The Mallards

[Muskies]

Record: 83-79, .512, 10 GB
Position: 3rd
Avg.: .278 (3rd in NL)
OBP: .338 (6th in NL)
Bullpen ERA – 4.55 (15th in NL)
Defense: .698 (4th in NL)
Fan Interest: 97
Power Ranking: 95 (13th in ABL)


Week Results 7-2

3-0 vs. Kansas City

9/16: MAD 5, KC 3
WP: Barnwell (5-0, 3.43), LP: Watson (5-8, 5.52), SV: Aquino (19)
HR: Jones (4), Ryan (7)
POG: Stanton Jones 3-4, R, 2 RBI, 2B, HR

9/17: MAD 9, KC 3
WP: Howell (3-4, 4.27): LP: Veeck (0-3, 9.45)
HR: Kouno (21), Nishikawa (44)
POG: Kouno 3-4, R, 3 RBI, HR, SB
We scored 7 runs in the 8th inning for the win
Columbus is the first to secure the spot in the playoff’s taking the NL Central

9/18: MAD 7, KC 2
WP: Campbell (14-9, 3.19), Oliver (6-13, 5.11)
HR: Benson (5), Hubbard (20)
POG: Campbell 7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
Philadelphia clinched the AL Eastern Division

2-1 vs. Austin

9/19: MAD 7, AUS 1
WP: Polledo (15-10, 3.61), Moore (12-11, 4.98)
HR: Hansen 2 (17), Kouno (22)
POG: Hansen 2-5, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 HR

9/18: AUS 6, MAD 2
WP: McKinney (5-1, 3.32), LP: MacFadden (4-3, 5.21)
HR: Boucard (53)
POG: Andrew McKinney 8 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 3 K
Mesa Monarchs clinch the NL Western Division

9/19: MAD 11, AUS 9
WP: Davila (2-0, 4.02), LP: Juarez (3-6, 5.09), SV: Aquino (20)
HR: Chatuluka (7), Davis (18)
POG: Shaffer 4-6, 2 R, 2 RBI, 3B
With the win, the Mallards are assured of at least a .500 season, we have been on a tear in September, we can only hope that this will carry into next spring.
In the AL Western Division San Jose has moved to 1 game back of Fresno, six days ago, they were 5 games back. In the last six games Fresno has gone 2-4 against San Jose’s 6-0. San Jose is on a nine game winning streak.

2-1 vs. San Francisco

9/21: MAD 5, SF 4
WP: Juarez (8-10, 3.14), LP: Parslow (4-2, 5.09), SV: Davila (1)
HR: Hayes (40), Vallejo (11), Nishikawa (45)
POG: Jim Hayes 2-4, R, 2 RBI, HR
Claude Boucard (Austin) hit home run number 55 to tie the season record previously held by Landon Boyd set in 1997 with Cleveland

9/22: MAD 5, SF 1
WP: Campbell (15-9, 3.11), LP: Moore (2-4, 5.30), SV: Aquino (21)
POG: Campbell 8 IP, 8 H, ER, 7 K

- Fresno and San Jose are tied a top the AL Western Division with one game to play, both are tied with Nashville for the Wildcard, should make for an interesting last day.
- Baltimore caught Charlotte in the NL Eastern and are tied with one game to play, the loser will get play as the WildCard

9/23: SF 4, MAD 1
WP: Cooley (10-4, 3.03), LP: Rios (0-6, 6.47), SV: Brown (39)
HR: Hunter 2 (25)
POG: Cooley 7 IP, 7 H, 4 BB, 5 K
Jose Polledo was injured in the third inning

- Baltimore takes the NL East, with Charlotte earning the WildCard
- Fresno completes the collapse losing 4-9 to OKC. San Jose takes the division by winning their last 13 games. Nashville takes the AL WildCard
- Claude Boucard ends the season with 55 home runs tied for the most in a season
- Shuichi Takeuchi (BAL) finishes the season with a .478 OBP breaking the 19-year record of .476 held by Dan Reid set in 1991.
-

