July 25, 2001, MISSISSIPPI (AP) -- Owner/General Manager Mack Shultz breathed a deep sigh and announced "a trade I can finally feel good about" today. Mississippi sent away more of their future today in the chase for the inaugural title but, at least this time, got back something of quality. The Screaming Eagles added outfielder George Pullum and middle reliever John Frisby today from the Stockholm Sluggers. In exchange, Shultz sent away middle reliever Joshua Enders, outfielder Richard Whitesides, two top prospects in pitcher Tom Mathis and outfielder Luciano Cestero, and next year's second round pick.
"Don't get me wrong, Michael picked me clean yet again. It's just that, unlike other deals, we got back players who are quality major leaguers," explained Shultz. "Wait, that didn't come out right. The guys we got before, such as Oscar Leon, are really good too. It's just that ... oh heck. You know what I mean. This wasn't a deal made out of desperation as much as the last few have been."
When the Screaming Eagles dropped six of their last ten games (albeit after a 15-6 streak), rumors began circulating that their famously impatient owner would make another deal before the deadline.
"I've been trying to upgrade the pitching staff because, let's face it, we've already got a devastatingly powerful offense," said Shultz. "But I just haven't been able to find a fit. This deal at least improved our bullpen while also giving us a top flight outfielder to add to Paul Caldwell and Tracy Snider. That's not a bad day's work."
"That said," Shultz concluded, "I'm still looking for starting pitching and I've got some good prospects and next year's first round pick to burn. My team's based around a 35 year old first baseman. I'm not exactly building for the future here."
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Winnipeg is in the house.
Hey all,
The Winnipeg Watermarks are open for business. And by open for business, I mean that a trio of top players are available to anyone willing to bolster my tragic minor league system.
1B William Nunez is having what would appear to be an off-season, partly because he didn't get a day of rest for the first half of the season. But he's an 8 in power, a 10 in batting eye, and with a day off here and there could be a potent force for the rest of the year.
LF Samuel Leal is on pace for 42 home runs and 120 RBI. His OPS is .969.
RF Shane Spies (aka "Mr. Triple") has been a force at the top of the Winnipeg lineup, with 16 triples already and 39 stolen bases. He's also one of the best defensive RF in the game.
The Winnipeg Watermarks are open for business. And by open for business, I mean that a trio of top players are available to anyone willing to bolster my tragic minor league system.
1B William Nunez is having what would appear to be an off-season, partly because he didn't get a day of rest for the first half of the season. But he's an 8 in power, a 10 in batting eye, and with a day off here and there could be a potent force for the rest of the year.
LF Samuel Leal is on pace for 42 home runs and 120 RBI. His OPS is .969.
RF Shane Spies (aka "Mr. Triple") has been a force at the top of the Winnipeg lineup, with 16 triples already and 39 stolen bases. He's also one of the best defensive RF in the game.
WWJD?
What Will Jesus Do (for your team)?
Need bullpen help? The Ministry is looking to trade MR Jesus Ortiz. Please note that he's a free agent next year, which means that I'll probably let him go on the cheap! Send me an email (guitar_shark@hotmail.com) if you have any interest.
Matt
Seattle GM
Need bullpen help? The Ministry is looking to trade MR Jesus Ortiz. Please note that he's a free agent next year, which means that I'll probably let him go on the cheap! Send me an email (guitar_shark@hotmail.com) if you have any interest.
Matt
Seattle GM
Monday, May 28, 2007
Seattle - Marietta Trade
Seattle GM Matt Macario announced a trade today designed to help his schizophrenic team grab one of the wild card slots. Seattle sent SP Edward Scoles to Marietta in exchange for C Herman Colon.
"We felt we needed more of an offensive spark behind the plate," Macario responded, when asked to explain the move. "Our pitching has been solid, but we've had some trouble scoring runs. Hopefully, this will be enough to get us into the playoffs, where we fully expect to be eaten alive by the vastly superior team from Mississippi," Macario said.
Macario then sighed heavily, put his hands in his pockets, and shuffled away quietly.
"We felt we needed more of an offensive spark behind the plate," Macario responded, when asked to explain the move. "Our pitching has been solid, but we've had some trouble scoring runs. Hopefully, this will be enough to get us into the playoffs, where we fully expect to be eaten alive by the vastly superior team from Mississippi," Macario said.
