2030 FLH and FLP Previews

[Ted]

Sorry, been busy with work. Most of you have already looked at these in the Media guide, but Stephen pointed out that it would be good to have them here for the sake of discussion. This is the raw, text only version I sent to Stephen. Sorry for the lack of links.



2030 Frick League Heartland

<Projected (from my individual team writeups) and last year's standings - Stephen, it's hard to make a table in text, but I figured it would nice to these here as a summary>

To the dismay of general managers in the Brewster (and perhaps right minded people everywhere) that aren't psychotic despots with delusions of grandeur, 2029 saw the return of the Louisville Sluggers to prominence. A year and a realignment removed from winning one of the worst divisions in Brewster history with a 78-84 record, the Sluggers collection of drug addicts, mercenaries, and boot-lickers won 102 games en route to a loss in the league finals. Louisville rode a core of young exciting players peppered with elite veterans for a dominant run that should continue in 2030.

The Sluggers ball-club wasn't the only franchise to establish itself as a legitimate title contender for the next few seasons. Ron Collins' Yellow Springs Nine have their own core of young superstar batters and a 1-2-3 punch in their rotation that few can match. The first half of the coming decade may well be the story of these two team's contention for division supremacy.

Two resurgent franchises is enough for one division, but the Des Moines Kernels look to crash the party in 2030. Edward Murphy's club may have had the most futile stretch in Brewster history, but after more than a decade finally looks ready to contend.

The Omaha Barnstormers continue to do more with less, and 2030 should be no different. A few years removed from their tear-down, some of the prospects they acquired are starting to make their mark in the Brewster. The Madison Wolves, after years of futility, have some talented young bats and hope to join the Barnstormers as an organization on the way back up.

At the bottom of the division you have two 110 loss teams. However, the Indianapolis Grasshoppers and Twin Cities River Monsters couldn't be much different. Twin Cities has a core of young players, mostly batters that is about ready to make an impact. Poor Indy frankly has no hope in sight.

We just missed having two 100 win teams and two 110 loss teams in the Heartland by one Yellow Springs loss last year, if that tells you the gap in talent between the good and bad teams in the Frick. Expect things to tighten up a bit in 2030, but don't expect a huge change in the order of finish.


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<Logo> Des Moines Kernels
<GM: Edward Murphy>
<2029 Record 81-81, RS:771 RA:701, -7 pyth> <2030 Prediction 85-77>

<“I have enjoyed my playing time in Des Moines, the fans are great, my team mates are awesome and everyone in the front office staff have be amazing. I feel the Kernels are on the door step of turning the team around, and I would not be surprised if they are in the wild card hunt this season." - Connor Tyldsly, after being taken in the expansion draft by Charm City

Post Subject: TN 2029-01>

Hold the phone!? Des Moines was 81-81?!?! .500??????? Is this a new dawn for the Kernels? Last time Des Moines was at or above .500 was waaaaaaaaaaay back in 2014. They have endured five 100 loss seasons and seven 90 less seasons in that time. Even more astonishingly, by pyth, Des Moines "should" have won 87 games last year, which would have just missed the playoffs. Someone get Connor Tyldsly's lotto numbers!

There's a lot to like about these new Kernels. The offense is lead by two legitimate superstars in catcher Cisco Arreola and first baseman William Moreland. Both are in the discussion for best in the league at their positions. Lew Driscoll has a bat at second, although he's a mediocre defender. That's probably okay because 2030 will see the debut of shortstop William S. Hardy, who has a terrific glove at short (along with a decent enough bat for the position). Rafael Alicea is a nice complementary hitter. The outfield is solid defensively and while not spectacular offensively shouldn't embarrass themselves. I can't believe this. I know the names of FIVE players in the Kernels offense off the top of my head!!!

