OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post

gehrig38 · 06-01-2018, 01:43 AM

RULE 5 DRAFT
I have 4 open roster spots prior to the Rule 5 draft. There are a number of players I am seriously interested in. Before that, I need to make sure I've got anyone I am concerned with and available, protected. SS Jeremy Crimi is someone who is not ready for the ABA but also enough of a player that a team like St Louis would stash him away for a year.
21-year-old catcher Max Ramirez is arguably the best all-around catcher in baseball, yes baseball. His bat doesn't project for anyone, but at 21 things can change. I am going to roster him for the simple fact a 21-year-old catcher that progressed as a game caller and defender is a once in a generation talent. If in 3 years and 3 options he hasn't panned out I'd bet someone will take him on.
We selected 25-year-old closer Jake Grab with the 1st overall pick in the rule 5 draft. A monster arm with a scout graded 20 arm. His curveball scores mid-teens to higher but that's potential. It lags substantially right now but that is the perfect player for us. Our scouts want to take Tim Agresta in the 2nd round. A 30-year-old with the Spartans who came to them via trade with New York just 3 weeks ago.
He went 11-11 5.60 last year and in 2003 was 13-8 for New York. He's tossed 863 innings to a 5.80 ERA and punched out 955 hitters. The gopher ball is his bugaboo giving up 44 last year. He's out of options so he's a keeper but given the dearth of pitching most importantly OUR lack of it, he's a big league arm and we need a few more at both Florida and in AAA.
BLUE SOX ACQUIRE QUILLER, PICK FOR 2 AND A PICK
Mid 3rd round of the Rule 5 Draft Memphis Blue Sox GM Jim Bowden announced they'd acquired 29-year-old infielder Sincere Quiller from the Florida Tarpons for 2 minor league outfielders. Florida also sent their 6th round draft pick and minor league left-hander Luis Gordillo to Memphis and in addition to receiving OF prospects Jim Shelley and Cletus Owry they picked up Memphis' 3rd round draft pick this year.
I had put off moving Quiller many times over simply because he's an above-average defender around the horn and being an injury away from having to make multiple moves is not a position I want to get caught in. I was quietly surprised and excited when the Sox responded with a list of players that included both of these young men. Shelley is a 24-year-old corner outfielder who can play a very good CF and 1B if need be. They signed him this past September out of an independent league and he has yet to even take BP in the ABA. He's an exceptional runner with all 5 tools. He hits left-handed and will crush right-handed pitching but I think will need a platoon as he struggles mightily vs left-handed pitching. 25-year-old Cletus Lowry was a 2002 8th round pick who can play across the outfield, hits left-handed as well and struggles vs lefties as well too. Both of them will start the year in AAA and both have 3 options left as well.
This move was made ahead of our 3rd round pick because our scouts identified a pitcher they felt would not be around. 31-year-old Jonathan Doherty was 9-3 with 1 Save and a 3.55 ERA in 106.1 IP for Brooklyn last year. Vegas traded for him less than a month ago but apparently, roster issues came up and he was out there. His peripherals are outstanding, he punched out 108 and gave up just 10 homers and 100 hits over his 106.1 innings. This move will give us a solid 6 arms for the Florida rotation heading into camp. I say “solid” in the sense I don't think there are any 1-11 guys in this group, not that that is something to brag about but after last year I need older arms and stability in the rotation to allow development in the minors and at least something resembling an entertaining product for our insanely loyal fans.
12/16 Portland signed 33-year-old Yadier Molina to a 5 year 9.42 million dollar deal today. At 33 scouts still rate him as the best all-around defender, by a wide margin, in the game. The only catcher our scouts mention in the same breath is our 21-year-old backstop when it comes to game calling and defense
12/17
TARPONS, BENOIT COME TO TERMS
In continuing the whirlwind pace of this past winter Florida general Gehrig Schilling announced that his club had agreed to terms on a 3 year 1.42 million dollar deal with free agent closer Joaquin Benoit.
