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reds1 · 10-02-2015, 04:13 PM

1940 Offseason

The 1940 offseason did not see as many trades as what was seen last offseason, but it still saw some marquee names change addresses. As in past offseasons, transactions saw major league talent being shipped to Eastern League teams, while highly-touted prospects were sent to Western League teams. A clear indication that more teams in the East are in ‘win now’ mode, while the West teams not named Cambria or Kingston are still in rebuilding mode. It should be interesting how this all pans out. Sooner or later, the Western League will turn into a dogfight for the playoffs.

Here are the significant trades that went down in the off months, leading up to ‘Spring’ Training:

April 21:

The Queensland Eagles acquired 41-year old RP Michael Wilberfoss (66/66) from the Hespeler Stars.

In return, the Stars received three minor leaguers:

21-year old IF Jay Western (22/59);
18-year old IF Kobbe Adamse (40/50); and
20-year old IF See-tong Thum (21/23).

Wilberfoss is no longer a viable starting pitcher, as he has lost the edge on his fastball (85-87 Mph), but he still has decent command and stamina. He should still be useful coming out of the bullpen for the Eagles. In return, the Stars get a couple of potentially useful depth players. Of the three, Adamse appears to be the closest to joining the big club. He should be a decent contact hitter with decent defense at SS and tremendous speed on the base paths. He has poor plate discipline however.

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April 25:

The Pulberry Trolleys traded perhaps the face of the franchise, when they sent 31-year old CF Rio Gidley (68/68) to the Embro Suns.

In return, the Trolleys received three minor leaguers:

21-year old RHP-RP Luke Woodward (48/80 - #1 rated prospect);
21-year old OF Baden Waymouth (22/23); and
21-year old IF Dermott Driscoll (21/23).

Gidley, a multiple all-star and top fielder award winner with Pulberry, joins a Suns team that is already loaded with front-line talent in the outfield. Thus, he will probably serve as the fourth outfielder, behind stalwarts LF Anthony Stavely (62/63), CF Terence Durney (80/80) and RF Paul Hooks (80/80).

The Trolleys receive essentially one prospect of note: RHP Luke Woodward, who was drafted 9th overall in 1937-38 by the Wolseley Unions. This is the third trade he has been involved in. Is it because “Trouble always seems to find Woodward”, as his scouting report suggests? His stuff, movement and control are all top-notch, but he just hasn’t been able to develop a third pitch (changeup-20/25), relegating him to the bullpen. Still, he should have what it takes to make the big leagues soon.

--------

May 6:

The Wolseley Unions traded away 27-year old OF Aaron Flanagan (49/49), their 1938-39 Rookie of the Year winner, to the Downie Chiefs.

In return, the Unions received three minor leaguers:

20-year old C Thomas Geary (23/72);
22-year old LHP Scott Napper (20/23); and
21-year old RHP Rhys Sellick (20/32).

Flanagan mainly played 1B in Wolseley and was rated higher at that position (74/74). The only way for this trade to work to Wolseley’s benefit is if Geary, a 3rd round pick in 1939-40, develops into a quality catcher. Thus far, his development was been positive. He has above average contact with good speed and defense. Flanagan is coming off another all-star season and if he can continue that production with Downie, then the Chiefs may see an improvement in the standings.

--------

May 11:

The Embro Suns pulled off another major trade when they acquired 33-year old SS Gary Watkinson (80/80) from the Sherburn Tigers.

In return, the Tigers received three minor leaguers:

24-year old LHP Daniel Pierson (71/79 - #2 rated prospect);
20-year old 1B Kyle Moorhouse (21/43); and
20-year old SS Samuel Campbell (22/25).

The Suns continued their assembly of an outstanding team with the acquisition of perennial all-star Watkinson, rated #4 overall in the ULB. He is starting to show regressions in the latest scouting reports, but he remains a superior contact hitter and decent defender.
In return, Sherburn receives perhaps the best starting pitching prospect available in Pierson. He boasts great stuff, filthy movement and tremendous control. He has a reputation of being a tad conceited; but with the Tigers, he has a chance of becoming the team’s ace and backing his attitude up.

--------

May 23:

The Wellington Athletics joined in the fun as well, acquiring 28-year old IF Brian Main (57/63) from the Pulberry Trolleys.

In return, the Trolleys received four minor leaguers:

20-year old RHP Cameron Ueno (34/79 – 13th overall pick in 1939-40);
19-year old RHP Ramón Ortiz (33/80 - #5 rated prospect);
21-year old RHP Cheng-gong Zhao (20/48); and
19-year old SS Dean Ogilvie (20/23).

