2008 Spring Training 1 SIM Complete - Next SIM Thursday 08/28

[BradZ]

Next SIM: Thu 08/28

- Files due by 8 am ET | 5 am PT
- HTML and utility in a bit
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DFA:
Roster:
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Thurs 8/28- Spring Training 2
Sat 8/30 - Opening Day

[Pat]

Spring Training Sim 1! Yay!

Start the pre-season 4-8. My best hitter of the Spring, Jerry Sanchez (.977 OPS), is hurt with a "diagnosis pending" injury. No SP is pitching well outside of Troy Hanback. In Free-Agent news the Bats sign five discount/older Free-Agents:

1. C Ryu Taniguchi - 36 - Can still play great defense and as a lefty bat will give my righty starter days off. $500K

2. OF Ricky Celedon - 34 - Had a career year last year. Can still field, run and hit 25 homers for Carolina. He will start vs. LHSP but mainly be a pinch-runner/defensive replacement. $750K

3. RP Jerry Evans - 36 - Coming off a major injury and didn't play much in 2007 but my scout still thinks there is something there. Might actually end up being my closer out of the gate. $571K

4. RP Victor Tapia - 31 - Also coming off a major injury and didn't play much in 2007 but my scout is still a big fan. Lost in the mix over the last few years in the Slammers super deep bullpen. $500K, team option $1M.

5. P Duane Porter - 39 - Also coming off a significant injury and little playing time. He already wants to be my closer but I'm actually going to try the old man in the rotation. According to my scout he is 4-7-6, with a 68% groundball and 96MPH fastball. He has a wrecked injury history so we will see what I can squeeze out. $825K

[Carlos]

7-5 spring training start.

Not surprised by some performances. Mostly glad to see better balance on the team.

sent from my mobile device

[Delandis]

Worst spring training start in a long time.

[BradZ]

Well, we finally pick up a LH platoon option at 1B in Nari Garin to match with Frank Zamora (perpetual underachiever). That caps off an offseason that we're pretty pleased with, adding:

RP Daniel Romero
IF Jon Herrera
1B Nari Garin

All role players for sure, but if our young pitching takes the next step forward and if OF Taylor Bell reaches his potential I think we're an 84-87 win team.

One small step forward while we wait for the last two years' draft classes to get up to BLB speed (SS Andy Garcia, 2b Jimmy Kidwell, SP Pat Evans, CF Masao Nara, SP Sid Bourne).

[Pat]

Well, we finally pick up a LH platoon option at 1B in Nari Garin to match with Frank Zamora (perpetual underachiever). That caps off an offseason that we're pretty pleased with, adding:

RP Daniel Romero
IF Jon Herrera
1B Nari Garin

All role players for sure, but if our young pitching takes the next step forward and if OF Taylor Bell reaches his potential I think we're an 84-87 win team.

One small step forward while we wait for the last two years' draft classes to get up to BLB speed (SS Andy Garcia, 2b Jimmy Kidwell, SP Pat Evans, CF Masao Nara, SP Sid Bourne).

I love the look of your rotation and I'm a big fan of all the signings. I think 90 wins are well within reach.

[funclown]

I love the look of your rotation and I'm a big fan of all the signings. I think 90 wins are well within reach.

Your so overlooking the Pawtucket signings.

[BradZ]

I love the look of your rotation and I'm a big fan of all the signings. I think 90 wins are well within reach.

I'm degrading the win total to 84 to account for poor management and decision making. The "BradZ" factor if you will.

[Pat]

I'm degrading the win total to 84 to account for poor management and decision making. The "BradZ" factor if you will.

Oh...right.

Trade teams?

[BradZ]

Oh...right.

Trade teams?

Nah, I don't want to taint the Bats brand.

[funclown]

Pawtucket 5-7, but without our two new signings one which is probably our #2-#3 starter and a 6 for contact infielder who will also be starting.

Yes, fear us.

[Carlos]

Disappointed to see Vawter get hurt for 5 weeks. It's only three regular season sims, but he was going to be our utility infielder (and 3B against lefties), so it leaves us scrambling a bit since I refuse to promote my middle infield icons until mid-June.

Vawter was also killing the ball. Never can tell when a guy might finally get it. He was playing like he finally did.

Jamie McPherson struggled out of the gate in Spring Training but it didn't stop him from returning to the Top 20 at #20. So that's a good sign. Overall, we OPSed .718 which is a nice number to see.

The starting rotation impressed me. Tamieke did not allow an earned run in three ST starts. Hoffman has given up 3 in 3 starts. Kisselburg probably surprised most with 0 earned runs in two starts. I think he's underrated and a good #5 that's hardly had a chance to be a starter.

Leo Garcia got roughed up in his first start but threw zeros in his second. He's up first in the second half of ST.

The bullpen is going to be up and down but I have no interest in spending good money on arms there.

[umd]

8-4, not bad. I have some players that can help some teams and my roster is built so that no one will have to pass through waivers to get down to 25 for Opening Day.

Let me know if you're interested in anyone and let's make a deal.