Orcin's Story

[Orcin]

2006 CBA Post-Season Awards

Outstanding Player:
Patriot – RF Patrick Timm, Charleston Generals (.306/.391/.723, 63 HR, 150 RBI)
Federal – RF Brock Richardson, Dallas Rattlers (.373/.414/.645, 34 HR, 102 RBI)
* Timm wins for the second consecutive year

Outstanding Pitcher:
Patriot – Gilberto Huertas, Philadelphia Firebirds (18-10, 2.84 ERA, 283 K’s)
Federal – Jorge Gonzalez, San Diego Stallions (19-6, 2.44 ERA, 213 K’s)
* Huertas wins for the second consecutive year

Rookie of the Year:
Patriot – RF Miguel Rosado, Pittsburgh Warriors (.321/.343/.479, 16 HR, 100 RBI)
Federal – LF Alejandro Gomez, Dallas Rattlers (.303/.379/.571, 41 HR, 133 RBI)

Manager of the Year:
Patriot – Roger Palmer, Washington Admirals (92-60)
Federal – Chad Byrne, Louisville Colonels (104-58)
* Byrne’s sixth award and third in a row

Gold Glove:
Louisville did not have any Gold Glove winners again this year.


CBA 2006 Hall of Fame Class

1B Akai Kono (1982-2001)
Kono played in 2147 games with a .285 career batting average and 2030 hits. He hit 497 home runs and drove in 1386 runs in his career. He spent his peak years with the Detroit Titans and led them to the CBA championship in 1987, when he hit 50 HR to win the Patriot League Outstanding Player Award. Kono is #6 on the career home run list, and he was selected for the All-Star team seven times.

[Orcin]

November 16, 2006 (cbatraderumors.com)

Subject: World Series Opponents Confirm Trade

A trade was announced today at a press conference in Louisville. Not satisfied with their current depth in starting pitching, the Louisville Colonels general manager shook things up by acquiring 21-year-old minor league starting pitcher Edgardo Ordóñez from the Washington Admirals for 27-year-old second baseman Mariano González, 27-year-old right fielder Lorenzo Olivares, 26-year-old reliever Leonard Sherman and 28-year-old minor league first baseman Nathaniel George.

The Admirals general manager said, "We're a better team now. We've added several pieces to the puzzle." The question is – at what cost? The left-handed Ordonez is the #7 pitching prospect in the CBA (#19 overall) and projects to be a top of the rotation starter. Ordonez was 9-6 with a 3.41 ERA in AA last season and will move up to the Lexington Legends (AAA) staff in 2007 according to Louisville general manager Otto Orcin.

The acquisition of Ordonez shows concern on the part of Louisville management over the health of star left-hander Chip Davidson and the expiring contract of ace Robert Westaway. The Colonels also have AAA Pitcher of the Year Mike Yates and top prospect Juan Hernandez at Lexington, but there were no premier left-handed prospects in the system until now.

Fans in Louisville were disturbed by the trade, which appeared to some to be motivated by money. The recent ticket price increase announced by the Colonels already had the fans grumbling about greedy management. The trade of well-known players Gonzalez and Olivares dropped the BNN fan interest poll number by five points (to 95/100). The Colonels were able to shed nearly $10 million of salary and acquire a top prospect, so the trade may help the team remain competitive in the long run. However, it appears to leave the team weaker in the short run.

[threesportgeek]

Wow! Good move in the long run staying on top with pitching in the future. However, I'm sure it will have the natives restless in the barbershop. I hope Sal doesn't go postal with the razor.

[Jabez54]

Nice move ...

Question on Patrick Timm of the Charleston Generals ... could you tell me about him ... this player got pops ... is he legit?

[Orcin]

CBA PLAYER PROFILE – PATRICK TIMM, RF, CHARLESTON GENERALS

Patrick Timm was selected in the 16th round of the 1999 first-year player draft by the Detroit Titans out of college. Detroit traded him to Charleston in June of 2000. It was very exciting for Timm, who was born in Atlanta and went to college at South Carolina. He was thrilled to return to the south and get a chance to play ball close to home.

Timm is 6’ 3” and weighs 236 pounds, so he projected to be a power hitter. However, he hit only 18 home runs in 4 seasons of minor league ball, mainly because he never got to play. He spent three seasons in the lower minors with a total of 217 plate appearances. Still, they kept moving him up through the system to sit on a better bench.

