The Montreal Expos... Exposing the New MLB?

[Griever20]

How things came to pass...

Just some fiction, don't take things too serious.
Baseball was the nation’s first love. It was its soul. It represented the good in the United States. But, as it is, war changes things. Even before Pearl Harbor, some players got drafted into the army, and after the attack, many more MLB players joined the army and fought in World War II.

But what killed MLB? It was what we now know as the “Bloody Friday”. 30th of July, 1943 at Fenway Park. The game itself, the 44-44 Detroit Tigers visiting the 44-46 Boston Red Sox. Dizzy Trout would start for Detroit, and Tex Hughson for the Red Sox.

Looking for some distraction, the Park was at a capacity crowd, however things got brewing quite early. A group of around a thousand soldiers on shore leave were present and bullied their way into the ballpark, wanting to use their free time to see some ball, forcing civilians and baseball fans out of the park. With the game tied at 0-0 and Boston’s starting pitcher Tex Hughson leaving the ballgame in the top of the second with an injury, things got really ugly.

Some of the soldiers, already a bit drunk,barked at Hughson and called him a loser… and Boston left fielder Leon Culberson had a strong opinion on that. He went towards the stands… some words were exchanged… and before anyone could defuse the situation… a brawl ensued between the soldiers in attendance and both the baseball fans and the players.

Boston Police was called in, but things got outta hand quicky. Boston fans not in the park listened to the radio, heard what was going on, and converged on Fenway Park, same as the Military Police but… it could not be helped.

The “Bloody Friday” cost the lives of 32 people, and many more injured, including Boston Police and Military Police men that shot at each other.

With all of that, the ramifications were even worse. Trying to not hurt the morale of the fighting army, some of the soldiers were punished for excessive behaviour… but most of the blame was laid on baseball. As the already cash strapped Red Sox were hit by the government with a $10.000 fine, a lifetime ban from professional baseball for Leon Culberson and banned from having people in attendance for the rest of the year, baseball went on strike. The players left the field, and went on the streets to protest, along with various baseball fans from all teams.

However, that didn’t sway the Roosevelt administration in their direction, it made things worse for all of baseball. The teams were bleeding money, and over the course of ten days, the protest lost a lot of momentum… and then, things got worse.

To get all of this out of the way, a draft for a new law was made, banning professional baseball, paying out all MLB owners so that they can fold their teams debt free, and paying out all MLB players that accept the MLB Closure Act. Put through congress on August 12th, and put into effect for September 1st, it was official.

Professional Baseball was dead.

[Griever20]

Amateur Leagues popped up again at a high rate, but most of them had to be amateur in every sense of the word as the MLB Closure Act was very strict. No salary, no gate recipe, players have to have a main job. Leagues like the Texan Baseball League, the Bronx League, the Desert League and the Pacific Coast League got founded… and folded over the years, just to be founded again in a different structure, but with the same problems.

Years passed by, and while baseball was still in the hearts of the American people, it wasn’t in the radio, the television or the media. Some presidential candidates tried to bring the MLB Closure Act into their program, hoping to gather some extra votes into their campaign… but it wasn’t until 1997 when things got moving again.

In his second term, President Clinton was looking into some moves to get himself a legacy, and he found the right partner to do so. Michael Henderson, a rich transport tycoon that loved baseball ever since he played it in his home town of Boise every Sunday, disregarding cold and bad weather, was trying to move things.

He organised an All-Star Tournament from four Amateur Leagues and hosted it in Washington, and both President Clinton and Texan senator George W. Bush were in attendance for most of the games. They drew a huge crowd, and Henderson managed to get some TV coverage for free… a move that paid off for both sides as ratings were off the charts for a baseball game.

Two weeks later Henderson was invited to the White House, together with Joseph Chrétien, Prime Minister of Canada. Canada became a safe haven for baseball players of the years, allowing for a small, but professional league that was showing profit and attendance in Canada, but was banned from TV in the USA.

The three man spoke deep into the night… and the framework was laid. Canada provides the knowledge about how to run a professional league and gets up to four teams, Henderson got the job to organize teams from the USA, and the Clinton administration abolished the MLB Closure Act and provided financial support to ownership groups in need of new ballparks.

Target date for the league’s inaugural season was 2000… and they did it. 26 teams from the US and 4 from Canada reported for Spring Ball, and on March 30th, 2000, the Cincinnati Eagles and the Washington Nationals took the field to play the first game of the New Major League Baseball (NMLB).

[Griever20]

November 2nd, 2020

“It must be hard to be a Seahawks player and not like the taste of champaign right? The 2020 World Series winners will have their parade later today, starting around 10 a.m., through the streets of Denver. The first real true powerhouse of New MLB, the Seahawks reached have made the playoffs every year since 2007 and won six Trophies in this stretch, their last in 2016. They… static… click…”

Hard to believe it has been twenty years...

I was a 14 year old kid trying to learn how to play ball back then, something that turned out to be a lost cause. As a kid, I lost my heart to the Vancouver Canadians, my favorites in Canadian Baseball Association even before NMLB came along, but, together with my non existent skills as a player, my love for baseball had faded, and I only lifted a single beer when they finally won it all in 2014.
67-95… coming off a 100 loss season in 2019… embarrassing.

2014… the year when one of the greatest players of all time retired. Jose Casares, the “Pelo Buche”. A 5x MvP, 8 Silver Slugger, 13x All-Star and 1x Gold Glover. Still the league leader in career doubles and career WAR as well as runs scored. The first and so far only inductee in the league’s Wall of Legends. What a guy…

But I digress. After my failed attempt to become a ballplayer, I buried myself into my second love, and that was mathematics. A master’s degree in Maths and some hard work landed me a good job as senior analyst with a huge Canadian company in the financial industry. Good money, good colleagues, loads of future opportunities including the chance to take part in AI development.

And what do I do? Right, I spend my free on my home PC, calculating AI models about NMLB, writing blog posts about talent scouting via AI and sabermetrics, and evaluating draft picks using AI models and every stat available. And writing blogposts on how GM’s should do their work.

And where did that land me? Well…
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Expos fire GM McMahan
stadiumreport.bbn

October 28th, 2020

Stadiumreport.com's reporter Hannah Cats in Montreal was surprised today when she found a very irritated Bobby McMahan leaving Olympic Stadium carrying a box. Apparently the GM had just found out his services were no longer needed.

While not stopping to make a statement, McMahan apparently kept muttering something about being the first to escape a sinking ship. A veteran GM, Bobby McMahan was the one that build up the Oakland Oaks in 2000 to be fit for NMLB and shaped the team so that they could reach the playoffs in 2002 and all of that as one of the youngest GM’s in baseball. He let his contract expire in 2004 and walked away from baseball to pursue other things, but returned to baseball in 2015.

Taking over Montreal in 2015, he made some crucial moves to win the 2015 World Series, but most fans more or less now identify him with the slow decline from World Series winners to a hopeless 107 loss team. Yet, his reputation in the league is still excellent, and this may just be a case of “what have you done for me lately?”

[Griever20]

Out with the Old, In with the New: KC Martin Now GM of Montreal
stadiumreport.bbn

November 2nd, 2020

When Montreal made wholesale changes in the front office after last season, fans were left wondering in which direction their favorite club would head. The hiring of K.C. Martin simply led to more questions. The 34 year-old has no previous experience in baseball except for playing horrible baseball in high school and comes from a blue collar mathematics/analyst background for Aegis Insurances in Edmonton.

"I'm the new kid on the block. I know that I've got a lot to prove to you," conceded Martin. "When you take over a ballclub, you don't have an offseason. There are signings, trades, meetings, arbitration, drafting the right young players. It's a year-round job. There's a lot of positives here. We're going to try to build on those and field the best team we can. I have done a lot of research on NMLB, and I believe my outside view on things will help this team going forward"

“But,” he conceded, “ it will be a LOT of work to bring this ship on the right course.” Martin may be right about that. The Expos finished with a franchise record 107 losses for 2020 as well as the death of team founder Andy Buchanan at age 78.

Many say that while the father has brought Montreal the World Series ring in 2015, he also took out $619M out of the franchises coffers over the 20 years, so the fans were torn between happiness and hope this summer. His son Rick has taken over the reigns in June, but it remains to be seen if the younger Buchanan will continue to milk the Expos for every dollar possible, or give the new GM some breathing room.

He will need that one if they want to take a route towards the playoffs again as the team has taken a hard nose dive since the last playoff appearance in 2018. With the team locked into five more years of 3B Vince Roman(32, 3,5* OSA, .266/.348./483 30HR 90RBI 4.2WAR)'s contract that will probably get worse over the years and the botched arrival of #5 prospect SP Dan Hilton(21, 2,5/4* OSA; 0-6 6.57 44K 10GS 0.2WAR), who is deemed fragile by many scouts. As is their young ‘ace’ Bill Smith(24, 3.5/4*, 11-13 4.85 213K 2.5WAR).

That being said, the #3 prospect in baseball in shortstop Julian Hernandez(20, 1.5/5* OSA) is also in their hands. Signed as an international amateur free agent for a whooping $7.09M signing bonus, the Venezuelan spend his season in Short A Mill City, hitting .220/.280./292 3HR 12RBI 9SB with stellar defense.. but a cold bat. Apart from him, there is little to be excited about, so the young GM has to rebuild a dumpster fire of a Major League team and a weak farm system while working with a new owner… while being a total outsider. Enjoy the ride!
--

Well, here we are again. A little walk down the memory lane. The last time I really played OOTP was in early 2018, fairly active here in the forums. Then, a couple of strokes of fate in the close family and the consequences of them got me away from the game. Getting a full time job after finally finishing my studies got me away from watching baseball from Germany, and I never really got back into the game… until I installed OOTP 22 that I bought in a steam sale years ago on my Steam Deck two weeks ago and was glued to it again… so maybe I can get back into writing a fun dynasty?

Anyways, the setup (only things that were changed):

• 2014 League Totals
• 26 man Roster
• Infield Shifts Banned
• A lot of Scouting Discoveries (64 per year)
• 3 batter minimum for Relief Pitchers
• Delayed Injury Diagnosis: never
• Batter and Pitcher development speed: 1.1
• Prospect Rankings: Dynamic
• Minor League: 1x AAA, 1x AA, 1x A, 1x S A, 2x regular R, 1x All-Year Rookie League that starts in April with 140G
• Trading Reputation System Disabled

[Griever20]

November 7th, 2024

Normally, I would go through the following list of tasks on the first day of the offseason. This time, we will have to do this step by step and a bit more slowly, as the first bulletpoint already is a monumental task…

• Check for open overhead positions
• Make decisions on team options
• Arbitration decisions
• Make decisions about free agents/minor league free agents
• Take a look at the owner goals
• Take a look at the new budget
• Set up Development Facilities

Well, this one is going to be a bit different as there is a LOT of work to be done here.