The pitching staff is also the best this team has seen in decades. Tavio Ciccolella has shown he's a nice veteran junkballer type. Mike Davis, after lumping frighteningly has developed into a nice starter. Veteran Chris Lee is still alive and kicking. Ramon Hernandez (whose nickname "Pizza" is beyond superlative) might get some starting time this season after demonstrating he can hack it in the 'pen last year. Lefty Antonio Gonzales is a nice back of the rotation option. This team even has relievers!!!!

Color me crazy, but I think these are not your parent's Des Moines Kernels. This is a talented team with a mix of young stars and vets. I'm excited to see what they can do in 2030. I mean this in the most congratulatory way possible, but it's about damn time Ed! Go Kernels!!

Projection: 85-77


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<Logo> Indianapolis Grasshoppers
<GM: Nigel Laverick>
<2029 Record 49-113, RS:568 RA:885, -1 pyth> <2030 Prediction 49-113>

<Nineteen games into the reign of the new GM nothing much appears to have changed, at least at MBBA level. Of those 19 games just five have produced wins for the Grasshoppers, three of which were against expansion sides. It appears to be a real battle between the Indy Grasshoppers and the expansion Twin City River Monsters for the title of worst of the worst in the MBBA.

Post Subject: Grasshopper, You have much to learn (2029-2)>

Paul Scholes, Jesus Alvarado, Jesus Martinez, Patrick Lue, Jose Perez, Joe Clements, Luis Velasquez, and Jeffery Waller. If you said, "Hey, that's the exhaustive list of players on Indy's roster that belong in a starting role in the Brewster," give yourself a congratulatory pat on the back. Then go give Nigel Laverick a pat on the back. Maybe a hug, too. And maybe point him towards a good therapist.

It's going to be a bad year in Indianapolis. Maybe even worse than last year. Last year. You know, when they lost 113 games. It won't get better any time soon. Clements is the best and only high level prospect in the organization even close to being developed. It didn't help that two (or is it three?) GM's ago they lost most of their top end minor league talent in the rule 5 draft due to GM neglect.

Ugh. This team had a -300!!!! run differential last year. It could be worse this year. Poor Nigel. Poor Indy. Poor Grasshoppers fans.

Projection: 49-113


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<Logo> Louisville SLuggers
<GM: Stu Hopkins>
<2029 Record 102-60, RS:819 RA:657, +5 pyth> <2030 Prediction 95-67>

<"I apologize for neglecting you guys last season,"grimaced the Genius as he gestured at the drunken press horde,"We were just so awesome, that I figured I'd let the team do my talking for me by their excellence on the field. We performed almost as expected. The best team in the world, over 162 games. That's all me. That's roster management. That's immaculate planning. That's Genius."

Post Subject: 2030.1 Slugging our Weight...well, that sucked>

Genius Hopkins storms into his office. The door crashes into the wall. "Bring me the corpse of Charles Puckett!" he roars at "assistant GM" Devin "Fungo" Clark.

"Whaaa??" stammers Clark, spitting cheap whiskey all over his shirt. "Umm, boss?? I think Cricket is still alive."

"Huh? Well, fine then. Kill him. Then bring me his corpse. Maybe roll him around in the mud or let him float in the river for a day or two so he seems more . . . mushy."

Clark sits there looking more dumbstruck than usual.

"Do I have to explain everything?!?!" demands the Genius, dragging Clark out his chair by the front of his stained shirt. "I'm going to mail him to that jackass Collins piece by piece. Upstart thinks he compete with my mighty Sluggers! I'll teach him to win games in MY division. I exiled the last idiot who tried to the other league! What was his name? Alers? Ellen something?"

Clark flounders, "..b-but, killing Puckett, boss? For Yellow Springs? I ... I don't understand..."

Genius drops Clark to the floor, "I don't pay you to understand, jackass. I'm the genius here. Imagine the horror as they receive a new body part every day for a month. It'll ruin their clubhouse ... and maybe it'll cause disease or something."

Leaning in close to Clark, he grins evilly, "Besides, it'll piss off Wilson."

