Starting again

[gehrig38]

Aaron Knight talks have been all over the map. Prior to the end of the day on the meetings final day, Jake Hoffman of Utah sent me an offer. 21 year old RH SP Jonathan Burke for Knight, and P Ryan Feltman. Also, we are on the hook for 50% of the remaining money, after this year. They asked for 4.3m in cash to offset this years 11.4 million, meaning we'd be paying 10m of the deal, saving 1.5m this year only.
Why am I even entertaining this? Burke is the 7th ranked prospect in the ABL. OSA loves him even more than our scouts, who say he's a legit game 1 of the world series starter in due time. I couldn't do it, but I told Jake I would be in touch.

Houston Driller pitching coach Billy Dionne took a bumped up 4 year deal to head back to rookie ball and take on our young pitchers. Huge signing.

[gehrig38]

Phoenix, Boston swap talent.
The Brooklyn Islanders have sent 25 year old OF Craig Selmon to the Phoenix Dust Devils for 26 year old RP Steve Herschberger in a straight 1 for 1 swap.

BACKROOM CHATTER
Herschberger went 6-14 6.45 last year and was slated, at best, for low leverage innings in the bullpen. Boston came to us on this one. Selmon is an elite defender across the outfield with a bat that our guys think has huge promise. He's consumed by the game in every good way possible. He was on a yo-yo this year, up and down 6 different times. He'll be out of options come spring training so we need some serious progression.

[gehrig38]

We lost no one (never a good thing really, means you don't have TOO much talent).

Though we took 2 players
RP Dylan Schaefer (24) Huge arm, great work ethic, our scouts say he can be serviceable in the show right now with back end of the bullpen in his future.
IF John Watson (24) LHH elite defender at 2B/SS but the bat needs work. Will compete in spring training and we'll go from there.

Neither of these is remotely a risk. If they don't work out we send them back with some cash. If they do then we stole a player as if we got an extra draft pick.

[gehrig38]

The Phoenix Dust Devils have sent star 1B Aaron Knight and top SS prospect David Burroughs, along with 5.3m, to the Houston Drillers for top P prospect Shane Callahan and the Drillers' 2nd round draft pick. Fans were stunned in Phoenix, swarming social media for GM Curt Schillings' firing.
'We felt in the long run the financial freedom, as well as getting a 19-year-old arm of Shane's caliber was worth the move.
Anonymous sources from inside the Phoenix organization were applauding the move citing Knights “cancerous clubhouse persona” as one major factor in the move as well as rumors that Burroughs had become a nightmare distraction off the field for multiple social media posts and comments.
“He said he was going to 'clean house' when he came here, starting with everyone pulling the rope in the same direction, that's possible now” said one unidentified player.
Phoenix will also pay 25% of the remaining salary on Knights 5 year contract.
Callahan was the 10th overall pick by Houston in last years draft out of Ramapo HS. He's the games 20th ranked prospect. “Hatch” as he is known, is a 6'5” 205 pound RH fireballer with ace potential from every scout to see him.

[gehrig38]

This was the only team biting at less than 50% of Knights salary. The prospect pool took a step up when Burroughs' name was floated as a possible add. Word out of Instructional League was that he was a nightmare off the field in the clubhouse and elsewhere. Gotta get the rot out before building something long-lasting, and players were actually relieved at the move. That says something when players are “relieved” after seeing the teams best, and one of the games best bats traded away.

Ruben has stated that as of today Joel George would likely move into the 3 hole with recently acquired Brent Hofferber moving to 1B. A lot can happen between now and opening day, but there are answers to any questions out there. Callahan is a legit franchise cornerstone if he stays healthy and the 2nd round pick (13th) will be another huge opportunity to get better, and younger.
Teams are already ringing the phone off the hook thinking we are now desperately in need of a 1B. We aren't, things will work out. Fans are pissed though and until we start winning games I expect nothing less. They'll jump onboard once they realize what's happening. And fwiw the ABLs best farm system just got a lot better.

