DELMARVA Baseball League

[illeracula]

Originally Posted by Big Six

I just saw your dynasty got its 20,000th view today. I guess I was #20,001.

That's a great run, illeracula. I know I've enjoyed reading your dynasty, even if I haven't always taken the time to post comments. I'll do that more often from now on.

Anyway, congratulations on a long-running, engaging dynasty that, as a Marylander who now lives in Virginia, I find especially interesting.

Thanks for reading along... I have to say I am surprised that I have kept it going this long. I am about the begin the 12th season of the DBL and have enjoyed it. I keep thinking I should change teams, but I am determined to bring home another Championship. lol

Here is to 10 more seasons.

[illeracula]

DelMarVa Baseball League Off-Season Report

League News:
A lot of players are changing teams and some of the teams that have missed the playoffs over the past few years have jumped into the mix. The Annapolis Admirals are +11.9 WAR, leading the pack, as the Georgetown Sixteens (8.7) and the Wilmington Iron Pigs (8.4) aren't too far behind.

One month to go till spring training begins and there is a lot more changes to be made...

Free Agent Signings:
LF Francisco Durango, signs a 1 year contract with the Dover Generals worth $15,400,000. When he is healthy he is one of the games best contact hitters, but the 40 year old has had a lot of issues staying healthy over the past 3-4 seasons.

C Domingo Valencia signed a 4 year deal worth $42,000,000 with the Ocean City Tourists. The 26-year old has been one of the games better hitting catchers, but slumped in 2023. The Tourists would like to see the 2022 (.325-30-105) show up this season.

The Wilmington Iron Pigs made some news signing 1B Alonso Martinez, a free-agent out of Cuba, to a 5 year deal worth $59,900,000. The scounts and analysts are expecting big things from Alonso, who has been described as "one of the best pure hitters around".

The Milton Brewers agreed to bring back 40 year old Cliff Jones on a one-year deal. Jones who is injury prone played in 136 games last for the Brewers hitting .301-10-67. The deal is reportedly worth $15,800,000.

2B Dave McGill and the Annaplis Admrials agreed on a 2-yr deal worth $28,300,000. McGill, at 36, had one of his best seasons last year in Salisbury, hitting .270-27-71. The oft injured McGill has been working out with a new trainer this season in hopes to keep himself off the DL.

The biggest prize of this years free-agent class came to terms on a 7yr deal with $128,000,000 ($18,400,000 per season) with the Chesapeake Blue Crabs. Claude Bond, a 2-time Silver Slugger award winner, decided to chase the money and head to the Chesapeake. The 28-yr old is a career .297 hitter, with 153 HR's and 598 RBI's. Bond has brought hope the Chesapeake who lost to Norfolk in the 7th game of the Conference Championships. GM Ryan Armstrong, said in 2020, when he signed a 5-yr deal with the Blue Crabs, that his goal was to bring a Championship to Chesapeake. This deal just made them favorites in the MarVa Conference.

CF Matt Fisher came to terms with the Wilmington Iron Pigs on a 6-yr deal worth $100,800,000. Fisher, a 30-yr old, had a career season last year with the Cardinals, setting personal bests in HR's: 29, RBI's: 86 and average: .311. The Pigs hope he continues his growth.

The Lewes Braves and Totoya Ogawa agreed on a 2-yr deal, worth $32,200,000, to keep Ogawa in Lewes. Ogawa filed for free-agency, but in the end decided to return to the team he has played for the last 3 seasons.

The Dover Generals signed Japanese free-agent Naofumi Hashimoto to a 3 year deal, worth $42,300,000. Hashimoto has great stuff and solid control and could be one of the elite closers in the game. At age 29, he is full developed and is ready to close for the Generals.

The 42-yr old Keith White never seems to age, last season he went 5-3 1.83 with 45 saves for the New Castle Colonials, and in 2024 he will try to duplicate that success with the Christiana Blue Hens. White and the blue ends agreed to a 1-yr deal worth $6,900,000. White is the oldest active player in the DBL.

Power hitting first-baseman Abraham Thomas agreed on a 2-yr deal worth $23,600,000. Thomas is 23 HR's away of 500 for his career. This is his second stint with the Senators, he played in Washington from 2015-2018.

Jose Chavez hasn't been a starter since 2019, but the Salisbury Ports are hoping he can return to form that won him a golden glove award. Over the past 2 seasons, Chavez, hasn't been hurt, and hasn't been in the minors, and has only 28 at-bats to show for it. The Ports gave Chavez $1,320,000 for 2024.

The Georgetown Sixteens like to spend money. They agreed to terms with 37 year old Tony Garcia, who won 19 games last eason for the Washington Senators, on a 2-yr deal worth $30,400,000. Season 2 is a vesting option based on 180 IP. During his 11 year career, Garcia hasn't thrown under 190 innings during a season and has a 172-116 career record.

The Annapolis Admirals signed catcher Vince Moy to a 2-yr deal worth $24,200,000. The 2nd season is a vesting option based on 480 plate appearances. Moy has battled injuries over the seasons and is know "wrecked". Last season for the Milton Brewers he played in 54 games, posting a .222-6-20 line.

Centerfield Pepe Martinez and the Wilmington Iron Pigs agreed to terms on a 2-yr deal worth a total of $15,500,000. Pepe is only 25 and finally coming into his own. Last year he hit .262-19-74, setting career highes in HR's and RBI's.

Trades:
The Christiana Blue Hens acquired propspect MR Steve Silver (#28) from the Chesapeake Blue Crabs in return for SP Dave Watts (3-8 5.01, 2 SV). Watts a lefty will fit intot he middle of the Blue Crabs rotation, as they continue to bulk up to make a run for the title.

After seeing the Blue Crabs making moves, the Barons decided to jump into the fray by pulling off a couple of deals. First, the Barons acquired 1B Martin Allen (.273/.374/.491, 32 HR) and $1,710,000 cash for MR Frederick Taylor (6-4 3.49, 2SV) and prospect MR Eric Loveland (#144).

With Allen on the team, the Barons moved their other 1B Wes King, along with $1,200,000 cash, to the Seaford Blue Jays for C Rick Osborn (.275/.328/.468, 6 HR) and minor league pitcher Jorge Demata.

The Seaford Blue Jays continue to be an active participtant in the off-season, sending off MR Pedro Miranda (6-3 3.25) and CF Pedro Ortiz (A) for 1B Enzo Allard (.273/.332/.447, 28 HR's) and $2,710,000.

I am not sure if this is the Barons given up or making a run, but they pulled off another deal, acquiring catcher Paul Turner (.270/.273/.421) from the Cardinals for CL John Heath (8-3 3.88, 25 SV), CL Jorge Demata (AA) and $1,510,000. This is the second time Demata has been traded this month.


Cav's Corner:
Rule 5 Draft:
We added Steve Combs, Carlos Franco and Yelbi Mosca to the 40-man roster, bringing our roster total to 38 players. There were a couple of pitchers that were intriguing, both, however were taken before my pick. We didn't lose anyone, we didn't gain anyone.

We have a history of losing players through the Rule-5 draft, but never really any of taken a player. In our history I only remember dealing with one Rule-5 player, John Philips. We didn't draft him, he came to us via a trade, and ended up being our back-up catcher for 3 seasons. I was curious of whatever became of him, so I looked him up. In 2021 he became a free-agent, we didn't need another catcher in the organization, so we didn't try to resign him. He retired shortly after that at 27 years old.

Winter Meetings:
I am going into the winter meetings with the feeling that I need to make a move. I would love to reach out to the Blue Crabs and get Bond, but the price may be too steep. Then again, I probably have the parts to make it work... but I won't. I will focus on moving Estrada to a Delaware Conference team in hopes of bringing back a 2B or 3B... at least that is my goal. I have pieces who I will move and in the end its possible that I end up moving over $30M of salaries!

I am not sure what to think of what I just did nor our the fans... In the end we walk away with a huge dro in payroll, a draft pick, a prospect and the top defensive short-stop in the game... however we still have too many outfielders...

Lets see if I can do this justice...
First, we sent Marcos Estrada to the Georgetown Sixteens. In return we got Andy Kohl, a silver-slugger award winning catcher, and a 2nd round pick. I actually thought about stopping here, Kohl saved me $6 million this season, but the aging catcher can't play defense and he is 32 years old with 3 more high-salary seasons left.

After deciding to ship Kohl off, I called on the Seaford Blue Jays, whom I seem to pull deals off with all the time... and from them I received 36-yr old Carlos Mateo (an ex-Cav, who went 12-15 4.00) last season and 22 year old SS Anthony Lucarelli. Lucarelli is a glove wizard at SS and is turning into a solid hitter. This season he hit .281/.344/.407. I don't exptect much power from him, but he will hit much better than Augusto Rodriguez... Along with Kohl was RF Tom Dundee (AAA: Prospect), MR Steve Combs (AA) and UTL Mario Reyes (.298/.385/.433, 5 HR). Dundee was a tough one to give up, and I may want to try to get him back depending on how my roster pans out. He would make a solid back-up outfielder and a powerful right-handed bat off the bench.

From there I sent Carlos Mateo, I had no space for him and his $14M contract, to the Lewes Braves in return for 27 year old pitcher Jacob Holder. Holder wetn 5-8 4.11, with 6 SV. It was the best deal I could get for Mateo. Holder wasn't going to be with us long however.

And finally... I sent Holder to the Milford Clippers for 17 year old SS Ramon Lorenzo. Lorenzo is raw, but could end up being a great steal. He made his minor-league debut in 2023, and I expect him to turn into another Augusto Rodriguez type.

What we gained from this:
-Money, now we have $13M available for free-agents.
-A Draft pick, the Sixteens 2nd round pick in 2024
-A prospect, Ramon Lorenzo
-A short-stop, Anthony Lucarelli

What we lost:
-SP Marcos Estrada
-OF Tom Dundee
-UT Mario Reyes
-MR Steve Combs

I will miss Estrada, but he was too expensive, and I'd like to have Dundee back, but it was him or Gallegos and I decided to keep Gallegos... this is the 2nd time I decided to keep Gallegos, it will be interesting to see how it will work out this time around.

I explored a couple of other deals, moving Ramon Granados and Jeff Lewis. I did have teresting possibility with the Granados, but I am just not ready to pull that off right now. Lewis is an interesting subject. He has a player option for 2025 and would be wise to take it, but depending on how greedy he is (normal) he may look to get out...

I have a 5-star outfielder I can trade for Granados, but do I need another outfielder? Another lefty?? I did try to move Granados for one of the better 2B out there, but after looking him over and his 'fragile' state it just wasn't worth my time... I think I am done for now. I will have to do a roster overview look at the player options and see where my holes are.

Free Agents:
I have reached out to three players in hopes they will join the Cav's organization for 2024. Two players are just minor league contracts CL Wilbur Smith and RF Wibren Maeyer, the other is a free-agent from Japan, . He has decent ratings and should make a pretty good back end bullpen guy... We are "favored" by all 3, just waiting to hear...

Cavaliers Front Office:
Budget: 11th / $138,000,000
Payroll: 9th / $03,525,000
Projected Budget Room: $7,660,000
Fan Interest: 90 (-5), (-10 this off-season)
Fan Loyalty: Good
Ticket Price: $27.00

Upcoming:
- Pitches and catchers just one month away...

didn't edit this post yet... sorry for the bad grammar, etc...

[illeracula]

The Offense

I have 35 players on my 40 man roster, 21 position players and 14 pitchers. Here is a breakdown of the 40 man roster as I prepare to finalize the roster for spring training, trying to make sure I have all the wholes filled.

First we will break down the offense. Our offense is young, we only have 2 players over 30 years old, Jeff Lewis and Steve Wallace, and two (maybe 3) of our starters next season will be 22 on opening day (Lucarelli, Lopez, Lawson). This team isn't going to score a ton of runs, but they should be competitive. Just need to find at-bats for everyone.

Catchers (3):
Alejandro Diaz
Mark Bolton (L)
Peter Alexander (S)

Diaz is the starter and during his first full-season he hit .250-29-81 (124). I expect a little more offense out of him this season, as he tailed off last year. He will continue to split time with Bolton, who hit .255-6-226 (52 G). I expect Bolton to get more time behind the plate this season, taking some of the strain and pressure off of Diaz. Alexander is my third string catcher and will be sent to AAA. He is the back-up man, not great, but gets the job done.

First Base (3):
King Brock (L)
Francisco Gallegos (S)
Sergio Galvez (L)

Brock has been a mainstay in the Cavaliers lineup since being called up in 2017. All he has done is hit the ball over the past 7 seasons. Last yera he set a career high with 39 HR's, and drove in over 100 for the 3rd straight season. Francisco Gallegos was supposed to be the 1B of the future, but a few trades later he was the man left out. Two seasons ago Gallegos played in 160 games for the Cavaliers, lst year he won the AAA Silver Slugger Award. At 26 yrs old he is fully developed and has proven that he deserves a roster slot. Finding him some AB's might be tough this year, but expect him on the big team. Sergio Galvez is our best defensive first-baseman, but with the trade of Janchez, he will be our primary center-fielder, so more on him in a few.

Second Base (3):
Ramon Granados
Bernardo Velez
Yoelbi Mosca

This is where things get a little interesting. My starting 2B has 0 defense ability at second and is more of an outfielder. Granados played 106 games at second last season and will probably see more time there this year. Bernardo Velez couldn't get his swing going with the big club in 2023. He may end up heading down to AAA to learn how to play 3B, to make him more viable of a rserve player. Mosca played well during his time up with the club, and was only signed as an emergency. He will be sent down to AAA and used the same way in 2024.