Oh, right. A preview. Well, Louisvlle brings back pretty much the same team that won 102 games last year. Out is Manny Bautista, but there is young pitching in this organization to take his place. First up will be Ace Colbert, Jr. Another youngster who could see time this year is first baseman Fernando Cruz.

The offense has star caliber talent at every position, and the pitching staff is deep and talented. In a division with two teams looking like they could lose 100 games again, Louisville looks like the clear front runner.

Projection: 95-67


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<Logo> Madison Wolves
<GM: Chris Wilson>
<2029 Record 66-96, RS:665 RA:750, -6 pyth> <2030 Prediction 72-90>

<The end of the Salazar era in Madison has arrived. 89 million dollars for a 1 year extension. Puh-leeze.

Post Subject: That's What Cheesehead - 29.24 - Failed Experiment Over>

Is this the year Madison finally turns things around? The offense looks solid. A whole year of John Mick and the arrival of uber-prospect Luis Barrera could jump start a lineup that frankly seemed to underachieve last year. A lineup with Dusty Rhodes, Don Draper, Manuel Garcia, Manuel Freyta, and Steve Dempsy should have been better last year. Perhaps they are a bit right-handed batter heavy, but these righties have real talent.

The starting rotation is still Marcos Villegas and a bunch of 4th and 5th starters. The pen on the other hand is quite good, anchored by Cesar Martinez, Emilio Sanchez, and the Vargases Ruben and Manny. The difficulty for the Wolves will be getting to these guys with a lead. The defense is only average, so they aren't going to rob many batters.

If Madison's offense can take a step forward and get into the 700 runs scored range, the Wolves could finally get things headed in the right direction. They'll have to do that without the great Afredo Salazar, but I'm betting Mick, Barerra, and rebound years from some of their mainstays more than picks up the slack.

Projection: 72-90


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<Logo> Omaha Barnstormers
<GM: Fred Holmes>
<2029 Record 87-75, RS:671 RA:687, +8 pyth> <2030 Prediction 83-79>

<GM Holmes: "All we're worried about is being in the Landis discussion next season. If we play well, the accolades will follow."

Post Subject: 2029.3: Omaha Shut Out of Postseason Awards>

Fred Holmes knows something I don't. Actually, a lot of people know things I don't. Like married people, or people that are happy with their jobs, or own a house, or know how to get their act together. Some people know things about dogs, or how to get pretty girls to like you. I do know that in some strange way those last two things are related. I just can't figure out how. Some people know things about pop music. I don't. I'm actually kind of proud of that one.

What Fred Holmes seems to know is how to get the most out of the least talent. I have no clue how his Barstormers teams have been winning recently. Interesting tidbit, Holmes has eschewed all prominent thought from recent years about taking and not giving up the free pass. Omaha walked 723 batters last year. TWO HUNDRED more than the next worst team and more than twice as many as the next. They also were dead last in taking the free pass. Somehow, despite this, they won 87 games, and beat their pyth by 8 games.

I don't know what Fred Holmes knows. I do know not to discount him and his Barnstormers. This year the offense looks very Barnstormer-y again. Slap it and run guys Velentin Colon, Armando Castaneda, and Roomba Castellanos will again play a big role. Juan Pablo might finally start to show his age, but still looks like a potent bat in this lineup. Speaking of age, Bruce Wayne is still playing. Neat, huh? The difference this year may be the development of Jose Estrada, the first middle of the order thumper type Omaha has had in a few years.

The staff once again is lead by Mr. Consistency Enrique Gomez. Then there are a bunch of guys who can't hit the broad side of a barn. Almost all of those guys have ridiculous strikeout capability, so....? Maxence Mace looks ready for the big time, and may represent a return to more traditional pitching values. The bullpen looks solid, and in typical Holmsian fashion, this team posts plus defenders at nearly every position.

I don't know what to make of this team. I'm sure Fred Holmes does.

