Orcin Returns

[Orcin]

June 7, 2016

Sacramento put SP Francisco Longoria on the trading block today. Longoria is a strong (6’3”, 235 pounds) hard-throwing right-hander in the prime of his career at age 29. He is 6-4 with a 2.95 ERA this season, and was 20-9 with a 3.45 ERA in 2015. He made the All-Star team in 2012 and 2014.

Longoria is a classic innings-eater with 43 complete games in 212 career starts. Since he became a regular rotation fixture in 2012, he has a record of 74-44 with a 3.10 ERA. He has averaged 260 innings per year over that period with 205 K’s and a 1.05 WHIP.

Longoria gives up his share of taters (about 30 per year) but they are mostly solo shots because he rarely walks anyone. His career K/BB ratio is almost 5:1. Green says he is not quite #1 material, but I don’t see anything missing. He has a 98-100 mph fastball, a nice splitter, and a wicked array of breaking pitches including a forkball and screwball. Green rates him at 4 stars with 7 stuff, 8 movement, and 9 control.

Longoria’s 2016 salary is $10.5M. He will be a free agent after this season, and most certainly will be compensation eligible. So anyone trading for him is going to get a draft pick as a consolation prize if a long-term contract cannot be negotiated. He is not known as a greedy player, so getting a deal done under $20M/year is not out of the question.

I can certainly afford him but a few other players would have to go. I would have to wait until the season ends to sign him because Bland’s pending team option decision is consuming my budget for contract extensions. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. What does Sacramento want for Longoria? They are obviously anxious to trade him, having put him on the trading block.

Sacramento GM Eric Allen has cash and he is willing to pay the remaining $6 million on Longoria’s 2016 salary in order to facilitate a deal. I offered SP Pippino Franchitti and Allen likes him well enough to continue the discussion, but he wants top-rated prospects to go with Franchitti.

I obtained 24 y/o LF Jeremy Fisher from Seattle in the Rafael Valdez trade. Fisher has ascended from #98 to #70 on the Top Prospects reports. However, Green has lowered his opinion of Fisher dramatically since he came into the organization. He now sees him as no more than a platoon player. Fisher is struggling in his first AAA season, currently batting .191 with 4 HR in 42 games. Allen still sees him as a high potential top-rated prospect, similar to the impression that we had from outside the organization.

I offered to add Fisher to the deal and Allen said, “Ok, I have to think about this.”

I feel a sense of urgency to get this deal done quickly in order to keep him away from other Federal League contenders like Milwaukee. I don’t want to leave Longoria on the market for another team. I said, “Make this work now!” He did.

[Orcin]

June 7, 2016 (BNN)

Subject: Louisville, Sacramento Announce Swap

The players apparently knew they were on the trading block, so it did not surprise 29-year-old starting pitcher Francisco Longoria when he learned that he had been traded to Louisville. "Got my bags packed already," Longoria said, when reached for comment.

The Colonels will receive Longoria and $6,000,000 in cash, while 30-year-old starting pitcher Pippino Franchitti, 24-year-old minor league left fielder Jeremy Fisher and 24-year-old minor league third baseman José Vázquez will go to the Sacramento Outlaws.

Franchitti has a 4-2 season record so far. In 11 starts, he has fanned 41 batters in 66.2 innings with a 4.86 ERA.

This season Longoria has fanned 73 in 85.1 innings and collected a 6-4 record with a 2.95 ERA. Longoria will start the third game of the Chicago series on Wednesday according to Colonels GM Otto Orcin.

Fan interest in Louisville went up 2 points on news of the trade.

[Tyke]

Looks like a good deal. Orcin strikes again!

[Orcin]

June 13, 2016

Subject: Week 10 Notes

Record: 35-28, .556, 7.5 GB
Position: 3rd place (behind Milwaukee and Indianapolis)
Runs Scored: 286 – 6th in Federal
Runs Allowed: 263 – 7th in Federal
Defense: .706 – 3rd in Federal (1st in CBA)
Power Ranking: 105.0 (8th in CBA)
Owner Mood: Very Good (improving); Fan Interest: 88/100 (+2)

