Milwaukee Millers Takeover

[SugaredLemonade]

November 4, 2010:
The Milwaukee Millers have hired Jebediah Springfield as the new General Manager of the ballclub. Springfield, an external hire, will take over a team that has finished dead last in the NL Central every season since their 2004 run to the NLCS. Another questionable hire by team owner Tom Hoodenpyle.

There you have it, my tenure as the GM of the Milwaukee Millers begins today, taking over a club that has finished in last place in each of the last 6 seasons. Before I get too far into this, I’d like to introduce us all to the Milwaukee Millers franchise.

The Millers were part of the 1957 National League expansion, along with current NL Central rival Kansas City Kings. The Millers began their time as a franchise with a promising 77-67 1957 campaign that saw them finish 3rd in the 8 team NL. The next few years were less positive for Milwaukee, however, as they would post records of 44-100 and 47-97 in 1958 and 1959 respectively. The next decade of baseball was not much better, as the team would hover around or below .500 until finally earning a playoff berth in 1971 with a record of 86-68, winning the 5 team NL East, but losing in the (then best of 3) NLCS 2-0 to Detroit.

Their next playoff berth came in 1973, after posting a division winning 88-66 record, they breezed through the NLCS 2-0, then beat the Los Angeles Union 4 games to 1 to win the 1973 World Series. The 1970s were one of the best periods of Milwaukee Millers’ baseball (only rivaled by the 1990s), as from 1969-1981, the club only finished below 2nd place in the division once (3rd in 1976), and never finishing below .500. They had 5 playoff appearances in this span (‘71, ‘73, ‘75, ‘78, ‘81), winning just the one World Series, but appearing in it in ‘75 and ‘81. They spent the 80’s and early 90’s a mediocre team, finishing between 3rd and 6th in the (now 6 team) division every season until bottoming out in 1990 (51-103) and 1991 (59-95).

The late-90’s were definitely the best period of play for Milwaukee, as the team won the (4 team) NL Central every year from 1995-1999, winning 100 games in 1996 (100-54). Unfortunately, none of this dominance resulted in a World Series. Since a 99-63 run in 1999, which saw them flame out in a sweep by the Pittsburgh Rebels, they have just one playoff appearance in 2004 (as mentioned earlier), in which they won the NLDS as a wildcard team over St. Louis 3-2, then lost the NLCS in 6 to Colorado. Since then, it’s been all last place for the Milwaukee Millers, with only one season with less than 90 losses (74-88 in 2008), and hitting 100 losses in 2006 (62-100). With that bit of history taken care of, it’s time to dive into it. Welcome to the Milwaukee Millers!

Meet the Roster:
Looking at the roster, my initial reaction is shock that this team was able to win 66 games this season. Like, yikes. There are a few bright spots though, like 27 year old RF Eric Mandel, who just wrapped up his fifth season in the big leagues. An All Star in 2008, Mandel slashed .248/.358/.483 with 28 home runs and 83 RBIs, good for an OPS+ of 117 in what is certainly a down year for him (dropped 2.1 WAR from 2009). He’s a very solid hitter who has the potential to hit .300 (did in 2007, along wit 35 HRs and an OPS of 1.012), is very good at drawing walks (averaging 100 per 162), and has a career K% of around 20% (though this year it was up to 23%). We have control of Mandel through the 2012 season, so definitely will want to see his 2011 production before determining if we want to extend him.

Other bright spots in the offense include 24 year old catcher Brian Stoltzfus, who has played in 90 games in parts of 2 seasons with the club. The 5th overall pick in 2009 had a promising offensive 2009 campaign, slashing .291/.351/.496, with 3 homers and 22 RBI, but an injury filled 2010 season saw him appear in just 47 games, and hit .222/.259/.335, though he did match his HR total from 2009. Defensively, Stoltzfus hasn’t shown anything special, though our scouts believe he should be able to be an above average catcher at the big league level. We also have 26 year old 1B Skyler Judd, who won the 2008 NL Rookie of the Year after a tremendous season that saw him hit .337/.378/.565 with 28 HRs and 127 RBI, and a league leading 218 hits. Since then, however, it’s been much less stellar, posting an OPS of .764 in 2009 and .815 in 2010. Luckily, despite the offensive falloff (though still solid), Judd is a reliable first baseman who is very well respected in the clubhouse, organization, and fanbase. The rest of this offense, however, proves why they ranked bottom-2 in the NL in all major categories except OBP (10th at .315).

