Orcin Returns - Page 20

SurfRat61 · 06-26-2013, 10:24 AM

Reading your posts, I could see right away where you were going with the trade. It makes a lot of sense that's for sure.
A question for you? I feel bad using your thread to ask but I feel you run your team the way I do: very technical and calculated. That said, how do you handle the 40 man roster, especially for Spring Training? If a player is not eligible for rule 5 but a hot prospect not on your 40, do you put him on even if there is a player ahead of him or would you let him sit another year.
Example is I have SS Ron Hansen who is vacuum cleaner, but not the world's best hitter. Then, I have a 19 yr. old prospect in the minors that has all-star written all over him. My thinking is to let him stay down, develop, and also keep his major league clock from starting until I get tired of Hansen and trade him.
If your willing, I would greatly appreciate your thoughts on this as well as the 40 man in general. Thanks in advance for your time.

Orcin · 06-26-2013, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurfRat61

If a player is not eligible for rule 5 but a hot prospect not on your 40, do you put him on even if there is a player ahead of him or would you let him sit another year.

I would leave him off the 40-man roster unless I needed him to start in the majors.

Orcin · 06-26-2013, 11:53 AM

December 1, 2016

Subject: Rule 5 Draft

Today, teams will again participate in the Rule 5 draft, sifting through talents that may otherwise have little or no opportunity to play. Chosen candidates must be kept on the active roster all season or be offered back to their original teams. Uncertainty is coupled with the hopes of making a difference in expanded roles in Continental Baseball Association.

I left one roster spot open in order to have room to make a pick. I left a few decent prospects unprotected because they were not going to compete for a roster spot anyway. There are also a few veteran players that are unprotected and at risk to be snapped up like Ray Alexander last year.

We did not take anyone in the draft. There was a catcher that interested me, but he was taken with the fourth pick.

The Providence Grays selected SP Josh MacDonald, the AAA Pitcher of the Year, with the 22nd pick in the first round. MacDonald is 28 years old with 1-star potential. I hoped to sneak him through, but I protected 22-year-old prospects Acevedo and Fuller instead.

Orcin · 06-26-2013, 03:16 PM

Off-Season Center

12/02/2016: Salt Lake City extended the contract of 27-year-old SP Alejandro Rosario for 7 years, $126 million ($18M/year). His career numbers are 106-81, 2.98 ERA.

12/04/2016: Baltimore signed SS Ron Reynolds, ex-MIL/ORL, 3*/32/R, 3x AS, 4x GG, career .298/.342/.391/489SB. He initially asked $16Mx7 and signed for $13Mx2.

12/06/2016: Atlanta signed SP Robinson Luna, ex-DET, 4*/30/R, 3x AS, career 120-87 w/3.48 ERA. He asked $21Mx7 and got $18Mx5 (very similar to Longoria’s deal).

12/08/2016: Cincinnati signed SP Bill Beasley, ex-NY, 3.5*/31/R, 2x AS, career 141-104 w/3.36 ERA. He asked $17Mx6 and accepted $13.5Mx4.

12/09/2016: Charleston signed C Brian Campbell, ex-CLE, 4.5*/35/R, 7x AS, career .275/.366/.485. He asked $24Mx5 and received $20Mx3.

12/09/2016: Atlanta extended the contract of 31-year-old RF Kurt Smith for 5 years, $95 million ($19M/year). His career numbers are .312/.361/.441 w/464 SB.

12/10/2016: New York signed C Manuel Ortiz, ex-SF, 5*/31/R, 1x AS, career .263/.354/.405. He was looking for $19Mx8 and settled for $16Mx6.

12/11/2016: Houston was able to re-sign 2B Steve Griffith, ex-HOU, 2*/31/R, career .297/.349/.388. He was asking $11Mx5 but settled for $9Mx3.

Several prominent free agents are still on the board heading to the Winter Meetings:
• SP Jorge Gonzalez, ex-CHI, 4.5*/35/R, 10x AS, 2x BP, career 189-108 w/2.74 ERA, $20Mx5
• LF John Jackson, ex-PHX, 2*/28/L, 1x AS, career .285/.344/.456, $17Mx8
• SP Antonio Tares, ex-HOU, 2.5*/29/L, career 56-47 w/3.56 ERA, $13Mx6
• SP Scott Carter, ex-IND, 2*/30/R, career 57-50 w/3.92 ERA, $12Mx8
• 3B Jose Valentin, ex-CHS, 4*/29/S, 1x AS, career .257/.348/.448, $11Mx4
• SP Dursun Kapkin, ex-HOU, 2*/29/L, career 41-56 w/3.98 ERA, $11Mx5
• CL Antonio Gonzalez, ex-SF, 5*/29/R, career 132 SV w/2.94 ERA, $8Mx4
• CL Klaus Kleimen, ex-ORL, 4.5*/28/L, career 227 SV w/2.64 ERA, $5Mx4

gehrig38 · 06-26-2013, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orcin

November 27, 2016 (BNN)

Subject: Louisville, Nashville Close Deal

Newspapers in Louisville and Nashville report that the Colonels have reached a deal sending 29-year-old starting pitcher Jerome Clark to the Tigers for 28-year-old second baseman Patrick Guillaume.

In his career, Clark has fanned 41 batters and walked 16 in 78.1 innings of work. His lifetime won-lost record is 4 victories and 3 defeats with a 3.45 ERA and opposing hitters have compiled a .241 against him. Clark pitched for Lexington in AAA last season, posting a 13-5 record with a 3.45 ERA.

His career numbers show Guillaume (pronounced GEE-yohm) is currently carrying a .259 lifetime batting average with 16 home runs and 108 RBIs. Guillaume is a speed merchant with 120 stolen bases in 288 career games. He was the regular second baseman for Nashville last season, batting .268 with 61 stolen bases. Guillaume is a good defender at second base and can also play shortstop with a very strong arm.

Colonels GM Otto Orcin declared that Guillaume would compete for the starting second base job with incumbent Lance Morrison and top prospect Paco Morales. The winner will be the player with the best leadoff skills. Orcin explained that the Colonels intend to move SS Luis Vargas to the #2 spot in the order, taking advantage of his left-handed contact to move runners along and drive the leadoff man in from second with a single.

Fan reaction to the trade of the popular Clark was negative in Louisville, with the BNN fan interest index dropping 3 points overnight (to 92).

