Chronicles of The Monty Brewster Baseball Association

[mikev]

AABA Recruits Roundup

When the MBBA signed an agreement with the All American Baseball Association to have the AABA become a feeder league, teams initially balked at the subpar players who might cost a good bit of money to recruit to the MBBA.

This offseason, it was announced that a new agreement had been signed, making it both easier for teams to recruit AABA players, but at the same time tougher in that players could resist the transition and request an additional several million dollars per season added to their contracts in order to come across.

When GM Mike Voelker looked at the Wichita Pilots, the team that serves as New Orleans' feeder, there wasn't a lot to write home about. Clearly the best player on the team is switch-hitting third baseman Sean Clancy, but his possible $14 million price tag is very steep for a team that is under a budget and trying to build through youth.

Lefty closer Oscar Santoyo is an intriguing player, cheap, and has the ability to dominate left handed hitters (.483 OPS against. Yes, OPS.). He's got multiple inning endurance, as well.

The last consideration is also the frontrunner, left fielder Lawrence Randall. While not a great fielder, Randall has a great eye (.400+ OBP and more walks than strikeouts) and is under a minor league contract. It's possible that he would go to AAA Baton Rouge for a season in hopes that he develops more against better competition.

An announcement is expected to be released soon.

[mikev]

Originally posted by fearbobafett, Chicago Black Sox GM

Black Sox Ink AABAer

The Sox are happy to announce the signing of Luis Fort from the AABA Beloit Snappers. It cost the club a little over 10 million a year for him to come to the MBBA, but it should be well worth the cost. Fort will not become a free-agent until after the 1996 season. Fort broke out this year hitting .329/21/ 65/ 79 in only 438 at-bats.

Fort should make the loss of Hakubi not sting as much. The signing also means the club will be quiet during the Free-Agency period, leaving them some cap space for extensions and a possible mid-season deal.

The Sox have been watching Fort for a couple of seasons and just could not fit him under the cap last season so they opted to try and sign Gregory Brown which they failed to do. the youngster was still getting adjusted to live in the minors and didn't want to jump to the MBBA yet.

Most likely Fort will move from the outfield to first base this season.

[mikev]

'Dads extend Dedeaux

In a news conference today, the Crawdads announced that starter Lee Dedeaux had signed a 4 year contract extension that will pay him a total of 16 million dollars.

Dedeaux seemed pleased with the deal.

"I'm excited, I really am. The Crawdads gave me my shot, and I'm sure I probably could have made more in free agency in a few years, but it's the security of a long term deal and their willingness to buy out an arbitration year that was really the clincher. I think we have a good core with Willie, Champ, and Creole, plus there are some rookies who will be contributing a lot too. I think the team is heading in the right direction and I'm glad they want me to be a part of it."

GM Mike Voelker seemed equally as happy about the signing. "Lee has become a workhorse for us, that's for sure. He's probably not the bona fide ace that he was expected to be, but you can't really place enough value on a guy that's going to go out there and give you 30 starts and 220 innings a season. Lee also expressed his desire to spread the contract out in order to help us remain financially stable in the future. He's really been the consummate team player in these negotations, and he really wanted to get something done before the arbitration hearings, as did we."

Last season, Dedeaux posted a 10-12 record with a 4.52 ERA, but posted a 1.19 WHIP and struck out nearly 10 batters per inning.

[mikev]

Originally posted by pedersenkirk, Vancouver Mounties GM

Huge arby raises leave Mounties with little room to sign FAs

The arbitration period was not good to the Vancouver Mounties this off-season. Over $12 million in undeserved raises to Hamm, Palos, Plantier, Renfork and Reyes (who actually deserved his raise, unlike the other four) blew the team's war chest saved up for this off-season, so now they are unable to go after any players.

"It definitely sucks for us," said GM Kirk Pedersen. "We were really looking forward to this off-season, but it turns out that we don't really have any coin to spend."

