OOTP 23 Bloopball (Cleveland Guardians est. 2022)

[U7Gohan]

Game Summary

Sean Hjelle also showed unusual control issues, as the Dodgers scored the first run of the game on a bases-loaded walk in the 2nd by Cody Bellinger, then another on a hit-by-pitch to Freddie Freeman. Trea Turner broke it wide open with a grand slam to make it 6-0 Dodgers in the 2nd, putting the Guardians in a difficult position to try and win the game and the series. Michael A. Taylor, back in the lineup, led off the 2nd with a solo HR, and the Guardians rallied to score 3 more on a RBI double by Jose Ramirez and a 2-run single by Vinnie Pasquantino. Tanner Burns came in to keep it close, but gave up a 2-run HR to Cody Bellinger. The inning nearly got out of hand as Trea Turner reached on a throwing error after a double by Freddie Freeman, but Turner was caught stealing to end the inning and crucially keep the game within reach for the Guardians. The Guardians continued their fight by putting the first two runners on to start the 4th and loading the bases with one out for George Valera. Valera drove one in with a sac fly before Jose Ramirez got Cleveland rocking at home from their bars and living rooms with a game-tying 3-run HR. The Dodgers, furious as ever, loaded the bases with nobody out for Alex Bregman in the bottom of the 4th. Bregman grounded into a double play, but Joey Gallo bailed him out with a RBI double to make it 10-8 Dodgers. The Guardians escaped trouble again in the 7th, but they needed a rally once again. Carlos Correa started the 8th with a single against Ryan Pressly, and J.C. Correa followed with a single of his own, sending Carlos Correa to 3rd. Luis Campusano then struck out, setting the stage for Angel Martinez pinch-hitting for Michael A. Taylor with the Guardians' World Series hopes in the balance. He grounded out to advance J.C. Correa to 2nd, and it was up to ALDS and ALCS MVP Andres Gimenez to be the savior. Gimenez grounded out to end the inning, however. Ryan Pressly came back out to try and complete the 6-out save, but ran into trouble with 2 outs as Jose Ramirez walked and Vinnie Pasquantino doubled, bringing Carlos Correa to the plate representing the go-ahead run. Correa grounded out to end the game, however, finishing a crushing loss for the Guardians as they fall behind 2-0 in the World Series.

Box Score: https://imgur.com/a/negon0P

[U7Gohan]

Game Summary

The Guardians, hoping to regain their footing at home, got off to a strong start with Andres Gimenez leading off the game with a triple and Kyle Tucker singling him home. George Valera also reached, but the Guardians could not add on from there. Joey Gallo awoke from his slumber and made the Guardians pay with a 2-run blast to put the Dodgers in front 2-1, but the Guardians came right back as Carlos Correa doubled and was driven in by Michael A. Taylor. Kyle Tucker kept the pressure up by leading off the 3rd with a double, but was stranded by three consecutive strikeouts. The Dodgers once again capitalized as Mookie Betts started the 4th with a HR, but the Guardians again punched back as Andres Gimenez tied it at 3 on a RBI infield single, Kyle Tucker worked a bases-loaded walk for the lead, and George Valera took a hit-by-pitch right after to make it 5-3 Guardians in the 4th. This forced the Dodgers to their bullpen, and Alex Vesia prevented any further runs from scoring. The Dodgers, as usual, came right back with a double by Will Smith and a RBI single by Freddie Freeman. Trea Turner also reached, allowing Gavin Lux to tie the game once again on a RBI single of his own. Jakob Hernandez then entered to try and escape the jam, and did so with the help of a diving catch by Jose Ramirez. The Guardians failed to get anything going in the bottom of the 5th, and the Dodgers kept rolling by loading the bases with 1 out in the 6th. Marlon Perez entered to get the lefties out but failed as he gave up a go-ahead 2-run single to Pavin Smith, and Gavin Lux followed with a RBI single of his own two batters later. James Karinchak entered to try and stop the bleeding, but the Dodgers might as well have been stealing signs as Mookie Betts ripped a 2-out, 2-run double into the corner to make it 10-5 Dodgers in a disaster inning. Michael A. Taylor led off the bottom of the 6th with a HR to try and spark another rally, and Carlos Correa homered an inning later to make it 10-7, but that wasn't enough as Raisel Iglesias collected a 6-out save to bring the Dodgers one win away from repeating as World Series champions. The Dodgers are making the Guardians look like what the Guardians made the Rangers look like.

Box Score: https://imgur.com/a/XAnnDE5

[U7Gohan]

Game Summary

The Dodgers sent a message in the 1st with a 2-run HR by Shohei Ohtani, a rude welcome for Cody Morris' return from the IL and playoff debut. Alex Bregman went back-to-back to make it 3-0, and two batters later, Will Smith hit a 2-run HR to make it 5-0, and another two batters later, Trea Turner hit a 2-run HR to make it 7-0...all with 2 outs. George Valera came back with a 2-run HR of his own, but it was looking bleak for the Guardians at this point as Shohei Ohtani came right back with a RBI triple to make it 8-2. Alex Bregman drove him in with a groundout, making it 9-2 Dodgers. The Guardians got another back with a RBI single by Michael A. Taylor, and two innings later, Luis Campusano drove in another run with a single. The Guardians played smallball to plate two more and make it 9-6, a valiant effort at this point in the series. Kyle Tucker came up as the tying run, but flew out to end the threat. The Guardians didn't threaten again until the 7th, when Michael A. Taylor faced down Brusdar Graterol representing the tying run with 2 outs, but he was easily disposed of by the hard-throwing righty. Raisel Iglesias clocked back in to record his second-straight 6-out save, and he got through the 8th before the Guardians brought the tying run to the plate with 1 out in the 9th. The Guardians once again failed to score, however, and the Dodgers completed the sweep in one of the most dominant offensive series' you will ever see to repeat as World Series champions. They made the Guardians' pitching staff look like a group of little-leaguers.

Box Score: https://imgur.com/a/PrGXJwV

[U7Gohan]

Playoff Roundup

As said, the Dodgers repeated as World Champions with a 4-0 sweep of the Guardians. It was one of the most impressive offensive performances by a team I have ever seen with the combination of clutch hitting and overall prowess. The Guardians will reevaluate what they have this offseason.

A small bright spot is that CF Michael A. Taylor won World Series MVP despite the loss, as he batted .600 with 2 HR, 4 R, and 4 RBI.

State of the Team

News Dump

In a shocking rule change made by Commissioner Rob Manfred, the AL will no longer be using the Designated Hitter. This will cause a big shift to our offseason strategy.

SP Shane Bieber won the AL Cy Young Award and Manager Aaron Sele won AL Manager of the Year. Additionally, Austin Hedges, Andres Gimenez, and Carlos Correa all won Gold Glove Awards, while Andres Gimenez also won Silver Slugger for his position.

We exercised CF Michael A. Taylor's 2025 team option for $7.6M.

We came to an agreement with C Austin Hedges on an extension that will pay him $1.3M in 2025, but has a team option for 2026 valued at $5.5M. This will likely be the only contract the Guardians hand out to a MLB player this offseason.

Arbitration hearings saw four players get non-tendered: SP Kris Bubic, 1B Josh Naylor, 2B Bryson Stott, and LF Oscar Mercado. All other arbitration-eligible players were tendered contracts.

Offseason Goals

Despite the World Series run, GM U7Gohan is dissatisfied with the state of the team's pitching staff, and with the team's core a year older and a year closer to free-agency, he is willing to make franchise-altering moves to set the team up for success both in the near-term and in the long-term. With that said, he was impressed by the team's offensive performance in the playoffs and it appears finding a bat will not be on the team's top priority list this offseason.

Minor League Report

The latest Top 100 Prospects report has the Guardians now ranked 12th in MLB, with a couple of new faces on the list.

SS Luis Carrizales (0.5, 5.0) - #6
SS Angel Martinez (2.5, 3.0) - #55
RP Lenny Torres (3.0, 3.5) - #69
2B Tommy Troy (2.0, 4.0) - #93

Other emerging prospects to watch are...

3B Luis Huerta (0.5, 4.0) - R ACL
C Josh Atomanczyk (0.5, 3.5) - R ACL
RF Cage McCloud (0.5, 2.5) - R ACL

Around the League

Awards

AL:

MVP: Mike Trout (LAA)

Cy Young: Shane Bieber (CLE)

Rookie of the Year: Tyler Freeman (HOU)

Reliever of the Year: Andres Munoz (SEA)

Manager of the Year: Aaron Sele (CLE)

NL:

MVP: Shohei Ohtani (LAD)

Cy Young: Luis Castillo (CHC)

Rookie of the Year: Robert Hassell III (SDP)

Reliever of the Year: Yerry De Los Santos (PIT)

Manager of the Year: Dave Roberts (LAD)

Top Free Agents

The top free agents, according to Scouting Director Will Ohman, are...

Hitters:

SS Trea Turner (4.5, 4.5)
1B Raita Yamaguchi (4.0, 4.0)
3B Alex Bregman (3.5, 3.5)
SS Brandon Crawford (3.5, 3.5)
RF Mark Canha (3.0, 3.0)
RF Michael Conforto (3.0, 3.0)
CF Victor Robles (3.0, 3.0)

Pitchers:

RP Edwin Diaz (5.0, 5.0)
RP Ryan Pressly (4.0, 4.0)
SP Zack Wheeler (4.0, 4.0)
RP Tommy Kahnle (3.5, 3.5)
SP Max Scherzer (3.5, 3.5)
SP Matthew Boyd (3.0, 3.0)
SP Hyun-woo Kim (3.0, 3.0)

Major Trades

Mariners RP Andres Munoz (4.5, 4.5) to Mets

Major Extensions

SP Shane Baz (4.0, 4.5) signs with Rays for $107.6M/6yr
1B Paul Goldschmidt (4.5, 4.5) signs with Cardinals for $50.4M/2yr
SS Geraldo Perdomo (3.5, 3.5) signs with DBacks for $53.3M/5yr
3B Austin Riley (3.5, 3.5) signs with Braves for $48.5M/3yr
2B Brendan Rodgers (3.0, 3.0) signs with Rockies for $30M/3yr
2B Nico Hoerner (3.0, 3.0) signs with Cubs for $30.9M/3yr
SP Shane McClanahan (3.5, 3.5) signs with Rays for $103.6M/6yr
3B Andy Ibanez (3.0, 3.0) signs with Tigers for $15.2M/4yr
SP Ranger Suarez (3.0, 3.0) signs with Phillies for $59.9M/4yr
CF Josh Lowe (4.0, 4.5) signs with Rays for $183.5M/8yr
C Adley Rutschman (5.0, 5.0) signs with Orioles for $159.2M/8yr
3B Bobby Witt Jr. (3.5, 3.5) signs with Royals for $47.2M/5yr
CF Brennen Davis (3.0, 3.5) signs with Cubs for $37.6M/5yr
3B Gunnar Henderson (3.0, 3.0) signs with Orioles for $33M/5yr
SP Jack Flaherty (3.5, 4.0) signs with Cardinals for $155.4M/7yr


The next post will round up December.

[ayaghmour2]

Tough break against the Dodgers but congrats on making it to the series! Good luck trying to get the team over the hump!

[U7Gohan]

Will check it out, thanks! I had probably the biggest offseason I've ever had in an OOTP save which I will be posting about today so check it out! If you have any more feedback as to what I can include in my posts, that would be welcome too!

[U7Gohan]

State of the Team

GM U7Gohan entered this offseason with big plans, but as usual, they took a turn and he ended up having the most active offseason of his long OOTP career, by far. He did not do what he initially set out to do, but he transformed the roster all the same into what he expects to be a juggernaut, all while working with the new rule of the Designated Hitter being removed from the AL by Commissioner Rob Manfred...

News Dump

GM U7Gohan was busy at the Winter Meetings, making six trades that all greatly impacted what the 2025 roster will look like. Without further ado...

