Orcin's Story - Page 13

Orcin · 03-18-2012, 12:44 PM

May 13, 2002 (BNN)

Subject: Federal Awards Week’s Best Batter to Brown

Chris Brown has the tools to stick in this league for many years. The 24-year-old first baseman of the Louisville Colonels had a pretty fair bat in the Federal League over the past seven days and won the Player of the Week honors. Brown batted .667 with 12 hits in 18 at-bats, 4 home runs and 5 RBIs. Presently Brown is batting .331 with 11 home runs and 19 RBIs. He has played in 36 games and scored 29 times.

Orcin · 03-18-2012, 12:48 PM

May 13, 2002

Subject: Week 6 Notes

Record: 22-15, .595, - GB
Position: 1st place (3.5 game lead)
Runs Scored: 172 – 6th (tie) in Federal
Runs Allowed: 171 – 8th in Federal
Defense: .671 – 13th in Federal
Power Ranking: 104.0 (8th in CBA)
Owner Mood: Ecstatic; Fan Interest: 95/100 (lost 3 points this week)

• 2-4 last week: 1-2 vs. Sacramento, 1-2 at Houston
• I don’t like sub-.500 weeks, so I am NOT in a good mood as I write this update. I hope it doesn’t come across as too negative. I’ll try to mix in some positives.
• Ricardo Martinez was Player of the Day on Monday vs. Sacramento, beating them 9-0 on a 3-hit shutout. Martinez tied his own club record with 13 Ks.
• Lucio Martinez (new third baseman) also received a PotD for the same game by going 3-4 with 2 HR and 4 RBI. Lucio has a stat line of .311/.330/.592 this year.
• Todd Fletcher faced his playoff nemesis Ivan De Jesus in the first game of the Houston series. The result was about the same as last year. Fletcher was torched and De Jesus went all the way for the 14-2 win.
• The starting rotation is ranked 9th in the league with a 4.43 ERA. Fletcher (2-2, 4.31) is nowhere near the same dominating pitcher as last year. MacLain (5-0, 3.97) and Martinez (3-3, 4.21) have been decent but inconsistent.
• The end of the rotation, Sims and Clayton, are both over 5.00 ERA. They will pitch the first two games this week against Milwaukee, and they will be watched closely.
• Internal candidates to improve the rotation are swingman Jim Poole, veteran journeyman Fraser Wall and AAA prospect Ray Alexander.
• Clayton has been shopped with no interest. If he were waived and claimed, it could free up salary room to accommodate a trade for a frontline starter. Who, and at what cost, is yet to be determined.
• Reliever Kelly Dean has been awful (15.88 ERA, 1.76 WHIP, 4 HR in 6 innings) since he was called up to replace injured bull-rider Mike MacIntosh. Dean suffered a D-T-D injury that will keep him out next week, and maybe the rest will help him.
• This week: 3 at Milwaukee, 3 vs. San Diego

I will publish complete standings and league leaders at the midpoint of next week, along with some detailed comments about the roster and potential moves. I know how you guys at the barbershop love that stuff. Feel free to second-guess as always.

Orcin · 03-19-2012, 08:32 AM

2002 CBA Standings after 40 games

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I remind you that we won eight in a row to start the season. We are only 17-15 since then. St. Louis is hanging in there and they really scare me with all of their young talent.

Elsewhere in the Federal league, Houston has climbed up to above .500 and may be ready to seize control of their division. San Francisco continues to hang with San Diego.

Over in the Patriot League, the Baltimore-Boston-New York battle is shaping up to be a good one again this year. Detroit has improved via free agency to challenge Cleveland. Nashville and Atlanta are both surprise teams in the Southern Division.

Orcin · 03-19-2012, 08:34 AM

Leaders – 40 games

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It seems odd to see Louisville players among the offensive leaders, but there we are.

Orcin · 03-19-2012, 08:38 AM

Louisville Colonels roster with stats through 40 games (05/16/2002)

