Sunday, July 14, 2013
First IFA of Season 28
The first IFA of Season 28, Deven Osoria, grabbed a paycheck of $8.6M form Mexico City. The mature youngster is a fireballer that could surprise people with some decent abilities that could prop up the middle to end of a rotation or go some distance in the pen. Many were turned off by his age and possible frailty to go the big bucks.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Season 28 Mets
The fans were amazed we stole the show so easily in the East last season then went all the way to the NLCS. This season we want it all and know we will need to beat the Cubs in the end, but first we gotta stop our division rivals. From a management standpoint it has been a trying season already. Having to replace Omar Ordonez, Miguel Otanez, and Bob Olson should have been an easy task. Actually it wasn't all that hard, just took a lot of time finding the right player needed then wondering if they were ever gonna sign.
I can never figure out who is gonna be a Type B sometimes, I figured Ordonez would be a B, but no, Benito Ozuna was and he wasn't even good enough to be on my ML roster for the most part, not even as a backup. Otanez was an accident being on the team in the first place, in my opinion he hit well but played a pretty bad 3B while he was the starter. Olson I thought would make a good 5th starter or solidify the pen, he did neither. Otanez is in Philly while Olson takes his dog show to Little Rock and Ordonez is hoping someone picks him up for mere pennies on the dollar.
Pepper Murton was run out of New York because he couldn't stop the stealing show other teams were putting on against us. Other than that he was a fine catcher and now makes his home in Toronto.
Clarence Valentin also became a casualty when he showed up for Spring Training barely walking because of arthritis in both knees, just a year removed from winning the GG at 2B. Spent most of the year in AAA but we were kind enough to let him finish his career with us at the ML level.
So meet the ML Mets for Season 28
Hitting Coach - Hector Levrault returns for his 5th season.
First Base - Billy Kaufman is lucky to have a job.
Third Base - Phil Hitchcock returns for his 9th season, may retire afterwards.
Pitching - Livan Macias quickly took the job when the Kid wanted more money(?).
Pen - Dan Melton decided it was the right job after no other offers came his way and returns for his 2nd season.
Bench - Jerry Dawkins returns for his 2nd year.
Fielding - Jason Reynolds returns for his 5th straight season and 8th total.
Projected Starters:
C - Rich Kennedy and Felipe Izquierdo, they may not hit very well but they stop the stealing show and handle the pitchers quite nicely.
1B - Leo Rodney starts his 7th season.
2B - John McInerney starts his 12th full season.
3B - Brutus Mora was our pick to play the "Hot Corner", he was very hesitant as he wanted to play SS somewhere.
SS - Ronn Penny starts his 3rd full season.
LF - Ronny Gant is starting his 2nd season in New York and loves it here.
CF - Felipe Peralta starts his 2nd full season here.
RF - Marc Redman starts his 5th full season.
Bench:
CF/2B/SS/3B - Carl Browning has had a rough time sticking at the ML level but we like him a lot because he is a Jack-of-all-Trades.
CF/2B/SS/3B - Jimmie Valentin is also a Jack-of-all-Trades but hasn't had much of a chance to prove himself as of yet.
COF/1B - Osvaldo Reynoso made a hit with management at his try-out day that coaches are being pushed to make him a starter somehow.
Pitching:
Starters:
Harry Rodriguez surprises everyone that he is the #1 starter, pitches very very well but usually gets shafted.
Fausto Castillo only Met starter with a winning record last year.
Rich Faulk was kind of disappointing in our eyes last year but didn't pitch badly.
Dean Boone had a rough start and was released to the pen until he got it together, was the best starter after All-Star break.
Ubaldo Rijo is nicknamed the "Big Dynamo". Most teams snicker when he pitches but find him tough as nails.
Pen:
Benny Calero has been a clutch pitcher since coming to the Mets.
Ted Maxwell has had his ups and downs. Last year started out as a joke on us I think.
