The Future looks Bright in Troy

Clearwater, Florida: As all teams in the NASBL prepare for the 2010 season in their spring training facilities, it's easy for teams to have a positive outlook on the season. The bright Florida sun and warm weather always seem to bring out the the best in players, fans and management alike. The new look Haymakers are not exempt from this phenomenon...."We plan on contending for the playoffs," says 3B/DH Mark Reynolds, "We are going to surprise some people." Reynolds isin't the only player on the team with playoff hopes. "I know I'm new to the team, but we have a great bunch of guys here," says pitcher Max Scherzer, "this lineup is going to be much better than they were last year." He may just be right. The 2010 Haymaker lineup is looking to improve on a lineup that produced near the bottom in every category last year, cumulated by a second from the bottom team batting average. With improved play from Mark Reynolds, Jason Bartlett, Andre Ethier, Brandon Phillips, Billy Butler, and Hunter Pence all anchored by 3B/C and new star Pablo Sandoval; Troy should have no problem scoring runs.

Always a strength of a Haymaker team, this years bull-pen looks as strong as ever. Six arms deep with two quality lefties anchored by closer Huston Street; there should be no problem stopping runs from scoring late in the game.

The main weakness of this year's team though is what keeps them a possible contender instead of a bone-a-fide contender. There are a couple of decent young arms in Jered Weaver and Max Scherzer, but after that it looks rough. Mike Pelfrey and Jon Garland will have to work a good number of innings, and it will be tough for them to be able to pull a .500 record.

When GM/Manager Ken Anderson was asked about a possibility of a playoff spot; he said, "Anything's possible. Right now we're just trying to get ready for the season. If we do enough to prepare, we could definitely make a case for it."

Here's a look at the Haymakers depth chart for the upcoming season:

C: Geovanny Soto/Pablo Sandoval /Omir Santos

1B: Billy Butler /Fernando Tatis

2B: Brandon Phillips/Omar Infante /Juan Uribe

3B: Pablo Sandoval/Juan Uribe/Mark Reynolds

SS: Jason Bartlett /Juan Uribe

LF: Andre Ethier /Jose Batista/David Murhpy

CF: Chris Dickerson /Brett Gardner/Omar Infante/Jose Batista

RF: Hunter Pence /David Murphy

DH: Mark Reynolds

SP: Jered Weaver

SP: Max Scherzer

SP: Jon Garland

SP: Mike Pelfrey

SP: Justin Masterson

SP: Homer Bailey

Closer: Huston Street

Setup: Mike Gonzalez

Setup: Brandon Lyon

Relief: Jason Bulger

Relief: Jeff Fulchino

Relief: Pedro Feliciano

Season Preview - Outlaw Josey Wales

Burlington, VT

Everything is happier in Outlaw land. Well, that might not have always been true, but it surely applies to the feelings heading into the 2010 NASBL season with OJW coming off a NASBL Championship season. The TG South looks like a tighter 4-team race this year as the division’s dominant forces OJW and NJT may have taken a step back while the bottom half of the division teams have their constituents buzzing. Burlington Free Press’ TG South blogger Tuba Do Jinx Uris takes us below the Mason-Dixon line to give us the scoop on the defending NASBL champs.

Five-Year Win Trend

2009 101

2008 90

2007 68

2006 87

2005 74

OUTLAW JOSEY WALES

‘09 Record: 101-61, 1st in TG South
Pythagorean Record: 101-61 (+0)
Current NASBLOTA Projection: 96-66 (1st in TG South)

2009 Review

Outlaw finished the 2009 season in first place, 4 games ahead of the Trash Heap. They were able to win 11 more games than they did in 2008 and improve from on their position of 6 games out of first place. In 2009, OJW scored 830 runs while allowing a league 2^nd best 648. There were many bright spots for OJW in 2009, with one being Ryan Dempster’s 21-7, 3.11 campaign.

2010 Outlook

While the rich got richer in the form of two 1^st round draft picks (Elvis Andrus & Nelson Cruz), the toughest challenge will be holding the opposition under 700 runs again. The pitching staff was hit hard by injuries, leading Mark Hildebrant to rely on an improved defense (four 1-range players in the IF!) to limit crooked numbers on the score board. Four big question remain for this team: (1) Is Manny Ramirez in a nonstop downward spiral or can he put together a healthy end to end season? (2) Will the Outlaw rotation, full of part-timers, be good enough to pitch well all season? (3) Is Elvis Andrus, taken #3 overall, the NEXT BIG THING? and (4) When will GM Hildebrant relax his “Joba Rules” and unleash Mr. Chamberlin’s considerable talents on the rest of the league?

