Orcin Returns

[Jabez54]

Oh, WOW !!

"We also signed a 36 y/o starting pitcher attempting a comeback on a minor league (AAA) contract. His name is Ray Alexander. Yes, THAT Ray Alexander."

It would be neat to see if he can succeed for his last hurrahs ...

[Orcin]

CBA STANDINGS (July 6, 2015 – 83 games)




Houston has been hot, going 19-9 in June to take over the lead in the Western Division.
I don’t pay much attention to the wild-card race because I plan to win the division title.




Pittsburgh has made a big push since the quarter-mark of the season, going 28-12 (.700).

[Orcin]

LEAGUE LEADERS (July 6, 2015 – 83 games)



Kevin Leonard of Baltimore is a serious Triple Crown threat if he can stay healthy.

[Orcin]

LOUISVILLE COLONELS (July 6, 2015 – 83 games)



Gillespie has taken some of the pressure away from losing McConnell, and increased his potential arbitration demand in the process. Young and Ferguson will have all of July to decide the right field spot. Ferguson has been disappointing so far.

Surprise player of the year has to be SP Will Spencer. He and Gentry will be among next year’s rotation candidates. The bullpen is better than their stats. Sanderson had a sub-2.00 ERA before one bad outing got him.

If there is any trade bait for the deadline here, it is SP Juan Rodriguez. Mazzone has pitched well enough to stay in the rotation when Ordonez comes back. Clark could be the fifth starter or one of the AAA pitchers could get a shot.




Continuing my point about the bullpen, take a look at the BABIP figures for Brooks, Merced, Sanderson, and Irvine. I expect those numbers to trend back to .300 over the second half, meaning the key bullpen pitchers will be recording lots of outs. On the other hand, one might expect Trauttmann and Spencer to be worse in the second half.

Ferguson looks to be way behind Young in their position battle, but Ferguson has a sizeable edge in fielding and steals. At second base, Morrison is a lot closer to Searles until you look at fielding and steals; then Searles is a clear winner. I could just use WAR in this chart instead of VORP but I like to see the separate numbers to get the “why” and then check WAR to confirm my thinking. In case you are curious, the WAR figures are: Young (0.8), Ferguson (0.8), Searles (1.8), and Morrison (0.8).

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by MarkCuban

4. I'm not sure who else is arbitration eligible, but Phil Gillespie should be looked at for a long-term contract while he isn't playing well and before the first year of Arbitration.

Props to you for seeing this one before I did. It's going to cost me a few more bucks now.

[gehrig38]

Originally Posted by Orcin

Mid-Season Focus Changes

Teams that may be buyers at the trade deadline:
• Pittsburgh Warriors have set their team focus to “Win Now”.
• Houston Stars have set their team focus to “Win Now”.
• Salt Lake City Bees have set their team focus to “Win Now”.
• Los Angeles Vipers have set their team focus to “Win Now”.
• San Diego Stallions have set their team focus from “Rebuilding” to “Neutral”.
• New York Monarchs have set their team focus from “Rebuilding” to “Neutral”.

Teams that may be sellers at the trade deadline:
• Providence Grays have set their team focus from “Win Now” to “Neutral”.
• Nashville Tigers have set their team focus from “Win Now” to “Neutral”.
• Boston Bombers have set their team focus from “Win Now” to “Neutral”.
• Sacramento Outlaws have set their team focus from “Win Now” to “Neutral”.
• Cleveland Rockers have set their team focus from “Win Now” to “Neutral”.
• Denver Miners have set their team focus to “Rebuilding”.

Upon receiving the bad news about Ben Gentry, the old Orcin would have been on the phone to the sellers looking for the best starting pitcher available in return for two fringe players and two prospects. The new Orcin wants to see what former #1 draft pick Juan Jose Rodgers can do. Rodgers is out of options after this year and a decision must be made. Patience.

So nice to see you back in the swing. Can you point me to the report that shows teams changing focus? And also, I would LOVE a feature that, should I choose, would let me know via mail of a teams changing it's focus!

