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gehrig38 · 12-05-2025, 01:55 AM

Here's a look at the roster on day 1 of the job. All perspectives will be from a position of building a winning team within the next 5 years. Prospects and picks will be priorities, with young pitching at the top of the list, in any trades we make. My first piece of business will be to root out anyone in this franchise who doesn't “add value” off the field. Bad seeds, bad chemistry guys, “me me I I” guys. The question I will ask with every player in this review will be this. “In 2-3 years, when this team begins to get good, will this player be talented enough to warrant a 25-man roster spot?” If the answer is no then we set about a timeline on when/how to move that player and make our franchise better where possible. The problem is I have to have 25 players and all positions filled next year without losing 150 games.

PITCHING
In no particular order, starters, then relievers.

Chris Buford, 27, RHP, acquired via trade with NY in 2005. 118 days service time. 5-10 6.31 over 19 starts in parts of 2 seasons. 1.72 WHIP 67-55 K/BB in 102.2 IP. Making the minimum and that's likely an overpay. He's got a smidgen of improvement, say our scouts, but on an average team, this guy's a 5 at best. Now add to that the fact he's a bit of an idiot and he's got all the trappings of a trade now guy. If he's on our 2010 staff we're in a pickle.

Ryan Feltman LHP 26 signed in 2004 as a minor league FA. 2 years 49 days service time making the minimum. Led the league in strikeouts last year at 224. That went with 108 walks in 197.2 innings. A true horse if he could find the zone consistently with top of the rotation stuff. 24-30 5.19 over 71 starts and 423 IP. 468 punch outs but 241 walks. Apparently a legit pro level bass fisher! This guys the sort of arm that finds the zone and wins 20 routinely, or doesn't and sits at 12-10 every year. We are going to work on his command this winter but definitely an arm I could see on our staff in the 4 slot behind true studs or at the top of the rotation if he figures it out. His 10.2 K/9 also led the league last year. I'd imagine he'll open next year at the top end of our rotation.

Kyle James RHP 30 signed last year as a minor league FA. 159 days service time, making the minimum. Quintessential 4A pitcher. Has had some very solid AA/AAA seasons but is 1-11 7.73 over 24 G and 11 starts. Just can't miss bats. He's a HUGE presence in the clubhouse and incredibly well respected. Has 1 option left so I'm hoping we're good enough that he ends up in AAA with some young arms.

DJ Manfredi RHP 28 19th round pick (446th) in 2003. 1 year service time making the minimum. Part of the leagues worst rotation for half of the year. 3-10 5.65 over 16 starts and 86 IP. 1.49 WHIP. Another guy who, at best, should be manning a spot in the AAA rotation.

Aaron Merritt RHP 24 8th round pick (172nd) in 2004. Ranked as the 16th best prospect in the game. Brief call up last year (122 days) and tossed 10 scoreless innings. Was 3-9 4.41 in 17 AAA starts. Our scouts have him as a legit 1 or 2, 4.5+ stars but needs to spend a full season getting innings in Fresno. I'll do everything I can to make that part happen unless he bowls us over with a monstrous spring.

Tyler Sousa RHP 25 14th round pick (336th) in 2002. HUGE arm, wild as hell. 80 days of service time over last 3 seasons. Has just 20 big league innings with 17 punch outs to 12 walks. Another arm that needs a full uninterrupted season in AAA.

Robby Spinelli LHP 22 Int. FA signing in 2005. Ranked 74th on the prospect list. Went 6-6 5.32 over 18 starts in Phoenix last year. Got the makeup to go 225+ innings with command. Not a hard thrower but a true pitcher in the making. Was not helped by being called up early last year. Once again a guy that would be greatly served with a year at AAA.

RELIEVERS
Brian Birkett RHP 30 Acquired via trade with Staten Island in 2003. 1 year 126 days service time making league minimum. Led the AL with 81 appearances last year. 10-4 6 Saves 3.03 ERA over 92 innings. Likely another year as a bullpen horse and jack of all trades. Great clubhouse presence. Elite splitter.

Khalil Chase RHP 32 signed in September as a minor league FA this year. 9-3 4 Saves over 121 appearances and 203 IP. His 2.93 ERA and 1.34 WHIP give him immense value on both sides of the coin. In our pen, and as a chip to be traded to a contender later in the year. Certainly will listen to offers at this years winter meetings.