• Last week (5-1): 3-0 vs. Chicago, 2-1 vs. San Francisco
• 06/06: LOU 3, CHI 1 – Gentry 7 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 3 K, W (4-5, 4.01 ERA); Diaz 3-4, GWRBI; Gillespie 3-4, 2 RS
• 06/07: LOU 7, CHI 2 – Bowles 9 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 9 K, W (2-2, 5.80 ERA)
• 06/08: LOU 3, CHI 1 – Longoria 8 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 7 K, W (7-4, 2.80 ERA)
• The first-place San Francisco Seals (39-20) are next up for the surging Colonels.
• Prospect Zach Rogers (traded to San Diego for Jose Martinez) was called up by the Stallions for their bullpen. That’s three ML players for them in the deal.
• 06/10: LOU 7, SF 6 – Vargas 3-4, 2 RS; Carlson/Jackson/Brooks 4 IP, 0 ER
• San Diego signed veteran free agent LF Dennis Morgan to a $1 million contract.
• 06/11: LOU 6, SF 4 – Martinez 3-run HR in the 7th to provide the margin of victory
• 06/12: SF 7, LOU 4 – Bowles 2.2 IP, 6 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 0 K, L (2-3, 6.54 ERA)
• This week: 4 vs. Phoenix (22-40), 3 vs. Denver


Having just finished a first meeting with the agent for Francisco Longoria, I now have a better understanding of why Sacramento was so willing to trade him. Longoria wants a 9-year contract worth $150 million. Wow, ok. No reason to continue that discussion.

“Let me get my budget in order and come back after the season with a serious offer. But please keep in mind that I have never given a player a $100 million contract, not even Robert Westaway. Yes, there is always a first time.”

[RobToxin]

You should have asked him and his agent to pass that bottle of Tequila down so that you can be just as inebriated as they apparently are.....

[Orcin]

June 15, 2016

Subject: First-Year Player Draft

The St. Louis Hawks had the first overall pick in today’s draft, and they selected SP Will Schneider, a 17-year-old right-hander from London, Ontario. He was 6-0 with a 0.47 ERA against average high school competition. I think his stamina is too low to make a good starter, but maybe he will get stronger as he gets older.

Louisville selections:

Round 1 (#18 overall): CL Salvador Felix (age 23, throws L, 5-star), Univ. of Florida, was a starter in college but projects to be a setup man or closer, 6’3” & 215 pounds, throws 94-96 with wicked movement, recorded 137 K with 28 BB in 96 IP against tough SEC competition, changeup is his out pitch, only concern is control, rated easy to sign

Round 2 (#65 overall): 2B Carlos Herrera (age 21, bats R, 4-star), Judson University, good overall talent, great eye at the plate, base-stealing speed and ability, projects as a power hitter but needs to make more consistent contact, great range/hands but arm is very weak so may convert to 1B, excellent intangibles, rated extremely hard to sign

Round 3 (#98 overall): SP Shannon Francis (age 20, throws L, 2-star), San Jose State, 10-3 with 2.78 ERA & 128K/31BB in 132 IP vs. good competition, fastball 91-93 mph, curve/change/splitter, smart, good work ethic, very high leadership, rated normal to sign

Round 4 (#128 overall): SP Rudy Smith (age 20, throws R, 2-star), Univ. of Washington, 7-3, 3.48 ERA vs. great competition, good intangibles, fastball 90-92 mph, good slider/change, keeps the ball in the park, rated normal to sign

Round 5 (#158 overall): SP Joe Fletcher (age 19, throws R, 2-star), Univ. of North Carolina, Atlanta drafted him in 3rd round last year but failed to sign him, had an off-year (8-6, 3.61) which made him slide this far, nice array of pitches but control is a concern, attitude could use work, rated extremely hard to sign

I took college players only again this year to increase my odds of getting it right. Felix is as close to a sure thing as I saw in the pool at #18. This draft was heavy in mediocre starting pitching, so I picked up a few that I thought had some potential to grow. I especially like Francis as a third-round pick.

I was disappointed in the overall quality of the draft pool this year. I have read some of the threads about this issue. I will reserve judgment on the whole thing until I see a few years of development. However, I do think that the more realistic approach is to have the scouts see more high-potential prospects with many failing to reach that potential (i.e. the way that it was) as opposed to surprising development by formerly mediocre prospects. The latter approach basically makes player development all luck and takes decision-making out of the draft (therefore making it less interesting).

