SIM COMPLETE - 2001 - FREE AGENCY 3

[Carlos]

There are a ton of solid Free-Agents available that have just lowered their demands as we approach Spring Training. There are a lot of teams out there with lots of budget room.

Go sign these good players.

I still have a target. Won't be end of the world if I don't sign him, but I like him a lot. Gonna just suck it up and pay him (that's a gift to you, Brad).

[funclown]

Pretty quiet sim for Pawtucket.

Resigned a few players to team friendly contracts (Ole Mens & Tyler Gerald), but nothing exciting to report here.

[spot]

Two Porter squads in the playoffs?

Didn't think they could match-up in the first round.

[Jistic]

Have a couple offers still out there. Keeping the PD budget at 40MIL after last year was a HUGE success in dev (not sure if it's related). Also increased scouting budget to 15 MIL for one season to see if it does anything.

Other than that, we stay the course in Windy City....almost there.

[nelmsm]

We are expected to perform just as badly. Yes!

Yes!

[Pat]

Utilities 2001 Preview is up:

http://www.simgamingnetwork.com/blb/...simPreview.php

Denver is the only team in the BLB Preview with no "Key Holdovers."

[Ryan]

Denver is the only team in the BLB Preview with no "Key Holdovers."

But they do have a "Should Have Gotten Rid Of" tab.

[Carlos]

Denver is the only team in the BLB Preview with no "Key Holdovers."

Well, I mean, technically the utilities is right.


Sent from my mobile device.

[Matt]

Don't forget to vote...12 outta 24 so far.

http://www.simgamingnetwork.com/foru...ad.php?t=14611

[mwetts]

Pittsburgh FA- With over 40 million in budget room we have been fairly busy this FA and with 19 million still left I don't know if we are done. Team is starting to look a lot differant than I thought it would once this last off season started for us.

Additions:

SP Nakazo 'Chuckwagon' Saski- A guy who made $20 million last year and who was on the books, had the IL champs chose to excercise his option, for another $20 this year. So although he won't put up the same numbers he did in WAS we still expect him to be a top 3 pitcher for us and on a team friendly deal we think at $8 million guaranteed for this year with a team option of $8 million next year. For a guy about to turn 39 he may even retire after this year and not give us the option.

SS Sze Zhu- A fairly young MI in FA isn't always easy to find. Hasn't played great the last couple of years but can play any IF position (not great but can). Mostly intrigued with his 6 on eye and only 29. Had hoped to land SS Sandoval as well. Led him the first two sims and as we see a lot in this FA being in front isn't always the best position. So Zhu will probably play a little more than we expected and we need to target another IF.

CF Darrel Corfield- Brought in because although we have plenty of competion for playing time in the OF none can really play CF. Not as stellar defensively as he used to be but will still be a good defensive replacement when not starting. Was hoping that former 2nd rd. pick CF Manny Zambrano would be ready this year but starting to think he may never pan out. Another thing I like about Corfield is his 6 on eye. Haven't had many guys lately with decent eyes (save Callderon).

SP Shusaku Inoue- Had a fairly decent season in PAW last year. Going to probably run a 6 man rotation and for only 850k was brought in to compete for that 6th spot. If he doesn't work out at only 850k someone gives him a shot off the waiver wire I would think. Low risk/ Medium reward?

CL Adrian Martinez- I know what your going to say "Don't give Clay more picks" and to be honest I would normally side with that but I always kinda liked him. Also was thinking of giving him a shot at being a two pitch starter. I may not now after what has transpired this FA but the 8 stamina and 8 stuff always did intrigue me. He wants to close but we already have Oelslager for that plus with the high stamina is is probably more valuable not closing for a team that may not have more than 35 SV oppertunities this year.

MR Denver 'Otter' Brode, MR Don Lloyd, MR Marv Turner- At $2.5 million combinded these guys were essentially brought in real early in FA to make sure I got some pitching help. To be honest it was before some of the afformentioned pitching was brought in so probably only one maybe two are gonna get to stay after ST. The first two were also brought in to give looks at SP so both will probably get a start or two in ST. Turner was a guy who I could get for cheap and my scout liked and had good ratings (stats were shit but hey, we will give the guy a change of scenery even if it is only for a month).

So after writing this I think there is no way I am not trying to bring in at least 2-3 people with the budget room. Last year I thought we were gonna be better than we were because of some of our FA signings but I didn't address any pitching issues. We are hoping this year we were more balanced and won't be finishing in the cellar (don't think the budget could handle it).

[Spectre]

Got Anibal Calderon for cheap- he stunk for us in his last go-around but I'm attributing that to some bad luck. Dusty Simms had a great first half but was mediocre the second half of the year. Top to bottom, I really like my lineup now. We should get on base a lot this year.

[Pat]

When you get a chance to add the last two years starting catchers from the Pittsburgh Millers, you do it!

All joking aside, I love the signing. I think Mississippi arguably has had the best off-season. Calderon, Rivera, Sutton, Kinsey, Scott, Reyes. Pretty impressive.

[Ryan]

I'll be curious to see how Anaya does starting in California, considering his stuff and stamina. Always a fun gamble to see how that turns out.

[Pat]

I'll be curious to see how Anaya does starting in California, considering his stuff and stamina. Always a fun gamble to see how that turns out.

What an interesting contract. One year at $2.4M and then a vesting option at $10.1M if he has 30 starts. Last year, California's top five had: 30, 30, 29, 25, 24. So I'm pretty sure even if Anaya does well as a starter, Linty will make sure he only ends up with 29 starts.

No Adili-type uproar?

[Clay]

What an interesting contract. One year at $2.4M and then a vesting option at $10.1M if he has 30 starts. Last year, California's top five had: 30, 30, 29, 25, 24. So I'm pretty sure even if Anaya does well as a starter, Linty will make sure he only ends up with 29 starts.

No Adili-type uproar?

I think we learned our lesson yesterday that it is all my fault.

Im going to miss this group when people start losing interest because of this crap.