Moon Phase 2009 # 3 - Greenville Acquire Lueras From LV

[Greeney03]

Francisco Lueras

Today, Greenville officially announced their trade with Las Vegas. Moonshiners acquired starting pitcher Francisco Lueras, shortstop Joshua Carruthers, and right fielder Tim Wallace from Las Vegas.

In exchange, Greenville sent Austin Greene and pitching prospect Paul Yarberry.

"Everybody is always looking for pitching, and you can't have enough of it." GM Imasa said to press today.

Lueras pitched well last year as Vegas' number four starter. He won twelve games for Vegas with 4.10 ERA and 1.29 WHIP.

Carruthers did not quite reach his full potential as a member of the Hustlers. But, he's hoping to change that in Greenville.

"I wasn't happy with my performance last year. I hoping for a fresh start here in Greenville." Carruthers said to press this morning.

Carruthers batted .267, 32 doubles, and 59 RBIs in 2008.

With Austin Greene gone, Moonshiners is expected Tim Wallace to be the starting right fielder in opening day.

The 28-year old Wallace hit 23 bombs last year for Vegas (2nd in team) and .267 batting average, .823 OPS.

This is Wallace's third team in his young career. He debut in Madison in 2007 and he was traded to Las Vegas a year after.

"I'm excited to be a Moonshiner. This feel like home to me. Winning a championship was a dream of mine, but now that I achieved that, I'm still looking for my "home" in MBWBA.

At this point of my career, I want to play multiple years for a one team. I'm hoping Greeneville give me that opportunity."

Wallace said at the press conference.

Also in the news, Greeneville snagged veteran catcher Wesley Brummett from Free Agent pool today.

Brummet batted .300, 16 HR, and .888 OPS for Marquette last year.

Greenville also picked up Knuckle-baller Ron Fallon off waivers. He pitched 42 innings with an ERA of 3.16 and 1.08 WHIP for AAA Brooklyn last year.

[trmmilwwi]

Nice acquisitions... Brummett is a good player but was asking for the world in Marquette. Bum..

[Greeney03]

Nice acquisitions... Brummett is a good player but was asking for the world in Marquette. Bum..

I feel ya. If I wasn't desperate for a catcher, I wouldn't give him 10 mil per. I'm glad I had some cap space to get him.

[agrudez]

Wait... you're going to let Brummet catch for you? Like, actually let him sit behind the plate? Have you never seen Major League 2?

And I was really jealous that you found a knuckle-baller on waivers until I realized it was only a knuckle-curve... psh, such a tease you are, Greeney.



Sorry, was browsing through the smileys and had the sudden urge to use that... speaking of which, has anyone ever created a custom ammy of Ari Gold? Needs to be done next season if not, imo.

[Greeney03]

Wait... you're going to let Brummet catch for you? Like, actually let him sit behind the plate? Have you never seen Major League 2?

And I was really jealous that you found a knuckle-baller on waivers until I realized it was only a knuckle-curve... psh, such a tease you are, Greeney.



Sorry, was browsing through the smileys and had the sudden urge to use that... speaking of which, has anyone ever created a custom ammy of Ari Gold? Needs to be done next season if not, imo.

haha, we'll see man! I have some decent defensive catchers for subs if needed.

Hey, my article made you post here, so that's a success! haha! As long as he has a knuckle ball I'm good with that. I never had a pitcher that throws a knuckle curve in this league (as far as I know).

I thought I saw a player named Ari Gold few seasons ago. I might be wrong though.

[agrudez]

haha, we'll see man! I have some decent defensive catchers for subs if needed.

I always forget about the defensive replacement slot... I should really start using that more often. Have you used it before? Do you know when it normally makes those subs (ie. 8th inning up 1 run - does it take out a player)?

[Greeney03]

haha, we'll see man! I have some decent defensive catchers for subs if needed.

I always forget about the defensive replacement slot... I should really start using that more often. Have you used it before? Do you know when it normally makes those subs (ie. 8th inning up 1 run - does it take out a player)?

I use it a lot actually, but I haven't used it for catchers since I sit my starter every 7 games.

From my experience, team/individual strategy comes into play as well. I don't think you can control how often your manager pull your starter and replace him with your defensive replacement. Maybe someone can chime in about this?

[agrudez]

Yeah, without knowing that I'd be scared to use it. Up 3 runs in the 8th? Sure. Up 1 in the 9th inning? Sure. But, up 1 run in the 8th inning with the heart of your lineup due up in the 9th - no way do I try to marginally upgrade my LF defender by taking out my best OPS. I'd look like a complete moron if the game gets tied up without a ball ever getting hit to left and then have to depend on some AAAA scrub to clean-up my order for a dramatic walk-off, haha.

This kind of brings up another mini-rant I have about OOTP... the management sliders are so much less than they should be. I mean, in the regular season I don't even care, most choices come out in the wash, imo, but in the playoffs I am an avid scouter of opponents and always attempt to adjust for them. For instance, in another one of my leagues I am in the conference championships (after taking over a sub .500 team just one season prior... sound familiar anybody? ) I am matched up against a team that is 8th in the conference in AVG and 1st in 2Bs... so OBVIOUSLY, I would like my OF to play black to prevent balls over their head, but much to my chagrin (and I have no idea why I've never noticed this before) you can't actually adjust your OF defense AT ALL - just infield! If I wasn't up 2-0 in the series after the first sim I'd be marginally annoyed!