American Baseball Association.

[gehrig38]

WILD CARD PLAY IN GAME

• Washington Jets – Luis Acevedo (7-5 3.94) at Jacksonville Panthers – Luis Espinoza (12-11 3.05)
• Acevedo gives up just 6 hits in 8 but takes the CG loss as Espinoza yields a single hit, a Kevin Cephus HR, and the Panthers move on in a 2-1 win.

• Denver Saints – Zaire Kirlew (11-10 3.60) at Detroit Phantom – Jim Brooks (18-7 3.17)
• Detroit gets a 3-4 day from Fuchigami with a HR and star Qi-Chao- Koo homers as well to back Brooks in a 5-4 win. Detroit heads to Miami to meet us in the Division series.

[gehrig38]

WILD CARD PLAY IN GAME

• Denver beats Detroit
• Washington beats Jacksonville

DIVISION SERIES ROUND

• Chicago defeats Alaska 3-1
• Pittsburgh defeats Washington 3-2
• Los Angeles defeats Kansas City 3-0

Game 1
Denver – Dusty McCarthy LHP (13-11 3.83) vs Chad Willoughby (11-9 3.16)
10 total hits in the game and Chicago nets just 4, but they're 4 crucial ones as Cortezo doubles in 2 and they answer with their own 3 spot in the 5th
Denver 3 Florida 2
W-McCarthy (1-0) L- Willoughby (0-1) SV- Reese (2)
HR NONE

[gehrig38]

Game 2
Denver – Ben Austin (12-11 4.35) vs Luis Samvdio (14-11 3.42)
The game entered the 9th tied 4-4 before PotG Harland Daig lined a 2 out RBI single for the walk-off win and the franchises first-ever postseason victory.
W- Galindo (1-0) L- Reese (0-1)
HR- Bolduc (1)

Game 3
Denver – Nate Aucoin (11-4 3.53) vs Florida – Arturo Mendoza (0-0 0.00)
I have given Kevin free reign in the post season to manage how he chooses. His decision to start Mendoza here is, at its very best, perplexing.

Alec Moore hit a 2 run homer in the top of the 1st. From there Nate Aucoin scattered 7 hits and yielded nothing else in a 6-0 win.
Denver 6 Florida 0
W- Aucoin (1-0) L- Mendoza (0-1)
HR – Moore (1) E Molina (1)

GM'S OFFICE
I don't even know where to start. This screams of 'reinventing the wheel'. Trying to outsmart people or be 'smarter than the game'. I will not speak to the media until tomorrow because anything I say right now can and will be used against me in a court of law.

[gehrig38]

Game 4
Denver – Zaire Kirlew (11-10 3.60) vs Florida – Juan Alatorre (17-9 3.07)
Aucoin doubles in the 1st, and Jahiem Koussai hits a sac fly a few pitches later to make it 1-0. And that would be the game. That's right, Denver pitching would shut this team out over the final 18 innings of the series on just 8 total hits.
Denver 1 Florida 0
W-Kirlew (1-0) L- Alatorre (0-1) S- Reese (3)
HR NONE
Series MVP Maddux Bolduc .500-1-4

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Chicago defeats Denver 4-2
Pittsburgh defeats Los Angeles 4-2

WORLD SERIES
Chicago defeats Pittsburgh 4-2
RJ Stanton tossed a 4-hit shutout and punched out 8 in a 12-0 drubbing for a 4-2 series win.
Series MVP Jeremy Campbell (CHI) 10-21 HR 7 RBI
It was the franchises 1st world series title. Pittsburgh lost for the 4th time in a world series matchup.

[gehrig38]

2008 SUMMARY
Don't feel like getting into this as there's a side story that makes this even more painful. So I'll wait a bit


2008 AWARD WINNERS
AL MVP – Sergio Robles (OH)
NL MVP – Rob Anderson (POR)
AL KOUFAX – Ezequiel Cordero (CHI)
NL KOUFAX – Dwain Milazzo (LA)
AL ROOKIE – Harland Daig (FLA)
NL ROOKIE – Jonathan Huber (NE)
AL RIVERA – Tim Reese (DEN) (Galindo 2nd)
NL RIVERA – CJ Beckley (OK)
AL GOSSAGE – Brad Turner (FLA)
NL GOSSAGE – Makai Void (JAX)

AL GOLD GLOVE AND SILVER SLUGGERS
P Chad Willoughby (FLA)
C GG – Josh Pulice (DEN)
C SS – Luo-lang Koo (MEM)
1B GG – Tyshawn Ogarro (MIL)
1B SS – Gabe Clark (BRK)
2B GG – Jared Groden (STL)
2B SS – Sergio Marrerro (DET)
3B GG – Chris Letts (ALK)
3B SS – Ben Chase (STL)
SS GG – Elvis Andrus (CHI)
SS SS – Chi-ming-Xie (MEM)
LF GG – Layne Cosman (OH)
LF SS – Jahiem Kouassi (DEN)
CF GG – Johnny DeWitt (LV)
CF SS – Sergio Robles (OH)
LF GG – Brad Snyder (MEM)
LF SS – Domenic Loetzsch (LV)
DH SS – Luis Aguirre (BRK)

NL GOLD GLOVE AND SILVER SLUGGERS
P – Rogelio Zamora (SF)
C GG – Travis d'Arnaud (LA)
C SS – Tamaichi Yasuda (WAS)
1B GG – Juan Trinidad (AUS)
1B SS – Dan Goodman (PIT)
2B GG – Ryouya Sugai (TEX)
2B SS – Rob Anderson (WAS)
3B GG – Luis Castaneda (KC)
3B SS – Alfredo Ulloa (NE)
SS GG – Danny Hall (KC)
SS SS – Leith McNayr (SAN)
LF GG – Luis Rojas (SD)
LF SS – Layne Linseman (JAX)
CF GG - Matt Szczur (OK)
CF SS – Humberto Camacho (SD)
RF GG – Luis Ortero (TEX)
RF SS – Juan Burruel (WAS)
DH SS – Dave Manzer (KC)

[gehrig38]

ARBITRATION

• I have a staggering 18 players on the 38 man roster that are eligible. One, Jeff Phares, will not get an offer. He's too far from big league ready. I'll definitely try and re-sign him though.
• Talks have begun on a multi-year extension for Ismael Saldana.
• I reached out to Mike Allen, Jake Grab, Kennan Hallamore and Ernesto Bernal and it was a combo of too high an ask or no interest in talking about it right now.
• As expected I tendered Mike Haupt at 4.24, which would be a 700k pay cut if he accepted. So I'll take the pick he nets me.
• Luis Samvdio is mulling an extension offer as well.