How many games are those totals in for Guillaume? What's the OBP? Is he a 2 hole guy? 8 hole?

gehrig38 · 06-26-2013, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurfRat61

Reading your posts, I could see right away where you were going with the trade. It makes a lot of sense that's for sure.
A question for you? I feel bad using your thread to ask but I feel you run your team the way I do: very technical and calculated. That said, how do you handle the 40 man roster, especially for Spring Training? If a player is not eligible for rule 5 but a hot prospect not on your 40, do you put him on even if there is a player ahead of him or would you let him sit another year.
Example is I have SS Ron Hansen who is vacuum cleaner, but not the world's best hitter. Then, I have a 19 yr. old prospect in the minors that has all-star written all over him. My thinking is to let him stay down, develop, and also keep his major league clock from starting until I get tired of Hansen and trade him.
If your willing, I would greatly appreciate your thoughts on this as well as the 40 man in general. Thanks in advance for your time.

You didn't ask and I apologize for the hijacking, but I wanted to chime in. I will only put a guy on the 40 man who's Rule 5 eligible, before the draft, or a kid that is a year or two away but already possesses MLB level skills. Even if they are on the light side (I use 1-20 scale). So a hitter for me would need to be at least a 10, and I'd only even consider a young hitter with 10 contact if his eye and discipline were both at or above 10 as well. Would dip to a 9 in some cases if we are talking about 15+ power that's already there. But beyond that they have to defend at 10 or better or I let them develop

Orcin · 06-27-2013, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gehrig38

How many games are those totals in for Guillaume? What's the OBP? Is he a 2 hole guy? 8 hole?

He has almost 300 major league games and 1000 at bats. His career OBP is .310 and I got him to be a leadoff guy. Realistically, he is a #8 hitter but he won't stick around here in that role. He will be more valuable as trade bait then. The AI loves guys with 10/10 speed.

It's a stretch that Guillaume develops the ability to get on base at even a .350 clip, but Clark was out of options and won't make the club anyway.

Orcin · 06-27-2013, 10:05 AM

December 16, 2016

Subject: Winter Meetings

For the next three days, Continental Baseball Association teams will be scrambling to meet with prospective free agents, possible trading partners, the media and egocentric agents. Rumors will be kindled by the hot stove fire, burn out of control and be doused by the hour. Some will have casualties; don't be one of them!

San Francisco made the first headlines, signing free agent LF John Jackson (ex-PHX, 2*/28/L, 1x AS, career .285/.344/.456). Jackson was angling for $17Mx8 but accepted $13Mx6 to play for the Federal League champs.

I continue to search for ways to improve the team without increasing the payroll. My primary goal is to upgrade the catcher position and avoid Gary Arkle’s lame duck season. My budget and/or other team’s unwillingness to deal eliminated all of the top 10 catchers in the CBA, but there are still good players in the next ten. I found the catcher that I wanted fairly quickly, and fortunately he was on a team that could afford Arkle and was open to discussing a swap of catchers for the right incentive.

It is a rebuilding team with a good catcher prospect at AAA that is blocked by my target. Arkle gives them the luxury of developing their player slowly this season with no salary obligation beyond. It took several hours to agree on a package of prospects to seal the deal. By the end of the first day, we were able to announce a trade. It was given a lukewarm reception by the fans, but I think it will turn out to be a good move.

Orcin · 06-27-2013, 10:07 AM

December 16, 2016 (BNN)

Subject: Colonels Send Arkle to Denver

The Colonels and Miners announced a deal that was completed today. Louisville sent 26-year-old catcher Gary Arkle, 24-year-old center fielder Norberto García, 26-year-old minor league first baseman Fernando Borges and 24-year-old minor league starting pitcher Pedro Villanueva to Denver for 24-year-old catcher Ryan Edwards. Both teams appear happy with the outcome of the trade. The general managers told the Baseball News Network they felt the swap was beneficial for both teams and the players.

In a career spanning 592 games, Arkle has batted .284 with 577 hits, 48 home runs, 265 RBIs, and 216 runs scored. Arkle is coming off a below-par season and is set to be a free agent after the 2017 season. He had reportedly been unable to reach agreement on a new long-term contract with the Colonels.

Edwards hit .252 with 13 home runs and won the Federal League Gold Glove Award at catcher last season, his first full year in the majors. Edwards has a good eye at the plate and surprising gap power (32 doubles in 2016) given his modest home run totals. BNN rates Edwards as the #12 catcher in the CBA.

Off-Season Center

12/17/2016: San Francisco traded starting RF Ryan Crosby to Salt Lake City for the Bees’ backup catcher Jose Valentin and a reliever. Valentin will compete with Seals backup catcher John Starr to replace departed free agent Manuel Ortiz.

There were a few other minor transactions at the winter meetings, but no players of note changed teams and none of the big free agents were signed.

12/26/2016: San Diego acquired 27-year-old starting C Ed Richardson from Dallas for two minor league relievers.

12/31/2016: Denver signed 39-year-old LF Brock Richardson for 2 years at $11M per season. The injury-prone star has not played a full season since 2012. This doesn’t seem like a rebuilding move, but they are buying time for prospects to develop.

Westheim · 06-27-2013, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orcin

Subject: Colonels Send Arkle to Denver

The Colonels and Miners announced a deal that was completed today. Louisville sent 26-year-old catcher Gary Arkle, 24-year-old center fielder Norberto García, 26-year-old minor league first baseman Fernando Borges and 24-year-old minor league starting pitcher Pedro Villanueva to Denver for 24-year-old catcher Ryan Edwards.

Having read this dynasty from the beginning of the first thread, I saw this trade coming from at least three miles away, in the middle of the night.

Mr. Orcin has displayed much less displeasure with players many times before, and still shipped them out at the first chance.

SurfRat61 · 06-27-2013, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orcin

December 16, 2016 (BNN)

Subject: Colonels Send Arkle to Denver

The Colonels and Miners announced a deal that was completed today. Louisville sent 26-year-old catcher Gary Arkle, 24-year-old center fielder Norberto García, 26-year-old minor league first baseman Fernando Borges and 24-year-old minor league starting pitcher Pedro Villanueva to Denver for 24-year-old catcher Ryan Edwards. Both teams appear happy with the outcome of the trade. The general managers told the Baseball News Network they felt the swap was beneficial for both teams and the players.

In a career spanning 592 games, Arkle has batted .284 with 577 hits, 48 home runs, 265 RBIs, and 216 runs scored. Arkle is coming off a below-par season and is set to be a free agent after the 2017 season. He had reportedly been unable to reach agreement on a new long-term contract with the Colonels.

Edwards hit .252 with 13 home runs and won the Federal League Gold Glove Award at catcher last season, his first full year in the majors. Edwards has a good eye at the plate and surprising gap power (32 doubles in 2016) given his modest home run totals. BNN rates Edwards as the #12 catcher in the CBA.

Job well done! I can inform you that as far as your fan base is concerned, and yes, the pollsters called me and since I am a Colonels season ticket holder now, I told them, Amen! No more calling your offices and voicing my displeasure over Mr. "Holier than thou" Arkle. Enjoy Denver, big guy!!

