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Elendil · 07-04-2007, 02:06 PM

A Crazy May

The Anchorage Daily News ran a story on Sunday May 9th on the top 15 free agents that would now be wooed by the teams with cash (Anchorage Bucs, Bethel, Kodiak, Mat-Su, and North Pole especially; Peninsula, Juneau, and Sitka to a lesser degree). Most players were expected to sign one- or two-year deals, if at all, because of the market glut, which the players hoped would be temporary. 2009 stats are in parentheses.

1. Tom "The Alabama Slamma" Robbins, OF (.331/.420/.587) - The 2009 Comeback Player of the Year is as valuable for the fan excitement he will generate in whatever city signs him as for his performance on the field. He could thus go to a mid-tier team hoping to raise its profile significantly. The Bucs, Mushers, and Grizzlies are all reportedly in the hunt for him.

2. Louis Mays, SP (2.05, 3.36 K/BB) - Last year's Pitcher of the Year for Juneau, Mays might ordinarily hold out for a big payday, but in a year like this, the small-market Senators might just be able to bring him back on a reasonable one-year deal.

3. John "Grave Digger" Abston, 2B (.327/.389/.579) - He has played his whole career with the Nicks and is one of the most popular players in North Pole. It is likely that Nicks management will make a strong play to bring him back.

4. Jonathan Bertrand, SS (.286/.371/.538, 37.9 VORP) - Bertrand isn't the slickest shortstop in the world, but being able to play it at all and hit the way he does makes him one of the most valuable players in the league. Sitka might just have the cash to bring him back, but it's a close thing - and Bertrand may want to move to a contender. Born in Kotzebue in the northwestern bush of mixed ancestry.

5. Jack "Locomotive" Hatt, SP (3.56, 3.11 K/BB) - Locomotive has been the #1 starter for the Bucs each of the last three seasons, and it's unlikely that they would let him go.

6. Adam Joly, 1B (.360/.447/.614) - Led the league in OPS last year for the cellar-dwelling Jets until he went down with an injury. Still just 29 and one of the premier offensive talents on the market. Will probably go to a contender.

7. Wynn Dunsmore, OF (.312/.381/.519) - Just 23 years old, Dunsmore will likely command a pretty decent price on a short-term contract this year. Fairly popular in Juneau, he is certainly their biggest priority after Mays, but do they have a chance at paying him what he'll want?

8. Dave Bonnar, OF (.306/.407.480) - He has indicated that he would like to stay in Anchorage, and reportedly he has already been negotiating with the Bucs in the event the lockout crisis was resolved.

9. Chip Becker, SP (3.70, 2.24 K/BB) - Careful, consistent groundball pitcher who logged 160 1/3 innings last year with Fairbanks. Fairbanks can't re-sign him, so he is up for grabs and will likely go to the highest bidder. At this point, that probably means the contenders - Bucs, Miners, and Nicks - will do battle for him.

10. Bryan Kendall, SP (3.82, 3.61 K/BB) - Was a nice fit for the big spaces at Mulcahy Stadium, with his love of the high fastball. Probably wouldn't fit in with a team with a bandbox for a home stadium, like Juneau, Bethel, or North Pole. The Bucs, Miners, and Oilers could all get him.

11. Greg Trudel, OF (.289/.375/.488) - He has played his whole career with the Miners, and they have the cash to bring him back. The Miners are under pressure to improve and compete again with the Nicks and Senators, so look for a player-favorable deal to get done.

12. Ron "Nutball" Yuke, CL (2.92, 19 SV, 2.88 K/BB) - One of the trickiest pitchers in the league, Yuke strikes out well over a batter an inning. Injured most of 2007, sat out 2008, played for Kodiak in 2009. Could go to Mat-Su, whose closer last year, Bill Colwill, was shaky and is now a free agent as well. The Nicks could also use a reliable closer.

13. Terry Kuhn, OF (.278/.364/.473) - Part of the Nicks' wrecking crew the last two years. Not an elite FA, but can provide a good jolt to an offense. Originally from Anchorage.

14. Bill Colwill, CL (3.09, 21 SV, 4.30 K/BB) - Was the most dominant closer in the league in 2008, but gave up a whopping 12 HR in 58 IP last year. Just 28 and could well return to form. Unclear whether Mat-Su will bring him back.

15. Tim Rowsell, C (.263/.296/.407) - Good catchers are at a premium in this league, and Rowsell is a great one. He played every game last year for Bethel and allowed just 21 SB, while gunning down 16 runners. Not a very disciplined hitter, unfortunately, but still just 23 and could develop further at the plate. Kodiak badly needs a catcher, having started four different guys, none of them effective, at the position last year.

