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Old 04-15-2018, 10:06 PM   #121
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September 10-12 @ MILWAUKEE
This series and our next (with Texas) make our last road trip, as we're home for two weeks to close out the season. The Brewers are 8 behind Detroit, and probably not catching them, and are also a game-and-a-half behind the A's in the wildcard race. They're 4.5 up on the Red Sox and 7.5 on the Twins, so right now the playoffs look obtainable. (They last went in 2039, after winning the division, but before that it was 2025.) Solid pitching and defense and a good-enough offense make the competitive, and they're hanging in there despite having three regulars on the DL. Closer Bill Brunson (40 saves, 2.23 ERA) might be their MVP.

HAW pitchers: Mike Messinger (17-4, 2.64) / Bobby Piccirillo (3-2, 4.47) / Frank Soto (1-0, 2.36)
MIL pitchers: Brandon Jamon (11-9, 4.30) / Pete Burke (7-4, 3.81) / Tim Pinksen (4-3, 3.77)

#144: LOSS 5-6 ... Mercedes knocks one in in the top of the 13th, but Tanner fades and yields 2 in the bottom half...sadly, we injure two of their guys
#145: LOSS 0-3 ... we outhit them and can't push any runs home...we're really struggling against quality teams right now...Piccs, at least, looks pretty good this time, throwing 7 quality innings
#146: WIN 10-3 ... Soto time! That, and Mercedes hitting his 45th and 2 more from Henkel (33, 34), proves to be enough...one more Brewer injured, sorry guys

At least we weren't swept, and made it through the series without more injuries.... Soto has another good outing, and Piccirillo looked good despite taking the loss. There's a chance I may roll the dice on one of them and move Hart to the pen for the playoffs, depending on what I see these next two weeks.... Our magic number is down to 3.... Both KC (AAA) and Lewiston (AA) are making the playoffs as well, with Lewiston winning their division.... ELSEWHERE: Miami is still holding to a good (5.5 games) lead over Boston, and Detroit is looking solid (8.5 over Milwaukee) in the Central. In the NL, it's all tightening. Brooklyn has closed to just 3.5 behind the Mets, while the Cubs have won 7 straight to pass the Pirates and close to 6.5 behind the Cards. Meanwhile, the Dodgers continue to lose--eight straight now--and are only two up on the Padres. Even Austin is within hailing distance, at 6 games back. Brooklyn and Richmond are NL front runners for the wildcards.... In hitting news, Ty Cobb continues to leads Tony Solar (.350 to .347) for the NL batting crown, while Yankees slugger Tony Flores is still stuck on 60 home runs.


September 13-15 @ TEXAS
Owners of a 68-78 record, which is still three games more than MLB thought they'd get all season. Aussie OF Callum Hewitt struggles to make contact (.220), but has pounded out 33 HR with 102 RBI. Somehow they keep trotting out Joe Gordon out as the closer despite a 7.99 ERA and 1.86 WHIP. Catcher and team captain Dave Larrea is the unsung hero, batting .321 and providing some of the best defensive catching in the game.

HAW pitchers: Eric Jones (17-5 3.48) / Rob Hart (13-10, 5.34) / Mike Messinger (17-4, 2.73)
TEX pitchers: Jeff Sullivan (2-14, 6.36) / John Fox (12-9, 4.39) / Julio Roca (6-14, 4.86)

#147: WIN 8-4 ... two HR for McArthur, giving him 21 on the year...Jones still has a shot at 20 wins, notching his 18th despite a less-than-stellar day: 5 IP, 7 H, 4 R
#148: WIN 6-4 ... the RBI race is a three-way runaway: Mercedes (123), Henkel (122), Dunklee (120)...two each for Henks and Dunks today...first of a double header thanks to a rainout
#149: WIN 7-2 ... Texas starter Roca plunks Dunklee after giving up a 2-run HR to Henkel, so they fight and earn 5-game suspensions...Henkel now leads with 124 RBI

Another sweep over another bad team. At least we can still do this right.... Fun race for the RBI title there, although Dunklee probably took himself out of the running with that suspension.... Messinger wins his 18th, and like Jones still has a shot at 20 wins.... Oh, and we CLINCH THE DIVISION! Finally!!!.... ELSEWHERE: Detroit becomes the second club to clinch the post-season, and their magic # for the division is now 6.... No changes for division leads anywhere, but the Cubs are now 5.5 behind the Cards, and Boston is 4.5 behind the Marlins.... Ty Cobb is ten points up on Tony Solar for the NL batting crown, while Adam Groff's injury keeps him at .345, twelve points up on teammate Josh Robertson.... Cleveland fired GM Marcos Angel and replaced him with former minor league pitcher Geison Aguasviva, who has no appreciable baseball record since leaving the game in 2013. But hey, he's 4-2 so far as GM, so maybe they're on to something....


September 16-18 vs HOUSTON
It's the start of our two-week, thirteen-game season ending homestand. Didn't we just play these guys two weeks ago? What else do you want me to say about them? I like Jay Russo, he always (last series excepted) pitches well against us, and I'd try stealing him away if he wasn't a head case. Their bullpen is pretty good, and fairly young, so...something to build around, maybe? Did I say that before? They have guys named Calhoun and Calhoon in the lineup. We have a Calhoun in AA, so there. All last names, of course.

HAW pitchers: Bobby Piccirillo (3-3, 4.03) / Frank Soto (2-0, 2.76) / Eric Jones (18-5, 3.59)
HOU pitchers: Jay Russo (14-3, 2.83) / Travis Calhoun (2-8, 4.13) / Nelson Gonzalez (5-16, 5.80)

#150: WIN 4-2 ... Piccs making a case for the playoff pitching rotation, giving up 3 hits through 8 IP...Henkel with another HR and two more RBI, now three up on Mercedes
#151: WIN 6-2 ... more fisticuffs as Soto conks Calhoon and sparks a donnybrook; Calhoon gets suspended for 3, Soto for 6. Unfair!...Calhoun is the losing pitcher
#152: LOSS 2-4 ... just four hits, although Jones is better than he's been lately...nothing else to see here, move along

Soto's suspension will require another substitute in the rotation, but I have no idea yet who it'll be.... Gooding suffers another dtd injury, so will be hobbling into the playoffs.... ELSEWHERE: No significant changes in any division races, and Brooklyn and Richmond are in the lead for the NL wildcard slots. San Diego close as well.... Richmond's Rafael Maldonado is still in line for a pitching triple crown (2.15 ERA, 19 wins, 272 K).... Miami's Jason Molnar has crept into the RBI hunt, now has 122 and in third place.... Ty Cobb's hot hitting has moved him into 8th place in career hits, with 3415. He's just four hits behind Carl Yastrzemski.
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Old 04-16-2018, 07:19 PM   #122
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September 20-22 vs OAKLAND
Another tester series. The A's are all but guaranteed a wildcard (3 up on the Brewers), so we could see them again very soon, and with much more at stake. Everybody's hurt: they've got 8 guys on the DL or with dtd injuries, we've got 6. This is their 9th consecutive winning season (w/ 7 playoff appearances, including this year), and sixth straight 2nd place divisional finish.

HAW pitchers: Rob Hart (14-10, 5.25) / Mike Messinger (18-4, 2.74) / Bobby Piccirillo (4-3, 3.79)
OAK pitchers: Mike Wiater (11-8, 5.01) / Ricky Hose (17-7, 4.47) / Jaden Graham (13-4, 2.69)

#153: WIN 6-2 ... nine runners reach, six of them score; I like that percentage...3-run HR for Henkel, his 38th...Hart Ks 12 in his 6 innings, and kayos Vinny Vargas (see below)
#154: WIN 4-1 ... Messinger outduels Hose, winning his 19th...Kieffer suddenly pitching much better in a setup role
#155: WIN 5-4 ... Sanchez has the key hit, a 3-run homer in the 5th, just his 4th dinger...Piccs gets the win but isn't terribly impressive

So we may have done ourselves a favor when Rob Hart bounces a pitch off all-everything-Athletic Vinny Vargas' right foot, breaking it and sending him to the DL for three weeks.... Both KC and Lewiston were swept out of the minor league playoffs in their respective first rounds.... ELSEWHERE: Montreal fires GM Jonathan Kenyon, late in his 14th season with the club. They also let go manager Michael Ryan, in his ninth year. The Expos are 63-89, their worst season since going 65-97 in 2025, their third season in the league. Kenyon is replaced by Tetsuya Sakaguchi, in his first big league job, and Matt Iannazzo is the new manager, fresh off getting fired after an 11-year stint with the Mesa Cubs.... A rash of playoff spots were decided just now: Detroit and St Louis clinched their divisions, Oakland backed into a wildcard spot, and the Mets and Brooklyn clinched playoff spots (but the division is still up for grabs, with just 3 games separating them). Miami leads the Red Sox by 7, and their magic number is one, while the Dodgers lead the Padres by 5.... Yankees bomber Tony Flores now has 62 home runs, and just seven games left to hit 2 and set a new dynasty record.


September 23-26 vs SEATTLE
Four games clear of Cleveland in the race for the #1 overall pick next June. Congrats, Mariners fans. Mike Wapner, last year's shock MVP winner, just claimed a player of the week nod. He's hit .293 and popped 30 HR for this scrubby franchise, which looks like it will suck him dry of the best years of his career. Manager Jose Jimenez, on the job for just over two weeks (and sporting a nifty 8-7 record, so props to him), already has thirteen players who don't like him. Ten guys do however, so it's no surprise this clubhouse is openly seething with hate and bile. They're the West Coast Red Sox.

HAW pitchers: Eric Jones (18-6, 3.62) / TBA / Frank Soto (2-0, 3.06) / Rob Hart (15-10, 5.18) / Mike Messinger (19-4, 2.69)
SEA pitchers: Sean Easter (10-17, 5.75) / Aaron Burton (4-11, 5.31) / Ruben Alvarado (6-10, 4.11) / Amir Farland (6-13, 5.63)

#156: WIN 9-8 ... Henkel is on fire, hitting his 39th in the 8th to tie the game, and Mercedes wins it with a single in the 10th...we pile up 16 hits and add 5 walks
#157: LOSS 5-6 ... Soto is still suspended, so Cortez goes in his place, and it's not pretty: 12 H, 6 R, 5.1 IP...we do grind out 16 more hits
#158: WIN 6-5 ... six runs on seven hits, and Soto goes to 3-0 despite a so-so performance...Henkel with 2 more RBI, now up to 133
#159: WIN 5-2 ... complete game 6-hitter (w/ 12 K) for Hart...Courtney gets a dtd injury, Gooding separates his shoulder

Just when I thought it was safe, Gooding goes on the DL with shoulder injury, and Courtney--only now completely recovered from his multiple dtd injuries--gets hurt again and will enter the playoffs dinged up. But Groff will be back shortly, and McGowan (concussion) should be 100% in a couple of days.... Still not sure who my third starter will be, afer Messinger and Jones, but Hart is looking more likely of late.... ELSEWHERE: Boston is eliminated on the first game of their series, sending Miami to their first ever post-season (they reformed in 2016). The Sox loss also clinches Milwaukee's spot, and the AL playoff picture is complete. A few days later, and the NL is set, as the Mets and Dodgers clinch their divisions, and Richmond eliminates the Padres for the second wildcard spot.... Tony Flores finally belts his 63rd, now has one series left to put one more into the seats and claim a "record" for himself.... Richmond's Rafael Maldonado clinched a pitching triple crown (2.28, 20-8, 296 K).


September 27-29 vs LA ANGELS
Just playing out the string here, hoping no one else gets hurt. Nobody for LA is playing for anything, stats-wise, so no beanballs or backyard brawls, please.

HAW pitchers: Mike Messinger (19-4, 2.69) / Bobby Piccirillo (5-3, 3.99) / Eric Jones (18-6, 3.66)
LAA pitchers: Jeff Caraway (10-13, 3.54) / Josh Singleton (11-12, 5.03) / Greg Langworthy (11-9, 3.95)

#160: LOSS 0-6 ... just four dinky hits, and Messinger misses out on 20 wins, but does hold on to the ERA and wins "titles"
#161: LOSS 4-5 ... we pile up 15 hits, but it's a 17-inning game, so that looks less impressive once you know that...Tanner blows things in the 9th
#162: LOSS 3-10 ... well that's just ugly, especially giving up seven runs over the final two innings...nice omen for the playoffs

Hmm. We crapped the bed seriously in this series. Sure, they didn't mean anything in the standings, but it leaves a bad taste.... Joel Courtney manages to suffer two dtd injuries that will likely have a major impact on my post-season outfield: Gooding is out, McGowan now has an "unknown" return date (but he's not on the DL, so fingers crossed), and now Courtney can barely throw the damn ball.... Ok, let's rest up for a few days and get our act together, and come out on fire in the first round..... ELSEWHERE: With the playoff races decided, we're left with stats-watching to keep us entertained. Yank Tony Flores manages to jack one against the Marlins, giving him 64 home runs and a new "dynasty" record, for what that's worth; Mike Messinger misses out on 20 wins, but does take the top spots in AL wins and ERA; Jesse Henkel wins the RBI crown with 134; sadly (lol) Ernesto Plancarte (BOS) ends up with 39 steals, so still no one to finish with 40 steals in over a decade; and KC's Cody Kruer finishes with 19 triples, which is nice but is not 20, which is obviously infinitely better. And in an interesting development, Portland's closer Ryan Key (an Original Islander(TM)) earns NL pitcher of the month nods for August and September. He finished with 15 wins and 33 saves, and gave up just 4 runs over those last two months.

......

PLAYOFFS!

AL Wildcard Game -- Oakland 6, Milwaukee 4
NL Wildcard Game -- Brooklyn 5, Richmond 2

Oakland moves on to play...Hawaii! I knew we'd see these guys again. Miami-Detroit is the other AL series. In the NL, Brooklyn will take on the Mets, while LA faces St. Louis.

We took the regular season series 9-5 over the A's, but it's a new ballgame now. Both teams have some injuries: we've lost pitchers Casillas and Heine, and OF/IF Gooding, while outfielders Courtney and McGowan are gimpy but will play if needed. Oakland is missing superstar C Vinny Vargas, CF Bobby Trujillo, SS Nate Hannig, and RP Chad Celli. There's still lots of firepower in the lineup, however, and they also get pitcher Tom DiFranco back. He hasn't pitched since April, however, so we'll see what he's got in game #2. Can't wait.

Next: THE REAL PLAYOFFS!
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Old 04-17-2018, 12:23 PM   #123
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AL Divisional Round, 2041
Hawaii Islanders (108-54) vs Oakland A's (91-71)

Game One, 10/4 -- Oakland @ Hawaii
Down 4-1 in the sixth, Alexis Mercedes blasts a two-run shot off reliever Fernando Pena. One inning later, with two runners on, Mercedes doubles them both home, giving us a lead we don't relinquish. Messinger sets a playoff team record with 12 K in his 6 innings, and Yee and Tanner shut the A's down over the last three innings. Hawaii 5, Oakland 4. Hawaii leads series 1-0

Game Two, 10/5 -- Oakland @ Hawaii
Two runs in the first, another in the second, and then a quick three more in the third, and we chase A's starter (and former Isle) Tom DiFranco, having built a 6-1 lead. We trade runs late, but Tanner again shuts the door with 4 K in the last 2 innings. Fifteen hits and five doubles, including three hits apiece for Robertson and Sanchez. Hawaii 8, Oakland 4. Hawaii leads series 2-0

Game Three, 10/7 -- Hawaii @ Oakland
Sweep! Groff smacks a 3-run home run in the third, putting us up 4-1 and we coast home from there. Mercedes adds his second homer of the series, and Hart goes the distance, scattering seven hits and striking out 10. Groff tho...gets a pending injury diagnosis, and we're on pins and needles. Hawaii 6, Oakland 1. Hawaii WINS series 3-0

In the other series, Detroit sweeps the Marlins in three, setting up a rematch of last season's AL championship series. Brooklyn body slams the Mets in three to sweep into the NL championships, and the Dodgers come back from a 2-0 series deficit to beat the Cardinals in 5. It's Brooklyn vs LA for the NL pennant, a series that's been nearly 90 years in the making!

......

AL Championship Series, 2041
Hawaii Islanders (108-54) vs Detroit Tigers (100-62)

Here it is, the rematch of last year's AL Championship, one I've been expecting since mid-summer. The Tigers, you may remember, not only took us out in five, but destroyed our bullpen in that last game to the tune of, oh, a score or so of runs in the final inning. In our home park. That event was the piling on of a truckload of straws onto the charred remains of our bullpen that spurred on my winter spending spree for all relievers, everywhere. So far, it's paid off. So far...

In the Tigers we'll face a 21st century Murderer's Row on offense, a team that finished 2nd or 3rd in all the major offensive categories, save one: they led the league with 246 home runs, and every starter in their lineup hit for double figures. In fact, only two players, 2B Cory Hopkins (17) and DH Roberto Rivera (13) hit fewer than 20, and Hopkins at least missed 30 games. Rookie (and probably ROY) John Sheets is their new offensive king, with a .300/39/130 season, and while 1B CJ Lee hit 50 points below his career average (.225), he still popped 32 home runs. Hell, eighth place hitter Chris Leonard hit 27.

Their pitching was also pretty good, ranking 4th overall in runs against. The rotation was middle of the pack, but ace Raul Bravo struck out 289 in 222 innings, and free agent signing Jose Escobar came over from the Dodgers and had his usual solid year, with a 3.63 ERA with 187 K. The bullpen was the cream of the AL, with closer Alex Castaneda--another new guy from free agency--turning in an award-worthy season: 1.26 ERA, 40 saves, 0.91 WHIP, 86 K in 71 IP. Setup man Tim Friddle, a former closer himself, was nearly as good, with a 2.31 ERA.

Their run differential was +172 (877 for, 705 against), and they won their second consecutive Central Division title. Probably the only thing they don't do well is play defense, next to last in the league, although no one player stands out as truly terrible. They took the regular season series from us 4-2. Time to turn the table, obviously.

Oh, and Groff had just a minor dtd injury, and will be 100% for the start of the series.

Game One, 10/12 -- Detroit @ Hawaii: Mike Messinger (19-5, 2.85) vs Raul Bravo (17-6, 3.76)
Down already 4-1 in the third, Groff triples and a Mercedes double brings him home. Steve Hopkins doubles and scores in the 4th, and we're down by just a run. In the fifth, a Groff solo shot and a three-run blast from McArthur give us a 6-4 lead, which we add one to in the 7th. The ninth comes around, and closer Jeff Tanner stands in...and walks CJ Lee on a full count. Then repeats the business with John Lessman. Roberto Rivera promptly doubles home Lee. After striking out Alex Naranjo, Tanner then gives up a three-run gopher ball to Chris Leonard, and gets pulled. We can't muster anything in our half, and the bullpen costs us a crucial game one loss. Detroit 8, Hawaii 7. Detroit leads series 1-0

Game Two, 10/13 -- Detroit @ Hawaii: Eric Jones (18-7, 3.69) vs Jose Escobar (11-10, 3.63)
Jones is absolute GOLD in this one, giving up just three hits (four walks also) over eight innings, and our offense strikes for 9 runs, all in the first five innings. Sanchez and Mercedes homer, although there is bad news in that LF Steve Hopkins suffers an oblique strain and is out for two weeks. Joel Courtney will come in vs righties, and Ian McGowan against lefties for the rest of the series. Also, three Tigers: CJ Lee, Cory Hopkins, and CF Luis Acevedo have new dtd injuries that might hobble them some the next few games. Hawaii 9, Detroit 0. Series tied 1-1

Game Three, 10/15 -- Hawaii @ Detroit: Rob Hart (16-10, 5.05) vs Sean MacPherson (11-11, 4.66)
Pitching today was...not stellar, to say the least, for either team. We get out of the gate early, with back-to-back doubles in the first from Robertson and Sanchez scoring the former, and the latter coming home later on a single by Mercedes. We add another in the second, although Detroit matches us in the bottom half. Everyone gets hits, but no runs, until the 4th, when with the bases loaded, a Groff single scores two, and a Dunklee single plates another one, for a 6-1 lead. Leonard (DET) and Courtney (us) trade solo homers, and then the Tigers make it a ballgame with three runs in a sloppy inning: 1 hit, 2 HBP, 1 walk, and a wild pitch. Ugly, and now a 7-5 game. Nobody scores in the sixth, and in the seventh McArthur knocks a two-run HR that extends the lead to 9-5, before Detroit matches that effort in the bottom of the inning. A Robertson HR (his 5th hit of the game) gives us a 10-7 lead after eight, and we add another run in the ninth. Things get tight in the bottom half, as a walk, a double, and then two groundouts score two runs, but after that Tanner finally settles down and strikes out Naranjo to end the threat, and the game. Bad news brewing, tho: Groff is pulled in the ninth on one of those throws, and has a pending injury diagnosis. NONONONONO. Hawaii 11, Detroit 9. Hawaii leads series 2-1

Game Four, 10/16 -- Hawaii @ Detroit: Bobby Piccirillo (5-3, 3.86) vs Alex Gomez (14-9, 5.21)
Before the game, it's clear that we'll have to bring in a fourth starter. Man up, Piccs, you get a chance to be the hero today. However, in no good, horrible, terrible news, Groff is diagnosed with elbow tendinitis, and is likely done for the post-season, even if we get to the Series. Crushing. John Canning (.245, 0 HR in 163 AB) is his replacement.