Third Base (4):
Mario Gomez
Robinson Lopez
Felipe Mora
Carlos Franco

I had Gomez written in as my starting third baseman for years to come, but due to his fragile state he has fallen out of favor. Gomez played well in 2022, but was injured most of 2023. In the end Gomez only hit .266-5-24, numbers I expected to be much higher. While he was out Robinson Lopez showed that he was ready to take over. Lopez's overall line doens't look pretty .221-6-26, but he came on during the end of the season. He is our top fielding 3B and 2B, and will be listed as the #1 3B heading into spring. Mora was added to the 40-man roster to cover some voids caused by injuries last season. I see him filling that whole this year, most likely listed 4th in the depth chart. Carlos Franco is one of the best defenders in our organization at 3B and SS. He has some more developing to do, and should start at 3B or SS, or better yet 2B to hone his skills in AAA. I am not sure what the future will bring for Franco, but he could end up being a solid utility man.

Shortstop (3):
Anthony Lucarelli
Augusto Rodriguez
Steve Wallace

At shortstop we have the Glove Wizard Award winners from both conferences. The trade for Lucarelli will displace Rodriguez. Thinking Lucarelli is the better hitter. That being said its possilbe that one of these two guys moves over two second-base. Lucarell hit .251-6-77 and will never show much power, Rodriguez hit .244-2-44 and has seen his hitting skills take a dip over the past few seasons. Steve Wallace is a pure utility man, who plays 6 different postitions. He did well during his brief stint with us last season and I expect him to fill the utility void on the roster this season.

Rightfield:
Wally Lambert (L)
Jeff Lewis

Jeff Lewis walked away with the Silver Slugger last season hitting .358-23-71. Lambert didn't do much worse hitting .324-31-117. These two guys are our power houses in the outfield. Lambert played mostly DH last season with Lewis playing RF and LF. Lewis may get some playing time in CF during spring training just to see how he does.

Leftfield:
Henry Hamer (L)
Leonard Lawson (L)

Hamer could of walked away with the Newcomer of the Year award lst season hitting .301-31-90 in 125 games. I expect him to put up bigger numbers this year playing in more games. Lawson is rated a lot like Lambert and should be a mainstay in the outfield, with speed and defenisve ability. Last year with the Blue Hens, Lawson hit .227-6-22. He may see some time in AAA this year, to learn how to play the other outfiled slots, currently he is only rated in LF.

Centerfield:
Sergio Galvez (L)
Ramon Granaods
John Stewart

John Stewart is our best defender, but he isn't a hitter. Galvez is our best hitter of the bunch. And Granados is going to end up playing 2B. In the end we may need to find a better defensive CF'er (Lawson?), but right now we will got with Galvez. Galvez hit .296-21-67 last year, and had an awful start (for the second season in a row). He could put up 30/30 numbers in the future and at 26 yeras old is primed for a huge season.

Primary Lineup:
Going into January here is how Manager Arthur Ray sees the lineup:
CF Sergio Galvez
3B Anthony Lucarelli
RF Jeff Lewis
LF Henry Hamer
DH Wally Lambert
1B Francisco Gallegs
SS Robinson Lopez
2B Ramon Granaods
C Alejandro Diaz

Even if I was going ot use this lineup I would swap Lopez and Lucarelli, in regards to defensive position...

The lineup I see us using is a little different.
CF Sergio Galvez
RF Jeff Lewis
1B King Brock
LF Henry Hamer
DH Wally Lambert
C Alejandro Diaz
SS Anthony Lucarelli
2B Ramon Granados
3B Robinson Lopez

Either lineup is pretty solid top to bottom. We won't 'scare' anyone, but they should get the job done. The biggest difference between my line up and Ray's is the inclusion of King Brock. I am really surprised that Brock is left out. If I didn't put him in the lineup last season he would of been left out, and all he did was contend for the Silver Slugger. He is too good not to have in the lineup. With the amount of talent I have around in Norfolk, the days of playing 162 games is in the past.

If possible I would like to get a better hitting 3B, then I could move Lopez to second. This lineup is going to look a lot like the one we had out there on opening day 2023, which did alright Hopefully we can recreate that magic the offense from last season had. I am not saying this offense is the best we ever had, it won't compare to the team that scored over 1000 runs, but 800 runs should be a very possible number.

[illeracula]

The Pitchers

Pitchers... we only have 14 on the 40-man, we do have one on the DL who will be re-joining the team early in the season. A place where we used to thrive is now a place that we are struggling with. Where did our pitching talent go?

Starters (9):
Miguel Contreras
Paul Brown
Cornell Pearson
Vaughan Griffith
Miguel Angel Gonzalez
Armando Lopez
Jesus Ramirez
Claudio Perez
Carlos Coronado (L) - DL 3-4 months

This years rotation will look a lot like last years rotation, with the exception of Marcos Estrada. With Estrada traded away, he will be replaced with Miguel Angel Gonzalez. Gonzalez has earned the rotation slot with 2 solid Championship round starts. He is only 23 and will fill in the #5 slot very nicely. Contreras, Brown and Pearson are all locked in, then the #4 slot is some-what up for grabs.

Griffith has excelled as a starter when given the chance, winning 17 games in 2020 and 18 last season. He will be the front runner for the #4 slot, deservedly so. Lopez and Ramirez will head back to the pen, with Lopez being the #6 starter if necessary. Lopez had a solid season out of the pen (6-1, 4.09, 3 SV) and Ramirez started off slowly but ended up being relied upon (3-0 3.76, 3 SV) and will be used more often this year.

Claudio Perez spent all of 2023 in the minors, had one September start with the Cav's and it wasn't very pretty. Coronado started 2 games last year, before getting hurt and missing the entire season. He will make some rehab starts, but should be back up with the team near the end of the season.

Relievers (6):
Eric Helton
Jimmy Jones (L)
David Moran (L)
Alberto Sanchez
Luis Martinez
Dalton Whitaker

Most of our relievers are starters, with a few exceptions. This year it will be interesting and some trades will have to be made. The closer role will be given to Luis Martinez, but that still could change. David Moran saved 25 of 26 games last season, and he isn't a "closer" he would rather just play set-up. Martinez and Moran will share closer time.

One thing about Moran not closing it gives me a lefty in the pen (to start the season), and will share the set-up duties with Eric Helton. Helton had a nice season last yer pitching in a team high 54 games, posting a 2.78 ERA.

Alberto Sanchez and Jimmy Jones will be sent down to AAA, and won't be happy about it, but there just isn't space for them right now on the roster, and they are probably the weakest of the 14 pitches.

And finally, Dalton Whitaker. Whitaker is the all-time DBL save's leader with 342, but he has fallen off quite a bit over the past 2 seasons. At 36-yrs old the 757.2 IP and over 12,000 pitches has finally caught up to. He has 3 more years on contract, and could end up being waived at some point this season. Whitaker is the lone Cav that was on the opening day roster in 2013.

We are only going to carry 11 pitchers on the roster, so the cuts should be rather easy, however with the lack of options a trade may need to be made. Ramirez, Perez and/or Coronado are too good just to let walk.

Last year our pitchers gave up 520 runs, the starters had a 2.87 ERA and the bullpen a 3.44 ERA. I think seeing our starters under 3.00 this season would be a HUGE surprise, and I'd like to see our bullpen drop that 3.44 a little bit. MAG has big shoes to fill in the rotation, and I have faith that he will do well, 20 wins? Sub 3.00? Probably not, but he should win 13-15 games. Brown and Contreras will lead the way again. Pearson has been inconsistent over the years, but reliable.

The bullpen is full of questions. We used to have a dominating 'pen, but not anymore. We have a good pen and we should grow on last years success. The big difference last year was acquiring Luna and benching Whitaker. Luna is gone, Whitaker will either be the 11th man or waived, so the bullpen will look different, we will rely on a lot of youth, hopefully they are up for the challenge.

In 2016 we won the title with a team average of .280 and a team ERA of 3.52. That team won 112 games.... this years team will be very similar to that years team, but our division will be a lot tougher. I am ready to get this season started, hopefully these kids are ready to get it going as well. I like the way we are looking so far, still have some holes, still have some questions, but I am pretty sure come September, I will be saying the same thing...

[illeracula]

DelMarVa Baseball League Off-Season Report

League News:
A couple of the top all-time DBL relievers retired in 2023. Both of these guys will be talked about when it comes to who deserves the Hall of Fame vote and who doesn't. One thing you have to keep in mind is the league started in 2013, so some of the older players only had a short period of time to leave their mark.

The first guy is the Norfolk Cavaliers first closer, Carlos Rodriguez. Carlos was a memeber of the 3 Championship Teams, the 2014 Norfolk Cavaliers and the 2023 and 2020 Lewes Braves. Shortly after this years series, at 38 years old, he hung up his cleats. During his big league Career he pitched in 623 games, saving 252, only 26 blown saves, and posting a 24-32 record, with a career ERA of 2.90. He saved 40 or more games 3 times during his career, and was a 6 time all-star. He retires #5 in career saves.

The second guy, many wondered if he would ever retire, Aaron Nicholas. Nicholas retired at the end of the season at 46-yrs old, the oldest player ever in the DBL. He finished his career with 258 career saves, blowing 36, he added 42 wins, 50 loses and posted a career 2.83 ERA. He pitched in 688 career games, over 11 seasons with 10 different teams. The 7 time All-Star won one Championship, in 2015 with the Lewes Braves. He retires #4 in career saves, #10 in games pitched.

And one of the top power hitters of all-time alos retired. Billy Moore, sat out 2023, looking for someone to sign him, but after no interest was made he retired on January 1 this year. Moore is a 6-time all-star and finishes with some impressive stats. Career hits: 1212, HR: 354, RBI: 982. After the 2020 season Moore became injury prone and was never the same, hitting only 5 HR's in 2021 and 0 during the 2022 campaign. He holds the season record with 64 HR's, which he hit in 2014, and is currently #4 on the all-time HR list. Age caught up to Moore quickly after the 2020 season, if the league was around before 2013 his power numbers could of been a lot bigger. Many followers beleive he got robbed of the 2014 Silver Slugger Award, putting up .303-64-162 numbers with the Milford Clippers, the team he played for 7 of his 10 seasons.

Off Season Winners (WAR):
Annapolis Admirals (11.6)
Georgetown Sixteens (8.7)
Wilmington Iron Pigs (8.4)
Chesapeake Blue Crabs (8.2)

Off Season Losers (WAR):
Richmond Cardinals (-13.1)
Norfolk Cavaliers (-9.5)
Milford Clippers (-9.1)


Free Agent Signings:
The Ellicott City Express added a pitcher to their roster, signing Jose Alfonso to a 2-yr deal worth $11,600,000. Alfonso went 14-11 4.29 last season with the Chesapeake Blue Crabs. Alfonso saved 31 gamesin 2021, before singing with the Blue Crabs to be a starter, over his two season in Chesapeake Alfonso won 26 games.

Herminio Bovay signed a 3-yr, $27,000,000 deal with the Lewes Braves. Bovay is a solid out-fielder with a lots of speed. Last yer Bovay was hampered with injuries, stealing on 24 bases and hitting .327. He is a pure contact hitter, who plays solid D and steals bases, a great player for the top of any lineup.

39 yr-old MR Javier Castro and the Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs have agreed on a 1 yr, $2,680,000 deal. Castro will be pitching for his 11th team in 12 seasons. The last 2 seasons he spent in Dover as their closer saving 37 games. Over his career he has pitched in 691 games. Eventhough he is 39 years old he is still considered an Iron Man.

Catcher Marvin Martin signed a 2-yr deal worth $22,800,000 with the Milton Brewers. Martin played in 113 games with the Washington Senators last season hitting .258-10-39, which was considered a down season for him. The Brewers are banking on him returning to form.

The Chesapeake Blue Crabs disehd out $27,000,000 over 2 season for 38 yr old starter Paul Randolph. Last season with the Wilmington Iron Pigs Randolph made 22 starts posting a 12-4 record with a 2.53 ERA. Over his career he is 159-131, with a 3.70 ERA. The Blue Crabs already made a big splash on the offensive side and are now filling in the holes.

Most analysts think the Newark Millers are crazy for singing Jorge Padilla to a 2-yr deal worth $32,400,000, and they are Padilla are out to prove the wrong. Padilla went 12-9 3.16 in 29 starts for the Milford Clippers last season, and at 39 yrs old says he has enough in the tank to do that again. We will see.

Trades:
The Washington Senators acquried catcher John O'Donegan (.243/.314/.441, 7 HR) from the Annapolis Admirals for SP Juan Torres (2-3 4.59, 3 SV) and minor leauge CL Phil Lehman (AA). O'Donegan will be the back-up catcher in Washington and Torres will be given a shot to make the rotation for the Admirals.

The Ellicott City Express acquired 2B Denny Dooley (.271/.327/.377, 7 HR) from the Christiana Blue Hens for 5 minor leaguers: CL Kirby Nelson (AA), SP Jesus Enriquez (A), SP Pancho Martinez (A, #190), SP Tomas Vargas (AA) and MR Jorge Martinez (AA). The Express continue to try to find replacement bats after losing Will Riley to free-agency. The Blue Hens decided to go with youth, as they continue to rebuild.

