Season 4 is upon us: spring training begins tomorrow. So it's time to take a look around the league and visit each team before the regular season takes off. We start, as always, in the National League East. This has been a hard to predict division since day 1 of the league, but this much we know: unless Washington can rise from the ashes, we will not have a first time winner of the division for the first time ever. Who will win division crown number 2?
Offense:
We'll start in Trenton. Norfolk scored 19 more runs last season, but I think the addition of RF Denny Moss makes them the best offense in the division when he's on the field. He should help drive in the speedsters (LF Ken Davis, 2B Carlton MacDougal, and SS Scot Hutton, all of whom also have power) and take some pressure off of the two young sluggers (1B Stephen Mills and 3B Enrique Park- over 100 RBI each). Add CF Phil Nakajima (.378 OBP) and this is a lineup that's 7 deep with only defensive catcher Deivi Sierra the only non-RBI threat.
Norfolk is not far behind. While LF Justin Gordon, 3B Tony Mays, 2B Ignacio Diaz, and CF Carlos Cervantes all drove in more than 85 (although none hit 100), the key to this offense is leadoff hitter 1B Melvin Nakano. If he gets on at a .394 clip as he did last season, this offense will score plenty of runs. They could also use some help from guys like SS Joel Crosby and RF Donne Meacham- Crosby will likely get a shot to start for the first time while Meacham had a solid rookie season in season 2 and took a big step back last season. I'd take Trenton's middle of the order over this offense, but Nakano is better than anybody Trenton can throw in the leadoff spot.
Washington checks in next. Last season they were not too far behind the big boys in offense. They should be led again by one of the biggest stars in this league that no one knows about in 3B David Rushford (.249-48-100). Their big hitters (Rushford, RF Irv McCallum, LF Harry Belliard) strike out too often to really sustain long rallies and they lack a true leadoff hitter or table setter.
Atlanta struggled mightily last season to score runs. They have some speed in OF Matt Rivera and talented 2B Johnny Holt, but 1B Manny Matos and LF Albert Martin are the only true HR and RBI threats. They lack the depth of Trenton and Norfolk
Pitching:
Atlanta probably has the most raw talent, particularly in the rotation. The young trio of Fred Carter, Orber Halter, and Alex Sanchez makes them a team that could easily win big if the offense could support them. Cory Schneider and Cristian Lyons will help eat innings and provide depth in this rotation. 23-year-old Nate MacNamara could get the closer's role, although Trevor Watson is still there in case McNamara falters.
Norfolk isn't far off the pace. They don't have the young studs Atlanta has, but they have veteran stalwarts Babe Broadhurst (who had an excellent season last season), Malcolm Lawrence, and Jesus Estrada. Rod Walters is the young guy on the staff and Larry Springer, Zephyr Palmer, and Dan Young all could step in and do a decent job at the back end of the rotation. The bullpen can be iffy; Ariel Lee saved 40 games but had an ERA of 4.46.
Trenton's rotation will be held together very similarly to the way it was the first three seasons: with bubble gum and Scotch tape. Johnnie Reagan is the young stud, but there's little around him. Duffy Parnell provides quality innings but isn't great, and after that it's some combination of Tony Satou (yikes) and either call up guys like Will Piper and/or Vic Rincon from AAA, find someone still unemployed, or make a trade. The bullpen could be solid, with Rob Gilmore taking the closer's role from Justin Beverlin; Beverlin and Harry Candelaria are solid in the setup role. The question is can the starting staff give these guys a lead.
Washington's pitching was brutal last season, providing 1001 reasons to cringe (one reason for every run they gave up). It could be better, but not by much. Buzz Linden was brought in from San Juan to be the ace- he's not an ace, but he is better than what else the Blue Coats have. Is he worth $32.7 million over 4 years? That remains to be seen. Terrence Gryboski and Matty Grimsley are very average pitchers. Lance Rodgers will be solid, but he's possibly a year away. The bullpen is iffy as well: closer Andruw Little blew 1/3 of his save opportunities. There are some decent setup pieces in Duke Nielsen and Mule James.