Players of the Week
NL – Jed Pennington (WAS) 8-12, 6 HR, 12 RBI
AL – Jaime Madrigal (SJ) 9-19, 5 HR, 8 RBI, 7 R

ABL Career Leaders in RBI
Dave Christian, -, 1847
Hollis Lee, FRE, 1684
Hector Dominquez, FW, 1683
John Lee, TAM, 1579
Modesto Colon, - , 1474

Next week: n/a

[Muskies]

We went 16-7 in September; hopefully we can continue that momentum going into 2011. We finished the season strong offensively and despite the moves with the rotation our starting pitching remained the best in the National League. If we can make some moves to bolster the bullpen, I feel pretty good about where we are.

Batting

Nishikawa broke through with 45 home runs which is tied for 30th and 146 RBI which is the 8th best RBI season on record. G. Martinez led the starters with a .314 batting average and Matsuo Kouno led starters with in OBP at .388

Pitching

Campbell and Polledo led the team with 15 wins, although not all of Polledo’s came with the Mallards. Campbell also led the starters in ERA (3.11) and strikeouts with 177. Aquino slid nicely into the closer role with 21 saves. He may see some completion from Albert Davila who is $16 million per year cheaper and will be a nice addition to the bullpen next season. Campbell is going into his last year of arbitration and getting him signed will be a first priority, this may come at the expense of Aquino which is going to hurt fan interest but will free up room in the payroll

[Muskies]

Philadelphia Towers 2010 World Series Champions

Philadelphia did well in regular season play, but did even better in the postseason – they won the who shebang, finishing off the Charlotte Cyclones in the World Series 4 – 2 to claim the crown for the 1st time.

In the elimination game today at Towers Ballpark, the Towers polished off Charlotte 6-5 to win the ABL Championship.

In the American League Eastern Division Pennant race, Philadelphia compiled a 91-71 record and came in first.

*****

On a side note I am ahead of the dynasty report and forgot to take a snapshot of the playoffs.

[Muskies]

As the last out of the Series is made, my mind turns the clock towards next season (I know, it already has), but now I can start putting my thoughts into motion. As I shut off the TV I start to make a list of things that I need to address in the coming days and weeks.

Personnel – I decided not to renew the contracts of Pitching Coach Pat Hobbs and Scouting Director Ernie Davies. Hobbs has been great with the starters but struggled with the bullpen and Davies has been average, but I want someone a little more seasoned

Address any team options – I don’t think I have any of these to address

Arbitration – this is a big one, among the players eligible for arbitration are Kenny Campbell, Pancho Juarez and Katai Nishikawa.

Look at potential free agents - The biggest hole that I have to fill over the offseason will be the addressing weakness in the bullpen; hopefully I don’t make the same mistakes that I made in the last offseason and resign the same players.

[Muskies]

I arrived at the office early for my annual review meeting with Mr. Stuart. I went through the season in my head; we met his expectations by finishing over .500 and we ended the season with a $7 million profit, despite not making the playoff’s. The Stuarts took out $5.5 million of this to purchase a new yacht. For some reason we just can’t seem to take it to the next level, despite putting together what appears to be a pretty good roster. The glaring weakness was the bullpen, that despite my moves continued to finish at the bottom of the League. Is the staff or is it the coaching?

As I made my way down the hall to Mr. Stuarts suite, I suddenly became aware of the eerie calm through out the office. There wasn’t the usual chatter that would accompany the end of the World Series and the beginning of the work day. Dozen’s of thoughts raced through my mind;

“Did I not do enough?”
“ I haven’t had enough time, its only been two years”
“Did someone pass away?”

I took a deep breath and opened Mr. Stuarts door and inside were both Mgr. Jose Machado and Bench Coach Fred Flowers. Needless to say my heart rate ticked up another notch.

