The IBL's Chicago Iron Pigs

[gehrig38]

STUFF
The winter meetings are coming up. 3 of my 4 big ticket free agents are compensation guys, but if I can’t get something done with 1 or 2 I am going to have to seriously look at doing something.


CONTRACT TALKS
Ernesto Cruz is not happy and we’ve decided to end contract talks for now….. That’s not good. And somehow rumors of our talks with Alexander have hit the media, and they’re reporting a 90.5 million 5 year deal, he wishes.

12/4
Dayton finds the man to supplant Bill Hill:
The Dragons have announced the signing of what many feel is the best all around bat left in the market. 2015 Hank Aaron Award winner Gerald Wright has agreed to terms on a 5 year 100 million dollar contract extension, setting a new IBL record. Wright will receive 76 million over the deals first 4 years and holds a 24 million dollar player option in what will be his 33 year old season, in 2021.
(ugh, this market is just killing my chances at retaining my players right now. I’ve never been a big contract guy before, but if I want to keep the core together, that’s going to have to change).

Brooklyn finds an ace:
The Cyclones have just announced the signing of 34 year old Steve Whiteway to a 2 year 34.8 million dollar contract, with a 3rd year team option of 17.4 million, or a 2.6 million dollar buyout. Whiteway is 75-45 3.88 career with his best season coming in 2012 (19-10 3.33). Last year he had a career low 9 wins and career high 4.35 ERA in 34 starts.

12/6
Corpus Christi signs its backstop:
The Hooks have announced the signing of 28 year old converted catcher Brent McCoy to a 4 year 52.4 million dollar contract. McCoy is coming off a career year in Edmonton where he hit .268-35-107 in 144 games. Many are wondering just where this team is going, with just the 2013 season (81-81) as their only non-last place finish and 2 100 loss seasons in their past 3. They have some good young pitching led by Ace Luis Acosta, but their offense is a hodge podge of not ready young talent and fringe players.

Edmonton finds a replacement for Mendez:
With Closer Esteban Mendez off to the warm desert of Arizona, Edmonton was in need of a veteran in the pen. Today they got him, signing former Greyhound setup man and part time closer Colton Courtney to a 2 year 11.6 million dollar deal to be their closer.

WINTER MEETINGS OPEN

12/7
Edmonton continues pen revamp:
A day after signing Courtney Edmonton shocked many by announcing they’d signed 2016 FL Mariano Rivera Award winner Nicholas Clark to a 3 year 38.1 million dollar extension. The 34 year old Clark will move into the closers role and push Colton Courtney into the setup role, giving the Trappers an outstanding late inning duo.

Pittsburgh and Edmonton deal backups:
Former Iron Pig Ignacio Ferrer (36) was dealt to Pittsburgh for 29 year old backup catcher Tom Gentry. Gentry figures to catch the lions share in Edmonton while prospect Francisco Gomez continues to be groomed. Ferrer was told he’d handle the 2B duties in Pittsburgh, for next year at least.

51’s make a pair of deals:
Las Vegas acquired 29 year old RP Derek Campbell and 650K in cash from the Edmonton Trappers for 21 year old OF prospect Rusty Davey. Many scouts believe Davey has ‘light tower power’ to go with 70 steal speed and is a lock to contend for a gold glove in center someday. The 51’s then turned around and acquired their 2017 closer in 31 year old Eugene Simpson from Houston for 20 year old 1B prospect Scott Scott (yep that’s his name) and 20 year old OF prospect Kurt Sheppard. Simpson will make the 51’s pen outstandingly deep in power arms and he’s as durable as they come, appearing in 354 games the past 5 years with a 2.68 ERA. The prospect haul for Houston has a twist of irony, Scott was their 2014 3rd round pick whom they failed to sign out of Norfolk HS in Virginia. After the following year at William and Mary he was taken in the 4th round and signed with Las Vegas. Shephard was Las Vegas’s 3rd rounder in 2015.

Alaska gets deals former Chicago 3B for SP:
Alaska has sent 3B Sean Parker and 21 year old Maik Dansen to Fresno for 28 year old SP Antonio Espinoza and 1.7 million in cash. Espinzoa is 46-59 5.29 with 504 punch outs in 873.1 IBL innings. Parker was outstanding in a part time role hitting .315 with 9 HR’s and 27 RBI’s in 44 games fro Alaska last season. Dansen was signed out of Aruba by Edmonton in 2012, and was the #64 IBL prospect in 2014. Alaska selected him in the 16th round of the expansion draft. Espinoza will pitch third out of the Avalanche rotation, backing 2016 Koufax winner Barry Zito.

[gehrig38]

12/8
The Railcats ink another Koufax winner:
The Baltimore Railcats have inked veteran SP Ron Pearce (33) to a 4 year 36.4 million dollar contract. Pearce is 63-49 with a 3.50 ERA. He was the Frontier Leagues 2015 Koufax Award winner and a 2013 All Star. He will co-anchor the Railcats rotation with 2014 Coastal League Koufax winner Chris O’Slattery.

Bulldogs anger Patriot fans with signing:
After missing much of the 2016 season with a shoulder injury former Patriot Closer Julio Arroyo has signed on to setup All Star Joe Boswell in Pittsburgh for at least next season. He signed a 2 year 12.4 million dollar contract with the cross state rival Bulldogs. The contract contains a 50 IP vesting option for 2018.

Former Rivera Award winner finds a new home:
Bill Barlow will be getting the ball late in games, again, but now for a different club. The former Dayton closer signd a 2 year 25 million dollar deal with the Sacramento River Cats today. He’s 13-23 lifetime with 163 saves and a 2.29 ERA in 286 games. He’s struck out 389 in 310.1 IP.

Knights and Trappers make a deal:
A day after CF prospect Rusty Davey was given a new home in Edmonton, he’s moving again. Spending less than 24 hours as a Trapper, the 21 year old was packaged with SP Brandon Osborne to the New York Knights for Catcher Pedro Carrion and 950K in cash. Osbornes is 26-46 with a 6.06 ERA while Carrion moved into a starting role after being dealt from Staten Island to New York 2 years ago, and is a career .266/.358/.371 lifetime hitter in 396 career games.

12/9
Dayton deals pitching for a prospect:
The Dayton Dragons have sent 26 year old SP Rich Phillips (5-11 4.86) to Staten Island for 19 year old OF prospect Juan Morales. Phillips will be the Yanks #4 starter. Morales was signed by Staten Island out of Venezuala in July of last year playing in just 27 games before a thumb injury sidelined him. An OF with exceptional speed, instincts and stealing ability scouts believe his power has 15+ potential on the OSA scale.

Sacramento gets more pitching:
The Rivercats dealt 26 year old OF Jorge Correa and 24 year old OF prospect George Graham to the Tulsa Drillers for 30 year old SP Esteban Valdez. Valdez is 67-55 4.30 in 162 career starts. You might remember his clutch 8 inning performance in a 4-2 game 5 win in the World Series. He’s as durable as any SP in the IBL, making 31 or more starts for 5 consecutive seasons and never pitching fewer than 210 innings. His best season was 2015 when he went 16-9 3.69 for Tulsa. Correa is a ++ corner OF with big pop. Will get his walks but scouts don’t see his bat hitting for average. He figures to be a late inning defensive guy and LH hitting platoon OF. Most believe Graham was a ‘throw in’ to help with the depth in the Tulsa minors.

More moves in the Edmonton Pen:
The Trappers will enter 2017 with not one recognizable face in their bullpen. Today they sent 28 year old RP Clarence Barber and 20 year old RP prospect Shimei Ikarashi to San Antonio for 32 year old OF Justin Ryan. In 351 IBL games Ryan has hit .274 with 34 homers while Barber has moved from being a SP to the pen and sports a 46-37 5 Save 4.65 ERA. He won 12, 12 and 13 games starting for the Trappers from ’13 to ’15 and was a reliever in ’12 and ’16 exclusively. Ryan figures to be a defensive guy and RH platoon bat for Edmonton.