Predictions:
1. I'll have to take a Norfolk repeat. Trenton may be a step ahead in offense and Atlanta may be a step ahead in pitching, but they're by far the most balanced team in this division.
2. Trenton (conditionally) finishes second again. Unless they get a legitimate starter to help Reagan, they don't sneak into the playoffs as they did last season.
3. Atlanta will finish third unless they make a deal for a bat or two. If they do, they could pass Trenton.
4. Washington will make little strides toward improvement. They won't approach the other three but won't be as bad as last season.
5. Albert Martin is a name everyone will know around this league at the end of the year after he has a breakout season.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Free-agent signings: Old faces in new places
Some of the key free-agent signings (player, old team, new team, contract)
IF Eli Jacquez Syracuse Monterrey 2 years, $7.2 million
1B Orel MacFarlane New York Syracuse 2 years, $5.2 million
1B Lyle Barber St. Louis Charlotte 3 years, $15 million
SS Alex Li Syracuse Charlotte 2 years, $8.2 millon
P Shooter Mahoney Toronto San Juan 4 years, $20 million
CF Cody Lincoln Monterrey Vancouver 2 years, $10.2 million
P R. J. Toca Monterrey Austin 3 years, $21.6 million
Based on this list, I think there are a few conclusions we can draw. First of all, the free-agent market wasn't exactly star-studded. It also illustrates the lack of pitching-in my opinion, Toca may be overpaid and Mahoney is definitely overpaid (not Pete Rubel overpaid, but overpaid by a big margin). On the other hand, position players seem to be at a discount; Jacquez, MacFarlane, Li, and Lincoln all have past performances beyond their current contracts, although they are veterans and it remains to be seen if they've lost a step or can't do what they used to do. Barber probably can't do what he used to, but rarely does a recently past MVP candidate come for such a small price tag.
IF Eli Jacquez Syracuse Monterrey 2 years, $7.2 million
1B Orel MacFarlane New York Syracuse 2 years, $5.2 million
1B Lyle Barber St. Louis Charlotte 3 years, $15 million
SS Alex Li Syracuse Charlotte 2 years, $8.2 millon
P Shooter Mahoney Toronto San Juan 4 years, $20 million
CF Cody Lincoln Monterrey Vancouver 2 years, $10.2 million
P R. J. Toca Monterrey Austin 3 years, $21.6 million
Based on this list, I think there are a few conclusions we can draw. First of all, the free-agent market wasn't exactly star-studded. It also illustrates the lack of pitching-in my opinion, Toca may be overpaid and Mahoney is definitely overpaid (not Pete Rubel overpaid, but overpaid by a big margin). On the other hand, position players seem to be at a discount; Jacquez, MacFarlane, Li, and Lincoln all have past performances beyond their current contracts, although they are veterans and it remains to be seen if they've lost a step or can't do what they used to do. Barber probably can't do what he used to, but rarely does a recently past MVP candidate come for such a small price tag.
Wheeling and Dealing at the Winter Meetings
Houston, as a result of winning the World Series last season, got to host the winter meetings (could someone get us a Honolulu team, please?). It was an appropriate setting, as the trade winds blew more like the hurricanes that occasionally touch down off the gulf. Some teams decided there was a major piece that they needed and got it; a few teams decided to quite a few changes, and one team (Chicago) underwent an overhaul. Here's a rundown of the major deals:
CHICAGO SNAKE TAMERS AND HOUSTON RIVERDOGS
Chicago gets: SS B.C.Stone (AA), RP Juan Martin (AAA)
Houston gets: CF Scott Diaz
Analysis: Diaz is a speedy centerfielder who basically matched his season 2 numbers last season. He's not a prototypical leadoff hitter, as he strikes out a bit too much, but he can hit well and adds yet antoher stolen base threat to Houston's lineup. Stone is a decent hitter, but his glove will be what keeps him in a ML starting lineup someday. Martin is an iffy prospect, as his lack of control could end up short-circuiting his ML career. If he can find the plate, he could contribute out of the bullpen- he has decent stuff.