Projection: 83-79


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<Logo> Twin Cities River Monsters
<GM: Jeff Palin>
<2029 Record 50-112, RS:567 RA:915, +2 pyth> <2030 Prediction 63-99>

<When asked for a response, Mr. Palin chuckled and replied, "My job is to build a team here in the Twin Cities that can at some point challenge for championships. I can't make uneducated fans understand what needs to be done or understand how this deal was really good for us..." With that Dug Riddler came up and escorted Palin away. Palin was cackling like a hen as Riddler pushed him away from the microphone.

Post Subject: Expansion; 2029, V4>

The good news for fans of the new River Monsters franchise is that year one is in the books. The bad news is that this year's edition may not be much better. On the free agent front, the team swapped Kirk Burkett for Chad Lawrence. Both are a year older, and probably a bit worse this season. The change is likely a wash.

What this means is that any improvement will have to come from within the organization. The batting prospects are there, but will they get to play? A pretty much ready to go Chris Limon sat at AAA all season last year, posting an OPS+ of 156. Is GM Jeff Palin one of those GM's who doesn't play prospects until they have eked out every last bit of development, or one who will stash big league ready guys away as long as possible to save on future salary? OR was last year a one time phenomenon as the other guys weren't ready.

We'll likely get an answer this year, as this club has EIGHT hitting prospects who are either ready for big league play or close. Most exciting on the list may be shortstop Mark Wareham, whose glove is already one of the best in recent memory. His bat needs a little work, but he could play now as a defense first option. Chris Limon got a cup of coffee and looks to stay this year. Ray Cooper is ready to mash in left field. Jayden Harsnet has some power projection left, but at 23 has little to prove in the minors. Speedy contact hitter Xue-qin Man has a Zimmer caliber glove at second, and plays a solid center. We haven't even mentioned Dennis Giguerre, Jack Bates, or Jose Romero.

Unfortunately, the pitching side of the equation doesn't hold as much promise for the River Monsters. That's not to say there is no talent, but a serious lack of blue chips exists. Carlino Omoboni could be better in his second year. Jesse Stewart MIGHT figure out how to overcome his stuck changeup. Jesse Howard is still a year away. Aaron Campbell may eventually be an elite reliever, but the rest of the staff looks like warty prospects and retreads.

The success of this team depends almost entirely on the attitude the front office takes. Plain old developmental luck will play a role as well, but with ready or near-ready players at nearly every offensive position, the decision management makes about playing time will be key.

For predictive purposes, let's say most of the youngsters start the league in the minors, and get a little over half a seasons' worth of PT in the end. That gives the Twin Cities probably about a 100 run improvement on offense, and maybe a small improvement in runs allowed. If they don't play the kids, they'll lose 100 games again easily.

Projection: 63-99


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<Logo> Yellow Springs Nine
<GM: Ron Collins>
<2029 Record 99-63, RS:755 RA:620, +4 pyth> <2030 Prediction 94-68>

<"Jose Chavez is the real deal," one scout said. "He's just getting started, too. That change came in last year like it was something out of San Francisco. I mean, the guy is just going to be amazing."

Post Subject: 9-Notes: 29.019 - Chavez Signs>

Jose Chavez sure liked his contract extension last year. Nice little award he won. I once won an award. When I was in the first grade, my father decided I lacked discipline, and enrolled me in Tae Kwon Do. Several years later, after many, many hours of practice and testing, I had my best tournament finish, third place in one on one sparring. I might have finished second, but the guy who won that award kicked me in the head so hard my glasses flew off and broke. Pretty much the end of that match. All that stuff about trusting your inner senses you see in martial arts movies when the hero gets loses his sight either via a blindfold or dirt in the eyes or whatever? Bupkis. Hooey. Malarkey. Just plain old not true.