Knights deal 2016 #1 to division rival:
In a surprising move on both ends New York added a solid arm to their rotation while Buffalo picked up a premier pitching prospect. New York sent 2016 #1 pick (8th overall) to Buffalo for workhorse J.R. Robinson. Robinson is 41-41 4.82 lifetime in 134 games (117 starts). As the Knights remain unsure of 26 year old SP phenom Ray Anderson timetable on return from surgery, they added veteran depth in the meantime. Buffalo gets Morgan, whom NY drafted out of Lawrence HS in Massachusetts and inked to a 3.52 million dollar bonus. A fastball that touches triple digits but that many scouts see ending up in a bullpen role when he fills out.

12/10
Chicago adds catching depth:
In a deal to bolster our catching we shipped 27 year old SP Elijah Walton (11-11 7.39) to Buffalo for 25 year old backup catcher Mark Moran. An outstanding defender with a decent enough bat to ably fill the role, Moran’s age and 2 options were too nice to pass up. We also swapped 2nd round picks with the Bisons, moving up a few slots in round 2. With free agency upon us compensation picks are going to make early picks far more valuable.

Winter Meetings end…
I had some deals on the table, and a few teams made offers I am going to keep talking about on Ron Miller, RH bats are at a premium, but Brooklyn is teasing some 5 star mound prospects, so we’ll keep the door open.

[gehrig38]

Free Agent Rumor Mill:
12/12 Houston closer Tom Conklin is one of the few remaining options at Closer for teams still in the hunt and Staten Island, Boston, Alaska and West Michigan are all said to be in discussions. Word has that the White Caps have tabled a 41.4 million dollar offer to the 33 year old.

12/13
Edmonton and Pittsburgh make a deal:
Edmonton, by far the most active team this winter, has swapped utility players with Pittsburgh. Getting 27 year old 1B/OF Josh Harris from Pittsburgh for backup middle infielder David Schmitt and 18 year old IF prospect Sergio Franco. Franco was spotted in Mexico and signed last year. Harris is a career .301/.342/.502 hitter in part time duty over the past 3 years. In 158 games he’s hit 30 doubles, 22 homers and driven in 83. He’ll likely backup against RHP and be a righty bat in LH starting platoons. The 25 year old Scmitt figures to assume the everyday SS job in Pittsburgh.

12/14
RUMORS: El Paso might have lost Gerald Wright, former MVP, but if rumors are true they’re looking to former Knight slugger Stefan Conway to fill the void. Conway’s 21 million dollar asking price has pushed many teams away but El Paso's huge and rabid fan base is up around the clock campaigning for owner Jose Cruz to commit the dollars to the slugger. Conway’s career numbers, 142 homers and 481 RBI’s, look even better when you consider he’s coming off his best season at age 35 after hitting .302-43-156 last year. Former Staten Island slugger Travis Bryant and Dayton triple crown winner Bill Hill remain unsigned.

12/15
Railcats push for respect continues, ink slugger to 2 years.
Baltimore has announced the signing of former Staten Island Yankee Travis Bryant to a 2 year 35.6 million dollar contract today. The IBL’s 5th all time hitter in Home Runs (tied with Wes Morgan and free agent Alberto Vargas) at 188, Bryant is a career .282/.384/.517 hitter in 754 IBL games with 564 RBI’s (also tied with Morgan for 5th all time). The Railcat plan is for Bryant to hit 4th behind Mehpare Isfahani and ahead of newly acquired SS Edward Young.

12/15
Fresno gives Eilsary a co-Ace, if he can stay healthy.
The Grizzlies announced they’d inked 25 year old Colin Durham to a 3 year 54 million dollar contract. This deal, many believe, is a no brainer if the pitcher can stay healthy, something he’s not done yet. Major rotator surgery near the end of 2012 was followed by a nerve issue in 2013. He’s had nothing major in the past 3 seasons but has found his way to the DL two more times. When he’s healthy he’s 48-37 4.50 in 122 starts, with 629 K’s in 693.1 IP. He was a 2016 IBL All Star.

12/16
Philly keeps Lashari:
The Patriots have re-signed Catcher Rajah Lashari to a 2 year 25.6 million dollar contract. 2016 was his first healthy season in 3 years and he bounced back to his former self, hitting .274-28-90. The 34 year old has talked about this as his last contract.

12/17
Hooks grab a bat:
Former Railcat IF Randolph Boyd has landed in Corpus Christi on a 2 year 14.4 million dollar contract. The 26 year old is coming off a career worst .262 18 homer season. He’s a career .294/.340/.474 hitter in 719 IBL games. His glove allows him to play the entire infield and he won the 2012 CL Gold Glove at 3rd base, he’s a 2 time all star. Hooks media has made is known that Corpus Christi plans on him being the 2B against RHP, and will move to 1st vs LHP, hitting 3rd in their lineup.

12/18
Arizona finds its catcher:
The Greyhounds have acquired 29 year old Esteban Caballero to be their everyday catcher, along with 750K in cash, from San Antonio for 21 year old IF prospect Harry Morgan. Caballero is a career .248 hitter with 16 homers and 268 RBI’s in 618 IBL games. Morgan was taken in the 5th round of this years draft out of Dixie State and won the Gold Glove in the Short Season GCL.

12/19
Dayton makes huge commitment to O’Dell:
The Dragons have been looking for an ace to replace Ernie Kelly since his move to the pen and today they spent a hundred million dollars on the man they think can do it. Signing former Philadelphia Patriot Richard O’dell to a 7 year 100.8 million dollar deal. The landmark contract will pay the 28 year old 14.4 million a season through 2023. O’Dell was a 2014 All Star and sports a career 56-54 record with a 4.59 ERA in 142 games (138 starts) with 919 innings.

12/20
Buffalo pilfers Grizzly closer for 18.6 million:
Former Fresno Grizzly closer Glenn Hanna has signed a 3 year 18.6 million dollar deal to close for the Buffalo Bisons. Hanna is 10th all time with 158 saves and has a 2.90 ERA in 319 games with 414 K’s in 328.2 IP.

12/22
Philadelphia’s moves to make games 6 innings?
The Patriots have inked former Houston closer Tom Conklin to a huge contract, giving the 33 year old 26.2 million guaranteed over the next 2 seasons with a team option for 15.2 million for 2019. There’s a 1.9 million buyout but an even more interesting clause in that Conklin has been promised the closers role in Philly. Interesting, and terrifying for Coastal league clubs because Philly now sports 3 closers in their pen. Elmer Osborn (their former closer, 91 career saves 2.40 ERA) will be the right handed setup man, Julio Salinas (158 career saves and a 2.29 ERA signed to a 36.6 million dollar free agent contract this winter) the left handed setup man and Conklin. If the Patriot rotation can get games to the 7th opposing managers could have to begin playing for the win in the 6th this year.

12/25
Merry Christmas to Fisher Cat fans everywhere!
New Hampshire gave their fans a warm feeling on Christmas morning by announcing the signing of 27 year old SP Nick Powell to a 6 year 78.4 million dollar contract. Powell will earn 9.6 million this year, and escalate to a 16.6 million dollar salary in 2022. The former Diablo RP was 15-10 4.09 in his first full season as a starter this year, throwing 211.1 IP, with 191 K’s for Green Bay. He’s 32-27 4.55 in 193 games, 46 starts.

West Michigan lands a SS.
White Cap fans were elated to learn the club has signed 32 year old Julian Martinez to a 4 year 52.5 million dollar deal. The 2013 FL Gold Glove winner at 3B is a career .284 hitter as well as the IBL’s all time leader with 227 doubles. He has a career OBP of .393 in 673 IBL games.

IBL CAREER LEADERS IN OBP
Todd Helton (GB) .449
Mathew Moore (NY) .428
Alex Rodriguez (ALK) .427
Mario Orosco (SI) .421
Thomas Hood (LV) .420

12/26
El Paso nabs a slugger:
The Diablos have signed former New York Knight 1B Stefan Conway to a 3 year 51.6 million dollar contract. Conway, a 2012 all star, is a career .299 hitter with 142 home runs and is coming off a career best .302-43-156 year. Much was made of the departure of fan favorite Gerald Wright but signing the 35 year old Conway has Diablo fans anxious for the 2017 season as they await the return of ace Corey Elkins (out until Feb/Mar after arm surgery)

[gehrig38]

1/1
Happy New Year Yankee fans!!
Staten Island brought the new year in with a big bang, inking former MVP Bill Hill to a 2 year 40.4 million dollar contract. Hill was in talks with several teams and Staten Island was not thought to be one of them. The 34 year old carries a career .309 average and his 227 career homers are 2nd all time. Hill will move to RF in Staten Island and team with 1B Alejandro Villanueva to give the Yanks a formidable 1-2 punch.