1. Check for open overhead positions

When I arrived at work, I realized quickly that… I have no Assistant GM, no scouting director, a horrible manager and bench coach, and an average at best 3B Coach. After an hour, we also had no Manager and no Bench Coach as Maximiliano Beccatini as Manager also had to go, more on that in the news further down

Open Positions:
NMBL Montreal Expos:
Assistant GM
Scouting Director
Manager
Bench Coach
Pitching Coach
Hitting Coach
1B Coach

AA Golden Valley Blackbirds:
Hitting Coach

S A Mill City Stone Crabs:
Manager
Hitting Coach

R Dominican Farrar Silverbacks :
Manager

All-Year R Leadmine Canucks:
Manager
Pitching Coach
Hitting Coach

Let’s only talk about the big ones:
Scouting Director: We offered 56-year old Dave Gomez a 5-year deal worth $800.000 p.a.. He is rated Majors(Outstanding), Minors(LEGENDARY), International(Excellent), Amateurs(LEGENDARY) and favors tools. No MLB experience, worked for a high reputation College in the baseball department before.

Assistant GM: Alan Lehmann, 42-year old former scout of the San Diego Padres has excellent scouting ratings in every category and became a good friend of mine since he started writing me on Whatsapp after reading some of my blogposts. Was offered a 4y/$370k p.a. contract.

Manager: Another man I worked with in the past. Aaron McCreery was failed minor league guy that never reached the big show, but that has a shown a knack for management in a ten year career in the Mexican League. At 47-years of age, he has never managed in the big leagues as well, but he has some open business with NMLB. Was offered a 5y/$870k p.a. contract.

Bench Coach: A hint from our center fielder Brian Schill brought me. Jose Rivera, 45-years of age, worked at the North Dakota State University and was looking for a new challenge. Rated good to excellent in most defensive categories, he will really help us out. Was offered a 3y/$230k p.a. contract.

Pitching Coach: 39-year old John Santangelo, a very personable guy from Amarillo, Texas was offered to us by a headhunter. Legendary in his craft, and excellent in Development, mechanics and aging, we hit him up with a 3y/$350k p.a. contract.

Hitting Coach: The market was shallow, but 36-year old former NMLB player Rafael Jimenez caught our eye. The man worked the last five years in the DR and produced stunning results (more stunning than his .263/.336/.333 -0.2WAR career in NMLB in 56 games). Was offered a 3y/$270k p.a. contract.

First Base: If everything works according to plan, our new hitting coach Rafael Jimenez brings a friend with him… Enrique Alvarez. An outstanding fielding coach for the infield, and a failed minor league career… perfect. Was offered a 5y/$125k p.a. contract.

As for the minor league positions, we will try to fill them up with the best available candidates, focus on the All-Year Rookie league as this is one of the most important pieces of an organization in my opinion.

• Make decisions on team options
• Arbitration decisions
• Make decisions about free agents/minor league free agents
• Set up Development Facilities
  DELAYED UNTIL SCOUTING DEPARTMENT IS FULLY OPERATIONAL, will do a full team analysis then

• Take a look at the owner goals

Play close to .500 ball
Challeging, and I don’t think it’ll work or be wise to do so. We need to stack up our minor league system BADLY, and that will only be able by a.) trading every warm body for prospects in the next 12 months, and b.) having a monster of a draft in 2021.

Improve you team On-Base Percentage
We had the league’s lowest OBP of .298 so… and hopefully, our new hitting coach(if he signs) will do some good, he is highly OBP focussed.

Acquire a Pitcher of the Year Award Winner
Only if he is bad, cheap and on a 1y deal dude, I’m not spending $20M+ p.a. on a guy to improve a 107 loss team, sorry.

Increase attendance from 25.903 to 39.000 per game
That one will be hard without a winning season or some exciting players joining us, but I feel that spending money for the sake of getting attendance up, but then not reaching the playoffs is stupid

Improve your international amateur finds
That will be up to our new scouting director

Keep building the tream up, in order to reach the playoffs in the next 5 seasons
Aye aye

• Take a look at the new budget

We got slashed $6M from 2020 to 2021, unsurprisingly as the Gate Revenue dropped by $21M compared to 2019. The first thing I did was to raise the player development expanses to the maximum of $27M and the scouting expanses up to $18M. With roughly $5M expected additional expanses for new staff members, we would be around $33M in the green to spend.

Comparing that to the rest of the league, out budget is ranked 25th out of 30. The Atlanta Minuteman have the lowest budget with $152M, the Houston Astros the highest with $292M.


As for the franchise itself, we are an average market size team with good fan loyalty, and a fan interest indicator of 72. That may change.

---

Skipper Maximiliano Beccatini Out in Montreal
stadiumreport.bbn

November 2nd, 2020

The Montreal Expos and Maximiliano Beccatini have parted ways. It was announced today by club officials that Maximiliano Beccatini had been dismissed as the team's manager.

Expos GM Smith told reporters that "it was time for a fresh start. We of the new administration certainly value the person that is Maximiliano Beccatini high, and wish him all the best for his future."

Beccatini told stadiumreport.bbn that he is "proud of what has been accomplished in my tenure as the Expos manager. We have a better club now than when I first got here. I'm just sorry it ended this way."
stadiumreport.bbn expert Kevin Rosenvalley had a different take on that for us tho. He told us that “Beccatini has now managed four years in NMLB, three with the NMBL San Fran Red Devils and one with NMBL Montreal, has not had a winning season, and a career record of 253-395. That is not the sign of a good manager, and I don’t expect him to get another job soon.”

News:
The San Diego Padres let go of their GM Danny Nelson today. The 57-year old veteran of 15 seasons started his NMLB GM career with the Jacksonville Patriots and shaped the team when the league was founded, leading them to their first playoff berth in 2002. After four years there, he had a brief stint with the Nationals 2008-2010 where he made the playoffs once, and now his eight year tenure with San Diego comes to a close. While he managed to reach the playoffs 2x via the WC games, he never managed to build a real winner here.

It was also the last day at the office for Los Angeles Angels GM Mike Rosenthal. After five years in the saddle, reaching the playoffs in the first three years, the team took quite a nosedive down to 93 losses and Rosenthal was blamed for the development, and the dead contracts of 1B Austin Stoddard(36, 2.5*, .225/.268/.416 32HR 86RBI -1.3WAR), $26.4M this season, and SP Trevor Roark(32, 2.5*, 8-15 5.25 166K 32GS 0.9WAR), $25.2M this and next year.

Also looking for a new job is Calgary Beavers GM James Smith. The 64-year old was able to build the 2nd best offense in the Western League, but had the worst starting rotation in baseball. During his six years, he only managed to make the playoffs once in 2017, and while the offensive output of his teams always was formidable, run prevention always was a problem.

[Griever20]

November 5th – First Base Coach Enrique Alvarez agrees to contract

November 6th – Manager Aaron McCreery, Pitching Coach John Santangelo and Assistant GM Alan Lehmann agree to their contracts. Bench Coach Jose Rivera got another team bidding for him, we raised our offer to 3y/$295k

November 7th- Hitting Coach Rafael Jimenez got another team hot on his tail… 3y/$345k new offer.

November 7th - Los Angeles Angels LF Stephen Baczewski(26, 3.5*) has just signed a big 5y/$90.6M extension with his club. The 2012 3rd overall pick is a 2x Silver Slugger and 2018 All-Star and is coming off a .281/337./464 19HR 66RNI 3.1WAR season with the team.

November 8th – We are up to 3y/$375k with Rivera as bench coach now. Scouting Director Dave Gomez agreed to his contract! We sent him to get a closer look to our big assets and improve the scouting accuracy on them.

November 8th – Denver Seahawks CF Ricardo Acosta(35, 3.5*) was allowed to sign a 3y/$44.1M extension with year three being a vesting option requiring 135 games. Given that Acosta has only reached that mark in three of the last six years, that could be a tough ask. The 6x World Series winner, 3x Gold Glover, 1x Silver Slugger and 3x All-Star has hit .274/.358/.437 11HR 67RBI 19/22SB 5.5WAR in 144 games this year.

Full Roster Analysis – Montreal Expos - Pitching

Starting Pitching

NMBL LHSP Bill Smith(24, 3* HS, 3/3.5* OSA, 11-13 4.85 213K 33GS 2.5WAR) - $500k
A 12th rounder in 2015, the teamgrown lefty features a 95-97mph fastball with a plus plus splitter and a decent curve, sinker and a waste pitch changeup. Stuff is definitely above average, but the main concern with him is not the ability to pitch good, it is to stay on the field. Our team trainer rates him as fragile. He will be under team control for a while and has performed quite well last season given the circumstances. Verdict: KEEP

NMBL RHSP Dan Hinton(21, 2.5/4* HS, 2.5/4.5* OSA, 0-6 6.57 44K 10GS 0.2WAR) - $500k
The #5 prospect in baseball and a good reason why the former GM needed to go. Hinton got called up after 2 starts in AA in 2020 and was surprisingly blown to pieces… An extreme groundballer with mid 90’s zip on his sinking fastball, and a good slider and changeup with a still developing curveball, but with a lot of control issues. Should probably start the year 2021 in AAA. The only red flag… fragile… Drafted 21st overall in 2017. Verdict: KEEP

NMBL RHSP Sam Griffin(27, 3*, 8-13 4.60 97K 35G/20GS 133IP 3.0WAR) - ARBITRATION
What the hell. You got a 3.0 WAR player, a 2019 EL All-Star as a starter, and put him into the bullpen… Yep, the old manager deserved to be fired. Griffin however, does not. He is a control artist by trait, generating a lot of groundballs by hitting the perfect pitch despite little speed on his sinker. Acquired in the 9th round, 263rd overall in the 2014 draft. Verdict: KEEP

NMBL LHSP Frank Montoya(26, 2.5*, 8-16 4.40 202K 32GS 3.7WAR) - ARBITRATION
Montoya ’s bread and butter is his splitter that gets him some solid strikeouts and he had a strong 2020, pitching to a 3.97FIP on a losing team. He can go deep into games and has average control and movement on his pitches. Acquired via Trade from Memphis at the 2019 trade deadline. Verdict: KEEP/SELL HIGH

NMBL RHSP Jon Marquardt(22, 2.5*, 1-6 5.04 51K 13HGS 0.2WAR) - $500k
A Rule 5 Draftee from the Boston Aeros last winter, he lost the first half of the season due to shoulder inflammation and was not great in the second half. His main pitch is a mid-90’s fastball with some junky offspeed stuff, but some solid control. Young, but already fragile and with 45/80 Stamina not the biggest workhorse in our staff. Maybe better suited as a long reliever out of the pen Verdict: KEEP/SELL HIGH

NMBL RHSP Victor Lopez(26, 2.5*, 1-2 4.40 3GS 14K 0.0WAR) - $500k
Another throwaway starter, signed as a minor league free agent in 2017. He has a strong ++ fastball and a good cutter, but the circle change he uses tends to not create enough speed difference to make it not hittable. He was parked in AAA (8-1 4.13 146K 2.5WAR) and also is controllable, but nothing special. Verdict: KEEP/SELL HIGH

