Season 21 Off-Season

This post will be updated with important information during the off-season.

Common "New Owner" Mistakes

1. Understanding the impact of splits for hitting and pitching. There will be more RHB and RHP than LHB and LHP, so keep in mind how important "splits" (R v. L) can be.

2. Keep in mind how "advanced scouting" works. It will be average in your first year ($14M), so the accuracy in which you see player ratings will be impacted. If another owner has an advanced scouting of $20M, he will see with much greater accuracy a player's true current and projected ratings. This is important with free agents and trades.

3. It is almost NEVER beneficial to "release" a player. Typically, "waiving" a player is a much better option. When you "release" a player, you will continue to pay his salary no matter how long the contract is, and another owner can sign him and only pay him the minimum.

4. Understand the importance of setting your budget. It's the first thing you have to do so fire by trial. Please spend time reading the FAQ section, the player's guide, and ASK OTHER OWNERS if you have questions about the budget.

5. Dont' be fooled by the "overall" rating. The best closer in the game can be a 60 overall because a pitcher is "penalized" for having low stamina. A SP can be a 75 because he has a low LHB split, but he can be a great pitcher if he has a very high RHB split. Overall ratings should be taken with a grain of salt in some cases, and it takes a while before you understand what individual ratings are important for different positions.

6. Know how arbitration works. A player will have 2-4 years of player minimum salary (typically 3, depending on when you call them up) and then 3 years of arbitration. If you go to Arb 3, a player may or may not re-sign after the 3rd year. If you go to Arb 2, you have a much better chance of re-signing the player long-term. You can sign before Arb 1 if you want and it will reduce long-term salary commitment, but player might not re-sign and you'd lose years of service.

Season 21 Pre-Offseason

Hello out there...

After a season in which I changed jobs and had to worry about moving to another state, my team made it to the world series. So, I will no longer be an active commissioner since clearly the less time I put in, the better my team plays!

Just kidding...

Here is a recap of Season 20:

World Series Results: Kansas City over Charleston (4-2)
AL MVP - Aurelio Arias (Har)
AL Cy Young - Koji Chang (Chr)
AL ROY - Jarod Valentine (Far)
AL Fireman - Emmanuel Lopez (Jax)
NL MVP - Sven Owen (KC)
NL Cy Young - Shin-Soo Ishida (TB)
NL ROY - Andre Lee (CSP)
NL Fireman - Javier Sosa (Ana)


ALL TEAMS HAVE BEEN CLAIMED!

Way too late Midseason Power Rankings

American League

Overall Team Rankings
1. Salem Silver Bullets (55-21)
2. Hartford Pit Bulls (56-20)
3. Charleston Country Boys (54-22)
4. Richmond Poormen (52-24)
5. Jacksonville Jackers (44-32)
6. Portland Beavers (44-32)

Best Pitching Staff
1. Charleston
2. Richmond
3. Hartford

Best Lineup
1. Charleston
2. Richmond
3a. Hartford
3b. Salem

Mid-Season AL MVP
*Aurelio Arias (HAR)
*Polin Guerrero (CHR)

Mid-Season AL Cy Young
*Adam Halladay (CHR)


National League

Overall Team Rankings
1. Tampa Bay Orange Crush (50-26)
2. Kansas City Mythbusters (48-28)
3. Las Vegas Lightning (45-31)
4. Pawtucket Washouts (46-30)
5. Mexico City Margaritas (44-32)
6. TBD

Best Pitching Staff
1. Kansas City
2. Tampa Bay
3. Pawtucket

Best Lineup
1. Kansas City
2. Tampa Bay
3a. Las Vegas
3b. Pawtucket


Mid-Season NL MVP
*Sam Knotts (CIN)

Mid-Season NL Cy Young
*Bengie Salvador (MC)

Season 19 Best Off-Season Move

The poll is located on the right hand side of the page. You hover your cursor over the sidebar on the right and then the poll will show up.

Season 19 Way too Early Playoff Predictions

AMERICAN LEAGUE

1. Salem (106-54) - NL WEST DIVISION CHAMPS
2. Charleston (103- 59) - NL SOUTH DIVISION CHAMPS
3. Hartford (98-64) - NL EAST DIVISION CHAMPS
4. Montreal (82-80) - NL NORTH DIVISION CHAMPS
5. Jacksonville (101-61)
6. Richmond (97-65)

NATIONAL LEAGUE

1. Kanas City (110-52) - NL SOUTH DIVISION CHAMPS
2. Las Vegas (96-66) - NL WEST DIVISION CHAMPS
3. Pawtucket (96-66) - NL NORTH DIVISION CHAMPS
4. Cincinnati (85-77) - NL EAST DIVISION CHAMPS
5. Tampa Bay (108-54)
6. Mexico City (95-67)