Orcin · 06-27-2013, 03:19 PM

Management Carousel Update
The following CBA teams have personnel changes for this upcoming season.

Federal League:
Los Angeles Vipers (92-71, 5th): GM Jaime Perez (former Orlando GM)
Chicago Cougars (74-88, 10th): GM Felipe Perez (former Washington GM)
Seattle Falcons (68-94, 11th): MGR Stan Moran (former Orlando MGR)

Patriot League:
Pittsburgh Warriors (82-80, 7th): GM Bob Bannatyne (former Dallas GM)
Charleston Generals (80-82, 8th): GM Elvin Dailey (no prior experience)
Washington Admirals (76-86, 10th): GM Antonio Cruz (former Chicago GM)
Orlando Sharks (76-86, 11th): GM Millard Lawrence (former Pittsburgh GM); MGR Jerry Parker (former Orlando BC)
Charlotte Knights (63-99, 15th): MGR Nick Sutton (former Owensboro PC)

Charlotte hired our rookie league pitching coach to be their major league manager? He has never been above class A. Good luck with that.

Note that Washington and Chicago traded GM’s. It will be interesting to see how that works out.

Retired Players
There were no significant retirements announced on New Year’s Day.

Off-Season Center

01/01/2017: Phoenix signed the final star catcher, Don Woods, to a three-year deal worth $19M.

01/02/2017: New York signed 3B Jose Valentin, ex-CHS, 4*/29/S, 1x AS, career .257/.348/.448. He asked $11Mx4 and accepted $10Mx3.

01/05/2017: Denver continued to rebuild, sending star 1B Ken Brown to New York for two prospects.

01/06/2017: Louisville CF Jose Diaz suffered a setback in his recovery from a torn labrum. He is not expected to play before mid-May. Team officials said that Diaz will likely be at AAA Lexington for the majority of the season to get more playing time.

01/06/2017: Washington signed SP Antonio Tares, ex-HOU, 2.5*/29/L, career 56-47 w/3.56 ERA. Tares originally wanted $13Mx6 and received $11Mx4.

01/12/2017: Providence signed SP Jorge Gonzalez, ex-CHI, 4.5*/35/R, 10x AS, 2x BP, career 189-108 w/2.74 ERA. “Numbers” wanted $20Mx5 and got $20Mx3. Good agent.

Orcin · 06-28-2013, 09:49 AM

February 2, 2017 (BNN)

Subject: CBA Pre-Season Begins

The Continental Baseball Association preseason starts today and the season schedule has been released. Baseball fans are getting excited as players begin to prepare for the regular season. The aches and pains of last season have finally healed and now it is time for players to work their way back into shape. Young players and team newcomers will fight to prove themselves as front offices across the country try to decide who will be on that Opening Day roster. The preseason is all about making tough choices and that process begins today.

So far, the off-season winners and losers in terms of WAR gained/lost are:

1. Louisville +3.3 (traded for 2B Patrick Guillaume 2.0 & C Ryan Edwards 1.5)
2. Cincinnati +2.8 (signed SP Bill Beasley 4.5)
3. Charleston +2.2 (signed C Brian Campbell 4.6)
4. St. Louis +1.8 (signed CL John Flannery 1.6)
…

27. San Diego -7.8 (lost SP Hirohisa Yamamoto 3.7)
28. Sacramento -9.6 (lost SP Pippino Franchitti 4.8)
29. Chicago -10.2 (lost SP Jorge Gonzalez 4.7)
30. Orlando -11.0 (lost SS Ron Reynolds 4.2)

It is interesting that there are far more losers than winners, and no big winners. I don’t see that much left in free agency.

**********

Fan interest is at 92, down 3 points from the end of last season due to the loss of the inexplicably popular Jerome Clark.

Orcin · 06-28-2013, 09:50 AM

Pre-Season Center

02/08/2017: Baltimore signed CL Klaus Kleimen, ex-ORL, 4.5*/28/L, career 227 SV w/ 2.64 ERA. He wanted $5Mx4, and got $4.2Mx2. I offered $5Mx1 to be a setup man, but he insisted on a 2-year contract. My owner would not approve the second year, even as a team option.

02/15/2017: Atlanta signed CL Antonio Gonzalez, ex-SF, 5*/29/R, career 132 SV w/2.94 ERA. He originally asked $8Mx4, and ended up with $9Mx2.

02/16/2017: Los Angeles signed SP Scott Carter, ex-IND, 2*/30/R, career 57-50 w/3.92 ERA. He wanted $12Mx8 and got $12.6Mx 6. The Vipers rotation is scary now as Carter projects to be their fourth or even fifth starter.

02/26/2017: Houston re-signed SP Dursun Kapkin, ex-HOU, 2*/29/L, career 41-56 w/3.98 ERA. Kapkin originally held out for $11Mx5, but finally settled for $6Mx3.

03/04/2017: Baltimore signed CF Jose Cruz to a 3-year deal worth $12M. Cruz is another of those steady players that just quietly goes about his job very well

Orcin · 06-28-2013, 01:08 PM

March 4, 2017 (cbatraderumors.com)

Subject: Spring Training Preview – Louisville Colonels (2016: 93-71, 2nd)

The Colonels had a relatively calm and productive winter. Most of the roster returns, and the key acquisitions that propelled the team to a second consecutive wild card appearance will be in place for a full season. It is a far cry from the situation last spring, when a veteran team had been turned over and many questions remained unanswered.

Key Acquisitions: 2B Patrick Guillaume, C Ryan Edwards
Important Losses: C Gary Arkle

Rotation: The top of this rotation will be among the best if Edgardo Ordonez returns to his previous form after season-ending Tommy John surgery last July. The small-market Colonels made a bold move to sign ace Francisco Longoria to a long-term contract.

• Francisco Longoria (4*/30/R) 2016 SAC/LOU 15-13, 3.24 ERA, All-Star
• Edgardo Ordonez (3.5*/32/L) 2016 LOU 11-3, 3.05 ERA, All-Star; missed 2 months with a partially torn UCL
• Nathan Graves (3*/26/R) 2016 PHI/LOU 18-8, 3.73 ERA, All-Star
• Chao Yang (2*/27/L) 2016 CIN/LOU 12-7, 3.88 ERA
• Michael Bowles (2*/22/L) 2016 LOU 11-10, 4.48 ERA
• Domingo Lopez (1.5*/25/R) 2016 LOU 4-5, 4.00 ERA

Bullpen: The bullpen is younger, faster, and cheaper than the group that started last season due to trades and departures. There are a lot of good arms here, but it remains to be seen if manager Stephen Burgess can arrange them in a productive way. The unit could use a proven left-handed stopper.