“Good Morning, Kage” said Mr. Stuart somberly, “Come on in and have a seat, it looks like it is going to be quite a day.”

I cautiously greeted both Jose and Fred as I sat down.

“We’ll let’s get right to it. Kage, both Jose and Fred have decided to retire from baseball.

A combination of shock and relief washed over me simultaneously. Calmly I replied, “I had no idea that this was even on the radar? What brought on this decision and why both?”

“Honestly, Mr. Marvin, both of us retiring together is a coincidence. I have been in the league since its inception in 1990 and decided it was time to slow down and spend some time with my family before it is too late.” said Jose.

“I stuck around an extra year for the Stuarts, to help guide the club in the right direction with the turmoil over the last couple of years,” replied Flowers, “but now it is time to move on.”

I paused a moment to collect my thoughts, “I mean it sincerely when I say that you will both be missed and I thank you for your service to the club and the City of Madison, you represented yourselves and the mallards well.

With that they shook hands and left to clean out their offices and lockers.

“Wow” I exclaimed after the door was closed.

“Yep,” said Mr. Stuart “You certainly have your work cut out for you. With the decision to let Hobbs (Pitching Coach) and Davies (Scout) go you have a lot of vacancies to fill. So I will keep the rest of this meeting short.

“First of all, Good news, the latest research shows that the Madison market has increased to “Very Big”. This should help keep the stands full and merchandise revenue coming in.”

“Secondly, I have decided to maintain the budget for next year at $134 million” I know you were hoping for more, but we would need a bigger market or a playoff run to justify a higher payroll. I know you understand.

“Let’s see if we can make the moves to take us to the next level. You continue to have my support. I am pleased with how the minor leagues are shaping up while still providing a solid product on the field.”

“Good Luck, Kage and we’ll see you in December at the Winter Meetings.”


This really came out of left field, I was already looking for a pitching coach and a new head scout; now I have to add Manager and Bench coach to the list. I immediately contacted my assistant, Ms. Gruber, to work on a list of available managers in addition to scouts and pitching coaches.


Jose Machado is 63 year old. He was hired at the end of last season. He has been in the league since 1990 and finished with a career managing record of 1052-1076, and qualified for the playoff’s five times.

Bench Coach Fred Flowers is 61. He has coaching in the ABL since its inception in 1990. His leadership has been valued and will be missed.

AAA Manager Jose Olivares has also decided to retire. He had been working his way up from the R league.

[Muskies]

A few more openings than was ready expecting, but what can you do.

Mallards
- Manager
- Bench Coach
- Pitching Coach
- Head Scout

AAA Louisville
- Manager
- Hitting Coach

AA North Berwick
- Manager

R Minneapois
- Manager

[Muskies]

Carlos Carrasco was a 7 time all star and 5 time batter of the year during is career.

[Muskies]

Doyle Ellis holds the career record of .956 OPS and was a former rookie of the year, 9 time all star, 3 time best fielder and 2 time batter of the year.

Ellis and Carrasco represent the first two ABL players to make it into the Hall of Fame.

[Muskies]

Phoenix Manager Bernie Embry was fired after a 1 ½ years. Last year he went 60 – 102

San Francisco Nolan Meredith was fired from San Francisco after one year. He went 85-77, but missed the playoff’s down the stretch. Nolan was previously the Mallards bench coach and manager for a year.

Indianapolis let go GM Orlando Cano after four years and no playoff appearances

Fresno let go manager Roman Ortiz after going 91-71, but finishing second in the division. Ortiz is a manager that will be in demand; he will certainly float to the top of many lists including ours. To top it off, he was the Mallard Pitching Coach for 10 years during which they made the playoff’s 5 times and won the World Series.

[Muskies]

Quickly offered contracts to the following:

Scout – Dwight Hamm
Pitching Coach – Francisco Robles

I quickly reviewed the list of the available personnel at the major league level and these three quickly floated to the top of the heap. I wasted no time getting in touch with their agents and offering them contracts.