Corpus Christi bolsters the pen.
The Hooks have signed 25 year old Closer Danny Davis to a 2 year 14.6 million dollar deal. Davis (2-8 33 Saves 3.59) last year has agreed to move to a setup role for Corpus Christi Closer Jon Miller (6-5 31 saves 2.57 ERA last year).

IBL’s BIGGEST CONTRACTS
Bill Hill (SI) 20.2 Million
Vincente Romero (HOU) 19.8 Million
Colin Durham (FRE) 18 Million
Rich Stone (HOU) 17.6 Million
Steve Whiteway (BRO) 17.4 Million

1/2
Silver Stars ink veteran slugger:
San Antonio announced the signing of former Arizona Greyhound slugger Luis Rios today. The 35 year old agreed to a 3 year 48.6 million dollar contract. San Antonio now boasts 3 men who hit 40 or more homers last year in Ron Stoke (48) Rios (40) and Ed Thomas (40). Rios is a career .274/.356/.535 hitter with 184 home runs and 549 RBI’s.

1/3
Bombers and Trappers make a deal:
Edmonton has dealt former Chicago Pitcher Dan MacFadden and a 2017 2nd round pick to the Boston Bombers for 19 year old P prospect Carlos Zambrano and 24 year old 3B Ricardo Cabrera. MacFadden is 32-23 5.60 in 90 IBL games, 77 starts. Zambrano was signed by Boston as 1 of the 4 player slots for former MLB players/minor league prospects, available to the expansion team. Cabrera was drafted by the LA Wizards out of Texas A&M in the 2015 draft (12th round).

1/7
Chicago sends 5 players and cash to Sacramento:
We’ve agreed to send 28 year old SS Angel Lopez, 20 year old 3B prospect Jimmy James, 21 year old P prospect Enrique Lopez, 22 year old P prospect Anselmo Israel and 22 year old catcher Francisco Reyna and 650k in cash to Sacramento for 20 year old 3B prospect Jason Anderson.

(Sacramento was interested in Lopez for a 40 man fluff outfielder and a prospect. When I peeked around their system this kid was a potentially nice prospect. I’ve managed to put enough in the way of numbers in my system and had an overflow of players, so I worked for about 2 weeks tweaking the players until they finally agreed. The cash was to cover Lopez’s contract, and he’s an extra utility guy that’s older than Harris and they both do the same exact thing. None of the prospects were on our top lists, and I have more than enough depth at Catcher to move Reyna now. Anderson was their 2nd pick in the 2015 draft (47th overall) and was a rookie league all star and gold glove winner.

San Antonio gets a big time arm:
The Silver Stars made another significant signing today, inking 18 game winner Ruben Cruz to a 5 year 52.5 million dollar contract that will keep him in the black and silver through the 2021 season. The 29 year old is coming off a career best 18-10 season that was split between LA and Las Vegas and is 63-56 4.51 lifetime in 185 games, 139 starts. He will grab the ball on opening day for San Antonio as things sit right now.

1/12
Arizona inks veteran reliever:
World Series Champion Wu-shiun Fou has signed a 2 year 8.72 million dollar deal with the Greyhounds. The 36 year old lefty will move into a setup role in the Arizona pen.

1/15
New Hampshire gets a big bat:
The Fisher Cats announced the signing of 35 year old slugger Don Evans today. The former Corpus Christi outfielder agreed to terms ona 3 year 27.3 million dollar contract and will hit 3rd in the New Hampshire lineup.

1/28
Boston gets a veteran arm:
The only pitcher in IBL history to win 20, and lose 20, 36 year old Bartolo Serrano, signed a 3 year 27 million dollar contract with the expansion Bombers today. Serrano is 68-48 3.79 lifetime in 145 IBL starts over 1017 innings. He’s been a workhorse and was exactly the type of presence Boston was looking to add to its young unproven roster, and rotation. He’s coming off a career worst 11-20 4.91 season but is just 3 years removed from his 20-8 3.76 season in 2013.

1/30
Arizona adds more pitching:
Arizona signed former Avalanche SP Flynn Woods to a 2 year 8.4 million dollar contract today. The 28 year old was 9-13 4.62 last year for the Western Division Champion’s. Woods is 46-55 4.89 lifetime in 165 games (142 starts).

2/1
Brooklyn grabs a backup backstop:
Former New Hampshire catcher Andres Romero has signed a 1 year 2.6 million dollar deal to backup in Brooklyn. The 28 year old has a .261 lifetime average with 26 homers and 205 RBI’s in 469 games. Last year he had his best season as he started for the 1st time and played in 146 games hitting .264.

[gehrig38]

I have been debating and scheming the entire off season, through the winter meetings about how and what I would do to get Pedro Salinas into the lineup on a regular basis, At 24 he's ready now, and I don't want to waste years on work arounds, when it hits me. Move Morgan to 3rd, put Salinas at 1st!
Duh. Lorenzelli ends up the odd man out, but Salinas is a HOF potential bat, Lorenzelli not so much.
Yes, it does weaken my defense considerably on the right side, actually drastically, but I can swap Lorenzelli in late, and move Morgan to 1st when need be.
Problem solved, for now.

[Splitter24]

Sleep much? Those posting times are just as impressive as this thread!

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by gehrig38

Move Morgan to 3rd, put Salinas at 1st!
Yes, it does weaken my defense considerably on the right side, actually drastically, but I can swap Lorenzelli in late, and move Morgan to 1st when need be.

I'll be watching this withy great interest. If you are going to try to hide someone defensively, third base might be the place to do it.

[gehrig38]

Originally Posted by Orcin

I'll be watching this withy great interest. If you are going to try to hide someone defensively, third base might be the place to do it.

Nay nay my friend! While I have never felt 1B was where you hide defensive liabilities, it requires the fewest physical tools to play in the big leagues. Lack of range can hurt, sure, but you cover that up with a 2nd baseman that can move, it's the only position on the IF where a bad arm can remain hidden for the most part, only really ever being needed on a 3-6-1. A bad arm comes into play every play at 3rd, and a lack of range there is far harder for the SS to cover up.

[gehrig38]

Originally Posted by Splitter24

Sleep much? Those posting times are just as impressive as this thread!

OCD, ADHD and hooked = obsessed
It's a very weird time in my life, sleep is challenging for me with everything going on, and I'm a night owl by nature.
Not to mention I was dying to finally get to this year to see my league start taking on life and personality with free agency and what not.
I think I accidentally timed the 2nd expansion perfect, as the two new teams have afforded me 50 extra roster spots at time when there was a massive influx of free agents, so most if not all legit ones have or are signing.

[gehrig38]

2/2
2 middle relievers find homes, one of them our old friend Sib:
Buffalo inked 29 year old RP Andy Fritz (23-16 12 Saves 2.96 in 297 IBL games with 443 K’s in 376.2 IP) to a 2 year 12.3 million dollar deal and the Houston Roughriders signed former Iron Pig Sib van Bodegraven to a 1 year 2.48 million dollar deal. He was 3-1 3 Saves and a 3.65 ERA in 72 games last season.

2/5
Staten Island adds a proven winner:
2 time world champion Dave Ladd has signed a 5 year contract with the Staten Island Yankees. The 32 year old OF was part of the 2014 World Champion Patriots, and last years Tulsa Driller squad. Known around the league for his insane baseball “IQ” Ladd is a 2 time all star and 2013 Gold Glove winner in left. He hasn’t played in fewer than 155 games the past 3 seasons and 34.4 million guaranteed in this deal with the 8.6 million 2021 player option is a clear sign the Yankees believe it all. He’s a career .287 hitter with 142 home runs, 186 doubles and 56 stolen bases in 78 attempts. After adding slugger Bill Hill to hit third on New Years, the Yanks have solidified their rotation and are asking Ladd to play RF and hit 6th.

2/9
Edmonton deepens the pen:
What’s left of the free agent market is now scrambling as spring training nears. 33 year old RP Desi Davis has inked a 1 year 3.8 million dollar deal with a 2nd year player option at 3.8 million as well, to setup Closer Nelson Clark in Edmonton.

