American Baseball Association.

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK 7 NOTES
SCHEDULE:
3 vs New York
3 @ Denver
1 vs Milwaukee

RESULTS:

• 5/14: FLA 4 NY 2 Ramirez W (2-5) 7 IP 3 H 5 BB 2 ER Grab SV (4)
• 5/15: FLA 5 NY 4 Chase W (6-2) 7 IP 7 H 4 ER Grab SV (5)
• 5/16: FLA 7 NY 4 Grab SV (6) Rand 2-5 3B 3 RBI
• 5/17: FLA 6 DEN 4 Anguiano W (2-2 3.02) 6 IP 3 H 5 K 0 ER Turner SV (4) Rand 3-5 Turner 3-4 RBI
• Jorge Gonglas (OH) tossed a 2-hit shutout in a 3-0 win over Alaska
• Zaire Nibbs (CHI) threw a 3-hitter in a 6-0 win over Milwaukee
• 5/18: DEN 5 FLA 1 Agresta L (2-6) 5.2 IP 8 H 5 ER
• Joe Naclerio (AAA) went 8 IP 11 K 1 ER to move to 6-0 3.68
• 5/19: DEN 4 FLA 2 3 run 8th for Denver Ramirez L (2-6) 7.2 IP 5 H 3 ER
• Ismael Saldana hit his 3rd HR since being sent down, He's hitting .333-3-8 in 10 games
• 5/20: FLA 4 MIL 3 (13) Rodelo RBI 2B wins it Chase ND 7 IP 8 H 3 ER Ginn W (1-0 1.00) Grab 2 IP 4 K 0.60 ERA
• Mike Allen 9 IP 9 H 2 ER Yulieski Gurriel 3-5 HR RBI

AL POTW - Andy Tibbets (DET) 8-19 3 HR 9 RBI (.316-12-32)
NL POTW – Luis Andrade (PIT) 14-25 HR 8 RBI (.313-2-16)

RECORD: 5-2 (22-24)
PLACE: 2nd 9 GB
RUNS SCORED:
RUNS GIVEN UP:
DEFENSE:
OWNER MOOD:
POWER RANKINGS:
1) Detroit
2) Texas
3) Ohio
4) Chicago
5) Los Angeles
…..
13) Florida

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK 8 NOTES
SCHEDULE:
2 vs Milwaukee
OFF DAY
3 @ Alaska
1 vs Memphis

10-6 since Burgess took over. That and what appears to be a much more relaxed clubhouse.
Jace Camp is eligible to come off the DL and will head to AAA for a rehab start or two.

RESULTS:

• 5/21: FLA 5 MIL 4 Haupt GW PH Samvdio 8 IP 6 K 2 ER Grab BS (2) W (3-1 1.16)
• Rodolfo Carmona (SD) struck out 10 in a 4-0 win over New England

TARPONS HOLADAY HANGING UP HIS SPIKES
Veteran Catcher Bryan Holaday has informed Tarpon club officials that 2007 will be his last year. The 37-year-old spent most of his professional life in Tawain, coming to the ABA in November of 2005 with the Brooklyn Owls.

• 5/22: FLA 6 MIL 4 Anguiano W (3-2 3.20) 8 IP 4 K 4 ER Grab SV (7) Hayashi 2-2 2 HR 3 R 2 RBI 2 BB
• Tanner Roark (MIN) tossed a 2-hitter in an 8-0 win over New York
• Dave Weller (AA) went 5-6 4 RBI in an 11-2 win. He's hitting .288-13-41 in 41 games
• 5/23: OFF DAY
• 5/24: FLA 4 ALK 3 Agresta W (3-6 6.47) Grab SV (8)
• 5/25: FLA 6 ALK 2 Ramirez W (3-6 4.27) 7 IP 5 H 2 ER 5 straight wins. Rodelo 2-2 3 BB R RBI
• 20-year-old SP prospect Roku Higuchi underwent elbow reconstruction and will miss the next 12+ months. In the past 2 years, he's gone 10-0 2 Saves between Rookie and A Ball.
• Kody Pollock (AA) tossed a CG 3-hitter to move to 6-1 3.22. He walked 2 and punched out 11.
• Ismael Saldana went 2-4 3 RBI in that game. He's now at .343-4-13.
• 5/26: ALK 2 FLA 1 Sergio Vargas W (5-4 3.48) 8 IP 11 H 1 ER
• Chase L (6-3 3.13) 6 IP 5 H 1 ER Figueroa 3-5 2B Mendoza 3-4
• Denver's season of pain continues. The Saints lost star LF Jahiem Kouassi for the next 4-6 weeks with a strained intercostal. He was hitting .280-5-19 coming off a .305-55-123 year.
• 5/27: FLA 5 MEM 2 Samvdio W (3-0 2.59) 6 IP 2 H 1 ER Grab SV (9) Rand 2-4 2 RBI SB (5) Haupt 2-4 2B SB (18) 2 R

AL POTW - Naoaki Fuchigami (DET) 13-19 HR 2 RBI (.280-3-20)
NL POTW – Rob Anderson (POR) 13-25 2 HR 7 RBI (.285-7-35)

RECORD: 5-1 (27-25)
PLACE: 2nd 7 GB
RUNS SCORED: 208 10th
RUNS GIVEN UP: 202 6th
DEFENSE: .709 5th
OWNER MOOD: Undecided
POWER RANKINGS:
1) Detroit
2) Las Vegas
3) Texas
4) Los Angeles
5) Ohio
…..
8) Florida

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK 9 NOTES
SCHEDULE:
2 vs Memphis
3 vs Detroit
2 @ Las Vegas

RESULTS:

• 5/28: FLA 4 MEM 3 Barranco GW Sac Fly Harris 3-5 2B SB (7) 2 R Figueroa 3-4 2B R RBI SB (1) Anguiano 8 IP 6 H 3 ER Grab W (4-1 1.03)
• Joel Joffrion (NY) threw a 1-hitter to beat Milwaukee 5-0
• 5/29: MEM 7 FLA 0 Chris Kantor CG 5-hit SHO 8 K (3-4 3.79) Hecht 3 R HR (10)
• Agresta L (3-7) 6.2 IP 2 ER Turner 2 errors led to 3 unearned
• 5/30: FLA 7 DET 2 Ramirez 1.2 IP before being pulled, he's DtD. Mendoza 4.1 IP W (2-1) pulled and DtD as well.
• 5/31: FLA 7 DET 2 Chase W (7-3 3.01) 8.2 IP 5 K 2 ER Grab SV (10) Gilmore 2-4 2B HR (6) 3 RBI (17)
• Jorge Saiz 7 IP 5 H 5 K 2 ER ND

ANGUIANO AND BROOMHALL TRADED
In just one more example of Tarpon GM Gehrig Schillings willingness to do 'anything at any time' the Tarpons and Memphis Blue Sox announced a trade today.
Florida sent Cuban defector and free agent signee Luis Anguiano and 25-year old P Prospect Jon Redburn to the Blue Sox, along with their 2007 3rd round draft choice.
In return, Florida receives 26-year-old SP Seb Broomhall, 25-year-old OF Prospect Chad Coyle and 24-year old C prospect Mike Lyon.
With this move, Florida also moves Anguiano's 5 year 17.875 million dollar contract.

GM'S OFFICE
Suprised me too. In the constant lookout for potential trades and FA signings, waiver stuff, I happened to get a bite. Memphis is 11 games under .500 but very clearly still thinking they can win their division.
I had zero intention of trading Anguiano when I signed him. But as this year has started to progress I feel incredibly optimistic about the depth of our pitching organization-wide. So when Bowden took the hook on Anguiano I put some bigger pieces in play.
Broomhall is a starter. He's in their pen because he's still maturing.
Coyle was their 3rd rounder in 2004 (69th overall) and a left-handed power bat that plays the corners above average, runs well above average and is going to hit.
Oklahoma drafted Lyon 18th overall in 2004 and he was the #65 ABA prospect in 2006. He is a switch hitter who handles RHP better than left and is still developing behind the plate.
Catching depth and talent in this organization is thin and this is, along with the trade for Mendoza, a move that changes that.