NMBL RHSP/RP Danny Camp(35, 2*, 4-7 1SV 4.41 90K 32G/14GS 1.0WAR) - $8.4M FREE AGENT
Part of the 2015 World Series winning team as a starter, Camp has nothing more to offer as a starter. Verdict: LET GO
AAA RHSP Adrian Hilscher(20, 2.5*, 3-6 8.21 53K 14G/12GS -0.2WAR MLB) - $500k
Hilscher got a taste of the big league and didn’t like it one bit. He got lit up badly as his 95-97mph fastball worked well, but his offspeed stuff was waay to hittable. His body is for once, not fragile and he may live to see another season, but again, nothing special. Verdict: KEEP/SELL HIGH

R Dominican LHSP Brett Asselin(21, 1.5/5*,0-1 4.20 18K 3GS 0.8WAR R) – minor league contract
Asselin was our first rounder out of Notre Dame University this year and got a quiet little start in R ball. Recently named the #11 prospect in the postseason list by Baseball America, the llefty is already throwing a mid 90’s fastball with a potential ace level changeup and some amazing control potential. Blue chip prospect by both Dave G. and the OSA, we will have to monitor him closely. Acquired via 1st round draft pick, 11th overall in 2020. Verdict: KEEP

R Mexican RHSP Omar Dias(16, 0,5/4.5*,DNP) – minor league contract
A scouting discovery by the previous headscout, Dave G. loves the kid as well. Throws in the low 90’s and projects more as a finesse pitcher with 80 rated control, his fastball is nothing special but the changeup will be a beast. Could struggle with home runs in the future. Not on Baseball America’s top 100 prospect list. Verdict: KEEP

Honorable Mention AAA LHSP Rich Nelson(25, 2.5*, 8-12 3.39 148K 27GS 3.7WAR AAA) – minor league contract
Honorable Mention INT RHSP Adrian Hernandez(16, 0.5/4*, DNP) – international complex


Smith and Hinton are locked for this offseason at least, and so are the two top prospects. Everyone else… can be replaced as we have five 2.5* pitchers on the depth chart and still can look into free agency or the waiver wire.

Left-Handed Relief Pitching

NMBL LHRP Dusty Leone(24, 3*, 1-4 4SV 4.87 58 57.1IP 0.6WAR) - ARBITRATION
Our one pure lefty reliever in the pen. Throws a fastball and a changeup with groundball tendency and and does so with a sub 4 FIP. Not a superstar, but a solid arm at least. At age 24, he is now arbitration eligible, and could be a nice asset for us… or for a trade. 2nd round pick, 48th overall in the 2015 draft. Verdict: KEEP/SELL HIGH

S A LHRP Joe Herzer(22, 2.5/3*, 3-2 19SV 1.12 36K 32IP 0.9WAR S A) – minor league contract
According to Dave G. Herzer may not be that far away from the majors as one could think. A dynamite slider and a decent sinker with sidearm motion make him a standout lefty already. His sinker needs work, but he should be close and could be in our pen someday next year. Acquired in the 5th round of the 2019 draft, 149th overall. Verdict: KEEP/SELL HIGH


Right-Handed Relief Pitching

NMBL RHCL Ryan Rasbach(29, 4*, 4-4 25SV 3.52 82K 61.1IP 2.0WAR) - ARBITRATION
We have our very own 2x All-Star! A great fastball with one of the best curveballs in all of baseball, Rasbach lacks one thing to be an absolute elite close… control. He never got below 4.0BB/9 in four NMLB seasons. Still, he is the most talented player on our NMLB roster relative to his position, and he got 2 more years of arbitration left… Signed on a minor league contract in 2016. Verdict: KEEP and EXTEND OR TRY TO SELL HIGH

NMBL RHRP Adam Rudolph(22, 2.5*, 0-1 0SV 6.52 14K 9.2IP 0.1WAR) - $50k
A young, controllable arm with decent control and movement, a fastball that can hit triple digits and a good curve. Kinda underrated for his skillset, he should be around for a while. Acquired via trade from NMBL Toronto in 2017 Verdict: KEEP

NMBL RHRP Jesus Romero(30, 2.5*, 0-3 2SV 5.50 80K 75.1IP -0.4WAR) - FREE AGENT
Cost us $950k, replacement level RP. Verdict: LET GO

NMBL RHRP/SP Bill Wells(33, 2.5*, 1-6 4.99 59K 25G 4GS 61.1IP -0.2WAR) - FREE AGENT
Not worth the risk now, we got him as a minor league free agent in 2018. Verdict: LET GO

Honorable Mention R RHRP Bill Bell(20, 2/3*, 1-2 2SV 1.95 24G 27.2IP 1.0WAR R) – minor league contract

Shortened up things here a bit… the right-handed reliever pool made me depressed… We have a closer tho! Most of the other arms were covered as starters. AAA is stashed with relievers that will be running out of contract at the end of the year… we can stash up on them again on minor league contracts id say.

• Make decisions on team options

Pitching – none

• Arbitration decisions - Pitching

NMBL RHCL Ryan Rasbach(29, 4*) offered a 3y/$12.3M contract to buy out arbitration years under estimate.
NMBL RHSP Sam Griffin(27,3*) Offered a 4y/$13.25M extension, buying out 3 arbitration years and the first free agent year under current arbitration estimates
NMBL LHRP Dusty Leone(24, 3*) Offered a 1y/$1.3M deal.
NMBL LHSP Frank Montoya(26, 2.5*) NON-TENDERED

• Make decisions about free agents/minor league free agents - Pitching

NMBL RHSP/RP Danny Camp(35, 2*) – LET GO
NMBL RHRP Jesus Romero(30 ,2.5*) – LET GO
The minor league free agent list is stacked, so I’ll skip those this year…

• Set up Development Facilities Pitching

NMBL LHSP Bill Smith(24, 3* HS, 3/3.5* OSA) ->> Strength and Conditioning
R Dominican LHSP Brett Asselin(21, 1.5/5*) -> Secondary Pitch Improvement
NMBL RHSP Dan Hinton(21, 2.5/4* HS, 2.5/4.5* OSA) -> Increase Pitch Movement
R Mexican RHSP Omar Dias(16, 0,5/4.5*,DNP) -> Improve Control
INT RHSP Adrian Hernandez(16, 0.5/4*) -> Secondary Pitch Improvement

[Griever20]

Full Roster Analysis – Montreal Expos - Position Players

Catcher

NMBL C Steve Fitch(29, 2.5*, .281/327/.367 1HR 9RBI 41G 0.5WAR) - $11.8M
Part of the 2015 World Series winning squad, Fitch was able to cash in a career season in 2017 into a 5y/$43M contract that will pay him $11.8M in 2021 and 2022. The problem is, he is not a 3+ Win player with the bat. His defensive ability is above average including his framing, but $11.8M worth? Acquired in the 8th round in the 2010 draft, 243rd overall. Verdict: SELL IF POSSIBLE

NMBL C Danny Tutton(28, 2.5*, .241/295/.422 17HR 38RBI 127G 1.7WAR) - $500k
Our primary catcher for 2020, Tutton is another really good defensive catcher and especially an elite pitch blocker, but his bat is not elite, and he is not well liked in the clubhouse as he reportedly can be a little arrogant. He will be under team control for the next years, and 17 homers in 127G with good defense is not too bad. Acquired via trade with Toronto at the 2019 trade deadline. Verdict: KEEP

A C Alex Taylor(23, 2/2.5*, .241/.281/.311 4HR 24RBI 103G 1.0WAR A) - $500k
The kid was placed on the 40-man to protect him for the Rule 5 draft, and now has 2 options left. Also a solid defensive catcher, he still has work to do on his bat, but projects as another solid catching option. Could be a backup next season if we get rid of Fitch somehow. Acquired in the 1st round of the 2015 draft, 15th overall. Verdict: KEEP

Honorable Mention A C Elias Mendia(22, 2.5*, .236/.298/.409 4HR 8RBI 66G 0.3WAR A) – minor league contract
Honorable Mention S A C Kevin Craddock(24, 2.5*, .265/.375/.323 1HR 12RBI 46G 1.9WAR S A) – minor league contract
Need to get rid of the dead money that is Fitch as we have a lot of similar options on the 40-man and in the minors. All replacement level catchers tho.

Infield

NMBL 1B Devin Funk(30, 2.5*, .214/.267/.381 20HR 59RBI 125G -1.8WAR) - ARBITRATION
Part of the 2015 World Series winning squad, another bust. He never was a regular and the 125G were a career high. Left handed batter. He is arbitration eligible but projects for more than $3M… Maybe his best days are behind him? Acquired in the 2nd round of the 2012 draft, 46th overall. Verdict: NON-TENDER?

NMBL 1B Alfonso Flores(28, 2/2.5*, .156/.206/.289 7HR 23RBI 67G -2.3WAR) - $8.9M
Jep, $8.9M for a .156 clip. The further down we go the depth chart, the more we find mediocre players that got millions of dollars. That being said, Flores has some street cred as he hit 34/34/29 home runs in 2017-2019 and won a All-Star Nomination in 2017. Could be a DH with his 60/60 power grade, but will whiff a lot. International FA signing in 2009. Verdict: SELL IF POSSIBLE

NMLB 1B/3B Andy Conn(29, 2.5*, .238/.331/.379 15HR 41RBI 137G 0.2WAR) – $6.4M
Not his best season as he hit 26 home runs at a .801OPS clip in 2019. His batting eye is really above average tho and he goes deep into counts, landing as high as a .374 OBP in 2018. Problem is… our former GM signed him to a 5y/$41.6M extension that will escalate up to $11.2M in 2023/24. Can someone kill me please. Verdict: SELL IF POSSIBLE

AAA 1B Dan Cook(27, 2.5*, .268/.347/.427 6HR 35RBI 76G 1.3WAR) - $500k
Being a switch-hitting 1B, Cook is a rare breed that should be another cheap option for our NMLB squad for next year. He has amassed 1.3+WAR in each of his three AAA seasons 2018-2020 and only got a callup once. A well rounded hitter with no reals strength, we will keep an eye on him . Acquired in the 12th round o the 2011 draft, 365th overall. Verdict: KEEP

NMLB 2B Brent Lynn(27, 2.5*, .223/.266/.339 10HR 42RBI 112G 0.8WAR) - $6.9M
A defensive mastermind up the middle, the right-handed batter collected a career high 4.4WAR in 2018 and an All-Star selection and could be a very valuable asset on any team, but there are red flags. He missed 50 games this year due to injury and our team trainer calls him “fragile”. Worse, the previous GM signed him to a escalating 5y/$45.5M contract with the final year being a $12.2M team option… 1st round pick in 2013, 14th overall. Verdict: SELL IF POSSIBLE

AA 2B Jeff Witherell(23, 2.5*, .277/.332/.442 8HR 28RBI 74G 3.3WAR between S A and AA) – minor league contract
An example for a minimum contract replacement. Good defensive 2B, can hit a bot, and won’t make $8.9M. 6th rounder in 2018, 178th overall. Verdict: KEEP

