Brighton is ready to bring baseball to town

Brighton management was late to the party and took over a team he had no hand in putting together. With a few trades, the lineup is starting to take shape. The pitching staftt needs ome help though. As it stands, the lineup stands (Pre-draft)

C-Gerald Laird
1B-Lance Berkman
2B-Chase Utley
SS-Rafeal Furcal
3B-Andy Laroche
LF-Matt Holiday
CF-Adam Jones
RF-Josh Hamilton/Juan Rivera

BUC-Kendall
Util IF-Santiago
Util OF-S. Hairston

SP-Lester
SP-Garland
SP-Kazmir
SP-Saunders

RP-Madsen
RP-Rauch
RP-Rodney


There are no secrets that the pitching needs to be addressed. The draft and following trades shall help to address.

Vero Beach Bums Looking to Contend?

VERO BEACH - The Vero Beach Bums are still reeling from last year's loss in the ALCS. The Bums had a 3 games to 1 lead over the Bartonville Bombers, only to get bombed in the next 3 games to the eventual world series winner. "We knew their bats had to wake up sooner or later... we were just hoping to get one more win and advance to the world series", Bums' GM David Gandy said from his office in Florida. "We were down 7-2 and almost pulled it out losing 7-6. The next 2 games were close ones. Game 7 we were down 4-2 with a chance going to the 9th, when the Bombers blew it open with 8 runs in the top of the inning."

This year's squad should be a good one. In predraft mode, here's the Bum's roster:

C - Brian McCann
1B - Lyle Overbay
2B - Brandon Phillips
3B - Michael Young
SS - Stephen Drew
LF - Seth Smith/Lastings Milledge
CF - Torii Hunter
RF - Nelson Cruz
DH - Manny Ramirez
Bench - Ian Stewart

SP - Justin Verlander
SP - Jered Weaver
SP - Carlos Zambrano
SP - Clayton Richard
SP - Edinson Volquez

CL - Francisco Rodriguez
CL - Francisco Cordero
RP - Darren Oliver
RP - Arthur Rhodes

Let the draft begin!

Buzz in Napa

There is quite a buzz over the newly established franchise in Napa. With just a few weeks left until the new ballpark is complete, fans are beginning to get anxious to check out some baseball. Although newly formed, the Napa Winers management team has had a very busy offseason thus far. While there is still the rookie/free agent draft to complete, Napa manager Eamonn Dymer is very excited about his team's offense. Depending on how the draft pans out, this is how he says his opening day line-up will look...

2b- Placido Polanco
rf- Ben Zobrist
DH- Miguel Cabrera
1B- Justin Morneau
LF- Adam Dunn
3b- Juan Uribe (vs right)/ Jeff Keppinger (vs left)
CF- Rick Ankiel (highly dependent upon how draft turns out)
ss- Cliff Pennington
c- Jason Varitek

Bench- SS Adam Everett, OF Johnny Gomes, INF Clint Barmes.
Starters- Tim Lincecum, A.J. Burnett, Joba Chamberlain
Bullpen- Jonathan Papelbon, George Sherrill, Brian Fuentes, Darren O'Day

With his pre-draft roster set, Eamonn has a much clearer picture of his needs in the draft. When asked about his draft plans, Eamonn had this to say:

"I don't think there is any secret that we need to find some help in the rotation, as well as possibly find a starting centerfielder. Ankiel is still going to be a little limited due to his tragic run-in with the wall last year, but we are hoping he can revert to form. Drafting #10 overall in the first round, a lot will be dependent upon what is gone once our spot comes up. If the top flight centerfielders are gone, our choice will be made much easier. But if one of the 3 (Fowler, Rasmus, McCutchen) are around, then it'll be tough to decide between one of them and a starter. Of course, we need another arm or two in the bullpen too. I do know that the league had better supply us with a LOT of baseballs because they are going to be flying all over the place. There should be plenty of souvenirs!!!"

Entire League Transactions

Having finished my work early, I decided I'd compile a list of all the players/picks each individual team sent away and those they gained (being paid to play Strat-o-Matic. Gotta love it). I'm sure there are a couple mistakes in here or things I missed, so please feel free to correct. I just thought it'd be interesting to look at the net gain for each team.

Posting this here so when trades are made and mistakes inevitably caught, it will prevent unnecessary e-mails.


