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reds1 · 02-22-2016, 03:18 PM

1942 Off-Season: United Leagues Cannot Escape Effects of War

Team rosters were once again affected by the realities of war, as approximately 25 players who played baseball in Braeland last season are not returning. Such ones were called instead to serve in the armed forces of their respective countries. The number lost to the leagues however, is far less than that of last season, when over 100 players of Japanese citizenship were barred from resuming their baseball careers last season, due to the severing of diplomatic relations with the Empire of Japan.

No clear-cut stars of the United Leagues left this offseason to actively serve in the war effort. But there were a couple of starters: Kingston Pelicans lost their starting C Nick Hewat (Australian - 23/37 - .239/.311/.341, 7 HR, 65 RBI, 1.1 WAR) and the Wolseley Unions’ lost the services of CF Blake Harmon (American – 50/61 - .259/.357/.329, 1 HR, 26 RBI, 1.5 WAR). Harmon won a Top Fielder Award just last season.

Other notable players that will not be back are 21-year old RHP Dylan Grimes (New Zealander – 29/68), who was a second-round pick back in 1939-40 for the Wellington Athletics and 24-year old CF Roland Throsby (New Zealander – 29/63 – 2.65/.296/.371, 8 HR, 62 RBI, 1.0 WAR). Throsby was also a second-round pick back in the 1939-40 season.

Nevertheless, the business of baseball carries on, and a few noteworthy trades were made leading up the start of the regular season.

April 18:

The Kingston Pelicans received 28-year old CF Daniel Martin (56/57) from the Queensland Eagles.

In return, the Eagles received two minor leaguers:
19-year old C Christopher Dainty (22/69 – 2nd round pick from 1941-42);
24-year old C Benjamin Killeen (22/29).

Knee-jerk reaction: The Pelicans acquired Martin to try and upgrade centerfield. 27-year old Soshu Shimizu has been their centerfielder for the most part since the ULB began. While a solid defensive outfielder, Shimizu has never been anything special on offense (.249/.303/.323 over 5 seasons). That said Martin represents only a modest upgrade. He is a patient hitter and has exceptional speed, but that’s about it. He will lead off for the Pelicans this season.

In return, Queensland receives a potential future starting catcher in Dainty that has terrific power potential, but with terrible plate discipline. Killeen is a catcher in name only, as he is weak defensively, but does have top-notch power potential.

-----------

April 18:

The Stratford Barons received 26-year old RF Finlay Petty (32/32) from the Wellington Athletics.

In return, the Athletics received:

34-year old CF Kade Limeburner (53/53);
23-year old RHP Luke Woodward (76/80 – 9th overall pick in 1937-38).

Knee-jerk reaction: The Barons acquired Petty to try and shore up a position that was a weakness last year. Paul DeLamare acquitted himself adequately two seasons ago when the Barons won the United Cup, but regressed severely last season (.250/.314/.390/-0.2 WAR). Petty should represent an upgrade, albeit modestly.

Wellington receives OF Limeburner, a three-time all-star. He has above-average power and is a tough out, but is not much of a contact hitter. He will replace 30-yearold Scott Orchard in the lineup, but it’s not a big upgrade. What’s most interesting is that Woodward once again finds himself involved in a trade – the sixth one since his selection back in 1937-38. This is the second time he joins the Athletics organization in a trade. He carries a reputation of “trouble always seems to find him”; which no doubt is reflected in his frequent moves. He has spent little time in the majors, despite the fact that he has the tools to be a reliable relief pitcher.

-----------

April 30:

The Cambria Cannons traded for31-year old 2B Wayne Balmer (71/71) from the Downie Chiefs.

In return, the Chiefs received three minor leaguers:

21-year old CF Matt Tierney (22/60);
23-year old CF José Padilla (22/24);
20-year old 1B Carlos Rodríguez (21/22).

Knee-jerk reaction: Now here is one trade that definitely represents an upgrade. Cambria did not have much success at 2B this past season. 34-year old Aiden Smerdon is a versatile IF/OF with good defense, but struggled at the plate (.204/306/.245/0.3 WAR). Balmer was terrific last season (.273/331/.393/4.1 WAR) while playing for a struggling team. Both Cambria and he should benefit from the trade.

Tierney, a former third-round pick from 1941-42 is the main piece in return for Downie. He should be an above-average contact hitter, but is otherwise nothing special.

-----------

May 8:

The Balmoral Giants received 25-year old RHP Denzel Vyse (57/74) from the Wolseley Unions.