2/10
San Antonio adds Jongmans
26 year old Lando Johgmans has signed a 3 year 14.64 million dollar deal to play 2nd in San Antonio. Jongmans is a career .264 hitter with 114 career doubles and 113 career homers and is 82-114 in stolen bases. He sports a career .340 OBP in 657 IBL games, all spent with Baltimore. He’s a 2 time all star and 3 time gold glove winner at 2nd Base.

2/11
New addition hurt in media dustup?
Apparently at the close of yesterdays press conference to announce his signing, infielder Lando Jongmans was involved in an altercation with a San Antonio beat writer. Nad Shawnhessy, writer for The Alamo Weekly, was apparently inquiring about an unsubstantiated rumor involving Jongmans and a certain dugout reporter in Baltimore. The conversation got heated, and then physical, and Jongmans was hurt when his wrist ‘fell’ on the beat writers face…… He’ll likely miss the first few days of camp. Stay tuned. (FYI this isn’t the first time said writer has been involved in unsubstantiated reporting of trivial BS)

2/12
Dallas finds its closer:
31 year old closer Bobby Whitten has moved from the frozen tundra in West Michigan to the plains of Texas, today signing a 1 year 4.88 million dollar deal with the Texans to be the closer in their inaugural season. The 31 year old Canadian was the closer for the White Caps the past two seasons saving 49 of 55 opportunites. He’s 25-21 with 57 career saves and a 3.29 ERA over 426.1 IP with 482 K’s and 110 walks.

2/14
Patriots ink SP:
The Patriots are fired up about what they believe to be a potential steal, inking 34 year old SP Steve Copeland to a 2 year 6.96 million dollar deal. Copeland had Tommy John in April of 2015 and didn’t return until mid season last year, going 2-4 with a 5.96 ERA in 12 starts. Many scouts believe his stuff started coming around at the end of the season and believe Philly did in fact pull a fast one. Philly has assembled what many believe to be the best bullpen ever seen, in any league, this year and point to the lack of a true #1 before this signing. Copeland is 54-39 4.49 lifetime, a former all star and Gold Glove winner he lead the league 2013 and 2014 with 35 games started. His best season was 2013 when he went 17-11 3.91, striking out 193. He punched out a career high 212 in 2014, going 14-9.

2/20
Railcats sign 2 time all star Medina:
Baltimore found itself its own steal. Signing 32 year old 2 time all star SP Santiago Medina to a 1 year 2.44 million dollar contract today. Medina is 50-39 4.01 lifetime and was 10-7 1 Save last season between Fresno and El Paso. The righty had a career year in 2015 going 17-7 3.07 in 30 starts for the Grizzlies. Baltimore has said Medina will pitch out of the 3 spot in the rotation to open the season.

Fresno welcomes back an old friend:
1B Qi-chen Jung, a cult hero the past 5 years to the Asian community in Fresno, has re-upped with the Grizzilies in what many think is his last contract. The 37 year old signed a 2 year 9.88 million dollar deal to play 1st base. Fresno made strong runs all winter at the big bats on the market but missed on every one, apparently not willing to go the dollars or years the premier guys were asking for.

2/22
Pair of former Iron Pig relievers sign:
Left handed specialist Craig Frank, long a fan favorite here in Chicago, has signed a 1 year 1.9 million dollar deal with the Los Angeles Wizards and MR Riley Potts, coming off a fantastic season in Alaska has signed on with New Hampshire for 2 years and 8.56 million dollars. Potts will move back into his familiar setup role for the Fisher Cats.

2/25
Corpus Christi signs Rosa for 2 years:
Rosters are beginning to close up and Corpus Christi made a last minute addition before camp opens. Signing former White Cap infielder Felipe Rosa to a 2 year 6.84 million dollar contract to be their DH. Rosa suffered a serious elbow injury and made 3 trips to the DL last year with a range of groin and hamstring injuries, but many scouts still believe his bat is a run producer. West Michigan is planning on hitting him in the 2 hole, ahead of new SS Randolph Boyd.

3/2
Edmonton signs veteran SP Johnston
Edmonton has managed to snag another SP, adding 34 year old Nick Johnston for 1.82 million this next season. Johnston (10-11 5.09 in El Paso last year) will be the Trappers #3 starter as camp opens. He is 66-41 4.37 lifetime, in 160 starts. He has 934 K’s in 919 career innings. His best season was 2012, when he went 19-8 3.88 with 204 K’s for the then Los Angeles Sky Sox.

West Michigan signs slugger Maitani:
His stubbornness almost cost him, almost. 3 time all star Valentin Maitani signed a 7 year 61.95 million dollar contract with the White Caps. The signing comes the day hitters report and Maitani was clearly elated. The 27 year old is coming off a career worst .255-19-64 season in 124 games for El Paso. Prior to last year he averaged .277-41-118 the previous 4 years. The White Caps clearly feel as if this is a bargain basement deal for a slugger entering his prime.

[gehrig38]

STUFF
Some big time free agents still without homes, but far far less than I think might have been had the two expansion teams not come along. I have to thank you again for the financial help Orcin, as I look at this winter it’s clear that had that not been handled right the financials would have ruined this league by not allowing the free agents to sign.
Having said that I have stood pat, and done next to nothing. I am frozen really, too scared to commit huge money to an oft injured SS (Chartier), unsure if the franchise player is declining (Alexander), unwilling to ink a guy who I think is a #3 at heart, to #1 money (Alejandrez) and unable to bring myself to throw 15+ million at a 31 year old closer (Cruz). I’m going to likely just play it out with Paul Riggs, and take the arb hit if need be while both working to sign him longer term, and developing players to replace him.

But it’s camp time, and everyone’s an injury from nightmare with a free agent signing or that young replacement going down. Given the health histories I’m setup to get my entire 40 man innings and plate appearances to help the young kids improve, and get the roster ready. Ken Johnson and Jeff Bentley are the only 2 players in camp, out of options, who could present issues. Johnson is already on the squad unless he falls from the earth, Bentley was out the last 4 months after shoulder surgery but all reports and scouting on him says his stuff and control, are better. Camp will tell.

(OOTP FEATURE REQUEST!! IF at all possible it would be fantastic to have 3-4 ‘slots’ for spring training that you could focus your coaching staff, trainers on. Like ‘Teach X a new position = 1B” or “improve stamina with personal trainer” for a SP, or “Work on new X” where X is cutter, or change or what not. So there could be at least marginal improvement, and harder working baseball rats might improve a lot, guys with poor work habits or what not, might just improve 1 pt, or none?) I know I know, feature creep, but it never hurts to ask.

[gehrig38]

Well visuals are always best, so here's a "How To" on breaking and making a club in 6 months when no one plays a game. Get rid of the suck, sign good players, as Pittsburgh clearly did (though there + WAR came in the form of 1 guy really) and I have NO idea what they were thinking in CC, but they basically shed their entire roster, and brought back little in the way of impact players.

I put Chicago up there for the stark contrast, very little changeover. I do think Moran is a great addition, every bit as good as either of my 2 catchers with a better bat the Flores (though not by enough to make people go nuts). I'll let them work it out in camp. If something were to happen to Hudson I have 2 solid defensive guys in a lineup I could likely have an 'all field' no hit guy if I had to (though neither is that bad with the bat).

Couple teams I was curious about-

Philly (-2.3 WAR)-what they did in the pen was pretty much unprecedented, it's every bit the late 90's nasty boys, with three legit front line closers to get the final 6-9 outs, if they get ANY SP they could be dangerous. Per WAR they added 3.6 wins with Conklin and Salinas. Them allowing O'Dell and Whiteway to walk (6.7 WAR combined) could cause everything they did on the back end, to backfire, can't protect a lead you don't have. 3B Kevin Peters (2.4 WAR) remains unsigned, and is still a hell of a player.

Sacramento (-7.9 WAR) Letting Romero and Myer go (combined 9.5 WAR) and basically not replacing them could make it a long year for the River Cats.