Macario then sighed heavily, put his hands in his pockets, and shuffled away quietly.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Mississippi - Cairo trade
Mississippi Assistant General Manager Michael Shultz announced another trade today. Mississippi sent prospect starting pitchers John Toy and William Tyler to Cairo in exchange for AAA reliever Donald Villalba.
"Yeah, Daddy was too ashamed to come out here and admit that we were trading still more prospects to try and fix the bullpen, so he sent me," said the five-year-old boy. "I got a new train out of it, so I'm pretty happy." Michael then smiled shyly and left the podium skipping off to play with his shiny black Neville locomotive.
"Yeah, Daddy was too ashamed to come out here and admit that we were trading still more prospects to try and fix the bullpen, so he sent me," said the five-year-old boy. "I got a new train out of it, so I'm pretty happy." Michael then smiled shyly and left the podium skipping off to play with his shiny black Neville locomotive.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Wild Card / Division Championships?
One issue that neither Nate nor I had fully considered at the start of the league was whether to have wild cards. It just came up today in an email from one of the league's owners. We both think that having a wild card is a good idea. First, it expands the playoff excitement to more teams. Second, we're both concerned about the fact that we're leading the two divisions and think that anything that gives other teams a better chance to win the inaugural title is good, from the perspective of establishing this new league's credibility.
So, the two options are (a) to have the two division winners meet in the championship round or (b) to have the first and second place teams in each division meet in a semi-final type round and then to have the winners of those series advance to the finals. All series would be seven games. Please respond with either a comment to the blog or an email to Nate and me letting us know your preference. If we don't receive any strong objections, we're going to add a wild card round to the playoffs. I've tested it, and it's something that we can add on the fly.
So, the two options are (a) to have the two division winners meet in the championship round or (b) to have the first and second place teams in each division meet in a semi-final type round and then to have the winners of those series advance to the finals. All series would be seven games. Please respond with either a comment to the blog or an email to Nate and me letting us know your preference. If we don't receive any strong objections, we're going to add a wild card round to the playoffs. I've tested it, and it's something that we can add on the fly.
Sim schedule changes
For the remainder of July 2001, we're dropping to a two sims per week, five days per sim schedule, to allow teams time to make any necessary trades. Once we get past the trading deadline, we'll accelerate again to three sims per week.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Change to front page
Everyone please note that I've added a space for when the next sim is going to be and whether I or Mack will be doing it.
Monday, May 14, 2007
OEL ignores Leveemen
CAIRO, Ill. -- While fans and management alike agree Cairo's inaugural season has been nothing to celebrate thus far, both also believe the total snubbing of the Leveemen from the OEL Platonic League All-Star roster is undeserved.
"I realize I'm in last place in the league, but this is ridiculous," General Manager Jones said. "Not only did every other team send a player to the yet-to-be-determined-if-there-actually-is-an-All Star Game, every other team -- including Helena with one more loss than me -- sends TWO!"
Jones admits he had few opportunities to crack the possibly-of-no-consequece-roster, but he was surprised by the committee's failure to select either starter Chad Gomez or leftfielder Osvaldo Acevedo.
Acevedo, a 15th round pick and Cairo's leadoff man, has had a standout year so far. Over 70 games he has amassed 83 hits, including seven triples to lead the league. His .314 average is good enough for ninth in the Platonic league, and he's in the top ten for Runs Created and RC/27 Outs. Acevedo's speed on the basepaths, while not enough to bring the Leveemen up out of the cellar, has been good enough to earn him tops on the purloined base list, with 30.
What likely kept Acevedo from heading to wherever it is that the All-Star game will be played, if indeed it is ever played, were his eight errors in left field. The six outfielders selected for the Platonic team in the perhaps-phantom game have combined for six errors so far.
Gomez, the first Leveeman selected in the 2001 draft, has demonstrated his worth as well. In 16 games, the starter has earned seven decisions, four wins and three losses, and is tied for first in the league with 11 quality starts. Over those 16 games, he has pitched 105 innings (tied for second in the Platonic League), an average of nearly six and two-thirds. Fourth in the league with 88 strikeouts, Gomez also displays his efficiency with top standing in the league in both runners per nine innings pitched, with 9.86, and WHIP, with 1.08.