In return, the Unions received two minor leaguers:

20-year old CF Carlton Hawking (23/64 – 2nd round pick from 1941-42);
23-year old 1B Gary Lindley (21/22).

Knee-jerk reaction: Pitching was a sore spot for the Giants, who are attempting to break their playoff drought this season. To that end, they acquired Vyse, a former first-round pick from 1937-38. Vyse is yet to prove himself a difference maker however. Until he masters his changeup (25/25), he will be little more than a borderline starter. But he has good mechanics, is durable and has good stamina.

In return, Wolseley receives a young CF who may surprise, as he looks to be a solid offensive player with plus power. In fact, he could become a fixture in the Unions outfield for years to come.

-----------

May 25:

The Embro Suns traded for 27-year old RHP Myung-gu Son (72/73) from the Sherburn Tigers.

In return, the Chiefs received four minor leaguers:

21-year old RHP Cris Herera (25/72);
18-year old CF José Hernández (22/62 – 2nd round pick in 1941-42);
23-year old RHP Jamie Atherol (21/22);
23-year old 2B Oliver Kerkin (22/22).

Knee-jerk reaction: The Suns made a coup when they acquired Son, who had a phenomenal season with Sherburn last season. Son has the potential to join the upper echelon of starting pitchers with a solid pitch repertoire, terrific movement and good command. He will be their No. 2 pitcher in the rotation, after ace Colm Soper. Embro now has a very solid rotation.

In giving up Son, a pitcher of the present, the Tigers get a pitcher of the future in Herrera. An international free agent from Argentina, Herrera has great potential with top-notch movement. Only his control needs work. If he can improve that a little, he will be solid starter in the ULB.

OF Hernández has some tools as well, particularly his base-stealing ability and decent power that could help him one day reach the major league level.

-----------

May 25:

The Queensland Eagles acquired 25-year old RF Jon Moreau (63/68) from the Wolseley Unions.

In return, the Unions received:

32-year old RHP Ross New (45/45);
18-year old minor league 2B Vincent Colón (22/52 – 2nd round pick in 1941-42).

Knee-jerk reaction: Queensland acquires some stability at CF, where three players filled in last season. 36-yearold Doug Winslade (.296/.345/.407/0.3 WAR) spent the most time there, but he is better suited in LF or as a fourth outfielder. In Moreau, they get a solid lead-off hitter with good defense. He hurts himself with poor plate discipline, however.

In return, the Unions acquire a starting pitcher in New, whose ability to stick with a major league club should be questioned. Plus, they get an average defender with good contact and great speed in Colón.

-----------

May 25:

The Balmoral Giants traded for 36-year old RHP Henny Arkerval (58/58) from the Queensland Eagles.

In return, Queensland received 23-year old LF Kunimichi Baba (46/64); and three minor leaguers:

22-year old SS Feleti Monti (22/47);
23-year old RF Bob Hutchings (22/23);
22-year old SS Alastair Bibby (38/46).

Knee-jerk reaction: The Giants made their second move to improve their pitching staff with the acquisition of Arkerval, who immediately becomes their Opening Day starter. That said, Arkerval is merely a competent pitcher, nothing more. He was the No. 3 pitcher for Queensland, a team whose pitching staff ranked sixth in the Eastern League last season.

The Eagles receive OF Baba, a former 3rd round pick in 1938-39. Baba has above average contact, good hands and good speed. Both Monti and Bibby are mediocre hitters with good defense and speed.

--------

May 27:

The Fort Richmond Generals acquired 27-year old IF/OF Al Tucker (66/67) from the Pulberry Trolleys.

In return, Pulberry received:

32-year old 1B Byron Tope (46/46);
24-year old minor league CF Alan Doyle (21/22).

Knee-jerk reaction: A head-scratcher for sure. Tucker was underutilized in Pulberry as an outfielder but now he has a chance to start every day at 1B for Fort Richmond. However, the Generals it would seem already had an adequate 1B in Merlin Teeters, who they traded away the following month (see the June 17 entry below). Tucker is patient at the plate, but otherwise a so-so hitter and his defense at 1B grades out a little worse than Teeter’s was. I have no idea what Fort Richmond was thinking about here.

Tope joins his third team in his professional career and while he has decent contact and power, he is hardly a game changer.

-----------

June 17:

The Fort Richmond Generals acquired 35-year old RF Jamie Thurgood (42/42) from the Queensland Eagles.

In return, the Eagles received:

25-year old 1B Merlin Teeters (66/66 – 3rd round pick in 1939-40);
21-year old minor league SS Toby Trott (22/23).