This was a huge get. He'll immediately assume the role of the closer and allow some of the arms down there to shuffle into better positions.
Detroit announced the signing of starting pitcher Jim Brooks today as well. The 30-year-old lefty will receive 4.76 million per year over the next 5 seasons. The former Hokie from Virginia Tech was a 2004 all-star and is 67-61 4.37 over 206 games and 175 starts. He's tossed 1024 innings and punched out 1150 hitters to 364 walks and 933 hits. He joins a Phantom rotation headed by hall of famer Chris Mattingly, veterans Phil Hughes and CC Sabathia.
World Champion Las Vegas announced it had reached terms with former Roadrunner reliever Jared Mitchum as the champs address what appeared to be their only true weakness in their 11th ranked bullpen.
Couple things happened today. I placed a claim on 26-year-old right-hander Jorge Esparza out of the Ohio system.
Jacksonville Panthers GM Gil Flores is interested in outfielder Hidetoshi Fujimoto. The 25-year-old is unhappy being here and I don't need that headache. I mention his interest because he's offering up a trio of infielders from his minor league system. All of them with utility role potential in the big leagues but likely more along the lines of that 4 A player I talked about earlier. I pushed him a bit and he's thinking this one through. They are in hardcore rebuild mode right now.
12/19 Vegas signs away Detroit ace Tim Richardson for 18 million over 5 years. Shoring up the bullpen wasn't all the world champions had in mind. Adding a guy who has gone 99-54 4.47 and punching out 1104 in 1397 career innings. Richardson is a 2-time world champion with Los Angeles as well as the 2005 AL gold glove winner.
12/20 The Esparza claim is successful so I am working the phones to clear room. I need to find roster spots for both Benoit and Esparza in the next few days.
In a huge deal announced later in the day LA has dealt 29-year-old Second Baseman Sean Goldstein (.310-35 and a league-leading 145 RBI's this year) to Memphis for 26-year-old starting pitcher Kelyn Harrow (9-12 5.43) and Infielder Jamie DeLong. DeLong was the Sox 2nd rounder in the 2005 draft out of Northwestern.
LA signed slugger Toshiyoshi Fujii earlier this winter so that was the reason I assume this move was made. Harrow becomes their #5 starter and Delong is sent to their Class A club in Decatur. Goldstein will apparently hit 2nd, play 2nd and add a ton of offense to the AL's 2nd best offense and most prolific home run hitting team (335 last year).
12/23
TARPONS, GILDER COME TO TERMS
28-year-old slugger Chris Gilder and the Florida Tarpons announced an agreement on a 4 year 2.9 million dollar deal that will put the DH immediately into the heart of the Tarpon batting order. The makeover in Florida has kicked into another gear.
I know what I said about DH's earlier but this was too tempting to pass up in price and in talent. He might be one of the 3-4 best hitters in the game vs Right Handed pitching. His defensive options are almost nil, but for the offense he can provide I can make room.OF Joe Pankey was DFA.
Juan Madrid was also added to the roster today and C Juan Coyotl was DFA
12/26 Texas signs former Jets SP Sean Cockley (14-8 3.70) to a 6 year 25.4 million dollar deal.
The Jets also announced reliever Bobby Schmoll had signed a 1 year deal with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of the [league redacted] League
12/27 Chicago signed former Brooklyn left fielder and gold glover to a massive 4 year 29.1 million dollar deal.
Joaquin Benoit was added to the roster today and Demario Lorenzana was DFA
12/29 Portland Claims Lorenzana
Texas signed 3-time all-star catcher Ernesto Leiva to a 6 year 23.84 million dollar deal today. Year 6 is a club option. Leiva has been an NL all-star 3 years running but this deal feels way outside the norm given he's a lifetime .228/.320/.368 hitter in 748 games. Clearly, defense at that position is generating big-time value.