2010 Team

Departed:

Rod Barajas

Chris Coste

Gabe Kapler

Melvin Mora

Nick Punto

Alfonso Soriano

Ryan Theriot

Tim Byrdak

J Devine

Javier Lopez

Jason Frasor

H Kuo

G Smith

New Arrivals:

Jared Salty

David Ortiz

L Valbuena

Elvis Andrus

Adrian Beltre

Nelson Cruz

Grant Balfour

J Carlson

M Lowe

DJ Carrasco

Kevin Jepsen

Matt Capps

Catcher

The catching position was not a big source of strength for Outlaw a year ago, and not much has changed heading into this season. With former prospect Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s shoulder still an area of concern and his offensive numbers never really coming together, Mike Napoli should see a good chunk of playing time in 2010 and punish LHP in the process.

Infield

The Texas infield is one of the teams biggest strengths and it’s what sets them ahead of most other clubs. With Adrian Gonzalez at first, Dustin Pedroia at second, Elvis Andrus at short and Adrian Beltre at 3^rd, there aren’t many teams that can match up with an infield like that form both an offensive and defensive standpoint.

Gonzalez has firmly established himself as a star and is the club’s first baseman of the present & future while Pedroria comes in as a sleeper for the TG batting title. Andrus is a strong ROY candidate and should meet expectations in 2010 as he works to improve the skills he displayed with his glove. Mr. Consistency, Beltre, will continue to shine with his glove and provide more than adequate offense in support of the Outlaw line up.

Outfield

Jason Bay is a big time home run threat, Rajai Davis can run after the ball and around the bases with the best of ‘em and Nelson Cruz will start in right and the trio will combine for a very good offensive and average defensive outfield for Outlaw. Should anyone need day off, Manny Ramirez is more than a capable backup as he fights his way back into the mix.

Designated Hitter

Manny and his former minor league teammate David Ortiz will hit RHP well from the DH spot and should post about a 120 OPS+ against lefties.

Bench

Franchise mascot Omar Vizquel is back again, this time to tutor young Elvis in the finer arts of glovemanship and provide about 150 ABs worth of experience. Ryan Ludwick and Manny make up very good #4 and #5 OFers.

Starting Rotation

Outlaw’s rotation is experienced but lacks a true top of the rotation innings-eater. Much of the rotation’s success will depend on the health of Rich Harden and Jake Peavy. Getting a combined 225 IP from these two talented hurlers will go a long way for Outlaw success, but you should expect them to miss at least a handful of starts in 2010. Ryan Dempster, the #1 on paper, won 21 games in 2009, but heading into this year appears to lack true “ace” stuff. Scott Baker will be a competent 25+ start option for Mark and Scott Kazmir and Joba Chamberlin’s combined production are above average for their back of the rotation status. The team hopes it can nurse Tim Hudson back to health so he may return to his past dominance.

Bullpen

The bullpen is one of the team’s biggest strengths. Broxton and Soria are great closer options and the rest of the pen is littered with very good set up men and other options for closers if the need arises in the form of Downs, Balfour and Matt Capps amongst others.

AROUND THE HORN WITH OUTLAW JOSEY WALES…

Breakthrough Performance…

Jarrod Saltalamacchia

Sharing more of the time behind the plate with Mike Napoli should allow Saltalamacchia’s offensive game to develop more and as his catching demands lessen, he should find his swing and become more of the offensive threat he was projected to be. With his shoulder feeling better after off season surgery, and being just 25 years old, Saltalamacchia still has a bright future ahead of him. As long as he can take some time to work on his plate discipline and reduce the number of Ks, the rest should improve on its own.

Ready to Rebound…

Manny Ramirez

Coming off an “injury” plagued 2009, MannyBManny can only improve in 2010. You could say that after 2008, he suffered from hitters Verducci effect where his body just wasn’t ready to play a full season without pharmaceutical aid. He’s gone through a lot and has a questionable work ethic. As long as he can listen to what his body is telling him in terms of injuries he should be able to stay on the field and produce.

Ready to Disappoint…

Rich Harden

Harden needs to fill a vital role in the rotation and for someone who just hasn’t pitched a lot of innings due to injury, there’s not much he’ll be able to do when the inevitable DL stint occurs. If (When?) Harden gets hurt, it will leave a huge hole talent-wise in the top of rotation, which will cause Outlaw to pull players out of different roles to fill a need. This may not end well for Outlaw or Harden if he isn’t able to pitch a full season.