On the pitching side, there’s only one positive that I have noticed. 24 year old lefty starter Jesus Briscoe. The ace of this team, but most likely a 2-3 on a competitor, Briscoe throws a fastball at 92-94, a plus slider, and a solid changeup. He went 9-11 with a 3.76 ERA in 165 innings (27 starts). He is good at limiting the longball (0.8 HR/9), though he does struggle with walks (walking one batter for every 2 he strikes out). A solid debut campaign for the 20th round pick from 2008, I hope to see big things from him in the future. A potential bright spot is 24 year old closer Eddie Hart, who went from rookie ball in 2009 to the big stage this year. That showed with a 5.75 ERA in 51.2 innings, along with 12 saves and 4 blown saves. The statline is rough, but the ratings show a solid, high velocity sinkerballer with a good curve and a poor slider. With just one year in the books for Hart, it is way too early to label him anything, though I doubt I want him being our 9th inning guy to begin 2011. The rest of the big league roster will be met during the meat of the offseason, but for now it’s on to the minor leagues!

[SugaredLemonade]

Top Prospects
The Milwaukee Millers enter this offseason with the 4th overall farm system, including 6 top-100 prospects. Not too shabby at all.

ORG (OVR) Name (POS, AGE, LVL)

1 (3) Chris Bowyer (RHP, 21, AA) - The first overall pick out of Don Bosco Prep in 2007 struggled mightily in his first season outside of rookie ball in 2010. Splitting time between Single-A Lakeland and Double-A Lubbock, Bowyer put up a 6.07 ERA in 109.2 innings (23 starts), allowing a .273 BAA, and a HR/9 of 1.56, and ended the 2009 campaign on the IL with a hamstring strain. Not what you want to see out of your top prospect. He has 5-pitch repertoire, though that really should be 4 with his changeup as bad as it is, that tops out around 97 with his 4 seamer. He does have high strikeout potential, and at just 21, he has time to figure things out. I’ll likely put him back down in Single-A Lakeland to start the 2011 season.

2 (43) Alexis Huecker (CF, 22, AAA) - Arguably our most major league ready prospect, Huecker really is an all around ballplayer, and has shown why he is number 2 in our organization (and if it weren’t for how highly regarded Bowyer was out of HS, he’d probably be number 1). A 2006 first round pick by Los Angeles, he was released early in 2009 due to very very underwhelming play in rookie ball and Single-A, and major injury issues. Milwaukee took a chance on him and definitely did not miss, as he has rocketed through the organization and established himself as one of the top minor leaguers in the game. He has a solid bat (hit .300 with an .833 OPS in time between Double-A and Triple-A), and sneaky pop (.479 SLG with 14 homers in 105 total games), but his best value comes in the field and on the basepaths. He was 25/32 stealing in those 105 games, and that speed gives him tremendous range in center, with his only downside being an average arm. He’ll probably begin next year in Triple-A, but the spring will definitely help determine how quick I’ll be willing to call him up.

3 (48) Chris Davis (C, 19, R) - The 4th overall pick in the 2010 draft out of Malvern Prep in New York, Davis spent his time post-draft with the Bend Pacifics of the rookie level Lewis and Clark League. He was anything but good there, hitting an abysmal .158/.210/.224 in 24 games (81 PAs), with just 1 HR and 5 driven in. He struck out 26 times and walked just 4 times. Though 24 games is a very small sample size for someone in their first year of professional ball, this was certainly not what Davis nor the organization had in mind. He’s going to have to put it together offensively because defensively he is average at best. He might see time in Lakeland this year because I don’t want him to miss half the year waiting on the LCL to start up in July.

4 (57) Gabe Machado (2B, 21, A) - Another solid free agency signing, after being released by St. Louis (who signed him out of Venezuela in ’05) at the beginning of the year, we picked him up and assigned him to Lakeland. He slashed .253/.329/.402 with 7 homers and 50 RBI in 77 games. Not too eye popping, but he has 70-grade speed and a slightly above average glove, to go along with about as many walks as strikeouts (33 - 38). He receives high praise from our scouting department, as they project him as an all around above average offensive player at the big league level. A tad suprised he’s ranked this high, but he seems solid nonetheless. Will most likely begin him in AA, but it will depend on his spring performance.

5 (81) Bemus Papadias (LF, 20, A) - Another top prospect of ours who struggled after a promotion, Papadias raked in 42 games in Bend, slashing .322/.388/.579, with 8 homers and 27 driven in. Once promoted to Lakeland, he struggled mightily, going 11-62 with one homer, 10 walks, and 6 punchouts. Though having absolutely zero speed, he has surprisingly decent range in the field, to go along with an above average arm. Unless the USBL adds a DH anytime soon, he should be a decent corner outfielder in a few years, and will begin 2011 in Lakeland where he left off.