NMLB 3B Vinny Roman(32, 3.5*, .266/.348/.483 30HR 90RBI 149G 4.2WAR) – $19.8M
Our highest earner and best player on the roster, the 32-year old is a 4x All-Star and 3x Silver Slugger. Signed as a free agent prior to the 2020 season for a 6y/$109.6M contract that gets a bit more team friendly towards the end, he has led the league in RBI’s 3x with the Memphis Bolts and hit 25+ home runs in eight major league seasons. He would be a major contributor for any contender… but what to do with him. Verdict: UNSURE

NMLB SS Jose Robles(26, 2.5*, .248/.297/.333 2HR 13RBI 49G 0.4WAR) – $500k
A carbon copy of our 2B Brent Lynn, great defensive player, solid bat, maybe a bit worse, but at least under team control for a while. Can play second and shot and definitely improved his hitting compared to his 2019. His calling card is the glove tho. Signed on a minor league contract in 2017. Verdict: KEEP

NMBL UT Victor Estrada(26, 2.5*, .266/.345/.438 11HR 30RBI 94G 0.8WAR) - $500k
The young right-handed batter does not have the power potential of a traditional 1B, but can hit for solid contact and is a well-rounded defender that can play all four infield positions. Will be under team control for a long time and can be very useful as a utility player or in a platoon situation. Verdict: KEEP

S A SS Julian Hernandez(21, 1.5/5*, .220/.280/.292 3HR 12RBI 9/12SB 65G 3.3WAR S A) minor league contract
The #3 prospect in all of baseball. A right-handed hitter with solid speed, a good glove for second and short, and a bat that projects for 30+ home runs with a .280 batting average, Hernandez can become a major star and cornerstone for the franchise. We will have to keep a close eye on his development as we have to think about where to put him for 2021? Single A, All-Year R for AB’s? We will see. Verdict: KEEP

This crop of infielders does make things worse... THOSE CONTRACTS ARE CRAZY. Navigating them will be hard, I doubt there is loads of value in those players. Vinnie Roman is an interesting conundrum as he is a really good player, but won’t be productive anymore when we are in contention again…

Outfield

NMBL LF/RF Karl Ferguson(25, 3/3.5*, .234/.320/.418 23HR 61RBI 137G -0.5WAR) - $500k
Going into his last year of minimum salary, Ferguson is an important part of our team as he is our second best hitter by talent and rightfully won the 2019 RL Rookie of the Year, batting .304/.399/.559 34HR 104RBI 5.5WAR, topping that with an All-Star nomination. He failed to repeat that in 2020, but his talent is there. A .300 batting average might be a stretch, but he could be a contributor in the future. 1st Round pick in 2013, 15th overall. Verdict: KEEP

NMBL LF/RF Steve Tedder(24, 2/2.5* HS 2.5* OSA, .171/.212/.276 2HR 2RBI 20G -0.6WAR) - $500k
Another replacement level player. Decent hiter with some power, he got the callup after batting for a .947OPS clip in AAA and struggled, but could be an option for 2021. His defense limits him pretty much to left. 21st rounder in 2014, 623rd overall. Verdict: KEEP

NMBL LF/RF Jaime Ortega(27, 2* HS 2.5* OSA, .205/.254/.314 15HR 48RBI 149G -2.2WAR) - ARBITRATION
Good contract bat with above average defense in left, but no other redeeming qualities. Two years away from a .263/.305/.372 13 HR 40RBI ‘career year’, but Dave G. does not like him one bit. Due for $1.1M in arbitration Verdict: MAYBE NON-TENDER?

NMBL CF/LF/RF Brian Schill(26, 2.5*, .247/.285/.472 28HR 64RBI 149G 2.7WAR) - $500k
Whoa. Those 28 home runs certainly weren’t in the scouing report as he more projects as a doubles hitter, but somehow, some doubles found the fence. The truth is somewhere between 2020 and his 2019 slashline (.244/.291/.382 8HR), but as someone that can play all three outfield positions and especially center field. Minor league free agent signing. Verdict: KEEP

AAA LF Jason Antonsen(28, 2.5*, .247/.359/.310 3HR 23RBI 110G 2.3WAR AAA) - $500k
Cheap AAA option, projects as a high contact guy (65 potenzia) with low power. Outfield ratings aren’t great, pretty much limited to LF. Verdict: KEEP
Shallow group, everything below Jason Antonsen is rated 2* in our minor league system…

• Make decisions on team options

Hitting – none

• Arbitration decisions – Position Players

NMBL 1B Devin Funk(30, 2.5*) NON-TENDERED
NMBL LF Jaime Ortega(27, 2*) NON-TENDERED

• Make decisions about free agents/minor league free agents - Position Players

The minor league free agent list is stacked, so I’ll skip those this year…

• Set up Development Facilities Position Players

S A SS Julian Hernandez(21, 1.5/5*) -> Quality of Contact

[Griever20]

Expos Start Wheeling and Dealing Early
stadiumreport.bbn

November 10th, 2020

The new Expos GM surely wasted no time, trying to reshape the team’s roster via trade… or dumping salary.

In a move that has fans in both cities buzzing, the Montreal Expos and the Jacksonville Patriots have agreed to a deal that will have 27-year old SS Brent Lynn(2.5*) heading to Jacksonville in exchange for 26-year old 2B Franklin Reyes(2.5*). Provided they pass a physical, the deal should go through

Lynn has chalked up a career batting average of .254 with 593 hits, 65 homers and 267 RBIs and was an All-Star in 2018, but is coming off a weak 2020 and is locked up in a 5y/$45.5M deal. Reyes on the other hand has not gotten a chance in NMLB but is coming off a good AAA campaign, hitting .278/.329/.462 6HR 41RBI’s in 54 games for the Jacksonville organization.

Proving the old adage that one man's trash is another man's treasure, the Expos announced today the acquisition of 27-year old LF Brian Oatley(2.5*) from the Cincinnati Eagles in exchange for 29-year old 1B Andy Conn(2.5*). "This isn't the deal of the century," acknowledged the Expos, "but we think it will improve the direction of both teams."

Lifetime Conn is hitting .270 with 608 hits, 90 home runs, 329 runs scored and 294 RBIs. The corner outfielder is on a 5y/$41.6M till 2024. Oatley is coming off a .267./307./.444 11HR 51RBI 936G year in AAA and is regarded as a similar talent level as most Expos outfielders.




Got rid of some of the salary, and trusting our scouting department, we traded for equal talent here. No valid trade options on 1B Alfonso Flores or C Steve Finch so far.
Overall, there are 7 teams in “Win now!” mode, and one team in “Rebuilding” mode… that’s us. Problem is, no one wants our junk that badly that they would give up a quality prospect. Time to reevaluate that when the free agents are out.

[Griever20]

2020 Gold Glove Winners

Pitcher
EL - Atlanta Minuteman SP Eddie Aguilera Jr.(23, 4/4.5*) 17-7 3.12 219K 34GS 4.5WAR – 1st Award
WL – Vancouver Canadians SP Burgess Streen(29, 3*) 7-13 4.59 166 34G 3.3 WAR - 6th Award

Catcher
EL – Chicago Rangers C Jesus Jaramillo(26, 4*) .257/.330/.504 31HR 94RBI’s 128G 4.1WAR +1.4 ZR 1.085 EFF – 1st Award
WL – Sacramento Cavaliers C Roger Lindemann(29, 3*) .259/.300/.394 12HR 48RBI’s 113G 1.3WAR +0.0 ZR 0.886 EFF – 4th Award

First Base
EL Miami Marlins 1B Sam Fitzmaurice(31, 3*) .283/.341/.496 28HR 93RBIs 149G 3.5WAR +5.9 ZR 1.053 EFF – 1st Award
WL San Francisco Red Devils 1B Angel Sanchez(34, 3*) .267/.356/.437 12HR 61RBIs 139G 1.9WAR +5.3 ZR 1.071 EFF – 1st Award


Second Base
EL Houston Astros 2B Dave Sanchez(26, 3.5*) .238/.314/.429 23HR 68RBIs 151G 3.6WAR +14.3 ZR 1.057 EFF – 1st Award
WL San Diego Padres 2B Gary McBride(29, 4*) .299/.400/.531 29HR 109RBIs 150G 6.4WAR +8.9 ZR 1.080 EFF – 2nd Award


Third Base
EL Montreal Expos 3B Vince Roman(32, 3.5*) .266/.348/.483 30HR 90RBI 149G 4.2WAR +6.4 ZR 1.043 EFF – 1st Award
WL Las Vegas Gamblers 3B Edwin Suarez(26, 3*) .278/.346/.423 17HR 72RBI 151G 2.7WAR +3.5 ZR 1.015 EFF – 2nd Award

Shortstop
EL Houston Astros SS Kenny Reedy(27, 3*) .233/.314/.362 12HR 45RBI 150G 2.5WAR +18.2 ZR 1.081 EFF – 1st Award
WL Denver Seahawks SS Justin Tears(32, 2,5*) .238/.327/.320 5HR 36RBI 117G 1.4WAR +9.1 ZR 1.084 EFF – 2nd Award Let’s hope he wasn’t just in tears when he got the news…

Left Field
EL New York Mets LF David Steiner(25, 3*) .275/.319/.475 29HR 99RBI 148G 2.7WAR +5.7ZR 1.033 EFF – 1st Award
WL Denver Seahawks LF Jay Blackson(26, 3*) .235/.332/.483 36HR 108RBI 153G 3.2WAR +4.8ZR 1.025 EFF – 1st Award

Center Field
EL Detroit Trains CF Pedro Figueroa(28, 3.5*) .287/.353/.453 13HR 64RBI 147G 4.9WAR +19.6ZR 1.100 EFF – 2nd Award
WL Arizona Diamondbacks CF Josh Haddad(26, 2.5*) .267/.341/.435 21HR 61RBI 147G 5.3WAR +16.3ZR 1.063 EFF – 1st Award

Right Field
EL Miami Marlins RF Ricky Osorto(26, 3*) .282/.376/.426 16HR 75RBI 152G 4.2WAR +10.2ZR 1.078 EFF – 1st Award
WL Sacramento Cavaliers RF Byron Patterson(24, 2.5/3*) .263/.312/.408 22HR 66RBI 149G 2.0WAR +11.6ZR 1.095 EFF – 1st Award

2020 Reliever of the Year

EL - Detroit Trains RHCL Nelson Cardenas(29, 3*) 4-6 48SV 1.78 81IP 1.8WAR– 1st Award
WL – Las Vegas Gamblers RHRP Mike Fluegel(42, retired) 7-2 9SV 2.18 57.2IP 1.5WAR - 6th Award Just so you know, former starter, 2x Pitcher of the Year, 2x World Series Winner, 18x All-Star… future Wall of Legends player.