We're pretty dispirited by the Groff news, and it shows on the field. Piccirillo is not up to the job today, getting shelled early and often. He's pulled in the 5th, already down 5-1. We can't mount anything after that, and go on to lose a 7-2 blowout. At least no one else gets hurt. Detroit 7, Hawaii 2. Series tied, 2-2

Game Five, 10/17 -- Hawaii @ Detroit: Mike Messinger (0-0, 5.56 in playoffs) vs Raul Bravo (1-0, 7.15)
Messinger is big today, even though he tires early and leaves after just five. He gave up four hits and zero runs, and even a leaky bullpen late can't dampen our spirits as we leave Detroit up in the series and oh, so close to some revenge. Henkel finally wakes up in the post-season with a solo shot in the first. We build on that with two in the sixth (another Robertson RBI hit), and three more in the seventh (thanks largely to a 2-run double by Canning). Up 6-0, things get a little hairy in the 9th, as the Tigers are able to plate three runs and leave a couple more stranded, but Tanner comes in with noboby out and does his job, killing the rally and leaving us a game away from a series win. Hawaii 6, Detroit 3. Hawaii leads series 3-2

Game Six, 10/19 -- Detroit @ Hawaii: Eric Jones (2-0, 2.51) vs Jose Escobar (0-1, 7.71)
A trio of singles in the third put us up for an early lead, 2-0. That vanishes in the fifth when Jones gives up a 3-run blast from the hated CJ Lee, and a single brings home another, and just like that we're behind by 2. We get one back in our half, with three more singles scratching home a run, although usual power monster Jeremy Dunklee kills his second rally of the game with his second strikeout. With one out and the bases loaded in the sixth, two meek popouts kill another of our rallies. Two innings later, those missed opportunities finally kill us: a Naranjo 2-run HR, and a single-walk-single combo bring home another, and it's a 7-3 Detroit lead. We eke out another one in the bottom half, but a Sheets solo HR in the 9th erases that, and it's game seven time. We're really missing Groff now: getting people on, but not bringing them home. Detroit 8, Hawaii 4. Series tied 3-3

Game Seven, 10/20 -- Detroit @ Hawaii: Rob Hart (2-0, 4.11) vs Sean MacPherson (1-1, 8.38)
Down to one do-or-die game, and it's up to Rob Hart, my one-time ace of the future, who has become a big-stuff/small-brain guy with difficulty stringing wins together. Which Hart will we get today? The guy with the ERA near 6 who we had through August? Or the guy with 11 K/9 and four wins in September? Let's find out...

Cory Hopkins leads off the third with a solo shot, and a fourth inning combo of single-walk-walk-WP-sac fly has us down 3-0. Four innings in we've already stranded six runners. Another two-walk inning from Hart brings one more runner home, and hearts are sinking across the islands. Josh Robertson won't give up tho, singling in the fifth and coming all the way home on a Sanchez double. But Henkel, the RBI king with just 1 HR and 1 RBI this series, strikes out to end the threat. With one out and a runner on second in the bottom of the sith, McArthur comes up huge with a screaming line drive into the left field stands, and we're down by just one, 4-3. In the seventh, Hart is out and Pat Stanley is in. A single, a walk, and then a crushing 3-run homer by Roberto Rivera, and Flat Stanley is pulled, but it's too late. Robertson scores again in the 7th, but a double play grounder strands two more runners, and we're down 7-4 heading to the ninth. With one out, Robertson singles again (I love this guy), followed by another from Sanchez. A Henkel grounder moves Robertson to third, but...Dunklee kills the rally, the inning, and the whole damn season by striking out, as the tying runner. And...it's over. Detroit 7, Hawaii 4. Detroit WINS series 4-3

......

What might have been. A fantastic season killed by our old bugaboo: the bullpen (22 IP, 22 H, 17 R). Of course, there were other reasons that added up: Groff's season-ending injury, hit-or-miss starting pitching, sudden and seriously unwelcome cold bats from Henkel (.161) and Dunklee (.269 but just 1 HR and 3 meaningless, blowout-game RBI). With two chances to close out the series at home, and our #2 and #3 pitchers on the mound, we couldn't get it done. I'm gutted. I hope the Tigers get their own hopes crushed again, just like last year. Perhaps our only positive was the .533 series from Josh Robertson, enough to earn him a meaningless series MVP nod. Woo.

......

The NL Championship series went six pretty entertaining games, LA Dodgers vs Brooklyn Robins. The Dodgers took game one at home, 7-5, but their pitching blew up in a big way in game two, losing 10-5, and the teams headed off to Brooklyn tied at one. A late rally gave the Dogers a 5-3 win in game three, but a game four 3-run 10th inning for the Robins tied the series again. Game five was all Brooklyn, scoring early and late in an 8-2 laugher, and the Robins were a game away from their first-ever World Series visit. Back in LA, and this time it was a fantasy dreamland for the visitors, trouncing the home team 8-4 and going to the Big Dance in only their second ever playoff appearance.

......

2041 World Series
This one was over fast. By scores of 5-2, 3-0, 11-4, and 10-5, Brooklyn sweeps Detroit right out of existence and wins their first ever world title. RF Bobby Morano, who missed half the season with a variety of ailments, hit .632 with 2 HR and is named the Series MVP. This was the second playoff appearance for the Robins in their 19-year existence, and was also the first title (as manager) for dugout boss Buster Posey. The Tigers, looking for their first title since 1984, have now missed on their last five Series shots (in 2006, 12, 31, 40, and 41). The hell with 'em.
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Old 04-17-2018, 02:08 PM   #124
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2041 Season Review

These are the hardest to do when you have unmet expectations. And yet...despite the ending, the season was tremendously successful. The take-home is that for 35 teams, every season is a tragedy. So with those boo hoos out of the way, let's get on with the season wrap up.

OVERALL
There are a pile of positives to take away from 2041. In our eighth season, we tied the team record for wins with 108. We won our sixth straight division title, and came a game away from going to our third World Series. We were 1,200 fans away from setting an all-time team attendance record. We led the league in almost every major offensive category, except home runs (3rd, with 222), and also finished with the fewest runs allowed, the best rotation ERA, and 3rd best bullpen ERA. Team defense ranked 5th. Those last two categories were major upgrades over 2040, where we were near the bottom of the AL in both. We suffered with injuries, like every team does, but not until September (and then the playoffs, sigh) did injuries hace a negative impact on our performance. The good news is that most of this team will be back in 2042; the bad(-ish) news is that there are more question marks entering next season than we've had in a good while.

BATTERS
Several players had tremendous--possibly career--years. Catcher Alexis Mercedes bashed 47 home runs and won the AL MVP award. 3B Adam Groff won the batting title (.345) and finished 2nd in AL WAR despite missing 24 games with injury. 2B Josh Robertson finished second in AL batting (.333) and earned 5.5 WAR and his second Silver Slugger trophy. RF Travis McArthur was steady (.293/23/75) all season, and DH Jesse Henkel followed up his ROY campaign with a .284/39/134 season, winning the AL RBI title. At 31, 1B Jeremy Dunklee is probably past his MVP-type seasons, but still devilered a .300/28/121 season. SS Mike Hunter struggled in the leadoff position for much of the season, but turned things around when dropped to 8th, and finished at .298, and played excellent defense. Injuries led to a lot of rotating of outfielders, with five players (not already mentioned above) getting over 150 PA. Andy Sanchez was signed before the season to be a steady CF in the field and at the plate, but missed nearly half the year with a variety of ailments. Still, he slashed .287/.376/.401 and managed 17 steals. His fielding was a disappointment, with injuries taking a toll on his mobility at times. Joel Courtney came off the free agent scrap heap and hit .327 in 73 games, but also missed a large chunk of the season with multiple injuries. Ian McGowan and Steve Hopkins saw extended periods of action in the outfield, and were so good that they'll have the inside track on roster spots next season. Although he tailed off (finishing at .223) after a hot start when called up, Ashton Gooding brought some power and defensive versatility to the roster. John Canning was the primary infield reserve, and brings nifty, heads-up defense to every position, but not much to the plate. Backup catcher Guillermo Diaz his in the .160s for the second consecutive year, but his play behind the plate and occasional flashes of power will likely keep him around another year.

Among the "also played," were outfielders Dave White and Jonathan Spalding (both meh), IF Steve Douglas (ditto), and a couple rookies who may or may not be seen again. LF Mel Carillo went down for the season in early May, and having him back for a full season can only help the offense.

PITCHERS
Our hurlers had the usual ups and downs, but the biggest change from 2040 was that money spent by upgrading the bullpen in the off-season actually, um, paid off. Injuries were also at a minimum, but one major late-season one probably contributed to our ultimate playoff demise. At least, I'm convinced.

Mike Messinger finally emerged as the top-line starter I was hoping for. In fact, he emerged to the point of winning the AL Cy Young award. His WHIP was an impressive 1.02, and he held opposing hitters to just .192 over 217 innings. His BABIP was the best on the team, but even with some regression next year, he should still be our new #1 starter. I say "new #1" given that Leon Casillas, at just 31, may have seen his best days. Even before a torn rotator cuff ended his season on 8/31, he was working through his second straight year of decline from his previous award-winning heights. His walks were up (slightly), his Ks were down (significantly), and although his ERA improved from 2040 (3.67 from 3.93), he never could string together long stretches of dominant pitching as in years past. Still, he did lead the AL with three shutouts, so the flashes of brilliance haven't completely gone. But I think he's no longer our staff ace, sadly. Eric Jones, the nominal #2 starter, turned in another quality season, but struggled in late summer (5.55 ERA over 11 starts in August-Sept). He did regain his form in the playoffs. Rob Hart was once again the enigma: winning 16 games but with an ERA over 5, striking out 239 but giving up a league-leading 43 home runs. He picked things up late, but simply has to be better next year, especially if Casillas is in terminal decline. Billy Heine made 21 starts before getting hurt, winning 9 games but with a terrible 5.23 ERA, below-average Ks, and a not-so-nifty .323 BABIP. His place on the team is in serious jeopardy. Bobby Piccirillo replaced him in the rotation, and looked reasonably conmpetent over 11 starts, enough to earn a long, hard look in camp next year. Frank Soto took Casillas' spot (along with 9 relief appearances), and was good enough to bump up his stock heading into 2042.

The bullpen caused far less aggro than last year, but there were still follies aplenty, and some need for worry heading into the off-season. Jim Kieffer alternated brilliance with clinical depression as the closer for much of the year, until demoted into a setup role in August. He'll be back, although in what role I'm not certain. Jeff Tanner took over the closer role and was mostly good, but did get hammered just enough to jack up his year-end stats. His 5.68 ERA and .429 BABIP in September probably threw open the closer role in camp next spring. He'll be back, tho, as he was money as a setup man, at least. Workhorse Pat Stanley threw 101 innings of relief, and was generally reliable. He got lit up in the playoffs by the Tigers, however. Jin-Song Yee and Ricky Jimenez rounded out a solid core of top-end relief work, both posting ERA under 3. The search for back-end mop up men, however, was tortuous, at least until Ronnie Corgan came up for good and pitched well in limited work (31 IP over four months). Steve Miller missed most of the season and won't be back. Aldo Gouweleeuw, Ian Albring, and Zack Randolph were all terrible. They'll get looks in camp again, but with major caveats attached.

......

Now I wait for owner Alex Pagan to explain his disappointment over our failed championship run, and how I need to cut payroll and squeeze more profit out of this team. There's going to be some work to do with this team during the off-season, and not just on the bullpen. We will have to cut payroll (or I'll be out of a job, I bet), and don't be surprised if one or more big names don't come back. Still, I think this team will be well set for another strong run in 2042. Maybe we can get to the promised land this time. Maybe....
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Old 04-20-2018, 08:40 PM   #125
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Off-Season, October/November 2041

How quickly your mindset can change. Just a month ago we were playoff favorites, coming off a 108-win regular season and a demolishing of our rivals in Oakland. Two weeks later, and two tough late-series losses to Detroit, and we're home early and living the coulda/woulda/shoulda game. Blow #1. And given the Tigers complete meltdown in the World Series, you'd have to think we would have given Brooklyn a tougher time of it. Oh well, time to move on, tough as that is to do.

10/28 ... Blow #2 is finding out today that 1B Jeremy Dunklee has voided the last year of his contract and will test free agency this fall. He's not the 40-HR guy he was a few seasons ago, but he still went .300/28/121, and led the AL with a .422 OBP. He made $11.1M last year, and rumors are that he's seeking somewhere in the mid-$20M range, terms I'm not going to pay. We'll offer him arbitration, but I'd be surprised if he signs up for that $13M ticket. There's one hole in our lineup that I didn't want.

Owner Alexis Pagan also comes to call with my annual review. He's happy that: we won lots of games; our stolen bases were way up; we made the playoffs. He's less happy that we didn't win the title (ditto), that he only made $3M instead of the $18M he wanted (I could not care less), and that payroll has still not been reduced to $130M (this is approachable, actually). For 2042, he gives me the following action items: 1) Win the World Series; 2) Cut payroll to $130M; 3) Make him $18M profit; 4) Build a team that can win a championship (uh...). I grit my teeth through the whole interview and hit the local bar as soon as I hear his limo pulling away.

And yet...he leaves a memo with Accounting to the effect that he's raising the team budget to $166M, up from $158M this year. So the budget goes up, but payroll needs to go down. Currently we're paying out $138M, and arbitration estimates for next year bump that up to $142M. But those estimates are always low, in my considered opinion, so I'm thinking we'll need to cut about $15M in some way. I have an idea already, but more on that later...

10/29 ... With the usual rash of minor league no-hopers leaving via free agency at the end of the month, I take a look at the tall stack of recently waived players and make one claim: OF Justin Beeman from Austin. He's 23, making minimum, and is injured for another 2 months. He's a contact guy with good gap power, and won't strike out too much. Not much HR power. Good defense and speed. Looks like a solid backup at all three positions. Played in A ball, hit .306, but will likely be in AAA this year, if we can sign him for mininmum.

In league news, the Nationals and the Cubs have new owners. Both look like money-grubbing meddlers, so that should be fun to watch. In somewhat surprising news, the Twins fired 18-year manager Jose Mateo, after a somewhat disappointing 83-79 year, when they were expecting to challenge for a wildcard spot at the least. Mateo is 64, and hasn't made a statement yet about his future. No word on his replacement either.

11/4 ... Without giving anything away, I quietly shop around two players--one regular, one prospect--and get no bites. Zero. I guess everyone else is playing it close to the vest as well, but it's still disappointing. Not that I won't try again, mind...

11/5 ... RF Travis McArthur wins his 2nd Gold Glove, after winning in LF back in 2036. Twins 3B Paul Foster wins his sixth, and three Royals win, including LF Eli Immordino bringing home his fourth trophy. Giants 1B Willie Alvarez won his fourth straight.

11/7 ... Five Islanders win Silver Slugger trophies: DH Jesse Henkel (1st), C Alexis Mercedes (3), 1B Jeremy Dunklee (5), 2B Josh Robertson (2), and 3B Adam Groff (4). In the NL, Pirates 3B Jordan Shields claims his fourth.

11/10 ... Mike Messinger is rewarded for his stellar season with the AL Cy Young award. He led AL pitchers in wins, ERA, H/9, opponent's AVG, and was third in WHIP, FIP, and pitcher WAR. Richmond's Rafael Maldonado wins his first award--for his pitching triple crown season--and also pacing the league in WHIP, FIP, and a 9.4 WAR, best of all pitchers last year.

11/11 ... Alexis Mercedes was outstanding all season, and he's rewarded with the AL MVP award, after going .293/47/126. He also won a Silver Slugger, was an all-star starter, and led the AL in WAR (8.6) and OPS (1.051). Congrats Alexis! Richmond's Rafael Maldonado becomes the 3rd pitcher in this dynasty to win an MVP award, after Tampa's Jon Talley (2027) and San Diego's Gary Florence (2040).

11/18 ... Arbitration Day! With 12 players headed to arbitration, it's a busy day for all of us in the home office. I'm making offers to 11 of them, with only RP Chris Mayer not getting a tender. Some players--Henkel, McGowan--are in line for pretty decent raises. I'm hoping we can avoid huge payouts to Hart, Kieffer, Carillo, and Hunter, however; not that they don't deserve some coin, but I want to have some room to maneuver come December. We also qualify Dunklee at $13M, but do not make offers to RPs Ricky Jimenez and Steve Miller. Jimenez was good for us, but I don't think he deserves to make $12.1M more than he made last year! I'll probably make an offer to him in free agency.

And the results are...mixed, but generally agreeable. We "won" on Rob Hart, Mike Hunter, Mel Carillo, and several backups, saving about 6M from what the players wanted. We "lost" on Jim Kieffer, Ian McGowan, Jesse Henkel, Flat Stanley, and Zack Randolph, but only for a total of about 3M. So not too bad. Those last two contracts tho: Stanley now makes 2M, more than doubling last year's salary, which I find confounding since his stats were worse than in 2040. And Randolph, who looks great on paper and in camp, has been a trash fire in the regular season for us. At least he's only making 1.1M, so not breaking the bank.

Dunklee rejected the qualifying offer, no surprise, and will head off to free agency. If he's serious about wanting ca. 25M bucks, we've seen the last of him. At least we'll get a fantastic, sure-fire all-star Supplemental Pick.

11/20 ... International Free Agents file, ten this year, indcluding a couple of oddly named Japanese players: John Baldwin and Craig Larsen. Baldwin looks really good, but wants $17M, too rich for me this year. I'm looking hard at two players: Korean reliever YT Yaung and Japanese 1B Senichi Masuda. Yaung is the high-stuff flamethrower we need more of in the pen, and Masuda is a medium-contact high-power guy who wouldn't exactly fill Dunklee's shoes, but they wouldn't necessarily look out of place on him either. Maybe we can stuff them with newspaper. Yaung's price right now is 2.5M, Masuda's 6.6M. I can definitely afford them if I trade at least one player...you probably know who I'm thinking of. He should be healthy right around the start of the Winter Meetings...

11/28 ... Trade! Hawaii sends OF Pedro Cepeda and SS Matt Estey to Detroit (Booooo!) for P Chet King and IF Fred Tremblay. Cepeda was my #4 prospect, but despite having an intriguing bat, his utter lack of defense was a big minus. King is the key for me: he's 28, and slotted as a middle reliever right now, but could slide into a back-end starter if needed. He was excellent for AAA Toledo last year. He's also in the last year of his contract, but as I may be looking at a major overhaul of the staff after 2042, I wanted another arm in there competing for spots. Estey is a requested throw-in by DET, a good defense/no hit SS, while Tremblay is a 2B/1B/OF guy with decent defense and acceptable hitting potential. Both are 20.

Free Agency Update ... The big money started flowing at the end of the month, when three big signings were announced:
...STL signs former HAW 1B Jeremy Dunklee (.300/38/121) for $92M over 5 years (18.4M per)...dangit
...MIN re-signs 3B Paul Foster (.284/26/81) for 142M over 5 years (28.4M per)...HUUUGE contract, Foster now the highest paid player in the game
...CHN signs Japanese P John Baldwin (no stats) for 59.3M over 4 years (14.8m per)...if the Cubs can find a 2B and another RP or two, they'll be stacked

I knew Dunklee was a goner, but it still sucks. At least he's off to the NL, rather than to Detroit or Oakland. Officially losing him makes me take another long look at Japanese 1B Masuda, especially as prices for veteran free agents aren't coming down much right now.

......

