The IBL's Chicago Iron Pigs

[gehrig38]

WEEK 9
RECORD: 3-3
PLACE: 42-14 +12.5
RUNS SCORED: 375
RUNS AGAINST: 224
OWNER: Very Happy
FAN INTEREST: 86/100 Salinas signing made huge impact
SCHEDULE: 1 vs GreenBay/2 @ Staten Island/2 vs New York/Off Day/1 @ Alaska

6/1 Off Day
6/2 CHI 9 ALK 8 Almost gave away a 9-1 lead. Collins GS (15) Lorenzelli (3) and Chavez (18) homer. Martinez (7-3) 7-10-5-5-2-2 Cruz SV (15).
INJURY NEWS-Carlos Torres (BUF) will miss the next 6-8 weeks with back spasms. The 25 year old hit .288-37-1116 last year and was hitting .260-16-45 in 52 games this year.

WEEK 9 RECAP
FL POTW-Pedro Salinas (CHI) 11-24 3 HR's 12 RBI's (.353-13-58) The game may not do it, but damn if it doesn't feel like guys do 'things' around stuff like signing a new deal, or being spurned, seems so DAMN realistic.
CL POTW-Bob White (LV) 11-23 3 HR's 8 RBI's (.348-13-58)

IBL SINGLE SEASON RECORD-RBI's
Gerald Wright (DAY) 176 '15
Bill Alexander (CHI) 167 '15
Cy May (HOU) 157 '12
Stefan Conway (FRE) 156 '16
Bill Hill (DAL) 156 '13

WEEK 9 POWER RANKINGS
1) Chicago (1)
2) New York (4)
3) Las Vegas (2)
4) El Paso (3)
5) Baltimore (12)
OUT San Antonio (13)

ORG NEWS-Belleview is 56-3, 26 games up.

[gehrig38]

WEEK 10
RECORD: 5-2
PLACE: 47-16 +11
RUNS SCORED: 421 1st
RUNS AGAINST: 265 t-2nd
OWNER: Very Happy
FAN INTEREST: 86/100
SCHEDULE: 1 @ Alaska/2 @ Brooklyn/2 @ El Paso/2 vs Columbus

6/3 CHI 7 ALK 3 Lee (10-2) 8-6-2-2-0-7. Bannatyne (1) Chavez (19) Morgan (15) homer. Riggs 3-4 2 RBI's (25).
GREAT GAMES-Carl Crawford (GB) went 5-5 in the Blizzards 17-6 win over Edmonton.
6/4 CHI 2 BRO 1 Rogers (6-2) 7-2-1-1-2-7 Ellison (H3) Cruz SV (16). Lorenzelli 2-4 2B (20) HR (4)
TRADE NEWS-Michigan sends 2B William Griffin and 2.2M to Baltimore for 19yr old SP prospect Dave Steele and 23 year old SP prospect Ramon Garcia. Griffin is a 26 year old outstanding offensive talent that Baltimore (up .5 game) hopes to see take off. He's a switch hitter. Both Steele and Garcia are 1.5 star guys, with scouts thinking Steel has a shot to be better than that, possibly. Michigan is once again pulling up the bottom end of the division, 23.5 out and with 5 OF's on the DL, and their starting 2B they're, I think, stockpiling as best they can while shedding payroll. Their owner Juan Ortiz is furious, as he was expecting at least a .500 season, their loyal fan base is becoming apathetic. More changes could be on the way but fans are pointing to the budget (28th) and payroll (28th) as the main reasons this team is a perennial doormat. Their attendance has dropped every season since 2012, with a peak of 3.2M in '12, and just 1.68M last year. Their attendance is up 39.5% this year, even with the horrid start. Smart fans point to their #1 ranked minor league system and top pitching prospects that have arrived, or are on the way. Many are waiting, and hoping to see OF Pedro Lopez sometime this year. Their top pitcher, Maurice Paterson, is learning 'on the job' this season, going 2-3 4.60 in 6 starts so far.

6/5 CHI 6 BRO 2 Zamora (6-5) 9-4-2-2-5-5 (loses SHO in the 9th). Lorenzelli 2B, 3 RBI's.
6/6 EP 14 CHI 8 HORRIFFIC game, 17 hits 11 walks after beating up Zito (2.12 ERA coming in) early. Collins (16) Chavez (20) homer, Coates 3-4. Bernarda (EP) 5 RBI's (41) HR (18) Harper (EP) 2 HR's (3) Haynes (EP) HR (12) 4 runs.
ROSTER NEWS-This bullpen is paper thin, or it feels that way. Watanabe might not be ready, Garcia is struggling. Ellison and Cruz are the only sure things right now. Winston was solid until his 1.1-4-5-5-1-1 outing today.
INJURY NEWS-Barry Zito (EP) came out of the game yesterday, and apparently there was a reason. He has a severe hamstring strain that is looking like it will cost him 7-8 weeks. He is 9-0 2.40 in 13 starts. El Paso is 6.5 up on Alaska.
6/7 CHI 8 EP 4 Collins 3-5 Lorenzelli (5) Salinas (14) Miller (2) homer. Haynes (EP) 3-5 Ichiro 19th SB. Martinez (8-3) 3 ER 5 IP. Eric Coates went down in the OF with an undisclosed injury, awaiting word on how serious.
6/8 CHI 6 COL 5 Miller leadoff HR in the 9th (3) ties it, Collins walk off 2B wins it. Collins 4-5 3 RBI's (61) Chavez 3 Runs 4 SB's (28). Lee 7-6-4-4-2-7 ND Cruz W (2-0).
GREAT GAMES-Robert Jensen (LV) tossed the 4th no-hitter of the season in a 17-0 10K win over Fresno. The 32 year old who signed in mid April after being in Michigan the past 7 seasons is 6-2 2.44 in 9 starts for the 51's. The 4 no-hitters this year is 1 shy of of the 5 last year, which is the single season record. Jensen's no-hitter is the 2nd in Las Vegas club history.
INJURY NEWS-Eric Coates is out the next 2-3 weeks with a badly strained groin. Alexander is still 4 days out, so Luis Rodriguez will be recalled.
TRADE NEWS-Houston has shipped 31 year old C Andres Romero (.220-0-3 in 18 games) and 2.6M to Brooklyn for 29 year old minor league SP Tom Meade and 20 year old IF prospect Kenji Ohayashi (3.5-4 star guy that was clearly the centerpiece of this deal), Houston had no need for Romero who's a stopgap behind the plate, at best. So they got a very nice prospect and some minor league filler for a player they weren't using. Brooklyn is out of it, Houston is tied with San Antonio atop the Lone Star.
6/9 COL 12 CHI 9 (10) Rogers gets bombed (3.1-6-8-7-5-4) but Rodriguez?s game tying 2B in the 9th is wasted when Ellison gives up 3 run HR to Ryan (11) in the 10th. Collins 3-5 HR (17) 4 RBI's (65) Rodriguez 3-5 2 RBI's.

AAA All Stars-Eric Arnold SP (8-1 2.85), Augusto Rocha SP (3-3 3.00), Ken Jenkins 2B (.309/.362/.551) 8-45
AA All Stars-Andy Morgan SP (7-5 3.46)
A North All Stars-Michael Bailey 1B (.265/.346/.482) 9-49, Guillermo Cruz SS (.255/.365/.453) 8-36, Alfonso Ramirez LF (.328/.401/.466) 4-43, Iemitsu Matsumara CF (.302/.394/.416) 0-33.