Brian Grim surprised everyone with his capabilities.
Trace Kennedy gets the job done somehow.
Bobby Forbes and William Galloway are trouble makers for the most part and may find themselves back in AAA if there not careful.
George Atkins returns to his old stomping grounds to maybe finish his career. We are not sure if he is to be in the pen or the 5th starter as of yet.
Sherm Brock fell into the Closers role last year when Maxwell failed. Finished with 23 Saves in 24 Chances, just don't ask how many chances he failed to finish..lol
The pressure is on these guys to perform well as we hired some thugs just in case this year. As Al Limon and Dusty Ingram were hired for instant breakdown support.
I can never figure out who is gonna be a Type B sometimes, I figured Ordonez would be a B, but no, Benito Ozuna was and he wasn't even good enough to be on my ML roster for the most part, not even as a backup. Otanez was an accident being on the team in the first place, in my opinion he hit well but played a pretty bad 3B while he was the starter. Olson I thought would make a good 5th starter or solidify the pen, he did neither. Otanez is in Philly while Olson takes his dog show to Little Rock and Ordonez is hoping someone picks him up for mere pennies on the dollar.
Pepper Murton was run out of New York because he couldn't stop the stealing show other teams were putting on against us. Other than that he was a fine catcher and now makes his home in Toronto.
Clarence Valentin also became a casualty when he showed up for Spring Training barely walking because of arthritis in both knees, just a year removed from winning the GG at 2B. Spent most of the year in AAA but we were kind enough to let him finish his career with us at the ML level.
So meet the ML Mets for Season 28
Hitting Coach - Hector Levrault returns for his 5th season.
First Base - Billy Kaufman is lucky to have a job.
Third Base - Phil Hitchcock returns for his 9th season, may retire afterwards.
Pitching - Livan Macias quickly took the job when the Kid wanted more money(?).
Pen - Dan Melton decided it was the right job after no other offers came his way and returns for his 2nd season.
Bench - Jerry Dawkins returns for his 2nd year.
Fielding - Jason Reynolds returns for his 5th straight season and 8th total.
Projected Starters:
C - Rich Kennedy and Felipe Izquierdo, they may not hit very well but they stop the stealing show and handle the pitchers quite nicely.
1B - Leo Rodney starts his 7th season.
2B - John McInerney starts his 12th full season.
3B - Brutus Mora was our pick to play the "Hot Corner", he was very hesitant as he wanted to play SS somewhere.
SS - Ronn Penny starts his 3rd full season.
LF - Ronny Gant is starting his 2nd season in New York and loves it here.
CF - Felipe Peralta starts his 2nd full season here.
RF - Marc Redman starts his 5th full season.
Bench:
CF/2B/SS/3B - Carl Browning has had a rough time sticking at the ML level but we like him a lot because he is a Jack-of-all-Trades.
CF/2B/SS/3B - Jimmie Valentin is also a Jack-of-all-Trades but hasn't had much of a chance to prove himself as of yet.
COF/1B - Osvaldo Reynoso made a hit with management at his try-out day that coaches are being pushed to make him a starter somehow.
Pitching:
Starters:
Harry Rodriguez surprises everyone that he is the #1 starter, pitches very very well but usually gets shafted.
Fausto Castillo only Met starter with a winning record last year.
Rich Faulk was kind of disappointing in our eyes last year but didn't pitch badly.
Dean Boone had a rough start and was released to the pen until he got it together, was the best starter after All-Star break.
Ubaldo Rijo is nicknamed the "Big Dynamo". Most teams snicker when he pitches but find him tough as nails.
Pen:
Benny Calero has been a clutch pitcher since coming to the Mets.
Ted Maxwell has had his ups and downs. Last year started out as a joke on us I think.
Brian Grim surprised everyone with his capabilities.
Trace Kennedy gets the job done somehow.
Bobby Forbes and William Galloway are trouble makers for the most part and may find themselves back in AAA if there not careful.
