Centurion comes...to OOTP5 - Page 12

darkcloud4579 · 07-20-2003, 03:38 AM

COOPERSTOWN - One of the all-time greats in the history of the Modern Era retired today. Cleveland Cosmos shortstop Alex Rodriguez called it quits today, ending one of the best careers in the history of the game.

Rodriguez enters the Hall with a Texas Rangers cap, after thirteen years with the club. He spent parts of his last season with Texas, before being traded to Washington, released, signed to Nevada and then sent to finish in Cleveland.

He earned his 3000th hit in 2013, finishing with 3020 for his career, he is the career leader in the Modern Era for home runs with 759 and is also the career leader in RBI with 2096. He is third all-time in hits and runs scored.

"It's great to know that a guy like him was around during my era. I'll be able to look back and say, I saw A-Rod play," said Board of Governors Chair Bob Costas, about the player.

"I'm forever indebted to baseball for helping me achieve my dreams. I'll always be a fan and an ambassador for the game," said Rodriguez.

darkcloud4579 · 07-20-2003, 01:36 PM

TOKYO The Tokyo Aeros have announced today, that they have hired Centurion magnate Dark Cloud to run the club's operations for three seasons.

"We are confident Dark Cloud will take us to the top!" said Aeros President Daisuke Makanori.

"I am pleased that the Aeros have allowed me the opportunity to return to the game I love. I will make them proud and do my best to turn this club into a winner."

Dark Cloud left on the mantle of a champion several years ago in New York and after eight seasons in Oregon, where he won three world series titles. Allegations of him and a pool girl who came to his house were dropped later, after it was found that the pool girl and he did nothing wrong and he eventually married her.

"I did nothing wrong and I wish not to discuss that case any further," he said.

Unlike his previous two stints as a GM, Dark Cloud will not have a carte blanche budget. The Tokyo ownership have imposed a $60 million cap on his spending or payroll no higher than 18th in the league. For every year the club improves, he will be moved into a higher bracket, but never to exceed $80 million.

He said he has high expectations, after seeing what the Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs were able to do with low payrolls. "We can do great things here, it will just take some time." he said.

Tokyo currently has the lowest payroll in the majors at just under $25 million. Dark Cloud said he intends to build the franchise's farm system and then to work from there.

darkcloud4579 · 07-20-2003, 08:44 PM

Unlike with most of my teams where I spend to get what I want (though, I've done it other ways..without spending..just saying) i am going to try and build a winner with this club through a combination of what we have and what I can get.

I'm not deluded enough to think that we can contend this year, though I'm going to work hard to build a team that can contend.

If you want to see the 2013 end-of-season roster, along with stats, here is a link to the team site. Tokyo Aeros

The team was founded in 2010 and every season until last year, the winning percentage actually improved. Last year, the club went from 60-94 to 56-98. Not a huge drop, but not exactly progress either.

SO...the goal is to basically increase payroll since they've been running at bear bones since the club was founded - of course - part of that was because the expansion clubs that came into the league after the TV contract was signed, got no revenue from that, so...they were all at a disadvantage, something of course, I did on purpose to simulate real life.

Now that Tokyo is in on the TV deal, the team should have a steady stream of revenue - though it doesn't matter since the club has averaged like $70 million in revenues annually. Attendance has been steady around 2.3 million, after peaking at 3.7 million the first year and 2.6 the second. Fans are obviously enamored, but want the team to win.

I'm going after free agents, the best ones I can get, but obviously giving myself some cushion in case I need to unload salaries or want to upgrade next year.

So..here we go.

The league average salary is $2.139 million
The average salary on the Tokyo Aeros last season? $730,000

Uhh...yeah, its time.

darkcloud4579 · 07-20-2003, 09:59 PM

TOKYO RETOOLS
TOKYO - The day of rebirth has arrived for the Tokyo Aeros, as the club under the management of Centurion and Dark Cloud have signed a number of players.

"We knew that players would be attracted by the work Centurion has done in other locations. That's a highly marketable thing to have when trying to attract free agents in today's market," said Aeros Vice President John Olerud.

"The most difficult thing was dealing with spending restrictions, because I'm not used to that, obviously", said Dark Cloud, in an interview for InsideBaseball magazine.

DC was told by management that if he went over the $60 million threshold, that he would need to do whatever it took to ensure that the team was at that level by the beginning of the season.

"We're going to have to do a lot to improve this ballclub. I think we can do that and we'll certainly be a better product this season, I just want to play all the cards we have to make the team better."

DC has been burning up phone lines and showing players around the city personally, to help woo some of the best free agents on this year's market.

TOKYO SIGNINGS SO FAR

RF Orval Hajek $43.75 mil/5 years
OF Lance Berkman $15 mil/3 years
SP Aaron Heilman $43 mil/4 years
SP Mike McIlvaine $39.25 mil/5 years

darkcloud4579 · 07-20-2003, 10:46 PM

MILLEDGE DOESN'T GET A DAY IN TOKYO
TOKYO - After making the free agent coup of the season by acquiring CF Lastings Milledge from Boston as a free agent for $27.5 million a year, Dark Cloud had a dilemma. He was $20 million over budget.

Despite pleading with management to raise his cap during his first season, ownership was ardent in its stance of not allowing the club to reach over $60 million in payroll during this first season.

"Our looseing the pursestrings was an effort to get fans in the ballpark, as we realized that for years, playing at bare bones wasn't working. But we don't want to overdo it, not until we know things are working. Remember the 2003 Mets? We don't want that to be us," said John Olerud, team VP.

So, just as he'd signed a player that he never thought he could get. He had to deal him. No other player would be feasible, since at $27.5 million, there was no other guy who could ease the financial burden of the club. So, trade your best player, while not making the team worse.

That was DC's job.

In a taker, he found the upstart Baltimore Orioles. Not only did they drive a hard bargain, they were not budging.

In the end, the Aeros sent:
CF Lastings Milledge
P Karl Sturm
C Dustin Brown
CF Christopher Mounts

to Baltimore for:
CF Vernon Wells
SS Milton Twitty
C Domingo Benitez

The deal benefits the Aeros because not only do we shed salary, but we get their starting catcher, shortstop and centerfielder from a year ago. Not bad from a team that won its division. We were working for a while to get ace SP Jesse Foppert from the club, but ultimately we couldn't agree on who would go and I wasn't sure that we wanted inheirt that kind of contract.

darkcloud4579 · 07-20-2003, 11:13 PM

Despite dumping Milledge's salary, the Aeros are still $10 million over the imposed salary limit placed on DC at the beginning of the season.