[dynaboyj]

For some reason, ever since you've acquired him, I've liked Jason Searles. I'm happy he's no longer considered to be only trade value.

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by gehrig38

So nice to see you back in the swing. Can you point me to the report that shows teams changing focus?

Thanks! You have to mine this info from the league news report. The bulk of the changes usually start around June 1.

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by dynaboyj

For some reason, ever since you've acquired him, I've liked Jason Searles. I'm happy he's no longer considered to be only trade value.

Searles was a really good prospect for St. Louis around the time that I left. He developed into a steady player but never got to stardom.

[Orcin]

2015 Mid-Season Recap: Louisville Colonels
(Courtesy of cbatraderumors.com)

The Louisville Colonels (48-35) are familiar with a second place standing at the all-star break. In the past, they could typically rely on new/old General Manager Otto Orcin to swing a big trade that would ignite the club for a strong second-half rally. But, that big trade would have occurred already in the old days. Is Orcin really going to stand pat with his existing roster, or is he just lulling the competition to sleep before he strikes?

The most glaring need on the Colonels is a genuine staff ace. GM Orcin was asked at a recent press conference about possible trades to obtain a top-of-the-rotation starter. He replied that the staff ace would be in uniform right after the all-star break. He meant that Edgardo Ordonez would be returning from the disabled list. He has a point, but only if Ordonez returns to 2009-10 form. The 2011-14 Ordonez is very good, but not quite at the level to make fans forget Robert Westaway. Something tells me that Orcin realizes this too. Will Orcin go outside the organization to address this need or wait for young lefty Michael “Hawk” Bowles (8-3, 2.79 ERA in AAA) to be deemed major-league ready?

Speaking of Bowles, he might be a key player in the 2015 season without even pitching in the majors. Orcin sent RF Eduardo Sanchez to Chicago last winter to obtain Bowles. Sanchez has led the Cougars to a division lead over Louisville while Orcin deals with a revolving door of mediocre replacements. Orcin usually mutters some nonsense about budget constraints when asked about this situation, but do fans really care about those details? Sanchez would look pretty good in right field for the Colonels right now. Will Orcin make a trade before the deadline to get an all-star caliber right fielder or wait for top prospect Jose Diaz to be ready? Diaz flopped in his first opportunity.

To be fair, LF Bryan McConnell, the star that Orcin obtained to replace Sanchez, would also look pretty good in the Colonels lineup right now. Louisville has been plagued by a number of key injuries, including Ordonez who has yet to pitch an inning this season. Shortstop Luis Vargas is hitting over .400 but he has only played in 35 games. Now McConnell, who was a cinch all-star and a potential Triple Crown winner, is out until mid-August. Does Louisville have the depth to overcome lengthy injuries to key players?

The bullpen has blown a number of games, and currently ranks seventh in the league. The Colonels usually have a shutdown bullpen, but they are only 18-17 in one-run and extra-inning games. Will Orcin dip into the trade market for reinforcements? There are quality relievers available within the budget but at what cost in terms of prospects?

The new/old General Manager Otto Orcin seems to have far more questions than answers on his scorecard this year. Louisville fans are waiting for a sign. Does this new regime intend to do what it takes to win? Are they going to catch the Cougars without a dramatic move? Are the Colonels satisfied to chase the *gasp* wild card?

Otto Orcin has a new sign over the inside of his office door. It says “PATIENCE”. Maybe he should put that sign on the outside of the building where the fans can see it.

[Sal, The Barber]

Sal is a fan. He will tell you what he cares about. Sal liked it when Louieville was in the World Series every year. Sal doesn't care about this year. Sal cares about the years after. Once Mr. Orcin left, the organization was in such good shape it kept winning. But then what happened? Sal wants to be a winner every year. So Sal doesn't care about deadlines. Sal only wants Orcin to acquire an ace pitcher if he's 18.

