Johnson League 2016 Preview

[aaronweiner]

Welcome to your 2016 Johnson League Preview, the first of its kind. (I have written the Frick League in each of the past three years.)

Cheatsheet:


Projected finishes:

JLA: Louisville, Greenville, Halifax, Baltimore

JLM: Chicago, Madison, Omaha, Yellow Springs

FLP: California, Valencia, Hawaii, Vancouver


Wild card winner: Valencia/California (projected tie)

[hr]

The Johnson League has won just three of the last eleven Landis Memorial Series and just one of the last five, when Baltimore took down Seattle in seven games. However, some new powers have arisen in the Johnson like Valencia and Louisville, and it’s starting to look like time is evening out the difference between the leagues.

That said, as far as I can tell, this might be a pretty dull season in the Johnson. Madison and Greenville have enough horses to keep it interesting, but as it stands right now, the same four teams that made the playoffs last year look like they’ll make it this year.

That isn’t to say there isn’t anything to watch. As mentioned, Madison and Greenville might make the playoffs and put last year’s JL Champion and last year’s top record out of the playoffs. Baltimore is a completely remade team. Vancouver might threaten California’s 40-win season to become the worst team of all time.

However, if I’m predicting, I’m going to say we get the same matchups as last year, and it will be fascinating to see how four very evenly matched teams face off in the JL playoffs.


Note: All Gained/Lost players are through free agency unless otherwise indicated.

Note 2: The Frick League won 20 more games than the Johnson did last year, and that’s what I’m projecting again. As with last year, if you don’t like that, I suggest you complain to someone else.


[hr]

Johnson League Atlantic
Other preview:


Louisville Sluggers

Other preview:

Last year's record: 90-72
2016 Runs scored/Runs allowed: 790/707

Gained:

Nobody

Lost:

OF John Holland


Outlook:

OK, raise your hand if you’ll be surprised to hear that Louisville is my pick to win the FL Atlantic again. What? Nobody? Nobody at all? You there, in the back, running Greenville? Okay then, we have a contender. Picking Louisville to win the FL Atlantic is probably the single most obvious selection in the previews this year, though I don’t think it’s the walkover the game does.

I don’t think the race is hopeless; Greenville could make it interesting for Louisville. It isn’t helping that Louisville, who has the #2 farm system in the game, has basically fired most of their bullets as far as ready major league talent goes. Louisville still has a very questionable bullpen past the fairly reliable duo of Stanley Price and Iestyn Pilgrim. And Devin Clark has taken a talent hit.

Still, it’s hard to go against a team as solid as Louisville, the reigning JL Champs. I don’t think they’ll win 95 games or anything, but another 90-win season doesn’t seem out of the question. This team is maybe one or two years away from blowing up, maybe, though they’ll have to figure out a pitching staff in a couple years. At this point it’s difficult to indict anything they’re doing.



Projected Record: 90-72


[hr]

Greenville Moonshiners

Other preview:

Last year's record: 83-79
2016 Runs scored/Runs allowed: 813/749

Gained:

P Alfonso Cervantes (Rule 5)

P Thurman Blankenship (Rule 5)

P Dave Bainbridge (Rule 5)

Lost:

OF Chris Neal

P Xu-Gang Li

Outlook:

OK, we’ve got a bone to pick with Greenville, who has one of the league’s highest payrolls at $108.7 million. Why on earth would this team allow Martin Felix and Doug Glover, among others, to go to arbitration? Felix and Glover are two of the league’s brightest young stars, to say the very least; why wouldn’t you want to lock in their salaries for the next three years? One should hope they don’t do the same thing with Antonio Estrada, one of the league’s breakout stars last year.