Trade 1: San Diego Padres

Outbound: RF Oscar Gonzalez (2.5, 2.5)

Inbound: RP Steven Wilson (4.0, 4.0), RF AJ Shaver (0.5, 1.5), SP Colin Czajkowski (1.0, 1.5)

The Padres made this offer early in the offseason, and with Gonzalez not in the team's plans, we decided to pounce to bolster our bullpen with a low-cost reliever just entering arbitration. Shaver and Czajkowski are lottery tickets the Padres offered to sweeten the deal.

Trade 2: San Francisco Giants

Outbound: RF Kyle Tucker (3.5, 3.5), SP Damon Casetta-Stubbs (2.0, 2.5), RP Jake Miller (2.0, 2.0), RP James Karinchak (4.0, 4.0), SP Trenton Denholm (2.5, 2.5)

Inbound: C Patrick Bailey (4.5, 4.5), LF Luis Matos (3.0, 3.5)

We realized that the Giants were very high on Kyle Tucker and were also willing to trade Patrick Bailey, who was running away with the NL Hitter WAR lead until he got injured at the start of September, so with Luis Campusano falling out of favor, we saw a chance to upgrade bigtime at the catcher position for the next four seasons. Each piece of this trade ended up being necessary without substitutions, as they were insistent on Karinchak and it took Denholm, a recent Top 100 Prospect, to complete the deal. Matos came back to replace Tucker and is under team control for the next six seasons. This was a deal both for the present and for the future.

Trade 3: Minnesota Twins

Outbound: SS Angel Martinez (2.5, 3.5, #55 Overall), SP Gavin Williams (2.5, 3.0), RP Allan Hernandez (1.5, 2.5), CF Michael A. Taylor (2.5, 2.5)

Inbound: CF Byron Buxton (3.5, 3.5) (15% Retained), CL Jovani Moran (5.0, 5.0)

This trade ended up being an unexpected one. The Twins indicated their interest to deal Moran early, but in the process of trying to move either Andres Gimenez or Angel Martinez for a starting pitcher, I realized Byron Buxton was available and also on a team-friendly contract despite his injury history. I pounced at the opportunity and moved Taylor back to offset some of the money for 2025, leaving me on the hook for just $12.75M per year over the next four years for Buxton, an incredible talent. This does all but seal away my chances of signing Andres Gimenez to a long-term extension, for now at least, but I saw it worthwhile to deepen the lineup further.

Trade 4: New York Mets

Outbound: C Luis Campusano (3.0, 3.5)

Inbound: SP Sonny Gray (3.0, 3.0) (55% Retained)

With Patrick Bailey in the fray, it was time to trade Luis Campusano. My ultimate goal this offseason was to trade Andres Gimenez for an ace, but between his rising arbitration costs and now being two years away from free-agency, his value plummeted and so Angel Martinez ended up being my best trade piece. I still got a starting pitcher, however, as Gray could fall off at his 35 year-old age but has five pitches and a well-rounded profile that showed itself in 2024. I am also only on the hook for just under $12M/2yr.

Trade 5: Cincinnati Reds

Outbound: RP A.J. Puk (3.0, 3.0), SP Cody Morris (2.5, 3.0), RP Denny Bentley (3.0, 3.0)

Inbound: SP Nick Lodolo (3.5, 3.5)

Despite acquiring Sonny Gray, I didn't want to give up on the hopes of acquiring a top-flight starting pitcher. Lodolo may not be an ace, but he would slot in as potentially the second-best arm in the rotation, and I got him without needing to give up anyone who wasn't replaceable. I had hoped to keep Morris for his promising limited showing, but ultimately he would not have a place in the rotation with this deal completed. I also had high hopes for Puk as a reliever, but his value was too high for me not to capitalize on.

Trade 6: Philadelphia Phillies

Outbound: 1B Vinnie Pasquantino (3.0, 3.0), SP Trevor Stephan (2.0, 2.0), RP Tanner Bibee (1.0, 1.5)

Inbound: RP David Bednar (3.5, 3.5) (70% Retained), RP Cristian Hernandez (2.5, 2.5)

This trade was painful to make, but I could not roster both Pasquantino and J.C. Correa without the DH and neither Pasquantino nor Correa had that much value. So, I had to cut my losses and trade Pasquantino for a reliever, as despite my hopes of trying to make him a big piece in the Nick Lodolo trade, the Reds were not interested in him. I was happy to at least get Hernandez as a sweetener given the strikeout rates he has posted in the minors, but this was a difficult deal to make. My hope is that Pasquantino reverts back to his 2022-2023 form so I feel less bad about it.

In the Rule 5 Draft, we protected RP Cristian Hernandez (2.5, 2.5), RP Nathan Ocker (2.0, 2.5), and CF Isaiah Greene (2.0, 2.5). We then drafted RP Justin Hagenman (3.0, 3.0), 2B Euribiel Angeles (2.0, 2.5), and CF Jordyn Adams (2.0, 2.5).

The 40-Man roster stands at 37.


Minor League Report

With Angel Hernandez traded, we now rank 12th in MLB with three Top 100 prospects:

SS Luis Carrizales (0.5, 5.0) - #6
RP Lenny Torres (3.0, 3.5) - #69
2B Tommy Troy (2.0, 4.0) - #93

Other emerging prospects to watch are...

SP James Nesta (0.5, 3.0) - R ACL


Around the League

Major Free-Agent Signings

1B Jared Walsh (3.0, 3.0) signs with Cubs for $26.4M/3yr
SS Trea Turner (4.0, 4.0) signs with Cubs for $124.4M/4yr
RP Edwin Diaz (5.0, 5.0) signs with White Sox for $10.6M/1yr
SP Zack Wheeler (4.0, 4.0) signs with Cubs for $102.4M/4yr
SP Satoshi Sakai (2.5, 2.5) signs with Red Sox for $74M/5yr
CF Victor Robles (3.0, 3.0) signs with Red Sox for $102.9M/5yr
3B Alex Bregman (3.5, 3.5) signs with Astros for $91.8M/4yr
SP Hyun-woo Kim (3.0, 3.0) signs with Red Sox for $82M/5yr
SS Brandon Crawford (3.5, 3.5) signs with Cardinals for $40.4M/2yr
1B Raita Yamaguchi (4.0, 4.0) signs with Astros for $82M/5yr
RP Ryan Pressly (4.0, 4.0) signs with Rangers for $19.6M/2yr
SP Max Scherzer (3.5, 3.5) signs with Rockies for $65.6M/3yr
SP Matthew Boyd (3.0, 3.0) signs with Rockies for $49.2M/4yr
SP Jameson Taillon (3.0, 3.0) signs with Tigers for $31.8M/5yr
RP Tommy Kahnle (3.5, 3.5) signs with Dodgers for $14.8M/2yr
RF Max Kepler (3.0, 3.0) signs with Athletics for $41.4M/3yr
LF J.D. Martinez (2.5, 2.5) signs with Red Sox for $9M/1yr


Major Trades

Padres SP Joe Musgrove (3.0, 3.0) to Mets
Twins 3B Gio Urshela (3.0, 3.0) to Athletics
White Sox SP Dylan Cease (3.5, 3.5) to Braves
Red Sox 1B Anthony Rizzo (3.0, 3.0) to DBacks
Reds SP Tyler Mahle (3.0, 3.0) to White Sox
Brewers RP Joe Ross (3.5, 3.5) to Royals
Brewers RP Devin Williams (5.0, 5.0) to Cardinals
Brewers 2B Luis Urias (4.0, 4.0) to Dodgers
DBacks SP Zac Gallen (3.0, 3.0) to Rangers
Royals C MJ Melendez (3.0, 3.5) to Yankees
Padres RP Ken Giles (3.5, 3.5) to Yankees


Major Extensions

SS Luis Garcia (3.5, 3.5) signs with Nationals for $46.8M/4yr
SP Zac Gallen (3.0, 3.0) signs with Rangers for $73.8M/4yr


The next post will preview Spring Training before what figures to be a franchise-defining year for the Guardians.

[Art Deco]

Now that's some trading!

I have automatic evolution on in my saves but one thing I won't let the game change is eliminating the DH (primarily because it's never going to happen). But that's what's great about OOTP, you can go any way you want.

[U7Gohan]

State of the Team

News Dump

We agreed to Minor League deals with three players: CF Greg Allen (2.5, 2.5), SS Willi Castro (2.0, 2.0), and SS Paul DeJong (2.5, 2.5). All come with MLB options and associated bonuses.

We also agreed to hire Aaron Adams as Bench Coach, George Arias as 3B Coach, and Rick Jameyson as Team Trainer.

In more exciting news, Scouting Director Will Ohman came across possibly the best pitching prospect I have seen in my career. 17 year-old Juan Oporto (0.5, 5.0) hails from the Dominican republic and features potential for four plus-plus pitches to go with 75 stuff, 70 movement, and 65 control. He already sits 92-94 and will be one to keep an eye on.

Player Development Update

MLB RP Marlon Perez (3.0, 4.5) -> (3.0, 4.0)
MLB RP R.J. Dabovich (3.5, 4.0) -> (3.5, 3.5)
MLB RP Jake Cousins (3.0, 3.0) -> (2.5, 2.5)
MLB 1B J.C. Correa (2.5, 4.5) -> (3.0, 4.0)
MLB LF George Valera (4.0, 4.0) -> (3.0, 3.5)

Minor League Report

RP Lenny Torres lost Top 100 prospect status, leaving the Guardians now ranked 17th in MLB with two Top 100 prospects:

SS Luis Carrizales (0.5, 5.0) - #6
2B Tommy Troy (2.0, 4.0) - #89

Other emerging prospects to watch are:

3B Julio Valenzuela (0.5, 2.5) - R ACL
1B Grant Hussey (0.5, 2.5) - R ACL
C Brooks Wright (0.5, 3.0) - R ACL
SP Josh Ekness (2.0, 2.5) - AAA Columbus

Spring Training Roster

* = non-roster invite

Hitters:

C Patrick Bailey (4.5, 4.5)
C Austin Hedges (2.0, 2.0)
C Bo Naylor (3.0, 4.5)
1B J.C. Correa (3.0, 4.0)
1B Nolan Jones (2.0, 2.0)
1B Jhonkensy Noel (2.5, 3.0)
2B Euribiel Angeles (2.0, 2.5)
2B Ernie Clement (1.5, 1.5)
2B Andres Gimenez (5.0, 5.0)
2B Tommy Troy* (2.0, 4.0, #93 Overall)
SS Willi Castro* (2.0, 2.0)
SS Carlos Correa (4.5, 4.5)
SS Paul DeJong* (2.5, 2.5)
SS Jermaine Palacios (2.5, 2.5)
SS Yordys Valdes* (2.0, 2.5)
3B Jose Ramirez (4.0, 4.0)
LF Luis Matos (3.0, 3.5)
CF Jordyn Adams* (2.0, 2.5)
CF Greg Allen* (2.5, 2.5)
CF Byron Buxton (3.5, 3.5)
CF Isaiah Greene (2.5, 2.5)
RF Will Benson (2.0, 2.0)
RF George Valera (3.0, 3.5)
RF Matt Vierling (2.5, 2.5)

Pitchers:

SP Sandy Alcantara (3.0, 3.0)
SP Shane Bieber (4.0, 4.0)
SP Tanner Burns (2.5, 3.0)
SP Sonny Gray (3.0, 3.0)
SP Sean Hjelle (3.5, 3.5)
SP Nick Lodolo (3.5, 3.5)
RP David Bednar (3.5, 3.5)
RP Emmanuel Clase (4.5, 4.5)
RP Jake Cousins (2.5, 2.5)
RP R.J. Dabovich (3.5, 3.5)
RP Hunter Gaddis* (2.5, 2.5)
RP Justin Hagenman (2.5, 2.5)
RP Cristian Hernandez (2.5, 2.5)
RP Jakob Hernandez (4.0, 4.0)
RP Nathan Ocker (2.0, 2.5)
RP Marlon Perez (3.0, 4.0)
RP Aaron Pinto* (2.5, 2.5)
RP Lenny Torres (2.5, 3.0)
RP Steven Wilson (4.0, 4.0)
CL Jovani Moran (5.0, 5.0)



Around the League

Major Free-Agent Signings

C Jason Castro (3.0, 3.0) signs with Red Sox for $9M/1yr
3B Yoan Moncada (3.0, 3.0) signs with Red Sox for $65.8M/4yr
LF Michael Brantley (3.0, 3.0) signs with Royals for $19.6M/2yr
RP Kenley Jansen (3.5, 3.5) signs with Dodgers for $6.2M/2yr
RF Michael Conforto (3.0, 3.0) signs with Orioles for $21.6M/3yr


Major Trades

Phillies C J.T. Realmuto (4.5, 4.5) to Dodgers
Mariners SP Matt Brash (3.0, 3.0) to Braves
Astros SP Framber Valdez (3.5, 3.5) to Athletics
Tigers SP Tarik Skubal (3.0, 3.0) to Rockies
Cubs 2B Nico Hoerner (3.0, 3.0) to Brewers for SP Freddy Peralta (3.0, 3.0)
Astros C Omar Narvaez (3.0, 3.0) to Giants

Major Extensions

None


The next post will preview Opening Day.