• Santiago “Rock and Roll” Flores (5*/22/R) 2016 BAL/LOU 4-3, 2.39 ERA, 23 SV
• Charles Jackson (4.5*/31/R) 2016 LOU 5-1, 1.87 ERA, 5 SV, 62 IP, 56 K, 16 BB
• Daniel Carlson (3*/23/R) 2016 LOU 4-2, 2.77 ERA, 61 IP, 48 K, 14 BB
• Burt Newell (4*/27/R) 2016 LOU 0-1, 4. 19 ERA, 43 IP, 38 K, 19 BB
• Bruce Irvine (2.5*/26/L) 2016 LOU 5-2, 3.03 ERA, 32 IP, 32 K, 8 BB
• Arturo Hernandez (4*/22/R) 2016 PIT/LOU 2-0, 3.66 ERA, 39 IP, 48 K, 15 BB

Catcher: The catcher roster does not include Duncan Bland for the first time in 15 years. Instead, the Colonels will man the spot with two former Denver Miners. Ryan Edwards is a rising star at the position and could be ready for a breakout season. Gary Arkle, traded for Edwards, had a poor 2016 season as the Louisville backstop and the Colonels can realistically expect more offense out of the eighth slot in the lineup.

• Ryan Edwards (4*/25/R) 2016 DEN .252/.337/.417, GG (143 games)
• Ben Holcomb (1.5*/30/R) 2016 AAA .242/.331/.462 (110 games)

Infield: The Colonels improved the offense at first base with the mid-season acquisition of 2015 MVP Jose Martinez. This offseason, Louisville added a legitimate base-stealing threat at second base in Patrick Guillaume (4th in CBA stolen bases with 61). The left side of the infield features two Gold Glove winners and solid hitters. The infield reserves are excellent pinch-hitters and versatile defenders.

• 1B Jose Martinez (4*/27/R) 2016 SD/LOU .283/.370/.502 (158 games)
• 2B Patrick Guillaume (4*/29/R) 2016 NSH .268/.316/.381, 61 SB (144 games)
• 3B Phil Gillespie (2.5*/28/L) 2016 LOU .278/.302/.486, 37 SB, All-Star, GG (151 games)
• SS Luis Vargas (4.5*/26/L) 2016 LOU .300/.353/.370, GG (153 games)
• 1B/3B Frank Carson (2.5*/28/L) 2016 LOU .326/.378/.467 (100 G, 135 AB)
• 2B/SS/3B Lance Morrison (1.5*/29/R) 2016 LOU .274/.329/.396, 23 SB (139 games)

Outfield: The Colonels outfield remains a work in progress with the starters and their positions uncertain heading to spring training. Some of the young players in last year’s competition have been traded away, so the field of contenders has narrowed. Hector Castro is considered one of the best outfield prospects in the game, but he has yet to accomplish much at the major league level. Louisville is counting on a rebound season from CF Bryan McConnell. Right field could end up as a platoon situation with veteran Brian Ferguson and last year’s starter Jason Harmon. Former top prospect Jose Diaz had a terrible year at the plate and is still rehabilitating a torn labrum. The Colonels plan to work Harmon in center field during spring training, just in case.

• LF Hector Castro (4*/24/L) 2016 LOU .275/.300/.440 (65 games)
• LF Miguel Bustamante (2.5*/25/L) 2016 AAA .307/.424/.485 (117 games)
• CF Bryan McConnell (3.5*/28/R) 2016 LOU .263/.310/.384 (142 games)
• CF Jose Diaz (3.5*/25/R) 2016 LOU .217/.277/.359 (105 games)
• RF Brian Ferguson (4*/27/L) 2016 LOU .253/.356/.406 (126 games)
• RF/1B Jason Harmon (2.5*/30/R) 2016 LOU .309/.379/.418 (110 games)

Conclusion: Louisville GM Otto Orcin was wise to tweak his roster over the winter rather than blow it up. Several strong moves were made during the 2016 season, and the fruits of that labor have yet to be fully realized. We believe that a full season from this roster will be enough to make the playoffs again, and that rotation could be pretty scary for opponents in a short series.

Top-Rated Players: none
Top-Rated Pitchers: SP Francisco Longoria, SP Edgardo Ordonez
Projected 2017 Finish: 94-68, 2nd in the Midwest Division, Wild Card

Orcin · 06-29-2013, 10:40 AM

2017 Spring Training Recap

• The spring training record was 9-13. The serious injury total was zero!
• SP Edgardo Ordonez and CF Jose Diaz are still recovering from 2016 injuries and will open the season on the D/L. Both are expected back in May.
• We had a few DTD and minor injuries among the non-starters, but very lucky overall.
• The starting rotation was set before spring training and nothing happened to change those plans. I still want a veteran starter on a minor-league contract as insurance.
• The final spot in the bullpen went to Brendan Polk over rookie Ray Forrest. I want to get Forrest a little early work in AAA, and Polk pitched very well in the spring.
• LHP Shusaku Kouki is out of options, but he cleared waivers and will report to AAA.
• New C Ryan Edwards had a great spring and will be backed up by Ben Holcomb. Third catcher John Parks was optioned to AAA.
• Catcher Jon Howard (23/R) was claimed off waivers from Seattle. Howard is on a minor-league contract and will split time with Parks in AAA. His potential is 3 stars.
• Slugging 1B Ricky Allen was optioned to AAA and will try to learn a new position (LF). We know he can play 1B and this would give us another way to use his bat.
• Patrick Guillaume will play 2B and bat leadoff. We want to take advantage of his speed. Top prospect 2B Paco Morales was optioned to AAA with a return ticket.
• Lance Morrison will be the utility infielder with Frank Carson also available at 1B/3B.
• The starting outfield will be Hector Castro (LF), Bryan McConnell (CF), and a platoon of Brian Ferguson and Jason Harmon (RF).
• The fifth outfielder will be Miguel Bustamante. He can play all three spots, pinch-hit from the left side, and be useful as a pinch-runner to steal a base in the late innings.
• Young outfielders Jack Bunney and Roberto Lopez were optioned to AAA.

Around the league:
• Salt Lake City signed 2016 MVP SS Ray Schultz to a 4-year contract extension worth $80M.

Orcin · 06-29-2013, 02:20 PM

April 3, 2017 (BNN)

PRE-SEASON PREDICTIONS

Talk about disrespect! Louisville will limp home with only 83 wins? These so-called experts have under-estimated our offense, and they have significantly under-estimated our pitching and defense. No players OR pitchers in the top 10? That’s ridiculous. Boy, will they be embarrassed when we pull this rag back out of the trash in October.

The world champion New York Monarchs must be feeling the same animosity as we do. These stupid predictions are really not worth discussing any longer.

**********

FYI… there are 94 players on waivers; 71 position players and 23 pitchers. Veteran catcher Gregory Gardner (currently with San Diego) is the only player with unused minor league options.