Don’t Be Surprised If…

Outlaw regresses a bit and New Jersey wins the TG South. As mentioned many times herein, the key will be the ability of the pitching to repeat 2009’s success. If not, the fallback is a sterling defensive infield and hopefully increased production from Manny and a big season with the bat from rookie Nelson Cruz.

Be Shocked If…

Elvis Andrus dose not compete for TG ROY. He’s just too talented and will get a lot of run scoring opportunities hitting ahead of Adrian Gonzalez and Nelson Cruz.

Rock Steady…

Adrian Gonzalez

One thing that stands out more than anything in this lineup is Adrian Gonzalez’s consistency. He’s a hitter with excellent bat control, and someone who can drive the ball on a consistent basis. None of that even mentions his gold glove caliber defense.

Achilles Heel…

Age & Injuries

Father time is catching up with more than a few of OJW’s All-Star caliber players. Between Manny & Big Papi, the offense ain’t what it used to be. And the bullpen car best be driven by a paramedic.

In the Next Three Years…

Look for Outlaw to be consistent winners in the TG South as their young position players gain experience and become leaders within the club house and the rotation returns to health. Hildebrandt has a good group of young players who are still learning and with each year of experience these young players gain, the better the team will be as a whole.

Goosebumps Moment…

The raising of the banner in Outlaw Stadium. This is what season ticket holders have been long waiting for, and OJW rewarded their loyalty by bringing home the hardware.

Q&A With Lake Champlain GM Steve Beard

Burlington, VT

Here's the actual transcript between a new Burlington Free Press blogger and GM Beard.


Hello Steve. My name is Dinosaur Jib Tux, I am the NASBL Blogger for the Burlington Free Press. My (a-hole) editor asked I get an official comment from you regarding the upcoming season and the recent trades made by the perennial Taste Great East Cellar Dweller Illinois Chow Chows. So:
Q: Mr. Beard, in light of the aggressive moves made by Brad "The New Elder" Sherlag, do you feel your three-year stranglehold on 3rd place in the TG East is in jeopardy? Have the fans expressed anxiety?

As I said prior to this year's draft, I'm supremely confident LCC can return to its rightful 90+ win / 3rd place spot in the TGE. At the risk of angering a sleeping giant, I'm pretty sure 4th place in our division will once again be nailed down by a Sherlag with a good record. Have the fans expressed anxiety? Not in the least. Sales of giant LCC foam souvenir "thringers" (a slip-on sponge hand with three fingers proudly extended) have never been higher.


Q: In case the rumors from FireSteveBeard.com, a rabid LCC fan site, are true and your head has actually been in the sand, here are the deals for your review:

• GRK sends Carlos Zambrano and GRK #4 to ILL for James Shields and ILL #1

• LVI sends Angel Pagan to ILL for Chad Gaudin and ILL #2

  
  

Your comment?

I was surprised to see former Cannibal James Shields go. Just a few months ago, Brad had told me he was a believer in Shields. I actually was wondering who got the better end of the deal on this one just in terms of 2010 pitcher performance, but that was only until GRK GM Johnny Miller cued me in that Shields was getting consistently shelled in spring training action. We've seen Big Z before, in a Hawaiian cerulean wave shirt. But he may be a bit tougher on this year's Cannibal squad, as we've gone more RHB-heavy than normal.

Angel Pagan doesn't raise too many concerns in a strictly head-to-head sense. He's very tough against right-handed pitchers, but here at Lake Champlain we teach all our pitchers to throw with the left hand (except for the intransigent Edwin Jackson, who makes up for his right-handedness by having a left-hander's stuff: in an effort to fit in he gives up more bombs to RHB).

Q: LCC GM Steve Beard used to have the handle Trader Beard. But in recent years LCC has taken a more passive approach to the trade market. Should the CanniFans, as they call themselves, expect a swift and decisive response to ILL's statement moves?

I intend to act with a swift and decisive level of passiveness. Inaction, after all, is a form of action. I took the long view on this year's team, and had a plan for it almost from the day the 2009 season ended (for us that day was August 1st). Despite one somewhat more than casual flirtation with "that really hot girl who you know just wouldn't be good for you, but still" (Albert Pujols), I've been sticking with that plan pretty much straight through.