Charleston was desperate for outfielders, and they called Timm up in June of 2002 after he hit .252 with 4 homers in 38 games at AAA. Major league pitching overwhelmed him. He hit .193 with 4 homers in 47 games for the Generals and started 2003 back at AAA.

Timm finally got consistent playing time in 2003 and he posted a .279/.431/.523 stat line with 11 HR and 37 RBI in 47 games at Mobile (AAA). Charleston called him up again and he hit .256 with 16 HR over the second half of that season. From that point on, he has been a monster:

2004: .288/.380/.562, 43 HR, 119 RBI, All-Star
2005: .287/.386/.634, 55 HR, 122 RBI, All-Star, MVP
2006: .306/.391/.723, 63 HR, 150 RBI, All-Star, MVP

Timm is seen as a leader in the clubhouse and is very sharp. He is well-respected by his teammates. As you might expect, Timm is extremely popular in Charleston (most popular player on his team), having been a star at nearby (Columbia) South Carolina in his college days.

Timm signed a one-year contract at $8.5 million on November 1, thus avoiding arbitration this year. He is arbitration eligible again after the 2007 season, and will become eligible for free agency after the 2008 season unless Charleston locks him up before then. Timm is 29 years old already having started his career slowly, so it will be interesting to see what Charleston does with regard to a long-term contract.

So yeah, he's legit.

[Jabez54]

Awesome tidbits, here ... thanks, Orcin ... I love seeing these type of players ... so realistic ... one never know when these players will explode (or even implode, as we have seen from time to time) ... again, thank you for the highlights ... Tomas

[threesportgeek]

The more I read the more inspires to write my own. I really like the format. It's not like you haven't heard that before though.

I just can't commit to the number. I have messed around with a couple different types of formats. I have varied from very large (8 league association with a total of 128 teams) having playoffs within the individual leagues with the winner and loser advancing to the 16 team association playoffs to a league significantly smaller utilizing format close to yours.

As you recall, I'm also from Louisville so I know that there is no way that I could even remotely give yours any justice. It is funny though I was messing around with my "Louisville" franchise only to play in Louisville for 4 seasons before ownership decided to move the franchise to Jacksonville. The franchise was the Louisville Sluggers and now are the Jacksonville Glory. The Glory has a nice ring to it so I may embellish on it.

At least in this stage, I have experienced that setting up too many teams is hard to handle from a dynasty standpoint. It is hard to focus on the other teams more or less on my own. It would work for a online environment or maybe someone else but not me. I just played a season so I'm going to continue to play it silently. I may change my mind later. I will definitely scale back to find a comfort zone probably close to a MLB setup.

If you have any pointers I would gladly take it.

I wish you continued success in Louisville and keep winning rings to fill your fingers and toes. Keep up the good work. I look forward to more posts.

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by threesportgeek

If you have any pointers I would gladly take it.

Thanks for continuing to participate. It really does help the writer to know that people are reading and enjoying.

I'll give you the secret, except it's not a secret... I have said it more than once in this thread. You have to do something that makes you happy. I would never have thought of making a league with zombie players, but I really enjoyed reading that one. He obviously had fun with it, and that came across in the writing.

With regard to starting a dynasty... if you like to write, you should write. If you don't, it's going to become torture for you really fast. People really don't believe this, but I actually enjoy playing MORE when I can write about it. I get bored really fast with leagues that I don't journalize. I guess I am just a role player at heart.

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by Jabez54

I love seeing these type of players ... so realistic ... one never know when these players will explode (or even implode, as we have seen from time to time) ...

The great thing is that the story all came from the game. I just chronicled what the game created. Really neat that the player went to South Carolina, struggled to find himself in the minors while fighting for a chance, and finally ended up becoming a popular star as a pro in the same state.

[dawg_gone]

Let me add my note of thanks too. I've found I enjoy the transactions and the roster analysis, the whole backstory, more than the actual weekly results. I'd be following if Orcin's team was a perennial basement dweller - not that I wish that on 'em.

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by dawg_gone

I've found I enjoy the transactions and the roster analysis, the whole backstory, more than the actual weekly results.

The weekly results are only there to advance the plot. The rest of it is the fun part for me, too.