Gomez' low decision rate is possibly what kept him out of the game that may or may not be played. Each of the other Platonic League starters amassed at least six wins, though two of them had a .500 record -- below Gomez' .571 rate.
"I realize I'm in last place in the league, but this is ridiculous," General Manager Jones said. "Not only did every other team send a player to the yet-to-be-determined-if-there-actually-is-an-All Star Game, every other team -- including Helena with one more loss than me -- sends TWO!"
Jones admits he had few opportunities to crack the possibly-of-no-consequece-roster, but he was surprised by the committee's failure to select either starter Chad Gomez or leftfielder Osvaldo Acevedo.
Acevedo, a 15th round pick and Cairo's leadoff man, has had a standout year so far. Over 70 games he has amassed 83 hits, including seven triples to lead the league. His .314 average is good enough for ninth in the Platonic league, and he's in the top ten for Runs Created and RC/27 Outs. Acevedo's speed on the basepaths, while not enough to bring the Leveemen up out of the cellar, has been good enough to earn him tops on the purloined base list, with 30.
What likely kept Acevedo from heading to wherever it is that the All-Star game will be played, if indeed it is ever played, were his eight errors in left field. The six outfielders selected for the Platonic team in the perhaps-phantom game have combined for six errors so far.
Gomez, the first Leveeman selected in the 2001 draft, has demonstrated his worth as well. In 16 games, the starter has earned seven decisions, four wins and three losses, and is tied for first in the league with 11 quality starts. Over those 16 games, he has pitched 105 innings (tied for second in the Platonic League), an average of nearly six and two-thirds. Fourth in the league with 88 strikeouts, Gomez also displays his efficiency with top standing in the league in both runners per nine innings pitched, with 9.86, and WHIP, with 1.08.
Gomez' low decision rate is possibly what kept him out of the game that may or may not be played. Each of the other Platonic League starters amassed at least six wins, though two of them had a .500 record -- below Gomez' .571 rate.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Mississippi and Seattle Swap Minor Leaguers
In a deal that even the players' families don't really care about, Seattle and Mississippi swapped minor leaguers today. Seattle sent AAA reliever Craig Tanner to Mississippi in exchange for two players in A-ball, outfielder Jose Santiago and reliever Nicholas Rist.
"It's a sign of just how pathetic we are that we have to go get someone else's AAA reliever and that he'll probably be our set-up guy," said Mississippi Owner/GM Mack Shultz. "It's even sadder that Santiago and Rist are two of our better prospects. The whole thing makes me ill."
Shultz, who famously ripped into his team last month, has not been mollified by the Screaming Eagles' 13-6 run since the tirade. "It's better, yes, but we have high standards. Heck, with our farm system, we better win the title this year because it may be our only shot. If anyone out there has pitching they want to move, drop me a line. We're looking to do whatever we can to improve our 11th ranked pitching staff."
"It's a sign of just how pathetic we are that we have to go get someone else's AAA reliever and that he'll probably be our set-up guy," said Mississippi Owner/GM Mack Shultz. "It's even sadder that Santiago and Rist are two of our better prospects. The whole thing makes me ill."
Shultz, who famously ripped into his team last month, has not been mollified by the Screaming Eagles' 13-6 run since the tirade. "It's better, yes, but we have high standards. Heck, with our farm system, we better win the title this year because it may be our only shot. If anyone out there has pitching they want to move, drop me a line. We're looking to do whatever we can to improve our 11th ranked pitching staff."
Friday, May 4, 2007
The league continues!
The sim is done. Next one's by me on Monday.
Oh where, Oh where has my little Mack gone? Oh where, Oh where can he be?
Oh where, Oh where has my little Mack gone? Oh where, Oh where can he be?
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
CF available to a good home
The Stockholm fire sale continues!
3.5 star CF George Pullum is available for trade. He is getting on base at a .347 clip, but his slugging percentage is over .500 due to his 11 home runs. He was my very first draft pick, and won't come cheap. But, if you need an extra outfielder to help push you over the top this inaugural season, he's your man.
In return, I'd like a top-tier pitching prospect and/or high draft picks in next year's draft. You only get one chance to win the inaugural title in the Overeducated League, so show everyone how smart you are and deal for Pullum!