Q: It used to be hard enough to keep up with HHA and SPR. Now ILL is nipping at your heels. Will the realization that the TG East is getting even stronger rekindle the long-rumored realignment talks at the NASBL Head Offices in St. Albans, VT? Is it true that you commissioned a Blue Ribbon Panel of experts to examine how to broaden NASBL's appeal and one of their suggestions was a radical floating realignment plan?

Only one team in the TGE has ever proposed realignment, and it wasn't LCC. The proposal was several years ago, and the NASBL's annual Blue Ribbon Panel rightfully responded to the suggestion with much the same revulsion as Joe Buck responding to Randy Moss's moondance at Lambeau field several years ago. (Editor's Note: Ironic that GM Beard would drop a mooning reference, many in the FSB.com camp think that's exactly what he's been doing to his fanbase for the last 4 years)

Q: Additionally, a recent addition to ILL's rotation was 1st round pick Brett Anderson. Anderson was acquired with LCC's former #1 round pick and is seen by scouts as someone with a great future who also possesses a quality card for the upcoming season. We know how LCC historically adores 'backward cards', and Anderson certainly is a backward lefty. How do you feel now that in hindsight it's obvious LCC let a prototypical LCC-style player get through the cracks?

C'mon, this is a Barbara Walters style softball of a question. The pick with which we could've gotten Brett Anderson was the same pick that yielded us Troy Tulowitzki. As much as I would've like to have added a 7th left-handed starter to our rotation (seriously - we already have 6), it was definitely past time to replace Edgar Renteria at short. While Tulo didn't add much last year other than defense and occasional power (6hr in 204 ab with LCC), that's 2 more things than Edgar was bringing to the table. Okay, maybe that's not fair. Edgar was bringing several things to the table, not least of which were a fork, a knife, and a beer gut. But none of that was really translating as well on the field as we had hoped.

Q: Another LCC-mantra is to not value corner OFers and 1b-men too much. Players at these positions are easy to obtain and should not have too much invested in them in terms of salary, draft position, etc. Yet, with LCC's first 2 picks in the 2010 NASBL Rookie/Free Agent Draft, GM Beard pulled the trigger on Garrett Jones and Nick Johnson. Both of whom are defensive liability, 1b/OF/DH types. The exact type of player that has littered the Cannibals roster in the past. Fans were promised a shift away from this beer league softball roster management, but here we go again. Can you please explain why a) you seemingly reverted to the old beer league school and b) you used valuable draft picks on otherwise easy to obtain skill sets.

This in part goes back to the Tulowitzki deal - we actually spent our 1st round pick on defense at a critical up the middle position. Combined with the other big LCC in-season trade in 2009 where offensive and defensive OBA machine Chipper Jones went south (about 30 minutes south) for defensive whiz Ryan Zimmerman, and the defensive skills of incumbent flycatchers Curtis Granderson, JD Drew, and Chris Young, this could be one of the better defensive LCC teams ever. With regard to why GI Jones and Nick Johnson are now on board, they as well as fellow defensive liability Luis Castillo represented what we like to think of as singularities in the Strat world: The best at one phase of the game at one position. In the case of Jones, we looked at him as the best power-hitting corner guy in the deck. We looked at Johnson as the best OBA guy in the deck. And while Castillo isn't the best OBA guy in the deck, he's the best at one of those "add a bunch of categories together" comparisons that Bill James abhors so much: Best OBA guy vsR at 2b. Johnson and Castillo were 2 of the guys that were in The Plan for quite some time. Johnson since last fall, and Castillo after we were unable to pull of a Felipe Lopez trade with NJT prior to the roster cutbacks.

So while it's true LCC doesn't like to spend big on easy to obtain skill sets, on draft day the thought in the War Room was that "highest OBA card in the deck" wasn't so much an easy to obtain skillset as a unique skillset we only had one chance at grabbing. It could certainly be argued that we overpaid for that skillset, but I looked at it like it was a planned expense that was in the budget.

As far as old-school beer league softball is concerned, I guess ultimately I'm guilty as charged. I'm genuinely interested in seeing how close the LCC offensive plan of "two OBA guys followed by seven 20+ HR guys" can come to the annual Cannibal goal of 1,000 runs scored.

Chows add to Outfield Depth

Illinois Times -- The Chows will now be sitting out both the 1st and 2nd round in next year's draft. Following up the big trade to bring in Zambrano, Illinois addressed their shortage of quality OF by trading Gaudin and a 2nd for Angel Pagan.