• 6/1: DET 3 FLA 1 Jim Brooks W (7-2 2.31) 7.1 IP 7 K 1 ER Samvdio CG L (3-1 2.66) 10 K 3 ER
• Coyle homers in his 1st game at Alamogordo Kevin Pollock goes 7-1 3.03 7.1 IP 9 K 1 ER
• Mike Lyon went 3-6 at AA Clovis in his 1st start
• 6/2: FLA 10 LV 5 (10) Galindo 3 IP 5 BB W (3-4) Grab SV (11) Haupt 3-6 2 RBI Rand 3 RBI
• Jace Camp came out of the game in the 5th complaining of 'dead arm'. He's DtD.
• At Alamogordo Ismael Saldana went 4-5 2B 2 RBI to move to .396-9-25 on the year and now has a 21 game hitting streak.
• At Clovis, two-way player Arturo Mendoza went 7.1 IP 6 K 1 ER in a ND but is throwing much better and drawing interest from other clubs.
• 6/3: LV 7 FLA 0 Luis Soto 7.1 IP 6 K 4 H Jaquan Piggue 3-4 2 RBI
• Agresta L (3-8) 6.1 IP 7 H 3 BB 6 ER
• Chad Coyle went 2-4 bases-loaded 2B and a HR to drive in 5 for Alamogordo
• Mike Lyon went 2-4 and homered at AA he's 6 for 11 with a homer

AL POTW - Luis Santillan (OH) 13-24 2 HR 12 RBI (.342-12-45)
NL POTW – Dave Manzer (KC) 12-24 3 HR 11 RBI (.335-8-36)

RECORD: 4-3 (31-28)
PLACE: 2nd 5.5 GB
RUNS SCORED: 237 10th
RUNS GIVEN UP: 231 5th
DEFENSE: .710 5th
OWNER MOOD: Undecided
POWER RANKINGS:
1) Los Angeles
2) Ohio
3) Alaska
4) Chicago
5) Detroit
…...
13) Florida

[gehrig38]

The offense is very clearly way-way down. Those are past seasons April HR totals. ERA's are way down obviously.



NL East looks to be a few clubs involved. KC and Texas in the Central and the usual struggle in the west of LA and San Francisco



Our recent hot streak which included beating Detroit the 1st two of this series has gotten us from 10 back to 4.5. Ohio has a good club this year especially their young CF Robles. Vegas trying to separate from the rest but Alaska looks for real. No idea how Denver is even remotely sniffing .500 with the enormous number of injuries.
One curiosity. Memphis at 23-33 is still running with a 'win now' philosophy. I wonder if there is anything there.......?

AL Player of the Month – Luis Santillan (OH) .340-9-27 (.321-12-39)
NL Player of the Month – Juan Mercado (SF) .358-9-25 (.321-13-36)
AL Pitcher of the Month – Eric Worden (PHX) 2-0 8 SV (2-1 15 SV 0.28)
NL Pitcher of the Month – Alpha Appiah (KC) 2-0 14 SV (2-2 19 SV 2.10)
AL Rookie of the Month – Ben Chase (STL) .314-5-18 (.300-9-30) I bet this kid ends up in the HOF
NL Rookie of the Month – Gene Keller (SAN) .365-7-19 (.314-11-35)



Iowa State with the national title!

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK 10 NOTES
SCHEDULE:
1 @ Las Vegas
OFF DAY 2007 DRAFT
3 vs St Louis
2 @ Phoenix

RESULTS:

• 6/4: LV 6 FLA 1 Tim Richardson CG 6 H 6 K W (5-7 3.71) Domenic Loetzsch HR 2 RBI (.244-11-41)
• Ramirez L (3-7 4.23) Turner 3-4
• Mike Lyon went 3-4 and is 9-15 since the trade
• Ismael Saldana went 2-4 hitting his 10th HR and Chad Coyle was 0-1 with 3 walks. Alamogordo is now the top-ranked AAA club
• 6/5: OFF DAY 2007 DRAFT
• Jon Naclero tossed a 3-hitter punching out 7 in Alamogordo's 4-0 win
• 6/6: FLA 8 STL 2 Haupt 1-3 HR 2 BB 3 R 2 RBI Chase W (8-3 3.01) 6 IP 5 H 2 ER Mendoza 3 IP 5 K 0 baserunners SV (2)
• Jamie Watkins (PIT) tossed his 3rd shutout of the season throwing a 4-hitter at Texas.
• RJ Stanton tied his own, and the ABA single-game strikeout record in a 2-0 19 K effort over Phoenix. He threw 131 pitches, walking just 1. He's 7-2 2.70 with 122 K's in 93.1 innings.
• 6/7: FLA 6 STL 5 Mendoza, Hayashi 8th inning HR's Samvdio ND 6 IP 5 K 5 R 0 ER Grab SV (12)

TARPONS SEND RAND, FIGUEROA TO BUFFALO
The Florida Tarpons have dealt a pair of 26-year-olds, OF TJ Rand (.292-1-18) and 3B Luis Figueroa (.263-5-11) to the Buffalo Nickels in exchange for 26-year-old 3B Zach Gibbons and 28-year-old RP Josh McTaggart and 17-year-old 1B prospect Sean Connelly.

GM'S OFFICE
The last 6 months, each monthly report has seen Luis Figueroa's ability and statistical decline at 3B to the point it was no longer feasible. Case in point Buffalo immediately moved him to 1B after the deal. TJ has had a good year and is a valuable piece but Ismael Saldana has nothing left to prove at AAA and will be recalled to take over in left. Gibbons becomes our everyday 3B and is a ++ defender with a bat that could be comparable to Luis with maybe a tad less pop. The youngster was a 'throw in' with what our guys think is some power potential though likely at 1B or DH.

• 6/8: STL 4 FLA 1 (10) Luis Herrera 3R HR in the 10th Camp ND 8 IP 4 H 1 ER 6 K Grab 3 R 3 H 2 BB 1.2 IP L (4-2 1.64)
• Charlie Flaugher ND 8 IP 5 H 1 ER
• Denver's nightmare continues. Ace Winton Alward, already struggling at 1-5 4.34 sprained his ankle in today's game and will miss the next 2+ months.
• 6/9: PHX 3 FLA 2 (13) Agresta 7 IP 3 H 2 ER
• Juan Beza 7.1 IP 5 K 2 ER
• 6/10: FLA 8 PHX 6 Haupt 2-3 HR 2 BB 2 R 2 RBI Ramirez ND 4 IP 7 K 4 H 3 ER 91 pitches.

AL POTW - Ian Chaffee 12-28 4 HR 8 RBI (.313-10-26)
NL POTW – Luis Van Wordragen (NE) 7-10 2 HR 6 RBI (.262-7-23)

RECORD: 3-3 (34-31)
PLACE: 2nd 6.5 GB
RUNS SCORED: 263 10th
RUNS GIVEN UP: 257 5th
DEFENSE: .716 2nd (huge jump in defense)
OWNER MOOD: Undecided
POWER RANKINGS:
1) Los Angeles
2) Las Vegas
3) Alaska
4) Detroit
5) Chicago
…..
12) Florida

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK 11 NOTES
SCHEDULE:
1 @ Phoenix
3 vs Ohio
3 @ Chicago

Seb Broomhall is added to the 38 man and activated. He is out of options. IF Bobby Trumble is optioned to Alamogordo. Rodelo will play SS vs RHP and Turner vs LHP. Broomhall will move into a long relief role.

RESULTS:

• 6/11: FLA 6 PHX 2 Chase W (9-3 2.79) Turner 2 IP 4 K SV (5) Mendoza 4-4 2 R Saldana 2-4 2B HR 3 RBI
• 6/12: OH 5 FLA 4 Harris 3-4 2B Saldana 1-3 HR 2 BB 2 RBI Samvdio ND 7 IP 6 K 3 ER Turner BS (1) Grab L (4-3 1.79)
• 6/13: OH 18 FLA 13 Camp 10 ER 2.1 IP Broomhall 4 ER 3.2 IP Hayashi 2-3 5 RBI Haupt 3 R SB (24) Saldana HR 3rd straight game
• Jorge Casarez 5-6 3B HR 4 R 3 RBI Robles 2-4 3 RBI SB (27)
• Alaska Closer Kazuhisa Makita recorded his 300th career save vs Memphis
• 6/14: OH 3 FLA 1 Bone W (9-2 2.64) 8 IP 4 H 1 ER Claus SV (17) Robles 2-4 HR 2 RBI
• Agresta ND 8 IP 3 H 1 ER Grab L (4-4 2.18) Robles 2 run 9th inning HR breaks 1-1 tie
• 6/15: CHI 5 FLA 2 Ramirez 6.2 IP 9 K 4 ER L (3-8 4.45)
• Khamani Hummons W (5-7) 7.1 IP 5 H 2 ER Shemar Knightner SV (15)
• Knuckleballer Robbie Givens threw 8 innings today, punching out 11 in a 4-3 win. He's 6-4 4.53 with 104 K's in 99.1 IP over 13 starts.
• 6/16: CHI 8 FLA 0 RJ Stanton CG 5 hitter 11 K's (8-3 2.60)
• Chase 6.2 IP 7 H 5 ER (9-4 3.05)
• 6/17: FLA 10 CHI 3 Samvdio CG 4 H 9 K 4-1 2.60 Haupt 2-4 2 HR 3 R 4 RBI Barranco 2-5 Grand Slam 4 RBI Harris 3-5 2 2B 3 R