What is true is that Ron Collins has build a nice little team in sleepy Yellow Springs, Ohio. Did you know that Yellow Springs is "Everyone's Favorite Place?" according to their city webpage? You can explore the town's more than 75 shops, galleries, restaurants, and pubs. SEVENTY-FIVE businesses in the whole town. Boy-golly that's a lot. I don't even know what a busker is. According to the calendar of events, you can find out "Will it Waffle?" on February 23nd. Wow! That's tomorrow!!! Wait, I mean that's like thirteen years ago. I'm a bit sad then that I missed "Origami Yoda Club: The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppet".

But I digress, back to the Nine. Yellow Springs is a village in Greene County, Ohio, United States. The population was 3,487 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is home of Antioch College and Antioch University Midwest. In 1825, the village was founded by William Mills and approximately 100 families, followers of Robert Owen, who wanted to emulate the utopian community at New Harmony, Indiana. The communitarian efforts dissolved due to internal conflicts. The Little Miami Railroad was completed in 1846 and brought increased commerce, inhabitants, and tourism. The village was incorporated in 1856. Yellow Springs is located at 39°48'6 N 83°53'34 W (39.801723, -83.892662). According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 2.02 square miles (5.23 km2), all of it land. The village takes its name from a natural spring located in the nearby Glen Helen Nature Preserve which is rich in iron ore, leaving a yellowish-orange coloring on the rocks.

Projection: 94-68


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2030 Frick League Pacific

<Projected (from my individual team writeups) and last year's standings - Stephen, it's hard to make a table in text, but I figured it would nice to these here as a summary>

The Frick Pacific may not host the best teams in the league, but it IS the most competitive. Five teams at various points late in last season looked to have good shots to make the playoffs. The Surfers survived the chaos to win a Landis in their first year back the LBC. Calgary and Seattle proved they could make their brands of baseball work in a division that suddenly was awash with pitching parks. California and Vancouver had to adjust to playing in parks where home runs actually occurred, and did so admirably. Valencia rejoined the ranks of the living, and Edmonton was ... well ... an expansion team.

There's no reason to think the division won't be as confusing at the top as last year. Long Beach gets the nod as defending champs, but Calgary looks just as good on paper. Seattle brings back essentially its entire team. Heck, let's just say everyone looks similar, plus a free agent signing or rookie or two.

This division could legitimately have six out of seven teams over .500. Last year, the race was so close that none of the contenders dropped out. Will 2030 be the same, or will one of these franchises fall into a first half hole and become sellers? The projections in this league are the ones I'm least sure about, and I actually had to spend half an hour subtracting projected wins from the Frick to get the math to work. It was either that or write Edmonton, Indy and the Twin Cities combine for 340 losses. That seems unrealistic, right?


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<Logo> Calgary Pioneers
<GM: Kevin Dickson>
<2029 Record 90-72, RS:793 RA:652, -5 pyth> <2030 Prediction 94-68>

<One of the toughest things to do in the BBA is to keep a steady flow of young arms in your system without doing a complete tear down.

Post Subject: Trail Droppings 2029-4 Calgary's Young Arms>

A new division meant Calgary Pioneers' GM Kevin Dickson had to embrace a new philosophy. Gone were the days of hitter's paradises every day. Enter a division with two of the greatest homer stealing ballparks in league history. It appears the Pioneers were prepared to play where quality starting pitching mattered, as they had young Christobal Hernadez ready for a breakout season. This year nepotastic former first round Jack Dickson looks to crash the party. The two youngsters are backed up by multiple savvy veterans. The pen is strong and deep as well, and should be able to weather the loss of closer Jason Morris for half the year.

The lineup looks even better than the group that scored 793 runs last year. Sparky Anderson is ready to go. He saw 4.44 pitches per plate appearance last year in AAA. For comparison, notable starter-wearer-downer Mike Love saw around 4.25 pitchers per appearance at his peak. Rumor has it Anderson decided over the winter that he hadn't been selective enough. Returning are table setters Mario Soriano and Dan Leonard, both still appearing to be at the top of their games. The other Mario, Mario Balderas proved his breakout 2028 wasn't a fluke and will anchor the lineup. Hector Cano still has something left in the tank, and should make a run at 600 home runs this year.