Knee-jerk reaction: Another head-scratcher by the Generals. In surrendering Teeters’ services to the Eagles, Fort Richmond receives a player who appears by all accounts on the down side of his playing career. Thurgood won’t embarrass himself at the plate or in the field, but he is no longer an ever day starter. Teeters, however, takes over 1B for Queensland and will serve as their cleanup hitter. Not sure why Fort Richmond considered their former 1B who was fresh off his first all-star appearance was expendable. But a nice trade made by Queensland in my opinion.

-----------

July 31:

The Braeland City Monarchs acquired 32-year old RHP Darren Stewart (69/69) from the Queensland Eagles.

In return, Queensland received two minor leaguers:

20-year old RHP Jeff Peters (24/80 – 2nd round pick from 1941-42);
19-year old SS Vic Haggers (21/47).

Knee-jerk reaction: The Monarchs made this deal to bolster their bullpen by picking up a former starter who once won 22 games and 21 games in back-to-back seasons. But now, Stewart is little more than a junk-ball pitcher. Stewart found success in this reduced role in 1940-41, but was little used last season. That said, he still has tremendous movement and good control.

In return, Queensland gets a couple of useful pieces in relief pitcher Peters and IF Haggers. Like Stewart, Peters does not have good stuff, but has tremendous movement and average control.

-----------

In what seems like a first, a Western League team not named either the Cambria Cannons or Kingston Pelicans made moves during the off-season to improve their major league roster. The Balmoral Giants finished just a few games out of a playoff spot last season. So it is not surprising that they are trying to position themselves this season to take the next step.

The Embro Suns saw the biggest gain in talent, followed by the Giants, Cambria Cannons and Kingston Pelicans.

The Suns (6.9 WAR) achieved the big boost with just one signing: SP Myung-gu Son. It will exciting to see what he can do on this power-house team that appears determined to finally reached the United Cup finals, after being denied last season by the ultimate champions, the Brunswick Legends.

Balmoral was the top Western League team to improve their roster based on WAR. That gain mainly came from two pitchers: SP Henny Akerval (3.3) and RP Denzel Vyse (1.5).

The Cannons were next, with the acquisition of 2B Wayne Balmer (4.1 WAR) from the Downie Chiefs.

