MLB 2014 I wait till someone gets fired dynasty!

[Griever20]

As I can't decide which team to take over, I will wait till the end of the 2014 season and take one of the available GM seats. Or: The

I wait till someone gets fired dynasty!

I will play with the updated MLB Rosters(Lester in OAK etc.), but I will tweak things a bit.

1. All league history was deleted.
2. Every year in March, a group of historic MLB players will be randomly assigned as minor league free agent with age 18.
3. There will be the DH in the NL

In two test runs, I ended up both times with Arizona, but we will see...

I will play through 2014 fast and post monthly updates.

[Griever20]

[Griever20]

Team News

AL East

New York Yankees:
OF Rusney Castillo(26, 4/5*) signed a 4y/$42,900,000 contract.

Toronto Blue Jays
SP Doug Fister(30, 4/4*) was acquired via trade with WSH.

NL Central

Cincinnati Reds:
LF Alex Gordon(29, 4,5/4,5*) was acquired via trade with KCR.

Milwaukee Brewers:
SP Hyun-jin Ryu(26, 4/4*) was acquired via trade with LAD.

[Griever20]

[Griever20]

Top Position Player


Top Pitcher


Top 10 Prospects

[Griever20]

Nationals, Royals strong, Detroit only in 4th place, Greinke gets NO-NO against Brewers

[Griever20]

Padres lead NL West after 20-7 month, Kipnis wins PotM and had 23-game hitting streak, Angels get no-hit

[Griever20]

Red Sox, Nationals top their leagues, two no-hitters and a clycle baffle fans

[Griever20]

First Pick

[Griever20]

Bogaerts boosts Red Sox once again, NL Central tight battle between Pirates/Cards, same for NL East

MLB All-Stars

[Griever20]

Tigers, Rangers close in, Dodgers pass San Diego, Nationals sensational, go 22-5, Webster gets No-No

[Griever20]

Giants win NL West and Detroit pass KC, Pittsburgh/Washington with best record

Leaderboards

[Griever20]

Ok, its October 30th, 2014, and
GM Jed Hoyer(CHC) &
GM Kevin Towers(ARI)

have been fired, and I have to decide now which team to take over.

MLB Roster:

Chicago has a three servicable starters(Grimm, Jackson, Turner) and a ton of young talented bats(Rizzo, Baez, Russell, Castro, Almora, Soler) as well as predicted $31,000,000 available for free agency. This would be the easy choice, as the team is one to two moves away from contending.

The Diamondbacks are the hard choice. The rotation has Bradley, Degado and Corbin as decent starters, and Cahill who takes a lot of salary, and the bullpen was sold off this trade deadline. Montero($10,000,000) and Hill($11,000,000) and Cody Ross($8,500,000) are getting big bucks for nothing, while Goldschmidt, Owings, Lamb and Gregorius are the future. Matt Joyce got grabbed in May from TBR for Trumbo and a prospect, maybe the only clever deal Towers did this year...
Financially, the D'backs need to dump salary (Looking at Montero, Hill, Cahill), as they are losing big money and only have the 27th budget.

Minors:
The Cubs have most of their young guys in the majors apart from 3B Kris Bryant(5*), 2B Jakson Reets(15th pick 2014, 4,5*) and 1B Dan Vogelbach(4*). With 66-96, the 3rd pick should be theirs.

The D'backs don't have a lot of high echelon talent in their farm. 1st pick C/3B/RF Alex Jackson(5*) did well in rookie ball, SP Miguel Almonte(3,5*) reached AA, and second-round pick Zachary Sullivan(3,5*) also had a good start. The D'backs had a 64-98 record tied for last with Minnesota, so there will be a high draft pick available.

[Griever20]

Maybe it was because I wanted to build up the team myself, or because I like pain and suffering... Hello Arizona Diamondbacks....



First Decisions:

1. Fire scouting director Ray Montgomery and pitch an offer to Theo Epstein. His head needed to roll, as he was part of a number of strange decisions that ruined that franchise...
2. As Kirk Gibson was fired together with Kevin Towers, and thrown into a deep snake cave together with him, I needed a new manager. I found Ron Gardenhire out there and decided to offer him a four-year deal.
3. While looking for a manager, I found Bobby Abreu, who just retired, out there with incredibly good coaching ratings. I offered him the job as pitching coach in AAA, as he's rated LEGENDARY as pitching coach, and should get some XP there.
4. Both pitching coach Mike Harkey and hitting coach Turner Ward were let go as well. I offered deals to two decent coaches to fill that void.