07-04-2007, 02:06 PM	#67 (permalink)
Elendil Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the dynasty forum Posts: 2,176 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	May 2010 A Crazy May The Anchorage Daily News ran a story on Sunday May 9th on the top 15 free agents that would now be wooed by the teams with cash (Anchorage Bucs, Bethel, Kodiak, Mat-Su, and North Pole especially; Peninsula, Juneau, and Sitka to a lesser degree). Most players were expected to sign one- or two-year deals, if at all, because of the market glut, which the players hoped would be temporary. 2009 stats are in parentheses. 1. Tom "The Alabama Slamma" Robbins, OF (.331/.420/.587) - The 2009 Comeback Player of the Year is as valuable for the fan excitement he will generate in whatever city signs him as for his performance on the field. He could thus go to a mid-tier team hoping to raise its profile significantly. The Bucs, Mushers, and Grizzlies are all reportedly in the hunt for him. 2. Louis Mays, SP (2.05, 3.36 K/BB) - Last year's Pitcher of the Year for Juneau, Mays might ordinarily hold out for a big payday, but in a year like this, the small-market Senators might just be able to bring him back on a reasonable one-year deal. 3. John "Grave Digger" Abston, 2B (.327/.389/.579) - He has played his whole career with the Nicks and is one of the most popular players in North Pole. It is likely that Nicks management will make a strong play to bring him back. 4. Jonathan Bertrand, SS (.286/.371/.538, 37.9 VORP) - Bertrand isn't the slickest shortstop in the world, but being able to play it at all and hit the way he does makes him one of the most valuable players in the league. Sitka might just have the cash to bring him back, but it's a close thing - and Bertrand may want to move to a contender. Born in Kotzebue in the northwestern bush of mixed ancestry. 5. Jack "Locomotive" Hatt, SP (3.56, 3.11 K/BB) - Locomotive has been the #1 starter for the Bucs each of the last three seasons, and it's unlikely that they would let him go. 6. Adam Joly, 1B (.360/.447/.614) - Led the league in OPS last year for the cellar-dwelling Jets until he went down with an injury. Still just 29 and one of the premier offensive talents on the market. Will probably go to a contender. 7. Wynn Dunsmore, OF (.312/.381/.519) - Just 23 years old, Dunsmore will likely command a pretty decent price on a short-term contract this year. Fairly popular in Juneau, he is certainly their biggest priority after Mays, but do they have a chance at paying him what he'll want? 8. Dave Bonnar, OF (.306/.407.480) - He has indicated that he would like to stay in Anchorage, and reportedly he has already been negotiating with the Bucs in the event the lockout crisis was resolved. 9. Chip Becker, SP (3.70, 2.24 K/BB) - Careful, consistent groundball pitcher who logged 160 1/3 innings last year with Fairbanks. Fairbanks can't re-sign him, so he is up for grabs and will likely go to the highest bidder. At this point, that probably means the contenders - Bucs, Miners, and Nicks - will do battle for him. 10. Bryan Kendall, SP (3.82, 3.61 K/BB) - Was a nice fit for the big spaces at Mulcahy Stadium, with his love of the high fastball. Probably wouldn't fit in with a team with a bandbox for a home stadium, like Juneau, Bethel, or North Pole. The Bucs, Miners, and Oilers could all get him. 11. Greg Trudel, OF (.289/.375/.488) - He has played his whole career with the Miners, and they have the cash to bring him back. The Miners are under pressure to improve and compete again with the Nicks and Senators, so look for a player-favorable deal to get done. 12. Ron "Nutball" Yuke, CL (2.92, 19 SV, 2.88 K/BB) - One of the trickiest pitchers in the league, Yuke strikes out well over a batter an inning. Injured most of 2007, sat out 2008, played for Kodiak in 2009. Could go to Mat-Su, whose closer last year, Bill Colwill, was shaky and is now a free agent as well. The Nicks could also use a reliable closer. 13. Terry Kuhn, OF (.278/.364/.473) - Part of the Nicks' wrecking crew the last two years. Not an elite FA, but can provide a good jolt to an offense. Originally from Anchorage. 14. Bill Colwill, CL (3.09, 21 SV, 4.30 K/BB) - Was the most dominant closer in the league in 2008, but gave up a whopping 12 HR in 58 IP last year. Just 28 and could well return to form. Unclear whether Mat-Su will bring him back. 15. Tim Rowsell, C (.263/.296/.407) - Good catchers are at a premium in this league, and Rowsell is a great one. He played every game last year for Bethel and allowed just 21 SB, while gunning down 16 runners. Not a very disciplined hitter, unfortunately, but still just 23 and could develop further at the plate. Kodiak badly needs a catcher, having started four different guys, none of them effective, at the position last year. Last edited by Elendil; 07-20-2007 at 02:38 PM.