02-22-2016, 03:18 PM	#221
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,899	1942 Off-Season: United Leagues Cannot Escape Effects of War Team rosters were once again affected by the realities of war, as approximately 25 players who played baseball in Braeland last season are not returning. Such ones were called instead to serve in the armed forces of their respective countries. The number lost to the leagues however, is far less than that of last season, when over 100 players of Japanese citizenship were barred from resuming their baseball careers last season, due to the severing of diplomatic relations with the Empire of Japan. No clear-cut stars of the United Leagues left this offseason to actively serve in the war effort. But there were a couple of starters: Kingston Pelicans lost their starting C Nick Hewat (Australian - 23/37 - .239/.311/.341, 7 HR, 65 RBI, 1.1 WAR) and the Wolseley Unions’ lost the services of CF Blake Harmon (American – 50/61 - .259/.357/.329, 1 HR, 26 RBI, 1.5 WAR). Harmon won a Top Fielder Award just last season. Other notable players that will not be back are 21-year old RHP Dylan Grimes (New Zealander – 29/68), who was a second-round pick back in 1939-40 for the Wellington Athletics and 24-year old CF Roland Throsby (New Zealander – 29/63 – 2.65/.296/.371, 8 HR, 62 RBI, 1.0 WAR). Throsby was also a second-round pick back in the 1939-40 season. Nevertheless, the business of baseball carries on, and a few noteworthy trades were made leading up the start of the regular season. April 18: The Kingston Pelicans received 28-year old CF Daniel Martin (56/57) from the Queensland Eagles. In return, the Eagles received two minor leaguers: 19-year old C Christopher Dainty (22/69 – 2nd round pick from 1941-42); 24-year old C Benjamin Killeen (22/29). *Knee-jerk reaction:* The Pelicans acquired Martin to try and upgrade centerfield. 27-year old Soshu Shimizu has been their centerfielder for the most part since the ULB began. While a solid defensive outfielder, Shimizu has never been anything special on offense (.249/.303/.323 over 5 seasons). That said Martin represents only a modest upgrade. He is a patient hitter and has exceptional speed, but that’s about it. He will lead off for the Pelicans this season. In return, Queensland receives a potential future starting catcher in Dainty that has terrific power potential, but with terrible plate discipline. Killeen is a catcher in name only, as he is weak defensively, but does have top-notch power potential. ----------- April 18: The Stratford Barons received 26-year old RF Finlay Petty (32/32) from the Wellington Athletics. In return, the Athletics received: 34-year old CF Kade Limeburner (53/53); 23-year old RHP Luke Woodward (76/80 – 9th overall pick in 1937-38). *Knee-jerk reaction:* The Barons acquired Petty to try and shore up a position that was a weakness last year. Paul DeLamare acquitted himself adequately two seasons ago when the Barons won the United Cup, but regressed severely last season (.250/.314/.390/-0.2 WAR). Petty should represent an upgrade, albeit modestly. Wellington receives OF Limeburner, a three-time all-star. He has above-average power and is a tough out, but is not much of a contact hitter. He will replace 30-yearold Scott Orchard in the lineup, but it’s not a big upgrade. What’s most interesting is that Woodward once again finds himself involved in a trade – the sixth one since his selection back in 1937-38. This is the second time he joins the Athletics organization in a trade. He carries a reputation of “trouble always seems to find him”; which no doubt is reflected in his frequent moves. He has spent little time in the majors, despite the fact that he has the tools to be a reliable relief pitcher. ----------- April 30: The Cambria Cannons traded for31-year old 2B Wayne Balmer (71/71) from the Downie Chiefs. In return, the Chiefs received three minor leaguers: 21-year old CF Matt Tierney (22/60); 23-year old CF José Padilla (22/24); 20-year old 1B Carlos Rodríguez (21/22). *Knee-jerk reaction:* Now here is one trade that definitely represents an upgrade. Cambria did not have much success at 2B this past season. 34-year old Aiden Smerdon is a versatile IF/OF with good defense, but struggled at the plate (.204/306/.245/0.3 WAR). Balmer was terrific last season (.273/331/.393/4.1 WAR) while playing for a struggling team. Both Cambria and he should benefit from the trade. Tierney, a former third-round pick from 1941-42 is the main piece in return for Downie. He should be an above-average contact hitter, but is otherwise nothing special. ----------- May 8: The Balmoral Giants received 25-year old RHP Denzel Vyse (57/74) from the Wolseley Unions. In return, the Unions received two minor leaguers: 20-year old CF Carlton Hawking (23/64 – 2nd round pick from 1941-42); 23-year old 1B Gary Lindley (21/22). *Knee-jerk reaction:* Pitching was a sore spot for the Giants, who are attempting to break their playoff drought this season. To that end, they acquired Vyse, a former first-round pick from 1937-38. Vyse is yet to prove himself a difference maker however. Until he masters his changeup (25/25), he will be little more than a borderline starter. But he has good mechanics, is durable and has good stamina. In return, Wolseley receives a young CF who may surprise, as he looks to be a solid offensive player with plus power. In fact, he could become a fixture in the Unions outfield for years to come. ----------- May 25: The Embro Suns traded for 27-year old RHP Myung-gu Son (72/73) from the Sherburn Tigers. In return, the Chiefs received four minor leaguers: 21-year old RHP Cris Herera (25/72); 18-year old CF José Hernández (22/62 – 2nd round pick in 1941-42); 23-year old RHP Jamie Atherol (21/22); 23-year old 2B Oliver Kerkin (22/22). *Knee-jerk reaction:* The Suns made a coup when they acquired Son, who had a phenomenal season with Sherburn last season. Son has the potential to join the upper echelon of