[Orcin]

July 12, 2015 (BNN)

Subject: All-Star Rosters Announced

Showcase for the Stars -- The Continental Baseball Association All-Star Game. It's a great game for the fans. The All-Star Classic comes around each year at this time to the delight of every baseball fan. Talented players from the Federal League and Patriot League come together and show their wares on the baseball diamond. The top players go toe-to-toe with one another to get the bragging rights for their league.

Selected to play for the Federal League All-Stars are:

SP John Brown (LA) – age 27, AS#1, 9-4, 2.41 ERA
SP Jorge González (CHI) – age 33, AS#10, 10-4, 2.66 ERA
SP António Gutiérrez (MIL) – age 25, AS#1, 7-8, 2.75 ERA
SP Jerry Huff (MIL) – age 28, AS#1, 10-4, 3.27 ERA
SP Kevin Morse (HOU) – age 28, AS#3, 10-8, 2.85 ERA
SP Alejandro Rosário (SLC) – age 26, AS#3, 6-9, 2.37 ERA
SP Wallace Trauttmann (LOU) – age 29, AS#1, 11-4, 2.95 ERA
SP Ernest White (SLC) – age 27, AS#1, 10-3, 2.93 ERA
MR Armando Ramos (CHI) – age 28, AS#1, 8-5, 1 SV, 1.90 ERA
CL Juan Fuentes (LA) – age 26, AS#1, 4-4, 13 SV, 1.77 ERA
CL David Hanna (DEN) – age 35, AS#11, 5-3, 21 SV, 2.23 ERA
CL Arturo López (CHI) – age 23, AS#3, 3-2, 24 SV, 2.27 ERA

C Dave Lewis (SAC) – age 29, AS#2, .255/.356/.543, 22 HR, 63 RBI
C Shawn Simpson (IND) – age 27, AS#2, .300/.324/.506, 19 HR, 43 RBI
1B Bill Long (HOU) – age 29, AS#2, .330/.378/.504, 12 HR, 63 RBI
1B Jonathan Coleman (CHI) – age 26, AS#1, .313/.370/.516, 12 HR, 49 RBI
1B Ramón López (PHX) – age 35, AS#5, .317/.388/.490, 10 HR, 45 RBI
2B Anthony McLarty (IND) – age 26, AS#1, .305/.340/.572, 17 HR, 49 RBI
3B Phil Gillespie (LOU) – age 26, AS#2, .305/.336/.457, 10 HR, 50 RBI
3B Anastasio Valenzuela (MIL) – age 28, AS#4, .290/.391/.538, 18 HR, 39 RBI
SS Wayne Baker (SD) – age 31, AS#6, .295/.375/.563, 15 HR, 48 RBI
SS Luis Vargas (LOU) – age 24, AS#1, .417/.460/.521, 3 HR, 16 RBI
LF Alejandro Gómez (DAL) – age 33, AS#9, .308/.374/.576, 13 HR, 32 RBI
LF Javier Vega (SLC) – age 23, AS#1, .251/.339/.400, 7 HR, 43 RBI
CF Luis Soto (HOU) – age 33, AS#8, .300/.435/.443, 5 HR, 38 RBI
CF Richard Burnett (DEN) – age 30, AS#4, .259/.339/.555, 21 HR, 70 RBI
CF Paul Craig (SEA) – age 25, AS#1, .304/.353/.516, 10 HR, 43 RBI
RF Ryan Crosby (SF) – age 23, AS#1, .300/.348/.479, 9 HR, 42 RBI


The Patriot League All-Stars will have these players on their roster:

