DELMARVA Baseball League

[illeracula]

Reliever of the Year Award Goes to Lawton:
At the young age of only 23, Cal Lawton has been named the Delaware Conference Reliever of the Year Award winner for 2037.

The future appears bright for the Milford Clippers relief ace, who captured the award with 39 saves in 73 relief appearances, 96 strikeouts in 82.1 innings and a record of 6-4 to go with his 1.75 ERA.

Jason Lancaster of the Lewes Braves finished second in voting, while Sung-il Kwon of the Newark Millers finished third.

MV Conf Hands Out Reliever of the Year Award:
Cullen Wilder said he thinks hitters often underestimate him, as he's only 24 years old.

But he'll certainly be getting a lot more respect now, as the Annapolis Admirals rising star has won the MarVa Conference Reliever of the Year Award for 2037.

He captured the award on the strength of his 1.57 ERA over 74.1 innings. He also had 38 saves in 63 relief appearances, 87 strikeouts and only 17 walks.

Miguel Angel González of the Norfolk Cavaliers finished second in voting, while Travis Abadee of the Chesapeake Blue Crabs finished third.

-------------------

Our closer Loeffler had an off year compared to his award winning year last season. Both pitchers are first time winners and in the MarVa Conference Miguel Angel Gonzalez finished second, and has not won the award for the past 2 seasons, after winning it 5 of the first 7 years this award has been given out.

Congrats to the new winners, both young enough that they could have many more of these awards on their shelf by the time they call it quits.

[illeracula]

Top Sluggers Win DE Conf Platinum Stick Award Honors
It's a trophy on the mantle and certainly bragging rights around DELMARVA Baseball League locker rooms. The Delaware Conference announced the winners of the Platinum Stick Award today, which goes to the top offensive performer at each position.

Here are the 2037 winners:

Catcher
Marvin Garrett (Lewes Braves)
.273/.348/.548, 571 AB, 43 HR, 1 SB, 108 RBI, 5.8 WAR

First Baseman
Naoaki Okubo (Georgetown Sixteens)
.316/.432/.583, 576 AB, 43 HR, 123 RBI, 6.7 WAR

Second Baseman
Patrick Coates (Milford Clippers)
.305/.422/.573, 478 AB, 31 HR, 4 SB, 165 wRC+, 6.5 WAR

Third Baseman
Enrique López (Seaford Blue Jays)
.276/.367/.443, 537 AB, 23 HR, 121 wRC+, 4.4 WAR

Shortstop
Logan McJannett (Wilmington Iron Pigs)
.240/.397/.422, 533 AB, 26 HR, 4 SB, 127 wRC+, 5.6 WAR

Left Fielder
Howard Gray (Seaford Blue Jays)
.305/.378/.521, 614 AB, 31 HR, 14 SB, 105 RBI, 3.8 WAR

Center Fielder
Ray Crowe (Lewes Braves)
.286/.329/.535, 447 AB, 23 HR, 9 SB, 137 wRC+, 5.1 WAR

Right Fielder
Dave McGinnity (Wilmington Iron Pigs)
.283/.358/.536, 552 AB, 37 HR, 4 SB, 108 RBI, 5.1 WAR

Designated Hitter
Iván Sánchez (Wilmington Iron Pigs)
.229/.283/.434, 580 AB, 35 HR, 11 SB, 91 wRC+, 0.1 WAR

MarVa Conference Platinum Stick Award Winners Picked
The smiles were wide today as DELMARVA Baseball League named its Platinum Stick Award winners for the MarVa Conference.

These players were the best offensive performers at their respective positions for the year. The winners are:

Catcher
Alonso Sierra (Annapolis Admirals)
.289/.347/.578, 578 AB, 47 HR, 1 SB, 108 R, 119 RBI, 7.3 WAR

First Baseman
Jimmy Moore (Annapolis Admirals)
.286/.386/.552, 611 AB, 47 HR, 1 SB, 119 RBI, 5.3 WAR

Second Baseman
John Wood (Ocean City Tourists)
.270/.334/.458, 578 AB, 28 HR, 13 SB, 115 wRC+, 4.2 WAR

Third Baseman
Rafael Ramírez (Annapolis Admirals)
.322/.379/.520, 639 AB, 26 HR, 22 SB, 132 R, 146 wRC+, 7.2 WAR

Shortstop
Petar Mrdja (Salisbury Ports)
.284/.418/.531, 524 AB, 36 HR, 1 SB, 158 wRC+, 6.1 WAR

Left Fielder
Allan Cameron (Annapolis Admirals)
.306/.409/.460, 467 AB, 16 HR, 13 SB, 145 wRC+, 4.2 WAR

Center Fielder
Tyrone Jackson (Martinsburg Mountaineers)
.333/.476/.629, 474 AB, 38 HR, 18 SB, 118 R, 111 RBI, 9.8 WAR

Right Fielder
Ulbrecht Gette (Martinsburg Mountaineers)
.314/.391/.520, 510 AB, 19 HR, 145 wRC+, 4.3 WAR

Designated Hitter
Yasushi Fujimoto (Norfolk Cavaliers)
.300/.339/.564, 670 AB, 44 HR, 106 R, 115 RBI, 4.6 WAR

----------------

Chadds Ford had one of the top offensives this season, but no Platinum Sticks to show for it. Crazy year for us, as I am still trying to figure out how we scored so many runs.If any Cannon did deserve it it was Naofumi Ohayashi, but he plays 1B and that is a deep position in the DC.

Ohayashi hit .277-32-11 with 36 2B's and 93 R's

It is hard to believe however that there wasn't a better DH choice in the DC...

[illeracula]

Top Rookie Trophy Presented to Krause
It wasn't a stroke of good luck that got Seaford's Elwood Krause the 2037 Delaware Conference Newcomer Award, it was his skill on the field. The gifted catcher performed well with a .282 batting average, while playing in 124 games and delivering 135 hits in 479 at-bats. His totals also included 23 home runs, 85 RBIs, 61 runs scored, 48 walks and a .344 OPB.

Cal Lawton of the Milford Clippers finished second in voting, while Felipe Quintana of the Georgetown Sixteens finished third.

Willis Earns MV Conf Rookie Honor:
Alan Willis made quite a name for himself in his rookie year. The Chesapeake center fielder brought home the 2037 Newcomer Award today in recognition of his performance.

Willis played in 131 games, batted .324, collected 171 hits in 528 at-bats, 12 home runs, 65 RBIs, 90 runs scored, 33 walks and compiled a .372 OBP.

Ulbrecht Gette of the Martinsburg Mountaineers finished second in voting, while Juan Morales of the Ellicott City Express finished third.

---------

Chadds Ford's top rookie was probably Tully Maxwell who at times showed signs of stardome, but for the most part he was just meh.

146 G, .191-13-43, 98 H, 19 2B, 66 R, 168 K's, -0.9 WAR

[illeracula]

#1 Skipper in DE Conf: Rogers of Milford
The Milford Clippers called a press conference to announce that field manager Bob Rogers had been named Delaware Conference Manager of the Year earlier in the day. Staffers congratulated the 53-year-old baseball guru as he approached the podium.

"This city has allowed me to craft a winning ball club," said Rogers. "When you take on a new job, there's always some adjustment period, but everyone here has been cooperative. From the bat boys on up. Here's to many more successful seasons for the Milford Clippers!"

Rogers led Milford to a 89-73 record this year and a first place finish in the Delaware Conference Colonial Division.

Norfolk Manager Ray Named Top Skipper in MV Conf
The Norfolk Cavaliers had an outstanding season, much of it due to their astute and gifted skipper. For his managerial excellence, Arthur Ray reaped the reward of being voted MarVa Conference Manager of the Year.

"A manager is only as good as the players he's managing," Ray told reporters. "If I didn't have the talent to work with, making all the right moves wouldn't have helped a bit."

Under Ray the Cavaliers finished first in the MarVa Conference Coastal Division with a record of 105-57.

---------

I think Bill Patterson deserved the Manager of the Year award, but I guess since we didn't hit the mark with the predicted wins we lost out. Maybe next season.

[illeracula]

Shepherd Named DE Conf Golden Arm Award Winner
24-year-old Robert Shepherd of the Chadds Ford Cannons put together a good year in 2037 for such a young player. Shepherd was named today as the winner of the Delaware Conference Golden Arm Award.

Shepherd crafted an impressive 19-7 record and a 2.50 ERA. In 276.2 innings he allowed 205 hits, struck out 335, and walked 36.

Gabino Miller of the Seaford Blue Jays finished second in voting, while John Smith of the Seaford Blue Jays finished third.

MV Conf Gives Outstanding Pitcher Award
The Baltimore clubhouse staff referred to him as "the kid" this season. Next year José Hernández will have to have a new nickname. He earned it after winning the 2037 MarVa Conference Golden Arm Award.

Hernández made 34 starts this year, winning 18 and losing 6. He threw 257 innings, fanned 255, allowed 214 hits and 78 walks, while holding opposing teams to a .224 average as he logged an impressive 2.77 ERA.

Luis Ventura of the Salisbury Ports finished second in voting, while Sergio Gallegos of the Norfolk Cavaliers finished third.

-----------------

Shepherd was amazing this year and I am really worried about him. Missing 8 months is going to be rough and I hope he can return the same pitcher. Maybe he will be the next great closer in the DBL, but I hope note. He has been amazing and I am glad that he won this award, this award shows that Chadds Ford is a team to think about. We are more than just a small market team.

Both of these pitches are only 24, which should mean bright futures ahead, especially that kid in Baltimore. Watch out.

It is nice to see a Cannons player holding a major Award.

[illeracula]

Top Player Named by Delaware Conference
Naoaki Okubo has been around DELMARVA Baseball League enough to know a good hot streak when he sees one -- and he got to see one firsthand all year. For his standout run through the 2037 season, he's taking home the Most Valuable Player Award in the Delaware Conference.

The Georgetown first baseman put up a batting average of .316 with 25 doubles, no triples, 43 home runs and 123 RBIs.

Patrick Coates of the Milford Clippers finished second in voting, while Marvin Garrett of the Lewes Braves finished third.

MV Conf Most Valuable Player Award Goes To Hidalgo
What a way to finish off the year -- being honored with the 2037 Most Valuable Player Award in the MarVa Conference. It had already been a very special season for Washington's Ricardo Hidalgo, but today's announcement really put the icing on his cake.

All season long Ricardo Hidalgo gave opposing pitchers fits by hitting .321 as he collected 180 hits, 32 doubles, 1 triple, 62 home runs and 157 RBIs.

Tyrone Jackson of the Martinsburg Mountaineers finished second in voting, while Alonso Sierra of the Annapolis Admirals finished third.

--------

The 39-year-old Hidalgo had an amazing season hitting 62 HR's, and winning his 5th MVP Award. After 2 sub-par seasons many, including me, thought his career was done. I am happy to him succeed during this season. His 700th HR might be one of the biggest things to happen in the DBL.

I wonder if he has anything left... It had been a while since he played in a full season. He has been around since 2018 when he was a 21-year-old rookie in Christiana...

One thing that does surprise me is he still needs 306 hits for 3000, a milestone that is most likely out of touch.