Houston (+4.9 WAR) They added what was likely the best pitcher and best hitter (or top 3) of the winter in Rich Stone and Romero. A combined 12.9 WAR, the Roughriders, all told, added 14.6 WAR (and I bet Troy Glaus is much higher than the 1.0 he is assigned when all is said and done). Their 4.9 seems to be in losing 2 closers, Conklin and Simpson (combined 4.2 WAR), and RF Paul Reeves (3.3 WAR). But in taking a closer peek our old friend Sib, who's now closing for them, appears to have gotten better in his time outside Chicago and could be a 40 save guy with his stuff (when he left Chicago he was, I think, a 14/14/9 peak guy per our scouts, and he's now, according to those same scouts, a 16/16/10 and throwing mid to upper 90's). If Gonzalez and De La Garza are even a HINT of their former selves, with Romero the ace, they've got a 3-4-5 to rival any team, anywhere. Stone is now hitting 3rd, Cy May 4th (coming off his worst season average wise, but he still hit 41 homers and drove in 109) and young thumper Troy Glaus in the 5 hole. I'm betting if Alaska doesn't win it all in the next 2-3 years they'll rue the day they dealt Glaus. His power is 18/19 according to our scouts and he played in 156 games last season. He goes for 40 this year, with those 2 bats in front of him, he could be a top 3 MVP guy. They need a bounce back year from Millard O'Reilly, he missed almost the entire 2015 season with a broken kneecap, and was out a month late last year after breaking his arm. At 32 they're in need of a healthy bounce back season from him. Watch for C Mike Johnston (acquired midway through last season from Michigan for duel Rookie stud Beau Whitney (kid finished top 3 in both leagues RotY vote!) to possibly bring another big time power bat to their lineup as well as provide major defense behind the plate. If the roster stays healthy, always an IF, this could be a very quick and dominant rise back to their world series prominence.

Alaska-(+2.5 WAR) Ok here's the rub. Adding to a rotation headed by Koufax winner Barry Zito, is young, HUGE, lefty C.C. Sabathia. It went under the radar since he had labrum surgery late last season, but from all reports he's in camp, healthy and throwing better than any lefty in the game, including Zito. He's their #2, which makes the signing of Fresno's Antonio Espinoza that much smarter, moving a 2-3 guy into your 3-4 spot. Backing that rotation up is the IBL all time saves leader, Anbar Suhayb, which could make this team not just a post season contender, but a short series nightmare.

Edmonton-(+1 WAR) If you did follow the papers this winter, and read through the player moves, no team did more 'moving' than the Trappers. Owner Mark Bastien seized on a renewed interest in the club and while know to watch his wallet, he pushed GM Danny Thornton to 'make a difference', and boy did he ever. Edmonton saw a mind boggling 25 PLAYERS walk out the door, 25! Basically they lost an entire IBL roster of players. In their place they 'added' 15, but ironically the move everyone believes will make the biggest difference, if they get good, was the resigning of their own player, 2B Tim Davis (4.4 WAR) to a 4 year deal. (though many scoff at the 70.8 million, believing Bastien was bidding against himself the whole time).

(BUG REPORT! The WAR list shows a player lost and gained that was your player to begin with, that should not be on the list)

[gehrig38]

3/6
Rumors abound around OF Barry Meyer and Fresno. The former Pittsburgh, Edmonton and Sacramento OBP machine is rumored to be mulling a 4 year 30 million dollar offer from the Grizzlies.

3/9
More rumors. This time around 29 year old basher Alberto Vargas and New Hampshire. A year removed from his 52 homer season Vargas apparently has a 24 million dollar 2 year offer on the table.

3/10
Blizzard CF Andruw Jones strained an oblique and will start the season on the 15 day DL.

IBL CAREER RBI LEADERS
Bill Alexander (CHI) 738
Bill Hill (SI) 679
Curt Whimster (TUL) 597
Gerald Wright (DAY) 579
Travis Bryant (BAL) 564

3/15
Dallas Texan 2B Will Beck will miss at least the next 5 months after suffering a grade 3 concussion today.

Vegas signs former Bulldog 2B Wright:
Las Vegas fans have watched 2B Chip Reynolds bust his butt to return from a career threating knee injury and it appears at least another month away. He’s missed over a year to date. The 51’s today inked 32 year old 2B Kris Wright as insurance, agreeing to terms on a 7.44 million dollar 2 year deal.

3/16
Columbus insures fan favorite remains a Clipper:
Columbus worked all winter and it finally paid off. The Clippers announced a new 5 year 75 million dollar contract extension with 5 time all star catcher Dean Strong. The contract is guaranteed through the 2021 season for 56.8 million and the club holds an 18.2 million dollar option for the 2022 season. Dean hit .255-28-105 last season.

3/16
Chicago rumored to be nearing a deal with star SS:
Finally decided to work on this in earnest. He’s 23, he’s a star, and he plays the most important position on the infield. If I can swallow..bah, reality break. I composed the original offer with a vesting 600 games played option and in the process of tweaking that got snubbed. I’d make an offer he considered, and was going to think through, and realized before I submitted it that the vesting thing was gone, I added it and he’s pissed I’m ‘changing my offer’….. Wish there was a way to go fix his mood, this would suck to lose a franchise player, but I’ll come up with some reality way to spin it if it happens. So I didn’t submit it and am going to try and wait it out, see if he eases up a bit.

3/17
River Cats setup man out for the season:
Sacramento placed setup man Joey Johnson on the 60 day DL after the 34 year old broke his elbow on a line drive come backer today. Bill Barlow was signed this winter and Johnson had agreed to move into a new role to accommodate the 31 year old, but his season looks to be over now.

3/18
Ron Miller and Pedro Salinas are tied for 2nd in HR’s across the IBL. Both have 4 and Salinas is trailing teammate Luis Chavez by 2 hits in the IBL lead there as well. Pedro’s 13 RBI’s are 1 behind Fresno’s Jeff Ball. Those three are also tied for the lead in walks with 12, and are 2nd (Salinas 31) 3rd (Chavez 30) and 4th (Miller 25) in spring training total bases.

3/19
New York Knights slugger Mathew Moore will miss the first few weeks of the season after a severe quad injury put him on the 15 day DL and will likely take 5-6 weeks to heal.

IBL CAREER WINS LEADERS
Walt Thompson (CHI) 87
Vincente Romero (HOU) 86
Alfredo Alejandrez (CHI) 82
Mike Holmes (COL) 81
Joel Downs (TUL) 78

3/21
New Hamphshire Catcher lost for the season
Fisher Cat fans were shocked to learn 24 year old Jorge Jimenez, the teams starting catcher will miss the entire 2017 season after rupturing a disc in his back on a home plate collision yesterday. The young backstop spent 3 months on and off the DL last season with a broken foot and a torn hammy, and had minor back issues as well. He looked to be rounding into a top flight receiver after back to back 23 HR seasons in ’14 and ’15 but slumped to .205-4-13 in just part time duty last year as he battled to stay healthy.

Devastating news out of El Paso:
Diablo Ace Corey Elkins, out since his surgery in September of last year, is expected to miss the entire 2017 season as he underwent a 2nd shoulder operation to clean up debris and scar tissue generated during his rehab. After a winter spent building this contender Owner Jose Cruz and GM John Gibson were almost speechless at the press conference to announce the latest news. “Corey has done everything we aksed, and more, and to see him have to endure this a 2nd time is heart breaking. He’s 25 years old so there’s alotta years left, and the doctors have all said he can be as good as he ever was when he returns so we’ll do whatever he needs us to do to make that happen as fast as is safe for him, and for the club”

3/23
Hooks to be without young OF
Corpus Christi placed 25 year old starting OF Kirk Emerson on the 60 day DL after he underwent shoulder surgery and was lost for the next 4-5 months. Emerson was hurt crashing into the CF wall in a game yesterday. The Hooks 2014 6th round draft choice from St Johns was slated to to open the season in their rebuilt lineup but now will have to wait until August or September most likely.

