2016 Regular Season SIM 8 Complete - Next SIM Saturday 04/16

[Carlos]

Got the error but after the 3rd time the file downloaded. Strange.

Wouldn't work for me. Gave up. Downloaded from the site.

[BDub]

Andrew suggested maybe reinstalling the game and see if that fixes it. Ill do that later today as im still having the same issue.

[Cory]

The download worked fine for me.

A 2-4 sim was better than I had hoped for against Morgantown and Batavia. Our pitchers held up really well this week, and our bats did about what we'd expect. The big problem for us was our defensive play. It seems like everybody took the week off when it came to playing the field. On the plus side, Jimmy Nash and Bereket Asiku both rebounded a little after their slow starts to the season. They seem to like their new slots in the lineup. We're going to stand pat for a week and see how next week ends up when we're facing a Death Valley squad that's just lost two starting outfielders and Los Alamos.

[funclown]

Pawtucket now had 5 top 100 prospects. Considering our draft position and or lack of first rounders have to be pleasantly happy:

(AAA)#27 P B.J. Swisher Rnd 3.24
(AAA)#53 P Jimmy Maggio (Trade Pitt)
(A)#80 P Jalen LaFargue Rnd 2.11
(A)#82 RF Ed Blue Rnd 2.7
(A)#100 RF Dave Caponigro Rnd 4.17

Not sure any will be stars, but its nice to know the system isn't barren.

[liquidcrash]

I debated over picking Swisher with my 3rd round pick that season, ultimately went another direction. Wishing I had gone with him then.

The Bats' farm system is up to #4 in the league. It'll drop pretty far once Dropkick hits the BLB, but for now it looks good. My 2nd round pick from last years draft, SP Dave Koehler, has made it in at #100. Not sure when he made the list, this is first I've seen him on it.

[Matt]

Just saw minor league guys now have Current and Future projected roles...cool.

[Z]

Just saw minor league guys now have Current and Future projected roles...cool.

It is a helpful addition for projecting players and setting minor league roles.

[Sharkn20]

Just saw minor league guys now have Current and Future projected roles...cool.

Batters too?? Or just pitchers??

[umd]

We're at 28-24 with a 2.5 game lead on CAL exiting May. We've played much better, capping an 18-10 month with a 2-2 split against Liquid and WAS at home and a 2-1 road trip series win vs Prez in BAL. We can play with the good teams. Now, I have to figure out how to keep this ship from taking on water again after seemingly having righted our ship.

Things I noticed looking at this team...

1. We get a bit of a schedule break this week if we can take care of business at home vs Windy City and on the road at Carolina, while California heads to Batavia and then gets Morgantown at home. This is a big week in the standings, especially considering CAL just lost terrific closer Jamie Crook for 6 weeks from their 9th ranked bullpen. Maine signing Golden helps me here, as he's not out there anymore and is now in the DL with Z.

2. Los Alamos continues to lurk just 4 games back. They're statistically better than me in every category. Yonke is batting .400, Henne has found his power, and I see Tom Trottier down there in his rehab assignment ready to start shutting down BLB games for a team that is 12-25 in one run and extra inning games. That's a recipe for trouble for me, as they could easily overtake us by July 1.

3. Tom Wright's injury is devastating. He's been the lynch pin to this offense and his four month injury, coupled with the acquisition of Robles and his 4 at bats before getting hurt himself, has me scratching my head with what to do next. I've reached out to several teams looking for some viable cost-efficient options. Tom Gibson is out there, but he's poised to sign with Matt for relatively cheap in Batavia this next sim, so that will take him off the table. I've had numerous discussions to move CJ Wilkinson for fair offers of draft picks and prospects the last few days, but now I'm undecided whether to pass them up to move him for Tom Wright's replacement in the now. Then there's...

4. JP Knappe, who my scout raves about. He's absolutely raking in AAA with 10 HR, 26 RBI, .375/.450/.619, 2.5 WAR in 44 GP. He's a DWI caliber RF, who is ready for the bigs just as he cracks the Top 100 at #88 this week. Barring a deal that lands me an all-star caliber OF, I'm leaning towards starting Knappe and his defense and white hot AAA bat in RF this week.

5. Erik Jackson is starting to come on. He's at .273 now in a platoon. It's time for him to start full time and the training wheels to come off, so moving Wilkinson in the right scenario is going to be a priority over the next 3 months of the season. It also means I can finally part with Travis Zuk, who I've been holding onto despite a few offers when I posted him for "any pick".

6. Willie Rosales has been a ****ing beast. He's hitting .295 with 14 HR, 15 2B, and 33 RBI and a 2.0 WAR. He's our MVP right now and it's up to him and Travis Kemp to keep us going in the heart of the order.

7. Al Anguiano and Tom Estes have really come on, hitting a combined .340 in May. If Knappe catches on in RF, we have one of the best defensive OFs in the league.

8. Travis Stroble and Todd Martin. We've rounded out the bottom of our rotation with two high value, low cost additions. Stroble debuted with a 3 hit, 6 K, 7.0 IP no decision, replacing lefty Dave Porter in our rotation. Martin has been excellent, 4 GS, 3-0, 3.86 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. They've solidified the backend of this rotation, while my frontline starters continue to ease into the summer months.

9. Debating the youth movement... is it time for Jamie August to replace Joey Leger? Is it time for team and personal favorite Dave Bryan to be sent to another team for nothing or placed on waivers to make room for youngster Robby McGowan in LF? Is Tom Ragosta ready to replace Travis Zuk and CJ Wilkinson in the IF as a utility player at 22? It may be time to take a page from Z and Delandis and let the kids play ball earlier than I normally would. It's kind of exciting.

[Pat]

3. Tom Wright's injury is devastating.

Blessing in disguise.

[Matt]

I've been after FAs for weeks. I doubt Gibson is going to sign. I actually made an offer to someone else as well.

[umd]

Blessing in disguise.

I'm not sure you're serious or messing with me.

[Pat]

I'm not sure you're serious or messing with me.

Seriously. Through 44 games, Wright has a 0.0 WAR and is arguably the worst outfield defender in the entire BLB this season.

I think Knappe will be an improvement.

I've been after FAs for weeks. I doubt Gibson is going to sign. I actually made an offer to someone else as well.

I think the FAs are done playing games. Schubert signed two weeks ago. Shinji just signed this sim. They want to play some ball!

[umd]

Anyone look at the new financials?

There's not a single team in the html financial report (right now) running green in both projected balance and cash this season. Is this an issue for the league that may have come with the conversion?

http://www.simgamingnetwork.com/blb/...al_report.html

[umd]

Seriously. Through 44 games, Wright has a 0.0 WAR and is arguably the worst outfield defender in the entire BLB this season.

I think Knappe will be an improvement.

I'm not so sure that's true when looking at the big picture. Defensively sure, but that's a lot of offense to lose on a team that is...

Runs Scored (7th)
Average (8th)
OBP (10th)
Defensive Efficiency (3rd)

How much does the offense drop and how high can the defensive efficiency rise? Probably not balancing out the loss of an annual Stout Slugger candidate, but I hope you're Wright. Get it? That's for funclown.