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Beirut Dugout Dirt - The NewMEBA Chronicle Edition

Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2019 12:58 pm
by DugoutDesperado
As we hail the beginning of the first full season under new management of the Beirut season, the inaugural edition of the Beirut Dugout Dirt has been released.
There should also be a disclaimer that I grew up a meek southern Indiana farm boy so those who take grammar seriously should enter these editions at his or her own risk. 😊 After all, I am still trying where the β€˜I’ goes in Beirut.
So you have now been approved as an owner.
Taking over the team last year, I was informed that I was taking over the much-feared Beirut Cedars team. Upon looking over the roster, I realized that the Cedars were not feared by people familiar with the league because they were in the opposing dugout from them, but they were feared because the Cedars were in the same dugout. The team was boasting a record of 27-55 midway through the 2039 season but there was a fair amount of payroll space available. Instead of taking any major payroll additions during the remainder of 2039, most of the time was spent trolling the waiver wire and the free agent list while trying to learn the strengths of the Cedars (15 minutes worth of work) and the weaknesses (15 hours). After the waiver wire additions and moving some people around to improve defense somewhat, the Cedars did manage to go 37-43 for the remainder of the season. The minor leagues did not look much more promising with AAA Victoria and A level team Ulaanbaatar hitting triple digits in the loss column.
With that being said, there was a few foundational blocks to build around, the Cedars front office decided to shore up the defense with some free agent signings and having a y’all come free agent signing for the pitching slots. All in all, there were 40 free agent signings (many on minor league contracts) and 8 coaching/front office positions filled.
After a 15-15 stint during spring training, hopes are a little higher for the Cedar faithful, although there are no spring training trophies given to my knowledge to teams that finish .500). Without any additional stammering, here is the projected opening day roster for the 2040 Beirut Cedars.
1. Carlos Torres, RF - Good defense, questionable at the plate but may draw a decent number of walks.
2. Oliver Ruiz, 1B- Free agent signing with no major league experience. Hit .311 in spring training with a few dingers and provides a solid glove at first base.
3. Dave Brunskill, LF – Hit .332 with 22 homers last season with Beirut with a decent glove.
4. Maximo Quezada, CF – Hit .278 with 25 homers last season with Beirut who also has a decent glove.
5. Ramiro Marino, DH – Hit .274 with 14 homer runs last season with Beirut. With only a 6 rating on defense, he will be relegated to DH duties for the most part.
6. Chester Owens, 2B- Hit .250 after joining Beirut halfway through 2039. Although he hit 20 homers for the year, he slowed down considerably in the second half of the year after injury. He tested the free agent waters and is now back with a minimum salary.
7. Tom Couthard, 3B Hit .225 with 9 homers for Beirut in 2039, but has a rifle arm and good glove in the hot corner.
8. Fernando Ortiz, C – Hit .241 with 7 homers from Beirut last year. Possesses a cannon behind the plate to hopefully help deter baserunners from stealing second.
9. Martin Cooper, SS – Hit .271 with 7 homers for Beirut last year as well. All the glove and speed you could ask for, but just a little too free-swinging at the plate.

Starters
1. R. J. Hughes – Went 10-14 with a 4.78 for Beirut last year. His numbers started improving in the second half of the year once the defense started its upgrade at various positions.
2. Van Willard – Acquired by Beirut off waivers toward the end of the 2039 season. Finished 10-8 overall with roughly a 3.50 ERA.
3. Manny Lopez – Acquired via a free agent signing this off season with minimal major league experience. Manny went 1-1 in spring training with a 2.29 ERA.
4. Henning Veenman – Claimed off waivers last season and went 6-10 in 2039.
5. Abel Gibson – Free agent signing who went 15-6 with a 4.00 ERA last year.

Bullpen
1. Felipe Jiminez – Had a 7.1 ERA last year with Beirut but had a 3.18 ERA this spring training. Time will tell which is the better indicator, but we have a suspicions.
2. Logan Olivas - Had a 3.71 ERA with Beirut last year. Had a similiar ERA this spring training.
3. Andres Icaza – Had a 3.18 ERA in 11 innings during this spring training
4. Pablo Morales – Signed in the off-season to help bolster up the bullpen.
5. Fernando Ortiz – Probably slotted as a long reliever at this point with a 6.09 ERA last year in Beirut
6. Esteban Gil – Went between the bullpen and being a starter for Beirut in 2039 while compiling a 3.76 ERA
7. Corbin Torres – Closer – spent the majority of the second half of the season on injured reserve in 2039. He did record three saves during spring training but had a 5.40 ERA.

Re: Beirut Dugout Dirt - The NewMEBA Chronicle Edition

Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2019 1:08 pm
by RonCo
There is no eye in Team.

Nice new look for the Cedars, though. It's a tough division. Should be a fun one to watch.

Re: Beirut Dugout Dirt - The NewMEBA Chronicle Edition

Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2019 8:57 am
by recte44
:link:

Re: Beirut Dugout Dirt - The NewMEBA Chronicle Edition

Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2019 8:17 pm
by allenciox
Good luck to you... the first few weeks of the season have not been kind to Beirut, but a lot of it has to do with the fact that you have yet to play a home game. Hang in there!

Re: Beirut Dugout Dirt - The NewMEBA Chronicle Edition

Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2019 11:39 am
by RonCo
Four game wining streak....is this a turn around?

Re: Beirut Dugout Dirt - The NewMEBA Chronicle Edition

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2019 8:11 am
by shoeless.db
Cool write up. I'd say it's a Cedar resurgence but there was never a 'surgence to begin with...