[gehrig38]

Catcher Jon Orihuela, a Cuban free agent has signed a 4 year 48 million dollar FA contract with the Seattle Summit. He brings off-the-charts intangibles with a 40+ homer bat. He's seen as a below-average defender by our scouts

[gehrig38]

Slugger Brandon Woods, an 8 time gold glove winner and 6 time all star will spend the final year of his contract playing in LA, and not Austin as the Lawmen were unable to come to terms with Woods on an extension. Woods is a career .272 hitter with 250 HR's and 790 RBIs.
Austin received 22-year-old Switch-hitting OF Dave Mertens and 22-year-old RHP Clarros Hamano in return. Our scouts don't think either will be big leaguers of any substance and are convinced this was a pure salary dump to get something in return before Woods walked at year's end. Hard to believe this was the best they could do.

[gehrig38]

Star closer Adrian Moorehead, long rumored to be headed to Phoenix, told the media that the two sides were at an impasse.
GM Curt Schilling responded to an inquiry with “We don't talk about negotiations during the process, in any detail that would matter to anyone.

BACKROOM CHATTER
It has gotten ridiculous. He's come back 6 different times and the total has risen from 2 years 3.5 to 2 years 4.5. We will make one more offer and that will be the take it or leave it here.
And it's done... He left the room at 2 years 5.2. We're ok with that.
Two days later word out of NY is they're mulling a 5.6 million dollar deal over 2 years. We'll see.

[gehrig38]

The Devils announced the signing of 16 year old CF Francisco Padilla today. Padilla is viewed as a legitimate star who can win batting titles with a swing already polished at 16. Our scouts have him as a solid 5-star talent, while OSA likes him a little less (4-star).
Also announced was the signing of another 16 year old. Pitcher Angelo Fernandez signed as well and scouts rave about his fastball command already. Already 6'2” many see him as a future #1.

Once again this was trust placed in Elazar Jazal. While we have the games top rated farm system little to none of this was done by him. He's got the year to prove himself and these two players could go a long long way to solidifying my trust and his future. Same goes for all of my coaches, ABL and minor leagues.
If they are what we think they are then the best farm system in the game is having a runaway win of an off-season.

[gehrig38]

Against my better wishes I went back to Moorehead. Offered 2 x 2.75, big bump. He came back at 2 @ 8.65. I'm officially out.

So I end up doing my homework. The ABL market for closers looks like this. Former Koufax winner and 2 time Rivera award winner Jay Kuhl of Wyoming is making 10.5 million. However, that was a deal signed years ago and he was paid as a frontline starter. So that doesn't count.
3 Time all-star Trevor Ames of Ft Worth just signed a 4 year 30.6 million dollar extension. The 4th is a 9 million dollar player option. He's got 200 career saves over 8 years, all with the Lightning. Ok, that doesn't help. Ames is a known commodity and a star in the league. The 2009 Rivera award winner in the NL, CJ Bliss of KC, is in the final year of a 1 year 3.2 million dollar deal. With 199 career saves (39 to lead the league last year) and a stack of peripheral numbers that scream stud, he's as good as they come. Las Vegas paid Cuban star Juan Flores 2.56 million this year, which will be his 1st year.
Edward Cryz of the Ironmen just signed a 2 year 11.6 million dollar extension which kicks in next year, and is making 2.24 million this year.

So I guess I'm penny pinching a bit here. At 31 Moorehead has 223 career saves, a 3.48 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. Maybe the numbers are nearer what he wants. The issue here is this. I am not going to win 50% of my games, thus a shut down closer isn't a necessity. A good one is and I think we have that already with some backup in case of emergency. That being said if I can manage to snag Moorehead “on the cheap” his value as a trade chip at the deadline increases exponentially. Gonna ruminate on this one. Might be another offer in the making.

[gehrig38]

The Phoenix Dust Devils have announced the signing of 31 year old Closer Adrian Moorehead to a 2 year 8 million dollar contract. Moorehead can opt out after year one. The two sides apparently got hung up at the last minute as Moorehead was insisting on a no-trade clause to which GM Curt Schilling apparently walked away from. Mooreheads agent Orcin Hemingway reached out to Schilling late last night and acquiesced, and the deal got done. Moorehead will earn 3.5 million this year and if he exercizes the option 4.5 million next year.