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• We are allowing almost one run per game more than last season. The defense is not the problem. The starting rotation is not where it needs to be and it is time for some changes.
• The weakest link in the rotation is Clayton. He has no trade value. A team might be desperate enough to take his $10 million contract on a waiver claim. If he clears waivers, there is no guarantee that he will accept a demotion to AAA.
• Internal options to replace Clayton: Jeff Moreno when he returns from the D/L, Jim Poole (better suited to be a long reliever and emergency starter), Fraser Wall (veteran starter on 40-man roster), Ray Alexander (AAA prospect off to a hot start).
• Dean will be sent back to AAA when MacIntosh returns in a few days. I don’t plan to send MacIntosh down for a rehab assignment. Instead, I will get him a couple of garbage time appearances before having him close.
• The rest of the bullpen has been pretty good, but O’Daniel is not pitching at the level where he expects to be paid. Chris Patterson has been erratic.
• You might notice that the “optimized” lineup is still primarily in use. We are scoring precisely the same number of runs per game as last season.
• Pierre-Louis Simon must like Sal’s gumbo. He is playing extremely well and we finally have a legitimate leadoff hitter.
• McGlone picked up his performance of late and returned to the 2-hole. He still isn’t close to last year’s level though.
• The middle of the lineup, including Silas Campbell, is playing at All-Star level.
• New third baseman Lucio Martinez has moved up to sixth in the lineup and has taken charge at the position. It’s great when a star just falls into your lap for free.
• Rodney Wright is having a decent year, but he is not a good value at $10 million. He is signed for two more years at $11 million and I have lots of young alternatives.
• Harry Hall is tearing up AAA and he might be a better fourth outfielder in place of Ramon Hernandez, who has options but refuses to be demoted. Hernandez may force my hand eventually, but for now I will leave him on the roster.
• Brian Smith is slumping and Hall could replace him, but Smith is out of options and won’t clear waivers. Sal says Smith’s poor production is due to lack of playing time. It could be that he would play better in a full time role, but I don’t have one for him.

I have a few players in mind to package in trade for a starter. You can probably guess who by reading the notes above. Moreno is my best internal option to improve the rotation, but I really want him in the bullpen. My gut tells me to trade for a starter that could push the whole rotation (except maybe Fletcher) down a slot. It doesn’t seem like the time to panic though. Moreno will be back in four weeks, and the team is playing at a 100-win pace. But am I being lulled into a false sense of security by our won-lost record? This is not about the regular season. It’s about winning a short playoff series.

Nunyer · 03-19-2012, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orcin

I have a few players in mind to package in trade for a starter. You can probably guess who by reading the notes above. Moreno is my best internal option to improve the rotation, but I really want him in the bullpen. My gut tells me to trade for a starter that could push the whole rotation (except maybe Fletcher) down a slot. It doesn’t seem like the time to panic though. Moreno will be back in four weeks, and the team is playing at a 100-win pace. But am I being lulled into a false sense of security by our won-lost record? This is not about the regular season. It’s about winning a short playoff series.

The win-loss record is always a false sense of security... But if you are going all-in-to-win this year, I think you've still got time. Wait for some more chips to fall, for the teams with cheap owners to bail on the season... Especially if you are just looking for an upcoming free agent rental... asking prices will probably still be too high in May.

Jabez54 · 03-19-2012, 10:55 PM

Good insights there, Nunyer ... this year teams, are getting tougher, mate ...

Orcin · 03-20-2012, 08:37 AM

Trade Market – Starting Pitchers

Just for grins, I contacted a few GMs about trades for #1 starting pitchers. I need to see what it will take to land one. I started by checking BNN’s Top-10 list for pitchers. Several of them are impossible for me to even make an offer because I can’t afford the contract. I was able to get a price-check on a couple though.

Boston will consider a trade of Robert Campos, their big free agent acquisition from the past off-season. Campos has started slowly with a 4.77 ERA, but he is no doubt an elite starter. He is only 26 and signed to a reasonable contract for an ace.

Boston will trade Campos for Rodney Wright, David O’Daniel, Brian Smith AND catcher prospect Duncan Bland. That’s a lot to give up for one pitcher. This trade is typical for an available Top-10 starter that I can afford. There is very little chance of completing a deal for a Top-10 starting pitcher without including a player or two that I won’t give up. So I expanded my search to the Top 25 pitchers according to Fernando’s star ratings.

The Philadelphia Firebirds are willing to trade Gilberto Huertas, a promising 26-year-old right-handed starter who has yet to put up superb numbers. He was 17-13 with a 3.47 ERA in 2000. He slipped to 14-15 4.01 last year, but still made the All-Star team. So far in 2002, he is 3-5 with a 5.83 ERA, but his .388 BABIP indicates that he has not been quite that bad. Fernando has him rated as the #11 (current) among starters in the CBA (17th on potential). For comparison, he rates Fletcher at #15 (28th on potential).

Philadelphia will trade Huertas for several different players that I am willing to deal. The Firebirds are interested in Jim Poole, and he is expendable when Moreno returns from the D/L. Rodney Wright can help them at second base and they have interest if I pay part of his salary, but not alone for Huertas. Poole, Wright, and cash might get it done.

Huertas will be arbitration eligible after this season and the estimate is $5.5 million. He could be a great addition if I could lock him up for several years at an affordable figure. His intangibles are good and he is a popular player that could offset the negative fan interest from trading Wright.

I want to be patient but I have also learned that one cannot assume that a player will be available later just because they are available today. Circumstances change. It is best to strike while the iron is hot. I built this team around pitching and defense. The starting pitching needs to be better than middle of the pack for us to win in the post-season.

Sal, The Barber · 03-20-2012, 08:47 AM

Sal says send McGlone down to the shop for a trim. Sal will talk sense into him (maybe give him some of that gumbo or swat him with a curling broom). We got to get that guy hitting.

