WAR (84). Robbins was the Outstanding Player four times in his career and was selected for the All-Star team eight times.

SP Vincent Lysath (1981-1999)
Lysath spent the bulk of his 19-year career with the San Diego Stallions and finished up with the Louisville Colonels. Lysath was 266-184 over his career with a 3.32 ERA. He pitched nearly 4000 innings, and amassed 3042 strikeouts with a 2.7 K/BB ratio. Lysath is #2 on the all-time list in wins and #10 in strikeouts. Lysath won the Federal League Outstanding Pitcher award three times and was selected for the All-Star team six times.

[Orcin]

2004 CBA Post-Season Awards

Outstanding Player:
Patriot League – 1B Jon Schultz, Charlotte Knights (.320, 55 HR, 146 RBI)
Federal League – RF Yann Rey, San Diego Stallions (.301, 48 HR, 143 RBI)

Outstanding Pitcher:
Patriot League – Robert Campos, Boston Bombers (20-7, 2.50 ERA, 227 K’s)
Federal League – Brian Wilson, Louisville Colonels (21-4, 2.64 ERA, 193 K’s)

Rookie of the Year:
Patriot League – LF Andy Steffens, Cincinnati Bobcats (.310/.400/.439, 6 HR, 52 RBI, 106 RS, 19 SB)
Federal League – LF Ruben Fernandez, St. Louis Hawks (.287/.369/.547, 24 HR, 62 RBI)

Manager of the Year:
Patriot League – Daniel McArthur, Charlotte Knights (92-70)
Federal League – Chad Byrne, Louisville Colonels (115-47) – his fourth award

Lorenzo Olivares was the Federal League Gold Glove winner in right field. He made only 4 errors all season with a fielding percentage of .979 and a zone rating of +12.1. He needs to improve his batting average if he wants to win another one. It’s tough to win the award from the bench.

Brian Wilson was signed as a free agent for a $1.5 million salary and ends up winning the Outstanding Pitcher Award. He had never turned in a year like this, but he had never been on a good team either. Is it a fluke? If he even approaches this level next year, he will be a darn good starter. I wonder what his next contract demand will be. It's not my problem this year. Wilson is signed for 2005 at $2 million.

[Orcin]

November 22, 2004 (BNN)

Subject: CBA Arbitration Hearings

Papers have been filed, appeals made and now it is decision time. Today, Continental Baseball Association holds salary arbitration hearings. The arbitrators will hear cases for all players who have filed for arbitration and who still have not signed a contract. Players and general managers will be notified tomorrow of the decisions in each case.

Salary Arbitration Decisions in Favor of the Louisville Colonels:
• LF Dennis Morgan was awarded $6,000,000. The player demanded $7,410,000.
• LF Hugh McGlone was awarded $5,000,000. The player demanded $6,875,000.
• 2B Mariano Gonzalez was awarded $2,000,000. The player demanded $2,916,000.
• Infielder Juan Aponte was awarded $850,000. The player demanded $1,125,000.

Salary Arbitration Decisions Against the Louisville Colonels:
• MR Hector De La Hoya was awarded $5,750,000. The team offered $4,600,000.

Other contract-related news from November:
• Outfielder Jeffrey Jackson avoided arbitration by signing a three-year contract for $13.5 million.
• Closer Lucas Sanders declined arbitration and will become a free agent.
• Scout Fernando Candelaria agreed to a four-year contract extension at $370,000 per year, a 6% raise.
• Manager Chad Byrne signed a four-year contract extension, raising his salary by 15% to $1,265,000 per year. He was already the highest-paid manager in the CBA.
• Bench coach Stephen Burgess accepted a five-year extension at $825,000 per year, a raise of 10%.
• Pitching coach Barry Melton agreed to a four-year extension at $500,000 per year, an 11% raise.
• Batting coach Harland Bonner agreed to a four-year extension at $500,000 per year, also an 11% raise.
• AAA batting coach Gilbert Richard signed a three-year extension at $300,000 per year, a 20% raise.
• AAA pitching coach Patrick Jackson accepted a three-year extension at $360,000 per year, also a 20% raise.
• AAA manager Chris Ray is under contract through 2006, in case you wonder why he wasn’t offered an extension.