With Garza flying the coop after a miserable season, where he hit below the Mendoza line (.196), the team is on the lookout for a new shortstop. If they are unsuccessful, it may even re-open the door to laughable bust Tony Lawnmeier, who toiled in the minor leagues for the Mounties last season.

"I have every intention of making that team, without a doubt," Lawnmeier said from his home in Las Vegas, curiously bought for him by the tycoon owner of the Hustlers just after he was traded to Vancouver. "But would you excuse me, Nicole Eggert wants me to rub lotion on her."

The team began the off-season by putting Matsumoto on the trading block, a move that surprised no-one, as he disappointed Pedersen last year after being picked up from Hackensack for a first-round pick.

"Akiru didn't come through for us last year," Pedersen said. "Sure, he doubled his career high in homers, hit .300 and made only six errors on defense all year long, but the RBI's weren't there."

"We are trying to move him, but it may be tough, because he's in the final year of his deal."

Rumour has it that the Mounties are looking to solve their long-term problems at catcher and also acquire a stop-gap solution at third until David Faustino-lookalike Eric Hageman is ready to take over the spot full-time.

In other news, the team was able to sign one pitcher, in stud starter Warren Vath, who comes to the Mounties by way of their AABA club, the Tacoma Rainiers.

"I'm thrilled to be coming to Vancouver," Vath said in a prepared statement. "I'd like to start a winning tradition here when play begins in a couple weeks, and I am very excited to see what lies ahead."

Vath inked a one-year deal worth $9.61 milion, and projects to be the Mounties #2 starter this year, behind young star Shane Wookey.

[Dvdmanny]

Great dynasty, Ill be checking up on it as regularly as I can. You also have a forum? I'll go see if I can find it

[mikev]

Originally posted by goldfinger77, Hackensack Bulls GM

Leadoff Hitter Aquired

After the death of Edward Framaggio, the Bulls were in the market for another outfielder. They weren't terribly picky as to which position to fill, since Tom Mohler could easily slide over from LF to CF. After considering options ranging from signing Jack Robbins to moving Alistar Sharpe from 3B to LF, Hackensack management decided to fill their need through a trade. After a bit of poking around, it became clear that there were only two acceptable players on the trade market to fill Hackensack's needs: Kal Daniels and Earl Alleyne.

The Bulls contacted Hawaii GM Ross Grooters almost immediately after the Tropics expressed an interest in moving one of their surplus outfielders. There was some initial interest in Andy Foster, but it died quickly. Bulls management also kicked the tires on Clifford Smith, but the price to acquire him was ultimately deemed too expensive. Which left Daniels. Slated to make $13 million over the next two seasons, Daniels was someone Grooters seemed very interested in jettisoning. The left-handed Daniels would've made an excellent platoon partner for Framaggio, and, with 17 contact and 14 eye against RHP, fit the profile of what the Bulls were looking for. Even the price to acquire Daniels was acceptable.

Throughout negotiations with Hawaii, however, Bulls management was also talking to Las Vegas GM Matt Rectenwald. The Hustlers were nosing about the league, looking for power hitters to compliment their new team philosophy of accomodating Vegas showgirls who dig the long ball. Clemente Serrano's name came up, and there was a deal on the table at one point involving Serrano and a prospect for Alleyne and Roy Nicoletti. The Bulls, however, were more comfortable making a deal that would not require them to give up anyone on their 25-man roster, so the negotiations turned to prospects and picks. Hackensack sent a list with six players and a pick on it to Las Vegas, and told the Hustlers to pick any two for Alleyne. Rectenwald misunderstood the instructions, and chose two of the players to go with the pick. Bulls management waffled initially, but quickly capitulated. Alleyne was the man they really wanted, and an extra C+ level prospect like Bill Deming wasn't going to stand in their way. The final trade ended up being Alleyne for pitcher Andres Guzman, infielder Deming, and the Bulls' second-round pick in the upcoming June draft.