Cav's Corner:
Well Granados isn't happy that we shopped him around, and I don't really care. He has been a cocky player ever since we drafted him, as soon as he picked him he ws complaining that he should be on the big-league roster. We will have to see where he falls, because at $8M I could trade him away rather easily... but do I want to? And for what? A draft pick? A prospect? Would anyone go for that? Plus he may be better to keep around, I am not sure. The team I have put together so far this year seems to have a lot of holes defensively. I did reach out to the Washington Senators and discussed a deal sending him to there for Jose Diaz a power hitting SS/3B. But they were overy excited to pull off that deal, which made me a little nervous and then we couldn't come to terms on anything.

Signings:
We signed some minor league free-agents.
Wibren Maeyer, who is an outfielder with 1 year of minor league experience. He is 19, fast, and a good outfielder. His bat isn't great, but maybe it will develop. Contact: 10/11, Avoid K's: 8/11, caught my eye, so we brougth him on.

Wilbur Smith is also joining our team. He has a minor league deal and will be around just in case. He is 25, and a minor league lifer. He has average ratings, but we don't expect much just filling a slot. Stuff: 9/9, Movement: 10/10/ Control: 10/11

Maximiliano Bastardo was signed to a minor league deal. I don't expect much from Bastardo, he will just be a back-up infielder, who plays great D with great speed. I just couldn't pass up on him, because of his name.

We made big new by signing 4.5* MR Taheiji Otani to a one year deal worth $4,550,000 (yes I will never learn). Otani will compete for a MR job, he has solid control, solid movement, and keeps the ball on the ground. He should give us a stronger bullpen. We have to hope the media circus doesn't bother the rest of the Cav's.

Back home, Taheiji Otani is already a hero. He is recognized as one of the top talents from Japan and his nation will be watching closely to see how he fares in DELMARVA Baseball League's coming season. Said Otani via a translator, "I have been very lucky to have such a great career in Japan and I hope that success continues going forward."

Trades:
We traded away 22-year old SP prospect Juan Garcia (#127) to the Ocean City Tourists for 3 minor leaguers. Garcia, according to our scout "shows flashes of brilliance, but thats it just they are just flashes", but he also has a peak control of 8, something I won't have on my roster. In return we got 3 prospects, 2B Felipe Oroz (AA, 19 yrs), MR Luis Manuel Gonzalez (AAA, 23) and MR Manuel Guzman (AAA, 27). Guzman has 2 games of big league time, but has a minor league deal. LM Gonzalez could be a nice reliever if he gets his control up, listed as 4* prospect. Oroz is an infielder, who needs to work on his defense, with plenty of speed, and contact bat that could make for a nice lead-off man. rated as 4.5* prospect. This trade was a risk, but with Garcia's control I figured it was worth it. We will see how these guys develop over time.

Thoughts/News:
We still have some money for a free-agent and some money is freed up for extenions. I am pretty sure there are no other free-agents out there that interest me, but it is possible that I will have to make a trade or two before spring is over.

Fringe Players without Options:
Francisco Gallegos
Steve Wallace
Bernardo Velez
Jesus Ramirez | Stuff: 12/12, Movement: 15/15, Control: 10/11
Claudio Perez | Stuff: 12/12, Movement: 14/14, Control: 11/11
Carlos Coronado (L) | (DL 2-3 Months) | Control: 12/12, Movement: 11/11, Control: 15/16

I will have some choices to make, but I will wait. Barring injury I may need to make a deal. David Moran has an option left, so if I send him down I will be able to keep one of these pitchers around. However, the probaly with sending down Moran is he is lefty and I'd like at least one lefty in the bullpen. Perez and/or Ramirez may need to be moved...

Gallegos is on the team, he is a hitter, he won't play in 160 games as he did 2 seasons ago, but he will get his swings in. The big decision is going to be between Wallace and Velez. Wallace is a better fielder, Velez hitter. Velez is younger and Wallace was signed to fill a void. I will wait, but in the end Wallace will be moved or waived.

Cavaliers Front Office:
Budget: 11th / $138,000,000
Payroll: 8th / $107,585,000
Projected Budget Room: $3,600,000
Fan Interest: 95
Fan Loyalty: Good
Ticket Price: $27.00

Up Next:
-Pre-Season Begins!
-Teams finalize their rosters before spring training games

[illeracula]

DelMarVa Baseball League Pre-Season Report

League News:
Pre-Season Begins: The DELMARVA Baseball League preseason begins today. With only a few weeks to go before the start of the regular season, there is much to do around DELMARVA Baseball League. Teams have to determine their major league rosters, keep their teams relatively healthy and play out a rigorous spring training schedule. The schedule has been released and front offices across the league are considering promotional days and other marketing tactics as well.

Off Season Winners (WAR):
Annapolis Admirals (15.0) - Gained 13.0, lost -2.0, got better by attrition.
Georgetown Sixteens (8.7)
Chesapeake Blue Crabs (8.2)
Wilmington Iron Pigs (8.0)

Off Season Losers (WAR):
Richmond Cardinals (-13.3)
Norfolk Cavaliers (-9.2)
Milford Clippers (-8.2)

Free Agent Signings:
Looking to solidify thier starting rotation the Dover Generals signed Hsin-ping Kun to a 4yr deal worth $45,600,000. Kun went 12-7 3.87 last season with the Neward Millers and owns a 71-59 career record.

SS Joe Chambers signed a 1 year/$960,000 deal with the Wilmington Iron Pigs. Chambers played in 122 games with the Annapolis Admirals last season putting up decent numbers: .270-8-38.

Ex-18 game winner, and strikeout king, Barney Butler signed a 1 yr deal with the Milton Brewers for $980,000. He went 10-14 4.69 last season with the Georgetown Sixteens, but has lost a lot at 38 yrs old.

The Salisbury Ports signed Roberto Reyna to a 1-yr deal worth $1,600,000. Reyna went 5-15 4.35 in 31 starts last season with the Milton Brewers.

Jose Rojas and the New Castle Colonials agreed to a 2 yr, $4,160,000 contact. Rojas pitched in 68 games with the Milton Brewers last season going 6-2, 3.92 with a save.

Vincent Parker, an old Cavaliers nemisis, will have a new home in 2024. Chosing free agency over the Barons, Parker signed a 3yr deal with the Milford Clippers, worth $18,300,000. Parker went 13-13 4.46 last seasson and has 93 career wins over his 7 seasons.

LF Alonso Reyna, signed a 2-yr deal with the Annapolis Admirals worth $9,700,000. Reyna spent last season with the Milton Brewers, hitting .267-17-62. Reyna has a career average of .294 and has hit 249 HR's.

Rick Kelly saved 38 games last season with the Salisbury Ports, and this season he will be saving games for the Washington Senators. Kelly and the Senators agreed on a 3yr deal worth $13,900,000. Kelly has pitched in 595 career games, posting a 48-41 record with 80 saves.

38-yr old Will Wilson will be pitching with the Christiana Blue Hens in 2024. Wilson agreed to a 1yr deal worth $1,980,000. Last season Wilson threw in 76 games for the Lewes Braves going 8-3 3.65. Wilson has pitched in a DBL record 808 games during his career, including the season record 91 in 2013.

Utility-man Jeremy Jones signed a 1yr deal with the Annapolis Admirals.

Catcher William Sloan signed a 1 year $3,880,000 deal with the New Castle Colonials.

Trades:
none

Cav's Corner

Signings:
none

Trades:
Sometimes the lack of options makes you do crazy things... and that is what I did. We traded away SS Steve Wallace, SP Claudio Perez and prospect SP Jim Moser (#84), along with $1,240,000 to the Dover Generals in return for SP Hector Lorenzo (#7) and MR Tariel Ratishvilli (#138)... I didn't want to trade Claudio Perez, but I had to make a choice and decided on Jesus Ramirez. Ramirez was impressive last year, and I based it on that. Steve Wallace was a utility guy, who I didn't really want, and Jim Moser is a prosopect, but one who will have control issues. Something I am not a fan of.

In return we get Hector Lorenzo, who could be a dominating starter if he developes (Stuff: 15/19, Movement: 10/10, Control: 6/11). He throws 3 pitches, all 13+ pitches, and he gets 55% grounders. He is only 20 so he has some time to develop.

Tariel is a hard-throwing lefty (97-99) who gets grounders (66%). He will be a nice bullpen man in the upcoming years, as he needs to develop his control just a little bit more (Stuff: 12/16, Movement: 14/15, Control: 9/11).

To me this deal is a win, and we are happy to have both these kids in our organization. With that trade I think our roster is complete for 2024... I think...

Thoughts/News:
We have 15 pitches on our 40 man roster, which means we will need to send down 4. Alberto Sanchez, Jimmy Jones and Tariel Ratishvili will be three guys who will go down. The other will decided upon during spring. Either David Moran, who I'd rather not send down or Dalton Whitaker. Whitaker will need to be waived, and it would be great for salary purposes if someone claims him. Whitaker isn't near the pitcher he once was as his ratings have continued to fall. Stuff: 10/14, Movement: 9/9, Control: 8/13, Speed: 87-89. He may be more detrimental to the team to keep around, but it'd be a huge payroll hit. Peaks: Stuff: 20, Movement: 10, Control: 14, Speed: 97-99 ... it really has been sad watching him fall.

Offensively we have 20 players on our 40-man, and room for 14 on the active roster. Cutting 6 players might be tough: Peter Alexander, Yoelbi Mosca, Carlos Franco, Felipe Mora, John Stewart and Leonard Lawson seem to be on the cutting block. With the options, it seems like these are the guys that are going to have to get move don. I would rather keep Lawson around, but I can send him down to AAA and have him work on playing center, something that would benefit him and the Cav's in the future.

These are just my preliminary thoughts, with spring training and injuries anything can happen and change, but just looking things over this is probably how it will end up....

Cavaliers Front Office:
Budget: 11th / $138,000,000
Payroll: 9th / $106,835,000
Projected Budget Room: $2,350,000
Fan Interest: 95
Fan Loyalty: Good
Ticket Price: $27.00

Up Next:
- Let the Spring Games begin!

[illeracula]

DelMarVa Baseball League Pre-Season Report

League News:

Standings:
Dover Generals: 6-3 + 1
Christiana Blue Hens: 7-2 + 1
Baltimore Barons: 7-2 +2
Norfolk Cavaliers/Salisbury Ports: 6-3 +1

Avg: David Durant, Georgetown Sixteens: .565
HR: 3-tied with 3
RBI: Wally Lambert: 9

Wins: 7-tied with 2
K's: 3-tied with 13
S: 3-tied with 4

Off Season Winners (WAR):
Annapolis Admirals (15.9)
Georgetown Sixteens (9.9)
Chesapeake Blue Crabs (8.0)
Wilmington Iron Pigs (8.0)

Off Season Losers (WAR):
Richmond Cardinals (-13.3)
Norfolk Cavaliers (-9.2)
Milford Clippers (-8.2)

Free Agent Signings:
36-year-old reliver Daniel Underwoord inked a 1yr deal worth $1,500,000 with the Ellicott City Express. Underwood, pitched in 55 games last season with the Annapolis Admirals going 8-0 2.63 with a save. He is 31-11 during his career.

Elmer Hawkins agreed to join the New Castle Colonials for the 2024 season signing a 1yr deal worth $800,000. The 35-yr old pitchedin 73 games last season for the Georgetown Sixteens.

Derek Carter signed a 1yr deal with the Seaford Blue Jays worth $790,000. The reliever pitched in 88 games for the Dover Generals last year going 6-6 6.17, leading the league in games pitched.

SP Dan Jones signed a 1yr deal with the Annapolis Admirals. The 35 year old will bring hom $1,280,000 in 2023. Last season Jones wetn 12-10 5.13 with the Ocean City Tourists.

Catcher Juilio Romero singed a 1yr/$900,000 deal with the Christiana Blue Hens to give them depth behind the plate. Romero is most remembered for his 2021 Championshp Series. Last season he hit .220-9-44 with the Annapolis Admirals.

Trades:
none

Cav's Corner

Spring Training:
9-games in everyone his getting their chance to shine. The team is hitting the ball well, with Gavlez and Lawson both hitting over .500. The power numbers are looking good and I am please with how everyone on the offensive side is performing. Everyone seems to be doing well.

Dalton Whitaker, Vaughan Griffith, Alberto Sanchez and Jimmy Jones have all posted ERA's over 10. Not really that pretty. Vaughan was the only one that was on my list to make the roster, but it may be more as a reliever based on his stats so far. Griffith is going up against Armando Lopez for the #5 slot.

For the most part, all my pitchers are struggling and I hope to see a nice bump in their performance over the next 3 weeks of spring. I know we are only 9 games in a lot of things can change.

Thoughts/News:
Usually when I get the player development reports, I am saddened by all the hits my players have taken, but the most recent report on Alberto Sanchez was quite impressive... and may end up making me adjust my pitching staff. Sanchez saw a bump in stuff 11 > 13, a bump in Control 11 > 15 and velocity 95-97 > 96-98, and his prospect *'s went from 4.5 to 5, and his rating bumped up a point to 4.5. He is no longer an "easy" cut, at least based on ratings.

Due to it hit in his offensive abilities, Robinson Lopez has been moved to the back-up role. I am going to try out Lucarelli at 3B and Rodriguez at SS for now. I am not sure I like that, but maybe it will grow on me. Lucarelli just has no power, and I feel like I should have some kind of power from my infielders.