That means, some of his other free agent acquisitions will have to go.

On the block include SP Aaron Heilman, who DC has had an affinity for since his days with the Oregon Emeralds.

We shall see...

darkcloud4579 · 07-20-2003, 11:35 PM

DARK CLOUD CONVINCES....AEROS PULL THE TRIGGER
TOKYO - In the end, you have to go with the guy who brings four rings and experience to your club. After pleading with Aeros ownership, Dark Cloud managed to maintain payroll at $70 million, but only under the condition he acquired "star caliber" talent.

Well, is this enough?

AEROS ACQUIRE PERENNIAL GREAT JOSH PRESSLEY
TOKYO = The Tokyo Aeros, perennial doormats of the American League have ushered in a new era. Much like the New Jersey Nets when they acquired Jason Kidd, the Tokyo Aeros have acquired the new face of their franchise in 1B Josh Pressley.

"I can't tell you how exciting it is to have Josh playing for me again," said Dark Cloud who originally traded for Pressley from New Jersey as a young rookie. No one had any idea, he'd turn into the future hall of famer that he is today. Offensively, there are few that can compare to Pressley. He's had nine straight 100+ RBI seasons, He's hit 354 homers in his 10 1/2 years in the majors and has a career batting average of .347!

"You know what, I've had some good years in Texas," said the nine-time All-Star. "But, I can't tell you how good it feels to playing for DC again. We had some great times in Oregon and I know he'll do a great job in Tokyo. The fans in Japan are awesome. I know they'll be really supportive of the new club, so I'm glad to be supportive of that." said Pressley.

To acquire the star, the Aeros sent SP Aaron Heilman, LF Orval Hajek and SP Mike McIlvain. Also going to Pressley is emerging star SP AJ Murray.

"This was a hard deal to make and totally under the radar, because honestly, I wanted to keep the players I signed. But when payroll contraints came like they did, we felt like the best thing to do, was make the situation work as best as we could. The ownership has been very receptive to what I want to do with this club and I appreciate their supporting our efforts. We'll make them proud, I have no doubts." said Dark Cloud.

darkcloud4579 · 07-21-2003, 12:48 AM

CL TO HOLD OFF ON 2014 SEASON, DUE TO FINANCIAL PROBLEMS
The Continental League, one of the first independent leagues of the modern era, has announced that it has cancelled the 2014 season, to work out financial matters and decide the course of action the league will take.

"We take this step in the hopes that we can return and do great things much later." said League Comissioner Ozzie Smith.

The league is contemplating an "Arena Football" type schedule that would turn the league into an all-indoor, short-season, arena league for major markets, rather than an outdoor major league, due to losing money every year for the past ten years, with rising salaries and the like.

"We want to do what's best for our fans and our players. We will return, make no mistake", said Smith, who resigned after the announcement.

All contracts were revoked and players were free to seek out deals with any club of their choice.

darkcloud4579 · 07-21-2003, 02:27 AM

AMON GOES TO OREGON, PERRIGO TO TEXAS
Two of the younger, emerging players from the Continental League joined some of their counterparts in organized baseball yesterday after Anthony Amon and Jessie Perrigo signed deals with major league clubs.

Perrigo, 20, signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers and was assigned to their AA club Frisco RoughRiders.

Meanwhile, Amon, 19, signed a deal with the Oregon Emeralds and was assigned to the AAA club Vancouver Canadians.

"We're really excited about having a young, talented player like Anthony in our organization. We're looking forward to seeing him at Amway Field in the near future," said Oregon GM Jack Whitley. The name of Paul Allen Ballpark in Oregon has been renamed to Amway Field.

Meanwhile, longtime Rangers manager Buck Showalter had great things to say about Perrigo. "I watched him during the winter and was just amazed at the progress he's making. I know he can be a real threat at the big league level and that's why I pushed for us to get him aboard. He'll do great things in this league, so long as he keeps working hard."

thebigUNIT · 07-21-2003, 02:39 AM

Awesome...getting ever closer to the big show.

darkcloud4579 · 07-21-2003, 03:28 AM

AEROS DEAL FOR DELMON YOUNG
TOKYO - The Tokyo Aeros continued their wheeling ways by acquiring RF Delmon Young from the Oregon Emeralds for SP Ricardo Aramboles. Aramboles, 32, was 3-4 so far this season with a 4.78 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings.

Meanwhile, Young, 29, is currently hitting .313 with 12 homers and 24 RBI in 115 at-bats so far this season. He was the third pick overall in the 2004 draft by the Oregon Emeralds, selected by present Aeros GM Dark Cloud.

"Obviously, I'm thrilled to have a guy like Delmon playing for us. He's hard working, dependable and I know he'll be a great fit for our ballclub," said Dark Cloud.

FIRST PLACE?! AEROS ARE CONTENDERS!
TOKYO - While its still early, fans in Tokyo are buzzing with the success of the Aeros. At the end of April, the club is just a game behind the Seattle Mariners for first place in the AL Pacific.

"We're not where we want to be, but I'm happy with the progress the club has made thus far. " said Dark Cloud, who suggested the team still had a few deals to make.

darkcloud4579 · 07-21-2003, 03:40 AM

TOKYO - The Tokyo Aeros acquired CF Roberto Beltran and RF Hector Rodriguez from the Orlando Tourists for four players:
LF Wil Smith, P Norberto Cos, P Thomas Provenzano and SS Milton Twitty.

"We're working to develop a team that is capable of winning a title and this trade points us in the direction of foundation for succeeding," said Dark Cloud in a statement.

Rodriguez hit .340, 30 HR, 118 RBI with 52 stolen bases last season and Beltran hit .248, 6 HR and 14 RBI so far this season.

darkcloud4579 · 07-21-2003, 11:50 AM

AEROS SEND BERKMAN AND TWO PLAYERS TO NEW YORK
NEW YORK - The New York Yankees today acquired RF Lance Berkman from the Tokyo Aeros, along with CF Roberto Beltran and highly touted starter SP Tyler Heidel, who came to Tokyo in the Continental League Supplemental Draft last season.