WEEK 10 RECAP
FL POTW-Hugh Collins (CHI) 14-28 2 HR's 11 RBI's (.285-17-65)
CL POTW-Eric Jackson (LA) 12-22 HR 12 RBI's (.231-2-23)

ORG POTW
Alex Cuellar (TUL AAA) 11-26 2 HR's 10 RBI's (.275-6-20)

WEEK 10 POWER RANKINGS
1) Las Vegas (2)
2) Chicago (1)
3) El Paso (4)
4) New York (3)
5) Green Bay (10)
OUT Baltimore (8)

ORG NEWS-Belleview is now 62-3, 30 games up. They've lost 1 game each month, 1-0 in April, 4-3 in May and 2-0 in June.

[gehrig38]

2019 Draft
Aside from the 1st draft, this will be the 1st draft I've done very little maneuvering. Not for lack of trying, I've got trades on the table that involve picks but they aren't going to get done in time. I'm picking 20th in round 1 (only 20 picks with FA compensation). Then 10th in the supplemental round (30th overall) and 16th in the 2nd round. So I have 3 of the first 52 picks. 20, 36 and 52.

1) Dayton Dragons-Manuel Rodriguez (22) 6?4? 200 LBS OF-Florida State 5 tool player. He was the Yankees #1 pick (10th overall) and didn?t sign last year. Seems he made a great decision to stay in school, moving to the 1st overall slot.
2) Boston Bombers-Cody Miller (19) 6? 205 LBS RHP-Horizon HS, San Diego, CA. Projecting to be a once in a generation arm. Boston has made some outstanding picks in the draft around pitching, if this is anywhere near close to his projection this is a HOF caliber pitcher.
3) Dallas Texans-Andres Rodriguez (21) 6? 175 LBS OF-UC-Irvine. A burner who can play big time D, but our scouts think very little of his bat, especially for 5M.
4) Edmonton Trappers-Thomas Brown (17) 6? 180 LBS OF-Franklin HS, Texas. Another ++ runner. Another guy our scouts have no interest in this early.
5) Corpus Christi Hooks-Antonio Lopez (18) 6? 180 LBS INF-Jamestown HS, PA. Yet another HS player our scouts aren?t high on. Runs very well, cannon for an arm, big time bat for average, no pop.
6) Michigan Battlecats-Juan Soto (21) 6? 185 LBS 3B-South Carolina, SC. 5 star potential. Little pop but a .330+ bat and a .420+ OBP guy. Punched out 7 times in 310 AB?s this year.
7) Alaska Avalanche-Gabriel Gonzalez (22) 6?1? 210 LBS OF-New Mexico. Decent contact guy with projections of big time pop.
8) Buffalo Bisons-George MCCall (17) 6? 175 LBS RHP-Menasha HA, Wisconsin. Low to mid 90s already, projects as a 1 or 2 if all works out. Not a fan of 6? tall SP, not at all. And even more so when they want 7.5M to play.
9) Los Angeles Wizards-Chris Pennington (21) 6? 210 LBS RHP-Pepperdine. Sinker slider guy with outstanding control, 2 or 3 guy if he hits projections.
10) West Michigan White Caps-Edgard Domingo (22) 6?1? 200 LBS RHP-Villanova. Mid 90s power arm. Was the 12th overall pick by Baltimore last year, re-entered the draft.
11) Staten Island Yankees-Willard Battle (22) 6? 195 LBS OF-Mississippi. Top of the lineup bat and legs. Will play center with huge range. Will draw his walks, not K and compete for a batting title at some point if he hits projections. Might hit 10 career HR?s IF he plays 20 years.
12) Green Bay Blizzard-Alfredo Lopez (18) 6?1? 185 LBS OF/1B-Open Bible Christian, Valdosta, Georgia. Might be the fastest runner in all of baseball, now. Will threaten 100 SB?s for a good while. Zero pop, but a contact, top of the order bat and runner.
13) Baltimore Railcats-Gustavo Guerrero (21) 6? 190 LBS RHP-NC State. Low to mid 90?s sinker slider guy. Our guys have him as a 3 if he hits his ceiling. Questionable work ethic.
14) Fresno Grizzlies-Wendell Greer (21) 6?1? 180 LBS 2B-Middle Tennessee State. Gold glove defender with top of the lineup speed. Hasn?t seen a pitch he didn?t like to swing at, but has marginal pop. Doesn?t swing and miss much and could hit for a good average. His legs and glove are going to move him along quickly.
15) Baltimore Railcats-Dean Kehoe (17) 6?1? 195 LBS RHP-Atascadero HS, CA. Sinker, Change, Split with 90-92 already. Command is a concern. Punched out 155 to 15 walks in 97 IP this year. Asking 3M. Leader, good influence.
16) Houston Roughriders-Cirpiano Romero (23) 6? 190 LBS RHP-Texas A&M. 92-94 bowling ball sinker. Decent curve and slider that will get better, change isn?t going to be usable and has an outstanding forkball right now.
17) Green Bay Blizzard-Lutz Althusser (18) 6?2? 175 LBS RHP-Notre Dame Prep, Fitchburg, MA. Righty with 3+ pitches (FB, Curve and Change) who could be a solid middle of the rotation arm and a big innings guy if he makes it.
18) Tulsa Drillers-Mike Davis (18) 6? 170 LBS LHP-Normandy HS, Parma, Ohio. First left handed arm to go. Low to mid 90?s fastball, with curve, slider and change that all project above average. Control is going to be the conern.
19) New Hampshire Fisher Cats-Ron Wilton (18) 5?11? 170 LBS 2B-Lee HS, Massachusetts. Outstanding runner, outstanding defender who looks to be a 2 hole hitter if he matures. Has zero pop, but handles the bat exceptionally well. Won?t K much, and will draw his share of walks.
20) Our 1st pick. We had our eyes on Tim Harvey, an 18 year old CF who has everything you want in a true leadoff hitter. Already an outstanding defender, he?s a 60+ steal guy who will get on base at a prodigious clip. The extra credit here is that he?s a switch hitter who handles the bat just about equally well from both sides. He?s got a high work ethic to boot. Our scouts have zeroed in on Carl Walker with this pick though. Walker is a 17 year old RHP who our scouts project as a future #1, true top of the rotation guy. He?s a horse, durable as hell with 4 pitches. A fastball, slider and split that all project above average. But his bread and butter is a once in a generation curveball scouts feel will be dominant in the big leagues. There?s some local ties as well, he?s a Central HS kid, from Crystal Lake, IL. Went 11-0 0.78 with 181/18 K/BB ratio in 115.2 IP. At 6?1? he?s at the very VERY bottom of the scale for a starting pitcher. But the 185 LBS makes me think he?ll fill out into a SP?s body. His ask is within reason, and I think, given our past, we?re going to gamble on Harvey being around for the supplemental pick. If he is, and we nail these two kids I?d look at this draft as wildly successful for having done ZERO trading or moving up. Carl Walker is the pick.