Which brings up the obvious fact that Greenville might be a lot better than we think they are. The Moonshiners have a pretty dangerous offense to go with a dangerous rotation. Three of their guys finished in the top five in the Sawyer Silk voting; Felix and Chuck Bowers finished in a virtual tie for first, with Felix getting the hardware. Mack Milholm, who returns from a yearlong injury, should move the dials quite a bit for Greenville. The team could use a way to get rid of Miguel Toro and acquire a really good first baseman, but I digress.

So what’s wrong with Greenville? Their bullpen after Wally Walker is a tire fire (see THREE Rule 5 picks), but the beta on this team is enormous – they could go anywhere from 82 wins to 95, depending on how the actual games play out. We’re sure they can hit their way back from any leads the bullpen might blow. In other words, this team might have a real shot at both the division and the wild card. We’ll put them smack down in the middle of 82 and 95…which means the Moonshiners will be nipping at the heels of Louisville all year long.

Projected Record: 89-73


[hr]


Halifax Hawks

Other preview:

Last year's record:
2016 Runs scored/Runs allowed:

Gained:

3B Juan Gonzalez (Rule 5)

1B Adrian Mora? (development)

Richard Poe? (development)

Lost:

2B Jeff Mueller

Outlook:

Halifax is an interesting case, and sort of a perfect test case for rebuilding styles. What do I mean? When rebuilding, you can take a lot of different tactics. You can rebuild around youth alone. You can keep a few veterans and not build too much around them, holding the team afloat while building the farm from within and hoping some of the vets are still there at the end of the rebuilding process. Or, you can build around a few players that you’re sure will be there at the end. The latter method is usually the best, and that’s what Halifax is doing.

For example, we like Richard Mazzola, which is a pretty easy statement to make. They’re abusing the guy terribly; he went 7 innings a start and probably didn’t throw too many starts last year under 100 pitches, but he was fantastic last year. Gentle with the man! The rest of their rotation is going to be wildly inconsistent, but at least they all throw hard. Enea Ginori is probably ready, but I can’t think of any reason to rush him to the majors, either.

Plus, I defy you to find a better trio of young hitters than Juan Garcia, Lewis Stephens and Mike Love, the oldest of which is 26. However, I defy you to find a worse rest of the lineup than Halifax. Christopher Lee did pound the snot out of JL pitchers last year, but he’s the rest of the best of a bad lot that also includes a still-effective Pat Park. Richard Poe could also be used in right field, but there’s absolutely no reason why he HAS to be used in right field.

I am impressed with the effort that Halifax has put forward this year, but I’m not seeing them finishing any better than 3rd or any higher than at best .500 in 2015. Their farm system was upgraded to fifth in the league and JJ Abrams might be ready sooner than any of us expected.


Projected Record: 73-89


[hr]


Baltimore Monarchs

Other preview:

Last year's record: 66-96
2016 Runs scored/Runs allowed: 738/860

Gained:

A megaton

Lost:

Same megaton.

Outlook:

Baltimore has been the team most in flux this offseason. That said, few teams have made so many moves and accomplished so little, and maybe the former owner knew it – he was like a bright beacon of light that vanished into thin air. The owner’s departure is why I didn’t bother listing off all of his moves (besides the obvious fact that it would have doubled the size of the preview!). There are plenty of gaps on this team, and it’s hard to see them returning to contention.

For example, the offense lacks identity and star power; none of the players are especially good at anything other than Kyle Stanley, who has proven to be good at hitting homers and not much else. He might thrive in Baltimore’s environment, though Vegas isn’t that hard a place to hit homers. None of the other hitters are especially good at anything, and the loss of Vazquez will offset anything else they might do this offseason offensively.

The pitching staff isn’t nearly so much of a mess as in prior years, but it’s still kind of messy. My suggestion: Baltimore is historically a hitter’s park, but this team should strive to get enough PPT such that they can turn it into a pitcher’s park this offseason. That might help players like Phil Briggs and Grey Street, power pitchers who might tend to walk guys but who wouldn’t give up a lot of home runs in a true pitcher’s park.