New York New York and Cheyenne Nation
New York gets: CF R.J. Figueroa
Cheyenne gets: SP Manny Christians
Analysis: Aren't too many big-time 1 for 1 deals, but this could be judged as one of those. Figueroa does a little bit of everything at the plate (good average, decent power, can steal some bases) and is still very reliable in center field. Christians, amazingly, will now pitch for his 4th team in 4 seasons since signing a huge 5 year, $68 million contract before season 1. For all the hoopla surrounding him (often in this blog) and with his great stuff, he's yet to win more than 12 games in a season. Cheyenne is taking a bit of a gamble here, although quality starting pitching has been awfully hard to find.
NORFOLK DESTROYERS AND TORONTO TOROS
Norfolk gets: SP/RP Ching-Lung Feng (Hi-A)
Toronto gets: SS Victor May
Analysis: Last season May split time as SS with Joel Crosby, so Norfolk sends May north of the border. May is a better defender, but Crosby can hit better. Toronto gets a defensive specialist in May who can play any position. Feng needs to harness his control- if he can, he'll be tough on righties with a big-time curveball.
CHICAGO SNAKE TAMERS AND HOUSTON RIVERDOGS (again)
Chicago gets: SP Mateo Guerrero (AAA), RF Butch Russell (Lo-A)
Houston gets: SP Stephen Tucker, 2B/IF Alex McClain
Analysis: Tucker may never regain the Cy Young form he had in season 2 prior to his injury, but he's arguably still an ace. McClain adds more depth to an already deep lineup. Houston is not standing pat; they're looking to repeat and win now. Chicago is rebuilding and they get two more pieces in Guerrero, a guy who's not an ace but should be an inning-eater type of pitcher. McClain is a good hitter with blinding speed- he could be a leadoff hitter.
FARGO DIRTBAGS AND CHICAGO SNAKE TAMERS
Fargo gets: 3B Bud Klein
Chicago gets: 2B Victor Flores (Hi-A), SP/RP Santos Romero, 3B Paxton Coleridge
Chicago was looking to shed salary. Fargo has needed a hitter ever since season 2. So this seemed to be a good fit for both teams. Klein drove in 100 runs while hitting 34 home runs and he can hit for average (.321), so he'll fit in nicely in the middle of Fargo's lineup. The key to the deal for Chicago was the only non-ML player, Flores. He's a highly touted infielder who's pretty good defensively and should be a good all-around hitter with speed. Romero is a fireballing lefty with control issues and Coleridge is an all-or-nothing slugger; watch both the home runs and strikeouts pile up.
LITTLE ROCK RAIDERS AND NEW YORK NEW YORK
Little Rock gets: IF/OF Bernie Soriano, SP Joey Hubbard
New York gets: LF Placido Tejada , IF/OF Benji Barcelo (AAA), 2B Karl Benes (AAA)
Analysis: Little Rock gets a big-time hitter in Soriano, who bounced back from a sub-par season in Season 2 to hit 56 home runs and drive in 136. Hubbard has yet to fulfill his potential, as he's a career below .500 pitcher and has yet to post an ERA below 5. New York gets three young players in return. Tejada is a LF who'd be great as a platoon player but may not hit lefties enough to play every day. Barcelo isn't a star but should be a solid contributor on the ML level. Benes may be the best of the bunch, as he's a well-rounded player with decent speed and good power.
COLORADO SPRING CHICKENS AND CHICAGO SNAKE TAMERS
Colorado Springs gets: SP Matty Eusebio
Chicago gets: IF Evan Smith (AA), SP Graham Stark
Analysis: Colorado Springs gets one of the best pitchers in the league in the three seasons. The only question is this: does Eusebio make a 68-win team from last season a potential contender? If not, was it worth giving up Smith and Stark? Smith ripped up Hi-A pitching last season and has the look of a .300 hitter in the majors. Stark is yet another fireballing pitcher with control issues. Chicago seems to be stockpiling them.