[gehrig38]

2nd Pick (10th pick supplemental round, 30th overall)
Harvey is on the board, as is an intriguing group of arms. Martin wants to take Mario Martinez, a HUGE power bat out of Houston College. But he?s a 1B with ZERO chance to play anywhere else. A bad defender, and train wreck as a runner. There?s a power arm in Cisco Casas, an 18 year old flamethrower who, to me, is Ernesto Cruz?s replacement down the road. Given how little value everyone puts in relievers I am going to hopefully wait until the 4th or later to grab him. We take Tim Harvey from Cardinal O?Hara in Springfield, PA with our 2nd pick in the draft.

3rd Pick (2nd round, pick 16, 52nd overall)
An OF, a Catcher or an arm. The scouts like Michael McGee, an 18 yr old from NY, a possible 40/40 talent who will likely play LF. RH hitter too. Off the charts power and speed, and could hit .300 just bunting. Outstanding strike zone awareness, huge pop, big time gap power with 50 steal speed. Joao Carnaxide is the Catcher, but it feels like my scouts are the only ones liking him this high. Mcgee is the pick. Tulsa ends up taking Carnaxide with the 26th pick of round 2.

3rd Round-Antonio Salas (19) 6?1? 195 LBS Salisbury HS, NC 1B/DH
4th Round-Cisco Casas (18) 6? 190 LBS Simsboro HS, Los Angeles, CA RHP
5th Round-Ben Bell (21) 6?2? 220 LBS Oral Roberts, Tulsa, Oklahoma, C
6th Round-Jorge Santos (21) 6?1? 175 LBS Alabama, OF
7th Round-Dave Von Schau (23) 6?2? 220 LBS Lousiana-Lafayette, LHP
8th Round-Patrick Jenkins (19) 6? 200 LBS Pomona HS, California. OF
9th Round-Chris Dicken (20) 6? 175 LBS Mississippi State. RHP
10th Round-Marvin Yates (21) 6?1? 195 LBS Texas. OF
11th Round-Hector Angel (21) 5?11? 195 LBS Arizona State. LHP
12th Round-Earnest Strong (22) 6?1? 245 LBS Fordham. 1B/DH
13th Round-Ron Joseph (20) 6?2? 215 LBS Springfield College, Illinois. OF
14th Round-Dan Crofts (18) 6?3? 210 LBS Sequoyah HS, Oklahoma. RHP
15th Round-Chris Wolf (21) 6? 220 LBS Long Beach State. RHP
16th Round-Ricardo Costa (22) 5?10? 190 LBS Cal State-Fullerton. C
17th Round-Dong-ook Um (21) 6?2? 200 LBS Auburn. C
18th Round-Jeff Myers (21) 6?1? 205 LBS UC-Riverside. OF
19th Round-Alan Cooper (17) 6? 215 LBS Beverly HS, Massachusetts. LHP
20th Round-Cullen Sampson (20) 6?3? 225 LBS Vanderbilt. C
21st Round-Ernest Green (22) 6?5? 205 LBS California. RHP
22nd Round-Tony Contreras (20) 5?8? 180 LBS St. Josephs, Philadelphia, PA. 2B
23rd Round-Joey Cain (20) 6?3? 215 LBS Georgia Tech. RHP
24th Round-Carl Anderson (22) 6?2? 205 LBS Fordham, OF
25th Round-Ken McDermott (22) 6?5? 216 LBS East Carolina. RHP

[gehrig38]

WEEK 11
RECORD: 4-2
PLACE: 51-18 +10.5
RUNS SCORED: 467 1st
RUNS AGAINST: 294 2nd
OWNER: Very Happy
FAN INTEREST: 87/100
SCHEDULE: 1 vs Columbus/Off Day/2 vs Edmonton/3 vs Arizona

6/10 COL 10 CHI 4 Zamora (6-6) bombed 4-9-7-7-1-3 Garcia relieves, bases loaded, 1st pitch GS. Bill Ryan (COL) 4-5 Dean Strong GS (12) Schall (17) Ryan (12) homers.
6/11 Off Day 2018 Koufax winner Artie Johnson (EP) will miss the next 4 months with bone chips. He was 7-3 3.93 in 14 starts for the 1st place Diablos.
TRADE NEWS-Michigan has shipped backup catcher Bryan Barnes to Edmonton for 2 minor league prospects. Dana Reed has taken over the catching duties and Barnes, signed as a free agent this past winter, was expendable.
DL NEWS-Alexander comes off the DL today, Rodriguez goes back to Tulsa.
6/12 CHI 12 EDM 5 Hamilton (7-2) 7-5-5-1-1-5. Salinas 3-3 2 HR's (16) 5 RBI's (64). Alexander (6) Collins (18) Chavez (21) homer.
6/13 CHI 12 EDM 3 Martinez (9-3) 8-6-3-3-2-9. Morgan 3-4 3 Runs 7 RBI's (43) 2 HR's GS (17). Bannatyne 3-4 HR (2) Chavez 3-4 29th SB.
NOTE-I mentioned earlier how this game just feels like it has some sort of 'hidden' AI, that makes it seem so damn real. I extended a trade proposal to Edmonton 2 days ago. Looking to move one of my AAA middle infielders, of which I have many, and a few of them are IBL ready but I have no room. Anyway, Edmonton picks 4th in the draft, and some back and forth with them and I put Wes Morgans name into the deal, for a C prospect, all world defensive infielder as a backup, and getting their 1 and 2 for my 1 and 3. Morgan responds by hitting 2 homers, a granny and driving in 7.....
TRADE NEWS-Baltimore side swiped me. Coming to the table offering Dennis Ash, the OF'er I was working on a deal for out of spring training. They want my backup C, Martin Ramirez and RP prospect Tom Jackson. I'd do it, but Ash puts me with far too many IBL ready OF'ers, as well as a plethora of guys in AAA just waiting for a shot. If the Morgan trade does happen, my first move would be to try and ink Collins to an extension. If I can make all that happen fast, and somehow Collins doesn't come to terms, I think I may come back and make this deal? Not sure......
6/14 AZ 2 CHI 1 (10) Lee 9-6-1-1-1-9 vs Pimentel 7.2-3-1-1-6-7. Holt (1-1) loses in the 10th. Ivan Romero (AZ) 4-4 with 2 1B, 2B and a 3B.
6/15 CHI 10 AZ 5 Rogers (7-2) 7-9-5-3-0-9 3 HR's. Alexander 3-5 HR (7, #298 career) 3 RBI's Knox HR (9) 3 RBI's.
INJURY NEWS-New Hampshire slugger Jose Perez (.316-44-135 '18) will miss the next 5 weeks with a severe quad strain. The Fisher Cats are 32-38 8.5 GB of Pittsburgh.
TRADE NEWS-The Bulldogs have managed to acquire SP Vincente Elisary (14-10 4.43 '18) from Fresno. They sent top slugging prospect (2nd round 2016) Ed Phillips and OF Leon Diaz to Fresno. Elisary figures to bolster a rotation that is already 2nd in the league in ERA, even more. Fresno also sent Pittsburgh 3M dollars as part of the deal. Phillips is a rare IF who had gold glove potential at 1B and SS with middle of the order pop and top of the order speed. Fresno is 22.5 games in back of Vegas in the Pacific.
6/16 CHI 7 AZ 4 Chavez 2-3 2 HR's (23) Alexander HR (8). Cruz SV (17)

WEEK 11 SUMMARY
FL POTW-Roberto Alvarado (MICH) 10-23 5 HR's 17 RBI's (.253-12-44)
CL POTW-Alejandro Villanueva (PIT) 14-25 2 HR's 3 RBI's (.265-16-44)

WEEK 11 POWER RANKINGS
1) Chicago (2)
2) Las Vegas (1)
3) New York (4)
4) Pittsburgh (9)
5) Green Bay (5)

OUT El Paso (6)

ORG NEWS-Belleview is 64-5, +30. They lost 2 in a row coming out of the all star break.
DRAFT NEWS-Tim Harvey has signed and will report to Omaha.