Ramon Granados finally got his defensive rating at 2B, and it is a nice 13. He is now listed as my second basemen and still isn't too happy by me wanting to trade him. He isn't happy about his role with the team either. He isn't a fan of playing 2B, but if he wants to play that is where we have a slot for him.

Leo Lawson has been asked to learn CF. He has gained a 1 point in CF so far this spring. He is crushing the ball right now, but it might make sense for him to go to AAA to learn a little more CF.

Dalton Whitaker has been placed on waivers.

Cavaliers Front Office:
Budget: 11th / $138,000,000
Payroll: 9th / $106,835,000
Projected Budget Room: $2,350,000
Fan Interest: 95
Fan Loyalty: Good
Ticket Price: $27.00

Up Next:
- More Spring Games...

[illeracula]

DelMarVa Baseball League Pre-Season Report

League News:
Spring Training is over and the regular season is right around the corner, everyone is a contender when the season begins.

Final Standings:
DE Southern: Dover Generals/Georgetown Sixteens: 14-10 (+3)
DE Norther: Wilmington Iron Pigs: 15-9 (+1)
MV Eastern: Baltimore Barons/Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs: 14-10 (+1)
MV Western: Norfolk Cavaliers: 18-6 (+4)

Avg: Sergio Galvez (Norfolk Cavaliers) .483
HR: Augusto Silva (Ocean City Tourists) 8
RBI: Augusto Silva (Ocean City Tourists) 23

Wins: Todd Eldridge (Georgetown Sixteens) 4
K's: Narcissus Kondylis (Milford Clippers) 32
S: 4-tied with 7

Off Season Winners (WAR):
Annapolis Admirals (17.0)
Georgetown Sixteens (9.8)
Chesapeake Blue Crabs (8.0)
Wilmington Iron Pigs (8.0)

Off Season Losers (WAR):
Richmond Cardinals (-13.3)
Norfolk Cavaliers (-9.2)
Milford Clippers (-8.2)

** 8 of the 20 teams had a postive WAR Gain, 1 team showed no change, and the rest had a negative.

Signings:
Brad Jones the ace of the of the Newark Millers agreed to stay in Newark for 5 more years. Signing an extension worth $69,000,000. Jones is 84-60 3.13 during his career all of which has been spent with the Millers. The 27-yr old is excited for the opportunity.

Trades:
none

Cav's Corner

Spring Training:
The injury bug has struck the Cavaliers...

We had our first injury of the season. Losing Jeff Lewis, last years Silver Slugger award winner for 6 weeks with a fractured rib. Leo Lawson will play CF and Sergio Galvez will head to RF. Lawson may start the year on the big-roster. Lewis will miss the first 3 weeks of the regular season.

Dalton Whitaker has been on waviers and no one has show any interest. He is now injured by won't miss much time, unfortuatley. I would of liked to send him down for a rehab assignment, but me some time. But due to some injuries he will start the season on the big league roster... makes me nervous. Whitaker will be on the roster for maybe a month, Coronado will be abck in 2 weeks, and then a final decision will need to be made... releasing Whitaker will cost me $25,100,000. I really messed up with him.

Taheiji Otani was supposed to solidfy our bullpen, but as luck goes, Taheiji tore his labrum and will miss the season. He is out 11-12 months.

Felipe Mora, Yoebli Mosca, Robinson Lopez, John Stewart and Mario Gomez all missed time with minor injuries. Hopefully this isn't a sign of things to come.

Roster Cuts:
These decisions weren't that tough, this team just isn't as deep as it once was. I was expecting more from Sanchez and Ratishvili, but they will still have a future in the bullpen... As for the hitters, Franco has a bright future, the others not overly they are just on the roster for depth purposes. This team really isn't deep, and that may pose a problem... Looking back, I may have made a mistake trading Mario Reyes or Steve Wallace, but thats hindsight.

Pitchers:
Alberto Sanchez 9.2 IP, 17.69 ERA
Jimmy Jones: 13.0 IP, 8.31 ERA
Tariel Ratishvili 16.2 IP, 4.32, 10 walks

Hitters:
Yoelbi Mosca .353-0-2 (17 AB)
Carlos Franco .214-0-1 (28 AB)
Felipe Mora .167-0-4 (36 AB)
John Stewart .300-1-6 (40 AB)
Pete Alexander .500-0-1 (2 AB)

Thoughts/News:
I feel like I put together a pretty decent team, but the bullpen does worry me. The pen has always been a strong point, but over the past 2 years I have had to make a couple of trades and its really affected my depth. I will have Whitaker and Ramirez on the opening day roster. Ramirez doesn't scare as much. Overall, I am a little nervous about this team, the depth and the bullpen, mostly. If we can stay healthy we should be alright... and I would be surprsied if the bullpen gets blown up by years end... if they don't perform.

Cavaliers Front Office:
Budget: 11th / $138,000,000
Payroll: 9th / $106,835,000
Projected Budget Room: $2,350,000
Fan Interest: 95
Fan Loyalty: Good
Ticket Price: $27.00

Up Next:
- Preseason Predictions
- Top Prospects/Top Systems
- Opening Day!!!

[illeracula]

Top Prospects 2024

The list of the top prospects in the DBL has been released, the list is full of young ballplayers hoping to make their mark on the DBL. This years list is headed by Gonzalo Bustamante, and 18 year old out of Venezuela, who signed 3 years ago with the Georgetown Sixteens. Bustamante will make his professional debut this season pitching in A-Ball for the New Orleans Bull Frogs.



Here is a look at the past top prospects in the DBL and how they have fared:

2013: OF Peter Peters, New Castle Colonials
#1 Pick Inaugural Draft
5 time Silver Slugger
6 time Glove Wizard
10 time All-Star
DBL Debut: 2013
Career: .317-379-1005
Current Team: New Castle Colonials

2014: SP Pedro Rivera, Ocean City Tourists
157 pick in the Inagural draft (10th round, 13th pick)
1 time Glove Wizard
3 time All-Star
DBL Debut: 2015
Career: 106-73 4.09
Current Team: Ocean City Tourists

2015: C Andy Kohl, Dover Generals
#2 Pick in 2014-1st year player Draft (Round 1, Pick 2)
1 time Silver Slugger
6 time All-Star
DBL Debut: 2014
Career: .303-352-1050
Current Team: Seaford Blue Jays

2016: SP Brad Jones, Newark Millers
#2 pick in 2015-1st year player Draft (Round 1, Pick 2)
2 time All-Star
Debut: 2014
Career: 84-60 3.13
Current Team: Newark Millers

2017: C Will Riley, Ellicott City Express
# 1 Pick 2016-1st year player draft
Rooke of the Year
1 time Batter of the Year
4 time All-Star
Debut: 2017
Career: .317-197-678
Current Team: New Castle Colonials

2018: C Antonio Castaneda, Chesapeake Blue Crabs
Signed out of Dominican Republic 2017
2 time All-Star
2 time Glove Wizard
Debut: 2018
Career: .293-83-342
Current Team: Chesapeake Blue Crabs

2019: SP Pablo Garcia, Salisbury Ports
#1 pick 2018-1st year player draft
1 time All-Star
Debut: 2019
Career: 65-51 3.19
Current Team: Salisbury Ports

2020: SS Anthony Lucarelli, Seaford Blue Jays
2021: SS Anthony Lucarelli, Seaford Blue Jays
4th Pick in the 2019-1st year player draft (Round 1, Pick 4)
2 time Glove Wizard
Debut: 2021
Career: .263-12-140
Current Team: Norfolk Cavaliers

2022: SP Ricardo Gonzalez, Wilmington Iron Pigs
Signed as International Free agent out of Panama in 2019
Debut: 2022
Career: 4-15 6.12, 1 SV
Current Team: Wilmington Iron Pigs

2023: SP Julio Rocha, Milton Brewers
6th Pick 2021-1st year player draft (Round 1, Pick 6)
Debut: 2023
Career: 12-6 3.25
Current Team: Milton Brewers

Top Minor League Organizations

More importantly for an organization is how good deep our your minors leagues. Will you be able to grow and improve from within or will you need to spend money on free-agents to make your team better. Leading the way this year is the New Castle Colonials with 5 players in the top 30. The young upstart Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs are right behind them, along with the rebuilding Annapolis Admirals. And coming in last is the Lewes Braves who do not have a top 100 prospect in their minor league system! They are all about winning now, and it shows with their thin system.



Cav's Corner

We came in #4 in the top minor league systems, which is pretty good. The one thing I am impressed most with is how evenly split our pitchers and hitters are. In the past its been really weighted one way or another. On that list only 1 plaer will be with the big-league club this seasons, Miguel Angel Conzalez. So (hopefully) next season our system will be a little strong, our scout, Alexis Shelton has been working hard to find some us some young talent. And we are set-up nicely for the 2024 draft.



I really like Sergio Rodriguez and Carlos Franco. Neither one of them have too much power, but they will be hitters, with solid speed and great defense. They are going to make me make some moves over the next few season to make room for them (hopefully). Rodriguez is only 19, and is really close to being ready for the big-club, eventhough he has yet to take a swing in the minors! If things go awry this season and injuries plague us we may see him on the roster. He is probaly our 8th outfielder.

Carlos Franco is a Glove Wizard in the making, as long as he hits. I see a lot of Joe Chambers in him, hopefully he will pan out better than Joe did.

Its going to be a fun season watching these kids this season and see how they develop. Its fun to have a minor league system full of talent.

[illeracula]

2024 Preseason Predictions

Spring training has been played, the teams have finalized their rosters and are set to get the games going. But before the games begin lets take a look at how the "experts" are predicting this season to turn out.

In the Delaware Conference it looks like the Lewes Braves are once again the class of the Conference and the Southern Division. Winning the series last year and bringing back the same dominating pitching staff. Over in the Northern Division it looks like it will be a battle for the title, with 3 teams predicted to win over 80 and under 90 games. The Wilmington Iron Pigs made a lot of moves and are looking to get into the playoffs for the first time since 2017!

Early Favorites for the Awards:
Silver Slugger:
Ricardo Hidalgo - Christiana Blue Hens
Bernard Middlekamp - Dover Generals
Matt Fisher - Wilmington Iron Pigs

Golden Arm:
Cristobal Diaz - Lewes Braves
Luis Delon - Lewes Braves
Brad Jones - Newark Millers

In the MarVa Conference a battle is brewing for the title. The Eastern Division is going to be tough with the Chesapeake Blue Crabs predicted to come out on top. The upstart Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs are looking to be the first expansion team to reach the playoffs. And surprisingly the Spring winners of the division the Baltimore Barons are predicted to finish in last. I have a feeling these predictions are going to be off when the season comes to an end.

Over in the Western Division the Cavaliers are predicted to win under 100 games. Something the Cavaliers haven't done since 2015! What does that mean? It means that the Washington Senators and the rest of the crew may have a chance to take them down this year! That would be a surprising feat if it does happen.

Early Favorites for the Awards:
Silver Slugger:
Francisco Reyes - Ocean City Tourists
Leonard Davis - Annapolis Admirals
Jiong Wu - Washington Senators

Golden Arm:
Orlando Ruiz - Chesapeake Blue Crabs
Paul Brown - Norfolk Cavaliers
Chris Steele - Washington Senators

Questions to be answered over the next 162 games:
Can the Braves repeat?
Are the Cavaliers showing a weakness?
Can the Surf Dawgs sneak into the playoffs?
Will the Barons finish last?
Will anyone win 100 games?
Will the Norther Division winner win over 90 games?

[illeracula]

Week: Opening Day
Current Week: Opening Day!!!
Next Week: 3 @ Richmond Cardinals, 3 vs Baltimore Barons
Power Ranking: n/a
Fan Interest: 95
Owners Mood: Ecstatic

Runs Scored: 0 (t-1st)
Avg: .000 (t-1st)
HR: 0 (t-1st)
SB: 0 (t-1st)
Runs Against: 0 (t-1st)
Starters ERA: 0.00 (t-1st)
Pen ERA: 0.00 (t-1st)
Def Eff: .000 (t-1st)

Owner Expectation:


I am not sure what it says about this team when our owner is hoping for just a .500 season. He has expected us to make the playoffs in the past, so is he just being nice or does he look at this team and go "meh"... does he care about this team? I don't, either way, my expectation is playoffs for bust... I want another title here in Norfolk. What have I done to this team that we haven't been able to make that happen since 2019. We were close last season and poised to win it this season...

Opening Day Roster:

We will be carrying 14 position players and 11 pitchers, as has been my standard in the past. this season we have a mix of players, and a lack of depth. But overall if we stay healthy I think we will be just fine and be able to contend for a title.

Catchers:
Mark Bolton (L)
Alejandro Diaz

First Base:
King Brock (L)
Francisco Gallegos (S)

Second Base:
Ramon Granados
Robinson Lopez
Bernardo Velez

Third Base:
Mario Gomez

Shortstop:
Anthony Lucarelli
Augusto Rodriguez

Outfield:
Leonard Lawson (L)
Henry Hamer (L)
Sergio Galvez (L)
Wallly Lambert (L)

Starting Pitchers:
Miguel Contreras
Paul Brown
Cornell Pearson
Miguel Angel Gonzalez
Armando Lopez

Bullpen:
Luis Martinez
Eric Helton
Vaughan Griffith
David Moran (L)
Jesus Ramirez
Dalton Whitaker

Injuries:
SP Carlos Coronado, elbow ligament reconstruction, 1-2 weeks
RF Jeff Lewis, fractured rib, 3 weeks
MR Taheiji Otani, torn labrum, 11 months

Roster Notes:
With Lewis on the shelf to start the season, my outfield is all lefties. I also lack a true center fielder, so I am not exactly sure how that will turn out. Galvez and Lawson will get some time in center. Lopez, Gomez and Velez are all borderline players and will serve as infield back-ups. Problem with carrying all 3 of them is my outfield depth is limited. Here is to an injury free beginning of the season.

