[mikev]

Brief Offseason Recap To-Date

2/1/2013

Rule 5 Draft

We didn't take anybody, we didn't lose anybody. Blah.

Free Agency

In what's been called a pretty mediocre free agent season, the California Crusaders made a couple of offers for players, but ended up with nothing.

Third baseman Javier Ramirez decided he wanted to take less money to play for Las Vegas, a team that finished behind California in the MBBA Pacific last season. I'm pretty sure he was enticed with hookers and blow.

After missing out on Ramirez, the team offered aging slugger Roberto Colon a one year deal for just over $15M, but he opted for the 3 year deal presented by Santo Domingo. Not a huge deal for us, but his bat would have been nice.

Trades

Well, since we couldn't get anybody with money, we might as well get a guy or two by paying with other players, huh?

The first deal was part shedding salary, part talent aquisition for the future. 1B/DH Kinnosuke Sasaki was traded to the London Spitfires in exchange for an 18 year old starter with a ton of upside, Mario Garcia. His numbers suck, but his talent ratings are very good. At only 18, he's got plenty of time to develop and there is no pressure on him.

Next up, a trade with the Chicago Black Sox was announced. After being a total dick and not trading me Trujillo, Pliny asked me if I would take Barro and his gigantic salary off his hands. I told him I would, but I wouldn't actually give up any players to get him, and he'd probably have to include a decent prospect. We settled on Sanchez, a 25 year old AAA shortstop with a pretty good talent set, but a little underdeveloped. Good enough, as Barro will probably be the regular 2B this season with Leyva moving over to third (please, please raise your rating during ST!) as planned last season before the CEI to Pedro Vargas.

So that just about caps off the offseason for California. I don't really anticipate much else, but we could probably use another starter. Hell, I dunno, we could probably use two. We'll see.