Pardon Sal's lack of activity on this forum, he's been trying to spiffy up the shop. Calling it "creepy" really hurt old Sal, but Sal decided not to wallow in sorrow. He got to work. Rolled up the sleeves, washed the windows, shined up the pole. Replaced a light bulb or six. Replaced a counter and a sink. Found some fresh paint for the place.

You can see how well the updates lift our customers' spirits. Look at Nunyer's sage advice. Where do you think he got da inspiration? Sal's shop, of course. He won't let Sal trim that hair of his, but he comes down for the inspiration, clearly. That and a shave. Sal still knows how to use a straight razor. One of his former wives taught him that; yep, the one that also taught him a little something about voodoo. Never knew what happened to that ol' girl. Went out one day into da swamp. Never came back. Humpf.

Orcin · 03-20-2012, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sal, The Barber

Pardon Sal's lack of activity on this forum, he's been trying to spiffy up the shop. Calling it "creepy" really hurt old Sal, but Sal decided not to wallow in sorrow. He got to work. Rolled up the sleeves, washed the windows, shined up the pole. Replaced a light bulb or six. Replaced a counter and a sink. Found some fresh paint for the place.

Good to hear from you, Sal. I have some tickets to Sunday's game against San Diego for you. Even better, Jennifer has agreed to personally deliver them. She says she feels bad about her lack of tolerance and wants to make it right. (I think she also got a little freaked out about the voodoo thing and wants to make sure she is on your good side.)

So look for Jennifer to come by today... sometime in the daylight, she says.

Nunyer · 03-20-2012, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orcin

Trade Market – Starting Pitchers
I want to be patient but I have also learned that one cannot assume that a player will be available later just because they are available today. Circumstances change. It is best to strike while the iron is hot. I built this team around pitching and defense. The starting pitching needs to be better than middle of the pack for us to win in the post-season.

Well, if you can land a player you covet for a price you are willing to pay... then maybe now is the time to strike. Especially if you will be acquiring a long term piece for the team and not just a rental to get you over the championship hump. I've found that when looking for obvious rentals, the market really opens up in July and the prices drop... But when looking for a younger, affordable long term guy... yea... that market usually is what it is regardless of the calendar.

Orcin · 03-20-2012, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nunyer

Well, if you can land a player you covet for a price you are willing to pay... then maybe now is the time to strike. Especially if you will be acquiring a long term piece for the team and not just a rental to get you over the championship hump. I've found that when looking for obvious rentals, the market really opens up in July and the prices drop... But when looking for a younger, affordable long term guy... yea... that market usually is what it is regardless of the calendar.

But I want to be patient...

Current mood = conflicted. I will clarify that I am not looking for a rental. Long-term piece is the right description. I think my indecision is based on the fact that Huertas is not a player that I covet, plus my pitching is on an uptick this week as you will see in my next post.

Orcin · 03-20-2012, 02:54 PM

May 20, 2002

Subject: Week 7 Notes

Record: 28-15, .651, - GB
Position: 1st place (6.5 game lead)
Runs Scored: 215 – 5th in Federal
Runs Allowed: 187 – 6th (tie) in Federal
Defense: .678 – 13th in Federal
Power Ranking: 127.2 (3rd in CBA)
Owner Mood: Ecstatic; Fan Interest: 95/100

• Last week (6-0): 3-0 at Milwaukee, 3-0 vs. San Diego
• The weekend series vs. San Diego gave me a great chance to evaluate the middle of my starting rotation against a likely playoff opponent.
• Game 1: Ron MacLain pitched eight innings and allowed only one run on an inside-the-park homer that glanced off the glove of Hernandez in right field. MacLain also went 3-3 with 2 RBIs. MacLain’s game score was 70.
• Game 2: Ricardo Martinez went all the way, allowing one run and striking out eight. Martinez had a game score of 78 and was Player of the Day.
• Game 3: Ron Sims cruised after a six-run first inning by the Colonels. Sims allowed one earned run in six innings of work and put up a game score of 60.
• Chris Brown was Player of the Day on Sunday, going 3-4 with 2 HR and 5 RBI. Brown is now tied with Pierre-Louis Simon for the league lead in batting at .333.
• Ex-Louisville reliever Kaz Mizuno has struggled in Milwaukee. He has a 5.29 ERA and a 1.82 WHIP. He is no longer the closer. I think I was right about this one.
• Ex-Louisville first baseman David Harris is putting together an All-Star season in Philadelphia. His stat line after 33 games in a platoon role is .343/.414/.687.
• This week: 3 vs. Cleveland, 4 vs. Denver

Dan Clayton will get one more start on Monday vs. Cleveland. They are 20-12 vs. RHP but only 4-8 vs. LHP. If Clayton can’t beat them, he can’t beat anyone and might as well be waived.