For Okubo it is his second MVP award in a row. He missed out on the triple crown again, coming in 2nd in HR's for the second time. Maybe next year will be his year...

[illeracula]

Whats Coming Up
Current In Game Date: 11/16/2037
Arbitration Hearings: 11/23/2037 (First Off-Season Write-Up)
Free Agency Filings: 11/26/2037
Hall of Fame Voting: 12/06/2037
Winter Meetings: 12/16/2037-12/20/2037 (Second Off-Season Write-Up)
Rule-5 Draft: 12/25/2037
Changing from OOTP 2017 to 2018
Pre-Season Begins: 01/30/2038 (Last Off-Season Write-Up)
Spring Training Begins; 03/06/2038
Opening Day: 04/05/2036 (Spring Training Write and Season Preview)

***
During the next few weeks I am going to import this league into OOTP 18. One thing I am going to try to set-up is a WBC type of tournament. I am just unsure if I am going to do that in its only league as to not mess up this one or include it in this one... I am leaning on setting up its own league for the tourney.

I think I am going to do 10 teams, but I am not 100% sure. Most of the regions will be created by me for balance. A first look:
Team USA - DelMarVa
Team USA - New England
Team USA - East
Team USA - West
Canada, Puerto Rico, other US Territories and Europe
Australia and the Netherlands (including territories)
Central America (including Mexico)
Dominican Republic
South America
Asia and Cuba

Something different to look forward to, more information soon if it happens.

We will see how that goes... now I have to figure out how to get some offense in Chadds Ford. I am hoping I can sign Alonso Sierra or Javier Ramirez, both catchers, but both might be too rich for CF.

After blowing up the team, its going to get a little interesting.

[illeracula]

Top 5 WAR:
1) Georgetown Sixteens (1.4)
2) Milford Clippers (1.0)
3) Baltimore Barons (0.8)
4) Norfolk Cavaliers (0.5)
5) Christiana Blue Hens (0.0)

Bottom 5 WAR:
26) Annapolis Admirals (-17.0)
25) Chadds Ford Colonials (-13.4)
24) Seaford Blue Jays (-12.6)
23) Chesapeake Blue Crabs (-10.4)
22) Newark Millers (-10.1)

Around the League:
Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs: Veteran OF Wayne Weaver has decided to call it quits after an 18-year career. Weaver struggled the last 3 years with Sixteens, but he was once a formidable hitter and 11-time All-Star. .275-304-1105, 1619 runs, 415 steals, and 72.3 WAR. He will be an interesting candidate for the Hall in the future.
Norfolk Cavaliers: SP Carlos Coronado has decided to walk away from the game at 38-years-old. He pitched in 42 games with the King George Royals this season and finishes his career with a 130-126 4.18 record. His best season came in 2031 when he went 17-8 for the Washington Senators.

Free Agents/Signings:
DBL News: Free Agents File:
Today, players who are eligible can file for free agency in DELMARVA Baseball League. Teams have the entire offseason to negotiate contracts with the players and sign them.

This year's top free agents, courtesy of BNN, are:

Ira Kelly, 35 year-old RF
Alfredo Mejía, 33 year-old RH SP
Rodney Glatz, 34 year-old LH SP
Gabino Miller, 28 year-old RH SP
Jason Lancaster, 30 year-old RH CL
Gary Bates, 30 year-old RH SP
Alonso Sierra, 31 year-old C
Mark Clark, 36 year-old LH SP
Stephen Bentall, 32 year-old SS
Gonzalo Bustamante, 32 year-old RH SP

International Free Agents Enter Market:
League officials have been informed that the following international free agents have indicated interest in playing in the DELMARVA Baseball League next season, and are now visible in the free agents list:

LHP Seitaro Hasegawa out of Japan
LHP Ho Hwang out of South Korea
RHP Tsugahara Kamida out of Japan
RHP Hi-gor Ch'oe out of South Korea
RHP Hiroyasu Ishida out of Japan
RHP Yasuyuki Kohara out of Japan
C Mang Lang out of Taiwan
2B Jin Miyamoto out of Japan
LF Shinsaku Sugano out of Japan
CF Byung-ho Ch'on out of South Korea
RF Vicente Hernández out of Cuba

Trades:
Ellicott City Express: Acquired MR Roberto Chavez (4-8 3.73, 34 SV) from the Harrington Ponies for 2B Tom Williams (.236/.316/.392, 15 HR, #85)
Christiana Blue Hens: Traded away CL Dave Foley (10-5 3.92, 26 SV) and $390,000 for single-A pitcher Reynold Libbinga.
Wilmington Iron Pigs: Sent MR Bartolo Velasquez (3-6 3.39, 3 SV) to the Georgetown Sixteens for SP Jose Lara (SA).
Lewes Braves: Dealt away catcher Lou Young (.295/.360/.496, 25 HR) and $2Mil cash to the Martinsburg Mountaineers for CL Glenn Rasmussen (SA).
Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs: Acquired Cesar Rivera (8-9 4.25) from the King George Royals for C Mike Conner (.258/.322/.484, 12 HR)
Newark Millers: Acquired youngster OF Leon Ruiz (SA) from the Balitmore Barons for MR Tony Cox (4-4 3.01, 6 SV) and $830,000 cash.
Seaford Blue Jays: Acquired MR Jake Sanchez (3-1 2.76, 3 SV) and $300,000 from the Ocean City Tourists for OF Ron Armstrong (.253/.321/.438, 6 HR)
Christiana Blue Hens: Sent OF Kevin Hughes (SA) to the Chesapeake Blue Crabs for OF's Doug Callahan (SA) and Sixto Mellgoza (SA)

Injuries:
no major injures at this time.



[B][U]My history in Chadds Ford[B][U]
2030: 58-104 .358 (-47 GB) / GM Score: 1
2031: 61-101 .377 (-21 GB) / GM Score: 1
2032: 69-93 .426 (-10 GB) / GM Score: 1
2033: 71-91 .438 (-23 GB) / GM Score: 11
2034: 82-80 (-4 GB) / GM Score: 45
2035: 79-83 (-2 GB) / GM Score: 34
2036: 95-67 (+13 GB) / GM Score: 88 (Eliminated in Conference Championship by Seaford)
2037: 97-65 (+14 GB) / GM Score: 75 (Eliminated in Division Championship Round by Georgetown)

My Notes
I realized after pulling off these two deals that I feel pretty good about I left my team in a whole. I have way too much pitching right now and I think the offense is going to suffer. I am happy with the deals in regards to what we got in exchange, but not happy with how our roster is looking right now. I will still have a lot of work to do.

I have tried and tried to resign the stars, even giving out some decent sized contracts, but they just are not interested. I can't afford $18 million a season, that can't happen in Chadds Ford, not now and probably not in 5 years. Maybe I should make that deal, but then I will be forced to make a trade and I am not sure that will be worth it. Too many "what if's" at that point.

At one point we were building up our pitching and I thought we would have the depth to make a run with some of the guys in our minors, but Krall, Summers and gang are just not amounting to much. I hate to say it, but this off-season is far from over. We have to make some changes to give us deeper lineup, and I might have to say bye to some of those guys.

Being a small budget team isn't fun, but at the same time it is challenging. I am not sure how much longer I am going to stay here in Chadds Ford, but the owner trusted me with a 2-year extension. I think we are heading in the right direction, but I am not sure we will have 'enough' to break through. One of those so close yet so far away scenario's.

Well time to get to work to make this team better. I have some money for free-agents so that is nice, maybe i can make something of them... one thing I am not looking forward to is the Rule-5 Draft as I have a LOT of semi-decent players who will be going up for draft...

Wish me luck, to win 90+ games in 2038 is going to be a tough task.

Owner's Messages
Personal Message from Owner Gilbert Hickman: Review of Season Goals:
Tony,

I have reviewed the goals I have set out for you. My comments are below.

Team Record:
I secretly hoped that you would make the playoffs, but I certainly did not expect it this year. I'm very happy with what you did with this team this year.

Upgrade a position:
Bringing in Dan Foley has definitely solidified our Catcher, even if he's not quite a top-5 player like I had hoped for.

Increase Attendance:
Attendance numbers look fantastic. I guess I obviously gave you too much time to complete this task. Well done!

Long Term:
I'm very happy that you completed this challenge. I hope we continue to have a long and fruitful relationship.


I am delighted with your performance in accomplishing the goals I had set out for you. I feel similarly about your handling of the team's on-field and front office management.

Next year is a new year, though. Here's what I'd like to see you accomplish going forward:

Reach the Playoffs
Upgrade at Catcher
Build a team that can bring a championship home in the next 3 seasons

I will check in with you again next season. Good Luck!

Gilbert Hickman

Personal Message from Owner Gilbert Hickman: New Budget:
Tony,

I have just decided on your budget for the upcoming season.
You will have $82,000,000 available for the total team expenses. Given your current spending on staff and other costs, this should allow you a team payroll of around $65,000,000.

You may now set your ticket price for next year. You have until the Winter Meetings end on December 20th, 2037, 48 days from now, to set the price. Season tickets will start selling at that point. You have until the end of the pre-season to set your Scouting Budget, Player Development Budget, Draft Budget, and Intl Amateur FA Budget.

You may review all your financials on your front office page .

Good Luck!
Gilbert Hickman

Off-Season Profile:
2038 Budget: $82,000,000 (18th)
2038 Payroll: $46,486,000 (20th)
Money for Free-Agents: $12,271,548
Money for Extensions: $4,661,548
Fan Interest: 70 (-13)
WAR Gain/Loss: -13.4

Personnel:
We are pretty set for this season as far as personnel go, we will be looking for a pitching coach for our AA team, we let him walk, and a manager for our A-ball team, he retired. Other than that we are set... we did reach out to our trainer, who was signed through 2038, and gave him an extension. He is too important to lose.

We signed Chuck Moore to be the manager of our Single-A team. The 51-year-old was the bench coach for the Harrington Ponies this season before being let go. He is know to be very personable and have a conservative style.

And to fill out or coaching staff we signed PC Dobbe Nijenboer to a 2-year deal to coach our AA staff. He likes to work with finesse pitchers, and is known to be easy going. He worked as a AA pitching coach from 2013 to 2021 and hasn't done anything over the last 17 seasons.

Arbitration: (Current | Offer)
Gregorio Costello (SP): $1,320,000 | $2,400,000 | LOST: $2,910,000
Ying-Hua Ji (SP): $1,780,000 | $4,800,000 | LOST: $5,484,000
John Robertson (SP): $490,000 | $3,400,000 | LOST: $4,250,000
Robert Shepherd (SP): $490,000 | 5,775,000 | LOST: $6,875,000
Eric Harmon (SP): $490,000 | $750,000 | WON
Tim Meyers (MR): $490,000 | $800,000 | LOST: $1,267,750
Jonathan Loefler (CL): $5,750,000 | $6,825,000 (traded)
Ricardo Bravo (IF): $490,000 | $650,000 | LOST: $735,000
Julio Casanes (OF): $490,000 | $3,000,000 | LOST: $4,000,000
Bo Keller (OF): $950,000 | $1,100,000 (signed to a 1-year deal worth $1,090,000)
Phil Davis (OF): $3,250,000 | $3,780,000 | LOST: $6,875,000
Matt Douglas (OF): $5,750,000 | $7,150,000 (traded)

This is where the fun begins. I can't bring back all these guys. I just can't so what does that mean?? It means I will be trading Matt Douglas, Jonathan Loeffler and Nobukazu Higashi at a minimum... We got hit hard during arbitration. I tried to resign Phil Davis, Julio Casanes, Ying-Hua Ji and Robert Shepherd to long term deals, but it didn't go well. They all wanted big dollar deals... and guess what? I don't have big dollars to give 5 years down the road.

