Bandit Post, Vol 6.11, 1997
Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 9:42 am
News and Notes
Hayden Finch, Donnie Rotten To Be Offered Arbitration
While Hayden Finch has been asking management repeatedly for a contract extension, it appears that the Birmingham front office has decided to offer Finch arbitration, likely making him a free agent this offseason.
A source inside the Birmingham organization said that the move was a matter of fit rather than Finch's ability. "While we feel that Hayden's numbers and his work ethic deserve a significant extension, we feel that in a home run park, Finch is a bad fit," said the anonymous source.
The numbers seem to back up the assertion that Finch is a bad fit for the ballpark. Before he arrived in Birmingham, Finch had allowed 40 homers in a season just once before, and had allowed 30 homers just twice in the previous five years. However, in Birmingham, Finch has allowed 40 homers in this season and last, including 48 last year, and the 36 he allowed in 1995 was his highest total in nine seasons (since 1987).
"We'll be happy if Hayden accepts arbitration," said Weiner. "We hope that he wants to come back here. If he doesn't, well, there's definitely someone out there who'd want him."
However, like most players in his situation, Finch is likely to decline arbitration and become a free agent.
"I don't plan on retiring, of course I don't," said Finch. "I was hoping that Birmingham would keep me here for a few more years, especially since I've won 41 games in three years here. But if they want to let me go I guess I'll have to see what's out there. The game's a business and I know that. I'd still welcome a possible return."
Donnie Rotten, a midseason acquisition, hit 25 homers from the middle infield this year and should be sought after in the open market by teams who need a powerhitting middle infielder. Despite his outstanding defense, he had lost his job to Willie Greene, whose and whose bat really came alive after a slow start, even winning a Player of the Week award this season.
"I'm sorry that I couldn't help Birmingham win a pennant," said Rotten. "I don't want to return here in a backup role, and that's all they could offer me. I'm looking forward to my next destination."
Pat Larkin Named Starter
Pluvius Avis-Albus may be one of the MBBA's best defensive catchers and has been a solid offensive player for the Bandits. However, Pat Larkin's bat was too much to ignore, and Larkin has been named the starter going into the 1998 season.
Pat Larkin hit .405 in the AAA Granville League, and since his call-up, he's hit .395 in the MBBA with a 1.110 OPS in 42 plate appearances. Larkin is expected to start about 65% of the time, with Avis-Albus as the starter against running teams like Hackensack, Las Vegas, Calgary and Seattle. Avis-Albus was disappointed at the news, but he understood why it had to happen.
"I mean, I get it, the guy hit .400 at AAA and now he's hitting .400 in the MBBA," said Avis-Albus. "I totally understand. I'm not happy about it, but I'm happy for Pat and I can't help but understand why it's happened."
"Well, honestly, I'm surprised at the announcement," said Larkin. "I mean, I've just gotten here and already I'm named starter for next year? It's crazy, it's exciting."
Monroe Gigolos win the Big One
The best prospects and near future of the Birmingham organization is at the AAA level, and if this year's playoffs were any indication of how that future may look, it appears bright indeed. The Monroe Gigolos captured the AAA Big One this week, and they did it without Pat Larkin or Warren Griffin.
In fact, the Gigolos didn't just win the AAA championship: they dominated the playoffs, winning eight of nine games in sweeping Washington and Syracuse and winning the last three against Corpus Christi.
"We're very proud of our AAA affiliate, the Monroe Gigolos, for winning the AAA title," said GM Aaron Weiner. "This shows that we have outstanding players at the minor league level and our dedication we have to building our farm system."
Monroe won despite not having .400 hitter Larkin (see above) or Warren Griffin, who led the team in RBI. Instead, the pitching staff dominated the playoffs. Three of the top five prospects in the Birmingham organization, Roy Kitt, Cleo Blanco and Gregory Sessums, shut down opposing bats. Blanco led the way with a 1.88 postseason ERA, Kitt had a 2.81 mark and Sessums managed a 3.86 ERA in the playoffs.
The Birmingham AA and A affiliates, Luverne and Vernonburg, also made the playoffs this season; however, neither of the two managed to win a game.
Transactions: Birmingham Offers To Extend Jack May, releases John Carver, Brick Tamland
Jack May has a contract offer for to a two-year deal following an outstanding campaign, and may be the leading candidate to close as long as he doesn't retire, according to team sources. May has posted a sparkling 3.16 ERA and 1.24 WHIP this season, and the midseason acquisition has entered negotiations for a contract extension.
"We're hoping that we can reach an agreement with Jack May," said GM Aaron Weiner. "May has been a real shot in the arm this year and we're looking forward to what he can do for a full season."
Also, former Bandits John Carver and Brick Tamland have been given their outright release. Carver has a career .254 average, but his skills had eroded steadily and he was hitting just .169 in 250 AAA at-bats before his release. Tamland hit very well in 1994 but has not been the same player since that time. Both players were set to earn $300,000 in 1998 if they were retained.