Guzman spent most of last season in the minors after bombing in three April starts with the Bulls. His big league ERA of 6.04 in 22.3 innings to start the 1995 season earned him a one-way ticket to AAA Coney Island, where he had an excellent year: 2.99 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 189.6 innings, with 166 strikeouts and only 30 walks. Heading into the coming season, however, he was rated no better than sixth on Hackensack's starter depth chart, in a virtual tie with Esequiel Mejia. Both Guzman and Mejia were slated to start the season in the Hackensack bullpen pitching long relief. Guzman, at least, is ready for the bigs, with ratings of 12/13/17 maxing out his 6/6/8 talents. Deming, on the other hand, spent last season struggling mightily at AA Cooperstown, hitting .235/.299/.351 in 425 at-bats, and is at least a year away from contributing in the MBBA.

Coming back the other way is Alleyne. In 246 at-bats with Las Vegas last season, Alleyne hit .289/.373/.398, walking more time (33) than he struck out (24) on his way to posting an OBP 53 points higher than the Frick League average. He's got a skill set that I'm absolutely salivating over: 17 contact, 18 eye, and 18 avoid K's. He'll be even better in the platoon role I've got planned for him, with 18 contact, 18 eye, and 19 avoid K's against RHP. He'll hit a few doubles with a 13 gap rating, but his home runs will be non-existant. Two reasons for this:

1) His power rating is 7.
2) OOTP2006 actually pays attention to park factors.

The latter point is the biggest reason why I went after Alleyne and, to a lesser extent, why I briefly shopped Serrano. Hoffa Park has park factors of 91 for RH HR and 85 for LH HR, worst in the Frick League, and second only to California in the entire MBBA. When Serrano, a guy with 19 power, hits only 25 HR in 559 at-bats after averaging 41 HR a year the last four seasons we played with OOTP6 and 6.5, OBP and gap power become far, far more important to my offense. With Alleyne on board, former leadoff man Mohler will drop to fifth in the order, behind Rashardo Menne, Jr., Rafael Rodriguez, and Ranko Magohachi.

[mikev]

Originally Posted by Dvdmanny

Great dynasty, Ill be checking up on it as regularly as I can. You also have a forum? I'll go see if I can find it

We certainly do. Click the MBBA logo in my signature

[mikev]

Crawdads add AABA recruit to bullpen

In an attempt to bolster a bullpen that was, well, not very good last season, the Crawdads have announced that AABA Recruit Oscar Santoyo will be joining the team next season.
Santoyo, a light throwing lefty who tops out under 90, relies heavily on pinpoint control and movement on his pitches. Primarily a fastball-slider guy, Santoyo held left handed batters to a miniscule .483 OPS while notching 33 saves for the Wichita Pilots last season. It was his second straight year with 30+ saves, and his ERA was 2.48, up from 1.64 in 1994.
Santoyo was elated to be recruited by the Crawdads, who decided to use their one AABA recruit on the pitcher and not outfield prospect Lawrence Randall, who many thought would be the choice made by New Orleans.

When asked about the decision, GM Mike Voelker had this to say. "Honestly, I'm reasonably happy with our oufield situation. With the 4 guys we've got on the active roster now, I think we'll have a decent amount of production with the right rotation of playing time. The bullpen wasn't up to snuff last year, and adding a quality arm like Oscar's, even if he's only used against lefties, is definitely going to help in the short and the long term."

Santoyo was awarded a 600,000 dollar contract via arbitration this offseason, meaning there is a chance that he could cost the team 1.6 million in 1996. However, given the current state of Free Agency, 1.6 million for a guy who could be dominant out of the bullpen isn't a bad price to pay.

[mikev]

Trade Report: Crawdads Send Mike D. To Canada

In a just concluded press release, it was announced that the New Orleans Crawdads and Vancouver Mounties have completed a deal that will send Crawdad infielder Michael Diamond to the Mounties in exhange for outfield prospect Tsukasa Sato and starting pitchers George Fagg and Abdal "King Tut" Tutmosa.

