SIM COMPLETE - 1989 - Regular Season 11

[Lintyfresh85]

I'm kinda surprised Sierra hasn't been signed. He's not what he used to be, but he could still start for some teams. Last I checked, I don't think he was asking for too much. Could be wrong on that, but I'm sure he could be had for less than his asking price.

He's always on my speed dial.

[Pat]

I'm kinda surprised Sierra hasn't been signed. He's not what he used to be, but he could still start for some teams. Last I checked, I don't think he was asking for too much. Could be wrong on that, but I'm sure he could be had for less than his asking price.

I thought he would have signed somewhere by now. But .280 with a .720 OPS from your 1B...most teams can do better. And if they can't, they probably aren't contenders, and non-contenders don't need a 35-year-old on a one-year rental.

If anything were to happen to Lumar and Robbins, he has already told me he would love to finish his career in D.C.

[Sully]

I thought he would have signed somewhere by now. But .280 with a .720 OPS from your 1B...most teams can do better. And if they can't, they probably aren't contenders

Was that a shot at Clay and Maeda?!?!

[Clay]

Was that a shot at Clay and Maeda?!?!

My boy Maeda is starting to put it together. .291/.378/.494/.871 in June. You guys don't want him to figure it out. If his abilities ever hit his ratings, I'll start putting up Andrew Commissioner-assisted type numbers.

[Jistic]

I'll start putting up Andrew Commissioner-assisted type numbers.

[Pat]

Was that a shot at Clay and Maeda?!?!

I didn't say a .225 average.

[Clay]

(A) Screw you both

(B) Maeda and Nino switched positions, so I think it's safe to say I am meeting Smear's criteria for production from 1B.

(C) Blow me

[Lintyfresh85]

California Kodiaks (40-30)
1-2 @ Virginia
3-0 vs. Wilmington

THE GOOD

-- Compres steps up - Jose Compres was huge this week. As a team we only managed to hit .231/.309/.337/.646, but that line would have looked a lot worse if Compres didn't hit .400/.400/.560/.960. He's been the forgotten man in the OF this year, so, any pub I can get him, is well deserved.

-- Qutnones a cut above - Another unheralded part of my revamped bullpen is Juan Qutnones. For the week he appeared in 4 games, went 4.2 IP, struck out 3 and put up a WHIP of 0.43. I love what I've gotten out of this guy; he's like a poor man's Joe Negron.

-- Austin the awesome - Jared Austin had a solid week behind the plate going 9/19 and putting up a line of .474/.476/.632/1.108. He also currently leads my team in HR's; something I never thought I'd say.

-- Goodwin is good, again - Curt Goodwin continued to make his push as a solid pickup. For the week Goodwin appeared in 3 games, went 2 IP and struck out one while posting a WHIP of 1. Through 6 games, Goodwin still remains unscored on.

THE BAD

-- Good is not so good, again - Another bad week for Jarred Good. I'm starting to think the #2 spot in the lineup might not be where he fits best. The problem is, everyone is hitting great in their spot in the lineup so I don't really know where to place him. This week he went 4/25, but at least he had 3 extra base hits.

-- Aguilara struggling - I knew there was a good possibility when I traded for Joe Aguilara that he might be damaged goods and that he may not be what I need at the back of my bullpen... so far, he's proven that theory correct as he continues to struggle. The worst part is, as long as he's in his cold streak, I can't properly evaluate what he brings as a closer. Just need to figure out how to get the guy out of his funk.

THE UGLY

-- Virginia is good, I mean really good - It took a while, but the time has finally come. Clay has a monster of a ballclub. Virginia is by far the most complete team I've faced this year. They are all tough outs and that young pitching is just nasty. Pat's team would be close, but with all the injuries they keep suffering, I have to rank them as the second best team out there. I think this might be Clay's year, his team is that talented.

ON-DECK

Start the week with an off day before heading into a six game road trip. First, we head to Washington to take on the Bats in a three game series. Then, we close out the week by heading southwest on I-81 to Morgantown for the final three games.