[gehrig38]

WEEK 12
RECORD: 3-3
PLACE: 54-21 +10.5
RUNS SCORED: 510 1st
RUNS AGAINST: 330 2nd
OWNER: Very Happy
FAN INTEREST: 87/100
SCHEDULE: 1 vs Arizona/3 @ West Michigan/Off Day/2 @ Green Bay

6/17 AZ 12 CHI 6 Greyhounds score all 12 in the 3rd. Hamilton (7-3) 2.2-8-9-9-2-1 Winston relieves and gives up grand slam. Led 4-0 after the 1st. Alexander 3 RBI's (31) Salinas HR (17).
6/18 CHI 7 WMI 2 Martinez (10-3) 7.2-4-2-1-2-9. Alexander GS (9)
MILESTONE-Bill Alexander follows Curt Whimster into the 300 HR club. For his career he's a .308-300-962 hitter with 749 runs and 1239 hits in 1041 games. He's 21st all time in Avg, 5th in slugging, 7th in OPS, 6th in VORP, 7th in runs, 7th in hits, 3rd in total bases, 2nd in HR's, 1st in RBI's and 8th in WAR.
6/19 WMI 4 CHI 2 Lee (10-3) 7.1-11-4-4-0-3, Alexander 2-4 HR (10) Lorenzelli HR (6). Vargas (WMI) 7-6 (8-5-2-2-1-11) Conklin SV (13).
6/20 CHI 7 WMI 3 Rogers (8-2) 8-9-3-3-2-7 Salinas HR (18) Collins 3-5 Stuart (WMI) 4-4
6/21 Off Day
6/22 GB 11 CHI 9 Down 10-3 after 3, Miller grounds out with bases loaded in the 9th. 22 hits. Chavez, Collins, Salinas, Morgan with 3 hit days, Knox 4-4. Collins HR (19). Utley (13) Rolen (16) Crawford (9) hit homers leading off the 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Zamora (6-7) 2-8-7-7-1-1 4 HR's.
DRAFT NEWS-1st rounder Carl Walker agreed to terms and reported to Omaha.
6/23 CHI 12 GB 4 Chavez 4-6 Alexander (11) Collins (20) Knox (10) Morgan (18) homer. Riggs 3 RBI's (39) Lorenzelli 3-5. Chavez 30th SB. Hamilton (8-3) 7-5-4-4-5-7.

A (S) All Stars-Belleview sends 11 players.
Ed Baker SP (11-0 1.45), Christopher Fremont SP (8-2 1.75), Glen Ratcliff SP (7-0 1.27) Zeke Mansel MR (4-0 2 SV 1.02), Noah Ash CL (3-1 22 SV 2.56) Shigekazu Kiyomizu C (.279/.370/.452) Ash Carter 1B (.373/.406/.478) Michel Chauveau 1B (.361/.460/.526) Armando Moreno 2B (.351/.452/.548) Andy Davis OF (.302/.356/.416) Colin Thomason OF (.325/.369/.422)

WEEK 12 SUMMARY
FL POTW-Harry Stuart (WMI) 11-24 3 HR's 6 RBI's (.265-17-46)
CL POTW-Jeff Ball (FRE) 11-20 3 HR's 7 RBI's (.293-8-34)

ORG POTW-Alberto Rivera (TUL) 14-29 HR 9 RBI's (.273-9-39) Michael Bailey (DEN) 17-31 5 HR's 19 RBI's (.292-16-73)

LEAGUE NEWS-Sacramento inked star slugger Jorge Ortiz to a 5 year 85M dollar contract extension. The 29 year old 2 time all star is coming off a .278-41-119 season last year and struggling a bit right now, hitting .266-9-37 through 75 games. I've got to think this is likely the 'floor' in dealing with Hugh Collins.

WEEK 12 POWER RANKINGS
1) Chicago (1)
2) Las Vegas (2)
3) New York (3)
4) Buffalo (7)
5) Pittsburgh (4)
OUT Green Bay (7)

ORG NEWS-Belleview is now 70-6, +31 in their division.

[gehrig38]

WEEK 13
RECORD: 5-2
PLACE: 59-23 +12
RUNS SCORED: 550 1st
RUNS AGAINST: 361 2nd
OWNER: Very Happy
FAN INTEREST: 87/100
SCHEDULE: 1 @ Green Bay/2 @ Buffalo/2 @ El Paso/2 vs Dayton

6/24 CHI 3 GB 0 Martinez gem (11-3) 9-2-0-0-1-10 loses no-hitter 2 outs in the 7th. Miller HR (4). Riggs ejected for arguing balls and strikes and apparently goes postal, and gets a 4 game suspension.
6/25 CHI 9 BUF 1 Lee (11-3) 7-7-1-1-1-8. Collins GS (21) 4 RBI's (79) Salinas (19) homer. Salinas 2-3 3 RBI's (71)
INJURY NEWS-New York Knights ace Tim Hudson (13-3 3.33) will miss the next 2 months after a severe hamstring strain. The Knights are 2 games up on Buffalo.
6/26 CHI 8 BUF 5 Alexander HR (12) Knox 2 HR's (12) 4 RBI's (53). Collins 3-4 SB (9) 2 RBI's (81). Grueter (BUF) HR (2) 4 RBI's (10). Rogers (9-2) 5-8-5-5-2-5 Cruz SV (18).
TRADE NEWS-Dennis Ash is an Iron Pig. In working the wires Baltimore was hot for IF Lester Jones. I managed to thin out the logjam in the Tulsa OF by offering 3 OF'ers, Jones and my 1st and 3rd picks next year for Ash, and their 1st and 2nd picks. Ash provides significant insurance against Collins leaving, and provides me with a defensive genius at any OF position, top of the charts speed and a top of the order bat. He'll head to Tulsa for now but we can now reassess the roster heading to the deadline knowing this 25 year old is under our control for the next 4+ years.
In other trade news Boston shipped CF Torii Hunter to Dallas, along with 21 year old OF Ricardo Gonzales, for 32 year old David Torres and 570K in cash.
CONTRACT NEWS-In looking ahead, we have Jake Ellison (3M) Dave Winston (2.4M) John Johnston (750K) Chance Holt (1.7M) and Gerardo Zamora (3.4M) all arbitration eligible, putting the estimate for next years payroll at 90.6M. That WITH losing Collins and reliever Mike Moore. I really want to try and see if I can find a way to keep Collins, so I've begun working on shorter money multi-year deals with some of the above players. This off season I am likely going to move Wes Morgan if I can find a way to sign Collins to a reasonable deal.
6/27 CHI 7 EP 6 Zamora (7-7) 6-7-3-3-2-2 Cruz SV (19). Morgan 2-3 2 HR's (20) 4 RBI's (50) Chavez 3-5 HR (24) Peck (EP) 2-3 2 HR's (12) 4 RBI's (30). Chavez 2 SB (32)
6/28 EP 4 CHI 2 Hamilton (8-4) 7 H 4 BB 4 ER 4 IP. Anderson (EP) 7-6-1-0-3-3 (7-5). 2nd and 3rd 0 outs in the 9th, get nothing.
6/29 DAY 8 CHI 2 Martinez (11-4) 7-10-5-5-0-6 3 HR's. O'Dell (DAY) 8.2-7-2-1-0-3. Stewart (DAY) 3-3 Jackson (2) Wright (14) Diaz (1) Stewart (7) homer. Miller HR (5).
6/30 CHI 9 DAY 7 Morgan 2-4 HR (21) 5 RBI's (55) Collins 3-4 3 Runs. Cruz SV (20). Riggs rolls an ankle and it OUT for 4 days.