The team has serious structural problems that will probably prevent them from contention, but if everything went right the team could finish at .500 this year. I also like their farm better than some teams, but it’s still just middle of the pack either way. A little patience would go a long way for this team.


Projected Record: 72-90


[hr]


Johnson League Midwest
Other preview:


Chicago Black Sox

Other preview:

Last year's record: 95/67
2016 Runs scored/Runs allowed: 748/606

Gained:

P Fernando Nava (promotion)

Oscar Lindsey (full year)

Lost:

SP Jason Brooks

Alonso Rodriguez

DH/OF Phil Owry



Outlook:

The first signs of a fading dynasty began as the Black Sox lost Jason Brooks, Alonso Rodriguez]Alonso Rodriguez[/url], and Phil Owry to free agency. They could have considered signing one or more of them, but attrition will affect all successful teams over time. That’s the bad news. The good news is that the Black Sox are still a very dangerous ballclub and still capable of making some noise in the Johnson League, but the signs of erosion might begin playing a role in the team’s future.

Of course, any pitching staff that’s headed by Tom Madonald and Antonio Rodriguez and Roy Nevel, Jr. is pretty good, and any bullpen that has the wrecking crew of Craig Murray (maybe the greatest reliever ever to this point), Josh O’Kennelly and Jonathan Sorensen is going to close out a LOT of games. The rest of the staff isn’t great, but there’s so much star power that it’s fine.

Walter Uno will probably do a fine job of replacing Owry’s bat, and Oscar Lindsey had a fantastic (if unrepeatable) rookie campaign. I like the young catcher Jake Norton, too, and the team has a lot of solid hitters, from Bart Lavigne to Eric Thorne to Matthew Stuart. I think they’ll be fine.

So, will the Black Sox win their division again? All signs point to maybe. It’s going to be a race between then and Madison, who upgraded a ton in free agency. For my money, it’s Chicago, but that’s why they play the games.



Projected Record: 93-69


[hr]


Madison Wolves

Other preview: http://baseballretrospective.com/MBBA/p ... 77&t=11409

Last year's record: 83-79
2016 Runs scored/Runs allowed: 758/725

Gained:

LF Billy Beauford

Alonso Rodriguez

Lost:

MR Lloyd Reece

IF Bernard Maselli

1B Orlando Chavez

Outlook:

I would say that the single biggest offseason acquisition wasn’t Lucio Vazquez or Phil Briggs. I’m voting for Billy Beauford, and not just because of 5 years, $70 million, and not just because he’s just one year removed from three consecutive seasons of 5+ WAR.

It’s because Madison, who was basically about to start dipping into disrespectable territory, now has new life in both the division and wild card races. The Wolves not only signed Beauford, but they nabbed Alonso Rodriguez away from division rival Chicago. Add those guys to GOAT Charles Puckett, Tome Lopez, Robert Harrell, Cam Adams, etc, and we could easily be looking at a 850-900 run team this year.

They say that in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. An 850-run season might not sound like a lot until you consider that would have led the Johnson League in scoring last year – by FORTY runs – and would have been over a hundred runs better than anyone in their division (and basically everyone but Louisville and Greenville).

Madison could make some noise in the wild card race this year. I’m going to say they don’t win it, but they could win it. That’s saying a lot for a Johnson League which seemed basically predetermined before the offseason. Chris Wilson got exactly one vote from anyone for GM of the Year, and that vote was my first place vote for being able to continue propping up an aging franchise that hasn’t had a first round pick in the top half in forever. If he wins the wild card, that vote might be unanimous this year.