CHICAGO SNAKE TAMERS AND TRENTON TRAFFIC
Chicago gets: CF Paul Turnbow (AAA), 2B Alex Saenz (AAA)
Trenton gets: IF/OF Denny Moss
Analysis: Trenton gets one of the more dynamic players in the entire league in Moss, who is a rare combination of immense power and speed; health and durability are his issues. When healthy, he is maybe the most talented player in the league. He's now playing for his third team, however. Chicago didn't just give Moss away, as they get two big-time prospects in return. Turnbow is a speedy CF who can run anything down and adds some pop at the plate. Saenz is a speedy 2B with good power- they should both crack Chicago's starting lineup soon.
CHICAGO SNAKE TAMERS AND MONTERREY SULTANS
Chicago gets: LF Trever Russell, RP Guy Moore
Monterrey gets: SP Ajax Drabek
Analysis: Drabek is still a very good pitcher- for some reason the pitcher's park in Seattle didn't sit well with him and pitched much better after being dealt to Chicago. Now he gets sent south of the border to Monterrey to join a starting staff that already has Philip Allensworth and others. Russell could start the season in LF- he has big time power. Moore is a "tweener"- not enough stamina to start and not enough durability to pitch every other day. Chicago has a good arm on their hands, but need to pick his role carefully.
MONTERREY SULTANS AND NEW YORK NEW YORK
Monterrey gets: DH Vin Logan (Lo-A)
New York gets: SP Max Jacquez
Analysis: The most shocking thing here isn't that Monterrey traded a pitcher who has won 36 games in the last two seasons for a minor league DH or that a 37-year-old gets traded for a 19-year-old, but that Chicago wasn't involved in this trade. Jacquez is an aging starter who doesn't appear to be done yet. I don't think he'll win 36 over the next two seasons, but he'll win games and eat innings for New York. Logan is a guy without a position- he's got very average pitch calling and can't really play anywhere but catcher. He will eventually wear out big league pitching no matter what his position.
CHEYENNE NATION AND LITTLE ROCK RAIDERS
Cheyenne gets: 3B Wendell Durrington
Little Rock gets: SP Hipolito Pujols
Analysis: Halfway through season 1, Pujols was one of the best pitchers in the NL and a runaway candidate for ROY. Who could have imagined he would be dealt just 2 1/2 seasons later? He hasn't been the same since that night against Chicago when he blew out his elbow. He'll try to rehabilitate his career in Arkansas with the Raiders. The Nation will welcome Durrington in return, one of the best all-around players in the game.
TORONTO TOROS AND SALEM SACRIFICES
Toronto gets: SP Earl Cedeno (AA)
Salem gets: IF Travis Bush
Analysis: Salem has to hope it's getting the season 2 Travis Bush (.292-8-70) and not the season 3 version (.247-6-48). He's good defensively, but not good enough to play SS- he'd be very good at 2B or 3B. Cedeno has a live arm but can't go very deep into games- if monitored he could be a solid starter.
AUSTIN CITY LIMITS AND NEW YORK NEW YORK
Austin gets: LF Tony Percival
New York gets: RP Dan Daley
Analysis: Another bat-for-an-arm deal. Percival is a power hitter; Austin is looking for everyday players. New York gets a good arm out of the pen- Daley is a young reliever who should be around for a long time and is tough on righties.
SYRACUSE SIMPLETONS AND ST. LOUIS SILLY NANNIES
Syracuse gets: SP Ryan Martin, SP Charlie Miller, SP Tony Rowan
St. Louis gets: 2B Rico Guevara (AAA), DH Rex Kent (Hi-A), RP Tino Okajima (Hi-A)
Analysis: Syracuse apparently wanted St. Louis's entire starting staff, so the Silly Nannies just shipped them en masse. Martin and Miller are solid #2-#4 type starters- not great, but guys needed to fill a rotation spot and eat innings. Rowan may be a season or so away but he's a potential ace. In return, St. Louis gets Guevara, a potential star second baseman- he'll hit for power, run, and make plays in the field. Kent is a big-time potential hitter who just doesn't fit in defensively. Okajima should become a solid reliever who can get out hitters on both side of the plate.
