SIM COMPLETE - 1989 - FA 4

[Clay]

Has that always been automatic?

[Pat]

Yes.

[Carlos]

Its been automatic since OOTP10.

[Carlos]

Spring training right around the corner!!!

Anyone have any position battles? Anything interesting???

My only battles are for the last three starting pitching spots after Winchel, Erwood and Murillo.

It's Maroales vs. Alonzo vs. Williams vs. McDonald vs. Greene.

Greene has the inside track on one spot because he's 24. McDonald is likely going to slot into the sixth spot in the rotation because he's BLB ready.

Williams will likely have to wait for an injury or next year or a spot as a reliever. Mo and Zo may end up in AAA.

But nothing is automatic. Denver will go with what gives the team the best opportunity to win.

[Andrew]

Its been automatic since OOTP10.

This is correct. OOTP 10 closed the loophole where I manually had to waive players who were out of options after ST was over.

[Spectre]

Few position battles in Mississippi

DH- Rising prospect Joe Rojas is the frontrunner for the DH position, but a slow spring might make me reconsider. He's not competing with anybody in particular but there are several guys that I can easily place at DH if needed.

MR- Curt Sheperd/Bao-tian Ching/Zach Murray all fighting to make the team's bullpen. Eric McCoy is not getting younger and any one of these guys could be the closer of the future. Max Oliver is looking to make the team as well.

[Clay]

Virginia actually has a lot of battles right now. Not sure if it's good or bad, but a lot of decisions need to be made.

LOCKS:

2B - Joshua Poling
SS - Dale O'Hegarty
3B - Vincent Nino
CF - Mel Woodbury
SP - The Starting Rotation is locked in - Herrera, Magness, Morgan, Collins and McQueen
MR - Delmar Oyos, Archie Montgomery

VIRTUAL LOCKS:

1B - Yoritoki Maeda - Maeda is playing somewhere, but other decisions could move him around.
RF - Artie Rhodes - Scared that his hitting will be worse, but can't put 40 SBs on the bench.

SPRING TRAINING BATTLES:

Catcher - Rod Phillips v Alberto Hernando v Raul Valencia

Easily our biggest decision to be made. Phillips did enough as a rookie to earn a spot on the field, but it's hard to keep a two time Glove Wizard like Hernando on the bench. Phillips will try a little LF in ST. If he wins that job, Hernando becomes the full-time Catcher again. The wildcard here is Valencia, who came over in the 'Old Blue' deal. Can definately keep him at AAA for most of the season, perhaps to learn a new position, but if he really have 25 HR power, can I keep him down for long?

LF - Danny Nelson v Florian Tosselli v Rod Phillips

Nelson did everything I asked him to do last season except not get injured. He probably deserves another shot at full-time. Tosselli looks fantastic by ratings, but hasn't translated. Phillips is going to try to learn LF in ST. This could be our best battle and biggest hole in '89.

Closer/Setup - George McSwain v Ivan Perez

One will Close, the other will Setup... both wouldn't hate starting. Crap. I think Perez has the goods to hold down the fort, but a true open competition is in order.

Two Open Bullpen Spots - A Cast of Thousands

Guys like Marino, Boyd, Pierce and (rookie) Sammy Scott will get a lot of BP time in ST. Two spots are to be won by about 6 guys.

[Ryan]

SPRING TRAINING BATTLES:

Catcher - Rod Phillips v Alberto Hernando v Raul Valencia

Easily our biggest decision to be made. Phillips did enough as a rookie to earn a spot on the field, but it's hard to keep a two time Glove Wizard like Hernando on the bench. Phillips will try a little LF in ST. If he wins that job, Hernando becomes the full-time Catcher again. The wildcard here is Valencia, who came over in the 'Old Blue' deal. Can definately keep him at AAA for most of the season, perhaps to learn a new position, but if he really have 25 HR power, can I keep him down for long?

I think if you keep Valencia down much longer, you'll do more harm than good. Just my opinion as his former owner.

[Carlos]

I think Clay needs a DH.

[Ryan]

We all need a DH.

[Matt]

My SP did a Cali.

Zander Walters...7-6-6 to 5-5-4.

It happens (but mostly in Batavia).

[Pat]

It's more than just the two of you...

[Ryan]

Yep, two of my best prospects took dives into obscurity this last sim.

[Clay]

I still like it all comes down to time to get an accurate scouting. I think these guys are who they are... the numbers just change because the Scouts are getting a more accurate take.

This is something that I think SHOULD really balance well as the Feeder League system continues over the years. Having these draftable players with 2-3 years of game action, I think we're going to get a truer picture of who they are. Which, in turn, is a more accurate representation of real baseball (IMO).

[Clay]

I think Clay needs a DH.

No, I'd rather play real baseball.



Actually, I just need to teach someone to play LF or I need one of the three guys who I suspect is not going to make it this season to prove me right or wrong.