Centurion comes...to OOTP5

[darkcloud4579]

WORLD CHAMPS SAY THEY'RE NO ONE-HIT WONDER
The World Series Champion Colorado Rockies have been an aggresive pursuant of talent this off-season, snapping up some of the most coveted free agents on the market. "We're not satisfied with one title, we want more." said newly hired GM Oscar Minaya, who was wooed from Washington after longtime GM Bob Gebhard retired. "We're going to be aggressive and we're going to come back with a vengence."

The two-time defending National League Champions signed two-time all-star and 18-game winner Josh Beckett to a 4-year deal worth over $69 million. Beckett managed to win 18 games on a New England Whitecaps squad that only won 78 games last year.

Returning after a three-year absence is Larry Walker who still has something left in the tank. He signed a two-year deal worth over $7 million.

"We're ready to defend our title", said Walker, who said he is pleased to be able to finish his Hall of Fame career in Colorado. He says with the absence of the Montreal Expos, he'll be going into the Hall as a Rockie. "I'm delighted to be the first player who can say that he'll be a Rockie in the Hall of Fame, if I get that honor." said Walker.

[darkcloud4579]

Originally posted by Jordan
I have a question, have u ever played Front Office Football? I swear that I remember another Dark Cloud with the same writing vigor as you. He wrote about his 49ers franchise....Is that you by chance?

Yes, I wrote in FOF Central for a while. I never wrote a football dynasty there - at least not one that lasted very long, because I haven't had a computer with the game on it in quite some time (though I'll be fixing that in the fall...) - I used to post a Mogul dynasty there that won me two Golden Scribes (hehe...)

This is the same premise of that dynasty, just a different game - and more interesting - since OOTP5 makes the job of simulating the way I do soooo much easier than it was with Mogul.

Thanks for reading

[darkcloud4579]

BLUE JAYS TRADE FOR BEN HAUSER
TORONTO - In an effort to earn the team its first division title since 1993, the Toronto Blue Jays acquired Ben Hauser from the Philadelphia Phillies for CF Sean Evans. Hauser, 25, is a three-time all-star, who has had three consecutive 100+ RBI seasons.

Evans, 29, is a native Canadian signed by the Blue Jays. In his rookie year, he had 16 homers and hit .265 in 414 at-bats.

"We're delighted to have a player of his caliber on our club." said Blue Jays GM J.P. Riccardi.

FLOYD DEALT IN SIGN AND TRADE
BALTIMORE - The Baltimore sent LF Cliff Floyd to Texas along with a minor league pitcher for RF Jermaine Dye. Floyd hit 15 homers last year in Oregon. Dye had similar numbers, splitting time between Oakland, before being traded to Texas last season.

JIM EDMONDS HEADS TO LOUISVILLE
LOUISVILLE - The Louisville White Sox make their first major deal in their new city. CF Jim Edmonds signed a 4 year deal worth over $32 million to play for the club in its new digs. "I'm happy. This is the best thing that's happened to me since I played in St. Louis. I had great years there, but I have no qualms about finishing my career in a great city like Louisville. Hopefully, we'll win and make it worthwhile," he said about his return to the AL.

WILL IT BE A JACKPOT IN JERSEY?
ATLANTIC CITY - The Cyclones are tired of watching their expansion brethen have all the fun. They signed Casey Fossum to a four year deal worth over $41 million.

If that wasn't enough, they'd already signed Ivan Rodriguez to a 4-year deal worth over $28 million. These salaries helped the Cyclones reach the eighth highest payroll in baseball at $68,707,021. "We're committed to winning, period. We want to challenge the Yankees. We felt this was our chance to go out there and get the type of players to elevate our club to the next level." said GM Jared Pleasant.

[darkcloud4579]

NEW YORK (AP) - For the first team in the modern era, no team was under 2 million in overall attendance this season.

"We're delighted that our fans have shown us they're motivated and excited about our product." said Sandy Alderson, who is stepping down as Chair of the Board of Governors this year. He will be replaced by NBC Sports commentator Bob Costas, a fan favorite, whose ideas are controversial, but who will ultimately be at the will of the Board of Governors, which consists of the 32 player representatives and the 32 league owners. He gets the 65th vote, in the event of a tie.