MONTERREY SULTANS AND MILWAUKEE MANIC MAULERS
Monterrey gets: RF Ryan Snyder
Milwaukee gets: SP Slash Ruffin (minors)
Analysis: Two of the titans of the AL since the birth of the league pulled off a major deal here. Snyder hit 40 home runs last season, so Monterrey improves its offense with yet another big-time power hitter. Ruffin helps add depth to Milwaukee's pitching staff down the line- he's a few seasons away but should easily be a #2 starter, possibly a #1 on some staffs. He's got all the tools to be a very good starter.
CHICAGO SNAKE TAMERS AND HOUSTON RIVERDOGS
Chicago gets: SS B.C.Stone (AA), RP Juan Martin (AAA)
Houston gets: CF Scott Diaz
Analysis: Diaz is a speedy centerfielder who basically matched his season 2 numbers last season. He's not a prototypical leadoff hitter, as he strikes out a bit too much, but he can hit well and adds yet antoher stolen base threat to Houston's lineup. Stone is a decent hitter, but his glove will be what keeps him in a ML starting lineup someday. Martin is an iffy prospect, as his lack of control could end up short-circuiting his ML career. If he can find the plate, he could contribute out of the bullpen- he has decent stuff.
New York New York and Cheyenne Nation
New York gets: CF R.J. Figueroa
Cheyenne gets: SP Manny Christians
Analysis: Aren't too many big-time 1 for 1 deals, but this could be judged as one of those. Figueroa does a little bit of everything at the plate (good average, decent power, can steal some bases) and is still very reliable in center field. Christians, amazingly, will now pitch for his 4th team in 4 seasons since signing a huge 5 year, $68 million contract before season 1. For all the hoopla surrounding him (often in this blog) and with his great stuff, he's yet to win more than 12 games in a season. Cheyenne is taking a bit of a gamble here, although quality starting pitching has been awfully hard to find.
NORFOLK DESTROYERS AND TORONTO TOROS
Norfolk gets: SP/RP Ching-Lung Feng (Hi-A)
Toronto gets: SS Victor May
Analysis: Last season May split time as SS with Joel Crosby, so Norfolk sends May north of the border. May is a better defender, but Crosby can hit better. Toronto gets a defensive specialist in May who can play any position. Feng needs to harness his control- if he can, he'll be tough on righties with a big-time curveball.
CHICAGO SNAKE TAMERS AND HOUSTON RIVERDOGS (again)
Chicago gets: SP Mateo Guerrero (AAA), RF Butch Russell (Lo-A)
Houston gets: SP Stephen Tucker, 2B/IF Alex McClain
Analysis: Tucker may never regain the Cy Young form he had in season 2 prior to his injury, but he's arguably still an ace. McClain adds more depth to an already deep lineup. Houston is not standing pat; they're looking to repeat and win now. Chicago is rebuilding and they get two more pieces in Guerrero, a guy who's not an ace but should be an inning-eater type of pitcher. McClain is a good hitter with blinding speed- he could be a leadoff hitter.
FARGO DIRTBAGS AND CHICAGO SNAKE TAMERS
Fargo gets: 3B Bud Klein
Chicago gets: 2B Victor Flores (Hi-A), SP/RP Santos Romero, 3B Paxton Coleridge
Chicago was looking to shed salary. Fargo has needed a hitter ever since season 2. So this seemed to be a good fit for both teams. Klein drove in 100 runs while hitting 34 home runs and he can hit for average (.321), so he'll fit in nicely in the middle of Fargo's lineup. The key to the deal for Chicago was the only non-ML player, Flores. He's a highly touted infielder who's pretty good defensively and should be a good all-around hitter with speed. Romero is a fireballing lefty with control issues and Coleridge is an all-or-nothing slugger; watch both the home runs and strikeouts pile up.