The move somewhat signals the beginning of a rebuild/youth movement for New Orleans. Diamond was one of two hitters on the team that hit .300 in 1995, and it's likely that his replacement Kosuke Fukudome won't come close to that mark. Defensively, it's not much of a step down, if at all.
In aquiring two starters, rumors have floated around about the end of the Shawn Boskie and Righty Grove eras in New Orleans.

Crawdads GM Mike Voelker wasn't so sure. "I won't lie. Have I been contacted about them? Sure. Does that mean I'm going to deal them? Absolutely not. The team is in a position where we don't need to move salary, in fact we're under budget, and we feel that adding two more arms as well as another very good outfielder was a good move to make for us. Boskie is a bona fide #1 starter, and Grove is arguably a #1 as well. Unfortunately, they don't have the records to show for it."

Rumor has it that New Orleans would require at least one top prospect for either Groves or Boskie, but nobody is certain if they will be dealt or not.

[mikev]

Sawyer Silk's Jersey Retired

In a special press conference today, Crawdad fans old and new gathered to honor one of the greatest players in the history of the MBBA, Sawyer Silk. Silk announced his retirement from baseball this offseason, and Crawdads GM Mike Voelker wasted no time arranging the conference to retire Silk's jersey in New Orleans.

"Sawyer was already gone when I took over as Crawdads GM, but after a quick phone call to Jeremy (Kopra, former GM) who is still out bonding with nature or whatever they do in Oregon, it was really just determining the right time to do it. We decided to not bother waiting and just go ahead and have the Sawyer Silk jersey adorning the centerfield wall that used to be his stomping grounds."

Silk really needs no introduction, but just for kicks we'll chime in and let you know that he has the highest OPS in MBBA history. Ever. Yes, higher than Steve Collins. He began his MBBA career in 1981, going 5/14 in 5 games as a pro. He made his mark on the league in 1982, hitting .290 with 23 homers and 98 RBI, and posting an .840 OPS. That would be his last sub-.900 OPS until 1993.

His 1987 season was one that many Crawdad fans remember fondly. His 62 home runs were only good for second in the league (ha!), he hit .311 with a .415 OBP and a ridiculous .727 SLG. He was an all star, won the Slick Fielder award in CF, and was the Owners Choice Award winner for Best Hitter (that's league MVP, folks.). His most impressive stat, however, has to be his 100 walks and sixteen strikeouts. It was one of seven consecutive seasons in which Silk would K less than twenty times. Amazing.

Sawyer Silk was possibly the best all around player in MBBA history, and the Crawdads are proud to retire his jersey in New Orleans. Weclome home, Silk.

[mikev]

Grove traded to Vancouver

In an announcement just released, a trade between New Orleans and the Vancouver Mounties has been finalized. The deal sends longtime Crawdad Robert "Righty" Grove to Vancouver in exhange for first base prospect Joey Pampin as well as a first and second round pick in the upcoming First Year Player's Draft.
Grove, who has been with New Orleans his entire career, seemed to be resigned to being dealt.

"I loved my time in New Orleans, the clubhouse atmosphere,being back in Louisiana, the laid-back-ness. I have nothing but good memories," Groves said. "Now, I have the chance to pitch in the playoffs again and possibly win the whole shebang one more time with the Mounties. Obviously, the run support there is awesome. I'm excited to go to a new city."

"I didn't really think of (being traded) when I signed that last extension, but I knew they'd move some starting pitchers on the 25-man roster," Groves said. "I understand the baseball side, and when Mikey(Voelker, general manager) dealt Mike D. and got (righty starter George) Fagg, I could tell what he was trying to do.

"I know they wanted a few more good prospects, and that helps New Orleans because Pampin is going to be a good player. I knew even if I stayed here until the rebuild is done, II still might not have a chance to go to the playoffs again. I appreciate Mikey giving me a call and moving me to a place where I can get a shot at another LMS Trophy."