Projected Record: 88-74


[hr]


Omaha Barnstormers

Other preview: http://baseballretrospective.com/MBBA/p ... w=previous

Last year's record: 80-82
2016 Runs scored/Runs allowed: 715/705

Gained:

C Shane Nobbs

IF Yves Riviere (trade)


Lost:

1B Don Goodwin

SP Jeremy Gaze

RP Andres Campos

RP Tom Rodriguez

OF Bob Goodwin

Outlook:

Few teams have more major league lefty pitching than the Barnstormers, and nearly none have a pitcher of the caliber of their #1 starter, Steve Hoffman, who has been nearly injury-free since joining Omaha’s staff. However, this team has huge holes and huge question marks.

The biggest problem area is the offense, which will be a mess this year. If Ruben Venegas is your cleanup hitter, you don’t have one. I don’t really get why they’re using an on-base stud like Riviere at the bottom of the order, but to each his own. There are significant structural problems with this lineup: who drives in runs? Is Ron Holmes anywhere near the All-Star he was last year, or is he much more average than his spectacular 2015 would suggest?

Sure, the rotation is led by Hoffman, solid starters like Jerome Powell and Nick Clayton and intriguing players like Ace Young and Mike Hibbard, but the team has a significant problem with bullpen depth, a problem that may be solved in two or three years but might not have anywhere to go right now.

I can’t see a playoff berth record for this crew, because they simply don’t have the offensive horses. Who drives in runs? Ron Holmes is playing way above his head. I’m also a little skeptical of Nick Moore, who might have less problems with on-base percentage but might not slug .500 again. The rotation isn’t bad, but the bullpen mostly is. There’s nothing to recommend this team as a contender, but they’re building around good pieces and have a very decent farm system.

Projected Record: 80-82


[hr]
 


Yellow Springs Nine

Other preview:

Last year's record: 66-96
2016 Runs scored/Runs allowed: 553/750

Gained:

SP Jeremy Gaze

2B Gideon Camm

P Francisco Medina (Rule 5)

Lost:

3B Juan Gonzalez

RP Lorenzo Morales

Outlook:

OK, somebody is going to have to tell me how Luis Bonilla not only pitched as well as he did, but gave up just six home runs in sixty innings last year. That alone could win (if I had one) the MBWBA WTF Award, for the player who makes me want to stand up and say, “WTF!”

In other news, Bo Jordan is good. Oh, you say you knew that? Well, here’s something you might not know: Jordan is probably underrated. The game thinks he’s going to hit 24 homers this year. I say 35. He might also hit .300 while doing it. The bad news is that Jordan is basically the team’s entire offense – and yes, I mean the…whole…thing. Clarence Diamond might be one of the most underrated players in the league, but he’s not going to turn the dials enough. This is a pathetic offense.

I’m a fan of Ron Harmon and Leon Magdayao , but this is also a pathetic rotation. The bullpen is pretty much okay, but lacks a lot of star power. There’s plenty of good news on the farm, but the team on the field is ugly. Even with Vancouver basically giving wins away this year, Yellow Springs, who is projected at 73-89 (still the second-worst record in the Johnson) should still lose about 95 games. At least.


Projected Record: 67-95


[hr]

Johnson League West Division


California Crusaders

Other preview:

Last year's record: 93-69
2016 Runs scored/Runs allowed: 685/587

Gained:

C Ricardo Rios (trade)

2B Nolan Jackson

1B Ben Heath? (promotion)

Lost:

SS Steve Williams

RF Jude Longton

1B Javier Montero



Outlook:

When you got it, don’t mess with it too much. That’s what California’s been doing, and it’s been a winning formula lately. So, why can’t they win in the playoffs? It’s worth examining.

From what I can tell, the biggest problem with this team is their on-base percentage. While this team can hit home runs in bunches – 189 last year, 223 in 2014, 220 in 2013 – too often the team has nobody to drive in. Rob Cramer was amazing last year, and even he had just a .348 OBP, roughly equal to Louisville’s entire team OBP. It’s how you can have a team that’s consistently in the top three in home runs and have your best offensive performance over the past three seasons be 5th.