AL POTW - Neil Walker (LV) 11-24 4 HR 11 RBI (.256-15-46)
NL POTW – Mike Klessig (KC) 12-18 2 HR 8 RBI (.325-5-32)

RECORD: 2-5 (36-36)
PLACE: 2nd 9.5 GB
RUNS SCORED: 299 10th
RUNS GIVEN UP: 301 6th
DEFENSE: .714 3rd
OWNER MOOD: Undecided
POWER RANKINGS:
1) Los Angeles
2) Detroit
3) Las Vegas
4) Ohio
5) Pittsburgh
…..
14) Florida

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK 12 NOTES
SCHEDULE:
OFF DAY
3 @ Minnesota
ALL-STAR BREAK

RESULTS:

• 6/18: OFF DAY
• 6/19: MIN 4 FLA 3 (11) Galindo 3 H 0 IP L (4-5) Campe 6 IP 3 ER
• Chris Hastings 3-5 2B RBI
• Isoroku Yamabe threw a 2 hitter to beat Austin 4-0. It was his 1st win of the season. He's 1-11 5.38 after a 15-9 4.36 2006.
• SP Chad Willoughby (6-3 3.79) SP Kody Pollock (9-1 3.74) and RP Mike Allen (2-2 10 SV 1.96) made the AAA All-star team
• SP Arturo Mendoza (6-5 4.61/ .345/.446/.453 2 HR 25 RBI) CL Jamie Pelletier (2-2 0.90 13 SV) C Mike Lyon .417/.509/.583) made the AA All-Star Team
• SP Jeff Faulkner (3-1 2.89) Robbie Givens (6-4 4.53) Tadatoshi Mizutani (7-2 4.99) RP Jorge Morales (2-0 1.09) made the A All-Star Team
• 6/20: FLA 5 MIN 3 Agresta W (4-8) 8 IP 2 ER Grab SV (13) Haupt 2-3 2 BB R RBI SB (25) Rodelo 3 RBI
• Chris Hastings 3-4 HR 2 R RBI Joe Linn L (6-5 4.42) 6.2 IP 5 ER
• Mike Haupt led all American league players in fan voting this year. He is also the lone Tarpon rep going to the game.
• 6/21: MIN 6 FLA 4 Ignacio Justiniano W (8-4 3.30) 8.1 IP 7 K 2 ER Phil Myres SV (18) Chris Hastings 2-4 HR RBI. Hastings was 8-13 4 R 2B 2 HR 3 RBI in the series
• Saldana HR (9) Ramirez L (3-9 4.45) 6 IP 6 K 3 ER

ALL-STAR BREAK

[gehrig38]

Certainly goes without saying that I am both stunned and disappointed at the dismal first half. Losing that final game felt like karma as we head into the break 1 game under. However, since changing managers the club has gone 25-20 even with a 3-7 record in the past 10.



A quick peek at the stat leaders and the offensive drop off is staggering. How much so? The AL Leader in HR and RBI last break was at 30 and 80, the NL at 28 and 75.
Obviously, that drop leads to a drastic rise in pitchers numbers. Last break the top 3 in AL ERA were 2.84, 2.95 and 3.23...

So the game changed this winter. No, we must adjust to it. One thing I decided to do was to have the staff do a ballpark rundown.


I knew our ballpark clearly favored right-handed hitters but honestly didn't realize compared to the rest of the league just how much. From a pure hitting for average standpoint, we are the 2nd worst park in the league for left-handed hitters. For power, we are near the bottom 5 for left-handers too. This park clearly favors RHH in every way and I think that needs addressing in the lineup. It's one thing to have a left-handed hitter who doesn't hit LHP all that well, or nearly as well as they do RHP, but take Hayashi for example. He destroys RHP and has rather large issues with lefties. Add to that hitting in a ballpark that has dimensions that impede LHH and that might be a 'bridge too far'.

It certainly makes me look to the future with regards to trades and drafting a bit differently. When you consider the 81 games a year you KNOW which park you are playing in and then look at your division opponents where a majority of your games happen on the road you begin to get a larger picture and grasp of the impact of the parks. New York is an LHH dream, Brooklyn is decent but Detroit, Minnesota and our park are all either pitcher's parks or RHH friendly. It certainly can't be a driving factor but it's absolutely a factor that needs to be taken into account. I almost argue that it demands a roster that allows for true platoons outside the set, star everyday players. Certainly at C in my opinion.



Seems the NL East is back on board with this 'winning' thing. A division you might remember Pittsburgh won at 81-81 last year. Miners, Jets are clearly the class of the NL East.
KC and Texas look to be the duo in command of the Central.
And out west LA is answering world champ San Francisco's dominant 2006 run with one of their own. It is clearly down to those two barring some miracle and honestly it would be stunning were LA to give that away especially when you consider the Bears are dealing with a significant number of injuries



Our nightmare 1st half is compounded by Detroit once again be the class of the AL. They are 20 over and there's no reason to think they won't continue. While I certainly concede nothing the reality gnome tells me the 4.5 game gap between the Hitmen and us for that 2nd Wild Card is a far bigger concern.
Ohio is having a great year and Chicago is doing everything they can to hang on. St Louis is having a very nice season, and honestly, they feel like they are where we should be in the third year of this franchise. Ben Chase looks to be everything I thought he'd be on draft day.
Vegas and Alaska are the Wests best and I expect them both to make the playoffs.

A word on that St Louis comment. Last year was insane. It was a great ride and I think an amazing achievement across the board.
Having said that I think I may have gotten hung up in that as I looked into this season. We are still only in year 3, and there is a good way to go before I feel like I can call my roster set and the talent top shelf.

Three underlying numbers are probably as important, if not more so than our ABA win total.

125-80 are the first two. That's the combined win-loss record of our 5 minor league franchises. AAA is 46-23 in 1st, Clovis is 33-36 6 GB, Farmington is 39-30 having a great year but if you can believe this they are 14 GB! The Chesapeake Wings (A for the Washington Jets) are 53-16 and just destroying that league. I Would love to tell you they are just stacked with prospects but the Jets have emphasized winning in their minor leagues every bit if not more so than developing. There are some older 20's and a couple 30-year-olds on that A Ball team. But Jonathan Braley (21 .360-18-55) and Pat Peterson (20 .345-14-52), as well as Juan Mora (20 6-1 1.73) and Jung-won Yaung (21 5-0 3.53) as well as Sergio Ramirez (23 2-0 1.46), are all legitimate prospects and talents.

The other number is this: #1
That is the Florida Tarpons ABA Minor League system ranking. To have done that in just 3 seasons is a testament to this scouting department.

[gehrig38]

12 of the games top 200 prospects. 6 of our top 7 and 7 of our top 12 are starting pitchers. Although I would caveat that with the fact our scouts think Mendoza at 3B is far far ahead of Mendoza the pitcher. Notice also 4 of these guys are under 20 and 11 are 23 or younger. Mike Lyon should be in AAA honestly and that's a move that's likely to happen sooner rather than later. Also, notice on our list where Eddie Ellerbee is? Our catching has gone from razor thin to an organizational strength. Also, EE homered in his 1st professional game.
Kinnon Mendelson is shaping up to be a potential Koufax winner for years to come. Robbie Givens and Jeff Faulkner are also getting significantly better.

All that is to say that I think I need to step back and take a breath with this entire 2007 disaster message. Last year was a fluke in my opinion. The right things happened at the right times up until October. But that whipping in October I think was an indicator of where we stood with the big boys.
I think that is changing, but I cannot allow that to drive decision making as we near the trade deadline next month. We are a 'buyer' ONLY in perfect circumstances and we are absolutely a 'seller' if the right deal comes along.



Not a lot to say here other than the obvious, we need to hit better. 10th in the league in scoring isn't going to work. Ismael Saldana has hit since his return and I expect that to continue.