[Orcin]

November 25, 2004

Subject: Budget Projections – 2005

Eligible players filed for free agency today, so I now have my first clean look at the roster and salary commitments with arbitration also out of the way.

The 2005 salaries project to be $13 million under budget, even with a full secondary roster. We should be able to show a profit whether we make the playoffs or not. I don’t plan to pursue any free agents because I don’t see any affordable players that could help us. The payroll for 2006 and beyond will require careful management, and any long-term investment in free agency will only make that worse.

Next year, Dennis Morgan ($6M) and Hugh McGlone ($5M) will be back for another round of arbitration. In addition, Duncan Bland ($6.8M est.), Lorenzo Olivares ($6.3M est.) and Ray Alexander ($3M est.) will be newly-eligible for arbitration. Todd Fletcher’s contract expires, and he is asking for a $20 million salary (double his current wage).

Brian Wilson and Hector De La Hoya also have expiring contracts. We would like to bring Wilson back if he is affordable. We want Fletcher back too, but not at $20M.

There is no way to meet all of those demands, and it doesn’t let up. In 2007, we add Chip Davidson ($5.5M est.) and Tom John ($3M est.) to the arbitration-eligible list, plus Pierre-Louis Simon’s contract will expire.

Some hard decisions will have to be made over the next two years in order to maintain a payroll even close to the current level. I can afford some of these players, but not all. We have to decide which players to keep for the long haul and begin to flip the rest for future talent. Some franchises call this rebuilding. We call it reconfiguring on the fly. We don’t intend to have a decline phase. The goal is to have a consistent contender.

My top priority for a long-term contract is catcher Duncan Bland. He excels at a critical position, and he looks like a potential Hall of Fame player to me. His arbitration ceiling is dangerously high. The next priorities are Dennis Morgan and Chip Davidson, but both of them need to have healthy and productive seasons in 2005 before I commit to several years. Hugh McGlone would seem to be the least important of those players, because I have excess outfield talent in the pipeline.

The first round of decisions comes now. I must review the list of players eligible for the Rule 5 draft and decide which, if any, to protect on the secondary roster.

[5cards]

Belated congratulations on your first world championship. I hope that this is the start of a long and prosperous dynasty!

[Orcin]

November 26, 2004

Subject: Preparations for the Rule 5 Draft

There were 31 players on the secondary roster before making any adjustments. This left plenty of room to protect anyone of value that was at risk. I choose to add five players to the roster, leaving room to draft a player on the slim chance that one caught my eye.

Starting pitcher Pedro Castro was added and will be competing for a spot on the active roster in spring training.

Starting pitcher Bill Jackson, who we obtained in the Eddie Payne trade, was added to the secondary roster despite a poor performance at AAA (9-14, 5.60) last year simply because he is the third best left-handed starter in our system. He was a threat to be picked off in the draft because he is only 24 and OSA really likes him.

First baseman Alfredo Rivera was protected, even though he is 31 years old, because he is the only first baseman in the system capable of holding his own against major league pitching. I almost put him on the roster last year after the injury to Brown, but it was a short-term injury and I was afraid that Rivera would refuse demotion after Brown returned. Rivera hit .315 with 27 home runs at Lexington last season.

Second baseman Ray Holliday hit .296 at Lexington last year and gives us some depth at the position. Holliday has three options left and is only 25 years old. The stats alone would have made him an attractive Rule 5 target.

Guillermo Romano is a slick-fielding but light-hitting shortstop. He is the most attractive of the poor crop of shortstops in our system, so I protected him. He is the only utility infielder on the roster other than Aponte, since Holliday can only play second base.

There were no exposed outfielders worth protecting, so I will go into the draft with only the five major league outfielders on the secondary roster. Pedro Dominguez was not added because he didn’t need to be protected. He will be added prior to spring training. I may also add a seventh outfielder at some point, but there is no urgency to do that.

[Orcin]

December 1, 2004

Subject: Rule 5 Draft

I saw one player that was even close to being able to make our active roster, a left-handed pitcher from the San Diego organization. He went #10; we picked #30.