Update on Dan Clayton’s start: He pitched into the ninth without allowing a run to beat Cleveland 6-0. Clayton (3-3, 4.44) received a game score of 73. I guess all that was needed to improve my starting pitching was to examine the trade market.

Denny Lemaster · 03-20-2012, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orcin

Current mood = conflicted. I will clarify that I am not looking for a rental. Long-term piece is the right description. I think my indecision is based on the fact that Huertas is not a player that I covet, plus my pitching is on an uptick this week as you will see in my next post.

Good for you, it is always tempting in OOTP (since the money isn't real) to make that short term win-now deal.

Orcin · 03-20-2012, 08:00 PM

May 20, 2002

Subject: Personal Message from C Rodolphe Murat

Dear Mr. Orcin,

I am very happy playing in Louisville. I'd like to stick around after my contract expires at the end of the season, but I need to know if you are willing to work with me on a new deal. Let me hear your offer. I really want to remain with the Colonels. I love playing here and living here. It's a great organization and a wonderful city.

Rodolphe Murat

**********

Murat is hitting .179 with 1 RBI in 8 starts at catcher. His VORP is -1.3 and his salary is $950K. I have the league’s best catching prospect at AAA, where he will probably make the All-Star team. Nope, I don’t think I am willing to work with Murat on a new contract. He is a good defensive catcher though. I am willing to let him stick around for the rest of the season so he can win a ring with us.

Nunyer · 03-20-2012, 08:11 PM

I'd be tempted to keep him around just for his name... Rodolphe Murat ... that thing must set off the spell checker in a half dozen or more languages!

Orcin · 03-21-2012, 09:14 AM

May 23, 2002

Subject: Scouting Report on Ray Alexander

Ray Alexander was the #1 pick (11th overall) of the Louisville Colonels in the 1998 draft. He was highly regarded out of high school and was rated the #12 prospect in the CBA heading into the 1999 season. He owned Class-A with a 15-3 record and a 2.39 ERA, but somehow he fell off the radar at BNN and has not been rated a Top-100 prospect since that first year.

Undaunted, Alexander moved up to AA where he posted a good 2000 season at 10-11 with a 3.21 ERA pitching for a bad team. He delivered another good year (12-9, 3.40, 195 innings) at AAA in 2001. So far this season, the 22-year-old right-hander is rocking AAA with a 5-0 record and a 2.09 ERA in 7 starts.

Alexander has three solid pitches and pretty good stamina. His fastball tops out at 95 mph and he compliments it with two outstanding breaking pitches. His weakness has been control, but he has only allowed 15 walks in 51 innings so far this year. He has a great work ethic and is seen as a leader in the clubhouse.

How long are we going to wait before we see this prospect pitch in the majors? He is ready now, but don’t expect too much – perhaps a mid-rotation starter. A consistent mid-rotation starter sounds pretty good right now, but that might be overly optimistic.

Fernando Candelaria

Orcin · 03-21-2012, 11:34 AM

May 27, 2002 (BNN)

Subject: Martínez Week’s Best in Federal

At the age of 27, Lúcio Martínez might have some potential he hasn't realized yet -- if his success at the plate last week is any indication. The Louisville third baseman put up some exceptional numbers the past seven days with a .478 batting average. He racked up 11 hits in 23 at-bats, 3 home runs and 7 RBIs last week in 7 games. For his efforts Martínez collected the Federal League Player of the Week Award.

This season Martínez is swinging the bat at a .348 rate with 54 hits in 155 at-bats. To date he has hit 12 home runs, scored 27 runs and driven in 26.

Orcin · 03-21-2012, 08:08 PM

May 27, 2002

Subject: Week 8 Notes

Record: 32-18, .640, - GB
Position: 1st place (6.5 game lead)
Runs Scored: 248 – 3rd in Federal
Runs Allowed: 213 – 7th in Federal
Defense: .682 – 13th in Federal
Power Ranking: 120.2 (3rd in CBA)
Owner Mood: Ecstatic; Fan Interest: 94/100

• Last week (4-3): 2-1 vs. Cleveland, 2-2 vs. Denver
• I think I have finally found my third baseman in Lúcio Martínez. He is eligible for arbitration this off-season, so I intend to approach him about a contract extension.
• I am no longer concerned about the offense. The starting pitching issues are getting all of my attention at the moment.
• Dan Clayton was awarded a PotD for his near-shutout vs. Cleveland. He followed that with a seven-inning, two-run outing against Denver (game score of 49).
• Mike MacIntosh returned from the D/L and apologized to the team for his ill-fated bull ride. What’s said in the locker room… stays in the locker room.
• MacIntosh will pitch in middle relief for a couple of games before he returns to the closer role.
• Kelly Dean (15.88 ERA in 6 innings) was optioned back to AAA to clear a spot for MacIntosh. He was simply terrible but he was not given consistent work.
• Rodrigo Melendez and Mario Chavez were outstanding as replacements in the closer and setup roles while MacIntosh was out. In addition, vet Bryan McConnell has been superb when needed.
• Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water… Ron MacLain and Jim Poole were bombed for 10 runs in four innings in the loss to Cleveland.
• Ricardo Martinez came out the next day and coughed up 7 runs in three innings.
• Sunday’s game against Denver was a 1-0 win. Fletcher went seven followed by Melendez in the eighth and MacIntosh closing it out. Silas Campbell homered in the sixth for the only run.
• Campbell has 13 HR and leads the team with 33 RBIs.
• Manager Byrne will tweak the lineup for next week, putting Brown (.341/.429/.683 and hot) in the cleanup spot and dropping Banks (.299/.355/.560) to fifth.
• This week: 3 vs. Seattle, 3 at Indianapolis