Alderson attributes the attendance rise to the new division alignment, creating pennant races and giving teams - who normally would be out of the playoff race, an incentive to compete. "We're building a league that allows all to compete."

Despite his positive message at the Board of Governors meeting today, Alderson said he's distressed that the Players Union has rejected the most recent offer of the owners and said that the Board is considering a shutdown until the negotiations are resolved.

"It is my view that the players must come to the bargaining table. There can be no compromise until we talk" said Alderson. Most recently, the league increase the rookie minimum to $400,000, as a concession to players accepting the reduced season (154 games) and expanded players (7-7-9). Players say they want more concessions and expect that ownership will give to them what they've given up. "We've given up our freedom, we've done everything they've asked. Its time for them to give back," said MLBPA Chief Negotiator David Cone, who went to law school after his second comeback with the Mets and was hired after Donald Fehr died in a train wreck.

[darkcloud4579]

OWNERS, PLAYERS COME TO TABLE AND MAKE DEAL
NEW YORK - Just 48 hours before owners were to meet to discuss a possible lockout, the Board of Governors met in an emergency session and agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement that would last 20 years.

"We had been talking behind the scenes for a while, but we wanted to finalize plans before saying anything", said Aaron Brooks, owner of the New Orleans Pelicans, who as an NFL player said he felt weird being on the other side.

The new deal highlights the following:

- Rookie minimum salary increases $25,000 biennally until it reaches $500,000.

- Amateur draft stays frozen at 5 rounds.

- The Designated Hitter will be adopted by the National League starting in 2010.

- Interleague play will not expand to more than 2 games per year.

- Expansion (4 teams total, 2 AL/2 NL) will occur in 2018. (15 years after the last expansion in 2003)

- Team moves cannot occur without the approval of the Board of Governors, who must get one year's notice of a pending team move.

While a salary cap was considered by the Board, it was denied at this time. Team cash will remain at $15 million, with increases of $5 million every year, as revenue sharing is being gradually phased out with the repeal of the anti-trust exemption, which gives teams the ability to seek out other markets.

"Ultimately, this is a good deal for baseball. We take care of our players, the owners have the flexiblity to earn a profit and reinvest in their teams and we'll make the game even stronger than it is now." said Bob Costas.

He said he was encouraged by the increase in attendance and hopes that teams will continue to encourage fans to come to games throughout the year. "We want to see fans enjoy themselves and by giving owners more of the money they make, it ensures that teams will be able to do that." he says.

[darkcloud4579]

Baseball to recieve $11 billion over 7 years
NEW YORK (AP) - Soaring attendance, expanded playoffs and pennant races have turned baseball into the national pastime again. "It's great, we're thrilled that fans are tuning in and coming out to the ballpark", said new Board of Governors chair Bob Costas.

In appreciation for the ratings boost the last two World Series have provided network television and in an effort to raise the prices of advertising time, there was an all-out war to see who would get the rights to broadcast television across the league.

"We wanted to get the best price for our dollar, as we've been trying over the past few years to literally take what we could get. Now we're in a better position", said Raleigh Blue Stripes owner David Glass.

Baseball is desirable again, with pennant races and teams cropping up all over the place. Advertisers paid $750,000 for a 30 second ad during the World Series, considering the Series now spans up to nine games, that provides a great deal of cash for the networks. "This deal will pay for itself, no doubt"

Here's a breakdown of the deal:

AOL/Time Warner will pay a combined $8 billion for the rights to broadcast MLB games. Fox offered more money, but wanted to innovate the game and change schedules. The deal was amazing considering the only people who watch the WB are teenage girls.

The contract provides a high quality internet broadband and wi-fi media component, that will beam baseball games all over the world, adding to the global reach of the game. The deal is for the next seven years.

The cable component of the deal is contracted through a joint agreement with Time Warner Cable and ESPN. The deal will broadcast games weekly, for an additional $3 billion. The playoffs will be played on network television, but any divisonal one-game playoffs will be broadcast on the cable network.

"This historic deal will ensure the viability of all of our clubs for many years to come. We're delighted that corporate America recognizes the immense reach of Major League Baseball," said The Board of Governors in a prepared statement.