2020 Silver Slugger Award Winner

Catcher
EL – Pittsburgh Kings C Elias Mora(27, 5*) .283/.357/.594 39HR 114RBI’s 130G 6.3WAR – 2nd Award, leads EL in WAR, SLG
WL – San Francisco Red Devils C Danny Smith(25, 4.5*) .303/.350/.538 31HR 91RBI’s 134G 5.1WAR – 1st Award

First Base
EL Chicago Rangers 1B Justin Farrell(25, 4*) .302/.374/.579 39HR 112RBIs 154G 4.5WAR – 1st Award, leads EL in OPS
WL San Francisco Red Devils 1B Miguel Martinez(29, 5*) .307/.394/.638 54HR 132RBIs 156G 6.8WAR – 4th Award, leading WL in WAR, OPS, SLG, R and a free agent this winter

Second Base
EL Philadelphia Grizzlies 2B Fidel de Leon(28, 4*) .294/.367/.567 31HR 101RBIs 130G 6.1WAR – 3rd Award
WL San Diego Padres 2B Gary McBride(29, 4*) .299/.400/.531 29HR 109RBIs 150G 6.4WAR– 1st Award, also won Gold Glove

Third Base
EL New York Mets 3B Bernie Castillo(24, 3*) .325/.383/.498 22HR 97RBI 151G 5.0WAR – 1st Award, leads the EL in AVG, Hits
WL San José Killer Whales 3B Jim Davis(25, 3.5*) .305/.383/.499 25HR 90RBI 144G 5.1WAR – 1st Award

Shortstop
EL Washington Nationals SS Brandon Slaughter(25, 4/4.5*) .278/.342/.544 33HR 90RBI 125G 5.4WAR – 1st Award
WL Seattle Mariners SS Giobbe De Meo(29, 3.5*) .290/.368/.499 25HR 98RBI 149G 4.4WAR – 1st Award

Left Field
EL Chicago Rangers LF Joe Fondren(24, 3*) .285/.341/.514 34HR 96RBI 152G 3.4WAR – 1st Award
WL Kansas City Royals LF Brian Garcia(28, 4.5*) .282/.387/.560 41HR 86RBI 154G 6.8WAR – 1st Award

Center Field
EL Cincinnati Eagles CF Francisco Canales(24, 3*) .259/.364/.473 28HR 75RBI 149G 4.7WAR – 1st Award
WL Sacramento Cavaliers CF Tony Perez(24, 3/3.5*) .337/.414/.550 15HR 62RBI 110G 3.8WAR – 1st Award

Right Field
EL Boston Aeros RF Kurt Alexander(26, 3.5*) .263/.344/.520 37HR 92RBI 156G 2.7WAR – 1st Award
WL Las Vegas Gamblers RF Trevor Wolthuis(27, 3*) .249/.318/.629 63HR 138RBI 150G 5.2WAR – 3rd Award, leads WL in HR and strikeouts

Designated Hitter
EL - Washington Nationals DH Jonathan McFadyen(25, 3*) .297/.332/.584 47HR 129RBI 145G 3.1WAR – 1st Award
WL – Denver Seahawks DH Devin Grose(35, 4.5*) .286/.406/.589 49HR 148RBI 155G 6.1WAR – 10th Award, leading WL in RBI and BB

Minor News:
November 10th – Hitting Coach Rafael Jimenez : Upped the offer to 3y/$440k p.a. while Jose Rivera signed as our bench coach.
November 11th – RHCL Ryan Rasbach(29, 4*) signed his 3y/$12.3M extension, SP Ryan Griffin(27, 3*) his 4y/$13.25M extension, LHRP Dusty Leone(24, 3*) signed his 1y/$1.3M extension, and finally, hitting coach Rafael Jimenez has signed.

[Griever20]

Rookie of the Year

Pitcher of the Year

Most Valuable Player

[Griever20]

Nov. 26th
Today marks the beginning of New Major League Baseball's free agent filing period. With it comes the uncertainty of an offseason filled with the potential for blockbuster signings, off-the-wall trades and a mad scramble to improve your club before you get left out in the cold.

General managers have the entire offseason in which to sign free agents. The biggest names on this year's market include:

Starting Pitchers:
RHSP Orlando Turrietta(33, 5*) ex-OAK 8-1 2.22 118K 19GS 4.2WAR – 2014 RotY, 3x PotY, 7x All-Star – 6y/$176M fragile
RHSP Hagane Noguchi(35, 4.5*) ex-SJ 10-8 3.34 164K 25GS 5.5WAR – 1x PotY, 5x All-Star – 5y/$134.8M
RHSP Andres Rico(29, 3.5*) ex-NYM 7-4 3.73 82K 17GS 2.4WAR –3x All-Star – 7y/$113.4M wrecked
RHSP Henry Rodriguez(29, 3.5*) ex-SF 8-12 3.94 173K 26GS 3.4WAR – 1xPotY, 1x All-Star – 7y/$150.8M Former Expos player, won PotY in 2018, traded for a 2.5* 1B prospect at the deadline…
No 3* candidates

Position Players:
1B Miguel Martinez(29, 5*) ex-SF .307/.394/.638 54HR 132RBIs 156G 6.8WAR – 2x MvP, 4x SS, 6x All-Star – 7y/$232.4M
1B Toki Asakura(33, 4*) ex-WAS .252/.360/.494 35HR 86RBIs 154G 3.0WAR – 2013 RotY, 1x MvP, 4x GG, 2x SS, 6x All-Star – 7y/$174.2M
1B Sam Fitzmaurice(31, 3.5*) .283/.341/.496 28HR 93RBIs 149G 3.5WAR – 1x GG, 3x All-Star – 7y/$154M
3B Andy Vrable(31, 3.5*) .261/.366/.473 24HR 79RBIs 150G 4.0WAR – 1x All-Star – 7y/$166M
SS Giobbe De Meo(29, 3.5*) .290/.368/.499 25HR 98RBI 20/24SB 149G 4.4WAR – 1x SS, 3x All-Star – 10y/$236M fragile
Not a lot for us here as well, we won’t commit on one of those players for a lot of $$ in our current situation. The team that gets Martinez will get a good deal tho.

Overall, we took a deep look at our roster and identified some needs.

• Left-handed hitters, we currently have none good(1-2)
• Right-handed relief pitchers(3-4)
• Third Baseman backup
• Shortstop Backup
• Outfield Backup
• Starting Pitching Backup(1-2)

We keep sending Dave G. around to scout our minors for potential there, but we may need to fill a bunch of those slots in the offseason.

What we identified in potential trade assets: Catchers. We have a total of 5 catchers around 2.5* current ability, and with Fitch being not movable, we will look to find some trade value in the others. With free agents filed, some players were interested in minor league contracts and we offered some, maybe we can get some of our holes filled cheaply.

[Griever20]

Expos Trade Catchers for Depth
stadiumreport.bbn

November 26th, 2020

In a move that has fans in both cities buzzing, the Montreal Expos and the Cincinnati Eagles have agreed to a deal that will have 28-year old C Danny Tutton(28, 2.5*) heading to Cincinnati in exchange for 25-year old 3B Orlando Gonzalez(25, 2.5*, .304-7-42 .809OPS 814G 2.4WAR AAA), 20-year old minor league RHSP Cesar Alvarado(20, 2/2.5HS, 2.5/3* OSA, 4-6 3.21 83K 15GS 1.6WAR S. A), and 24-year old minor league LF Ignacio Benavides(24, 2/2.5*, .247-4-16 .679OPS 49G 1.9WAR S A). Provided they pass a physical, the players should be with their respective teams in time for tomorrow's games.

His career numbers show Tutton is hitting .242 with a total of 36 home runs, for 2020 he hit .241/.295/.422 17HR 38RBI 127G 1.7WAR. On the other hand, the NMBL Montreal Expos collected a talented right-handed starter and two solid bats.

In a separate deal, two teams were looking to Prove the old adage that one man's trash is another man's treasure. The Expos announced today the acquisition of 25-year old minor league LF Huai-yu Mah(25, 2.5*, .268-1-13 .798OPS 0.8WAR AA) and 25-year old minor league 2B David Quiros(25, 2.5*, .251-7-20 .663OPS 2.1WAR AA) from the Vancouver Canadians in exchange for 24-year old C Alex Taylor(24, 2/2.5*, .241-4-24 .593OPS 1.0WAR A). "This isn't the deal of the century," acknowledged the Expos, "but we think it will improve the direction of both teams."

Overall, the Expos got some solid talent at multiple positions, and more crucial, two left-handed hitters in Mah and Quiros that can be used in platoon situations in the future, while still holding the contracts of Steve Fitch, Elias Mendia and Kevin Craddock behind the plate.



Yes, we are shuffling 2.5* talents around, but that is pretty much what we can do. Get a good stable roster, see how things work, sell high, buy low, hope for a break.

• Left-handed hitters, we currently have none good(1-2) - Got some
• Third Baseman backup - Got one
• Outfield Backup - Got one and he is batting left-handed

[Griever20]

Three-Team Trade Lands Bearcats Ward, Expos Prospect
stadiumreport.bbn

November 30th, 2020

Sometimes, it needs more than one interested party to make a trade. In this case, three were needed. In a dead that reportedly was orchestrated by Expos GM K.C. Martin, the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Angels and Salt Lake City Bearcats traded players that could shape up the future of those ballclubs.

Salt Lake City Bearcats receive:
LF Brian Ward(27, 3.5*) .267/.342/.478 32HR 93RBI 2.1WAR - $11.9M – 3x All-Star 1x Silver Slugger
40% paid by MON, 60% paid by LAA

Los Angeles Angels receive:
A SP Kyle Lausch(23, 2/2.5*) 5-3 1.47 53K 12GS 0.6WAR #61 prospect
AAA 3B Chance North(25, 2*) .243/.290.407 10HR 41RBI 92G 1.6WAR

Montreal Expos receive:
R 3B Joe Townsend(19, 0.5/4*) .151/.205./.249 5HR 10 RBI -0.7WAR - #117 prospect

Why the Expos gave up the #61 prospect to get the #117 prospect remains their secret, but for Salt Lake City, they got a hitter in their prime, and the Angels got rid of a player they put on the trading blog while eating some money.

Hear me out. Townsend is a 80 grade power potential player that could become a premier slugger according to our scouting department. His ratings are low at 3B… because he is not a good defensive player at third, and we will train him at 1B to move towards a position he field in the future.

As for Lausch, many teams were high on him, but his #61 prospect rating is fake. He currently is regarded as a starter, but is 45 rated in stamina and therefore will never be a productive starter, and his trade value was too high to keep him around as a reliever in the future.

News:

December 2nd - NMBL Denver Seahawks SP Danny Huber(28, 3.5*) signed a 4y/$72M extension with the club. Part of two World Series winning campaigns with them, he won the Pitcher of the Year Award in 2019 and is coming off a 16-7 4.30 173K 32G 2.3WAR season.

December 6th – Free agent star 1B Toki Asakura(33, 4*) has decided to bring his talents to Seattle for a huge 5y/$121.2M contract with no further options in it. The 6x All-Star has hit .252/.360/.494 35HR 86RBIs 154G 3.0WAR wants to be a key part in turning the 78-84 franchise around.

December 11th – LF Jose Campa(25, 2/2.5*) has signed a minor league contract with us. He has hit .202/5-23 .564OPS in 63 games in AA in the Angels org last year.

December 11th – The Salt Lake City Bearcats have a new ace as SP Andres Rico(29, 3.5*) has joined them on a 2y/$12.4M contract. The 3x All-Star was 7-4 3.73 82K 17GS 2.4WAR last year.

