Bobcats Advance to face Thunder in Star Chicken Clash

The Boston Bobcats showed the rest of the league that the Star Chicken was the King of the Friendship league this year.  With the Thunder sweeping best record Michigan the Bobcats made it a double sweep by also taking Dirty Bastard winner Pittsburgh down in four.  The Bobcats starting pitchers were brilliant in this series as they only went to the bullpen four times.  Lets get to the action.

Game 1 saw Marcus Stroman facing Jose Berrios for the Phantoms.  Boston got three in the 2nd off of him and was led by Eduardo Escobar who doubled in that inning and he was followed by a Lorenzo Cain single.  Miguel Sano homered in the 5th to make it 3-1.  The Bobcats countered with Escobar going deep this time.  Andrelton Simmons doubled in a run as well.  Sano would homer again and have three RBI on the day but the Bobcats coasted home 7-4 behind Stroman's strong 8 innings.  Mychal Givens got into trouble in the 9th but Anthony Swarzak closed the door with the tying run at the plate.

Game 2 had the blockbuster matchup of James Paxton and Luis Severino.  Yan Gomes had a big two out RBI single in the 2nd and Devin Marrero knocked another run across in the 3rd.    It was more than Severino would need.  He was unbelievable in this one with a complete game one hitter.  He allowed just one walk and had a whopping 11 strikeouts.  Juan Castro had the lone hit for Pittsburgh and the game final was 2-0.

Game 3 moved to Pittsburgh and Dallas Keuchel squared off against Yu Darvish (rule).  It was great pitching on both sides once again.  Delino Deshields played a key part in this one with RBI singles in the 2nd and 4th innings for Boston's only runs.  He was 3-4 on the day and swiped three bases.  Keuchel shutout the Phantoms over 7 1/3 and Swarzak took over at that point to put out a Phantom rally in the 8th.  So with Boston leading 2-0 into the 9th the Phantoms were back at work.  An error by sure-handed Simmons led to a rally that allowed the Phantoms to cut the lead to 2-1 with a Starlin Castro RBI single.  With the winning run on base Swarzak was able to put Andrew Benintendi away to secure the win and open the series to 3 games to none.

Game 4 Boston sent Stroman back to the hill to face newcomer J.A. Happ.  The Phantoms would gain the only lead they had in the series on a 2nd inning homerun by Mike Moustakas.  Boston would only let them have that lead for an inning.  In the 5th Yunel Escobar smashed a two run shot to complete a four run inning. They added one in the 6th on a Brian Dozier double.    Pittsburgh countered with a run in the bottom half with Alex Presley singling in S. Castro.  Alex Avila hit a pinch hit homerun in the 9th and the Bobcats were celebrating with a 6-2 win.  Stroman pitched 7 2/3 with just one earned and Swarzak closed out the game once again.  Happ had 5 inning with 5 earned.

MVP- Marcus Stroman 2 wins 15 2/3 16 hits, just 2 walks and 13 k's

Honorable mention- Luis Severino win 9 inn, 1 hit, 1 walk, 11 k's

Thunder Move on to World Series with Sweep of Strong Mammoth Team

The Toronto Thunder swept the Zombie Dust Division winner Michigan Mammoth in a tight fought series.  Low scores were the norm for this matchup of solid pitching staffs.


Game 1:  Toronto was at Michigan in game one with Chris Archer going against Cy Young winner Chris Sale.  The Thunder got off to a quick start as Brett Gardner singled and after two outs, Nelson Cruz, the longtime Thunder veteran, knocked a fastball out of the park for a quick two run lead.  Sale shut the Michigan squad down in the first and Justin Smoak knocked in Matt Kepler to take a 3-0 lead.  Sale continued to dominate the feisty Mammoth lineup as the Thunder to up 3 more runs, one in the 4^th and two in the 6^th.  Michigan finally knocked Sale around in the 6^th as they scored 3 runs off a two run single by Lindor and a double by Travis.  Sale finished up the 7^th and both bullpens dominated the rest of the game.  Final score Toronto 6 – Michigan 3.  Cruz and Smoak both 2 for 4 and a home run each.  Kiermaier 2 for 4 with a run scored and Lindor with 2 RBIs.  Sale with the win on 7 IP, 3 ER, 8Ks.  Green with the save.  Archer took the loss with 5 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 5Ks.



