The Helena Gotto Grottos Management group have been looking things over from top to bottom this off season to start their dream of getting to the World Series. Management is still trying to decide if offering Al Carrasco or Clarence Hartman for trade could have beneficial results and could entertain offers. Al is a little unhappy about his situation in the northern wheat fields and management is none too happy with Clarence.
To start things off, the trade of Tito Harris for Paul Ingram was not exactly a wanted deal but became a high priority necessity with the departure of Emmett Yearwood to Free Agency. It was decided that Emmett was not the man to play 2B long term. Buster Charles was let go to greener pastures along with the oft injured Steve Elster. To fill these holes in the pitching staff, York Burnett and Randy Stull were acquired more cheaply. It is thought they provide better stability than the two departures.
The offense as it stands going into Spring Training looks like this:
1B - Karim Batista who finally showed why the organization didn't give up on him.
2B - Paul Ingram who brings a better defense to the table at 2B and hopefully a great lead off hitting.
3B - Jay Hegan returns hoping to better last years performance.
SS - Kevin Kim has worked on his defense in the off season and we are hoping that it pays dividends.
LF - Jeremy Glover hopes to change his hitting attitude a bit with a probable move in the batting order.
CF - Will Weston proved he could play even with a weak glove in a pivotal position and hopes to improve upon that.
RF - Wally Harvey returns as the man that the team looks up to for guidance.
C - Joaquin Valentin still is the stalwart defense PC backstop.
C - Patsy Hegan has been given the chance to learn the position this year as Joaquin's backup.
DH - Clarence Hartman has had management puzzled for a couple seasons. There is a new plan in place, if it doesn't pan out expect Clarence on the chopping block early.
Util - Aurelio Prieto and Al Carrasco.
The pitching staff is an a bit of a flux at the moment and will probably be decided by the end of spring training. In the end it will be very capable of handling its opponents once again.
York Burnett
Randy Stull
Bob Delaney
Billy Nation
Louie Martin
Anthony Hall
Wilfredo Redondo
The Pen will actually designate a closer this year beyond popular belief from last year.
Marino Ortiz
Coco Hines
Gerald Thompson
Geronimo Bennett
and Closer - Dave Stewart
As a side note, the pitching was strong enough last year that Thompson and Ortiz only had 40 innings between them but that will definitely change this season. Although Ortiz may be more than forgotten by seasons end.
Management has yet to identify their bubble player for the season as of yet. A good spring by one of six players could yet land them on the Big League roster.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Major trade announcement
In perhaps the biggest trade of the offseason, a player who had been on the market finally was traded. The destination, however, may be a bit of a surprise.
Austin City Limits and Washington D.C. Blue Coats
Austin gets: 1B Jimmie Williams
Washington gets: 3B Ewell Elster (AAA), SP Oleg Clay (AAA)
Analysis: Interesting deal from Austin's perspective, but the way I see it, they can't lose. They feel they are ready to contend with a huge influx of talent from their minor league system and, in their eyes, needed one big bat. So they went out and got a huge bat at the 1B position. Moreover, he's inexpensive this season ($1.3 million). If Austin falls out of contention, there will probably be suitors for him, or they could hang on to him (he's arbitration-eligible starting next season). Williams solidified his reputation as one of the best left-handed power bats in the game last season, not having a drop-off in production after the David Rushford trade.
In return, Washington gets a good 3B prospect in the process and a bit of a wild-card at the starting pitching position. Elster looks like a good all-around hitter who should be a decent-to-good defensive third baseman. Clay has talent- his only drawback is his durability. It remains to be seen how many innings he'll be able to throw in the big leagues.
Austin City Limits and Washington D.C. Blue Coats
Austin gets: 1B Jimmie Williams
Washington gets: 3B Ewell Elster (AAA), SP Oleg Clay (AAA)
Analysis: Interesting deal from Austin's perspective, but the way I see it, they can't lose. They feel they are ready to contend with a huge influx of talent from their minor league system and, in their eyes, needed one big bat. So they went out and got a huge bat at the 1B position. Moreover, he's inexpensive this season ($1.3 million). If Austin falls out of contention, there will probably be suitors for him, or they could hang on to him (he's arbitration-eligible starting next season). Williams solidified his reputation as one of the best left-handed power bats in the game last season, not having a drop-off in production after the David Rushford trade.
In return, Washington gets a good 3B prospect in the process and a bit of a wild-card at the starting pitching position. Elster looks like a good all-around hitter who should be a decent-to-good defensive third baseman. Clay has talent- his only drawback is his durability. It remains to be seen how many innings he'll be able to throw in the big leagues.
Another Day on the Free-Agent Market
Several big-name free agents have put their names on contracts today.
Trenton continues to be a big-time player in the free-agent market. A day after re-signing Cap Herrera, they added to their outfield by inking former Syracuse LF Bret King. The 31- year old left fielder hit .279 last season with 38 HRs and 95 RBI. He received a 5-year, $38 million contract to switch teams.
While King heads south, former Shakers 3B Vin Foulke will head north, as he signed a 3-year, $16.2 million contract. Foulke saw part-time duty last season, as he couldn't crack a talented Salt Lake City team. He'll go play for the division rival Wild this season.
The biggest name pitcher to sign thus far is former Sultans pitcher York Burnett. He went 12-2 as the swingman for Monterrey last season. He signed with Helena for 3 years and $18 milion.
Trenton continues to be a big-time player in the free-agent market. A day after re-signing Cap Herrera, they added to their outfield by inking former Syracuse LF Bret King. The 31- year old left fielder hit .279 last season with 38 HRs and 95 RBI. He received a 5-year, $38 million contract to switch teams.