Free Agents:
Dan Foley (C): Letting walk. He makes $1,029,000 and is looking for a contract close to $5M/per good luck! I am just hoping that Miguel Cortesini is ready, he is close but not 100% there. If he isn't Rual Garcia, Emilio Alba and Jose Matos should be able to make due till the time comes.
>> Too make room for the roster additions after the trades I had decided to DFA Foley he was quickly claimed so he isn't my problem anymore. And if he comes anywhere close to doing what he did this season I will be surprised.

Dani Rubio (MR): I want him back and if I can pull of the deals mentioned above he should be an easy sign. He wants to come here and play and he wants a reasonable amount of money to do so.
>> We came to terms with Rubio on a 5-year extension paying $13,850,000 over that period.

Ryan Urbina (1B): Letting walk. I acquired him as a throw in to balance contracts and I really don't want him around, but the numbers he is asking for are crazy. He thinks he should be able to maintain his $6M range. Not here.

Forrest Johnson (OF): I don't want him here, he is a loafer and he was very disappointing during his short time here. I didn't even bother talking with him and wish him the best of luck.

John Smith (SS): I am hoping to work something out with Smith before its too late. I think him, Ayala and Guzman will make up a solid middle infield next season.

I am hoping I can trade the players mentioned above and then reach out to Dani Rubio and John Smith before its too late. We will be taking a hit in WAR Gain/Loss but sometimes that what has to happen. My goal is to find a nice young pitcher and OF'er and pull of a deal... one caveat is, I want them to be in the MarVa Conference, but I do know that might not happen.

Ryan Urbina, Forrest Johnson and John Smith all hit the free-agent market.

Trades:
Traded 27-year-old starting pitcher Nobukazu Higashi, 27-year-old minor league shortstop Luther Reid, a 5th round draft pick and $500,000 in cash to the Dover Generals, getting 23-year-old reliever Jim Morlini and 23-year-old reliever Edgar Valdéz in return.
Traded 28-year-old center fielder Matt Douglas, 28-year-old closer Jonathan Loeffler and a 6th round draft pick to the Norfolk Cavaliers, getting 25-year-old reliever Gus James, 18-year-old minor league left fielder Miguel Angel Fernández, 19-year-old minor league first baseman José Castillo, 23-year-old reliever José Santos, a 2nd round draft pick and a 4th round draft pick in return.

Injuries:
SP Robert Shepherd, fractured elbow, 6-months
OF Giovanni Smith, partially torn labrum, 1-week
OF Eugene Todd, micofracture surgery (knee), 3-4 months

Current Depth Chart:
C Raul Garcia / Jose Matos
1B Naofumi Ohayashi / Ambrose Gutiererz
2B Juan Guzman / Mu-Sang Kim
3B Tully Maxwell / Eugene Todd
SS Jose Ayala / Ricardo Bravo
OF Giovanni Smith / Ambrose Gutiererz
OF Phil Davis / Russell Worsfold
OF Lorenzo Leal / Armando Martinez
DH Julio Casanes / Jose Matos

SP Ying-Hua Ji, John Robertson, Gregorio Costello, Gehrig Pearl, Juan Cuesta
SU Dani Rubio, Oscar Robinson
CL Tim Meyers

Coming Up:
Hall of Fame Voting: 12/06/2037
Winter Meetings: 12/16/2037-12/20/2037
Rule-5 Draft: 12/25/2037 (Second Off-Season Write-Up)
Changing from OOTP 2017 to 2018
Pre-Season Begins: 01/30/2038 (Last Off-Season Write-Up)
Spring Training Begins; 03/06/2038
Opening Day: 04/05/2036 (Spring Training Write and Season Preview)

[illeracula]

DBL News: The Hall of Fame Voting Begins
This years ballot has 7 first timers on it and 2 which, in my mind, are shoe-ins for the induction. But there are a few holdovers that might be able to make a run as well.

First Year Players - Shoe-ins:
Brad Jones (192-135 3.22)
Jeff Lewis (.314/.371/.480, 75.1 WAR, 3035 hits, All-Time hit leader)

First Year Others:
Guillermo Alfonso (171-134 3.65)
Jorge Alonso (.288/.348/.522, 404 HR)
Doug Dook (.235/.333/.434, 395 HR)
Matsusuke Koizumi (40-50 3.69, 289 SV)

Hold Overs:
Matt Holls (145-78 3.03, 3 Golden Arms) - 7th year 44.3%
Pedro Rivera (195-123 3.93, 2935 K) - 2nd year 71.6%

Those are the ones for 2038... You can see all the rest on the image below. Here is what my ballot looks like:
SP Brad Jones
OF Jeff Lewis
SP Pedro Rivera
SP Matt Hollis
SP Robert Walker

There are a few other guys there I feel like could make it, but for me these are the guys that deserve it... I think I am bias with Matt Hollis as he was on my Cavaliers and helped turn us around... We will see what this year brings. Either way there should be 3 inductees this years (Jones, Lewis and Rivera).

Results coming later...

[illeracula]

Top 5 WAR:
1) Milton Brewers (11.9)
2) Milford Clippers (7.1)
3) Richmond Cardinals (4.7)
4) Georgetown Sixteens (3.4)
5) Harrington Ponies (2.4)

Bottom 5 WAR:
26) Chadds Ford Colonials (-15.6)
25) Annapolis Admirals (-10.5)
24) Seaford Blue Jays (-9.4)
23) Newark Millers (-8.7)
22) Chesapeake Blue Crabs (-7.8)

Around the League:
There are still some interesting free-agents out on the board. Closer Travis Abadee, MR Angel Rivera, 1B Edward Burns, OF Richard Forbes, Catcher Alonso Sierra and OF Ron Turney, are all 4+ star players looking for a home.

Free Agents/Signings:
Milford Clippers: Signed 1B Hank Davis to 2-years worth $1,520,000.
Lewes Braves: Signed top free-agent OF Ira Kelly to a 3-year deal worth $44,400,000.
Annapolis Admirals: Re-signed 1B Jimmy Moore to a 2-year deal worth $37,200,000.
Harrington Ponies: Signed SP Mark Clark to a 2-year deal worth $13,900,000.
Milford Clippers: Signed All-Star OF Julio Rodriguez to a 3-year deal worth $11,720,000.
Harrington Ponies: Signed 1B Will Waites to a 2-year deal worth $2,880,000.
Richmond Cardinals: Broke the bank signing SP Gabino Miller to a 7-year deal worth a whopping $156,600,000.
Harrington Ponies: Actively trying to improve their team, the Ponies signed SS Francisco Chavez to a 3-year deal worth $10,200,000.
New Castle Colonials: Signed SP Lorenzo Lara to a 1-year deal worth $1,300,000 (and have been actively trying to trade him).
Harrington Ponies: Signed SS John Smith to a 3-year deal worth $8,680,000 (did I make a mistake?)
Washington Senators: Dished out the dollars for SS Stephen Bentall, signing him to a 4-year deal worth $49,200,000.
Wilmington Iron Pigs: Signed OF Blake Quirke to a 1-year deal worth $1,500,000.
Milford Clippers: Signed top free-agent catcher Javier Ramirez to a 5-year deal worth $86,000,000.
Ellicott City Express: Signed SP Doug Brown to a 1-year deal worth $1,280,000
Washington Senators: Signed SP Edmond Scott to a 2-year deal worth $10,000,000
Milford Clippers: In my opinion, overpaid for C Dan Foley, agreeing to a 4-year deal worth $28,000,000.
Milford Clippers: Signed OF Mark Hayes to a 1-year deal worth $3,340,000.
Milton Brewers: Signed SS Chris Cook to a 2-year deal worth $10,600,000.
Wilmington Iron Pigs: Signed SP Rob Rice to a 1-year deal worth $1,740,000.
Georgetown Sixteens: Signed 42-year-old Tom Anderson to a 1-year deal worth $1,260,000.
Milton Brewers: Signed 2B Steven Jefferson to a 1-year deal worth $1,280,000.
Milford Clippers: Signed SP Henrey Burns to a 3-year deal worth $21,000,000
Washington Senators: Signed SP Gonzalo Bustamante to a 3-year deal worth $32,400,000

Trades:
Ellicott City Express: Sent 1B Edgardo Suarez (.304/.339/.471, 21 HR) to the Newark Millers for C Dale Lewis (.240/.313/.366, 4 HR)
Harpers Ferry Raiders: Traded MR Benedicto Hernandez (4-5 2.65, SV) and $600,000 to the Washington Senators for 17-year-old MR Juan Herrera (SA).
New Castle Colonials: Acquired SP Vincente Rivera (5-16 4.99) from the Cape May Beacons for C Harris Marshall (.170/.267/.274, 2 HR) and $5,110,000 cash.
Wilmington Iron Pigs: Shipped SP Allen Joseph (15-10 4.03) to the Annapolis Admrials for CF Alonzo Macchio (SA).
Wilmington Iron Pigs: Brought over MR Errol Arthur (2-2 21.27) from the King George Royals for LF Manuel Garcia (.257/.347/.339, 9 HR) and a 4th round pick.
Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs: Acquired MR Kevin White (2-3 3.80) from the Dover Generals for 3B Pat Riggall(.272/.347/.364, 4 HR)
Seaford Blue Jays: Brought in SP Owen Cobb (14-10 4.65) and $900,000 from the Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs for 3B Bobby Hamilton (.250/.306/.395, 10 HR)
Harrington Ponies: Acquired OF Walt Hutchins (.250/.400/.250, 4 AB) from the Lewes Braves for 1B Israel Crus (.228/.283/.461)

Injuries:
No major injuries to report at this time



My Notes
I am not having any luck pulling off any deals. I am not sure if I just have all players overrated or if I am asking for too much, but it has been an awful hard to make anything happen. And I started to feel some pressure that I had to do something, since the Rule-5 draft was coming up and I had a few players that needed to be protected. I am getting the feeling its going to be long off-season.

I have some money to target a free-agent, but I am not sure if I will be spending that or not. Trying to find a player up for a 1-year deal will be tough, so we will see what happens.

I also decided not to trade Ying-Hua Ji or Julio Casanes. I shopped them around, packaged them together talked and talked and no one was willing to give me what I thought they are worth so I have moved on and for 2038 they will be on the team and starting.

It is my job to build a winning team and despite losing 15.6 WAR so far this off-season, I think we are making progress. Last year we won 90+ games and I can't say we will win that many again this year, but we should get close and be able to compete for the Division title. Either way we should be in the playoffs.

Roger Phillips only hit .214 last year, but I have a feeling he is much of a better player than that, and I am hoping for a solid year. He should give us a boost at 2B this season... Now we just have to get a boost at 3B and hope our 1B continues do his thing.