[Griever20]

2020 Winter Meetings Begin
stadiumreport.bbn

December 13th, 2020

For the next three days, New Major League Baseball teams will be scrambling to meet with prospective free agents, possible trading partners, the media and egocentric agents. Rumors will be kindled by the hot stove fire, burn out of control and be doused by the hour. Some will have casualties; don't be one of them!

--

And things got underway fast as the Denver Seahawks extended their superstar 1B Jeff Urban(32, 5*) on a 5y/$167.5M kicking in after the 2021 season. The 8x All-Star hit .290-23-72 .936OPS 5.8WAR in 134 games last season… despite being labelled as a wrecked body… but every season with them has a chance for another world series ring.

Just as we tried to get underway ourselves, the Chicago Rangers grabbed righty ace Hagane Noguchi/(35, 4.5*, 10-8 3.34 164K 25GS 5.5WAR) off the free agent market.. Sitting at a 80-82 record, the team from the Windy City is looking for someone to bring them over the edge.

With our assistant GM Alan Lehmann working on a separate deal with Los Angeles with a similar idea, I invited over the GM of the San Diego Padres to talk about closers. The Padres were paying RHCL Alex Espinosa(35, 4*, 2-5 31SV 2.96 68K 54.2IP 2.5WAR) $14,7M for next year… and they did not like it. Same for the Angels and 2012 Reliever of the Year Jordan Salazar(34, 3.5*, 1-5 32SV 2.88 59.1IP 1.8WAR), so why not…

Expos Shop for Relief Help
stadiumreport.bbn

December 13th, 2020

In a stunning turn of events, the Montreal Expos have acquired not one, but two closers with big contracts as both Jordan Salazar(34, 3.5*, 1-5 32SV 2.88 59.1IP 1.8WAR) from the Los Angeles Angels and Alex Espinosa(35, 4*, 2-5 31SV 2.96 68K 54.2IP 2.5WAR) from the Padres were acquired in two quick deals today.

Both with combine for a whooping $29.2M salary that will join the Expos payroll, while the Padres get back AA 2B Ken Kasza(25, 2*, .256-7-32 .656OPS -0.2WAR AA) and the Halos get A 3B Mike Yuran(24, 2*, .222-6-30 .554OPS -1.6WAR). What the idea behind this is… remains to be seen.

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It’s ANOTHER Flip as Expos Trade Closers to Washington
stadiumreport.bbn

December 13th, 2020

GM KC Martin surely knows how to pull a surprise. Two hours after grabbing two closers in two headscratching deals, he managed to flip them again for a couple of quality youngsters that are better than the two he gave up just today.

With Jordan Salazar(34, 3.5*, 1-5 32SV 2.88 59.1IP 1.8WAR) and Alex Espinosa(35, 4*, 2-5 31SV 2.96 68K 54.2IP 2.5WAR) going to the Nats, the Canadian team got back #201 prospect, R LF Santiago Rodriguez(19, 0.5/3.5*), who was hitting .259-8-16 .734OPS 2.9WAR in rookie ball, and 23-year old AA catcher Jordan Chavis(2.5*, .247-22-47 .775OPS 91G S A/A/AA).

Technically, I would love to get some relief help for the big club… but I can’t pass up on a move that lands us an upgrade/prospect. We now have four catchers in our system that can… ‘play’ in NMLB without embarrassing themselves too much, and Elias Mendia has ‘some’ trade value. More tomorrow.

[Griever20]

And we were basically ambushed the morning of the second day when Boston Aeros GM Steve Jewell stormed into our camp with his arms waving and almost screamed that “he wants Elias Mendia and he won’t leave without him. I quickly set down with him, offered him a water and asked why he things I’m willing to trade Mendia.

His answer was blunt. “Kid, I’ve been around for 20 years now, and I’ve seen ****. You have played your hand pretty well, but you also pretty much had the catcher market cornered for all the offseason, and getting another good one in Jordan Chavis means you are open for business. And so am I. You need a reliever right?”

Dave G. quickly shot me a node sayin Pelletier, meaning AAA RP Andy Pelletier(25, 2.5*, 6-4 15SV 3.05 49K 56IP 0.8WAR A/AA/AAA). “Ok mister, I want Pelletier for my pen. And I want a right-handed reliever prospect, and I want Ian Messer, in my outfield next year, and I’m giving you Steve Tedder back. Take it, or leave it.”

I heard Dave cough to the left of me, but my eyes were fixated on Jewell… would he bite?

Messer to Montreal as in Trade with Boston
stadiumreport.bbn

December 14th, 2020

There were plenty of hugs and handshakes all around as 23-year old A C Elias Mendia(23, 2.5*, .236-4-8 .707 0.3WAR and 24-year old AAA LF Steve Tedder(24, 2/2.5*, .338-7-28 .947OPS 1.5WAR AAA) left the Montreal Expos today en route to joining the Boston Aeros organization. 25-year old RF Ian Messer(25, 2.5/3*), 25-year old minor league RHP Andy Pelletier(25, 2.5*), 20-year old minor league RHP Wyatt Ings(20, 1.5/2.5*), and $1,000,000 in cash will be traveling to Montreal Expos to complete the swap.

During his career, Messer has notched 105 hits and a .285 average with 11 home runs and 53 RBIs.

The main prize for Montreal in this deal will be left-handed batting outfielder Ian Messer. The 17th overall pick in 2017 was the #86th prospect in 20185 and made his NMLB debut this season, batting .285/.347/.467 with 11 home runs and 53RBI in 110 games, good for 2.6WAR.

That was the only exciting thing to happen on this day in the Winter Meetings. Traded were shallow this offseason between other teams, and big deals have not happened apart from free agent signing. As for us, we are waiting for some minor league free agents to sign, and we looked for some relief prospects in some minor deals, see below…

News:
November 15th In a small minor league centered deal, the Montreal Expos traded AA 2B Jeff Witherell(23, 2.5*, .277-8-28 .775OPS 3.3WAR A A/A/AA) to the Miami Marlins, getting 23-year old left-handed relief prospect Rudoph Chambers(20, 1.5/3*, 1-4 4SV 2.70 0.6WAR in R) back

November 15th – In a similar deal, the Houston Astros were very hot on AAA LF Jeremy Meadows(23, 2/2.5*, .264/16-58 .748OPS 126G 7.0WAR S A/A/AA) and gave back S A LHRP Kyle Edwards(23, 2/3*, 2-3 14V 1.72 38K 31.1IP 0.0WAR S A/R) and S A RF Mark Lowery(23 1.5/3*, .230-5-11 .679 2.9WAR).
We got some prospects in those minor deals, not enough to write home about, but good enough to bolster a weak system…

[Griever20]

NMBL News: Rule 5 Draft
stadiumreport.bbn

December 24th, 2020

New Major League Baseball's Rule 5 draft will be held today. General managers should ensure that they have made all necessary roster moves prior to the start of the draft!

--

As for our priorities, we have talked in depth with Dave G. and he has scouted our minor league system more thoroughly and earmarked some more 2.5* relievers… so we may not have to do much more here… trusting our scouting director.

Prior to the draft, we protected
RHRP Jake Burton(23, 2.5*)
RHRP Chris Ball(22, 2.5*)
RHRP Austin McCoy(23, 2.5*)
RHRP Jeremy Oldt(25, 2.5*)
RHRP Freddy Silva(23, 2.5*)
C Jordan Chavis(23, 2.5*)

Prior to the draft, we waived and DFA’ed
3B Jake Anselmo(24 ,1.5/2.5*)
3B Travis Carpenter(26, 2*)

Leaving us with three open 40-man spots. We (obviously) had the first pick in the draft, and after going back and forth multiple times times, we selected
RHSP Danny Sandoval(23, 2.5*) from the Trains organization. The kid as a 75 rated fastball(96-98mph), slider, curveball and a 70 rated forkball via Dave G., and his only drawback is his 40-rated control. For the stuff he got, I think this is a steal.

For the second round, we went back and forth with some speedy leadoff guys, but no one where contact and speed matched our expectations, so we let go of it. No players from our organization were selected.

News:
December 21st – The Houston Astros used their surplus of money and signed star SP Orlando Turrietta(33, 5*) for 5y/$121.6M until his age 38 season. The premier starting pitcher in this free agent market, Turrietta is coming off a injury riddled 8-1 2.22 118K 19GS 4.2WAR year.

December 23rd – The team search is over for SS Giobbe De Meo(29, 3.5*) as the 3x All-Star put his name under a 7y/$172M contract to resign with the Seattle Mariners. The elite leadoff hitter stole as many as 38 bases in 2018 and is coming off a .290/.368/.499 25HR 98RBI 20/24SB 149G 4.4WAR year.

December 24th – Merry Christmas to Miguel Martinez and the Arizona Diamondbacks. The best free agent in the market signs for 7y/$238.7M for the 84-78 WL East team. 1B Miguel Martinez(29, 5*) is the reigning WL MvP after a .307/.394/.638 54HR 132RBIs 156G 6.8WAR campaign between KCR and SF.

[Griever20]

Is it spring yet? I swear we are going to play baseball soon...

December 26th – The Montreal Expos claimed LHRP Bill Costa(25, 2.5*) off waivers from the Mariners today. The former 9th round draft selection has two options left, is signed for the minimum of $500k, and is 7-12 5.12 81K in 80G 89.2IP in the majors.

December 27th – The Montreal Expos announced the signings of minor league free agents
RHSP Melvin Magana(27, 2.5*, 4-6 3SV 5.68 68K 39G/8GS -0.6WAR ex-JAC)
LHSP Danny Parsons(28, 2.5*, 2-3 1SV 4.18 69L 38G 75.1IP -0.1WAR ex-PIT )

January 4th – The Montreal Expos announced the signings of minor league free agents
2B Felix Acosta(30, 2.5*, DNP)
3B Ian Anderson(32, 2.5*, .194-4-14 .578OPS 42G -0.3WAR ex-DET)
2B Mario Alvarez(28, 2.5*, .323-2-13 .875OPS 23G 0.5WAR ex-SF)

January 4th – After long negotiations, 3B Andy Vrable(31, 3.5*) decided to stand pat and resigned with Chicago for 5y/$121.6M with a player opt out after 2023. Part of their World Series Winning run in 2018, he hit .261/.366/.473 24HR 79RBIs 150G 4.0WAR last season.

January 12th – The Montreal Expos announced the signings of minor league free agents
C Justin Donald(31, 2.5*, .216-11-41 .590OPS 113G 0.3WAR ex-BOS)
C Cody Harris(27, 2.5*, .296-10-38 .807OPS 88G 2.6WAR AAA ex-SLC)

January 20th - The Montreal Expos announced the signings of international amateur free agents
RHRP Jose Contreras(16, 3.5*) for $270k. A clear cut relief prospect with a 94-96mph fastball, a good curveball and that projects to 65 control while having a solid stamina rating of 40.
1B Jerry Soto(16, 4.5*) for $4.2M. Industry interest on him was low as most teams were n on a DRC kid named Alex Lopez(16, 5*), but we decided to go with the second best horse in the stable here. A good power hitter with decent contact ability, he projects as a .280 hitter with 40+ home runs at the major league level.