The only two surprises in a negative way are Jace Camp and Tim Agresta. Tim's having a bad year, no other way to put that. Nate Ramirez strikeout totals are down but he's had some bad luck too. His inability to get deeper into games has cost him.
I should add our AAA rotation is stacked. Naclerio (8-3 3.72) Willoughby (7-3 3.53) and Pollock (10-1 3.71) are backed by a bullpen that's good too. Mike Allen 11 SV 1.90 Eddie Hein 2-1 2.35 and their offense is raking.



A quick look at the Defense. Compared to last year things are good. But the comparison to the league is not so great. Still, need to improve

[gehrig38]

Just one Tarpon.



And he had a great game!

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK 13 NOTES
SCHEDULE:
3 vs Brooklyn
3 @ New York
1 vs Denver

As much as I wanted him to finish the run Bryan Holaday is struggling too much to wait. I need more offense and Mike Lyon is ready for AAA. Max Ramirez is called up to backup and Lyons is promoted to AAA to catch every day.

RESULTS:

• 6/25: FLA 4 BRK 3 (10) Saldana 3-4 2B 3 RBI Foggie 3-3 R Chase 7.2 IP 7 K 3 ER Grab W (5-4)
• Danny Hall (KC) went 5-5 in a 16-3 win over Jacksonville
• 6/26: FLA 8 BRK 5 Barranco 3-4 2B (15) HR (7) 2 R 2 RBI (32) Foggie 2-5 HR (3) 3 RBI (6) Samvdio ND 5.2 IP 9 H 4 ER (2.87) Grab SV (14)
• Mike Edwards (PHX) tossed a 2-hitter in a 1-0 win over Milwaukee. He's 8-6 2.98 on the year
• Mike Lyon had 3 hits including his 1st HR at Alamogordo
• 6/27: BRK 7 FLA 0 Steve White W (8-4 3.92) 7.1 IP 3 H 8 K
• Ramirez L (3-10 4.58) 5.1 IP 4 H 4 ER
• 6/28: NY 11 FLA 3 Agresta L (4-9 5.82) 3.2 IP 10 H 8 ER
• Juan Portio ® tossed 8 innings allowing 2 hits walking 5 and punching out 8 in a 14-1 win.
• 6/29: FLA 17 NY 2 Camp CG 3 K 0 BB W (2-2 5.04) Saldana 4-5 2 HR (11) 4 R 6 RBI (34) Haupt 3-5 BB 2B (14) 3 R SB (27) Harris 2-4 2 BB 4 R Hayashi 2-5 BB 3 R 3 RBI (37) Gibson 3-5 4 RBI
• 6/30: FLA 3 NY 2 Chase W (10-4 3.03) 8 IP 5 K 2 ER Grab SV (15)
• Joel Joffrion ND 7 IP 10 K 2 ER
• San Francisco fans are in a state of shock today. SP Chris Edge will miss the remainder of the regular season with a ruptured tendon on his pitching hand. He was 9-5 3.38. The two time Koufax winner and 9-time all-star, as well as 2006 ABA Champion, is coming off a 37-17 last two seasons and the 35-year-old was the 1st overall pick in the 1993 ABA Draft.
• 7/1: DEN 11 FLA 9 Samvdio L (4-2 3.61) 8 ER 9 H 4 IP Foggie 2-5 3B (1) HR (5) 3 RBI (11) Haupt 2-4 BB HR (12) 2 RBI (40)
• Tony Stockwell 3-5 2B HR 4 RBI
• Chris Mattingly (DET) threw a CG 3-hitter in beating St Louis 5-0. He struck out 10 and is 11-2 2.72
• Luis Acevado (BRK) struck out 11 in beating New York 5-0.

AL POTW - Eric Hecht (MEM) 13-26 4 HR 7 RBI (.322-21-60)
NL POTW – Rob Anderson (POR) 13-28 4 HR 10 RBI (.294-17-60)

RECORD: 4-3 (41-41)
PLACE: 2nd 8.5 GB
RUNS SCORED:
RUNS GIVEN UP:
DEFENSE:
OWNER MOOD:
POWER RANKINGS:
1) Ohio
2) Alaska
3) Los Angeles
4) Pittsburgh
5) Detroit
…..
15 Florida

• AL PLAYER OF THE MONTH – Ben Chase (STL) .383-11-28 (.325-20-58)
• NL PLAYER OF THE MONTH – Dave Manzer (KC) .368-8-22 (.338-14-52)
• AL PITCHER OF THE MONTH – Steve White (BRK) 5-0 1.78 (8-4 3.92)
• NL PITCHER OF THE MONTH – Joel Aris (WAS) 5-0 2.32 (8-3 2.83)
• AL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH – Ben Chase (STL)
• NL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH – Gene Keller (SAN) .296-5-18 (.308-16-53)

Kyle Pollock took home AAA pitcher of the month after going 6-0 4.35. He's 12-1 3.66

We did not sign 2nd round pick Ben Ayala so we will receive a compensation pick in 2008. I am actually grateful in that I don't think this years draft was that deep. We also took a flyer on HS 3B Chris Thompson in the 15th round and he didn't sign.

Also the international free agent signing period started today. 16 year old CF Rodolfo Rojas from Venezuala is far and away the price of this years litter. He's a projectable .330-50-130 guy right now. Oozing hall of fame talent. Serious questions around his work ethic and he's asking 4.4 million. The cap is 1.4. There's also a 3B, Theo Lemaire, from France, yes France, who is a potential huge talent.

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK 14 NOTES
SCHEDULE:
2 vs Denver
3 @ Milwaukee
OFF DAY
1 vs Alaska

RESULTS:

• 7/2: FLA 4 DEN 2 Ramirez W (4-10) 7 IP 10 K 4 H 2 ER Galindo H (8) Grab SV (16) Hayashi 2-3 BB HR (8) RBI (39) Saldana PH 2 R HR to win it (he's hitting .250-12-36)
• 7/3: DEN 4 FLA 3 Nate Aucoin W (4-2 3.93) 8 IP 7 H 8 K 3 ER
• Agresta L (4-10 5.86) 5.1 IP 6 BB 4 ER Saldana 2 R HR (13)
• 7/4: MIL 11 FLA 3 Camp L (2-3 5.30) 6 IP 10 H 5 ER 3 errors = 4 unearned runs
• Omezo Yamamura CG 5 H 8 K 3 ER
• C Mike Lyon (AAA) homered twice, including a grand slam and drove in 7 in a 12-1 win. Chad Willoughby was the winner moving to 8-3 3.29.

TARPONS SIGN 2
In what is now the 1st known incident of a French born player signing an ABA contract, the Florida Tarpons have inked 16 year old Theo Lemaire to a 975,000 dollar signing bonus and he has reported to their international complex. Joining him is 16-year-old Japanese Catching prospect, Yukinbu Hashimoto. Known as “The Cooler” the 6'5” catcher is believed to be the tallest Japanese born player to ever play professional baseball in the United States.
In signing both the Tarpons have again exceeded the bonus cap, this year by 11% to which GM Gehrig Schilling replied “Given the strict penalties put on the international spending cap we do not take this lightly. We also recognize that the restrictions are severe enough that when we do exceed the cap it's far more likely we will do so by a wide margin when all is said and done”

• 7/5: FLA 12 MIL 7 Barranco 3-4 3 HR 3 R 7 RBI (.269-10-43) 3 HR and 7 RBI are both Tarpon records in a 9 inning game.
• 7/6: MIL 7 FLA 4 Samvdio L (4-3 3.92) 5 IP 9 H 5 ER
• Braedon New bury 3-3 2B (11) HR (15) 4 RBI (55)
• 7/7: OFF DAY
• 7/8: ALK 5 FLA 1 Sergio Vargas W (9-5 3.21) 8 IP 1 ER Nate Ramirez ND 7 IP 8 K 4 H 1 ER Grab 0 IP 2 H 3 ER
• Former Tarpon Luis Anguiano shut out Chicago on a 4 hitter today with 7 K's. He's 5-2 2.90 since the trade.
• Farmington Knuckleballer Robbie Givens went 9 innings in an ND yesterday. He gave up 6 hits 3 runs, 0 earned runs and struck out 12. The last year he struck out 93 and walked 85 in 97.1 IP. This year he has 130 K's and 66 BB's in 122 IP.
• 2007 12th round draft pick Steven Pratt struck out 11 in 8 innings of a 2-1 win at Rio Rancho

AL POTW - Juan Jaramillo had a 5 hit day on Sunday, and then won POTW 14-27 HR 3 RBI (.258-8-29)
NL POTW – Layne Linseman (JAX) 10-23 3 HR 4 RBI (.297-11-38)