Hayden Finch, Donnie Rotten To Be Offered Arbitration
While Hayden Finch has been asking management repeatedly for a contract extension, it appears that the Birmingham front office has decided to offer Finch arbitration, likely making him a free agent this offseason.
A source inside the Birmingham organization said that the move was a matter of fit rather than Finch's ability. "While we feel that Hayden's numbers and his work ethic deserve a significant extension, we feel that in a home run park, Finch is a bad fit," said the anonymous source.
The numbers seem to back up the assertion that Finch is a bad fit for the ballpark. Before he arrived in Birmingham, Finch had allowed 40 homers in a season just once before, and had allowed 30 homers just twice in the previous five years. However, in Birmingham, Finch has allowed 40 homers in this season and last, including 48 last year, and the 36 he allowed in 1995 was his highest total in nine seasons (since 1987).
"We'll be happy if Hayden accepts arbitration," said Weiner. "We hope that he wants to come back here. If he doesn't, well, there's definitely someone out there who'd want him."
However, like most players in his situation, Finch is likely to decline arbitration and become a free agent.
"I don't plan on retiring, of course I don't," said Finch. "I was hoping that Birmingham would keep me here for a few more years, especially since I've won 41 games in three years here. But if they want to let me go I guess I'll have to see what's out there. The game's a business and I know that. I'd still welcome a possible return."
Donnie Rotten, a midseason acquisition, hit 25 homers from the middle infield this year and should be sought after in the open market by teams who need a powerhitting middle infielder. Despite his outstanding defense, he had lost his job to Willie Greene, whose and whose bat really came alive after a slow start, even winning a Player of the Week award this season.
"I'm sorry that I couldn't help Birmingham win a pennant," said Rotten. "I don't want to return here in a backup role, and that's all they could offer me. I'm looking forward to my next destination."
Pat Larkin Named Starter
Pluvius Avis-Albus may be one of the MBBA's best defensive catchers and has been a solid offensive player for the Bandits. However, Pat Larkin's bat was too much to ignore, and Larkin has been named the starter going into the 1998 season.
Pat Larkin hit .405 in the AAA Granville League, and since his call-up, he's hit .395 in the MBBA with a 1.110 OPS in 42 plate appearances. Larkin is expected to start about 65% of the time, with Avis-Albus as the starter against running teams like Hackensack, Las Vegas, Calgary and Seattle. Avis-Albus was disappointed at the news, but he understood why it had to happen.
"I mean, I get it, the guy hit .400 at AAA and now he's hitting .400 in the MBBA," said Avis-Albus. "I totally understand. I'm not happy about it, but I'm happy for Pat and I can't help but understand why it's happened."
"Well, honestly, I'm surprised at the announcement," said Larkin. "I mean, I've just gotten here and already I'm named starter for next year? It's crazy, it's exciting."
Monroe Gigolos win the Big One
The best prospects and near future of the Birmingham organization is at the AAA level, and if this year's playoffs were any indication of how that future may look, it appears bright indeed. The Monroe Gigolos captured the AAA Big One this week, and they did it without Pat Larkin or Warren Griffin.
In fact, the Gigolos didn't just win the AAA championship: they dominated the playoffs, winning eight of nine games in sweeping Washington and Syracuse and winning the last three against Corpus Christi.
"We're very proud of our AAA affiliate, the Monroe Gigolos, for winning the AAA title," said GM Aaron Weiner. "This shows that we have outstanding players at the minor league level and our dedication we have to building our farm system."
Monroe won despite not having .400 hitter Larkin (see above) or Warren Griffin, who led the team in RBI. Instead, the pitching staff dominated the playoffs. Three of the top five prospects in the Birmingham organization, Roy Kitt, Cleo Blanco and Gregory Sessums, shut down opposing bats. Blanco led the way with a 1.88 postseason ERA, Kitt had a 2.81 mark and Sessums managed a 3.86 ERA in the playoffs.
The Birmingham AA and A affiliates, Luverne and Vernonburg, also made the playoffs this season; however, neither of the two managed to win a game.
Transactions: Birmingham Offers To Extend Jack May, releases John Carver, Brick Tamland
Jack May has a contract offer for to a two-year deal following an outstanding campaign, and may be the leading candidate to close as long as he doesn't retire, according to team sources. May has posted a sparkling 3.16 ERA and 1.24 WHIP this season, and the midseason acquisition has entered negotiations for a contract extension.
"We're hoping that we can reach an agreement with Jack May," said GM Aaron Weiner. "May has been a real shot in the arm this year and we're looking forward to what he can do for a full season."
Also, former Bandits John Carver and Brick Tamland have been given their outright release. Carver has a career .254 average, but his skills had eroded steadily and he was hitting just .169 in 250 AAA at-bats before his release. Tamland hit very well in 1994 but has not been the same player since that time. Both players were set to earn $300,000 in 1998 if they were retained.