NEWS
I DFA'd IF Josh Klatt and the Miners have claimed him.

OWNERS MEETING
Mr. Medina is happy, not too happy, but happy. He's increased the 2009 budget to 36 million, so up 1m from last year. We ended 2008 with a net profit of 4.81 million.

TARPONS INK 2 TO EXTENSIONS
The Florida Tarpons have announced they've agreed to terms on contract extensions with OF Ismael Saldana and SP Luis Samvdio.
Saldana will receive base salaries of 550K, 1.2m, 5th-year2m and a 5th year player option at 4m.
Samvdio will receive 1.4m in 2009, 2.2m in 2010 and the club has two option years. 2011 for 2.5m and 2012 for 3.5m both with 470K buyouts.

GM's OFFICE
Both of these came in, or under their potential arbitration numbers for this year and I think both are going to be steals in the years ahead. Saldana, I expect to bounce back huge and Samvdio is a solid option in the rotation and just 26 years old.
Right now with arbitration numbers added our 2008 payroll sits at 22 million.

MANAGERS OF THE YEAR

• Chicago Hitmen manager Buck Showalter took home the 2008 award in the AL. He won the same award in 1999.
• Jacksonville manager Gil Flores took home the AL award, his first.

ARBITRATION HEARINGS
This is a lengthy list so get a drink...

• Ron Turner asked 320K offered 190K Club wins
• Cisco Mendoza asked 916K offered 750K Club wins
• Eric Burrows asked 589K offered 550K Club wins
• Brad Turner asked 687K offered 577K Player wins
• Seb Broomhall asked 293K offered 220K Club wins
• Mike Allen asked 1.123M offered 900K Player wins
• Kennan Hallamore asked 1.61M offered 1.3M Player wins
• Ernesto Bernal asked 320K offered 192K Club wins
• Juan Renovato asked 337K offered 270K Club wins
• Jorge Longoria asked 305K offered 220K Club wins
• Jon Naclerio asked 450K offered 360K Club wins
• Jake Grab asked 315K offered 220K Club wins
• Juan Mendoza asked 277K offered 250K Club wins
• Mike Haupt declined the qualifying offer and will become a free agent tomorrow.

FREE AGENCY BEGINS
I have just one catcher on the 38 man roster. That's my starter, Cisco Mendoza. There are some big names out there this winter but I may be targeting a 33-year year old. Giobbe Funicello has won a gold glove. He's a horse, catching 132 or more games 10 times in the past 11 years. He 'only' caught 110 games last year. He's a career .291/.375/.486 hitter in 1580 ABA games with 255 HR's and 930 RBI's. He's bordering on, if not already, a serious hall of fame candidate. Right now the word is he's asking somewhere around 6m per, which if true eliminates us. I think he can be had for cheaper.

JETS INK HAUPT, 5 YEARS 24.78 MILLION
The Washington Jets have announced the signing of free agent outfielder Mike Haupt to a 5 year 24.78 million dollar deal. Haupt has an opt-out after year 1 of the deal. Jets fans are ecstatic while Tarpon fans had long hoped he was coming back. Washington beat Jacksonville in the Wild Card play-in game before falling to the Miners 4 games to 2 in the Division series. Haupt is expected to play CF and leadoff ahead of star RF Juan Burruel and 2008 NL MVP Rob Anderson in what will surely make the leagues top scoring offense even more prolific.

WINTER MEETING RUMORS
Tons of moving and shaking. Vegas snags free agent closer Phil Myres (9-5 41 SV 2.39 w/Minnesota) to a 3-year 6.6m dollar deal. Detroit re-signs closer Rory Berg (9-6 39 SV 2.88) to a 2-year 8.4m dollar deal. Denver also re-signs their player. Taking star OF Jahiem Kouassi back off the market with a 5-year 23.3m dollar deal with a player opt out after year 2. One of the prize arms on the market was 31-year-old Dave Young. He was 14-12 3.28 last year and is 46-32 over the past 3 seasons (97-85 4.13 overall). The Kodiaks gave him 23.4 million over 4 years to come north.
Rumors also swirling around Florida GM Gehrig Schilling and two of the bigger names this winter. Catcher Giobbe Funicello and 2B Juan Flores formerly of the Panthers. Rumors have the offers to both as 5 years or more. Funicello was said to be seeking an AAV of 6+ million over 8+ years at the outset of free agency. Apparently, Florida backdoored everyone on the Flores negotiations and further rumors have this as a move to potentially accompany trades they have in the making.

[gehrig38]

FLORIDA, NEW ENGLAND AGREE TO SWAP
Florida press is reporting that the Tarpons have sent 26-year-old middle infielder Juan Guevara, 25-year-old OF Ernesto Bernal and the 6th round draft choice, along with 195K in cash to the New England Minutemen in exchange for P prospect Dave Corra and one of the leagues better young catchers in 25-year-old Jeremy Makowski. They've also shipped Florida their 2009 2nd round draft choice.

GM'S OFFICE
Two backups, both extremely good defenders at multiple positions but Guevara is redundant given Hallamore, Haig, Borrows, Turner and the other utility IF options.
Cora was a 2nd rounder (45th overall) out of Wisconsin in 2002. He's got two options left. He is a huge arm, sitting upper 90's and hitting triple digits often. He could relieve and be really good no doubt. He's likely heading to AAA to start. If he can get his changeup moving he's got a legit shot at being a 1 or a 2.
The rumors are true. I am working my ass off with Giobbe Funicello's agent. At 33 and coming off another great year he's the complete package on and off the field. I can't go 6 years and won't, they know that and I am not giving him an AAV of 6. I say all that because Jeremy Makowski was the motive in this deal. He's a top-tier defender with the leagues highest rated arm behind the dish. He's had 2 cups of coffee in two years and 6 total AB's. He's ready to catch every day here and if I can manage to snag Giobbe this kid has a legit mentor and time to grow. He was New Englands 2nd pick (44th overall) in 2005 out of Oklahoma.