Game 2:  Toronto fresh off the good start of Sale hoped to carry that same momentum with Brad Peacock heading to the mound.  Michigan felt strong in tying up the series with Fulmer going.  Toronto once again started strong as that pesky Brett Gardner singled to lead off the game and with one out, scored on a Cruz fielder’s choice.  Cruz beat the throw to 1^st keeping the inning alive and Max Kepler doubled him over to 3^rd.  Adrian Beltre then singled driving both runners home to take a 3-0 lead.  Fulmer was never in serious trouble the rest of the way.  Peacock went through the 1^st inning without incident but could not do the same in the 2^nd and the 3^rd.  Michigan loaded the bases in both innings but with some solid defense, Toronto managed to keep the Mammoth to a run, in each of those two innings.  Peacock calmed down and was able to put in 2 more solid innings.  Both clubs bullpens once again dominated and no runs were scored on either.  Toronto escaped with a lucky win 3-2.  Peacock got the win going 5 IP, 2 ER, 6BB, 3Ks.  Green picked up his second save.  Fulmer pitched a solid 6 2/3 with 3 ER, 5Ks.  Smoak and Kevin Smith were both 2 for 4.  Morrison was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and one RBI.  Toronto led the series 2-0 heading to the Thunder Dome.    



Game 3:  With a two game series lead, Toronto turned to their often injured starter Garrett Richards.  Just give us 3 innings if you can is what the asked of him.  Michigan countered with wily veteran Cole Hamels.  And sure enough after 3 innings neither team had had any success against the other.  With Richards spent, the Thunder turned to their stellar bullpen to keep the game close.  Leone was called upon and pitched the next three innings holding Michigan scoreless.  The same could not be said for Hamels.  He gave up a home run to Judge who finally broke through in the series and that would be all Toronto needed for a home win.  With appearances of Betances, Parker, Manea, Scott and finally Green to shut down the Michigan squad, Toronto snagged the game 4-0.  Winning pitcher Leone.  Losing pitcher Hamels.  Toronto up 3 games to none.



Game 4:  Michigan knew it was in a tough spot with ace Chris Sale going for the Thunder and the game in the Dome.  Michigan told Archer to keep it close and let the bullpen do its work.   And yet again, Gardner doubled to start the game, Judge walked, Gonzalez doubled scoring Gardner, followed by a Cruz single to score Judge, for a quick 2-0 lead.  However Archer got it under control and never gave up another run.  Sale and the Thunder were confident and moved through the innings as well.   As the 8^th inning started the Thunder still clinged to that 2-0 lead but the Toronto manager had to make a choice.  Either bring in the bullpen or throw the Ace back out there.  He chose the bullpen, who had yet to give up any runs in the series, but it left many fans wondering if that was the best move.  Kela came in and quickly got an out but then it all went wrong.  Kela gave up a walk to Upton and managed to get the next out on a fielder’s choice.  However that moved Upton over to 2^nd.  With two out and a man on 2^nd, Toronto turned to their solid set up man Brad Parker.  He was not solid this day however.  He gave up a single to Lindor that scored Upton, and then Hosmer stepped up to the plate and hit the Mammoth’s first home run of the series.  Michigan now had the 3-2 lead at the end of their inning.  Toronto could not manage anything in the 8^th and Michigan now had Andrew Miller in the game.  Michigan went down to Hendricks in the top half of the ninth and that left it up to the Thunder bats to try and end the series.  Jackson stepped up to the plate coming in to pitch-hit for Kepler.  He was just as quickly struck out by the powerful Miller.  Up stepped the Beltre to give it a go against the powerful lefty and he manage a double in the right field corner.  Next was Smoak, who was having a rough day at the plate, but he managed a walk.  The Toronto manager put in Zunino to bat for Smith but he struck out just like Jackson.  That left it up to the Jorge Polanco.  With Miller staring the young SS down, the pitch was thrown and Polanco knocked into to RF to bring in Beltre to tie the game.  From there it was a battle of attrition with the relievers on both sides dueling.  Finally in the bottom of the 12^th after a Gardner strikeout, Judge got a single.  The Michigan manager checked his bullpen but knew that his options were limited.  He was on his seventh reliever and only had one more option on in the pen.  He stayed fast with Joe Kelly a former member of the Thunder.  That is all Toronto needed.  Gonzalez moved Judge over and Cruz singled him home to clinch the series win 4-3 in 12 innings.  Winning pitcher Leone with 3 IPs, 0 ER and 4 Ks.  Losing pitcher was Joe Kelly, 1 IP 1 ER, 2 Ks.  Gardner was 3 for 6 and Cruz had two RBIs.  For Michigan Kiermaier was also 3 for 6 and Hosmer was 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs.