I decided to go with Lopez over Griffith in the rotaiton due to spring training performance. If Lopez faulters however, I won't hestitate to put Griffith back in the rotation. He is my #6 starter...



Opening Day Lineup:
CF Sergio Galvez (L)
1B Francisco Gallegos (S)
LF Henry Hamer (L)
DH King Brock (L)
2B Ramon Granados
RF Wally Lambert (L)
C Alejandro Diaz
3B Anthony Lucarelli
SS Augusto Rodriguez

SP Miguel Contreras

We start off against division rival the Richmond Cardinals. They are our biggest rival, dating back to when they stole Don Sweetapple from us. Then we come home to take on our biggest league rival the Baltimore Barons. The Barons knocked us out of the playoffs 2 years in a row and I will never forgive them for that, lol.

It was a long off-season and now its time to see what these 25 players have to offer. I am excited to get the season underway. I am excited to make run for another title. And I am excited that we aren't going to run away with the division this season. Let play ball!!

[illeracula]

Week 1
Current Week: 5-1 (5-1 .833 / +1.5)
Next Week: 3 vs Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs, 3 vs Richmond Cardinals
Power Ranking: 1
Fan Interest: 95
Owners Mood: Ecstatic

Runs Scored: 37 (1st)
Avg: .282 (3rd)
HR: 5 (t-7th)
SB: 1 (t-5th)
Runs Against: 18 (2nd)
Starters ERA: 3.19 (3rd)
Pen ERA: 2.31 (1st)
Def Eff: .715 (3rd)

Game 1: Norfolk 7, Richmond 2
Miguel Contreras (1-0): 8.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K
Luis Martinez: 1.0 IP, 1 H, BB, 2 K
King Brock: 2-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Sergio Galvez: 2-6, 2 RBI
Wally Lambert: 2-4
Anthony Lucarelli: 1-2, 2 R
H: 13, LOB: 11

Game 2: Norfolk 5, Richmond 2
Paul Brown (1-0): 8.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, BB, 9 K
Luis Martinez (SV 1): 1.0 IP, H, K
King Brock: 2-4, HR (1), 2 R, 2 RBI
Henry Hamer: 2-4, 2 2B, R, RBI
Anthony Lucarelli: 2-3, HR (1), R, RBI
H: 10, LOB: 5

Game 3: Norfolk 9, Richmond 3
Cornell Pearson (1-0): 5.0 IP, 9 H, 3 R, BB, 5 K
Leo Lawson: 1-3, HR (1), 2 R, RBI
Sergio Galvez: 2-3, HR (1), 2 R, RBI
King Brock: 3-5, 2B, 2 R
Alejandro Diaz: 1-5, HR (1), R, 2 RBI
H: 12, LOB: 9

Game 4: Baltimore 1, Norfolk 2
MA Gonzalez (1-0): 8.0 IP, 8 H, R, 2 BB, 3 K
Luis Martinez (SV 2): 1.0 IP, 3 BB
Anthony Lucarelli: 2-3, 2B, R
Ramon Granados: 1-3, 2B, R
Mark Bolton: 1-2, RBI
H: 5, LOB: 6

Game 5: Baltimore 9, Norfolk 8
Armando Lopez: 5.1 IP, 9 H, 6 R, BB, 4 K
Eric Helton (0-1, BS 1): 1.0 IP, H, 2 R, BB, 2 K
ANthony Lucarelli: 2-5, 2 R, RBI
Francisco Gallegos: 2-2, 2B, 2 R, 3 BB
Mario Gomez: 2-2, 2B, R
Leo Lawson: 2-5, 2B, R, RBI
King Brock: 1-5, 2B, 2 RBI
H: 11, LOB: 9

Game 6: Baltimore 1, Norfolk 6
Miguel Contreras (2-0): 8.0 IP, 4 H, R, BB, 5 K
Francisco Gallegos: 2-4, 2 RBI
King Brock: 2-4
Robinson Lopez: 1-3, 3B, R, RBI
H: 7, LOB: 11

Cav's Corner:
Injuries:
SP Carlos Coronado, elbow ligament reconstruction, 4 days
RF Jeff Lewis, fractured rib, 4 weeks
MR Taheiji Otani, torn labrum, 11 months

It turns out that Jeff Lewis won't be ready in the 3 weeks that we were expecting. After suffering a set-back he will be out 4-5 more weeks. I am not overly disappointed due to our amount of depth, but he is the reigning Silver Slugger, so yes I do miss him.

Other/Roster News:
Jesus Ramirez was the only pitcher who didn't make an appearnce. Dalton Whitaker pitched in 1 game, going 2 innings, allowing 3 hits. He walked 1 and didn't strike out anyone.

All the position players has at least 1 ab. Bernardo Velez went 0-1 and Mark Bolton 1-2, both of these players only played in 1 game.

We commited 2 errors this week, Ramon Granados and Henry Hamer. I am hoping that Granados playes better D at 2B this season now that he has a "rating". Currently he has a -0.4 ZR, a .945 EFF and a 3.83 RNG

GM Notes:
You have to like a quick start, even if the competition might not be the best. It gives you good momentum heading into the season. We should be able to continue to win games next week playing the Surf Dawgs and the Cardinals. That being said it will be interesting to see how we do against the Dawgs, they are young and very talented.

With Lewis out, and the outfield playing like they are I am going to have to think about a plan when he returns. He has a player option for 2025, which if he doesn't pick up I will get a comp pick. Or I could trade him and go with the outfield that I have now. I wonder if anyone will take him? Do I really want to trade the only right-handed outfielder? I don't know, maybe its a little early to think about that. When he returns he will head to AAA get some swings and then swap slots with Leo Lawson. But then I will need to make room for him on the field.

The pitchers did well this week. I am interested in seeing how Contreras does this season. He took a little velocity hit this spring, so hopefully it won't effect him that much. He is getting older for a pitcher, but I think he has a few more good seasons left in him.

I am bummed that Dalton Whitaker didn't get snatched up on waivers, but not surprised. He is one of those guys I just want to retire or get a CEI... is that wrong? Its said to see his sudden fall, then again it really wasn't that sudden I just held on too long.

Around the League:
Standings Leaders
DE Southern: Dover Generals 4-1/Seaford Blue Jays 5-2 (+0.5)
DE Northern: Newark Millers: 4-1 (+1.5)
MV Eastern: Annapolis Admirals: 4-1 (+0.5)
MV Western: Norfolk Cavaliers: 5-1 (+1.5)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Alfredo Marin, Wilmington Iron Pigs, 11-27, 3 HR's, 8 RBI's
MarVa: Antonio Castaneda, Chesapeake Blue Crabs, 12-26, 5 HR's, 11 RBI's

Power Rankings:
1) Norfolk Cavaliers (155.0)
2) Dover Generals (150.0)
3) Annapolis Admirals (148.0)
4) Newark Millers (148.0)
5) Seaford Blue Jays (135.6)

News:
No news to report this week.

[illeracula]

Week 2
Current Week: 3-3 (8-4 .667 / +1.5)
Next Week: 3 @ Ellicott City Express, 3 @ Salisbury Ports
Power Ranking: 1
Fan Interest: 95
Owners Mood: Ecstatic

Runs Scored: 67 (2nd)
Avg: .283 (2nd)
HR: 10 (9th)
SB: 5 (7th)
Runs Against: 48 (t-2nd)
Starters ERA: 3.57 (2nd)
Pen ERA: 4.94 (8th)
Def Eff: .697 (6th)

Game 7: Virginia Beach 4, Norfolk 11
Paul Brown (2-0): 8.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 7 K
Henry Hamer: 4-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI
King Brock: 2-4, HR (2), 2 R, 3 RBI
Alejandro Diaz: 2-5, 2 RBI
Francisco Gallegos: 2-3, 2 2B, 3 R, RBI
Anthony Lucarelli: 2-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI
H: 18, LOB: 10

Game 8: Virginia Beach 2, Norfolk 7
Cornell Pearson (2-0): 6.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 6 K
King Brock: 1-4, HR (3), R, RBI
Sergio Galvez: 2-5, 2B, HR (2), R, 2 RBI
Ramon Granados: 2-3, 3 R
Augusto rodrigeuz: 3-4, RBI
H: 12, LOB: 11

Game 9: Virginia Beach 6, Norfolk 4
MA Gonzalez (1-1): 5.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 5 K
Henry Hamer: 2-4, HR (1), R, 2 RBI
Sergio Galvez: 2-5, R
Francisco Gallegso: 1-3, 2 R
H: 6, LOB: 7

Game 10: Richmond 0, Norfolk 3
Armando Lopez (1-0): 7.1 IP, 7 H, 0 R, BB, 9 K
Luis Martinez (SV 3): 1.0 IP, K
King Brock: 1-3, 2B, RBI
Sergio Galvez: 1-4, R, RBI
H: 4, LOB: 2

Game 11: Richmond 12, Norfolk 2
Miguel Contreras (2-1): 5.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 6 K
Jesus Ramirez: 0.1 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 2 BB, K
Dalton Whitaker: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 4 BB
Alejandro Diaz: 2-3, HR (2), R, 2 RBI
Anthony Lucarelli: 1-2, R
H: 7, LOB: 5

Game 12: Richmond 6, Norfolk 3
Paul Brown (2-1): 5.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 9 K
Dalton Whitaker: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, BB, K
Sergio Galvez: 2-5, R
Alejandro Diaz: 2-4, 2B, R
Leo Lawson: 2-3, RBI
Anthony Lucarelli: 1-3, RBI
H: 10, LOB 8

Cav's Corner:
Injuries:
SP Miguel Contreras, mild calf strain, day-to-day, 5 days
SP Carlos Coronado, rehab assignemnt
RF Jeff Lewis, fractured rib, 4 weeks
MR Taheiji Otani, torn labrum, 11 months

Carlos Coronado came off the DL and was sent down to AAA for a rehab assignment. He has not pitched in over a year, so I am very curious on how he will do. He does have some options left (I thought he didn't) which is a good thing. Depending on how he does and Lopez does he may get his shot back in the rotation, where he started last season. Luckily for him (and me) he didn't preliminary lose much during his injury. Hopefully that stays.

Miguel Contreras is going to miss a start with an injury so we will go with Vaughan Griffith for that game. I hope injuries don't become an common theme with this team.

Other/Roster News:
Ramon Granados isn't doing much so far this season .184-0-3, so we have moved him down from the #5 slot to the #7 slot switching places with Alejandro Diaz who seems better suited for the #5 hole (.250-2-9).

GM Notes:
Jesus Ramirez amazes me. Hopefully this year will be like last year and he will bounce back, but so far in his 2.1 innings, he has looked awful. 2.1 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K and 5 Runs for a 19.29 ERA. I hope I don't end up regretting the trade of Claudio Perez. Perez so far is 2-0 0.63 in 2 starts for the Generals. UGH.

Dalton Whitaker is about to be DFA'd. He has 3 more years on his contract and he is just awful. I just don't know what to do. This might of been the worse GM move I have ever made as the Cav's GM. IN 4.1 IP, he has given up 7 hits, 6 walks and 5 ER, with only 1 K. I did try to demote him but he refused.

If the Whitaker and Ramirez situations/performances don't change we are going to be in big trouble...

Well this week brought me back down to reality. Richmond stepped up and beat our 2 best pitchers, and we finished the week .500. Not too bad, but we should of played better. I am trying not to look at the team stats, because they are just ugly. This team use to be power and speed and now we are at the bottom of those categories. Look at the pitching ERA's? So high! And our defense is under .700... week #2 was rough. We are going to get into playing the tougher teams soon and that's when we will find out what this team is all about.

This coming week shouldn't be too bad, with the Express and the Ports. I am hoping we can bounce back and get some wins. The offense has actually been doing better than I had expected, so when the pitchers hit their strides we should be good to go. I just keep telling myself its only week 2, relax the team will come around...

Around the League:
Standings Leaders
DE Southern: Dover Generals 9-2 (+1.0)
DE Northern: New Castle Colonials 8-4 (+0.5)
MV Eastern: Annapolis Admirals: 8-3 (+1.0)
MV Western: Norfolk Cavaliers: 8-4 (+1.5)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Ricardo Hidalgo, Christiana Blue Hens, 12-23, 2 HR's, 8 RBI's
MarVa: Edgar Baez, Richmond Cardinals, 11-26, HR, 8 RBI's, 5 R's

Power Rankings:
1) Dover Generals (152.3)
2) Seaford Blue Jays (134.6)
3) Annapolis Admirals (133.9)
4) Newcastle Colonials (126.0)
5) Norfolk Cavaliers (120.0)

News:
No news to report this week.