This is a talented team. The batters can get on base, hit for power, run, and field. The pitching staff is deep and can weather the inevitable injuries. It's easy to pick the defending Landis winning Long Beach Surfers as the division champs for 2030, but don't sleep on Calgary.

Projection: 94-68


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<Logo> California Crusaders
<GM: Theodor August Schmidt, Esquire, M.D., Jackass>
<2029 Record 94-70, RS:725 RA:613, 0 pyth> <2030 Prediction 93-69>

<I'm never criticizing the analysis of anyone who does multiple division or a league preview ever again. It's impossible to get every little thing. Sorry, Aaron.

Post Subject: This one. Right here.>

We'll be sad here in California when Ricardo Diaz is gone. For now though, he still heads one of the handful of starting rotations in the debate for "best in the league". Lefty Luis Gracia came into his own last year and was joined mid-season by Cisco Morales. Gerardo Castillo remains a very good number four option. The fifth spot is up for grabs, and will need some addressing.

The best pen in the Brewster from a year ago is back, largely intact, with one monumental exception. Skip Glendenning, the best closer in the game over the last decade, was shipped to Jacksonville for peanuts, as the team cut salary. Emerson Mills isn't nearly as good, but should get promoted at some point and help pick up the slack.

The Crusaders offense that scored 725 runs last year is the best we've put together here in our right season tenure, and the 2030 addition looks better. Esteban Contreras was signed to plug an absolute hole at first base. John Galt slides to third, while exciting rookie Claudio Defazio takes over at short. The shift should improve both the offense and the defense. Left fielder Dave Brunskill struggled in spring, but will be promoted at some point and may be the best bat on the team. The real question is whether the changes will be net neutral as Chris Workman and Galt seem to have declined a bit. The team also needs to find some right handed bench bats, or this group will struggle mightily against left handed pitching.

Projection: 93-69


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<Logo> Edmonton Jackrabbits
<GM: Rhys Allen>
<2029 Record 65-97, RS:577 RA:769, 5 pyth> <2030 Prediction 63-99>

<Effective October 5th, 2029, Rhys Allen is now the manager of the Edmonton Jackrabbits. With new blood, will come new results. The only question is whether they will be positive or not.

Post Subject: 29.01 New blood = new results?>

Edmonton isn't likely to win enough games to even get withing spitting distance of .500 in 2030. But you know what? That's alright. The top of their division is very congested right now. Being in a building mode while the five or six other teams in your division beat each-other senseless isn't the worst place to be. They made some nice moves in free agency and should be improved over last years near 100 loss club.

Rein Vis, Mario Murillo, and Pedro Burgos aren't the greatest hitters, but they are veteran bats who are ugrades over last years players. On the youngster side, designated hitter Jimmy Strambi should be a little better, and rookie first baseman Les Dedman seems decent enough. This team should break the 600 runs scored barrier this year. The infield lacks range up the middle, and the outfield corners could be a bit ugly on D, but we'll see.

On the pitching side of things, there's much less cause for optimism. Last year's standout, Stuart Pearce, is a year older, and otherwise this is much the same group that allowed 769 runs last year. Prospect Taisuke Suzuki could help, but he doesn't look ready, and neither does anyone else in the minors.

Projection: 63-99


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<Logo> Long Beach Surfers
<GM: Stephen Lane>
<2029 Record 95-68, RS:867 RA:691, -3 pyth> <2030 Prediction 96-66>

<The Management of the Tucson Cactus, along with the Office of the Commissioner announce that the franchise has been relocated to Long Beach, California and renamed the Surfers with immediate effect.