Salary Arbitration:
RHRP David Hernandez(29, 1,5*) estimate $2,400,000 after not pitching due to a torn UCL. No team offer was made, I need the money dude.
LHRP David Purcey(32, 0,5*) estimate $800,000. No team offer was made, I will look on the waiver wire if needed.
1B Andy Marte(31, 1*, AAA) estimate $500,000. No team offer was made.
SS Cliff Pennington(30, 1*) estimate $3,200,000. No team offer was made, I rather start my neighbors' dog at SS for $500,000 minimum salary than throwing that money out of the window in a rebuilding year.
CF Andres Torres(36, 1*) compensation eligible after a .228-8-44 0.3WAR season. No qualifying offer was made because he would take it and I would try to shoot him because of that.

Pennington and Marte were shopped around by me, no acceptable offers...

When I got a working staff, I will go through the roster with my new scouting director and prepare for free agent frenzy.

[Griever20]

Gold Gloves


Rookie of the Year


Pitcher of the Year


Most valuable Player

[Griever20]

All personal signed, and its time to look over the roster.

Starting Pitching:
SP Archie Bradley(22, 3/4*, $500,000) 7-23 5.38(2014) Verdict: KEEP
He is the best starter we have but struggled last season with a weak team. Both OSA and Theo rate him highly.

SP Patrick Corbin(25, 3,5/3,5*, $515,000) DNP Verdict: KEEP
Corbin did not pitch in 2014 due to Tommy John surgery but should be ready for spring. He is a control pitcher with a big changeup and should be part of the staff for years I hope.

SP Trevor Cahill(26, 2/2*, $12,000,000) 8-14 5.34(2014) Verdict: SELL IF POSSIBLE
Cahill costs way to much money to keep him on a financially ailing team.

SP Daniel Hudson(27, 0,5/1* $500,000) 8-11 4.12(2014) Verdict: KEEP
Hudson lost the end of the season with a torn triceps, and Theo thinks he is basically a #5 starter. The OSA sees more in his changeup and rates him as 2* potential...

SP Randall Delgado(24, 1,5/3*, $510,000) 1-2 5.26(2014) Verdict: KEEP
He has some talent in his arm but wasn't able to show it due to shoulder inflammation.

SP Alex Sanabia(26), SP Bo Schultz(29), SP Michael Bolsinger(26)
These guys are basically minor league pitchers with no promise, who were thrown in as replacement... as warm body who can throw the ball...

Bullpen: (I will only look at the core pieces, as there will be a lot of waiver wire dealing I guess)
RHCL Kevin Munson(25, 4,5*) 4-4 24SV 2.06(AAA,2014) VERDICT: KEEP
Munson showed some great fastballs around 93-95 and a bowling sinker that kept batters looking or grounding out. Theo sees a top closer in him, and we will keep him for the minimum salary.

LHRP Eury De la Rosa(24, 2,5/3*, $500,000) 2-3 16SV 4.21(2014) VERDICT: KEEP
A good lefty on a minimum deal? DEAL!

RHRP Brad Ziegler(35, 1/1*, $5,000,000) 2-2 2.86 24G(2014) VERDICT: SELL IF POSSIBLE
Ok, forget about selling him, nobody will be that stupid to take him, as he tore his rotator cuff in August...

RHRP Bronson Arroyo(37, 0,5/0,5*, $9,500,000) 2-1 1SV 4.12 11G(2014) VERDICT: SHOOT ON FIRST SIGHT
Looking at his contract makes me throw a stone out of my window(the snake pit with Towers is right below). We will most likely have to pay him 2015, as nobody will take him.

Catcher:
C Miguel Montero(31, 3/3*, $12,000,000) .273-19-75 2.5WAR(2014) VERDICT: SELL
While he is a great catcher with offensive upside, he won't be around for our next run, and he will earn $14,000,000 in 2016/17.

C Tuffy Gosewisch(31), C Jordan Pacheco(28), C Bobby Wilson(31)
Basically all AAA catchers, maybe backup with a bad team(like us), Wilson could have the edge due to his good catching ability.

Infield:
1B Paul Goldschmidt(27, 4/4*, $3,000,000) .241-36-96 1.7WAR(2014) VERDICT: KEEP
The only reason to sell Goldschmidt would be a major league ready blue chip prospect that can't miss and is as durable as it gets(forget about this, those guys won't find the way to Arizona).

