Bandits and Loggers Announce Trade

The Wichita Bandits have sent CF Aaron Hicks and 5th Round Pick to the Maine Loggers for a 2nd and 5th Round Picks.   Hicks was quotes as saying "My heart will always be in Wichita, but I'm looking forward to hitting in front of J.D. Martinez, Nicholas Castellenos, Jean Segura, and Adalberto Mondesi.  Man, wait a second. This is a game changer for me.  Who am I kidding?  My heart is already in Maine!"  

BANDITS ROSTER

Matt Boyd
Mike Clevinger
Danny Duffy
Will Harris
Kelvin Herrera
CC Sabbath

Yonder Alonso
Tim Anderson
Kole Calhoun
Matt Chapman
C.J. Cron
Alex Gordon
Aaron Hicks
Kevin Pillar
Chad Pinder
Salvador Perez

Dropping

Brad Brach
Adeiny Hechavarria
Doug Fister
Ian Kennedy
Chasen Shreve
Adam Warren

Darwin Barney -NC
Chris Gimenez - NC
Dustin Pedroia - NC

Yu-Davish - Danny Salazar

Loggers Announce 2019 Protection List

2019 Protections


Mitch "Find me some" More Land

Christian "Bale" Vasquez
Nick "Catch A Falling Star" Castellanos
J.D. "Salinger" Martinez
Jed "Clampett" Lowrie
Adalberto "Not my Brother or Dad Raul" Mondesi
Avisail "Well Hello, Mrs. Cabrera" Garcia

Steve "Ear" Pearce 

"Green" Jean Segura
Sonny, Sonny, Sonny Gray

Jake "The Snake" Faria

Yusmeiro "Taco Bell" Petit
Aaron "Chopped" Sanchez
Carlos "Rodan - CAW!" Rodon
James "Wind" Shields

Tyler "He's Dating a" Skaggs

NL/Darvish Protected:  Michael "Pinata" Pineda

Cut like a fart in the breeze, or HE GONE!:
Carlos Gomez "Adams"

Troy "Tulo" Tulowitzki
Russell "Industrial Center" Martin

Jason "What Day is it? Mike! Mike! Mike! What Day is it?" Hammel

"1060 West "Addison "Street" Reed

Jorge "Danny" Bonifacio

NL: Jose Quintana (end of Jaws: "Quint?"  "No.....")

NL: Asdrubal "Ass-Double-Dribble" Cabrera
 

Did someone mention Ryan "15 pieces of Flair" Flaherty?  Tradition!
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?

Future Draft Note: I have a magazine that says the fifth best prospect in the Houston Astros system is 1B/OF Seth Beer.  Tell me that guy is not going to go about 2 rounds sooner than he normally would (with any other name) in the 2021 draft???  I can just hear Tufte announcing: "Beer me".  

MAINE LOGGERS, 1907 Team Photo

Michigan Mammoth Protection List

Pitchers

Blake Treinan
Chris Archer
Cole Hamels
Joe Kelly
Michael Fulmer
Mike Minor
Ryan Tepara

Batters
Robert Perez
Devon Travis
Francisco Lindor
Jake Marisnick
Justin Upton
Kevin Kiermaier
Manny Machado
Mitch Haniger
Whit Merrifield

Released

Alex Claudio
Andrew Miller
Andrew Triggs
Emilio Pagan
Jason Vargas
Paul Blackburn
Trevor Hildenberger
Brian McCann
Logan Morrison
Richard Urena

NL

Eric Hosmer

Some are Fremonts, Some are ex-Fremonts

Fremonts

Bradley Jr,J
Cano,R
Castillo,W
Garcia,L
Grossman,R
Mancini,T
Ramirez,J
Seager,K
Semien,M

Bauer,T
Devenski,C
Leake,M
Pressly,R
Rogers,T
Tanaka,M
Vincent,N

Ex-Fremonts

Davis,C
Delmonico,N
Joseph,C
Machado,D
Valencia,D

Estrada,M
Gonzalez, M – NC
Infante, G – NC
O’Day, D - NC
Shoemaker, M

Protected
Drop: Austin, T
Add: Mejia, A

A fond farewell to Chris Davis. A 6^th round pick in the 2011 draft, Davis served the club well in seven seasons. He leaves as the top all time Fremont in multiple categories; HR (113), RBI (294), Runs (248), Walks (189), Slugging % (.496), XBH (188), Strikeouts (636). In 2013, Davis was league MVP, an All-Star, won the Gold Glove, the Silver Slugger, and led the league in HR (25). Another solid year in 2015 brought an MVP Runner-Up, All-Star recognition, the Silver Slugger award and the all-time league record for strikeouts with 127. Unfortunately, had the lowest batting average of all time for the upcoming 2018 season. This could not be excused, and Davis was freed to seek other opportunities. The ‘Monts are in much better shape than Davis’ real world employer, the Baltimore Orioles, who have him under contract for four more years at $93 million.