January 24th - The Montreal Expos announced the signings of international amateur free agent
LHSP Roberto Luna(17, 3*) for $2M out of the DR. A four pitch kid with a 91-93 fastball, a curveball, a changeup, and a lesser pitch in his sinker, the lefty is projected to be able to go deep into games with above-average control and movement.

January 27th – Former Expos Pitcher of the Year Henry Rodriguez(29, 3.5*) agreed to a 5y/$127.8M deal with Portland just at the start of the preseason. He is coming off a 8-12 3.94 173K 26GS 3.4WAR year with SF and MON.

January 29th – The Marlins now officially landed the last impact free agent by resigning 1B Sam Fitzmaurice(31, 3.5*) for 5y/$106M with the final year being a team option. The reigning Gold Glover at first base had a .283/.341/.496 28HR 93RBIs 149G 3.5WAR 2020 campaign.

February 2nd – The Montreal Expos announced the signings of minor league free agent
OF Jeff Hines(28, 2.5*, .227-1-6 .721OPS 0.2WAR 8G AAA, ex -DET)

February 5th – The Montreal Expos announced the signings of international amateur free agent
C Willie Ayala(17, 3*) for $940k. Projects as a 65 grade power hitter with average defense while batting from the right side. Will be our last signing, there is little to be excited about left.

Wall of Legends Results

Development Camp Results:
RHSP Brett Asselin(21, 1.5/4*) -> developed his changeup further SUCCESSFUL
RHSP Dan Hinton(22, 4/5*) -> developed further movement on his pitches SUCCESSFUL
RHSP Omar Dias(16, 3*) -> developed pitch control SUCCESSFUL
RHSP Adrian Hernandez(17, 2.5*) -> developed his changeup further SUCCESSFUL
LHSP Bill Smith(24,3*) -> improving durability and strength SUCCESSFUL (fragile -> normal)
SS Julian Hernandez(21, 2/4.5*) -> improve quality of contact NO IMPROVEMENT

Developing Omar Dias and Adrian Hernandez as our scouting department slashed their ratings during the winter, but Hinton made a huge jump and may now be en route to ace.

Next up: SPRING TRAINING, FINAL OPENING DAY ROSTER AND FIRST PITCH

[Griever20]

Pre-Spring Situation:
We got into the spring with some position battles ongoing here as we had

First Base: Alfonso Flores(R), Dan Cook(S), Victor Estrada(R)
CF: Brian Schill(R), Vicente Rodriguez(R)
Backup OF/Platoon in RF: Huai-yu Mah(L), Jose Campa(S), Brian Oatley(R)

And of course the whole bullpen situation brewing. Shortstop prospect Julian Hernandez will get a chance to show off, but we have no reason to rush him, and the fact that he failed his development drill put him further away from NMLB than expected to be honest.

We don’t expect fireworks this spring or season, but we have a deep roster of solid guys, and getting through spring injury free with Hinton, Hernandez, Rasbach, Roman, Ferguson and Messer would be nice.

Injury Report:
SP Dan Hinton shoulder inflammation 5-6 weeks
SP Adrian Hilscher oblique strain 4-5 weeks
LHRP Bill Costa recurring back spasms 1 week
never mind...

Spring Battles:
We went 12-10 in spring and actually led the EL North, but at a steep injury price…

As for the spring battles, 1B Victor Estrada was waived and DFA’ed by us, let’s see if he can pass through, if not, good luck with another team. We have even more depth in AAA at first base. The jobs went to Flores at DH and Cook at first base as a solid switch hitter.

In the outfield, field Vicente Rodriguez(.232-1-4 2/3SB) won the CF job by being a better defender Schill(.232-2-9) will get the backup job for the outfield. The platoon RF job went to Brian Oatley(.213-1-3) as Aaron McCreery insisted he is the best bat of the bunch… well.

In the rotation, we settled with Rule 5 draftee Danny Sandoval(0-3 11.42) despite a rough spring, John Marquardt(0-1 1SV 2.33 19.1IP) and Victor Lopez(2-1 1.32 14K 13.2IP), knowing that one of them is on borrowed time when Hinton returns.

For the bullpen, the lefty slots filled themselves due to the Costa injury, and for the rightys, we settled on the group that looked most competent… this will be fun.

Spring Training Pitcher of the Month:
SP Victor Lopez 2-1 1.32 14K 6BB 13.2IP

Spring Training MvP:
2B Franklin Reyes .314/.407/.588 4HR 10RBIs 6BB 59PA

Spring Training Dud:
SP Danny Sandoval 0-3 11.42 7K 12BB 8.2IP

Baseball America announced their Top 100 prospect list:
#1 LF Jason Barlett, 21, San Francisco Red Devils(S A)(+-0)
#2 RHSP Geroge Ostermeyer, 21, Atlanta Minuteman (MLB)(+2)
#3 RHSP Jose Toranzo, 22, Arizona Diamondbacks (S A)(+3)
#4 SS Julian Hernandez, 21, Montreal Expos (AAA)(-1)
#5 SS Cole McGuire, 22, Vancouver Canadians (S A)(+3)
#6 CF Ricardo Sandoval, 20, Las Vegas Gamblers (R)(+3)
#7 LHSP Brett Asselin, 21, Montreal Expos (AA)(+4)
#8 CF Eric Langdon, 22, Miami Marlins(R)(+11)
#9 CF Ismael Palma, 24, Las Vegas Gamblers (AAA)(-2)
#10 2B Rafael Jara, 22, San Diego Padres(AAA)(+12)

Expos further on that list:
#68 3B/1B Joe Townsend, 20, .151-5-10 .454OPS 61G -0.7WAR in R, R (NEW) (Trade SLC)

Unranked, yet promising:
R LF Santiago Rodriguez, 20, .259/.300/.434 8HR 16RBI 61G 2.9WAR in R ball (Trade WSH)
R RHSP Matt Porter,19, 2-1 1.00 3GS 0.4WAR in R Ball (2020 2nd Round)

We are ranked the #3 system in baseball with Hernandez, Asselin and Townsend highlighting our system, not counting the kids we have in the international camp.

Next Up: FINAL OPENING DAY ROSTER AND FIRST PITCH

[Griever20]

Had to tinker with the schedule a bit, pushed opening day a week to 8th of April as an 151 game schedule was generated.

Preseason Prediction:
65-97, 5th in EL Northeast, 20G behind Boston Aeros

Predicted Top Players:
none

That is for more wins predicted than we had last year, and that’s a good thing and shows that we made some progress in the offseason. Our expected ERA is 4.23 which I would take, but that we are expected to score only 565 runs, lowest in the EL… is concerning.

The huge questions going into 2021 are:
Will Danny Sandoval be worth the roster spot, or is our Rule 5 draftee a bust?
Will Vinnie Roman have a productive season and generate some trade value?
Can Karl Ferguson get hot again?
Will Dan Hinton be true to his ratings and become a true ace?
Will our depth come in handy in a.) the standings or b.) at the deadline?
How will our First Year Player Draft go?

The Division:

Our sister team from Canada, the Toronto Blue Jays(76-86) are expected to fall further down at 73-89. They have zero quality pitching, and only the slugging duo of 1B Mike Massie(27, 4* .287-27-83 .847OPS 159G 2.6WAR, MvP 2019) and 1B Oscar Cabrera(30, 3.5*, .276-33-98 .852OPS 150G 3.1WAR) should keep them afloat on the offensive side.

The Philadelphia Grizzlies(83-79) had a winning record in 2020, but missed the playoffs with it and since they only got into October baseball 4x in their history… no surprise. The preseason predictions see them at 83-79 again. The teams biggest asset going forward will be SP Ruben Torrez(21 ,3.5/5* 1-4 9SV 35G 37K 40IP 0.8WAR as RP), the former #2 prospect in baseball. Together with SP Alberto Cordoba(25, 3.5/4*, 15-8 4.09 210K 3.6WAR) and SP Oscar Guzman(26, 3/4*, 14-9 4.51 152K 32GS 2.9WAR), they have a strong 1-2-3 punch that will only get stronger.

Having won the division last season, the New York Mets(96-66) are expected to drop down to 83 wins, with the bone chip surgery of SP Joel Gaspar(34, 4*, 16-9 2.35 176K 5.3WAR) that will keep him out for most of the season. C Mario Toscano(24, 5*, .259-14-57 .832OPS 5.0WAR) is going to be a major star and is a defensive beast behind the plate, 3B Bernie Castillo(24, 3.5*, .325-22-97 .881OPS 151G 5.2WAR) won the EL Batting crown last season, but is is going to be enough.

Baseball America has the Boston Aeros winning the division at 85-77… it’ll be a knife fight in a phone booth. However, there are question marks. Ace SP Adam O’Herron Jr.(32, 3.5*, 9-12 3.73 189K 2.2WAR) is regarded as ‘wrecked’ body and missed all of 2019. LF Paul Beals(22, 3/3.5*, .179-15-325 .705OPS 0.1WAR 52G) was touted as the next big home run hitter in NMLB but looked outmatched. 1B Manny Rodriguez(24, 3.5*, .293-29-73 .899OPS 3.7WAR) performed admirably last season and led the league in doubles, but is that going to be enough?

[Griever20]

Your 2021 Montreal Expos:

Starting Pitching

RHSP Dan Hinton(21, 4/5*) 0-6 6.57 44K 10GS 0.2WAR) // 0-6 6.57 44K 10GS 0.2WAR(career) – IL 4 weeks shoulder inflammation
An extreme groundballer with mid 90’s zip on his sinking fastball, and a good slider and changeup with a still developing curveball, he improved his control and movement extremely in the last months and became a NMLB level ace, albeit riding the IL right now. Drafted 21st overall in 2017.

RHSP Sam Griffin(27, 3*) 8-13 4.60 97K 35G/20GS 133IP 3.0WAR // 34-34 4.17 319K 138G/67GS 500.1IP 8.7WAR (career)
A 2019 EL All-Star as a starter, he got moved between pen and rotation a lot the last years. He is a control artist by trait, generating a lot of groundballs by hitting the perfect pitch despite little speed on his sinker. Acquired in the 9th round, 263rd overall in the 2014 draft. Opening day starter in 2021.

RHSP Victor Lopez(26, 2.5*) 1-2 4.40 3GS 14K 0.0WAR // 1-2 4.08 4G/3GS 17K 17.2IP 0.0WAR (career)
He has a strong ++ fastball and a good cutter, but the circle change he uses tends to not create enough speed difference to make it not hittable. He was parked in AAA (8-1 4.13 146K 2.5WAR) and also is controllable, but nothing special. Signed as a minor league free agent in 2017.

RHSP Jon Marquardt(23, 2.5*) 1-6 5.04 51K 13HGS 0.2WAR // 1-6 5.04 51K 13HGS 0.2WAR (career)
A Rule 5 Draftee from the Boston Aeros last winter, he lost the first half of the season due to shoulder inflammation and was not great in the second half. His main pitch is a mid-90’s fastball with some junky offspeed stuff, but some solid control. Young, but already fragile and with 45/80 Stamina not the biggest workhorse in our staff, but we will give him a chance until Hinton returns.