[illeracula]

Week 3
Current Week: 5-1 (13-5 .722 / +5.5)
Next Week: 4 vs Milford Clippers, 3 vs Washington Senators
Power Ranking: 2 (+3)
Fan Interest: 95
Owners Mood: Ecstatic

Runs Scored: 84 (5th)
Avg: .264 (4th)
HR: 13 (9th)
SB: 12 (t-4th)
Runs Against: 58 (1st)
Starters ERA: 2.91 (1st)
Pen ERA: 3.82 (5th)
Def Eff: .709 (5th)

Game 13: Norfolk 1, Ellicott City 0
Cornell Pearson (3-0): 7.1 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 5 K
Luis Martinez (SV 4): 1.0 IP
Augusto Rodriguez: 1-3, 2B, R
Francisco Gallegos: 1-4, RBI
H: 5, LOB: 4

Game 14: Norfolk 4, Ellicott City 2
MA Gonzalez (2-1): 8.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Luis Martinez (SV 5): 1.0 IP, 2 H, K
Sergio Galvez: 2-5, HR (3), 2 R, RBI
Leo Lawson: 2-3
Alejandro Diaz: 1-3, R, RBI
H: 7, LOB: 7

Game 15: Norfolk 4, Ellicott City 2 (10 Innings)
Armando Lopez: 6.2 IP, 8 H, 2 R, BB, 7 K
Eric Helton (1-1): 2.0 IP, H, BB, 2 K
Henry Hamer: 3-5, 2B, HR (2), 2 R, 2 RBI
Wally Lambert: 2-3, 2B, RBI (GWRBI)
Francisco Gallegos: 2-5
H: 10, LOB: 10

Game 16: Norfolk 4, Salisbury 0
Vaughan Griffith (1-0): 8.1 IP, 3 H, BB, 6 K
Sergio Galvez: 2-4, 2 2B, R, RBI
Francisco Gallegos: 1-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Alejandro Diaz: 2-4, RBI
H: 9, LOB: 5

Game 17: Norfolk 1, Salisbury 4
Miguel Contreras (2-2): 7.2 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 8 K
Sergio Galvez: 2-4, R
Robinson Lopez: 1-2
H: 7, LOB: 6

Game 18: Norfolk 3, Salisbury 2
Paul Brown (3-1): 8.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, BB, 12 K
Luis Martinez (SV 6): 1.0 IP, H
Henry Hamer: 2-5, HR (3), R, 3 RBI (2-run HR in 9th)
Anthony Lucarelli: 2-5, 2B, R
H: 8, LOB: 12

Cav's Corner:

Injuries:
RF Jeff Lewis, fractured rib, 1-2 weeks
SP Carlos Coronado, ulnar nerve irritation, 3 months
MR Taheiji Otani, torn labrum, 10-11 months

The light of Carlos Coronado's star is starting to flicker... after missing 13 months with elbow ligament damage, he came back, made one AAA start, threw 11 pitches and his elbow started to act up, and he is back on the DL. Coronado is out 3 months with Ulnar nerve irritation. His one inning was quite impressive however, throwing 11 pitches, striking out 2 of the 3 hitters he faced. A one time prospect injuries have derailed his career. He was supposed to be my lefty in the rotation for the future.

Other/Roster News:
Anthony Lucarelli won the Glove Wizard award last season at SS this year he is playing 3B, and he slowly coming along. In 43 chances he has committed 2 errors and is only showing a 2.64 RNG and .901 EFF. He has bumped his 3B rating up some, so hopefully he will come along.

King Brock went 1-23 this week. No RBI's, 1 run and 5 K's.

GM Notes:
Miguel Contrears didn't miss a start afterall, but I did push him (and everyone else) back one day. Letting Vaughan Griffith take the start. Vaughan may end up getting a couple more, since we are going on a streak of 20 straight games, and he pitched well. If my bullpen was strong I'd think about going with a 6 man rotation for this early long break-less stretch.

The pitching seemed to be on point this week. I am glad to see they bounced back after a rough 2nd week. The holes in the offense are starting to show. No power, not much speed, no one seems to be hitting consistently except Lucarelli. Maybe I need Lewis back. Somone needs to spark this offense.

With Granados still struggling (.172-0-5) I may end up putting Robinson Lopez in the lineup. Granados hasn't been happy since I shopped him around this offseason and it looks like its starting to effect his game play.

This team was a power hitting team last season and so far this year, not much. We have a lot of big bats, I wonder what their problem is.

We went 5-1 with one of our big bats going 1-23. That shows me how well rounded (?) our offense is. I would rather see Brock hitting the ball, but we if we are going to win without him hitting I will be ok with that. The end goal is the same this year as it is every year, put out a winning team and try to win the Championship. As the season is progressing I will start to see weaknesses and be able to make the adjustments.

The 6 games this week are the start of 20 days without a day off. I will plan on using Griffith in the rotation for at least one more start during this time, so I will have to make sure he is well rested.

This team has gone through a lot of changes over the past 2-3 seasons, and now we are young and trying to get our bearing. I think we will be ok, but that being said I also think we will hit a few rough patches along the way.

Around the League:

Standings Leaders
DE Southern: Dover Generals: 13-4 (+2.5)
DE Northern: Newark Millers: 11-6 (+2.5)
MV Eastern: Annapolis Admirals: 12-5 (+2.0)
MV Western: Norfolk Cavaliers: 13-5 (+5.5)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Alonso Martinez, Wilmington Iron Pigs, 11-23, 3 HR's, 6 RBI's
MarVa: Tony Knox, Annapolis Admirals, 10-25, 3 HR's, 8 RBI's

Power Rankings:
1) Dover Generals (142.6)
2) Norfolk Cavaliers (133.0)
3) Annapolis Admirals (132.1)
4) Newark Millers (116.5)
5) Seaford Blue Jays (108.2)

News:
The Newark Miller locked up their closer for 3 more years. Signing Kyle Claussen to a 3 year $18,000,000 extension.

I went looking for Javier Janchez to see how he was doing this season in his new home... and after 4 games he was placed on the DL. Out 4 weeks with shoulder tendinitis. He could of been a great player if he wasn't so injury prone.

Milestone Watch:
There should be some firsts in the DBL this season as Roberto Perez is 40 hits away from 2000. Jeff Lewis is 42, Francisco Reyes is 59 and Kent Davis is 62.

The 500 HR club should get its first member this season as well. Francisco Reyes is only 14 away and Abraham Thomas is 23 away.

Dalton Whitaker is 8 saves away from 350. As of now, he is the only pitcher in DBL history to collect over 300.

[illeracula]

Week 4
Current Week: 6-1 (19-6 .760 / +7.5)
Next Week: 4 vs Ellicott City Express, 3 @ Richmond Cardinals
Power Ranking: 1 (+1)
Fan Interest: 95
Owners Mood: Ecstatic

Runs Scored: 131 (2nd)
Avg: .284 (1st)
HR: 21 (9th)
SB: 18 (4th)
Runs Against: 82 (1st)
Starters ERA: 2.75 (1st)
Pen ERA: 4.61 (7th)
Def Eff: .717 (3rd)

Game 19: Milford 1, Norfolk 5
Cornell Pearson (4-0): 7.0 IP, 2 H, R, 2 BB, 5 K
Eric Helton (SV 1): 2.0 IP, K
Sergio Galvez: 3-5, 2B, 2 HR (5), 3 R, 3 RBI
Francisco Gallegos: 3-4, 2B, R
Leo Lawson: 3-4
H: 14, LOB: 11

Game 20: Milford 7, Norfolk 8
MA Gonzalez: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 BB, 6 K
Vaughan Griffith (2-0): 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 BB, K
Luis Martinez (SV 7): 1.0 IP, K
Anthony Lucarelli: 1-4, HR (2), R, 2 RBI
Sergio Galvez: 2-4, R
Francisco Gallegos: 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI
Leo Lawson: 1-2, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI
H: 10, LOB: 5

Game 21: Milford 6, Norfolk 2 (10 Innings)
Armando Lopez: 8.0 IP, H, 3 BB, 8 K
Luis Martinez (0-1, BS 1): 1.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, BB, 3 K
Sergio Galvez: 2-4
Henry Hamer: 2-5, R
Wally Lambert: 1-3, 2B, RBI
Francisco Gallegs: 0-4, BB, 7 LOB!
H: 11, LOB: 15

Game 22: Milford 2, Norfolk 6
Miguel Contreras (3-2): 6.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, BB, 5 K
David Moran (SV 1): 2.1 IP, 3 K
Henry Hamer: 3-4, 3B, HR (4), 2 R, 3 RBI
King Brock: 2-4, 2B, RBI
Francisco Gallegos: 1-3, 2 R, RBI
H: 10, LOB: 3

Game 23: Washington 3, Norfolk 15
Paul Brown (4-1): 6.2 IP, 2 H, R, 2 BB, 8 K
King Brock: 3-4, 2B, HR (4), 3 R, 4 RBI
Heny Hamer: 3-5, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI
Anthony Lucarelli: 3-4, 2B, 3B, 2 R, 3 RBI
Augusto Rodriguez: 3-4 2 RBI
Leo Lawson: 2-4, 2B, 2 R
H: 18, LOB: 6

Game 24: Washington 3, Norfolk 4
Cornell Pearson: 5.2 IP, 6 H, R, BB, 5 K
David Moran (1-0): 0.1 IP
Luis Martinez (SV 8): 1.0 IP, H, K
Henry Hamer: 1-4, HR (5), R, 2 RBI
Robinson Lopez: 2-3, 2B
Wally Lambert: 2-4 RBI
Sergio Galvez: 2-4, R, 3 SB (13)
H: 10, LOB: 8

Game 25: Washington 2, Norfolk 7
MA Gonzalez (3-1): 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 4 K
Wally Lambert: 3-4, 2 HR (2), 2 R, 5 RBI
Anthony Lucarelli 1-2, RBI
Sergio Galvez: 1-4, 2B, 2 R
H: 7, LOB: 5

Cav's Corner:

Injuries:
RF Jeff Lewis, fractured rib, 3 days
SP Carlos Coronado, ulnar nerve irritation, 3 months
MR Taheiji Otani, torn labrum, 10 months

Other/Roster News:
Robinson Lopez was inserted as the starting 2B, putting Ramon Granados on the bench. Granados is scheduled to start every 4 days, so he will still get his AB's, but until he starts hitting no reason to keep him around. He may be nice trade bait.

GM Notes:
I am excited by the way Sergio Galvez has been playing. I decided to keep him and trade Janchez, because I thought he would be a better, healthier player, down the road. This season he is hitting over .300 and he has been a notorious slow starter, with 5 HR's and 13 steals. He has the makings of a 30/30 or even a 40/40 player in the future. He reminds me a lot of Ricky Henderson, not the attitude just the ratings.

I am also tinkering with the idea of putting MA Gonzalez on a pitch count. Maybe move him to the bullpen for the last part of the season and get Vaughan back in the rotation. He is only 22 and I don't want to blow him out and based on my history with injuries I feel like I need to play it safe with him.

Wally Lambert hit two homeruns in a game this week, his first two of the season. Last year he hit over 30. He is off to a slow start, hopefully he will turn it up. When Lewis comes back from the DL, he will begin a rehab assignment next week, I am not sure what to do with the outfield. Lawson may go down to AAA to get some centerfield time in but he is hitting .400 right now. Do I really want to carry 6 OF'ers?

Ramon Granados continues to struggle. He is losing time and he isn't happy about it. I can see his trade value falling right before my eyes... He is just off to a atrocious start. His poor attitude is starting to shine bright like a diamond. If Robinson Lopez continues to hit, Granados will find himself without a job. Between Lopez, Gomez and Velez I am pretty certain they will be able to do better.

I wonder if Whitaker will be up for a trade. I am not sure there will be a team out there dumb enough to take him however. He is a 10/5 man so it will be hard to move him either way. 4 more years on his contract, hopefully he retires. I think this will be something that continues to pop up all season long. It is going to wear on me...

With two more games left in April, I feel like we had a good month. I don't think we played as well as we could have, but overall I will give us a good grade. We only have 1 or 2 holes, and they are pretty curable. Second base with the way Granados is slumping and the back-end of our bullpen, with Whitaker and Ramirez. I think Ramirez is coming around, but I will keep an eye on him.

Around the League:
Standings Leaders
DE Southern: Dover Generals: 18-6 (+4.5)
DE Northern: Newark Millers: 16-8 (+3.5)
MV Eastern: Annapolis Admirals/Ocean City Tourists: 14-10 (+0.5)
MV Western: Norfolk Cavaliers: 19-6 (+7.5)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Will Riley, New Castle Colonials, 10-19, 2 HR's, 7 RBI's
MarVa: Henry Hamer, Norfolk Cavaliers, 10-22, 2 HR's, 6 RBI's

Power Rankings:
1) Norfolk Cavaliers (146.8)
2) Dover Generals (141.0)
3) Newark Millers (124.0)
4) Ocean City Tourists (106.0)
5) Annapolis Admirals (102.0)

News:

• Marcos Neito of the Washington Senators will miss 5 weeks with sprained elbow. The 33 yr old CF was hitting .261-3-11 in his first 23 games.
• The Washington Senators Jordan Bishop and the Wilmington Iron Pigs Emmett Atkins were both suspended for 5 games for their role in a bench clearing brawl.

(I noticed I had my injury news turned off, no wonder there hasn't been any news)

[illeracula]

April 2024 - Award Winners

Delaware Conference Monthly Awards

DEConf's Premier Batter Picked: Alonso Martínez has a lot going for him. The Wilmington first baseman just broke into the majors this year and now the Delaware Conference has just picked him as its top hitter for April. In 28 games last month, this outstanding rookie batted .324 with 10 home runs, 20 RBIs and 21 runs scored.