The end result is a national television contract that will give each team $49,107,142 per year. "Small market teams will be guaranteed the ability to compete with the big boys, thanks to this national television contract." said Dark Cloud, who is rumored to be working on a regional television network, for his local TV behind this deal.

[darkcloud4579]

MARINERS, EMERALDS, SKY CHIEFS CREATE TV NETWORK
PORTLAND - In an attempt to "level the playing field" between large market and small market teams, three teams have negotiated a deal to create the "Pacific Sports Network" a regional television station that will broadcast sports.

Paul Allen, who recently paid $100 million over 10 years to the Oregon Emeralds to have his name placed on their new stadium that opens this year, is the principal owner of the network, which will broadcast Portland Trailblazers, Seattle Sonics, Seattle Seahawks - whom Mr. Allen owns - as well as Sky Chiefs, Mariners and Emeralds games for the next five years. The station will be broadcast to nearly 30 million homes around the nation, beaming to fans across the nation who otherwise would lack access to the teams.

"We want to appeal to our fans nationwide. Why should Cubs fans or Yankees fans be the only ones to see their teams on television all the time? We want to level the playing field and PSN will do that," said Allen at the press conference.

Each team will earn $35 million per year over the life of the five year deal. The Chicago Cubs make $71 million per year due to their ownership by the Tribune Company. The New York Yankees and New Jersey Cyclones have a television deal that totals over $1 billion over the next ten years, with the Yankees receiving about $90 million and New Jersey in the low $60 million.

[darkcloud4579]

JAPANESE STAR COMES TO OREGON
PORTLAND - The Oregon Emeralds annouced today that they purchased the contract of Japanese Infielder Kazuo Matsui. Matsui, 31, has been a star in Japan who originally spurned offers to come to the US. After becoming a free agent after playing for the Seibu Lions for 12 years, he decided to come to the US.

His close friend Hideki Matsui convinced him to come to the majors and after considering a number of teams including the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants, ultimately joined his friend in Portland with the Oregon Emeralds.

"We're delighted to have a player of Kaz's talent and skill level here with us in Oregon", said Dark Cloud. Matsui is expected to take over the shortstop spot from Jared Fernandes. Fernandes will move to second base.

[darkcloud4579]

APRIL 17, 2007
EMERALDS ACQUIRE HAUSER

TORONTO - The Oregon Emeralds today made a blockbuster deal, sending six players to Toronto for two of the best players in the game today. The Ems acquired 1B Ben Hauser and 3B Albert Pujols from the Blue Jays for an assortment of players including Hideki Matsui, emerging star 3B Brandon Larson and and top rated prospects like Michael Aubrey, closer George Manazares and C Victor Jordan.

The deal enabled Toronto to save on payroll, in which they also shed after sending 1B Dmitri Young to Indiana for prospects. The team is paying Jim Thome nearly $13 million a year and he wasn't starting due to the glutton of first baseman on the club.

"We ware aiming to improve our club and this trade does just that", said Dark Cloud after the trade announcement was made.

[darkcloud4579]

May 1, 2007

HEIR TO THE A-ROD THRONE TRADED
PORTLAND - The Oregon Emeralds continued their free-wheeling ways by sending SS James Fernandes, an emerging talent to Oakland for SS Miguel Tejada.

Fernandes, 23, has been in the majors since he was 19 years old. Many dubbed him the "next A-Rod" because of his slick fielding skills and talent at the plate. Fernandes won the AL batting title in his rookie season and had a 22-gm hit streak last year. The two-time all-star will be in Oakland for a while, unless he's dealt again, as Oregon signed him to a 5 yr/$75 million deal that begins in 2010 after his present contract ends. The plan was to keep him as the cornerstone on the field for many years, but Oregon officials said this chance was too good to pass up.

"We know James is going to make us pay for this trade someday." said Dark Cloud, "But ultimately, we wanted to win and we felt that Miguel Tejada could help us do that now and in the future for sure."

Tejada, 30 has had 100+ RBI season seven out of the last eight years. He's had eight straight seasons of 25+ homers and looks to be a potent addition to an already brutal Emeralds lineup.

