#5 Las Vegas Slobs vs #1 Monterrey Corn Dogs - The Slobs swept the Yanks, I really expected the Yanks to win at least one. Season series 7-3 in favor of the Corn Dogs. One thing to note about the season series is the fact the Slobs were 3-3 in Monterrey and the four game sweep by Monterrey occurred early in the season. That means the opening series could be a split even though the Corn Dogs are well rested. The Slobs will need to win at home to have a chance. Monterrey is favored 3-1.
#6 Huntington Good Will vs #2 Kansas City Royals - The Good Will came from a 0-2 hole to get here. Will their power game propel them past the Royals? The series was even at 5-5. It will boil down to who scores the most runs and expect them to be high scoring, well that is how a team wins. KC is favored 3-2 in a shoot out.
#5 Chicago Cubs vs #1 Cincinnati Reds - Reds own the season series 8-2. Cubs won their two games at home at separate times. Cubs swept the Pepperjackets to get here, I did expect the 'jackets to win one. A classic match up between two very good teams, but it favors the Reds at 3-1.
#6 Milwaukee Brewers vs #2 Atlanta Pork-N-Beans - PnB's won the series 6-4. Brewers beat a feisty Houston bunch in an upset, was it experience?. I expect this one to go 5 games with Atlanta favored 3-2.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Time to Analyze Your Team
Yes, it is time to analyze your team to see where the weakness lies to improve next year. IMO I have a very good team, but they tend to melt down after the All-Star break and I don't have a complete answer.
I looked at the hitting stats, pretty dismal. At home, if it wasn't for Tapies, I had almost no offense. On the road was much better in the offensive measure, not much, but better. I examined the stadiums and most had the same likeness for the most part, pluses in the HR department as opposed to my neutral. I looked for a new stadium and found two available that could be considered and my hitting would love them. I don't think my pitching staff is up to the task at either one though, so that is out. Sounds funny doesn't it? They pitch better in plus parks also which I have never figured out but I won't move to one. Besides, I want to stay in Cleveland. The biggest surprise was Max Crede, he did a good job playing as a bench warmer instead of a starter, actually better.
At least the defense is pretty good and will get better. CF is a trouble spot that may get worked out next year. I made a little test the last 10 games and it seemed to work better and shouldn't have. SS should even be better along with 2B and 3B.
I traded some vets off the pitching staff, like Chang and Saez. I always liked Saez, he never looked real good but always got the job done and I picked him off the scrap heap. Chang was having a good season before moving to Brewer land, but didn't do such a great job there. Luke, Haliday and Bush were great departures in my books. Giving up my starting catcher in Bates was tough, but I had better ones and I tried to trade them instead. I rarely trade, but I think I got good return in the end. Though the trades of Chang, Saez and Bates may have helped the spiral, but I seriously doubt it now. Losing Magnusson for the second half of the season sure didn't help. Olivares looks better on paper than actual stats. Governale, I tried to trade early but no one wanted him, turned out to be a very good closer, he could have been the FOY but never got any chances after the break. Blackwell, I didn't want to bring to the ML level this year but had no choice after all the trades.
There will be some departures next season for sure. The well liked Hunter Tomlinson will be leaving. Bonk Stinnett, who I got in a trade and maybe I should have given a chance, will be gone. Wilson House will more than likely be gone also, his stats are better than his abilities, could never figure that one out but always failed when ya needed him most. Alex Garces will be gone for sure.
I got a heavy Arb class next year and I am hoping that I can sign most of them long term and be able to pickup a FA pitcher also. That could be tough. Since most of them didn't have an outstanding season, just maybe the price will be right, yeah, uh huh.
So I have made notes in the budget for next year as a guide so I don't have to research so hard. May not stick to it as I may need to adjust here and there but it is a start.
So what caused the melt down after All-Star break? Not 100% sure actually, but has been the same for quite a while and I think I have a handle on it. I got swept by the Mets at home in the first series after the break, that was tough to swallow and shouldn't have happened Sorry keebo, that's my take on it. Took 3 or 4 from Trenton in a 2 home-away series which made me think everything was okay. Then swept by the PnBs in Atlanta, that was my last chance at making a run. Those 11 games more or less broke the team. Then I got frustrated which didn't help, didn't hurt either. I put the rat team in because most of the starters were in fatigue status. Beyond popular belief, if my players drop below 100%, they don't play at the ML level, I learned that the hard way. Basically, rest them or lose them for the season. The schedule is actually my down fall! Other than 9 games left in my division at or near the end of the season, 50 games are with the rest of the league. Unfortunately, my schedule in those 50 games are mostly with playoff teams. Matter of fact, outside of my division, only Salem and Vancouver had worse records than myself. I currently have one of the most brutal schedules there is. The only way to fix it, is to get better. With my current team the only way to get better is with pitching. I have been working on it forever and it just seems to elude me.