LITTLE ROCK RAIDERS AND NEW YORK NEW YORK
Little Rock gets: IF/OF Bernie Soriano, SP Joey Hubbard
New York gets: LF Placido Tejada , IF/OF Benji Barcelo (AAA), 2B Karl Benes (AAA)
Analysis: Little Rock gets a big-time hitter in Soriano, who bounced back from a sub-par season in Season 2 to hit 56 home runs and drive in 136. Hubbard has yet to fulfill his potential, as he's a career below .500 pitcher and has yet to post an ERA below 5. New York gets three young players in return. Tejada is a LF who'd be great as a platoon player but may not hit lefties enough to play every day. Barcelo isn't a star but should be a solid contributor on the ML level. Benes may be the best of the bunch, as he's a well-rounded player with decent speed and good power.
COLORADO SPRING CHICKENS AND CHICAGO SNAKE TAMERS
Colorado Springs gets: SP Matty Eusebio
Chicago gets: IF Evan Smith (AA), SP Graham Stark
Analysis: Colorado Springs gets one of the best pitchers in the league in the three seasons. The only question is this: does Eusebio make a 68-win team from last season a potential contender? If not, was it worth giving up Smith and Stark? Smith ripped up Hi-A pitching last season and has the look of a .300 hitter in the majors. Stark is yet another fireballing pitcher with control issues. Chicago seems to be stockpiling them.
CHICAGO SNAKE TAMERS AND TRENTON TRAFFIC
Chicago gets: CF Paul Turnbow (AAA), 2B Alex Saenz (AAA)
Trenton gets: IF/OF Denny Moss
Analysis: Trenton gets one of the more dynamic players in the entire league in Moss, who is a rare combination of immense power and speed; health and durability are his issues. When healthy, he is maybe the most talented player in the league. He's now playing for his third team, however. Chicago didn't just give Moss away, as they get two big-time prospects in return. Turnbow is a speedy CF who can run anything down and adds some pop at the plate. Saenz is a speedy 2B with good power- they should both crack Chicago's starting lineup soon.
CHICAGO SNAKE TAMERS AND MONTERREY SULTANS
Chicago gets: LF Trever Russell, RP Guy Moore
Monterrey gets: SP Ajax Drabek
Analysis: Drabek is still a very good pitcher- for some reason the pitcher's park in Seattle didn't sit well with him and pitched much better after being dealt to Chicago. Now he gets sent south of the border to Monterrey to join a starting staff that already has Philip Allensworth and others. Russell could start the season in LF- he has big time power. Moore is a "tweener"- not enough stamina to start and not enough durability to pitch every other day. Chicago has a good arm on their hands, but need to pick his role carefully.
MONTERREY SULTANS AND NEW YORK NEW YORK
Monterrey gets: DH Vin Logan (Lo-A)
New York gets: SP Max Jacquez
Analysis: The most shocking thing here isn't that Monterrey traded a pitcher who has won 36 games in the last two seasons for a minor league DH or that a 37-year-old gets traded for a 19-year-old, but that Chicago wasn't involved in this trade. Jacquez is an aging starter who doesn't appear to be done yet. I don't think he'll win 36 over the next two seasons, but he'll win games and eat innings for New York. Logan is a guy without a position- he's got very average pitch calling and can't really play anywhere but catcher. He will eventually wear out big league pitching no matter what his position.
CHEYENNE NATION AND LITTLE ROCK RAIDERS
Cheyenne gets: 3B Wendell Durrington
Little Rock gets: SP Hipolito Pujols
Analysis: Halfway through season 1, Pujols was one of the best pitchers in the NL and a runaway candidate for ROY. Who could have imagined he would be dealt just 2 1/2 seasons later? He hasn't been the same since that night against Chicago when he blew out his elbow. He'll try to rehabilitate his career in Arkansas with the Raiders. The Nation will welcome Durrington in return, one of the best all-around players in the game.
TORONTO TOROS AND SALEM SACRIFICES
Toronto gets: SP Earl Cedeno (AA)
Salem gets: IF Travis Bush
Analysis: Salem has to hope it's getting the season 2 Travis Bush (.292-8-70) and not the season 3 version (.247-6-48). He's good defensively, but not good enough to play SS- he'd be very good at 2B or 3B. Cedeno has a live arm but can't go very deep into games- if monitored he could be a solid starter.