MVP for the series was Sale with 14 IP and 15 Ks and only 3 ER.   Toronto moves on the face the winner of the Boston-Pittsburgh series.

Playoff TIme!

 Congrats to our Division Champions Pittsburgh, Boston, and Michigan, as well as Wild Card Winner Toronto!!!!  Looking forward to some playoff action and hopefully a World Series at CBC!

Crazy season filled with homers and strikeouts.   In spite of all of the home runs, Michigan set an all-time record for lowest Team ERA, checking in at 2.60.   That knocks Toronto's 2014 team off the top of the hill.   Fear not, because Toronto's hurlers this year set their own all-time record, for most Team Strikeouts (818).   Kansas City clocked in with the second highest strikeout total (767) ever as Friendship League batters whiffed at historic levels.

Utter Ineptitude

Maine has always prided itself on having a good to very good starting pitching staff -- better than average, at worst.  This year, the Loggers hit rock bottom in the starting pitching department.  Six of the eight pitchers who started for Maine this year combined for a record of......wait for it......2-33.  Congratulations to Michael Pineda (0-7), Carlos Rodon (0-6), Jose Quintana (0-6), Aaron Sanchez (0-3), James Shields (1-8), and Tyler Skaggs (1-3).  You guys rock!   Jason Hammel (7-5) and Sonny Gray (4-5) managed to go a stellar 11-10 combined to really stand out among their peers.  Leading the Loggers in wins was a reliever -- Yusmeiro Petit (8-2).
Special mention to Aaron Sanchez who "managed" to get his ERA into single digits, in his last third of an inning of the season, finishing with a stellar 9.86.  Great work, fella!

Mini-Fest in the Mallon Mancave!!!!

Big thanks to Scott for having Steve W. and I over for some games this rainy afternoon!  Scott was a most gracious host, providing a wide array of snacks and beverages (although he was quite stingy with allowing any wins against Minnesota!).   His basement is the perfect den for Strat-O, the curved widescreen display of the game, complete with booming surround sound, was absolutely amazing!!!




But wait, there is more!  Scott's basement is like the coolest sports bar in town.  Every corner  had some new and cool memorabilia, highlighted by the world's only remaining Joey Harrington plaque in a most appropriate location.  Some intense Bubble Hockey games broke out, as illustrated below...



Maine came into the day on an extended losing streak and ran it up to 17 or 18 in a row before they topped the Butchers.  Stat of the season so far for Maine?  Here is the combined line for Michael Pineda, Angel Miranda, Carlos Rodon, Jose Quintana, and A-A-Ron Sanchez...

0 wins, 22 losses, 215 innings, 165 earned runs, 6.91 ERA

Ugh, that is a LOT of innings to not even rack up a single win!  The Division battles are pretty much decided already, but the Battle For the Bingo Balls seems to be intensifying.  

Biggest victory margin of all time?! KC 31 Toronto 0

In the midst of getting decimated by the Thunder in a recent series, the Kansas City Butchers had one bright spot that should land them in the all-time history books.   The Butchers clobbered Dylan Bundy early, rolling up 12 runs after the first two innings.  Toronto then resorted to hitters pitching the rest of the way, allowing them to conserve innings and allowing Kansas City to finally look like a real hitting team this year (at least for one game)!  Gutty performance from Thunder catcher Kevan Smith, who muddled through six innings and still give up less runs than Bundy.  KC starter Eduardo Rodriguez not only tossed a shutout, he went 3 for 5 at the plate!  A fun day in a dismal stretch for KC, whose hopes were crushed this season by going a combined 5-17 against division foes Toronto and Boston. 

Amazingly, some live footage of the game was captured.  Click here to enjoy! 