In return, the Aeros pick up starters Mark Phillips and Kelley Barerra. Phillips is 3-1 with 4.20 ERA so far this season. Meanwhile, Barrera has been a spot starter and reliever, 1-1 with a 6.32 ERA in three games so far this season.

"This trade enables us to shed some of the fat we buldge we picked up in the off-season and helps us get down to a position where we can make moves, if we need to. Make no mistake, we've given up some quality players over the past few days and I can't say that I expect we'll do better with out them in the short term, but long-term, I think we'll come out on top." said Dark Cloud after the deals.

Tokyo's payroll has been shrunk to about $62 million, which makes ownership happy, considering the players the team has acquired over the past month or two. "With the names we have now, we're in a real position to do some damage. I'm excited about the rest of the season." said DC.

The team admits its biggest weakness and first priority this off-season is pitching, many experts are looking for Tokyo to be a favorite next season ,if they can get their pitching in order.

"You have to like that lineup. The team is stacked and I think DC is doing a hell of a job over there. It remains to be seen whether they can bring it all together," said one AL scout.

darkcloud4579 · 07-21-2003, 12:10 PM

May 3, 2014
TOKYO The Tokyo Aeros sent highly rated prospect Ronald Bowyer to Toronto today for SP Reilly Cooper and SP Tomas Bermejo.

Cooper, 26, had his best season two years ago splitting time between Orlando and Toronto, going 16-9 with a 3.12 ERA, 211 strikeouts in 30 starts.

Last season, he was sparsely used, only pitching four games for the Jays.

Beremjo, 29, was mainly a reliever this year, pitching in five games and six innings. Last season, he appeared in 16 games, started 2, going 4-0 with a 4.21 ERA.

They were acquired mainly to help address the team's pitching shortage to bolster the depth of the main staff.

Tokyo has the fifth rated farm system in baseball and is currently second in the AL Pacific division. Toronto is third in the AL Central, 7 games behind division leading Minnesota.

darkcloud4579 · 07-21-2003, 12:45 PM

TWINS WINNING, DESPITE LACK OF PAYROLL
MINNEAPOLIS - Call it a weak division, call it destiny, but 3M Field is rocking and the Minnesota Twins are the best team in baseball. Despite the 2nd lowest payroll in baseball, the Twins hold a seven game advantage in the AL Central over Cleveland Cosmos.

THE LEGENDS HAVE ARRIVED
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Washington Legends have had a tenious history. The former Montreal Expos, moved to DC in 2004, but never really achieved the success that many expected once the club was in a revenue producing market. The team has largely floundered.

To make matters worse, the league has shifted the team from division to division seemingly ever year, never giving the team a chance to take hold, despite what seemed like everyone trying to give them a chance to do something.

Well, this year, the team was moved to the NL Central, after Cincinnati moved to San Antonio and was moved to the NL South. The result, is a division lead of 3 games over the defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs.

"We're hoping things will continue to go in the right direction," said Manager Rusty Staub. "We're going to press these guys to keep their noses on the grindstone and the fruits will come. This city deserves it." he said.

darkcloud4579 · 07-21-2003, 01:13 PM

AEROS HANGING TOUGH
At the end of the second month, the Aeros are five games behind the Seattle Mariners in the AL Pacific. The Aeros are needless to say, off to their best start in franchise history at 35-24. The club is already on pace to break the franchise record 60 wins in a season.

Some of the bright spots so far:

SP AJ Murray Acquired in the Josh Pressley deal, this veteran is earning his keep. At only $608k a year and signed until 2016, he might be one of the biggest bargains ever. He already has a career high in wins (6) with a 6-2 record, with a 3.06 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 79 1/3 innings so far this season. He's the best pitcher on the staff so far this year. And the trade wasn't even about him!

RF Delmon Young When you draft a guy and watch him develop, you tend to know what the player can do. So, acquiring Delmon Young was a no-brainer and he's not proven me wrong yet. He's hitting .276 so far this season with 20 homers and 46 RBI. After a 38 homer season last year, he's already on pace for more than that. He's signed until the end of next season.

JESSE FOPPERT WATCH
When you think of the greats in baseball history, names like Spahn, Gibson, Ryan, Clemens are just a few that come to mind.

In the Modern Era, the name for excellence over a sustained period of time is Jesse Foppert.

Aeros GM Dark Cloud has been in negotiations with the Orioles to acquire the two-time Cy Young Award winner and six time all-star, who has 178 career wins and seems destined for the Hall of Fame. With the O's close to being out of the race, they're willing to deal him, but only for a top prospect. As much as we abhor trading top prospects away, only to watch them turn out to be stars, with only three years in Tokyo, there might not be an opportunity later to acquire a player of his caliber.

If you want a parallel, think of the Toronto Blue Jays back in 1993. They had a deal in principal to send some prospects - don't even remember who - to Seattle for Johnson, but the deal fell through. Can you IMAGINE what it would've been like to have him on the Jays for years after '93?

Dark Cloud, a loyal Jays fan as a child, remembers this and is nagging at the idea of Aeros fans sitting at home wondering what we did as a kid. "Why is that GM so dumb? I could do a better job than him," he would say.

Do the Aeros go after Foppert? Or hold out and see how things go, for next year?

darkcloud4579 · 07-21-2003, 01:28 PM

1B Jordan Hanley, Minnesota Twins
Hanley is having a solid first full season in the majors. He's hitting .309 with 2 homers and 22 RBI so far this season with the Twins, who are cruising in the AL Central.

"It's awesome to be in a pennant race in the big leagues. Hopefully, we can keep it going." said Hanley.

SP Anthony Amon, Vancouver Canadians (AAA)
Amon is toiling in the Emeralds farm system. He's currently 4-4 with a 3.70 ERA and 70 strikeouts, so far in 11 starts. "He's really doing good things down there," said Ems manager Willie Randolph. Much of the discussion about Amon was getting him into a system and giving him time. He's getting that now and should develop into a strong starter, especially given the Emeralds record for developing players over the past ten years.