[U7Gohan]

I have automatic evolution on in my saves but one thing I won't let the game change is eliminating the DH (primarily because it's never going to happen). But that's what's great about OOTP, you can go any way you want.

Automatic evolution usually ends up being fun for me, so while I was pretty distraught to see the DH removed, I wanted to be consistent and take the good with the bad to keep things interesting. Thanks for reading along!

[ayaghmour2]

Originally Posted by U7Gohan

Will check it out, thanks! I had probably the biggest offseason I've ever had in an OOTP save which I will be posting about today so check it out! If you have any more feedback as to what I can include in my posts, that would be welcome too!

Very busy offseason indeed! Will set up for a very exciting attempt at returning to the series

In terms of feedback, usually what works best for you works for us. Personally I've really liked the way you've structured things so I wouldn't change too much

Only thing I can think of would be the occasional posting of the league standings. Can be cool to see how other teams are doing too

Anyways, good luck on the coming season!

[U7Gohan]

State of the Team

The team went 18-7 in Spring Training, the best record in MLB, showing early signs that the big moves made this offseason will translate into a juggernaut come regular season. Unfortunately, the team will be entering the season without some key members...

News Dump

1B J.C. Correa will miss 3-4 months of the regular season with a severe hip strain. It feels even worse trading away Vinnie Pasquantino now, but Bo Naylor will get the starting job at 1B after a very strong spring and with my head scout still being high on him.

RP Emmanuel Clase will miss 2-3 months of the regular season with a partially-torn labrum. The bullpen thankfully has the depth it needs to go on without him, but it is a big blow nontheless and we hope his career is not set back because of it.

SS Jermaine Palacios will miss the first week of the season with a hamstring strain, opening the door for some other players on the bubble to make cases to stay on when he gets back. He is expected to go on a rehab assignment for this season.

1B Nolan Jones (2.0, 2.0) and 2B Ernie Clement (1.5, 1.5) were DFA'd in preparation for the Opening Day Roster. Rule 5 Draft picks RP Justin Hagenman (3.0, 3.0) and CF Jordyn Adams (2.0, 2.5) were also returned to their original teams. The remaining members of the Spring Training Roster who did not make the Opening Day roster were optioned.

Preseason Predictions

Preseason Predictions has the Guardians going 96-66, good for the best record in MLB.

Player Development

MiLB RP Nathan Ocker (2.0, 2.5) -> (2.0, 2.0)
MiLB 1B Jhonkensy Noel (2.5, 3.0) -> (3.0, 3.0)
MiLB CF Isaiah Greene (2.0, 2.5) -> (2.5, 2.5)
MiLB CF Greg Allen (2.5, 2.5) -> (2.0, 2.0)
MiLB SS Lazaro Sosa (0.5, 2.5) -> (0.5, 2.0)
MiLB RF Edgar Periera (0.5, 3.0) -> (0.5, 2.5)

Minor League Report

The latest Top 100 Prospects report dropped 2B Tommy Troy from the list, but added SP Juan Oporto, our latest and greatest international scouting discovery. The Guardians now rank 14th in MLB.

SS Luis Carrizales (0.5, 5.0) - #14
SP Juan Oporto (0.5, 5.0) - #22

Other emerging prospects are...

SP Chase Shores (0.5, 3.0) - R ACL

Opening Day 40-Man Roster

Bolded = 26-Man Roster

Hitters:

C Patrick Bailey (4.5, 4.5)
C Austin Hedges (2.0, 2.0)
1B Bo Naylor (2.5, 3.5)
1B Jhonkensy Noel (3.0, 3.0)
2B Euribiel Angeles (2.0, 2.5)
2B Andres Gimenez (5.0, 5.0)
SS Carlos Correa (4.5, 4.5)
SS Paul DeJong (2.5, 2.5)
SS Jermaine Palacios (2.5, 2.5)
3B Jose Ramirez (4.0, 4.0)
LF Luis Matos (3.0, 3.5)
CF Byron Buxton (3.5, 3.5)
CF Isaiah Greene (2.5, 2.5)
RF Will Benson (2.0, 2.0)
RF George Valera (3.0, 3.5)
RF Matt Vierling (2.5, 2.5)

Pitchers:

SP Sandy Alcantara (3.0, 3.0)
SP Shane Bieber (4.0, 4.0)
SP Sonny Gray (3.0, 3.0)
SP Cristian Hernandez (2.0, 2.0)
SP Sean Hjelle (3.5, 3.5)
SP Nick Lodolo (3.5, 3.5)
CL Jovani Moran (5.0, 5.0)
RP David Bednar (3.5, 3.5)
RP Tanner Burns (3.0, 3.0)
RP Jake Cousins (2.5, 2.5)
RP R.J. Dabovich (3.5, 3.5)
RP Jakob Hernandez (3.5, 3.5)
RP Nathan Ocker (2.0, 2.0)
RP Marlon Perez (3.0, 4.0)
RP Lenny Torres (2.5, 3.0)
RP Steven Wilson (4.0, 4.0)

The 40-Man Roster stands at 32.


Around the League

Spring Training Standings

If Spring Training was seeded like the playoffs, the seeding would be as follows:

AL:

1. Guardians (18-7)
2. Rangers (15-8)
3. Red Sox (17-10)
4. White Sox (14-9)
5. Yankees (15-10)
6. Orioles (14-10)

NL:

1. DBacks (16-11)
2. Braves (14-9)
3. Cubs (14-10)
4. Mets (12-10)
5. Rockies (13-12)
6. Marlins (12-11)

Spring Training Leaders

AVG:

1. Tyrone Taylor (NYM) - .449
2. Seiya Suzuki (CHC) - .440
3. Tyler Freeman (HOU) - .420

OPS:

1. Tyrone Taylor (NYM) - 1.339
2. Kyle Schwarber (PHI) - 1.199
3. Mark Vientos (NYM) - 1.187

HR:

1. Mookie Betts (LAD) - 7
2. Aaron Judge (NYY) - 7
3. Kevin Smith (OAK) - 7

RBI:

1. Tyrone Taylor (NYM) - 16
2. Hunter Renfroe (MIN) - 15
3. Endy Rodriguez (PIT) - 15

SB:

1. Joe Lampe (SDP) - 6
2. Luisangel Acuna (TEX) - 5
3. Enrique Bradfield Jr. (BOS) - 5

ERA:

1. Eduardo Rodriguez (MIN) - 0.00
2. Zarion Sharpe (MIN) - 0.00
3. Devin Sweet (SEA) - 0.00

Strikeouts:

1. Alexander Beltre (TEX) - 32
2. Shane Baz (TBR) - 26
3. Brendan McKay (BAL) - 26

Wins:

1. Andrew Dalquist (CHW) - 4
2. Ryan Pressly (TEX) - 4
3. Sandy Alcantara (CLE) - 3

SV:

1. Ethan Roberts (CHC) - 5
2. Holden Powell (WSH) - 4
3. Taylor Rogers (TEX) - 4


Major Free-Agent Signings

1B Daniel Vogelbach (3.0, 3.0) signs with Marlins for $990k/1yr
RF Ramon Laureano (3.5, 3.5) signs with Reds for $43M/3yr

Major Trades

Blue Jays SS Bo Bichette (4.0, 4.5) to Pirates

Major Extensions

CF Steven Duggar (3.0, 3.0) signs with Yankees for $14.6M/2yr
C J.T. Realmuto (4.5, 4.5) signs with Dodgers for $128.2M/5yr


Preseason Predictions

The playoffs would be seeded as follows according to Preseason Predictions:

AL:

1. Guardians (96-66)
2. Rays (92-70)
3. Rangers (87-75)
4. Orioles (85-77)
5. White Sox (85-77)
6. Royals (82-80)

NL:

1. Cardinals (95-77)
2. Mets (90-72)
3. Dodgers (89-73)
4. Braves (87-75)
5. Cubs (84-78)
6. Giants (84-78)



The next post will round up April, and we'll see just how cohesive the many new additions are to the team.

[U7Gohan]

State of the Team

The team showed out in April as expected, going 21-10 and ending up with the second-best record in MLB despite the bullpen having some unexpected struggles across the board.

The team's AL Ranks:

Runs Scored: 2nd
OPS: 2nd
Runs Allowed: 3rd
ERA: 3rd
SP ERA: 1st
RP ERA: 14th
Defensive Efficiency: 3rd
Zone Rating: 1st

News Dump

SS Jermaine Palacios returned from the injured list following a rehab assignment. In a corresponding move, Rule 5 Draft pick 2B Euribiel Angeles was returned to his original team.

Additionally, 1B Bo Naylor was optioned to AAA Columbus. In a corresponding move, 1B Jhonkensy Noel was recalled from AAA Columbus.