Orcin · 03-22-2012, 08:33 AM

May 31, 2002 (BNN)

Subject: Star 3B Signs Pact with Colonels

Happy times in Louisville as the Colonels and star third baseman Lúcio Martínez put the finishing touches on a $10,500,000 contract extension that will keep the 27-year-old in town 4 years longer. Martínez is currently batting .347 with 13 home runs, 31 RBIs and 29 runs scored. He has 58 hits in 167 at-bats. The signing is great news for Louisville because players of this caliber are hard to come by.

(Actually it’s not that hard. You can just claim them off waivers... but who am I to argue with BNN?)

03-19-2012, 08:32 AM	#243
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,868	2002 CBA Standings after 40 games I remind you that we won eight in a row to start the season. We are only 17-15 since then. St. Louis is hanging in there and they really scare me with all of their young talent. Elsewhere in the Federal league, Houston has climbed up to above .500 and may be ready to seize control of their division. San Francisco continues to hang with San Diego. Over in the Patriot League, the Baltimore-Boston-New York battle is shaping up to be a good one again this year. Detroit has improved via free agency to challenge Cleveland. Nashville and Atlanta are both surprise teams in the Southern Division. Last edited by Orcin; 05-19-2015 at 10:43 AM.

03-19-2012, 08:34 AM	#244
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,868	Leaders – 40 games It seems odd to see Louisville players among the offensive leaders, but there we are. Last edited by Orcin; 05-19-2015 at 10:44 AM.

03-19-2012, 08:38 AM	#245
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,868	Louisville Colonels roster with stats through 40 games (05/16/2002) • We are allowing almost one run per game more than last season. The defense is not the problem. The starting rotation is not where it needs to be and it is time for some changes. • The weakest link in the rotation is Clayton. He has no trade value. A team might be desperate enough to take his $10 million contract on a waiver claim. If he clears waivers, there is no guarantee that he will accept a demotion to AAA. • Internal options to replace Clayton: Jeff Moreno when he returns from the D/L, Jim Poole (better suited to be a long reliever and emergency starter), Fraser Wall (veteran starter on 40-man roster), Ray Alexander (AAA prospect off to a hot start). • Dean will be sent back to AAA when MacIntosh returns in a few days. I don’t plan to send MacIntosh down for a rehab assignment. Instead, I will get him a couple of garbage time appearances before having him close. • The rest of the bullpen has been pretty good, but O’Daniel is not pitching at the level where he expects to be paid. Chris Patterson has been erratic. • You might notice that the “optimized” lineup is still primarily in use. We are scoring precisely the same number of runs per game as last season. • Pierre-Louis Simon must like Sal’s gumbo. He is playing extremely well and we finally have a legitimate leadoff hitter. • McGlone picked up his performance of late and returned to the 2-hole. He still isn’t close to last year’s level though. • The middle of the lineup, including Silas Campbell, is playing at All-Star level. • New third baseman Lucio Martinez has moved up to sixth in the lineup and has taken charge at the position. It’s great when a star just falls into your lap for free. • Rodney Wright is having a decent year, but he is not a good value at $10 million. He is signed for two more years at $11 million and I have lots of young alternatives. • Harry Hall is tearing up AAA and he might be a better fourth outfielder in place of Ramon Hernandez, who has options but refuses to be demoted. Hernandez may force my hand eventually, but for now I will leave him on the roster. • Brian Smith is slumping and Hall could replace him, but Smith is out of options and won’t clear waivers. Sal says Smith’s poor production is due to lack of playing time. It could be that he would play better in a full time role, but I don’t have one for him. I have a few players in mind to package in trade for a starter. You can probably guess who by reading the notes above. Moreno is my best internal option to improve the rotation, but I really want him in the bullpen. My gut tells me to trade for a starter that could push the whole rotation (except maybe Fletcher) down a slot. It doesn’t seem like the time to panic though. Moreno will be back in four weeks, and the team is playing at a 100-win pace. But am I being lulled into a false sense of security by our won-lost record? This is not about the regular season. It’s about winning a short playoff series. Last edited by Orcin; 05-19-2015 at 10:45 AM.