Triple Crown Winner this season?

Thunder slugger Marwin Gonzalez is off to a blazing first half!

Carl Yastrzemski sporting a classic Triple Crown 

crown in 1967 

Not sure if we have ever had a Friendship League Triple Crown Winner, but Toronto's Marwin Gonzalez is currently leading all three Triple Crown categories!   Marwin is hitting .354 with 13 HRs and 39 RBIs as we near the 40 game mark!!!

Hello Newman!

Kudos to the Toledo Mud Hens scoreboard operator, who quietly put these pictures up at a recent game when the opposing team had batters named Newman and Kramer!  A little kid behind us was so confused when Newman's picture showed up, he was wondering what kind of baseball player that was :-)

Dude that Started the Game We Saw in Grand Rapids, Traded

Per freep.com: 

At the 20 game mark!

There are enough games done in the season so far to see some strong teams living up to the hype, and some other teams outperform what may have been expected from them this year.  Let's take a quick look around the league, the divisions, and the craft beers they represent...

Commissioner's opinion - Best name for a beer, who wouldn't want to order a Dirty Bastard?!

The Dirty Bastard division is led by a somewhat surprising Pittsburgh Phantoms squad. We knew the young Phantoms were just about done rebuilding and getting ready to truly compete, but they may be a bit ahead of schedule based upon their outstanding 13-7 record thus far.  Real-life minor leaguer Miguel Sano is pacing Pittsburgh with a solid .381, 7 HR, 15 RBI stat line.  Charlie Morton (3-0, 0.65 ERA) and James Paxton (2-0, 2.54) anchor a strong pitching rotation.  Rookie manager Michael Walter has his team in 2nd place, and based upon his torrid playing pace, may be soon lobbying for 162 game season!  Mike has his Grizzlies performing well, with a solid bullpen (2.36 ERA thus far) making up for a not-so-hot rotation (5.62 ERA).  Lake Erie and Wichita are off to slowish starts, but have plenty of time to climb up the standings.  Commodore 2B Jose Altuve is hitting at an impressive .380 clip, just .001 behind Sano for 2nd place in the batting race.

Commissioner's opinion - Beer itself, 8 out of 10.  The label featuring

a chicken in an Elvis costume?  10 of 10!

 CAW!  I mean, BAWK!  Use whatever avian sound you want, it won't distract from just how stacked this division is.  Steve Tufte and his Toronto Thunder are off to a blistering 17-6 start, outscoring opponents 132-105.  Dylan Bundy and Chris Sale are a combined 9-1!  Toronto has four hitters comfortably over the .3000 mark (Tim Beckham, Marwin Gonzalez, the ageless Adrian Beltre, and Brett Gardner).   Kansas City is just 2 games out but their all-or-nothing offense (48 homers and 248 K's in 29 games) leads to some inconsistent play.  Alex Cobb, back from a year-long stint on the DL, is 4-0 with a tidy 1.98 ERA.  Khris Davis leads the Butcher sluggers with 9 homers in 110 at bats.  This softball team is last in the league in steals with just 5 over 29 games, but on the bright side, we haven't been thrown out yet!  The Loggers take a backseat to no team, and are in contention with an 11-10 start and plenty of time to control their own destiny.  JD Martinez is being treated with kid gloves due to low at bats in the AL last year (just 15 at bats so far in the Friendship League) but is hitting an insane .533 and slugging 1.200!!!  Haven't seen a bench threat like that since Rudy Pemberton in 1996.  And no one will forget the Boston Bobcats are in this division, you can count on them being heard in what should be a compelling pennant race!