2B/SS Chris Owings(23, 1,5/3,5*, $500,000) .261-8-39 1.0WAR 115G(2014) VERDICT: KEEP
Owings is our 2B for the future. He can win a Gold Glove or two there and can go for solid contact. OSA rates his potential at 4,5*, seeing more power.

2B Aaron Hill(32, 1,5/1,5*, $12,000,000) .185-10-37 110G(2014) VERDICT: SELL IF POSSIBLE
Hill struggled mighty this season and was forced out of the lineup by Owings. If we can not sell him, he could make some appearances as DH.

3B Jake Lamb(24, 4/4,5*, $500,000) .201-6-30 115G(2014) VERDICT: KEEP
Lamb really struggled in his rookie season, but everybody agrees that he got the talent, lets try it again next season, shall we Jake?

SS Nick Ahmed(24,1/2,5*, $500,000) .287-0-11 46G(AAA, 2014) VERDICT: NOT SURE
Ahmed is a dynamite defensive SS with little upside, and Gregorius and Owings can play SS aswell. Plus Ahmed isn't a utility man, he only can play short...

SS Didi Gregorius(24, 4/4*, $506,500) .282-17-61 2.7WAR(2014) VERDICT: KEEP
Gregorius is the second part of our double play factory, and he is as talented as Owings.

Outfield:
1B/LF Donald Lutz(25, 3/3*, $500,000) .281-14-50 1.9WAR 80G(2014) VERDICT: KEEP
Acquired from CIN for prospect Justin Williams this trade deadline, Lutz provides decent power from LF & 1B and could DH aswell.

LF Matt Joyce(30, 3,5/3,5*, $2,600,000) .240-17-45 111G(2014) VERDICT: SELL
Joyce was brought over for Trumbo , but won't have much use on this rebuilding team. Shopping him around, i got some decent offers by STL, TEX and OAK, so he will most likely be swapped.

LF/CF Ender Inciarte(24, 1/2*, $500,000) .255-3-19 72G(AAA,2014) VERDICT: KEEP
Inciarte is a great defender in left and center, and brings some speed on the bases. I personally won't bat him leadoff because he won't get on base enough, but he can be valuable.

CF A.J. Pollock(26, 2/2,5, $500,000) .216-6-55 138G -0.2WAR(2014) VERDICT: KEEP
He is basically the older version of Inciarte, just so that he can play RF aswell, and is a bit slower.

RF Jorge Bonifacio(21, 1/2*, $500,000) bounced between various teams VERDICT: KEEP
He came over from KCR for Addison Reed... another brilliant deal by Towers. We will see how he develops.

RF Cody Ross(33, 1/1*, $8,500,000) .228-5-29 85G(2014) VERDICT: SHOOT ON FIRST SIGHT
Not worth the money. Or the precious air he's breathing.

[Griever20]

Trade 23.11.2014 with Oakland Athletics:

Arizona Diamondbacks receive:
CF Vaughn Bryan(21, 1/4,5*, AA) Both Theo and the OSA see a 4,5* prospect in him. Good speed, decent defense, all-round solid bat.
1B Matt Olson(20, 1/4,5*, AA) Big power hitting first baseman, had 12HR in AA last year.
SS/3B Daniel Robinson(20, 1/4,5*, AA) hit .288-9-67 in AA for OAK, above average power, contact and eye/discipline, durable body.

Oakland Athletics receive:
C Miguel Montero(31, 3/3*, $12,000,000)
LF Matt Joyce(30, 3,5/3,5*, $2,600,000)
SP Enorbe Cordoba(19, 0,5/0,5, R)
SP Jose M. Martinez(20, 0,5/0,5 S A)

Ok, this could go down into as the biggest robbery in the history of baseball(if Theo is right), or one of the worst firesales in baseball(if he's wrong). I talked a lot to different teams to make a deal work without getting salary back, and getting the maximum in talent back. The downside is, of course, I didn't get the SP talent I wanted, but no other team would take both Joyce and Montero and offer talented players both Theo and the OSA like. Plus: I got some money to work with now.

[Griever20]

Trade 25.11.2014 with San Diego Padres:

Arizona Diamondbacks receive:
OF Will Venable(32, 3/3*, $4,250,000) .240-11-35 in 88G. Venable will be a free agent in 2015, and should serve as upgrade and trade bait.

San Diego Padres receive:
RF Cody Ross(33, 1/1*, $8,500,000)

This offer popped up when I shopped Cody Ross around, and I couldn't pass up. First: save some money, and get a decent OF to play right or to shop around.