Post Subject: 2029.02 - Announcing the Long Beach Surfers >

Pretty nice way to return to you old stomping grounds, eh Long Beach? The defending Landis champs are a team brimming with young talent, and look to be good for a long, long time. It seems like they have young all star caliber players at every position. The corner outfield spots are any GM's dream. Carlos Gonzales and Kade Cummins will anchor the lineup for years to come. Franciso Flores in center isn't sliced bread either. (Does anyone have any idea where this saying comes from?) A scary wrinkle is that Tom Kazansky will join this group in a few years. If that wasn't enough young hitting talent, GM Stephen Lane acquired first prospect Mark Simpson in the offseason, effectively ending the revolving door at first base. We haven't even gotten to complementary players like third sacker Raymond Aguilera, who is one of the best at his position in the league, or catcher Ippolito Basaglia.

The pitching staff of this champion returns pretty much intact. Esteban Gil and Jose Lozano are a nice 1-2. It would sure be nice if Jimmy Greenwood could develop his change, but he's been able to spot it effectively thus far in his career. The last two spots get a little shaky, but it's tough to be perfect. The pen is solid as well, and should be bolstered further by the free agent acquisition of closer Flint Colbert.

Long Beach Surfers fans have every reason to be optimistic about another shot at the Landis. The one weakness this team has is a thin-ish starting rotation (only when compared to other elite teams). An injury or ineffectiveness to one of the top three could demote the Surfers from division favorite to just another team in the deep pack vying for the playoffs in the Frick.

Projection: 96-66


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<Logo> Seattle Storm
<GM: Nathan Eagan>
<2029 Record 94-69, RS:837 RA:775, 7 pyth> <2030 Prediction 86-76>

<Seattle Storm General Manager Nathan Eagan is not traditionally known for his in-season trades. This season, however, with his Storm sitting in first place, and with a few clear areas of weakness, he decided to do something a little different.

Post Subject: Chasing The Storm 2029-7 Time to Make Some Trades>

That post from Nathan Egan sums up the Storm's success in 2029. Well, that and Moustache Escobar's continued one man offense act. In 2029, Escobar set career marks for runs scored, hits, HR, and RBI. This for a guy who had already won two Sawyer Silk awards as the league's best hitter. As that rarest of lefty mashers who doesn't struggle against his fellow southpaws, Escobar is in a league of his own. More or less the rest of Seattle's potent offense is back. They're a year older, but seem to be hanging on well.

Some of the pitching Seattle acquire down the stretch last year is still around, and this bodes well for the team. In reality though, the season will hinge on Alfredo Contreras and Roberto Ramos reproducing their outstanding 2029 campaigns. There's not much help in the minors that looks reay to contribute quite yet, but a couple guys are close.

Eagan's teams always seem a little better than I expect. This is likely because I value pitching so much more than hitting, but I do think Seattle got a few lucky wins last year. Still, this is a competitive team that could easily get the bounces needed to take the division.

Projection: 86-76


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<Logo> Valencia Stars
<GM: Lee Honigsfeld>
<2029 Record 80-82, RS:730 RA:696, -5 pyth> <2030 Prediction 74-88>

<The Stars came so close to hitting there goal last season with 80 wins and the goal was 81 wins. In 2028 the Stars only had 60 wins so this season the Stars improved 20 wins this season.

Post Subject: Valencia Stars: 80-82 (.494) #8>

A 20 win improvement over the previous season is pretty darn impressive. Even more impressive is that ol' Pythagorus thought the Stars should have a 25 win improvement. The thing is, I don't know how Valencia did it.

The offense has some nice pieces in shortstop Harlan Moore and Tubby Soto. Cody Smith is a solid bat against right handed pitching. Francisco Liriano has a bit left in the tank it seems. After that this team is a smorgasbord of defense first platoon guys and retreads. How on earth did they get 730 runs out of this group?

Looney Flores seems like the real deeal at the top of the rotation. At one point it looked like he would struggle giving up the long ball, but he seems to have worked that out. Carlos Cortez had a bounce back year. It's simply remarkable how this staff has so many players that be homer prone. Their 194 home runs allowed was the third highest total in the Frick last year. They seem to have compensated by posting a respectable strikeout total and giving up the second lowest number of free passes (368).