CONTRACT NEWS-Gerardo Zamora has agreed to terms on a 4 year 13.96M dollar contract extension. The final year is a vesting option at 85 starts. His base salaries, 2.3/2.7/3.39 are all below his expected arbitration # of 3.4 this year. Also managed to ink RP Chance Holt to a 3 year 4.73M dollar deal.

WEEK 13 SUMMARY
FL POTW-Will Lee (WMI) 15-29 1 HR 2 RBI's (.299-4-18)
CL POTW-Zorba Christofis (HOU) 10-21 3 HR's 7 RBI's (.289-11-32)

ORG POTW-Juan Tejeda (BAK) 6-7 HR 5 RBI's (.357-8-33)

WEEK 13 POWER RANKINGS
1) Chicago (1)
2) Las Vegas (2)
3) Alaska (12)
4) Pittsburgh (5)
5) Green Bay (7)
OUT New York (9) Buffalo (8)

[gehrig38]

Lots of things happening all at once! First the end of June summary.

JUNE SUMMARY
FL HITTER-Hugh Collins (CHI) .367-8-32 27 Runs (.297-22-82)
CL HITTER-Lance Berkman (SAC) .358-8-26 19 Runs (.299-22-74)
FL PITCHER-Matt Freestone (GB) 5-0 2.43 (9-6 4.60)
CL PITCHER-Ramon Roa (PIT) 6-0 1.50 (12-3 1.94)
FL ROOKIE-Harry Stuart (WMI) .315-6-19 (.267-19-52)
CL ROOKIE-Chris Gray (TUL) .253-3-15 (.293-12-52)

ORG POTM-
Alberto Rivera (TUL) .395-5-23 (.291-11-47)
Michael Bailey (DEN) .343-9-33 (.296-18-78)

And the standings on July 1st, which is also the 81 game mark.

[gehrig38]

A little deeper look at the statistical leaders at 81 games, first the Coastal League.

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Leaders

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Our team page, and deeper look at the offense and pitching

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The 2019 All Star Teams have been announced

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The box

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WEEK 14 & ALL STAR BREAK
RECORD: 3-1
PLACE: 62-24 +12
RUNS SCORED: 580 1st
RUNS AGAINST: 371 2nd
OWNER: Very Happy
FAN INTEREST: 87/100
SCHEDULE: 1 vs Dayton/Off Day/All Star Game/Off Day/2 @ Pittsburgh/1 vs Pittsburgh

7/1 CHI 9 DAY 1 Collins 3-5 4 RBI's (86) HR (23) Webb 2-4 HR (3) Knox HR (13) Coates 3-5. Rogers (10-2) 7.1-4-1-1-3-8.
ORG NEWS-Eric Arnold (TUL) tossed a 2-hit 9K shutout to move to 12-1 2.55. The 24 year old was signed as a 2016 minor league FA.
7/2 Off Day Hugh Collins wants to talk extension. Early talks put his ask in the 19M neighborhood, which I have no room to get to. I've floated an offer to San Antonio, including Wes Morgan, and some other top prospects, and picks, for the IBL's #1 prospect SP Stan Hall (who tossed a 2-hitter in AA yesterday to move to 10-1 2.28 110K's in 90.2 IP). Alberto Rivera is beyond ready to man 3B, and waiting in Tulsa. I also included Bannatyne, SP Mike Hamilton and 3B prospect John Anderson, and some draft pick swaps. It's a heavy price, but it also might allow me to free up room to get Collins signed to a long term extension if I can swing it. The downside is Wes Morgan is one of the more popular players, and one of my favorite original Iron Pigs.
7/3 All Star Game
7/4 Off Day (Interleague play starts tomorrow, everyone plays a home and home 2/2 series with one CL/FL opponent)
7/5 PIT 4 CHI 1 Shook (PIT) 1st start of the year off DL 8-3-1-1-3-4 (1-0). Zamora (7-8) 6-5-4-4-4-2.
TRADE NEWS-The Dallas Texans are trying to turn their roster over. Early in the day they sent 31 year old 2B Roberto Morales (.256-9-40 in 83 games) to Corpus Christi for 33 year old Jeremy Moore (.238-9-38 in 83 games). Later, they shipped 1B Lee Allen (.226-12-44) and 19 year old power hitting prospect John Myers (2017 5th rounder by Sacramento) and 1.6M to El Paso for 28 year old OF Paul Reeves. Reeves is in year one of a 4 year 60M dollar deal he signed after hitting .258-40-104 for the Bulldogs last season. Reeves won 2 world series titles with the Roughriders, and is a 3 time Gold Glove winner in RF.
7/6 CHI 10 PIT 4 Alexander 3-5 2 2B's HR (13) 4 RBI's (45) Salinas 3-4 HR (20) Coates (7) Chavez (25) homer. Lee (12-3) 7.2-7-4-4-1-7 Cruz SV (21).
7/7 CHI 10 PIT 1 Chavez leadoff HR (26) Morgan (22) Salinas (21) Lorenzelli GS (7) all homer. Martinez (12-4) 6 leadoff runners on, 3 double plays 6-8-1-1-1-8.

WEEK 14 SUMMARY
FL POTW-Kurt Peterson (COL) 6-14 3 HR's 7 RBI's (.253-12-34)
CL POTW-Rajah Lashari (BAL) 9-15 HR 9 RBI's (.225-9-40)

CONTRACT NEWS-Houston inks veteran Rich Stone to a 5 year 80M dollar extension. The 28 year old is a 4 time all star, 2012 Batting Champion (with Fresno) and was the Grizzlies #1 selection in the 2012 inaugural draft. He's led the league in triples 4 times and is a career .322/.393/.537 hitter in 1111 games. On a selfish note this is insightful, given my desire to ink Collins to a long term deal as well, and they're very similar players from an impact perspective.