Brain Main has taken a few talent hits in the past couple of scouting reports, but he still a talented infielder, who is most comfortable playing either 2B or 3B. He should help Wellington’s quest in returning to the playoffs.
In return, the Trolleys receive some very nice arms, but Ueno and Ortiz are shaping up to be relief pitchers rather than starters. That may limit their impact for Pulberry, but the bullpen should be in good hands in the not-too-distant future.

--------

June 22:

The Queensland Eagles signed a 34-year old free agent from Curacao, RHP Henny Akerval (64/64) for their starting rotation. He is currently slotted as their No. 4 pitcher. Akerval should be a solid pitcher for the Eagles (Stuff-40/40; Movement-55/55; Control-55/55), with three pitches (fastball-40/40; curveball-45/45; changeup-45/45). His velocity tops out only at 88 Mph but has good stamina (70).

--------

June 28:

It doesn’t happen often, but an intra-league trade was consummated this off-season between the Downie Chiefs and Stratford Barons.
The Barons receive 30-year old RHP In-sin Ahn (55/55) and 19-year old minor league 3B Alexander Wearne (23/66) from the Chiefs, in exchange for 29-year old 1B William Tozer (67/74).

Ahn is a borderline starter at best, as he is not blessed with the best stuff (35/35); he is currently listed as Stratford’s No. 5 starter. Wearne, a 5th round pick from 1938-39, shows some promise as a decent contact hitter with some pop, a good eye and decent defense.
The Barons have designated 37-year old William Neal (57/57) as their starting 1B and thus deemed the younger Tozer as expendable. Having said that, Neal is higher rated at 1B than Tozer (3rd vs. 6th), but for how long remains to be seen.

--------

Similar to last year, the Eastern League teams improved their major league rosters the most, based on WAR. The Embro Suns gained the most (8.8 WAR) in their acquisitions of SS Gary Watkinson and CF Rio Gidley. The Downie Chiefs were also quite active, gaining 8.0 WAR, through the trades that brought 1B William Tozer and RF Aaron Flanagan on board. Last season, the Braeland City Monarchs were the leaders in WAR gained and they ended up going to the United Cup. So we’ll just have to see if either Embro or Downie can reach the same success this coming season.

The Pulberry Trolleys saw the greatest drain of frontline talent for a second year in a row. As a result they have the No. 1 ranked farm system in the ULB, just ahead of the Balmoral Giants and the defending United Cup Champions, the Cambria Cannons.