3/24
World Champs shock the IBL
Defending Champion Tulsa Drillers came to the podium today, with everyone curious what was going on, and dropped a bombshell. The 2016 World Champs are hell bent on defending their title and plan to do it with 33 year old former batting champion Greg McCain in their outfield. Tulsa inked the Edmonton star to a guaranteed 3 year 26.3 million dollar contract with a vesting 4th season at 12.75 million (550 PA). The thought of McCain hitting in front of All Stars Rich Alfred and Curt Whimster and newly acquired slugger Jamie Vance is likely to cause some major ripples across the Coastal league pitching staffs. McCain holds the single season mark for Batting Average, winning the title in 2014 while with Edmonton. He was dealt mid season last year from the Trappers to Los Angeles and hit a combined .289-13-71, his worst season to date. He has a career slash line (in 773 games) of .315/.399/.452


3/27
Cyclones sign on base machine Sparks:
Brooklyn has signed 31 year old OF Lou Sparks to a 3 year 19.89 million dollar deal. The IBL’s single season walk holder (151 in ’12) and 9th all time in OBP (.4146) will form a fanastic top of the lineup with CF Ernesto Gutierrez (yep, our Goot). Sparks is 4th all time with 589 walks as well. San Antonio dealt him to Corpus Christi last season in a 5 player deal (Silver Stars got P Leonard Mathis, P Bill Jones, 2B Doug Cote and 1B Nick Ackerman).

3/29
Pats lose reliever
You spend all camp working to stay healthy and on these last days you hold your breath. Most times it works, today it didn’t. He wasn’t one of their big signings but he was the blue collar part of the star studded Philly pen. 31 year old Rafael Flores will be out at least 5 months after exploratory shoulder surgery. In 237 games over 5 seasons he’s 12-16 with 5 Saves and a 3.63 ERA in 280 IP.

[gehrig38]

Ron Miller, if I didn't have such great left handed hitters, screams to get in the everyday lineup. Pedro Salinas appears to be everything Martin and the scouts believed he was.

Lester Jones is a young prospect (157th round pick in the inaugural draft!) who scouts give a 16/17 eye/avoid K’s to. His defense is an issue, while he plays all around the IF he’s not adept enough to move him into an IBL role routinely. He hammers RH pitching though and will be a nice insurance piece.
Riggs had a good spring as did Becker. Becker will head to Tulsa and play a lot, keep him fresh. No real surprises, kinda wish Hudson had a better spring but I need him fresh. Also expected Rivera to start pushing for a move, but he had a bad spring as well.

Bad communication as Moran was supposed to get some AB’s this spring. He’ll get them at Tulsa I guess. So we made it through camp this year with no injuries, here’s to a regular season of the same.

Hudson and Flores break camp as my catchers.

Salinas, Riggs, Chartier and Morgan in the infield, with Lorenzelli and Will Harris as the backup infielders.

In the OF it’s Alexander, Collins, Chavez and Miller and Coates as I'll go with a 12 man staff again, 3 left, 3 right if I can, Cruz and 5 SP.

[gehrig38]

Starters from 1-5, Thompson, Lee, Alejandrez, Rogers and Zamora. There was thought in 2 aspects. I was thinking about Daugherty for Zamora if he earned a spot, in the limited time he had, Daugherty didn’t Gonna see if I can get Gerardo an extended look, ability wise he’s ready. Daugherty and Williams head to Tulsa as insurance.

Cruz at the end, and we work our way out. The 3 righties, Winston, Rodriguez and a conundrum. Ken Johnson is not suddenly going to start throwing strikes, Alex Brown didn’t have a great spring but he was dominant last post season. He’s 32 can can refuse an assignment, and Johnsons 31 and out of options. Adding to this is the fact that Ken Johnson is a semi ‘cult hero’ in Chicago as the “Johnson’s Jehovahs’ went viral or something.

Anyway, fans love him, and trading him could create some backlash. Alaska makes it easy, as shopping the 2 brings marginal interest in Johnson, some ok names, nothing serious, but the Avalanche offer up 25 year old Chance Holt, a fireballing 25 year old with options and an arm. He’s about untouchable from the right side, has some issues with lefties, but his mid to upper 90’s sinker slider combo gets grounders at a 70% clip, and he’s got 4 more seasons of roster ‘protection’, having just 1 year in the IBL. It’s also a nice move economically, as it brings us from 16,500 in the hole to 1.84 million in the green. I get him to exchange 3rd picks as well, moving us up 8 slots in round 3. The deal is consumated and Holt is optioned to Tulsa where he’ll close.

On the left side it’s Torres, Pennington and Jorge Sanchez.
Roster issues are involved in this composition. Jeff Bentley is coming off surgery, but pitched in B games and rehabbed all spring, and it out of options. Bentley garners some interest, nothing earth shattering but I find a fit with Railcats GM Will Fleming for 25 year old P prospect Bob Pollard a reliever out of UCLA. Nice arm, nothing special but will be a good AA/AAA arm. Given my over the top “But you’re getting a guy with IBL experience, and a proven commodity out of the pen, AND he’s left handed, Will offers to exchange 4th rounders to sweeten the deal. I groan tha Pollard has already cleared waivers, no one wants the kid, he offers to exchange 5th rounders as well. 2 things about this, first off Bentley is a solid big league reliever now, not finding his niche starting, and will be a quality lefty out of any IBL pen. That and Baltimore, due to their aggressive winter, doesn’t pick until Round 3 in the draft this year, forfeiting their 1st and 2nd. So he was treating his 3rd like a 1st…

No worries, I’m already picking 9th, 41st (7th in the 2nd), 80th, and these two moves get me from 116 and 144 to 99th and 127th. So I have 4 of the 1st 100 picks now.
And that will set my roster. I’m going to give an opening day look at the club in a bit, but I need to sort out the organization for opening days across the minors and I’ll report back.

[gehrig38]

MOVES AROUND THE ORG
Mark Williams was 10th in the league in 2013 with 14 wins, and had a 4.31 ERA in 29 starts over 177.2 IP. That was followed by a good 13-7 4.69 campaign in 32 starts but as my organization has improved top to bottom my wants for SP now have to include stamina. I need my starters to eat innings. He’s a serviceable starter but not in my rotation anymore, and he’s 28. He’s pitched well enough someone will give him a big league job and my job in return is to find that for him, and improve the organization in return. In most deals I have put out there Alaska GM Ted Johnston continually puts reliever Jake Ellison up as ‘available’. He’s a 25 year old flamethrowing lefty who is a bullpen arm, and gets righties out almost as well as lefties. His high 90’s fastball is one of the leagues best and he compliments it with a serviceable circle change. He’s making the minimum, has 3 options left, and is now in my organization. Knowing full well the need for SP I take their 3rd rounder as well, 88th overall, and give back my 5th, 127th overall. A huge ‘win’ for me from every angle. (Until Mark Williams shuts me out in a playoff game or something stupid like that.)

(OUT OF CHARACTER COMMENT: It’s amazing how ‘fun’ games give their fun. For many Skyrim was amazing as much for modding as it was for playing. Here, it’s just the ‘feel’. What other sports sim can you ‘scour’ the minor league free agenst hoping to pull a kid out of the pile and turn him into something. To be honest my biggest nightmare right now is running into a ‘game killing bug’ such as finding out something I believe to be true about the mechanics, isn’t. It’s the main reason I don’t ask ‘how’, I never do when a game feels ‘perfect’, as this one does, now back to the Iron Pigs and Opening day.)

I am thinking that 5 seasons is enough history and enough ‘stuff’ to do a pre season ‘magazine’ on the upcoming year, a breakdown of the ‘home team’ with a look around the league. If it’s manageable I am going to give it a shot. I’ll at least give a “Press guide” look at the 25 players heading north for Chicago.

[gehrig38]

NEWS, NOTES AROUND OPENING DAY
CONTRACT DISCUSSIONS:

Closer Ernesto Cruz:
He came to see me today. He was unhappy, and it was evident. He wants to remain here, he loves the team, and the city. I talked long and hard about how much we want him and how much we appreciate what he’s done, and been, to this franchise. Sans his agent we talked contract, taboo but more players should do it. I made mention of our desire to keep a World Series Caliber team on the field, and if his desire was to make every last dime, I absolutely understood but it was going to be hard to have substantive conversations. Hearing him talk, and the money he spoke about, there’s a deal to be made. I extended a 5 year offer, longer than I’d have preferred, but worth every penny if he’s the guy he’s been, hell half the guy he’s been. It totaled 49.5 million, with a base of 8.3/9.4/10.5/10.6 and 10.7. It’s a very club friendly deal and gives him the security he wants. He’s warm to it, wants to talk with the family on it and will get back to me. I feel extremely good about it.

Jean Chartier:
Feathers still seem ruffled and word has it his ask is at least 19 million per, starting at 4 years. He’s worth every penny, if he’s healthy. That’s not a small ‘if’ in his case. If he can get that money next winter we’ll be a team in the bidding, if we can do something closer to 15’ish then we’ll talk.