Gardner is 32 years old. He is signed for two years at $640K per season. He has a career stat line of .255/.312/.425 in 627 major league games, and his skills have not diminished. He is an excellent defensive catcher, winning the Gold Glove in 2015 while with Salt Lake City. He has great intangibles, including the leadership skills needed to be a valuable catcher on a winning ball club. Phil Green rates him at 2 stars overall.

I see no good reason why I shouldn’t claim Gardner to be my third catcher and/or trade material. I have an open roster spot, room in my budget, and he has two minor league options. I put in a claim for him.

Orcin · 06-30-2013, 10:58 AM

April 3, 2017

Subject: Personal Message from the Owner – Season Expectation

Otto,

I have now decided on the goal for the coming season. After evaluating several factors, I have come to the conclusion you should be able to achieve a winning season, playing better than .500 ball.

For the second straight year, you only achieved two of our five organizational goals.

1. Win the division championship. (no)
2. Be competitive in the playoffs. (no)
3. Record a financial profit. (yes)
4. Keep fan interest above 90 and draw 3 million fans. (yes, barely)
5. Maintain a minor league system ranking of 10 or higher. (not even close)

I do give you credit for a team that went down to the wire in the division. However, you made several panic trades and seemed to act out of anxiety and frustration rather than composure and confidence. Frankly, I expected the team to be farther along by now and more stable. Also, I am disappointed with the lack of success in the post-season.

I’m sure you are aware that the end of this season marks the end of our “arrangement”. The team will need to impress me this year to avoid a serious discussion of your future employment next October. I will evaluate your efforts based on results, not reputation.

Oh, and one more thing. Please reduce your consumption of espresso. We do not want a recurrence of your health problems from last year, plus the cost of coffee is quite high.

Good Luck!
Gordon Cooper

SurfRat61 · 06-30-2013, 11:00 AM

Blasphemy, I say! Total Blasphemy!
But seriously, would it really have made a difference to you if they said first and we'd run away with it? Me thinks not. "Kindling starter for the ole fireplace" is what I tell my neighbors who follow the Colonels when the subject comes to newspapers. Who cares?
What matters is April is here and me and the kids can put our season tickets to use and go see some games!
And, as long as I'm calling your office, could you have your marketing department come up with some better promotions this year? The kids really enjoyed Bat Day last May. Maybe some bobble head days. Also, will you be retiring Duncan Bland's number in the near future?
Thanks! Now I better go back out and finish the lawn.

Sal, The Barber · 06-30-2013, 12:40 PM

Sal does not give the Louie-villes permission to make a bobblehead. Yes, Sal understands that that would be a hugely popular promotion, but Sal does not trust lawyers, and Sal cannot see how this would not involve lawyers.

However, Sal can help Mr. Orcin deal with the frustration and anxiety and panic. Sal never acts out of frustration. Never. No one is afraid of sitting in Sal's chair--even after a phone call from one of his ex-wives. No one.

("Hey! Sit back down there, SurfRat, or Sal will cut your throat!")

06-28-2013, 01:08 PM	#395
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,849	March 4, 2017 (cbatraderumors.com) Subject: Spring Training Preview – Louisville Colonels (2016: 93-71, 2nd) The Colonels had a relatively calm and productive winter. Most of the roster returns, and the key acquisitions that propelled the team to a second consecutive wild card appearance will be in place for a full season. It is a far cry from the situation last spring, when a veteran team had been turned over and many questions remained unanswered. Key Acquisitions: 2B Patrick Guillaume, C Ryan Edwards Important Losses: C Gary Arkle Rotation: The top of this rotation will be among the best if Edgardo Ordonez returns to his previous form after season-ending Tommy John surgery last July. The small-market Colonels made a bold move to sign ace Francisco Longoria to a long-term contract. • Francisco Longoria (4/30/R) 2016 SAC/LOU 15-13, 3.24 ERA, All-Star • Edgardo Ordonez (3.5/32/L) 2016 LOU 11-3, 3.05 ERA, All-Star; missed 2 months with a partially torn UCL • Nathan Graves (3/26/R) 2016 PHI/LOU 18-8, 3.73 ERA, All-Star • Chao Yang (2/27/L) 2016 CIN/LOU 12-7, 3.88 ERA • Michael Bowles (2/22/L) 2016 LOU 11-10, 4.48 ERA • Domingo Lopez (1.5/25/R) 2016 LOU 4-5, 4.00 ERA Bullpen: The bullpen is younger, faster, and cheaper than the group that started last season due to trades and departures. There are a lot of good arms here, but it remains to be seen if manager Stephen Burgess can arrange them in a productive way. The unit could use a proven left-handed stopper. • Santiago “Rock and Roll” Flores (5/22/R) 2016 BAL/LOU 4-3, 2.39 ERA, 23 SV • Charles Jackson (4.5/31/R) 2016 LOU 5-1, 1.87 ERA, 5 SV, 62 IP, 56 K, 16 BB • Daniel Carlson (3/23/R) 2016 LOU 4-2, 2.77 ERA, 61 IP, 48 K, 14 BB • Burt Newell (4/27/R) 2016 LOU 0-1, 4. 19 ERA, 43 IP, 38 K, 19 BB • Bruce Irvine (2.5/26/L) 2016 LOU 5-2, 3.03 ERA, 32 IP, 32 K, 8 BB • Arturo Hernandez (4/22/R) 2016 PIT/LOU 2-0, 3.66 ERA, 39 IP, 48 K, 15 BB Catcher: The catcher roster does not include Duncan Bland for the first time in 15 years. Instead, the Colonels will man the spot with two former Denver Miners. Ryan Edwards is a rising star at the position and could be ready for a breakout season. Gary Arkle, traded for Edwards, had a poor 2016 season as the Louisville backstop and the Colonels can realistically expect more offense out of the eighth slot in the lineup. • Ryan Edwards (4/25/R) 2016 DEN .252/.337/.417, GG (143 games) • Ben Holcomb (1.5/30/R) 2016 AAA .242/.331/.462 (110 games) Infield: The Colonels improved the offense at first base with the mid-season acquisition of 2015 MVP Jose Martinez. This offseason, Louisville added a legitimate base-stealing threat at second base in Patrick Guillaume (4th in CBA stolen bases with 61). The left side of the infield features two Gold Glove winners and solid hitters. The infield reserves are excellent pinch-hitters and versatile defenders. • 1B Jose Martinez (4/27/R) 2016 SD/LOU .283/.370/.502 (158 games) • 2B Patrick Guillaume (4/29/R) 2016 NSH .268/.316/.381, 61 SB (144 games) • 3B Phil Gillespie (2.5/28/L) 2016 LOU .278/.302/.486, 37 SB, All-Star, GG (151 games) • SS Luis Vargas (4.5/26/L) 2016 LOU .300/.353/.370, GG (153 games) • 1B/3B Frank Carson (2.5/28/L) 2016 LOU .326/.378/.467 (100 G, 135 AB) • 2B/SS/3B Lance Morrison (1.5/29/R) 2016 LOU .274/.329/.396, 23 SB (139 games) Outfield: The Colonels outfield remains a work in progress with the starters and their positions uncertain heading to spring training. Some of the young players in last year’s competition have been traded away, so the field of contenders has narrowed. Hector Castro is considered one of the best outfield prospects in the game, but he has yet to accomplish much at the major league level. Louisville is counting on a rebound season from CF Bryan McConnell. Right field could end up as a platoon situation with veteran Brian Ferguson and last year’s starter Jason Harmon. Former top prospect Jose Diaz had a terrible year at the plate and is still rehabilitating a torn labrum. The Colonels plan to work Harmon in center field during spring training, just in case. • LF Hector Castro (4/24/L) 2016 LOU .275/.300/.440 (65 games) • LF Miguel Bustamante (2.5/25/L) 2016 AAA .307/.424/.485 (117 games) • CF Bryan McConnell (3.5/28/R) 2016 LOU .263/.310/.384 (142 games) • CF Jose Diaz (3.5/25/R) 2016 LOU .217/.277/.359 (105 games) • RF Brian Ferguson (4/27/L) 2016 LOU .253/.356/.406 (126 games) • RF/1B Jason Harmon (2.5/30/R) 2016 LOU .309/.379/.418 (110 games) Conclusion: Louisville GM Otto Orcin was wise to tweak his roster over the winter rather than blow it up. Several strong moves were made during the 2016 season, and the fruits of that labor have yet to be fully realized. We believe that a full season from this roster will be enough to make the playoffs again, and that rotation could be pretty scary for opponents in a short series. Top-Rated Players: none Top-Rated Pitchers: SP Francisco Longoria, SP Edgardo Ordonez Projected 2017 Finish: 94-68, 2nd in the Midwest Division, Wild Card Last edited by Orcin; 07-02-2013 at 12:20 PM. Reason: fixed a typo