SP Hsi-men Chen (CLE) – age 23, AS#4, 10-2, 2.72 ERA
SP Stephano Donaldson (PIT) – age 31, AS#5, 10-1, 2.98 ERA
SP José Antonio Flores (NSH) – age 24, AS#1, 9-2, 2.80 ERA
SP Jason Gray (ORL) – age 30, AS#2, 7-2, 1 SV, 3.21 ERA
SP Vincente Hernández (BOS) – age 24, AS#1, 5-5, 2.71 ERA
SP Robinson Luna (DET) – age 28, AS#2, 10-5, 2.85 ERA
SP Will Milledge (ATL) – age 21, AS#1, 11-1, 2.75 ERA
SP Carlos Torres (NY) – age 28, AS#1, 10-7, 2.42 ERA
SP Keith Wilson (ORL) – age 30, AS#6, 4-3, 2.03 ERA
CL Eric Alford (WAS) – age 37, AS#11, 4-0, 19 SV, 2.33 ERA
CL John Flannery (PIT) – age 28, AS#2, 7-2, 20 SV, 1.41 ERA
CL Raúl Mata (CIN) – age 28, AS#5, 5-1, 23 SV, 2.43 ERA

C Brian Campbell (CLE) – age 33, AS#6, .278/.385/.465, 11 HR, 44 RBI
C José Moreno (ORL) – age 26, AS#1, .294/.354/.505, 12 HR, 61 RBI
1B Artie Clark (PVD) – age 26, AS#1, .314/.387/.555, 17 HR, 62 RBI
1B Héctor Baca (CHS) – age 33, AS#6, .335/.420/.567, 14 HR, 51 RBI
1B Will Walker (WAS) – age 32, AS#4, .337/.435/.655, 21 HR, 54 RBI
2B Aaron Carter (CIN) – age 25, AS#1, .299/.400/.386, 1 HR, 34 RBI
3B David Sánchez (NSH) – age 29, AS#7, .310/.355/.520, 11 HR, 51 RBI
SS José Valentín (NY) – age 30, AS#1, .302/.377/.432, 5 HR, 34 RBI
SS Earl Bingham (PHI) – age 23, AS#1, .335/.368/.406, 4 HR, 26 RBI
LF Kevin Leonard (BAL) – age 29, AS#2, .353/.418/.667, 24 HR, 70 RBI
LF Fernando Granados (PIT) – age 29, AS#4, .322/.394/.525, 11 HR, 45 RBI
LF Tom Stanley (CHS) – age 27, AS#3, .294/.323/.554, 17 HR, 66 RBI
CF Pancho Moreira (WAS) – age 21, AS#1, .325/.375/.566, 17 HR, 44 RBI
RF Tom Pope (DET) – age 25, AS#2, .336/.386/.637, 13 HR, 44 RBI
RF Patrick Morris (CLE) – age 26, AS#1, .330/.405/.439, 6 HR, 35 RBI
RF Homer Todd (BOS) – age 28, AS#1, .303/.391/.577, 19 HR, 49 RBI

[Orcin]

July 13, 2015

Subject: Week 14 Notes

Record: 54-36, .600, 2 GB
Position: 2nd place (behind Chicago)
Runs Scored: 420 – 2nd in Federal
Runs Allowed: 339 – 2nd in Federal
Defense: .714 – 1st in Federal (2nd in CBA)
Power Ranking: 111.0 (4th in CBA)
Owner Mood: Ecstatic; Fan Interest: 90/100