[gehrig38]

VETERAN FUNICELLO SETTLES ON TARPONS
Talks of a deal between Florida and Giobbe Funicello came together today as the two sides inked a deal worth 24.425m over the next 5 years. Funicello is highly regarded around the ABA both on and off the field as a player and a leader in the clubhouse. Lifetime he is hitting .291 with 1690 hits 255 HR's 930 RBI's. He's won a gold glove, 7 silver sluggers, and is a 9-time all-star.
He is 2nd all-time in hits for catchers, trailing leader Jimmy King by just 31, he's also 4th all-time in home runs. His 255 puts him just 45 shy of becoming the 4th catcher ever to hit 300. He also ranks 2nd all-time behind Chris O'Donnell in lifetime avg, his .291 trailing by just .010.

GM'S OFFICE
Fans went nuts over this one. There are going to need to be some moves to pare down payroll which has lept to 28.6 million, 15th overall in the ABA. The pick was planned on. I lose my 1st rounder but the comp pick for Mike is just 5 picks later. Not optimal but imo very much worth it.

[gehrig38]

FLORIDA, OKLAHOMA CONFIRM SWAP
Florida and Oklahoma have agreed on a trade that sends 29-year-old C Cisco Mendoza and minor league prospects Masuhiro Kasuya, a 3B, and 23-year-old minor league P Hiroshi Inouye to Oklahoma and in return Florida receives P prospect Luis Balderas and OF Joe Cummings.

GM'S OFFICE
The moves behind the plate and the recent signing gave me a shot to sell high on Mendoza, and I think I did. Both prospects I gave up are deep in the line and a good ways off. But the two players I received could be big pieces. Cummings is a switch-hitting corner outfielder who handles RHP like a monster. He was a 5th rounder in 2005 out of Miami and he followed up a .329-44-137 season in AA with a .326-28-95 season at AAA last year. He's also holding 2 options. His 28 homers left him 2 shy of the 30/30 club btw. The last two seasons he's struck out 126 times to 137 walks. He possesses a very unique set of tools given his 40+ homer bat, 50+ steal speed and his ability to quite literally bunt for a .300 average.
Balderas has had 3 different September call-ups and all 3 as a reliever. He's a future starter. He's out of options but likely as a RH will sit in the middle to a long role in the pen. Our scouts say when he's done he'll have 3 ++ pitches.


MEMPHIS SIGNS KOO
Veteran star Luo-Lang Koo has agreed to terms with the Blue Sox today. The team retains their star catcher with a 4 year 19.36m dollar deal featuring a vesting option on year 4 (480 PA).

[gehrig38]

TARPONS, NICKELS CONFIRM SWAP
27-year-old Seb Broomhall is heading north, far north, from Miami. The pitcher was dealt, along with the Tarpons 8th round draft choice, to the Buffalo Nickels for 25 year old IF prospect Moromao Yamaoka and 19-year old P prospect Bill Adrian.

GM'S OFFICE
This was as much about the Rule 5 draft as anything. I feel very good about the organization's depth on the mound and both of these players are potential 25 man roster, guys. Yamaoka is a versatile defender who can play 2B, SS, and 3B as well as left field. He hits RH and stole 33 bases last year at AAA. He has 3 options remaining.
Adrian was a scout pick, our guys like him a lot. He's just 19 and has 52 total innings in pro-ball. He signed with Buffalo out of Handley HS as a 5th rounder in 2007.

[gehrig38]

12/24

• Memphis snags 28 year old star Alpha Malveux to a 5 year 23.8 million dollar deal. The 4-time all star is coming off a .278-31-96 yer with an OPS Of .857. Oklahoma was pushing hard to re-sign him and came up short.
• Vegas resigned OF Ian Chaffee to a 4 year 10.88 million dollar deal. After a monster 2007 (.325-37-87) Chaffee tanked to .258-9-64 in his contract year costing him untold millions.

12/27

• 37 year old veteran Joel Aris managed to come to terms with his former team. The Jets announced the 2 year 7.2 million dollar deal today. The lefty is 172-120 4.12 and just 88 strikeouts short of 3000.

[gehrig38]

FLORIDA LANDS A GOOD “JUAN”
The Tarpons have announced the signing of 26-year-old IF Juan Flores to a 6-year 12.545m dollar free agent contract. Twitter was abuzz in the sunshine state as fans and players alike were ecstatic at the acquisition of the young star. The young right-handed hitter is a career .245/.325/.357 hitter in 778 career games with 149 2B 30 3B and 54 HR while stealing 203 bases. He's won two SB titles in the NL. Scouts believe his best years are ahead of him and that the Tarpons landed a big “Juan” both on the field and in the clubhouse.
“This is a franchise changing move. This kid is like having a coach on the field and he may be one of the smartest baserunners I've ever seen” one scout was quoted as saying.

GM'S OFFICE
This is a huge signing. He's got a sterling reputation as a player and a person. Our scouts all think his best offensive years are ahead of him. Fan interest skyrocketed from 61 to 71 with the past 2 signings and season ticket sales are up 11.6% overnight. Juan is a brand name around the league and the country and I've been told the players will willingly let him 'run' the clubhouse. As a follow-on move, I sent Ron Turner, one of our backup IF whose bat has done nothing but disappear, to Alaska and gotten minor league 1B Jerry Fine back. The 24-year old hit .265/.409/.613 with 36 homers and 88 RBI's at Class A Fairbanks last year. He was a 2006 6th rounder (163rd overall) out of the University of Maryland. He's been an all-star at every stop. He'll report to Clovis (AA)

[gehrig38]

So the reason there's very little post-2008 breakdown.
I had a power outage, and when that power outage happened somehow my laptop battery was unplugged by one of my dogs, and the game shut down. It had NOT saved to that point in the postseason.
I was actually DOWN 1-0 in the World Series after a 4 game sweep of Detroit...
I have done this in the past and ALWAYS have it set to run saves each week. I changed it this year for a few reasons but was going to switch it back.
I had the entire postseason written out and it was awesome, only to have to go back and replay.
Anyway, that sucked, but I am now moving on....