I think if California, who admittedly is capped out, could add a couple big OBP guys to the top of the order, replacing guys like Moon Jetson, Martin Franco and Carl Kidd, you’d see a big difference in the way things happen. In the meantime, the strength of their pitching staff (#1 in each of the past two years in runs allowed) and their defense alone will put them into the playoffs. They could easily win it all if their bats get hot in October without any moves, but if they get creative, watch out.

Projected Record: 93-69


[hr]


Valencia Stars

Other preview: http://baseballretrospective.com/MBBA/p ... w=previous

Last year's record: 90-72
2016 Runs scored/Runs allowed: 713/654

Gained:

RP Jesse Lambert

P Felipe Cruz? (promotion)

Lost:

RP Donald Long

Outlook:

After a heartbreaking loss in Game 7 the Cartwright last year, the Valencia Stars have to be shaking their heads a little bit. Surely Valencia would have been a better match for the Birmingham Bandits than the Louisville Sluggers, who were swept out of the Landis with a whimper. What’s interesting is that the Stars went this far with many very solid players having terrible seasons. And I’m thinking that if they were willing to be aggressive, they could really improve.

For example, they could start by calling up Skip Glendenning, if they dare. Oh, sure, the phenom’s control isn’t ready yet, but he’s already comparable to a guy like, say, Omaha’s Javier Alomar, who’s only been one of the best closers in the game for a decade. The DH position is manned by Austin Gibson, whose best days are clearly way behind him, and moving Gibson would clear up $10 million of cap space. Cecil Bradley isn’t much of a cleanup hitter, and while he’s still cheap and Jason Dunn’s this team’s primary run producer (however bad his 2015 season was), you don’t want to have to count on him. They still have over $7 million in cap space.

What I’m saying, basically, is that this team is young, talented, cheap and well-constructed for now, but their title window isn’t forever. Valencia should concentrate less on franchise-building and more on trying to win championships.


Projected Record: 93-69


[hr]


Hawaii Tropics

Other preview:

Last year's record: 82-80
2016 Runs scored/Runs allowed: 753/736

Gained:

SP Jorge Hernandez (trade)

RP Justin Neely (trade)

P Elvin Willard (trade)

OF Antoine Haddad (trade)

RP Eric Craigston

3B Shawn McClure



Lost:

Outlook:

It’s complicated. We think that Hawaii will can finish at or above .500 again, with no hope at all of catching the dual contenders in Valencia and California, in no small part because of the Vancouver boost. Vancouver’s going to lose a LOT of games this year – and I mean a LOT of games. Just being in their division, getting to play them twenty times, is probably worth something like 4-5 wins all by itself.

People will tell you that lineup order doesn’t matter, but it does somewhat. For example, Brian Vogel is really a cleanup hitter. Mark Davis hit a remarkable 40 homers last year, but he’s not really that guy. And the bottom of the lineup is a mess.

Their rotation is headed by a real #1 starter, in Christopher Pump, Jr., and Jorge Hernandez is fine and Joe Miller should be adequate, but the rest of the rotation is a little troublesome. The end of their bullpen is very good; I’m an unabashed David Dubois fan.

So yes, I think Hawaii might be a better team than, say, Omaha. And this team is working hard to improve, and it’s worth noting. But they don’t have the offensive horses to win nearly 90 games, barring some very good luck, and that’s what it’s going to take to take down Cali and Valencia. Hawaii is in no-man’s land, as far as I can tell, but at least has a puncher’s chance at a playoff spot.


Projected Record: 84-78


[hr]

Vancouver Mounties

Other preview: http://baseballretrospective.com/MBBA/p ... w=previous

Last year's record: 62-100
2016 Runs scored/Runs allowed: 553/750

Gained:

SS Lorenzo Villareal

2B Jose Rivera (Rule 5)

RP Luis Flores (trade)

Lost:

RP Pete Bedford (trade)

1B Douglas Newhouse


Outlook:

Welcome to the worst franchise right now in the MBWBA (unless that franchise is Marquette). Welcome to a franchise where their two best young major league guys are Jeremy Alexander (21 Ks in 65 innings last year) and Ken Strout (.728 OPS).

