Welcome to the Newport Narwhals

jshutta81 · 08-16-2015, 12:17 AM

Since joining the OOTP family, I have always wanted to start an expansion team and see if within a couple years to take them all the way and win a championship. With much consideration I have decided to go with the Newport Narwhals.

I started a new MLB league and added two new teams. The Newport Narwhals and the Nashville Stars (Hard to pick a team name for a team I'm not controlling).

I have done the expansion draft which allowed teams to protect 20 players and then they also had to have more then 2 years of MLB service that were considered rookies. I did the draft and here are the results..

Here are the first 15 picks in order.. Went with value more then needs for these first 15 picks and which is why you see many 3B and SS. Got a couple of young players and also some great value pieces to try and flip into something greater.

Lonnie Chisenhall 3B
Wilmer Flores SS
Kennys Varges 1B
Doug Fister SP
Brandon Morrow SP
Garin Cecchini 3B
Will Middlebrooks 3B
Sean Maness SP
Blake Treinen SP
Allen Craig RF
Didi Gregorius SS
Jose Peraza 2B
Matt Duffy SS
Tim Lincecum SP
Robbie Ray SP

Here is the roster after the full draft

Starting Pitchers:
Andrew Chafin
Doug Fister
Tim Linceum
Tyler Matzek
Boone Whiting

Relief Pitchers: (Which guys like Hudson, Maneess, Morrow, and Treinen will all see SP looks).

Daniel Hudson
Seth Maneess
Brandon Morrow
Robbie Ross Jr
Drew Rucinkski
Tyler Thornburg
Blake Treinen

Catchers:
Chris Herrmann
Erik Kratz
Martin Maldonado

1st Base:
Kendrys Morales
Kennys Vargas

2nd Base:
Asdrubal Cabrera

3rd Base:
Lonnie Chisenhall
Will Middlebrooks

Shortstop:
Matt Duffy
Wilmer Flores
Didi Gregorius

Outfielders:
Tommy Medica
Tyler Moore
Logan Schafer
Allen Graig
Travis Snider

“Prospects”: Some young guys who will hopefully be the key pieces to my long runs if they are not traded in the future.
P: Chris Bassitt
P: Robbie Ray
2B: Jose Peraza
3B: Garin Cecchini
3B: Cristian Villanueva

With the draft finished and the outline of the team coming together it is now time for the season to begin. I will try and updated things ever 15 games or so and keep the crowd interested as much as I can. Sorry to bore you if I do but I am just as new to this as it seems!

xepicx2729 · 08-16-2015, 12:20 AM

Narwhals.....I'm on board already!

jshutta81 · 08-16-2015, 01:29 AM

Here is how we are going to roll with things to start the season. With so many options for the starting rotation we decided to go with some of the vets to lead the way and to hopefully get this team off on the right note. Looking for Tyler Thornburg to be a solid contribution to the pitching staff and for Seth Maness to become solid closer of the future. Two names to keep an eye on in the pitching staff. As for the batting order it was hard to get all the pieces we wanted in there with so many SS and 3B options. Went with Middlebrooks at the DH over Morales to hopefully not only raise Middlebrows stocks a bit but also win some games. Its hard to sit Didi Gregorius as he looks to have a bright future ahead of him. Look for future moves to include Gregarious and Morales to be moved. Also maybe a couple shocks down the road?

Starting Rotation:
Doug Fister
Brandon Morrow
Daniel Hudson
Tyler Thornburg
Tim Lincecum

Blake Treinen: Emergency SP/Long Relief

Middle Relief:
Tyler Matzek
Andrew Chafin
Robbie Ross Jr
Drew Rucinkski

Setup: Boone Whiting

Closer: Seth Maness

Lineup:
CF: Logan Schafer
SS: Wilmer Flores
1B: Kennys Vargas
3B: Lonnie Chisenhall
DH: Will Middlebrooks
RF: Allen Craig
LF: Travis Snider
2B: Asdrubal Cabrera
C: Martin Maldonado

Till there is a fair market for some of the veterns and players that are not in the future plans this is how we are going to lineup. Not the best lineup out there, but it does look a capable of winning some games. Once there is a fair market the plan as of now is to look at dealing some of the older guys to get some minor league depth for the future. But who knows maybe we will get a hot streak and win the championship. Stay tuned!

jshutta81 · 08-16-2015, 02:42 AM

Sorry for this being so enlarged... It was my first time taking screenshots so I will have to play around and figure out how to make it work better for future posts...