We did not take anyone in the draft, and we did not lose anyone in the draft either.

[Orcin]

Notable Free Agent Signings prior to the Winter Meetings

The Milwaukee Eagles have trimmed their payroll over the past couple of years and are apparently ready to be players in this year’s free agent market. Eagles GM Buck Welch got things going with a couple of splashy signings. (Those of you that have been paying attention already know something about former Boston GM Buck Welch.)

12/03/2004: Milwaukee signed former Pittsburgh Warriors ace Al Blackburn to a four-year, $59 million deal ($14.7M/year). The 28-year-old right-hander was among the top pitchers available. He was 13-13 with a 3.69 ERA for a bad Warriors team in 2004. Blackburn is very durable but the knock on him is his endurance. He has never pitched a complete game and his quality start ratio is only 44% for his career.

12/03/2004: Milwaukee also signed LF Charles Wolf for $109 million over six years ($18M/year). The ex-Sacramento outfielder is a premier base stealer and a very good defender. He was mediocre at the plate until last season, when his .288/.392/.457 stat line led to this big payday. It remains to be seen if the 29-year-old outfielder keeps this up or returns to something more like his previous best season of .260/.354/.397 in 2003.

12/03/2004: LF Joe Avery fled Detroit to sign with the San Francisco Seals. Avery got four years, $62 million ($15.5/year). Avery is a great contact hitter with a superb eye at the plate (averages 96 walks per 162 games for his career) and excellent base stealing skills. I looked at him briefly before I came to my senses and realized that I could not afford him. Avery has a history of injury problems, but he is one of the best leadoff men in the CBA when healthy.

12/04/2004: Seattle re-signed their third baseman Pedro Pacheco to a six-year deal for $104 million ($17.3M/year). The 31-year-old hit .292 with 15 home runs last year. The salary in the deal starts at $13M in 2005 and escalates to $22M in 2010 when Pacheco will be 37 years old. I think this is a bad contract.

12/08/2004: Chicago signed 39-year-old 2B Jonathan Thomas to a two-year contract for $36 million ($18.2M/year). Thomas hit .283 with 26 HR and 93 RBI last season, so he is still able to play at a high level. Maybe he will have a positive influence on their club.

12/11/2004: The Washington Admirals signed closer Lucas “Country Boy” Sanders to a three-year contract that will pay him $42 million ($14.1M/year). He didn’t get the number of years that he wanted, but he did get the big salary. I am just glad he is in the other league. Fan interest dropped three points (to 90) upon the loss of a popular player.

12/12/2004: Orlando signed 38-year-old SP Jeff Moreno to a two-year contract that will pay him $13M this year and $15M next year if he meets the vesting requirement of 180 innings. I will never understand why rebuilding teams sign old players. Give the innings to a young pitcher!

[Orcin]

December 15, 2004

Subject: Winter Meetings Begin

As the hot stove crackles, the Continental Baseball Association prepares for their Winter Meetings. GMs across the league will network with their arch-rivals over the next three days in the most high-stakes game of chess they'll likely ever play. It is a time for trade proposals, free agent wooing, rumor-swatting and good ol'-fashioned deceit to the highest degree. Feel the treachery in the frosty air?

The Louisville Colonels shocked the league, their fans, and even their own players with a blockbuster controversial trade on the first day of the event. I will let BNN describe the trade below, followed by my own internal explanation and justification.


Subject: Star-Studded Louisville-Charlotte Trade

In a surprising swap, Louisville has picked up 23-year-old starting pitcher António Luna from Charlotte in exchange for 31-year-old starting pitcher Todd Fletcher, 27-year-old reliever Héctor De La Hoya and 26-year-old minor league starting pitcher Johnny Savard. Sources from both teams said the deal only materialized within the past few days. "We were inquiring about other players," the Colonels GM explained. "We were not expecting to make a deal of this magnitude, but it came together rather quickly."

Fletcher has posted a career record of 115-60 with a 3.06 ERA. He was 14-8 in 2004. Since joining the league, Luna has compiled an ERA of 3.95 with a career record of 32-25. He has 426 strikeouts in 462.1 innings and has held opponents to a .243 batting average. Luna was 20-8 with a 3.29 ERA in 2004.