RECORD: 2-4 (43-45)
PLACE: 3rd 9.5 GB
RUNS SCORED: 382 8th
RUNS GIVEN UP: 391 8th
DEFENSE: .709 4th
OWNER MOOD: Undecided
POWER RANKINGS:
1) Alaska
2) Ohio
3) Los Angeles
4) Kansas City
5) San Francisco
….
17) Florida

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK 15 NOTES
SCHEDULE:
2 vs Alaska
3 @ Memphis
2 @ Detroit

RESULTS:

• 7/9: FLA 5 ALK 3 Agresta W (5-10 5.68) 8.1 IP 4 H 3 ER Grab SV (17)
• Top P prospect Kinnon Mendelson struck out 10 over 6.1 scoreless innings of a 4-0 win to go 2-0 1.46
• 2007 1st rounder Brendan Huffine also struck out 10 over 8 innings in a 6-4 win to get his 1st professional win
• 7/10: FLA 7 ALK 5 W Galindo (5-6) Grab SV (18) Camp ND 5.1 IP 1 ER Turner 2 errors
• 7/11: MEM 4 FLA 1 Josh Mutschler W (9-8 3.93) 8 IP 4 H 8 K 1 ER
• Tadatoshi Mizutani tossed a 5-hit shutout for Farmington and struck out 11. He's 8-5 4.82
• 18 yea old Juan Guerra has continued hitting after his recent call-up to Hobbs. He went 2-5 in the loss today but is hitting .377-2-9 with a .402 OBP as the leagues youngest player.

TARPONS NET 2 MORE IN INTERNATIONAL MARKET
The Florida Tarpons announced the signing of 2 more international amateur free agents today. They signed right fielder Juan Valdez and 17-year-old centerfielder Gregorio Alcivar. Both players are from the Dominican Republic. Valdez agreed to a 385K bonus and Alcivar a 750K bonus which means the Tarpon have now spent 2.66 million, or 193% of their cap. They will be capped at a bonus of 115K for any amateurs on this market next year.

• 7/12: MEM 11 FLA 3 Chris Kanton CG 6 H 9 K 2 ER (5-8 4,56) Memphis hits 6 HR's
• Samvdio 2.1 IP 6ER 2 HR Broomhall 2.2 IP 3 HR
• Jeff Faulkner (A) punched out 11 in 7 innings giving up just 1 earned in a 3-1 loss.
• Minnesota Huskies sent veteran SP Ryan Verdugo (7-7 3.51) to San Francisco for OF Luis Fuentes (2*) and 19-year-old relief prospect Shigehisa Nakanishi (2.5*) Minnesota is currently 7.5 GB of Detroit but a half game up on Chicago for the 2nd WC spot and 3 up on both Brooklyn and us.
• 7/13: MEM 8 FLA 1 Luis Anguiano (yes that one) CG 5 K 1 ER (6-2 2.61) Chi-ming-Xie 3-4 2 HR 4 RBI
• Ramirez L (4-11 4.45) 5 IP 6 H 5 ER Harris 3-3 2B CS (5)
• Frisco followed up yesterdays deal by trading SP Ben Paulson (5-7 3.35) to Washington for 33-year-old 2B Alain Delahaye (.190-7-19)
• 7/14: DET 5 FLA 4 Former Tarpon Cletus Owry walk off 9th inning HR Grab L (5-5 2.63) Agresta 6.2 IP 6 H 4 ER
• Nate Bosse (AA) went 2-2 2 HR 4 RBI 3 BB and scored 5 times to set a Clovis record. In that game, C Jonathon Roller went 4-5 2B 2 HR 3 R and 5 RBI.
• 7/15: DET 5 FLA 4 (10) Blew 4-0 in the 8th. Grab L (5-6) Camp 7.2 IP 4 ER Mendoza 2-2 2 HR 2 BB 3 RBI

AL POTW - Chi-ming-Xie (MEM) 13-29 4 HR 9 RBI (.309-11-53)
NL POTW – Brad Snyder (WAS) 9-24 6 HR 10 RBI (.222-15-41)

Nate Bosse (AA) took home AA POTW by going 12-21 4 HR 10 RBI (.321-12-43)

RECORD: 2-5 (45-50)
PLACE: 4th 13.5 GB
RUNS SCORED:
RUNS GIVEN UP:
DEFENSE:
OWNER MOOD:
POWER RANKINGS:
1) Detroit
2) Los Angeles
3) Ohio
4) Alaska
5) Pittsburgh
…..
22) Florida

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK 16 NOTES
SCHEDULE:
1 @ Detroit
3 vs Las Vegas
OFF DAY
2 @ St Louis

RESULTS:

• 7/16: FLA 3 DET 2 Saldana 9th inning GW HR 2-4 RBI Chase ND 7 IP 4 K 2 ER Grab SV (19)
• Loan Auffret 4-5 2B HR RBI (.268-18-50)

DEAL DONE: RAMIREZ TO OKLAHOMA HORNADAY TO FLORIDA
SP Nate Ramirez was informed about an hour ago that he had been dealt to the Oklahoma Drillers in exchange for top relief prospect 23 year-old Jake Hornaday. The locker room was apparently quiet and stunned. Ramirez had a spectacular 2006 going 16-5 3.81 with 253 K's in 191 IP but had slipped vociferously this year going 4-11 4.45 with 110 K's to 50 BB in just 113.1 IP. He's also due to begin collecting the larger payout years of his 4-year deal signed last year.
Hornaday was a 4 time All American at Florida State and a 2nd round pick by the Spartans in 2005. He re-entered the draft to be taken 26th overall by Las Vegas in 2006 where he has been lights out since signing. He started the season in Class A where he was 1-5 27 SV 0-98 with 62 K 14 BB 28 H in 43 IP. He'll report to Clovis (AA).
23-year-old Kody Pollock (14-1 3.41 at AAA) will take Ramirez spot in the rotation after he is added to the 38 man roster.
P/3B prospect Arturo Mendoza will be promoted from AA to AAA where he will start on the mound today.

GM'S OFFICE
Ramirez had a phenomenal year last year. A bunch of guys did. We managed to sign him to a very team friendly deal. That made him more valuable in my opinion. He's 29 and his walk rate was way up, K/9 way down. That in and of itself isn't terrifying but I've got a staff of AAA arms ready for the ABA. Honestly, I was thinking about promoting Willoughby, he's 26, having a good year but Kody Pollock was 14-1 3.41. Plus Willoughby will take another 38 man spot whereas Pollock was already on the roster. Top 2-way prospect Arturo Mendoza makes the move to AAA.
Hornaday is a legit top tier relief prospect. Future closer. Big arm and young.
I feel the postseason slipping away and I can't say it's shocking when you get into the numbers. The issue is Mr. Medina made it clear the postseason was an expectation, so there's going to be that one to manage.

• 7/17: LV 5 FLA 4 Tony Richardson W (8-12 5.08) 7.1 IP 3 H 9 K 0 ER Winton Bale 3-4 2 R RBI SB (4)
• Samvdio L (4-5 4.44) 7.2 IP 5 K 4 ER
• Mendoza went 7.1 IP 3 K 0 BB 2 ER in a ND in his 1st AAA start.
• 7/18: LV 7 FLA 4 Luis Soto W (3-2 5.34) 7 IP 9 H 3 ER
• Kevin Pollock L (0-1) 4 IP 6 H 3 ER Mendoza 2-3 HR (8) 3 R RBI
• Sean Green (KC) (8-8 4.75) tossed a 3 hit shutout in a 2-0 win over Washington.
• 7/19: LV 8 FLA 2 Agresta L (5-11 5.71) 5.1 IP 4 ER
• Johnny DeWitt 3-5 2 HR 3 R 2 RBI Tousei Sato W (7-2 2.29) 7.2 IP 11 K 2 ER
• 7/20: OFF DAY
• Kinnon Mendelson threw 7.2 innings of 1-hit ball to move to 3-0 1.64 for Hobbs.
• 7/21: FLA 4 STL 2 Camp W (3-3 4.68) 8 IP 4 H 5 K 2 ER Grab SV (20) Foggie HR (5) 3 RBI Mendoza 2B (11) HR (9) RBI (34)
• Eric Hecht (MEM) went 5-5 2 RBI in a 7-5 loss to Denver
• 7/22: FLA 4 STL 3 Saldana 3-4 2 HR 3 R 3 RBI (.255-16-43) Camp 6 IP 7 H 3 ER ND Grab SV (21)
• Sergio Jaquez (OH) went 4-4 with 3 HR's in a 13-4 win Minnesota
• Farmington (A) 3B Luis Salinas went 2-5 2B (32) scoring 1 and driving in 1. He also stole 2 bases in 2 attempts to give him a minor league leading 46 on the year. He was acquired in a 2005 trade with Oklahoma

