Expansion; 2029, V4

[Bumstead]

Expansion has come to the Twin Cities in the form of the River Monsters. Fans have been talking about this non-stop since the news came out.

"I remember talk about the last MLB team. Was it the Twins or Twinkies? Anyway, I heard they won a couple of those World Series things with some guy named Kirby. I sure hope this Mr. Palin is a better GM than rumors have it and that he can stay long enough to get this town another Championship."

Another fan had this to say, "Oh, hearing that we finally got another Major League baseball team as a part of the BBA was super exciting. Then we get the news that we are going to be saddled with Jeff Palin as the General Manager. I mean, what the fuck? Does the BBA hate our city that much? This guy will come in and make a mockery of our team and embarrass our city in all likelihood. Hopefully he brings Dug Riddler with him to keep him in line."

Well, anyway, there's a lot of talk about the new team in the Twin Cities.

Mr. Palin didn't waste any time taking what many would refer to as the best player coming out of the EBA with his selection of Jean-Luc Lecaze with the second overall pick in the EBA Dispersal draft. This past season Lecaze was named Top Offensive Player in the EBA and won his 2nd Silver Slugger in a row along with winning the Rookie of the Year award the prior season. All this and he's only 22 years old.

In the BBA Expansion draft, Mr. Palin pretty much took filler players and guys who seemed underwhelming. He did however manage to make a trade during that draft:

Mr. Palin agreed to draft Eugene Russell and Russ Ray from Madison in exchange for Scott Clark, a 19 year old pitching prospect. Basically, Palin took on $25M in salaries over the next 3 years for 19 year old relief prospect.

One fans reaction to the trade: "What the hell was that, we take on two players nobody has ever heard of and pay them both $5M a season and all we get out of it is some relief prospect that's barely out of high school. Is his Mom travelling with him? Whatever, welcome to the "Palin years" here in the Twin Cities. I can't wait till the Commissioner boots his ass out of here. What an idiot."

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.

[7teen]

If Clark amounts to nothing more than a reliever then it is a ho-hum trade for you. Probably means very little to your franchise at all and I win in the end because I dumped salary.

If Clark can translate into a decent starter (Stamina bump and a little more control) then you're making out great in the deal. The latter is why I waivered a little on the deal. Hopes that he only manages to be a middle reliever convinced me to make the move and shed the salary. It should allow me to keep Salazar, sign some free agents, and maybe make a run at a post-season spot this season.

[Bumstead]

If Clark amounts to nothing more than a reliever then it is a ho-hum trade for you. Probably means very little to your franchise at all and I win in the end because I dumped salary.

If Clark can translate into a decent starter (Stamina bump and a little more control) then you're making out great in the deal. The latter is why I waivered a little on the deal. Hopes that he only manages to be a middle reliever convinced me to make the move and shed the salary. It should allow me to keep Salazar, sign some free agents, and maybe make a run at a post-season spot this season.

Oh. I'm definitely hoping to turn him into a starter. We shall see. I just write stuff that entertains me. In the end, the deal will probably work out to an extent for both of us. It really doesn't hurt me to take these guys and hopefully Clark develops into a usable player, even if that is in the bullpen.

Both guys are available in a trade, but I probably won't be able to trade Ray and it will be interesting to see if someone wants Russell. I mean, he's a LH hitting 3B who will take advantage of the OOTP bias towards LH hitting. And he's got power and a doesn't swing at everything. At 28, he's still in the prime of his career and shouldn't start declining yet. Otherwise, he can blast away for me and help me win a few games.

[7teen]

If Clark amounts to nothing more than a reliever then it is a ho-hum trade for you. Probably means very little to your franchise at all and I win in the end because I dumped salary.

If Clark can translate into a decent starter (Stamina bump and a little more control) then you're making out great in the deal. The latter is why I waivered a little on the deal. Hopes that he only manages to be a middle reliever convinced me to make the move and shed the salary. It should allow me to keep Salazar, sign some free agents, and maybe make a run at a post-season spot this season.

Oh. I'm definitely hoping to turn him into a starter. We shall see. I just write stuff that entertains me. In the end, the deal will probably work out to an extent for both of us. It really doesn't hurt me to take these guys and hopefully Clark develops into a usable player, even if that is in the bullpen.

Both guys are available in a trade, but I probably won't be able to trade Ray and it will be interesting to see if someone wants Russell. I mean, he's a LH hitting 3B who will take advantage of the OOTP bias towards LH hitting. And he's got power and a doesn't swing at everything. At 28, he's still in the prime of his career and shouldn't start declining yet. Otherwise, he can blast away for me and help me win a few games.

Agree with everything you said. Russell has value. Not sure you'll find a suitor willing to take the contract though. He can produce some homeruns and play OK defense. Not sure anyone wants to take on the deal for another 3 seasons.

Ray is off the books at the end of the year.

[Bumstead]

If Clark amounts to nothing more than a reliever then it is a ho-hum trade for you. Probably means very little to your franchise at all and I win in the end because I dumped salary.

If Clark can translate into a decent starter (Stamina bump and a little more control) then you're making out great in the deal. The latter is why I waivered a little on the deal. Hopes that he only manages to be a middle reliever convinced me to make the move and shed the salary. It should allow me to keep Salazar, sign some free agents, and maybe make a run at a post-season spot this season.

Oh. I'm definitely hoping to turn him into a starter. We shall see. I just write stuff that entertains me. In the end, the deal will probably work out to an extent for both of us. It really doesn't hurt me to take these guys and hopefully Clark develops into a usable player, even if that is in the bullpen.

Both guys are available in a trade, but I probably won't be able to trade Ray and it will be interesting to see if someone wants Russell. I mean, he's a LH hitting 3B who will take advantage of the OOTP bias towards LH hitting. And he's got power and a doesn't swing at everything. At 28, he's still in the prime of his career and shouldn't start declining yet. Otherwise, he can blast away for me and help me win a few games.

Agree with everything you said. Russell has value. Not sure you'll find a suitor willing to take the contract though. He can produce some homeruns and play OK defense. Not sure anyone wants to take on the deal for another 3 seasons.

Ray is off the books at the end of the year.

It says Ray is signed through 2030. Does he have an option or something?

[bcslouck]

It says Ray is signed through 2030. Does he have an option or something?

Just because I'm bored, I checked. He has a team option for 2030 and then you have another year of control through arbitration.

http://montybrewster.net/MBBA/OOTPFiles ... eport.html

[Bumstead]

thanks!

[recte44]

3 EN is really a stretch for a starter.

[Bumstead]

3 EN is really a stretch for a starter.

It is on the edge. It's on my letter to Santa to send Clark additional stamina for Christmas...