Commissioner's opinion - Hops on hops on hops!  This is for your 

more hardcore beer fans, pass me another blueberry infused fruity light beer

I am betting on a team from a city or state with the letter 'M' taking this division!  Michigan and Minnesota are off to fine starts, and Mount Pleasant is lurking just below the .500 mark.  The Men from Minnesota are well balanced again, and I am struck by the United Nations group making up their top five batting average hitters - Omar Narvaez (Venezuela), Didi Gregorius (Netherlands), Melky Cabrera (Dominican Republic) , Jose Abreu (Cuba), and Shin-Soo Choo (South Korea).  Diversity is working in the Land of 10,000 Lakes!  Michigan has a sparkling team ERA of 2.61 right now, making up for a somewhat anemic .234 team batting average.  Mount Pleasant has been getting strong contributions from Eddie Rosario (.313, 14 runs) and Mike Trout (.302, 5 HRs) with the ancient relic Albert Pujols surprisingly leading the team in RBIs with 15.  Most interesting stat of the year so far?  Mount Pleasant's 9 wins are all distributed among 9 different pitchers!!!  Yep, 1 win is the current record for the Train Wreck staff.  Las Vegas is currently leading the battle for next year's #1 draft pick.  Jose Ramirez is playing at an MVP level for the Fremonts (.355, 6 HRs, 6 steals, 12 RBIs) and Dixon Machado is actually sitting right on .400 right now, after 25 at bats.


UPDATE:  After I wrote this, I got three more games from Doug and PJ.  Mount Pleasant won 2 of those games and now has 11 total wins.  Amazingly, the Train Wreck now have ELEVEN different pitchers all with just ONE win! Come on, Scott Alexander and Zach Britton, you two are slacking with your zero wins!

New Park Name for Montreal's Stadium

At a special to be determined date, the current Pea Soup Park has been renamed. GM Mike Walter had this to say: "As the new owner of the previous Philly Phog, I am renaming the stadium to fit my team identity and strip the former. As new corporate sponsor, the new stadium name is: Taco Bell Park! The stadium has had quarrels with the Toronto Thunder, so the park image for next season will be: Cincinnatis.

Montreal Grizzlies early surprises and GM Mike Walter's First Public Announcement

Montreal is off to a surprised start to season as the Grizzlies are plying .500 ball through the teams first 27 games.

Grizzlies Manager Mariano Rivera is pleased with the teams performance in every aspect of the game. Rivera said this following a recent game vs. the Michigan Mammoths. "We played really well tonight. Everything just worked out, from the back to back to back HR's from Santana, Sanchez and Frazier, to the pitching from our bullpen, (Ozuna pitched the 8th and 9th innings for his first save of the season). (Montreal won this contest with a 5-4 final score.)

Other Notes this season:

Montreal Grizz Pitchers Jordan Zimmerman ERA north of 7.08. GM Mike Walter: "I knew this was coming in based off of the horrific season he had a year ago but I didn't realize I'd have to have my team give him at least 8 runs a game just to give Zimm a Win". JZimm is 1-2 on the season so far.

Michael Brantley and Mallex Smith: Both are having great seasons with their batting averages thus  far. Brantley and Smith batting close to .299

The Bullpen:

GM Mike Walter on his bullpen:

"I knew having 3 closers on this roster  could be a good thing as the starters go 6 and then its 7, 8, 9 with Colome, Ozuna and Robertson. The team is doing well when this happens in games that are decided by 3 runs or fewer. Colome has struggled the most thus far but Robertson has embraced his new closing music theme. His music coming into the 9th is nothing like any other closer has had ever in the history of the game. The Song: "Country Roads bring me home" by John Denver is what blares over the speakers at Pea Soup Park and Fans are confused but if it seals the win for the Grizzlies they do not care. Robertson on his early season success and fandom of John Denver.

"I don't know why I love this song but it gets me pumped. I just think on the mound:
Take me home, get the win for Montreal. It works every time thus far and my 4 saves and 0.00 ERA are contributed to this."

Rivera on Robertson: "He's been outstanding thus far. Still early in the season but glad to see our closer having success and closing the door on teams. We need that type of consistency in close games. I'd be out there if I could but I am managing right now and its all good.

2 for 30 to start the season, but at least....

Draft Weekend Recap!

Thanks to all for another fun and exciting Draft Weekend!!!  Our hotel in Southfield was home for great traditions, both old and new.  A spirited rules discussion led to the usual excitement of division rolloffs, with a new tradition born in the hotel pool - film in the video below. We all enjoyed the private hospitality room for both Draft Eve activities and the Draft itself.

From the selection of Yoan Moncada to KC as the #1 overall pick, all the way through to Teoscar Hernandez as the final section, the draft was both unpredictable and exciting.  Thanks to all for a great time.  I think everything is all set now for the season to begin.   Just two words to leave you with - PLAY BALL!