Notable Performances

Hitters:

C Patrick Bailey: .219/.296/.411, 90 OPS+, 0.5 WAR
C Austin Hedges: .167/.211/.361, 52 OPS+, 0.1 WAR
1B Bo Naylor: .179/.263/.396, 76 OPS+
2B Andres Gimenez: .202/.273/.303, 57 OPS+, 2 SB, -0.1 WAR
SS Carlos Correa: .289/.354/.464, 119 OPS+, 0.7 WAR
SS Paul DeJong: .375/.522/1.062, 317 OPS+, 0.7 WAR
SS Jermaine Palacios: .222/.222/.333, 49 OPS+, -0.0 WAR
3B Jose Ramirez: .349/.385/.761, 202 OPS+, 3 SB, 2.1 WAR
LF Luis Matos: .267/.303/.405, 91 OPS+, 0.1 WAR
CF Byron Buxton: .288/.328/.640, 155 OPS+, 1 SB, 1.3 WAR
CF Isaiah Greene: .158/.200/.368, 50 OPS+, -0.1 WAR
RF George Valera: .315/.385/.630, 170 OPS+, 1 SB, 1.2 WAR
RF Matt Vierling: .143/.172/.179, -4 OPS+, 1 SB, -0.3 WAR

Pitchers:

SP Shane Bieber: 2.09 ERA, 2.94 FIP, 0.72 WHIP, 9.1 K/9, 1.4 fWAR
SP Nick Lodolo: 1.30 ERA, 2.83 FIP, 0.72 WHIP, 9.3 K/9, 1.1 fWAR
SP Sean Hjelle: 2.84 ERA, 3.51 FIP, 0.97 WHIP, 7.6 K/9, 0.8 fWAR
SP Sandy Alcantara: 4.30 ERA, 3.19 FIP, 1.17 WHIP, 8.1 K/9, 1.0 fWAR
SP Sonny Gray: 5.52 ERA, 3.67 FIP, 1.65 WHIP, 8.1 K/9, 0.6 fWAR

CL Jovani Moran: 4.15 ERA, 3.93 FIP, 1.38 WHIP, 13.2 K/9, 7/8 SV/OPP, 0.1 fWAR
RP Steven Wilson: 5.59 ERA, 2.88 FIP, 1.66 WHIP, 12.1 K/9, 0.2 fWAR
RP Jakob Hernandez: 6.75 ERA, 6.97 FIP, 1.50 WHIP, 11.0 K/9, -0.6 fWAR
RP Marlon Perez: 2.53 ERA, 3.74 FIP, 1.12 WHIP, 7.6 K/9, 0.1 fWAR
RP R.J. Dabovich: 4.50 ERA, 2.23 FIP, 1.00 WHIP, 12.9 K/9, 0.4 fWAR
RP David Bednar: 5.84 ERA, 7.14 FIP, 1.46 WHIP, 12.4 K/9, -0.4 fWAR
RP Tanner Burns: 5.19 ERA, 5.62 FIP, 1.96 WHIP, 14.5 K/9, -0.1 fWAR
RP Lenny Torres: 6.43 ERA, 6.37 FIP, 1.29 WHIP, 11.6 K/9, -0.2 fWAR


Player Development

MLB RP Marlon Perez (3.0, 4.0) -> (3.0, 3.5)
MLB 2B Andres Gimenez (5.0, 5.0) -> (4.5, 4.5)
MiLB LF Petey Halpin (1.0, 2.5) -> (1.5, 2.0)
MiLB 2B Aaron Bracho (1.5, 2.0) -> (2.0, 2.5)
MiLB SP Sam Page (2.0, 2.5) -> (2.0, 2.0)
MiLB SP Wyatt Morrill (2.0, 3.0) -> (2.0, 2.0)
MiLB SP Cristian Hernandez (2.0, 2.5) -> (2.0, 2.0)
MiLB C Joey Rezek (1.5, 2.5) -> (1.5, 2.0)
MiLB 2B Cooper Kinney (0.5, 2.5) -> (1.5, 3.0)
MiLB SP Adrian Siravo (1.5, 2.5) -> (1.5, 2.0)
MiLB SP Peter Chronowski (1.5, 2.5) -> (1.5, 2.0)



Around the League

Standings

AL Seeding:

1. Mariners (20-9)
2. Guardians (21-10)
3. Orioles (20-11)
4. Rangers (18-14)
5. Blue Jays (16-14)
6. Astros (17-15)

The Royals are 16-15.

NL Seeding:

1. Braves (20-12)
2. Reds (18-13)
3. Dodgers (17-15)
4. Cubs (17-15)
5. Cardinals (17-15)
6. DBacks (16-15)

The Brewers and Nationals are both also 16-15, and the Phillies and Rockies are both 16-16.

League Leaders

AL:

Hitter WAR:

1. Adley Rutschman (BAL) - 2.3
2. Jose Ramirez (CLE) - 2.1
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - 1.8

AVG:

1. Michael Brantley (KCR) - .356
2. Jose Ramirez (CLE) - .349
3. Jarred Kelenic (SEA) - .346

OPS:

1. Adley Rutschman (BAL) - 1.177
2. Jose Ramirez (CLE) - 1.147
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - 1.033

HR:

1. Jose Ramirez (CLE) - 12
2. Spencer Torkelson (DET) - 11
3. Raita Yamaguchi (HOU) - 11

RBI:

1. Kyle Lewis (SEA) - 30
2. Jose Ramirez (CLE) - 29
3. George Valera (CLE) - 27

SB:

1. Enrique Bradfield Jr. (BOS) - 17
2. Cedric Mullins (BAL) - 10
3. Julio Rodriguez (SEA) - 9

Pitcher fWAR:

1. Grayson Rodriguez (BAL) - 1.6
2. Shane Bieber (CLE) - 1.4
3. Satoshi Sakai (BOS) - 1.2

ERA:

1. Nick Lodolo (CLE) - 1.30
2. Tim Heasley (KCR) - 2.08
3. Shane Bieber (CLE) - 2.09

Strikeouts:

1. Austin Warren (LAA) - 61
2. Gerrit Cole (NYY) - 50
3. Shane Bieber (CLE) - 48

Wins:

1. Logan Gilbert (SEA) - 4
2. Michael Hobbs (CHW) - 4
3. Shane McClanahan (TBR) - 4

SV:

1. Pedro Figueroa (BAL) - 11
2. Nick Sandlin (HOU) - 8
3. J.T. Hintzen (SEA) - 7

NL:

Hitter WAR:

1. Patrick Wisdom (CHC) - 1.9
2. Michael Harris II (ATL) - 1.7
3. Juan Soto (WSH) - 1.5

AVG:

1. Nick Fortes (MIA) - .368
2. Wilmer Flores (WSH) - .333
3. Brooks Lee (PIT) - .324

OPS:

1. Nick Fortes (MIA) - 1.035
2. Patrick Wisdom (CHC) - 1.016
3. Xander Bogaerts (PHI) - 1.011

HR:

1. Patrick Wisdom (CHC) - 13
2. Matt Olson (ATL) - 11
3. Xander Bogaerts (PHI) - 9

RBI:

1. Austin Riley (ATL) - 34
2. Nick Castellanos (PHI) - 30
3. Xander Bogaerts (PHI) - 29

SB.

1. Michael Harris II (ATL) - 10
2. Jesse Franklin V (ATL) - 7
3. Trent Grisham (SDP) - 7

Pitcher fWAR:

1. Zack Wheeler (CHC) - 1.7
2. Tarik Skubal (COL) - 1.4
3. Max Fried (ATL) - 1.3

ERA:

1. Bryse Wilson (PIT) - 1.53
2. Brusdar Graterol (LAD) - 1.65
3. Corbin Burnes (MIL) - 2.28

Strikeouts:

1. Tarik Skubal (COL) - 55
2. Corbin Burnes (MIL) - 54
3. Aaron Nola (PHI) - 49

Wins:

1. Kolby Allard (STL) - 5
2. Corbin Burnes (MIL) - 5
3. Nabil Crismatt (SDP) - 5

SV:

1. Kyle McGowin (MIL) - 11
2. Yerry De Los Santos (PIT) - 10
3. A.J. Puk (CIN) - 10

Major Trades

None

Major Extensions

CF Cody Bellinger (4.0, 4.0) signs with Dodgers for $156.5M/5yr



We'll check back in a month, hopefully with a better bullpen.

[U7Gohan]

State of the Team

The team had another huge month, ending up 42-19 after going 21-9 including a 15-game winning streak. The bullpen seems to be gradually finding its form even though certain players are still struggling.

The team's AL Ranks:

Runs Scored: 2nd
OPS: 2nd
Runs Allowed: 1st
ERA: 1st
SP ERA: 1st
RP ERA: 14th
Defensive Efficiency: 1st
Zone Rating: 1st

News Dump

Jose Ramirez suffered a fractured foot and went to the 10-Day IL. He is expected to return in two weeks. In a corresponding move, SS Yordys Valdes (2.5, 2.5) was added to the 40-Man Roster and promoted to MLB Cleveland from AAA Columbus.

We claimed RF Luke Raley (2.5, 2.5) off of waivers from the Rays to add another bench bat and DH option for interleague games. In a corresponding move, CF Isaiah Greene was optioned to AAA Columbus.


Notable Performances

Hitters:

C Patrick Bailey: .229/.315/.354, 83 OPS+, 0.8 WAR
C Austin Hedges: .208/.250/.458, 88 OPS+, 0.5 WAR
1B Jhonkensy Noel: .218/.286/.406, 86 OPS+
2B Andres Gimenez: .236/.326/.382, 93 OPS+, 11 SB, 1.8 WAR
SS Carlos Correa: .276/.356/.439, 116 OPS+, 3.2 WAR
SS Paul DeJong: .200/.353/.475, 123 OPS+, 0.4 WAR
SS Jermaine Palacios: .191/.214/.309, 41 OPS+, -0.3 WAR
SS Yordys Valdes: .100/.100/.100, -45 OPS+, -0.1 WAR
3B Jose Ramirez: .327/.388/.727, 195 OPS+, 2 SB, 3.1 WAR
LF Luis Matos: .304/.348/.454, 117 OPS+, 1.0 WAR
CF Byron Buxton: .300/.388/.595, 148 OPS+, 1 SB, 2.3 WAR
RF George Valera: .282/.373/.603, 160 OPS+, 1 SB, 2.4 WAR
RF Matt Vierling: .239/.280/.366, 75 OPS+, 2 SB, 0.2 WAR
RF Luke Raley: .254/.350/.492, 131 OPS+, 0.5 WAR

Pitchers:

SP Shane Bieber: 2.26 ERA, 2.67 FIP, 0.79 WHIP, 9.3 K/9, 2.9 fWAR
SP Nick Lodolo: 2.26 ERA, 4.13 FIP, 0.87 WHIP, 8.4 K/9, 1.0 fWAR
SP Sean Hjelle: 2.88 ERA, 3.73 FIP, 0.96 WHIP, 6.6 K/9, 1.4 fWAR
SP Sandy Alcantara: 3.20 ERA, 3.13 FIP, 1.04 WHIP, 7.6 K/9, 2.0 fWAR
SP Sonny Gray: 3.09 ERA, 2.46 FIP, 1.14 WHIP, 8.6 K/9, 2.6 fWAR

CL Jovani Moran: 3.96 ERA, 3.31 FIP, 1.16 WHIP, 13.0 K/9, 11/14 SV/OPP, 0.5 fWAR
RP Jakob Hernandez: 6.35 ERA, 6.85 FIP, 1.48 WHIP, 11.1 K/9, -1.1 fWAR
RP Steven Wilson: 3.06 ERA, 1.75 FIP, 1.13 WHIP, 12.2 K/9, 0.6 fWAR
RP Marlon Perez: 3.05 ERA, 3.60 FIP, 0.97 WHIP, 7.4 K/9, 0.2 fWAR
RP R.J. Dabovich: 4.95 ERA, 2.51 FIP, 1.05 WHIP, 11.7 K/9, 0.5 fWAR
RP David Bednar: 4.98 ERA, 5.74 FIP, 1.48 WHIP, 10.8 K/9, -0.4 fWAR
RP Tanner Burns: 4.70 ERA, 5.40 FIP, 1.96 WHIP, 13.5 K/9, -0.2 fWAR
RP Lenny Torres: 2.91 ERA, 4.77 FIP, 0.92 WHIP, 9.6 K/9, -0.2 fWAR


Player Development

MiLB C Bo Naylor (4.0, 4.5) -> (3.5, 4.0)
MiLB 2B Aaron Bracho (2.0, 2.5) -> (1.5, 2.0)
MiLB SS Jose Pastrano (2.0, 2.5) -> (2.0, 2.5)
MiLB SP Ethan Robinson (0.5, 3.0) -> (0.5, 2.5)
MiLB SP Cal Randall (0.5, 2.5) -> (0.5, 2.0)
MiLB SP James Nesta (0.5, 3.0) -> (0.5, 2.0)
MiLB SP Nazier Mule (0.5, 3.0) -> (0.5, 2.0)
MiLB SP Ishaan Khambal (0.5, 2.5) -> (0.5, 2.0)
MiLB SP Chris Cortez (0.5, 2.5) -> (1.0, 1.5)
MiLB C Brooks Wright (0.5, 3.0) -> (0.5, 2.5)
MiLB C Josh Atomanczyk (0.5, 3.5) -> (0.5, 3.0)
MiLB 1B Grant Hussey (0.5, 2.5) -> (0.5, 2.0)
MiLB 3B Luis Huerta (0.5, 4.0) -> (0.5, 2.5)


Around the League

Standings

AL Seeding:

1. Guardians (42-19)
2. Blue Jays (36-23)
3. Rangers (33-26)
4. Orioles (35-25)
5. Mariners (31-27)
6. Royals (30-29)

The Rays are 29-29 and the White Sox are 29-30.