Well 16 games into the season and this are going much better then first expected. With the 9-7 record there is not much to complain about. Within these 16 games there were a bit of new to spread though. Martin Maldaonado was hurt for 4 weeks and then we called up catcher Chris Hermann to take over every day duties. He is struggling through 6 games with a .087 batting average. If this continues we might have to look into trading for a rental catcher.

Daniel Hudson has struggled in the starting rotation through 3 starts and has posted a 12.46 ERA with a 0-3 record. We don't have many options at this point and will give Daniel one last chance and if not will go to Chris Bassitt to fill that rotation spot.

Lonnie Chisenhall has ripped the ball with his .403 batting average and a surprise so far would be Logan Schafer who has played some great center field and also a great leadoff spot. His .269 could always be higher but for him we will take it!

Currently have been looking into trade ideas with other clubs for Didi Gregarious and Kendrys Morales but there has not been any true offers out on the table. Our owner has given us a couple of expectation for the year and one is to get a top 20 prospect and become a top 6 minor league system. There will be moves to come for sure... The real question is when is that going to happen!?

jshutta81 · 08-16-2015, 11:25 AM

I am going to open my organization to all of you... Not only have I enjoyed this road so far, but I hope many of you have enjoyed the Narwhals. Here is where I would like some help from you all... If anyone has a trade idea, roster move, or basically anything that they would like to see happen or would be interested in the Narwhals performing please let me know with a comment.

Its every organizations dream to make the fans happy and that is what the goal of the Narwhals is. I cannot promise to deal Will Middlebrooks for Bryce Harper because realistically who the hell would do that, but I will try to find the best available trade if someone is wanting that. You could even throw out some ideas on players you would like to see in the Narwhal jersey.

I hope to hear from you all soon and I will be back tonight to continue the Narwhal season!

jshutta81 · 08-16-2015, 04:58 PM

Really looking for some others inputs for my expansion team!! Any ideas or questions or comments would be great! Looking to bring your inputs into mine

jshutta81 · 08-16-2015, 08:07 PM

Newport was in the need to make a couple transactions to improve the future of this club. Our manager had given us a couple of goals for this season and was to not only make our minor league system a top 6 system, but to also acquire a top 20 prospect. In these three trades, we do lose the now but gain a lot for our future.

This move we got rid of our #1 and #2 SP along with our 71 overall prospect to acquire the #5 and #8 overall prospects in the game. Seager and Urias will be our future SS and #1 SP and also saves us a lot of money down the road.

Newport Gives: LAD
SP: Brandon Morrow
2B: Jose Peraza
SP: Doug Fister

Newport Gets:
SS: Corey Seager
P: Julio Urias

----------------------------------------
Didi was an excess here and we did not necessarily need him due to us having Flores. We needed to throw in Kratz in order to get both Schotts and Collins, but both look to be future starting outfielders. Both project to be ready within the next year or two. If there are more trades to come then Collins could become a starting OF this year for us.

Newport Gives: DET
SS: Didi Gregorius
C: Erik Kratz

Newport Gets:
CF: Austin Schotts
LF: Tyler Collins

-----------------------------------------
This last trade gets us the closer we were wanting. The 23 year old Morin is going to be our long time solution as our closer. It looks like we are giving a lot in this move but basically it breaks down as this... Morales was on a 3 year deal with 9.5m per year and he was not starting on our team so that is the best thing of this deal getting rid of him! Cabrera is a tough loss being he was our 2B this year, but Matt Duffy will be called up and taking his place. Alfonzo was a minor league signing and Medica was nothing to serious worth losing.

Newport Gives: LAA
C: Eliezer Alfonzo
1B: Kendrys Morales
2B: Asdrubal Cabrera
LF: Tommy Medica

Newport Gets:
CL: Mike Morin

jshutta81 · 08-16-2015, 08:37 PM

Here are the updates through the month of May...

Will Middlebrooks down for 6 weeks with sprained ankle
Seth Maness down for 3 months for partially torn labrum

Signed a bunch of random FA with minor league deals such as Chone Figgins and Jose Valverde

20-9 in the month of May
Went on a 15 game win streak

Currently sitting at 32-22 with the draft coming up later in the week... Were in second place in the division and have really been playing some great baseball. Vargas, Chisenhall and Flores have all been killing the ball and really leading the team on offense. The pithing has been a bit down but finally Daniel Hudson is down from his over 14 ERA and Tim Lincecum is coming into form slowly. Bassett has been pitching alright, while new comer to the rotation Deew Rucinski has posted a 3.21 ERA with a 4-2 record.