Off-season, December 2041

12/1More big signings at the beginning of December:
...LAN signs former BKN P Dave Gonzalez (14-12, 3.48) for 101M over 5 years (20.2M per)...probably the first of 12 FA pitchers the Dodgers will sign
...CIN signs former SDP P Juan Valdez (19-8, 3.42) for 177M over 7 years (25.3M per, 2nd highest paid pitcher in baseball now)
...WAS signs former BOS OF Mike Blough (.306/19/67) for 66.4M over 4 years (16.6 per)
...CHN signs SF closer Zack Green (2.56, 13 saves in 27 G) for 26.2M over 3 years (8.7M per)...there's the Cubs reliever
...WAS signs HAW OF Joel Courtney (.327/4/29) for 9.9M over 2 years
...AUS lures NYM SS Miguel Reyes (.263/21/76) with 11.6M over 2 years

12/7 Winter Meetings start today in Hawaii. I doubt I'm making any trades, unless somebody makes me an offer we can't refuse. So, STL asking for Mike Messinger for a scrubby 1B and a mangy prospect won't cut it, btw.

12/10 MIN just made a splash by signing 41-year-old, and reigning NL batting champ, Ty Cobb (.359/0/30) for 16.4M. I'm surprised Cobb went for so much, but he seems to have found his stroke again after a few seasons of "only" hitting around .300. He's good for missing a month or two of each season with a variety of bumps, however. Still, if his price had been lower--much, much lower--I likely would have taken a chance on him and stuck him at first.

12/21 HAW signs Korean free agent RP Yong-taek Yaung for 5M over 2 years. Should be a solid addition to the pen. Great stuff, decent movement and control, should keep the ball down.

Prices for ancient starting pitching prices are through the roof. Witness 36-year-old junkballer Mario Martinez (2.95, 12-10 w/ SF and MIL) getting nearly 10M per for three seasons from Philly; and 35-year-old Jay Lamb (13-10, 3.35 w/ RIC) getting over 11M per for the next three years from Detroit. Two old guys who had their best seasons in a while manage to cash in. Good for them, I suppose.

Milwaukee is also burning money, signing 36-year-old catcher Aaron Moffett to a 34M deal over 3 years. Moffett does have 400 career homers, but was just a part-time player with Brooklyn last year, so I'm not sure what the Brewers are playing at. There were other, equally-good albeit younger, catchers out there, but what do I know.

12/25 Brooklyn turned right around and replace Moffett with Steve Arthurs, who doesn't approah Moffett's power, but hits for higher average and is a better catcher...and will make 25% of Moffett's salary. Which they needed to sign SP Jose Orozco away from the Dodgers, for 7.9M a season for the next seven years. He should help replace the two starters they've lost to free agency already.

12/27 The year ends with the Rule 5 draft. With no financial flexibility, and a near-capacity 40-man roster, I make no selections. I do lose pitcher Jon Bell, whom I signed to a minor league deal back in October, to the White Sox. He's definitely not MLB ready, so I think it's even money he'll be back with us before too long.
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Old 04-20-2018, 09:17 PM   #126
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Originally Posted by Bub13 View Post
Off-Season, October/November 2041



How quickly your mindset can change. Just a month ago we were playoff favorites, coming off a 108-win regular season and a demolishing of our rivals in Oakland. Two weeks later, and two tough late-series losses to Detroit, and we're home early and living the coulda/woulda/shoulda game. Blow #1. And given the Tigers complete meltdown in the World Series, you'd have to think we would have given Brooklyn a tougher time of it. Oh well, time to move on, tough as that is to do.



10/28 ... Blow #2 is finding out today that 1B Jeremy Dunklee has voided the last year of his contract and will test free agency this fall. He's not the 40-HR guy he was a few seasons ago, but he still went .300/28/121, and led the AL with a .422 OBP. He made $11.1M last year, and rumors are that he's seeking somewhere in the mid-$20M range, terms I'm not going to pay. We'll offer him arbitration, but I'd be surprised if he signs up for that $13M ticket. There's one hole in our lineup that I didn't want.



Owner Alexis Pagan also comes to call with my annual review. He's happy that: we won lots of games; our stolen bases were way up; we made the playoffs. He's less happy that we didn't win the title (ditto), that he only made $3M instead of the $18M he wanted (I could not care less), and that payroll has still not been reduced to $130M (this is approachable, actually). For 2042, he gives me the following action items: 1) Win the World Series; 2) Cut payroll to $130M; 3) Make him $18M profit; 4) Build a team that can win a championship (uh...). I grit my teeth through the whole interview and hit the local bar as soon as I hear his limo pulling away.



And yet...he leaves a memo with Accounting to the effect that he's raising the team budget to $166M, up from $158M this year. So the budget goes up, but payroll needs to go down. Currently we're paying out $138M, and arbitration estimates for next year bump that up to $142M. But those estimates are always low, in my considered opinion, so I'm thinking we'll need to cut about $15M in some way. I have an idea already, but more on that later...



10/29 ... With the usual rash of minor league no-hopers leaving via free agency at the end of the month, I take a look at the tall stack of recently waived players and make one claim: OF Justin Beeman from Austin. He's 23, making minimum, and is injured for another 2 months. He's a contact guy with good gap power, and won't strike out too much. Not much HR power. Good defense and speed. Looks like a solid backup at all three positions. Played in A ball, hit .306, but will likely be in AAA this year, if we can sign him for mininmum.



In league news, the Nationals and the Cubs have new owners. Both look like money-grubbing meddlers, so that should be fun to watch. In somewhat surprising news, the Twins fired 18-year manager Jose Mateo, after a somewhat disappointing 83-79 year, when they were expecting to challenge for a wildcard spot at the least. Mateo is 64, and hasn't made a statement yet about his future. No word on his replacement either.



11/4 ... Without giving anything away, I quietly shop around two players--one regular, one prospect--and get no bites. Zero. I guess everyone else is playing it close to the vest as well, but it's still disappointing. Not that I won't try again, mind...



11/5 ... RF Travis McArthur wins his 2nd Gold Glove, after winning in LF back in 2036. Twins 3B Paul Foster wins his sixth, and three Royals win, including LF Eli Immordino bringing home his fourth trophy. Giants 1B Willie Alvarez won his fourth straight.



11/7 ... Five Islanders win Silver Slugger trophies: DH Jesse Henkel (1st), C Alexis Mercedes (3), 1B Jeremy Dunklee (5), 2B Josh Robertson (2), and 3B Adam Groff (4). In the NL, Pirates 3B Jordan Shields claims his fourth.



11/10 ... Mike Messinger is rewarded for his stellar season with the AL Cy Young award. He led AL pitchers in wins, ERA, H/9, opponent's AVG, and was third in WHIP, FIP, and pitcher WAR. Richmond's Rafael Maldonado wins his first award--for his pitching triple crown season--and also pacing the league in WHIP, FIP, and a 9.4 WAR, best of all pitchers last year.



11/11 ... Alexis Mercedes was outstanding all season, and he's rewarded with the AL MVP award, after going .293/47/126. He also won a Silver Slugger, was an all-star starter, and led the AL in WAR (8.6) and OPS (1.051). Congrats Alexis! Richmond's Rafael Maldonado becomes the 3rd pitcher in this dynasty to win an MVP award, after Tampa's Jon Talley (2027) and San Diego's Gary Florence (2040).



11/18 ... Arbitration Day! With 12 players headed to arbitration, it's a busy day for all of us in the home office. I'm making offers to 11 of them, with only RP Chris Mayer not getting a tender. Some players--Henkel, McGowan--are in line for pretty decent raises. I'm hoping we can avoid huge payouts to Hart, Kieffer, Carillo, and Hunter, however; not that they don't deserve some coin, but I want to have some room to maneuver come December. We also qualify Dunklee at $13M, but do not make offers to RPs Ricky Jimenez and Steve Miller. Jimenez was good for us, but I don't think he deserves to make $12.1M more than he made last year! I'll probably make an offer to him in free agency.



And the results are...mixed, but generally agreeable. We "won" on Rob Hart, Mike Hunter, Mel Carillo, and several backups, saving about 6M from what the players wanted. We "lost" on Jim Kieffer, Ian McGowan, Jesse Henkel, Flat Stanley, and Zack Randolph, but only for a total of about 3M. So not too bad. Those last two contracts tho: Stanley now makes 2M, more than doubling last year's salary, which I find confounding since his stats were worse than in 2040. And Randolph, who looks great on paper and in camp, has been a trash fire in the regular season for us. At least he's only making 1.1M, so not breaking the bank.



Dunklee rejected the qualifying offer, no surprise, and will head off to free agency. If he's serious about wanting ca. 25M bucks, we've seen the last of him. At least we'll get a fantastic, sure-fire all-star Supplemental Pick.



11/20 ... International Free Agents file, ten this year, indcluding a couple of oddly named Japanese players: John Baldwin and Craig Larsen. Baldwin looks really good, but wants $17M, too rich for me this year. I'm looking hard at two players: Korean reliever YT Yaung and Japanese 1B Senichi Masuda. Yaung is the high-stuff flamethrower we need more of in the pen, and Masuda is a medium-contact high-power guy who wouldn't exactly fill Dunklee's shoes, but they wouldn't necessarily look out of place on him either. Maybe we can stuff them with newspaper. Yaung's price right now is 2.5M, Masuda's 6.6M. I can definitely afford them if I trade at least one player...you probably know who I'm thinking of. He should be healthy right around the start of the Winter Meetings...



11/28 ... Trade! Hawaii sends OF Pedro Cepeda and SS Matt Estey to Detroit (Booooo!) for P Chet King and IF Fred Tremblay. Cepeda was my #4 prospect, but despite having an intriguing bat, his utter lack of defense was a big minus. King is the key for me: he's 28, and slotted as a middle reliever right now, but could slide into a back-end starter if needed. He was excellent for AAA Toledo last year. He's also in the last year of his contract, but as I may be looking at a major overhaul of the staff after 2042, I wanted another arm in there competing for spots. Estey is a requested throw-in by DET, a good defense/no hit SS, while Tremblay is a 2B/1B/OF guy with decent defense and acceptable hitting potential. Both are 20.



Free Agency Update ... The big money started flowing at the end of the month, when three big signings were announced:

...STL signs former HAW 1B Jeremy Dunklee (.300/38/121) for $92M over 5 years (18.4M per)...dangit

...MIN re-signs 3B Paul Foster (.284/26/81) for 142M over 5 years (28.4M per)...HUUUGE contract, Foster now the highest paid player in the game

...CHN signs Japanese P John Baldwin (no stats) for 59.3M over 4 years (14.8m per)...if the Cubs can find a 2B and another RP or two, they'll be stacked



I knew Dunklee was a goner, but it still sucks. At least he's off to the NL, rather than to Detroit or Oakland. Officially losing him makes me take another long look at Japanese 1B Masuda, especially as prices for veteran free agents aren't coming down much right now.



......



Off-season, December 2041



12/1More big signings at the beginning of December:

...LAN signs former BKN P Dave Gonzalez (14-12, 3.48) for 101M over 5 years (20.2M per)...probably the first of 12 FA pitchers the Dodgers will sign

...CIN signs former SDP P Juan Valdez (19-8, 3.42) for 177M over 7 years (25.3M per, 2nd highest paid pitcher in baseball now)

...WAS signs former BOS OF Mike Blough (.306/19/67) for 66.4M over 4 years (16.6 per)

...CHN signs SF closer Zack Green (2.56, 13 saves in 27 G) for 26.2M over 3 years (8.7M per)...there's the Cubs reliever

...WAS signs HAW OF Joel Courtney (.327/4/29) for 9.9M over 2 years

...AUS lures NYM SS Miguel Reyes (.263/21/76) with 11.6M over 2 years



12/7 Winter Meetings start today in Hawaii. I doubt I'm making any trades, unless somebody makes me an offer we can't refuse. So, STL asking for Mike Messinger for a scrubby 1B and a mangy prospect won't cut it, btw.



12/10 MIN just made a splash by signing 41-year-old, and reigning NL batting champ, Ty Cobb (.359/0/30) for 16.4M. I'm surprised Cobb went for so much, but he seems to have found his stroke again after a few seasons of "only" hitting around .300. He's good for missing a month or two of each season with a variety of bumps, however. Still, if his price had been lower--much, much lower--I likely would have taken a chance on him and stuck him at first.



12/21 HAW signs Korean free agent RP Yong-taek Yaung for 5M over 2 years. Should be a solid addition to the pen. Great stuff, decent movement and control, should keep the ball down.



Prices for ancient starting pitching prices are through the roof. Witness 36-year-old junkballer Mario Martinez (2.95, 12-10 w/ SF and MIL) getting nearly 10M per for three seasons from Philly; and 35-year-old Jay Lamb (13-10, 3.35 w/ RIC) getting over 11M per for the next three years from Detroit. Two old guys who had their best seasons in a while manage to cash in. Good for them, I suppose.



Milwaukee is also burning money, signing 36-year-old catcher Aaron Moffett to a 34M deal over 3 years. Moffett does have 400 career homers, but was just a part-time player with Brooklyn last year, so I'm not sure what the Brewers are playing at. There were other, equally-good albeit younger, catchers out there, but what do I know.



12/25 Brooklyn turned right around and replace Moffett with Steve Arthurs, who doesn't approah Moffett's power, but hits for higher average and is a better catcher...and will make 25% of Moffett's salary. Which they needed to sign SP Jose Orozco away from the Dodgers, for 7.9M a season for the next seven years. He should help replace the two starters they've lost to free agency already.



12/27 The year ends with the Rule 5 draft. With no financial flexibility, and a near-capacity 40-man roster, I make no selections. I do lose pitcher Jon Bell, whom I signed to a minor league deal back in October, to the White Sox. He's definitely not MLB ready, so I think it's even money he'll be back with us before too long.


Grew up in Honolulu watching the triple A Islanders.(on occasion)Go Islanders!



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Old 04-21-2018, 09:03 PM   #127
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Off-Season, January 2042

Welcome to 2042. Hard to believe pitchers and catchers report in a month. Spring training officially begins on March 1. This month I want to finalize my roster, which means trying to sign one guy, and trying to trade another....

1/1 Happy New Year, Cards fans, you have a new closer: 36-year-old Ethan Villines, late of the Phillies, is now yours for the next 3 years at 10.3M per. Not cheap, but hey you gotta pay to play, right? Regardless, the Cardinals are not sitting still on last year's division title, adding my old hero Dunklee, a catcher, and four pitchers.

1/2 Hawaii signs 1B Senichi Masuda, a free agent from Japan, to a five year deal worth a combined 28.8M. There's our signing, our new first baseman. Not happy with any internal candidates to replace Dunklee, I make a moderate FA splash with Masuda. He'll make 5M this year, 5.5 in 2043, and 6.0 in 2044. I included a team option before that fourth year, so I'm really only on the hook for three seasons, is how I see it. And you can't change my mind.

1/4 Is there a salary cap floor? Because reaching that is the only reason I can see why Arizona just signed a 32-year-old 3 WAR second baseman to a $50M/5 year deal. Sure, Taylor Fordham has three Gold Gloves to his credit, but he has little power, doesn't run well or hit for extra bases, and is a lifetime .260 hitter. Maybe he's a great cook and gives great backrubs.

1/7 Trade! Hawaii sends pitcher Billy Heine to Montreal, along with OF prospect Cory Graulich, for pitching prospect Devin Woods. I found one team with the available money to take Heine off my hands, so thank you Montreal. (The Yankees came close, and should really be rolling in cash, but they're so mismanaged that they deserve to lose money and games forever.) In one swell foop I reduce my payroll to 129.8 million, just under my cranky owner's ceiling, and manage to rid myself of my one headache ballplayer. The fans don't like it, because for some reason they'd fallen in love with a guy who's ERA had ballooned over two whole runs from his first start with us to his final one.

1/8 Hall of Fame votes are in, and Christopher Cullen (catcher), Jon Talley (pitcher), and Cobi Johnson (pitcher) were elected. Xander Bogaerts appeared on over 70% of the ballots for the second straight year, but did not get in. And 3000-hit-getter Colin Moran received only 63% of the votes, showing that voters don't care much for that threshold anymore, apparently. Among players dropped from future ballots are Kenley Jansen, Jose Fernandez, and Bryce Harper (who's career was quickly wrecked by injuries and never fully developed).

1/10 Internal Team Memo: Accounting Office to GM Jim Smith, 1/8/2042. CONFIDENTIAL. Two items require your attention. As per your request, a fan analysis metrics report was conducted by the usual auditors, and found that the Fan Interest Monitor has decreased from 100 (maximum) to 93 since the end of the 2041 season. Probable reasons for this are the losses of popular players Jeremy Dunklee and Billy Heine, and an 8.5% increase in season ticket prices. The second item relates directly to season tickets: sales estimates are being revised to lower than anticipated levels. It is expected that last year's high of 21,289 season tickets will not be matched this season. Current projections show an expected sale of 19,800, with a projected per game attendance of 41,000. This has in-season game-generated revenues coming in at a -1.4% level when compared to revenue from last season. Home playoff games could, of course, bring these numbers more into line with last year's results. Signed, your fans in Accounting.

1/19 More crazy money is getting thrown around this month, but probably none more crazy than the 18M/2yr deal San Diego just shelled out for pitcher Emmett Hayden. Possessor of elite stuff and decent control, the one thing ol' Emmett is lacking is the ability to put any movement whatsoever on the ball. This resulted in the delightful stat from a few years back wherein he pitched 80 innings and gave up 62 hits, 24 of which were home runs. The Padres have immediately penciled in the career reliever to a spot in the rotation. I think the record for home runs given up in a season (55, by Orlando Ramos in 2032) is under direct threat, and I approve.

1/21 It is a truth universally acknowledged that a team in possession of cash must be in want of multiple closers. In fact, if they can field an entire bullpen of 30- to 40-save closers, so much the better. Yes, of course I'm talking about the Dodgers, who today added former Arizona closer Joey Creech to an already insanely costly pen, at the price of 26M over 3 years. Creech, who finished with 30 saves, a 0.83 ERA, and 1.4 WAR, is out until August with a busted elbow, so he's essentially a welfare case this season. He is the fourth pitcher in their bullpen who has saved at least 35 games in a recent season. Their seven-man bullpen will cost them over $45M this season.

1/28 Montreal loses it's fourth regular pitcher from last season, with Texas signing closer Jimmy Kelley to a 2-year, 17M contract. Kelley will likely miss the first month of the season after elbow surgery this fall.

2/1 Phone message from owner Alexis Pagan: "Hey Jim, it's me, Alex. Hey, I need some cash, fast...Can you help me out? Ha ha! No, that's a joke! Anyway, I've been going over some of the numbers with my people today, and I'm going to have to lower the budget a little. Just six mill, down to 160. That shouldn't hurt you any, but I have to do it. You can make it work, I believe in you! See you soon!"

2/23 Best news of the off-season: "Chicago catcher, Dan Starr, filed for bankruptcy this morning in a Chicago court. According to the Chapter 7 filing, Mr. Starr's restaurant chain, Starr's Steakhouses, lost $5.5 million last year. Among his assets, the catcher listed over 2 million in Rolex watches. Starr has been quoted as saying, "What can I tell you? Those timepieces are the epitome of class. I can't say anything about my financial situation. Go through my lawyer." ... Interestingly, Starr's scouting report has him at "High: Greed," and "Low: Intelligence, Work Ethic." Perfect.

......

Spring training came and went, largely without incident...from our perspective, at least. The list of long-term injuries accrued just this month is horrific. Nearly every team has at least one player out for over a month, some with multiples out for the year. We emerged unscathed, although there were some troubling signs: Mel Carillo, who played in just 28 games last year, missed three weeks with a torn leg muscle; and Adam Groff suffered several dtd injuries that kept him out for short periods, and might have had more if I hadn't rested him frequently once he returned. Portents of doom for 2042? Ehhhhh.....

Otherwise...we went 17-13 without getting much hitting at all from the regulars. Pitchers were generally pretty good, although a few guys I wanted to push for spots bombed out (Albring, Bornhoft). There were no real roster surprises, and once again I think we're fairly well set for injury replacements in AAA. Not great, mind you, but pretty good. And I'm still scouring the free agent list and waiver wire for any useful minor league pickups.

Oh, and the White Sox released Rule 5 pick Jon Bell, so he's back on our roster. He'll start the season in AAA.