Aberdeen

Gives:
Stephen Drew
David Wright
Josh Beckett
Ryan Franklin
Rick Ankiel
Luis Castillo
Jon Lester
Adam Jones
Fernando Rodney
ABE 2nd Rd Pick
ABE 3rd Rd Pick
ABE 4th Rd Pick
ABE 5th Rd Pick
NAP 5th Rd Pick
ABE 6th Rd Pick
KCB 6th Rd Pick
ABE 8th Rd Pick

Gets:
Curtis Granderson
Mike Lowell
Martin Prado
Jason Frasor
Russ Branyan
Alex Gordon
Mark Teahen
Alex Rodriguez
Heath Bell
Ben Sheets
Elijah Dukes
CLE 1st Rd Pick
LAS 1st Rd Pick

Bartonville

Gives:
Justin Morneau
George Sherrill

Gets:
Marco Scutaro
Carlos Lee
NAP 2nd Rd Pick
NAP 3rd Rd Pick

Bowling Green

Gives:
BOW 9th Rd Pick

Gets:
Latroy Hawkins

Brooklyn

Gives:
Alex Rodriguez
Heath Bell
KCB 6th Rd Pick
BRK 10th Rd Pick
BRK 12th Rd Pick

Gets:
Jon Lester
Adam Jones
Fernando Rodney
Jon Rauch
Andy LaRoche

Cleveland

Gives:
CLE 1st Rd Pick
Hideki Okajima
Shane Victorino

Gets:
Joe Nathan
ABE 8th Rd Pick
Carlos Marmol
OGW 1st Rd Pick
WAS 10th Rd Pick

Colorado Springs

Gives:
Carl Crawford
Josh Willingham
Daniel Murphy
Gregg Zaun
Juan Uribe
Bob Howry
CO 2nd Rd Pick
CO 10th Rd Pick
WAS 11th Rd pick

Gets:

Cliff Lee
Jorge De La Rosa
Travis Snider
Carlos Ruiz
WAS 2nd Rd Pick
NAP 6th Rd Pick
REN 6th Rd Pick
SAN 10th Rd Pick

Halifax

Gives:
HAL 4th Rd Pick

Gets:
Chase Headley

Kansas City

Gives:
Jay Bruce
KCB 1st Rd Pick
KCB 6th Rd Pick

Gets:
Carl Crawford
REN 4th Rd Pick
Mark Teahen

Los Angeles

Gives:
LAS 1st Rd Pick
Jason Frasor
Jeremy Guthrie

Gets:
Josh Beckett
Ryan Franklin
NAP 15th Rd Pick
NAP 20th Rd Pick

Napa

Gives:
Mike Cameron
Aaron Laffey
Jeremy Guthrie
Marco Scutaro
Carlos Lee
NAP 2nd Rd Pick
NAP 3rd Rd Pick
NAP 5th Rd Pick
NAP 6th Rd Pick
NAP 15th Rd Pick
NAP 20th Rd Pick

Gets:

AJ Burnett
Clint Barmes
Brian Fuentes
Rick Ankiel
Juan Uribe
Justin Morneau
George Sherrill
REN 10th Rd Pick
REN 18th Rd Pick

Nassau

Gives:
Travis Snider
Latroy Hawkins

Gets:
BOW 9th Rd Pick
WAS 11th Rd Pick

Oahu

Gives:
Adam Wainwright
Craig Breslow
Russ Branyan
Alex Gordon
Andy Laroche
OGW 1st Rd Pick
OGW 2nd Rd Pick

Gets:
Pablo Sandoval
Akinori Iwamura
Ryan Church
John Maine
Luis Castillo
ABE 2nd Rd Pick
ABE 3rd Rd Pick
BRK 10th Rd Pick

Old Bridge

Gives:
Javier Vasquez
Ted Lilly
OLD 6th Rd Pick

Gets:
Kendry Morales
BJ Upton
WAS 4th Rd Pick

Oregon

Gives:
ORE 3rd Rd Pick

Gets:
Maicer Izturis

Reno

Gives:
Curtis Granderson
Mike Lowell
Cliff Lee
Jorge De La Rosa
Carl Crawford
Brian Fuentes
Maicer Izturis
Carlos Ruiz
REN 6th Rd Pick
REN 8th Rd Pick
REN 10th Rd Pick
REN 18th Rd Pick