The one person we will miss most is Robert Shepherd. He should be back around mid-season, but how long will it take him to get back his form? I have to hope that our miss-mosh of starters from Gehrig Pearl, Juan Cuesta, Don Stewart, and Dustin McNeil will be able to hold down the fort until then. Last year I thought pitching was a our strong point, this year I think our starting rotation will be weaker depending on how the youth step-up. I have faith that John Roberson and Gehrig Pearl will put together winning years.

And finally, on the farm our #1 pick from 2035 seems to be getting closer and closer. Last year in AAA he hit .305-17-114, and his ratings are boosting up. I have a feeling we will be seeing him in September for sure... And not too far behind him is our Catcher/DH of the future Miguel Cortesini who hit .287-13-73 in AAA last year. He is still developing, but as it looks he will probably on the roster in 2039 and has a future of ahead of him if he can learn to not strikeout.

So far I am happy with what I have done... it might not look pretty and I might be banking a lot on our minor league system, but that is ok... I guess we will see how good of a job our scout Alex Elias has done.

Off-Season Profile:
2038 Budget: $82,000,000 (18th)
2038 Payroll: $51,186,010 (20th)
Money for Free-Agents: $10,201,538
Money for Extensions: $1,441,548
Fan Interest: 70
WAR Gain/Loss: -15.6

Free Agents:
Signed free agent 2B Roger Phillips to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,010,010.
Signed free agent LF Shinsaku Sugano to a minor league contract with a $620,000 signing bonus.
Signed free agent OF Byung-Ho Ch'on to 3-year deal worth $16,010,000, the third year is a vesting option based on 275 PA's
Signed free agent MR Adrie Willems to a minor league deal

Trades:
Traded 26-year-old minor league reliever Mike Quinn, 22-year-old minor league second baseman Raúl Cruz, 21-year-old minor league center fielder David Flores, a 13th round draft pick and $750,000 in cash to the Harpers Ferry Raiders, getting 24-year-old minor league first baseman Allen Frías in return.

Traded 23-year-old reliever Edgar Valdéz, 25-year-old reliever Bill Summers, 22-year-old minor league catcher José Vega and a 4th round draft pick to the Harpers Ferry Raiders, getting 22-year-old right fielder Damian Winfield, 21-year-old minor league second baseman Mauricio Fierro, 21-year-old minor league left fielder David Flores and a 3rd round draft pick in return.

(I total missed the fact that both deals were with the Harpers Ferry Raiders till I looked at the log.)

I made these trades only to make room on my 40-man roster. I am in trouble when it comes to having players protected from the Rule-5, maybe I am just being a little crazy... either way these weren't the best trades but they were trades for necessity.

Waivers:
I had to waive a good deal of players to protect some of the guys that have a little more talent and I didn't want to lose to the Rule-5 so being DFA'd were:
OF Bo Keller (cleared)
1B Jesus Hernandez (cleared)
UT Ricardo Bravo (cleared)
MR Alejandro Heredia (lost to waivers)
OF Clarence Roberson (cleared)
OF Russell Worsfold (ugh, I am not ready to lose him, but he is an odd man out.)

and I wouldn't be surprised if I lost a few to the Rule-5... let see how that turns out.

Injuries:
SP Robert Shepherd, fractured elbow, 5-months
OF Eugene Todd, micofracture surgery (knee), 2-3 months

Rule-5 Draft:
We have 18 players subject to the Rule-5 Draft, and I am guessing we will lose a few of them.
Surprisingly we only lost one player OF Robinson Alaniz, who hit .267-5-21 in AAA last year and I can see him staying around in Chesapeake all season.

Current Depth Chart:
C Emilio Albal / Raul Garcia
1B Naofumi Ohayashi / Ambrose Gutiererz
2B Roger Phillips / Juan Guzman
3B Tully Maxwell / Eugene Todd
SS Jose Ayala / Juan Guzman
LF Julio Casanes / Ambrose Gutiererz
CF Byung-Ho Ch'on / Armando Martinez
RF Phil Davis / Lorenzo Leal
DH Jose Matos / Giovanni Smith

SP Ying-Hua Ji, John Robertson, Gregorio Costello, Gehrig Pearl, Juan Cuesta
SU Dani Rubio, Oscar Robinson
CL Tim Meyers

Coming Up:
Changing from OOTP 2017 to 2018: 01/01/2038
Hall of Fame Results: 01/05/2038
Pre-Season Begins: 01/30/2038 (Last Off-Season Write-Up)
Spring Training Begins; 03/06/2038
Opening Day: 04/05/2036 (Spring Training Write and Season Preview)

[illeracula]

Hall of Fame Voting Results: The ballots are counted and the results are in. This year we will witness two players added to the Hall of Fame. Jeff Lewis, and Pedro Rivera received the ultimate honor this year in being voted as the newest members of the Hall of Fame.

The full voting results are included here. Players require 75% of ballots cast to be elected to the Hall, may stay on the ballot for up to 10 years if they receive at least 5% of the votes. Players must be retired for 5 years before they are eligible for induction to the Hall of Fame.

RF Jeff Lewis 95.4 (1st year) Inducted HOF
SP Pedro Rivera 83.3 (2nd year) Inducted HOF
SP Brad Jones 71.6 (1st year)
SP Matt Hollis 59.9 (7th year)
C Richard Taylor 29.8 (7th year)
LF Jorge Alonso 24.5 (1st year)
SP Robert Walker 23.8 (2nd year)
SP Guillermo Alfonso 16.3 (1st year)
SP Pablo García 16.0 (1st year)
CL Matsusuke Koizumi 6.7 (1st year)
LF Glenn Jenkins 5.3 (10th year) Dropped
C Jesús Núñez 4.3 (5th year) Dropped
CL José Chávez 3.9 (1st year) Dropped
3B Doug Dook 3.5 (1st year) Dropped
CF Andrés Salinas 3.2 (2nd year) Dropped
RP Rudy Richards 2.5 (1st year) Dropped
RP Eisse Bookelman 2.5 (1st year) Dropped
RP Luis Trevino 2.1 (1st year) Dropped
SP Hsin-ping Kun 1.1 (1st year) Dropped
RP Javier Castro 1.1 (1st year) Dropped
RP Román López 0.7 (1st year) Dropped


The Cavaliers now have 5 players wearing their cap in the Hall and the Ocean City Tourists 3. Both of these guys deserve to be there and I have to say I am surprised only two went in... Congrats to both.

[illeracula]

Lewis Honored by First Ballot Selection to DBL Hall of Fame:
"He simply produced -- game after game after game. That's what I loved about him."

Those sentiments were expressed by one of Jeff Lewis's managers from his Norfolk Cavaliers days at the gifted right fielder's Hall of Fame induction ceremony yesterday. On a cloudy, but comfortable afternoon, he took his rightful place among the best DELMARVA Baseball League players of all-time.

The newest Hall of Famer assessed his career in these words: "I did my best to contribute to the team -- in the field, at the plate, in the dugout. I didn't care about personal numbers. I just went out there to win."

Lewis spent his best years playing for the Norfolk Cavaliers, playing in 2405 games with a .314 career batting average and 3035 hits. He also scored 1619 runs and drove in 1380 runs with 327 home runs.

Lewis retired from baseball when he was 42.


Rivera Now Hall of Famer:
Someone once said, "There's no crying in baseball." But the tears were flowing in abundance today at the Hall of Fame induction of baseball great Pedro Rivera. They were tears of joy.

The superstar hurler got quite emotional at times during his speech as he retraced his journey from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of success in the baseball world.

He told the audience, "The greatest feeling in the world is to win a major league game. The second greatest feeling is to lose a major league game. For someone who truly loved playing baseball, I couldn't really lose either way. Just to be on a baseball diamond is a wonderful feeling. Life just doesn't get any better than that. I will really miss it."

Baseball newest legend ended his career at age 39 with 195 wins and 123 defeats and compiled a 3.93 ERA. Rivera made 525 appearances and struck out 2935 in 2830.1 innings. Teams hit a composite .246 against him.

[illeracula]

Top 5 WAR:
1) Richmond Cardinals (13.1)
2) Milford Clippers (12.9)
3) Milton Brewers (12.2)
4) Washington Senators (7.1)
5) Georgetown Sixteens (5.7)

Bottom 5 WAR:
26) Chadds Ford Colonials (-16.7)
25) Newark Millers (-10.7)
24) Seaford Blue Jays (-10.6)
23) Annapolis Admirals (-7.8)
22) Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs/Ocean City Tourists (-3.9)

Around the League:
No major news to report.

Free Agents/Signings:
Ellicott City Express: Signed a big fish, C Alonso Sierra to a 6-year deal worth $126,4000,000, or on average of $21,066,666 per year. He returns to where he started Ellicott City after 4-years in Annapolis.
Milford Clippers: Signed SP Alfredo Mejia to a 2-year deal worth $27,200,000.
Lewes Braves: Signed CF Ramiro Herrera to a 1-year deal worth $2,480,000.
Martinsburg Mountaineers: SP Rodney Glatz signed 2-year deal worth $30,800,000.
Washington Senators: Agreed with closer Travis Abadee for a 1-year deal worth $17,000,000.
Richmond Cardinals: Signed MR Bob Spears to a 2-year deal worth $2,240,000.
Richmond Cardinals: Signed 3B Tomas Murillo to a 3-year deal worth $12,480,000.
Richmond Cardinals: Signed MR Jason Lancaster to a 1-year deal worth $3,760,000.
Chesapeake Blue Crabs: Signed SP Carl Oulton to a 3-year deal worth $25,600,000. His Championship MVP earned him that contract not his 13-18 record, or his 11-16 record the year before. I am happy for Oulton, but I would have never guessed he would of been signing for big bucks.
Richmond Cardinals: Signed 1B Ryan Urbina to a 1-year deal worth $990,000. Keep in mind he wanted $6M to stay in Chadds Ford.
Washington Senators: Signed MR Brian Riley to a 1-year deal worth $1,840,000.
Lewes Braves: Signed SP Gary Bates to a 3-year deal worth $24,600,000.
Chesapeake Blue Crabs: Signed MR Raul Gonzalez to a 2-year deal worth $2,520,000.
Lewes Braves: Signed the oldest player in the DBL MR Ed Yoder to a 1-year $4,400,000 deal.
Lewes Braves: Signed 1B Richard Forbes to a 3-year deal worth $17,100,000.
Lewes Braves: Signed OF Ernesto Condarco to a 1-year deal worth $1,600,000.
Chesapeake Blue Crabs: Signed OF Ron Turney to a huge 7-year deal worth $79,900,000.
Dover Generals: Signed MR Miguel Angel Rivera to a 1-year deal worth $2,040,000.
Martinsburg Mountaineers: Signed MR Claudio Gonzalez to a 3-year deal worth $3,210,000.
Milford Clippers: Signed OF Matt Martin to a 1-year deal worth $7,100,000.
Chesapeake Blue Crabs: Signed SS Claudio Flores to a 2-year deal worth $4,880,000.
Harrington Ponies: Signed SP Jimmy Powers to a 2-year deal worth $5,280,000.
Chesapeake Blue Crabs: Signed SP Larry Moore to a 1-year deal worth $2,400,000.
Milton Brewers: Signed SP Juan Gamboa to a 1-year deal worth $1,180,000.
Milton Brewers: Signed closer Sung-il Kwon to a 3-year deal worth $27,900,000.
Milford Clippers: Signed C Ray Nikkola to a 3-year deal worth $13,320,000.
Wilmington Iron Pigs: Signed MR Jesse Meyers to a 1-year deal worth $1,480,000.
Wilmington Iron Pigs: Signed MR Michael McMillan to a 1-year deal worth $1,580,000.
Georgetown Sixteens: Signed MR Scott Burns to a 2-year deal worth $1,390,000.
Wilmington Iron Pigs: Signed MR Luis Manuel Gonzalez to a 1-year deal worth $1,960,000.
Seaford Blue Jays: Signed MR Jamie Cruz to a 3-year deal worth $8,880,000.
Richmond Cardinals: Signed MR Gwang-Soo Cho to 2-year deal worth $3,080,000
Lewes Braves: Signed MR Brooks Carlson to a 1-year deal worth $1,060,000.
Norfolk Cavaliers: Signed Ex-Cannon All-Star Dan Kessler to a 1-year deal worth $1,540,000.
Lewes Braves: Signed MR David Moon to a 1-year deal worth $3,120,000.
Martinsburg Mountaineers: Signed MR Jonathan Hunter to a 1-year deal worth $1,380,000.
Norfolk Cavaliers: Signed MR Edward Hill to a 3-year deal worth $3,430,000.
Annapolis Admirals: Signed Closer Ramon Tirado to a 2-year deal worth $3,120,000.
Washington Senators: Signed MR Shawn Anderson to 1-year deal worth $1,820,000.
Washington Senators: Looking to fortify their bullpen signed MR Teo Ha to a 2-year deal worth $2,800,000.