[Orcin]

June 20, 2016

Subject: Week 11 Notes

Record: 40-30, .571, 5.5 GB (exactly where we were this time last year)
Position: 3rd place (behind Milwaukee and Indianapolis)
Runs Scored: 320 – 5th in Federal
Runs Allowed: 283 – 5th in Federal
Defense: .708 – 3rd in Federal
Power Ranking: 111.9 (3rd in CBA)
Owner Mood: Happy (improving); Fan Interest: 88/100

• Last week (5-2): 2-2 vs. Phoenix, 3-0 vs. Denver
• Milwaukee’s star 1B Ramon Lopez will miss 6 weeks with a strained oblique.
• 06/13: PHX 5, LOU 2 – Gentry 5 IP, 5 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 4 K, L (4-6, 4.35 ERA)
• Charleston SP Manuel Gonzalez (career 106-56, 3.59) signed a 6-year contract extension worth $86M. This is a great comp to use in negotiations with Longoria.
• 06/14: PHX 6, LOU 4 (10) – Brooks 2 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, BS(4), L (3-2, 3.90 ERA)
• We wasted a good effort by Longoria and a big day at the plate by Martinez.
• The BNN prediction of 1.51 ERA & 50 saves for Brooks looks pretty silly right now.
• 06/15: LOU 7, PHX 3 – Gillespie 3-4, HR, 3 RBI; Ordonez CG, W (10-1, 2.98 ERA)
• Dallas fired GM Bob Bannatyne and MGR Earl Phillips after a 23-43 start.
• Cleveland traded CF Ray Banks (.267/.320/.422) to Philadelphia for a prospect.
• 06/16: LOU 3, PHX 1 – Trauttmann 6 IP, 1 ER, 9 H, 2 BB, 5 K, W (5-6, 3.07 ERA)
• Denver comes into town at 28-39, but they just won 3 out of 4 at San Francisco.
• Dallas hired former Seals manager Mario Rivera and unknown Norm Haley as the new GM. Unmerciful owner Mark Taylor will make a snack of Haley by October.
• 06/17: LOU 4, DEN 0 – first career shutout for Michael Bowles 6 H, 1 BB, 5 K
• Jason Harmon provided the offense with a 3-run homer in the 6th inning
• 06/18: LOU 9, DEN 3 – Harmon 3-4, DBL, HR, 4 RBI
• New York lost fourth outfielder and key LH bench bat Paco Flores for the season with a concussion.
• 06/19: LOU 5, DEN 2 – Martinez 3-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI
• This week: 3 at San Diego (28-41), 3 vs. Baltimore


Bryan McConnell has better range than any of our outfielders, and we have decided to give him a try in center field. He is rated 8 at the position. Harmon will stay in right field and Diaz will back them both up.

This allows me to use the best of the left-handed batters in left field. Bennett has cooled off, hitting only .190 in June. Ferguson is hitting .375 in June and may start a few games this week. Green continues to be high on Joe Young but he has not shown me enough contact. Hector Castro and Miguel Bustamante are waiting in the AAA wings. There are plenty of candidates – if only one would step forward and seize the day.

[Orcin]

June 21, 2016

Subject: Mid-Season Minor League Update

The following players from our farm system were selected for the All-Star team in their league.

Lexington (AAA), 45-20, 1st place:
• SP Jerome Clark (age 29, throws R, 8-2, 2.99 ERA)
• SP Elliot Phillips (age 25, throws R, 4-2, 1.19 ERA)
• SS Matt Hardwick (age 28, bats R, .310/.396/.589, 10 HR, 33 RBI)
• LF Hector Castro (age 23, bats L, .387/.463/.775, 14 HR, 49 RBI)
• RF Miguel Bustamante (age 24, bats L, .311/.435/.486, 6 HR, 30 RBI)

Dayton (AA), 38-26, 1st place:
• SP Scott MacDonald (age 25, throws R, 6-3, 3.53 ERA)
• LF Roberto Lopez (age 22, bats L, .320/.393/.497, 6 HR, 35 RBI)

Evansville (A), 32-32, 3rd place:
• SP Jonah Greenwood (age 22, throws R, 7-1, 2.59 ERA)
• CF Curt Turner (age 23, bats R, .297/.377/.431, 5 HR, 34 RBI)

Turner was our first round pick in the 2015 draft. He has climbed onto the Top 100 prospects list at #96.