[gehrig38]

SAINTS AGREE TO TERMS WITH STAR RELIEVER, TWICE
The Denver Saints have made it clear they are aiming to be the next Dynasty in the ABA. Today they signed superstar closer and one of the most sought-after free agents this winter in 29-year-old Jon Carruth to a 1 year 3 million dollar deal.
About 2 minutes after that announcement word came down that Denver just agreed to terms on a 3 year 4.56 million dollar free agent contract with 34-year-old Mike Kelly.
Carruth saved 39 games with a 0.92 ERA last season and has 159 career saves with a 3.07 ERA.
Kelly saved 40 games with a 2.39 ERA last season and has 204 career saves with a 3.54 ERA.
With Closer Tim Reese, who set the new ABA record with 53 saves and a 1.76 ERA, the three men at the back end of the Saints bullpen combined for 132 saves last season alone. Career wise they have 447 saves between them.

CHICAGO EXTENDS KOUFAX WINNER
Ezequiel Cordero made a career year pay off. Today he announced he'd agreed to terms with the Chicago Hitmen on a 4 year 20.8 million dollar contract extension that will keep him in Chicago through the 2012 season with a vesting option (25 GS) that would guarantee the 5th year at 5.1 million.
The 3 time Koufax winner and 6-time all-star were said to be eager to extend beyond this coming years deal and the two sides had no issues making it happen. He is 162-100 3.70 in 361 games over his 12 year ABA career. Chicago signed him as a 19-year-old free agent out of the Mexican league in 1995.

Former Tarpon Juan Pedemonte signed a 1 year 900K deal with Alaska

Star slugger Zach Hogue who left the ABA after his 2006 season to join the CPBL in China has returned to the ABA after what he described as 'the worst year of my life'. The slugger who hit 187 home runs from 2002 to 2006 for the Portland Lancers signed a 1-year 1.1m dollar free agent deal that many are saying might be the steal of the winter.

HALL OF FAME VOTING
There were no winners in the HoF voting this year. Hector Fields led all voters at 62.4% in his 2nd year on the ballot.

Washington signed 28-year-old Alfredo Almaguer to a 7 year 30.32 million dollar free agent deal. The lefty is 52-44 3.90 in 187 games, 160 career starts with 1046 K's in 913.1 innings.

DENVER KEEPS THE PRESSURE ON
The Saints have announced the signing of 29 year old OF Amari Tutson to a 4 year 9.48 million dollar free agent contract. The former Panther OF is a career .257 hitter with 165 HR's and 471 RBI's and figures to provide even more depth to what has to be the 2009 odds on favorite Saints.

KODIAKS MAKE A “HECHT” OF A SIGNING
The Alaska Kodiaks and superstar free agent Eric Hecht have come to terms on a 6 year 28.52 million dollar free agent deal. The 30-year-old old is a career .322 hitter with 230 HRs and 635 RBI's in 815 games. He was the 2006 and 2007 NL batting champion as well the 2004 Jackie Robinson award winner. He's finished 2nd twice and 3rd once in the Hank Aaron Award voting is a 4 time all star and 3-time silver slugger winner.



GM'S OFFICE
An unscheduled meeting was held with ownership today and Mr Medina has informed me that our 2009 budget will increase from 36 to 40 million dollars. We are blowing away season ticket expectations and the train feels like it is pulling out of the station. I won't use that money unless it allows me to extend a current player with a contract we are ok with.

MINNESOTA RESIGNS RICK
32 year old Gold Glove Left Fielder Korey Rick is staying in Minnesota. The free agent and team announced they had agreed to terms on a 1 year 1.86m dollar deal.

HUSKIES ACQUIRE BORROWS FROM FLORIDA
The Minnesota Huskies followed up their announcement of Korey Rick by telling the press they'd acquired 28 year old IF Eric Borrows from the Florida Tarpons for P prospect Jeff LeDoux. The teams also swapped 5th round picks in the upcoming draft.
Borrows had a very good season with the Tarpons but the maturation of two way prospect Arturo Mendoza has made Borrows available. Minnesota approached Florida about the deal with LeDoux as the offering, it came together very quickly after that. The Huskies plan on Borrows being their everyday 1B.

GM'S OFFICE
They were very aggressive here. LeDoux is the ABA's 117th ranked prospect and a future top of the rotation arm as long as he stays healthy. Mendoza is going to take over everyday at 3B and if he can have a good spring he'll also occupy the 5th spot in the rotation, or we will move to a 6 man rotation with him as the 6th guy.

OFF SEASON SIGNINGS AND TRADES


Here's a sort of visual look back at the winter activity. #'s next to the teams are the # of the free agent signing that player was. Den 8 means that was Denver's 8th Free Agent signing of the winter. Kind of an all encompassing chart for the winter. Some teams made zero moves....





POST SEASON FIRINGS/HIRINGS/NOTES
Oklahoma Drillers – FIRED GM Nehemiah Sanon MGR Jeff Datz and hired Daisuke Yama****a as the new GM and Craig Swan as the new Manager
Minnesota Huskies – FIRED GM Paul Hermann MGR Dick Sharon and hired GM John Knox and Manager Randy Bass
St Louis Surge – Fires GM Bruce Kison hires GM Brett Creamer
Austin Colts – fires Manager Ed O'Hara hires Manager Mark Souza

[gehrig38]

2009 SPRING TRAINING

A quick look at the offense and staff from this spring. Some tough decisions to be made as we have a number of pitchers who are out of options that I do not want to lose, which may force me to temporarily send a guy down that made the team.



The offense appears to be back and I am ecstatic to see the meat of my lineup occupying to top 4 slots here. Cummings and Davis are going to take up 2 spots as the DH, which I think Mendoza being a two-way talent may allow. Both have enormous power and Cummings is the rare switch hitter with who hits better RH. Both are switch hitters actually.
Malkowski spring is disappointing but I hope there's little need for him to acquire many ab's. Also worth noting he has come up more than once in off the field 'conversations' and not in a good way.
Most of the kids didn't get a lot of AB's but they got experience. Was very happy to see Renovato's spring. With Haupt in DC, I'm going with Sergio Baud in center vs both side arms and have Renovato as my only reserve OF vs RHP with Cummings in the DH slot. Yamaoka had a bad spring and in most instances would get sent to AAA to continue getting AB's. Dealing Turner and Borrows started to limit the options so I am using 2008 rookie of the year Harland Daig as the cure-all in backup infielders and as a bat off the bench vs RHP.
Bearston, Salinas and Fine all had eye-opening springs and are most certainly on the radar. They're all in AAA.