Trades:
Milford Clippers: Traded away OF Juan Hernandez (.289/.324/.387, 9 HR) to the Georgetown Sixteens for MR Ramon Colon (0-0 0.00, 0.2 IP).
Chesapeake Blue Crabs: Acquired 2B Ismael Lopez (.292/.307/.486, 2 HR) from the Seaford Blue Jays for SS Valentin Mora (.313/.335/.507, 6 HR).
Lewes Braves: Acquired MR Dan Wilkinson (0-3 5.76, 5 SV) from the King George Royals for 2B Jarred Richardson (.315/.361/.407, 3 HR).
Milton Brewers: Acquired MR Al Walker (1-2 2.49) from the Ellicott City Express for OF Francisco Soto (.294/.368/.647, 2 HR).
Norfolk Cavaliers: Acquired MR Alfonso Mendoza (0-1 2.70) from the Seaford Blue Jays for OF Tom Brown (.195/.271/.321, 5 HR).
Wilmington Iron Pigs: Acquired CL Charlie Boykin (5-7 2.91, 25 SV) from the Ellicott City Express for 2B Ivan Sanchez (.229/.283/.434, 35 HR) and a 5th round pick.

Injuries:
no major injuries

[illeracula]

My Notes
I keep watching the other teams sign players they think will make them better, but I don't think so. There are a lot of older players getting over paid and it really doesn't look like anyone is building from within, which is my goal here... well it has to be goal here as my budget keeps me from signing a lot of big big names. I am cool with that, as we have developed a lot of players from within.

I will need to pull off another deal or two at some point this year or maybe the off-season as I see how the year goes. I have faith that will make some noise and be a contender, but just in case I will not be afraid to pull off a deal. It might have to be a big deal, such as a Ying-Hua Ji, Robert Shepherd and or Julio Casanes... but hopefully it won't come to that before the off-season.

Spring training is going to be fun, we are going to have a few battles going on and questions to be answered. Such as who is going to be our catcher? Jose Matos, Emilio Alba or Raul Garcia? Middle infield back-up Juan Guzman or Mu-Sang Kim? Can Byung-Ho Ch'on replace Matt Douglas in CF? Who is going to make the bullpen, 18 pitches 11 slots? And most of all who is going ot be the #24 and #25 man on the roster? This is going to a fun spring training.

I am hoping this is our year, but it will be tough with Robert Shepherd set to miss the beginning of the season and without the veteran presence of Higashi, Loeffler and Doulgas. So we will really be relying on our youth to step it up, Jose Ayala, our starting catcher, Ambrose Guiterrez and our new addition Byung-Ho Ch'on. Without them we aren't going to succeed... One worry I am starting to have is the closer, you have to have a strong closer to win those close games without that its hard... so its Tim Meyers job now, but I am not sure how long that will last.

I am anxious to get things going. I am really getting curious on how we will be predicted to do. I have no idea how that will go over a lot of variables and lot of guys who I have never seen play before or for an extended period. I am hoping over the past 6-months we have hit a nice development set and we will be ready to go...

Off-Season Profile:
2038 Budget: $82,000,000 (19th)
2038 Payroll: $51,186,010 (21th)
Money for Free-Agents: $9,282,388
Money for Extensions: $56,548
Fan Interest: 70
WAR Gain/Loss: -16.7

Free Agents:
Signed Hi-Gor Ch'oe to a minor league deal, not sure what to expect from him but figured it can't hurt.

Trades:
none.

Waivers:
The Harrington Ponies finalized their claim of MR Alejandro Heredia; He may have a decent career ahead of him, but he was an odd man on my roster.

Russell Worsfold cleared waivers and was sent to AAA.

Injuries:
SP Robert Shepherd, fractured elbow, 3-4 months
OF Eugene Todd, micofracture surgery (knee), 5-weeks

Current Depth Chart:
C Jose Matos / Emilio Alba / Raul Garcia
1B Naofumi Ohayashi / Eugene Todd
2B Roger Phillips / Juan Guzman
3B Tully Maxwell / Eugene Todd
SS Jose Ayala / Juan Guzman
LF Julio Casanes / Giovanni Smith
CF Byung-Ho Ch'on / Armando Martinez
RF Phil Davis / Lorenzo Leal
DH Ambrose Gutierrez / Eugene Todd

SP Ying-Hua Ji, John Robertson, Gregorio Costello, Gehrig Pearl, Juan Cuesta, ?
SU Dani Rubio, Juan Cuesta, Oscar Robinson, ?
CL Tim Meyers

The battle at Catcher should be interesting. Alba is the most well-rounded, Matos has the biggest bat potential, and Garcia is our best defender.

Otto Carillo down in AAA might make some noise and earn a roster slot. I am thinking he is going to get invited to camp this year, however, to put him on the roster means to waive someone...

With Shepherd out 4 more months, I will need to have a #5 pitcher and I am not sure who that will be. Eric Harmon and Juan Cuesta would be my main guess in who is battling for the slot, but we have at least 3 other solid candidates.

There will be a lot of decision to make, and that doesn't even include players with no options left... I haven't even looked closely at that yet, hopefully though, our roster is young enough we won't run into any issues there.


Coming Up:
Spring Training Begins; 03/06/2038
Opening Day: 04/05/2036 (Spring Training Write and Season Preview)

[illeracula]

Top 5 WAR:
1) Richmond Cardinals (13.1)
2) Milford Clippers (12.9)
3) Milton Brewers (12.2)
4) Washington Senators (7.1)
5) Georgetown Sixteens (5.7)

Bottom 5 WAR:
26) Chadds Ford Colonials (-16.7)
25) Newark Millers (-10.7)
24) Seaford Blue Jays (-10.6)
23) Annapolis Admirals (-7.8)
22) Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs/Ocean City Tourists (-3.9)

Early Division Predictions:
DE Colonial: Milford Clippers: 88-74 .543 (+11)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 91-71 .562 (+2)
DE Atlantic: Georgetown Sixteens: 93-69 .574 (+5)

MD Beltway: Washington Senators/Baltimore Barons: 92-70 .568 (+15)
MD Mountain: Richmond Cardinals: 90-72 .556 (+5)
MD Coastal: Norfolk Cavaliers: 94-68 .580 (+8)

Spring Training Division Leaders:
DE Colonial: New Castle Colonials: 9-3 .750
DE Northern: Christiana Blue Hens/Chadds Ford Cannons: 7-5 .583
DE Atlantic: Lewes Braves/Cape May Beacons: 6-6 .500

MD Beltway: Washington Senators: 7-5 .583
MD Mountain: Richmond Cardinals/Martinsburg Mountaineers: 7-5 .583
MD Coastal: Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs: 9-3 .750

Around the League:
no big news to report...

Free Agents/Signings:
Christiana Blue Hens: Signed CL Kevin Gordan to a 1-year deal worth $1,520,000.

Trades:
Norfolk Cavaliers: Sent OF Roman Cruz (.276-31-98) to the Georgetown Sixteens for 3B Peter Harvey (.251-12-44) and $4,010,000 in cash.
Salisbury Ports: Acquired MR Paul King (1-0 4.42) from the cape May Beacons for OF Clyde Robinson (.301-2-19) in a "HUH??" deal.
Wilmington Iron Pigs: Acquired the oft moved Anthony Howard (.259-21-74) from the Baltimore Barons for OF Bill Lindsey (AAA)

Injuries:
Martinsburg Mountaineers: Will be without MR Alonso Reyes for 6-months with shoulder inflammation. Reyes pitched in 26 games last year going 3-2 5.36.
Christiana Blue Hens: Lost MR Ron Halcomb for the season. Halcomb tore his UCL and is expected to have surgery. Last year he posted a 7-2 4.86 record with 1 save.
Harpers Ferry Raiders: Will be without 2B Jose Caballero for the start of the season. The 26-year-old is expected to miss 6 weeks after being diagnosed with bone chips in his elbow.
Annapolis Admirals: Lost closer Cullen Wilder for 5 weeks after Wilder was diagnosed with elbow tendinitis. He was 6-4 1.57 with 38 saves in 63 games last year.
Christiana Blue Hens: Lost SP Gilberto Rico for 4-5 months with a torn back muscle. Rico went 3-7 5.54 in 15 starts for Ocean City last season.
Milford Clippers: The Clippers were dealt a huge blow when their closer Cal Lawton was diagnosed with a torn UCL, he is expected to miss the season (8-9 months). Last year Lawton, his first in the "bigs", went 6-4 1.75 with 39 saves winning the reliever of the year award.



My Notes
This is going to be an interesting off-season for the Cannons. We got rid of quite a few players and now we have to somewhat rebuild or replace those players. The big three that we dealt away aren't going to be as easy to replace with the budget constraints and my lack of wanting to deal top talent. So now who is going to step up in the rotation? Who is going to be my CF? And who is going to close out games? Three big questions heading into spring training.

We didn't make many moves to acquire players, but we sure did deal some away. On the pitching side of things it is pretty much the same ole, same ole. The top 3 are going to be Ying-Hua Ji, John Robertson, and Gregorio Costello. Robert Shepherd will be back in 2-months so he is only going to miss 2-months of the season which is really huge for us (I think). This means there will be a slight battle for the final 3-slots in the rotation between Juan Cuesta, Gehrig Pearl and Eric Harmon. This could get interesting over the next 20 (give or take) games.

The closer role is all but Tim Meyers to lose. He has GREAT stuff, but questionable control at times. Ratings wise he is very similar to Loeffer, but with better control. The big differences between the two are Loeffler is an extreme ground-ball pitcher and Meyers is Neutral and Loeffler throws fastball/Splitter and Meyers as cutter/curve. Meyers doesn't have closer experience, so my fingers are crossed with him.