• Last week (6-1): 3-0 vs. Phoenix, 3-1 vs. Salt Lake City
• 07/06: LOU 4, PHX 2 – Mazzone 7.1 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 2 K, W (5-1, 2.69 ERA)
• 07/07: LOU 3, PHX 0 – Rodgers 7 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 4 BB, 5 K, W (1-0, 4.09 ERA)
• CF Rafael Valdez left the game in the 7th inning with an undisclosed injury.
• SS Luis Vargas (now batting .422) was 4-4 with a stolen base and 2 runs scored.
• Lexington SP Domingo Lopez (9-5, 2.66 ERA) threw a 3-hit shutout with 7 K, 0 BB.
• Indianapolis acquired 35 y/o closer Edgardo Garza and a nice prospect from Milwaukee for 25 y/o RF Jose Jaramillo. Good trade for both teams.
• 07/08: LOU 3, PHX 2 – Trauttmann 8 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 7 K, W (11-4, 2.95 ERA)
• CF Rafael Valdez has a torn ligament in his thumb and will be out 3-4 weeks. Valdez was placed on the 15-day D/L and CF Jose Diaz was recalled from AAA.
• SP Will Spencer has a stomach virus and his next start will be pushed back two days. Jerome Clark will take his turn and we will skip Rodgers.
• Milwaukee traded 28 y/o SP Danny Robertson (3-12, 4.96) to San Francisco for two prospects.
• 07/09: LOU 1, SLC 0 – Rodriguez (7.1 IP) and Merced (1.2 IP) combined for the shutout.; Banks was 3-4 in place of Valdez in CF.
• 07/10: LOU 4, SLC 3 – Searles 3-4, DBL, GWRBI, SB; Clark 8 IP, 2 ER, ND
• 07/11: SLC 6, LOU 1 – Cleaves (SLC) 8 IP, 1 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 6 K, W (11-4, 3.88)
• 07/12: LOU 2, SLC 0 – Spencer 8 IP, 0 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 5 K, W (7-5, 2.60 ERA)
• Gordon Cooper’s mood reaches “ecstatic” for the first time.
• This week: All-Star break followed by the annual inter-league weekend special featuring a home (2) & away (2) series vs. the Orlando Sharks.

[Jabez54]

Sheesh ... having SS Luis Vargas to be on the All-Star team is an honor ... a rising star in Trout style but being a SS is rarer ! ... nice

[Orcin]

For Your Information…

Who are the Louisville Colonels leaders in batter Value over Replacement Player (VORP) for their career?

1. Duncan Bland 431.1(2003-2015)
2. Silas Campbell 402.2 (1992-2004)
3. Dennis Morgan 340.9 (2002-2011)
4. Eduardo Sanchez 304.7 (2007-2014)
5. Chris Brown 299.1 (2001-2008)
6. Rafael Valdez 292.2 (2009-2015)
7. Anthony Davis 278.5 (1987-1991)
8. Jonathan Thomas 274.6 (1989-1995)
9. Lloyd Patterson 265.5 (1988-1992, 1995-1997)
10. David Harris 258.9 (1992-1998, 2000-2001)

Who are the Louisville Colonels leaders in pitcher Value over Replacement Player (VORP) for their career?

1. Robert Westaway 567.4 (2002-2011)
2. Todd Fletcher 330.5 (1996-2004)
3. Edgardo Ordonez 262.2 (2007-2015)
4. Don Spencer 251.2 (1981-1989)
5. Bill Thomas 243.2 (1981-1989)
6. Wallace Trauttmann 215.6 (2008-2015)
7. Ray Alexander 189.6 (2002-2009)
8. Antonio Luna 173.3 (2005-2009)
9. Bartolo Ramirez 161.1 (1992-1998)
10. Bruce Brooks 159.6 (2004-2011, 2015)

[Orcin]

July 20, 2015

Subject: Week 15 Notes

Record: 57-37, .606, 2 GB
Position: 2nd place (behind Chicago)
Runs Scored: 443 – 2nd in Federal
Runs Allowed: 351 – 2nd in Federal
Defense: .715 – 1st in Federal (2nd in CBA)
Power Ranking: 116.1 (3rd in CBA)
Owner Mood: Ecstatic; Fan Interest: 90/100

• Last week (3-1): 2-0 at Orlando, 1-1 vs. Orlando
• SP Edgardo Ordonez was activated from the D/L and will start on Thursday. SP Juan Jose Rodgers was optioned to AAA after one bad start and one good one.
• Chicago traded fourth outfielder Manuel Suarez to Denver for 3B Chance Martin (.295/.345/.481). The Cougars are probably stronger after this trade.
• The Patriot League won the All-Star Game 5-4. Nashville 3B David Sanchez was 2-4 with a triple and 2 RBI.
• Vargas was 1-3, Gillespie was 0-4, and Trauttmann did not appear in the game.
• 07/16: LOU 5, ORL 2 – Gillespie 3-5, DBL, RBI; Ordonez 7 IP, 2 ER, W (1-0)
• Manager Howard Davis was fired by the St. Louis Hawks (28-62). It was his first season on the job and management obviously did not like what they saw.
• 07/17: LOU 8, ORL 3 – Bland 3-5, 2 RBI; Banks 3-4, RBI, BB, 2 RS
• St. Louis hired ex-Providence scout Geoffrey Phillips to finish out the season as interim manager.
• 07/18: ORL 5, LOU 2 (11) – Turner (ORL) pinch-hit bases-loaded TPL for GWRBI
• 07/19: LOU 8, ORL 2 – Banks 2-4, TPL, HR, 4 RBI, BB, 3 RS; Gillespie 4-5, RBI
• Banks has a slash line of .500/.512/.816 since taking over for injured Valdez in CF.
• This week: 3 vs. Charleston, 3 at Atlanta