Some minor league news to announce as Tyler Collins has posted a .316 batting average in AAA and could be ready to take over a spot on the MLB team once trades are made. 3B Garin Cecchini is a bit blocked right now but with an injury on the MLB squad there could be room for him. He's hitting .311 in AAA.

phillyboy19 · 08-17-2015, 02:08 AM

I was gonna say don't trade Gregorius because he always turns out good but you did I like the haul though.

jshutta81 · 08-18-2015, 10:03 PM

Here are our first two draft picks in the draft..

The draft and all star game have passed and there is a bit to catch up on...

First off we made a trade:

Newport Gets:
CF: Colby Rasmus
RP: Lance McCullers Jr

Newport Gives:
RF: Allen Craig
LF: Tyler Moore

Corresponding move to call up Tyler Collins and McCullers Jr will be placed in AAA.

This moves saves Newport a ton of money with dumping Craig’s contract. Collins was ready to be called up in which it was worth giving both Craig and Moore in a deal to get Rasmus/McCullers. Not only do we save money, but also get better by upgrading our CF spot and getting a young arm. McCullers will be placed in AAA. Collins will start in LF, Rasmus in CF, and Schafer in RF.

Wilmer Flores was named to the all star game. We are currently sitting at 39-35 and thats good for 5th in the packed AL East. Its only 3 games back in the wild card and we will be fighting to make the playoffs.

Also looking at potentially dealing some players once the deadline comes but we shall see what happens!

jshutta81 · 08-18-2015, 10:50 PM

This was the one deadline deal we made... It was a very dry market and either we would have to take on a bunch of money or just not get anything.

Newport Gives:
Chris Bassitt
Robbie Ray
Martin Maldonado

Newport Gets:
Andrew Heaney
Jett Bandy

Heaney and Bandy give us two more spects to add to our upcoming collection!

Season ended and we ended up with a 73-89 record. Very disappointing but we will work in the offseason to upgrade!

08-16-2015, 02:42 AM	#4
jshutta81 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 32	Sorry for this being so enlarged... It was my first time taking screenshots so I will have to play around and figure out how to make it work better for future posts... Well 16 games into the season and this are going much better then first expected. With the 9-7 record there is not much to complain about. Within these 16 games there were a bit of new to spread though. Martin Maldaonado was hurt for 4 weeks and then we called up catcher Chris Hermann to take over every day duties. He is struggling through 6 games with a .087 batting average. If this continues we might have to look into trading for a rental catcher. Daniel Hudson has struggled in the starting rotation through 3 starts and has posted a 12.46 ERA with a 0-3 record. We don't have many options at this point and will give Daniel one last chance and if not will go to Chris Bassitt to fill that rotation spot. Lonnie Chisenhall has ripped the ball with his .403 batting average and a surprise so far would be Logan Schafer who has played some great center field and also a great leadoff spot. His .269 could always be higher but for him we will take it! Currently have been looking into trade ideas with other clubs for Didi Gregarious and Kendrys Morales but there has not been any true offers out on the table. Our owner has given us a couple of expectation for the year and one is to get a top 20 prospect and become a top 6 minor league system. There will be moves to come for sure... The real question is when is that going to happen!? Attached Images Last edited by jshutta81; 08-16-2015 at 02:54 AM.

08-17-2015, 02:08 AM	#9
phillyboy19 All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: USA Posts: 551	I was gonna say don't trade Gregorius because he always turns out good but you did I like the haul though. __________________ Phillies Savior: Is it possible? Broad Street is Back: Bring on the Bullies

08-18-2015, 10:03 PM	#10
jshutta81 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 32	Here are our first two draft picks in the draft.. The draft and all star game have passed and there is a bit to catch up on... First off we made a trade: Newport Gets: CF: Colby Rasmus RP: Lance McCullers Jr Newport Gives: RF: Allen Craig LF: Tyler Moore Corresponding move to call up Tyler Collins and McCullers Jr will be placed in AAA. This moves saves Newport a ton of money with dumping Craig’s contract. Collins was ready to be called up in which it was worth giving both Craig and Moore in a deal to get Rasmus/McCullers. Not only do we save money, but also get better by upgrading our CF spot and getting a young arm. McCullers will be placed in AAA. Collins will start in LF, Rasmus in CF, and Schafer in RF. Wilmer Flores was named to the all star game. We are currently sitting at 39-35 and thats good for 5th in the packed AL East. Its only 3 games back in the wild card and we will be fighting to make the playoffs. Also looking at potentially dealing some players once the deadline comes but we shall see what happens! Attached Images