CF Jessie Perrigo, Frisco Roughriders (AA)
Perrigo has it all. Speed, defensive talent and contact ability. He's hitting .290 with 3 homers and 22 RBI in 221 at-bats in Double-A. The Rangers see him as their centerfielder of the future, and Baseball America recently rated him the 4th best prospect in the Rangers organization.

"We know he'll come up big for us when its his time. Meanwhile, he's getting good experience down on the farm," said Rangers GM John Hart.

darkcloud4579 · 07-21-2003, 02:24 PM

AEROS SEND HIGHLY RATED PROSPECTS TO INDIANAPOLIS
INDIANAPOLIS - Its not everyday that teams send some of their best talent away, but its not everyday that they're able to acquire a front-line starter and one of the best shortstops in the game.

In an effort to catch the Seattle Mariners, the Tokyo Aeros, six games out in the AL Pacific, but sporting the third best record in BASEBALL, the club acquired SS Michael Garciaparra and SP John "Outback" Stephens from the Indianapolis Racers today for SP Chris Young, SS Oskar Bergslagen, RP Glenn Cordon and two highly rated minor starters in Dante Duenas and stud pitcher, SP Kosta "Zeus" Nikolandis, who is vying to become the first Greek major leauger.

"You don't know how hard it was for me to trade Zeus. In fact, I'll say on the record that I'll work hard to get him back here someday, as we're building quite a United Nations here in Japan." said Dark Cloud, laughing at the press conference announcing the deal.

Stephens, 34, is from Australia and has 181 career wins, is a four-time All-Star and won the 2012 Cy Young.

Nikolandis, 25, becomes Indy's ace and should lead a very strong career. "He's awesome, simply put. He had some lumps before, but I have no doubt that he'll be able to an effective major league starter, despite an indescript minor league career," said Racers manager Don Mattingly.

Garciaparra, 31, is hitting .263 with 4 homers and 28 RBI so far this season. Stephens is 6-7 with a 3.41 ERA with 63 strikeouts so far.

darkcloud4579 · 07-21-2003, 02:40 PM

AEROS ACQUIRE TALENTED CENTERFIELDER
TOKYO - The Aeros continue their pursuit of the division title, making their second major trade of the day, by sending SP Mark Phillips, who began the year as the ace of the staff and CF Vernon Wells, who was the starter for most of the year, along with two other players to Sacramento for CF Dion Bronson, a 25 year old with lots of upside.

Developed in the Yankees organization, he was traded to the A's in the 2011 season and hasn't put up the type of numbers he put up in New York that made him a three-time all-star.

He's hitting .281 this season with 10 homers and 50 RBI.

SP Mike Jones, 31, is 7-4 with a 4.47 ERA so far this season.

Phillips at the trade was 5-3 with a 4.38 ERA so far this season with 41 strikeouts and 31 walks.

Sacramento gets :
RF Mike Rosamond
P Tomas Bermejo
P Syo-zo Shigekazu
CF Vernon Wells
P Mark Phillips
We get :
CF Dion Bronson
P Mike Jones

darkcloud4579 · 07-21-2003, 03:40 PM

AFTER THE BREAK...
The All-Star break has come and gone and the Aeros have cut into the Seattle lead in the AL Pacific. The Aeros are now just six games back and have the sixth best record (50-36) in the majors.

With payroll at about $75 million, the team is 16th overall in the league. Ownership has placed a moratorium on trades for the rest of the season, unless the club is in first place prior to the traded deadline, in which case, such trades will be allowed to bolster the club. But don't expect much more tinkering. "It's in my nature to tinkle and retool, but we're probably done." said Dark Cloud.

Early Cy Young candidate AJ Murray is out for the season with a ruptured disc in his back. Murray was 9-2 with a 2.74 ERA and was key to the Aeros hopes of winning the division title.

In response, the Aeros have moved RF Rick Ankiel back to the mound as a pitcher, to give the club flexibility. The team also signed SP Zach Day as a free agent.
Day will be a spot starter/reliever for the club. Josh Fogg, who had been coming out of the bullpen, has also returned to the rotation.

Offensively, the Aeros are the sixth best batting team in baseball this season, the club is ninth in homers and is 15th in ERA, middle of the road.

"We're getting closer to our goals. We'll be fine." said Dark Cloud.

OTHER DIVISION LEADERS
AL East: New Jersey leads Boston by a game
AL South: Raleigh leads Baltimore by 6 games, Louisville by 7
AL Central: Minnesota leads Cleveland by 8 games
NL East: Philadelphialeads Pittsburgh by 4 games
NL Central: Washington leads Great Plains by 3 games, Chicago and St. Louis are 4 games back
NL West: San Francisco leads San Diego by 2 games, Nevada by 5
NL South: Atlanta and Houston are tied for the division lead. Arizona is a game out, New Orleans is 2 games out.

07-20-2003, 03:38 AM	#221
darkcloud4579 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8,689	A-ROD RETIRES COOPERSTOWN - One of the all-time greats in the history of the Modern Era retired today. Cleveland Cosmos shortstop Alex Rodriguez called it quits today, ending one of the best careers in the history of the game. Rodriguez enters the Hall with a Texas Rangers cap, after thirteen years with the club. He spent parts of his last season with Texas, before being traded to Washington, released, signed to Nevada and then sent to finish in Cleveland. He earned his 3000th hit in 2013, finishing with 3020 for his career, he is the career leader in the Modern Era for home runs with 759 and is also the career leader in RBI with 2096. He is third all-time in hits and runs scored. "It's great to know that a guy like him was around during my era. I'll be able to look back and say, I saw A-Rod play," said Board of Governors Chair Bob Costas, about the player. "I'm forever indebted to baseball for helping me achieve my dreams. I'll always be a fan and an ambassador for the game," said Rodriguez.