Bill Alexander:
In addition to what feels like some angst on his part, he’s looking for 25 a year, for 9 years. There’s not a planet in the solar system that’s going to happen on, popular or not. Going to see how things start out and maybe approach him early on, if he’s open to talking.

Paul Riggs:
He’s making 4.75 after the whipping we got in arbitration. Next year we’re talking 6+ I would guess. He’s a 12-14 million dollar player and his initial ask, 4 at 26.65 is absolutely doable. He’s 24, and he’s damn good.

Massimiliano Lorenzelli:
Massi is a free agent after this season. He’s never had high self esteem and his ask shows it. He’s making 650 now, and wanted a 1 year deal at 850. I offered 2 years for 1.55 total and he’s elated. We’ll see how this turns out but at 25 the kids a doubles hitting machine who can flat out play SS and 3rd. A steal at 2-3 times this price tag.



Excerpts from the 2017 Chicago Iron Pigs Opening Day Media Guide…. Going to give a brief look at the 2017 Iron Pigs opening day roster, how we acquired each player and a quick synopsis. We’ll work from the rotation to the pen, then around the infield and outfield.

STARTING ROTATION

1) Walt Thompson (35, turns 36 in August of this year) RHP
How Acquired-Dealt OF Ernesto Gutierrez, IF Jesus Mota and the 2016 #1 and #2 Draft picks to Brooklyn for Thompson and Brooklyn’s 1 and 2.

The definition of an ace pure and simple. 87-40 3.26 lifetime he’s the IBL’s all time leader in Wins, K’s, VORP and WAR. He’s owed a paltry 6.36 million this year and 7.83 next. If he can stay healthy I want him to gracefully finish his career in a Chicago uniform. We will certainly approach him at some point to talk about it. Getting the ball for his 6th straight opening day start. Was 9-3 3.47 in 17 starts after being acquired last year. A 4 time IBL All Star and 3-time strikeout title winner, he has 1 3-hitter and 1 4-hitter in his career.

2) Ken Lee (27, will turn 28 next May) LHP
How Acquired-Dealt OF Alfredo Lozano to the New York Knights in December of 2015.

Took the IBL by storm last year, recording our first ever 20 win season (20-4) leading the league at seasons end with that 20. 26-11 lifetime and a power lefty. He’s prone to fly balls with his mix but his low to mid 90’s fastball allows him to get K’s when he needs them. A very smart guy who constantly works to hone his craft. Signed for the league minimum (402K) this year and will be arbitration eligible. Just wanting to confirm last year wasn’t a fluke before we sit down to try and extend his contract. Hoping his refined command and stamina add up to a larger workload this year. His 207.2 IP was very nice, but I’d love more from our #2. A 2016 first time all star he has 1 1-hitter in his career.

3) Alfredo Alejandrez (31, turns 32 in November) RHP
How Acquired-2nd round pick in the 2012 IBL Inaugural Draft (45th overall)

On the final season of his 4 year deal and we’re hoping he earns the bonus this year (500k for 225 IP). As much as I’d like to complain about his lack of stamina he’s been nothing if not steady for the past 5 seasons. Winning 16 or more 4 straight years and never losing more than 11. His career 82-42 4.04 record places him 3rd all time, 5 behind Thompson in 1st. He started work on a change up this spring and it’s now a pitch he’ll use 3-4 times a game. His splitter is one of the leagues better pitches, and he’s still sitting 96-98 most nights. He’s a free agent after this season and the baseball ops guys believe he’s peaked, and may have a few seasons of elite pitching left but are more inclined to believe his best seasons are behind him. Either way few are on board with an extension in the price range he is likely to ask. More concerning than the price tag is his desire to get 6+ years. If we could manage to get him at or near 10 a year we’d have interest in a 3-4 year deal. He pitched the 1st No-Hitter in IBL history on june 23rd 2012 vs the Michigan Battlecats, striking out 11. Has 1 1-hitter, 1 3-hitter and 3 4-hitters on his resume. A 2 time All Star.

4) Bryan Rogers (26, turns 27 in June) RHP
How Acquired-Drafted 9th overall in 2012 out of Chaffey College by Sacramento. Acquired from them when we sent SP Mike Davis to the River Cats in a 1 for 1 swap.

At 6’3” 211 lbs he’s an ace in stuff and presence. Though we’re working on the numbers matching the potential right now. Pure gas and no issues telling you. He’ll touch triple digits in the first and last inning of any outing. He’s 24-24 4.22 in his brief 85 game career (55 starts) and we wanted a power arm when we made the deal, and he’s that. His control was the main reason behind his 161.1 IP last season, his 100 walks, while alarming, were to be expected. His control has improved and I expect, under the guise of Walt as the ace, for him to grow into the role starting this year. He was a 2016 All Star and has 1 2-hitter under his belt. He’ll hit arbitration this winter but if he manages a strong first half we’ll work to make sure the case never happens.

5) Gerardo Zamora (22, turns 23 in May of this year) RHP
How Acquired-Our 2013 first round draft choice, 4th overall, out of East Ridge HS, Clermont, FL)

At 6’8” 235 pounds he’s the biggest pitcher in the game with an arm to back it up. Having him in our 5 slot is a testament to just how far the scouting department has gotten this franchise. He tossed a 3 hit shutout against the Avalanche last season to give everyone a glimpse of what he’ll be someday soon. He’s the 1 or 1A to Rogers for the next 6-8 years if we can make it go the way we want. He was 3-6 5.09 in his brief call up but ended up on the post season roster and tossed a gem there too. He’s just 63 days into what I hope is a lengthy career.

[gehrig38]

THE CATCHERS

STARTER-Eric Hudson (30, turns 31 January of next year) R/R
How Acquired-5th round draft choice in the IBL 2012 Inaugural Draft

Steady, easiest and most complimentary word you can use for a catcher. Caught 140+ 3 times, never fewer than 121. A career .281/.343/.379 hitter in 676 games with 359 runs and 345 RBI’s. You know what they say about catchers and their 30’s. In 5 seasons here is his Defensive Efficiency 1.061/1.009/1.019/1.040/1.018… Steady. His passed balls have always been higher than we’d like (14/7/7/14/13) but it’s acceptable. The concern, given his arm being a cannon, is his caught stealing rate which has gone 28.2/52.8/45.5/34.4/26.5. Down three straight seasons. While holding runners is the pitchers job, love to see that number kick up a little this year. Won the Gold Glove in 2013. Is in year 1 of a 4 year 9.6 million dollar contract extension signed last January. The final season (he will be 34) is a team option for a paltry 3.06 million. As long as he stays healthy his bat and defense will allow him to ease into a platoon or backup role when the time comes. Our better young catchers are likely a few years away.

BACKUP-Rafael Flores (28, turns 29 in August of this year) R/R
How Acquired-30th round draft choice in the IBL 2012 Inaugural Draft

He was brought here for his glove, and it’s been a great relationship. Great thing about a steady every day catcher is when you backup plays in 159 games, over 4 years. A great game caller and outstanding thrower his career 35.5 CS rate is outstanding for his part time role. His bat is good enough that if need be, we can run for Eric and Flores can take over in the late innings.

INFIELD

1B-Pedro Salinas (24, turns 25 in 11 days) R/R
How Acquired-the #1 overall draft choice in the 2015 June Draft out of Oklahoma State.

Came as advertised. Scouts called him a once in a generation bat and he’s done nothing to disprove that. Skyrocketed to AAA in his first season for 4 games and then spent the year there last year, demolishing AAA pitching to the tune of a .300/.405/.560 slash line with 33 home runs and 99 RBI’s in 131 games. Has otherworldly bat control, striking out just 113 times in 967 at bats and he’s bettered that, with just 3 k’s the entire spring. The plan was, and is, for him to hit 5th or 6th vs RHP, and 3rd vs LHP from now until his enshrinement in the Hall. His only flaw, and it’s not inconsequential, is his defense. It did improve this spring with all the work, but Wes Morgan was a slick fielding SS manning 1st, Pedro is a DH in the same spot. Lorenzelli will come in late innings for defense and Wes will slide over to 1st when he does. Anything less than .310-35-100 would be a disappointment this year.