03-19-2012, 10:55 PM	#247
Jabez54 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Former Southie Posts: 2,139	Good insights there, Nunyer ... this year teams, are getting tougher, mate ... __________________ Always a pleasure to stop in and visit the neighborhood!! Last edited by Jabez54; 03-20-2012 at 08:23 AM.

03-20-2012, 02:54 PM	#253
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,868	May 20, 2002 Subject: Week 7 Notes Record: 28-15, .651, - GB Position: 1st place (6.5 game lead) Runs Scored: 215 – 5th in Federal Runs Allowed: 187 – 6th (tie) in Federal Defense: .678 – 13th in Federal Power Ranking: 127.2 (3rd in CBA) Owner Mood: Ecstatic; Fan Interest: 95/100 • Last week (6-0): 3-0 at Milwaukee, 3-0 vs. San Diego • The weekend series vs. San Diego gave me a great chance to evaluate the middle of my starting rotation against a likely playoff opponent. • Game 1: Ron MacLain pitched eight innings and allowed only one run on an inside-the-park homer that glanced off the glove of Hernandez in right field. MacLain also went 3-3 with 2 RBIs. MacLain’s game score was 70. • Game 2: Ricardo Martinez went all the way, allowing one run and striking out eight. Martinez had a game score of 78 and was Player of the Day. • Game 3: Ron Sims cruised after a six-run first inning by the Colonels. Sims allowed one earned run in six innings of work and put up a game score of 60. • Chris Brown was Player of the Day on Sunday, going 3-4 with 2 HR and 5 RBI. Brown is now tied with Pierre-Louis Simon for the league lead in batting at .333. • Ex-Louisville reliever Kaz Mizuno has struggled in Milwaukee. He has a 5.29 ERA and a 1.82 WHIP. He is no longer the closer. I think I was right about this one. • Ex-Louisville first baseman David Harris is putting together an All-Star season in Philadelphia. His stat line after 33 games in a platoon role is .343/.414/.687. • This week: 3 vs. Cleveland, 4 vs. Denver Dan Clayton will get one more start on Monday vs. Cleveland. They are 20-12 vs. RHP but only 4-8 vs. LHP. If Clayton can’t beat them, he can’t beat anyone and might as well be waived. Update on Dan Clayton’s start: He pitched into the ninth without allowing a run to beat Cleveland 6-0. Clayton (3-3, 4.44) received a game score of 73. I guess all that was needed to improve my starting pitching was to examine the trade market. Last edited by Orcin; 03-20-2012 at 07:57 PM. Reason: added update on Clayton's start

03-18-2012, 12:44 PM	#241
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,868	May 13, 2002 (BNN) Subject: Federal Awards Week’s Best Batter to Brown Chris Brown has the tools to stick in this league for many years. The 24-year-old first baseman of the Louisville Colonels had a pretty fair bat in the Federal League over the past seven days and won the Player of the Week honors. Brown batted .667 with 12 hits in 18 at-bats, 4 home runs and 5 RBIs. Presently Brown is batting .331 with 11 home runs and 19 RBIs. He has played in 36 games and scored 29 times.

03-18-2012, 12:48 PM	#242
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,868	May 13, 2002 Subject: Week 6 Notes Record: 22-15, .595, - GB Position: 1st place (3.5 game lead) Runs Scored: 172 – 6th (tie) in Federal Runs Allowed: 171 – 8th in Federal Defense: .671 – 13th in Federal Power Ranking: 104.0 (8th in CBA) Owner Mood: Ecstatic; Fan Interest: 95/100 (lost 3 points this week) • 2-4 last week: 1-2 vs. Sacramento, 1-2 at Houston • I don’t like sub-.500 weeks, so I am NOT in a good mood as I write this update. I hope it doesn’t come across as too negative. I’ll try to mix in some positives. • Ricardo Martinez was Player of the Day on Monday vs. Sacramento, beating them 9-0 on a 3-hit shutout. Martinez tied his own club record with 13 Ks. • Lucio Martinez (new third baseman) also received a PotD for the same game by going 3-4 with 2 HR and 4 RBI. Lucio has a stat line of .311/.330/.592 this year. • Todd Fletcher faced his playoff nemesis Ivan De Jesus in the first game of the Houston series. The result was about the same as last year. Fletcher was torched and De Jesus went all the way for the 14-2 win. • The starting rotation is ranked 9th in the league with a 4.43 ERA. Fletcher (2-2, 4.31) is nowhere near the same dominating pitcher as last year. MacLain (5-0, 3.97) and Martinez (3-3, 4.21) have been decent but inconsistent. • The end of the rotation, Sims and Clayton, are both over 5.00 ERA. They will pitch the first two games this week against Milwaukee, and they will be watched closely. • Internal candidates to improve the rotation are swingman Jim Poole, veteran journeyman Fraser Wall and AAA prospect Ray Alexander. • Clayton has been shopped with no interest. If he were waived and claimed, it could free up salary room to accommodate a trade for a frontline starter. Who, and at what cost, is yet to be determined. • Reliever Kelly Dean has been awful (15.88 ERA, 1.76 WHIP, 4 HR in 6 innings) since he was called up to replace injured bull-rider Mike MacIntosh. Dean suffered a D-T-D injury that will keep him out next week, and maybe the rest will help him. • This week: 3 at Milwaukee, 3 vs. San Diego I will publish complete standings and league leaders at the midpoint of next week, along with some detailed comments about the roster and potential moves. I know how you guys at the barbershop love that stuff. Feel free to second-guess as always.