"We're looking for this to be another key to our puzzle" said Dark Cloud, so said newly acquired Kaz Matsui would move to second base to accomodate Tejada at shortstop.

[darkcloud4579]

EMERALDS GIVE GUERRERO AN RECORD EXTENSION
PORTLAND - The Oregon Emeralds signed Vlad Guerrero to a 5 year contract extension worth $132.5 million. The four-time defending MVP (3 AL, 1 NL) has changed the face of the game with his swagger, talent at the plate and this signing ensures Emeralds fans will be able to enjoy his talent for many years to come.

"We're delighted that Vlad has come to an agreement to stay here with us. The fans appreciate him too," said Assistant GM Mark O'Hara.

DEAL WITH THE DEVILS...
EMS MAKE TRADE WITH THE YANKEES
NEW YORK - Its not everyday that you trade with the team most consider to be your arch rival. But, when the trade can help both teams, you suck up your pride and hope for the best. That happened on June 1st, when the Emeralds sent Albert Pujols and RF Jason Lane to New York for 3B Will Hetfield and SP Brandon Claussen.

Hetfield, 23, is a star player emerging. The three-time All-star hit 24 homers last year with 128 RBI, his third season in the majors and this season is hitting .328 with 13 homers and 64 RBI so far.

Claussen, 28, has made two consecutive all-star games and won 17 games last season. He's currently 10-5 with a 3.53 ERA.

[darkcloud4579]

GRIFFEY RETURNS TO OREGON, AS EMS DEFEAT GIANTS 10-6
PORTLAND - Ken Griffey, Jr., who says he credits his time in Oregon to giving his career the boost it needed, recieved a warm welcome from fans at Paul Allen Stadium in Portland today, as the Emeralds played host to the San Francisco Giants, in this inter-league matchup, the final interleague date of the year.

In the game, Griffey was 1 for 3. He's hitting .314 with 13 homers and 55 RBI so far this season, a far cry from when he played in Cincinnati. "Even though I didn't settle in well here, I believe that if I'd played here, it would've worked out. But I understand this game is a business and the Emeralds were doing what they had to. But I appreciate the opportunity to get a fresh start", said Griffey who is playing out a restructured contract with the Giants that pays him $5 million annually.

The Emeralds won the game though 10-6, with Eric Gagne picking up the win in relief and Arthur Rhodes earned the save.

[darkcloud4579]

PENNANT RACES? WHAT PENNANT RACES?

August 23, 2007
As the season winds down, teams are simply not being competitive in a number of divisions. While overall, most teams are having solid seasons, the lack of pennant races concerns some in Major League offices. Despite this, none would comment about the lack of pennant races in year 2 of the new alignment.

In the American League, the New York Yankees are 9 games ahead of New Jersey and seem to be en route to their fourth straight AL East title.

In the AL South, Texas is distancing itself and looks to want to ensure there is no playoff this year. The team is 10 games ahead of Raleigh and looks to be cruising to its second straight division title.

In the AL Pacific, Oregon holds a 14 game advantage on Anchorage and should wrap up its fourth straight division title. The question of course, is can they get past the first round this year?

In the AL North, the Boston Red Sox look to win their first division title since 2003 (AL East), as they lead Minnesota, the defending division champ, by seven games.

In the senior circuit, the Philadelphia Phillies lead the NY Mets by 14 games. In the Central, the Chicago Cubs hold the Pittsburgh Pirates up by 6 games. In the West, Colorado is poised to defend its World Series title, as the Rockies lead San Diego by 16 games.

In the South, Atlanta leads Arizona by 16 games and there is little doubt they will wrap up another division title for their stadium. Will it translate into their second title in four years?

Only time will tell....

[darkcloud4579]

NEW JERSEY'S SCOUTING DEPARTMENT FINDS DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH
ATLANTIC CITY - The New Jersey Cyclones are maligned by their peers incesscently. Why, they ask, have the Oregon Emeralds been able to rattle off what seems like almost four straight division titles and establish themselves as contenders, while the Cyclones are known as the "roller coaster ride from hell" outside of the Big Apple?