06-01-2018, 01:43 AM	#64
gehrig38 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Medfield, Mass Posts: 5,992	RULE 5 DRAFT I have 4 open roster spots prior to the Rule 5 draft. There are a number of players I am seriously interested in. Before that, I need to make sure I've got anyone I am concerned with and available, protected. SS Jeremy Crimi is someone who is not ready for the ABA but also enough of a player that a team like St Louis would stash him away for a year. 21-year-old catcher Max Ramirez is arguably the best all-around catcher in baseball, yes baseball. His bat doesn't project for anyone, but at 21 things can change. I am going to roster him for the simple fact a 21-year-old catcher that progressed as a game caller and defender is a once in a generation talent. If in 3 years and 3 options he hasn't panned out I'd bet someone will take him on. We selected 25-year-old closer Jake Grab with the 1st overall pick in the rule 5 draft. A monster arm with a scout graded 20 arm. His curveball scores mid-teens to higher but that's potential. It lags substantially right now but that is the perfect player for us. Our scouts want to take Tim Agresta in the 2nd round. A 30-year-old with the Spartans who came to them via trade with New York just 3 weeks ago. He went 11-11 5.60 last year and in 2003 was 13-8 for New York. He's tossed 863 innings to a 5.80 ERA and punched out 955 hitters. The gopher ball is his bugaboo giving up 44 last year. He's out of options so he's a keeper but given the dearth of pitching most importantly OUR lack of it, he's a big league arm and we need a few more at both Florida and in AAA. BLUE SOX ACQUIRE QUILLER, PICK FOR 2 AND A PICK Mid 3rd round of the Rule 5 Draft Memphis Blue Sox GM Jim Bowden announced they'd acquired 29-year-old infielder Sincere Quiller from the Florida Tarpons for 2 minor league outfielders. Florida also sent their 6th round draft pick and minor league left-hander Luis Gordillo to Memphis and in addition to receiving OF prospects Jim Shelley and Cletus Owry they picked up Memphis' 3rd round draft pick this year. I had put off moving Quiller many times over simply because he's an above-average defender around the horn and being an injury away from having to make multiple moves is not a position I want to get caught in. I was quietly surprised and excited when the Sox responded with a list of players that included both of these young men. Shelley is a 24-year-old corner outfielder who can play a very good CF and 1B if need be. They signed him this past September out of an independent league and he has yet to even take BP in the ABA. He's an exceptional runner with all 5 tools. He hits left-handed and will crush right-handed pitching but I think will need a platoon as he struggles mightily vs left-handed pitching. 25-year-old Cletus Lowry was a 2002 8th round pick who can play across the outfield, hits left-handed as well and struggles vs lefties as well too. Both of them will start the year in AAA and both have 3 options left as well. This move was made ahead of our 3rd round pick because our scouts identified a pitcher they felt would not be around. 31-year-old Jonathan Doherty was 9-3 with 1 Save and a 3.55 ERA in 106.1 IP for Brooklyn last year. Vegas traded for him less than a month ago but apparently, roster issues came up and he was out there. His peripherals are outstanding, he punched out 108 and gave up just 10 homers and 100 hits over his 106.1 innings. This move will give us a solid 6 arms for the Florida rotation heading into camp. I say “solid” in the sense I don't think there are any 1-11 guys in this group, not that that is something to brag about but after last year I need older arms and stability in the rotation to allow development in the minors and at least something resembling an entertaining product for our insanely loyal fans. 12/16 Portland signed 33-year-old Yadier Molina to a 5 year 9.42 million dollar deal today. At 33 scouts still rate him as the best all-around defender, by a wide margin, in the game. The only catcher our scouts mention in the same breath is our 21-year-old backstop when it comes to game calling and defense 12/17 TARPONS, BENOIT COME TO TERMS In continuing the whirlwind pace of this past winter Florida general Gehrig Schilling announced