WEEK 14 POWER RANKINGS
1) Chicago (1)
2) Las Vegas (2)
3) New York (9)
4) Green Bay (5)
5) Pittsburgh (4)

OUT Alaska (13)

[gehrig38]

WEEK 15
RECORD: 4-3
PLACE: 66-27 +13
RUNS SCORED: 611 1st
RUNS AGAINST: 399 2nd
OWNER: Very Happy
FAN INTEREST: 79/100
SCHEDULE: 1 vs Pittsburgh/4 @ Dayton/2 @ Columbus

7/8 PIT 5 CHI 4 (10) Holt gives up HR in the 9th Moore (1-1) 1 in the 10th to lose. Salinas 3-5, Alexander HR (14) Chaves 2 SB's (34).
GREAT GAMES-Bill Page (EP) went 4-6 with 8 RBI's in a 16-11 El Paso win over Sacramento.
TRADE NEWS-Baltimore sends 31 year old OF Barry Meyer (.301/.383/.426 in 923 career games) to Los Angeles for 29 year old OF Valentin Maitani (.265 career hitter with 255 career homers, 3 time all star) who's signed through 2023 for another 37.9M. The Railcats are 8 behind 1st place Pittsburgh and 5 behind Houston for the 2nd wild card. LA trails Vegas by 14.5 games, and Houston by 4 in the Wild Card. Meyer is signed through next year at 8.56M.
7/9 CHI 6 DAY 3 Chavez (27) Morgan (23) Salinas (22) homer. Morgan 3 RBI's (60). Hamilton (9-4) Cruz SV (22)

TRADE NEWS-Angel Hernandez and I have agreed in principal on a trade that would send 24 year old CF Cooper Bannatyne, 26 year old SP Mike Hamilton, 30 year old 3B Wesley Morgan and 22 year old two way prospect Jason Anderson, and our 4th round draft choice, to San Antonio for the IBL's #1 prospect 20 year old SP Stan Hall and their 4th round draft choice. This move will likely be WILDLY unpopular with the fans right now. Alberto Rivera will be recalled, and will become the clubs everyday 3B for what we hope is the next decade, and Hall will hopefully team with Andy Morgan to provide the best power 1-2 punch in the game next season. 25 year old SP Steve McKinley will be recalled to take Hamilton’s rotation spot. Andy Morgan AND Stan Hall will be inserted into the Tulsa rotation and Dennis Ash will take over the everyday CF job at Tulsa, biding his time, as he's ready to make the jump right now. The hope is that shedding Morgans 10M in 20 and the 10M player option in '21 will allow us enough freedom to work an extension for Hugh Collins. And as expected, the fans are pissed, interest drops to 78. Morgan will play 3rd, hit cleanup in San Antonio, Bannatyne CF and hit 8th, Hamilton moves into their #5 spot in their rotation and Anderson moves into their AA rotation. Our minor league system moves up to 2nd, with Hall #1, Morgan #7 and Trujillo #39, all SP's. Our top 6 are all SP's now.
7/10 CHI 5 DAY 0 Zamora (8-8) 9-2-0-0-2-6 on 97 pitches. Rivera 2-4 with a 2B in debut. Gnox HR (14) 2 RBI's, Webb 2 RBI's.
STREAKS-Former Triple Crown winner and MVP Bill Hill hit in his 20th straight today. The 36 year old is in Dallas trying to help their franchise find its way.
ORG NEWS-Andy Morgan went 7-7-4-2-1-12 in his first AAA start, losing 4-3.
7/11 DAY 9 CHI 1 Alexander (DAY, former Iron Pig, 5-5) 9-8-1-1-1-2. Knox HR (15) Lee (12-4) 7 ER 3.2 IP.
7/12 CHI 5 DAY 4 Rivera 4-4 HR (1) 2 RBI's. Alexander HR (15) Knox 3-5. Martinez (13-4) 7-4-4-3-4-4 Cruz SV (23)
TRADE NEWS-The Knights sent 2016 #1 pick 19 year old Travis Wright to Fresno for flamethrower Andrew Davis. Davis will move into the Knights rotation, and is 0-7 8.62 in 12 games, 8 starts in IBL action this year.
7/13 CHI 7 COL 3 (10) Collins 3-5 3 HR's (26) 7 RBI's (96).Rogers 3 ER 10 K's 6.1 IP. Garcia 1.1 IP (5-0)
TRADE NEWS-Baltimore has made a trade to acquire 26 year old Closer Dave McLean (3-6 16 SV) from Dayton for 23 year old SP prospect Ron Johnston (2.5 * headed to AA). McLean will move into a setup role for 32 year old Jose Machado, and likely close if he opts out of his deal after this season. Baltimore is 5 games back of Pittsburgh in the Keystone, and 4 in back of San Antonio for the 2nd wild card.

In other major news Pittsburgh has shipped 2018 CL Rookie of the Year Bill Shook to San Antonio for 26 year old corner OF'er Jonathan Weaver. Shook was out most of this season, only recently returning, while Weaver (The Silver Stars #2 pick (34th overall) in 2016 out of Boston College) was the AA MVP in 2018, and will start in LF for the Bulldogs after he completes his 6 game suspension for fighting. Shook is initially slated to pitch out of the pen in San Antonio. You may remember Shook was recalled for the 2017 post season when the Bulldogs suffered injuries in their rotation, and started a world series game at 22

7/14 COL 4 CHI 3 Salinas 2-3 3 RBI's (83) Coates 3-4. Schall (COL) walk off HR (23) off Pennington (1-1). McKinley 5-4-2-2-6-8 ND.

WEEK 15 SUMMARY
FL POTW-Carl Crawford (GB) 17-33 4 RBI's (.297-11-49)
CL POTW-Brent McCoy (CC) 16-25 4 HR's 11 RBI's (.301-22-56)

ORG POTW-Bill Simmons (HEA SA) 9-23 3 HR's 8 RBI's (.373-5-21)

WEEK 15 POWER RANKINGS
1) Chicago (1)
2) Las Vegas (2)
3) New York (3)
4) Brooklyn (7)
5) Corpus Christi (6)
OUT Green Bay (6) Pittsburgh (14)

[gehrig38]

Up to the minute... Baltimore is making some big moves to try and get in this thing.

[gehrig38]

WEEK 16
RECORD: 3-3
PLACE: 69-30 +13.5
RUNS SCORED: 636 1st
RUNS AGAINST: 416 t-1st
OWNER: Very Happy
FAN INTEREST: 79/100
SCHEDULE: 1 @ Columbus/2 vs Alaska/2 vs Edmonton/Off Day/1 vs Brooklyn