"We had some rough times here, but we're finally getting it together," said Rick Cerone, general managing partner of the club. He said, they suffered from a "lack of focus" when the club was founded. And despite protests of many, he says "we noticed what was going on in Oregon. We just didn't know how to replicate what they were doing, because it was really unorthodox. It has yet to pay off for them in a title, but they're doing well and spending lots of money in the process. We want to do it differently", he added.

Different they have been. Outside the stadium in Atlantic City is a virtual United Nations of flags. Catcher Uri Petrov came from the Baseball Academy in Russia, 2B Naing Zaw moved to California when he was 12 from Myanmar (Burma) and learned the game of baseball, but was unscouted by most clubs. Add to him Claudio Pausini from Italy, Ajani Russell, who was born in Nigeria before coming to the US when he was 3 and you see that this club is not your ordinary ballclub.

"We pride ourselves in scouring the globe for talent. And we're not close to being done", said Boris Jackson, director of scouting for the Cyclones. With new money infused into the club, the team has done even more to ensure its players around the globe are able to get the equipment they need.

So don't be surprised if you hear of the next great player from...that baseball mecca of Kuwait?

[darkcloud4579]

BY-PASS RULE TO ENSURE TOP TEAMS MAKE PLAYOFFS
NEW YORK - In a stunning move, the Board of Governors passed a rule change that might confuse some teams, but give others the benefit of remembering the Wild Card days.

The players on the BofG argued that teams with better records should not be kept out of the playoffs, if an inferior team in their league wins a weaker division. Owners, obviously wanting money, argued that division integrity was about just that, division integrity.

"We want to ensure fairness, not just giving playoff spots away. We're not basketball, we want our playoffs to mean something," said Mike Liberthal of the Philadelphia Phillies.

So in a 48-16 vote, the Board of Governors approved a move today that created what will be known as the "by-pass" rule. Essentially, it means the top 4 teams in each league, will qualify for the playoffs annually.

"So you could plausibly have a team from the East win the Southern Division title. It's a weird concept, yes, but at the end of the day, the most important thing is rewarding the best teams, not just giving away playoff spots," said Board of Governors Chair Bob Costas, who is a non-voting member, but supported the measure.

"This move is unpredecented, but will ease critics of division play, by rewarding the best teams, over simply division winners or those who benefits from inferior competition," Costas added.

This move is important because in 2007, the New Jersey Cyclones would bypass the Boston Red Sox, to become Northern Division Champions, by nature of having a better record than the Sox.

"We're furious. What the hell is the point of a regular season if you can get BYPASSED?" said Sox manager Grady Little. His players are also frustrated with player support for the measure, but some understood the sentiment.

"I guess if we are the best team next year, but get left out of playoffs, we will feel the pain. So this rule is good." said Manny Ramirez.

So the playoff alignment for 2007 is as follows:

ALDS
Texas v. New York
New Jersey* v. Oregon

NLDS
Chicago v. Philadelphia
Colorado v. Atlanta

[darkcloud4579]

CYCLONES WHIRL TO THE TITLE
ATLANTIC CITY - It's a scenario out of a movie. Rules get changed at the last minute, team benefits, takes advantage and wins it all.

That's the story for this year's Cinderella, the New Jersey Cyclones. Oft maligned, this franchise had the priviliged of playing its expansion cohort, the Oregon Emeralds in the Division Series. Not only does Oregon have the highest payroll in baseball, they've spent four of their five years in the league as division champions. So, this should be a piece of cake, right?

Yup. The Cyclones knock off their very expensive counterparts and then head off to the battle that many thought laughable, the New York Yankees, two years removed from a World Series, dominators of the AL East, against the team that everyone said should've been at home. After all, they had to get the rules changed to win their division title. Short work? Yup.

The New Jersey Cyclones had one more team between them and destiny, the Atlanta Braves. Like the Yankees, the Braves are not only a juggernaut, but have a World Series to their credit in the modern era (2004). The Cyclones, with their assortment of rookies, foreigners and high priced talent did what they decided they needed to do all year.

Win. Cyclones win the World Series. And this time, the celebration was anywhere but in a parking lot.