Jiménez DEConf Winner, Top Hurler in April: It was a sensational April for Jorge Jiménez as he mystified, mesmerized and terrorized opposing batters to capture the Delaware Conference Pitcher of the Month trophy. Jiménez locked down a 4-0 mark in 5 starts last month, striking out 25 while walking 4 in 37 innings and posting a 1.46 ERA.

Rookie Wiz Gets April Award in DEConf: The batter wants to "hit 'em where they ain't." And that is just what Alonso Martínez did all month long to net the Delaware Conference Rookie of the Month Award. In April he slapped 36 hits in 111 at-bats for a .324 batting average. Martínez also racked up 10 home runs, 20 RBIs, and 21 runs scored.

MarVa Conference Monthly Awards

Torrid April Gets Castaneda MVConf #1 Batter Trophy: When António Castaneda stepped up to the plate in April, he did it with confidence and today he was honored with the MarVa Conference Batter of the Month award. The young Chesapeake catcher posted a .379 batting average with 10 home runs, 24 RBIs and scored 20 runs. Castaneda also worked pitchers for 7 walks to post a .420 on-base percentage.

MVConf Top Pitcher in April: Banks: Mike Banks has been around the league long enough to know that relievers are often overlooked. That has never stopped him from doing what he does best -- and he did it extremely well in April and stole away with the MarVa Conference Pitcher of the Month award. The Admirals bullpen ace collected 6 saves and 18 strikeouts in 14.2 innings, holding the opposition to a .222 average and posting a 3.07 ERA and a 3-0 record.

MarVa Conference Names Rookie of Month: A veritable toddler to the MarVa Conference, Armando Vázquez just sewed up the Rookie of the Month trophy for April. Over the past month the 24-year-old left fielder for Ellicott City hit .333 with 34 hits, 3 home runs and 15 runs batted in. He also logged 3 walks and compiled a .382 on-base percentage.

League Leaders as of May 1, 2024
Delaware Conference League Leaders





End of the Year Award Front Runners:
Silver Slugger: Alonso Martinez, Peter Peters, Bernard Middlekamp
Golden Arm: Mike Roeder, Marcos Estrada, Vincente Angel
Newcomer: Alonso Martinez, Orlando Neri, Raul Ortiz

MarVa Conference League Leaders





End of the Year Award Front Runners:
Silver Slugger: Antonio Castaneda, Woody Brown, Jose Diaz
Golden Arm: Cornell Pearson, Paul Brown, Shawn Brock
Newcomer: Armando Vazquez, Vance Burns, Bob Short

Standings as of May 1, 2024


Southern Division:
Current Leader: Dover Generals (19-7 .731 / +4.5)
Projected Winner: Lewes Braves (101-61 .623 / +18)
Behind a red-hot offensive start to the season(#1 in runs) and a surprising starting rotation, the Generals have snuck into first place. Hsin-ping Kun (3-0 2.27) and Claudio Perez (4-1 2.12) are leading the way, but will they be able to keep it up? The Braves are the favorites and have one of the top rotations, in not the top, in the game.

Northern Division:
Current Leader: Newark Millers (18-8 .692 / +4.5)
Projected Winner: Wilmington Iron Pigs (89-73 .549 / +2)
Brad Jones (4-1 2.70), Jorge Jiminez (4-0 1.46) and Jorge Padilla (4-1 3.69) are anchoring the heart and soul of this rotation. Can the J-boys keep it up all season? Will they be abel to hold off the offense of the Colonials and the all-around team of the Clippers? The pre-season predicted Iron Pigs are in last, will they stay there? This is going to a competitive Conference all season.

Eastern Division:
Current Leader: Chesapeake Blue Crabs (16-11 .593 / +0.5)
Projected Winner: Chesapeake Blue Crabs (92-70 .568 / +7)
The Blue Crabs lead their division despite their #3 starter, Dave Watts, being 0-4 and their big off-season pick-up Claude Bond off to a cold start. (.247-4-13). The Ocean City Tourists are hot on their tails with the top offense in the MarVa Conference. If the Tourists can keep Roberto Perez healthy (.380-5-15) he will give the Tourists one a scary lineup along with Francisco Reyes (.294-9-21) and Domingo Valencia (.292-8-21).

Western Division:
Current Leader: Norfolk Cavaliers (21-6 .778 / +8.5)
Projected Winner: Norfolk Cavaliers (95-67 / +9.0)
The Cavaliers are off to a hot April thanks to their starting rotation, holding their opponents to just 89 total runs. Cornell Pearson (4-0 1.99) and Paul Brown (4-1 2.72) are holding down the fort, while youngsters MA Gonzalez (3-1 3.71) and Armando Lopez (2-0 3.31) continue to impress. The Cav's are the only team in the Western Division playing over .500 ball.

[illeracula]

Week 5
Current Week: 5-2 (24-8 .750 / +8.5)
Next Week: 3 @ Washington Senators, 3 @ Ellicott City Express
Power Ranking: 1
Fan Interest: 97 (+2)
Owners Mood: Ecstatic

Runs Scored: 171 (2nd)
Avg: .278 (1st)
HR: 31 (7th)
SB: 21 (4th)
Runs Against: 112 (1st)
Starters ERA: 3.20 (1st)
Pen ERA: 3.91 (4th)
Def Eff: .719 (2nd)

Game 26: Ellicott City 4, Norfolk 5
Armando Lopez (2-0): 5.1 IP, 9 H, 4 R, BB, 5 K
Luis Martinez (SV 9): 1.0 IP, H, 2 K
Sergio Galvez: 2-4, 2 R
King Brock: 2-4, 2B, HR (5), 2 R, 2 RBI
Leo Lawson: 1-4, HR (2), R, 2 RBI
H: 8, LOB: 6

Game 27: Ellicott City 3, Norfolk 4
Vaughan Griffith (3-0): 7.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 5 K
Luis Martinez (SV 10): 1.0 IP, BB, 3 K
Alejandro Diaz: 2-3, HR (3), R, 2 RBI
Leo Lawson: 3-4, R
H: 8, LOB: 6

Game 28: Ellicott City 2, Norfolk 3
Miguel Contreras (4-2): 8.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 6 K
David Moran (SV 2): 1.0 IP, K
Leo Lawson: 2-3, 2B, 3B, R, 2 RBI
Wally Lambert: 1-3, R
H: 5, LOB: 2

Game 29: Ellicott City 2, Norfolk 11
Paul Brown (5-10): 8.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 8 K
Mario Gomez: 2-2, HR (1), 2 R, 5 RBI
Sergio Galvez: 1-5, HR (6), R, 3 RBI
Henry Hamer: 1-4, HR (6), R, 2 RBI
Wally Lambert: 2-4, 2 R
H: 11, LOB: 3

Game 30: Norfolk 8, Richmond 6
Cornell Pearson: 1.0 IP, H, 2 R, 0 ER, BB, K (left injured)
Jesus Ramirez (1-0): 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, BB, 2 K
Luis Martinez (SV 11): 1.0 IP, 1 BB, 2 K
Franciso Gallegos: 4-5, 2 2B, HR (1), R, 3 RBI
Sergio Galvez: 3-5, 2B, HR (7), 3 R, 3 RBI
Wally Lambert: 2-4, R, RBI
H: 13, LOB: 3

Game 31: Norfolk 3, Richmond 5
MA Gonzalez (3-2): 3.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, BB, 3 K
Dalton Whitaker: 2.1 IP, H, BB
King Brock: 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Augusto Rodriguez: 1-3, 2 R
H: 5, LOB: 6

Game 32: Norfolk 6, Richmond 8
Armando Lopez: 4.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 2 K
David Moran (1-1): 02. IP, 3 H, 2 R, BB
Henry Hamer: 2-5, 2B, HR (7), 2 R, RBI
Mark Bolton: 2-4, HR (1), R, 2 RBI
King Brock: 1-3, 2 R
H: 8, LOB: 6

Cav's Corner:
Injuries:
SP Cornell Pearson, stiff neck/day to day, 3 days
SP Carlos Coronado, ulnar nerve irritation, 3 months
MR Taheiji Otani, torn labrum, 10 months

Other/Roster News:
Jeff Lewis went 3-12 during his 3 games in the minors, driving in 3 runs. He did make 3 errors in 6 total chances at 3B, so he won't be playing 3B with the Cav's. lol He will be activiated to begin next week.

GM Notes:
The offense is starting to score some runs and the bullpen seems to be finding its groove. Whitaker had a couple of nice showing last week, and Ramirez held his own during an long relief stint. Offenisvly we are starting to show off some of our power. I'd like to see some more from Diaz and Lambert, its a long season so I am not about to panic.

I am not sure if I should be concerned with my starters. Pearson leaves early injured, nothing major, but he is down, and Gonzalez and Lopez had off starts. Vaughan will get one more start then we will head back to a 5 man rotation. I may have to work Vaughan in over the season. I will keep an eye on Gonzalez as the season progresses. Last season MAG threw in over 200 innings, about the same as the season before. He is only 23, and I don't want to burn him out.

Bernardo Velez should be demoted, but has no options left. I don't think I am ready to give up on him just yet however. To make room for Lewis do I really send down red-hot Leo Lawson? UGH going to be a tough decision. I will probably end up going with Robinson Lopez (.230-0-3) or Mario Gomez (.364-1-7).

This team is different from Cavaliers teams of the past, because of our depth. We are deep in every position, and will be able to cover an injury at any position. That being said this team doesn't have the "superstar" that we have had in the past, we just a well rounded solid team. Its May and I am feeling good about this team...


Around the League:
Standings Leaders
DE Southern: Lewes Braves/Dover Generals: 19-12 (+.5)
DE Northern: Newark Millers: 19-11 (+3)
MV Eastern: Chesapeake Blue Crabs 20-11 (+3)
MV Western: Norfolk Cavaliers: 24-8 (+8.5)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Alonso Martinez, Wilmington Iron Pigs, 11-26, 4 HR's, 13 RBI's
MarVa: Domingo Valencia, Ocean City Tourists, 13-24, 2 HR's, 4 RBI's

Power Rankings:
1) Norfolk Cavaliers (139.0)
2) Chesapeake Blue Crabs (130.1)
3) Lewes Braves (117.3)
4) Seaford Blue Jays (113.9)
5) Newark Millers (112.0)

News:

• The Ocean City Tourists too a hit losing James McLaughlin for 4-5 months. McLaughlin was off to a decent start going 3-2 3.76 in 6 starts. The Tourists will need someone to pick up the slack with him out.
• Marcos Estrada of the Georgetown Sixteens, became the 2nd pitcher in the DBL to eclipse the 200 win mark, following Miguel Contreras who did it last season. Estrada is 3-2 1.97 on the season.
• Sancho Rodriguez of the Blue Hens and Rafael Rodriguez of the Blue Jays were both suspended for 5 games for their part in a brawl.

[illeracula]

Week 6
Current Week: 4-2 (28-10 .750 / +8.5)
Next Week: 3 vs Richmond Cardinals, 4 @ Milton Brewers
Power Ranking: 1
Fan Interest: 97
Owners Mood: Ecstatic

Runs Scored: 203 (2nd)
Avg: .279 (2nd)
HR: 39 (8th)
SB: 24 (4th)
Runs Against: 138 (1st)
Starters ERA: 3.26 (1st)
Pen ERA: 3.96 (4th)
Def Eff: .713 (3rd)

Game 33: Norfolk 4, Washington 7
Vaughan Griffith (3-1): 4.1 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 4 K
Anthony Lucarelli: 2-3, 2B, HR (3), 2 R, 2 RBI
Henry Hamer: 3-5
H: 11, LOB: 9

Game 34: Norfolk 3, Washington 1
Miguel Contrears (5-2): 8.0 IP, 3 H, R, BB, 7 K
Luis Martinez (SV 12): 1.0 IP, BB, 2 K
Ramon Granados: 1-2, HR (1), R, RBI
Jeff Lewis: 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Anthony Lucarelli: 1-3, R
H: 7, LOB: 4

Game 35: Norfolk 6, Washington 5
Paul Brown: 7.0 IP, 9 H, 2 R, BB, 7 K
Eric Helton (2-1, BS 3): 1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R
Luis Martinez (SV 13): 1.0 IP, K
Frnacisco Gallegos: 2-5, 2B, HR (2), R, 5 RBI (3-r HR in 9th)
Sergio Galvez: 2-5, HR (8), 2 R, RBI
Jeff Lewis: 2-4
Anthony Lucarelli: 2-4, R
H: 10, LOB: 6

Game 36: Norfolk 6, Ellicott City 4
Cornell Pearson (5-0): 7.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 6 K
Luis Martinez (SV 14): 2 K
Henry Hamer: 2-3, 2B, HR (8), R, 3 RBI
King Brock: 2-3, 2B, HR (6), 3 R, 2 RBI
Francisco Gallegos: 2-4, R, RBI
Jeff Lewis: 0-1 PH (snaps 24 game hitting streak)
H: 11, LOB 7

Game 37: Norfolk 8, Ellicott City 3
MA Gonzalez (4-2): 9.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 0 ER, BB, 5 K
Jeff Lewis: 3-4, 2 R, 2 RBI
Francisco Gallegos: 2-5, 2B, R
Anthony Lucarelli: 3-5, 2B, R, RBI
Leo Lawson: 2-5, 2B, R, RBI
H: 14, LOB: 8

Game 38: Norfolk 5, Ellicott City 6 (10 innings)
Armando Lopez: 7.2 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Luis Martinez (0-2): 1.2 IP, 2 H, R, BB, K
Sergio Galvez: 2-5, HR (9), 2 R, 2 RBI
Jeff Lewis: 1-3, HR (1), R, 3 RBI
H: 7, LOB: 4

Cav's Corner:
Injuries:
3B Mario Gomez, Back Spasms, DtD-2 days
SP Carlos Coronado, ulnar nerve irritation, 2-3 months
MR Taheiji Otani, torn labrum, 10 months

Young stud Carlos Franco is out for 4 months with a broken bown in his elbow. He was hitting .250-1-12 on the season so far. Franco should be a solid hitter and possible Glove Wizard if he can stay healthy.