06-26-2013, 10:24 AM	#381
SurfRat61 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 135	Reading your posts, I could see right away where you were going with the trade. It makes a lot of sense that's for sure. A question for you? I feel bad using your thread to ask but I feel you run your team the way I do: very technical and calculated. That said, how do you handle the 40 man roster, especially for Spring Training? If a player is not eligible for rule 5 but a hot prospect not on your 40, do you put him on even if there is a player ahead of him or would you let him sit another year. Example is I have SS Ron Hansen who is vacuum cleaner, but not the world's best hitter. Then, I have a 19 yr. old prospect in the minors that has all-star written all over him. My thinking is to let him stay down, develop, and also keep his major league clock from starting until I get tired of Hansen and trade him. If your willing, I would greatly appreciate your thoughts on this as well as the 40 man in general. Thanks in advance for your time.

06-26-2013, 11:53 AM	#383
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,849	December 1, 2016 Subject: Rule 5 Draft Today, teams will again participate in the Rule 5 draft, sifting through talents that may otherwise have little or no opportunity to play. Chosen candidates must be kept on the active roster all season or be offered back to their original teams. Uncertainty is coupled with the hopes of making a difference in expanded roles in Continental Baseball Association. I left one roster spot open in order to have room to make a pick. I left a few decent prospects unprotected because they were not going to compete for a roster spot anyway. There are also a few veteran players that are unprotected and at risk to be snapped up like Ray Alexander last year. We did not take anyone in the draft. There was a catcher that interested me, but he was taken with the fourth pick. The Providence Grays selected SP Josh MacDonald, the AAA Pitcher of the Year, with the 22nd pick in the first round. MacDonald is 28 years old with 1-star potential. I hoped to sneak him through, but I protected 22-year-old prospects Acevedo and Fuller instead.

06-26-2013, 03:16 PM	#384
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,849	Off-Season Center 12/02/2016: Salt Lake City extended the contract of 27-year-old SP Alejandro Rosario for 7 years, $126 million ($18M/year). His career numbers are 106-81, 2.98 ERA. 12/04/2016: Baltimore signed SS Ron Reynolds, ex-MIL/ORL, 3/32/R, 3x AS, 4x GG, career .298/.342/.391/489SB. He initially asked $16Mx7 and signed for $13Mx2. 12/06/2016: Atlanta signed SP Robinson Luna, ex-DET, 4/30/R, 3x AS, career 120-87 w/3.48 ERA. He asked $21Mx7 and got $18Mx5 (very similar to Longoria’s deal). 12/08/2016: Cincinnati signed SP Bill Beasley, ex-NY, 3.5/31/R, 2x AS, career 141-104 w/3.36 ERA. He asked $17Mx6 and accepted $13.5Mx4. 12/09/2016: Charleston signed C Brian Campbell, ex-CLE, 4.5/35/R, 7x AS, career .275/.366/.485. He asked $24Mx5 and received $20Mx3. 12/09/2016: Atlanta extended the contract of 31-year-old RF Kurt Smith for 5 years, $95 million ($19M/year). His career numbers are .312/.361/.441 w/464 SB. 12/10/2016: New York signed C Manuel Ortiz, ex-SF, 5/31/R, 1x AS, career .263/.354/.405. He was looking for $19Mx8 and settled for $16Mx6. 12/11/2016: Houston was able to re-sign 2B Steve Griffith, ex-HOU, 2/31/R, career .297/.349/.388. He was asking $11Mx5 but settled for $9Mx3. Several prominent free agents are still on the board heading to the Winter Meetings: • SP Jorge Gonzalez, ex-CHI, 4.5/35/R, 10x AS, 2x BP, career 189-108 w/2.74 ERA, $20Mx5 • LF John Jackson, ex-PHX, 2/28/L, 1x AS, career .285/.344/.456, $17Mx8 • SP Antonio Tares, ex-HOU, 2.5/29/L, career 56-47 w/3.56 ERA, $13Mx6 • SP Scott Carter, ex-IND, 2/30/R, career 57-50 w/3.92 ERA, $12Mx8 • 3B Jose Valentin, ex-CHS, 4/29/S, 1x AS, career .257/.348/.448, $11Mx4 • SP Dursun Kapkin, ex-HOU, 2/29/L, career 41-56 w/3.98 ERA, $11Mx5 • CL Antonio Gonzalez, ex-SF, 5/29/R, career 132 SV w/2.94 ERA, $8Mx4 • CL Klaus Kleimen, ex-ORL, 4.5/28/L, career 227 SV w/2.64 ERA, $5Mx4