While King heads south, former Shakers 3B Vin Foulke will head north, as he signed a 3-year, $16.2 million contract. Foulke saw part-time duty last season, as he couldn't crack a talented Salt Lake City team. He'll go play for the division rival Wild this season.
The biggest name pitcher to sign thus far is former Sultans pitcher York Burnett. He went 12-2 as the swingman for Monterrey last season. He signed with Helena for 3 years and $18 milion.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Two big early free-agent signings
Two of the biggest available free-agents have already inked big contracts.
Jerome Oliver, arguably the best free-agent starter on the market, has signed a 4-year, $33.25 million contract with the New Orleans Voodoo. This continues a busy off-season for the Lousiana franchise, as they picked up Gregg Black in a trade. It appears they feel they can catch the 6-time division champion Houston Riverdogs- taking one of their best starters might be a good way to go do just that. The Voodoo have scheduled a press conference tomorrow to announce the signing and to introduce Oliver to the media.
Meanwhile, one of the big hitters on the market has decided to stay right where he is. Cap Herrera, after joining Trenton in a mid-season deal with Vancouver, declined his option and became a free-agent. But after Trenton offered him 4-years and $30.6 million to stay with the team, he decided New Jersey would be a good place to live. GM gumbercules told TBDN, "This was a deal we wanted to get done quickly. We felt he was one of the top 2 or 3 hitters out there on the market. His agent told us that although he was opting out, he was still confident that we could get something done to keep him here with the Traffic. We are pleased with the outcome."
Jerome Oliver, arguably the best free-agent starter on the market, has signed a 4-year, $33.25 million contract with the New Orleans Voodoo. This continues a busy off-season for the Lousiana franchise, as they picked up Gregg Black in a trade. It appears they feel they can catch the 6-time division champion Houston Riverdogs- taking one of their best starters might be a good way to go do just that. The Voodoo have scheduled a press conference tomorrow to announce the signing and to introduce Oliver to the media.
Meanwhile, one of the big hitters on the market has decided to stay right where he is. Cap Herrera, after joining Trenton in a mid-season deal with Vancouver, declined his option and became a free-agent. But after Trenton offered him 4-years and $30.6 million to stay with the team, he decided New Jersey would be a good place to live. GM gumbercules told TBDN, "This was a deal we wanted to get done quickly. We felt he was one of the top 2 or 3 hitters out there on the market. His agent told us that although he was opting out, he was still confident that we could get something done to keep him here with the Traffic. We are pleased with the outcome."
Monday, August 3, 2009
Two Big Deals before the Free-Agency Period
Several teams knew what they wanted to do before free-agency and got it done.
New Orleans Voodoo and Atlanta Bandits
New Orleans gets: 2B Gregg Black, C Chuck Reed
Atlanta gets: SP Santiago Perez (AAA)
Analysis: The rich get richer. The Bandits trade an aging (although still potent) Black and a catcher who never did find his stroke in Atlanta for a top of the rotation-type guy in Perez. Perez may not be the hardest thrower, but righties just can't seem to find the ball against him. He's not a big injury risk and the guy's a horse. He'll fit right into Atlanta's already talented starting staff soon. Black represents a risk for the Voodoo. He's still a dangerous hitter, but he put up the lowest numbers of his career. Atlanta picked him up figuring (perhaps rightly) that he was the missing piece in a championship puzzle. I don't see New Orleans, which has missed the playoffs for 5 straight seasons, suddenly being vaulted into contention for the title with this move. Reed, although he may never hit, is a talented defensive catcher who was a large part of the Bandits' title team with his handling of the pitching staff and his leadership. He's still only 25.
Chicago Snake Tamers and Monterrey Sultans
Chicago gets: RF Ryan Snyder
Monterrey gets: SP Shane Simms (Low-A)
Analysis: Chicago gets perennial 40-40 candidate Snyder to boost the offense, as they are still trying to catch the Dirtbags in the Central. Usually Fargo and Chicago make offseason moves to counteract each other, and this was quite a good pickup as an opening salvo. I think Chicago gets the better end of the deal, although not by much. Simms, in my estimation, will never be a star, but he appears to be a solid contributor type- a #3 starter on a good team. Simms was Chicago's 1st roun pick last season.
New Orleans Voodoo and Atlanta Bandits
New Orleans gets: 2B Gregg Black, C Chuck Reed
Atlanta gets: SP Santiago Perez (AAA)
Analysis: The rich get richer. The Bandits trade an aging (although still potent) Black and a catcher who never did find his stroke in Atlanta for a top of the rotation-type guy in Perez. Perez may not be the hardest thrower, but righties just can't seem to find the ball against him. He's not a big injury risk and the guy's a horse. He'll fit right into Atlanta's already talented starting staff soon. Black represents a risk for the Voodoo. He's still a dangerous hitter, but he put up the lowest numbers of his career. Atlanta picked him up figuring (perhaps rightly) that he was the missing piece in a championship puzzle. I don't see New Orleans, which has missed the playoffs for 5 straight seasons, suddenly being vaulted into contention for the title with this move. Reed, although he may never hit, is a talented defensive catcher who was a large part of the Bandits' title team with his handling of the pitching staff and his leadership. He's still only 25.
Chicago Snake Tamers and Monterrey Sultans
Chicago gets: RF Ryan Snyder
Monterrey gets: SP Shane Simms (Low-A)
Analysis: Chicago gets perennial 40-40 candidate Snyder to boost the offense, as they are still trying to catch the Dirtbags in the Central. Usually Fargo and Chicago make offseason moves to counteract each other, and this was quite a good pickup as an opening salvo. I think Chicago gets the better end of the deal, although not by much. Simms, in my estimation, will never be a star, but he appears to be a solid contributor type- a #3 starter on a good team. Simms was Chicago's 1st roun pick last season.
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