Gets:
Jay Bruce
Aaron Laffey
Daniel Murphy
Gregg Zaun
Nate Schierholtz
Jeremy Guthrie
KCB 1st Rd Pick
CO 2nd Rd. Pick
ORE 3rd Rd Pick
CO 10th Rd Pick

San Antonio

Gives:
AJ Burnett
Clint Barmes
Nate Schierholtz
Jon Rauch
SAN 10th Rd Pick

Gets:
Mike Cameron
Bob Howry
KCB 6th Rd Pick
REN 8th Rd Pick
BRK 10th Rd Pick

Vero Beach

Gives:
Martin Prado

Gets:
Stephen Drew

Washington

Gives:
Kendry Morales
BJ Upton
Pablo Sandoval
Akinori Iwamura
Ryan Church
John Maine
Carlos Marmol
Elijah Dukes
Ben Sheets
Chase Headley
OGW 1st Rd Pick
WAS 2nd Rd Pick
WAS 4th Rd Pick
WAS 10th Rd Pick

Gets:
Javier Vasquez
Ted Lilly
Shane Victorino
Adam Wainwright
Craig Breslow
Josh Willingham
OGW 2nd Rd Pick
HAL 4th Rd Pick
ABE 5th Rd Pick
NAP 5th Rd Pick
ABE 6th Rd Pick
OLD 6th Rd Pick

Colorado Springs winter in review

With their cuts made and final roster set, the Marines are officially done trading and ready for the draft.
Here is a recap of their transactions in the offseason and their 20-man before and after.

Marines lost:
OF - Carl Crawford
OF/1B - Josh Willingham
OF/1B - Daniel Murphy
C - Gregg Zaun
IF - Juan Uribe
RP - Bob Howry
2nd round pick (21st overall)
10th round pick (201st overall)
WAS 11th round pick (236th overall) - acquired in trade last year

Marines received:
SP - Cliff Lee
SP - Jorge De La Rosa
OF - Travis Snider
C - Carlos Ruiz
2nd round pick (35th overall)
6th round pick (117th overall)
6th round pick (110th overall)
10th round pick (206th overall)

--

The Colorado projected 20-man before the dealing was likely:

1B - Joey Votto - L
2B - Howie Kendrick - R
SS - Erick Aybar - S
3B - Evan Longoria - R
RF - Nick Markakis - L
CF - Matt Kemp - R
LF - Justin Upton - R
OF - Carl Crawford - L
OF/1b - Josh Willingham - R
IF - Juan Uribe - R
DH - Hideki Matsui - L
SP - Felix Hernandez - R
SP - Johnny Cueto - R
SP - Aaron Harang - R
SP - Francisco Liriano – L
SP - Clay Buchholz - R
SP - Homer Bailey - R
SP - Anibal Sanchez - R
RP - Jonathon Broxton - R
RP - Franklin Morales - L

..but after:

C - Carlos Ruiz - R
1B - Joey Votto - L
2B - Howie Kendrick - R
SS - Erick Aybar - S
3B - Evan Longoria - R
RF - Nick Markakis - L
CF - Matt Kemp - R
LF - Justin Upton - R
DH - Hideki Matsui - L
OF - Travis Snider - L
SP - Felix Hernandez - R
SP - Cliff Lee - L
SP - Johnny Cueto - R
SP - Jorge De La Rosa - L
SP - Aaron Harang - R
SP - Francisco Liriano – L
SP - Clay Buchholz - R
SP - Homer Bailey - R
RP - Jonathon Broxton - R
RP - Franklin Morales - L

At the end of the day, the Marines truly lost 3 players they were planning on keeping: Crawford, Willingham and Uribe. Though Crawford and Willingham were tough losses, both were in an area of surplus for the Marines. "Obviously trading Carl was a tough decision for us," GM Eric Posch stated, "But with our outfield a logjam between three young stars, we felt that moving him was the best thing for him and for us. We'll miss his speed and defense, certainly, but we're very happy in the return we got from Reno. We wish him nothing but the best with Kansas City."
Uribe would have proved helpful in filling in some missing in-field at bats against righties, but his age made him expendable to the Marines.
Their additions, however, provided them with a net gain in draft picks as well as some much needed starting pitching help. Cliff Lee and Jorge De La Rosa will provide quality innings this year for the Marines, and turn a lackluster rotation into a solid one. Travis Snider is a project that the Marines were more than happy to adopt. The 21 year old elite prospesct, they hope, can offer a nice power bat down the road from an outfield, first base or DH spot. Carlos Ruiz was taken on to mentor the rookie Matt Wieters and help out against lefty pitching.