You can cut the tension in the Draft Room with a knife!

Mall-O-Matics in action!

Draft Day Preparation!

Steve W.'s team cards are true works of art!

Dinner at Craft Breww City

First time league champion Doug Ebbole

receives his hardware!!!

Yummy Hostess Baseball Cupcakes 

helped create a festive atmosphere!

League MVP?  The Water Football!

HAL Simulation for 2017!

Hal has TWO tickets to Paradise, nope, those are 

two Hall of Famer Cards

Feeling the effects of a crazy fun weekend, will probably take a day or two to double-check everything and make sure we have all the right cards with the right teams and the right D. Robertsons and D. Robinsons where they belong!  So, while I try to get everything set up for our PlayBall file, please enjoy the results of the HAL Simulation of our season!

Highlights of the 'fake news' season include....
-A whopping 154 home runs by the Toronto Thunder in just 82 games!  The all-time record for our league is 159 by Boston, back in the heart of the Steroid Era in 1999
-No-hitters by Luis Severino and Dallas Keuchel
-Three homer games from Johnathon Schoop, Matt Olson, Aaron Judge, Mike Trout, and JD Martinez
-Montreal's Michael Brantley and Jose Iglesias each rapping six base hits in a 20-5 pasting of Mount Pleasant

Standings
League Leaders
Grand Totals 1
Grand Totals 2
Newspaper Game Stories
Newspaper Recap
Awards Voting
Record Book
WebBuilder view 

Pitfall 2018

Ghosts of First Round Picks Past.......

 

This business is only a mile from my house; I always think of our friend Phil, when I drive by.   Looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday!

Strat-O Meets Mall-O

Based on web 365 assigned salaries, below are the average salary rankings for batters/pitchers following keepers, next to it is the patented Mall-O-Matics rating system.

"Mall-O-Matics....making winners out of losers, everytime!"

Loggers Announce 2018 Protection List

2018 Protections
Mitch "Find me some" More Land
Carlos Gomez "Adams"
Christian "Bale" Vasquez
Nick "Catch A Falling Star" Castellanos
J.D. "Salinger" Martinez
Troy "Tulo" Tulowitzki
Russell "Industrial Center" Martin
Sonny, Sonny, Sonny Gray
Jose Quintana (end of Jaws: "Quint?"  "No.....")
Michael "Pinata" Pineda
Aaron "Chopped" Sanchez
Carlos "Rodan - CAW!" Rodon
Jed "Clampett" Lowrie
Raul "Not my Brother Raul" Mondesi
Avisail "Well Hello, Mrs. Cabrera" Garcia
Darren "All" O'Day "IPA"

NL/Darvish Protected:  Asdrubal "Ass-Double-Dribble" Cabrera

Cut like a fart in the breeze, or HE GONE!:
 Luke "I am Your Father" Gregerson
Jesse "Pinkman" Hahn
Derek Holland "Tunnel"
Tyler "Chicken Caesar" Saladino
"They Killed" Kennys Vargas
Hyun Soo "Oh, Godzilla!" Kim
Ryan Rua "The Day"
Jason Grilli "Cheeseburgers"
Steve "Harvey" Cishek
Jose "Joey Bats" Bautista
N/C Bryan "Errol" Flynn

 No longer available in this year's draft: Ryan "15 pieces of Flair" Flaherty.  Boo! 

Stan, Chotchkie's Manager: We need to talk about your flair.
Joanna: Really? I... I have fifteen pieces on. I, also...
Stan, Chotchkie's Manager: Well, okay. Fifteen is the minimum, okay?
And.....you know the rest. 

Farewell, Jose "Joey Bats" Bautista!
Well, last year we bid adieu to Ben "Zobrilla" Zobrist, and the year before that, the Ol' Billy Barue Butler, and now this year we have to say goodbye to longtime Logger favorite Jose "Joey Bats" Bautista.  Man, getting old sucks!  Jose came to the Loggers as a little thought of 9th round pick in the 2010 draft.  A back-up third baseman to play against lefties only that year, he vaulted his was way from 13 homeruns for that 2009 card to an amazing 54 the next year.  He had a keen eye, and was always near the league lead in on-base percentage, even when he only hit .260 some years.  He led the Loggers to a World Series appearances, just missing out on winning a ring.  We'll miss your bat at the top of our lineup....we'll miss your -4 arm in right field....we'll miss your cool nickname....we'll fondly remember "The JOEY BATS Years" in Maine. 
LOGGERMANIA!!!