AL POTW - Dan Murray (BRK) 9-17 4 HR 9 RBI (.241-8-31)
NL POTW – Chris Silverstone (SD) 12-24 3 HR 6 RBI (.316-19-60)

RECORD: 3-3 (48-53)
PLACE: 4th 10.5 GB
RUNS SCORED: 428 t-8th
RUNS GIVEN UP: 459 9th
DEFENSE: .710 3rd
OWNER MOOD: Undecided
POWER RANKINGS:
1) Alaska
2) Las Vegas
3) Los Angeles
4) Ohio
5) Kansas City
…..
20) Florida (+4)

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK 17 NOTES
SCHEDULE:
1 @ St Louis
3 vs Phoenix
3 @ Ohio

RESULTS:

• 7/23: STL 6 FLA 2

Samvdio L (4-6 4.66) 5 IP 6 H 6 run 4th. Haupt HR (14)

THREE WAY TRADE SEES FLORIDA SEND AGRESTA TO ST LOUIS, ACQUIRE RANDY BROWN FROM AUSTIN
The Florida Tarpons sent 32-year-old SP Tim Agresta (5-11 5.71) and their 2008 5th round draft choice to the St Louis Surge in exchange for P prospects Whitney Tilley (26) and Jeff Phares.
Tilley was then packaged with AA Catcher Jonathan Roller and their 6th pick to Austin, receiving 2-time gold glove winner catcher Randy Brown.

Chad Willoughby is recalled from AAA, Brown is added to the roster and recalled, Ismael Ybarra is DFA'd.
Clearly, Browns glove is his calling. 2004, 05 gold glove winner he is a switch hitter with decent pop and a good eye from the left side. He will be a late innings guy as well as spell Mendoza every 5th day.
Phares is a very intriguing “project”. Just 22, he has 1 option remaining and suffered big time from being called up far too early. He's ticketed for Class A Farmington to start. He was the leagues 42nd rated prospect going into 2006. He'd been moved to the pen. He will get back on the mound as a starter exclusively. Max Ramirez is optioned to AAA.

The move also tweaks the rotation. Willoughby is not ready to pitch so Seb Broomhall will get the start. .

• 7/24: FLA 3 PHX 2 Harris walk off 1B. Pollock 6 IP 6 K 1 ER ND Grab W (6-6). Rodelo 3-3 SB (11) 2 RBI (26)
• Former Tarpon Luis Anguiano tossed a 3 hitter in a 1-0 win over Milwaukee. He punched out 6 and walked none and is 8-2 2.29 since being dealt.
• 7/25: FLA 5 PHX 4 Hayashi walk-off 1B Broomhall 7.1 IP8 K 4 ER
• Kinnon Mendelson punched out 10 over 8.1 IP giving up 2 H and 2 ER to go to 4-0 1.74

FLORIDA, CHICAGO IN A HUGE DEADLINE DEAL
The Florida Tarpons have sent LF Jim Shelley, 3B Zach Gibson, IF Ernesto Rodelo and star relief prospect Jake Hornaday as well as their 2008 4th round pick and 500K in cash to the Chicago Hitmen. In return, Florida has acquired 26-year-old 3B Eric Burrows and 24-year-old IF Prospect Harland Daig.
An unnamed Tarpon player was quoted as saying “we've been waiting two years for that guy to be gone”. The player was apparently referencing backup IF Ernesto Rodelo who it appears was responsible for much of the clubhouse turmoil as rumors surrounding an off the field incident with a fellow players fiance.

GM'S OFFICE
Ismael Saldana, Makata Hayashi, Jim Shelley, Chad Coyle. What do those 4 have in common? All are left-handed hitting left fielders who do not hit left-handed pitching very well. Rodelo was a clubhouse cancer. Zach Gibson and Eric Burrows are ALMOST carbon copies but with one big difference. They are both RH hitting 3B. Borrows will likely be the better AVG/OBP guy while Gibson will likely hit a few more home runs. They are equally good at 3B, a slight edge to Gibson, maybe. Gibson is exclusively a 3B. He cannot play anywhere else with any amount of proficiency. Borrows can play an above average 1B as well as a serviceable left field. He's also looking at an arbitration number equal to about half of Gibson. Hornaday and the pick were the hardest parts of this deal by a long shot. Hornaday, I expect to be someones closer and a very good one. For what it's worth I absolutely expect Shelley to take over in someone's left field and hit for power and play very good defense. The pick was painful as it now leaves me with 4 picks in the 1st 6 rounds next year.
But I gave in when I convinced GM Bai-Hen Lin to include IF Harland Daig. Harland is a burner. A right-handed speedster who plays a gold glove 3B as well as an above average 2B AND SS. He hits RH and projects to be a well above average bat who will likely settle in the leadoff spot or a two-hole hitter. He was in AAA but I am sending him to AA Clovis. At 24 he has time. He was a supplemental 1st round pick out of ASU in 2005, 26th overall.
IF Bobby Trumble will be recalled. Burrows is added to the 25 man roster.
OF Tamiji Takimoto will be added to the 25 man roster.

I can't help but feel like I have been wheeling and dealing just to wheel and deal. I sat back today and looked at the 38 man roster and realized I have redundancy and not in a good way. You can never have enough pitching and that will always be true. But you have no need for 4 corner outfielders who hit from the same side with the same strengths and weaknesses. My top 5 prospects are ll starting pitchers and 2 are now in my rotation.
I feel like I have some big-time prospects at different positions but that, with the exception of shortstop right now, I feel like the infield is settled. If Bobby Trumble can hit his way to 250+ I'd be ecstatic. I'm giving him the job for the remainder of the year.
Take a look at the top prospect list now, compared to a few months ago. I have it set on 'dynamic'.

• 7/26: FLA 7 PHX 0 Camp W (4-3 4.22) 8.1 IP 3 H 8 K Haupt (15) Burrows 2-4 HR SB (1) and Saldana (17) homer
• Daig went 3-4 2B in his 1st start at AA
• 7/27: FLA 8 OH 4 Willoughby W (1-0) 7 IP 4 H 7 K 3 ER Grab SV (22) Haupt 2-4 HR 3 RBI (.256-16-52)
• 7/28: FLA 9 OH 5 Chase W (11-5 3.34) 6 IP 10 H 2 ER Foggie 3-5 HR 2 RBI Borrows 2-4 HR 2 RBI Brown HR 3 RBI
• Sergio Robles 4-5 HR RBI (.312-27-83) Kid is a beast. Should have given whatever it took to get him over Mike Haupt.
• Eddie Ellerbee, the 2nd of two first-round picks, went 2-5 HR 2 RBI and is hitting .259-6-27 with a .508 OBP in 28 games for Rio Rancho
• Former Tarpon TJ Rand hit in his 20th straight game today. He's hitting .305-1-13 since being dealt.
• 7/29: OH 4 FLA 3 Samvdio L (4-7 4.78) 5 IP 8 BB 4 ER 112 pitches Haupt (17) Gilmore (8) homer
• Wow. St Louis and Austin made a trade today. St Louis sent SS prospect Tommy Duncan and 34 year old OF Jorge Ochoa to Austin and the Colts sent 1B Juan Moorman and 130K in cash. If that name doesn't ring a bell, Moorman was the 1st overall selection in the 2007 draft!