NL Seeding:

1. Braves (38-23)
2. Cardinals (35-24)
3. Dodgers (34-27)
4. DBacks (31-27)
5. Phillies (32-28)
6. Nationals (33-29)

The Reds are 31-28.

League Leaders

AL:

Hitter WAR:

1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - 4.0
2. Carlos Correa (CLE) - 3.2
3. Adley Rutschman (BAL) - 3.2

AVG:

1. Michael Brantley (KCR) - .358
2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - .330
3. Colt Keith (DET) - .330

OPS:

1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - 1.084
2. George Valera (CLE) - .976
3. Adley Rutschman (BAL) - .968

HR:

1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - 20
2. George Valera (CLE) - 20
3. Jose Ramirez (CLE) - 18

RBI:

1. George Valera (CLE) - 57
2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - 49
3. Jose Ramirez (CLE) - 47

SB:

1. Enrique Bradfield Jr. (BOS) - 30
2. Ryan McKenna (BAL) - 16
3. Julio Rodriguez (SEA) - 14

Pitcher fWAR:

1. Grayson Rodriguez (BAL) - 3.4
2. Shane Bieber (CLE) - 2.9
3. Sonny Gray (CLE) - 2.6

ERA:

1. Grayson Rodriguez (BAL) - 1.72
2. Shane Bieber (CLE) - 2.26
3. Nick Lodolo (CLE) - 2.26

Strikeouts:

1. Austin Warren (LAA) - 116
2. Gerrit Cole (NYY) - 95
3. Shane Bieber (CLE) - 91

Wins:

1. Nate Pearson (TOR) - 8
2. Grayson Rodriguez (BAL) - 8
3. Jack Leiter (TEX) - 7

SV:

1. Pedro Figueroa (BAL) - 19
2. Yusei Kikuchi (TBR) - 15
3. Christopher Gau (MIN) - 13

NL:

Hitter WAR:

1. Xander Bogaerts (PHI) - 2.9
2. Juan Soto (WSH) - 2.8
3. Allan Cerda (CIN) - 2.8

AVG:

1. Wilmer Flores (WSH) - .325
2. Xander Bogaerts (PHI) - .322
3. Manny Machado (SDP) - .311

OPS:

1. Allan Cerda (CIN) - 1.081
2. Xander Bogaerts (PHI) - 1.001
3. Tyler Callihan (CIN) - .975

HR:

1. Allan Cerda (CIN) - 20
2. Tyler Callihan (CIN) - 18
3. Xander Bogaerts (PHI) - 17

RBI:

1. Xander Bogaerts (PHI) - 53
2. Nick Castellanos (PHI) - 52
3. Allan Cerda (CIN) - 47

SB.

1. Jesse Franklin V (ATL) - 19
2. Michael Harris II (ATL) - 15
3. Trent Grisham (SDP) - 12

Pitcher fWAR:

1. Zack Wheeler (CHC) - 2.6
2. Dylan Cease (ATL) - 2.4
3. Corbin Burnes (MIL) - 2.3

ERA:

1. Dylan Cease (ATL) - 1.54
2. Jack Flaherty (STL) - 2.87
3. Aaron Ashby (MIL) - 2.97

Strikeouts:

1. Corbin Burnes (MIL) - 92
2. Tarik Skubal (COL) - 91
3. Jack Flaherty (STL) - 87

Wins:

1. Bryse Wilson (PIT) - 9
2. Kolby Allard (STL) - 8
3. Sixto Sanchez (MIA) - 7

SV:

1. Yerry De Los Santos (PIT) - 18
2. Kyle McGowin (MIL) - 16
3. Spencer Strider (ATL) - 16

Major Trades

None

Major Extensions

CF Bryan Reynolds (4.0, 4.0) signs with Pirates for $161.4M/6yr
CF Jake Meyers (3.0, 3.0) signs with Astros for $26.7M/4yr
C William Contreras (3.5, 3.5) signs with Braves for $39.8M/4yr


We'll check back in the month, still monitoring the bullpen.

[U7Gohan]

State of the Team

The team sits at 63-25 after a ridiculous 21-6 June, a whopping 22 games up in the AL Central and having 10 more wins than the next-best record in MLB. The offense in particular clicked.

The team's AL Ranks:

Runs Scored: 1st
OPS: 1st
Runs Allowed: 1st
ERA: 1st
SP ERA: 1st
RP ERA: 12th
Defensive Efficiency: 1st
Zone Rating: 1st

News Dump

It was a busy month for transactions.

C Patrick Bailey went to the 10-Day IL and is on a rehab assignment currently with the hopes that he can reset his offensive game and grow closer to the production he had with the Giants. In a corresponding move, C Bo Naylor was recalled from AAA Columbus.

RP Emmanuel Clase returned from the IL. In a corresponding move, RP David Bednar was optioned to AAA Columbus.

3B Jose Ramirez also made another trip to the IL, but returned in the minimum amount of time.

Notable Performances

Hitters:

C Patrick Bailey: .234/.319/.353, 84 OPS+, 0.8 WAR
C Austin Hedges: .212/.248/.417, 77 OPS+, 0.9 WAR
C Bo Naylor: .239/.322/.491, 118 OPS+, 1 SB, 0.5 WAR
1B Jhonkensy Noel: .267/.331/.516, 127 OPS+, 1.0 WAR
2B Andres Gimenez: .246/.317/.384, 91 OPS+, 17 SB, 2.3 WAR
SS Carlos Correa: .274/.357/.478, 116 OPS+, 1 SB, 4.2 WAR
SS Paul DeJong: .232/.343/.482, 122 OPS+, 0.6 WAR
SS Jermaine Palacios: .233/.287/.384, 81 OPS+, 1 SB, 0.3 WAR
3B Jose Ramirez: .324/.392/.720, 195 OPS+, 2 SB, 3.4 WAR
LF Luis Matos: .307/.360/.502, 132 OPS+, 2.0 WAR
CF Byron Buxton: .280/.322/.569, 136 OPS+, 2 SB, 3.0 WAR
RF George Valera: .270/.354/.562, 145 OPS+, 2 SB, 2.9 WAR
RF Matt Vierling: .280/.321/.450, 107 OPS+, 2 SB, 0.5 WAR
RF Luke Raley: .252/.335/.484, 124 OPS+, 0.6 WAR

Pitchers:

SP Shane Bieber: 2.24 ERA, 2.75 FIP, 0.83 WHIP, 9.3 K/9, 4.0 fWAR
SP Nick Lodolo: 2.47 ERA, 4.19 WHIP, 0.84 WHIP, 8.7 K/9, 1.3 fWAR
SP Sean Hjelle: 3.09 ERA, 3.55 FIP, 1.00 WHIP, 7.3 K/9, 2.2 fWAR
SP Sandy Alcantara: 3.70 ERA, 3.18 FIP, 1.16 WHIP, 7.5 K/9, 2.8 fWAR
SP Sonny Gray: 2.70 ERA, 2.46 FIP, 1.11 WHIP, 9.3 K/9, 4.1 fWAR

CL Jovani Moran: 2.97 ERA, 2.74 FIP, 1.24 WHIP, 12.1 K/9, 20/24 SV/OPP, 1.2 fWAR
RP Emmanuel Clase: 0.00 ERA, 2.44 FIP, 1.00 WHIP, 9.0 K/9, 0.3 fWAR
RP Steven Wilson: 2.96 ERA, 1.88 FIP, 1.23 WHIP, 11.8 K/9, 0.8 fWAR
RP Jakob Hernandez: 4.78 ERA, 5.23 FIP, 1.41 WHIP, 11.8 K/9, -0.5 fWAR
RP Marlon Perez: 2.89 ERA, 3.62 FIP, 0.93 WHIP, 6.4 K/9, 0.3 fWAR
RP R.J. Dabovich: 5.46 ERA, 3.84 FIP, 1.18 WHIP, 11.6 K/9, 0.2 fWAR
RP Tanner Burns: 3.06 ERA, 5.54 FIP, 1.81 WHIP, 10.1 K/9, -0.4 fWAR
RP Lenny Torres: 3.81 ERA, 4.85 FIP, 1.16 WHIP, 9.2 K/9, -0.1 fWAR


Player Development

MLB RF Matt Vierling (2.5, 2.5) -> (2.0, 2.0)
MiLB SP Josh Ekness (2.0, 2.5) -> (2.0, 2.0)
MiLB 2B Cooper Kinney (1.5, 3.0) -> (1.5, 2.5)
MiLB 3B Julio Valenzuela (0.5, 2.5) -> (0.5, 2.0)


Around the League

Standings

AL Seeding:

1. Guardians (63-25)
2. Blue Jays (53-33)
3. Mariners (46-38)
4. Rangers (45-42)
5. Orioles (44-43)
6. Rays (44-43)

NL Seeding:

1. Dodgers (50-37)
2. Reds (49-38)
3. Braves (48-40)
4. Cardinals (48-39)
5. Phillies (47-41)
6. DBacks (43-42)

The Pirates are 44-43.

League Leaders

AL:

Hitter WAR:

1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - 5.6
2. Adley Rutschman (BAL) - 4.3
3. Carlos Correa (CLE) - 4.2

AVG:

1. Michael Brantley (KCR) - .347
2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - .334
3. Luis Arraez (MIN) - .328

OPS:

1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - 1.076
2. Adley Rutschman (BAL) - .951
3. Josh Jung (TEX) - .935

HR:

1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - 27
2. George Valera (CLE) - 26
3. Byron Buxton (CLE) - 25

RBI:

1. George Valera (CLE) - 76
2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - 71
3. Kyle Lewis (SEA) - 64

SB:

1. Enrique Bradfield Jr. (BOS) - 43
2. Julio Rodriguez (SEA) - 22
3. Ryan McKenna (BAL) - 19

Pitcher fWAR:

1. Sonny Gray (CLE) - 4.1
2. Shane Bieber (CLE) - 4.0
3. Grayson Rodriguez (BAL) - 3.3

ERA:

1. Will Klein (KCR) - 2.13
2. Shane Bieber (CLE) - 2.24
3. Grayson Rodriguez (BAL) - 2.43

Strikeouts:

1. Austin Warren (LAA) - 157
2. Gerrit Cole (NYY) - 131
3. Shane Bieber (CLE) - 128

Wins:

1. Nick Lodolo (CLE) - 11
2. Alexander Beltre (TEX) - 10
3. Will Klein (KCR) - 10

SV:

1. Pedro Figueroa (BAL) - 24
2. J.T. Hintzen (SEA) - 22
3. Scott Barlow (TOR) - 21

NL:

Hitter WAR:

1. Xander Bogaerts (PHI) - 4.2
2. Allan Cerda (CIN) - 3.8
3. Dylan Carlson (STL) - 3.6

AVG:

1. Wilmer Flores (WSH) - .340
2. Xander Bogaerts (PHI) - .321
3. Ramon Laureano (CIN) - .320

OPS:

1. Allan Cerda (CIN) - 1.039
2. Juan Soto (WSH) - 1.020
3. Xander Bogaerts (PHI) - 1.012

HR:

1. Allan Cerda (CIN) - 27
2. Xander Bogaerts (PHI) - 26
3. Joey Gallo (LAD) - 23

RBI:

1. Xander Bogaerts (PHI) - 81
2. Nick Castellanos (PHI) - 70
3. Bo Bichette (PIT) - 69

SB.