Danny Valencia also ends his Fremont career. Serving five seasons in two different stints. “Danny V” leaves third on the all time ‘Mont list with 119 RBI, fifth in hits (243), doubles (47), runs scored (123), games (304) and at bats (924).

John C Fremont c 1856

Chet Lemon -- John C Fremont High School, Class of 1972

MEN UPDATE

After looking over the putrid selection of catchers available, the Men have decided to welcome back James McCann and send pitching prospect K. Cowart to the abyss.  I updated my prior post to reflect this as well.

Change to protection list for the Thunder

Do to the cost of upgrading our outfield fences with padding needed for Engel, we have decided just to cut him and welcome back Tim Beckham.

Thunder Achieves Worst to First Comeback

Having finished with the worst record in 2017, the Toronto Thunder capped off a strong year with a World Series win over the strong Boston Bobcats club.
Summary:
Game 1:
Boston had Division series MVP Marcus Stroman going in game 1 at home and the Thunder had Cy Young winner Chris Sale. This turned out to be a true pitching duel. Both Stroman and Sale started off well as each went through the first 3 innings with no threats. Stroman set the Thunder down in the top of the 4th and Boston finally broke through in the bottom of the 4th with a leadoff single by Cain. Cain promptly stole second, but Betts lined out. Encarnacion then bounced a double off the wall to score Cain. Sale quickly got his composure back and got the next two to hold it to a Boston 1-0 lead. The Thunder stuck back in the top of the 5th, with Kevan Smith getting a single to lead off the inning. Justin Smoak followed with a liner to right that moved Smith to third and Beckham bounced to deep 2nd base and Boston took the double play and the run scored. Game tied at 1-1. Sale retired Boston over the next 2 innings and Stroman had no issues in the 6th either. However, Toronto would get another run in the 7th off a solo home run for Belte. Toronto up 2-1. With the lead, the Thunder manager pulled Sale and went to the strong bullpen. Using 3 different pitchers in the 7th, 3 more in the 8th with Green going the last 1 1/3 they shut down the strong Boston squad for the rest of the game. To their credit the Boston bullpen was equally good for their last two innings. Final score Toronto 2 and Boston 1. Toronto up in the series 1-0. Winning pitcher – Sale 6IP, 8Ks, 0BB, 4 Hits. Losing pitcher – Stroman 7IP, 3Ks, 1BB, 8 Hits. Save – Green. Batters of note: Thunder – Cruz 2-4, Smith 2-4, Smoak 2-4. Boston – Encarnacion 2-3 with 1 RBI, Avila 1-1.
Game 2:
Boston looked to even the series and started Luis Severino while the Thunder countered with often injured Garrett Richards. The Thunder knew it was taking a chance as Richards could only go a few innings and the bullpen would have to shoulder the load for rest of the game. Both teams went quietly in the 1st inning but the Thunder stuck in the next two innings. Beltre led off with a single, Smith bounced out, but Smoak would step and smack one deep to left to take a 2-0 lead. Severino escaped further damage in the inning by getting Polanco and Gardner. Richards got through his second inning with no damage, and the Thunder went back to work in the 3rd. Judge led off the inning and launched one deep for his first homerun of the series. Gonzalez bounced out but Cruz stepped up and also put one out to give Toronto a 4-0 lead. Richards left the game and started the long line of relief. Peacock came in first and struck out 3 Bobcats in a row. Toronto was quiet in the 4th but Boston finally stuck back. Betances came in in the 4th and got two quick outs which left him to face Matt Olson. Matt was not impressed with the Thunder hurler and deposited his first pitch in the right field stands. Betances while a bit unnerved, gave up a walk, but then retired the next batter. The Thunder went down in the 5th and Kela quickly dispatched the Bobcats in the bottom of the 5th. That is when it really went wrong for Severino. Smoak led off with a double and Polanco walked. Gardner struck out and up came Judge. Judge waited for his pitch and when he got it, he sent the ball to deep centerfield for a three run shot and a 7-1 lead. With that, the game was all but over and Toronto would cruise to the 7-2 final and a series lead 2-0. Winning pitcher – Peacock 1IP, 3Ks, 0BB, 0 Hits. Losing pitcher – Severino 6 2/3IP, 5Ks, 5BBs, 13 Hits. Batters of note: Thunder - Judge 2-4 2 HRs 4 RBI, Cruz 3-4 1 HR, Smoak 2-5 1 HR 2 RBI, Polanco 2-3. Boston – Vargas 2-2, Olson 1-2 1 HR, Joyce 1-3 1 HR.