6 (91) Israel Fierro (CF, 22, AA) - Who Bemus Papadoodledoo wishes he was, Israel Fierro is probably my favorite of our prospects. The 22 year old native of the Domincan Republic is an above average offensive player with very good speed and good outfield ability. He hit .302/.330/.427 with 4 homers and 65 RBI in 104 games split between Lakeland and Lubbock this year, along with 19 stolen bags in 23 attempts. His HR total was a letdown from his 12 in 85 games in 2009, but his average was up 40 points, and his OPS up 40 as well, so overall I’d say a net positive. He’ll certainly begin the year in Lubbock, and see some playing time this spring.

In our last look at the organization before taking a trip around the USBL, it’s time to meet our personnel.

Meet the Owner:
71 year old Tom Hoodenpyle purchased the Milwaukee Millers after the conclusion of 1994 USBL season. The Hoodenpyle oversaw the team’s best stretch of play, and arguably its worst stretch of play, which it is mired in right now. Part of the struggle has certainly been his loyalty to staff, including former GM and current Assistant GM (soon to be former Assistant GM) Tony Guthrie. You’ll hear more on him soon. Hoodenpyle is iffy with his money, doesn’t put too much into the team as we now sit with the 22nd ranked budget. He is very hands off when it comes to involvement, which, along with his leniency, should allow me to work pretty freely with the club. He wants the team to win, prioritizing that over anything else. He also laid out some goals for me for next year and the future:

Play close to .500 ball in 2011 (nice one Hoodenpyle)
Upgrade from Stoltzfus at catcher (hopefully he does this himself)
Improve team Bullpen ERA from last in the NL at 4.82 (definitely possible, not hard to get better than last, especially if Hart can turn it on)
Increase attendance in 2011 from 19,510/gm to 23,300/gm (i don’t know man, attendance has been plummeting lately due to poor performance. Can’t force people to show up, and they won’t if we suck)
Build the team up to reach the playoffs by 2016 (finally a realistic one, with the roster we have I’m gonna need all the time I can get)

Under the table me and Tom have an agreement: if the team has not made a playoff run after 6 years, I’m resigning.

Meet the Staff
Asst. GM - Like I said, soon to be former Asst. GM, Tony Guthrie joined Milwaukee before the 2007 season, and since he took over, the Millers have averaged 94.5 losses per season. He was not much better in his 4 years in Washington. From 2001-2004, his Senators averaged 90.5 losses, with their best record being 79-83 in 2003. His draft picks have been underwhelming, and he has never had a winning record in 8 seasons. He gone.

Manager - The spot is currently vacant but previously filling it was Josh Schroeder. Much like Guthrie, Schroeder has absolutely zero history of winning. He was bench coach for the 82-80 Atlanta Hounds in 2000 before being hired as manager of the Phoenix Scorpions in 2001. He struggled in Phoenix, posting years of 68-94, 62-100, and 74-88 before being let go, then came here in ‘06. He seems to be a tank commander manager, because Phoenix has since been a perennial playoff contender. I would’ve fired him if Guthrie didn’t (arguably the only good thing he did as GM).

Bench Coach - John Thomas has been our bench coach since 2008, and before that he managed the Tucson Owls (Cleveland’s AAA affiliate in the West Coast League) in 2007. Though he doesn’t have much of a reputation, he appears to be a very solid, laid back coach, who is good at developing players, especially catchers.

Pitching Coach - Juan Reynoso is terrible. Under him the team has not posted an ERA below 4.71. Another example of Hoodenpyle being way too loyal, which allowed Guthrie to keep his goonies around. Reynoso is not good at anything, except he is well liked around the clubhouse. Oh well. He’s gone too.

Hitting Coach - Chris Williams is actually a solid hire. I was worried after looking at Guthrie, Schroeder, and Reynoso, but this one seems to be alright. The team has zero talent, so while overall offensive statistics are bad, he is loved around the clubhouse and everybody says he is very good at developing hitters. This was his first year coaching professional ball after being the hitting coach at Boston College for 5 years before we hired him.

1B Coach - Jose Picazo was brought over from Phoenix by Schroeder in 2007. I don’t know man, something about Schroeder’s people doesn’t sit right with me. He’s arguably more loved than Williams in the clubhouse, but just knowing he’s one of Schroeder’s guys, along with a below average reputation is enough for me to be willing to part ways with him.