George Atkins returns to his old stomping grounds to maybe finish his career. We are not sure if he is to be in the pen or the 5th starter as of yet.
Sherm Brock fell into the Closers role last year when Maxwell failed. Finished with 23 Saves in 24 Chances, just don't ask how many chances he failed to finish..lol
The pressure is on these guys to perform well as we hired some thugs just in case this year. As Al Limon and Dusty Ingram were hired for instant breakdown support.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
HOF Dilima
Here we are at HOF voting time once again. Getting players in is one of the toughest things there is to accomplish. This year is no exception for that matter as I am stuck. Here is the best potential candidates that I think are most deserving. It's a long list and I can only vote for 5...uggggh
Hitters
Junior Bocachica
Nomar Cloud
Lee Coleman
Luis Cruz
David Guardado
Bey Lynch
Javier Santayana
Charlie Stone
Pitchers
Kent Heredia
Orlando Ozuna
Vinny Post
Paulie Sanders
Ken Shumpert
Pascual Solano
My votes so far are:
Ozuna, Solano, Shumpert, Coleman and Santayana
Hitters
Junior Bocachica
Nomar Cloud
Lee Coleman
Luis Cruz
David Guardado
Bey Lynch
Javier Santayana
Charlie Stone
Pitchers
Kent Heredia
Orlando Ozuna
Vinny Post
Paulie Sanders
Ken Shumpert
Pascual Solano
My votes so far are:
Ozuna, Solano, Shumpert, Coleman and Santayana
The Swami Speaks
Here we go again with our fearless predictions. I have my aluminum hat on to reduce incidental brainwave malfunctions and the sleuthing fur ball has her tail ready by mention of throngs. So away we go. It could be a tad early to start but the Rule 5 draft is a joke and only has a few so called backups for help.
NL North
Cubs still garner the first place votes.
Reds come in a close second this year and a Wild Card once again.
Pirates are good enough for third.
Brewers could end up in third and will be young and enthusiastic.
NL East
The Mets won last year with solid all-around play even with patchwork at the end of the season. They catch the tail wag for first by a hair. You know, every time I put the Mets in first the Braves win, go figure.
The Braves made some off-season acquisitions to strengthen the pen. Was it enough? Everything hinges on Tyreace French if you ask me.
Louisville had enough of the chicken jokes and moved to Florida. They are good but we think the pitching still needs help.
The Phillies continue to get better but the rebuild continues.
NL South
All out civil war has been declared! Mexico City waited til the Marlins floundered last year. Houston played well but not well enough. St Louis was a late newcomer to the fray but never wavered. This year the Marlins are the Rays in Tampa Bay with a new owner. Now for the suggested outcome of the blood bath. EGADS!
Astros get the nod to win the division, surprised? Hey, it ends up a coin flip on a three way tie.
Mexico City and Tampa Bay both end up losers. Ask Mal how it feels to have a 94 win team and not make the playoffs.
St Louis ends up 5 games back and cries, whether there is any crying in baseball or not.
NL West
The Dodgers got off to a great start last year then rolled over and played dead. Arizona had a change in their schedule that may have helped their stance last year while the Giants just didn't have enough gas in their tank. Meanwhile the Padres were listening to the Dead Kennedys. Another nail biter to the end I am afraid.
Giants surprises the pack and winds up in first place.
The Dodgers are a close second at 1 game back.
The D'Backs get a simplified yawn and join the Padres to get drunk.
In the end:
1. Cubs once again with Suzuki leading the charge.
2. Astros
3. Mets
4. Giants
5. Reds
6. Dodgers/Rays/Diablos/Braves .....could be a heart breaker.
AL North
Somewhat of a surprise last year as the Expos rose from obscurity. What a difference a year makes.
Toronto Blue Jays all the way. Yup, you heard it first right here.
Expos in second and a probable Wild Card.