[Orcin]

November 18, 2006 (BNN)

Subject: CBA Arbitration Hearings

The great cost uncertainty known as salary arbitration will soon be resolved as the Continental Baseball Association holds its annual salary arbitration hearings today. Players who have filed for salary arbitration and who are still without a contract will have their cases heard. The final decisions of the arbitrators will be announced tomorrow.


Salary Arbitration Decisions in Favor of the Louisville Colonels:
• SS Russell Bennett was awarded $3,000,000. The player demanded $3,697,500.

Salary Arbitration Decisions Against the Louisville Colonels:
• none


Other CBA news from November:
• St. Louis traded starting SS Larry Donahue to Boston for superstar prospect Omar Alonso, a 17-year-old right fielder discovered a few months ago in Cuba.

[MacIsaacM]

I'm with the rest -- this is just fun to read. I just started my first ever fictional game myself, and it's incredibly fun...the world is your oyster with these kinds of games!

[Sal, The Barber]

Originally Posted by Orcin

November 16, 2006 (cbatraderumors.com)

Subject: World Series Opponents Confirm Trade

A trade was announced today at a press conference in Louisville. Not satisfied with their current depth in starting pitching, the Louisville Colonels general manager shook things up by acquiring 21-year-old minor league starting pitcher Edgardo Ordóñez from the Washington Admirals for 27-year-old second baseman Mariano González, 27-year-old right fielder Lorenzo Olivares, 26-year-old reliever Leonard Sherman and 28-year-old minor league first baseman Nathaniel George. ...

Fans in Louisville were disturbed by the trade, which appeared to some to be motivated by money. The recent ticket price increase announced by the Colonels already had the fans grumbling about greedy management. The trade of well-known players Gonzalez and Olivares dropped the BNN fan interest poll number by five points (to 95/100). The Colonels were able to shed nearly $10 million of salary and acquire a top prospect, so the trade may help the team remain competitive in the long run. However, it appears to leave the team weaker in the short run.

Sal does not understand this reaction from the people of Louieville. Is Sal just an old, out-of-touch man? Is Sal just cranky? Someone please tell Sal if he should take his revolver and go out back by the trash cans and leave this world because it has so far passed him by. Has Sal lost his marbles?

Let Sal run through this again. In fact, people of Louieville, come down to Sal's shop. He will cut your hair and explain this trade to you--all at no extra charge. See, Sal is for the people.

Who has Mr. Orcin traded? Gonzalez. Yes, this is a good player. How does Sal know? Sal can tell by the way he sits on the bench! This player does not play. Yes, he has talent and potential and he will have good years playing baseball. Let the boy play. Send him somewhere to play. You got back a top pitcher in exchange. This Ordonez will be better than Gonzalez. Surely, you are not doubting Mr. Orcin on this one.

And, oh, by the way, Louieville still has a certain Tom John to play the second base.

And Mr. Orcin found a way to get rid of Lorenzo. No skin off Louieville's teeth there. He has played himself into a futility role. Send him away. Maybe he finds himself (although Sal could have put the mirror in front of his face and sped up that process). If so, could for him. No loss for Louieville. We have other outfielders. Sal is particularly high on Hartman. Just watch that boy play and you will forget Lorenzo.

Then Mr. Orcin sends away a 26 & 28 year old minor league player. Who will miss them? These are not prospects. These are almost as old as Sal. Yes, getting rid of 4 players for one is lopsided. But this does not bother Sal because Sal has never cared much for the math. Sal makes the numbers do as Sal wants. Just ask Uncle Sam; he has scolded Sal for this a few times. In fact, Sal had to spend 48 hours in the jail in Baton Rouge once for this, but Sal will save that story for later. Sal urges the Louievilles to go to Baton Rouge and have some alligator and some cold beer and forget all about this 4 for 1. Get drunk and get a tatoo. Just make sure the tatoo reads "Ordonez." If the tatoo man is any good, he will include all those accents and funny symbols on the name for free. You see, Sal cannot afford them.

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by Sal, The Barber

Is Sal just an old, out-of-touch man? Is Sal just cranky? Someone please tell Sal if he should take his revolver and go out back by the trash cans and leave this world because it has so far passed him by. Has Sal lost his marbles?

So many questions here... I just can't answer all of them. But please don't go out back with the trash cans unless it is to empty the trash.

Originally Posted by Sal, The Barber

Surely, you are not doubting Mr. Orcin on this one.

Thanks for your support. Your free tickets are still free... no price increase for you.