3B Coach - Matthew Spencer joined the squad in 2009. A former pitcher for Minneapolis/St. Paul, he has a below average reputation and is very aggressive on the basebaths. Unfortunately, we still ranked 8th in the NL in stolen bases. His one positive attribute didn’t even get us into the top-5 in the category.

Scouting Director - Willie Perez has been scouting director in Milwaukee since 1994. The 71 year old has been through it all with this team, and is very highly regarded around the league. I’m not sure whether I’ll stick with him, maybe it’ll be good to get a new face in here after all this losing. Plus, like I mentioned earlier, not a fan of the latest draft picks.

Trainer - Willie Cardwell has been our trainer since 2007. He is a prevention focused trainer who is very good at preventing and rehabbing miscellaneous injuries, and pretty average everywhere else. I think he’s gonna do, for no reason other than he’s not special and we need change across the board.

[SugaredLemonade]

28. Milwaukee Millers (66-96, 5th in NL Central, 31 GB)

27. Montreal Maples (67-95, 5th in NL East, 15 GB)
Founded: 1975
World Series: 1 (2001)
NL Pennants: 1 (2001)
Division Titles: 7 (1988, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2008)
Minor League System (top-100): 7th (7)

26. Pittsburgh Rebels (63-99, 5th in AL East, 27 GB)
Pittsburgh Steelers (1948-1992)
Founded: 1948
World Series: 6 (1968, 1971, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1999)
AL Pennants: 8 (1948, 1968, 1971, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1999)
Division Titles: 14 (1948, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1999-2002, 2006)
Minor League System (top-100): 3rd (5)

25. Miami Makos (71-91, 4th in NL East, 11 GB)
Founded: 1999
World Series: 0
NL Pennants: 0
Division Titles: 0
Minor League System: 11th (4)

24. Dallas Colts (73-89, 4th in NL West, 25 GB)
Dallas Colt 45’s (1968-1999)
Founded: 1968
World Series: 1 (1998)
NL Pennants: 1 (1998)
Division Titles: 6 (1977, 1993, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2008)
Minor League System: 10th (2)

23. Boston Minutemen (81-81, 4th in AL East, 9 GB)
Boston Fanatics (1948-1968)
Founded: 1948
World Series: 1 (1969)
NL Pennants: 1 (1969)
Division Titles: 4 (1969, 1987, 1994, 1997)
Minor League System: 5th (6)

22. Louisville Sluggers (72-90, 5th in AL Central, 15 GB)
Founded: 1948
World Series: 6 (1955, 1956, 1959, 1960, 1982, 2006)
AL Pennants: 10 (1955-1960, 1982, 1984, 1987, 2006)
Division Titles: 19 (1955-1960, 1982-1984, 1986-1988, 1993, 1997, 1999-2001, 2005, 2009)
Minor League System: 26th (1)

21. Chicago Wind Sox (75-87, 3rd in AL Central, 13 GB)
Founded: 1948
World Series: 4 (1950, 1952, 1953, 1990)
AL Pennants: 6 (1950-1954, 1990)
Division Titles: 13 (1950-1954, 1969, 1977, 1981, 1990, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008)
Minor League System: 18th (5)

20. Houston Apollos (74-88, 4th in AL Central, 14 GB)
Founded: 1956
World Series: 3 (1970, 1972, 1976)
AL Pennants: 5 (1965, 1970 1972, 1976, 1977)
Division Titles: 9 (1965, 1968, 1970 1972, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1992)
Minor League System: 28th (0)

19. Seattle Wizards (79-83, 4th in AL West, 11 GB)
Founded: 1967
World Series: 1 (1994)
AL Pennants: 2 (1994, 1995)
Division Titles: 7 (1974, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2002, 2003)
Minor League System: 15th (2)

18. New York Guardians (73-89, 4th in NL West, 25 GB)
Founded: 1968
World Series: 1 (1983)
NL Pennants: 1 (1983)
Division Titles: 5 (1983, 1987, 1997, 1999, 2000)
Minor League System: 2nd (6)

17. Los Angeles Union (81-81, 3rd in AL West, 9 GB)
Founded: 1956
World Series: 4 (1963, 1966, 1967, 2000)
AL Pennants: 6 (1963, 1966, 1967, 1973, 2000, 2001)
Division Titles:
Minor League System: 13th (6)