07-20-2003, 01:36 PM	#222
darkcloud4579 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8,689	DARK CLOUD RETURNS.... TOKYO The Tokyo Aeros have announced today, that they have hired Centurion magnate Dark Cloud to run the club's operations for three seasons. "We are confident Dark Cloud will take us to the top!" said Aeros President Daisuke Makanori. "I am pleased that the Aeros have allowed me the opportunity to return to the game I love. I will make them proud and do my best to turn this club into a winner." Dark Cloud left on the mantle of a champion several years ago in New York and after eight seasons in Oregon, where he won three world series titles. Allegations of him and a pool girl who came to his house were dropped later, after it was found that the pool girl and he did nothing wrong and he eventually married her. "I did nothing wrong and I wish not to discuss that case any further," he said. Unlike his previous two stints as a GM, Dark Cloud will not have a carte blanche budget. The Tokyo ownership have imposed a $60 million cap on his spending or payroll no higher than 18th in the league. For every year the club improves, he will be moved into a higher bracket, but never to exceed $80 million. He said he has high expectations, after seeing what the Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs were able to do with low payrolls. "We can do great things here, it will just take some time." he said. Tokyo currently has the lowest payroll in the majors at just under $25 million. Dark Cloud said he intends to build the franchise's farm system and then to work from there. __________________ ------ My Mods OOTP Advanced Stats & DFS Suite Managerial Strategy Pack Competitive Balance Tax Calculator Major League Women's Baseball (OOTP24) quickstart Indian Premier League \| 300+ years of baseball quickstart \| Expatriate League quickstart \| Off-Field Injuries Update \| Women's Name File for OOTP \| ---- Dynasty classics: Centurion comes to OOTP5 \| DC Moneyball Dynasty (2004) Last edited by darkcloud4579; 07-20-2003 at 01:41 PM.

07-20-2003, 08:44 PM	#223
darkcloud4579 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8,689	REBUILDING TOKYO... Unlike with most of my teams where I spend to get what I want (though, I've done it other ways..without spending..just saying) i am going to try and build a winner with this club through a combination of what we have and what I can get. I'm not deluded enough to think that we can contend this year, though I'm going to work hard to build a team that can contend. If you want to see the 2013 end-of-season roster, along with stats, here is a link to the team site. Tokyo Aeros The team was founded in 2010 and every season until last year, the winning percentage actually improved. Last year, the club went from 60-94 to 56-98. Not a huge drop, but not exactly progress either. SO...the goal is to basically increase payroll since they've been running at bear bones since the club was founded - of course - part of that was because the expansion clubs that came into the league after the TV contract was signed, got no revenue from that, so...they were all at a disadvantage, something of course, I did on purpose to simulate real life. Now that Tokyo is in on the TV deal, the team should have a steady stream of revenue - though it doesn't matter since the club has averaged like $70 million in revenues annually. Attendance has been steady around 2.3 million, after peaking at 3.7 million the first year and 2.6 the second. Fans are obviously enamored, but want the team to win. I'm going after free agents, the best ones I can get, but obviously giving myself some cushion in case I need to unload salaries or want to upgrade next year. So..here we go. The league average salary is $2.139 million The average salary on the Tokyo Aeros last season? $730,000 Uhh...yeah, its time. __________________ ------ My Mods OOTP Advanced Stats & DFS Suite Managerial Strategy Pack Competitive Balance Tax Calculator Major League Women's Baseball (OOTP24) quickstart Indian Premier League \| 300+ years of baseball quickstart \| Expatriate League quickstart \| Off-Field Injuries Update \| Women's Name File for OOTP \| ---- Dynasty classics: Centurion comes to OOTP5 \| DC Moneyball Dynasty (2004) Last edited by darkcloud4579; 07-20-2003 at 08:49 PM.

07-20-2003, 09:59 PM	#224
darkcloud4579 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8,689	FREE AGENT SIGNINGS TOKYO RETOOLS TOKYO - The day of rebirth has arrived for the Tokyo Aeros, as the club under the management of Centurion and Dark Cloud have signed a number of players. "We knew that players would be attracted by the work Centurion has done in other locations. That's a highly marketable thing to have when trying to attract free agents in today's market," said Aeros Vice President John Olerud. "The most difficult thing was dealing with spending restrictions, because I'm not used to that, obviously", said Dark Cloud, in an interview for InsideBaseball magazine. DC was told by management that if he went over the $60 million threshold, that he would need to do whatever it took to ensure that the team was at that level by the beginning of the season. "We're going to have to do a lot to improve this ballclub. I think we can do that and we'll certainly be a better product this season, I just want to play all the cards we have to make the team better." DC has been burning up phone lines and showing players around the city personally, to help woo some of the best free agents on this year's market. TOKYO SIGNINGS SO FAR RF Orval Hajek $43.75 mil/5 years OF Lance Berkman $15 mil/3 years SP Aaron Heilman $43 mil/4 years SP Mike McIlvaine $39.25 mil/5 years

07-20-2003, 10:46 PM	#225
darkcloud4579 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8,689	ORIOLES AND AEROS SWAP PLAYERS MILLEDGE DOESN'T GET A DAY IN TOKYO TOKYO - After making the free agent coup of the season by acquiring CF Lastings Milledge from Boston as a free agent for $27.5 million a year, Dark Cloud had a dilemma. He was $20 million over budget. Despite pleading with management to raise his cap during his first season, ownership was ardent in its stance of not allowing the club to reach over $60 million in payroll during this first season. "Our looseing the pursestrings was an effort to get fans in the ballpark, as we realized that for years, playing at bare bones wasn't working. But we don't want to overdo it, not until we know things are working. Remember the 2003 Mets? We don't want that to be us," said John Olerud, team VP. So, just as he'd signed a player that he never thought he could get. He had to deal him. No other player would be feasible, since at $27.5 million, there was no other guy who could ease the financial burden of the club. So, trade your best player, while not making the team worse. That was DC's job. In a taker, he found the upstart Baltimore Orioles. Not only did they drive a hard bargain, they were not budging. In the end, the Aeros sent: CF Lastings Milledge P Karl Sturm C Dustin Brown CF Christopher Mounts to Baltimore for: CF Vernon Wells SS Milton Twitty C Domingo Benitez The deal benefits the Aeros because not only do we shed salary, but we get their starting catcher, shortstop and centerfielder from a year ago. Not bad from a team that won its division. We were working for a while to get ace SP Jesse Foppert from the club, but ultimately we couldn't agree on who would go and I wasn't sure that we wanted inheirt that kind of contract.

07-20-2003, 11:13 PM	#226
darkcloud4579 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8,689	Despite dumping Milledge's salary, the Aeros are still $10 million over the imposed salary limit placed on DC at the beginning of the season. That means, some of his other free agent acquisitions will have to go. On the block include SP Aaron Heilman, who DC has had an affinity for since his days with the Oregon Emeralds. We shall see...

