Baseball in Boston -- 1901 & Beyond

[OmahaBaseball]

I created a custom award that I believed I had set up properly during award voting time period. For some reason it didn't take (which frustrates me that I will now have a blank spot for 1901 awards) but still wanted to show which AL and NL players performed the best during the World Series.

American League
Tom O'Brien: 7 for 15 (.467 batting average), 2 Doubles, 1 Triple, 269 OPS+

National League
Jimmy Williams: 7 for 19 (.368 batting average), 1 Double, 2 Triples, 218 OPS+

[OmahaBaseball]

In a rather surprising trade, the St. Louis Browns acquired 3rd baseman Mike Grady and leftfielder Jack Hayden from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for 1st baseman Jack Slattery and 1st baseman Bill Richardson.

Grady is coming off an All-Star season and a Silver Slugger award, and Hayden is ranked as the #8 ranked prospect in the MLB. While Richardson (#20) and Slattery (#58) are top-100 ranked prospects, this does not seem like a good move for Chicago.

[OmahaBaseball]

The first message shows Al Orth asking the team to support humanitarian efforts in the Boston area. My response of "Start a Charity" was received well, though admittedly I am unsure how much that decision just cost the team.

[OmahaBaseball]

I tried to find a deal that would allow me to move up from the 13th pick, but the asking price was simply just too much. With that pick, the Boston Americans selected centerfielder Homer Smoot (ratings shown below).

In the 2nd round, selected starting pitcher Gus Dorner, 3rd round closer Ham Iburg, and 5th round relief pitcher Harry Kane. The 4th round pick had been traded away to the Pirates in the previous Cy Young acquisition and was used by the team to pick up shortstop John Murphy.

The MLB 1st round selections are shown as follows:

[OmahaBaseball]

The St. Louis Browns continue to stock up on quality players. Days after pulling off a heist from the White Sox, the Browns were able to fleece the Chicago Orphans. The Browns sent 31 year old Frank Killen to Chicago in return for 23 year old Billy Milligan; the reigning National League Fireman of the Year winner.

[OmahaBaseball]

Heading into the 1902 season, I identified two (2) main upgrades that I wanted to focus on. First, I wanted to improve the 4th starter spot by moving on from Fred Klobedanz. Second, need to improve the rightfield spot as Win Mercer just isn't doing it for me.

While I am unsure of the package deal that is needed to move Mercer, I was able to trade Klobedanz to the Philadelphia Athletics in return for Sam Leever. In order to get Leever and cash, I had to sent Klobedanz, Bill Stuart, and two draft picks (8th and 9th rounds).

As shown below, my Assistant GM warned me not to do the deal but the Boston faithful liked it enough to give me a slight increase in overall fan interest. Not sure how much of an upgrade this will be, but thought it was worth the chance.

[OmahaBaseball]

Received scouting report on newly acquired pitcher Sam Leever.

[OmahaBaseball]

Just received word from the team owner that he is raising the budget for the 1902 season from $202,000 to $220,000.

[OmahaBaseball]

Update from scout Dave Radovanovic on Boston American player development. Hate seeing the drops to Fred Clarke (he was the team batting leader last year) and Win Mercer (losing trade value), and very surprised to see some significant bumps to Danny Shay and Kid Elberfeld. Willie Mills was not on my radar and, to be honest, no idea what to make of his bumps up.

[OmahaBaseball]

Well, this was not the upgrade I was looking for at the rightfielder position, but it does add a little bit more depth in the outfield. This trade will not prevent trading Win Mercer -- he is still gone as soon as I can find a reasonable deal. In picking up Cozy Dolan, Boston sent Billy Goeckel and a 10th round pick to Philadelphia. My Assistant GM did not like me making this move.

[OmahaBaseball]

The 1902 season is almost here and the Top-10 list is out for prospects to keep an eye on. The Baltimore Orioles have the #1 (Addie Joss) and #5 (Jim St. Vrain) prospects and are poised to make a run for the pennant. The Boston Americans have the #15 (Gus Dorner) and #16 (Homer Smoot) ranked prospects, and are the 5th ranked organization for farm system.

[OmahaBaseball]

While I have several target goals that span the next few years, the only expectation that Boston American owner Kevin Kunz game me is to "achieve a winning season."

[OmahaBaseball]

The final player development update from my scout is in and there is a lot of really disappointing news. Jesse Tannehill suffered drops in Stuff, Movement, Control, and Stamina, and my 1st-round draft pick Homer Smoot had a drop in Contact.

[OmahaBaseball]

The long-rumored departure of Win Mercer finally came to pass just prior to the start of the 1902 season. Not only had Mercer failed to shine on the field, it was widely known that he was in constant conflict with leadership and teammates.

In sending Mercer, Lou Schiappacasse, Jim McDonald, Gary Wilson, and 6th and 7th round draft picks in the 1903 draft to the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Americans received in return 29-year old outfielder Chick Stahl and cash considerations.

My Assistant GM did not like me making the move, but the fans were happy to have Stahl come to town. The trade also earned me an achievement for trading for a former All-Star,

[progen]

Originally Posted by CHOWDERHEAD

The long-rumored departure of Win Mercer finally came to pass just prior to the start of the 1902 season. Not only had Mercer failed to shine on the field, it was widely known that he was in constant conflict with leadership and teammates.

In sending Mercer, Lou Schiappacasse, Jim McDonald, Gary Wilson, and 6th and 7th round draft picks in the 1903 draft to the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Americans received in return 29-year old outfielder Chick Stahl and cash considerations.

My Assistant GM did not like me making the move, but the fans were happy to have Stahl come to town. The trade also earned me an achievement for trading for a former All-Star,

Being a Phillies/Eagles fan, I despise everything Boston, but this is a good read. Keep up the good work!

[OmahaBaseball]

Originally Posted by progen

Being a Phillies/Eagles fan, I despise everything Boston, but this is a good read. Keep up the good work!

progen - thanks for the comment and for following along. Work, family, and computer trouble kept me occupied for a little while. Looking forward to picking this back up.

As a life-long Red Sox/Patriots/Bruins fan, I understand the Philly vs. Boston sentiment

[OmahaBaseball]

A rather puzzling trade by the 1901 World Series champion Detroit Tigers in which they sent starting 2nd baseman Hobe Ferris (3.0 WAR) and prospect Frank Martin (#21 ranked) to the Brooklyn Superbas in exchange for reliever Stan Yerkes (0.2 WAR) and 2nd baseman Ed Abbaticchio (0.1 WAR). It doesn't appear to be a salary dump and really unsure how this helps Detroit defend its title.

[OmahaBaseball]

During a hastily arranged news conference, the Philadelphia Athletics announced that they were unable to reach contract terms with SP Bob Ewing prior to the signing deadline. Ewing, the 4th overall pick, was already being hailed by scouts and critics alike as the ace of the team; the type of player you build around for sustained excellence. Due to MLB rules, Ewing becomes an unrestricted free agent that is open to the highest bidder.

[OmahaBaseball]

It didn't take long for the defending World Series champs to swoop in a sign free agent Bob Ewing. In locking Ewing up for 1 year at $1,940, the Tigers made Ewing the highest paid player in MLB (32% more than the 2nd highest-paid player). Detroit now boasts a top of the rotation punch of Doc White and Bob Ewing that is going to be tough for teams to overcome.

[OmahaBaseball]

Lead Scout Dave Radovanovic has provided a development update for Frank Chance and Fred Clark. Nice to see an power improvement, albeit in potential, for Chance as he makes the switch to catcher. Clarke's update is mixed, as he gets a bump to power and eye, but a drop in contact.