Overall, the Marines believe that their offseason was extremely profitable, and are looking forward to the draft to fill out a roster that looks to be competitive in 2010.

The Doldrums of Winter

Now that we have gotten a chance to order the cards and all the anger, irritation, frustration, and excitement that comes along with it, we slowly await the arrival of our cards. We have gone from a frantic pace, with the wheeling and dealing of the Winter Meetings, to something that looks more like the tortoise in the famous tortoise and hare race. Well, at least we have the cards to look forward to, as well as Spring Training around the same time. Until then though, we wait as patiently as we can and add content to the blog since I don't have anything better to do and can't make the 2008 Red Wings win worth a darn in Strat-O hockey. Cartman's time machine looks so much better in times like these...

Nassau makes small moves

Nassau GM Steve Garafalo has made a few small deals sending prospect Travis Snider to Colorado Springs for an 11th round pick & veteran reliever Latroy Hawkins to Bowling Green for a 9th round pick ... he is still unable at this point to pull off a big deal to get a front end starter and may well have to try and address this need in the rookie and free agent draft ... stay tuned

Brooklyn not content standing pat.

Brooklyn management did not waste any time making an impact in the trading market. Brooklyn has shipped out one of it's cornerstones in A-Rod and closer Heath Bell. In return, Brooklyn obtains a needed ace in Jon Lester and a gold glove CF in Adam Jones. Both players fill needs and are young building block for this restructuring franchise. Also obtained is Fernando Rodney who will be given an opportunity to close some games. Brooklyn also obtained a 6th round pick.

When asked if they are done dealing, Mark Moilanen stated that that was just the start. This team needed to get younger and it still has some work to do.

Aubrey Huff and Juan Rivera are 2 players that may have different addresses by opening day. Brooklyn is looking for 3B/SS help as well as pitching. Draft pickes are always a valuable commodity as well.

Napa trade rumors

A source close to the Napa Winers management team, speaking on condition of anonymity, has informed that the Napa Winers are looking to trade their first round pick (#10 overall) along with either possibly other draft picks and/or a player (possibly closer Jonathan Papelbon) for a top of the rotation starter.

When asked to elaborate, the source told us, "The management team would love to add a proven, top of the rotation starter to pair with Tim Lincecum at the top of their rotation. All I know is that they will consider just about anything at this point."

Anybody interested is instructed to contact GM Eamonn Dymer via e-mail with their offer.

New ownership has come to Brooklyn

The turmoil that has surrounder the Brooklyn front office has finally been put to rest. Mark Moilanen has taken the reigns and has high hopes to turn this dispersal draft team into a contender. Without a stadium and an inherited team, this owners personal touch has yet to be made. In a press conference, the team has all been informed that all spots are open, and everyone must earn their roles. There is some good firepower on this team, but the pitching is suspect. This is something that needs to be looked at as Mr. Moilanen figures out were everyone fits into the team. As it stands now, the lineup is as follows:

C-Laird
1B-Berkman
2B-Utley
SS-Peralta
3B-A-Rod
LF-Holliday
CF-Hamilton
RF-J. Rivera
Bench-Kendall/Huff/Hairston

SP-Garland/Kazmir/Saunders
RP-Bell/Madsen/Condrey


Pitching will be the main target of the draft and many deals will involve pitching. There should be no lack of fireworks in the lineup. The pitching staff and defense needs a little work, but I have been on the job for 1 day. A lot can still happen.

Mark Moilanen
CEO, Brooklyn Stars

Just a quick thought

If the SoM range ratings hold up, and Somworld.com is accurate in their throwing arm predictions, the Colorado Springs starting outfield will look like this:

LF - Justin Upton (3 range, -3 arm)
CF - Matt Kemp (1 range, -3 arm)
RF - Nick Markakis (1 range, -3 arm)

How lovely.

2010 Los Angeles Squad 51 Preview

Los Angeles Squad 51 joined the TBA in 2010, with “subterranean hopes” according to GM/Manager Matt Foster.