Twinkies will be back on the market to no avail here.
Detroit disappoints one more time.
AL East
The cry goes up "Will someone please STOP Boston!"
It may not have fallen on deaf ears this year. Okay, I am being stupid again.
Baltimore steals first place.
Boston hopelessly falls to second and a Wild Card to the chagrin of others.
Dover who lacks the pitching joins the Padres and D'Backs in a drunken fracus.
Washington holds down the cellar yet again.
AL South
Kansas City was a Royal pain as predicted last year and Texas being bad azz as per usual. There is a different air this year however or is there.
Kansas City all the way to the second seed even.
Texas may hang on for a Wild Card.
Little Rock will show up for every game.
Memphis is in a big learning curve.
AL West
Anaheim had to fight off that crew from Colorado last yer for the title then got punched in the face by a bunch of Texas outlaws. This year we see the Mariners traveled south to Oakland in a surprising move and a new owner that moved Helena to Vancouver. Speaking of which, this could get down right ugly here also.
Anaheim should take first again.
Colorado Springs should be second.
Vancouver surprises Oakland and might just shock the rest also.
Oakland has a promising year shot to hell.
1. Kansas City
2. Anaheim
3. Toronto
4. Baltimore
5. Colorado
6. Boston/Texas/Vancouver
NL North
Cubs still garner the first place votes.
Reds come in a close second this year and a Wild Card once again.
Pirates are good enough for third.
Brewers could end up in third and will be young and enthusiastic.
NL East
The Mets won last year with solid all-around play even with patchwork at the end of the season. They catch the tail wag for first by a hair. You know, every time I put the Mets in first the Braves win, go figure.
The Braves made some off-season acquisitions to strengthen the pen. Was it enough? Everything hinges on Tyreace French if you ask me.
Louisville had enough of the chicken jokes and moved to Florida. They are good but we think the pitching still needs help.
The Phillies continue to get better but the rebuild continues.
NL South
All out civil war has been declared! Mexico City waited til the Marlins floundered last year. Houston played well but not well enough. St Louis was a late newcomer to the fray but never wavered. This year the Marlins are the Rays in Tampa Bay with a new owner. Now for the suggested outcome of the blood bath. EGADS!
Astros get the nod to win the division, surprised? Hey, it ends up a coin flip on a three way tie.
Mexico City and Tampa Bay both end up losers. Ask Mal how it feels to have a 94 win team and not make the playoffs.
St Louis ends up 5 games back and cries, whether there is any crying in baseball or not.
NL West
The Dodgers got off to a great start last year then rolled over and played dead. Arizona had a change in their schedule that may have helped their stance last year while the Giants just didn't have enough gas in their tank. Meanwhile the Padres were listening to the Dead Kennedys. Another nail biter to the end I am afraid.
Giants surprises the pack and winds up in first place.
The Dodgers are a close second at 1 game back.
The D'Backs get a simplified yawn and join the Padres to get drunk.
In the end:
1. Cubs once again with Suzuki leading the charge.
2. Astros
3. Mets
4. Giants
5. Reds
6. Dodgers/Rays/Diablos/Braves .....could be a heart breaker.
AL North
Somewhat of a surprise last year as the Expos rose from obscurity. What a difference a year makes.
Toronto Blue Jays all the way. Yup, you heard it first right here.
Expos in second and a probable Wild Card.
Twinkies will be back on the market to no avail here.
Detroit disappoints one more time.
AL East
The cry goes up "Will someone please STOP Boston!"
It may not have fallen on deaf ears this year. Okay, I am being stupid again.
Baltimore steals first place.
Boston hopelessly falls to second and a Wild Card to the chagrin of others.
Dover who lacks the pitching joins the Padres and D'Backs in a drunken fracus.
Washington holds down the cellar yet again.
AL South
Kansas City was a Royal pain as predicted last year and Texas being bad azz as per usual. There is a different air this year however or is there.