At least they have a good farm, right? Well, no. Their farm is 21st in the league. At least they have some decent on-field talent, right? Well, no. No bad contracts either, right? Well, Jason Egan and Robbie Sargent combine for $21 million and should put up about 1/10th of that in productivity, and they’ve pledged to keep them until they drop. They might as well. Zach Brown makes $12.5 million and while he was actually phenomenal coming over from Omaha last year, he’s 36 and his days as a productive pro are likely numbered.

I have a specific empathy for Vancouver, who is about to embark upon the league’s longest rebuilding program. This is the very end result of years of selling out to contend, and while Vancouver has twelve playoff appearances and two titles to show for their years of contention, this franchise is now a wasteland of broken bodies and broken dreams. The game projects them for 124 losses. I think they could lose 130, but I’ll go on the safe side.


Projected Record: 40-122


[hr]

[bschr682]

For what its worth, I think this team is better than last years team. So I'd like to think I won't come anywhere near 120 losses. Other than that, yea we are pretty bad.

[Cole]

Nice writeup, helps get a feel for what I'm walking into... The 'megaton' lost and gained is interesting. Hopefully I can do something with this megaton I have inherited.

[aaronweiner]

For what its worth, I think this team is better than last years team. So I'd like to think I won't come anywhere near 120 losses. Other than that, yea we are pretty bad.

I did miss the addition of Gould, who might help somewhat by hitting .290 with 40 doubles - he came on pretty strong lately. I still think this team is a mess, and predicting 120 losses is pretty bold on my part - I wouldn't be surprised if you beat the estimate. I just don't know who you're stealing wins from.

[7teen]

Good, safe predictions...

The Johnson League has not sent the same 4 teams to the post-season since the 2008-2009. So for 6 consecutive seasons the JL has seen a change in at least 1 playoff team. Here's to hoping that streak continues!

[aaronweiner]

Nice writeup, helps get a feel for what I'm walking into... The 'megaton' lost and gained is interesting. Hopefully I can do something with this megaton I have inherited.

At least you have a farm. And I actually like your draft so far. (I was responsible for your selection of Macy, so you know I approve of part of it at least. )

[aaronweiner]

Good, safe predictions...

The Johnson League has not sent the same 4 teams to the post-season since the 2008-2009. So for 6 consecutive seasons the JL has seen a change in at least 1 playoff team. Here's to hoping that streak continues!

That's something I didn't know. (Files that away under interesting stuff.)

[Cole]

Nice writeup, helps get a feel for what I'm walking into... The 'megaton' lost and gained is interesting. Hopefully I can do something with this megaton I have inherited.

At least you have a farm. And I actually like your draft so far. (I was responsible for your selection of Macy, so you know I approve of part of it at least. )

Well thanks for that! It's going to take me a while to get caught up and everything is a little overwhelming now, but I am looking forward to the ride.

[7teen]

Good, safe predictions...

The Johnson League has not sent the same 4 teams to the post-season since the 2008-2009. So for 6 consecutive seasons the JL has seen a change in at least 1 playoff team. Here's to hoping that streak continues!

That's something I didn't know. (Files that away under interesting stuff.)

I spend too much time on the history page..... I like to live in the past. I'm afraid of what the future holds in Madison.

[aaronweiner]

My pick to replace a playoff team is probably Greenville, but it could be interesting in a lot of ways.

[bschr682]

Good, safe predictions...

The Johnson League has not sent the same 4 teams to the post-season since the 2008-2009. So for 6 consecutive seasons the JL has seen a change in at least 1 playoff team. Here's to hoping that streak continues!

That's something I didn't know. (Files that away under interesting stuff.)