Tanner Dean RHP 32 signed in May as a minor league FA. Another huge arm with concerning control issues. 2-2 6.70 over 49 IP with 59 K's and 45 walks. Has had his moments though and will work to keep him or get good value in a deal. Won a World Series with Philly in 2004.

Stephen Herschberger RHP 26 2004 6th round pick (124th). If he remains here, he'll be a reliever. Career 16-30 5.64 over 72 G and 64 starts. 371 IP 446 hits 190/105 K/BB. Never panned out. Was 6-14 6.45 last year in 156 IP with 198 H and gave up 27 HR. Doesn't help that he's not well liked either.

Dale Hettrick LHP 34 Signed in September as a minor league FA. 10+ years service time. A 2002 All-star he's made 402 appearances over 10 years. 35-22 with 22 Saves and a 3.03 ERA over 584 IP. 334 K's to 176 BB and 575 H for a 1.28 WHIP. At the end of the day he's a lefty, so there's value in that.

Kevin Mancinelli RHP 32 Signed in June as a minor league FA. 1 year 132 days, making the minimum.
78 appearances over parts of 6 seasons with not a single good year in there. 4-4 6.94 ERA in 96 IP, 77 K's, 59 BB's and 128 hits. No idea why he's still here. Did win a World Series with New York in 2005.

Mike Roberts LHP 25 Acquired in a deal with Denver in 2008. 105 days service time. 6'7” sinkerballer with big time stuff. Cup of coffee this year and in 23 games he threw 32 innings, punched out 33, walked 19 and gave up 31 hits. An arm we hope continues to improve, his splitter is among the best in the game.

Dillon Tiemeyer RHP 29 waiver claim from Austin 2006. 3 years 166 days. Just inked a 1 year 630K contract which is a steal. Incredibly popular here in Phoenix and a guy no player in the league dislikes. 12-9 with 72 Saves and a 3.45 ERA over 177 games and 182 IP. 184 hits, 201 K's and 76 walks. Will open the season as the closer barring a move prior, but one of the bigger trade chips on hand given his popularity, success, and contract.