BACKROOM CHATTER
Ya I know, I caved. But the no-trade was a deal breaker given my intention to trade him the second I get a valuable return. High leverage relievers are the trade deadlines most sought after commodity. Not to mention he checks all the boxes off the field and in the clubhouse and our fans were fired up to boot.

[gehrig38]

Finished tied with LA with an ABL best 21-9 record.
Brett Hofferber heard the “Phoenix doesn't have a 1B chatter. He hit .367/.431/.653 in 59 PA. Led the team with 3 HR.
IF John Watson, our Rule 5 pick from San Diego might have made the team as he hit .357/.400/.536 in 61 PA with 7 2B and drove in 15 to lead the team
Aaron Merritt had a monster spring. 4-0 0.53 over 17 IP and 5 GS.
Robby Salazar went 2-1 1.47 in 18.1 IP and 5 GS.
Chris Buford went 1-1 1.15 over 15.2 IP
Ryan Feltman was 3-0 3.44 over 18.1 IP but most importantly walked 8 to 21 punch outs.
Kyle James went 2-0 3.77 over 14.1 IP
Robby Spinelli was 1-1 2.41 over 18.2 IP
The starting rotation was lights out this spring. Almost all showing improvement in some fashion.

Adrian Moorhead punched out 7 walking 2 with a 1.17 ERA in 7.2 IP.
Dillon Tiemeyer had a 2.25 ERA over 8 IP with 10 K's and 2 BB.
Rule 5 pick Dylan Schaefer sported a 12.86 ERA over 7 innings, walking and striking out 6. Doesn't look like we'll have a spot to hold onto him.

[gehrig38]

The “experts” have us going 71-91, so there's that. We are going to have issues on both sides of the plate, scoring and preventing runs. But, if we can do that respectably, and get AB's and innings for the younger long term players I can live with it. The most important date of the year is the draft.
Pretty much no one on the 25 man is untouchable. I don't think teams in this position can make players untouchable simply because an offer to get younger and better is always a possibility.

Starting Rotation (in order)

Ryan Feltman RHP (27) Signed as a MiL FA in 2004. 2 years 49 days. 200K.
Big arm, led the league in strikeouts (224) last year but issued 108 walks. Control is slightly improved, but he's got no-hit potential each time out. 21-8 K-BB ration this spring over 18 IP.

Robby Spinelli LHP (23) Int. FA signing 2005. 105 days. 200K
Had a great spring and still developing. Has a delivery, and the physical makeup, to go 230+ innings. Some are questioning an effort level that does not seem consistent.

Aaron Merritt RHP (24) 8th round (172nd) pick in 2004 122 days. 200K
Had the best spring of the starters (0.53 ERA). Has the most upside potential and also the farthest to go according to our scouts. Might be a bit early and we'll watch the early season to make sure he doesn't bury himself. Quiet kid. He's the reason a team like this keeps veteran arms in AAA.

Chris Buford RHP (27) Trade with NY in 2005 118 days 200K
The weakest link. Had an amazing spring but lots of smoke and mirrors. Love to see progresion but opinions amongst our talent evaluators are that his 3-7 7.19 ERA last year is more likely the outcome that the 1.15 ERA he sported this spring.

Robby Salazar RHP (26) Trade with Denver last December. 0 service time, will be making the minimum
Snuck up on everyone this spring. Still has a lot of room to improve and our scouts say it can be done. The huge question revolves around his command. His last spring outing, 6 IP 2 ER on 71 pitches sealed his spot. That followed an 8 K 4 IP 0 ER outing. Local kid born and raised in Scottsdale.

[gehrig38]

With some young arms and guys with command issues we'll go with an 8 man pen for now. Our starters for the most part are all built to give us innings.

Tanner Dean RHP (33) 200K
Will slot in mainly as a RH specialist, some middle relief. Trouble throwing strikes was absent this spring so we'll see. Will be looking to get some sort of return on him this year at the deadline.

Kevin Mancinelli RHP (32) 200K
Fastball, Change guy who feels like a 4A guy. Will handle long relief and low leverage innings.