You can never have enough pitching. I've got a crap ton. I know I'd get arguments, but they'd be few and far between when I tell you Brad Turner is the games best reliever. Nothing this spring dissauaded that notion and a conversation was had towards the end of camp amongst coaches about moving him into Galindo's role.
One phone call with the agent and that came to a screeching halt. I was basically told “Close him or trade him”. Now I am unsure, as in many cases, if that's the player OR the agent talking. Most times it's the agent, actually far more than the public ever knows.
The issue is this. Sugihara, Balderas, and Yamada have no options remaining. That already forced my hand in sending down Longoria and now I have Allen, Grab and Turner left with options. Clearly there's zero chance Grab OR Turner goes down which means I have to option out Mike Allen who was a huge part of the pen last year. I've given him the courtesy of calling around while at the same time telling him the second we can fix this he's right back here. Making sure he understands he's a big part of this team. I am also opening up discussions around an extension to make sure he sees this is not just talk.

[gehrig38]

• STARTING ROTATIONWe are quite literally breaking new ground. No team has ever left camp with a 6 man rotation it planned to use all year long. That's the plan. Obviously, Arturo Mendoza's progress on the mound will be watched closely but he's ready to hit in the meat of an ABA lineup and has done nothing but improve on defense. Here is the rotation in order.
  
  
• PLAYER – Juan Alatorre LHP 6'3” 220
• AGE – 29
• REPORT – The staffs “elder statesman” coming off a fantastic 2008 in which he went 17-9 1 SV and a 3.07 ERA. The wins and ERA were good enough to rank 5th in the league. He was 9th in innings pitched, 2md in BABIP at .243 and 8th in WHIP at 1.11. Has everything you want in a top of the rotation arm. I wouldn't call him an 'ace' in the sense he's a 1 game do or die guy, but he will handle the opening day assignment that he earned.
• LAST YEAR – 17-8 3.07 ERA 226 IP 183 H 151 K 67 BB 1.11 WHIP
• ACQUIRED – Signed as an international free agent 1/1/08
• CONTRACT – signed through 2012 at 3.675 per year 1-year service
  
  
• PLAYER – Kody Pollock LHP 5'11” 195
• AGE - 25
• REPORT – The guy I think assumes the ace mantle this year. He's the team leader in the clubhouse for sure, rare for two reasons. He's just 25 and he's a starting pitcher. Pitchers, with rare exceptions, garner leadership roles in an ABA clubhouse but he has and that speaks volumes. He's not done improving and that's coming off an 18 win season. He stops running games and is a low to mid 90's legitimate 3 pitch guy developing a 4th pitch. He was third in wins (18) 2nd in winning % (.720) 8th in ERA (3.15) 4th in HR/9 (0.52) and tied for 5th with 2 shutouts. All that in his first full ABA season
• ACQUIRED – Trade with Las Vegas 7/31/06
• LAST YEAR – 18-7 3.15
• CONTRACT – 211,000 arbitration contract. His # next year is around 700K which would be an insane steal. I am going to work on an extension this year. 1 year 73 days service
  
  
• PLAYER – Chad Willoughby RHP 6'3” 205
• AGE -27
• REPORT – Acquired along with Kody Pollock in the July 2006 deadline deal. Coming off a very good season, one that didn't reflect in his W/L. A horse with 4 + pitches and a knee-buckling curve rated as one of the leagues best. He's a 'young' 27 in that he doesn't have the huge number of innings on his arm others do. Milwaukee made a hard run for him this winter as the fans there love the 'hometown hero'. He's a great kid, never a question about anything off the field and on the field he lets it all hang out every 5th day. He was 2nd in GS (33) 10th in ERA (3.16) 8th in BABIP (.254) 7th in HR/9 (0.56) and 5th in H/9 at 7.37
• ACQUIRED – Trade with Las Vegas 7/31/06
• LAST YEAR – 11-9 3.16
• CONTRACT – 211,200 arbitration contract. Another arm I will work to extend this year. 1 year 102 days service
  
  
• PLAYER – Luis Samvdio RHP 6'3” 210
• AGE - 26
• REPORT – A great kid who is still getting better. Has the games best knuckle curve as ranked by the players. Sits low to mid 90's and will be a true innings eater as he matures. Humble, honest and a great teammate he's got a great future ahead of him. He was 5th in HR/9 at 0.53 7th in H/9 at 7.52 10th in K/9 at 6.63 and he's still getting better.
• ACQUIRED – Signed as a Free Agent in December of 2006
• LAST YEAR – 14-11 3.43
• CONTRACT – signed through 2010 with team options at 2.5m in 2011 and 3.5 million in 2012. Buyouts of 470K each year. 3 years 165 days service
  
  
• PLAYER – Yasushi Sugihara RHP 6'1” 190
• AGE - 24
• REPORT – A kid with an unlimited ceiling. Ohio abused him by bringing him up far ahead of when he was ready and he ended up toiling in the pen instead of getting innings. Was the games 18th ranked prospect heading into 2006. He's a monster arm, incredible athlete, and a clubhouse presence. Scouts say his curveball is absolutely in the 'games best' discussion today. His fastball is still getting better and his slider, which many expect to be ++ is still a good ways off from the finished product. He struggled in our pen after coming over last year (3-6 6.38) but that was after a 9-3 3.14 beginning of the season in the Generals rotation. While he still has a long way to go from a finished product standpoint getting him for RP Sam Ginn may end up being one of the best deals I've ever made.
• ACQUIRED – Trade with Ohio 7/11/08
• LAST YEAR – 12-9 4.48 29 G 23 GS 146.2 IP 70 K 77 BB 137 H
• CONTRACT – 390K arbitration contract. Has 3 years of service so still under control. Would like to see a solid first half and if so I'd work to get him signed as well.
  