starting pitchers with a solid pitch repertoire, terrific movement and good command. He will be their No. 2 pitcher in the rotation, after ace Colm Soper. Embro now has a very solid rotation. In giving up Son, a pitcher of the present, the Tigers get a pitcher of the future in Herrera. An international free agent from Argentina, Herrera has great potential with top-notch movement. Only his control needs work. If he can improve that a little, he will be solid starter in the ULB. OF Hernández has some tools as well, particularly his base-stealing ability and decent power that could help him one day reach the major league level. ----------- May 25: The Queensland Eagles acquired 25-year old RF Jon Moreau (63/68) from the Wolseley Unions. In return, the Unions received: 32-year old RHP Ross New (45/45); 18-year old minor league 2B Vincent Colón (22/52 – 2nd round pick in 1941-42). *Knee-jerk reaction:* Queensland acquires some stability at CF, where three players filled in last season. 36-yearold Doug Winslade (.296/.345/.407/0.3 WAR) spent the most time there, but he is better suited in LF or as a fourth outfielder. In Moreau, they get a solid lead-off hitter with good defense. He hurts himself with poor plate discipline, however. In return, the Unions acquire a starting pitcher in New, whose ability to stick with a major league club should be questioned. Plus, they get an average defender with good contact and great speed in Colón. ----------- May 25: The Balmoral Giants traded for 36-year old RHP Henny Arkerval (58/58) from the Queensland Eagles. In return, Queensland received 23-year old LF Kunimichi Baba (46/64); and three minor leaguers: 22-year old SS Feleti Monti (22/47); 23-year old RF Bob Hutchings (22/23); 22-year old SS Alastair Bibby (38/46). *Knee-jerk reaction:* The Giants made their second move to improve their pitching staff with the acquisition of Arkerval, who immediately becomes their Opening Day starter. That said, Arkerval is merely a competent pitcher, nothing more. He was the No. 3 pitcher for Queensland, a team whose pitching staff ranked sixth in the Eastern League last season. The Eagles receive OF Baba, a former 3rd round pick in 1938-39. Baba has above average contact, good hands and good speed. Both Monti and Bibby are mediocre hitters with good defense and speed. -------- May 27: The Fort Richmond Generals acquired 27-year old IF/OF Al Tucker (66/67) from the Pulberry Trolleys. In return, Pulberry received: 32-year old 1B Byron Tope (46/46); 24-year old minor league CF Alan Doyle (21/22). *Knee-jerk reaction:* A head-scratcher for sure. Tucker was underutilized in Pulberry as an outfielder but now he has a chance to start every day at 1B for Fort Richmond. However, the Generals it would seem already had an adequate 1B in Merlin Teeters, who they traded away the following month (see the June 17 entry below). Tucker is patient at the plate, but otherwise a so-so hitter and his defense at 1B grades out a little worse than Teeter’s was. I have no idea what Fort Richmond was thinking about here. Tope joins his third team in his professional career and while he has decent contact and power, he is hardly a game changer. ----------- June 17: The Fort Richmond Generals acquired 35-year old RF Jamie Thurgood (42/42) from the Queensland Eagles. In return, the Eagles received: 25-year old 1B Merlin Teeters (66/66 – 3rd round pick in 1939-40); 21-year old minor league SS Toby Trott (22/23). *Knee-jerk reaction:* Another head-scratcher by the Generals. In surrendering Teeters’ services to the Eagles, Fort Richmond receives a player who appears by all accounts on the down side of his playing career. Thurgood won’t embarrass himself at the plate or in the field, but he is no longer an ever day starter. Teeters, however, takes over 1B for Queensland and will serve as their cleanup hitter. Not sure why Fort Richmond considered their former 1B who was fresh off his first all-star appearance was expendable. But a nice trade made by Queensland in my opinion. ----------- July 31: The Braeland City Monarchs acquired 32-year old RHP Darren Stewart (69/69) from the Queensland Eagles. In return, Queensland received two minor leaguers: 20-year old RHP Jeff Peters (24/80 – 2nd round pick from 1941-42); 19-year old SS Vic Haggers (21/47). *Knee-jerk reaction:* The Monarchs made this deal to bolster their bullpen by picking up a former starter who once won 22 games and 21 games in back-to-back seasons. But now, Stewart is little more than a junk-ball pitcher. Stewart found success in this reduced role in 1940-41, but was little used last season. That said, he still has tremendous movement and good control. In return, Queensland gets a couple of useful pieces in relief pitcher Peters and IF Haggers. Like Stewart, Peters does not have good stuff, but has tremendous movement and average control. ----------- In what seems like a first, a Western League team not named either the Cambria Cannons or Kingston Pelicans made moves during the off-season to improve their major league roster. The Balmoral Giants finished just a few games out of a playoff spot last season. So it is not surprising that they are trying to position themselves this season to take the next step. The Embro Suns saw the biggest gain in talent, followed by the Giants, Cambria Cannons and Kingston Pelicans. The Suns (6.9 WAR) achieved the big boost with just one signing: SP Myung-gu Son. It will exciting to see what he can do on this power-house team that appears determined to finally reached the United Cup finals, after being denied last season by the ultimate champions, the Brunswick Legends. Balmoral was the top Western League team to improve their roster based on WAR. That gain mainly came from two pitchers: SP Henny Akerval (3.3) and RP Denzel Vyse (1.5). The Cannons were next, with the acquisition of 2B Wayne Balmer (4.1 WAR) from the Downie Chiefs. __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-04-2017 at 09:58 PM.