Does Valencia continue their climb back to contention? I don't see how. This is usually the point where another big prospect or two makes an impact, and Valencia doesn't have them. At least, not ready ones. I'm looking at you Frank Mahaffey. Get your shit together. Lee needs you!

Projection: 74-88


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<Logo> Vancouver Mounties
<GM: Brett Schroeder>
<2029 Record 84-78, RS:649 RA:583, -5 pyth> <2030 Prediction 87-73>

<Valencia, Yellow Springs and Madison. Well the way this season has gone so far it wouldn't surprise me one bit to go apeshit and put up a 8-2/9-1 type sim only to fall flat as the year closes out. OOTP you are a cruel mistress.

Post Subject: 2029 #15 Sim 15>

A cruel mistress indeed. After winning their division the past two seasons, Vancouver made some big moves and loaded up for what should have been a competitive race. Instead, they seemed to be stuck in neutral. It's hard to find a particular injury or individual to blame. The whole just seemed to be less than the sum of the parts.

The staff is still pretty darned good. Most of the arms that allowed for a league leading 583 runs allowed are back. GM Brett Schoeder has played to the strength of his park, loading up on guys who have somewhat straight, but otherwise good stuff. The pen is full of similar types. Alfredo Granados and Harry Considine do seem to have regressed a bit, and their performances could make or break the Mounties.

Elroy Hinson, Pierre Cordona, Mark Sturdivant and co are back on offense, and are joined this year by rookie center fielder Aloysius Gonzaga and free agent signing third baseman Diego Moreno. Dani Lopez looks to reprise his role as an underappreciated power bat. A few other minor moves will allow the Mounties to shift the few bad defenders they had last year into friendlier roles.

If Vancouver can post similar or slightly worse pitching numbers and get a little bit of an offensive boost, things might go much better. The team also has some positional redundancy which may allow Brett to trade from improvement. This team could really use a front like starter. Does Luis Miguel Carrillo plus one of their top three starters plus maybe another prospect or two buy them that? I'm sure Schroeder is already evaluating his options.

Projection: 87-73


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[Fat Nige]

Probably about right for Indy and there ain't any relief in sight for the near future with the four expansion teams guaranteed to pick in front of the Grasshoppers. Draft like the last one don't help either with precious few outstanding SP prospects, you have to go best available first round pick and by the time it gets back to you all pitchers that could help you in any time soon are off the board. Trade? Maybe Lue & Clements might gather you something worthwhile but then you've completely destroyed any minute hope the major league team might have for years.

The only way is so sit back, buckle up and reach for strong liquor. Every win must be treated as a gift from Heaven and the money men hope that's enough to keep at least some of the fans clicking through the turnstiles.

[Ted]

Indy is probably in the worst shape of all the teams in the league. If you can handle it from a revenue perspective, I'd definitely trade Lue and Clements. Maybe not right away, but eventually as part of the rebuild.

[indiansfan]

I think the FLP will be a blood bath again. I led it for about half the season last time and ended up with the last wild card. Very competitive.

[Ted]

If I'm remembering right, no one got sabotaged by 1-2 big injuries last year, although Long Beach tried. I doubt we get that lucky again.

[indiansfan]

I lost my new closer so If I suck it is because of that. There, I got my whine on the record.

[bschr682]

If I'm remembering right, no one got sabotaged by 1-2 big injuries last year, although Long Beach tried. I doubt we get that lucky again.

I had a constant stream of injuries last season. Worst year i've ever had in that regard. That's why im pretty pumped about this year. No way its that bad again.

[felipe]

I was largely injury free; a few weeks to my corner OFs, but that's about it - best year ever for injuries that I can remember

Totally expecting major injuries this season - big part of why I've got LAYERS of big league quality at most pisitions this year

[bschr682]

Ogres are like onions...

[udlb58]

Ogres are like onions...

They stink?