Kansas City all the way to the second seed even.
Texas may hang on for a Wild Card.
Little Rock will show up for every game.
Memphis is in a big learning curve.
AL West
Anaheim had to fight off that crew from Colorado last yer for the title then got punched in the face by a bunch of Texas outlaws. This year we see the Mariners traveled south to Oakland in a surprising move and a new owner that moved Helena to Vancouver. Speaking of which, this could get down right ugly here also.
Anaheim should take first again.
Colorado Springs should be second.
Vancouver surprises Oakland and might just shock the rest also.
Oakland has a promising year shot to hell.
1. Kansas City
2. Anaheim
3. Toronto
4. Baltimore
5. Colorado
6. Boston/Texas/Vancouver
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
FA Market
Denny Boyd became a happy camper with the money he got from the Cubs. Is good at getting a team out of bad situations and the Cubs are banking on that.
Kirt Blasingame also chimed in with the Cubs. Cubs are really hoping for a better season than last years disappointment. Not sure he should be classified as a Type A myself.
Mel White got a 3 year deal in Vancouver and maybe more than he was worth. He is pretty good at closing time, semisonic or not.
Victor Beltran made a tidy profit from Boston. He was good at cleaning up Ivan's messes last year, in Boston it will be a different story as there may be too many messes to clean.
Tomas Ramirez is another that is laughing all the way to the bank. Yes he is a GG CF and that was his appeal but hitting may not be so appealing in Detroit.
Moises Valdes as a Type A might have been a joke and playing COF might even be a bigger one and his salary even bigger. One thing for sure is he can get on base and that one little tidbit maybe be a boon in the Stick.
Rafael Pulido may have been the steal in the FA market which makes the Braves fans hopeful. He was on my radar but I was expecting a bigger salary than what he got. Closer or Ivan type setup, such a decision.
Brandon Miles makes his way to Cincy where he might fit in as a cheap signing.
Alex Ramirez made a lifetime deposit at the bank as the most sought after Type B. I bailed at $7M per as I didn't think he was worth it myself. He is a proven commodity but was it the the Texas offense or him? At least in LA he has a fighting chance.
Kirt Blasingame also chimed in with the Cubs. Cubs are really hoping for a better season than last years disappointment. Not sure he should be classified as a Type A myself.
Mel White got a 3 year deal in Vancouver and maybe more than he was worth. He is pretty good at closing time, semisonic or not.
Victor Beltran made a tidy profit from Boston. He was good at cleaning up Ivan's messes last year, in Boston it will be a different story as there may be too many messes to clean.
Tomas Ramirez is another that is laughing all the way to the bank. Yes he is a GG CF and that was his appeal but hitting may not be so appealing in Detroit.
Moises Valdes as a Type A might have been a joke and playing COF might even be a bigger one and his salary even bigger. One thing for sure is he can get on base and that one little tidbit maybe be a boon in the Stick.
Rafael Pulido may have been the steal in the FA market which makes the Braves fans hopeful. He was on my radar but I was expecting a bigger salary than what he got. Closer or Ivan type setup, such a decision.
Brandon Miles makes his way to Cincy where he might fit in as a cheap signing.
Alex Ramirez made a lifetime deposit at the bank as the most sought after Type B. I bailed at $7M per as I didn't think he was worth it myself. He is a proven commodity but was it the the Texas offense or him? At least in LA he has a fighting chance.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
FA Market Showdown
A flurry of Free Agent signings have our way come, so who were the winners and losers.
Quinton Payton found a new home in Boston with a nice fat check for 5 years. Can the well endowed ($12.5M) QPie doll keep his rockets in the stadium and off the Green Monster? PF Flyer will take the blame if it doesn't work out.
Mal decided to put a few stones in the socks of Jim Matthews to keep him hoppin. The aging vet signed a four year deal for $7.5M. We bet heavily there is a Team Option for the 4th.