“We’re a dispersal team, and we were drafting without a home park, so we can only hope we drafted a team from the available player pool that’ll work somewhere. I think we did pretty good, when you add in the trade for Josh [Beckett],” he continued.

TBA Blog met with Mr. Foster over a number of beers in his basement south of Boston, Massachusetts the first weekend in January. We drank, and talked SOM, drank, watched a thrilling Bruins game, and drank, and in the course of the weekend, learned about the team, the philosophy of the organization, and the players of the organization.

Why LA, when the homebase is in New England?

“I’ve always loved California, but hated LA,” Foster said. “We’re actually the Los Angeles Squad 51 of the Greater Anaheim/Irvine Area, but that was too long for the uniform company to put on the shirts, so we simplified. Besides, there are few West Coast teams, and I didn’t want to add yet another East Coast organization.”

And the nickname?

“Squad 51, man! Johnny and Roy! The first television show to prominently feature paramedics! What’s WRONG with you?”

So…

“Yes, I was a paramedic before retiring to manage SOM baseball teams. My wife hates that I retired to pick up an unpaid hobby full-time almost as much as she hates the fact that I retired before I was 30…”

What about the team?

“We’re a lose first, whine about it later, sort of team… No, just kidding. We’re in this for the fun, and hoping that we can put some [expletive deleted] in the seats using this philosophy.”

What’s the lineup look like?

“We lucked out, picking 4^th of 5 teams in the dispersal draft. We snagged a very talented player at a scarce position early, but missed out on all of the number one starters because of that, and grabbing Ryan [Braun, LF] second. So until the trade for Josh [Beckett], we had Scottie Baker as our number one starter, and I’m sure he would’ve been fine, but throwing some experience ahead of him will really help his development. We sure did [expletive deleted] up picking up Baek so early, or at all, but I blame my illiteracy on that one. ESPN.com told me he hadn’t pitched since 2008, but he had such a good year in ’08, that I ignored the year, and grabbed him. His agent’s gonna be pissed when we release him.”

All in all, it was an interesting weekend. Mr. Foster is already undergoing sensitivity training, as requested by the investment group that co-owns the team. He’s also slated to appear in a number of “Adult Illiteracy Program” PSA’s to air in both the Boston and Los Angeles area, due to the public relations hit the team took following the initial airing of this interview on ESPN.

Los Angeles predicted defensive arrangement:

Catcher: A platoon of: Yorvit Torrealba, Ramon Hernandez, and Ryan Doumit, or whomever survives cuts.

1^st Base: Daric Barton/Garrett Atkins

2^nd Base: Dustin Pedroia

3^rd Base: Chipper Jones/ Garrett Atkins

Short Stop: Orlando Cabrera

Outfield: Ryan Braun, Vernon Wells, Hunter Pence, Vlad Guerrero, Carlos Gomez, Clete Thomas

Starting Rotation: Josh Beckett, Scott Baker, John Lannan, David Bush

Bullpen: Grant Balfour, Tim Byrdak, Ryan Franklin, Lance Cormier, Brad Thompson

*Pre cuts*

Napa Winers outlook

The Napa Winers are new to the TBA league this season. This franchise was able to be formed because of some other now defunct team. After waiting patiently for approximately 15 minutes, the new ownership group headed by CEO/GM/Manager/Scouting Director/1st and 3rd base coach/bench coach/etc, etc, etc... Eamonn Dymer is excited and somewhat optimistic about the upcoming season. Coach Dymer was recently interviewed and had this to say about his club...

"We will have no shortage of offense, I just worry about whether or not we will be able to catch the ball on defense, and if we will have any pitching outside our #1 starter."

In the dispersal draft, the Napa Winers selected that #1 starter with the first overall pick. Tim Lincecum should provide them a dominant starter for years to come and be able to provide quality, if not dominant, starts every 4th or 5th game.

Napa has also been busy in the offseason trade market having acquired A.J. Burnett to give Napa a solid #2 or 3 starter along with Brian Fuentes to help shore up a bullpen led by Jonathan Papelbon.