Game 3:
With the series shifting to Toronto, the Thunder went to Brad Peacock who after his solid inning of relief in game 2 was feeling confident. The Bobcats went to Drew Pomeranz the highly rated lefty. Peacock shut the Bobcats down in the first and that was replicated by Pomeranz. Peacock moved through the second with no issue but in the bottom of the 2nd, Pomeranz started having trouble. Toronto scored 2 runs each in the 2nd and 3rd as well as tacked on a run in the 4th and 5th. Peacock went through his 5 innings with little trouble and the Thunder bullpen continued to do good work until giving a run up in the top of the 9th. Final score 6-1 and a Toronto series lead 3-0. Winning pitcher – Peacock 5IP, 8Ks, 3BBs, 5 Hits. Losing pitcher – Pomeranz 8IP, 10Ks, 3BBs, 12 Hits. Batters of note: Thunder – Jackson 2-4 1 RBI, Cruz 2-4 1 HR 2 RBI, Gardner 2-3 1 R 2 SB, Gonzalez 2-4 1 RBI 1 R, Zunino 1-3 1 HR. Boston Avila 1-2, Simmons 2-4 1 RBI.
Game 4:
As Toronto looked to close out the series, the two pitchers from game 1 started this game. The Bobcats feeling the desperation got on the board quickly scoring on a Betts homerun with one out. Sale escaped a jam with more runners on to only be down 1. Stroman made quick work of his inning and the Bobcats stepped to the plate looking to do more damage against a shaky Sale. Deshields hit his first blast of the series and then Boston got Gomes and others on and with two out Gomes scored on a Marrero single for a quick 3 run lead. Toronto finally got on the board with a run in the bottom of the second on a Cruz homerun. Boston quickly countered with another run off of Sale on an Olson blast in the top of the third for the 4-1 lead. Toronto fought back scratching a run on a double by Beckham and a single by Gardner to make it 4-2. Sale finally calmed down and held the Bobcats scoreless in the 4th and the Thunder continued the fight with 2 more in the bottom of the 4th on a Smoak homerun and another on Beckham scoring on a Judge single. Score was now tied 4-4. Both teams were held scoreless in the 5th. Boston was determined to not let this game go, and Simmons got a two out hit single, stole second, and scored on a Gomes single to take the lead 5-4. Toronto came up to the plate and after a quick out, Stroman was looking good. But Beckham who was having a great day at the plate tripled. Gardner then hit a shot that just cleared the left field fence to give Toronto a lead at 6-5. Stroman was done for the day as in came Swarzak to put the fire out and end the inning. Sale was done and it was back to the Thunder Bullpen. Kela gave a hit but also got an out, Parker also gave up a hit as Boston had two men on with 1 out, but Butcher came in and got two quick outs to quell the uprising. Swarzak was excellent in the 8th and held the Thunder scoreless. Toronto decided with the lead that they simply were going to put this one in the hands of their closer and went for the two inning save. Green came in and got through 8th unscathed. Swarzak did not fare as well in his frame. Smoak hit his second homerun of the game with one out and that was all for the valiant reliever. Barnes came in and stopped any more damage. With Green staying in for his second frame of relief, Boston was desperate to avoid the sweep. Green got one quick out but then gave up an error and then a hit. Olson came up and Toronto chose to walk the young star loading the bases. Unfortunately for Boston, Deshields hit a pop out to the catcher and Green got the last out to leave the bases loaded. Toronto wins 7-5 and sweeps the series. Winning pitcher- Sale 6 IP, 9Ks, 2BBs, 9 Hits. Losing pitcher – Stroman 5 1/3IP, 2Ks, 2 BBs, 10 Hits. Save – Green 2IP, 3Ks, 2 BBs, 1 Hit. Batters of note: Toronto - Gardner 3-3 3 RBI, Cruz 2-3 1 HR, Smoak 2-4 2 HRs, Beckham 4-4 3 R. Boston – Gomes 2-3 1 RBI, Marrero 2-2 1 RBI, Olson 1-4 HR.
MVP – Nelson Cruz who went 9-15 with 3 HRs.
Notables, Sale 2 wins, Peacock 2 wins, Smoak 3 HRs, Beckham 4-4 with 3 runs in game 4.