Mike Gonzalez LHP (26) 200K
6th starter swing man. Has starting stuff and potential but needs to continue improving. Will get that chance here. Acquired from Anchorage in December.

Mike Roberts LHP (25) 200K
One of the best splits in the game. Still working through command and control but potential back end arm. Will work middle innings

Jay Piette RHP (29) 200K
9-1 3.13 last year over 63 innings with Ft Worth. Solid dependable veteran arm. Just 1 year 141 days of service time. Could setup or close if need be.

Brian Birkett RHP (30) 200K
Led the league with 81 appearances last year. 10-4 3.03 over 92 innings. Jack of all trades down here and probably one of the more valuable commodities we have.

Adrian Moorehead RHP (31) 3.5 million
Recent FA sign, 2 years 8 million. 13-20 103 Saves the last 3 years. Our deal was that he would close but apparently our manager wants him setting up and closing occastionally. We'll have to see if that becomes a problem. He had a great spring and nothing out of his camp about his role....yet.

Dillon Tiemeyer RHP (29) 630K
Arguably the best fastball/split combination in the game. 4-2 24 Saves last year with a 2.44 ERA. 76 punchouts in 66 IP. He'll hold down the fort. The “strategy” is to use him for an inning at most, per appearance. BTW he's a local legend and is becoming a 'brand' on a national level. Endorsing Buccees has garnered him a pretty big following.

[gehrig38]

Just realized my entire 13 man pitching staff comes in at a total combined salary of just over 6 million. That's pretty amazing, scary, but amazing.

[gehrig38]

CATCHERS
John Davis LHH (24) 200K
Games 40th ranked prospect. Bad is still developing and he had a great spring hitting .314/.364/.373. Was thinking he'd handle righties mostly but skipper doesn't see it that way. Davis will spell Holbert vs RHP and sit vs lefties. He's a tick above average defensively, across the board. Doesn't have huge pop but his bat will be his calling card. Was taken 2nd overall in 2004.

Matt Holbert RHH (32) 1.54 million
His .369 OBP and 14 HR's on an abysmal team stood out. Unstoppable work ethic. + defender in all facets. Got two more seasons of club control.

INFIELD
Brent Hofferber LHH (25) 200K 1B/3B/LF
Had a monster spring hitting .367/.431/.653. Will take over at 1B for the departed Aaron Knight. Long way to go before he's done getting better but figures to be a middle of the order bat when all is said and done.

Dan O'Sullivan RHH (28) 720K 1B/2B
Will hit at the top somewhere. Stole 40 of 52 last year hitting .303. Led the league in 3B in 2008 (10). hit 43 2B last year. Good defender who could play on the left side in a pinch.

John Watson LHH (24) 200K 2B/SS
Rule 5 pick who hit his way onto the roster. Hit .357/.400/.536 and made an impression with his work habits. Has a chance to be a very good player, most likely an extra infielder (as a floor) but could surprise folks.

Fosco Busto RHH (36) 3.68 million 1B/3B
Gym rat who's just a consistent presence. Signed through 2011 as he enters his 14th season in the ABL. Has a cult following around the league. Had a career worst .318 OBP last year but hit 16 HR while driving in 90. He's more likely to DH and play some 1B, spelling at 3B if need be where his legs have started to go. A two time all-star and 2 time silver slugger winner (at 1B and 3B once each) he also won a gold glove at 1B in '99. Someone we'd love to have remain in the organization when he hangs it up.

Blake Fischer LHH (26) 200K 2B/3B/SS
A minor league signing last winter who snuck up on everyone with a solid spring. His defensive versatility was the deciding factor as he can man all three spots as a + defender. A max effort guy who has elite contact skills, fanning just 18 times in 256 PA in AAA last year. He'll be a LH bat off the bench and possibly a late inning defensive guy.

Travis Hampton LHH (25) 200K 1B/2B/SS
Our best option at short. Stole 28 of 37 last year and has ++ tools as a defender. A little progression left with the bat but our scouts say he's a 7-8 hitter at his top end. Hit .269/.322/.400 in 115 games here last year with 31 2B and 7 HR's. Work ethic is never in question.