03-20-2012, 08:37 AM	#248
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,868	Trade Market – Starting Pitchers Just for grins, I contacted a few GMs about trades for #1 starting pitchers. I need to see what it will take to land one. I started by checking BNN’s Top-10 list for pitchers. Several of them are impossible for me to even make an offer because I can’t afford the contract. I was able to get a price-check on a couple though. Boston will consider a trade of Robert Campos, their big free agent acquisition from the past off-season. Campos has started slowly with a 4.77 ERA, but he is no doubt an elite starter. He is only 26 and signed to a reasonable contract for an ace. Boston will trade Campos for Rodney Wright, David O’Daniel, Brian Smith AND catcher prospect Duncan Bland. That’s a lot to give up for one pitcher. This trade is typical for an available Top-10 starter that I can afford. There is very little chance of completing a deal for a Top-10 starting pitcher without including a player or two that I won’t give up. So I expanded my search to the Top 25 pitchers according to Fernando’s star ratings. The Philadelphia Firebirds are willing to trade Gilberto Huertas, a promising 26-year-old right-handed starter who has yet to put up superb numbers. He was 17-13 with a 3.47 ERA in 2000. He slipped to 14-15 4.01 last year, but still made the All-Star team. So far in 2002, he is 3-5 with a 5.83 ERA, but his .388 BABIP indicates that he has not been quite that bad. Fernando has him rated as the #11 (current) among starters in the CBA (17th on potential). For comparison, he rates Fletcher at #15 (28th on potential). Philadelphia will trade Huertas for several different players that I am willing to deal. The Firebirds are interested in Jim Poole, and he is expendable when Moreno returns from the D/L. Rodney Wright can help them at second base and they have interest if I pay part of his salary, but not alone for Huertas. Poole, Wright, and cash might get it done. Huertas will be arbitration eligible after this season and the estimate is $5.5 million. He could be a great addition if I could lock him up for several years at an affordable figure. His intangibles are good and he is a popular player that could offset the negative fan interest from trading Wright. I want to be patient but I have also learned that one cannot assume that a player will be available later just because they are available today. Circumstances change. It is best to strike while the iron is hot. I built this team around pitching and defense. The starting pitching needs to be better than middle of the pack for us to win in the post-season.

03-20-2012, 08:47 AM	#249
Sal, The Barber All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Youngstown, OH Posts: 594	Sal says send McGlone down to the shop for a trim. Sal will talk sense into him (maybe give him some of that gumbo or swat him with a curling broom). We got to get that guy hitting. Pardon Sal's lack of activity on this forum, he's been trying to spiffy up the shop. Calling it "creepy" really hurt old Sal, but Sal decided not to wallow in sorrow. He got to work. Rolled up the sleeves, washed the windows, shined up the pole. Replaced a light bulb or six. Replaced a counter and a sink. Found some fresh paint for the place. You can see how well the updates lift our customers' spirits. Look at Nunyer's sage advice. Where do you think he got da inspiration? Sal's shop, of course. He won't let Sal trim that hair of his, but he comes down for the inspiration, clearly. That and a shave. Sal still knows how to use a straight razor. One of his former wives taught him that; yep, the one that also taught him a little something about voodoo. Never knew what happened to that ol' girl. Went out one day into da swamp. Never came back. Humpf.

03-20-2012, 08:00 PM	#255
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,868	May 20, 2002 Subject: Personal Message from C Rodolphe Murat Dear Mr. Orcin, I am very happy playing in Louisville. I'd like to stick around after my contract expires at the end of the season, but I need to know if you are willing to work with me on a new deal. Let me hear your offer. I really want to remain with the Colonels. I love playing here and living here. It's a great organization and a wonderful city. Rodolphe Murat ********** Murat is hitting .179 with 1 RBI in 8 starts at catcher. His VORP is -1.3 and his salary is $950K. I have the league’s best catching prospect at AAA, where he will probably make the All-Star team. Nope, I don’t think I am willing to work with Murat on a new contract. He is a good defensive catcher though. I am willing to let him stick around for the rest of the season so he can win a ring with us.