Also available for your pennant dream chasing needs are reliever Aurelio Cabezas, sporting a very nice 2.57 ERA in 21 innings thus far this season, and hotbagger Suguru Mutsuhito, who mashed up AAA to a 967 OPS before getting called up to Stockholm this week (where he has a very sweet 2500 OPS that's bound to go down, but not that far).
Interested? Contact owner/GM Michael Weintraub via mweintr@gmail.com or mweintr2 on AIM!
3.5 star CF George Pullum is available for trade. He is getting on base at a .347 clip, but his slugging percentage is over .500 due to his 11 home runs. He was my very first draft pick, and won't come cheap. But, if you need an extra outfielder to help push you over the top this inaugural season, he's your man.
In return, I'd like a top-tier pitching prospect and/or high draft picks in next year's draft. You only get one chance to win the inaugural title in the Overeducated League, so show everyone how smart you are and deal for Pullum!
Also available for your pennant dream chasing needs are reliever Aurelio Cabezas, sporting a very nice 2.57 ERA in 21 innings thus far this season, and hotbagger Suguru Mutsuhito, who mashed up AAA to a 967 OPS before getting called up to Stockholm this week (where he has a very sweet 2500 OPS that's bound to go down, but not that far).
Interested? Contact owner/GM Michael Weintraub via mweintr@gmail.com or mweintr2 on AIM!
Wednesday Sim Complete
We all know that Mack's really just losing his mind in the move so let's all agree to look away for a bit.
The sim is done. Next one's Friday night by me. We're past the 1/3 mark in season one!
The sim is done. Next one's Friday night by me. We're past the 1/3 mark in season one!
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Mississippi General Manager Lashes Out
Dateline: May 30, 2001
MISSISSIPPI (AP) -- Mississippi Owner / General Manager Mack Shultz showed why his team is known as the Screaming Eagles last night when he ripped into his team -- first in a closed door session and then again to the press.
"They're a bunch of overpaid whiners," ranted Shultz. "I go out and get them a front-line starter and a solid reliever and how do they respond? With a six-game losing streak! Intolerable! My Seattle Monarchs don't lose six games in a month! It's disgusting!"
Shultz continued his rant, after some salty language that would make even the toughest sailor pale, by questioning his team's effort. "I've seen some half-a***d play out there. They lollygag the ball around the infield. They lollygag their way down to first. They lollygag in and out of the dugout. You know what that makes them? Lollygaggers!"
Veteran team leader Bruce Bremer, at least publicly, stuck up for his GM. "Hey, he's right. He's gone out to get us some players to help us make a run at the league title and hopefully the championship. It's up to us to step up and make it happen."
However, new pitcher Oscar Leon, recently acquired from Stockholm, wasn't as sure. "That guy, he's crazy man. Craaaaazy. Who did I piss off to end up working for a guy like that?"
OEL League insiders agreed privately with Leon. "It's way to early in the season to make that kind of deal," one said. "Two months isn't enough time to know what kind of a team you've got. Shultz was a bit hasty in going for the gold this year and there's a good chance it's going to come back to bite him."
MISSISSIPPI (AP) -- Mississippi Owner / General Manager Mack Shultz showed why his team is known as the Screaming Eagles last night when he ripped into his team -- first in a closed door session and then again to the press.
"They're a bunch of overpaid whiners," ranted Shultz. "I go out and get them a front-line starter and a solid reliever and how do they respond? With a six-game losing streak! Intolerable! My Seattle Monarchs don't lose six games in a month! It's disgusting!"
Shultz continued his rant, after some salty language that would make even the toughest sailor pale, by questioning his team's effort. "I've seen some half-a***d play out there. They lollygag the ball around the infield. They lollygag their way down to first. They lollygag in and out of the dugout. You know what that makes them? Lollygaggers!"
Veteran team leader Bruce Bremer, at least publicly, stuck up for his GM. "Hey, he's right. He's gone out to get us some players to help us make a run at the league title and hopefully the championship. It's up to us to step up and make it happen."
However, new pitcher Oscar Leon, recently acquired from Stockholm, wasn't as sure. "That guy, he's crazy man. Craaaaazy. Who did I piss off to end up working for a guy like that?"
OEL League insiders agreed privately with Leon. "It's way to early in the season to make that kind of deal," one said. "Two months isn't enough time to know what kind of a team you've got. Shultz was a bit hasty in going for the gold this year and there's a good chance it's going to come back to bite him."
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