Retro: 1907 Maine Loggers, featuring Jose Bautista's great, great grandfather John "Axe Yu" Bautista

Protect Brian Dozier Andrelton Simmons Lorenzo Cain Edwin Encarnacion Mookie Betts Yan Gomes Brock Holt Marcus Stroman Jharel Cotton Luis Severino Dallas Keuchel Drew Pomeranz Edwin Diaz Matt Barnes Mychal Givens Greg Holland (NC) Darvich Blake Swihart Cut John Axford Liam Hendricks Rich Hill  Steven Wright Wade Miley Xavier Cedeno Dionner Navarro David Ortiz Gregerio Petit Jake Smolinski Yunel Escobar

GM STEINES MAKES CHANGE TO PROTECTION LIST

THE PHANTOMS WILL RELEASE TIM ANDERSON AND PROTECTS KEVIN PILLAR.

GM STEINES TRADES KEVIN PILLAR AND THIER 6TH ROUND PICK TO THE WICHITA BANDITS FOR  STARLIN CASTRO AND MIKE NAPOLI

WICHITA BANDITS Protection List

Pitchers
Matt Boyd
Brad Brach
Mike Clevinger
Danny Duffy
Will Harris
Kelvin Herrera
Ian Kennedy
Danny Salazar 
  
Batters
Yonder Alonso
 Kole Calhoun
Starlin Castro
Aaron Hicks
Alex Gordon
Mike Napoli
Dustin Pedroia
Salvador Perez

Players Cut 
Sean Doolittle
Doug Fister
Kyle Gibson 
Taylor Rogers
Drew Butera
J.J. Hardy
Trevor Plouffe
Coco Crisp (NC)
Logan Forsythe(NC)
Shawn O'Malley(NC)
Melvin Upton Jr. (NC)

 Yu Darvish Player
Carson Smith

Michigan Mammoth Protection List

Pitchers

Alex Claudio

Andrew Miller

Andrew Triggs

Chris Archer

Michael Fulmer

Hitters

Brian McCann

Devon Travis

Elvis Andrus

Eric Hosmer

Francisco Lindor

Jake Marisnick

Kevin Kiermaier

Logan Morrison

Manny Machado

Robert Perez

Whit Merrifield

Released

Joaquin Benoit

Matt Moore

Michael Feliz

Nate Jones

Ryan Dull

Chris Tillman
Yordano Ventura

Abraham Almonte
Billy Burns

Jeffry Marte

Paulo Orlando

Keeper

Zack Greinke

Some tough decisions were necessary to get the Michigan roster down to 16.   

Here are some players that did not make Michigan's roster this year and their accomplishments as a Mammoth:

• Nate Jones set the league record last year with an ERA of 0.23.  He also had 8 wins.
• Chris Tillman has 7th place on Michigan's strikeout list with 118 in 2013, but also led the team with losses that year with 12.  He is 5th all time in wins with 21 and is only behind Jered Weaver with 36 losses all time for the Mammoth.
• Paulo Orlando is 5th in Michigan's single season batting with a .316 batting average in 2016 and is 6th in the all time record book with 19 stolen bases
• Billy Burns is 9th with a .312 average in 2015 and is 5th in stolen bases on the all time Mammoth list with 32
• Jeffry Marte had 6 pinch hits last year
• Ryan Dull pitched in 36 games last year

The Mammoths would also like to pay tribute to Yordano Ventura. 

Yordano holds multiple entries in the Mammoths record book, 1st all time in in ERA (3.56),  6th in innings pitched (311), 6th in strikeouts (277) but died after the season in an accident out of the country.

Maine Loggers - Trade?

Maine,  I am willing to deal draft picks and whoever you may want for J.D. Martinez.

Please send trade offers to me or vice versa.

As Mario Says.....Welcome Back, JD!

Welcome Back, JD!

Change to the Thunder Protection List

Still waffling on the last person to save but I am currently changing my protection list to protect Biagini and dropping CC Sabathia.

Men Protection

No Darvish