[darkcloud4579]

NEW YORK - After the World Series win of the New Jersey Cyclones, an emergency session of the Board of Governors met the following Monday. The discussion consisted of myraid questions. "What happens if eight teams are within a game of each other?" "What happens if teams are tied, how do you determine who gets in"

The questions were plentiful, but at the end of the day, the league decided to malign the bypass division champion with the same asterik that World Series Champions from a bygone era like the Florida Marlins and Anaheim Angels, both teams having been moved, who won World Series titles via the Wild Card.

Will the Cyclones be one hit wonders? "Hey, we won a division title. We're not like those Wild Card teams. Sure, they changed the alignment to make it work. But, we still have a banner out there that says "2007 Northern Division Champions", its not like Boston won and got denied. Rules change, that's the game", said Cyclones manager Cito Gaston, who has now won 3 World Series titles (2 with Toronto in 1992,1993) and with two different clubs. Can he become the first manager to repeat with two different clubs?

"I'm not thinking about that right now. I just want my guys to play hard and win our division, now that they've changed the rules. We anticipated this would happen and that's how they got motivated. It was their chance. Life is all about chances and if you don't take the ones you get, you might not get another one. We took our chance and we got rewarded," Gaston said as he looked down at his championship ring.

[elmwood44]

Great, Great stuff DC!!!!

Can't wait for your next post!!!!

[darkcloud4579]

RAINY DAYS IN OREGON...
PORTLAND - What happens when a club has the best record in baseball for three out of four years, wins four straight division titles, but can't win the big one or even GET to PLAY for the big one? What happens when that team has the largest payroll in baseball?

You spend more and hope it works. That's precisely the deal in Oregon, though the Emeralds already had most of the club signed to long-term deals, there wasn't much to spend. "We just want to get a player or two, to round out the club" said Dark Cloud who said despite the loss to the New Jersey Cyclones, he still feels like his club has come a long way.

"Look at us. We're in our fifth year. We've got a whole wall out there with Championship banners. We've got the best minor league system in baseball, bar none and my roster is the youngest in baseball, easily. Now you tell me that we're hurting and I'll laugh you out of my office." said DC.

[darkcloud4579]

PRIOR COMES TO OREGON
PORTLAND - Aiming to bolster the pitching staff with established veterans, the Oregon Emeralds signed Mark Prior to an 8 year deal worth $132.8 million.

"We're delighted that Mark decided to join the Emeralds in our pursuit of a World Series title", said Dark Cloud at the press conference.

"I couldn't be happier," said Prior. "I've watched this team from afar and I'm more impressed everyday by how this organization takes care of its players. It's going to be a fun ride and I'm hoping that I can be the missing piece of the puzzle that was filled today," he added.

In addition, the Ems signed LF Kevin Millar to a deal and reliever Justin Kaye to a four year deal worth over $24 milion.

This puts the Emeralds atop the leaderboard for the highest payroll club in baseball again. "We recognize that spending over $100 million and getting no results is a difficult pill to swallow. But as long as its my money, why the hell do you care?" said Dark Cloud, at a press conference, when a reporter asked him why he didn't implode the team and start over.

"We're going to continue to be contenders. Few teams, let along expansion teams, EXPECT to contend annually. We're doing things our way. With our prospects and talent, this club will win for many years to come," he added.


OTHER NOTABLE SIGNINGS
OF Austin Kearns - Oakland - 4 years/$30 million
3B Alan Hainkel - Texas - 5 years/$34 million
1B Brad Hawpe - Cleveland - 5 years/$22 million
RP Octavio Dotel - Philadelphia - 4 years/$18 million
OF Ichiro Suzuki - Seattle - 3 years/$2 million
SP Matt Clement - New England - 4 years/$37 million
C J.D. Closser - Louisville - 5 years/$62 million
SS Derek Jeter - Atlanta - 2 years/$1.3 million
RF Josh Hamilton - Los Angeles - 3 years/$6.5 million

NOTABLE OFF-SEASON TRADES
Houston gets :
CF Colin Curtis
P Saul Fernandez
C David Phillips
Raleigh gets :
3B Scott Daniel

Trade between Colorado and Atlanta :
Atlanta gets :
CF Abel Olivares
Colorado gets :
3B Nick Higbee