"Kirk did a great job for us and showed as much guts on the mound as anyone we've had," said GM Mike Voelker, adding Groves' absence will open a bullpen job for AABA recruit Oscar Santoyo. "With Santoyo, we've got a reliever with good stuff who adds depth to the talented group of kids we've got coming up over the next few seasons."
Rumors have swirled about the Crawdads other ace Shawn Boskie being dealt away, possibly as soon as the beginning of Spring Training.

[mikev]

Boskie Dealt... Here comes the rebuild...

In yet another trade meant to bolster the Crawdad's future at the expense of the present, it was just announced that staff ace Shawn Boskie has been traded to the Calgary Marauders in exhange for prospect Paul Alfred and a pair of draft picks.

Boskie, who had a severly misleading 10-12 record last season, was one of the best pitchers in the Frick League in 1996. He set career bests in ERA (2.78), innings pitches (243), runs (84), Earned Runs (75), complete games (4), WHIP (1.14), and was 5th in the FL in VORP (56.6).
In Alfred, the Crawdads receive a 25 year old former 1st rounder (1991) who still has some developing left to do, but posted a sub-4.00 ERA in over 240 innings of AAA last year. His movement is nicely developed but still has some room to grow, but hopefully his stuff and control will fill out this year. He should prove to be a very nice pitcher if he can get to where his talents project.

Calgary's 1st round pick is the 19th overall this year, which should net another very good prospect to add to the New Orleans minor league system, and a second rounder next year will help as well (please suck really badly so I have a high 2nd round pick Calgary kthx)

The move definitely throws New Orleans into full rebuild mode, but if their youngsters can develop this shouldn't last long at all.

[mikev]

Hitting Preview

The Crawdads enter the 1996 season with plenty of promising youngsters in the lineup (well, a couple not so promising ones as well) in what many would consider a rebuilding year. Gone is Mike D., one of their two .300 hitters from last season. Here's what the Crawdads will be putting out this season to terrorize the FLM (snicker.).

Lineup vs. RHP

1. CF Tsukasa Sato - Sato was good for an .836 OPS in AAA last season, with a .374 OBP and nearly a .500 SLG. He's one of the fastest players on the team, and probably the best bunter. He'll be leading off vs. both lefties and righties this year.

2. RF Arthur Jagger - Jagger was a minimal risk pickup from Long Beach last year, and has been solid but unspectacular in the corner OF positions for us. He'll be featured as mostly a platoon player, as we've got better options vs LHP. However, his 17 contac and 16 avoid K's will be nice in the 2-hole behind Sato.

3. C Champ Kind - Kind had a career high 24 home runs last year, yet had a career low OPS in the mid-600s. The previous 2 years of .800+ are what we're expecting from him this year, and he had better shape up because Roland Plemons is coming along quite nicely.

4. 1B Willie Williams - The team's best hitter, and last season's team MVP. His career OPS is .850, hopefully he'll stay right around there for us for years to come.

5. 3B Pepper Brooks - Ugh. His 1994 "breakout" season (.284/.323/.489) is looking more like a flash in the pan than a breakout at this point. He still hits the ball a long way when he makes contact, but he strikes out a ton and doesn't walk at all. This is really one of the spots that we're going to look to upgrade this year (ping: Hackensack. :gimme

6. LF Archibald Graham - Moonlight was another minimal risk pickup, and he's been solid but not a superstar. He'll be platooned as well, as his 15/12/12/14/12 against righties is much better than his split vs LHP. He's cheap and will play stellar defense for us, as usual.

7. 2B Vic "Creole" Wood - Wood has been frustrating. The injury bug has kept him from having a breakout year, as he's never played more than 113 games in a season. He was already hurt during Spring Training, so we don't have high hopes this year. Please surprise us, Vic!

8. SS Kosuke Fukudome - Fukudome filled in admirably last year during the extended absences of Vic Wood and Mike D due to injury, but he was really in no shape to play a full season yet and his performance suffered until he was moved back into a utility role. He's back in the starting position again after the trade of Diamond, and will be mainly relied on for his defense this year. His hitting still has some developing to do, but he's got a nice ceiling and could turn into a .750 OPS type with very good defense. We'll take that at the bottom of the order.