07-20-2003, 11:35 PM	#227
darkcloud4579 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8,689	BLOCKBUSTER DEAL IN TOKYO DARK CLOUD CONVINCES....AEROS PULL THE TRIGGER TOKYO - In the end, you have to go with the guy who brings four rings and experience to your club. After pleading with Aeros ownership, Dark Cloud managed to maintain payroll at $70 million, but only under the condition he acquired "star caliber" talent. Well, is this enough? AEROS ACQUIRE PERENNIAL GREAT JOSH PRESSLEY TOKYO = The Tokyo Aeros, perennial doormats of the American League have ushered in a new era. Much like the New Jersey Nets when they acquired Jason Kidd, the Tokyo Aeros have acquired the new face of their franchise in 1B Josh Pressley. "I can't tell you how exciting it is to have Josh playing for me again," said Dark Cloud who originally traded for Pressley from New Jersey as a young rookie. No one had any idea, he'd turn into the future hall of famer that he is today. Offensively, there are few that can compare to Pressley. He's had nine straight 100+ RBI seasons, He's hit 354 homers in his 10 1/2 years in the majors and has a career batting average of .347! "You know what, I've had some good years in Texas," said the nine-time All-Star. "But, I can't tell you how good it feels to playing for DC again. We had some great times in Oregon and I know he'll do a great job in Tokyo. The fans in Japan are awesome. I know they'll be really supportive of the new club, so I'm glad to be supportive of that." said Pressley. To acquire the star, the Aeros sent SP Aaron Heilman, LF Orval Hajek and SP Mike McIlvain. Also going to Pressley is emerging star SP AJ Murray. "This was a hard deal to make and totally under the radar, because honestly, I wanted to keep the players I signed. But when payroll contraints came like they did, we felt like the best thing to do, was make the situation work as best as we could. The ownership has been very receptive to what I want to do with this club and I appreciate their supporting our efforts. We'll make them proud, I have no doubts." said Dark Cloud. __________________ ------ My Mods OOTP Advanced Stats & DFS Suite Managerial Strategy Pack Competitive Balance Tax Calculator Major League Women's Baseball (OOTP24) quickstart Indian Premier League \| 300+ years of baseball quickstart \| Expatriate League quickstart \| Off-Field Injuries Update \| Women's Name File for OOTP \| ---- Dynasty classics: Centurion comes to OOTP5 \| DC Moneyball Dynasty (2004)

07-21-2003, 12:48 AM	#228
darkcloud4579 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8,689	CONTINENTAL LEAGUE TO SUSPEND OPERATIONS CL TO HOLD OFF ON 2014 SEASON, DUE TO FINANCIAL PROBLEMS The Continental League, one of the first independent leagues of the modern era, has announced that it has cancelled the 2014 season, to work out financial matters and decide the course of action the league will take. "We take this step in the hopes that we can return and do great things much later." said League Comissioner Ozzie Smith. The league is contemplating an "Arena Football" type schedule that would turn the league into an all-indoor, short-season, arena league for major markets, rather than an outdoor major league, due to losing money every year for the past ten years, with rising salaries and the like. "We want to do what's best for our fans and our players. We will return, make no mistake", said Smith, who resigned after the announcement. All contracts were revoked and players were free to seek out deals with any club of their choice.

07-21-2003, 02:27 AM	#229
darkcloud4579 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8,689	FORMER CONTINENTAL LEAGUE PLAYERS GET DEALS AMON GOES TO OREGON, PERRIGO TO TEXAS Two of the younger, emerging players from the Continental League joined some of their counterparts in organized baseball yesterday after Anthony Amon and Jessie Perrigo signed deals with major league clubs. Perrigo, 20, signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers and was assigned to their AA club Frisco RoughRiders. Meanwhile, Amon, 19, signed a deal with the Oregon Emeralds and was assigned to the AAA club Vancouver Canadians. "We're really excited about having a young, talented player like Anthony in our organization. We're looking forward to seeing him at Amway Field in the near future," said Oregon GM Jack Whitley. The name of Paul Allen Ballpark in Oregon has been renamed to Amway Field. Meanwhile, longtime Rangers manager Buck Showalter had great things to say about Perrigo. "I watched him during the winter and was just amazed at the progress he's making. I know he can be a real threat at the big league level and that's why I pushed for us to get him aboard. He'll do great things in this league, so long as he keeps working hard." Last edited by darkcloud4579; 07-21-2003 at 02:43 AM.

07-21-2003, 02:39 AM	#230
thebigUNIT Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 84	Awesome...getting ever closer to the big show.

07-21-2003, 03:28 AM	#231
darkcloud4579 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8,689	TOKYO AEROS - May 1, 2014 AEROS DEAL FOR DELMON YOUNG TOKYO - The Tokyo Aeros continued their wheeling ways by acquiring RF Delmon Young from the Oregon Emeralds for SP Ricardo Aramboles. Aramboles, 32, was 3-4 so far this season with a 4.78 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings. Meanwhile, Young, 29, is currently hitting .313 with 12 homers and 24 RBI in 115 at-bats so far this season. He was the third pick overall in the 2004 draft by the Oregon Emeralds, selected by present Aeros GM Dark Cloud. "Obviously, I'm thrilled to have a guy like Delmon playing for us. He's hard working, dependable and I know he'll be a great fit for our ballclub," said Dark Cloud. FIRST PLACE?! AEROS ARE CONTENDERS! TOKYO - While its still early, fans in Tokyo are buzzing with the success of the Aeros. At the end of April, the club is just a game behind the Seattle Mariners for first place in the AL Pacific. "We're not where we want to be, but I'm happy with the progress the club has made thus far. " said Dark Cloud, who suggested the team still had a few deals to make.