AL POTW - Dan Goodman (BRK) 13-28 3 HR 10 RBI (.306-25-91)
NL POTW – Jarod Bodkin (PIT) 14-32 2 HR 12 RBI (.358-5-56)

RECORD: 5-2 (53-55)
PLACE: 3rd 8.5 GB
RUNS SCORED: 465 9th
RUNS GIVEN UP: 484 8th
DEFENSE: .712 2nd
OWNER MOOD: Undecided
POWER RANKINGS:
1) Pittsburgh
2) Alaska
3) Kansas City
4) Las Vegas
5) Ohio
…..
14) Florida (+6)

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK 18 NOTES
SCHEDULE:
3 vs Chicago (12)
OFF DAY
3 vs Minnesota (9)

RESULTS:

• 7/30: CHI 12 FLA 2 Pollock L 4.1 IP 11 H 8 ER
• Raita Yamada W (4-2 3.53) 8.1 IP 6 H 2 ER Elvis Andrus 4-5 3B (5) SB (47) 3 R
• 7/31: FLA 4 CHI 3 (10) Camp ND 8 IP 4 K 2 ER Stanton ND 7.1 IP 11 K 1 ER Saldana walk-off PH HR (19)
• 8/1: FLA 7 CHI 5 Willoughby W (2-0) 5 IP 5 K 5 BB 4 ER Ginn SV (1) Harris 3-5 2 R RBI Mendoza 3 RBI Saldana 2-3 3B HR (20) RBI
• Ismael Saldana came out of the game after pulling up at 3B in the 6th. He is DtD but will sit as a precaution.
• 8/2: OFF DAY
• 8/3: MIN 6 FLA 3 Chase L (11-6 3.62) 6 ER 3.2 IP Harris 4-4 2B (25) SB (21) 3 R
• Emmanuele Gianini (ALK) threw a 1-hitter punching out 7 and walking no one in a 4-0 win over Las Vegas. He's 12-5 3.73 on the year.
• 8/4: MIN 7 FLA 5 Samvdio L (4-8 5.14) 7 ER 9 H 4.2 IP
• Chris Hastings 3-5 R (He's 11-31 6 R 2 HR in 7 games vs us this year)
• 8/5: MIN 3 FLA 2 (11) Had a chance to make up ground and instead took a 3 game sweep by the team directly ahead of us.
• In a battle of young P Prospects former Tarpon, Joe Linn went 7 IP 7 H 2 K 2 BB 2 ER and Kevin Pollock went 7 IP 8 H 5 K 0 BB 2 ER.

AL POTW - Juan Castillo (DEN) 11-26 5 HR 7 RBI (.270-13-34)
NL POTW – Guiomar Cortezo (LA) 14-28 HR 7 RBI (.351-15-71)

RECORD: 2-4 (55-59)
PLACE: 3rd 11.5 GB
RUNS SCORED: 488 10th
RUNS GIVEN UP: 520 9th
DEFENSE: .708 3rd
OWNER MOOD: Undecided
POWER RANKINGS:
1) Ohio
2) Los Angeles
3) Pittsburgh
4) Minnesota
5) Detroit
…..
17) Florida (-3)

[gehrig38]

• AL PLAYER OF THE MONTH – Braedon Newbury (MIL) .385-10-27 27 R (.298-23-74)
• NL PLAYER OF THE MONTH – Guiomar Cortezo (LA) .375-7-27 30 R (.343-15-69)
• AL PITCHER OF THE MONTH – Luis Anguiano (MEM) 6-0 0.92 (12-4 2.67)
• NL PITCHER OF THE MONTH – Tim Kerr (SAN) 5-0 2.41 (9-9 4.10)
• AL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH – Luis Anguiano (MEM)
• NL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH – Gene Keller (SAN) .291-8-26 (.303-24-79)
  
• Kinon Mendelson took home Class A Pitcher of the Month after going 4-0 1.53 (4-0 1.74)

How good is Ben Chase? Sergio Robles is having a monster year as well and RJ Stanton seems to be unaffected by the precipitous drop in strikeouts... Every “Tarpon” on this list is a “former”.



Detroit has been sputtering lately but our run of 4-6 and 7-3 10 game stretches will not allow us to catch up. Ohio appears to be pulling away in the Central.
This is the first time in what seems like a decade Las Vegas is not in 1st place. Alaska making a case for the #1 seed in the power rankings. The wildcard is my only legitimate shot and that's a long shot given the up and down season. I think that 2nd spot comes down to Chicago and Minnesota but I'd love to make it interesting.



Honestly, the NL East's biggest surprise to me is Buffalo. That's a hell of a season for a 1st-year team. I like the 4 team NL Wild Card race.



A quick peek at all the trades leading into the deadline. 2 of significance for me. The Austin, St Louis deal sent the top overall pick in this year's draft to St Louis and the last deal was huge. Dan Goodman is an MVP player. Sakai is the games #6 P prospect.

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK 19 NOTES
SCHEDULE:
3 @ Brooklyn (25)
3 vs New York (27)
1 @ Denver (16)

2 of the AL's bottom feeders to start the week. If we can't go 5-2 6-1 I would consider the postseason a lost cause.

RESULTS:

• 8/6: BRK 15 FLA 4 Camp L 9 ER 8 H 3.2 IP
• Omari Bethea 3-4 2 2B HR 6 RBI Bobby Cook 3-3 2 HR 4 R 2 RBI
• 8/7: BRK 3 FLA 1 Dave Young W (13-6 3.21) 8 IP 11 K 1 ER Andy Wiltse SV (25)
• Willoughby L (2-1) 7.1 IP 10 H 3 K 0 BB 3 ER
• Kinnon Mendelson moved to 6-0 1.66 with 7.1 innings of 1 run ball. Struck out 6.
• 8/8: FLA 11 BRK 3 Chase W (12-6 3.53) 6 IP 7 K 1 ER Harris 4-5 5 RBI 3 CS! Borrows 2-4 HR 3 RBI in 11 games he's hitting .390/.468/.683 with 3 HR and 6 RBI
• 8/9: FLA 5 NY 0 Samvdio W (5-8) 8.1 IP 3 K Takimoto 2-3 2 HR 3 RBI (.231-2-5)
• Luis Anguiano tossed his 3rd shutout in 13 starts for Memphis. He's 10-3 2.44 since the trade and 13-5 2.77 overall
• 8/10: FLA 5 NY 2 Pollock 1st ABA Win 8 IP 8 K 0 BB 2 ER Grab SV (23) Haupt 3-3 HR 2 R 3 RBI BB (.255-18-60)
• 8/11: NY 3 FLA 1 Dave Haynes W (9-8 4.08) 7 IP 1 H 6 K 0 ER Camp L (4-5 4.67) 7 IP 6 H 3 ER offense managed just 2 hits
• 8/12: FLA 7 DEN 6 Willoughby ND 5 IP 4 ER Grab SV (24) Haupt 2-4 2B (20) 3 R Foggie 2-3 HR (12) 2 R 4 RBI (33)
• Juan Castillo 4-4 2B 2 HR 3 R 3 RBI SB (39) (.280-16-39)
• Former Tarpon Ted Barlow (DET) shut out St Louis on 3 hits, striking out 9 to go to 11-5 3.20. He 15-6 3.10 since being traded.
• Pat Strickler (NE) gave up 3 hits and struck out just 1 in a 4-0 win over Austin

AL POTW - Joe Vertz (OH) 13-30 5 HR 12 RBI (.290-33-93)
NL POTW – Arturo Mata (LA) 14-32 3 HR 10 RBI (.313-9-38)

RECORD: 4-3 (59-62)
PLACE: 3rd 11.5 GB
RUNS SCORED: 522 10th
RUNS GIVEN UP: 552 10th
DEFENSE: .707 4th
OWNER MOOD: Undecided
POWER RANKINGS:
1) Alaska
2) Los Angeles
3) Ohio
4) San Francisco
5) Detroit
…..
14) Florida

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK 20 NOTES
SCHEDULE:
2 @ Denver (20)
OFF DAY
3 vs Milwaukee (24)
1 @ Alaska (1)

RESULTS:

• 8/13: DEN 5 CHI 4 Chase L (12-7 3.47) 5.2 IP 10 H 0 K 3 BB 5 R 1 ER (Saldana's 7th error leads to 4 unearned in the 6th) He also homered and drove in 3.
• Juan Castillo 3-5 HR RBI SB (40)
• 8/14: FLA 7 DEN 1 Saldana 4-5 HR 3 RBI Trumble 3-5 R Samvdio W (6-8 4.59) 7 IP 7 K 1 ER
• 8/15: OFF DAY
• Chad Coyle (AAA) went 2-2 3 BB 2 HR 3 RBI and scored an Alamogordo record 5 times in their 14-7 win
• 8/16: FLA 4 MIL 1 Pollock W (2-2 4.10) 8 IP 10 K 2 H 1 ER Grab SV (25) Hayashi 2-2 2 R BB HR (14) RBI (55)
• At Clovis (AA) Harland Bolduc went 4-5 and set a Clovis record scoring 4 runs in their 8-5 win. Also wanted to mention Dave Weller. Our 7th rounder in 2005 (163rd overall) out of Minnesota he hit 13 HR and drove in 43 in 69 games of SS and A ball. Last year between A and AA he hit 30 and drove in 108 in 124 games. This year in 114 games at Clovis he is hitting .270-32-109. He's a RF by trade, also has 70 stolen base legs and smarts. He's playing right and center now. Just wanted to mention him, as he may be another 4A guy but the monster power numbers weren't something expected when we drafted him.
• Harland Daig. Recently acquired IF prospect is hitting .349/.352/.558 with 4 HR 22 RBI in 20 games since arriving but his 2007 totals in AA have the 24-year-olds numbers at .325/.363/.550 in 105 games with 25 2B 13 3B 19 HR and 95 RBI. Also? He's struck out just 32 times and walked 29 in 496 PA
• 20-year-old knuckleballer Joey Pash, our 6th rounder this year, walked 11 batters in just 4.2 innings yesterday and in 40.1 IP this year he has K'd 26 and walked 51....
• 8/17: FLA 7 MIL 3 Camp W (5-5 4.66) 6 IP 3 ER Ginn SV (2) 3 IP 0 H 0 BB 5 K Ajani Foggie 3-4 HR (13) 2 RBI (35) Hayashi HR (15) 3 RBI (58)
• 8/18: FLA 7 MIL 3 Willoughby W (3-1 4.88) 7 IP 8 K 3 ER Turner SV (8) Saldana 3-4 2 2B (8) HR (23) 3 RBI (58) Brown (2) and Foggie (14) homer
• Dan Harrison 4-4 3B (3) HR (19) 2 R 2 RBI (64):