WORLD SERIES MATCHUP

Charleston vs. Kansas City

World Series Champ

Kansas City

Season 19 NL Predictions

NL NORTH

Pawtucket

Key Additions: Oswaldo Ortiz (minors)

Key Subtractions: Kenneth Whitten, Rex Mintz, Gabby Sefcik

Summary: Pawtucket lost a lot of ML talent, but paid the price to get a future ace in Oswaldo Ortiz. They now have a bright future with Harley Owen, Garland Bryant, and Ortiz. I think the division is Pawtucket’s to lose as the other three teams in the NL North didn’t make a whole lot of improvements in this off-season.

Prediction: 96-66

Buffalo

Key Additions: None

Key Subtractions: None

Summary: Buffalo did not make a lot of moves this off-season. It will be tough to predict a record here, but I see a step back due to Pawtucket being the best team in the division.

Prediction: 76-86

Rochester

Key Additions: Christopher Malone

Key Subtractions: None

Summary: Malone should help stabilize this rotation, but there just isn’t a lot of major league talent on the ML team. Should see a similar record as last year as Buffalo, Rochester, and Scranton should beat up on each other.

Prediction: 78-84

Scranton

Key Additions: None

Key Subtractions: None

Summary: I feel like a broken record over the last few team summaries, but when you weren’t very good last year and you don’t make many moves to improve your roster, there isn’t much different to say. There is a chance that Scranton could call up Trent McNamara, and that might move Scranton into position to contend for 2^nd place, but that’s about it.

Prediction: 80-82

NL EAST

Huntington

Key Additions: None

Key Subtractions: None

Summary: Huntington didn’t make many moves this off-season, but they won statistically the weakest division last year. With a 77-85 record, Huntington squeaked into the playoffs and then made a quick exit. They still have one of the best teams in this division, but they better watch out for Cincinnati.

Prediction: 80-82

San Juan

Key Additions: None

Key Subtractions: None

Summary: San Juan didn’t make too many moves this off-season either, and I’m not sure I see much room for improvement. I think there is a long-term rebuild plan in place, and this division is weak enough to do so. Should see a decline in wins due to the rise of the mighty Stingers.

Prediction: 62-100

Cincinnati

Key Additions: Felipe Torrealba, Willie James, Jack Stafford, Sam Knotts, Elston Park

Key Subtractions: None

Summary: If you like spending money, Cincinnati wet your whistle this off-season spending a combined $107.8M on 5 FA’s (listed above) for a combined 13 years of playing time. What does that mean? Cincy has a 2-year time frame to JUST WIN BABY! I look for them to win the division pretty easily, and then in 2 years have a complete rebuild.

Prediction: 85-77

Philadelphia

Key Additions: None

Key Subtractions: None

Summary: Things can’t get much worse for Philadelphia, but then again, there isn’t much talent on this ML roster either. I look for an improvement on the win total because ewells seems to be in it for the long haul, and they won’t start the season with an abandoned franchise.

Prediction: 52-110

NL SOUTH

Tampa Bay

Key Additions: Earl Shields

Key Subtractions: Julian Grabowski, Danny Darwin

Summary: Tampa Bay lost 2 very good position players, but softened the blow by re-signing arguably the best FA in the class in Angel Bennett. They also landed Earl Shields in FA to help with the loss of Danny Darwin. Part of me says that TB’s SP over-performed last year with 50 different people winning 15 games (at least it seemed that way). If that comes back down to reality, the win total might decrease slightly, but they will still be up there fighting Kansas City to the very end.

Prediction: 108-54

Kansas City

Key Additions: Saul Bonilla

Key Subtractions: Benji Reyes, Vic Villafuerte,

Summary: The rich keep getting richer. Kansas City seems to add another 1-2 future stars to its farm system every year while keeping all of its ML talent. This off-season was no different by adding Saul Bonilla. Bonilla’s value lies primarily as a DH, but KC can use him as a C for now. Losing Reyes and Villafuerte won’t hurt too bad as it’s who’s up next for the KC team. I look for another strong regular season performance followed by another deep playoff run.

Prediction: 110-52

Mexico City

Key Additions: Davey Wilson

Key Subtractions: None

Summary: Mexico City did the impossible last year, outlasting Tampa Bay and Kansas City in the playoffs and making it to the WS. Richmond make quick work of them, but with the addition of Davey Wilson’s bat, MC might have enough to take on TB and KC in the regular season as well.