16. Colorado Gold Sox (85-77, 3rd in NL West, 13 GB)
Founded: 1948
World Series: 6 (1957, 1985, 1987, 1995, 1997, 2004)
NL Pennants: 8 (1957, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2004)
Division Titles: 16 (1957, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2000-2005, 2007)
Minor League System: 19th (1)

15. Atlanta Hounds (76-86, 2nd in NL East, 6 GB)
Founded: 1948
World Series: 6 (1958, 1977, 1984, 1992, 1993, 2007)
NL Pennants: 14 (1950, 1958, 1959, 1963, 1967, 1970, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1992, 1993, 2005, 2007)
Division Titles: 23 (1950, 1958, 1959, 1963, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2002-2005, 2007)
Minor League System: 20th (1)


14. Philadelphia Liberty (82-80, 1st in NL East, Lost 3-0 in NLDS to Kansas City)
Founded: 1948
World Series: 1 (1965)
NL Pennants: 6 (1955, 1960, 1964, 1965, 1968, 2006)
Division Titles: 10 (1950, 1960, 1964, 1965, 1968, 1972, 1974, 2006, 2009, 2010)
Minor League System: 14th (1)

13. St. Louis Bandits (83-79, 4th in NL Central, 14 GB)
Founded: 1948
World Series: 2 (1961, 2008)
NL Pennants: 4 (1961, 1966, 2003, 2008)
Division Titles: 7 (1961, 1966, 1985, 1994, 2003-2005)
Minor League System: 21st (2)

12. Washington Senators (73-89, 4th in NL West, 25 GB)
Founded: 1967
World Series: 1 (1974)
SL Pennants: 1 (1974)
Division Titles: 5 (1973, 1974, 1976, 1984, 1998)
Minor League System: 16th (3)

11. Detroit Stars (84-78, 3rd in NL Central, 13 GB)
Founded: 1948
World Series: 5 (1948, 1949, 1951, 1954, 2002)
NL Pennants: 15 (1948, 1949, 1951-1954, 1962, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1979, 2002)
Division Titles: 21 (1948, 1949, 1951-1954, 1962, 1969-1972, 1974-1976, 1978, 1979, 2000-2002, 2006, 2009)
Minor League System: 23rd (2)

10. Oakland Admirals (83-79, 2nd in AL West, 7 GB)
Founded: 1975
World Series: 0
AL Pennants: 0
Division Titles: 2 (1996, 1998)
Minor League System: 6th (6)

9. New York Empire (90-72, 1st in AL East, Lost 3-2 in ALDS to Toronto)
Founded: 1948
World Series: 4 (1962, 1964, 1978, 1996)
AL Pennants: 9 (1949, 1962, 1964, 1978, 1985, 1986, 1992, 1993, 1996)
Division Titles: 15 (1949, 1962, 1964, 1972, 1978, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1991-1993, 1995, 1996, 2008, 2010)
Minor League System: 22nd (1)

8. Nashville Jazz (84-78, 2nd in AL Central, 3 GB)
Founded: 1995
World Series: 0
AL Pennants: 0
Division Titles: 1 (1995)
Minor League System: 1st (9)

7. Toronto Mounties (87-75, 2nd in AL East, 3 GB, Beat NY Empire 3-2 in ALDS, Lost 4-0 in ALCS to San Diego)
Founded: 1995
World Series: 3 (2003, 2005, 2009)
AL Pennants: 4 (2003-2005, 2009)
Division Titles: 5 (2003-2005, 2007, 2009)
Minor League System: 25th (3)

6. Cleveland Spiders (87-75, 1st in AL Central, Lost 3-1 in ALDS to San Diego)
Founded: 1975
World Series: 1 (1988)
AL Pennants: 3 (1988, 2002, 2007)
Division Titles: 6 (1988, 1996, 1998, 2002, 2007, 2010)
Minor League System: 9th (5)

5. San Diego Seagulls (90-72, 1st in AL West, Beat Cleveland 3-1 in ALDS, Beat Toronto 4-0 in ALCS, Lost 4-3in World Series to Phoenix)
Baltimore Barons (1948-1976)
Founded: 1948
World Series: 2 (1981, 1991)
AL Pennants: (1961, 1981, 1989, 1991, 2008, 2010)
Division Titles: 12 (1961, 1978, 1981, 1989, 1991, 1999, 2005-2010)
Minor League System: 24th (3)

4. Phoenix Scorpions (98-64, 1st in NL West, Beat Minneapolis/St.Paul 3-2 in NLDS, Beat Kansas City 4-2 in NLCS, Beat San Diego 4-3 in World Series)
Founded: 1999
World Series: 1 (2010)
NL Pennants: 2 (2009, 2010)
Division Titles: 3 (2006, 2009, 2010)
Minor League System: 27th (2)