06-27-2013, 10:05 AM	#388
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,849	December 16, 2016 Subject: Winter Meetings For the next three days, Continental Baseball Association teams will be scrambling to meet with prospective free agents, possible trading partners, the media and egocentric agents. Rumors will be kindled by the hot stove fire, burn out of control and be doused by the hour. Some will have casualties; don't be one of them! San Francisco made the first headlines, signing free agent LF John Jackson (ex-PHX, 2*/28/L, 1x AS, career .285/.344/.456). Jackson was angling for $17Mx8 but accepted $13Mx6 to play for the Federal League champs. I continue to search for ways to improve the team without increasing the payroll. My primary goal is to upgrade the catcher position and avoid Gary Arkle’s lame duck season. My budget and/or other team’s unwillingness to deal eliminated all of the top 10 catchers in the CBA, but there are still good players in the next ten. I found the catcher that I wanted fairly quickly, and fortunately he was on a team that could afford Arkle and was open to discussing a swap of catchers for the right incentive. It is a rebuilding team with a good catcher prospect at AAA that is blocked by my target. Arkle gives them the luxury of developing their player slowly this season with no salary obligation beyond. It took several hours to agree on a package of prospects to seal the deal. By the end of the first day, we were able to announce a trade. It was given a lukewarm reception by the fans, but I think it will turn out to be a good move.

06-27-2013, 10:07 AM	#389
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,849	December 16, 2016 (BNN) Subject: Colonels Send Arkle to Denver The Colonels and Miners announced a deal that was completed today. Louisville sent 26-year-old catcher Gary Arkle, 24-year-old center fielder Norberto García, 26-year-old minor league first baseman Fernando Borges and 24-year-old minor league starting pitcher Pedro Villanueva to Denver for 24-year-old catcher Ryan Edwards. Both teams appear happy with the outcome of the trade. The general managers told the Baseball News Network they felt the swap was beneficial for both teams and the players. In a career spanning 592 games, Arkle has batted .284 with 577 hits, 48 home runs, 265 RBIs, and 216 runs scored. Arkle is coming off a below-par season and is set to be a free agent after the 2017 season. He had reportedly been unable to reach agreement on a new long-term contract with the Colonels. Edwards hit .252 with 13 home runs and won the Federal League Gold Glove Award at catcher last season, his first full year in the majors. Edwards has a good eye at the plate and surprising gap power (32 doubles in 2016) given his modest home run totals. BNN rates Edwards as the #12 catcher in the CBA. Off-Season Center 12/17/2016: San Francisco traded starting RF Ryan Crosby to Salt Lake City for the Bees’ backup catcher Jose Valentin and a reliever. Valentin will compete with Seals backup catcher John Starr to replace departed free agent Manuel Ortiz. There were a few other minor transactions at the winter meetings, but no players of note changed teams and none of the big free agents were signed. 12/26/2016: San Diego acquired 27-year-old starting C Ed Richardson from Dallas for two minor league relievers. 12/31/2016: Denver signed 39-year-old LF Brock Richardson for 2 years at $11M per season. The injury-prone star has not played a full season since 2012. This doesn’t seem like a rebuilding move, but they are buying time for prospects to develop.

06-27-2013, 03:19 PM	#392
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,849	Management Carousel Update The following CBA teams have personnel changes for this upcoming season. Federal League: Los Angeles Vipers (92-71, 5th): GM Jaime Perez (former Orlando GM) Chicago Cougars (74-88, 10th): GM Felipe Perez (former Washington GM) Seattle Falcons (68-94, 11th): MGR Stan Moran (former Orlando MGR) Patriot League: Pittsburgh Warriors (82-80, 7th): GM Bob Bannatyne (former Dallas GM) Charleston Generals (80-82, 8th): GM Elvin Dailey (no prior experience) Washington Admirals (76-86, 10th): GM Antonio Cruz (former Chicago GM) Orlando Sharks (76-86, 11th): GM Millard Lawrence (former Pittsburgh GM); MGR Jerry Parker (former Orlando BC) Charlotte Knights (63-99, 15th): MGR Nick Sutton (former Owensboro PC) Charlotte hired our rookie league pitching coach to be their major league manager? He has never been above class A. Good luck with that. Note that Washington and Chicago traded GM’s. It will be interesting to see how that works out. Retired Players There were no significant retirements announced on New Year’s Day. Off-Season Center 01/01/2017: Phoenix signed the final star catcher, Don Woods, to a three-year deal worth $19M. 01/02/2017: New York signed 3B Jose Valentin, ex-CHS, 4/29/S, 1x AS, career .257/.348/.448. He asked $11Mx4 and accepted $10Mx3. 01/05/2017: Denver continued to rebuild, sending star 1B Ken Brown to New York for two prospects. 01/06/2017: Louisville CF Jose Diaz suffered a setback in his recovery from a torn labrum. He is not expected to play before mid-May. Team officials said that Diaz will likely be at AAA Lexington for the majority of the season to get more playing time. 01/06/2017: Washington signed SP Antonio Tares, ex-HOU, 2.5/29/L, career 56-47 w/3.56 ERA. Tares originally wanted $13Mx6 and received $11Mx4. 01/12/2017: Providence signed SP Jorge Gonzalez, ex-CHI, 4.5*/35/R, 10x AS, 2x BP, career 189-108 w/2.74 ERA. “Numbers” wanted $20Mx5 and got $20Mx3. Good agent.

06-28-2013, 09:49 AM	#393
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,849	February 2, 2017 (BNN) Subject: CBA Pre-Season Begins The Continental Baseball Association preseason starts today and the season schedule has been released. Baseball fans are getting excited as players begin to prepare for the regular season. The aches and pains of last season have finally healed and now it is time for players to work their way back into shape. Young players and team newcomers will fight to prove themselves as front offices across the country try to decide who will be on that Opening Day roster. The preseason is all about making tough choices and that process begins today. So far, the off-season winners and losers in terms of WAR gained/lost are: 1. Louisville +3.3 (traded for 2B Patrick Guillaume 2.0 & C Ryan Edwards 1.5) 2. Cincinnati +2.8 (signed SP Bill Beasley 4.5) 3. Charleston +2.2 (signed C Brian Campbell 4.6) 4. St. Louis +1.8 (signed CL John Flannery 1.6) … 27. San Diego -7.8 (lost SP Hirohisa Yamamoto 3.7) 28. Sacramento -9.6 (lost SP Pippino Franchitti 4.8) 29. Chicago -10.2 (lost SP Jorge Gonzalez 4.7) 30. Orlando -11.0 (lost SS Ron Reynolds 4.2) It is interesting that there are far more losers than winners, and no big winners. I don’t see that much left in free agency. ********** Fan interest is at 92, down 3 points from the end of last season due to the loss of the inexplicably popular Jerome Clark.