Originally Posted by Sal, The Barber

In fact, Sal had to spend 48 hours in the jail in Baton Rouge once for this, but Sal will save that story for later.

Darn, I was really looking forward to that story. Maybe we'll get it before page 100.

[Orcin]

November 21, 2006 (BNN)

Subject: Free Agents File

Today, players who are eligible can file for free agency in the Continental Baseball Association. Teams have the entire offseason to negotiate contracts with the players and sign them.

This year's key free agents include:

• SP David Harrison, age 36, 2006 w/Baltimore: 17-10, 2.56 ERA, asking $22Mx5
• RF Jeff Johnson, age 32, 2006 w/Houston-Detroit: .310/.389/.479, asking $20Mx5
• 3B Jonathan Thomas, age 41, 2006 w/Chicago: .285/.376/.454, asking $20Mx4
• SP Rob Spearman, age 34, 2006 w/Atlanta: 19-8, 3.09 ERA, asking $19Mx4
• SP Chris Montgomery, age 30, 2006 w/Denver: 15-10, 3.41 ERA, asking $17Mx9
• RF Justin Holden, age 30, 2006 w/Seattle: .261/.352/.482, asking $16Mx6
• SP Harold Gill, age 30, 2006 w/San Fran: 15-9, 3.83 ERA, asking $14Mx6
• SP Rafael Torres, age 30, 2006 w/San Fran: 15-13, 3.35 ERA, asking $14Mx7


**********

There are several players here that would have tempted me at one time or another. Torres and Montgomery are top pitchers in their prime and Johnson is a premier leadoff hitter. However, we won’t be in the market for any of these guys with our roster virtually set already.

[Jabez54]

Many, many thanks for the chuckles, mates ... love it ... gosh how I missed it in the other thread of the yesteryears ...

You're right about staying intact with the team ... if it's unbroken why mess with it ... I always will try to get the past primes pitchers for the Closer role ... they're usually do well there ...

[Orcin]

November 21, 2006

Subject: Budget Projections – 2007

Eligible players filed for free agency today and arbitration is also out of the way, so let’s have a clean look at salary commitments for the 27 players with major league contracts.



The 2007 salaries, including approximately $4 million for additional minimum salary players and $8 million for personnel, project to be $95 million ($5 million under target). A third catcher will be added if one can be found with options remaining, but that should not break the bank. I don’t anticipate any other big trades so 2007 should now be set, both financially and on the field. The real issue is 2009 and the planning starts now.

Two years from now, I have an estimated payroll of $61 million according to the chart. Adding the same $12 million as above for minimum salary players and personnel makes the total $73 million. However, the chart does not account for players whose contracts have expired, some of whom we will want to sign. Add Westaway and Brown at their current salaries and the figure is already up to $96 million, and those two players will likely get increases. Factor in young players like Dominguez that should qualify for arbitration a year earlier than shown in this chart, and you have a financial disaster.

I know that you have heard this before – it literally happens every year. The solution is always the same. Start by signing the core players – in this case it is Westaway and Brown. Sign some key young guys (Brooks?) to bargain contracts and buy out that arbitration threat. The rest of the problem goes away just like Gonzalez and Olivares. The fans are upset for a while, but they will forget about it when we announce a long-term contract for Westaway. Brown’s deal might be easier though, so I will start there.

**********

Jennifer, could you come in here, please?

“Yes, Mr. Orcin?”

I believe there is a typo on this offer sheet for Mr. Chris Brown. It is supposed to say EIGHT million dollars per year, not EIGHTEEN.

“Oops, teehee. How did that happen? Just let me get the white-out… I’m sure glad you check these things, Mr. Orcin. I guess I just got excited seeing my name on this one.”

Yes Mrs. Brown. I learned to review these offer sheets carefully after the Rodney Wright fiasco. Fortunately, he turned down our offer of a FOURTEEN year contract.

Note: MISTER Brown was a tough negotiator. He insisted on four years guaranteed (no team options) with an extra $500K per year. He literally would not take one penny less. It’s almost like he had inside information about our available budget.

[hfield007]

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...639-post1.html

When you get props from Curt Schilling about your OOTP dynasty you know you're doing something right. haha Also enjoying this thread. Great stuff.

[Izz]

I'm not Curt Schilling, but i certainly agree with him. I'm two-thirds of the way through my second read-thru atm.