Preliminary list of rules to vote on

Have quite a few things that have either been brought up for rules voting or have arisen from new things this year, so I wanted to get them out here so that you can think about them and hopefully we can have a quick (and friendly!) rules voting session on Draft Weekend!

Let me know if you have any other things you would like to bring up.  We can always bring up new things that day, but want to get them out there as soon as we can to make the voting as efficient as possible.






-Should we add an extra Wild Card Team?
-Should we add an additional roster spot to help with all the relievers needed in today's game?
-Should we adopt the Defensive Shift rule?
-Should we adopt a new rule that allows for one, two, and three bases throwing errors?
-Any special rules needed to deal with 'openers'?
-Any special rules needed to deal with Shohei Ohtani?
-What should be the rule for playoff matchups?  Want to do an OFFICIAL vote on whether the playoffs should be #1 record vs #4 always, or if the #1 team should face the Wild Card regardless
-Any issues or suggestions to change the deadlines?  It goes into Mid-January now, want to see if anyone would prefer earlier or later final deadline/
-Should the 'unwritten rule' of not pinch-hitting for a player when you don't have a backup for that spot be put into the rules officially?
-Choose your own stadium?

MTP Keepers

Mount Pleasant Train Wreck - Keepers

Mike Trout

Carlos Correa

Nomar Mazara

Eddie Rosario

Sandy Leon

Yolmer Sanchez

Rougned Odor

Andrew Romine

Rajai Davis

Cheslor Cuthbert
Albert Pujols

Lucas Giolito

David Price

Blake Snell

Rick Porcello

Zach Britton (or is it Zack?)

DARVISH: Dropping Kyle Ryan, adding Clint Frazier

Dropping:

Martin Perez

Jesus Sucre

NC:

Peter Bourjos

Frances Martes

Nick Goody

Wade Miley

Andrew Moore

JC Ramirez

Bryan Shaw

Farewell Victor!!  Thanks for the memories.  RG

Strat Opening Day 2019!

Better late than never, wanted to share some pictures from our recent pilgrimage to New York City and Strat-O-Matic Headquarters.

Unfortunately Hal was a little under the weather so he did not make an appearance, but his son was running the show in the luxurious headquarters building...

We walked around Glen Head and I was surprised to see this store on the downtown 'strip'.  It is called Fairy Lice Mothers, and their tagline is "Granting wishes by removing itches"!  Eeeewwww.  Probably the second biggest business in town, after Strat-O-Matic, (or the First National Bank of Long Island, which had three buildings in a 2 block radius!)

Parting is such sweet sorry, we took the Long Island Rail Road (conveniently located right by the Strat-O-Matic building) to head back to the city.

We hit three boroughs on Friday.  Started with breakfast in Queens, a stop at this great brewery in Brooklyn (Other Half Brewing Company), and then spent the rest of the day in Manhattan.  The Other Half Brewing Company lived up to the hype, filled with Brooklyn hipsters and great craft beers.   See if you can guess which of the three beers was mine!

First stop back in Manhattan was Foley's, the self-proclaimed "Irish Bar with a baseball attitude".  So much memorabilia in there that you couldn't even begin to digest it all, especially on a crowded Friday night.  

No trip to the Big Apple is complete without a quick trip to the top of the Empire State Building.

Was a great time, so glad Dave and Steve T. could go.   We are planning a return trip in 2021, when Strat-O-Matic should have all sorts of festivities for their 60th anniversary!  Hope you all can come along for that!

Bobcats Protection List

M. Olson

A. Simmons

E. Encarnacion

J. Candelario

E. Escobar

M. Betts

D. DeShields

Y. Gomes

B. Swihart

M. Gonzales

L. Severino

D. Keuchel

M. Stroman

E. Diaz

M. Barnes

M. Givens

Yu: J. Cotton

Cut w/card

M. Joyce

D. Pomeranz

B. Dozier

Cut wo/card

Swarzak

Norris

Jennings

Avila

Marrero

Vargas

Cain

Y. Escobar

Kansas City Butchers Protected List and Cuts

Keepers
Xander Bogaerts
Alex Bregman
Carlos Carrasco
Robinson Chirinos
Khris Davis
Kevin Gausman 
Yuli Gurriel
John Hicks
Craig Kimbrel
Corey Kluber
Lance McCullers
Yoan Moncada
Eduardo Rodriguez
George Springer
Mark Trumbo
Bradley Zimmer


On the Cutting Block
Cam Bedrosian
Richard Bleier
Alex Cobb
Evan Gattis
Tommy Hunter (no card)
Brandon Kintzler (no card)
Jason Kipnis
Mikie Mahtook
James Pazos
Sergio Romo


Yu Darvish player
Austin Hays