[Orcin]

June 27, 2016

Subject: Week 12 Notes

Record: 43-33, .566, 6.5 GB
Position: 2nd place (behind Milwaukee)
Runs Scored: 343 – 5th in Federal
Runs Allowed: 300 – 4th in Federal
Defense: .710 – 2nd in Federal
Power Ranking: 104.8 (7th in CBA)
Owner Mood: Happy; Fan Interest: 89/100 (+1)

• Last week (3-3): 1-2 at San Diego, 2-1 vs. Baltimore
• 06/20: SD 4, LOU 3 – Jose Cruz belts 2 HR with 3 RBI to beat his former team
• Visiting player Dennis Morgan got a nice hand when he led off the 2nd inning.
• 06/21: LOU 4, SD 1 – Trauttmann 8 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 1 K, W (6-6, 2.92 ERA)
• A string of LH pinch-hitters (Bennett, Young, Ferguson, and Arkle) provided a 3-run rally in the 9th off veteran SD reliever Norberto Gomez
• Jackson got the save in place of Brooks who was sidelined today with a blister.
• 06/22: SD 5, LOU 4 – Cruz continued to torture us: 2-4, DBL, HR, 2 RBI, 2 RS
• We catch up on home games with a series against the Baltimore Robins (35-37).
• New York closer Ken Cushley is out for at least a month with a shoulder problem.
• 06/24: LOU 8, BAL 3 – McConnell breaks out of his slump: 3-4, DBL, HR, 2 RBI
• 06/25: LOU 2, BAL 1 – Harmon 2-4, GWRBI single with 2-out in the 9th inning
• 06/26: BAL 3, LOU 2 – Ordonez 9 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, 1 BB, 7 K, L (10-2, 3.06 ERA)
• Who’s Hot: SP Francisco Longoria 4G, 2-0, 1.93 ERA, 32 IP, 28 H, 1 BB(!), 24 K
• Who’s Not: LF Dennis Bennett 18G, 10-53, .189/.271/.358, 0 HR, 8 RBI
• Joe Young will take over left field from Bennett. Green insists that Young is an excellent, if not elite, player. It is time to find out by giving him consistent at bats.
• This week: 3 vs. St. Louis (33-42), 3 vs. Denver


The New York Monarchs have been hit with injuries in their bullpen and the outfield. I have been dangling offers in front of veteran GM Buck Welsh. I want a prime pitching prospect and Welsh wants two important players from our 25-man active roster. A deal might have been completed already except that the Monarchs demand a third player.

[Orcin]

Mid-Season Focus Changes

Teams that may be buyers at the trade deadline:
• Cleveland Rockers have set their team focus to “Win Now”.
• New York Monarchs have set their team focus to “Win Now”.
• Indianapolis Indians have set their team focus to “Win Now”.
• Philadelphia Firebirds have set their team focus from “Rebuilding” to “Neutral”.

Teams that may be sellers at the trade deadline:
• Washington Admirals have set their team focus from “Win Now” to “Neutral”.
• Orlando Sharks have set their team focus from “Win Now” to “Neutral”.
• Pittsburgh Warriors have set their team focus from “Win Now” to “Neutral”.
• Chicago Cougars have set their team focus to “Rebuilding”.
• San Diego Stallions have set their team focus to “Rebuilding”.
• Boston Bombers have set their team focus to “Rebuilding”.
• Sacramento Outlaws have set their team focus to “Rebuilding”.
• Phoenix Coyotes have set their team focus to “Rebuilding”.


For Your Information…

Who holds the single season record in the Continental Baseball Association for fielding independent pitching (FIP)?

Jorge Figueroa 1.610, 2001
Octávio López 1.648, 1997
Jorge Figueroa 1.696, 1998
Octávio López 1.710, 1999
Jorge Figueroa 1.727, 2002

Octavio Lopez was a dominant left-hander who was injury-prone. Otherwise, he might have put up Figueroa numbers.

[Orcin]

July 4, 2016

Subject: Week 13 Notes

Record: 48-34, .585, 5 GB (18-8 in June)
Position: 2nd place (behind Milwaukee)
Runs Scored: 382 – 5th in Federal
Runs Allowed: 319 – 3rd in Federal
Defense: .715 – 1st in Federal (2nd in CBA)
Power Ranking: 114.4 (5th in CBA)
Owner Mood: Very Happy (improving); Fan Interest: 90/100 (+1)