GM Brad Sherlag described the move as follows "Morandini now has a lot of choices in mixing and matching. The Chows could go with an OF of Pagan, Bourn and Beltran most of the time or could decide to play Beltran in CF vs. Lefties and go with Pagan, Bourn and Fukudome as their primary OF rotation. He might even do something crazy like play Beltran in all divisional games regardless of what side the pitcher throws from. Without stashing Shields away for next year, Gaudin was really an extra part for us. Instead of having a pitcher we would hardly ever use, we now have an outfielder who can play all three positions and give us some quality ABs."

When asked if this trade was in response to an article that appeared in a Burlington, VT newspaper that gave Springfield an 8 Sherlag lead in the OF, Sherlag said "Of course not - what the heck is a Sherlag? I am not familiar with the article you are talking about, but if it said our OF was a little short, we know that was the case. That is why we pursued Pagan. We had him fairly high on our draft board and were not able to get him in the draft."

When asked if the Chows were done, Sherlag said "I don't know - if the right deal came along we would listen. We would still like to get a CF vs. LHP or a top LF vs. RHP (which would allow Beltran to play CF vs. L), but frankly I am not sure what we have to give up. Our entire roster now has a role. For the right player we could "

The Chows OF now consists of:

Bourn, Beltran, Willingham, Raburn, Fukudome, Pagan & Gomes (though Gomes will likely DH vs. LHP)

Did Z Best Wieters? Look at the Photo

Illinois Times -- More details of the Zambrano, Wieters fight are coming to light. In this grainy cell-phone photograph provided by an unnamed Georgia player, you can see the extent of Matt's injuries. Apparently, the Roadkill trainer had to rub an extremely strong salve all over Wieters face to try to heal the damage inflicted by a raging Z.

The fight appears to have originated when Wieters refused to try to catch Zambrano's out pitch (a slider) with a speedy runner on first. According to the Georgia player who provided this photograph, when Zambrano went to talk to Weiters about pitch selection, Wieters said, "I have a lot of money to be made in this sport and I do not want to be regarded as a Piazza. I will throw guys out, and if high heat is what it takes to make my arm appear a little better, high heat is what the 'Kill staff will throw."

Zambrano and Wieters have yet to comment on the incident. But from the photo above, it appears that Matt had more injuries than the slight swelling above Zambrano's eye.

THE DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA!

Carlos Zambrano's career with the Georgia Roadkill was cut short after a reported fight broke out in the dugout at the club's Spring Training complex at Lake Buena Vista, FL.

Details are sketchy at this point as the initial report had "Big Z" involved with A.J. Pierzynski but now it seems that "NBT" (Next Big Thing) top prospect Matt Wieters had to be seperated by several teammates including AJP & Jeff Francoeur. Zambrano was sporting a large welt over his left eye & shouted "I'll be throwing heat for The 'Kill long after that punk is finished".

GM Miller was overheard saying "MY NAME IS JOHNNY & IT MIGHT BE A SIN BUT I'LL TAKE YOUR BET, YOU'RE GONNA REGRET, 'COS I'M THE BEST THAT'S EVER BEEN". He then immediately contacted Chow Chows GM Brad Sherlag & sent "Big Z" packing (with GRK's 2011 #4 pick) for James Shields & ILL's 2011 #1 draft pick.

Big Z gives Chows a Big 3

Illinois Times - Today Chows GM Brad Sherlag cashed in his biggest two chips and declared the Chows as "all in". Illinois agreed to send its 2011 #1 pick and James Shields for Carlos Zambrano and Georgia's #4 pick.

"We were a starting pitcher short this season and in our division and league, that was probably going to keep us on the outside looking in for the play-offs. Backing up Carpenter and Halladay with Zambrano gives us the depth we need this year. It was really tough to part with James Shields, we were willing to carry 15 pitchers this season to minimize his use in a down year since we believe in him for the long term. Shields was a critical piece in this trade and we could not find a way to work a deal for Z if he was not part of it. We are sure that James will have years of success for Georgia."

The Chows rotation now looks solid for this season and pencils in as follows:

1) Carpenter

2) Halladay

3) Zambrano

4) Anderson

5) Wells/Maine

Swingman - Volquez

Duensing will now be part of the Chows bullpen instead of the rotation.

Now that the Chows are going for it this year, Illinois will be looking to add either an outfielder, a catcher or a shutdown middle reliever during the post Block 1 trading frenzy.