And on offense, how can we replace Matt Douglas? Well my hope is with our new Korean OF'er. This should get interesting. Defensively he should match or be better than Douglas, offensively is the question. How will he do? He is 30-years-old and has played a lot of games in Korea, but that game is different than the DBL will it translate? So far this spring he has been hitting (.375-0-2) so I can only hope he can keep it up.

There will be a few rookies/newcomers on this team that will need to step it up for us to succeed. The players include our new starting catcher, who will be either Jose Matos or Emilio Alba, the other will be sent to AAA (I think). Tully Maxwell at 3B and Jose Ayala at SS. Maxwell hit an awful .191 last season and I hope he can pick that up and Ayala has the makings of an All-Star, but at 22 is he ready for the pressure of big-league SS? And our OF with Ambrose Gutierrez and Lorenzo Leal. Both players played last year a little bit, but I will need them to better than last year.

On the offensive side we have 3-players who have no options left: Juan Guzman (who will be on the team even as the 25-th man), Bo Keller (who is a spring invitee and destined for AAA), and OF Armando Martinez (who I really don't know what to do with). There is a little bit of a market for Martinez so he may be moved before opening day.

Pitching wise on Gehrig Pearl and Oscar Robinson have used up all their options and both of them are fairly certain to be on the opening day roster.

Having these options available helps out quite a bit!

Finally, as we get closer and closer to opening day, I am starting to to get closer and closer to trying to pull off a deal for David Gutierrez. He was a top 50 prospect last season and got even better. He is ready for the bigs and could make a decent starter right now for someone. My issue with him is his control. He has a 5/8 rating by our scout and a 3/7 rating by OSA. These are out of 20 so that really bothers me. He struck out 293 hitters in 172 innings last year in AAA, and he only gave up 134 hits! But still he posted a 1.47 WHIP thanks to the 119 walks. I can't deal with that... so I am close to letting him go. He is my "trade bait" if I think I need something...

That is enough for now, lets finish up spring training so we get this season going and see if I pull the plug and Gutierrez deal...

Off-Season Profile:
2038 Budget: $82,000,000 (19th)
2038 Payroll: $52,332,610 (21st)
Money for Free-Agents: $8,054,938
Money for Extensions: none
Fan Interest: 70
WAR Gain/Loss: -16.7

Early Prediction: 89-73 .549 (-2 G, 2nd)

Free Agents:
none

Trades:
none

Waivers:
none

Injuries:
SP Robert Shepherd, fractured elbow, 3-4 months, 11-day DL

Current Offense Depth Chart:
C Jose Matos / Emilio Alba / Raul Garcia
1B Eugene Todd / Ambrose Gutierrez
2B Roger Phillips / Juan Guzman
3B Tully Maxwell / Juan Guzman
SS Jose Ayala / Brad Sims
LF Julio Casanes / Ambrose Gutierrez
CF Byung-Ho Ch'on / Armando Martinez
RF Lorenzo Leal / Giovanni Smith
DH Naofumi Ohayashi / Giovanni Smith

*Phil Davis to start the season, but will be in LF when he is back.

Other roster slots will be up in the air. We have 23 position players in camp and only 15 will make the team... who is fighting? Well lets see...
Catcher: Raul Garcia will be the back-up catcher, so Alba and Matos will be fighting for the starting slot. It is possible both make the team, but not highly likely.

IF: Jesus Hernandez, Hector Solis are both only first baseman, Mu-Sang Kim has a chance to make UTL infield, Fernando Cirin wants a shot to beat out Tully Maxwell and if Maxwell can't hit he may just do it... Brad Sims is an interesting player, because he has a solid gold caliber glove at 2B, SS, and 3B, and has decent speed... but there aren't many slots available.

OF: In the OF we have our starters, and Davis gives us four, Giovanni Smith has been solid the past two season so he is the favorite for the 5th OF slot. But that leaves Ambrose Guiterrez, Bo Keller, Armando Martinez, Russell Worsfold and Damien Winfield as the ones left out... and they may have something to say about that.

We are just about halfway through spring and I still haven't sent anyone down yet... maybe next week, but right now everything is open we have a lot of holes to fill.

Current Pitching Depth Chart:
SP: Ying-Hua Ji
SP: John Robertson
SP: Gregorio Costello
SP: Juan Cuesta
SP: Gehrig Pearl
SP: Eric Harmon

CL: Tim Myeres
SU: Dani Rubio
SU: Francisco Franco

The rest is up to quite a few players... David Gutierrez, Gus James, Dustin McNeil, Gallin Krall, and further down the list, Chris Adkins, Jim Morlini, Oscar Robinson, Jose Santos and Don Stewart. And honestly, I am not sold on Franco so all bullpen slots are open... This could get interesting for the final 2 roster slots for our pitches. We will be going with a 5-man rotation, but all 6 there "should" make the roster.

Coming Up:
Final Spring Training Report: 04/02/2038
Chadds Ford Roster Finalize: 04/04/2036
Top Prospects: 04/05/2036
Top Minor League Systems: 04/05/2036
Predictions: 04/05/2036
Opening Day: 04/05/2036

[illeracula]

Big Deal: Casanes for Wallstreet:
The baseball world is buzzing with the news that the Chadds Ford Cannons and King George Royals have pulled off a major trade that sends 21-year-old RHP David Gutiérrez, 28-year-old LF Júlio Casanes, 23-year-old minor league C Greguorio Mocinha, 24-year-old minor league C Michael Martin, 21-year-old minor league LHP Gilberto Arroyo, a 3rd round draft pick and a 7th round draft pick to King George for 22-year-old CF Mikel Wallstreet, 25-year-old 2B Melvin Wallstreet, 24-year-old SS Chris Mildmay and 25-year-old RHP Reed Davis. According to sources, the deal was finalized late last night.

My Thoughts:
Casanes has a lifetime average of .271, has played in 499 games, and has collected 73 home runs and 262 RBIs.

In a career spanning 353 games, Wallstreet has batted .261 with 382 hits, 50 home runs, 189 RBIs, and 234 runs scored.

I either made a billiant move or just completely blew my future, we will have to wait and see how this is going to turn out. I traded away one of the games top prospects, a power hitting OF'er, a couple of medium prospects and draft picks for FOUR players that will be on the big league roster.

To make room for these four players I had to transfer Jose Ayala and Robert Shepherd to the 60-day DL, so at some point I will be making more moves... which I do plan on doing.

First off, I acquired 3 new offensive starters, Melvin Wallstreet my new second baseman, Mikel Wallstreet my new centerfielder, and Chris Mildman my new SS. This shuffles the team around and makes a few other players expendable.

Note about Mike Wallstreet: I imported Mike Trout as Mikel Wallstreet and said I would never trade for the 3 players I imported. Well taht changed when this deal came. Along with the fact that he hasn't lived up to any potential yet. In his 3 seasons in the DBL he hsas a total of 8.0 WAR, with 4.7 coming 2-seasons ago wihen he posted a 4.7 WAR. He has been somewhat injury prone the past 2-years, but is still "normal", so I am hoping we can see on the field all season. Fingers crossed.

Pitching wise we got Reed Davis who Patterson has slotted for the #4 spot. I am hoping he finds good luck here in Chadds Ford.

Reed Davis: Stuff: 11/12, Movement: 15/15, Control: 12/14, Career: 24-26 5.19, SV, 82 G/63 GS
Melvin Wallstreet: Contact: 13/14, Gap: 14/14, HR: 9/11, Eye: 9/10, K's: 11/11, Career: 283 G, .254-22-116
Mikel Wallstreet: Contact: 14/15, Gap: 14/14, HR: 13/15, Eye: 10/12, K's: 9/9, Career: 353 G, .261-50-189
Chris Mildmay: Contact: 10/11, Gap: 11/11, HR: 9/12, Eye: 11/13, K's: 10/12, Career: 278 G, .267-24-96

Chadds Ford Cannons, Ponies Agree to Trade:
A trade between Chadds Ford and Harrington was made official this morning. The Cannons have sent 26-year-old RF Armando Martínez, 21-year-old minor league CF Pedro Báez and 22-year-old minor league RHP Coy Baker to the Ponies in exchange for 23-year-old 2B Teddy Hopkins and a 1st round draft pick.

After this deal I decided to see what else was available, knowing I needed to bring back some prospects so I dealt Armando Martinez to the Harrington Ponies, with the big pay-day being the #1 pick... but also 2B Teddy 'Bang-Bang' Hopkins. He played in 139 games in AA last season and hit .265-10-53, and he will be back in AA this year. Elias says he has "future star potential" so I take this deal as a huge boost... even if we got rid of a couple OF'ers that might of had a future. Martinez had no options left, so this was a big deal in that regards.

I am not 100% sure this will be it, but for now it is... for now being before the end of the week...

This made quite a change on our how lineup looks, but I do have to say it is looking pretty solid right now!! These deals just gave me a boost for the season I am starting to feel excited about it... before these deals I would have told you we were in trouble and you could consider us rebuilding.

Now that being said it is possible that we deal Phil Davis and Mikel Wallstreet by the end of the year... Then again the only players NOT under team control in 2039 are Bo Keller, Roger Phillips, Ricardo Bravo, and Clarence Roberson... we have a bright future...

[illeracula]

Top 5 WAR:
1) Milford Clippers (12.9)
2) Richmond Cardinals (12.4)
3) Milton Brewers (10.1)
4) Martinsburg Mountaineers (6.5)
5) Georgetown Sixteens (5.3)

Bottom 5 WAR:
26) Chadds Ford Colonials (-13.8)
25) Newark Millers (-12.4)
24) Seaford Blue Jays (-10.0)
23) King George Royals (-6.6)
22) Dover Generals (-6.2)

Spring Training:
DE Colonial: Seaford Blue Jays: 19-9 .679 (+1)
DE Northern: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 17-11 .607 (+3)
DE Atlantic: Georgetown Sixteens: 16-11 .593 (+2)

MD Beltway: Salisbury Ports: 15-13 .536 (+2)
MD Mountain: Richmond Cardinals: 18-10 .643 (+2)
MD Coastal: Norfolk Cavaliers: 19-8 .704 (+4.5)

Spring Leaders:
AVG: Dave McGinnity, Iron Pigs: .440
Hits: Tim Burman, Sixteens: 26
HR: Tim Burman, Sixteens: 8
RBI: Dave McGinnity, Iron Pigs: 21
Runs: Michael Urbina, Blue Jays: 18
SB: Vasco Cerqueora, Express: 11

ERA: John Robertson, Cannons: 0.45
Wins: 5 tied with 4
Saves: Angel Nasquez, Cardinals: 11
K's: Chris Adkins, Cannons: 2
WHIP: Al Walker, Brewers: 0.63

Around the League:
Teams are preparing for opening day making their final roster cuts, waiving players, and trying to figure out which rookies are going to be starters and news makers. This is an important week leading up to the first pitch. Can the Mountaineers repeat? Will a team come out of no where to win the crown? Are the Salisbury Ports ready to make the playoffs, finally? This should be a fun season and as long as there is some kind of parity throughout I will be happy.