Fans in Louisville were shocked by the news, and fan interest as measured by BNN’s own polling dropped from 90 to 85. Radio talk shows were flooded by calls demanding the head of GM Otto Orcin. A Colonels team spokesperson, Jennifer Clark, declined to comment on the deal, saying that she was still trying to understand it herself.

[Orcin]

Why did we trade Todd Fletcher?

Fletcher will be 32 years old next spring and he is in the final year of his contract. He makes $10 million this season and he wants a substantial raise to sign a new deal. I didn’t play hardball with him, so I don’t really know how low he would have gone. It’s pretty certain that he would not accept $12 million per year.

Fletcher’s stamina and control ratings have slipped in the past year or two, but he is still unquestionably one of the top 15 pitchers in the CBA. He deserves the big contract and will undoubtedly get it on the open market. A 32-year-old with no health issues will be very attractive to the big spenders. It would probably take $15 million per year to keep Fletcher, and I would frankly rather have three younger players for the same price.

Fletcher and De La Hoya were gone after the 2005 season. I could have kept them for this year, trying to get another championship, and receive nothing in return. I chose to trade them now while they have great value, keeping the franchise competitive in the long-term while still having a good chance at that 2005 championship.


Why did we acquire Antonio Luna?

Luna is also one of the top 15 pitchers in the CBA, and he is only 23 years old. He has everything that you want in a top starter, including exceptional stamina. He is a smart leader with a great work ethic and a burning desire to win, so he can fill the void left by Fletcher in the clubhouse. Luna was one of only two or three pitchers on our short list. He is under club control for three more years, and I believe that he can be signed to a long-term contract for a lot less than Fletcher will command.

Luna is a hard-thrower. His game is based around his 99 mph fastball and a deceptive changeup. He has a decent curveball that he mixes in to keep the hitters off balance. He just completed his second full season in the Charlotte rotation. His control improved this year and he allowed fewer home runs compared to his rookie season. I believe Luna will continue to improve and will combine with Davidson to form a formidable left-right punch in our rotation for years to come.


Why did Charlotte make this trade?

The Knights were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round, and it stings. They have upgraded their pitching staff with De La Hoya and Savard, if you assume that Fletcher can adequately replace Luna as the #1 starter. De La Hoya will close for them. Savard might make their rotation as a fifth starter. The Knights want to improve their pitching to support their excellent offense and make a run at the Patriot League title this season.

[Westheim]

Originally Posted by Orcin

The Louisville Colonels shocked the league, their fans, and even their own players with a blockbuster controversial trade on the first day of the event.

You're right. I *am* shocked.

That's a cut I would not have taken.

[Stromson]

You did what now!?

Perhaps you should avoid walking around outside in Louisville for a few days?

[Laser]

Fantastic dynasty. I am enjoying following the Colonels!

How were you able to set up this league?

I am trying to set up a similar league with 2 sub-leagues each 3 divisions of 5 teams each. For minors I have AAA, AA, A, and Rookie League.

When I try to start the game I get a message that an uneven number of teams is found in a sub league. Only an even number of teams is allowed within a sub league. How did you manage to set up with sub leagues of 15 teams?

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by Laser

How were you able to set up this league?

I am trying to set up a similar league with 2 sub-leagues each 3 divisions of 5 teams each. For minors I have AAA, AA, A, and Rookie League.

Thank you! I am glad you are enjoying it. Please be sure to see Sal for your introductory half-price shave (only two bits for first-time customers).

This league was created in OOTP12, so things may be easier now but this is how I did it. I set up the league as a 2012 MLB style with 16 teams in one league and 14 in the other. Then I went to the League Setup screen and selected "Edit League Structure". I moved one of the teams to the other league. (I no longer remember what team I moved.) I use a set of 30 schedules made by GMO, but the game may now support a generated 15/15 schedule, not sure about that. I didn't bother to change the minor league structures because I didn't care to mess with their schedules, so all of them still have 16/14 setups.