07-21-2003, 03:40 AM	#232
darkcloud4579 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8,689	AEROS BOLSTER OUTFIELD TOKYO - The Tokyo Aeros acquired CF Roberto Beltran and RF Hector Rodriguez from the Orlando Tourists for four players: LF Wil Smith, P Norberto Cos, P Thomas Provenzano and SS Milton Twitty. "We're working to develop a team that is capable of winning a title and this trade points us in the direction of foundation for succeeding," said Dark Cloud in a statement. Rodriguez hit .340, 30 HR, 118 RBI with 52 stolen bases last season and Beltran hit .248, 6 HR and 14 RBI so far this season. __________________ ------ My Mods OOTP Advanced Stats & DFS Suite Managerial Strategy Pack Competitive Balance Tax Calculator Major League Women's Baseball (OOTP24) quickstart Indian Premier League \| 300+ years of baseball quickstart \| Expatriate League quickstart \| Off-Field Injuries Update \| Women's Name File for OOTP \| ---- Dynasty classics: Centurion comes to OOTP5 \| DC Moneyball Dynasty (2004)

07-21-2003, 11:50 AM	#233
darkcloud4579 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8,689	SAVING $$$....PICKING UP QUALITY AEROS SEND BERKMAN AND TWO PLAYERS TO NEW YORK NEW YORK - The New York Yankees today acquired RF Lance Berkman from the Tokyo Aeros, along with CF Roberto Beltran and highly touted starter SP Tyler Heidel, who came to Tokyo in the Continental League Supplemental Draft last season. In return, the Aeros pick up starters Mark Phillips and Kelley Barerra. Phillips is 3-1 with 4.20 ERA so far this season. Meanwhile, Barrera has been a spot starter and reliever, 1-1 with a 6.32 ERA in three games so far this season. "This trade enables us to shed some of the fat we buldge we picked up in the off-season and helps us get down to a position where we can make moves, if we need to. Make no mistake, we've given up some quality players over the past few days and I can't say that I expect we'll do better with out them in the short term, but long-term, I think we'll come out on top." said Dark Cloud after the deals. Tokyo's payroll has been shrunk to about $62 million, which makes ownership happy, considering the players the team has acquired over the past month or two. "With the names we have now, we're in a real position to do some damage. I'm excited about the rest of the season." said DC. The team admits its biggest weakness and first priority this off-season is pitching, many experts are looking for Tokyo to be a favorite next season ,if they can get their pitching in order. "You have to like that lineup. The team is stacked and I think DC is doing a hell of a job over there. It remains to be seen whether they can bring it all together," said one AL scout.

07-21-2003, 12:10 PM	#234
darkcloud4579 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8,689	AEROS DEAL PROSPECT FOR COOPER May 3, 2014 TOKYO The Tokyo Aeros sent highly rated prospect Ronald Bowyer to Toronto today for SP Reilly Cooper and SP Tomas Bermejo. Cooper, 26, had his best season two years ago splitting time between Orlando and Toronto, going 16-9 with a 3.12 ERA, 211 strikeouts in 30 starts. Last season, he was sparsely used, only pitching four games for the Jays. Beremjo, 29, was mainly a reliever this year, pitching in five games and six innings. Last season, he appeared in 16 games, started 2, going 4-0 with a 4.21 ERA. They were acquired mainly to help address the team's pitching shortage to bolster the depth of the main staff. Tokyo has the fifth rated farm system in baseball and is currently second in the AL Pacific division. Toronto is third in the AL Central, 7 games behind division leading Minnesota. __________________ ------ My Mods OOTP Advanced Stats & DFS Suite Managerial Strategy Pack Competitive Balance Tax Calculator Major League Women's Baseball (OOTP24) quickstart Indian Premier League \| 300+ years of baseball quickstart \| Expatriate League quickstart \| Off-Field Injuries Update \| Women's Name File for OOTP \| ---- Dynasty classics: Centurion comes to OOTP5 \| DC Moneyball Dynasty (2004)

07-21-2003, 12:45 PM	#235
darkcloud4579 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8,689	DIAMOND NOTES TWINS WINNING, DESPITE LACK OF PAYROLL MINNEAPOLIS - Call it a weak division, call it destiny, but 3M Field is rocking and the Minnesota Twins are the best team in baseball. Despite the 2nd lowest payroll in baseball, the Twins hold a seven game advantage in the AL Central over Cleveland Cosmos. THE LEGENDS HAVE ARRIVED WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Washington Legends have had a tenious history. The former Montreal Expos, moved to DC in 2004, but never really achieved the success that many expected once the club was in a revenue producing market. The team has largely floundered. To make matters worse, the league has shifted the team from division to division seemingly ever year, never giving the team a chance to take hold, despite what seemed like everyone trying to give them a chance to do something. Well, this year, the team was moved to the NL Central, after Cincinnati moved to San Antonio and was moved to the NL South. The result, is a division lead of 3 games over the defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs. "We're hoping things will continue to go in the right direction," said Manager Rusty Staub. "We're going to press these guys to keep their noses on the grindstone and the fruits will come. This city deserves it." he said.

07-21-2003, 01:13 PM	#236
darkcloud4579 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8,689	JUNE 1, 2014 - AEROS REPORT AEROS HANGING TOUGH At the end of the second month, the Aeros are five games behind the Seattle Mariners in the AL Pacific. The Aeros are needless to say, off to their best start in franchise history at 35-24. The club is already on pace to break the franchise record 60 wins in a season. Some of the bright spots so far: SP AJ Murray Acquired in the Josh Pressley deal, this veteran is earning his keep. At only $608k a year and signed until 2016, he might be one of the biggest bargains ever. He already has a career high in wins (6) with a 6-2 record, with a 3.06 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 79 1/3 innings so far this season. He's the best pitcher on the staff so far this year. And the trade wasn't even about him! RF Delmon Young When you draft a guy and watch him develop, you tend to know what the player can do. So, acquiring Delmon Young was a no-brainer and he's not proven me wrong yet. He's hitting .276 so far this season with 20 homers and 46 RBI. After a 38 homer season last year, he's already on pace for more than that. He's signed until the end of next season. JESSE FOPPERT WATCH When you think of the greats in baseball history, names like Spahn, Gibson, Ryan, Clemens are just a few that come to mind. In the Modern Era, the name for excellence over a sustained period of time is Jesse Foppert. Aeros GM Dark Cloud has been in negotiations with the Orioles to acquire the two-time Cy Young Award winner and six time all-star, who has 178 career wins and seems destined for the Hall of Fame. With the O's close to being out of the race, they're willing to deal him, but only for a top prospect. As much as we abhor trading top prospects away, only to watch them turn out to be stars, with only three years in Tokyo, there might not be an opportunity later to acquire a player of his caliber. If you want a parallel, think of the Toronto Blue Jays back in 1993. They had a deal in principal to send some prospects - don't even remember who - to Seattle for Johnson, but the deal fell through. Can you IMAGINE what it would've been like to have him on the Jays for years after '93? Dark Cloud, a loyal Jays fan as a child, remembers this and is nagging at the idea of Aeros fans sitting at home wondering what we did as a kid. "Why is that GM so dumb? I could do a better job than him," he would say. Do the Aeros go after Foppert? Or hold out and see how things go, for next year?