Next: Meet the 2042 Hawaii Islanders, and Season Preview
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Old 04-22-2018, 12:29 PM   #128
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2042 SEASON PREVIEW

Let's meet the team, shall we? First off, hello, I'm Jim. I've been the GM for as long as there's been a big league team in Hawaii. Yes, all of eight years. My assistant is Grant Henning, in his second year. Manager Pat Wilson came on board midway through our inaugural season. He's won a World Series and two Manager of the Year titles. Matt Sargent is the pitching coach (8th year), and Danny Espinosa (2nd) is the hitting coach. Jordan Villalobos is our seventh-year trainer, and Moises Patino is our excellent scouting director, the only one we've ever had. Alexis Pagan is the owner: he's tolerant and hands-off, but wants profit at least as much as he wants to win. Right now, he's happy.

The clubhouse is content. No one's unhappy, at least not vocally so. We have no disruptive or outspoken players on the roster, and everybody is motivated to win.

Here are the guys who'll get it done this year. Listed with position, age, handedness (batting and pitching), salary (w/ year through), and last year's stats (slash line, HR/RBI, other relevant stats). Starters are underlined.

C Guillermo Diaz, 25, R, 850k (2042, arb), .169/.234/.315, 5/19, 124 AB. The ultimate team player, and one who really gets very little playing time, being behind Alexis Mr Everything Mercedes. Hasn't hit at all in the last two seasons, but brings some pop when he does, and is an excellent receiver.

C Alexis Mercedes, 29, R, 8.3M (2043), .293/.419/1.051, 47/126, 8.0 WAR, AL MVP. Went from really good to simply fantastic last year. Needs to provide big power again this year, what with Dunklee having departed. I do expect some regression from those gaudy numbers, however. Has proved to be a better backstop than advertised as well. Closing in on 1000 career hits and 300 HR.

1B Senichi Masuda, 27, R, 5.0M (2046), stats unavailable. Our one new starter, signed in the winter from Japanese ball. Has some big shoes to fill replacing all-timer Jeremy Dunklee. Hit just .229 in camp, but is capable of more, and we need that. Has nice power and hits to all fields. So-so fielder, but that's not why he's in the lineup. Team option after 2044, so if he washes out, we're not on the hook for his full contract.

2B Josh Robertson, 27, L, 8.8M (2048), .333/.393/.470, 13/73, 5.3 WAR. "Moondog" really made the offense go last year, and thrived when moved into the leadoff spot. Has surprising power (52 XBH last year) for a guy who's just 5'9". Excellent defense, too, making just four errors in 154 starts last season. Contract goes up to 12.1M next year, with an opt-out after 2044.

3B Adam Groff, 28, L, 12.75M (2043), .345/.419/.550, 25/102, 22 SB, 7.2 WAR. Won his third batting title last year, and is one of the best in the game when healthy. That last bit, however, is starting to become a concern. He suffered a total of EIGHT injuries last year, including the one that took him out of the playoffs and probably ended our season. I want his dynamism in the lineup every day, but may have to face facts and rest him every now and then. Signed for two more years; we'll have a lot of questions after 2043 about this team, with all the expiring contracts...

SS/2B/3B John Canning, 25, R, 750k (2042, arb), .245/.284/.350, 0/24, 163 AB. Here for his glove and utility work, although he did hit .322 in 2040, so there is some plate talent there, at least at slapping the ball past infielders. Decent outfielder too. Constantly faces challenges from the farm, but so far has held them all off.

SS Mike Hunter, 27, R, 5.0M (2042, arb), .298/.328/.398, 7/69, 2.7 WAR. Fell off from his .334 average and 5.5 WAR season in 2040, and failed to crack 50 doubles for the first time in his career. Began season as our leadoff batter, but poor hitting shuffled him down to 8th, where he picked things up over August-September. Gold Glove potential, and can play third too. If he and Robertson both hit over .300, we can't be stopped. Seriously.

LF Mel Carillo, 24, L, 3.8M (2042, arb), .227/.296/.330 in 97 AB. Missed most of the season after getting off to a poor start, too. Hit .310 in 2040, and has the talent to do that every year. Popular guy, but likes to argue apparently, and has gotten into more than one fan-related incident. Decent enough fielder, but limited to left field due to mediocre range and average arm. Looking for him to have a big bounce-back year.

OF Ian McGowan, 24, R, 1.9215M (2042, arb), .277/.341/.429, 11/54, 16 SB, 2.3 WAR. First round pick from 2036 is pushing hard for a starting role; if Carillo falters (or gets hurt again), Ian's proved he can bring the goods. Sparkplug player, too, so really ups the team when in the lineup. Best suited in center, with all-world range. Part of a glut of outfielders right now: I'll have to make a decision about him this fall, since he'll need a new contract (or another year of arbitration).

CF Andy Sanchez, 31, S, 5.0M (2045), .287/.376/.401, 4/34, 17 SB, 1.6 WAR, 91 GP. Missed nearly half the season with a plague of injuries, but really produced when in the lineup. Doesn't hit for any power, but gets on base and is still a threat to steal every time. Has range for center, and the arm for right. Team option on him in 2044.

RF Travis McArthur, 29, R, 6.6M (2046), .293/.328/.488, 23/75, 2.8 WAR. Never has become the star a #1 overall pick should be, but he's been steady and productive since he first came up in mid-season 2035. Does everything well but run and draw walks. Average fielder, too, but his cannon of an arm makes up for any range-related shortcomings in right. Team option on him in 2044.

OF/IF Ashton Gooding, 24, S, 500k (2042, arb), .223/.283/.415, 7/26, 188 AB (also 174 AB in AAA). Mr Versatility, with fielding chops to play every position but catcher. (Can also be an emergency pitcher.) Not much of a contact hitter, and not one to take a walk, he does have decent power and is a good teammate.

DH/OF Jesse Henkel, 23, L, 2.75M (2042, arb), .284/.307/.526, 39/134, 2.6 WAR. In his two seasons he's been a ROY and an RBI champ. Upped his batting against lefties to become an everyday player last year. Defense is a challenge, tho, so he's probably a career DH and emergency OF. Sparkplug guy. Hates to walk, but also doesn't strike out much for a power guy. Might be a tough go for him this year without Dunklee hitting ahead of him.

......

#1 SP Mike Messinger, 25, RH, 500k (2042, arb), 19-5, 2.85, 32 GP, 217.2 IP, 247 K, 5.1 WAR, AL Cy Young. Started the season as the #5 starter, ended it as the #1 and a Cy Young trophy. Finally harnessed his control, walking just 3 men per 9. Works a world-class changeup and a nasty forkball to fool batters, and gave up just 150 hits last year. He's slotted as our ace now, and has a chance to earn a big payday with another stellar year.

#2 SP Eric Jones, 25, LH, 7.7M (2046), 18.7, 3.69, 33 GP, 197.2 IP, 132 K, 3.8 WAR. Not the hardest thrower, nor a big stamina guy, but still gets the job done. Needs to keep the ball down and let our infield defense do all the work. Brought his ERA down by a full run last year, but also struck out far fewer. Our only left-handed starter.

#3 SP Leon Casillas, 31, RH, 26M (2046), 16-7, 3.26, 28 GP, 189 IP, 115 K, 3.2 WAR. Sadly, I do think Leon's best days are behind him, as he's had two average-for-him seasons after his two consecutive Cy Young years. Hopefully he's fully healed from his rotator cuff injury, but despite a good spring it looks like he's lost another few inches off his cutter, depriving him of having three really good pitches. Keeps the ball down and still has excellent control, but his 200-K strikeout seasons are probably gone. No longer counting on him to be the ace, but still can be a dynamite third starter. Can opt out of his contract after this season.

#4 SP Rob Hart, 25, RH, 6.0M (2042, arb), 16-10, 5.05, 32 GP, 215.2 IP, 239 K, 1.6 WAR. On paper, looks a lot like Messinger, with a little less movement on his stuff. Always brings the strikeouts, but last year also brought a lot (a league-leading 43) of unwanted home runs. Made a splash at the end of 2038 (13 starts, 10-2, 2.38 ERA), but has struggled ever since. This may be his last shot to get right with me, as he's due for arbitration again and I'm not inclined to pay 10M+ for a 5 ERA guy.

#5 SP Bobby Piccirillo, 28, RH, 750k (2042, arb), 5-3, 3.86, 11 GP 72.1 IP, 60 K, 1.2 WAR. Took the spot of the departed Billy Heine in the rotation in August, and finally looked like a big league regular. Relies on his control, which is excellent, and is a flyballer, which is not so much. Had an excellent camp, and gets the first shot in the 5-slot. Hawaii native.

CL Jeff Tanner, 29, RH, 2.88M (2043), 3-1, 9 saves, 2.50, 42 GP, 39.7 IP, 44 K, 0.9 WAR. Took over as closer when Kieffer faltered late in the season, and delivered. Sidearm groundballer, which helps, and has nice control, which is even better. Team captain.

SU Jim Kieffer, 28, RH, 3.681M (2042), 5-5, 38 saves, 4.30, 67 GP, 69 IP, 84 K, 1.0 WAR. Completely schizo. Looks great for weeks on end, then totally blows up for a few games. Drives me nuts. Made 21 starts in 2040, after bombing out as closer that year too, so he's got some (potential) versatility. This is probably his last shot with us. On a positive note, did have his best season as a pro with STL as their main setup guy, so maybe that's his true calling.

SU Jin-Song Yee, 34, RH, 3.2M (2044), 5-2, 4 saves, 2.32, 38 GP, 66 IP, 87 K, 1.1 WAR. A big part of our bullpen resurgence last season. Walked too many batters (5.2 per 9), but brought a big-time fastball and deceptive movement. Gets first crack at a setup role after we chose not to re-sign Ricky Jimenez.

MR Pat Stanley, 28, LH, 2.0M (2042, arb), 4-3, 4 saves, 3.65, 50 GP, 101 IP, 87 K, 1.1 WAR. Became Flat Stanley after getting steamrolled by the Tigers in the AL Championships. Our only lefty in the pen. Should I get him some company?

MR Yong-taek Yaung, 27, RH, 2.4M (2043), stats unavailable. With Masuda and King, our other newbie on the roster. Looks very much like Yee, but with slightly better control. Fastball-curveball combo should work well for him. Threw well in camp, which is good, since he was making the team regardless.

MR Chet King, 28, RH, 500k (2042, arb), 7-2, 1.75, 32 GP, 77 IP, 103 K with Toledo (AAA). Traded prospect Pedro Cepeda to the hated Tigers for him. Big-time stuff, with an excellent slider. Has three pitches, so could figure as an emergency starter. Is a total unknown, even at 28, with only 2 innings of MLB work to his credit. So he's going to make me look good or be back on the AAA bus one day soon. No in between.

LR Frank Soto, 26, RH, 500k (2042, arb), 3-0, 2 saves, 3.48, 13 GP (4 starts), 41.1 IP, 35 K, 0.5 WAR (also 87 IP in AAA). Brought up for the pen in August, and took over Leon's spot in the rotation after his injury, and his excellent pitching made me look foolish for keeping him in AAA all season. Doesn't look like much when you look closely at him, but he does get results. Will get to play the part of the heroic cavalry charge should anyone in the rotation blow up this year.

......

Preseason predictions are in! MLB has us winning the West with 95 games, six up on Oakland. Miami is predicted to win 97, best in baseball, and Minnesota is slated to win the Central by a game over Detroit. In the NL, New York and LA are picked for their divisions, with Chicago and Cincy in a dead heat in the Central. At the bottom, San Diego is picked to win just 69 games. Someone will do worse than that, tho, you can count on it.

Our prospects didn't fare so well, however. Years of picking at the bottom of the first round have brought our system down to 28th place (of 36) in the league. Pitcher Cam Bornhoft (#41) is our only player in the top 100, and as he's 25, he'll age out after this season. There are some nice prospects behind him, led by SS J.J. Simmons (#118), P Taylor Barnett (#123), and RP Rick Ramirez (#139). All look to have big league chops, if not star potential. More about them in the mid-summer draft & system review.


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Old 04-22-2018, 09:47 PM   #129
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2042 Regular Season

April 7-9 vs CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Your 2021 World Series champs were one of the best teams of the '20s, but haven't been relevant since their last playoff appearance in 2031. BNN has them finishing last in the Central this year. Additions: 2B Eddie Herrera (LAA, 0 WAR), 2B/DH Bob Johnson (NOZ, 0.8 WAR), CF Jerry McCall (injured), SP Chris Wead (MIN, 3.8 WAR), SP Matt Bienvenu (OAK, 1.1 WAR), RP Ken Newman (MIA, -0.9 WAR). Injuries: SP Jarrod Kearns (4 months), CL Max Stover (season), C Dan Starr (week). Fun Fact: Clubhouse is already unhappy. No captain, no team leaders, seven players causing problems.

HAW pitchers: Mike Messinger (19-5, 2.85) / Eric Jones (18-7, 3.69) / Leon Casillas (16-7, 3.67)
CHW pitchers: Jake Atkinson (4-0, 3.31) / Mike Head (12-9, 3.98) / Chris Wead (15-10, 4.61)

#1: WIN 3-2 ... a two-run HR in the first puts us down early, but Messinger gives up nothing else through six...3 hits and 2 (9th inning) RBI for Robertson
#2: WIN 9-8 ... 20 hits and a 10th inning rally in this crazy back-and-forth affair...2 HR for Mercedes, including the tying blast in the 9th
#3: LOSS 5-10 ... a Groff grand slam goes wanting, as Casillas and then King get manhandled...8 hits for each team, but we walk seven and none for us

Not the sharpest series for our pitchers, but winning two out of three is always good.... It's only one start, but I can be officially worried about Casillas (8 runs in 5 innings).... ELSEWHERE: add a couple more million to the Dodgers bullpen, as they sign former Ray Sean Parker to a two-year deal.... four teams sweep their opening series, including the Angels


April 11-13 vs MILWAUKEE
The Brewers took two of three at Houston to open their season. MLB has them winning just 73 games, but RF Colby Sandu is pegged to get 53 home runs. Additions: LF Alfredo Gazca (SF, -0.8 WAR), C Aaron Moffett (BKN, 2.4 WAR), CF Sean Sly (TB, -0.4 WAR), SU Jaden Ingraham (NOZ, 0.2 WAR) and Justin Darrisaw (NYY, 0.9 WAR). Injuries: SS Tyler Peek (3 wks), OF Justin Herde (4 months), RP Bill Salazar (4 wks). Fun fact: Salazar was signed away from the Expos in 2037 for a 7-year, $130M deal, and has pitched just 319 innings since then, earning 3.5 total WAR. He was becoming one of the league's best pitchers at 26, when he first lost half a season to injury for the Expos. What might have been...

HAW pitchers: Rob Hart (16-10, 5.05) / Bobby Piccirillo (5-3, 3.86) / Mike Messinger (2042: 0-0, 3.00)
MIL pitchers: Chris Medeiros (1-2, 2.45) / Wally McDermott (1-1, 3.41) / Tim Pinksen (2042: 0-0, 3.00)

#4: WIN 5-4 ... Robertson parks a 2-run shot in the third and Groff drives in two more in the 4th...Hart whiffs 10, but gives up 2 HR and 9 hits...still, a win's a win
#5: LOSS 2-7 ... "hit early, hit often" is Milwaukee's motto today, as we're down 3-0 after two and never catch up...Masuda hits his first MLB home run, a solo shot in the 5th
#6: WIN 7-5 ... Messinger lasts just 5 IP, but Ks 8 and takes the win...bullpen (all on Yee, really) gives up 3 in the 9th...Groff with 4 hits, Masuda hits another HR

Let's take two out of three every series, okay? Sweeps are nice, but consistency is good too.... Just six games in, and our hitters are bashing the ball around just like last year. Our pitchers, though, have been pretty bad. Early days, tho. Early days.... ELSEWHERE: Injuries continue to mount all over: this time it's ARZ SS Heriberto Martinez. Last year alone: all-star, Gold Glove winner, NL WAR leader, 38 HR. He's done for the season.... Washington went out and signed a ton of free agents this winter, and as penance for that they're off to an 0-6 start.


April 14-16 @ MINNESOTA
The expected Central Division winners, at 92-70, are off to a slow start at 2-4. Not much hitting or pitching yet for these guys, but they'll sort it out. C Peanuts Carter, 3B Paul Foster, and DH/OF Steve Wilkins anchor a powerful lineup. Additions: RF Jose Archuleta (NYM, 4.0 WAR), 1B Pat Salter (PIT, 3.4 WAR), 2B Ty Cobb (SF, 5.4 WAR), SP Bobby Morfin (CHC, 1.3 WAR), SP Milt Schott (inactive since '39?), SP Alex Lopez (ditto!). Injuries: SP Mike Wright (season), 2B Cobb (6 wks), CL Pinot Giglio (2 wks).

HAW pitchers: Eric Jones (0-0, 7.94) / Leon Casillas (0-1, 14.40) / Rob Hart (1-0, 4.70)
MIN pitchers: Chris McMichael (0-1, 6.00) / Bob Knapp (0-1, 12.60) / Milt Schott (1-0, 2.57)

#7: LOSS 2-3 ... Jones scatters just 3 hits over 6 IP, but Tanner surrenders the tying run in the 9th and Yee gives up a full-count solo HR in the 10th to blow it
#8: LOSS 12-15 ... a combined 32 hits, another horrible start for Casillas, and another blown extra innings game...we're now at .500
#9: LOSS 1-3 ... Schott, who hasn't pitched in two years, holds us to two hits, and we're swept out of Minny and under .500 for the first time in over two years

Well this was ugly all around. We hit, and get no pitching; or we pitch, but get no hitting. At least we're first in steals, so our owner is happy.... Cam Bornhoft, our #1 prospect, suffered his second major elbow injury and is done for at least 16 months. At 25, and coming off a 13-game season last year, I wonder how many chances he has left.... ELSEWHERE: Our old friend Joel Courtney is hitting .429 with Washington, which finally won a game (now 1-7).... Yankee Tony "Mr 64" Flores is at it again, with 7 HR in 9 games...The Reds (8-1) and Cubs (7-1) are hot, having won 6 and 7 in a row.

......

TL;DR Version: I guess I got spoiled with last year's hot start and hot season. It's only nine games, but there are already some disturbing trends: an all-or-nothing bullpen, a major-bummer rotation, and a frustrating lack of run generation while still producing a ton of hits. OBP is way down too; that can't all be due to missing Dunklee, can it? Plus, losing Bornhoft for the year takes away my #1 option from the farm.

But, hey, it's only April!

LAA ... 6-3 ... --
TEX ... 5-4 ... 1
OAK ... 5-4 ... 1
HOU ... 4-5 ... 2
SEA ... 4-5 ... 2
HAW ... 4-5 ... 2
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Old 04-23-2018, 09:26 PM   #130
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April 17-20 @ SEATTLE
At 4-5, tied (!) with us for last (!!) in the division. Playing opposite ball from their recent history: hitting well, getting no pitching. Sixth in runs scored, which isn't crazy good, but they have smacked 22 home runs. Additions: SP BJ Nault (ATL, 0.2 WAR), SP Jun-hyuk Au (Korea), RP Antonio Morales (WAS, -0.9 WAR). Injuries: SP Aaron Myers (3 wks), SP Dean Jernigan (3 months). Fun fact: Last year's #1 pick Steve Maki has started his pro career in AA and already wants to be in the bigs. With his ratings, he soon will be.

HAW pitchers: Bobby Piccirillo (0-1, 7.50) / Mike Messinger (1-0, 3.27) / Eric Jones (0-0, 4.63) / Leon Casillas (0-1, 16.62)
SEA pitchers: Jun-hyuk Au (0-1, 4.26) / Ruben Alvarado (0-1, 3.00) / Sean Easter (1-1, 6.52) / BJ Nault (1-1, 3.75)

#10: WIN 15-1 ... Four hits apiece from Robertson and Masuda and a Grand Slam from Mercedes...Piccirillo goes 8.1, looks decent again
#11: LOSS 2-3 ... better pitching, but only 5 hits..."The Islanders fall to 5-6 and and continue their uneasy start to the 2042 season." Yep.
#12: LOSS 7-9 ... Jones is gone in the third, and despite the score we're never really in this one...lots of hits for Sanchez and Groff, but so what
#13: WIN 7-6 ... Henkel drives the win with 2 HR and 4 RBI; Masuda hits his 5th...Casillas still not good, but 4 R in 4 IP is his best outing by far this year

We're still Team Schizo: 3rd in runs, 2nd in AVG and OBP, but 14th in runs against and last in starter's ERA.... RP Frank Soto tweaks his elbow, diagnosis pending. So, maybe more than a tweak then.... ELSEWHERE: NL Central tops: Cincy (10-2), Chicago (9-3), New Orleans (9-4). On the other hand, there's Washington at 1-10.... PIT's Danny Diaz is on fire: .510/7/20 and on his way to winning a triple crown and the MVP, count on it.