3. San Francisco Ferrymen (89-73, 2nd in NL West, 9 GB)
Brooklyn Ferrymen (1948-1961)
Founded: 1948
World Series: 1 (1989)
NL Pennants: 3 (1956, 1989, 1990)
Division Titles: 7 (1956, 1968, 1980, 1981, 1989, 1990, 1992)
Minor League System: 8th (3)

2. Minneapolis/St. Paul Saints (95-67, 2nd in NL Central, 2 GB, Lost 3-2 in NLDS to Phoenix)
Founded: 1975
World Series: 0
NL Pennants: 2 (1991, 1996)
Division Titles: 3 (1991, 2007, 2008)
Minor League System: 17th (3)

1. Kansas City Kings (97-65, 1st in NL Central, Beat Philadelphia 3-0 in ALDS, Lost 4-2 in NLCS to Phoenix)
Founded: 1957
World Series: 1 (1986)
NL Pennants: 1 (1986)
Division Titles: 4 (1973, 1984, 1986, 2010)
Minor League System: 17th (4)

I'm working on little backgrounds for the teams, should have them done soon, until then this is what we got! Time to begin my time as the Milwaukee Millers' General Manager

[SugaredLemonade]

Just looking at our finances, we have a fair amount of budget space to work with, and are losing absolutely zero of our important contributors to free agency, and the only players we are losing were dead weight anyways. It's a very inexperienced, very cheap team I am working with, and I love that. $46,120,000 available to use on free agents and $52,890,000 to use on extensions. We are stuck with some offers already made by Guthrie *sigh* so I'll have to work around. He offered Mandel 1 year at $10.2 million, which isn't awful for him. He also offered 26 year old LF Jay DeVault 5 years at $24.6 million. DeVault spent most of this year injured, but in his 20 starts he went 29-76, with 5 HR, 10 RBI, 6 walks, and 17 strikeouts. He had shown promise in his prior seasons, but injuries limited his ability to stay on the field. I don't want to commit 5 years' worth of money to him just yet. Another guy offered a contract I'm not a fan of is 30 year old 3B Brett Razey. Razey was paid $1.38 million last year, and has not produced much since debuting for Louisville in 2005. In 92 starts he slashed .221/.281/.373 with 7 HR, while striking out 25% of the time. He provided very not impressive defense. Not bad, but not impressive either. I'll let him go to arbitration as well. Skyler Judd was offered a 1 year $1.5 million deal, which I'll happily let go through.

11/05 - LF Jeremy Gower emailed me his response to Guthrie's offer of $650,000 for next year, and he is not pleased. He wants more money, and looking at his numbers (.784 OPS, 31 BB and 33 K in 192 PAs, to go along with about league average defense), I'm very willing to increase that offer. Another player Guthrie offered a contract to, 3B Miles Drainville, was outright pissed and says he will play elsewhere next year. Looking at his line (.220/.318/.327), I think I'd be okay with that. He does offer plus speed and an above-average glove though, so I don't think I'll let him go, seeing as we still have 3 more years of control on him.

We have also withdrawn arbitration offered on 29 year old catcher Mark Becker, who posted -0.7 WAR in just 23 starts. Very impressive.

Looking at the upcoming free agents, I have found 2 so far that I wish to pursue. The age listed is their age for next season.

Franklin Trevino (29, RHP) - Trevino was traded from Seattle to Minneapolis/St. Paul at the deadline, and in 94.2 innings (13 starts) with the Saints, he had a 2.38 ERA, along with an 0.96 WHIP and 87 Ks to just 22 walks. Overall on the year he was 14-8 with a 3.03 ERA and 189 KÂ’s in 225.2 innings (33 starts). This was certainly his best season yet, and we hope that he could continue it if we sign him.

Ethan Chambers (29, 3B) - Chambers was brought up in 2004 by the New York Empire, and has consistently been a solid offensive player since. Outside of his steller 2007 and 2008 seasons, where his OPS was .958 and .903 respectively, he has been about an .800 OPS hitter that will hit about 20-25 homers 2010 was certainly a down year, with his OPS at just .748. On the bright side, his strikeouts were down from 134 in 2009 to just 93. He is also an above average to average fielder with an elite arm and decent running speed. Though not the greatest base stealer, he has consitently gotten 11-16 stolen bases a season since 2007.