1. Tyler Wade (WSH) - 21
2. Jesse Franklin V (ATL) - 20
3. Michael Harris II (ATL) - 19


Pitcher fWAR:

1. Corbin Burnes (MIL) - 3.1
2. Zack Wheeler (CHC) - 3.0
3. Tarik Skubal (COL) - 2.7

ERA:

1. Dylan Cease (ATL) - 2.07
2. Tarik Skubal (COL) - 3.11
2. Jack Flaherty (STL) - 3.47

Strikeouts:

1. Corbin Burnes (MIL) - 132
2. Daniel Espino (MIA) - 128
3. Aaron Ashby (MIL) - 127

Wins:

1. Bryse Wilson (PIT) - 11
2. Nabil Crismatt (SDP) - 9
3. Tarik Skubal (COL) - 9

SV:

1. Yerry De Los Santos (PIT) - 25
2. Junior Fernandez (STL) - 23
3. A.J. Puk (CIN) - 23

Major Trades

Giants SP Logan Webb (3.0, 3.5) to Rangers

Major Extensions

C Keibert Ruiz (4.0, 4.0) signs with Nationals for $99.9M/8yr


We'll check back after the All-Star Break. The Trade Deadline is quickly approaching and I think the plan is obvious.

[U7Gohan]

State of the Team

The team has entered the All-Star Break with a 6-game winning streak, now sitting at 69-25. Pretty good.

News Dump

C Patrick Bailey returned from his rehab assignment. In a corresponding move, C Bo Naylor was optioned to AAA Columbus.

We agreed to terms with international amateur 17 year-old SS Rogelio Freiera (0.5, 5.0). Freiera profiles as an elite contact bat with decent power and discipline and can handle SS with the profile of an elite 2B. Only time will tell if he lives up to that.

We also completed a trade with the New York Yankees.

Outbound: RP Austin Aldeano (0.5, 0.5)

Inbound: RP Ken Giles (3.5, 3.5) (50% Retained)

Giles has posted strong ERA numbers over the last three seasons, but this year as his walk rate has improved drastically, his HR rate has ballooned. His strong production in spite of that makes me think that if he gets some better HR/FB luck he can be an elite reliever, and one that was available for little cost, as we only had to give up a zero-value prospect and are only on the hook for $4.4M/2yr. This could end up being our biggest move of the deadline, but we will continue to be opportunistic as the deadline gets closer.

All-Stars

We had a whopping 9 MLB All-Stars this season:

SP Shane Bieber*
SP Sonny Gray
SP Nick Lodolo
CL Jovani Moran
2B Andres Gimenez*
SS Carlos Correa*
3B Jose Ramirez*
CF Byron Buxton*
RF George Valera*

* = voted starter

We also had one Prospect All-Star:

SP Ethan Robinson (0.5, 2.5) - R ACL


First-Year Player Draft

This draft class was very weak, unfortunately.

33rd: HS RF Cannon Goldin (0.5, 3.0). Profiles as a solid all-around player. Well-rounded offensive profile with good contact and discipline and decent power. Good speed and defense as well.

64th: HS SP Chase Bentley (0.5, 3.0). Good four-pitch mix that can handle both RHB and LHB with decent control. Lackluster movement.

86th: HS SP Brett Crossland (0.5, 2.5). Big fastball-slider-changeup mix. Poor control and profiles as a reliever. Fastball velocity is already 93-95 with room to grow.

113th: HS C Mitchell Rodriguez (0.5, 2.5). Mediocre profile but could be a serviceable catcher. Power is his best attribute.

141st: CO SS Henry Kaczmar (0.5, 2.5). Decent contact bat. Elite 2B and baserunning profile. Makes up for mediocre speed with exceptional instincts. No power.

169th: CF John Wise Long (0.5, 2.5). Interesting profile with good contact and discipline. Good corner OF profile with great baserunning instincts.

197th: CO SP Ethan Voss (0.5, 2.5). Strong four-pitch mix but mediocre ratings. Innings-eater profile.

215th: CO SP Marco Fuentes (0.5, 2.5). Sits 94-96 with a big fastball-slider combo. Could profile as a reliever but lackluster stuff and movement. We'll see if those two pitches can take him further.

243rd: CO 3B Slate Alford (0.5, 2.0). Good power+discipline profile with poor contact and defense. Profiles as a 1B.

271st: CO 1B McKay Whitaker (0.5, 2.5). Overall decent offensive profile. No defensive or baserunning value.

The rest was auto-drafted.


Around the League

Surprising All-Stars

AL:

SP Keider Montero (DET) - 3.73 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 8.8 K/9, 1.7 fWAR
C Max Stassi (LAA) - 104 wRC+, 1.7 WAR
3B Colt Keith (DET) - 130 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
LF Jarred Kelenic (SEA) - 152 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
CF Kyle Lewis (SEA) - 124 wRC+, 6 SB, 2.1 WAR
RF George Springer (TOR) - 132 wRC+, 2.3 WAR

NL:

SP Brusdar Graterol (LAD) - 2.62 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 8.3 K/9, 2.0 fWAR
SP Tarik Skubal (COL) - 3.35 ERA, 9.2 K/9, 2.7 fWAR
C Francisco Alvarez (NYM) - 148 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
1B Tyler Callihan (CIN) - 164 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
1B C.J. Cron (MIA) - 136 wRC+, 1.5 WAR
3B Elly De La Cruz (CIN) - 193 wRC+, 5 SB, 2.4 WAR in 164 PA
LF Allan Cerda (CIN) - 173 wRC+, 3.8 WAR
RF Mark Canha (MIL) - 146 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
RF Ramon Laureano (CIN) - 169 wRC+, 9 SB, 3.6 WAR

MLB All-Star Game

The AL All-Stars defeated the NL All-Stars 7-4 by scoring 7 in the first four innings. Rangers 3B Josh Jung won MVP, going 2-2 with 3 RBI including a 2-run HR.

Guardians performances:

Andres Gimenez: 0-4
Carlos Correa: 1-1, BB, 2 R
Jose Ramirez: 1-2, RBI
Byron Buxton: 1-2, K
George Valera: 1-2, K

Shane Bieber: 1.0 IP, 2 K
Sonny Gray: 0.1 IP, H
Jovani Moran: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 K, SV

Homerun Derby

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. defeated teammate George Springer 19-18 to win the HR derby.

Prospects All-Star Game

The NL Future Stars defeated the AL Future Stars 8-3 as Cubs SS Cristian Hernandez (2.0, 4.0, #23 Overall) won MVP going 1-2 with a 2-run HR.

Guardians performances:

Ethan Robinson: 1.0 IP, 2 K


Major Trades

White Sox RP Edwin Diaz (5.0, 5.0) to Cardinals
Dodgers C Will Smith (3.5, 3.5) to Mariners
White Sox SP Jordan Hicks (3.0, 3.5) to DBacks
Marlins 1B C.J. Cron (2.5, 2.5) to Dodgers

Major Extensions

3B Josh Jung (5.0, 5.0) signs with Rangers for $194.1M/8yr


The next roundup will be for the Trade Deadline. This one figures to be relatively inactive for the Guardians.

[U7Gohan]

State of the Team

The team now sits at 76-34, just 7-9 since the All-Star Break. This is not unexpected entirely as multiple important pieces just returned from the injured list and will need time to find their footing again.

The team's AL Ranks:

Runs Scored: 1st
OPS: 1st
Runs Allowed: 1st
ERA: 1st
SP ERA: 1st
RP ERA: 12th
Defensive Efficiency: 1st
Zone Rating: 1st

News Dump

We made two trades at the trade deadline, both to address the bullpen. They were win-now moves that set the team up for the playoffs this year, but will cause us to need to look outside the organization for more relief pieces this winter.

Trade 1: New York Mets

Outbound: RP Jakob Hernandez (4.0, 4.0), SS Yordys Valdes (2.5, 2.5)

Inbound: RP Andres Munoz (4.5, 5.0) (100% Retained), RP Aaron Loup (3.0, 3.0) (65% Retained), SP Tylor Megill (2.5, 2.5)

Hernandez had been struggling with the long-ball this year and was very highly valued by the Mets, so I took advantage even though I may have overpaid for two rental relievers. Munoz gives me another legitimate weapon at the back end of the bullpen, while Loup fills the spot of the lefty reliever I was looking for with Hernandez out of the fold. Both are rentals. I asked for Megill for controllable SP depth in the minors and the fact that he could profile into a reliever if needed. Valdes was necessary to get the deal done and was expendable with my glove-first bench-profile SS depth. In a corresponding move, RP Marlon Perez was optioned to AAA Columbus.

Trade 2: Cincinnati Reds

Outbound: RP David Bednar (3.5, 3.5)

Inbound: RP A.J. Puk (3.5, 3.5) (100% Retained), 1B Alberto Osuna (1.5, 2.0)

With Perez also struggling, I wanted another lefty to add length to the pen and shore up any handedness weaknesses. Bednar had been struggling in AAA and was likely to be non-tendered this offseason, so I found the opportunity to ship him off to re-acquire Puk. My acquisition of Puk this time is much more realistic with what should be expected of him, as he can now easily slide into the bullpen. In a corresponding move, RP Lenny Torres was optioned to AAA Columbus.

1B J.C. Correa returned from the injured list as well. In a corresponding move, C Bo Naylor was optioned to AAA Columbus.

SS Carlos Correa went to the injured list with a strained oblique, but he will return in the minimum 10 days. In a corresponding move, SS Willi Castro (2.0, 2.0) was promoted from AAA Columbus.

Notable Performances

Hitters:

C Patrick Bailey: .240/.331/.356, 88 OPS+, 1.0 WAR
C Austin Hedges: .225/.261/.402, 78 OPS+, 1.1 WAR
1B J.C. Correa: .269/.304/.308, 68 OPS+
1B Jhonkensy Noel: .267/.324/.503, 121 OPS+
2B Andres Gimenez: .257/.322/.413, 99 OPS+, 22 SB, 3.6 WAR
SS Carlos Correa: .298/.379/.496, 136 OPS+, 6.0 WAR
SS Paul DeJong: .233/.329/.466, 114 OPS+, 0.6 WAR
SS Jermaine Palacios: .236/.293/.379, 82 OPS+, 2 SB, 0.4 WAR
3B Jose Ramirez: .345/.413/.736, 205 OPS+, 4 SB, 5.3 WAR
LF Luis Matos: .310/.358/.498, 130 OPS+, 2.6 WAR
CF Byron Buxton: .281/.324/.536, 129 OPS+, 4 SB, 3.5 WAR
RF George Valera: .265/.356/.558, 144 OPS+, 2 SB, 3.4 WAR
RF Matt Vierling: .276/.328/.448, 109 OPS+, 2 SB, 0.6 WAR

Pitchers:

SP Shane Bieber: 2.58 ERA, 3.22 FIP, 0.90 WHIP, 8.7 K/9, 4.0 fWAR
SP Nick Lodolo: 3.46 ERA, 4.52 FIP, 0.98 WHIP, 9.3 K/9, 1.2 fWAR
SP Sean Hjelle: 3.32 ERA, 3.51 FIP, 1.07 WHIP, 7.3 K/9, 2.9 fWAR
SP Sandy Alcantara: 3.62 ERA, 3.42 FIP, 1.13 WHIP, 7.1 K/9, 3.2 fWAR
SP Sonny Gray: 3.20 ERA, 2.94 FIP, 1.14 WHIP, 9.4 K/9, 3.8 fWAR

CL Jovani Moran: 2.51 ERA, 2.40 FIP, 1.05 WHIP, 12.1 K/9, 1.6 fWAR
RP Emmanuel Clase: 0.69 ERA, 3.09 FIP, 1.15 WHIP, 9.0 K/9, 0.3 fWAR
RP Andres Munoz: 3.86 ERA, 2.83 FIP, 1.29 WHIP, 11.6 K/9, 1.4 fWAR
RP Steven Wilson: 3.90 ERA, 2.14 FIP, 1.27 WHIP, 12.0 K/9, 0.9 fWAR
RP Ken Giles: 3.10 ERA, 3.88 FIP, 1.18 WHIP, 12.4 K/9, 0.3 fWAR
RP R.J. Dabovich: 4.96 ERA, 3.72 FIP, 1.07 WHIP, 11.8 K/9, 0.3 fWAR
RP Aaron Loup: 3.25 ERA, 3.75 FIP, 1.37 WHIP, 5.9 K/9, 0.5 fWAR
RP A.J. Puk: 2.74 ERA, 3.71 FIP, 1.04 WHIP, 9.6 K/9, 0.6 fWAR


Minor League Report

Our Top 100 status is the same as it has been.

