The IBL's Chicago Iron Pigs

[gehrig38]

WORLD SERIES MVP



And the final stats on the 2023 World Series

[gehrig38]

Love finding things I didn't know the game had..
I present the 2023 IBL World Series Champion Chicago Iron Pigs

[gehrig38]

Just to get out of character a second.

Couple thank yous:
1) Justafan, Gern, all of you guys on the mod boards, I now have 32 teams and almost 200 minor league clubs with custom unis, logos and the works. Were it not for you guys and your labors of love, it would not be. And ya this is a hobby, but anyone who puts their time and effort into things that make my hobby more enjoyable deserves a kudos.
2) Orcin, for your unwavering commitment to Louisville You were the reason I did this (and I am now reading through worst to first for the first time!) and your thread still provides daily enjoyment, though I really need you to pick up the posting pace! JK, thanks and thanks for all the cool ideas I've stolen.
3) Readers, to anyone crazy enough to read up on this thread daily, weekly, whatever, thanks. I honestly do REALLY look forward to folks that are interested enough to follow along AND ask 'fan questions' I can answer with research. It is the only real reason I think I do it, besides it being fun.

Lastly, there was a mind blowing event that was all set to happen if the Iron Pigs had not won the World Series. It was mind blowing enough that this was a very emotional playoff run. Every game was 'exciting' for many different reasons.

Spent the last 3-4 days playing, and working my ass off to more customize the IBL, which it now is. You'll see some of it in the coming years I hope.

[ashantewarrier]

Awesome!

[ashantewarrier]

Enjoy reading your Dynasty! It's one if the more detailed ones out there!

[Painmantle]

This is a great Dynasty. Originally I was never really into the fantasy aspect of the OOTP series but this thread and a few others caught my attention and inspired me to join the NARBL online-league. I have a great appreciation for someone willing to put this much detail into their efforts all in the name of making their "Hobby" even more enjoyable not only to themselves but to others who read religiously, often or just casually. And I now find Fictional Leagues just as enjoyable as Historical which I never, thought possible.

And I agree the timeless devotion and meticulous detail the modders put into their craft all in the name of a better product for the masses of OOTP Fans is nothing short of amazing.

Kudos to you, the modders and the readers for making the OOTP world better one Mod,One thread and one post at a time!

[gehrig38]

2023 Off Season

A World Series Parade, White House trip on tap, and parties to attend. But first a meeting in the front off ice with Mr Marquis and the Marquis family? Unsure of what any of this could be about.

I'll check back afterwards..

Some decisions need to be made on personnel, and some teams got an early jump on shedding 'dead weight' with GM's and some MGRs across the league being let go today.

[gehrig38]

MEETING RESULTS:
An odd meeting to say the least. Given the Mr Marquis is 74 probably not unexpected. He has given me a new 'Open ended' contract for the duration of his families ownership of the Chicago franchise. With one caveat.

I am now the highest paid GM in the game, and am working as long as I want, on one condition. The team make the World Series. If the Iron Pigs fail to make the World Series the contract is void and Mr Marquis is free to fire me, or restructure a contract to his liking, and I can accept that or walk.
It was also hinted that his health is waning, and he may not continue on much longer.

A few other morsels. We cannot open the season, ever, with the league highest payroll.

“I feel like I bought this title, and I can buy anything, I did this to smile and be excited, doing what you're supposed to do is far less exciting than exceeding expectations.”

Should our payroll be the highest, every dollar over is to be deducted from my salary up to the 5 million dollars I make.

The issue? Our payroll stands at 141M, the second team, San Antonio ironically, is at 124M. We have to shed 17M this winter (which kills any shot of keeping Hugh Collins an Iron Pig for life).

If I am doing my math, that means not resigning Hugh Collins, and not picking up Roberto Martinez 10M club option AND shedding 7-8M more. Earl Shaw seems to be sitting right on that 7-8M line as an arbitration eligible player. Maybe I make a deal with him at the meetings this winter?

Here's the salary output and our financials to date.

As well as our info page. We're going to take a huge PR hit letting our most popular player walk after almost 12 years here. One of the final 2 remaining original Chicago Iron Pigs.

[gehrig38]

I tweaked some of the winners. The computer picked Greene over Lozano, and I just had issue with that given his higher WAR and record setting year. Gold gloves for the left side of my infield and Dennis Ash taking home his 2nd GG, 1st in CG (2021 he won in LF).



In the CL It had Esparza over Figueroa and it was all about WAR, which in this case I disagreed with. Peripherals, Figueroa had a monster season except in the W/L department. The writers gave the Rookie to Tamura, who did have a great year, but an 18-9 4.34 from Beckett, to me, was superior.