[illeracula]

How is Ray Alexander doing in Lexington?

[samoka10]

where is dennis morgan now? what were his career numbers?

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by illeracula

How is Ray Alexander doing in Lexington?

He is 1-2 with a 2.55 ERA in 4 starts.

Originally Posted by samoka10

where is dennis morgan now? what were his career numbers?

He is playing right field for Providence. He is hitting around .255 with 12 HRs in a part-time role. He is on the trading block and has cleared waivers due to his $21.2M salary. I expect him to be moved before the deadline.
He recently passed the 450 HR milestone and he has 1250 RBIs, both in the top 20 all-time. His career average is .265 and he has a career .890 OPS. He is definitely a HOF candidate.

[Orcin]

July 27, 2015

Subject: Week 16 Notes

Record: 60-40, .600, 2 GB
Position: 2nd place (behind Chicago)
Runs Scored: 465 – 2nd in Federal
Runs Allowed: 382 – 3rd in Federal
Defense: .714 – 1st in Federal (2nd in CBA)
Power Ranking: 109.0 (5th in CBA)
Owner Mood: Ecstatic; Fan Interest: 90/100

• Last week (3-3): 2-1 vs. Charleston, 1-2 at Atlanta
• Jose Diaz hit the ball well last week, so he is going into the lineup for 2-3 weeks. Valdez and McConnell will be back soon, so it’s time to choose a third outfielder.
• 07/20: LOU 6, CHS 4 – Ferguson 3-4, DBL, HR, 3 RBI, SB, RS, wants to stay in the lineup
• 07/21: LOU 6, CHS 3 – Ordonez 8 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 4 BB, 4 K, W (2-0, 3.00 ERA)
• 07/22: CHS 4, LOU 2 – Steele (CHS) 8 IP, 2 ER, 10 H, 3 BB, 3 K, W (13-5, 3.93)
• Philadelphia put 1B Rick Thomas (.269/.324/.419) on the trading block. See posts #13, #21, and #46 for more information about this player.
• 07/24: ATL 9, LOU 3 – Dickerson (ATL) 3-5, HR, 3 RBI, 2 RS
• Reliever Burt Newell (26/R/2.5*/POT=4*) was claimed off waivers from New York.
• Newell is a hard thrower (stuff=10) with options remaining and only 1 year of CBA service time. He is a good candidate for a key bullpen role next season.
• 07/25: LOU 3, ATL 0 – Spencer W (9-5, 2.50 ERA); Carlson H(9); Brooks SV(28)
• San Francisco acquired 34 y/o SP Aaron Wilkerson (5-6, 4.88) and $3M in cash from Providence for 25 y/o top catching prospect Gustavo Reyna.
• 07/26: ATL 11, LOU 2 – Dickerson (ATL) 3-5, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3 RS
• Phil Gillespie was Federal League Player of the Week (13-22, .591, 2 HR, 4 RBI)
• Dayton LF Jesus Reyes was AA Player of the Week (10-27, .370, 3 HR, 6 RBI)
• Who’s Hot: CL Bruce Brooks 18G, 16.2 IP, 13 SV, 0.54 ERA, 13 K (and Gillespie)
• Who’s Not: nobody
• This week: 3 at St. Louis, 3 vs. Phoenix