  
• PLAYER – Arturo Mendoza RHP/3B 6'3” 210
• AGE - 25
• REPORT – One of three legitimate two-way talents who will give us a dynamic few teams possess if he can handle the pitching side of this. His bat was ready last year and I think his arm may finally be ready. He will allow us to go with a 6 man rotation, a legitimate 6 man rotation, from the opening of the season. An injury or ineffectiveness in a starting role by him or by Sugihara and I have the flexibility to adjust which few teams do. He was my 2nd round draft pick in our initial 2005 amateur draft (30th overall) and I'm excited to see how my manager handles a rare and potentially advantageous situation. He'll be spelled at 3B on a needed basis.
• ACQUIRED - 2nd Round 2005 Draft (30th overall pick)
• LAST YEAR – 11-11 5.30 in 28 starts and .327/.411/.534 with 26 2B 14 HR 50 RBI in 83 AAA games.
• CONTRACT – 211,200 24 days of ABA service
  
  
• OFFENSE
  
  
• PLAYER – Giobbe Funicello RH Catcher 6'1” 210
• AGE – 33
• REPORT – One of the most accomplished catchers in ABA history. An 8-time all-star, 7-time silver slugger winner and a gold glove winner as well. Sits atop or near the top of almost every career offensive category for catchers. Over his 11+ years split evenly between San Antonio (789 games) where he began and Alaska (791 games) where he has been since 2003 he has hit .291/.375/.486 for a career OPS of .861. Up until his career 'low' 110 games last year he had never started less than 125 and never appeared in less than 132. He's a true iron man in every sense of the word. He's one of the faces of the ABA around the world. His hometown of Rome, Italy literally comes to a stop every game day. He was brought in to provide leadership, and stability to a young pitching staff, mentor the organization's crop of young catching talent and hit in the middle of the order.
• ACQUIRED – Free agent signing 12/14/08
• LAST YEAR - .252/.322/.391 12 HR 44 RBI
• CONTRACT/SERVICE TIME – 5 years 24.425 million. Signed through 2013 11 years 118 days service
  
  
• PLAYER - Jeremy Makowski RH Catcher 6' 210
• AGE – 25
• REPORT – right-handed hitting catcher with gold glove tools. Strongest arm in the game behind the dish. Once we had signed Giobbe Cisco Mendoza became one of the more sought-after players on the team. At 29 and knowing he would not be starting he wanted to move on and we made that happen. He's a legitimate backup who will hold down the fort until some of our younger talent matures. Not a huge fan of his off the field.
• ACQUIRED – Trade with New England 12/13/08
• LAST YEAR - .266/.321/.490 in 106 games of AAA. He hit 26 HR and drove in 93.
• CONTRACT/SERVICE TIME – 211,200 arbitration contract 64 days service time
  
  
• PLAYER – Giomar Cortezo RH 1B 5'11” 200
• AGE – 28
• REPORT – The 2007 NL MVP. Coming off a 'down year'. He'll anchor this lineup both ways and I expect him to just continue getting better. His ability to get on base along with his speed makes him a rare offensive player at 1B. Was the NL batting champ in 2007. Last year was 10th in the league in 2B (32) 7th in 3B (11) 10th in runs (91) 3rd in extra-base hits (61) 7th in OBP (.371) 6th in slugging (.482) 6th in OPS (.852)
• ACQUIRED – Trade with Los Angeles 12/7/07
• LAST YEAR - .292/.371/.482 32 2B 11 3B 18 HR 82 RBI 20 SB 51 K 71 BB
• CONTRACT/SERVICE TIME – Signed through 2010 at 3.88 million per year. 5 years 71 days.
  
  
• PLAYER – D.J. Adams 1B/DH Switch 5'11” 205
• AGE - 24
• REPORT – Snagged in the Rule 5 draft he's a 24-year-old with potential 50 HR power. He switch hits and handles RHP very well as well as destroying LHP. His defensive options are limited to 1B and below average at that. He will be part of a 2-headed monster we use at DH.
• ACQUIRED – 2008 Rule 5 Draft from Oklahoma
• LAST YEAR – AAA .325/.381/.598 with 31 HR 102 RBI
• CONTRACT/SERVICE TIME – Minor league contract 0 service time.
  
  
• PLAYER – Juan Flores RH 2B/IF 6'1” 190
• AGE - 27
• REPORT – The 2nd of 2 big signings this winter. An extremely popular player in the league and in the game with 60+ steal speed and gold glove potential around the infield. He's a top of the order option as he matures but has 2 200+ strikeout seasons in his past which I attribute directly to his early exposure more than talent. Had a down year for Jacksonville at the plate last year but our guys think his best days are to come. Is 203-249 (82%) lifetime in Stolen Bases. He'll hit either 1st, 2nd or 8th.
• ACQUIRED – Free agent signing 12/30/08
• LAST YEAR - .234/.313/.310 3 HR 43 RBI 47-60 SB.
• CONTRACT/SERVICE TIME – Signed through 2013 with a player option (2.85M) for 2014 5 years 59 days service time
  
  
• PLAYER – Ken Hallamore RH SS 6'1” 175
• AGE - 22
• REPORT – I am predicting he retires with no less than 5 gold gloves. An elite defender who somehow managed to make an astounding 34 errors last year. He was 38-67 in stolen bases last year so that needs addressing but he is a 60+ steal baserunner if managed properly. He hit 29 2B 12 3B and 16 homers last year. Hard worker and great clubhouse guy.
• ACQUIRED – Trade with San Diego 2/14/08
• LAST YEAR - .277/.350/.454 16 HR 82 RBI 38 SB
• CONTRACT/SERVICE TIME – 1.615 million 2 years 35 days service time
  
  
• PLAYER – Harland Daig RH IF 6'2” 195
• AGE - 25
• REPORT – 2008 AL Rookie of the year and an AL All-star. Had a fantastic season all around. His defensive versatility might make him one of the leagues best 10th men. His offensive season far surpassed what the scouts thought he was capable of but he has not shaken the 'lazy' label even after the great year. There's hope that Juan Flores presence can help change that. Hit 23 2B 10 3B 10 HR and stole 39-58 (67%) bases. Figures to be the go-to guy when Mendoza starts on the mound as well as the guy to spell infielders all year long.
• ACQUIRED – Trade with Chicago 7/26/07
• LAST YEAR - .301/.345/.458 23 2B 10 3B 10 HR 47 RBI 39 SB AL Rookie of the Year AL All-Star
• CONTRACT/SERVICE TIME – 211,200 arbitration contract. 145 days service time
  