RHSP Danny Sandoval(23, 2.5*) 1-4 3.48 52K 8GS 41.1IP 0.9WAR AA // DNP (career)
Another Rule 5 draftee, the righty has electric stuff with a ++ fastball, slider, curveball and forkball, but control issues are his nemesis. We want to give him a shot, but with a spring ERA of 11.42, excitement is limited.

LHSP Bill Smith(24, 3*) 11-13 4.85 213K 33GS 2.5WAR // 13-15 4.69 251K 41GS 230.1IP 3.1WAR (career)
A 12th rounder in 2015, the teamgrown lefty features a 95-97mph fastball with a plus plus splitter and a decent curve, sinker and a waste pitch changeup. Stuff is definitely above average, but the main concern with him is not the ability to pitch good, it is to stay on the field. With his offseason work, he isn’t fragile anymore and could be a good contributor for us, or a good trade chip.

Relief Pitching:

RHRP Chris Ball(22, 2.5/3*) 1-1 2.14 18K 5G/3GS 21IP 0.5WAR S A // DNP (career)
Our scouting department better got that one right. We promoted him up from S A as our scouts say he is throwing 94-96 with a strong changeup an a mediocre slider, and some control problems. Nothing flashy, can be used as a spot starter. Acquired via trade from Philadelphia in 2018.

LHRP Dusty Leone(24, 3*) 1-4 4SV 4.87 58 57.1IP 0.6WAR // 6-20 17SV 4.47 189K 169G 177IP 2.9WAR (career)
One of the better lefties in the league, and a luxus we may not be willing to afford for long. Throws a fastball and a changeup with groundball tendency and does so with a sub 4 FIP. Has eaten 50+ innings every season since 2018 for us with at least 0.6WAR. 2nd round pick, 48th overall in the 2015 draft.

LHRP Rich Nelson(25, 2.5*) 8-12 3.39 148K 27GS 162IP 3.6WAR AAA // DNP (career)
Used as a starter in AAA, Nelson was one of two possible lefties for our pen, and got the job on the cheap due to the Costa injury. Throwing a ++ knuckle curve as a main pitch with a lot of junk, Nelson is nothing special and is more or less here to eat some innings. 16th round pick in the 2014 draft, 473rd overall.

RHRP Andy Pelletier(25, 2.5*) 3-2 3SV 5.71 15K 17.1IP 0.3WAR AAA // DNP (career)
Pelletier is not the typical fireballer you would expect, but throws 93-95 with a lot of movement and a lot of groundballs generated. His stuff is nothing special but he has a deep assortment of breaking balls and offspeed stuff to choose from. Acquired via trade from Boston in 2020.

RHCL Ryan Rasbach(29, 4*) 4-4 25SV 3.52 82K 52G 61.1IP 2.0WAR // 15-21 106SV 3.12 350K 217G 231.0IP 8.6WAR (Career)
We have our very own 2x All-Star! A great fastball with one of the best curveballs in all of baseball, Rasbach lacks one thing to be an absolute elite close… control. He never got below 4.0BB/9 in four NMLB seasons. Extended for a cheap $$$ until the end of 2023, he will be around for a while or land us a nice prospect. Signed on a minor league contract in 2016.

RHRP Adam Rudolph(22, 2.5*) 0-1 6.52 14K 9G 9.2IP 0.1WAR // 0-1 6.52 14K 9G 9.2IP 0.1WAR (career)
Rudolph has a cannon for an arm, firing a 98-100mph cutter with a strong curveball over the plate… mostly. He is an extremely hard worker and should be able to work himself into this bullpen, with his only drawback being the danger of a longball. Acquired via trade from Toronto in 2017.

RHRP Sam Rush(25, 2.5*) 3-6 5.24 107K 50G/11GS 113.1IP 0.3WAR // 7-7 4.76 188K 93G/12GS 193.0IP 0.5WAR (career)
Rush is in his third season with us, and even got some workout as a starter in 2020. His stuff is great with 96-98 fastball and cutter, and a changeup to change speed. A true breaking ball is what he lacks tho to become elite. Drafted in the 6th round of the 2014 draft, 173rd overall.

RHRP Freddy Silva(24, 2.5*) 0-0 5.56 10K 10G 11.1IP -0.5WAR AAA // DNP (career)
Moved through our minor league system last season with rapid pace, Silva is working off pinpoint control with a strong fastball and decent breaking stuff to get hitters out… hopefully. His body has betrayed him more often than not the last years, but we hope he can stay healthy for most of the season. Drafted in the 11th round of the 2015 draft, 321st overall.

Catcher

C Kevin Craddock(24, 2.5*) .265/.375/.323 1HR 12RBI 46G 1.9WAR S A // DNP (career)
Another player that got on the NMLB roster due to Dave G.’s love. An average batter with a bit of upside on the home run department and a 60 rated defensive catcher, Craddock is our backup catcher, nothing more than that. Acquired in the 16th round in the 2017 draft, 483rd overall.

C Steve Fitch(29, 2.5*) .281/.327/.367 1HR 9RBI 41G 0.5WAR // .259/.306/.427 65HR 229RBI 191R 445H 488G 7.6WAR (career)
Part of the 2015 World Series winning squad, Fitch was able to cash in a career season in 2017 into a 5y/$43M contract that will pay him $11.8M in 2021 and 2022. The problem is, he is not a 3+ Win player with the bat. Still, he will start for his solid defensive ratings and to not generate unhappiness on the roster. Acquired in the 8th round in the 2010 draft, 243rd overall.

Infield

1B Dan Cook(27, 2.5*) .268/.347/.427 6HR 35RBI 76G 1.3WAR AAA // .185/.246/.298 2HR 8RBI 12R 23H -0.6WAR (career)
Being a switch-hitting 1B, Cook got the job on the back of that fact. He has amassed 1.3+WAR in each of his three AAA seasons 2018-2020 and only got a callup once. A well rounded hitter with no reals strength, he will get some time to shine, but we got options in AAA . Acquired in the 12th round in the 2011 draft, 365th overall.

1B Alfonso Flores(28, 2*) .156/.206/.289 7HR 23RBI 67G -2.3WAR // .248/.301/.460 157HR 482RBIs 376R 751H 783G 2.6WAR (career)
His power is his calling card at a 60 grade, but the 2017 EL All-Star and 2015 World Series winner is not the batter he used to be, but wasn’t movable with his $8.9M contract for 2021 & 2022. With his defence also not special, the DH slot is his. International free agent signing in 2009.

2B David Quiros(25, 2.5*) .196/.294/.294 1HR 12RBI 31G -0.5WAR AAA // DNP (career)
Our left-handed platoon part for second base, we hope that his 50 grade contact bat with loads of gap power, and decent speed on the basepaths will be productive for us. He also is an above average defender at second base, but also another rookie in our team. Acquired from Vancouver in the 2020 offseason.

2B Franklin Reyes(26, 2.5*) .278/.329/.462 6HR 41RBI 54G 1.2WAR AAA // DNP (career)
Our right-handed platoon part for second base, his bat is a bit more well-rounded than Quiros, but he lacks speed to steal a base. Defensively, he is a match for his partner, and can play short and 3B as a backup when not in use. Acquired from Jacksonville in the 2020 offseason.

3B Vince Roman(33, 3.5*) .266/.348/.483 30HR 90RBI 149G 4.2WAR// .260/.330/.454 258HR 979RBI 816R 1494H 1495G 39.1WAR (career)
A 4x All-Star, 3x Silver Slugger and 1x Gold Glover, we hope that he can stay productive for a while and match his 2020 numbers. Obviously by his Gold Glove, he is a great defender at 3B and is another solid power bat with a 60 rating, AND he is durable and plays 145 games every season. May be a trade chip at the 2021 deadline, but that depends on the returns… Free agent signing in the 2019 offseason.

SS Jose Robles(27, 2.5*) .248/.297/.333 2HR 13RBI 49G 0.5WAR // .223/.269/.323 11HR 36RBI 51R 120H 166G 0.9WAR (career)
A defensive minded shortstop that hasn’t hit much through a 166 game NMLB career, he hope that he can get the batting average up a bit while continue to work as a vacuum cleaner at shortstop for a full season. Lacks an additional tool to be an elite player as he does not have the speed to steal bases. Minor league free agent signed in 2017.

Outfield

LF/RF Karl Ferguson(26, 3*) .234/.320/.418 23HR 61RBI 137G -0.5WAR// .276/.365/.500 59HR 172RBI 169R 298H 3041G 5.7WAR (career)
Had an off-year in 2020 but an All-Star nomination and a Rookie of of the Year Award in 2019 indicate there is more in this one than -0.5WAR for a season. A right-handed hitter that can hit for some good power(.559 SLG in 2019), he is better suited to left-field defensively than in right field, which is why we moved him over. Drafted in the first round of the 2013 draft, 15th overall.

RF Ian Messer(25, 2.5/3*) .285/.347/.467 11HR 53RBI 110G 2.7WAR // .285/.347/.467 11HR 53RBI 41R 105H 110G 2.7WAR (career)
A strong left-handed contact bat with a cannon of an arm, Messer should be an impact bat for us that we hope can hit .290 with some addons while locking down right field on the defensive end. He missed out on the Rookie of the Year last season, but we hope for a 2.7WAR repeat season. Acquired via trade from Boston in the 2020 offseason.

LF/RF Brian Oatley(27, 2.5*) .220/.287/.387 7HR 16RBI 43G -0.3WAR // .233/.296/.427 11HR 24RBI 24R 48H 62G -0,3WAR (career)
Our right-handed part of the right-field platoon, Oatley has a knack for putting wood on the ball and avoiding the strikeout while hitting for some power. He is nothing special, but his bat is a bit stronger against LHP than Messer’s. Acquired via trade in the 2020 offseason.

CF Vicente Rodriguez(23, 2.5*) .196/.196/.232 0HR 5RBI 15G -0.3WAR A // DNP (career)
Elite speed on the basepaths and in the outfield, Rodriguez has some room for growth with the bat but could become a strong leadoff hitter that can beat out a single, and make solid contract to get on. Drafted in the 14th round of the 2016 draft, 430th overall.

CF Brian Schill(26, 2*) .247/.285/.472 28HR 64RBI 149G 2.7WAR// .245/.287/.435 36HR 109RBI 109R 218H 254G 4.0WAR (career)
Those 28 home runs certainly weren’t in the scouing report as he more projects as a doubles hitter, but somehow, some doubles found the fence. The truth is somewhere between 2020 and his 2019 slashline (.244/.291/.382 8HR), but as someone that can play all three outfield positions and especially center field, he will stay with us. Dave G. keeps whispering in my ear that he is not legit tho… Minor league free agent signing.

Sam Griffin(R, 8-13 4.60) - Hugh Kieninger(R, 9-14 4.60) as we open up 2021 with the Philadelphia Grizzlies