Dwight Hamm quickly accepted my offer, the next day, to be the head scout for the Mallard’s Hamm is Legendary at scouting amateurs and Outstanding at scouting the Majors, Minors and International players. He his 65 years old and signed to a 4 year deal at $350,000 per year.

[Muskies]

The following players are salary arbitration eligible

SP – Jesus Baca (26/L/.5 of 1.5*) – 38.1 IP, 1-2, 4.46 ERA – Current salary $402k, Current estimate $650k, I will go with the estimate here.

SP – Kenny Campbell (26/R/4*) – 211 IP, 15-9, 3.11 ERA – Current salary $4.25M, initial offer is $7.825M, however, comparable pitchers in the ABL are in the 8 figure salary range. For a salary extension he is looking at 3 years @ $13.5 million per year. A reasonable salary, but currently out of my
reach with the current payroll; we will see.

SP – Arthur Jennings (27/R/2.5 of 3*) – 108 IP, 8-7, 5.00 ERA – Current Salary $402K, current estimate is $1.3 million. Estimate seems close, so that I will leave as is, I won’t be surprised if he comes out with a little more month.

SP – Pancho Juarez (25/R/4 of 4.5*) – 226.1 IP, 8-10, 3.14 ERA – Current Salary $402,000, current estimate $5.5M. He is looking for a three extension at $8.9 million. Another player I would like to get wrapped up for a few years. His record isn’t indicative of his potential, it is a function of the lack of offense the Mallards have had. I will take a wait and see, a similar talent would cost close to 8 figures.

MR – John Barnwell (27/R/2.5 of 3 *) – 99.2 IP, 5-0, 3.79 ERA – Current Salary $1.875M, current estimate $2M. I am going to stick with the $2million on this one.

MR – Jason Bowden (29/R/4*) – 10.2 IP, 0-0, 7.89 ERA – Current salary $723K, current estimate $800k. Bowden is currently on the AAA roster hopefully he can find his potential. No change to the estimate here.

MR – Juan Rios – (25/R/4 of 4.5*) – 42.1 IP, 0-6, 6.47 ERA – Current Salary $402K, current estimate $700K. Rios was a huge disappointment, I really had I hopes when I acquired him. I will not change the estimate and hope that a change in coaching will help out.

1B – Katai Nishikawa (24/L/5*) – 632 AB, .288/.341/.565 45 HR – Current Salary $402K, current estimate $6.3M. He has one more year of salary arbitration and is looking for a 4 year deal at $10M year. This is a difficult one, Orlando Vallejo is better defensively and strong hitter, in 60 games he hit .318 and 11 HR, but to have Nishikawa in the DH role is nice to have as well.

The following players are Free Agency Eligible

MR – Joe Snow (31/R/2.5*) – 54.1 IP, 7-5, 6 SV, 2.98 ERA – Current Salary is 1.9M, he is a nice piece to the bullpen, but expects to be in the closer, a role that I currently do not need filled.

CL – Mike Howell – (36/L/2.5*) – 59.2 IP, 9 SV, 4.58 ERA – Current salary is $7 M, we currently have Aquino in the closer role and Davila on his way up. No room for Howell, except maybe as a set up man, but not at the price he is going to be looking for.

SS – Greg Wilson – (31/R/1.5*) – 129 AB, .202/.323/.295, 2 HR, 2 SB Current Salary is $950,000 and I would like to keep him as a defensive substitute but I think that I can resign him in the offseason if I have the need.

[Muskies]

The Mallards Trade Aquino!!!

Both players seemed stunned as they cleaned out lockers this afternoon. They had just learned that Madison and Mesa had concluded a blockbuster trade. 31 year old closer Roberto Aquino went to the Monarchs and 27 year old reliever Alan Gilbert and 21 year old minor league closer Javier Tavares to the mallards. One of the players told reports, “Baseball’s a business. I know that. That doesn’t make the jolt of being traded any less painful.”