that his club had agreed to terms on a 3 year 1.42 million dollar deal with free agent closer Joaquin Benoit. This was a huge get. He'll immediately assume the role of the closer and allow some of the arms down there to shuffle into better positions. Detroit announced the signing of starting pitcher Jim Brooks today as well. The 30-year-old lefty will receive 4.76 million per year over the next 5 seasons. The former Hokie from Virginia Tech was a 2004 all-star and is 67-61 4.37 over 206 games and 175 starts. He's tossed 1024 innings and punched out 1150 hitters to 364 walks and 933 hits. He joins a Phantom rotation headed by hall of famer Chris Mattingly, veterans Phil Hughes and CC Sabathia. World Champion Las Vegas announced it had reached terms with former Roadrunner reliever Jared Mitchum as the champs address what appeared to be their only true weakness in their 11th ranked bullpen. Couple things happened today. I placed a claim on 26-year-old right-hander Jorge Esparza out of the Ohio system. Jacksonville Panthers GM Gil Flores is interested in outfielder Hidetoshi Fujimoto. The 25-year-old is unhappy being here and I don't need that headache. I mention his interest because he's offering up a trio of infielders from his minor league system. All of them with utility role potential in the big leagues but likely more along the lines of that 4 A player I talked about earlier. I pushed him a bit and he's thinking this one through. They are in hardcore rebuild mode right now. 12/19 Vegas signs away Detroit ace Tim Richardson for 18 million over 5 years. Shoring up the bullpen wasn't all the world champions had in mind. Adding a guy who has gone 99-54 4.47 and punching out 1104 in 1397 career innings. Richardson is a 2-time world champion with Los Angeles as well as the 2005 AL gold glove winner. 12/20 The Esparza claim is successful so I am working the phones to clear room. I need to find roster spots for both Benoit and Esparza in the next few days. In a huge deal announced later in the day LA has dealt 29-year-old Second Baseman Sean Goldstein (.310-35 and a league-leading 145 RBI's this year) to Memphis for 26-year-old starting pitcher Kelyn Harrow (9-12 5.43) and Infielder Jamie DeLong. DeLong was the Sox 2nd rounder in the 2005 draft out of Northwestern. LA signed slugger Toshiyoshi Fujii earlier this winter so that was the reason I assume this move was made. Harrow becomes their #5 starter and Delong is sent to their Class A club in Decatur. Goldstein will apparently hit 2nd, play 2nd and add a ton of offense to the AL's 2nd best offense and most prolific home run hitting team (335 last year). 12/23 TARPONS, GILDER COME TO TERMS 28-year-old slugger Chris Gilder and the Florida Tarpons announced an agreement on a 4 year 2.9 million dollar deal that will put the DH immediately into the heart of the Tarpon batting order. The makeover in Florida has kicked into another gear. I know what I said about DH's earlier but this was too tempting to pass up in price and in talent. He might be one of the 3-4 best hitters in the game vs Right Handed pitching. His defensive options are almost nil, but for the offense he can provide I can make room.OF Joe Pankey was DFA. Juan Madrid was also added to the roster today and C Juan Coyotl was DFA 12/26 Texas signs former Jets SP Sean Cockley (14-8 3.70) to a 6 year 25.4 million dollar deal. The Jets also announced reliever Bobby Schmoll had signed a 1 year deal with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of the [league redacted] League 12/27 Chicago signed former Brooklyn left fielder and gold glover to a massive 4 year 29.1 million dollar deal. Joaquin Benoit was added to the roster today and Demario Lorenzana was DFA 12/29 Portland Claims Lorenzana Texas signed 3-time all-star catcher Ernesto Leiva to a 6 year 23.84 million dollar deal today. Year 6 is a club option. Leiva has been an NL all-star 3 years running but this deal feels way outside the norm given he's a lifetime .228/.320/.368 hitter in 748 games. Clearly, defense at that position is generating big-time value. __________________ The Chicago Iron Pigs 2012-2024 The IBL's first 13 years The Alaska Avalanche 2024-2030 Moving on to my birthplace The San Antonio Silver Stars 2030-2034 From one big state, Alaska, to another, Texas!