Trade 25.11.2014 with Los Angeles Dodgers:

Arizona Diamondbacks receive:
SP Zach Lee(23, 2/4*, AA) 13-8 2.78(AA) #48 prospect, rated 4* by both Theo and OSA

Los Angeles Dodgers receive:
SS Nick Ahmed(24,1/2,5*, $500,000)
SP Alex Sanabia(26, 0,5/0,5*, $500,000) 4-5 4.75 15G/12GS
OF Socrates Brito(22, 1/1*, A) .283-9-47 in 100G in A

Well, looking over it, I'm not sure if Ahmed may be a hidden gem I traded away. He seemed to be the dealbreaker in this trade, but as we are quite strong up the middle, I might just not mind. Lee will get his chance in Spring Training or will be sent to AAA instead.

PS: Shopping around Cahill gave as result: CF Carlos Gonzales(29, 4/4*, $16,000,000)... I don't think so dude.

Coming up: Rule 5 Draft

[Griever20]

Rule 5 Draft:

All our important prospects are not eligible or on the 40-man, so no worries.

Players we target in the Rule 5 draft:
RHRP Ben Rowen(26, 4/4*, TEX)
RHRP Jorge Reyes(26, 2,5/2,5*, ATL)

The Twins picked Bowen with their first pick, I took Reyes, and we lost nobody. Reyes should do fine in our weakened pen for basically nothing.

Interlude:
SP Max Scherzer(30, 3,5*) signed a 6y/$87,500,000 contract with the Detroit Tigers, who traded him to the Colorado Rockies this trade deadline. Scherzer was 12-9 3.99 in 33GS in 2014.

SS/3B Hanley Ramirez(30, 4*) signed a 6y/91,200,000 contract with the Baltimore Orioles. He was batting .262-11-65 in 134G for the LAD in 2014.

Winter Meetings 2014
Try to find a sucker to take Cahill or Hill, and try to find a catcher who CAN actually catch a baseball without injuring himself.

Mike Rizzo of the Washington Nationals offered me OF Lorenzo Cain for 1B/LF Donald Lutz, both 3* players. I'm pretty set with Lutz in left, but my eyes fell on C Sandy Leon. I tried to find a deal not involving a centerpiece, but couldn't get it to go.

I had deals in place for C Jonathan Lucroy(MIL) and C Tony Sanchez(PIT), but both involved trading away three prospects, so I shied on them.

Interlude:
SP Dustin McGowan(32, 2,5*) signed a 2y/$2,600,000 deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was 10-11 5.10 in 32GS with TOR in 2014. Looking at him, he had decent rating and was cheap, and i lowballed him aswell(he wanted 2y/$3,000,000).

[Griever20]

Trade 25.12.2014 with the Detroit Tigers:

Arizona Diamondbacks receive:
RF/LF Nelson Cruz(34, 2*, $10,300,000) .273-22-58 in 121G in BAL

Detroit Tigers receive:
2B Aaron Hill(32, 1,5*, $12,000,000)

This was a no-brainer. Cruz offers a bigger bat and is $1,700,000 cheaper per year and both have the same contract length. Cruz will DH most likely for us, giving us a decent power bat in the middle.

C Juan Centeno(25, 2*) signed a 3y/3,600,000 deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He played with the New York Mets AAA affiliate last season, and was batting .261-7-45 in 109G in AAA. Centeno is known for handling his pitching staff well and will have a lot of work with the patchwork rotation of the D'backs.

SP Justin Masterson(29, 3,5/4*) signed a 2y/$4,000,000 contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. In 2014, he was 2-1 2SV 3.63 in 25G out of the St. Louis Cardinals bullpen, but really wants to start again. Same as McGowan, this was another lowball offer that worked out and gives us a decent rotation to work with.

Interlude:
C Russel Martin(31, 4*) signed a 4y/47,700,000 with the Milwaukee Brewers. He was batting .200-15-47 in 142G with PIT in 2014.

Summary:
So, we made a huge deal with Oakland, unloading salary for three promising prospects. Because I know how talented I am, all three will be busts, so don't worry. Anyway, we got rid of the financial problems, and have added some veterans for a cheap buck. OSA says we have added 6.4WAR(Cruz 2.7, McGowan 2.0), and lost 5.5WAR(Joyce 2.7, Montero 2.5).

Spring training will be coming up soon and should sort out some lingering questions, like, who will be #5 starter, how to align the outfield, and what the heck should I do with the pen.