April 21-23 @ LA ANGELS
"Division leading Angels" is not something I thought I'd be typing, even in April. The lineup is top heavy and lacks depth, but pitching--especially the starters--has been money. But they only have a +1 run differential, so don't plan the parade yet. Additions: no one of significance, just a couple of rookies. Injuries: 1B Danny Gipson (2 wks). Fun fact: Picked for last place in the division by MLB, and they haven't had a winning season since 2035. Is this the year the rebuild finally takes hold?

HAW pitchers: Rob Hart (1-1, 4.61) / Bobby Piccirillo (1-1, 3.77) / Mike Messinger (1-1, 2.12)
LAA pitchers: Fred Caviness (1-0, 3.46) / Brad Ellis (1-1, 7.50) / Jeff Caraway (0-1, 4.91)

#14: WIN 10-3 ... Masuda cranks two more HR, and Mercedes and Groff each add one...Hart throws a strong 6.1, and Stanley even shows up with 2.1 shutout innings
#15: LOSS 0-4 ... "Islanders...inconsistent start..." Gotta love BNN...we strand ten runners blah blah blah
#16: WIN 11-5 ... an early 9-1 lead stands up, for once...3 RBI each for Henkel, Mercedes, and Canning

Back to .500. Hitting has risen to 1st in the AL, although we're middle of the pack in HR. Pitching is still in the weeds, and team defense has dropped alarmingly.... Frank Soto is done, with an exploded elbow. Out for 9 months. Sigh. Ramon Archila gets first crack at taking his place.... ELSEWHERE: Philly 3B Yuhai Adachi is the first to 10 HR.... Brooklyn's won 8 straight, surging to 11-4 and tied with Cincy for best record in baseball.


April 25-27 @ CLEVELAND
Like us, sitting at .500. They're not hitting at all, however, and pitching is 12th, with a run diff of -21, which suggests darker things. No one in the lineup is hitting over .246 yet. Additions: SP Amir Farland (SEA, -0.5 WAR), RP RJ Winter (BOS, 0.5 WAR). Injuries: RP Oscar Ocampo (season), 3B Ryan Mehl (season). Fun fact: Maybe not fun, but the bottom four batters are hitting a combined .165.

HAW pitchers: Eric Jones (0-1, 8.36) / Leon Casillas (0-1, 14.21) / Rob Hart (2-1, 4.50)
CLE pitchers: Roberto Maldonado (0-0, 0.00) / Danny Powers (0-3, 10.57) / Matt Knowlton (2-1, 3.10)

#17: WIN 13-5 ... 17 hits and 4 HR, including a team-leading 8th for Masuda...Jones gets his first win, giving up 3 H in 6 IP
#18: LOSS 8-9 ... we come back from a 5-0 deficit, tie it in the 9th, but lose in extras (again)...2 hits for Groff, now hitting .406...Casillas is B.A.D. again tho
#19: LOSS 5-6 ... Hart gives up 2 HR in the first, and we try but can't catch up...I guess we're officially struggling now

First in hitting, 15th in pitching, and the rotation is dead last. We are +16 in run diff, so if the pitching comes around, we should start winning. Right?... Casillas now with a 13.75 ERA, and may have lost much more than I thought after his rotator cuff surgery. As in, everything.... ELSEWHERE: Jordan Cruz is now inflicting is offensive "prowess" on Baltimore: hitting .122 and with 44 K in 87 AB.... Danny Diaz has "slumped" to .487, but still leads the NL in most offensive categories.... STL pitcher Wes Lipinski has been nearly perfect: 3 starts, 18 IP, 22 K, 1 R.


April 28-30 vs KANSAS CITY
Struggling, like us, but at 8-10. But we're opposites: they can't hit (17th in runs) but pitching is stellar (3rd). 3B Juan Garcia is hitting .388, like his hot start last year. Additions: RP Zach Hiller (AUS, -1.4 WAR). Injuries: SP Francisco Duarte (unknown), RP Chris Ellis (4 months). Fun fact: Even with Hiller's 21.60 ERA, the bullpen is leading the league with a 1.81 ERA.

HAW pitchers: Bobby Piccirillo (1-2, 4.43) / Mike Messinger (2-1, 3.13) / Eric Jones (1-1, 6.30)
KCR pitchers: Marcus Richardson (0-1, 9.82) / Yutaka Fujino (2-1, 2.37) / Eddy Llamas (1-2, 3.33)

#20: LOSS 2-3 ... Groff keeps hitting, but no one else does...Piccirillo fans 7, zero walks, but gives up all the runs over 6 IP
#21: WIN 11-4 ... Night of the Living Backups! Gooding drives in four, and Diaz goes 2-for-2 with a 2-run HR...Groff keeps hitting, 2-for-4
#22: WIN 6-2 ... Gooding homers again, and Groff with two more hits...Jones yields just 3 hits and zero runs through 6.1

Hey, up to 14th in pitching now! And back to .500. Baby steps.... Carillo tweaks something, is dtd for 8 days. I sit him, so as to not have him fall apart completely.... ELSEWHERE: Topsy turvy AL standings right now, as all three projected divisin winners are at or below .500: we're 11-11, Minnesota is 10-12, Miami 10-11. Tampa Bay hasn't been relevant in a decade, but had a good month, finishing 13-7 and leading the East. Washington (5-14) and San Fran (6-15) are the league bottom dwellers.... Casillas isn't the only former Cy Young winner struggling this month: Toronto's Dave Henderson has two wins but also 9 HR yielded in 19 innings and an ERA near 6...which still makes him more than twice as good as Casillas right now.

......

TL;DR Version: Rough month. We're only at .500 thanks to two wins at the end of the month. Hitting has generally been good, but our rotation has been just ugly, especially Casillas. In the field, CF Sanchez is struggling at the plate and with the glove; I may work McGowan into more games, see if he can spark things for us. Our next series is a tough one against Detroit, then we move into more divisional play. Fingers crossed for a better May.

LAA ... 14-8 ... -- ... weak hitting but scoring runs (7th), and pitching has been solid
SEA ... 14-9 ... .5 ... 2nd best offense in the AL, but pitchers are holding them back
OAK ... 12-9 ... 1.5 ... +28 run diff, best in the division, and that's with their hitters underperforming
HAW ... 11-11 ... 3 ... tons of runs, for everyone; it's like the NHL circa the 1980s: firewagon baseball
TEX ... 10-12 ... 4 ... a few players are keeping them afloat; roster full of holes should catch up to them soon
HOU ... 9-12 ... 4.5 ... a +10 run diff, so what's killing them? Same as us: awful starting pitching and subpar defense
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Old 04-25-2018, 08:21 PM   #131
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May 2-4 vs DETROIT
The first look at our season killers from last year. And the year before that, the b*st*rds. Currently struggling (sounds familiar) at 9-12, tied for last with KC. Sixth in runs for, 9th against (110 vs 108), and only 12th in average, but 5th in home runs. Gotta figure their bats will come around soon...let's just hope they wait three more days to do that. 2041 ROY John Sheets is batting .347, but cleanup hitter CJ Lee only .167, so the table is getting set, just no one's coming to dinner. (Hey, metaphors!) Additions: SP Jay Lamb (RIC, 4.0 WAR), MR Rich Beltowski (KC, 0 WAR). Injuries: nothing significant. Fun fact: Team owner Henry Ilitch is a third-generation owner. This is his first year controlling the club, and he's somehow delighted with the way things are going. Well, money IS flowing in, so there's that.

HAW pitchers: Leon "Uh Oh" Casillas (0-1, 13.75) / Rob Hart (2-2, 5.76) / Bobby Piccirillo (1-3, 4.44)
DET pitchers: Jay Lamb (2-2, 2.79) / Jose Escobar (1-2, 12.23) / Alex Gomez (1-1, 2.22)

#23: WIN 5-4 ... Leon's back! Ok, he did walk 4 in 6 innings, but gave up just 5 hits and 0 runs...Yee blows up again (37.80 ERA now) but we rally to win it in the 11th...Masuda homers again
#24: LOSS 3-5 ... Hart is villian again, giving up 3 HR and disappointing everyone...only six hits for the good guys against a struggling pitcher (Escobar)
#25: LOSS 6-11 ... Piccs is terrible, but the pen flames out for 7 runs, and it's possible our entire team is slumping at once now

Ugh. The one bright spot is Casillas' solid game. But what else is there to say? The pen was bad, our hitting was spotty, and I can't get anyone to hit better than .230 out of the #2 spot. Major tweaks coming as we fly off to Texas.... Oh, and Senichi Masuda was named AL Rookie of the Month.... ELSEWHERE: We have our first no-hitter of the season: Miami's Matt Rubin gives up just 3 walks in a 10-0 thrashing of the A's. (This is the 65th no-no in dynasty history. There have been 3 perfect games.).... Tampa Bay lost 2 outfielders for the season in one game, now joining one already on the season-ending DL.... Oakland has now lost 6 straight, showing some divisional solidarity with us in the "who will be most disappointing this year" standings.


May 5-7 @ TEXAS
At 11-14 and just behind us (lulz) in this season's weird-ass divisional standings. Hitting has improved (7th in runs) and starting pitching looks pretty good (5th), but the bullpen is in flames, and there's little power in the lineup. 1B Nate Lobdell is having a great start to the campaign: .333/8/24, leading those categories. Additions: SP Ruben Villasenor (MTL, 4.2 WAR), several rookies. Injuries: three RP (Seth Purdy, Lorenzo Rangel, Butch Conley, from 2 wks to 13 months). Fun fact: Looking for their first playoff spot since 2023. Heck, their first winning season in nearly a decade would delight the fans.

HAW pitchers: Mike Messinger (3-1, 3.21) / Eric Jones (2-1, 4.78) / Leon Casillas (0-1, 10.27)
TEX pitchers: Ruben Villasenor (1-2, 6.45) / John Fox (2-2, 5.47) / Alex Mares (2-1, 2.10)

#26: LOSS 5-6 ... 12 hits, including 3 from new #2 hitter Hunter, and 4 RBI from new star Masuda, but Messinger has an off game, lasting just 5 IP
#27: LOSS 1-3 ... Masuda keeps hitting, but holy crap we're now a game out of last place...decent game for Jones, but Kieffer gives up 2 late runs to extend our misery
#28: WIN 10-6 ... finally we string together enough hits to win a ballgame! Casillas is meh, but has his ERA under 10 at last...4 doubles and 2 HR help the cause

I am not ready to accept that we may be a mediocre team this year, 13-15 record notwithstanding. Last year everything came together--outstanding hitting, good-enough pitching, excellent defense. This year, the hitting (although not for HR power) is on, but we're giving up runs in bunches and playing subpar defense. What to do, what to do. Trade? We're up against our spending limit, so I'd have to find a salary-for-salary deal. Free Agent? Same reason, plus no ignored gems remain out there.... Ramon Archila and his 27.00 ERA are demoted to KC, and Zack Randolph gets his third bite at the apple (a career 7.11 ERA in 59 IP over 3 seasons with us. This is it for you, Zack.).... ELSEWHERE: If you're a Nationals fan, there are two things you are hating right now. First, your team is the worst in baseball, at 7-19. Second, the 2042 draft pool was announced this week, and one name near the top looked familiar: Kevin Mazurowski, a 21-year-old at Long Beach State. Why familiar? Because the Nats took him FIRST OVERALL last year, and he refused to sign with them. Smart kid.


May 8-11 vs OAKLAND
We're 13-15, and the A's are just marginally better, at 13-14. Hitting, normally their strong suit, is down this year (11th in runs, 13th in HR), but pitching (3rd in runs) is sustaining them, for what that's worth. 1B (former C) Vinny Vargas is hitting .417, leading the league, but he's out for this series. Let's see which team gets fixed first. Additions: C Dawson Casale (KC, 0.2 WAR), SP Kyle Labate (PHI, 2.3 WAR), CL Jason Henry (CHW, -0.4 WAR), RP Bill Adan (CHC, 0.2 WAR). Injuries: 1B Vinny Vargas (6 days), SP Chris Stamper (season), SP Santiago Hurtado (pending).

HAW pitchers: Rob Hart (2-3, 6.03) / Bobby Piccirillo (1-4, 5.22) / Mike Messinger (3-2, 4.36) / Eric Jones (2-1, 4.05)
OAK pitchers: Kyle Labate (1-3, 6.75) / Francisco Pantaleon (2-2, 7.23) / Mike Wiater (1-1, 3.67) / Ricky Hose (2-2, 4.91)

#29: WIN 5-4 ... for once it's our turn to come back late, with Carillo's walk-off HR in the 9th ending things...Hart gives up just 2 HR, which is progress
#30: LOSS 2-3 ... just nine hits combined...Piccs goes the distance, but a 2-run HR in the 8th kills us...no momentum for this team. None
#31: WIN 7-2 ... seems like old times: lots of baseunners, lots of runs, Messinger throws a stout 7 IP, Kieffer gets his first save
#32: WIN 8-3 ... a 5-run first starts us on our way, as everyone gets a hit today...Jones falters after 4 IP, but the pen gives up just one hit the rest of the way

It's nice to know we still have a series like that in us, really just a couple of bad pitches by Piccs from getting the sweep.... Diving deeper into our "stellar" offensive numbers: despite being 1st in runs and AVG, we're 3rd in OBP, 8th in HR, and 12th in walks. Losing Dunklee was costly in all those measurements, really. He was good for 25+ HR and 100+ walks a season, and probably is a major reason why the batters behind him last year are having slow seasons: Mercedes at .213 and Henkel at .252.... ELSEWHERE: Seattle has won 6 in a row, taking over first in the AL West from LA, at 22-11. Wow.... Tampa Bay has six regulars on the DL, and are slumping (2-8) to a .500 record.... Detroit has now won six straight, so their ship looks to be righted.


May12-15 vs HOUSTON
Our last series before interleague play begins. Disappointing, at 13-19 and last in the division. Their numbers aren't terrible, with just a -1 run diff, and 7th in runs for while 9th in runs against. No one is having a big year, driving the offense, so that's probably why they're not winning. Plus, their currnet leadoff hitter is rolling at just .182. Additions: OF John Magnus (PHI, 1.2 WAR), SP Tyler Holman (CLE, -0.1 WAR), RP David Rubio (BKN, -0.3 WAR). Injuries: SP Jay Russo (5 days), SP Khalil Palmer (3 months), CL Brent Philbrick (pending). Fun fact: This bears constant repeating, but the Astros have not been to the post-season since 2018, posting just three winning seasons in those 23 years.

HAW pitchers: Leon Casillas (1-1, 9.62) / Rob Hart (2-3, 6.03) / Bobby Piccirillo (1-5, 4.70) / Mike Messinger (4-2, 4.05)
HOU pitchers: Luis Burgos (0-0, 2.25) / Travis Calhoun (2-1, 5.18) / Jonathan Caldera (1-1, 3.09) / Tyler Holman (2-3, 4.23)

#33: WIN 3-2 ... another good start for Casillas, as we're outhit (10-7), but Groff and Masuda come through to drive in all the runs
#34: LOSS 1-7 ... of course Hart gives up 3 more HR, because why not...just six hits for us, no XBH either
#35: LOSS 0-6 ... the bullpen stinks in this one, but getting only four hits dooms us anyway
#36: LOSS 4-8 ... seven lousy hits is the best we can manage...bullpen is terrible again, but Messinger is little better

Well, the era of good feelings didn't last long, and now we're off for nine interleague games against the NL Central, the toughest division in baseball.... Looking for something, I send down slumping Ashton Gooding (.146) and RP Chet King (6.06 ERA), and call up OF Justin Beeman and RP Kaz Ihara. Both are first time Islanders.... ELSEWHERE: Detroit has won TEN STRAIGHT, and capped off their latest series with a perfect game from Raul Bravo, a 3-0 10K game vs the Indians. Congrats to them, I guess.... The Angels have lost 8 in a row, falling back to third in the division and nearly back to .500...Washington became the final team with 10 wins this season, and are now at 10-23.... Pittsburgh's Danny Diaz (NL Player of the Month for April) has stayed hot, and is hitting .396, best in the majors.

......

TL;DR Version: Despite some brief sunshine vs Oakland, we still suck, sitting in mid-May at 17-19 and a game out of last in the division. Now we're off to play two hot NL clubs (STL and CIN, both 21-14) and one terrible one (MTL, 14-21). Who know what team will show up. The good news is that newbie Sen Masuda (.296/10/31) has been nice, but the power bats behind him (Mercedes, Henkel, and McArthur) have a combined 16 HR, after hitting 109 last year. Gonna try some lineup shuffling, and a couple of slumping players have been shipped out to AAA.
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Old 04-29-2018, 08:57 PM   #132
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May 16-18 vs ST LOUIS
A game-and-a-half out of first, but at 21-14 and playing in the toughest division in baseball. Good for them. They also have three former Islanders: they signed 1B Jeremy Dunklee from free agency this winter; SP Ken Clark is in his 4th season with the team, and has finally become the 4+ WAR pitcher he couldn't maintain with me; and P Angelo Partida, who made 25 starts for me from '35 thru '37, but couldn't stay healthy (he also missed all of '38 and is currently on the DL for the next 3 months). Additions: 1B Dunklee (HAW, 5.0 WAR), C Brad Duscher (AUS, 0.5 WAR), SP Wes Lipinski (BKN, 1.5 WAR), SU R.J. Pietsch (TEX, 0.2 WAR), SU Ethan Villines (PHI, 2.4 WAR), RP Rafael Guzman (NYM, 0.2 WAR). Injuries: OF Ryan Stadler (4 months), RP Partida (3 months), RP Michael Leslein (4 wks). Fun fact: Sophomore OF Steve Rutledge is on a 60-HR pace, and is a super gritty player from Missouri. So, ugh.

HAW pitchers: Eric Jones (2-1, 4.34) / Leon Casillas (1-1, 8.23) / Rob Hart (2-4, 6.45)
STL pitchers: Joey Muhlenkamp (3-1, 3.77) / D.C. Weltman (0-0, 3.00) / Ken Clark (2-1, 3.82)

#37: WIN 11-3 ... woot! 9 hits and 8 RBI from the top-4 in the lineup, so one game in and I'm perfectly satisfied with my lineup genius...Jones tweaks his shoulder, may miss his next start
#38: WIN 5-2 ... another solid start for Casillas (7 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 6 K)...only 6 hits, but 6 walks and timely hitting for once
#39: LOSS 5-13 ... 5 HR for the Cards. One guess at who was pitching for us...Ihara has made two appearances, has been bad in both. Can I find a full bullpen this year?

Well, two out of three is progress. But we've stopped hitting home runs now, down to 11th in the league.... The rotation has been slowly coming around, but oh man, Rob Hart has been a disaster. As bad as Casillas' April was, his ERA (7.07) is now lower than Hart's (7.08).... ELSEWHERE: Eleven losses in a row now for the Angels, putting them in a tie for fourth with us (yay).... Philly and Richmond are hot, and pulling away from the field in the NL East, at 23-15.... Miami's Ricky Beard is the hottest hitter in baseball right now, bringing his average up to .397, and also leading the AL with 16 HR and 40 RBI.


May 19-21 vs CINCINNATI
At 24-14 and a half game behind the Cubs. Hitting is mid-pack, 11th in runs and 7th in AVG, but pitching is 2nd in the NL. SP Rodolfo Romo has been nearly unstoppable so far, at 5-1 with a 1.31 ERA. No hitters are standing out, but part-time 1B Dustin Lewis is hitting .363. Additions: 2B Gabe Chavez (MTL, 0.3 WAR), SP Juan Valdez (SD, 6.0 WAR), SP Tim Wormald (NYY, -0.7 WAR), SU Jack Shewmake (CHC, 0.0 WAR), RP Josh Inman (STL, 2.5 WAR). Injuries: 1B Mitchell Harris (3 wks), SP Gabe Pamperin (7 wks), SP John Herr (3 wks), 1B Rich Humphrey (8 wks), 1B Daniel Matias (8 wks), SS Brian Martin (pending), 2B Manny Rivera (pending).