• Last week (5-1): 2-1 vs. St. Louis, 3-0 vs. Denver
• 06/27: STL 4, LOU 2 – Harris (STL) 8 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 5 K, W (2-1, 2.63 ERA)
• San Diego traded C Don Woods to New York for a pretty good 19 y/o starting pitcher prospect.
• Denver traded starting 3B Enrique Zamora and cash to Philadelphia for five young prospects. (I haven’t seen many 5-for-1 trades by the AI.)
• 06/28: LOU 9, STL 2 – Bowles 9 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 5 K, W (4-4, 5.19 ERA)
• San Diego LF Dennis Morgan has a torn labrum and is done for this season (and maybe career at age 36).
• 06/29: LOU 9, STL 5 – McConnell 3-5, HR, 3 RBI, SB, 2 RS
• SP Francisco Longoria was our Pitcher of the Month for June: 3-0, 1.52 ERA
• 1B Jose Martinez was our Player of the Month: .276/.359/.598, 8 HR, 22 RBI
• Where would we be without the trades to bring in these two players?
• SP Jerome Clark was AAA Pitcher of the Month with a 5-0 record and a 1.85 ERA.
• LF Dennis Bennett was optioned to AAA and 1B/3B Frank Carson was recalled to make our bench more versatile. Carson’s stat line at Lexington was .337/.409/.484.
• Young & Diaz will platoon in CF and McConnell will return to LF. There was nothing wrong with McConnell’s performance in CF but this is a better defensive alignment.
• Rebuilding Denver comes in at 32-47 and we need to keep winning each series.
• 07/01: LOU 8, DEN 2 – Longoria 8 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 4 K, W (9-4, 2.57 ERA)
• 07/02: LOU 8, DEN 4 – Arkle 3-4, HR, 5 RBI
• 07/03: LOU 3, DEN 2 – Trauttmann 7 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 7 K, W (7-7, 3.03 ERA)
• Lexington 2B Paco Morales was AAA Player of the Week (14-28, 1 HR, 11 RBI)
• Several minor trades were made this week but no prominent players were involved.
• This week: 3 vs. Los Angeles (52-30), 4 at Salt Lake City before the All-Star break


Global setup: I unchecked the box for “overall rating (stars) based on AI evaluation, not pure ratings” and reverted to my original configuration. The decision was based on the AI’s view of young outfielder Dennis Bennett. I knew Bennett was being over-valued by the AI due to his speed and minor league performance. I could have traded Bennett for more value than should be expected, but I have resisted because it feels wrong. I want the setting that makes the trade AI most competitive. After making the change, Bennett is a 1-star player and the AI is no longer infatuated with him. Mission accomplished.

[Bumstead]

Originally Posted by Orcin

Green rates him at 4 stars with 7 stuff, 8 movement, and 9 control.

Where did the other star go??

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by Bumstead

Where did the other star go??

That's what I was wondering.

[Orcin]

CBA STANDINGS (July 4, 2016 – 82 games)




The Los Angeles Vipers have gotten back on track and appear to be headed for another playoff appearance.
Milwaukee will be tough to catch but they have been hit with some key injuries recently.




Cleveland continues to confound the experts while Pittsburgh is playing far below expectations due to a rash of injuries.
New York is one of the “win now” teams that might become desperate enough to part with pitching prospects for bullpen help.

[Orcin]

LEAGUE LEADERS (July 4, 2016 – 82 games)




Finally, some Louisville names appear on the leaderboard. These are our four best players,
although McConnell, Vargas, and Brooks can also make an argument for star status.

[Orcin]

LOUISVILLE COLONELS (July 4, 2016 – 82 games)



We are 23-9 in our last 32 games (coincidentally since importing the league into OOTP14). If we continue to play at that pace, we would win 105 games and be a real threat to overtake Milwaukee for the division title. If we win 2 of every 3, we finish with 100 wins and almost certainly make the playoffs. We made our job difficult with the sluggish start, but two big trades have given us a puncher’s chance.

I am very happy with the progress of the minor league teams and top prospects. The recent addition of three top bullpen prospects (Forrest, Felix, and Byers) provides an opportunity to trade older relievers such as Brooks, Merced, and Jennings. This could be necessary to create payroll space for Longoria.




I am anxious to see AAA star Domingo Lopez in the major league rotation. Ben Gentry has done a decent job, but it is time for guys like Bowles and Lopez to get their shot. Bowles struggled early but has settled done recently and thrown some nice games. I think Lopez is capable of the same thing. I hope that they are two solid rotation pieces for the long-term.

Jason Harmon has been outstanding since we claimed him off waivers. His stat line here is .362/.414/.488 with 22 RBI in 36 games. He will command a $6M salary in arbitration so it might be tough to keep him.

Jose Diaz has quietly started to make better contact. His June stat line in 63 plate appearances was .288/.333/.492 but he still struck out 13 times. We can afford to continue bringing him off the bench with Harmon in the lineup. If Diaz is ready to take over center field next year, it will make the decision on Harmon much easier.