07-21-2003, 01:28 PM	#237
darkcloud4579 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8,689	CONTINENTAL LEAGUE ALUMNI UPDATE 1B Jordan Hanley, Minnesota Twins Hanley is having a solid first full season in the majors. He's hitting .309 with 2 homers and 22 RBI so far this season with the Twins, who are cruising in the AL Central. "It's awesome to be in a pennant race in the big leagues. Hopefully, we can keep it going." said Hanley. SP Anthony Amon, Vancouver Canadians (AAA) Amon is toiling in the Emeralds farm system. He's currently 4-4 with a 3.70 ERA and 70 strikeouts, so far in 11 starts. "He's really doing good things down there," said Ems manager Willie Randolph. Much of the discussion about Amon was getting him into a system and giving him time. He's getting that now and should develop into a strong starter, especially given the Emeralds record for developing players over the past ten years. CF Jessie Perrigo, Frisco Roughriders (AA) Perrigo has it all. Speed, defensive talent and contact ability. He's hitting .290 with 3 homers and 22 RBI in 221 at-bats in Double-A. The Rangers see him as their centerfielder of the future, and Baseball America recently rated him the 4th best prospect in the Rangers organization. "We know he'll come up big for us when its his time. Meanwhile, he's getting good experience down on the farm," said Rangers GM John Hart.

07-21-2003, 02:24 PM	#238
darkcloud4579 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8,689	AEROS DEAL FOR GARCIAPARRA AEROS SEND HIGHLY RATED PROSPECTS TO INDIANAPOLIS INDIANAPOLIS - Its not everyday that teams send some of their best talent away, but its not everyday that they're able to acquire a front-line starter and one of the best shortstops in the game. In an effort to catch the Seattle Mariners, the Tokyo Aeros, six games out in the AL Pacific, but sporting the third best record in BASEBALL, the club acquired SS Michael Garciaparra and SP John "Outback" Stephens from the Indianapolis Racers today for SP Chris Young, SS Oskar Bergslagen, RP Glenn Cordon and two highly rated minor starters in Dante Duenas and stud pitcher, SP Kosta "Zeus" Nikolandis, who is vying to become the first Greek major leauger. "You don't know how hard it was for me to trade Zeus. In fact, I'll say on the record that I'll work hard to get him back here someday, as we're building quite a United Nations here in Japan." said Dark Cloud, laughing at the press conference announcing the deal. Stephens, 34, is from Australia and has 181 career wins, is a four-time All-Star and won the 2012 Cy Young. Nikolandis, 25, becomes Indy's ace and should lead a very strong career. "He's awesome, simply put. He had some lumps before, but I have no doubt that he'll be able to an effective major league starter, despite an indescript minor league career," said Racers manager Don Mattingly. Garciaparra, 31, is hitting .263 with 4 homers and 28 RBI so far this season. Stephens is 6-7 with a 3.41 ERA with 63 strikeouts so far.

07-21-2003, 02:40 PM	#239
darkcloud4579 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8,689	AEROS ACQUIRE CF DION BRONSON FROM SACTO AEROS ACQUIRE TALENTED CENTERFIELDER TOKYO - The Aeros continue their pursuit of the division title, making their second major trade of the day, by sending SP Mark Phillips, who began the year as the ace of the staff and CF Vernon Wells, who was the starter for most of the year, along with two other players to Sacramento for CF Dion Bronson, a 25 year old with lots of upside. Developed in the Yankees organization, he was traded to the A's in the 2011 season and hasn't put up the type of numbers he put up in New York that made him a three-time all-star. He's hitting .281 this season with 10 homers and 50 RBI. SP Mike Jones, 31, is 7-4 with a 4.47 ERA so far this season. Phillips at the trade was 5-3 with a 4.38 ERA so far this season with 41 strikeouts and 31 walks. Sacramento gets : RF Mike Rosamond P Tomas Bermejo P Syo-zo Shigekazu CF Vernon Wells P Mark Phillips We get : CF Dion Bronson P Mike Jones

07-21-2003, 03:40 PM	#240
darkcloud4579 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8,689	AEROS UPDATE - July 1, 2014 AFTER THE BREAK... The All-Star break has come and gone and the Aeros have cut into the Seattle lead in the AL Pacific. The Aeros are now just six games back and have the sixth best record (50-36) in the majors. With payroll at about $75 million, the team is 16th overall in the league. Ownership has placed a moratorium on trades for the rest of the season, unless the club is in first place prior to the traded deadline, in which case, such trades will be allowed to bolster the club. But don't expect much more tinkering. "It's in my nature to tinkle and retool, but we're probably done." said Dark Cloud. Early Cy Young candidate AJ Murray is out for the season with a ruptured disc in his back. Murray was 9-2 with a 2.74 ERA and was key to the Aeros hopes of winning the division title. In response, the Aeros have moved RF Rick Ankiel back to the mound as a pitcher, to give the club flexibility. The team also signed SP Zach Day as a free agent. Day will be a spot starter/reliever for the club. Josh Fogg, who had been coming out of the bullpen, has also returned to the rotation. Offensively, the Aeros are the sixth best batting team in baseball this season, the club is ninth in homers and is 15th in ERA, middle of the road. "We're getting closer to our goals. We'll be fine." said Dark Cloud. OTHER DIVISION LEADERS AL East: New Jersey leads Boston by a game AL South: Raleigh leads Baltimore by 6 games, Louisville by 7 AL Central: Minnesota leads Cleveland by 8 games NL East: Philadelphialeads Pittsburgh by 4 games NL Central: Washington leads Great Plains by 3 games, Chicago and St. Louis are 4 games back NL West: San Francisco leads San Diego by 2 games, Nevada by 5 NL South: Atlanta and Houston are tied for the division lead. Arizona is a game out, New Orleans is 2 games out.