It's time to start a new franchise! As usual, we will be
GM only, but we will control certain lineup/pitching choices using individual game strategy (
if need be).
My style when playing OOTP has always been to follow a low budget approach, so that is why we are going to take over the original "Moneyball" team, the
Oakland Athletics!
I have gone through and updated the 40 man roster to reflect the real Oakland roster. This meant
Brian Schlitter had to be DFA'd.
Here is a look at the pitching staff to start the season!
A.J. Puk is on the IL to start the season.
Daniel Mengden is on the 60 Day IL (and he is
out of options).
Not a fan of using
Mike Fiers as the "follower" (if anyone needs an opener it is probably
Frankie Montas (50 stamina). But that is up to
Bob Melvin to decide.
Here is a look at the batting lineups to start the season!
The first bit of roster cleanup I want to take care of is the abundance of second base depth we currently have on the 40 man roster.
Three of these second baseman are
out of options.
The most expensive is
Chad Pinder (just over 2 million). Here is a look at his profile. Internally we certainly have guys who are capable of replacing the soon to be 28 year old.
His personality is "
sparkplug" (not shown on screenshot).
Next is
Tony Kemp. He will be arbitration eligible for first time next winter.
Then we have
Franklin Barreto. His "role expectation" is only "bench player" and he is on a league minimum contract. I think we will hold on the 24 year old for the time being. But he is
out of options.
We also have
Jorge Mateo in AAA and he is
out of options (yet has no MLB service time). His personality is "
outspoken" so that makes him an obvious trade chip.
The last of the five is a unique player in his own right.
Vimael Machin was taken in the Rule 5 draft last winter from the Cubs after a really good season in AA.
He is already 26 and has zero homer power, but we will hold on to him for the time being.
I think he could serve as a utility infielder in the not so distant future (backup LF in a pinch).
He will need to spend 90 days on MLB roster or be returned to the Cubs.
In my next post we will take a look at some of the players on expiring contracts that we can potentially move out for prospects.
We desperately need to free up some more money for our player development budget, draft budget and scouting budget.