I looked at the hitting stats, pretty dismal. At home, if it wasn't for Tapies, I had almost no offense. On the road was much better in the offensive measure, not much, but better. I examined the stadiums and most had the same likeness for the most part, pluses in the HR department as opposed to my neutral. I looked for a new stadium and found two available that could be considered and my hitting would love them. I don't think my pitching staff is up to the task at either one though, so that is out. Sounds funny doesn't it? They pitch better in plus parks also which I have never figured out but I won't move to one. Besides, I want to stay in Cleveland. The biggest surprise was Max Crede, he did a good job playing as a bench warmer instead of a starter, actually better.
At least the defense is pretty good and will get better. CF is a trouble spot that may get worked out next year. I made a little test the last 10 games and it seemed to work better and shouldn't have. SS should even be better along with 2B and 3B.
I traded some vets off the pitching staff, like Chang and Saez. I always liked Saez, he never looked real good but always got the job done and I picked him off the scrap heap. Chang was having a good season before moving to Brewer land, but didn't do such a great job there. Luke, Haliday and Bush were great departures in my books. Giving up my starting catcher in Bates was tough, but I had better ones and I tried to trade them instead. I rarely trade, but I think I got good return in the end. Though the trades of Chang, Saez and Bates may have helped the spiral, but I seriously doubt it now. Losing Magnusson for the second half of the season sure didn't help. Olivares looks better on paper than actual stats. Governale, I tried to trade early but no one wanted him, turned out to be a very good closer, he could have been the FOY but never got any chances after the break. Blackwell, I didn't want to bring to the ML level this year but had no choice after all the trades.
There will be some departures next season for sure. The well liked Hunter Tomlinson will be leaving. Bonk Stinnett, who I got in a trade and maybe I should have given a chance, will be gone. Wilson House will more than likely be gone also, his stats are better than his abilities, could never figure that one out but always failed when ya needed him most. Alex Garces will be gone for sure.
I got a heavy Arb class next year and I am hoping that I can sign most of them long term and be able to pickup a FA pitcher also. That could be tough. Since most of them didn't have an outstanding season, just maybe the price will be right, yeah, uh huh.
So I have made notes in the budget for next year as a guide so I don't have to research so hard. May not stick to it as I may need to adjust here and there but it is a start.
So what caused the melt down after All-Star break? Not 100% sure actually, but has been the same for quite a while and I think I have a handle on it. I got swept by the Mets at home in the first series after the break, that was tough to swallow and shouldn't have happened Sorry keebo, that's my take on it. Took 3 or 4 from Trenton in a 2 home-away series which made me think everything was okay. Then swept by the PnBs in Atlanta, that was my last chance at making a run. Those 11 games more or less broke the team. Then I got frustrated which didn't help, didn't hurt either. I put the rat team in because most of the starters were in fatigue status. Beyond popular belief, if my players drop below 100%, they don't play at the ML level, I learned that the hard way. Basically, rest them or lose them for the season. The schedule is actually my down fall! Other than 9 games left in my division at or near the end of the season, 50 games are with the rest of the league. Unfortunately, my schedule in those 50 games are mostly with playoff teams. Matter of fact, outside of my division, only Salem and Vancouver had worse records than myself. I currently have one of the most brutal schedules there is. The only way to fix it, is to get better. With my current team the only way to get better is with pitching. I have been working on it forever and it just seems to elude me.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Playoff Round 1
It is that time of the season already. What may happen is any ones guess, the rankings don't really come into play now. So I will ask the crystal ball and go with its inside divinity for a clue.
#5 Las Vegas Slobs vs #4 New York Yankees - It is rumored that New York may change their nickname next year to the "Frustrated Yank-a-Doodles". Why? Ten straight East Titles and can't get past the second round. Will it be further disappointment this year? The Slobs own the season series 7-3. Home field is a disadvantage for the Yankees. Expect the Slobs to win 3-2 or 3-1.
#4 Huntington Good Will vs #3 St. Louis Barracudas - The Good Will barely hung on to stave off the Blue Jays. The Barracudas made a run at the end as predicted to take the division. The Barracudas own the series 6-4. Look for a tight well played series. The Barracudas are slightly favored with a 3-2 win.
#5 Chicago Cubs vs #4 Scottsdale Pepperjackets - The Pepperjackets learned how to win at home. The Cubs overtook the Brewers at the end as predicted. The series was tied 5-5. The Cubs are favored to win 3-1 or 3-2.
#6 Milwaukee Brewers vs #3 Houston Astros - The Brewers had a great season but faded a little at the end. The Astros has put it together. Dilo asked me if the Brewers were an anomaly due to the power rankings. I said "No, the anomaly was the Sluggers." The season series went to the Astros 8-2 and they played 7 in a row. The crystal ball says it is an Astros sweep and I can't argue with that but may say it may be an Astros win at 3-1.
#5 Las Vegas Slobs vs #4 New York Yankees - It is rumored that New York may change their nickname next year to the "Frustrated Yank-a-Doodles". Why? Ten straight East Titles and can't get past the second round. Will it be further disappointment this year? The Slobs own the season series 7-3. Home field is a disadvantage for the Yankees. Expect the Slobs to win 3-2 or 3-1.