Prediction: 95-67

New Orleans

Key Additions: None

Key Subtractions: Hank Boskie

Summary: Well, what can you say about the BIG easy, except that playing in this division is anything but easy. New Orleans should take advantage of what appears to be several high draft picks over the next few years and look to build up its farm talent in what is the best division in this world.

Prediction: 70-92

NL WEST

Las Vegas

Key Additions: Matthew Serrano, Howard Cox, Hank Boskie

Key Subtractions: None

Summary: Las Vegas continued to make improvements to its team by adding SP depth and a solid bat in Boskie. Serrano and Cox are versatile enough to start or add LR depth. I still worry a little about Vegas’ lineup, but statistically they were pretty good last year.  With Colorado Springs going through a semi-rebuild and the California teams struggling to compete, Las Vegas run on this division will continue.

Prediction: 96-66

Colorado Springs

Key Additions: Benji Reyes

Key Subtractions: Davey Wilson

Summary: Colorado Springs continues to hang in their in terms of talent to compete on the ML level, but losing Wilson really hurts their lineup. This owner is very good and will have the team competing for division titles again very soon. Look for them at the top in the very near future.

Prediction: 84-78

San Francisco

Key Additions: Dante Golub

Key Subtractions: Earl Shields

Summary: San Fran did a great job in trading for a talent like Golub. He should dramatically help the SF offense. Still not sure if there is enough SP to compete with Las Vegas or CSP, but this team plays good defense and with timely hitting, they will continue to be competitive.

Prediction: 85-77

Anaheim

Key Additions: None

Key Subtractions: None

Summary: Anaheim has plenty of money to spend but didn’t quite go all Cincinnati on this off-season. Look for them to make some mid-season moves to acquire some talent. Other than the hope for a better future, not a lot of bright spots on the Anaheim ML roster right now. They didn’t have a pitcher win more than 9 games last year, which makes it tough to compete for a division title.

Prediction: 61-101

Season 19 AL Predictions

AL NORTH

Montreal

Key Additions: None

Key Subtractions: Slick Rolls

Summary: Montreal continues to go through a slow rebuild. You have to admire a team that has dominated its division like Montreal has (9 straight division titles) and is still finding ways to re-stock its’ farm system. There is always the potential for some mid-season trades to occur (assuming Griffey spends more than 30 seconds on the site in one sitting) that will further show the fact that Montreal is in rebuild mode. Is there enough in the tank for a 10^th straight title?

Prediction: 82-80

Detroit

Key Additions: Nigel Nicholas, Danny Darwin

Key Subtractions: None

Summary: Detroit did more good than bad in this off-season, but it’s going to take a lot for a team to recover from being near the bottom in the AL in hitting, pitching, and fielding. Nicholas and Darwin should provide some much needed help defensively. The good news is that Montreal is not the team that it once was, and there is some room for a new team at the top. Is Detroit that team… we will see!

Prediction: 74-78

Burlington

Key Additions: Preston Brantley (minors), Nick Varitek

Key Subtractions: Frank Denham, Lenny Fassero (sentimental reasons only)

Summary: Burlington made a couple of moves including the release of one of the all-time greats Lenny Fassero. His18-year career in Burlington has finally come to an end. Other than that, Burlington made one move for the future acquiring Preston Brantley, a talented young SS, and one move for the now by replacing Fassero with Nick Varitek. Burlington probably didn’t do enough to challenge for the division this year, but the future looks bright with Fernando Polanco and Preston Brantley up the middle.

Prediction: 75-77

Wichita

Key Additions: Kevin Burns

Key Subtractions: Oswald Ortiz, Matthew Serrano

Summary: Wichita made 2 trades that really didn’t do much for the team. Additionally, there were some small FA signings, including John Whitehead and Trever King, that proved lackluster. While this team isn’t prepared to compete for a division crown this year, Andrew understands that this is a marathon and not a sprint. I think that this Wichita franchise is in much better shape than it has been in the past, and I see a bright future.

Prediction: 64-98

AL EAST

Hartford

Key Additions: Leon Ramsey

Key Subtractions: None

Summary: Hartford is still the team to beat in the AL East. Like Montreal, Hartford has dominated this division as of late, winning 7 straight titles. Not sure I see much different in Season 19 with Hartford taking control of the AL East for an 8^th straight time.

Prediction: 98-64

Augusta

Key Additions: None

Key Subtractions:  Gerald Grim, Scott Sauer, Christopher Malone

Summary: Augusta released a couple of players in what I guess is an attempt to clear salary. The cupboard is a little bare at the ML level; however, you can never underestimate the power of a rebuild. I’m not sure much changes for Augusta, except for a higher number in the loss column.