[Orcin]

2016 Mid-Season Recap: Louisville Colonels
(Courtesy of cbatraderumors.com)

The Louisville Colonels (48-34) are in the thick of the race once again. The formerly patient Otto Orcin pulled the trigger on a couple of early season trades when the team was floundering. The result was a torrid June that pulled the team into contention. Do they have enough talent to make that deep playoff run that Colonels fans expect?

Last year at this time, Louisville fans were asking for the trainer to be fired. The team has stayed remarkably healthy this year. If the good luck continues, this team will be in the playoffs again. The starting pitching is stronger and the offense is deeper than the squad that went out in the first round last season. Louisville fans have good reason to be excited again.

We wrote in last year’s mid-season report that the most glaring need on the Colonels was a genuine staff ace. GM Orcin went out and got one from the Sacramento Outlaws in Francisco Longoria. Never mind that the formerly patient Orcin gave up two top-200 prospects and does not have the budget to sign the pending free agent. Longoria (9-4, 2.57) and Edgardo Ordonez (11-2, 3.13) are among the best top-of-the rotation combos in the league.

The bullpen has settled down after a rough start, anchored by premier closer Bruce Brooks (4-2, 19/24 saves, 3.38 ERA). The rumor mill has Orcin shopping Brooks along with setup men Jorge Merced and Jeff Jennings. It is a bit reckless to trade the back end of your bullpen in the middle of a pennant race. Don’t count on these rumors being true unless the Colonels have a bad July.

Luis Vargas (.313, 48 RS) and Bryan McConnell (.291, 35 RBI), and are having good years at the top of the lineup. Phil Gillespie (.293, 16 HR, 53 RBI, 28 SB, 58 RS) is a MVP candidate. Newly-acquired run producers Jose Martinez (17 HR, 50 RBI) and Jason Harmon (.316, 42 RBI) have plated any runners left by Gillespie. The bottom of the order has chipped in with decent production and helped the Colonels lead the league in defense (again). The bench has come up with some key hits and kept the regulars rested. This offense is beginning to gel and the rest of the league is worried.

By the way, how does a GM acquire last year’s MVP, a Best Pitcher candidate, and a potential all-star outfielder in mid-season? To be fair, Orcin gave up two starting rotation pitchers, a starting outfielder, and three prospects in these trades, so the price was not cheap and would have been higher had Jason Harmon not been claimed off waivers. The Colonels usually avoid clubhouse problems like the plague but the team chemistry has been strong enough to keep the well-traveled Harmon in line so far.

The Louisville Colonels are a deep and well-balanced team with experienced coaches and a solid clubhouse. The 2016 Colonels are beginning to remind you of the formula that won eight consecutive Federal League titles and six championships from 2004-11. Don’t be surprised if the formerly patient Orcin begins his next dynasty this October.

[Orcin]

July 10, 2016 (BNN)

Subject: All-Star Rosters Announced

It's All-Star Game time -- time for the superstars to shine! Every year the Continental Baseball Association takes a break in the schedule to play the annual All-Star Game. It's a battle of the superstars -- the Federal League All-Stars versus the Patriot League All-Stars. The All-Star Game will spotlight the best hitters, the best pitchers and the best fielders, all doing battle against one another, all trying to prove their league is best.

The Federal League roster will feature these outstanding players:

SP Phil Hill (SAC) 7-6, 2.53 ERA, age 31, AS#1
SP Jerry Huff (MIL) 12-3, 2.92 ERA, age 29, AS#2
SP Francisco Longoria (LOU) 9-5, 2.62 ERA, age 29, AS#3
SP Bruno Maurin (SF) 11-7, 3.33 ERA, age 22, AS#1
SP Edgardo Ordóñez (LOU) 11-3, 3.06 ERA, age 31, AS#2
SP Cristo Rodríguez (MIL) 9-1, 1.99 ERA, age 21, AS#1
SP William Rollins (DAL) 9-2, 3.35 ERA, age 26, AS#1
SP Alejandro Rosário (SLC) 9-7, 2.56 ERA, age 27, AS#4
CL Bruce Brooks (LOU) 4-2, 20 SV, 3.18 ERA, age 33, AS#5
CL Juan Fuentes (SLC) 5-4, 21 SV, 4.24 ERA, age 27, AS#2
CL Benton Jackson (SAC) 2-2, 26 SV, 1.73 ERA, age 30, AS#7
CL Victor Staten (SF) 2-2, 31 SV, 1.32 ERA, age 32, AS#4