HAW pitchers: Bobby Piccirillo (1-6, 4.15) / Mike Messinger (4-3, 4.00) / Jim Kieffer (0-0, 1.83)
CIN pitchers: Rodolfo Romo (5-1, 1.31) / Juan Valdez (4-2, 2.04) / Robbie Collier (1-1, 3.80)

#40: LOSS 4-6 ... this was over early, down 6-1 after four...Ihara at least finally got some folks out, but Robertson gets hurt, diagnosis pending
#41: WIN 8-1 ... Messinger and Stanley combine on a six-hitter, and Groff goes 3-for-4 with a triple and 2 RBI...Carillo gets a dtd injury
#42: LOSS 2-4 ... Kieffer proves he belongs in the pen, yielding four runs early...just six hits, only one double, as bats are getting chilly again

More blah play, and while our pitching seems to be s-l-o-w-l-y improving, our hitting is fading. I still can't get more than one or two batters on a roll at any one time.... Robertson and Carillo have dtd injuries, for 8 and 5 days, respectively.... ELSEWHERE: Yankees players call for a players-only meeting in the midst of a six-game losing streak that has dropped them to 12-28.... Miami's Ricky Beard is now hitting .405, and already approaching 4 WAR on the season.... Portland's Mat Quadrini, last seen in these pages in the midst of a 53-HR 2039 season that earned him a shiny new $14M deal, is in a contract year and working on a 55 HR pace (along with 214 K).


May 23-25 @ MONTREAL
Even in last place, at 18-23, it's the best last-place record in baseball. Star Matt Anderson (.297/12/30) is having another great season, on pace for 47 HR. They are 5th in runs scored, and have a +3 run diff, so if they had better pitching, they might be making some noise. Sounds familiar... Lots of pitchers are hurt, too, and their rotation is all new from last year. Additions: OF Khalil Wilson (SF, 0.9 WAR), LF Corey Jarrell (WAS, 0.8 WAR), SP Jimmy Porreca (RIC, 1.0 WAR), SP Tyson Murphy (MIN, -0.3 WAR), SP Luis Munoz (CHC, -0.6 WAR), SP Zach Setaro (CHW, 0.9 WAR), CL Scott Murray (TB, 0 WAR), RP Billy Heine (HAW, 1.3 WAR). Injuries: SP Javy Tarango (6 wks), SP Mat Mitchell (2 wks), RP Pedro Colon (9 months), RP Cam Shroyer (6 wks), RP Manny Paz (5 wks), RP Nelson Moreno (2 wks).

HAW pitchers: Eric Jones (3-1, 3.95) / Leon Casillas (2-1, 7.07) / Rob Hart (2-5, 7.08)
MTL pitchers: Jimmy Porreca (4-3, 3.78) / Tyson Murphy (4-0, 3.68) / Zach Setaro (1-0, 2.25)

#43: LOSS 2-5 ... no comment
#44: LOSS 5-9 ... no comment
#45: WIN 3-2 ... whatever

This team...Come play us, make your record healthier.... At this point, I wish I had the old "schedule extra practice" button from EHM. No one is hitting, we've hit one home run in the last week plus. There comes a point where you can only shift players around but so much.... Pitching, now that's different. Rob Hart finally had a good game, but I'm near the end of my rope with him. And I do feel for Piccirillo, who hasn't been terrible but sports a fine 1-7 record... ELSEWHERE: There are other teams? Do they matter? Eh, probably not.


May 26-28 vs TORONTO
Trying to figure things out, just like us, at 22-22, but just 3 games out of first. All-World 1B Preston Sorensen is having his second straight down year, this time at just .208 with 6 HR. Nobody is hitting better than .279, which helps explain why they're 17th in runs. Pitching is better, at 10th, with the rotation (2nd) looking especially good. A -24 run diff is hard to work out, unless you figure their losses are all blowouts. Additions: 1B Justin Wright (WAS, 2.5 WAR), 3B Alastair Bence (TB, 0.1 WAR), RF Braden Yates (ARI, 3.3 WAR), SP Tom DiFranco (OAK, injured). Injuries: RP D.J. Marchetti (season), RP Carlos Pagan (season), SS Dan Munoz (3 months). Fun fact: First year manager Lester Oliveros has been described as a "loose cannon," and has already alienated half the team, including nice Canadian boy Sorensen. Tsk.

HAW pitchers: Bobby Piccirillo (1-7, 4.66) / Mike Messinger (5-3, 3.63) / Eric Jones (3-2, 4.37)
TOR pitchers: Geoff Olsson (3-4, 3.48) / Joe Erkel (3-3, 4.14) / Dave Henderson (5-1, 3.73)

#46: WIN 6-5 ... Piccs throws another complete game (?), but at least gets the win this time...12 hits, still no home runs
#47: WIN 3-0 ... TWO HOME RUNS DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES YES...Messinger fans 11, but Canning and Carrillo hurt
#48: WIN 2-0 ... wut...Hunter with 3 hits, half the team's output, and Jones somehow whiffs 11 more and something weird is going on

Well that was completely unexpected. We didn't exactly burst out of our offensive funk, but some crazy-good pitching shows up from nowhere. I won't ask any more questions.... Injuries are popping up a little more frequently now, but at least they've been dtd so far: Carrillo and Canning are both just a few days, so they'll get a little time off. Robertson is back to 100% for the next series.... ELSEWHERE: Portland was predicted to win 73 games this year, and while they're not painting the town red yet (at 24-23), their pitching is heating up, what with Ethan Fulton fanning 16 in his last start, and Toichi Kaneko dominating the Braves to go to 6-0 on the season. If they had any hitting they'd be dangerous.... Yanks slugger Tony Flores is, surprise, the first to reach 20 HR on the season. He hit 65 last year, and is on a pace for 74 this year.... Speaking of the Yankees, only one pitcher--closer Dean Wimmer at 1.27--has an ERA below 4.4 right now.


May 30-31, June 1 @ TAMPA BAY
Let's close out the month with the Rays, who fell back to earth earlier this month (after a 13-7 April), but have righted things to sit at 24-21, two games behind Boston. They have a -20 run diff, which is hard to explain given their record. They are hitting, 4th in avg, 6th in OBP, but are just 14th in runs scored. Pitching is generically below average. SS Brian Good (.376/12/29) is working on a career year, and closer Tony Silvas (7 saves, 2.82 ERA) is making the most of his debut in that role. Additions: SS Brian Good (CHC, 1.0 WAR), 3B Chris Martin (NOZ, -1.2 WAR), SP Tom Sloan (MTL, 0 WAR), SP Ricky Lovato (SF, 0.7 WAR), CL Tony Silvas (PHI, 0.2 WAR), RP Jake Irvin (NOZ, 1.4 WAR). Injuries: OF Nelson Nava (season), OF Jose Gonzales (season), CL Jake Ervin (3 months). Fun fact: In January, pitcher Jon Talley became the first genuine Rays player to be named to the Hall of Fame. In a seven year period from 2023-29, he earned 53 WAR, 3 Cy Youngs, an MVP, and seven All-Star appearances. He was undoubtedly the dominant pitcher in the AL during that decade. His Hall election was well earned.

HAW pitchers: Leon Casillas (2-2, 7.91) / Rob Hart (2-5, 6.51) / Bobby Piccirillo (2-7, 4.71)
TBR pitchers: Tom Sloan (1-4, 4.91) / Ricky Lovato (3-3, 7.07) / Joe Ingram (5-1, 5.26)

#49: LOSS 5-8 ... another downslope for Casillas, apparently...we do hit 2 HR and nobody got hurt, so hooray for us
#50: LOSS 6-7 ... Hart is ok, giving up just 2 HR, as this time the pen shoulders the blame--giving up a 4-spot in the 9th--to further kill my buzz
#51: WIN 3-2 ... Piccs wins his second straight, and keeps deluding me into thinking he's a big league starter

These guys don't want me to be happy, obviously. Because of course this is all about me.... I may have to face facts that I have a $26/year relief pitcher on my hands. Casillas' latest scouting report shows a loss of stuff, movement, and control. Even Hart is outpitching him now. Problem is, my top two replacement options, Frank Soto and Cam Bornhoft, are both out for the year.... Everyone else is currently healthy, so now I just need to keep juggling things to find something that works consistently. You'll know when I do if I find anything... ELSEWHERE: Houston has won 7 out of 10 to move up out of last place, while the Angels borked all of May and have slid into the bottom spot in the division. Cincy and the Cubs are the first teams to 30 wins, while Washington and the Yankees are the only teams without at least 20 wins.... Batting numbers are returning to normal, with Miami's Ricky Beard (May Player of the Month) leading the AL at .362, and Brooklyn's Chris White pacing the NL at .341. Seattle's Mike Wapner hit 14 HR in May to take the AL lead (22 to 21) from Tony Flores, while Cardinal holy boy Steve Rutledge leads the NL with 21.

......

TL;DR Version: There were brighter spots in May, but overall we were worse (13-15) this month than we were in April (11-11). No one can hit a home run anymore (just 26 all month), and Leon Casillas probably needs the Ol' Yeller treatment, and soon. The bullpen has been better of late, and the lineup is healthy. But, if everyone's playing and no one's hitting, it's like that old joke "The food here is terrible, but at least the portions are big." What? Of course you get it. Shush.
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Old 05-02-2018, 06:52 PM   #133
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June 2-4 @ BALTIMORE
Exactly two batters are hitting their weight: 2B Travis Tanner (.316) and RF Cesar Alvarenga (.315/17/45). The epic K-artist Jordan Cruz has turned up in Baltimore, and is bringing down the offense in this new place (87 K in 177 AB). Former Islander Steve Miller is the closer, having a good year: 10 SV, 1.95 ERA. Additions: 2B Tanner (WAS 4.4 WAR), 1B Jay Woodman (STL, -0.1 WAR), 3B Chris Grimm (MIA/SD, 2.5 WAR), SS Cruz (CHC, -1.0 WAR), SP Leo Zamorano (TEX, -0.8 WAR), RP Miller (HAW, 0.2 WAR). Injuries: 3B John Paine (4 days), C Omar Ramirez (6 wks). Fun fact: Cruz is 17th on the all-time strikeout list, at 2214 and counting.

HAW pitchers: Mike Messinger (6-3, 3.22) / Eric Jones (4-2, 3.76) / Leon Casillas (2-3, 8.53)
BAL pitchers: Leo Zamorano (1-5, 9.35) / Miguel Moreno (2-2, 3.26) / Ayahito Yoshimoto (4-4, 7.51)

#52: WIN 5-4 ... Groff with a 2-run shot, and Robertson goes 4-for-4 with 3 RBI, double, HR
#53: LOSS 1-4 ... Jones and Stanley blow up in a 4-run seventh...Moreno throws an 8-hit complete game against us
#54: WIN 8-3 ... Casillas tosses a surprise complete game, 8 hits, 3 K...McGowan inserted in the lineup and goes 2-for-5 with a HR and 5 RBI

A third of the way through the season now, and back at .500. We still can't hit a home run, the whole offense isn't performing up to snuff, and we're getting below average pitching. However--the hurlers are trending slowly upward, so if that continues, and we can get any kind of power hitting, there may be room for optimism.... ELSEWHERE: The Giants and Nats have still not reached 20 wins. The Cubs have won 7 straight and are on top of the Central for the moment. And LA has won 8 of 10 and opened up a 6.5 game lead over Austin, the biggest lead in baseball right now.... Boston's Tony Villarruel is earning his $23.8M salary: working on a 22 win, 295 K, 8 WAR season for the division leading Sox.


June 5-8 vs TEXAS
Rode an 18-10 month of May to second place in the division, and currently sit at 29-24, a game out of first. Ninth in runs for, 3rd against, with a +25 run diff. 1B Nate Lobdell has been the hitting star, at .287/15/42, and four out of five in the rotation have ERA below 3.8. The Rangers haven't had a winning season since going 85-77 back in 2034. Rarefied air for them, right now.

HAW pitchers: Rob Hart (2-5, 6.31) / Bobby Piccirillo (3-7, 4.48) / Mike Messinger (6-3, 3.53) / Eric Jones (4-3, 3.69)
TEX pitchers: Jeff Sullivan (2-2, 3.86) / Ruben Villasenor (4-2, 4.74) / Luca Shelton (3-0, 2.67) / Alex Mares (3-3, 3.27)

#55: LOSS 5-7 ... Hart! 4 homers against this time. Sigh...Masuda hits his first one out in weeks
#56: WIN 5-3 ... A Masuda Grand Slam! and Piccirillo's quality 6 IP key an actual win...only 6 hits total, tho
#57: WIN 10-4 ... three in the 3rd (sparked by a Sanchez triple) and four in the fifth are enough for the win...3 doubles and a HR for Masuda, who's hot again
#58: LOSS 2-5 ... my star relievers, Tanner and Kieffer (getting serious play in All-Star voting, ffs) stink up the joint in the 9th, allowing four runs on two HR. Sigh

Once again we can't stand even a brief glint of success, and are still treading water at 29-29.... Masuda is hitting again, home runs at least, but no one else is.... ELSEWHERE: The Cubs have won nine of ten, and have the league's best record at 37-21, but the Reds are just a game and a half back.... Seattle has 101 home runs, working on a 277 pace. Which is still not good enough to top the AL record of 290, accomplished by Miami in 2037, and the MLB record of 310 by the Pirates in 2036.... The Yankees are dragging on the bottom at 19-37, but Tony Flores leads the majors with 25 HR.


June 9-11 vs LA ANGELS
A promising (14-8) April has descended into 13-23 since. The offense has dropped off the map, last in runs, 16th in batting. Pitching is around average, but they are working a -49 run diff. Still, they're just 5.5 games out of first. 41-year-old 2B Jimmy Campbell is 15 hits away from 2500.

HAW pitchers: Leon Casillas (3-3, 7.69) / Rob Hart (2-6, 6.55) / Bobby Piccirillo (4-7, 4.35)
LAA pitchers: Fred Caviness (3-5, 5.29) / Brad Ellis (4-5, 3.88) / Jeff Caraway (2-8, 7.18)

#59: WIN 4-3 ... 2 more hits for Masuda; same for Henkel and McArthur, hopefully coming out of their slumps...Casillas goes six, looks decent at least
#60: WIN 8-4 ... 12 hits, and 3 actual home runs (including another one for Masuda)...Hart gives up 4 R in 7.1 IP and his ERA goes down; he's pitching for his life now
#61: LOSS 3-5 ... we outhit them, 10-8, but we give up three HR (and hit none ourselves), 2 in a 4-run 4th alone

I desperately want a sweep to trigger some better play from this team, but we just can't get one. We've got a four-spot against division-leading Seattle next, so that would be a perfect time to put it all together.... [Oddly, Groff has the flu, which isn't affecting him much, but the game has refused to put him in the lineup right now. Wth.] ELSEWHERE: Philly has slipped back with a 5-game losing streak, now just a half game up on Richmond and one game ahead of New York. Detroit has pulled out a 6-game lead over Milwaukee and KC.... Baltimore, currently suffering under the Jordan Cruz Curse, is employing the Whiffing Wizard as their SS. He's now hitting .180 with 102 K in 206 AB. At least he's batting 9th, and not leadoff, as they've decided having LF Edwin Avalos (currently batting .126) in that slot is the wiser choice.


June 12-15 vs SEATTLE
One of 2042's least pleasant surprises: predicted to reach 80 wins, they're 35-26 and holding down first in the division. Working a +23 run diff, 5th in runs for, and 2nd in AL home runs. Only their team defense (17th) is in the dumps right now. Mike Wapner is having another super season, at .351/24/49, but he's only played 140+ games twice in his seven seasons. So, fair warning, Mariners fans.

HAW pitchers: Mike Messinger (7-3, 3.20) / Eric Jones (4-3, 3.49) / Leon Casillas (4-3, 7.40) / Rob Hart (3-6, 6.39)
SEA pitchers: Sean Easter (5-2, 5.79) / Ruben Alvarado (4-4, 3.13) / B.J. Nault (4-3, 4.50) / Aaron Myers (2-4, 4.96)

#62: LOSS 4-9 ... ick
#63: LOSS 2-4 ... 2 HR but only 6 hits...back below .500
#64: LOSS 3-8 ... good stuff here
#65: LOSS 2-3 ... Hart takes the loss but is our best player tonight, fanning 10. bfd

Is it time to cut bait with this team? Given the ages and contracts of most of the big players in the lineup, I seriously felt like this year and next were the "open window" years before making any big changes. I really did not expect to be three games below .500 this far into June, and without having any major injuries. Perhaps it's just a collective hangover from last year's non-stop winning party time.... ELSEWHERE: the NL Central has four teams at 10 games over .500 or better. Someone good is not making the playoffs this year.... Seattle's Wapner is now 3rd in AVG, 2nd in HR, and 5th in RBI. YOU'RE WELCOME, MIKE.... Ty Cobb has been a boon to the Twins so far this year: on and off of the DL, he has only 6 AB and is out for another 2 weeks.

......

TL;DR Version: asdffjklafsdlk
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Old 05-05-2018, 12:44 PM   #134
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2042 Amateur Draft and Prospect System Report

Let's distract ourselves from the season-long brush fire that has been 2042 Islanders Baseball.

Seattle had the first pick and took pitcher Matt Driscoll out of Cal-Poly Pomona. He's got a bigtime fastball, but looks more like an outside shot at becoming a major league star. Plus, he's a sidearm pitcher. Have there ever been any successful sidearm starting pitchers? Washington went next and took another chance on "the one that got away," selecting OF Kevin Mazurowski (he rejected them last year after being taken #1 overall). Dude looks like a stud hitter, so it's no surprise they wanted him again. I will, however, laugh my ass off if he doesn't sign this year. After that, Cleveland took 3B Dave Dalton, a big power hitter but a slacker with workouts; Montreal selected pitcher Matt Sheil, who looks like a serious reach at #4; and the Giants rounded out the top five with pitcher Justin Krank, the first high school player taken, and one who looks to have a seriously solid future if he can get his control sorted out.

Otherwise, the first round saw the usual raft of quality youngsters and obvious (or maybe not-so-obvious) reaches, but no one stands out right now as being a "failed" draft pick right out of the gate. Four teams -- Washington, NY Yankees, Arizona, and Boston -- had two picks each, with the Nats picking at #2 and #8 (both OF, and the second, Jesus Villalobos, looks marginal but has super intangibles). There were 21 pitchers taken, 5 OF, 4 IF, and one catcher (by us, see below).

Our top picks:

Rob Rich, C, 21. Round 1, 31st overall, Oklahoma State. Contact hitter, gap power but won't hit the long ball. Won't strike out, but is averse to walks. Good defense and arm. Taking a chance that I may have actually drafted an MLB-caliber catcher for once. Developed enough to probably start in A ball.

Dillon Ritter, OF, 19. Round 1, Supplemental, 46th overall, Edgewood College. Our free gift from MLB for losing Dunklee to free agency. Another high contact/low power hitter. Good fielder, average arm, so not really suited for RF. Good INT/WE will help his development. Possibly a bit of a reach, given his poor competition level in school. Fifth round pick by RIC last year, went unsigned.

Mickey McCarthy, P, 22. Round 2, 88th overall, Pepperdine. Scouts rate him as a back-end starter, but at 22 he's got less time to grow into his talent. Still...has a nice fastball/curve/forkball combo, with a change that probably won't ever be much good. Stamina could be better. Good intangibles, as per my usual.

Dave Loch, P, 21. Round 3, 127th overall, Cal State-Fullerton. Just a tick below McCarthy, and control may not develop quite as well. Has two good pitches, two average ones, so may end up in the pen anyway.

Mike Knable, 1B, 18. Round 4, 163rd overall, high school. Grades out just above average across the board, and strong work ethic might make him quite good. Defense won't ever stand out, but that's why we have designated hitters. We are excellent at developing 1B, for what that's worth.

John Russell, P, 21. Round 5, 199th overall, Central Florida. Another tweener: will have to overdevelop to become a serious starter, looks more likely right now to have a future in middle relief.

Pat Allen, SS, 18. Round 6, 235th overall, Texas A&M. Average hitter with no power, but an excellent fielder, despite perhaps not being quite rangy enough for short. Fast, good baserunner. Future utility infielder.

Walt Thompson, P, 22. Round 7, 271st overall, Florida. High stuff, excellent movement, troubling control. Fastball/slider combo, groundballer. A ball to start for him.

The rest are the usual crop of maybes/probably nots/no effing ways. Besides Rich at #1, we took seven more catchers. Not sure why, really. More darts at the board, most likely. Except that these darts are those nerf-tipped ones you can get for a dollar a dozen at KMart. But 21st rounder OF Willie Magee looks intriguing though, with good speed and defense and promising-looking batting, so he's a maybe. Got a couple good names too: Stephen Stevens and Richard Dawson. Can't miss.