#4 Huntington Good Will vs #3 St. Louis Barracudas - The Good Will barely hung on to stave off the Blue Jays. The Barracudas made a run at the end as predicted to take the division. The Barracudas own the series 6-4. Look for a tight well played series. The Barracudas are slightly favored with a 3-2 win.
#5 Chicago Cubs vs #4 Scottsdale Pepperjackets - The Pepperjackets learned how to win at home. The Cubs overtook the Brewers at the end as predicted. The series was tied 5-5. The Cubs are favored to win 3-1 or 3-2.
#6 Milwaukee Brewers vs #3 Houston Astros - The Brewers had a great season but faded a little at the end. The Astros has put it together. Dilo asked me if the Brewers were an anomaly due to the power rankings. I said "No, the anomaly was the Sluggers." The season series went to the Astros 8-2 and they played 7 in a row. The crystal ball says it is an Astros sweep and I can't argue with that but may say it may be an Astros win at 3-1.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
AL GM of the Season Voting
Total # votes - 19
Vote breakdown:
Vote breakdown:
- Soxfan121 - 10
- Cmchristians - 5
- Knucklebones - 2
- Edham55 - 2
IFA News
I would recommend reading the Help screen before signing an IFA to a MLB contract. Right now you can negotiate with one then click on Help to read the new instructions and try to make heads or tails of the changes. It looks like you can offer a MLB contract for 3 years at the 327K minimum like before, but to go past 3 years you must offer at least $5M per year. There are some ifs, ands and buts to this it seems, and no one knows for sure as of yet. If I read it correctly the bonus money may be limited to $10M for an IFA with a $5M+ per year deal. The way it reads looks a little confusing because the bonus money may come out of Player Payroll (like a normal FA) instead of Prospect for this type of contract. That would cut down on money transfers at least. How this actually works I am not sure. Hopefully we will be fully aware before next season as budgeting will be different for sure.
Bonus - Bonuses are guaranteed money that comes out of the player payroll upon signing. Bonuses cannot be transferred through trades or waiver moves. Bonuses are limited to $10 million.
Season - This is the actual season salary that you would like to offer the player. The values in the boxes for the seasons will default to his demands. For minor league contracts, this will be the Rookie league minimum of $7,650. For big league contracts, this will be the 40-Man minimum of $54,000. After a player signs a contract, you must assign him to a team from the Edit Rosters page in the GM's Office. If a prospect is signed to a minor league contract and then assigned to any team but the rookie league, his salary will be increased to the minimum for that level. If a player signs a big league contract for $54,000 and is assigned to the big leagues, his salary will increase to the big league minimum, because this contract type only places the player on the 40-Man roster, not the ML roster. There is a maximum allowable offer of $20 million for any season. The total value of the contract will appear at the bottom of the page. If a you offer a prospect any deal greater than 3 years the minimum annual salary for every year must be at least $5M.
Bonus - Bonuses are guaranteed money that comes out of the player payroll upon signing. Bonuses cannot be transferred through trades or waiver moves. Bonuses are limited to $10 million.
Season - This is the actual season salary that you would like to offer the player. The values in the boxes for the seasons will default to his demands. For minor league contracts, this will be the Rookie league minimum of $7,650. For big league contracts, this will be the 40-Man minimum of $54,000. After a player signs a contract, you must assign him to a team from the Edit Rosters page in the GM's Office. If a prospect is signed to a minor league contract and then assigned to any team but the rookie league, his salary will be increased to the minimum for that level. If a player signs a big league contract for $54,000 and is assigned to the big leagues, his salary will increase to the big league minimum, because this contract type only places the player on the 40-Man roster, not the ML roster. There is a maximum allowable offer of $20 million for any season. The total value of the contract will appear at the bottom of the page. If a you offer a prospect any deal greater than 3 years the minimum annual salary for every year must be at least $5M.
Monday, January 26, 2009
GM of the Season Award - AL
cmchristians - St. Louis Barracudas
- Projected 15 game improvement over last season.
- Projected to win 1st AL North division title in team and franchise history.
- Projected 2nd playoff appearance in team and franchise history.
- Projected 7 game improvement over last season.
- AL South division winner.
- Projected to have the best record in the AL.
- 4th playoff appearance in team history, 5th in franchise history.
- Over .600 winning percentage.
- Projected 1 game improvement over last season.
- Projected to win 1st AL West division title in team history, 2nd in franchise history.
- 2nd playoff appearance in team history, 3rd in franchise history.
- Over .600 winning percentage.
- Projected 16 game improvement over last season.
- Projected 1st playoff appearance in team history, 3rd in franchise history.
- First time over .500 since season 2.
NL GM of the Season Voting
Total # votes - 16
Vote breakdown:
Vote breakdown:
- Dilo - 6
- Erffdogg - 4
- Yoker70 - 3
- Kingjohndevi - 2
- sjr456 - 1 (no I did not vote for myself, it was a write in)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)