03-20-2012, 08:11 PM	#256
Nunyer All Star Reserve Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Baseball Ned Flanders stares into your soul... Posts: 594	I'd be tempted to keep him around just for his name... Rodolphe Murat ... that thing must set off the spell checker in a half dozen or more languages!

03-21-2012, 09:14 AM	#257
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,868	May 23, 2002 Subject: Scouting Report on Ray Alexander Ray Alexander was the #1 pick (11th overall) of the Louisville Colonels in the 1998 draft. He was highly regarded out of high school and was rated the #12 prospect in the CBA heading into the 1999 season. He owned Class-A with a 15-3 record and a 2.39 ERA, but somehow he fell off the radar at BNN and has not been rated a Top-100 prospect since that first year. Undaunted, Alexander moved up to AA where he posted a good 2000 season at 10-11 with a 3.21 ERA pitching for a bad team. He delivered another good year (12-9, 3.40, 195 innings) at AAA in 2001. So far this season, the 22-year-old right-hander is rocking AAA with a 5-0 record and a 2.09 ERA in 7 starts. Alexander has three solid pitches and pretty good stamina. His fastball tops out at 95 mph and he compliments it with two outstanding breaking pitches. His weakness has been control, but he has only allowed 15 walks in 51 innings so far this year. He has a great work ethic and is seen as a leader in the clubhouse. How long are we going to wait before we see this prospect pitch in the majors? He is ready now, but don’t expect too much – perhaps a mid-rotation starter. A consistent mid-rotation starter sounds pretty good right now, but that might be overly optimistic. Fernando Candelaria

03-21-2012, 11:34 AM	#258
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,868	May 27, 2002 (BNN) Subject: Martínez Week’s Best in Federal At the age of 27, Lúcio Martínez might have some potential he hasn't realized yet -- if his success at the plate last week is any indication. The Louisville third baseman put up some exceptional numbers the past seven days with a .478 batting average. He racked up 11 hits in 23 at-bats, 3 home runs and 7 RBIs last week in 7 games. For his efforts Martínez collected the Federal League Player of the Week Award. This season Martínez is swinging the bat at a .348 rate with 54 hits in 155 at-bats. To date he has hit 12 home runs, scored 27 runs and driven in 26.

03-21-2012, 08:08 PM	#259
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,868	May 27, 2002 Subject: Week 8 Notes Record: 32-18, .640, - GB Position: 1st place (6.5 game lead) Runs Scored: 248 – 3rd in Federal Runs Allowed: 213 – 7th in Federal Defense: .682 – 13th in Federal Power Ranking: 120.2 (3rd in CBA) Owner Mood: Ecstatic; Fan Interest: 94/100 • Last week (4-3): 2-1 vs. Cleveland, 2-2 vs. Denver • I think I have finally found my third baseman in Lúcio Martínez. He is eligible for arbitration this off-season, so I intend to approach him about a contract extension. • I am no longer concerned about the offense. The starting pitching issues are getting all of my attention at the moment. • Dan Clayton was awarded a PotD for his near-shutout vs. Cleveland. He followed that with a seven-inning, two-run outing against Denver (game score of 49). • Mike MacIntosh returned from the D/L and apologized to the team for his ill-fated bull ride. What’s said in the locker room… stays in the locker room. • MacIntosh will pitch in middle relief for a couple of games before he returns to the closer role. • Kelly Dean (15.88 ERA in 6 innings) was optioned back to AAA to clear a spot for MacIntosh. He was simply terrible but he was not given consistent work. • Rodrigo Melendez and Mario Chavez were outstanding as replacements in the closer and setup roles while MacIntosh was out. In addition, vet Bryan McConnell has been superb when needed. • Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water… Ron MacLain and Jim Poole were bombed for 10 runs in four innings in the loss to Cleveland. • Ricardo Martinez came out the next day and coughed up 7 runs in three innings. • Sunday’s game against Denver was a 1-0 win. Fletcher went seven followed by Melendez in the eighth and MacIntosh closing it out. Silas Campbell homered in the sixth for the only run. • Campbell has 13 HR and leads the team with 33 RBIs. • Manager Byrne will tweak the lineup for next week, putting Brown (.341/.429/.683 and hot) in the cleanup spot and dropping Banks (.299/.355/.560) to fifth. • This week: 3 vs. Seattle, 3 at Indianapolis

03-22-2012, 08:33 AM	#260
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,868	May 31, 2002 (BNN) Subject: Star 3B Signs Pact with Colonels Happy times in Louisville as the Colonels and star third baseman Lúcio Martínez put the finishing touches on a $10,500,000 contract extension that will keep the 27-year-old in town 4 years longer. Martínez is currently batting .347 with 13 home runs, 31 RBIs and 29 runs scored. He has 58 hits in 167 at-bats. The signing is great news for Louisville because players of this caliber are hard to come by. (Actually it’s not that hard. You can just claim them off waivers... but who am I to argue with BNN?)