Free Agents/Signings:
Wilmington Iron Pigs: Signed 2 middle relievers Ed Davis ($970,000) and Allen Williams ($870,000) to one year deals.

The top rated free-agent available is MR Angel Rivera, at 35-years-old, he is the only 4-star player available, the only player with more than 2 actually.

There are still some aging vets available: OF Claude Bond (43), MR Bob McCord (41), 3B Michael Porter (41), MR Narcissus Kondylis (40), and OF Bob Short (36).

Trades:
Newark Millers: Dumped OF Carlos Sandoval (.193-8-34) and his $12M salary on the Ocean City Tourists for SP Jose Icaza (8-10 5.29).
Richmond Cardinals: Acquired MR Dan MacNeilage (4-1 5.14, SV) from the Seaford Blue Jays for SS Mike Wilcox (.253-7-42).
Milton Brewers: Acquired SP Blake Ballard (10-15 5.66) from the Annapolis Admirals for youngster C Palmiro Chagas (.310-16-49).
Martinsburg Mountaineers: Acquired SP Sancho Castro (8-11 5.10) from the Dover Generals for 3B Pedro Velasquez (.159-0-6).
Washington Senators: Shipped off 2B Joey Bradley (.265-6-58) to the New Castle Colonials for SP Nicholas Edgar (1-0 0.79 / 11.1 IP).

Injuries:
King George Royals: Lost MR Carl Pickett for 6-7 months with a ruptured disc. Picket pitched in 19 games last season for the Royals.
Ellicott City Epxress: SP Ward Hapgood is expected to miss the first 4-5 months of the season after suffering a torn labrum. Hapgood pitched in 3 games for the Express last season and was expected to make the rotation this year.
Harrington Ponies: Lost SP Jimmy Powers for 4-5 months with a torn back muscle. Powers went 12-13 for the Express last season.
Milton Brewers: Lost MR John Perez for 5-6 weeks with a strained oblique. Perez pitched in 70 games for the Brewers last year.
Ellicott City Express: Will be without OF Mike Johnson for 5 weeks after Johnson sprained his knee. The future Hall-of-Famer is still considered a top player in the DBL when he is healthy, but as he as aged those days have been getting numbered.
Norfolk Cavaliers: Lost OF Carlos Martinez for 6-7 months with a torn labrum. Martinez hit .214-13-38 last season.
Georgetown Sixteens: Received some bad news when Artie Bright was diagnosed with a torn flexor tendon and is expected to miss the season. Bright, 23, was looking to make some noise this season and was fighting for the #5 slot in the rotation.



My Notes
Figured I would leave this here, but I wrote it before I had the great idea of making a big deal, so here it is... I am in trouble if I dont make a deal This offense just isn't good enough and losing Ayala for 4-5 months is really going to hurt. I have to figure out what kind of deal I want to make and what exactly am I looking for. OF, IF? What do I need? More pitchign more hitting and what can I give up? I have to make something happen or it will be a long season here. I may end up dealing Phil Davis or Julio Casanes and/or David Guiterriez... But I think the big question is for whom.

After the deal I feel better, but I am still not sold we are going to be that 90-win team from the last few seasons. Just seems like too many 'holes', especially after the latest monthly progress report, which saw some of my better players drop, like Ch'on, Pearl, Shepherd, Reed, Maxwell, and Phil Davis... that doesn't bode well for the 'bright' future I thought I saw us having.

Its funny how one little thing can change your attitude towards things. I pull off this big deal and give the Cannons a solid offense, at least in my mind, as we just gained 3 starters. Now we lost one of our top prospects, but I am ok with losing Gonzalez and his 8 control... but then I get this monthly development report and there are a lot of red minus signs... and from there I am brought back down to reality.

I do feel like I have put together a solid roster from player 1 to 25 and we have a few players in the minors that really should be with the big league club. So in the regards I do like what I have done with this team. There will be a few questions that I will need answered this year, if we won't to contend or even have a shot at sneaking into the playoffs.

Questions that I am curious about heading into 2038:
1) Can Byung-Ho Ch'on hit in the DBL? Is he the real deal or a dud?
2) Can Naofumi Ohayashi repeat the season he had last year?
3) Can Mikel Wallstreet stay healthy?
4) Will Melvin Wallstreet be a clubhouse cancer?
5) Can Robert Shepherd regain his form after an 8 month layoff?
6) Are the rookies ready? Guiterrez, Adkins, James, Matos, and Sims?
7) Will Tully Maxwell cut back on his strikeouts and improve over his 2037 season?
8) Is our pitching as good as I think it is?
9) Can Juan Cuesta and Gehrig Pearl handle the rotation, as they both struggled last year.
10) And finally, which player is going to step up and surprised and carry this team?

Those are only a few that popped into my head, I am sure there are 100's of other questions. If we are getting close to the trade deadline there will be some big decisions to make. I have, yet again, a few players hitting arbitration that are going to demand big numbers. I wish we could sign some of these guys to long-term deals, but I can't go over $8 with anyone player and build a well rounded team. I don't want to invest so much in one player that I can't shape the lineup or staff. It only makes building a team harder, so I need to rely on good trades and solid youth development. So far its been successful.

I am ready to get the season going. I am ready to see how this new and improved offense works. We won't put up the power numbers we did last year, unless Matos and Ohayashi duplicate what Casanes and Ohayashi did last year, but we should put up better OBP and SB numbers... and that should translate into more runs. I have always been upset with our inability to knock in that key runner and which lead to crazy amounts of LOB numbers so I am hoping that the additional speed will help there too... you know, beating out the double play, going first to third, or second to home, should be more common place. At least that is part of my plan.

The more I type about this team the more excited I am getting about the start of the regular season. The last two seasons we started off poorly, so I am hoping that this season will change that habit... This is a well rounded team I really believe that and I believe we will contend... Day 1 is near and I am ready, hopefully the 25 on the roster are too...

Off-Season Profile:
2038 Budget: $82,000,000 (19th)
2038 Payroll: $54,634,310 (20th)
Money for Free-Agents: $5,753,238
Money for Extensions: none
Fan Interest: 66
WAR Gain/Loss: -13.8

Early Prediction: 89-73 .549 (-2 G, 2nd)
Spring Training Record: 14-14 .500, 2nd, 3 GB)

Trades:
Traded 21-year-old starting pitcher David Gutiérrez, 28-year-old left fielder Júlio Casanes, 23-year-old minor league catcher Greguorio Mocinha, 24-year-old minor league catcher Michael Martin, 21-year-old minor league starting pitcher Gilberto Arroyo, a 3rd round draft pick and a 7th round draft pick to the King George Royals, getting 22-year-old right fielder Mikel Wallstreet, 25-year-old left fielder Melvin Wallstreet, 24-year-old shortstop Chris Mildmay and 25-year-old starting pitcher Reed Davis in return.

Traded 26-year-old center fielder Armando Martínez, 21-year-old minor league center fielder Pedro Báez and 22-year-old minor league reliever Coy Baker to the Harrington Ponies, getting 23-year-old second baseman Teddy Hopkins and a 1st round draft pick in return.

I am done for now. One thing I brought in was a lot of speed, but not much power. I dealt away our "power" bat so hopefully one of these guys will stepit up.

Injuries:
SS Jose Ayala, torn ankle ligaments, 3-months, 60-day DL
SP Robert Shepherd, fractured elbow, 2-3 months, 11-day DL
MR Francisco Frano, sore shoulder, 3-weeks, 11-day DL
CL Tim Meyers, hamstring strain, unknown, 11-day DL
SP Don Stewart, tired arm, 2-weeks, not on DL (sent to AAA)

We aren't certain when Tim Meyers will get healthy, but we have him on the DL to rest his ailing leg. Right now he is listed as unknown, as we thought he'd be back in lineup by now.

Final Offense Depth Chart:
C Jose Matos / Raul Garcia
1B Naofumi Ohayashi / Ambrose Gutierrez
2B Roger Phillips / Juan Guzman
3B Tully Maxwell / Juan Guzman
SS Chris Mildmay / Brad Sims
LF Byung-Ho Ch'on / Ambrose Gutierrez
CF Mikel Wallstreet
RF Phil Davis / Ambrose Gutierrez
DH Melvin Wallstreet / Ambrose Gutierrez

The reason there isn't anyone behind Wallstreet in CF is because all my CF'ers are in the game. I don't expect him to play everday, but Ch'on and Davis are also in the lineup and they are the only ones with CF skills.

Break down of who made it and why they made it:
Catcher:
Elmilio Alba (demoted / 18 G, .184-1-10)
Raul Garcia (18, G .351-0-10)
*Jose Matos (21, G .209-2-4)

It was a tough call between Matos and Alba, but Matos started to hit the ball near the end of spring, so down went Alba. Garcia is the best defender of the bunch which is why he will stick around.

Infield:
Jesus Hernandez (demoted / 24 G, .257-2-10)
*Naofumi Ohayashi (28 G, .364-1-6)
Hector Solis (demoted / 18 G, 5-19, 3 RBI)
Juan Guzman (28 G, .294-0-6)
Mu-Sang Kim (demoted / 18 G, 6-24, HR, RBI)
*Roger Phillips (26 G, .208-0-5)
Eugene Todd (demoted / 20 G / .214-2-12)
Fernando Cirin (demoted / 10 G, 1-5, HR, RBI)
*Tully Maxwell (25 G, .167-3-6)
Jose Ayala (60 day-DL, torn ankle ligaments, 4-months / 14 G, .348-0-0, 2 2B, 2 SB)
Brad Sims (28 G, .277-1-8)
*Chris Mildway (28 G, .260-1-8)
*Melvin Wallstreet (28 G, .354-0-6)

The final cut was the toughest, as it came down to Jesus Herandez or Brad Sims and in the end I think the better player was Sims. Hernandez wouldn't have played much and maybe while in AAA he can learn LF. He isn't that agile so I am not sure how that will go, but he may end up being an important part of this team in 2038.

Outfield:
*Phil Davis (10 G, .250-1-4)
Ambrose Gutierrez (.333-2-11)
Bo Keller (wavied DFA'd / 14 G, .118-0-1)
*Byung-Ho Ch'on (28 G, .250-0-3)
Lorenzo Leal (demoted / 28 G, .184-1-7)
Giovanni Smith (demoted / 27 G,.209-1-5)
Russell Worsfold (DFA'd / 24 G, .292-0-2)
Damien Winfield (23 G, .308-0-4)
*Mikel Wallstreet (28 G, .424-4-18)

The OF was pretty easy to set, as Leal and Smith had really bad springs. I will keep an eye on them and if Winfield or Gutierrez don't do the job they will be called up. It was tough sending down Smith since he has played such a big role on this team the past few seasons. So part of me would like to see him back up here.

Final Pitching Depth Chart:
SP: Ying-Hua Ji (L)
SP: John Robertson
SP: Gregorio Costello
SP: Juan Cuesta
SP: Gehrig Pearl (L)

CL: Dani Rubio (L)
SU: Oscar Robinson
SU: Reed Davis

MR: Eric Harmon
MR: Chris Adkins (L)
MR: Gus James

I am totally surprised by Bill Patterson's late decision to move Reed Davis to the set-up role, wher Cuesta was during spring. We will see how that goes. At least its good to know I have some depth in the rotation if one of them can't get the job done.