Ok if you live in Michigan you have to ask yourself, if not this year, when???

[gehrig38]

HIRINGS/FIRINGS
Team Trainer Ricco Cotichini has decided to retire. At 60 something years old it's not unexpected. He was a pioneer and arguably the best trainer in pro sports.

We have informed Roberto Martinez that the 10.87M club option will not be picked up. Not what we wanted here. The plan will be to give his spot to 24 year old Rob Bright, our 1st rounder last year. And rather than just cut him loose for the pick, we've decided to try and work a 'sign and trade' out with him, with full disclosure up front that this is our plan.

FIRED
GM Enrico Parra Green Bay Blizzard Spent last 9 years as Blizzard GM, helping them to 1 division title and 5 playoff appearances.
MGR Rick Spencer Green Bay Blizzard Not sure what these two could have done. They went 85-77 but had the misfortune of being in our division. Bench Coach Jack Gordon has been given the job to manage after 5 years on their bench. He managed San Antonio in 2018 to a post season berth.
GM Jack Kane Edmonton Trappers Was the GM in Staten Island in 2017, then Edmonton for last 6 years. His teams have never qualified for the post season.
MGR Roland Slaughter Edmonton Trappers Roland took over the final 32 games in Edmonton and the club went 16-16.
GM Eugene Eichler New Hampshire GM'd the Roughriders to the 1st 2 IBL World Series titles, came to New Hampshire after his 1 year in Michigan. Helped them reach their 1st playoff appearance in his 1st season, record has dropped each season since.
MGR Jesus Valentin Baltimore Colts His 2nd go round here in Baltimore. Spent 2016-2019 as manager of the Knights where he managed them to playoff appearances all 5 years, winning manager of the year in 2019. He managed the Colts from 2012-15, then 2021 through this year. This was his worst season ever as a manager, the Colts going 67-95.
MGR Kiyonori Kohara San Jose Sharks The league, and professional baseball's first Japanese manager. After back to back 63-99 seasons he was let go.
GM Elmer Simms New Orleans Voodoo GM in Tulsa (2012) Arizona (2015-2021) Philadelphia last year and New Orleans this year. His teams have made 1 playoff appearance (AZ 2018).

[gehrig38]

Teams are working for 2024 right now, lots of trades in the past few days.
Some significant prospects changing hands.

I know I know, it's not in the budget. This deal, I think, makes him far more valuable to another team. Not to mention if something else comes up and we can potentially move another player, we can keep him, and this deal is very team friendly if he continues to progress.

[gehrig38]

This is Romero's 3rd time, winning in 2017 with the River Cats and '21 and '23 here. This was also his 2nd World Series title.

This is the final year of his contract.



This was Manny Gonzalez's 2nd year winning the award. He won in 2019 with Philly as well.

[gehrig38]

11/1
Trainer Tim Walton has signed a 5 year 500K per year contract to become the new head trainer for the Chicago Iron Pigs. He's got a great reputation as a communicator and trainer. He was let go by the Colts this past winter.

IBL CAREER WAR LEADERS: PITCHING
53.3 Vincente Romero (NO) 370 starts
50.4 Walt Thompson (-) 350 starts
50.0 Tommy Hobbs (LA) 388 starts
45.2 Antonio Rodriguez (SI) 350 starts
44.2 Angelo Esparza (SAN) 137 starts

ARBITRATION
Earl Shaw asked for 9.4M and we offered 8M, player won.
Ernesto Martinez asked for 3.03M and we offered 2.8M, player won
Jonasz Plazewski asked for 1.005M and we offered 750K, team won
Ralph Bass asked for 1.005M and we offered 650K, team won
Brandon Andre asked for 2.099M and we offered 1.7M, player won.

Would have liked to win them all, especially Shaw's. Leaves me with a 40 man roster payroll of 131.7M.

FREE AGENCY IS UPON US!
As expected Hugh Collins has filed for free agency. He is 1 of 15 compensation eligible free agents this winter. Take a gander at that list. The CL Aaron and Koufax award winners are both on it, as well as Bryant Thomas. Curt Whimster hits the market for the 1st time in his HoF career.

[PhillieFever]

Stunning developments on the financial side, that's a lot of payroll to shed in such a short amount of time, and it's obvious that the only way to comply is the cut ties with Collins and Martinez just to get close.......There Will Be Blood! BTW what happened with Ash? Two batting titles, a gold glove, great speed. Was he injured and I missed it? Or were there other forces at work.