10-02-2015, 04:13 PM	#161
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	1940 Offseason The 1940 offseason did not see as many trades as what was seen last offseason, but it still saw some marquee names change addresses. As in past offseasons, transactions saw major league talent being shipped to Eastern League teams, while highly-touted prospects were sent to Western League teams. A clear indication that more teams in the East are in ‘win now’ mode, while the West teams not named Cambria or Kingston are still in rebuilding mode. It should be interesting how this all pans out. Sooner or later, the Western League will turn into a dogfight for the playoffs. Here are the significant trades that went down in the off months, leading up to ‘Spring’ Training: April 21: The Queensland Eagles acquired 41-year old RP Michael Wilberfoss (66/66) from the Hespeler Stars. In return, the Stars received three minor leaguers: 21-year old IF Jay Western (22/59); 18-year old IF Kobbe Adamse (40/50); and 20-year old IF See-tong Thum (21/23). Wilberfoss is no longer a viable starting pitcher, as he has lost the edge on his fastball (85-87 Mph), but he still has decent command and stamina. He should still be useful coming out of the bullpen for the Eagles. In return, the Stars get a couple of potentially useful depth players. Of the three, Adamse appears to be the closest to joining the big club. He should be a decent contact hitter with decent defense at SS and tremendous speed on the base paths. He has poor plate discipline however. -------- April 25: The Pulberry Trolleys traded perhaps the face of the franchise, when they sent 31-year old CF Rio Gidley (68/68) to the Embro Suns. In return, the Trolleys received three minor leaguers: 21-year old RHP-RP Luke Woodward (48/80 - #1 rated prospect); 21-year old OF Baden Waymouth (22/23); and 21-year old IF Dermott Driscoll (21/23). Gidley, a multiple all-star and top fielder award winner with Pulberry, joins a Suns team that is already loaded with front-line talent in the outfield. Thus, he will probably serve as the fourth outfielder, behind stalwarts LF Anthony Stavely (62/63), CF Terence Durney (80/80) and RF Paul Hooks (80/80). The Trolleys receive essentially one prospect of note: RHP Luke Woodward, who was drafted 9th overall in 1937-38 by the Wolseley Unions. This is the third trade he has been involved in. Is it because “Trouble always seems to find Woodward”, as his scouting report suggests? His stuff, movement and control are all top-notch, but he just hasn’t been able to develop a third pitch (changeup-20/25), relegating him to the bullpen. Still, he should have what it takes to make the big leagues soon. -------- May 6: The Wolseley Unions traded away 27-year old OF Aaron Flanagan (49/49), their 1938-39 Rookie of the Year winner, to the Downie Chiefs. In return, the Unions received three minor leaguers: 20-year old C Thomas Geary (23/72); 22-year old LHP Scott Napper (20/23); and 21-year old RHP Rhys Sellick (20/32). Flanagan mainly played 1B in Wolseley and was rated higher at that position (74/74). The only way for this trade to work to Wolseley’s benefit is if Geary, a 3rd round pick in 1939-40, develops into a quality catcher. Thus far, his development was been positive. He has above average contact with good speed and defense. Flanagan is coming off another all-star season and if he can continue that production with Downie, then the Chiefs may see an improvement in the standings. -------- May 11: The Embro Suns pulled off another major trade when they acquired 33-year old SS Gary Watkinson (80/80) from the Sherburn Tigers. In return, the Tigers received three minor leaguers: 24-year old LHP Daniel Pierson (71/79 - #2 rated prospect); 20-year old 1B Kyle Moorhouse (21/43); and 20-year old SS Samuel Campbell (22/25). The Suns continued their assembly of an outstanding team with the acquisition of perennial all-star Watkinson, rated #4 overall in the ULB. He is starting to show regressions in the latest scouting reports, but he remains a superior contact hitter and decent defender. In return, Sherburn receives perhaps the best starting pitching prospect available in Pierson. He boasts great stuff, filthy movement and tremendous control. He has a reputation of being a tad conceited; but with the Tigers, he has a chance of becoming the team’s ace and backing his attitude up. -------- May 23: The Wellington Athletics joined in the fun as well, acquiring 28-year old IF Brian Main (57/63) from the Pulberry Trolleys. In return, the Trolleys received four minor leaguers: 20-year old RHP Cameron Ueno (34/79 – 13th overall pick in 1939-40); 19-year old RHP Ramón Ortiz (33/80 - #5 rated prospect); 21-year old RHP Cheng-gong Zhao (20/48); and 19-year old SS Dean Ogilvie (20/23). Brain Main has taken a few talent hits in the past couple of scouting reports, but he still a talented infielder, who is most comfortable playing either 2B or 3B. He should help Wellington’s quest in returning to the playoffs. In return, the Trolleys receive some very nice arms, but Ueno and Ortiz are shaping up to be relief pitchers rather than starters. That may limit their impact for Pulberry, but the bullpen should be in good hands in the not-too-distant future. -------- June 22: The Queensland Eagles signed a 34-year old free agent from Curacao, RHP Henny Akerval (64/64) for their starting rotation. He is currently slotted as their No. 4 pitcher. Akerval should be a solid pitcher for the Eagles (Stuff-40/40; Movement-55/55; Control-55/55), with three pitches (fastball-40/40; curveball-45/45; changeup-45/45). His velocity tops out only at 88 Mph but has good stamina (70). -------- June 28: It doesn’t happen often, but an intra-league trade was consummated this off-season between the Downie Chiefs and Stratford Barons. The Barons receive 30-year old RHP In-sin Ahn (55/55) and 19-year old minor league 3B Alexander Wearne (23/66) from the Chiefs, in exchange for 29-year old 1B William Tozer (67/74). Ahn is a borderline starter at best, as he is not blessed with the best stuff (35/35); he is currently listed as Stratford’s No. 5 starter. Wearne, a 5th round pick from 1938-39, shows some promise as a decent contact hitter with some pop, a good eye and decent defense. The Barons have designated 37-year old William Neal (57/57) as their starting 1B and thus deemed the younger Tozer as expendable. Having said that, Neal is higher rated at 1B than Tozer (3rd vs. 6th), but for how long remains to be seen. -------- Similar to last year, the Eastern League teams improved their major league rosters the most, based on WAR. The Embro Suns gained the most (8.8 WAR) in their acquisitions of SS Gary Watkinson and CF Rio Gidley. The Downie Chiefs were also quite active, gaining 8.0 WAR, through the trades that brought 1B William Tozer and RF Aaron Flanagan on board. Last season, the Braeland City Monarchs were the leaders in WAR gained and they ended up going to the United Cup. So we’ll just have to see if either Embro or Downie can reach the same success this coming season. The Pulberry Trolleys saw the greatest drain of frontline talent for a second year in a row. As a result they have the No. 1 ranked farm system in the ULB, just ahead of the Balmoral Giants and the defending United Cup Champions, the Cambria Cannons. __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 04-16-2025 at 11:40 AM.