Break down of who made it and why they made it:
Starters:
Robert Shepherd (11-day DL, fractured elbow 3-months after set-back / DNP in Spring Training)
Gregorio Costello (5 GS, 0-2 2.25)
Juan Cuesta (6 G, 4 GS, 2-0 3.24)
Ying-Hua Ji (5 GS, 1-1 3.15)
Gehrig Pearl (5 GS, 2-1 3.44)
John Robertson (5 GS, 4-0 0.45)
Dustin McNeil (demoted / 8 G, 0-0 3.68)
Don Stewart (injured, tired arm 2-weeks / 9 G, 15.2 IP, 18 H, 17 K, 1-1 6.32)
Eric Harmon (3 GS, 0-1 7.71)
Reed Davis (5 GS, 1-0 4.50)

Relievers:
Chris Adkins (5 G, 0-0 2.40, 15.0 IP, 27 K)
Francisco Franco (11-day DL, Sore Shoulder, 4 weeks / 3 G, 3.2 IP, 2 H, 5 K)
Gus James (6 G, 0-1 3.86)
Gallin Krall (demoted / 5 G, 0-1 3.27)
Jimi Morilini (demoted / 7 G, 1-0 2.87, 15.2 IP, 13 BB)
Oscar Robinson (7 G, 0-0 6.59)
Dani Rubio (11 G, 1-2 5.17, 6 SV)
Jose Santos (demoted, 4 G, 4.1 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 14.54 ERA)
Tim Meyers (11-day DL, 8 G, 1-3 5.56, SV)

Some of these cuts were tough! Gallin Grall should be with this team. I just feel like if I sent down Eric Harmon it would do him more harm... and then there is Oscar Robinson who just hasn't been that good, but has no options. This will get interesting though when Tim Meyers, Francisco Franco and Robert Shepherd return... I have a lot of pitching depth and they all seem to be 'ready' now. Gus James and Chris Adkins will be watched closely. ANy faulters then here comes the bullpen.

Coming Up:
Meet the 2038 Chadds Ford Cannons: 04/04/2036
Top Prospects: 04/05/2036
Top Minor League Systems: 04/05/2036
Final Predictions: 04/05/2036
Opening Day: 04/05/2036

[illeracula]

Top 100 Prospects List Published:
The season is about to start, so it's time to publish the annual Top 100 Prospects list. This year 22-year-old LHP Armando Santos of the Ellicott City Express is the #1 prospect overall.

Here is the top 10:
1) LHP Armando Santos, 22, Ellicott City Express
2) LF Maxmillion Wallstreet, 23, Wilmington Iron Pigs
3) RHP Juan Monjardim, 21, Ellicott City Express
4) RHP Tony Ruíz, 21, Lewes Braves
5) RHP Shawn Bell, 24, Chesapeake Blue Crabs
6) RF Kiyomasu Kono, 20, Harrington Ponies
7) RHP Ramón Jiménez, 20, Martinsburg Mountaineers
8) LF Emílio Esquivel, 20, Ellicott City Express
9) SS Jim Shelton, 23, Christiana Blue Hens
10) C Miguel Cortesini, 21, Chadds Ford Cannons

The #1 prospect last year was the same one this year in Armando Santos. Santos pitched in 11 games for the Express last season, going 3-2 5.60, and this year he is slated in as the #5 starter for the Express. His ratings look fantastic, but he could still use some development with his control.
Stuff: 12/19, Movement: 15/15, Control: 8/13 with four pitches (fastball, cutter, curveball, and change-up) all over 10 rating. The Cannons scout Felix Elias says this about Santors "A player you could build a franchise around, with superstar potential"

History of the Top Prospects
Here is a look at the past top prospects, with some very quality names on the list including some Hall-of-Famers and Hall-of-Famers to be.
2013: OF Peter Peters, New Castle Colonials
2014: SP Pedro Rivera, Ocean City Tourists
2015: C Andy Kohl, Dover Generals
2016: SP Brad Jones, Newark Millers
2017: C Will Riley, Ellicott City Express
2018: C Antonio 'Buzz' Castaneda, Chesapeake Blue Crabs
2019: SP Pablo García, Salisbury Ports
2020: SS Anthony Lucarelli, Seaford Blue Jays
2021: SS Anthony Lucarelli, Seaford Blue Jays
2022: SP Ricardo González, Wilmington Iron Pigs
2023: MR Júlio Rocha, Milton Brewers
2024: SP Gonzalo Bustamante, Georgetown Sixteens
2025: LF Jorge Arredondo, Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs
2026: SS António Hernández, Ellicott City Express
2027: RF Jorge Arredondo, Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs
2028: SP Juan Durango, New Castle Colonials
2029: C Héctor Pagán, Richmond Cardinals
2030: C Héctor Pagán, Richmond Cardinals
2031: SS Brian Battle, Martinsburg Mountaineers
2032: SS Brian Battle, Martinsburg Mountaineers
2033: CF Salvador Espinoza, Washington Senators
2034: SP Kevin Schultz, King George Royals
2035: CF Tyrone Jackson, Martinsburg Mountaineers
2036: LF Lorenzo Montoya, Christiana Blue Hens
2037: SP Armando Santos, Ellicott City Express
2038: SP Armando Santos, Ellicott City Express

2038 Top Minor League Systems
Last season the Ellicott City Express held down the fort as the #1 minor league system with 4 players in the top 25, and a total of 170 points. This year, they increased that to 3 players in the top 10, including 2 of the top 3 prospects in the game, and a whopping 199 system points. Both their top prospects Armando Santos and Juan Monjardim are on the opening day roster. So next year we might see a different "top" team.

The Chesapeake Blue Crabs jumped from number 16 to number 2, thanks in part to huge jumps by their top 2 prospects. Shawn Bell jumped from #98 to #5! That is a nice boost.

These are good signs for growing teams, unlike the Harpers Ferry Raiders, who have 0 system points and no players in the top 100. They have a long road ahead.

Chadds Ford Cannons
Catcher Miguel Cortesini dropped from #9 to #10 and he still has a bright future ahead of him. Last year in AAA he hit .287-13-73 while missing some time to an injury. Out scout sees him as a big-league player who will be an above average player and play for many years to come.

Last year our system was #2 this year we are #3, which I am plenty happy with. We still have a nice handful of players in the top 100, with Cortesini leading the way and SS Jose Ayala behind him. He was going to be the starting SS this season, but after his spring injury I pulled off that big deal and might have put him out of a job this season. One thing it looks like I need to focus on is some pitching prospects, as only one of our our top 5 prospects 1 is a pitcher. With 2 #1 picks (I think) this coming draft we may be able to target a starter and build from there.

We do have 2 pitchers in the top 100, Jose Santana and Jose Santos and both will be starting off in AAA this season. Makes me feel pretty good about our future. I like building from with in, it makes me feel good to have built this minor league system up to one of the tops in the game.

With our top prospects just about ready for the show it might be time to start looking to rebuild our system once again... maybe I should stop trading draft picks for a while.

[illeracula]

In the Delaware Conference it looks like there will be one race to watch, and that race will be in the Northern Conference, and possible not really a race for the wild card. I hope that isn't true, because part of the fun are the close races at the end of the season and watching how they unfold.

In the Colonial Division the Milford Clippers are picked to shine and win the Confernece by a huge 12 game margin. If they do pull it off it will be their 8th division title, with a shot to win their 4th title. The Seaford Blue Jays are the only other team in the Conference picked to win over .500. I am not sure how this division will turn out, but I don't think you can count out the Blue Jays or the Colinals just yet.

Predicted: Milford Clippers - 97-65 .599 (+12.0)

In the Northern Division the Iron Pigs are picked to rise to the top. They haven't made the playoffs since 2031, and are looking to reach them again for the 10th time of their existence. They have yet to win a title, but have come close a few times. They are a young team so it will be interesting to see if they can hold of the Chadds Ford Cannons, who are predicted to be just 2 games behind them, and are looking for their 3rd straight division title... and right behind the Cannons are the Christiana Blue Hens, another 2 games behind, and in search of their first playoff birth. This is looking to be one of the top divisions in the DE Conference, if not all of DBL.

Predicted: Wilmington Iron Pigs - 92-70 .568 (+2.0)

In a division that always seems to be Georgetown Sixteens versus the Lewes Braves, this year it looks to be back in Georgetown with the Sixteens winning by a whooping 14 games. The Sixteens have won the division the past 3 seasons and 4 of the past 5. Can they do it again this year or will the Braves have enough? One thing to watch this year is last years Sixteens closer Tony Hill (saved 43 games) will be the #4 man in the rotation this year.

Predicted: Georgetown Sixteens - 98-64 .605 (+14.0)

MVP Candidates: Patrick Coats (MIL), Naoaki Okubo (GEO), Mikel Wallstreet (CFD) and Lorenzo Montoya (CBH)
Golden Arms Candidates: Julio Lugo (WLM), Antonio Cortez (GEO), Ernie Kennedy (GEO) and Tony Hill (GEO)

Note: There are 5 "Wallstreets" in the DBL, 3 in the bigs, and 2 working their way up. I imported Mike Trout as Mikel Wallstreet, but the other 4 are just renamed players. The name Wallstreet and 4 of the names go back to my Tony LaRussa/Hardball 5 baseball days.

[illeracula]

The MarVa Conference is going to be a little closer compared to the Delaware Conference with battles for 2 divisions and the wild card. This may be a fun Conference to pay attention to if you like the races.

The Washington Senators have a winning history winning 2158 games during their existence, to a .533 winning pct. They were the first Champion of the DBL, and haven't won the title since. They have made the playoffs 7 times, 3 as the wild card. They are going for their third title in a row if they hold on this season. The Barons have been right on their tale of late, and will make another run at them this year.

Prediction: Washington Senators - 96-66 .593 (+5.0)

In the Mountain Division in 2037 the Martinsburg Mountaineers came out of no where and won the division and then the DBL title. That was their first season to make the playoffs, the first season they finished better than third, and this year they are on par to repeat... But the up and down Ellicott City Express are predicted to be just as good. The Express are an original team, but only have made the playoffs 1 time, winning the division in 2032. And you can't count out the Richmond Cardinals. They faltered last season, and will be out to prove they are better than their September showing.

Prediction: Martinsburg Mountaineers & Ellicott City Express - 91-71 .562 (+4.0)

In the Coastal Division it seems to be same ole, same ole, as the Norfolk Cavaliers are predicted to win the Division. If they can pull it off this will be #24 and #23 in a row. They have won 11 titles, but not since 2033. They are the class of the league winning 2654 games to a .655 winning percentage, and only missing the playoffs 2 times 2013 and 2015. It should be an interesting year for them, but historically they always end up on top.

Prediction: Norfolk Cavaliers - 97-65 .599 (+17.0)

MVP Candidates: Tyrone Jackson (MMM), Ricardo Hidalgo (WAS), Jesus Hernandez (WAS), and Leo O'Connor (ANP)
Golden Arms Candidates: Miguel Angel Gonzalez (NFK), Jose Hernandez (BAL), Anthony Sinclair (WAS) and Armando Santors (ECY)