[gehrig38]

Still here. Am so left handed and deep in OF talent I thought he was going to be the 4th guy with Castro and Cruz coming in. Both have HUGE bats, and are LH, and both have far better eyes and OBP.
But Dennis ended up playing in 137 games and winning his 2nd GG.
As I amble through this winter he's the "Craig Counsell" of the team, stud that seems to produce every year, but still have to find a way into the lineup.

[gehrig38]

RUMORS:
Brooklyn, New Orleans believe it or not, Sacramento and West Michigan are the teams said to be in on Figueroa and his 7 year 140M ask.



Wow, Dallas? Really? How about Sacramento making a push? They lost Berkman and Figueroa, looks like their first two signings were meant to fill those holes.

The Martinez deal is 3 years 52.2M, with the 3rd year being a 17.4M player option.

And lots of trades, New York trying to appease an unhappy fan base.

[gehrig38]

RULE 5 DRAFT
We have 39 of 40 roster spots taken, with Pimentel and Swagat on the 60 day. Both are still a few months out. We will not select anyone in the rule 5, and I think we may lose 1-2 players.

Edmonton selected SP Chris Dicken in round 2.

IBL SINGLE SEASON RECORD: STOLEN BASES
80 Jimmy Rollins (LA)
72 Ichiro Suzuki (AAA)
70 Jimmy Rollins (LA)
65 Carl Crawford (BUF)
64 Carl Crawford (BUF)

12/5
Lance Berkman's coming to Chicago, as a visiting Green Bay 1B. Monster deal.

12/9
Damn, that's a HUGE trade for Arizona. Martinez is a 25 year old superstar in the making coming off the 2023 Rookie of the Year award.

[gehrig38]

DAY 1
Douglas' deal with Brooklyn is 1 year 7.5M.

[gehrig38]

I'll let these sink in a bit before commenting. When a game makes you emotional, you know it's good. So hard to do this, and it was a direction I had no intention of going, then an opportunity arises and I'm wheeling and dealing players and with teams I had no intention of being involved with, and dealing players I never thought I'd trade.

[gehrig38]

DAY 2
So I had a night to sleep on it, still sick. Pedro Salinas and Roberto Martinez were fruits of a great scouting system and great player development. Pedro the 1st overall pick in 2015 out of Oklahoma State and Roberto the 8th overall pick the year before, out of Lee Academy in South Carolina. Pedro was a 3 time all star and the 2017 IBL's Frontier League Rookie of the year, as well as a 3 time world champion. Roberto was a 3 time all star and the 2021 Sandy Koufax Award winner and a 2 time world champion. What did we get in return?

Horst Grueter-26 1B/DH SWITCH Drafted in the 4th round of the 2015 draft (88th overall pick) out of Drew HS, in San Francisco. A 26 year old switch hitting 1B/DH who's a .277 lifetime hitter with 115 homers and 325 RBI's in 607 games. He was the 2022 Gold Glove winner at first and is a 2 time all star. He's a huge bat, and one who feasts on RH pitching but can hold his own vs LH pitching as well. He'll move into the lineup, hitting cleanup and playing 1B against all types. Scouts give him 21 power on the 1-20 power scale vs RHP, and 18 vs LHP. He's 26. turns 27 May 8th of next year. He's signed for 2 more seasons at 8M per year.
Kerry Poole-23 LF/RF LHH Columbus Clippers 2018 1st round draft pick (20th overall) out of Peninsula Catholic, VA. Came into this season as the IBL's 56th ranked prospect. This was his 3rd trade in the last 3 years. He got his first taste of IBL action this year, hitting .265/.364/.531 in 37 games. 117 AB's 5 2B 2 3B 7 HR's 19 RBI's. Below average speed but a very smart base stealer and base runner. He had a minor league OBP well over .440 the past 3 seasons between AA and AAA. Last year he hit .298 with a .446 OBP, 31 2B's 13 HR's 115 K's and 120 BB's in 121 games. He will be an OBP machine. His teammates love him, the only red flag is his ability to stay on the field. He has 2 option years remaining and barring injuries will start in LF for AAA Tulsa next year.
Bruce Vickers-20 RHP Houston Roughriders Supplemental pick in 2022 (36th overall) out of Vero Beach HS, FL. Entered the season as the IBL's 49th ranked prospect. A mid 90's FB, CB change guy who works deep in games. Was 2-5 in A ball last season with a 2.96 in 14 starts, 94.1 IP, 93 H 63 K's and 26 BB's. He'll open next year in Class A Belleviews rotation.
We also received Buffalo's 2nd rounder next year. So as of today we are picking 4th, 21st, 60th and 67th in the 1st 2 rounds (70 picks). We pick 102nd (32nd in 3rd round) and every 32 picks after that.

As of today or payroll is 128M dollars even, still 1st but we'll see how it shakes out this winter.