FLORIDA, CAMP AGREE TO EXTENSION
The Florida Tarpons today announced the signing of 33-year-old SP Jace Camp to a 2 year 1.5 million dollar contract extension. Camp had made anyone within earshot know he liked it in Florida and wanted to come back. In 47 starts with the Tarpons, the lefty is 13-15 4.10 in 276.1 IP with 203 K 98 BB and 266 hits.

GM'S OFFICE
As the staff starts to fill in I still need experienced and talented arms. Jace is a #5 at best on a world series contender. With our pitching depth that's where I would hope he landed if he's still here. The deal was club friendly so he'll fetch value if we do decide to move him.

Back to .500 and the best team in the ABA, this year is on the slate.

• 8/19: ALK 5 FLA 1 Emmanuele Gianini W (13-5 3.47) CG 5 H 7 K 1 ER Chase L (12-8 3.52) 5.1 IP 3 ER
• AA 2B Teagan Beairsto went 5-6 with 2 R 2 RBI in a 14-13 loss and is hitting .279-13-52. David Weller homered again in a 3-6 3 R 4 RBI day to move to .273-33-115
• Kinnon Mendelson threw 6.2 scoreless innings to win 5-3 and stay perfect as a pro. He's 7-0 1.47.

AL POTW - Mike Futrell (DET) 9-18 4 HR 6 RBI (.265-34-82)
NL POTW – Chris Vero (JAX) 9-17 3 HR 10 RBI (.529-3-10)

Clovis IF Harland Bolduc took home POTW honors after going 17-36 2 HR 8 RBI and is hitting .259-16-48

RECORD: 4-2 (63-64)
PLACE: 3rd 10.5 GB
RUNS SCORED:
RUNS GIVEN UP:
DEFENSE:
OWNER MOOD:
POWER RANKINGS:
1) Los Angeles
2) Alaska
3) Ohio
4) Pittsburgh
5) Las Vegas
…..
13) Florida

MINOR LEAGUE UPDATE
With just over a week left in the minor league seasons, I wanted to get an update out.

• AAA Alamogordo is 8 games up in the East Division. They rank 2nd in runs, 1st in OBP and 4th in Batting average. 1st in Runs Against 1st in SP ERA 4th in RP ERA and 2nd in Defensive Eff. Chad Coyle (.285-26-99) Mike Stapp (.307-20-75) and Tomiji Takimoto (.282-15-58 96 games) led the way on offense and Kody Pollock (14-1 3.41) Jon Naclerio (12-8 4.12) Chad Willoughby (9-3 3.23) led the starters and Mike Allen (19 SV 2.09) locked down the bullpen.
  
• AA Clovis had a rough year. 53-69 they had issues as I couldn't really get a starting rotation together for them. Triston Ellison (8-6 5.84) Arturo Mendoza (7-7 4.25) and closer Jaime Pelletier (20 SV 2.72) led the way on the mound while Harland Bolduc (.259-16-48) Nate Bosse (.305-17-63) Harland Daig (.332-20-90) and Dave Weller (.275-33-115) led the offense.
  
• At class A Farmington the Yaks are 64-58 but 26 games behind a 90-32 Chesapeake club. They sit 5 games back in the wild card. Luis Salinas (.310-12-79) Layne Jardin (.275-27-78) and 2007 draftee Juan Castro (.313-7-18 since his promotion) lead the offense.
• On the mound knuckleballer, Robbie Givens is 7-10 5.48 in 166 IP. He's given up 149 hits and struck out 181 while walking 93. It's been insane up and down season for him.
  
• Short Season Hobbs is 35-20 and 2 games up. 19-year-old Juan Guerra has led the way hitting .349-6-28 along with Issui Takata (.319-5-26). Gold glove defender Jamie Okereke has 14 homers and driven in 50. Steve Reynolds is hitting .295/.404/.523 with 11 HR and 26 RBI's
• Hiroya Ono (4-2 2.55) Kinnon Mendelson (7-0 1.47) and Mike Carpenter (6-2 3.99) lead the leagues top ranked staff.
  
• Rookie league Rio Rancho is 36-19 and 2 games up as well. 2007 draftees Kevin Kass (.332-9-65) Eddie Ellerbee (.284/.483/.520 with 8 HR 45 RBI) are two of a large number of youngsters who are having outstanding offensive seasons.
• Steve Pratt (7-1 2.89) leads the hurlers and 1st rounder Brendan Huffine is 4-2 4.31. Phenom Juan Portio has had an up and down 1st full season of games going 4-4 6.16

[gehrig38]

SUBJECT: WEEK 21 NOTES
SCHEDULE:
2 @ Alaska (2)
3 vs Memphis (23)
2 vs Detroit (7)

RESULTS:

• 8/20: FLA 8 ALK 6 Samvdio W (7-8 4.52) 6 IP 8 K 2 ER Grab SV (26) Trumble 3-5 R RBI SB (22) Saldana 2-5 2B 3B 3 RBI
• 8/21: ALK 5 FLA 4 (12) Pollock ND 7 IP 4 ER
• In an 8-1 Farmington win, Luis Salinas went 3-3 2B HR 3 R RBI and stole 4 bases to give him 64 on the year. Jorge Cerritos went 1-3 and stole his 55th base.
• 8/22: FLA 4 MEM 3 (17) Haupt 2-7 2B (24) walk off solo HR (19) in the 17th. Camp 8 IP 8 K 4 H 2 ER Ginn 4 IP 2 H 5 K Galindo W (7-6 1.56) 3 IP 1 H 3 K
• Hobbs won 11-5 and 18-year-old Juan Guerra went 5-6 2 3B HR and 6 RBI
• 40-year-old Masahiro Tanaka (AUS) tossed a 1-hitter in beating Buffalo 6-0
• 8/23: FLA 3 MEM 1 Willoughby W (4-1 4.12) 8 IP 2 K 1 ER Grab SV (27) Saldana HR (25)
• Josh Mutschler CG L (10-13 4.53) 8 IP 4 K 1 ER 5 H
• Buffalo and Austin traded 1-hitters. Today Buffalo starter Dan Carpin tossed a CG 1-hitter punching out 7 in a 3-0 win. He's 12-9 3.91
• 8/24: MEM 6 FLA 0 Chris Kantor 1-hitter 8 K's (7-13 4.27) Chase L (12-9 3.49) 6.1 IP 5 K 2 ER
• 8/25: FLA 5 DET 3 Samvdio W (8-8 4.36) 7 IP 2 H 7 K 1 ER Grab SV (28)
• Jake Grab complained of some soreness after the game so he was sent to get x-rays, no word yet.
• 8/26: DET 11 FLA 5 Pollock L (2-3 4.93) 5 IP 8 H 6 ER Trumble 4-5 3B 2 R 2 RBI (14)
• Ted Barlow W (12-6 3.43) 5 IP 9 H 4 ER Loan Auffret 2-4 2B (22) HR (29) R RBI (78)

AL POTW - Jahiem Kouassi (DEN) 9-19 3 HR 7 RBI (.295-20-61)
NL POTW – Rob Anderson (POR) 13-30 3 HR 4 RBI (.325-34-95)

RECORD: 4-3 (67-67)
PLACE: 3rd 10 GB (5 GB WC)
RUNS SCORED: 581 10th
RUNS GIVEN UP: 605 10th
DEFENSE: .703 7th
OWNER MOOD: Undecided
POWER RANKINGS:
1) Los Angeles
2) Pittsburgh
3) Alaska
4) Ohio
5) Las Vegas
…..
13) Florida