The team roster as it stands now (with probable drops included) looks something like this:

C- Jason Varitek
1b- Miguel Cabrera
2B- Placido Polanco/Clint Barmes
SS- Marco Scutaro/Adam Everett
3b- Jeff Keppinger/Juan Uribe
OF- Adam Dunn/Rick Ankiel/Ben Zobrist/Johnny Gomes/Ben Francisco
DH- Carlos Lee/Ken Griffey Jr.

SP- Tim Lincecum/A.J. Burnett/ Jeremy Guthrie/ Joba Chamberlain/ Randy Johnson
RP- Jonathan Papelbon/ Brian Fuentes/ Sean Burnett/ Dan Wheeler/ Darren O'Day

In the upcoming draft, it has been forecast in some mock drafts that the Napa Winers will be looking to draft a Starting Pitcher (perhaps Brett Anderson) to help shore up the starting pitching. When asked about this, GM Eamonn Dymer responded, "While we do need another starting pitcher or two, there are also other needs we will be looking at with our first round pick at #10. Perhaps one of the frontline centerfielders will be available (McCutcheon, Rasmus, or Fowler). We can also use another reliever and Andrew Bailey, Luke Gregerson, and Neftali Perez (although he is being converted to a starter) all will be dominant. We could also use some youth in the middle of the infield and definitely need some help at catcher. There are a number of routes we can go. And we hopefully aren't done in the trade market yet as well."

The Napa Winers should have no problem drawing fans at first with that explosive offense and "The Freak" on the mound. The question is, will Mr Lincecum and the offense be able to keep the butts in the seats if the defense and thin pitching keep the team from getting the W's? We'll see.

Adam Jones future uncertain

Rumors were flying high just a few weeks ago just before the break but Adam Jones still remains an IronBird. Several offers were considered, some were backed out on by owners, others were just never agreed to. As for now, until a reasonable offer is made and works for both teams, AJ will remain an IronBird.

Reno Off-Season

Reno's off-season has been a plethora (yes, I said plethora) of activity.

Reno has parlayed this activity into 6 of the first 63 picks in the upcoming rookie/re-entry draft.

During the off-season, Reno Aces Manager, Richard Robertson, put into play his master plan to become Championship contenders as early as the 2011 season. Most fans will note that the Aces, formerly the Stonington Scallops, were in the League Championship Series during the 2009 season; however, Mr. Robertson felt that his team was too dependent on a heavily lefty starting pitching staff as well as a team that was scued to terrorize left-handed pitching. This came into play during the League Championship Series when the Scallops were swept away by the Oahu Glorious Wonders in four games, all started by right-handed pitchers.

The Aces began the off-season by acquiring perennial All-Star David Wright to complement his other infield All-Stars and add more on-base possibilities. The Aces also added some young stars in the making with Jay Bruce, Nate Schierholtz, Daniel Murphy, and Aaron Laffey. Whether these youngsters become something or not is still up in the air, but the trip will be interesting anyways. The Aces also added switch-hitting catcher Greg Zaun to go with lefty bashers Kelly Shoppach and Carlos Ruiz behind the plate.

At this time the Aces roster has plenty of talent but no considerable closer or top of the rotation starter. James Shields will anchor the team in 2010 and hope for a bounceback season in 2011. J.P. Howell becomes the teams defacto closer as Brian Fuentes and his unpredicatability was shipped off in the off-season. Branden Webb is lost for the entire 2010 campaign but with a potential influx of young pitching from the draft and his return for 2011, the pitching staff will look to right itself after what will be an interesting rebuilding campaign in 2010.

The Aces rosters is currently as such:

Catchers - Kelly Shoppach, Carlos Ruiz, Greg Zaun
First Basemen - Kevin Youkilis, Daniel Murphy
Second Base - Orlando Hudson
Third Base - David Wright
Shortstop - Yunel Escobar
Leftfield - Luke Scott
Centerfield - Cody Ross, Brett Gardner
Rightfield - Cory Hart, Jay Bruce

Starting Pitchers - James Shields, Tim Wakefield, Aaron Laffey, Branden Webb (IR)
Relief Pitchers - J. P. Howell, Ramon Ramirez

Without any more off-season activity this looks to be the team that will join the rookies in the upcoming baseball season.

Aces Management has shown significant interest in the upcoming draft with pitching prospects and defensive minded position players. Chris Carpenter, Neftali Feliz, Rick Porcello, and Tommy Hanson are some of the prospects which will most likely elude the Aces grasp.