AUSTIN CITY LIMITS AND NEW YORK NEW YORK
Austin gets: LF Tony Percival
New York gets: RP Dan Daley
Analysis: Another bat-for-an-arm deal. Percival is a power hitter; Austin is looking for everyday players. New York gets a good arm out of the pen- Daley is a young reliever who should be around for a long time and is tough on righties.
SYRACUSE SIMPLETONS AND ST. LOUIS SILLY NANNIES
Syracuse gets: SP Ryan Martin, SP Charlie Miller, SP Tony Rowan
St. Louis gets: 2B Rico Guevara (AAA), DH Rex Kent (Hi-A), RP Tino Okajima (Hi-A)
Analysis: Syracuse apparently wanted St. Louis's entire starting staff, so the Silly Nannies just shipped them en masse. Martin and Miller are solid #2-#4 type starters- not great, but guys needed to fill a rotation spot and eat innings. Rowan may be a season or so away but he's a potential ace. In return, St. Louis gets Guevara, a potential star second baseman- he'll hit for power, run, and make plays in the field. Kent is a big-time potential hitter who just doesn't fit in defensively. Okajima should become a solid reliever who can get out hitters on both side of the plate.
MONTERREY SULTANS AND MILWAUKEE MANIC MAULERS
Monterrey gets: RF Ryan Snyder
Milwaukee gets: SP Slash Ruffin (minors)
Analysis: Two of the titans of the AL since the birth of the league pulled off a major deal here. Snyder hit 40 home runs last season, so Monterrey improves its offense with yet another big-time power hitter. Ruffin helps add depth to Milwaukee's pitching staff down the line- he's a few seasons away but should easily be a #2 starter, possibly a #1 on some staffs. He's got all the tools to be a very good starter.
Changes for Season 4
The league has left many phone messages at the Trenton office recently wondering where the league reporter was and why no content has come out of the office recently. Turned out the head reporter (yours truly) was sent on two special assignments- to keep track of positive ads from all the presidential candidates and to teach people in Florida how to vote. Alas, I came up empty on both counts, and so returned to the office with nothing but a new season upon us and 146 angry messages from mfoster55.
So we'll start with the owner/city switches from season 3 to season 4. The only National League changes are out west, where the Scottsdale franchise enjoyed its long one year run in the desert so much it decided to pick up stakes and move to Vancouver to become the Golden Otters. New owner wild44 looks to take a team that has yet to finish over .500 but won a franchise-high 79 games last season and compete in the NL West. More shocking is the fact that the Snake Pit is no more. Legendary owner deaconsoule has taken his (now former) Arizona Diamondbacks to Cheyenne to become the Nation. As the buses rolled in to town, rabid fans greeted the team, but controversy erupted among reports that deacon paid the fans to be there. Osvaldo Johnson stated he'd be thrilled to play in front of the tens of fans that will come out to support the team.
The American League sees several changes, starting in the east. Huntington has moved to Boston and will play as the Bambinos. George Steinbrenner has already filed a lawsuit against owner tj01536 in the grounds that no Boston team may use the name Bambino (or any other Babe Ruth related name) without also using the word "curse" in it as well.
-Up north, The Slyce will stay in Syracuse but have a new name and owner; threester will take charge of the more aptly named Simpletons. When asked what the best part of staying in Syracuse was, Bret King answered " I haven't been to the Carrier Dome yet. Do we have anything else here? Don't think so." Toledo (formerly Cleveland) continues to move along I-90, heading east up to Buffalo to play as the Blue Cheese under new owner flipdog0. Don't know how many wins the team will get, but the chicken wings alone may bring fans (and reporters) to the park.
- In the south, Iowa City will head south to Arkansas to become the Little Rock Raiders. Owner jacoby66 isn't worried about competing in a tough division, stating that even if he finishes last in the South, his team could still beat the Oakland Raiders. Fantasy experts project that P/QB Joey Hubbard would throw for 231 yards and 2 touchdowns.
- The AL West remains intact from season 3.