2B-Paul Riggs (24, turns 25 in November) R/R
How Acquired-16th round draft choice in the 2012 IBL Inaugural draft.

He’ll play his 4th full season at 24, and he’s getting better. A career .287/.364/.418 hitter in 614 games with over 2600 career AB’s he scored 370 runs and driven in 306 while stealing 47-63 bases. He’s a doubles hitting machine, finishing in the top 10 2 times, and has 170 in his career. A 2014 All Star we’re in the midst of trying to extend his contract on good terms. He’s making 4.75 million this year and is likely due to make between 6-7 next year but if a deal can be had I’d love to get him in the fold for 4-5 more years.

SS-Jean Chartier (23 years old, turns 24 in November) R/R
How Acquired-9th round draft choice in the 2012 Inaugural Draft.

Has 5 years of IBL service and is just 23 years old. Played in just 81 games last season due to injury but went 0-4 on the seasons final day to see his average fall below .400 for the 1st time all year, ended at .399. Finished 8th in WAR and 10th in VORP despite missing half the season. A 2 time all star. Is a career .323 hitter with 98 doubles, 35 triples 106 home runs and 130 of 185 stolen bases.He’s scored 441 times while driving in 399. On the final season of a 4 year deal signed in 2014, currently discussion a multi-year extension.

3B-Wes Morgan (28, turns 29 in January of next year)
How Acquired-4th round draft choice in the 2012 Inaugural Draft.

The 2016 IBL’s home run leader (48) and 5th all time (tied with Alberto Vargas and Travis Bryant) at 188. Wes is a career .282/.368/.536 hitter who’s finished top 10 in HR’s 4 times, RBI’s 3 times, slugging 3 times while leading the league in WOBA in 2014 (and finishing 2nd in OPS). He’s an outstanding defensive 1B, shifting to 3rd this year to allow the rookie to play his way into the lineup. He is in year 1 of a 5 year 45.1 million dollar contract extension signed last year. He’s one of the club’s leaders, even if there are times he doesn’t leg out every ball in the infield.

BACKUP INFIELDERS-

2B/3B/SS-Massimiliano Lorenzelli (25, turns 26 in July)
How Acquired-(24th round pick of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in the 2012 IBL Inaugural Draft, acquired in May of 2014 along with P Will Butler, and a 1st pick for SS Joreao Tio, RP Bill George, 2B Greg Bartlett and OF Thomas Wise and our 1st pick)

Underrated and on a national scale underappreciated. An outstanding defender at short and third, and an XBH machine. He’s a career .271/.312/.410 hitter in 645 games with 175 doubles, 33 triples and 26 homers with 329 runs and 283 RBI’s in 645 games. Stolen 85-119 bases. Has been the regular 3B the past 3 years but is moving to a backup role this season with the arrival of Salinas. Will serves as a defensive sub at 3rd late in games to move Morgan over to 1st, and will platoon vs LHP at times. Massi is a free agent after this year but considering a 2 year contract extension for good money, clubwise. Finished 4th in 2014, and 2nd in 2015 in triples and 2nd in 2015 in SB’s with 33.


2B/3B/SS Will Harris (25, turns 26 in June of this year)
How Acquired-50th round draft pick of the Staten Island Yankees in the 2012 IBL Inaugural draft. Acquired, along with a 2nd round pick, in July of last year for SP Denny Walker and a 2nd rounder.

Consumate utility IF who handles the bat off the bench. While only hitting .232 career, he’s got a .356 OBP in 508 games and led the league in sac’s last year. He’s a left handed bat and our backup second basemen.

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LEFT-Eric Coates (25, turns 26 in July)
How Acquired-2nd round draft choice 2013 June draft our of West Virginia, 32nd overall)

The 2016 Frontier League Rookie of the Year despite playing in jus 98 games. His rapid ascent allowed for the trading of former leadoff hitter Ernesto Gutierrez. Hit .247/.409/.505 in 372 at bats with 23 doubles, 3 triples and 10 home runs. Homered in his first IBL game, actually homered twice. Now the table setter for the leagues best offense. A very good defender with the arm to play right if need be. One of the leagues best bunters, both sac and for hits. Won gold gloves at 3 minor league stops.

CENTER-Hugh Collins (27, turns 28 in August of this year)
How Acquired-32nd round draft choice in the 2012 IBL Inaugural Draft)

The “Franchise”. Purported by many to be the best all around player in the game right now, and entering his prime. A 3 time all star, and 1 time Gold Glove winner (2014 CF). He led the IBL in total bases with 384 last season, 7th highest total ever. In just over 4 seasons is a .310/.396/.561 hitter with 142 doubles, 25 triples and 150 home runs while stealing 163-246 bases. Has scored 534 runs and driven in 461. Finished 2nd in the league last year in hits, triples, runs, while leading in XBH, SLG %, and WAR. He’s a 2 time player of the month, 6 time player of the week and one of the more well known IBL players locally and nationally. He’s as likely to drop a bunt single as he is to homer, with all 5 tools in abundance and the makeup to bring it everday. In the 2nd year of a 4 year 10.42 million dollar extension that runs through 2019.

RIGHT-Bill Alexander (29, turns 30 in December of this year)
How Acquired-3rd round draft choice in the 2012 IBL Inaugural Draft.

If there was a Hall of Fame after the leagues 1st five years, Alexander would likely be the 1st player voted in. The career leader in HR (235) and RBI’s (738) he brings a career .314/.380/.595 line into the season. He’s struck out just 227 times in over 3000 career at bats. He’s the only 5 time IBL All Star, and the Coastal Leagues 2013 MVP, a 4 time player of the month, 7 time player of the week. He’s finished top ten in hits (4 times) total bases (4 times) HR’s (5 times, leading in 2013) RBI’s (5 times leading in 2014 with 155) Runs (4 times) XBH (3 times) Avg (4 times, finishing 2nd in 2013) and SLG (4 times leading in 2013, and 2014). Has 2 career 5 hit games and a 3 HR game to his credit. Slated to become a free agent following the 2017 season, but early talks are underway on a possible contract extension.

DESIGNATED HITTERS/RESERVE OUTFIELDERS

DH/RF/LF Luis Chavez (22, turns 23 in November)
How Acquired-19th round draft choice of the Sacramento River Cats in the 2012 June Draft out of Farmersville HS, Farmersville, TX. Traded to Edmonton in 2014 with IF Brent McCoy, for OF Barry Meyer and a 3rd pick, dealt to us from Edmonton with SP Tony Childs for SP Dan MacFadden in November of 2015)

Burst onto the scene as a 20 year old in 2015 hitting .280-17-57 in just 78 games. Last year made a case in the MVP voting after his monster .307/.371/.517 season, hitting 37 homers and driving in 115 runs while stealing 27-38 bases. Scored 100 runs on 196 hits, 20 doubles. Voted to the 2016 all star team. Finished in the top 10 in games started (151), AB’s (613), Hits (196), SB (27) IBB (7) and Average (.320). Many feel he’s in the discussion of the top 5 offensive players in the game right now, with as much power as any hitter in the game.

DH/RF/LF Ron Miller (25, turns 26 in August of this year)
How Acquired-27th round draft pick in the 2012 IBL Inaugural Draft. Acquired with SP Dan MacFadden and a 4th pick for C Jose Cabral, P Paul Martin, SP Ramiro Morales, OF Flynn Ash, OF Ken Sanders and a 2nd pick in April of 2015.

On 27 other teams he’d be hitting 3rd or 4th, right now. Especially after the outstanding spring he just had (.352 league leading 7 HR’s). He’s been invaluable as a RH platoon and OF insurance guy, though his defense is a liability in either corner. He’s an OBP machine, career .400 in 287 games.Just 90 k’s to 201 walks in 818 AB’s, with 41 HR’s and 151 RBI’s. He’s unhappy, and it’s understandable, that he’s not in the everyday lineup but it proves as much about the depth and quality of the offense as anything, that he’s not. If something were to happen and he needed to move into the everyday lineup I don’t think we’d miss a beat. In the 1st year of a 4 year 8.67 million dollar contract running through the 2020 season and worth 5x the cost.

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A look at the Coastal predictions for the year. Tulsa in a repeat? A return to prominence for Cy May in Houston, and Roa and Bray in Koufax contention. A rough 1st season for the new guys but a RF in Dallas to win a batting title?