7/15 CHI 2 COL 0 Zamora (9-8) 8-4-0-0-1-8 Cruz SV (24) Chavez 3-4 Riggs GW 2R HR (3) in the top of the 9th.
ORG NEWS-23 year old '**** or get off the pot' prospect Anastasio Ayala went 5-5 in a 8-4 Bakersfield win today. The 23 year old 2B is hitting .324-8-28 in what looks like a make or break year for him.
MINORS NEWS-2018 Columbus 1st rounder (17th overall) Jose Morales, former Florida Gator, tossed a perfect game in A ball today, striking out 15. The IBL's #46 prospect is 3-1 0.85 in 4 starts after struggling earlier in AA. He's allowed 10 hits and K'd 41.
MILESTONE-Balitmore Railcat Travis Bryant joins Curt Whimster and Bill Alexander as charter members of the 300 HR club. Bryant is hitting .268-30-80 in 91 games this year.
7/16 CHI 9 ALK 0 Lee (13-4) 9-4-0-0-0-9 Coates 4-5 3 RBI's (43) Salinas HR (24) 3 RBI's (86) Alexander HR (16) Lee's 2nd SHO of Alaska, 3rd SHO this season (leads FL)
ORG NEWS-For the 2nd straight day a Bakersfield player had a 5 hit day. SS Cary Wallace went 5-6 in a 10-8 win.
7/17 ALK 3 CHI 2 Martinez (13-5) 7.1-8-3-3-0-3 Miller HR (6)
7/18 CHI 10 EDM 7 Rivera 3-5 2 2B's HR (2) 3 RBI's, Alexander 3-5 2 RBI's (53) Knox HR (16) Rogers (11-2) 6.1-4-4-4-2-5 Cruz SV (25)
7/19 EDM 5 CHI 2 Rios (EDM) 4-5 HR (14) 4 RBI's (56) Chavez 3-5 Robinson (EDM) (11-10) 7-6-2-2-4-3 McKinley (0-1) 6-7-5-5-4-5
7/20 Off Day
7/21 BRO 2 CHI 0 Copeland (BRO 8-9) 8-6-0-0-2-3 Peters SV (25) Zamora (9-9) 6-3-1-1-2-6. Rivera 5th error.

WEEK 16 SUMMARY
FL POTW-John Porter (GB) 10-17 2 HR's 8 RBI's (.296-8-28)
CL POTW-Jorge Saucedo (HOU) 14-33 7 RBI's (.325-1-52)

WEEK 16 POWER RANKINGS
1) Chicago (1)
2) New York (3)
3) Las Vegas (2)
4) Pittsburgh (14)
5) Buffalo (12)
OUT Brooklyn (7) Corpus Christi (11)

ORG POWER RANKINGS
AAA-Tulsa (1)
AA-Bakersfield (10)
A(S)-Belleview (1) They're 88-13 +34
A(N) Denison (3)
SA Heavener (8)
R Omaha (22)

[gehrig38]

WEEK 17
RECORD: 3-2
PLACE: 72-32 +14
RUNS SCORED: 675 1st
RUNS AGAINST: 444 2nd
OWNER: Very Happy
FAN INTEREST: 79/100
SCHEDULE: 1 vs Brooklyn/Off Day/3 vs Green Bay/Off Day/1 @ Michigan

7/22 BRO 9 CHI 8 Coates 3-4 HR (8) 3 RBI's (46) Collins 2-4 HR (27) 3 RBI's (102) Alexander HR (17) Riggs 3-4 Lee (13-5) 7-11-9-5-0-6 Rivera error #6 (this could start to be a problem)
GREAT GAMES-George Quinn (PHI) went 3-4 with 5 RBI's and 3 homers in a 15-1 win over Boston. Quinn is hitting .330-30-78 in 97 games.
BIG TRADE NEWS-I've been looking for openings for Dennis Ash, combined with trying to clear room to re-sign Hugh Collins. I floated 2016 Rookie of the year, and 2018 FL Batting Champion Eric Coates' name out there. Edmonton GM Jack Kane surprised me when he came back offering 1B Gonzalo Rios. A 26 year old incredibly talented offensive player. He's extremely durable, has just 1 year and 84 days of service, hits left handed. The move, and also included in the deal were swaps of next years 1st and 2nd rounders, as well as SP Steve McKinley from our side, would allow me to call up Ash, move Salinas into a DH role, Rios to 1B. A good defensive upgrade, but, it would squeeze out playing time for Bill Alexander, the franchises most popular player. While that in itself doesn't scare me as much, I am concerned that by not moving now Rios may not be available later, and if something happens to Alexander (his durability is not what it once was) I'd be left with a gaping hole. The draft choice exchange is not insignificant. As of now I'd be moving up from 20 to 9 in the 1st, and I have 2 picks in the 2nd, so would move from 20 to 6 in that round. Right now I have 20, 40 and 52, if I made this deal I'd have 9, 37, 52. The last factor is the budget, this would clear the remaining 18.5 guaranteed to Coates (a very affordable deal) plus his club option of 10.5 in 2023, for Rios who is at 1 year 84 days and not arbitration eligible until after next season. After all the yapping, I can't pull the trigger. Coates' team friendly deal will always be tradeable, and I am not so sure adding bats for bats sake is the way to go. I will ponder this, might even revisit in the coming days before the trade deadline.
7/23 Off Day Edmonton lost LF Justin Hall for the next 6 months, I wonder what that does to their desire to deal? Can I get more? Can I get the picks without giving much?
7/24 CHI 9 GB 2 Martinez (14-5) 6.1-7-2-2-0-11 Coates 4-5 (damn if he doesn't know I'm talking about dealing him. Collins 3-5 HR (28) 2 RBI's (104) Ramirez 3-5 2B HR (1) 6 RBI's (11). Hasn't been getting much PT, hitting just .192. Collins (14) Chavez (35) SB's.
GREAT GAMES-Boston drubbed Philly 16-0 and 23 year old Pepe Gonzales tossed the CG SHO, 3-hitter. He was drafted, released, signed, became a top prospect, rule 5'd by the Bombers and is now, real good. In the same game 22 year old OF John Woodard went 6-6 with 4 singles, a double and a triple. It's the Bombers 1st ever 6 hit game, and just the 10th in league history.
7/25 GB 7 CHI 6 Crawford (GB) hits a 1 out GW HR (12) off Cruz in the top of the 9th. Collins 3 RBI's (107).
GREAT GAMES-Ramon Cano (TUL) went 3-3 with 3 HR's (24), scoring 4 and driving in 4 (68) in a 12-1 win over Houston.
7/26 CHI 4 GB 3 (11) Coates walkoff HR (9) Chavez 3-5 Zamora 7-7-3-3-2-6 ND Garcia W (6-0)
7/27 Off Day TRADE NEWS-Staten Island has sent 27 year old CF Robbie Howard to Alaska for 31 year old RP Trey Howard and 19 year old 1B prospect Pedro Hernandez. Howard is hitting .255-20-61 and will move into CF and hit 8th as Alaska is 3.5 behind El Paso in the Western Division, and 4.5 behind Green Bay and Brooklyn for the 2nd Wild Card spot. Staten Island is in rebuild mode and Howard will move into a setup role as their late inning lefty, and Hernandez moves up to the Yanks A ball Stockton affiliate. He was a 2018 supplemental pick by Tulsa, and dealt to Alaska at the winter meetings for CF Vincente Rodriguez. Hernandez can play all 7 positions in the field, with 2nd being his best position right now. He has top of the order speed and is a potential .300+ hitter with 40+ double gap power.
Immediately following that annoucement the Yankees made another deal. Sending 33 year old SP Esteban Valdez to Brooklyn for 35 year old 1B Enrico Rocha and 21 year old CL prospect Carlos Castaneda. Brooklyn is battling for a Wild Card spot, currently tied with Green Bay and Buffalo for both WC spots. Rocha will move to 3B for the Yanks and hit near the bottom of the order. The prize in the deal is 4.5 star closing prospect Castaneda. A power lefty arm who was signed out of Venezuela by the Yanks in 2015, and dealt to Brooklyn in 2017, the team has been trying to re-acquire him every since.
7/28 CHI 12 MICH 7 Salinas 3-4 2 HR's (26) 6 RBI's (94) Alexander (18) Collins (29) Coates (10) homer. Alexander 3 RBI's. Chavez 36th SB. Lee (14-5) 7 ER's 6 IP.
TRADE NEWS-In the continued effort to rebuild their roster Staten Island today shipped disgruntled former all star catcher Ernesto Garza to West Michigan, along with 18 year old OF prospect Walter Jean, and West Michigan sends 25 year old slugger Harry Stuart back. The Yanks send Garza, a free agent at years end, and at best a fringe prospect, and receive Stuart, a corner OF who has 40+ HR pop. He was hitting .275-27-77 in 95 games this year after a .302-8-20 September call up last season.
2 teams unable to find partners outside their division, found a match today. Alaska, chasing El Paso, dealt 32 yr old OF Mitch Ball (.292-7-48 in 100 games) and 1.998M in cash to El Paso for 25 year old RP Jose Navarro and 18 year old 1B prospect John Myers. Myers is a blue chip power prospect, taken by Sacramento in the 2017 draft (5th round) and is being traded for the 3rd time in 3 years. (Sac to Dallas 2018/Dallas to El Paso 2019). Ball will be the Diablo's 4th OF and start vs LHP while Navarro (2-2 3.68) moves into the Avalanche pen as a right handed setup man.