Mal further put his balls on the chopping block by signing Benji Franco to a 5 year deal worth $11.3M.
George Atkins went home to where it all began as he signed a $5.8M 3 year with Team Option deal which was comparatively cheap with the Mets.
The Giants went high handed with Michel Delgado as he netted a tidy little sum near $48M for 5 years. Not sure about this one for a SS poser but should be able to hit in Candlestick.
Pepper Murton was sure winner as he signed a 3 year deal for $3.2M. Run out of New York for not being able to throw out runners but can handle the high profile staff in Toronto.
Artie Betemit made his way to the gold mines in Anaheim as he signed a near $40M deal for 5 years.
Quinton Payton found a new home in Boston with a nice fat check for 5 years. Can the well endowed ($12.5M) QPie doll keep his rockets in the stadium and off the Green Monster? PF Flyer will take the blame if it doesn't work out.
Mal decided to put a few stones in the socks of Jim Matthews to keep him hoppin. The aging vet signed a four year deal for $7.5M. We bet heavily there is a Team Option for the 4th.
Mal further put his balls on the chopping block by signing Benji Franco to a 5 year deal worth $11.3M.
George Atkins went home to where it all began as he signed a $5.8M 3 year with Team Option deal which was comparatively cheap with the Mets.
The Giants went high handed with Michel Delgado as he netted a tidy little sum near $48M for 5 years. Not sure about this one for a SS poser but should be able to hit in Candlestick.
Pepper Murton was sure winner as he signed a 3 year deal for $3.2M. Run out of New York for not being able to throw out runners but can handle the high profile staff in Toronto.
Artie Betemit made his way to the gold mines in Anaheim as he signed a near $40M deal for 5 years.
Friday, July 5, 2013
Season 28
Welcome to Season 28 of the greatest league in WIS..so I think. Welcome back knucklebones. A warm welcome to bhansell63 who takes over a team with a lot of promise. And no we aren't going to forget mrbrickey, he shows to be a noob, so lets teach him how to play the game right and help him out. This isn't an easy game to learn by any stretch and we will answer questions if you ask. The answer could be as confusing as the question sometimes but it will be honest.
Do you realize this is my 10th season since taking over the downtrodden Mets? Seems like yesterday. 5 second place finishes, two division crowns with 3 playoff appearances in that time. Not bad after 10 straight 4th place finishes.
What a playoff mess last season, Mets were the only team after round 1 not to get swept. Then the Cubs score 17 runs in games 2 and 3 and barely win the the World Series. Going back and looking at the preseason predictions, if I had stuck to my guns I would have gotten all 6 right in the AL, never rule out Texas with Silent Ed at the helm and I really liked Montreal from the beginning. The NL turned into a bit of a shambles as I wouldn't pick the Mets to win the East and the bickering that went on out West was magical. Florida won in spite of Ivan the Terrible.
Speaking of Ivan, the watch will be on for his 400th win and maybe his 100th save. Lets not forget Dom Tabaka, though I would like too, who needs 13 more saves to cross the 600 save barrier.
Do you realize this is my 10th season since taking over the downtrodden Mets? Seems like yesterday. 5 second place finishes, two division crowns with 3 playoff appearances in that time. Not bad after 10 straight 4th place finishes.
What a playoff mess last season, Mets were the only team after round 1 not to get swept. Then the Cubs score 17 runs in games 2 and 3 and barely win the the World Series. Going back and looking at the preseason predictions, if I had stuck to my guns I would have gotten all 6 right in the AL, never rule out Texas with Silent Ed at the helm and I really liked Montreal from the beginning. The NL turned into a bit of a shambles as I wouldn't pick the Mets to win the East and the bickering that went on out West was magical. Florida won in spite of Ivan the Terrible.
Speaking of Ivan, the watch will be on for his 400th win and maybe his 100th save. Lets not forget Dom Tabaka, though I would like too, who needs 13 more saves to cross the 600 save barrier.
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