08-16-2015, 12:17 AM	#1
jshutta81 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 32	Welcome to the Newport Narwhals Since joining the OOTP family, I have always wanted to start an expansion team and see if within a couple years to take them all the way and win a championship. With much consideration I have decided to go with the Newport Narwhals. I started a new MLB league and added two new teams. The Newport Narwhals and the Nashville Stars (Hard to pick a team name for a team I'm not controlling). I have done the expansion draft which allowed teams to protect 20 players and then they also had to have more then 2 years of MLB service that were considered rookies. I did the draft and here are the results.. Here are the first 15 picks in order.. Went with value more then needs for these first 15 picks and which is why you see many 3B and SS. Got a couple of young players and also some great value pieces to try and flip into something greater. Lonnie Chisenhall 3B Wilmer Flores SS Kennys Varges 1B Doug Fister SP Brandon Morrow SP Garin Cecchini 3B Will Middlebrooks 3B Sean Maness SP Blake Treinen SP Allen Craig RF Didi Gregorius SS Jose Peraza 2B Matt Duffy SS Tim Lincecum SP Robbie Ray SP Here is the roster after the full draft Starting Pitchers: Andrew Chafin Doug Fister Tim Linceum Tyler Matzek Boone Whiting Relief Pitchers: (Which guys like Hudson, Maneess, Morrow, and Treinen will all see SP looks). Daniel Hudson Seth Maneess Brandon Morrow Robbie Ross Jr Drew Rucinkski Tyler Thornburg Blake Treinen Catchers: Chris Herrmann Erik Kratz Martin Maldonado 1st Base: Kendrys Morales Kennys Vargas 2nd Base: Asdrubal Cabrera 3rd Base: Lonnie Chisenhall Will Middlebrooks Shortstop: Matt Duffy Wilmer Flores Didi Gregorius Outfielders: Tommy Medica Tyler Moore Logan Schafer Allen Graig Travis Snider “Prospects”: Some young guys who will hopefully be the key pieces to my long runs if they are not traded in the future. P: Chris Bassitt P: Robbie Ray 2B: Jose Peraza 3B: Garin Cecchini 3B: Cristian Villanueva With the draft finished and the outline of the team coming together it is now time for the season to begin. I will try and updated things ever 15 games or so and keep the crowd interested as much as I can. Sorry to bore you if I do but I am just as new to this as it seems!

08-16-2015, 12:20 AM	#2
xepicx2729 Major Leagues Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: USA Posts: 390	Narwhals.....I'm on board already! __________________ I'm that guy you might see at a ballgame.

08-16-2015, 01:29 AM	#3
jshutta81 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 32	Here is how we are going to roll with things to start the season. With so many options for the starting rotation we decided to go with some of the vets to lead the way and to hopefully get this team off on the right note. Looking for Tyler Thornburg to be a solid contribution to the pitching staff and for Seth Maness to become solid closer of the future. Two names to keep an eye on in the pitching staff. As for the batting order it was hard to get all the pieces we wanted in there with so many SS and 3B options. Went with Middlebrooks at the DH over Morales to hopefully not only raise Middlebrows stocks a bit but also win some games. Its hard to sit Didi Gregorius as he looks to have a bright future ahead of him. Look for future moves to include Gregarious and Morales to be moved. Also maybe a couple shocks down the road? Starting Rotation: Doug Fister Brandon Morrow Daniel Hudson Tyler Thornburg Tim Lincecum Blake Treinen: Emergency SP/Long Relief Middle Relief: Tyler Matzek Andrew Chafin Robbie Ross Jr Drew Rucinkski Setup: Boone Whiting Closer: Seth Maness Lineup: CF: Logan Schafer SS: Wilmer Flores 1B: Kennys Vargas 3B: Lonnie Chisenhall DH: Will Middlebrooks RF: Allen Craig LF: Travis Snider 2B: Asdrubal Cabrera C: Martin Maldonado Till there is a fair market for some of the veterns and players that are not in the future plans this is how we are going to lineup. Not the best lineup out there, but it does look a capable of winning some games. Once there is a fair market the plan as of now is to look at dealing some of the older guys to get some minor league depth for the future. But who knows maybe we will get a hot streak and win the championship. Stay tuned!