Other/Roster News:
Jeff was called up from AAA after going 5-17 with a HR and 4 RBI's. Robinson Lopez was sent down to clear room for Lewis. Lopez was starting at 2B, and should be on the roster, but the Velez options is causing me some issues. Lopez was hitting .231-3-11 so far this season.

The lineup has been adjusted. With Lewis now batting 3rd and playing RF. Lambert is the odd man out, but he will be getting time at 1B, RF and DH. With Lopez gone I decided to put in Veldez at 2B in hopes he can catch fire. He will actually be splitting time with Ramon Granados till one of them proves they are starter worthy.

Jeff Lewis had his hit-streak snapped at 24 games, dating back till last season.

GM Notes:
Luis Martinez has been great so far as the closer this season. He is 14 for 15 in save opportunities. He still has some control development to do, and I hope it happens sooner than later. Those 3 walk 9th innings get nerving.

We now have 3 starters with 5 wins. Can't beat that, as they are the bread and butter of this team. Contrears is 5-2 2.79, and seems to be getting better time out. Pearson is 5-0 2.48 and is pitching the way I thought he would when I traded for him 4 seasons ago (hard to beleive this is his 4th season with us). And Paul Brown (5-1 2.63) is trying to repeat his amazing season from last year. Brown is "Projected" to have almost the same exact season as he did last year, based on his early season stats.

After one week of platooning, both 2B are showing they are good enough for the job. I will keep it going every other day for a little while longer. 7 PA's isn't long enough to judge.
Velez: 2-5, RBI, 2 BB, 3 K
Granados: 3-6, HR, RBI, BB, K

We committed 6 errors in the 3 game series against the express, 3 in game one, 2 in game 2 and 1 in game 3. That is not how I want this defense to play. Augusto Roriguez committed 2 of those errors, he now has 3 on the season, hopefully this isn't a sign that he is slumping defenisvly again. He just won his 6th Glove Wizard award last season... if he does start to slump I will end up shifting him out of the SS position, moving Lucarelli to his natural SS position and ARod to 2B. However if I do that Granados may be left without a position. I do need to figure out what to do with the 2B/3B combination...

Around the League:
Standings Leaders
DE Southern: Lewes Braves/Dover Generals: 22-15 (+1.5)
DE Northern: Newark Millers: 23-14 (+4.5)
MV Eastern: Chesapeake Blue Crabs: 24-13 (+2)
MV Western: Norfolk Cavaliers: 28-10 (+10.0)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Matt Fisher, Wilmington Iron Pigs, 12-25, 2 HR's, 11 RBI's
MarVa: Mike Simmons, Chesapeake Blue Crabs, 11-21, 4 HR's, 12 RBI's

Power Rankings:
1) Norfolk Cavaliers (133.6)
2) Chesapeake Blue Crabs (123.8)
3) Newark Millers (114.9)
4) Lewes Braves (109.0)
5) Annapolis Admirals (108.0)

News:

• Ed Truell of the Milton Brewers wasn't having a good season to start (1-4 10.38), but his recent injury may shed some light onto why. Ed will be out 10 months with elbow ligament damage. The 24yr old will have a long road ahead.
• Vicente Angel is out 4-5 months. In 17 games Angel was 5-1 1.17 with 2 saves having a career year, but the Seaford reliever will have to wait to finish the season after being diagnosed with shoulder inflammation.
• CF Javier Janchez has only played in 17 games this season (.235-0-1) and will now miss another month. Janchez is suffering from shoulder soreness, last season he played in 116 games. Janchez was the focal point of a block-buster trade this off-season.

[illeracula]

Week 7
Current Week: 5-2 (33-12 .733 / +9)
Next Week: 3 @ Annapolis Admirals, 3 vs Salisbury Ports
Power Ranking: 1
Fan Interest: 98 (+1)
Owners Mood: Ecstatic

Runs Scored: 255 (2nd)
Avg: .279 (2nd)
HR: 51 (5th)
SB: 34 (4th)
Runs Against: 157 (1st)
Starters ERA: 3.09 (1st)
Pen ERA: 3.70 (3rd)
Def Eff: .721 (3rd)

Game 39: Richmond 5, Norfolk 6 (19 Innings)
Miguel Contreras: 8.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 8 K
David Moran: 4.0 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K
Jesus Ramirez (1-1): 1.0 IP, 2 H, R, K
Henry Hamer: 4-8, 2B, RBI
Francisco Gallegos: 2-9, HR (3), R, 3 RBI
Wally Lambert: 3-8, HR (3), R, RBI
Augsusto Rodriguez: 2-2, 2B, R
H: 17, LOB: 15

Jack Dooley of the Cardinals went 0-5 with 5 K's before being PH for in the 15th

Game 40: Richmond 5, Norfolk 2
Paul Brown (6-1): 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 12 K
Dalton Whitaker (SV 1): 1.0 IP, H, 2 BB, K
Wally Lambert: 1-3, HR (4), R, RBI
Leo Lawson: 2-3, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Augusto Rodrigeuz: 2-3, 2B, RBI
Bernardo Velez: 2-3, R
H: 10, LOB: 3

Game 41: Richmond 2, Norfolk 14
Cornell Pearson (6-0): 6.2 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 10 K
Francisco Gallegos: 2-5, HR (4), 2 R, RBI
Henry Hamer: 2-4, HR (9), 2 R, 2 RBI
King Brock: 1-3, HR (7), 3 R, 3 RBI
Ramon Granaods: 3-4, R, 3 RBI
H: 12, LOB: 6

Game 42: Norfolk 7, Milton 0
MA Gonzalez (5-2): 8.1 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 5 K
Wally Lambert: 3-4, HR (5), 2 R, 2 RBI
Sergio Galvez: 1-4, HR (10), R, 3 RBI
Henry Hamer: 1-4, HR (10), R, RBI
H: 10, LOB: 8

Game 43: Norfolk 3, Milton 4
Armando Lopez: 6.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K
Eric Helton (2-2, BS 4): 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 BB, K
Francisco Gallegos: 2-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Jeff Lewis: 2-2, RBI
H: 6, LOB: 6

Game 44: Norfolk 7, Milton 5
Miguel Contreras (6-2): 7.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, BB, 3 K
Luis Martinez (SV 15): 1.0 IP
Mark Bolton: 2-4, HR(2), R, 4 RBI
King Brock: 2-4, 2B, HR (8), 2 R, 2 RBI
Francisco Gallegos: 2-4, 2 2B, R, RBI
H: 11, LOB: 8

Game 45: Norfolk 11, Milton 0
Paul Brown (7-1): 8.0 IP, 3 H, BB, 10 K
Henry Hamer: 3-5, HR (11), 2 R, 5 RBI
Sergio Galvez: 3-4, 4 R, 3 RBI
Jeff Lewis: 3-5, 2 R, RBI
Anthony Lucarelli: 2-5, 2 RBI
H: 14, LOB: 9

Cav's Corner:
Injuries:
MR David Moran, sprained elbow, 3-4 weeks
SP Carlos Coronado, ulnar nerve irritation, 2 months
MR Taheiji Otani, torn labrum, 9-10 months

David Moran went down with a sprained elbow. Moran was having a good season so far posting a 1-1 2.05 record with 2 saves in 22 innings, and I will miss the lefty in the pen. I could bring up Tariel Ratishvili, but he isn't quite ready with a 9 control rating, so instead I am going to go with Alberto Sanchez. Sanchez was doing well in AAA (0-1 2.76, 16.1 IP) after a rough spring... Moran pitched in 4 games this week, including 4 innings (63 pitches) on Monday, then pitched the following day before a day off. The next 2 games proved too much.

Other/Roster News:
Before the week started I made some lineup changes. 1st) Augusto Rodriguez, who as been my starting shortstop since 2017 was sent to the bench. ARod is hitting .193-0-8 in 88 AB's this season, so I figured I would try something new. Lucarelli will move from 3B to SS and Mario Gomez will now be starting at 3B batting 9th. ARod will get his AB's filling in at 3B and SS. ARod is a 4x Glove Wizard winner and has only played 4 innings at 3B during his career.

Also, I moved Granados to the starting 2B slot, and shifted the every day platoon to every 3 days. Trying to get a stable lineup.

We signed 3 starting pitchers to minor league deals: Ricardo Viccio (10/8/12), Bob Hollis (9/10/12) and Tony Hernandez (9/8/12). We were short on starters at the AAA level and I felt a move neded to be made. Hernandez will go to AA the other 2 will head to AAA.

GM Notes:
Augusto Rodriguez must not of been happy about being demoted to 3B/back-up, as he was on fire this week hitting 8-16 with 2 2B, 4 runs and an RBI. He will be back in the starting lineup at 3B, with Gomez filling him for him.

Armando Lopez is off to a decent start so far, but has been struck with some bad luck. In 8 games this season Lopez has a 4.21 ERA and 6 no-decisions! He is 2-0, but the team is 3-5 in his starts. I am going to continue with him as a starter, but that may end up changing and he could switch with Vaughan down the road. Something I am monitoring.

The team is playing consistent ball. I am happy to see Sergio Galvez hitting, fielding, and running the bases. At his current pace he should become the third 30/30 man in DBL history. We will keep an eye on that.

With Jeff Lewis back, happily, Wally Lambert seems to be flourishing off the bench as the fill-in. He plays 1B, DH, LF, and RF and gets his share of AB's. This past week he started to show off that 30+ HR power he had last season. I feel bad he isn't getting more AB's, but it just how it is right now. Next year will be interesting, if Lewis doesn't pick up his player option. If Lewis walks we will 6 players (7 this season) at 1B and OF: King Brock, Sergio Galvez, Leo Lawson, Wally Lambert, Henry Hamer and Francisco Gallegos. Why interesting? they are all lefties, except Gallegos who is a switch hitter. This team has been lefty heavy for a while now and it shows, esepcially during the playoffs. Which is a reason I am happy Lewis is back.

I looked around at some possible bullpen deals, but the players out there that I'd be interested in are just way too much money. I am not going to pay 9+ million a year for a reliever. That just makes no sense.

That 19 game inning this week is the longest game I can remember in my Cavaliers history. Makes you wonder how two teams can score 10 runs in the first 9 innings, then go 9 innings without scoring. Crazy things happen in baseball.

Around the League:
Standings Leaders
DE Southern: Lewes Braves: 28-16 (+2.0)
DE Northern: Newark Millers: 24-20 (+2.5)
MV Eastern: Chesapeake Blue Crabs: 26-15 (+3)
MV Western: Norfolk Cavaliers: 33-12 (+9.0)

Players of the Week:
Delaware: Andres Salinas, Lewes Braves, 7-21, 3 HR's, 6 RBI's
MarVa: Jose Lopez, Chesapeake Blue Crabs, 10-23, 5 HR's, 9 RBI's

Power Rankings:
1) Norfolk Cavaliers (138.0)
2) Chesapeake Blue Crabs (121.6)
3) Lewes Braves (1117.5)
4) Dover Generals (110.4)
5) Annapolis Admirals (109.4)

News:
Chesapeake Blue Crab star catcher Antonio Castaneda and Ellicott City Express Daniel Underwood were both suspended for 3 games after Castaneda charged the mound during a recent game. No punches were thrown, but a lot of shoving occurred.
One of the front runners for the Silver Slugger, as well as Newcomer of the Year, is the Wilmington Iron Pigs Cuban import Alonso Martinez. Martinez is hitting .339-15-40 on the season, but will miss the next month with a sprained ankle. All eyes will be on him when he returns to see if he can continue his hot start.
The Annapolis Admirals will be without their ace Matt Hollis for 8 months. The 32 year old torn his flexor tendon in his elbow. Hollis a 3-time Golden Arm winner is trying to get back to form after a rough 2023 season. So far this year he is 3-2 2.93 in 10 starts.
Xue-qin Xu of the Chesapeake Blue Crabs became the 15th player (16th time) in the DBL to hit for the cycle, the second player this season to do so. Xu went 4-4 with 3 runs scored and drove in 6 during a 10-0 beating of the Iron Pigs.

[illeracula]

Pérez Reaches 2000: For Roberto Pérez, it was a red-letter day. The Ocean City Tourists third baseman slapped his 2000th career hit. That his team defeated the Virginia Beach Surf Dawgs, 9-6, made it even sweeter.

His manager paid tribute to Pérez after the game: "I've followed Roberto since he came into the league," he said. "Fine ballplayer. Fine work ethic. I'm not surprised by what he's achieved."

The 34-year-old Pérez finished the day with 1 hit in 3 at-bats.

For his 1644-game career Pérez has hit .308 with 2000 hits, 1075 RBIs, and 264 home runs.

--
Roberto Perez is the first player in DBL history to reach this magical number. I am not sure he will have enough in the tank to chase down 3000, but either way this is a monumental day for the DBL and the 2-time Silver Slugger Award winner Roberto Perez.