  
• PLAYER – Moromao Yamaoka RH IF 6'2” 185
• AGE – 25
• REPORT – Sort of an emergency option at the end of camp as a backup IF. He can play around the horn and does it well above average. He's not done maturing as a hitter and quite honestly would be better served to start and playing every day at AAA. He brings an enormous amount of intangibles, enough to be a valued and respected guy in the clubhouse. He is regarded as one of the games best bunters.
• ACQUIRED – Trade with Buffalo 12/14/08
• LAST YEAR – AAA .264/.364/.439 20 2B 14 HR 54 RBI 75 K 61 BB 22-33 SB
• CONTRACT/SERVICE TIME – Minor league contract 0 service time
  
  
• PLAYER – Joe Cummings Switch OF/DH 5'10” 180
• AGE - 24
• REPORT – Acquired in December deal with the Drillers he had a great spring and as a switch hitter who crushes RHP, he will help form our two-headed switch-hitting DH monster. Has outstanding speed and enough of a toolset to play a corner OF spot as he matures. Struggles big time with LHP though. His added tool? He is about as good a bunter as there is in the league. Many folks say he could hit .300 bunting. Add that to 40 HR power and you have a very unique offensive talent.
• ACQUIRED – Trade with Oklahoma 12/14/08
• LAST YEAR – AAA .326/.408/.587 27 2B 9 3B 28 HR 95 RBI 33-59 SB 58 K 66 BB
• CONTRACT/SERVICE TIME – Minor League Contract -0 service time
  
  
• PLAYER – Juan Renovato RH OF 6'3” 220
• AGE - 28
• REPORT - 4th outfielder with good tools and great intangibles. Has a much higher ceiling at the plate than he showed last year. Does all the things well and is a great teammate. Will be a defensive guy on the corners as well as spelling them every now and then and can play CF (though not real well) if need be.
• ACQUIRED – Trade with Milwaukee 11/27/07
• LAST YEAR - .238/.290/.313 9 2B 2 3B 2 HR 26 RBI 71 games
• CONTRACT/SERVICE TIME – 270,000 arbitration contract 2 years 111 days service time
  
  
• PLAYER – Ismael Saldana LH 1B/LF 6' 190
• AGE - 25
• REPORT – A guy I fully expect to begin contending for MVP hardware. He is ranked as one of the top 4 or 5 bats in the game. Coming off a down year for sure but I can see a guy who should routinely hit .315+ as well as 40+ HR's annually.
• ACQUIRED - 1st overall draft choice 2006 June Draft
• LAST YEAR - .259/.340/.432 19 2B 4 3B 23 HR 87 RBI
• CONTRACT/SERVICE TIME – Signed through 2012 with a 4 million dollar player option for 2013. Making 550,000 this year 1 year 148 days service time
  
  
• PLAYER – Serge Baud RH OF 6'3” 190
• AGE - 23
• REPORT – One of the games fastest runners. Will anchor CF for now and likely hit at the bottom of the lineup. Still maturing as a hitter. Showed quite a bit more pop at AA last year than anyone expected.
• ACQUIRED – Waiver claim from New York 11/04/08
• LAST YEAR – AA .266/.334/.474 21 2B 7 3B 22 HR 13-13 SB 61 RBI 120 games
• CONTRACT/SERVICE TIME – 211,200 arbitration contract 35 days service time
  
  
• PLAYER – Makata Hayashi LH OF 6'4” 220
• AGE - 24
• REPORT – 2006 AL Rookie of the year hit 45 home runs and drove in 132. Slumped last year big time. Great offseason has him showing up ready to go. He's a monster bat who destroys RHP (71 of 84 career homers vs RHP). No speed to speak of but a good baserunner. Fully expect him and Saldana to terrorize right handers all year long
• ACQUIRED – Signed as an international free agent 1/3/06
• LAST YEAR - .254/.341/.358 14 2B 14 HR 69 RBI 82 K 71 BB
• CONTRACT/SERVICE TIME – Final year of contract at 2.5 million 3 years service time

[gehrig38]

Guys,
Not looking for feedback, comments or accolades, but is anyone actually following this with any interest?
I generally don't comment on many threads but the lack of anything here makes me think folks aren't really following and that's cool, I can play much faster not documenting.
Just curious.

[gehrig38]

Ok, I like what they think of the AL East. But holy crap, Denver has this massive winter and they are supposed to win just 75 games?
I think we'll have a lot more of a presence on the offensive leaderboards than the experts think. Youngster Ben Chase with a HR title? Cortezo winning a batting crown? Sergio Robles with 30+ homers AND 70+ SB?



Wow, how about the Jets? Really Mike Haupt? Washington all over both leaderboards. And is it true? An appearance by the Missions?

WAIVER WIRE
There are 125 players on the waiver wire and not a single one interests me.



And the rich get richer. In addition to trading for the top overall picks in the past 2 drafts, Detroit has managed to develop 23-year-old Luis Barela as an international youngster. He's likely to open the year on the ABA roster. Prodigious power and a complete 5 tool player.
Kinnon Mendelson has dropped from 1 to 12, as expected, since being out. Elizonda I expect some big things from and I am very anxious to see the french kid start his career at Rio Rancho this year.

[gehrig38]

SCHEDULE:
3 vs Minnesota (Former #1 overall pick Joe Linn gets the opening day nod for the Huskies)
3 @ Brooklyn
1 @ New York

RESULTS:

• 4/6: FLA 7 MIN 2 Alatorre W 5 IP 7 BB 3 H 2 ER Mendoza 3R HR Matsui strikes out 8 in 3.1 innings of relief
• Curt Hanning (SAN) shut out Austin on 6 hits striking out 5 in a 1-0 win.
• 4/7: FLA 6 MIN 3 Pollock outpitches Linn 8 IP 7 K 0 BB 9 H 3 ER Flores goes 2-4 2B (2) 4 RBI Hallamore 3-3 2 R Turner SV (1)
• 4/8: MIN 8 FLA 7 (11) Hallamore 5-5 R SB (1) Hayashi game-tying HR in the 9th Willoughby ND 5 IP 9 H 6 ER Hayashi and Hallamore errors
• Former Tarpon Jon Naclerio tossed a 4 hitter striking out 4 in a 4-0 win over Buffalo
• 4/9: FLA 9 MIN 6 (11) Hallamore 4-5 (9 for his last 10) HR 3 R 3 RBI Flores HR Samvdio 11 H 6.1 IP 6 ER Galindo W (1-0)
• Luis Aguirre 4-5 2 R
• 4/10: FLA 6 BRK 2 Sugihara PotG 7 IP 7 H 4 K 1 R Galindo SV (1) Saldana HR (1) Makowski HR (1)
• Jim Haseldon (NY) beat Las Vegas 7-0 on a 6-hitter punching out 3.
• Omar Samedi (ALK) gave up 5 hits en-route toa 6-0 win. He struck out 5 and walked none.
• Josh Cardenas (SD) went 5-6 with 2 2B in a 9-2 19 hit rout of Texas.
• 4/11: BRK 10 FLA 2 Gabe Clark drove in 5 Tasuku Sakai 7 strong 7 K 0 BB 2 ER
• Mendoza 12 H 6 ER in 5
• 4/12: FLA 5 NY 1 Alatorre 6 IP 8 H 1 ER Matsui 3 IP 1 H SV (1) Funicello 3-4 2B (2) HR (1) 2 RBI Flores HR (2) SB (2) Baud SB (3)

AL POTW – Gabe Clark (BRK) 15-32 2 HR 13 RBI
NL POTW – Jeff Boles (OK) 14-28 2 HR 9 RBI

RECORD: 5-2
STANDINGS: 1st +1
RUNS SCORED: 42 4th
RUNS AGAINST: 32 7th
DEFENSE: .647 12th
POWER RANKINGS:
1) Oklahoma
2) Los Angeles
3) Washington
4) Chicago
5) Denver
6) Florida

[gehrig38]

SCHEDULE:
2 @ New York
3 vs Phoenix
OFF DAY
1 @ Memphis

RESULTS:

• 4/13: FLA 8 NY 6 (12) Cummings 3-4 2B (3) HR (2) 4 RBI (8) Cortezo game-tying HR in the 9th Pollock 5 IP 5 H 4 BB 3 K 5 ER Balderas 3.1 IP 1 H 3 BB 1 R Galindo W (2-0) Grab SV (1)
• 4/14: FLA 9 NY 7 Cummings 3-5 2 2B (5) RBI (9) Saldana 2B (3) 3 RBI (6) Yamada 3 IP 0 H 5 BB 1 ER W Galindo SV (2) Willoughby 4 IP 8 H 4 ER 45-minute rain delay in the 5th
• Shamar Okolo (JAX) beat Pittsburgh 1-0 today on a 5 hitter while striking out 7
• Juan Gallegos (LV) threw a 4-hitter in a 17-0 pasting of St Louis today. He punched out 3
• Quadir Numa (MIN) went 5-5 driving in 2 in a 13-2 win over Memphis
• New York was informed today that they will be without 24-year-old SP Mike Loree for at least the next 4 months after he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his elbow today.

TARPONS, WILLOUGHBY AGREE TO TERMS ON 7 YEAR EXTENSION
The Florida Tarpons have announced the signing of 27-year-old P Chad Willoughby to a 7 year 19.15 million dollar extension. The deal calls for base salaries of 850K next year, 1.8 in 2011, 2.6 in 2012 3.1 in 2013 and 3.6 in 2014 with the final two seasons as 3.6 million dollar team options. It's a record deal for the club in terms of potential length. Both sides are said to be very pleased with the outcome.

GM'S OFFICE
It's a 5-year deal and one at a number (11.950m) that will be insanely under market if he performs as we expect. Giving a deal to a 27-year-old pitcher that takes him into his 35th year is a risk in many cases but his work ethic and clubhouse presence make this one as low risk as we could hope for. The last two years will be at great numbers if he's as good as we think.

• 4/15: FLA 4 PHX 3 Samvdio W 8 IP 6 K 2 ER Cummings 3-3 HR (3) 2 RBI (11) SB (1) Galindo SV (3)
• Detroit phenom Luis Barela (leagues #3 prospect) went 4-4 hitting 3 home runs in a 10-4 win.
• 4/16: FLA 8 PHX 3 Sugihara (2-0) 8 IP 9 H 6 K 0 BB 3 ER Cortezo HR (2) Funicello 3 RBI (8) Flores 2-4 2 SB (6) Hallamore error (2)
• Tousei Sato (LV) Last years AL Koufax runner-up, struck out 15 Saints in a 4-1 win.
• Curt Hanning (SAN) threw his 3 consecutive complete game and 2nd shutout in 3 starts with a 9 K 6 hitter in a 5-0 win over Buffalo.
• Alfredo Alamguer (WAS) ran his consecutive scoreless streak to 24 as he blanked LA on just 3 hits while striking out 8 in a 3-0 win. He's 2-1 0.36 on the year.
• Texas learned it will be without 26-year-old slugger Dan Detray for at least the next 4 months after he fractured his ankle on the basepath yesterday.
• 4/17: FLA 4 PHX 0 Arturo Mendoza came within 1 out of his first career CG and shutout as he punched out 10 over 8.2 dominant innings. Harland Daig homered (1) and Cortezo went 3-4 with his 1st double to hopefully snap out of his season starting slump (.188-2-5).
• Frisco received devastating news as closer Ab Van Gaalen was diagnosed with what might be a career ending rotator cuff tear and will be out of the year. He was 0-2 4 Saves on the year.
• 4/18: OFF DAY
• 4/19: FLA 7 MEM 2 Alatorre (3-0 2.37) scatters 11 hits 10 K 2 ER Flores 2-4 BB HR (3) RBI (16) SB (7) Hallamore 3 RBI (6)
• Andy Messana (WAS) threw a 5 hit shutout in a 3-0 win over Buffalo. He's 3-0 0.38
• Raita Yamada (CHI)shut out Detroit 4-0 scattering 8 hits. He's 3-0 1.08

AL POTW – Chad Coyle (PHX) 11-23 2 HR 8 RBI (former Tarpon)
NL POTW – TJ Rand (BUF) 13-21 2 RBI (former Tarpon)

RECORD: 6-0 (11-2)
STANDINGS: 1st +4
RUNS SCORED: 82 t-1st
RUNS AGAINST: 53 4th
DEFENSE: .661 12th
POWER RANKINGS:
1) Chicago
2) Florida
3) Los Angeles
4) Texas
5) Denver