During his career Aquino has appeared in 374 games, saving 25.

Gilbert has parlayed 300 games and 368.1 innings of work into a 27-17 lifetime record with 18 saves and 320 strikeouts. In his career he has fashioned a 3.13 ERA with 320 strikeouts and 97 walks.

Mallard fans were not happy as over fan interest decreased from 97 to 94.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

This was a tough move to make, although I had been working up to this for a while. Aquino won three pitcher of the year awards as starting pitcher for us, but I just could justify carrying his $16 million salary for a closer. I will use his salary to extend Campbell and Juarez.

The addition of Gilbert should provided some added depth to the bullpen and Tavares looks to have the potential to be a rock star closer, but in the meantime I think Davila is ready to assume the closer role.

With Aquino’s salary off the roster my projected payroll for 2011 dropped to $82.3. I would like to keep payroll at or under $95 million, this will allow me some room for scouting, player development and a profit for the Stuarts.

[Muskies]

Manager Roman Ortiz has accepted the offer to manage the Mallards for 3 years at $720,000 per year

Pitching Coach Francisco Robles signed his offer for 5 years at $310,000 per year.

Signed Kenny Campbell to a three-year extension at $13 million per year that will take him through his first year after arbitration.

Signed Pancho Juarez to a three-year extension at about $8.5 million per year, also taking him into his first year after free agency.

I could have tried to go farther with these contracts, but I think by the last year of the contract and I will have pitchers coming up through the minor leagues.

This puts my current year payroll at $91.5 million, which doesn’t give me much room to maneuver, but I should have my rotation locked up fro the next couple of years.

[Muskies]

Given the moves I made and the extension that I filed there shouldn’t be as much activity this month. Items on the agenda:

- Announcing award winners
- Sign a bench coach and fill remaining coaching vacancies
- Salary Arbitration – Nishikawa will be the big one
- Rule 5 draft
- Look and review the free agent pool, with the primary focus on relievers

Signed Pitching Coach Fred Ladd to be the Bench Coach for the Mallards, my first choice was looking for a longer term and more money than the manager.
Signed Jorge Oliveira to Manage AA North Berwick
Signed Desi Chavez to be the AAA hitting coach
Signed Manual Hernandez to manage R Minneapolis

[Muskies]

Batting Title
NL – Shuichi Takeuchi (BAL ) - .358
AL – Cameron Parkinson (LA) - .370

Gold Glove Winners Announced

National League

Pitcher – Ernie Stewart – Mesa
Catcher – Elliot O’Malley – Baltimore
First Baseman – Monzaemon Matsumoto – Memphis
Second Baseman – Mark Wright – Columbus
Third Baseman – Wesley Mills – Austin
Shortstop – Larry Wagner – Tampa
Left Fielder – Gerardo Martinez - Madison
Center Fielder – Clyde Patterson - Mesa
Right Fielder – Otto Melton – Washington

American League

Pitcher – Melvin Higgins – Long Beach
Catcher – Tien-kai Chin – Philadelphia
First Baseman – Los Angeles
Second Baseman – Dave Cline – Los Angeles
Third Baseman – Pedro Ramos – San Jose
Shortstop – Paul Polk – Long Beach
Left Fielder – Scott Prince – Long Beach
Center Fielder – Greg Flowers – Los Angeles
Right Fielder - Bill Albert – Chicago

Congratulations to Mallard Gerardo Martinez for winning his first gold glove in Left Field at the age of 22, in his second full year at the Major League level.

Both Long Beach and Los Angeles had three players earn Gold Glove’s. World Series Champion Philadelphia had one.