06-28-2013, 09:50 AM	#394
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,849	Pre-Season Center 02/08/2017: Baltimore signed CL Klaus Kleimen, ex-ORL, 4.5/28/L, career 227 SV w/ 2.64 ERA. He wanted $5Mx4, and got $4.2Mx2. I offered $5Mx1 to be a setup man, but he insisted on a 2-year contract. My owner would not approve the second year, even as a team option. 02/15/2017: Atlanta signed CL Antonio Gonzalez, ex-SF, 5/29/R, career 132 SV w/2.94 ERA. He originally asked $8Mx4, and ended up with $9Mx2. 02/16/2017: Los Angeles signed SP Scott Carter, ex-IND, 2/30/R, career 57-50 w/3.92 ERA. He wanted $12Mx8 and got $12.6Mx 6. The Vipers rotation is scary now as Carter projects to be their fourth or even fifth starter. 02/26/2017: Houston re-signed SP Dursun Kapkin, ex-HOU, 2/29/L, career 41-56 w/3.98 ERA. Kapkin originally held out for $11Mx5, but finally settled for $6Mx3. 03/04/2017: Baltimore signed CF Jose Cruz to a 3-year deal worth $12M. Cruz is another of those steady players that just quietly goes about his job very well

06-29-2013, 10:40 AM	#396
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,849	2017 Spring Training Recap • The spring training record was 9-13. The serious injury total was zero! • SP Edgardo Ordonez and CF Jose Diaz are still recovering from 2016 injuries and will open the season on the D/L. Both are expected back in May. • We had a few DTD and minor injuries among the non-starters, but very lucky overall. • The starting rotation was set before spring training and nothing happened to change those plans. I still want a veteran starter on a minor-league contract as insurance. • The final spot in the bullpen went to Brendan Polk over rookie Ray Forrest. I want to get Forrest a little early work in AAA, and Polk pitched very well in the spring. • LHP Shusaku Kouki is out of options, but he cleared waivers and will report to AAA. • New C Ryan Edwards had a great spring and will be backed up by Ben Holcomb. Third catcher John Parks was optioned to AAA. • Catcher Jon Howard (23/R) was claimed off waivers from Seattle. Howard is on a minor-league contract and will split time with Parks in AAA. His potential is 3 stars. • Slugging 1B Ricky Allen was optioned to AAA and will try to learn a new position (LF). We know he can play 1B and this would give us another way to use his bat. • Patrick Guillaume will play 2B and bat leadoff. We want to take advantage of his speed. Top prospect 2B Paco Morales was optioned to AAA with a return ticket. • Lance Morrison will be the utility infielder with Frank Carson also available at 1B/3B. • The starting outfield will be Hector Castro (LF), Bryan McConnell (CF), and a platoon of Brian Ferguson and Jason Harmon (RF). • The fifth outfielder will be Miguel Bustamante. He can play all three spots, pinch-hit from the left side, and be useful as a pinch-runner to steal a base in the late innings. • Young outfielders Jack Bunney and Roberto Lopez were optioned to AAA. Around the league: • Salt Lake City signed 2016 MVP SS Ray Schultz to a 4-year contract extension worth $80M.

06-29-2013, 02:20 PM	#397
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,849	April 3, 2017 (BNN) PRE-SEASON PREDICTIONS Talk about disrespect! Louisville will limp home with only 83 wins? These so-called experts have under-estimated our offense, and they have significantly under-estimated our pitching and defense. No players OR pitchers in the top 10? That’s ridiculous. Boy, will they be embarrassed when we pull this rag back out of the trash in October. The world champion New York Monarchs must be feeling the same animosity as we do. These stupid predictions are really not worth discussing any longer. ********** FYI… there are 94 players on waivers; 71 position players and 23 pitchers. Veteran catcher Gregory Gardner (currently with San Diego) is the only player with unused minor league options. Gardner is 32 years old. He is signed for two years at $640K per season. He has a career stat line of .255/.312/.425 in 627 major league games, and his skills have not diminished. He is an excellent defensive catcher, winning the Gold Glove in 2015 while with Salt Lake City. He has great intangibles, including the leadership skills needed to be a valuable catcher on a winning ball club. Phil Green rates him at 2 stars overall. I see no good reason why I shouldn’t claim Gardner to be my third catcher and/or trade material. I have an open roster spot, room in my budget, and he has two minor league options. I put in a claim for him.

06-30-2013, 10:58 AM	#398
Orcin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,849	April 3, 2017 Subject: Personal Message from the Owner – Season Expectation Otto, I have now decided on the goal for the coming season. After evaluating several factors, I have come to the conclusion you should be able to achieve a winning season, playing better than .500 ball. For the second straight year, you only achieved two of our five organizational goals. 1. Win the division championship. (no) 2. Be competitive in the playoffs. (no) 3. Record a financial profit. (yes) 4. Keep fan interest above 90 and draw 3 million fans. (yes, barely) 5. Maintain a minor league system ranking of 10 or higher. (not even close) I do give you credit for a team that went down to the wire in the division. However, you made several panic trades and seemed to act out of anxiety and frustration rather than composure and confidence. Frankly, I expected the team to be farther along by now and more stable. Also, I am disappointed with the lack of success in the post-season. I’m sure you are aware that the end of this season marks the end of our “arrangement”. The team will need to impress me this year to avoid a serious discussion of your future employment next October. I will evaluate your efforts based on results, not reputation. Oh, and one more thing. Please reduce your consumption of espresso. We do not want a recurrence of your health problems from last year, plus the cost of coffee is quite high. Good Luck! Gordon Cooper

06-30-2013, 11:00 AM	#399
SurfRat61 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 135	Blasphemy, I say! Total Blasphemy! But seriously, would it really have made a difference to you if they said first and we'd run away with it? Me thinks not. "Kindling starter for the ole fireplace" is what I tell my neighbors who follow the Colonels when the subject comes to newspapers. Who cares? What matters is April is here and me and the kids can put our season tickets to use and go see some games! And, as long as I'm calling your office, could you have your marketing department come up with some better promotions this year? The kids really enjoyed Bat Day last May. Maybe some bobble head days. Also, will you be retiring Duncan Bland's number in the near future? Thanks! Now I better go back out and finish the lawn.

06-30-2013, 12:40 PM	#400
Sal, The Barber All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Youngstown, OH Posts: 594	Sal does not give the Louie-villes permission to make a bobblehead. Yes, Sal understands that that would be a hugely popular promotion, but Sal does not trust lawyers, and Sal cannot see how this would not involve lawyers. However, Sal can help Mr. Orcin deal with the frustration and anxiety and panic. Sal never acts out of frustration. Never. No one is afraid of sitting in Sal's chair--even after a phone call from one of his ex-wives. No one. ("Hey! Sit back down there, SurfRat, or Sal will cut your throat!")