Prediction: 67-95

Indianapolis

Key Additions: Ralph Wells, Chuck Ankiel

Key Subtractions: Saul Bonilla

Summary: Indianapolis should experience the biggest change in W/L’s from last season to this season. They have legitimized their bullpen by adding the star RP of the FA class in Ralph Wells. They also added depth with Chuck Ankiel. The rest of the roster has remained in tact, except for the young stud Saul Bonilla. His bat will definitely be missed, but Indy did receive some defensive help with Donne Bay and Russell Hamlin. All in all, I expect big things out of Indy this year… enough to overtake Hartford, we’ll see!

Prediction: 84-78

Trenton

Key Additions: Vic Wallace (promotion)

Key Subtractions: None

Summary: Trenton is still looking to add ML talent to its roster and really did so with the promotion of Vic Wallace. Vic is a serious talent and should boost a lineup that had issues swinging the stick. Hopefully, this will be enough to put fans in the seats because there is not much else to look at in Trenton. Should be another tough season.

Prediction: 64-94

AL SOUTH

Jacksonville

Key Additions: Elmer Barker, Jose Reynoso,

Key Subtractions: Howard Cox

Summary: Jacksonville won the second best division in all of baseball last year but fizzled out in the playoffs. They suffered a key loss in the rotation but subsequently replaced Howard Cox with an upgrade of Elmer Barker. The addition of Jose Reynoso should bolster an already impressive lineup. The Jaguars keep getting older but that doesn’t mean they aren’t getting better.

Prediction: 101-61

Charleston

Key Additions: Benito Franco, Vic Villafuerte, “Over-the-hill combo” (Len McGowan, Louis Williams, and Lawrence Kydd)

Key Subtractions: Chuck Ankiel, Bob Moreno

Summary: Charleston made a huge trade early on sending Bob Moreno to Seattle for Benito Franco. Charleston was without Moreno all of last year and had the 3^rd best ERA in the AL. The addition of Franco to the 4^th best lineup in the AL leaves very few holes for opposing pitchers. Charleston also added Vic Villafuerte to provide some stability at 3B and put another bat in the lineup that can hit LHP. Look for Charleston to push last year’s division winner Jacksonville and World Series champion Richmond to the brink.

Prediction: 103-59

Richmond

Key Additions: Kenneth Whitten, Rex Mintz, Frank Denham, Gabby Sefcik

Key Subtractions: Sam Knotts, Oswaldo Ortiz (minors)

Summary: The first thing that needs to be said is Richmond will be without 3-time Cy Young winner until around the AS Break. That is a huge loss for the defending champs. With that said, Richmond has been busy making moves improving the ML ball club by trading for Whitten, Mintz, Denham, and Sefcik. Veteran Sam Knotts has left but has since been replaced. Richmond should be stronger, but how will they survive the first half of the season without Uribe?

Prediction: 97-65

Durham

Key Additions: None

Key Subtractions: None

Summary: Durham is in the final stages of rebuild mode, and we could see a few of those future stars around the AS Break, but this team is still 2-3 years away from their 3-time WS Champion form of a few years back.

Prediction: 58-104

AL WEST

Salem

Key Additions: Slick Rolls, Steve Hartman (minors)

Key Subtractions: Elston Park, Elmer Baker, Dante Golub, Benito Gongora

Summary: Salem should take a step back this year after losing Park and Baker. Slick Rolls should ease the loss of Dante Golub, but Salem does have enough in their farm system to make a move for starting pitching during this season. Regardless, Salem is still the cream of the crop in the AL West.

Prediction: 106-54 

Portland

Key Additions: Julian Grabowski, Archie Omlansky

Key Subtractions: Ralph Wells

Summary: Portland added some major firepower to their offense with the addition of Grabowski and Omlansky. Losing Wells will hurt but expect Pedro Mateo to step into that role. I think the SP is still a little light, but I expect Portland to push Salem early on.

Prediction: 93-69

Seattle

Key Additions: Bob Moreno

Key Subtractions: Benito Franco

Summary: Seattle’s big move was to sure up their SP which the definitely did by adding Moreno through a trade with Charleston. The issue is that they traded away their best bat in Benito Franco. Getting out of Tacoma will naturally help all hitters for Seattle, but this team will struggle to score runs without Franco.

Prediction: 74-88

Oakland

Key Additions: None

Key Subtractions: Archie Omlansky

Summary: Oakland did a great job of locking up a lot of young talent on their current roster in Jimmie Fonville, Enerio Perez, Richard Lawton, and Timothy Brea. However, the biggest issue for this team was not addressed… starting pitching. Oakland should continue to rebuild over this next year, and I look for them to be a force in the AL West as Salem gets a bit older and they start to acquire SP.

Prediction: 61-101