WEEK 17 SUMMARY
FL POTW-Eric Coates (CHI) 13-20 2 HR's 4 RBI's (.333-10-48) No way you can convince me Markuss hasn't created some devious AI to make this sort of thing happen. I consider trading the dude, he goes off...
CL POTW-Edgar Nava (SAN) 14-23 HR 6 RBI's (.311-3-31)

ORG POTW-Scott Barnes (AA) 10-24 2 HR's 10 RBI's (.313-13-46)

IBL CAREER LEADERS-STRIKEOUTS
1) Walt Thompson (SAC) 1810
2) Chris O'Slattery (BAL) 1678
3) Esteban Valdez (BRO) 1379
4) Jim Peck (MICH) 1366
5) Vincent Romero (HOU) 1357

WEEK 17 POWER RANKINGS
1) Chicago (1)
2) New York (2)
3) Las Vegas (3)
4) Tulsa (15)
5) Pittsburgh (4)
OUT Buffalo (6)

[gehrig38]

7/29 CHI 7 MICH 0 Martinez (15-5) 7.1-7-0-0-2-6 Chavez 3-5 SB (37) Alexander HR (19) Salinas HR (27)
TRADE NEWS-The Yanks continue the complete remaking of their club. Today sending RHP Brady Smith (3-2 2 SV 3.21) 21 year old Carlos Castaneda (acquired 3 days ago) and a 3rd round pick to San Antonio for 1B Drew Leduc. I have no idea what the hell just happened. Every deal prior to today made complete sense as Staten Island was rebuilding their club. This deal throws an enormous monkey wrench into the mix. Leduc was once a top tier offensive prospect, but no more. Not to mention the 2 years and 20M left on his deal (3rd year 10M option with 1.5M buyout). Smith is 27, Castaneda 21, both arms can pitch at the back end of a pen that's rebuilding. Just a stupid stupid trade if there isn't another shoe to drop here.
7/30 CHI 7 MICH 4 Coates 3-4 3B (3) 3 RBI's (53) Salinas 2-4 HR (28) Rogers (12-2) 8-6-2-2-1-9 Cruz SV (26) McBride (MICH) 3-3
INJURY NEWS-Cooper Bannatyne (SAN) tore his labrum today and will be out 5-6 months. The 24 year old was hitting .282-0-4 since being dealt to the Silver Stars. They are 1.5 behind Tulsa in the Lone Star, and .5 back of Houston/LA in the Wild Card. Wes Morgan is hitting .257-3-12 in 18 games, and Mike Hamilton is 1-2 3.80 in 3 starts.
7/31 CHI 11 MICH 9 Salinas 3-5 HR (29) 4 RBI's (100) Collins 3-4 Rivera 3-4 Miller HR (7) Ellison W (3-1) Cruz SV (27)

JULY RECAP
FL HITTER-Alex Rodriguez (ALK) .368-11-30 (.325-30-96)
CL HITTER-Ramon Cano (TUL) .267-12-29 (.267-26-75)
FL PITCHER-Antonio Sandoval (COL) 5-0 3.49 (13-4 3.58)
CL PITCHER-Jesus Machado (BAL) 1-0 11 SV 0.00 (3-3 25 SV 1.90)
FL ROOKIE-Harry Stuart (SI) .315-10-28 (.279-29-80) Just traded this past week from WMI
CL ROOKIE-John Woodard (BOS) .343-1-8 (.290-3-29)

ORG POTW
Hector Angel (HEA S A) 5-1 1.18 (5-2 1.93)

[gehrig38]

WEEK 18
RECORD: 4-2
PLACE: 76-34 +13
RUNS SCORED: 707 1st
RUNS AGAINST: 471 2nd
OWNER: Very Happy
FAN INTEREST: 80/100
SCHEDULE: 3 @ Michigan/2 vs Michigan/Off Day/1 vs West Michigan

8/1 MICH 6 CHI 3 Zamora (9-10) 7-7-5-5-2-3, 5 run 3rd. Rivera HR (3) Chavez SB (38)
8/2 MICH 7 CHI 2 Salinas hurt (no prognosis yet) Lee (14-6) 7 ER 11 H 6 IP Castillo (MICH) 9-10 9-7-2-2-0-4
8/3 Off Day Stan Hall (AAA) punched out 14 in a 4-1 win in Tulsa. Salinas has an intercoastal strain, and will hit the 15 day DL, and be out 2-3 weeks. Ruberto Gabere was recalled from AA, Wes Webb will likely play most of the 1B with Salinas out, Gabere is a 23 year old outstanding defender at 1st, with some big pop vs RHP.
8/4 CHI 2 WMI 1 Martinez (16-5) 7.1-5-1-1-1-9 Cruz SV (28) Rivera 3-4 Gabere 1-2 GW RBI King (WMI) 3-4

SHORT SEASON ALL STARS-Hector Angel SP 5-2 1.93, Victor Beck RP 1-1 2 SV 1.74, Ruben Lopez RP 2-0 1.78, Emilio Aragon 1B .277/.375/.482, Raul Velasquez 2B .296/.355/.378, Bill Simmons OF .310/.376/.532

WEEK 18 SUMMARY
FL POTW-Pedro Salinas (CHI) 11-24 5 HR's 12 RBI's (.322-29-100)
CL POTW-Travis Bryant (BAL) 12-24 2 HR's 10 RBI's (.282-33-95)

CONTRACT NEWS-New York signed 26 year old ace Jesus Romano to a 6 year 96M dollar extension.

WEEK 18 POWER RANKINGS
1) New York (2)
2) Chicago (1)
3) Las Vegas (3)
4) Green Bay (10)
5) San Antonio (12)
OUT Tulsa (9) Pittsburgh (10)