Baseball in Boston -- 1901 & Beyond

[OmahaBaseball]

An interesting offseason trade was made today, as the Philadelphia Athletics sent outfielder Socks Seybold to the New York Giants in exchange for Heinie Wagner and Bill Couglin. While Seybold has demonstrated his ability to compete at the MLB level (.283/.326/.395, 112 OPS+, 3.8 WAR in the 1902 season) he is almost 8 years older than either player (turns 32 soon) and is making nearly the same salary as that of the two other players combined.

Beyond that, Wagner is a top-talent prospect who is currently ranked as the MLB #3 overall prospect and who put up a combined (Triple-A and MLB) slash line of .283/.335/.438 which was good for a 132 WRC+ and 4.6 WAR. While not ranked in the top-100 list this year, Coughlin was ranked #62 overall in the 1901 season. I think the Athletics got the better end of this deal!

[OmahaBaseball]

For the second consecutive year, Boston Beaneaters skipper Dennis Lambert has been named the National League Manager of the Year. With a World Series win and a record of 168-112 (.600) record, Lambert clearly has his team headed in the right direction.

[OmahaBaseball]

The Boston Americans skipper Sussex Newton was named the American League Manager of the Year. In leading his team to the World Series, Newton has shown the front office that he knows what he is doing. Newton has a lifetime coaching record of 176-104 (.628) in his 2 years at the helm.

[OmahaBaseball]

Apparently, the Philadelphia Athletics have found a trading partner they like as they reached another deal with the New York Giants.

In this latest trade, the Athletics sent 34-year old 3rd baseman Fred Hartman to the Giants in exchange for 30-year old outfielder Dick Harley and 22-year old two-way player George Merritt. In the short-term the Giants got the better end of the deal, but if Merritt can develop and/or use Harley as part of a trade chip to rebuild, this could eventually favor Philadelphia.

A few items of note: Merritt is a former highly ranked prospect who has displayed power at the plate (12 Homeruns at Triple-A last year) as well as a solid bullpen arm with outstanding control and movement. Merritt has position ratings at pitcher, 1st base, left field, and right field, with an above-average ability to steal bases.

[OmahaBaseball]

Boston Americans lead scout Dave Radovanovic reported back on his discovery of 18-year old pitcher Alfredo Ferrufino out of the Dominican Republic. While not a glowing review, there was enough here to sign him and send to the international complex.

[OmahaBaseball]

A minor trade deal was consummated today between the Boston Americans and the Washington Senators. In return for an 8th round pick in the up coming MLB draft, the Americans received 33-year old outfielder Chick Pedroes who was a 9th round draft selection in the 1901 draft.

[OmahaBaseball]

Made it to the 1902 MLB Draft. As shown below, revised mock selections with revised team rankings. Not interested in another outfielder, so if Doc Gessler is best player left when it comes to the #17 pick I will select and then look to trade following the draft. Would love to have moved up to the #13 to get Jake Weimer -- can only hope he falls in the draft.

[OmahaBaseball]

The 1st round was pitcher-heavy focused, with the first position player (George Stone) going at #8 and only a total of 3 position players selected in the 1st round. My hope that Jake Weimer would fall in the draft did not pan out, as he was selected with the #6 pick by the Cleveland Naps. I will keep tabs on Weimer and look to trade at later date if possible.

With the #17 overall pick, the Boston Americans selected 23-year old pitcher Oscar "Flip Flap" Jones. The remaining 4 selections of the Americans were Rabbit Robinson (2B, age 20), Harry Kane (RP, Age 19), Gus Thompson (RP, Age 20), and Matt Broderick (2B, Age 19).

[OmahaBaseball]

In a trade that appears driven by the desire to "move on", the Philadelphia Phillies sent former bullpen anchor Pink Hawley (-0.2 WAR last year) and 3B prospect Jack "Red" Calhoun to the Cincinnati Reds in return for former starting LF Ducky Holmes (-0.3 WAR last year).

[OmahaBaseball]

The off-season can be a little slow at times, so thankfully the game provides some perspective of the game's best. Here, we see who is the active leader in career slugging percentage. No surprise when it comes to batting leaders, it's Nap Lajoie of the Cincinnati Reds.

[OmahaBaseball]

In a rare 3 for 1 player trade, the Philadelphia Athletics acquired 21-year old shortstop Chub Aubrey (3rd round. #40 overall, selection in last month's draft), 24-year old catcher Harry Stanton (former top 75 prospect, Double-A All-Star and Gold Glove), and 31-year old reliever Harry "Beans" Keener from the St. Louis Browns in exchange for second baseman George Magoon (combined -0.6 WAR over the last 2 seasons).

[OmahaBaseball]

To be honest, not sure what drives the budget changes but as shown by the owner's email, the Boston Americans budget for the upcoming 1903 season has increased from $274,000 to $310,000. Not sure what I am going to do with the extra money, since I was already stockpiling much of the budget funds already.

[OmahaBaseball]

The latest player development report showing changes for the Boston American players is out. Great to see Frank Chance and Jiggs Donahue getting nice bumps up, but really unsure what Fred Clarke's speed (seems a bit excessive of a drop) and power.

[OmahaBaseball]

A minor deal was reached between the Boston Americans and Philadelphia Phillies. In return for relief pitcher Doc Amole (former #72 overall ranked prospect but greed and clubhouse issues were common problems), Boston sent pitcher Jack Mcfetridge and a 10th round draft pick to the Phillies.

[OmahaBaseball]

The Chicago Cubs reached a deal with the Philadelphia Athletics today. In return for power-hitting catcher Cliff Dominey (recently acquired free agent from the Canadian leagues), the Cubs sent outfielder Mike Tiernan (combined 1.5 WAR over last 2 MLB seasons) and pitcher Jack Doscher (4th round selection in last month's draft) to the Athletics.

[OmahaBaseball]

With Spring Training fully in play, an updated scouting report is out. While it was great to see veteran pitcher Cy Young get sizeable ratings increases in his core pitching areas, it was disappointing to see so many players getting hit with ratings drops.

[OmahaBaseball]

A recent trip to the Dominican Republic resulted in the Boston Americans lead scout finding 16-year old 3rd baseman Cruz Antunez. With signs, albeit rather undeveloped, of having the combination of power and speed, the team is hopeful that Antunez puts in the hard work to develop into something special.

[OmahaBaseball]

The Boston Americans have been largely inactive on the trading front (a couple of minor moves), so it came as a surprise that they were the top bidder on international free agent Jose Ramos. To be honest, I overpaid for him (especially given how limited relief pitchers are used in this era), but it was important to my owner to improve the bullpen.

[OmahaBaseball]

The preseason predictions for the 1903 MLB Season are out. The American League race is slated to be between the Boston Americans and the Cleveland Naps. The National League race has the Cincinnati Reds outpacing the Boston Beaneaters. There are several outstanding statistical player batting forecasts, including Honus Wagner, Nap Lajoie, Zaza Harvey, and Mike Donlin. From the mound, Christy Mathewson, Doc White, Jack Pfiester, and Bill Bernhard are going to be tough to score off of.

[OmahaBaseball]

The 1903 Farm System Rankings are out and the St. Louis Browns lead the way. The Boston Americans rank 5th overall, and the two New York teams are sitting at the bottom of the systems.