......

Prospect Rundown
Our gang ranks #28 (of 36) in baseball, and looking at the rising crop I don't see much improvement next year. Mind you, there are some decent enough fellows in the mix, but no superstars-in-the-making.

#1 Cameron Bornhoft, P, 25, 41st overall. Made one start in AAA in April before blowing out his elbow. Won't be back until next August, too. Made just 13 starts last year before shoulder trouble ended his season in June. Hasn't lost anything off his ratings yet, so there's hope he can rebound and compete for a spot on the big club...but that likely won't be until 2044, if at all.

#2 J.J. Simmons, SS, 20, 118th overall. Lots to like here, but not without some significant flaws too. High contact, line drive hitter, won't strike out, speedy, and plays excellent defense. Zero home run power, and not a patient hitter (witness this year: 200 AB, 61 K, 7 BB). Currently with Eureka (A), and will probably see some AA time by September.

#3 Taylor Barnett, P, 23, 123rd overall. Former 1st round pick (2039), and is still coming along. Needs to develop his control (5.0 BB/9 this year), but is a five-pitch lefty who looks like a decent-enough back end starter. If we're out of it by September, he'll probably get some starts with the big boys.

#4 Rick Ramirez, P, 22, 139th overall. Last year's first rounder looks like our closer of the (near) future. Again, needs a lot of work on his control, and has struggled in AAA so far. Still, a high-stuff groundballer with an elite fastball/slider combo.

#5 David Rivera, 1B, 24, 170th overall. Big guy (6'5" 245#), who might still grow into a starter's role, or end up being a nice AAAA player. Just above average across the board, but with an excellent eye (on pace for 114 walks in AAA). Batting splits might make him a platoon player.

#6 Jim Klein, OF, 22, 176th overall. A high motor guy, runs like a deer, plays solid defense. Not a power hitter at all, but makes contact and gets on base. In AAA, probably will see some September time this year.

others of note...
...IF/OF Edward Ospina, 23. Promising. Has some power, speedy and good on the bases, and a solid fielder, if a bit lacking in range. Contact could use work and might hold him back in the end.
...1B Jonathan Klump, 21. Has a ways to go yet, but definitely has promise. If his power develops, will outpace Rivera. Great intangibles. High hopes that he'll turn into a 25-30 HR guy, maybe the middle-class man's Jeremy Dunklee.
...P/1B Chris Sanborn, 20. Made 14 unimpressive starts in rookie ball last year, but looks to have better promise as a hitter, although he's a long way off at the moment. Might try him as a two-way player this summer, or move him over completely to the field. Not sure yet.
...P Roberto Vieyra, 18. Fair warning, kids: signed as an international FA in 2040, to a $2.9M bonus. Now tho he looks like nothing at all, maaaaybe A ball level. Does have a decent work ethic, so perhaps he'll grow a bit, but my scouts are giving him the thumbs down right now.

No one else on the international work farm looks like much right now, even the other half dozen guys I've bought and paid for the last couple years. And an update to the three-headed upper rounds pitching monster I drafted in 2039: Barnett (30th) is chugging along; Jamie Berisford (40th) is pitching well in AAA, and wants to be in the bigs, but looks more like a bog-standard middle reliever right now; and Justin Sutton (80th) lost a whole season to elbow surgery, is 25 and in AA. Throwing well, but has definitely fallen into the realm of the also-ran.

We're not limited in international signings this coming international FA season. Maybe we can make a splash this time...and maybe something will actually come of it. As always...stay tuned.
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Old 05-05-2018, 11:52 PM   #135
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Good format and details. Enjoyed reading.
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Old 05-07-2018, 07:29 PM   #136
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June 17-19 @ CHICAGO CUBS
From the fire to the fire: after meekly rolling over against the Mariners, now we're off to visit the 38-26 Cubs, currently firing on all cylinders. Second in NL runs (326) and 5th in runs against (261), and with a top-tier defense to boot. See, removing millstone leadoff batter Jordan Cruz (him again? enough already) really has paid off. Alex Castillo has moved from 3B to SS and is the team's offensive driver, at .313/16/43, and strikeout machine Willie Jaramillo (on pace for 213) has at least hit 19 dingers.

HAW pitchers: Bobby Piccirillo (4-8, 4.42) / Mike Messinger (7-4, 3.77) / Eric Jones (4-4, 3.63)
CHC pitchers: John Baldwin (7-3, 3.06) / Bryan Melstrom (3-6, 4.38) / Scott Kopetsky (5-4, 4.56)

#66: WIN 6-5 ... we give up 3 HR but score two runs late and win it in the 10th on Carrillo's solo HR...solid bullpen work today, credit where credit is due: 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R
#67: LOSS 6-7 ... our turn to get dunked on late...Messinger is garbage again and the bullpen gives up three in the 8th and loses it in the 10th
#68: LOSS 4-7 ... Jones is spanked early, as now that the bats have come alive, the pitching is somehow even worse

What to say? More of the same. We outhit the Cubs in every game, but our most reliable pitchers don't show up. More lineup tweaks have helped at the plate, at least.... We're now in a three-way race to the bottom of the division, with LA and Houston.... ELSEWHERE: Off to a league-worst 22-42 start, the Giants have canned GM David Bill and Manager Matt Watson. Joe Hill and Alden Carrithers--first jobs for both--are named as replacements.... With us out of the way, Seattle now has a six game lead over the Rangers, with the hated A's just a game behind.


June 20-22 @ NEW ORLEANS
Last year's champs--and our co-expansionists--have quietly held on this summer, and are 39-29, 1.5 games behind the Cubs. Hitting is troubling, bottom third stuff, but the pitchers are carrying the load (3rd in runs, 2nd best rotation). Run diff is +36; I remember that that used to look like. Chad Akers (2.49) and Sam Thompson (2.54) are both top 10 in NL ERA. We'll see one of them, at least. They just extended closer Justin Huggins for $24M/2yrs.

HAW pitchers: Leon "LeonLOL" Casillas (1.66 WHIP) / Rob "Dinger" Hart (24 HR in 13 GS) / Bobby Piccirillo (local boy tries his darnedest)
NOZ pitchers: Eric Plummer (2-4, 4.52) / Mike Cote (4-7, 4.94) / Sam Thompson (7-2, 2.54)

#69: LOSS 1-5 ... yep
#70: WIN 3-1 ... each series grants us one mercy win. Well, most series do. Thanks...Tanner walks the bases loaded in the 9th, somehow holds on for the save
#71: rained out and rescheduled for 7/24

We went .500 in a series! WIN WIN WIN!!! And Hart went 8 innings, having a zero HR game for the first time this decade.... Oakland has lost three straight, joining us in the pits of despair. With Texas just one game above .500 and only Seattle playing well, the West is looking like the worst division in baseball, top to bottom. (Although the NL West looks pretty bad too.).... ELSEWHERE: Pittsburgh's won 8 straight, giving the NL Central five teams over .500 (guess who we play next, natch).... KC's Juan Garcia may not make many friends, but he's having a bang-up year, at .355 and leading the AL in triples. He's done this before, and it should be noted that he's finished at .299 each of the last two seasons.


June 23-25 vs PITTSBURGH
Struggling and under .500 until a recent 8-game winning streak has put them at 37-33. Most of the hitters that made them the most feared lineup in baseball are gone now, and it shows: 15th in runs for, 12th in AVG, 13th in HR. So it is that a one-time joke of a pitching staff now has them 5th in runs against, and with a barely-hanging-on run diff of +3. SS Danny Diaz has been no joke, tho, at .300/20/65, carrying the offense all by himself.

HAW pitchers: Mike Messinger (7-4, 3.89) / Eric Jones (4-5, 3.97) / Leon Casillas (4-5 somehow, 7.30)
PIT pitchers: Mike Flynn (2-4, 4.06) / Alex Vanegas (3-0, 3.24) / Brett McGee (4-7, 4.87)

#71: WIN 13-2 ... oh you teasers...Messinger whiffs 11 and we knock three out of the park, in front of just 33K bemused fans
#72: WIN 5-3 ... badly outhit (11-5) but Henkel delivers a rare 2-run shot in the 9th and we go home happy
#73: WIN 5-0 ... the old Casillas shows up, going 8.1 and giving up just 5 hits, although why he's pulled in the 9th is anyone's guess

Oh, who the hell knows anymore. Will this series mark a turning point? Has the rotation finally settled down? All I can do is shrug.... And just like that, Masuda is cold again, his average dropping to .258. McArthur's down to .229, Henkel .241.... Casillas has his ERA below 7 for the first time this season, Hart's is now below 6.... ELSEWHERE: MIN's Ty Cobb came off the DL, played for a week, went right back on the DL for three weeks.... Cincy and Seattle lead everyone with 44 wins, Dodgers and Cubs with 43.


June 26-29 vs LA ANGELS
After dropping off the planet, they've righted the ship and sit at 36-38, just a half game behind us. Offense is still dead last in runs, 16th in AVG, but pitching is holding steady, 6th best. (A -54 run diff however.) Jared Grose is closing in on 2400 career hits, and needs just one more HR to tie recent HoF inducted Chris Cullen for second all-time among catchers.

HAW pitchers: Rob Hart (2.4 HR/9) / Bobby Piccirillo (4-8, 4.70) / Mike Messinger (8-4, 3.62) / Eric Jones (4-5, 3.95)
LAA pitchers: Brad Ellis (4-6, 4.41) / Jeff Caraway (5-8, 5.84) / Leonardo Vigil (6-3, 3.33) / Greg Langworthy (7-5, 3.44)

#74: WIN 5-1 ... Hart yields 0 HR again, mostly because he was pulled with a calf strain in the 1st...bullpen combines to give up just four hits
#75: WIN 5-3 ... Groff homers and knocks in 4, and McArthur adds a solo in the 8th to salt it away
#76: LOSS 4-7 ... Messinger continues to swoon, as we can't consistently get more than two starting pitchers rolling at once
#77: WIN 6-5 ... down 5-1, a McArthur 2-run shot in the 6th makes it close, then we string together five hits in the 9th to plate three and complete the comeback

I'll take it. The wins put us a game over .500 and back into second place, a half game up on Texas.... In that last game, cousins Bobby and Mel Carrillo both left with injuries; Mel's out for a week, Bobby's diagnosis is pending. Sorry about that, LA.... Injuries to pitchers are running wild in my minor leagues: 3 in AAA, 3 in AA, 4 in A. I've had to dip into free agency to drag a couple more no-hopers onto the lower farm.... ELSEWHERE: Tony Flores (NYY) and Mike Wapner (SEA) lead the majors with 31 homers; Wapner is still in the Triple Crown running as well.... Cincy's Rodolfo Romo and KC's Nick Boston are the first to ten wins.... Cincy's won 9 of 10, but can't pull away thanks to New Orleans winning 8 of 10.

......

TL;DR Version: A 15-12 June is our first winning month this season. Casillas and Hart have pitched well these couple weeks, just as Messinger and Jones are going slack. Somehow we're still managing a +32 run differential. But there's half a season left, still plenty of time to sink or swim...

SEA ... 46-32 ... --
HAW ... 39-38 ... 6.5
TEX ... 38-38 ... 7
OAK ... 37-39 ... 8
LAA ... 38-41 ... 8.5
HOU ... 34-44 ... 12
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Old 05-11-2018, 08:50 AM   #137
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July 1-3 @ OAKLAND
Back on the road, where we are 12-18 this season. 2042 has gone pear-shaped for the A's as well, two games below .500 and running a -13 scoring differential. Vinny Vargas continues to mash, tho, leading AL batters with a .379 average. Stats-wise, they're at or below the median in every category.

HAW pitchers: Leon Casillas (4.3 BB/9) / Rob Hart (.345 BABIP) / Bobby Piccirillo (5-8, 4.58)
OAK pitchers: Ricky Hose (4-5, 5.00) / Francisco Pantaleon (4-4, 6.13) / Kyle Labate (1-5, 6.98)

#78: WIN 7-3 ... Hopkins goes 5-for-7 and Robertson sparks a 4-run 12th for the win...Casillas sharp(ish) again, Stanley tho can't get anyone out
#79: LOSS 0-1 ... Hart allows just five baserunners but we can't mount any offense with the thirteen guys we get on
#80: LOSS 3-7 ... Piccs has probably made his last start, is all I need to say here

Dammit. Back to .500 again, and we should have won that second game. Nothing else to report.... ELSEWHERE: Cincy and New Orleans stay hot, both having won 9 of 10, and sport the best records in baseball (50 and 49 wins).... Seattle went 17-10 in June, and a big part of that was due to Player of the Month Mike Wapner (.371/10/24), who's still top three in the Triple Crown batting categories.


July 4-6 vs NY YANKEES
Stumbling along at 33-46, last in the East and second worst record in the AL. Hitting and pitching are in the dumps, near last place for both, but slugger Tony Flores continues to romp all over AL pitching, leading the AL with 31 HR. The Yanks are also beset by injuries, with ten players on the DL, including their ace pitcher, two SS, two 3B, and three relievers.

HAW pitchers: Mike Messinger (5.01 ERA in June) / Eric Jones (0-3 in June) / Leon Casillas (WAR nearing 0.5 mark)
NYY pitchers: Pat Teer (2-5, 5.40) / Bill Casas (4-7, 4.23) / Luca Simons (3-7, 4.97)

#81: WIN 8-3 ... Masuda wakes up and clouts two bombs, and McArthur adds one...Messinger only lasts five, but is strong (10 K, 4 H) while in, so ???
#82: WIN 4-2 ... for once we get badly outhit and manage to win, thanks to a Masuda double and 2 RBI on ground outs from McArthur...Jones goes 7, records 0 strikeouts
#83: LOSS 6-7 ... Bad Leon resurfaces, but we're in it until Tanner blows it in the 9th

Was really hoping to sweep the terrible Yankees, and we nearly did it. Sigh.... Casillas has a sore thumb for two days, so I'm considering putting him on the 6000-day DL.... Playing some good teams coming up, meaning this feels very much like a make-or-break part of the season here....
ELSEWHERE: Impatience abounds in Pittsburgh, where, mired in a six-game losing streak and a 38-42 season, GM J.W. Lim and Manager Les Warond have been fired. Warond was in his first season, Lim his tenth.... Minnesota's Ty Cobb goes on the DL for the third time this season. He has 66 AB, or about $250K per at bat.



July 7-9 vs MIAMI
Our wonky pitching staff will be facing the #1 offense in the AL: first in runs, AVG, OBP, and HR (18th in steals, because you can't have everything). Mid-pack pitching comes up to bite them occasionally, but this is a strong team right now. Three guys--Ricky Beard, Sergio Torres, and Nick Meehan--have 20+ HR, and seven regulars are batting over .300. Gulp.

HAW pitchers: Rob Hart (keep the ball DOWN) / Jim Kieffer (2-2, 3.06) / Mike "Five Innings" Messinger (9-5, 3.84)
MIA pitchers: Matt Rubin (6-3, 2.08) / Jake Marker (7-4, 6.31) / Corey Downes (7-3, 5.51)

#84: LOSS 8-11 ... LOL Hart...it's 10-3 after five, only a 5-run 9th makes this seem competitive...only 26K came out to watch, so the fans have already given up
#85: WIN 5-3 ... Kieffer moves up from the pen and is stout through 8 IP...still, we need a 3-run 8th to pull this one out...Hunter with 2 hits, now batting .341
#86: WIN 5-2 ... Messinger stretches and strains and somehow manages 7 innings...Hunter, Groff, and Robertson get most of the hits and RBI, and Carillo suffers his monthly injury

At last, some timely pitching. Hart reverts to this season's usual "Bombs Away!" mode, but Kieffer looked good and earned another start, at least. His contract is up this fall, so if he can finally find a groove with us, I just might keep him around, despite him leaving post-it notes with $ signs all over my office door.... Carillo's out for 4-5 weeks, and goes on the DL. The guys I want to bring up from AAA are lefties, but as we're facing two lefties this next series, I instead opt for IF/OF Ashton Gooding, despite his season long slump (.146 with us, .203 in AAA). He may not stay long, but he's versatile as hell (can do everything but pitch and catch).... ELSEWHERE: NL batters are now averaging .239, the lowest figure since that was matched in the 1908 season.... Reds manager Dan Remenowsky passed the 1000 win mark this month. He's managed Cincy since early in the 2030 season.... Seattle's not slowing down, sitting at 53-34 and 8.5 games in front of some group of island-based slackers.


July 11-13 @ BOSTON
Two games behind Miami, at 46-39. Only 15th in batting, but 7th in runs scored, so something's going right. Pitching is top-drawer, 1st in runs and tops in rotation ERA. Team defense is catastrophic right now. RF Jason McColl paces the offense, at .301/22/60. And, yes, the clubhouse is unhappy.

HAW pitchers: Eric Jones (5-5, 3.83) / Leon Casillas (5-5, 6.51) / Rob "Dinger" Hart (4-9, 5.71)
BOS pitchers: Ryan Galletto (6-5, 3.95) / Robby Liantonio (5-6, 4.66) / Tony Villarruel (8-2, 3.40)

#87: LOSS 3-5 ... rain cuts this short after six...Jones manages 0 strikeouts again...two HR, but only three other hits
#88: WIN 4-0 ... Good Leon is back, yielding just 5 hits in 8 IP...Hunter with 3 hits, including a HR, and 2 RBI
#89: WIN 8-7 ... the pen tries to blow a 7-2 lead, but McArthur's 10th inning double proves the difference...everyone gets a hit, 4 for McArthur

Somehow Casillas is now 6-5, which may be all the indictment on the meaninglessness of pitcher wins you'll ever need.... We're now THREE games over .500, first time this season, and 7.5 games behind Seattle.... It's All-Star break time, and 3B Adam Groff is our lone starter; he's joined on the team by C Alexis Mercedes (remember him?) and SP Mike Messinger.... It's also International Junior-Age Free Agent time, and while there were no potential game-breakers afoot, there were a number of decent-looking prospects. With no spending restrictions, I decided to pick one and go all in. So we end up with 2B Jorge Canales, who looks like a high-contact line drive hitter with a little pop, to boot. Or--his plate discipline will never develop and he'll have to live on the $3.8M bonus he just cashed in. At least his INT/WE are super high, so that's a major plus.... ELSEWHERE: Mike Wapner's been the first half AL hitting star: 3rd in AVG, 2nd in HR and RBI, 1st in OPS and WAR. No one in the NL has stood out, but Brooklyn's Chris White (.347) is still tops in average, while Cincy's Kyle Crowl is right behind, and first in OPS and WAR.

CAREER STATS WATCH
A quick look-in at the active leaders in a couple of stats...

STRIKEOUTS
#24 -- Zach Setaro (MTL) ... 3033
#54 -- Drew Falconbury (ARI) ... 2530
#66 -- Erik Presley (NOZ) ... 2448
#85 -- Ruben Villasenor (TEX) ... 2324
#92 -- Bailey McFarland (RIC) ... 2284

HOME RUNS
#45 -- Jared Grose (LAA) ... 456
#62 -- Nate Rogers (CLE) ... 413
#63 -- Aaron Moffett (MIL) ... 410
#63 -- Preston Sorensen (TOR) ... 410
#74 -- Ethan Baker (SF) ... 389
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Old 05-18-2018, 08:04 PM   #138
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July 18-20 vs MINNESOTA
Five games under .500, and somehow maintaining a positive (+3) run diff. Fifth in runs scored and batting, but pitching is leaking oil, last in the league. Paul Foster is stout (.308/24/67) again, and Peanuts Carter missed five weeks but is back and hitting .353. Seven players are on the DL, however, including high-priced free agent Ty Cobb, who's played in just 19 games.

HAW pitchers: Jim Kieffer (3-2, 3.12) / Mike Messinger (10-5, 3.58) / Eric Jones (5-6, 4.12)
MIN pitchers: Bobby Morfin (4-9, 5.77) / Chris McMichael (4-4, 4.42) / Bob Knapp (6-4, 5.66)

#90: LOSS 4-13 ... Groff gets four hits, rest of team gets two...five pitchers throw equally poorly, maybe getting it out of their systems
#91: WIN 5-4 ... Hunter's 9th inning double ties it, and Robertson's sac fly in the 12th wins it...we strike out 18 Twins, with Messinger whiffing 8 in his 4.2 IP
#92: LOSS 2-7 ... four home runs against, as this time all three pitchers we trot out toss batting practice

The fans are coming back again (45-47K per game here), but for what? This nonsense? Even I don't want to watch this.... ELSEWHERE: Montreal's Tyson Murphy throws the second perfect game of the season, a 2-0 win over Atlanta. It's the third no-hitter in Expos history.... Cincinnati extended former Islander closer Jack Shewmake for $7.2M per through 2045. Quite a haul for the now-middle reliever.