OUTFIELD
Joel George RHH (32) 870K LF/RF
3 time gold glove winner coming off a great season where he hit .293/.363/.430. Skipper says he's most comfortable with the veteran hitting in the 3 hole to start the year given his makeup and the knowledge he won't put too much pressure on himself. Had a down spring (.222) but is healthy to start the year. Joel is a local legend in Phoenix and well known and respected around the league.

Bobby Wilson LHH (26) 200K LF/RF
Another youngster who hit his way onto the team this spring (.295/.333/.455). Has hit 30 HR's over the last 2 years in AAA Fresno. ++ Speed who is still maturing as a hitter. Our guys say he has 30+ HR power. The bigger piece here is he brings as much off the field as on. A true leader in the clubhouse.

Craig Selmon RHH (26) 200K LF/CF/RF
Acquired from Brooklyn during the flurry of deals at the winter meetings. Had a great spring hitting .314/.364/.471. Our best defensive option in CF but a ++ defender on the corners too. Elite baserunner with decent pop. Hit 19 HR with Seattle in 2008. 4 years of club control left.

Josh Zuelsdorf RHH (25) 200K LF/CF/RF
A 2004 5th rounder (100th overall) who's nearing the end of the rope. Was fined twice this spring for late arrivals. Can play all three spots but his arm is suited to left. Off the record I'll be looking to move this kid early and often.

Ryan Roth Switch (28) 1.42 million LF/CF/RF
2009 gold glove winner in left. Good guy on and off the field. Well liked and well known around the league. A tic better from the left side than the right. Last year he was 11-25 in SB attempts so we're going to tone that down this year. Has 52 2B's over the past 2 years with 24 HR and 128 RBI.

[gehrig38]

After a winter of wheeling and dealing we find ourselves on opening day with the top ranked system in the game. 4 of the top 20 prospects are Devils, 8 of the top 51 are too. In the top 200 we have 11 players. The only “downer” is that lot is comprised of only 3 pitchers. That will be addressed as time goes by.
A look at how our best were acquired
2009 Draft 1st overall
2009 trade with Houston
2006 Int FA signing
2009 Draft 35th overall
2008 Int FA signing
2006 scout discovery
2004 Draft 2nd overall
2009 trade with Denver
2006 Draft 131st overall
2009 Draft 132nd overall
2008 Draft 39th overall

Name, Age, system ranking, league ranking
Mike Alfred (23) 1st/2nd Came straight out of college to AAA, a rarity. Will begin in Fresno again. Close to being ready.
Shane Callahan (20) 2nd/13th “Hatch” will start out in Little Rock, our rookie league club, and I'd really prefer he gets a whole season under his belt there.
Manny Moraga (22) 3rd/17th Tore up short season last year so he'll start at Class A New Orleans.
Jayson Herring (20) 4th/18th Starting in New Orleans as well. Same deal, want to keep him on one level for the season to get some consistency.
Edgar Valera (20) 5th/22nd Had some trouble with the breaking ball last year in Shiloh, so he'll start the year there again.

[gehrig38]

Assessing that list above leads me to believe a mistake has been made. Whomever ran the scouting department before our current head guy, did a hell of a job compiling talent.
9 of those 11 players were drafted or 'found' by the former scouts. Just 2 acquired via trade. Well done.

[gehrig38]

Dylan Schaefer was returned to Washington. There just was not enough there to warrant keeping him. He's a ways off.
Blake Fischer was put on the 42 man and called up. His defensive versatility will be key to his value this year.
Top IF prospect Beau Hamilton was optioned to AAA

[gehrig38]

We open the year with the lowest payroll in the league at 22.6 million. That's out of a 41m budget which ranks 22nd. We have 8.1m in available money and almost 20 million for extensions. I don't expect to use either of those to any degree. Season ticket sales are down 13% but our attendance is up 8.6% after week 1.
Our schedule is brutal to start the year with a season high 13 game road trip followed by a 13 game homestand. A Texas swing with 3 at OKC, followed by 4 in Houston and then swing through Vegas for 3 before a nightmare flight to Brooklyn. We won't open at home until the 20th with 3 vs Ft Worth.