Other emerging prospects to watch are...

SP David Valverde (0.5, 3.0) - R ACL

Player Development

MLB LF Luis Matos (3.0, 3.5) -> (3.5, 3.5)
MiLB 2B Aaron Bracho (1.5, 2.0) -> (2.0, 2.5)
MiLB SP Brock Porter (2.0, 2.0) -> (2.0, 2.5)
MiLB SS Henry Kaczmar (1.5, 2.0) -> (1.5, 2.5)


Around the League

Standings

AL Seeding:

1. Guardians (76-34)
2. Blue Jays (67-45)
3. Mariners (62-49)
4. Rangers (60-53)
5. Rays (58-53)
6. Red Sox (59-54)

NL Seeding:

1. Dodgers (64-47)
2. Reds (61-51)
3. Braves (59-54)
4. Cardinals (60-52)
5. Phillies (58-54)
6. DBacks (57-54)

League Leaders

AL:

Hitter WAR:

1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - 6.3
2. Carlos Correa (CLE) - 6.0
3. Adley Rutschman (BAL) - 5.3

AVG:

1. Luis Arraez (MIN) - .331
2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - .321
3. Luis Matos (CLE) - .310

OPS:

1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - 1.056
2. Josh Jung (TEX) - .979
3. Adley Rutschman (BAL) - .945

HR:

1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - 34
2. George Valera (CLE) - 33
3. Adley Rutschman (BAL) - 30

RBI:

1. George Valera (CLE) - 92
2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - 87
3. Mitch Haniger (TEX) - 76

SB:

1. Enrique Bradfield Jr. (BOS) - 54
2. Julio Rodriguez (SEA) - 30
3. Vidal Brujan (TBR) - 28

Pitcher fWAR:

1. Shane Bieber (CLE) - 4.0
2. Will Klein (KCR) - 3.9
3. Michael Hobbs (CHW) - 3.8

ERA:

1. Will Klein (KCR) - 2.16
2. Shane Bieber (CLE) - 2.58
3. Grayson Rodriguez (BAL) - 3.04

Strikeouts:

1. Austin Warren (LAA) - 187
2. Nate Pearson (TOR) - 162
3. Gerrit Cole (NYY) - 160

Wins:

1. Nick Lodolo (CLE) - 13
2. Sandy Alcantara (CLE) - 12
3. Alexander Beltre (TEX) - 12

SV:

1. Pedro Figueroa (BAL) - 29
2. Yusei Kikuchi (TBR) - 29
3. Scott Barlow (TOR) - 27

NL:

Hitter WAR:

1. Xander Bogaerts (PHI) - 4.9
2. Allan Cerda (CIN) - 4.8
3. Juan Soto (WSH) - 4.4

AVG:

1. Tyler Callihan (CIN) - .329
2. Xander Bogaerts (PHI) - .316
3. Bo Bichette (PIT) - .311

OPS:

1. Allan Cerda (CIN) - 1.018
2. Juan Soto (WSH) - 1.005
3. Xander Bogaerts (PHI) - .997

HR:

1. Allan Cerda (CIN) - 35
2. Xander Bogaerts (PHI) - 33
3. Tyler Callihan (CIN) - 28

RBI:

1. Xander Bogaerts (PHI) - 102
2. Bo Bichette (PIT) - 84
3. Nick Castellanos (PHI) - 84

SB.

1. Jesse Franklin V (ATL) - 23
2. Michael Harris II (ATL) - 23
3. Tyler Wade (WSH) - 23

Pitcher fWAR:

1. Corbin Burnes (MIL) - 3.9
2. Zack Wheeler (CHC) - 3.7
3. Tarik Skubal (COL) - 3.5

ERA:

1. Tarik Skubal (COL) - 3.06
2. Kyle Wright (ATL) - 3.29
3. Gregory Santos (SFG) - 3.46

Strikeouts:

1. Daniel Espino (MIA) - 167
2. Aaron Ashby (MIL) - 165
3. Corbin Burnes (MIL) - 161

Wins:

1. Tarik Skubal (COL) - 12
2. Bryse Wilson (PIT) - 12
3. Brandon Woodruff (MIL) - 11

SV:

1. Camilo Doval (SFG) - 30
2. Rowan Wick (PHI) - 30
3. Yerry De Los Santos (PIT) - 28


Major Trades

Marlins RP Tony Gonsolin (3.5, 3.5) to Mets


Major Extensions

None


Probably the most boring trade deadline I have ever seen. We'll check back in a month to see if we can get our winning percentage back over .700.

[U7Gohan]

State of the Team

The team now sits at 91-48 after going just 15-14 in August, still under .500 since the All-Star Break. I hope the team rides into the playoffs hot...

The team's AL Ranks:

Runs Scored: 1st
OPS: 1st
Stolen Bases: 10th
Baserunning Runs: 3rd
Runs Allowed: 1st
ERA: 1st
SP ERA: 1st
RP ERA: 13th
Defensive Efficiency: 3rd
Zone Rating: 2nd

News Dump

Andres Gimenez went to the IL with a severe hip strain. Thankfully, he is expected to return just before the playoffs. In a corresponding move, 2B Aaron Bracho (2.0, 2.5) was promoted to MLB Cleveland from AAA Columbus.

Matt Vierling also went to the IL with a torn hamstring. He will likely return for the ALDS. In a corresponding move, CF Isaiah Greene (2.5, 2.5) was recalled from AAA Columbus.

With active rosters expanding to 28, RF Will Benson (2.0, 2.0) and RP Lenny Torres were also recalled from AAA Columbus.

Notable Performances

* = as a Guardian

Hitters:

C Patrick Bailey: .264/.347/.436, 112 OPS+, 1.8 WAR
C Austin Hedges: .248/.280/.447, 94 OPS+, 1.9 WAR
1B Jhonkensy Noel: .250/.305/.489, 111 OPS+
2B Andres Gimenez: .258/.325/.410, 99 OPS+, 26 SB, 4.3 WAR
SS Carlos Correa: .286/.372/.500, 135 OPS+, 7.4 WAR
SS Paul DeJong: .192/.270/.364, 71 OPS+, 0.1 WAR
SS Jermaine Palacios: .235/.289/.374, 79 OPS+, 2 SB, 0.2 WAR
3B Jose Ramirez: .324/.406/.698, 193 OPS+, 8 SB, 6.7 WAR
LF Luis Matos: .300/.344/.465, 118 OPS+, 3 SB, 2.7 WAR
CF Byron Buxton: .272/.319/.520, 123 OPS+, 5 SB, 3.6 WAR
CF Isaiah Greene: .171/.207/.321, 41 OPS+, -0.2 WAR
RF George Valera: .271/.358/.556, 144 OPS+, 4.4 WAR
RF Matt Vierling: .274/.324/.452, 109 OPS+, 2 SB, 0.7 WAR

Pitchers:

SP Shane Bieber: 2.88 ERA, 3.16 FIP, 0.94 WHIP, 9.3 K/9, 5.1 fWAR
SP Nick Lodolo: 3.48 ERA, 4.32 FIP, 0.98 WHIP, 9.1 K/9, 2.0 fWAR
SP Sean Hjelle: 3.24 ERA, 3.76 FIP, 1.11 WHIP, 7.5 K/9, 3.1 fWAR
SP Sandy Alcantara: 4.17 ERA, 3.80 FIP, 1.20 WHIP, 7.4 K/9, 3.2 fWAR
SP Sonny Gray: 3.38 ERA, 3.19 FIP, 1.16 WHIP, 8.6 K/9, 4.4 fWAR

CL Jovani Moran: 3.35 ERA, 2.81 FIP, 1.17 WHIP, 12.6 K/9, 35/40 SV/OPP, 1.8 fWAR
RP Emmanuel Clase: 0.34 ERA, 1.64 FIP, 0.97 WHIP, 12.1 K/9, 1.3 fWAR
RP Andres Munoz*: 11.25 ERA, 7.18 FIP, 1.92 WHIP, 12.9 K/9, -0.4 fWAR
RP Steven Wilson: 2.83 ERA, 1.87 FIP, 1.09 WHIP, 12.2 K/9, 1.3 fWAR
RP R.J. Dabovich: 4.95 ERA, 4.00 FIP, 1.10 WHIP, 10.9 K/9, 0.3 fWAR
RP Ken Giles*: 6.17 ERA, 4.47 FIP, 1.89 WHIP, 11.6 K/9, 0.0 fWAR
RP Aaron Loup*: 3.65 ERA, 5.61 FIP, 1.38 WHIP, 9.5 K/9, -0.2 fWAR
RP A.J. Puk*: 5.79 ERA, 3.50 FIP, 1.61 WHIP, 13.5 K/9, 0.1 fWAR
RP Lenny Torres: 4.12 ERA, 4.65 FIP, 1.31 WHIP, 11.1 K/9, -0.0 fWAR


Player Development

MiLB SP Josh Ekness (2.0, 2.0) -> (1.5, 2.5)
MiLB SP Chase Shores (1.0, 3.0) -> (0.5, 2.5)
MiLB 1B Grant Hussey (0.5, 2.0) -> (1.0, 2.5)
MiLB RF Duce Robinson (0.5, 2.0) -> (0.5, 2.5)
MiLB SP Juan Oporto (0.5, 5.0) -> (0.5, 4.5)



Around the League

Standings

AL Seeding:

1. Guardians (91-48)
2. Rangers (81-59)
3. Rays (77-62)
4. Mariners (79-60)
5. Blue Jays (78-63)
6. White Sox (70-71)

The Red Sox are 69-71 while the Astros and Orioles are both 69-72.

NL Seeding:

1. Dodgers (79-60)
2. Reds (77-63)
3. Nationals (72-69)
4. Cardinals (76-63)
5. Brewers (77-65)
6. Mets (70-69)

The Cubs are also 70-69.

League Leaders

AL:

Hitter WAR:

1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - 7.7
2. Carlos Correa (CLE) - 7.4
3. Jose Ramirez (CLE) - 6.7

AVG:

1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - .322
2. Luis Arraez (MIN) - .313
3. Josh Jung (TEX) - .305

OPS:

1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - 1.070
2. Josh Jung (TEX) - .980
3. Adley Rutschman (BAL) - .920

HR:

1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - 41
2. George Valera (CLE) - 39
3. Aaron Judge (NYY) - 36

RBI:

1. George Valera (CLE) - 106
2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - 103
3. Mitch Haniger (TEX) - 101

SB:

1. Enrique Bradfield Jr. (BOS) - 59
2. Julio Rodriguez (SEA) - 40
3. Vidal Brujan (TBR) - 37

Pitcher fWAR:

1. Shane Bieber (CLE) - 5.1
2. Michael Hobbs (CHW) - 4.9
3. Alexander Beltre (TEX) - 4.7

ERA:

1. Will Klein (KCR) - 2.49
2. Michael Hobbs (CHW) - 2.72
3. Alexander Beltre (TEX) - 2.84

Strikeouts:

1. Austin Warren (LAA) - 234
2. Gerrit Cole (NYY) - 198
3. Tyler Glasnow (TBR) - 196

Wins:

1. Nick Lodolo (CLE) - 16
2. Ty Olenchuk (SEA) - 16
3. Alexander Beltre (TEX) - 15

SV:

1. Scott Barlow (TOR) - 35
2. Jovani Moran (CLE) - 35
3. Pedro Figueroa (BAL) - 34

NL:

Hitter WAR:

1. Juan Soto (WSH) - 6.8
2. Xander Bogaerts (PHI) - 5.8
3. Francisco Lindor (NYM) - 5.8

AVG:

1. Juan Soto (WSH) - .318
2. Xander Bogaerts (PHI) - .312
3. Elehuris Montero (COL) - .309

OPS:

1. Juan Soto (WSH) - 1.095
2. Allan Cerda (CIN) - 1.021
3. Bryce Harper (PHI) - .969

HR:

1. Allan Cerda (CIN) - 38
2. Xander Bogaerts (PHI) - 37
3. Tyler Callihan (CIN) - 35

RBI:

1. Xander Bogaerts (PHI) - 121
2. Nick Castellanos (PHI) - 99
3. Bo Bichette (PIT) - 95

SB.