Rookie of the year
NL – RF - Jack Jacobs – Memphis - .325, 79 H, 10 HR, 37 RBI, 46 R
AL – 2B – Jorge Quezada – Sacramento - .319/.399, 4 HR, 53 RBI, 79 R

Manager of the Year
NL – Jose Montoya – Charlotte 89-73, 2nd in the NL East
AL – Kerry Robertson – Philadelphia – 91-71 – World Series Title

Outstanding Pitcher
NL – Elton West – Memphis – 20-8, 3.11 ERA
AL – Brian Mallon – San Jose – 15-6, 3.49 ERA

Outstanding Batter
NL – Shuichi Takeuchi – Baltimore - .358/.478, 44 2B, 5 3B, 25 HR, 103 TBI, 131 R
AL – Jorge Lucero – Cleveland - .359, 38 2B, 34 HR, 118 RBI

Mallard Minor League Awards

Elias Murphy won the batting award for AA North Berwick. He hit .297, with 130 hits, 30 home runs, 97 RBIs, .431 OBP and 87 runs scored.

[Muskies]

Preparing for the upcoming Rule 5 Draft on December 1st I currently have a lot minor league players who will be eligible and I also have 40 men on my 40 man roster; so there is some clean up to do.

The Madison Mallards have released a statement confirming the trade of 24 year minor league first baseman Elians Murphy to the Fresno Icehawks for 19 year minor league right fielder Jose Collazo and 21 year old reliever Manuel Faris. The deal was finalized today.

[Muskies]

Results of Arbitration Hearings

- Jesus Baca to receive $650,000, no change
- Juan Rios to receive $700,000, no change
- Katai Nishikawa to receive $7.5M, offered $6.3M
- John Barnwell to receive $2M, no change
- Arthur Jennings to receive $1.3M, no change
- Jason Bowden to receive $1M, offered $800,000

After arbitration, my payroll for the upcoming year is $98.5 million, which doesn’t leave me a lot of room to add any free agents, without trading some payroll.

[Muskies]

Players file for free agency

With the filing of free agents we now have 38 players on the 40 man roster. I would like to get that down to 35. I put Jason Bowden back on the 40 man roster, Hamm really thinks he has the goods and I did bring on some better pitching coaches. Since he just got paid, he might as well be on the roster.

I also place AAA CL Mark Huporkorny on the 40 man roster bringing the total to 39.

[Muskies]

Madison, Cleveland make a deal

Everybody is overjoyed with a trade consummated today by the Madison Mallards and the Cleveland Ventueres. In the deal Madison go 29-year-old starting pitcher Jim Bright and 19-year-old minor league right fielder Walt Brown from Cleveland and dealt 34 year old reliever George Edmonds to the Ventureres. The general managers that made the swap are happy and the players are happy, too. One of the GMs commented, “this was a good swap for all concerned.”

This move was to clear out room on the 40 man roster.

Other League Moves

34 year old RF Clyde Kelly signed a two year $36.6 million deal with the Chicago White Sox. Kelly is a 7 time All-Star in the twilight of his career, prone to injury often (Wrecked).
32 year old SP Elton West signed a three year $60 million deal with the Memphis Wild Cats. West just won the pitcher of the year award, and a nice payday. Certainly he cashed in on the pitcher of the year award.
29 year old LF Sixto Chavez .343/27 HR 85 RBI, signed a 4 year $56.4 million deal with the Kansas City.
28 year old RF Connor Green signed a 7 year $113 million deal with Ft Worth
28 year old SP Jose Souza signed a 5 year deal at $77 million with Jacksonville
December 2010
30 year old 2B Scotty Dyer signed a 4 year deal at $17.6 million per year.

[Muskies]

I have quite a few players who are eligible, but I should have everyone protected who I want. I currently have 40 men on my 40 man roster, so I won’t be picking anyone up in the draft.

Last year I picked up Qi-Zhen Zhao (5-5, 4.52).

No one was selected in the Rule 5 draft

Once again, Winter meetings came and went without a move from the Mallards.