C Shawn Simpson (IND) .287/.338/.603, 27 HR, 62 RBI, age 28, AS#3
C Manuel Ortíz (SF) .281/.395/.427, 8 HR, 49 RBI, age 31, AS#1
1B Arnie Boyd (LA) .262/.384/.600, 28 HR, 68 RBI, age 23, AS#1
1B Ramón Martínez (SEA) .327/.411/.548, 16 HR, 45 RBI, age 35, AS#9
2B Ernest Joyner (LA) .368/.398/.500, 4 HR, 40 RBI, age 28, AS#2
2B Ray Schultz (SLC) .342/.401/.551, 16 HR, 68 RBI, age 28, AS#2
3B Phil Gillespie (LOU) .287/.322/.505, 16 HR, 54 RBI, age 27, AS#3
3B Anastasio Valenzuela (HOU) .292/.390/.455, 11 HR, 57 RBI, age 29, AS#5
SS Ron Reynolds (MIL) .335/.379/.410, 1 HR, 42 RBI, age 31, AS#3
SS Miguel Vargas (SAC) .338/.380/.443, 3 HR, 34 RBI, age 23, AS#1
LF Clifford Barnes (HOU) .298/.363/.460, 8 HR, 51 RBI, age 30, AS#1
LF Chris Price (SF) .317/.347/.485, 6 HR, 51 RBI, age 25, AS#1
CF Javier Vega (SLC) .286/.378/.447, 7 HR, 49 RBI, age 24, AS#2
CF Richard Burnett (DEN) .300/.338/.642, 19 HR, 53 RBI, age 31, AS#5
CF Fraser Stevenson (LA) .299/.356/.450, 11 HR, 49 RBI, age 27, AS#1
RF Paul Murphy (HOU) .351/.382/.432, 3 HR, 28 RBI, age 25, AS#1

By Team: LOU, SLC, SF = 4; HOU, LA, MIL, SAC = 3; DAL, DEN, IND, SEA = 1

And the Patriot League roster will have these elite performers:

SP Hsi-men Chen (CLE) 10-3, 2.59 ERA, age 24, AS#5
SP Darryl Esser (DET) 13-4, 3.12 ERA, age 25, AS#1
SP Nathan Graves (PHI) 12-3, 3.53 ERA, age 26, AS#1
SP Juan Hernández (DET) 11-6, 2.35 ERA, age 24, AS#1
SP Robinson Luna (DET) 9-6, 2.92 ERA, age 29, AS#3
SP Justin McCall (PHI) 13-2, 2.70 ERA, age 24, AS#1
SP Will Milledge (ATL) 8-4, 2.72 ERA, age 22, AS#2
MR Joaquín García (ATL) 5-2, 16 SV, 2.78 ERA, age 30, AS#2
CL David Hanna (PIT) 2-4, 18 SV, 1.69 ERA, age 36, AS#12
CL Chris Kent (WAS) 0-1, 21 SV, 0.74 ERA, age 30, AS#4
CL Augusto Moreno (CHS) 5-3, 21 SV, 1.51 ERA, age 25, AS#1
CL Carlos Pereira (CLE) 4-1, 27 SV, 1.97 ERA, age 33, AS#1

C Brian Campbell (CLE) .335/.420/.585, 15 HR, 48 RBI, age 34, AS#7
C Gustavo Reyna (PVD) .344/.363/.475, 5 HR, 34 RBI, age 26, AS#1
1B Mike Guy (PHI) .309/.396/.561, 14 HR, 42 RBI, age 34, AS#3
1B Ryan Walker (CIN) .274/.337/.448, 10 HR, 57 RBI, age 26, AS#1
1B Will Walker (WAS) .281/.417/.555, 18 HR, 50 RBI, age 33, AS#5
2B Gerald Davis (PIT) .283/.387/.509, 13 HR, 55 RBI, age 30, AS#6
2B Sergio Hernández (CLE) .314/.362/.459, 4 HR, 33 RBI, age 28, AS#4
3B David Cottle (CIN) .296/.343/.591, 20 HR, 51 RBI, age 26, AS#1
3B David Sánchez (NSH) .300/.356/.534, 15 HR, 53 RBI, age 30, AS#8
SS Garrison Harrington (CIN) .321/.362/.438, 4 HR, 44 RBI, age 28, AS#1
LF Patrick Morris (CLE) .299/.357/.470, 9 HR, 44 RBI, age 27, AS#2
CF Duane Bowen (NY) .298/.337/.682, 26 HR, 77 RBI, age 28, AS#1
CF Pancho Moreira (WAS) .288/.336/.472, 13 HR, 48 RBI, age 22, AS#2
RF Reginald Conway (CHS) .298/.374/.472, 5 HR, 34 RBI, age 25, AS#1
RF Kurt Smith (ATL) .322/.381/.479, 4 HR, 37 RBI, age 31, AS#3
RF Víctor Hernández (PHI) .344/.376/.518, 5 HR, 40 RBI, age 23, AS#1