July 21-23 @ MILWAUKEE
Ten-game road trip starts with the Brewers, currently at 45-45, treading water like us. They're not scoring much, and not pitching particularly well, and have a -31 run differential, so something's not right. They are 4th in home runs, with Colby Sandu leading the way with 28, and seven regulars in double figures already.

HAW pitchers: Leon Casillas (6-5, 6.01) / Rob Hart (4-9, 5.68) / Jim Kieffer (3-3, 3.33)
MIL pitchers: Dan Tuff (3-4, 5.22) / Wally McDermott (4-5, 5.64) / Brandon Jarmon (6-6, 4.51)

#93: LOSS 5-7 ... Casillas manages to get to the 4th, but no more...also there's no more scoring after the 4th
#94: WIN 11-6 ... Hart yields 2 more HR, but also fans 11 through 7 IP...Robertson gets 4 hits and 3 RBI, 4 hits also for Hopkins, and Groff and McArthur get 3 each
#95: LOSS 5-7 ... Up 5-1 in the 8th, until Yaung and Tanner throw up 3 runs apiece, with Tanner tossing up 2 HR without getting anyone out

The bats are slowly waking up, but pitching is taking a nosedive right now. I guess we just need to hit even better.... ELSEWHERE: the Dodgers have lost 5 straight but still have an 8 game lead over Portland and Austin.... As many HR as Hart has given up (30), there are three pitchers who've given up more: Bob Knapp (MIN), 32 in 108 IP; Pedro Cabrera (TOR), 33 in 93 IP; and Ayahito Yoshimoto (BAL), 35 in 98 IP. Special shout-out to Baltimore's Leo Zamorano, who's given up 23 in 65 IP.


July 24 @ NEW ORLEANS
Make-up game from a rainout last month. The Zephs are steaming along at 58-37, second best record in baseball, just behind the Reds. The best pitching and 2nd best defense in the NL might take them a long way this season.

HAW pitcher: Mike Messinger (10-5, 3.68)
NOZ pitcher: Mike Cote (8-8, 3.88)

#96: LOSS 1-2 ... good pitching stops our recent hitting, and we're back at .500

Nothing to see here. Move along.


July 25-27 @ CHICAGO WHITE SOX
The Sox have been downtrodden for so long that their 46-46 record must feel like a victory of sorts. At 7.5 games behind the Tigers, I guess we can say they're still in this thing, and certainly in no danger of dropping to the bottom of the division, thanks to the truly awful Indians. They give up a lot of runs (480, 14th in the AL), but score a lot (486, 6th) and hit a ton of home runs (154, 2nd). Which means I need to keep Rob Hart far, far away from this series.

HAW pitchers: Eric Jones (5-7, 4.25) / Leon Casillas (.289 BABIP, somehow) / Rob Hart (5-9, 5.57)
CHW pitchers: Mike Head (4-7, 6.22) / Chris Wead (6-4, 5.95) / Jarrod Kearns (1-1, 5.23)

#97: WIN 10-4 ... a crazy 7-run 7th (3 hits, 4 walks, 1 error, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 1 PB) and Jones' blistering 4 strikeouts spark a nice-looking win, for once
#98: WIN 9-4 ... Masuda parks two, the first sparking a 5-run second, and we cruise from there...three of our heroic boys get injured, however
#99: LOSS 2-5 ... Hart actually gives up 0 HR, but he walks 5 and 4 of the Sox 7 hits are doubles, whereas we putter along in various random directions

First things first: Casillas goes on the 11-day DL with a 1-2 week forearm injury, Henkel is dtd for a few games, and Robertson has a pending diagnosis. I call up IF Jim Bowman until I find out what Robertson's fate is, before deciding what pitcher takes ol' Leon's spot.... Which leads to the second thing: we're 50-49, and showing no real signs of breaking out of our season-long funk; 7.5 games out of first, and 5.5 out of a wildcard spot. The trade deadline is four days away: do I sell, or buy? The case for selling rests mainly on my annoyance and frustration with this team. The case for buying (or standing pat) is that this year's slumpers simply have to come around at some point, right? I mean, Mercedes, Henkel, and McArthur combined for 100 HR last year, but might not hit half that mark this year. (All three are also hitting 40 to 60 points lower than last year.) Do I keep rolling the dice on them, believing they'll pull through soon? But if Robertson is done long-term, what does that do to our chances of rebounding? He's having a great year: batting over .300, on pace for a career-best 20 HR. But if he's done....Shudder. Finally, do I trade for a pitcher? Maybe, but they're such voodoo that you never really know what you're getting, do you? Anyway, stay tuned, folks. Interesting times are coming.... ELSEWHERE: I used up all my words on us. Sorry, come back after the next series for your rest-of-the-league fix.

TRADE! Well that was quick. Maybe re-read that last paragraph, then go fix yourself a snack to make it seem like more time passed before my snap decision... We send OF Andy Sanchez and and two picks to the Mets for SP Jonathan Murray and a 5th (a pick, not a bottle). Sanchez was hitting .254 (down a lot from last year), had stolen 12 bases, but has lost a step in center, and is 32. That made him expendable, as I believe I can coax the same production out of McGowan, et al, but with better defense. He was in the second year of a 5-year, $25M contract. Murray, 24, was the Mets 3rd round pick in 2038. He's a lefty groundballer with good stuff and movement, and better control. He's got five pitches--all developed--and tops out at 95 mph. So he won't blow anyone away, and isn't ace material, but he looks like a solid mid-range starter. He'll make his MLB debut soon.

July 28-30 @ HOUSTON
The Astros are struggling again, having dropped off pretty quickly to 42-57, another lost season in a multi-decade parade of them. Their hitters haven't delivered, but their pitching has been surprisingly good (4th in runs given up), leading to the oddness of a +19 run differential. Given that they also have seven pitchers currently on the DL, I don't know how they're doing it. Still, not winning sucks, no matter who's playing above expectations. We'll also get to face Jay Russo this series, who always kills us.

HAW pitchers: Jim Kieffer (3-3, 3.23) / Mike Messinger (10-6, 3.61) / Eric Jones (6-7, 4.10)
HOU pitchers: Tony Arballo (0-0, 0.00) / Gustavo Preciado (1-4, 6.04) / Jay Russo (6-6, 3.20)

#100: WIN 10-3 ... six home runs combined, and we score in six different innings...three hits and 2 HR for McArthur...complete game for Kieffer
#101: WIN 7-0 ... three hits apiece for Hunter (3 2B) and Groff (2B, HR), both really stroking it right now...Messinger scatters 3 hits over 7.1 innings
#102: WIN 4-3 ... down 3-1 in the 6th, Groff brings one home with a triple, then scores on McGowan's HR, giving us the lead and the win...Jones goes his usual 5 IP, manages strike out a batter too

Ahhh, there it is. Yes, it's only Houston, but a sweep is a sweep. No one got hurt, our pitching was good-to-excellent, and we actually hit some home runs. Yay us, for once.... Groff's 6-for-12 series has put him atop the AL batting race, at .368 (just ahead of Oakland's Vinny Vargas, at .365).... ELSEWHERE: Yanks slugger Tony Flores has 38 HR in 100 GP, putting him on another 60-HR pace. Too bad that team is so dreadful, otherwise people would be all over him.... STL pitcher Ken Clark leads the NL with 11 wins. Clark, you recall, was my ace back in the day, before forgetting that giving up fewer HR is a good thing for pitchers. Before he left, his HR/9 was up to 2. This year, it's below one for the Redbirds, which just makes me laugh and pour another drink.
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Old 05-18-2018, 08:10 PM   #139
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TRADE DEADLINE LEAGUE-WIDE LOOKY-LOO

...Slow start to things, with Montreal sending 37-year-old IF Jason Long to Portland for 35-year-old 3B Patton Sims. End-of-the-bench deal here, as neither team is going anywhere and neither player will (or should) figure into any long-range plans.

...A head-scratcher, as the Angels send 28-year-old 2B Greg Arcand to Washington for RP Khalil Smith. Arcand is okay, one of those not-great-but-solid-enough guys that winning teams always have around, but got hurt in May and lost his job to 41-year-old Jimmy Campbell. As the Angels are (supposedly) rebuilding, this deal makes little sense, in that they traded away what should have been a quality bottom of the order regular for a run-of-the-mill reliever/back-end starter in Smith.

...The 48-50 White Sox added the missing piece by acquiring 38-year-old RP Donnie Teeter from the Yankees for minor league pitcher Antonio Munoz. Teeter was the Mets closer a million years ago, but has 20 total saves in his last 11 seasons, so clearly he's adding a lot to the Sox bullpen. Did I mention he's 38? Munoz is meh, and will probably max out at AAA.

...ISLANDERS TRADE! We make the first seriously big move of the deadline, by acquiring just what we need: a power bat in the middle of the lineup to take over for the slackers having off-years: we get 32-year-old Jordan Shields from the Pirates for a handful of prospects and picks. Shields, the 2033 NL Rookie of the Year, and a 7-time All-Star, can still bring it, witnessed by his .333/.378/.632 slash (with 38 HR) last year. Somehow, he lost his 1B job to the extremely marginal Bobby Richards this year, and has just 8 starts--all at DH in interleague games--and 103 AB. With Masuda holding down first, Shields will become our DH, relegating the ineffectual Jesse Henkel to the bench. Shields is making $18.6M and is in the last year of his contract, and it's less than likely that we'll try signing him, to be honest. We gave up some decent but not back-breaking prospects: 1B David Rivera, who could end up as a 20-HR/.400-OBP guy, and is better now than the guy who stole Shields' job; OF Justin Beeman, a Rule 5 pickup this winter, who had a future with us and is hitting .365 in AAA; and C Takuji Yamamoto, who looks like a career backup with some defensive skills, and should be in line for a job in Pittsburgh right now. We also sent the 5th rounder we just acquired from the Mets, and some cash to help out the cash-poor Pirates. This is clearly a WIN NOW trade, one that I hope pays off with some hot play down the stretch.

... aaaaaand that's it. Seriously, there were no more trades, not even quad-A player for quad-A player. Bupkis. Although Austin did make us an offer that I turned down. They offered up OF John Cannon--a serious power hitter who has hit 85 HR in his first two pro seasons, and is on pace for 45 this season--for four players. I like Cannon, love his power; and even though he hasn't hit for average yet (.248 in over 1600 AB), he's got the potential to be that regular .280 hitter who gets on base and drives your offense. But...they wanted too much, and weren't willing to negotiate: SS Mike Hunter, top prospect CL Rick Ramirez, promising rookie ball LHP John Russell, and RP Jin-song Yee. We'd be left with too many holes, while trying to make a run for the playoffs. Plus, Cannon has a contract opt-out after 2044, too soon for me. Maybe next time...

......

Here's the league standings at the deadline. Kinda wished the awful Indians would have traded their FA-to-be sluggers for some futures, but maybe they have a cunning plan. (Hint: they have no plan.)
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Old 05-20-2018, 03:57 PM   #140
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July 31, August 1-3 vs SEATTLE
Another four-spot against the division leaders, and I can only hope it goes better than our last attempt (uh....swept, in the middle of a 1-8 stretch). Stats-wise, these guys are masters of none, but pretty good at most, the only weaknesses I can see being team defense and a shaky bullpen. Seven guys are on the DL, including closer Sal Cardenas; his replacement, Antonio Morales, has been decent, but has walked 45 guys in 49 innings. Yowza. OF Mike Wapner continues to blister AL pitching, slashing for .330/.470/.679, with 33 HR and 79 RBI. But don't overlook catcher Ben Moore: in his fifth season as a starter, he's quietly become one of the best receivers in the AL, going .293/.340/.503, with 15 HR, and playing quality defense.

HAW pitchers: Jonathan Murray (debut) / Rob Hart (5-10, 5.65) / Jim Kieffer (4-3, 3.20) / Mike Messinger (11-6, 3.39)
SEA pitchers: Sean Easter (7-4, 5.45) / BJ Nault (6-6, 4.62) / Jun-hyuk Au (9-5, 3.74) / Jesus Rivera (5-1, 5.44)

#103: WIN 15-0 ... wow. Murray goes 7 in his MLB debut, giving up 2 hits and fanning 8...Shields knocks one out in his debut...BUT--Murray gets hurt, diagnosis pending, poor kid
#104: WIN 7-3 ... four home runs--three of them solo shots--pace the attack, and Hart is magic tonight, fanning nine through six innings of work
#105: WIN 4-2 ... 2 more HR (Shields, Gooding), and Kieffer allows just 7 runners in his 6 IP...three solid innings from the pen too
#106: WIN 3-1 ... Mercedes' 3-run shot in the first is all we need...Messinger Ks 12...game called in the 7th, and Groff hurts himself throwing over to first

Shocker! Just like that, we're a healthier-looking 8 games over .500 and up to 1.5 games behind Seattle.... Groff was named AL batter of the month for July, and Masuda the top rookie.... Injuries are nibbling at us: Murray strains something and is out for two weeks; Groff does the same, but will miss just 5 days; it's back spasms for OF Steve Hopkins, who missed the first three games of the Seattle series. But Carrillo will be back in 5 days, and Casillas in 3. I think Leon will go on rehab to AAA.... With Murray out, we call up Aldo Gouweleeuw to take his starts. He's been okay in AAA, and was lit up pretty hard in 6 innings way back at the start of last season, as I'm sure you remember.... ELSEWHERE: Mets pitcher Alex Rossello throws the latest no-hitter, a 5-0 win over Richmond. He fanned 11 and walked 1, his only baserunner. Interesting to note that his game didn't even earn him a star for the day from MLB.... Oakland is also surging, just 2 games behind us, as we're both making the Mariners sweat. The Dodgers have opened up the league's largest lead, now at 8 games over Arizona. LA is the only team in their division over .500.... NY's Tony Flores keeps jerkin' 'em out, now up to 42 HR. He has just 79 RBI; if they could find guys to get on ahead of him, he might drive in 150.


August 4-7 @ TEXAS
The two-week road swing continues in the Lone Star State. After a promising May, they're now 49-55 and 13 games under .500 since June 1. Their hitters are a top ten bunch, but the pitching has struggled and they sport a -7 run differential. Nate Lobdell has hit 30 HR for the fifth time in his career, and leadoff man Gabriel Gallegos is hitting .331 and leads all of baseball with 35 steals.

HAW pitchers: Eric Jones (7-7, 4.16) / Aldo Gouweleeuw (debut) / Rob Hart (6-10, 5.46) / Jim Kieffer (5-3, 3.18)
TEX pitchers: Ruben Villasenor (4-8, 5.98) / John Fox (7-6, 4.64) / Luca Shelton (7-3, 3.86) / Jeff Sullivan (6-6, 5.10)

#107: WIN 9-7 ... 20 hits, although it takes a 4-run 9th and 2 more in the 11th to win...Jones has his big-time stuff today, fanning 2 in 6 innings
#108: LOSS 3-4 ... Tanner has his 2nd blowup in a row, only this one is fatal...Aldo throws okay, but does sport a nifty 1:4 K:BB ratio
#109: WIN 6-2 ... Hart throws 4-hit ball for 7 innings, and we wisely keep Tanner off the mound, letting Yee finish it off...3 hits and 2 RBI for Henkel, now just 86 behind last year's total
#110: LOSS 6-8 ... down early 5-0, and only a 4-run 7th makes this one look close...Hunter gets hurt, has a pending diagnosis, which is not good

I could've hoped for better against a slumping team, but we're still playing decent ball right now. Getting healthier will help too, so hopefully Hunter won't be gone for long. Fingers crossed.... A telling series against Detroit coming up next.... ELSEWHERE: Three of the four best records belong to the NL Central: Cincy (67-40), New Orleans (67-42), and St Louis (62-47). Only Detroit (62-45) breaks up the party. Just 9.5 games separates first to fifth in the AL Central, with only league-worst Cleveland (37-71) spoiling the picture.


August 8-10 @ DETROIT
Big series for us, to see if we're really back. The Tigers are aiming for their third straight division title, and once again have a top-flight (3rd in runs) offense. All but one regular has hit double figures in HR, and their leader--Chris Leonard with 26--is currently batting 9th. Sixth in runs against, with a leaky rotation but a solid bullpen. For some odd reason, last year's Hoyt Wilhelm winner, Alex Castaneda (1.66 ERA, 0.87 WHIP), has been a setup man all year to struggling (4.58 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) closer Tim Friddle.

HAW pitchers: Mike Messinger (12-6, 3.30) / Eric Jones (7-7, 4.03) / Aldo Gouweleeuw (0-0, 3.00)
DET pitchers: Guillermo Ruiz (0-0, 3.38) / Raul Bravo (7-8, 4.46) / Jay Lamb (11-5, 4.75)

#111: LOSS 5-6 ... four HR isn't enough, as the bullpen blows a 5-3 lead, and Tanner loses the game and likely his role as closer
#112: WIN 7-4 ... a 2-0 lead vanishes in the 8th, but we come back with 5 in the 9th and hang on tight to win...Tanner sneaks past security to close out the game with a K
#113: WIN 5-2 ... Henkel's 8th inning solo shot breaks a 2-2 tie, and Shields wins it with a 2-run blast in the 9th, his second HR of the game...four hits for Groff

Woot! Nice finish to the series, and generally pretty pleasing overall. The only dark spot was Masuda's torn thumb ligament, which will keep him off the field for a month. Hunter, at least, just has a week-long dtd back issue, and will still play. But I move him to second, hoping that's easier on him than short. Masuda's injury moves Shields from DH to 1B, and Henkel--who's been hitting better in part-time play of late--goes back to regular DH duties.... Goeweleeuw went a solid 7 innings this time around; he'll be up for another start most likely.... ELSEWHERE: After I pumped LA's tires, the Dodgers have slumped of late and are now just 4.5 up on Portland.... Four divisions have first-place ties right now: AL East and Central, NL East and Central.... Yankees Flores now up to 46 HR, leads the majors by ten.


August 11-13 @ KANSAS CITY
The long road trip ends against the now-tied for first Royals. Hitting has been pretty nondescript: 14th in runs, 16th in HR. Pitching has been outstanding, 2nd best across the board, and with the AL-best defense to boot. But three pitchers are on the DL, including ace Nick Boston (10-5, 3.23). 3B Juan Garcia is hitting .340, RF Erik Holz has a team high 26 HR, and CL Vince Bell has hit 30 saves for the 9th time in his career.

HAW pitchers: Rob Hart (7-10, 5.31) / Jim Kieffer (5-4, 3.81) / Mike Messinger (12-6, 3.38)
KCR pitchers: Francisco Duarte (5-6, 4.76) / Eddy Llamas (8-9, 5.01) / Felipe Canela (5-1, 2.19)

#114: LOSS 3-4 ... another loss pinned on the pen, as they yield runs in the 8th, 9th, and 12th to lose this one...getting only 7 hits didn't help either, however
#115: WIN 5-1 ... Carrillo slots into the #2 position and goes 5-for-5, adding a HR...Kieffer goes 8.2, scattering 6 hits
#116: LOSS 3-4 ... an early lead disappears late again, as Stanley gives up a 2-run shot in the 7th to blow this one, wasting a 12-K effort from Messinger

Grr. All three games were there for the taking. This is the kind of series that's going to haunt us down the stretch here, I just know it.... Hunter's dtd injury, while not more serious, has been labeled "unknown return date" by trainer Villalobos, so I might have to sit him for a bit to rest him up.... In other injury news, Masuda is still out for 3 weeks, Robertson for 2-3 weeks, but Jonathan Murray comes back tomorrow, and will pitch in our next series. Meaning Gouweleeuw will head back to KC.... ELSEWHERE: Seattle's gotten hot, and has pulled out a 4 game lead over us, 6 over Oakland. Miami has slumped to third place, behind the red-hot Red Sox and the improving Orioles.... Detroit RF Roberto Rivera has the second 20-game hit streak this season, while Miami 3B Sergio Torres has been stuck on 99 RBI for two weeks now.

......

TL;DR Version: 9-5 in this stretch, but it could have been even better. Injuries have chipped away at our offensive prowess, but our pitching has improved. The bullpen does continue to come up small in big moments, however. Oh well, too late to do anything about it now! At least we're back in the hunt, even if we're still on the outside looking in.
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