1. Michael Siani (CIN) - 30
2. Michael Harris II (ATL) - 29
3. Jesse Franklin V (ATL) - 25

Pitcher fWAR:

1. Corbin Burnes (MIL) - 5.3
2. Jack Flaherty (STL) - 4.1
3. Zack Wheeler (CHC) - 4.0

ERA:

1. Adbert Alzolay (CHC) - 3.38
2. Corbin Burnes (MIL) - 3.39
3. Gregory Santos (SFG) - 3.46

Strikeouts:

1. Corbin Burnes (MIL) - 208
2. Aaron Ashby (MIL) - 200
3. Daniel Espino (MIA) - 199

Wins:

1. Aaron Ashby (MIL) - 13
2. Zach Plesac (MIL) - 13
3. Tarik Skubal (COL) - 13

SV:

1. Junior Fernandez (STL) - 38
2. Yerry De Los Santos (PIT) - 37
3. Rowan Wick (PHI) - 37

Major Extensions

None


The next roundup will preview the playoffs. Hopefully we go in strong with our bullpen in better form than it has been with rampant HR and BB issues.

[U7Gohan]

State of the Team

The team finished strong, going 15-8 in September and finishing 106-56. However, this is somewhat disappointing to not even finish with the best record of the U7Gohan tenure considering the team was on pace to blow past the MLB win record at the All-Star Break.

The team's AL Ranks:

Runs Scored: 1st
OPS: 1st
Stolen Bases: 11th
Baserunning Runs: 8th
Runs Allowed: 1st
ERA: 1st
SP ERA: 1st
RP ERA: 13th
Defensive Efficiency: 3rd
Zone Rating: 2nd

News Dump

2B Andres Gimenez and OF Matt Vierling returned from the injured list in the final week of the season. They will both be on the playoff roster.

In a big announcement, RP Aaron Loup and RP Ken Giles did not make the playoff roster.

Playoff Roster

* = as a Guardian

Hitters:

C Patrick Bailey: .265/.350/.440, 114 OPS+, 2.3 WAR
C Austin Hedges: .251/.283/.449, 96 OPS+, 2.2 WAR
1B J.C. Correa: .268/.308/.382, 87 OPS+, -0.3 WAR
2B Andres Gimenez: .256/.322/.414, 99 OPS+, 26 SB, 4.4 WAR
2B Aaron Bracho: .273/.414/.656, 181 OPS+, 0.6 WAR
SS Carlos Correa: .276/.366/.474, 127 OPS+, 8.2 WAR
SS Paul DeJong: .213/.289/.407, 87 OPS+, 0.4 WAR
SS Jermaine Palacios: .236/.289/.369, 78 OPS+, 2 SB, 0.3 WAR
3B Jose Ramirez: .313/.410/.683, 191 OPS+, 11 SB, 7.8 WAR
LF Luis Matos: .292/.339/.461, 116 OPS+, 3 SB, 2.7 WAR
CF Byron Buxton: .271/.319/.520, 123 OPS+, 6 SB, 4.6 WAR
RF George Valera: .262/.359/.535, 140 OPS+, 2 SB, 4.5 WAR
RF Matt Vierling: .274/.324/.452, 109 OPS+, 2 SB, 0.7 WAR

Pitchers:

SP Shane Bieber: 2.77 ERA, 3.13 FIP, 0.98 WHIP, 9.2 K/9, 5.9 fWAR
SP Sean Hjelle: 3.29 ERA, 3.83 FIP, 1.14 WHIP, 7.3 K/9, 3.4 fWAR
SP Sonny Gray: 3.26 EREA, 3.12 FIP, 1.16 WHIP, 8.4 K/9, 5.2 fWAR
SP Sandy Alcantara: 3.96 ERA, 3.87 FIP, 1.15 WHIP, 7.5 K/9, 3.6 fWAR

CL Jovani Moran: 2.98 ERA, 2.60 FIP, 1.10 WHIP, 12.9 K/9, 42/48 SV/OPP, 2.4 fWAR
RP Emmanuel Clase: 0.25 ERA, 1.85 FIP, 0.93 WHIP, 10.7 K/9, 1.5 fWAR
RP Andres Munoz*: 8.27 ERA, 5.21 FIP, 1.45 WHIP, 11.8 K/9, -0.2 fWAR
RP Steven Wilson: 2.79 ERA, 1.58 FIP, 1.03 WHIP, 12.8 K/9, 1.8 fWAR
RP Nick Lodolo: 4.03 ERA, 4.40 FIP, 1.07 WHIP, 9.3 K/9, 2.1 fWAR
RP Marlon Perez: 4.46 ERA, 4.69 FIP, 1.28 WHIP, 6.0 K/9, -0.1 fWAR
RP R.J. Dabovich: 4.88 ERA, 4.01 FIP, 1.08 WHIP, 11.1 K/9, 0.3 fWAR
RP Lenny Torres: 4.08 ERA, 4.78 FIP, 1.28 WHIP, 10.9 K/9, -0.1 fWAR


Around the League

Standings

AL Seeding:

1. Guardians (106-56)
2. Rangers (96-66)
3. Rays (89-73)
4. Mariners (89-73)
5. Blue Jays (85-77)
6. Orioles (83-79)

NL Seeding:

1. Dodgers (92-70)
2. Cardinals (89-73)
3. Mets (86-76)
4. Brewers (88-74)
5. Reds (87-75)
6. Cubs (86-76)

League Leaders

AL:

Hitter WAR:

1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - 8.5
2. Carlos Correa (CLE) - 8.2
3. Jose Ramirez (CLE) - 7.8

AVG:

1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - .319
2. Luis Arraez (MIN) - .313
3. Jose Ramirez (CLE) - .313

OPS:

1. Jose Ramirez (CLE) - 1.093
2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - 1.051
3. Josh Jung (TEX) - .965

HR:

1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - 47
2. Spencer Torkelson (DET) - 46
3. George Valera (CLE) - 43

RBI:

1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - 125
2. George Valera (CLE) - 117
3. Jonathan Aranda (TBR) - 115

SB:

1. Enrique Bradfield Jr. (BOS) - 70
2. Vidal Brujan (TBR) - 43
3. Julio Rodriguez (SEA) - 43

Pitcher fWAR:

1. Shane Bieber (CLE) - 5.9
2. Michael Hobbs (CHW) - 5.7
3. Alexander Beltre (TEX) - 5.5

ERA:

1. Will Klein (KCR) - 2.55
2. Michael Hobbs (CHW) - 2.62
3. Shane Bieber (CLE) - 2.77

Strikeouts:

1. Austin Warren (LAA) - 266
2. Gerrit Cole (NYY) - 231
3. Tyler Glasnow (TBR) - 226

Wins:

1. Sandy Alcantara (CLE) - 18
2. Nick Lodolo (CLE) - 18
3. Ty Olenchuk (SEA) - 17

SV:

1. Jovani Moran (CLE) - 42
2. Pedro Figueroa (BAL) - 40
3. Scott Barlow (TOR) - 38

NL:

Hitter WAR:

1. Juan Soto (WSH) - 6.8
2. Bryce Harper (PHI) - 6.7
3. Francisco Lindor (NYM) - 6.6

AVG:

1. Xander Bogaerts (PHI) - .309
2. Juan Soto (WSH) - .307
3. Elehuris Montero (COL) - .302

OPS:

1. Juan Soto (WSH) - 1.039
2. Bryce Harper (PHI) - 1.013
3. Allan Cerda (CIN) - 1.010

HR:

1. Allan Cerda (CIN) - 43
2. Tyler Callihan (CIN) - 42
3. Xander Bogaerts (PHI) - 40

RBI:

1. Xander Bogaerts (PHI) - 139
2. Nick Castellanos (PHI) - 120
3. Matt Olson (ATL) - 107

SB.

1. Michael Harris II (ATL) - 34
2. Ezequiel Tovar (COL) - 33
3. Michael Siani (CIN) - 32

Pitcher fWAR:

1. Corbin Burnes (MIL) - 5.7
2. Jack Flaherty (STL) - 4.5
3. Aaron Ashby (MIL) - 4.2

ERA:

1. Gregory Santos (SFG) - 3.28
2. Jack Flaherty (STL) - 3.44
3. Adbert Alzolay (CHC) - 3.48

Strikeouts:

1. Corbin Burnes (MIL) - 249
2. Aaron Ashby (MIL) - 237
3. Brandon Woodruff (MIL) - 233

Wins:

1. Tarik Skubal (COL) - 16
2. Aaron Ashby (MIL) - 15
3. Bryse Wilson (PIT) - 15

SV:

1. Junior Fernandez (STL) - 43
2. Ethan Roberts (CHC) - 43
3. Yerry De Los Santos (PIT) - 41


Major Extensions

SP Jack Leiter (3.0, 3.5) signs with Rangers for $41.9M/5yr


The Guardians can erase their second-half slump in this playoff run. Their first trial will be against either the Seattle Mariners or the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALDS. Let's see if this is the year.

[U7Gohan]

Around the League

In the Wild Card Series:

The Blue Jays got smoked in Game 1 by the Mariners before taking the next two. They will be the Guardians' ALCS opponent. Mariners 3B Jake Cronenworth (3.5, 3.5) won series MVP.

The Rays won two nailbiters against the Orioles to complete the sweep, winning both in walkoff fashion. Rays RF Vidal Brujan (2.5, 2.5) won series MVP.

The Reds won in 3 games over the Brewers, dismantling their vaunted starting rotation. Reds 2B Tyler Callihan (3.5, 3.5) won series MVP.

The Mets swept a low-scoring series with the Reds, winning by a combined score of 7-3. Mets C Francisco Alvarez (5.0, 5.0) won series MVP.



Series Preview

According to our Scouting Director, Will Ohman, the Blue Jays' top players are:

1. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (5.0, 5.0)
2. C Alejandro Kirk (4.5, 5.0)
3. CL Scott Barlow (4.0, 4.0)
4. RP Colby White (3.5, 4.0)
5. 3B Matt Chapman (3.5, 3.5)

Guerrero, who has become consistently the best hitter in baseball, will be a challenge for our pitchers to keep tame.

Probable Pitchers

Game 1

Shane Bieber (13-7, 2.77 ERA)
vs.
Alek Manoah (9-11, 5.52 ERA)

Game 2

Sean Hjelle (13-10, 3.29 ERA)
vs.
Jose Berrios (11-8, 4.84 ERA0

Game 3

Kevin Gausman (9-13, 5.50 ERA)
vs.
Nick Lodolo (18-8, 4.03 ERA)

Game 4

Cade Horton (12-13, 4.34 ERA)
vs.
Sonny Gray (11-7, 3.26 ERA)

Game 5

Shane Bieber (13-7, 2.77 ERA)
vs.
Alek Manoah (9-11, 5.52 ERA)



We have the drastic pitching advantage, so let's take care of business and see what our bullpen is made of.