So we'll start with the owner/city switches from season 3 to season 4. The only National League changes are out west, where the Scottsdale franchise enjoyed its long one year run in the desert so much it decided to pick up stakes and move to Vancouver to become the Golden Otters. New owner wild44 looks to take a team that has yet to finish over .500 but won a franchise-high 79 games last season and compete in the NL West. More shocking is the fact that the Snake Pit is no more. Legendary owner deaconsoule has taken his (now former) Arizona Diamondbacks to Cheyenne to become the Nation. As the buses rolled in to town, rabid fans greeted the team, but controversy erupted among reports that deacon paid the fans to be there. Osvaldo Johnson stated he'd be thrilled to play in front of the tens of fans that will come out to support the team.
The American League sees several changes, starting in the east. Huntington has moved to Boston and will play as the Bambinos. George Steinbrenner has already filed a lawsuit against owner tj01536 in the grounds that no Boston team may use the name Bambino (or any other Babe Ruth related name) without also using the word "curse" in it as well.
-Up north, The Slyce will stay in Syracuse but have a new name and owner; threester will take charge of the more aptly named Simpletons. When asked what the best part of staying in Syracuse was, Bret King answered " I haven't been to the Carrier Dome yet. Do we have anything else here? Don't think so." Toledo (formerly Cleveland) continues to move along I-90, heading east up to Buffalo to play as the Blue Cheese under new owner flipdog0. Don't know how many wins the team will get, but the chicken wings alone may bring fans (and reporters) to the park.
- In the south, Iowa City will head south to Arkansas to become the Little Rock Raiders. Owner jacoby66 isn't worried about competing in a tough division, stating that even if he finishes last in the South, his team could still beat the Oakland Raiders. Fantasy experts project that P/QB Joey Hubbard would throw for 231 yards and 2 touchdowns.
- The AL West remains intact from season 3.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Re-writing the record book
Season 3 has come to a close and season 4 activities are already underway. But if you weren't paying close enough attention last season, you missed several performances that had The Bigs historians getting out their erasers and re-writing the record book. Several big single season offensive records were broken, as were a few pitching marks. Here now are some notable record-breaking performances from season 3 that you may have missed:Gregg Black breaks his own runs record
The king of the record book himself broke one of his own records in season 3 when he scored a whopping 167 runs for the season. Black beat his own record of 145 runs scored which he achieved in season 1. Milwaukee's Luis Martinez and Bob Malone also jumped the old record, but finished behind Black with 149 runs and 146, respectively.
Justin Hernandez gets traded, steals single season record
Charlotte's Hernandez broke Pepe Hernandez's (no relation) single season stolen base mark of 124 when he swiped 134 bases this season. Hernandez was dealt from the Diamondbacks to the Blue Devils about a quarter of the way through the season and then proceeded to top his personal best stolen base mark by 35. Take that Arizona.
Calvin Chang walks into the record books
San Juan finished 3rd in The Bigs in walks last season and can thank Chang for much of that. Chang broke Gregg Black's single season walk record of 138 when he strolled down to first base 143 times in season 3. Of course walks are nothing new to Chang, who also holds the career record for walks at 394.
Rico Valdes and others go streaking
Emmett Yearwood held the hit streak record coming into season 3 when he hit safely in 26 straight games in season 1. That mark was topped twice and tied once in season 3. Coming out of the dogpile with the record was Fargo's Rico Valdes, who hit safely in 28 consecutive games played. Louisville's Bernard Young hit safely in 27 straight to top Yearwood's mark and Milwaukee's Bob Malone tied Yearwood by hitting in 26 straight.
Dunwoody tops Henriquez as King of K
In what is becoming a friendly rivalry between the two pitchers, Salem's Dave Dunwoody surpassed Dirtbag Javier Henriquez's single season strikeout record of 265 whiffs by notching 274 last season. In season 2, it was Henriquez who broke Dunwoody's record of 257 strikeouts in a season, set in season 1. So by my math, that means Henriquez will strikeout 284 batters next season to set a new record, right?
Can't get enough of these records? Check out the side bar on the right side of this page to view more records. Also coming soon, All-Time Team Records.
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