By Team: CLE = 5; PHI = 4; ATL, CIN, DET, WAS = 3; CHS, PIT = 2; NSH, NY, PVD = 1

[Orcin]

July 11, 2016

Subject: Week 14 Notes

Record: 50-39, .562, 9.5 GB
Position: 2nd place (behind Milwaukee)
Runs Scored: 409 – 4th in Federal
Runs Allowed: 349 – 3rd in Federal
Defense: .715 – 1st in Federal (t-1st in CBA)
Power Ranking: 96.1 (9th in CBA)
Owner Mood: Happy (declining); Fan Interest: 90/100

• Last week (2-5): 2-1 vs. Los Angeles, 0-4 at Salt Lake City
• SP Domingo Lopez was called up and LH reliever Bruce Irvine was optioned to AAA. Ben Gentry will assume the long relief role, leaving only one lefty in the pen.
• 07/04: LOU 4, LA 1 – Bowles 8 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 K, W (5-4, 4.80 ERA)
• 07/05: LOU 6, LA 1 – Lopez 9 IP, 1 ER, 8 H, 1 BB, 8 K, 126p/78s, nice ML debut
• Minor league closer Luis Espinosa (age 21, throws R, 3-star potential) was claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh.
• 07/06: LA 3, LOU 2 – Hicks (LA) 8 IP, 2 ER, 9 H, 1 BB, 5 K, W (11-5, 3.33 ERA)
• San Diego traded 39 y/o RF Brock Richardson to Providence for a prospect. This move by a division rival puts more pressure on NY GM Buck Welsh to make a deal.
• We head to Salt Lake City, where the 41-45 Bees have changed their focus from “Win Now” to “Neutral” even though they are in second place.
• 07/07: SLC 3, LOU 0 – Rosario (SLC) 6 IP, 0 ER, 8 H, 1 BB, 4 K, W (9-7, 2.56)
• Houston closer Ronald Richard will retire at age 31 after a setback in his recovery from a torn UCL. He won the 2013 Best Pitcher Award and has 241 career saves.
• 07/08: SLC 6, LOU 4 – Trauttmann 4 IP, 5 ER, 9 H, 0 BB, 2 K, L (7-8, 3.30 ERA)
• 07/09: SLC 10, LOU 8 – inconsistent rookie Bowles was knocked around early
• 07/10: SLC 6, LOU 3 – inconsistent rookie Lopez went 8 innings allowing all 6 runs one or two at a time
• I initially bid on several international amateur free agents but the price became way too steep for 16-year-olds and I am no longer in contention to sign any of them.
• This week: All-Star break followed by the annual inter-league weekend special featuring a home (2) & away (2) series vs. the Washington Generals (43-46).

[Sal, The Barber]

Sal would like to know why Mr. Cooper's mood is declining. What does this guy have to be sore about? His mood fluctuates as much as young Sal's interest in an individual woman. (This is why Sal has been married so often, but Sal digresses). But Sal thinks Mr. Cooper is a whiner, and Sal is considering walking over to Mr. Cooper's estate and giving his gatekeeper a piece of his mind (Sal doesn't figure he is going to actually make it onto the estate's grounds). Mr. Cooper is lucky he could get Mr. Orcin back to take care of his franchise, er, his investment, er, his cash-cow! Does Mr. Cooper's mood depend on whether he can get his favorite brand of Russian caviar or whether he has to settle for the domestic stuff?

Sal would like to come with you, Mr. Orcin, when you renegotiate your contract. Sal is betting that you will not let him, but Sal would still like to make the offer. Don't worry, if you take Sal up on this offer, Sal will bring the shovel. Sal is going to take that shovel upside Mr. Cooper's head and then dig the hole to put him in with it. Declining mood. Sal doesn't have the patience for this.