Observations from the Nest

WEEK 1 Observations from the nest.

7-0. That was the record to start the season. Too bad we have 155 left to play. It's very early, but feels good to have a good start.

Starting pitching has been solid. In 7 starts, the starters have gone 47 innings with an ERA of 2.49 per.

Middle relief has been quite surprising pitching 14 IP @ 1.93 ERA. Closer Benji Sosa earned the job with his ST performance, has had 2 appearances allowing 0 runs with 2 saves.

I'm waiting for the shoe to fall..............

The offense has been above average hitting .315-19-57 in the 7 games. Victor Lira has hit 4HR and Thomas Cannon leads with 5.

I've been happy with Cummings hitting clean-up. he only has 5 RBI's so we need to do a better job of getting on in front of him.

Up next is a 3 game series with the vaunted Rebels who are also 7-0 in week 1.

Observations from the Nest

Wow my hitting has been horrible!!!! I seriously hope that they can pick it up a bit. hey but I"ve learned a lot. I'll have to put up some of my pathetic stats so all can ooooo and ahhhhh.

Observations from the Nest

WHOO HOO!!!! I know, I know, it is early, BUT, Victor Lira homers 3 times in the opener and Cummings goes 4 for 5!!!!

Alright, now that I got that out, I feel better.

Boston Stranglers Review Preview

Season 2: A review and preview of things to come

Taking over for the previous ownership – my first assessment of the Strangler franchise is that it is ready to win now. There is a good mix of youth and experience at the major league level. Pitching seems to be our strength whilst the offense will be no slouch. We expect to improve on last seasons 71-91 record. A playoff berth and potential run for the World Series title is the goal for this season.

The Starters:

Brad Gilbert OAV .258 / WHIP 1.37 / ERA 4.39

This elder statesman of the staff (35 years old) is the current ace and stopper. The lanky right hander carried the load going 18-10 over 239.2 innings. This was good enough to earn him an all star appearance last year. Hopefully he can duplicate that effort this year and next as he is under contract until season 3. Decline isn’t so much of a concern as Gilbert is a known workout warrior (92 makeup).

Esteban Owen OAV .293 / WHIP 1.59 / ERA 5.44

The left handed Owen had a disappointing first season in the eyes of the fans. The 29 year old Dominican was victimized by the long ball last season – giving up 45 jacks to opponents. If he could learn to keep the ball down a little more he should see a drastic improvement in his win totals. Then again – it usually “is what it is” for a player at this stage of his career.

Max Carrara OAV .271 / WHIP 1.44 / ERA 5.25

Another pitcher who seems to have underperformed last season considering the scouts ratings. This lefty came into spring training in great shape hoping to prove that last seasons performance was an anomaly.

Mendy Lee OAV .267 / WHIP 1.60 / ERA 4.52

Mendy Lee is the future staff ace of the Boston franchise. The 22 year old is a ground ball pitcher who fields his position well. Last year was a great learning experience for the young righty. This year should be another step forward in his development.

Thomas Padilla OAV .269 / WHIP 1.33 / ERA 4.18

This vet completes the Stranglers staff. The left handed Padilla posted a better than 2 to 1 K to BB ratio. Management is confident that he will be the kind of consistent 5^th starter that is needed to win at the big league level.

The Pen:

This will be a definite strength for the team as Boston’s bullpen expects to strangle opposing hitters in the late innings. Peter Hammond closed out a respectable 28 of 32 games last year. Rubber arm Charlie Chance held opponents to a .249 OAV last year over 111 innings.

Hitters Review/Preview to follow

Minnesota Season Preview

ST is over and let the new year begin..............

This spring was a little easier than last. I knew what was coming and was able to try new faces in new places in my pen.

I'm toying with using just 4 starters this year, but my gut tells me they won't hold up. So I am stuck looking for that 5th arm.

Lidle, Gentry, Ducey and Robertson have solidified their starting roles, although Robertsons 13 walks in 18 innings is cause for concern.

I think the team of Sosa and Wilkins will close games, but Sosa has definately had the better spring.

I'll have to see some real action to detirmine if the middle relief is as good as advertised.


Most position races finished where I expected, but they got there in Odd ways. Yanick Gryboski is injured and out for 3 weeks. Wiggington can and will fill in, but this is a large defensive loss.

Victor Lira has done well at 1st and has the job, but I hope the bat comes thru.

Cummings is a star in the making. His bat (.392-8-22 plus 6 SB) have done nicely in the cleanup spot. Can't wait to see his total year numbers.

Spring Activity

Coach hiring was almost impossible this year. Everyone was looking for that better deal, and if you missed their reply, you lost them.

My only FA aquisition came in the form of a 32 yr old 1st baseman named Victor Lira. Victor hit .292-68-146 at AAA last year and was looking for a break. He was affordable at $875K and may provide the power this team lacked last year.

2 games into spring training and Vic Cummings looks like the star we expected (3 for 8, 2HR's 5RBI's and 1 SB). I know, it's early.

Rating Regression

bradydt

Veteran

Forum Posts: 8

I'm interested in how the turnover occurs. I had a vet on the team who was listed as a SS when I took the team over. His range was about 66, so I moved him to 3b. He is near the end of his career, yet played the whole last year (a contract year) at overall rating of 75, and he was 36 years old. He had a great year and won a gold glove, putting up the following numbers:

HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS

19

107

56

94

0

1

.323

.388

.511

.899

Then, time caught up with the poor guy, and at age 37 he dropped to an overall 65. All year he was demanding a 3 year deal at 4 mil a year, now he will play for one at 2.4 mil.

Anyway, to end my incoherent rant, I felt that players were ranked rather highly for their ages. In my other league (Pioneer) it seems that most of the old guys lose it at age 33 or so, and no one maintains an overall rating in the high 70's. Was this an anomaly, or do you think players can maintain at that age?