12-05-2025, 01:55 AM	#8
gehrig38 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Medfield, Mass Posts: 5,992	Phoenix dust devils 42 man roster Here's a look at the roster on day 1 of the job. All perspectives will be from a position of building a winning team within the next 5 years. Prospects and picks will be priorities, with young pitching at the top of the list, in any trades we make. My first piece of business will be to root out anyone in this franchise who doesn't “add value” off the field. Bad seeds, bad chemistry guys, “me me I I” guys. The question I will ask with every player in this review will be this. “In 2-3 years, when this team begins to get good, will this player be talented enough to warrant a 25-man roster spot?” If the answer is no then we set about a timeline on when/how to move that player and make our franchise better where possible. The problem is I have to have 25 players and all positions filled next year without losing 150 games. PITCHING In no particular order, starters, then relievers. Chris Buford, 27, RHP, acquired via trade with NY in 2005. 118 days service time. 5-10 6.31 over 19 starts in parts of 2 seasons. 1.72 WHIP 67-55 K/BB in 102.2 IP. Making the minimum and that's likely an overpay. He's got a smidgen of improvement, say our scouts, but on an average team, this guy's a 5 at best. Now add to that the fact he's a bit of an idiot and he's got all the trappings of a trade now guy. If he's on our 2010 staff we're in a pickle. Ryan Feltman LHP 26 signed in 2004 as a minor league FA. 2 years 49 days service time making the minimum. Led the league in strikeouts last year at 224. That went with 108 walks in 197.2 innings. A true horse if he could find the zone consistently with top of the rotation stuff. 24-30 5.19 over 71 starts and 423 IP. 468 punch outs but 241 walks. Apparently a legit pro level bass fisher! This guys the sort of arm that finds the zone and wins 20 routinely, or doesn't and sits at 12-10 every year. We are going to work on his command this winter but definitely an arm I could see on our staff in the 4 slot behind true studs or at the top of the rotation if he figures it out. His 10.2 K/9 also led the league last year. I'd imagine he'll open next year at the top end of our rotation. Kyle James RHP 30 signed last year as a minor league FA. 159 days service time, making the minimum. Quintessential 4A pitcher. Has had some very solid AA/AAA seasons but is 1-11 7.73 over 24 G and 11 starts. Just can't miss bats. He's a HUGE presence in the clubhouse and incredibly well respected. Has 1 option left so I'm hoping we're good enough that he ends up in AAA with some young arms. DJ Manfredi RHP 28 19th round pick (446th) in 2003. 1 year service time making the minimum. Part of the leagues worst rotation for half of the year. 3-10 5.65 over 16 starts and 86 IP. 1.49 WHIP. Another guy who, at best, should be manning a spot in the AAA rotation. Aaron Merritt RHP 24 8th round pick (172nd) in 2004. Ranked as the 16th best prospect in the game. Brief call up last year (122 days) and tossed 10 scoreless innings. Was 3-9 4.41 in 17 AAA starts. Our scouts have him as a legit 1 or 2, 4.5+ stars but needs to spend a full season getting innings in Fresno. I'll do everything I can to make that part happen unless he bowls us over with a monstrous spring. Tyler Sousa RHP 25 14th round pick (336th) in 2002. HUGE arm, wild as hell. 80 days of service time over last 3 seasons. Has just 20 big league innings with 17 punch outs to 12 walks. Another arm that needs a full uninterrupted season in AAA. Robby Spinelli LHP 22 Int. FA signing in 2005. Ranked 74th on the prospect list. Went 6-6 5.32 over 18 starts in Phoenix last year. Got the makeup to go 225+ innings with command. Not a hard thrower but a true pitcher in the making. Was not helped by being called up early last year. Once again a guy that would be greatly served with a year at AAA. RELIEVERS Brian Birkett RHP 30 Acquired via trade with Staten Island in 2003. 1 year 126 days service time making league minimum. Led the AL with 81 appearances last year. 10-4 6 Saves 3.03 ERA over 92 innings. Likely another year as a bullpen horse and jack of all trades. Great clubhouse presence. Elite splitter. Khalil Chase RHP 32 signed in September as a minor league FA this year. 9-3 4 Saves over 121 appearances and 203 IP. His 2.93 ERA and 1.34 WHIP give him immense value on both sides of the coin. In our pen, and as a chip to be traded to a contender later in the year. Certainly will listen to offers at this years winter meetings. Tanner Dean RHP 32 signed in May as a minor league FA. Another huge arm with concerning control issues. 2-2 6.70 over 49 IP with 59 K's and 45 walks. Has had his moments though and will work to keep him or get good value in a deal. Won a World Series with Philly in 2004. Stephen Herschberger RHP 26 2004 6th round pick (124th). If he remains here, he'll be a reliever. Career 16-30 5.64 over 72 G and 64 starts. 371 IP 446 hits 190/105 K/BB. Never panned out. Was 6-14 6.45 last year in 156 IP with 198 H and gave up 27 HR. Doesn't help that he's not well liked either. Dale Hettrick LHP 34 Signed in September as a minor league FA. 10+ years service time. A 2002 All-star he's made 402 appearances over 10 years. 35-22 with 22 Saves and a 3.03 ERA over 584 IP. 334 K's to 176 BB and 575 H for a 1.28 WHIP. At the end of the day he's a lefty, so there's value in that. Kevin Mancinelli RHP 32 Signed in June as a minor league FA. 1 year 132 days, making the minimum. 78 appearances over parts of 6 seasons with not a single good year in there. 4-4 6.94 ERA in 96 IP, 77 K's, 59 BB's and 128 hits. No idea why he's still here. Did win a World Series with New York in 2005. Mike Roberts LHP 25 Acquired in a deal with Denver in 2008. 105 days service time. 6'7” sinkerballer with big time stuff. Cup of coffee this year and in 23 games he threw 32 innings, punched out 33, walked 19 and gave up 31 hits. An arm we hope continues to improve, his splitter is among the best in the game. Dillon Tiemeyer RHP 29 waiver claim from Austin 2006. 3 years 166 days. Just inked a 1 year 630K contract which is a steal. Incredibly popular here in Phoenix and a guy no player in the league dislikes. 12-9 with 72 Saves and a 3.45 ERA over 177 games and 182 IP. 184 hits, 201 K's and 76 walks. Will open the season as the closer barring a move prior, but one of the bigger trade chips on hand given his popularity, success, and contract. __________________ 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!