I spend too much time on the history page..... I like to live in the past. I'm afraid of what the future holds in Madison.

See my team. haha.

[Cole]

One interesting thing from this piece (and other MBWBA writing I've noticed) is that OOTP/game aspects are mentioned. Player's in-game ratings, spending PPT on certain things, etc. I have been in leagues in the past where the focus is to try to make the reporting/writing seem like it's on an actual real-life league as opposed to kind of breaking the reality, so to speak and making it clear you're writing about a computer game.

Either way works and I imagine it's up to personal preference (personally, as a real-life journalist, my articles/writing tend to resemble real-life baseball reporting/stories, no mention of OOTP-esque elements, etc) ... But some leagues the kind of breaking reality thing is even discouraged, so good to see there seems to be a lot of freedom here to write in any way we want.

[trmmilwwi]

Great writeup! There are a few nuggets in there but the One Eyed Man comment was awesome!!

YS9 are still bad... I think there may be some talent with Kim at 3B and Rodriguez/Brito platoon in RF that could help me by 5-8 wins. It's a huge maybe though.. look for the FA vets to become available June 1st.

[7teen]

One interesting thing from this piece (and other MBWBA writing I've noticed) is that OOTP/game aspects are mentioned. Player's in-game ratings, spending PPT on certain things, etc. I have been in leagues in the past where the focus is to try to make the reporting/writing seem like it's on an actual real-life league as opposed to kind of breaking the reality, so to speak and making it clear you're writing about a computer game.

Either way works and I imagine it's up to personal preference (personally, as a real-life journalist, my articles/writing tend to resemble real-life baseball reporting/stories, no mention of OOTP-esque elements, etc) ... But some leagues the kind of breaking reality thing is even discouraged, so good to see there seems to be a lot of freedom here to write in any way we want.

It's really up to you. I tend to do a little bit of both. I mix aspects of making it real but also tie in their ratings to certain posts.

[Greeney03]

Great write up! Trust me though, If I had the money right now, I would lock Felix and Glover.

[Fat Nige]

Nice write-up Aaron ! I would have liked to keep Rodriguez but the amount of $$/yrs he was asking for didn't just make sense when you've got Vincent Lancaster waiting in the wings. I am getting very short of wiggle room in the $ dept. so introducing players like Lindsey & Lancaster might help prolong the dynasty

[felipe]

You're the weiner! Weiner!

[aaronweiner]

One interesting thing from this piece (and other MBWBA writing I've noticed) is that OOTP/game aspects are mentioned. Player's in-game ratings, spending PPT on certain things, etc. I have been in leagues in the past where the focus is to try to make the reporting/writing seem like it's on an actual real-life league as opposed to kind of breaking the reality, so to speak and making it clear you're writing about a computer game.

Either way works and I imagine it's up to personal preference (personally, as a real-life journalist, my articles/writing tend to resemble real-life baseball reporting/stories, no mention of OOTP-esque elements, etc) ... But some leagues the kind of breaking reality thing is even discouraged, so good to see there seems to be a lot of freedom here to write in any way we want.

Well, you'll note that yours is the only article for which I did that - and I did it because the other guy was ALSO a new owner.

[crobillard]

Excellent article bud. A lot of these guys wont make it to the bigs this year. JJ Abrams, Ginori and Poe were just up to see some extra time for development purposes. Craigie is the only rookie this year. With that said, if we win 73 games that'd be cool. You're absolutely right though. I'm building the team around a core of players while trying to stay relatively competitive. We'll see how it turns out without a top five pick.

[aaronweiner]

Excellent article bud. A lot of these guys wont make it to the bigs this year. JJ Abrams, Ginori and Poe were just up to see some extra time for development purposes. Craigie is the only rookie this year. With that said, if we win 73 games that'd be cool. You're absolutely right though. I'm building the team around a core of players while trying to stay relatively competitive. We'll see how it turns out without a top five pick.

A very good strategy.