Lineup vs LHP

1. CF Sato
2. 2B Wood
3. C Kind

4. RF Jason "Ogre" Stucky - Once left for dead as a stalled prospect, Ogre showed some great development last year post-conversion and sports a 17/14/18/12/14 line against lefties. Hopefully he's going to really mash against them this year, we could definitely use a big bat in the lineup.

5. 1B Williams
6. 3B Brooks
7. SS Fukudome
8. LF Graham

The Bench

Not much here.

1B Jonathan Deanda - He used to be a good prospect, but lumped. He's got decent contact and avoid K's, and above average defense at 1B. He's just here to spell Williams and not use up option years on the guys I actually like in the minors.

SS/2B Orlando Miller - He was a crappy MLB Defector a few seasons ago, and would be Wood's defensive replacement if BRPOC had that feature still :deadhorse:

OF John Paul Tremblay - He's good defensively, and okay against RHP, but won't see any time vs. lefties.

C Lemuel Mattis - A fan favorite in the Bayou, Mattis is just a decent backup. He's not very good, but he's a cheap option for us, and other than last season he actually had okay numbers in limited time.

[mikev]

6-4, First place!

After the first sim of the season, New Orleans stands at 6-4, good for first place in the Frick League Midwest

Opening day saw the 'Dads on the wrong end of a 9-1 shellacking at the hands of Montreal, followed up by an 8-3 loss the next day. New Orleans avoided a sweep in Game 3 as Donovan Osborne pitched 8 innings of 2-run ball to get the Crawdad's first win of the season.

Up next was a 3 game set with the Austin Riverbats. It started off on the wrong foot, with an 11 inning 6-5 loss to open the series. Marty Powers took the loss after retiring the first batter of the 11th, then allowing 3 straight singles after a HBP. The second game was another extra inning affair, with New Orleans winning 5-1 in 10. The hero of the game was Kosuke Fukudome, who broke the game open with a 3-run homer in the top of the 10th. The final game of the series was yet another 10 inning game, with New Orleans scoring 3 in the 10th and Gunga shutting the door to preserve teh 7-5 victory and pick up his first W of the season.

Birmingham came to town for the next 3 games of the sim, and we promptly dropped the first game to superstar Sammy Bodeen, 3-0. The Crawdads won the second game, 3-2, on the strength of Donovan Osborne's 8 inning 1 run performance. George Fagg picked up his first win in a New Orleans uniform in the series finale.

To finish the sim, we traveled north for a date with Atlantic City, and promptly laid an 11-0 beatdown on the Gamblers to open up the 3 game set.

Hitter of the Sim: Willie Williams, 1B

Willie went 15-for-36 over the first 10 games, good for a .417 average and a 1.111 OPS.

Pitcher of the Sim:
Donovan Osborne, SP

Yeah, having two 8 inning starts and giving up a total of 3 earned runs will get you the nod for this award.

Upcoming Schedule

2/11 - @ Atlantic City
2/12 - @ Atlantic City

2/14 - @ Buffalo
2/15 - @ Buffalo
2/16 - @ Buffalo

2/17 - v. Long Beach
2/18 - v. Long Beach
2/19 - v. Long Beach

2/20 - @ Des Moines
2/21 - @ Des Moines

[mikev]

10-9, Still In First

A 4-5 second sim in 1996 leaves the Crawdads at 10-9, but still in a tie for first in the Frick League Midwest.

New Orleans started the sim on the wrong foot, losing the final 2 of a three game series with Atlantic City by scores of 5-2 and 4-1. The losing continued as the Crawdads dropped 2 of 3 to the Buffalo Bison. Thankfully, Long Beach came into town next and were the victims of a three game sweep, salvaging the sim. Des Moines was next and hand