08-16-2015, 11:25 AM	#5
jshutta81 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 32	I am going to open my organization to all of you... Not only have I enjoyed this road so far, but I hope many of you have enjoyed the Narwhals. Here is where I would like some help from you all... If anyone has a trade idea, roster move, or basically anything that they would like to see happen or would be interested in the Narwhals performing please let me know with a comment. Its every organizations dream to make the fans happy and that is what the goal of the Narwhals is. I cannot promise to deal Will Middlebrooks for Bryce Harper because realistically who the hell would do that, but I will try to find the best available trade if someone is wanting that. You could even throw out some ideas on players you would like to see in the Narwhal jersey. I hope to hear from you all soon and I will be back tonight to continue the Narwhal season!

08-16-2015, 04:58 PM	#6
jshutta81 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 32	Really looking for some others inputs for my expansion team!! Any ideas or questions or comments would be great! Looking to bring your inputs into mine

08-16-2015, 08:07 PM	#7
jshutta81 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 32	Newport was in the need to make a couple transactions to improve the future of this club. Our manager had given us a couple of goals for this season and was to not only make our minor league system a top 6 system, but to also acquire a top 20 prospect. In these three trades, we do lose the now but gain a lot for our future. This move we got rid of our #1 and #2 SP along with our 71 overall prospect to acquire the #5 and #8 overall prospects in the game. Seager and Urias will be our future SS and #1 SP and also saves us a lot of money down the road. Newport Gives: LAD SP: Brandon Morrow 2B: Jose Peraza SP: Doug Fister Newport Gets: SS: Corey Seager P: Julio Urias ---------------------------------------- Didi was an excess here and we did not necessarily need him due to us having Flores. We needed to throw in Kratz in order to get both Schotts and Collins, but both look to be future starting outfielders. Both project to be ready within the next year or two. If there are more trades to come then Collins could become a starting OF this year for us. Newport Gives: DET SS: Didi Gregorius C: Erik Kratz Newport Gets: CF: Austin Schotts LF: Tyler Collins ----------------------------------------- This last trade gets us the closer we were wanting. The 23 year old Morin is going to be our long time solution as our closer. It looks like we are giving a lot in this move but basically it breaks down as this... Morales was on a 3 year deal with 9.5m per year and he was not starting on our team so that is the best thing of this deal getting rid of him! Cabrera is a tough loss being he was our 2B this year, but Matt Duffy will be called up and taking his place. Alfonzo was a minor league signing and Medica was nothing to serious worth losing. Newport Gives: LAA C: Eliezer Alfonzo 1B: Kendrys Morales 2B: Asdrubal Cabrera LF: Tommy Medica Newport Gets: CL: Mike Morin

08-16-2015, 08:37 PM	#8
jshutta81 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 32	Here are the updates through the month of May... Will Middlebrooks down for 6 weeks with sprained ankle Seth Maness down for 3 months for partially torn labrum Signed a bunch of random FA with minor league deals such as Chone Figgins and Jose Valverde 20-9 in the month of May Went on a 15 game win streak Currently sitting at 32-22 with the draft coming up later in the week... Were in second place in the division and have really been playing some great baseball. Vargas, Chisenhall and Flores have all been killing the ball and really leading the team on offense. The pithing has been a bit down but finally Daniel Hudson is down from his over 14 ERA and Tim Lincecum is coming into form slowly. Bassett has been pitching alright, while new comer to the rotation Deew Rucinski has posted a 3.21 ERA with a 4-2 record. Some minor league news to announce as Tyler Collins has posted a .316 batting average in AAA and could be ready to take over a spot on the MLB team once trades are made. 3B Garin Cecchini is a bit blocked right now but with an injury on the MLB squad there could be room for him. He's hitting .311 in AAA. Attached Images

08-18-2015, 10:50 PM	#11
jshutta81 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 32	This was the one deadline deal we made... It was a very dry market and either we would have to take on a bunch of money or just not get anything. Newport Gives: Chris Bassitt Robbie Ray Martin Maldonado Newport Gets: Andrew Heaney Jett Bandy Heaney and Bandy give us two more spects to add to our upcoming collection! Season ended and we ended up with a 73-89 record. Very disappointing but we will work in the offseason to upgrade!