[Clay]

THE UGLY

-- Virginia is good, I mean really good - It took a while, but the time has finally come. Clay has a monster of a ballclub. Virginia is by far the most complete team I've faced this year. They are all tough outs and that young pitching is just nasty. Pat's team would be close, but with all the injuries they keep suffering, I have to rank them as the second best team out there. I think this might be Clay's year, his team is that talented.

I'm going to remember this jinx when it all falls apart.

I actually felt really good about our series because I consider your team a good measuring stick. I made the decision to kind of hedge my bet this SIM by giving the starters an extra day off... which meant throwing Arlen Spencer into the mouth of the beast in facing Wilkerson. I knew it would take a Herculean effort to beat him, so I figure sacrifice the tweener and keep Pancho available for Game 3. Got lucky and it actually worked how I wanted it to.

[Pat]

Washington Bats(41-29)
2-1 @ Davenport
2-1 @ Philly

THE GOOD

-- On the MAP - Miguel Angel Padilla, or MAP, put himself on the national radar with a Stout Slugger runner-up campaign in '87. Then struggled through an injury plagued '88. Finally healthy again and it shows. This week MAP carried the offense going 12/25 with 4 HRs and 10 RBI.

-- Keep that dog on a leash - Carl "Pitbull" Pateshall is 18-2 since returning to Washington mid-season in a trade with Denver. 18-2! This season he is 11-1 with a 1.44 ERA.

-- River Runs Wild - River Matthews, after returning from an eight-month stint on the DL, gave up a ton of runs in his debut. Since then, he has really settled down. Might be moving into the closer role soon.

THE BAD

-- Can't get it right - The Joe Alvarez trade has not worked out. The former Philly closer has now blown five saves and has six losses. Last season, for Philly, he three losses and a 2.27 ERA. This year his ERA is 4.81, with no sign of him figuring it out. I will probably give him until the All-Star Break to figure it out, but I can't afford to have him blowing games. His save % is a putrid 74%.

-- Power Outtage - Sergio Lumar, and his career 337 homeruns arrived in Washington two weeks ago. In the past 12 games for Washington, he has zero homers and just two doubles. He is getting singles and plenty of walks, but I'm going to need more from the veteran.

THE UGLY

-- Virginia Colons - Like Linty mentioned, the team in Virginia has finally got it's act together. They are well overdue for a significant injury and my fingers will remain crossed. The rotation is dominant and very young. The lineup has a mix of old and young but the youngsters look to finally be figuring it out and the team just re-upped with slugger Woodbury. Not good news for the Stout or the rest of the IL.

ON-DECK

Finally, back home. Three vs. California. Three vs. Carolina. I'm a believer in the Kodiaks and think this should be three really close games. I'm not a believer in Carolina just yet. I think they are a product of a poor division.

THE FARM

Great, great news. First round pick, SP Cy Pryor, regained his potential ratings of 4-6-8, that I drafted him based on. Not sure where my scout got the 3-5-5 potential from last sim, but he better not change his mind again. Three starts, 1-1, 2.91 ERA. I expect him to debut on the top 100 prospect list sooner than later. OSA/BA usually takes a few weeks to figure out how good my picks are.

[Clay]

-- Virginia Colons - Like Linty mentioned, the team in Virginia has finally got it's act together. They are well overdue for a significant injury and my fingers will remain crossed. The rotation is dominant and very young. The lineup has a mix of old and young but the youngsters look to finally be figuring it out and the team just re-upped with slugger Woodbury. Not good news for the Stout or the rest of the IL.

I always expect the worst out of you, but to actually wish injury on a rival? That's low even for you.

[Pat]

I always expect the worst out of you, but to actually wish injury on a rival? That's low even for you.

Only looking for a few equal rolls of the dice.

[Jim]

-- Qutnones a cut above - Another unheralded part of my revamped bullpen is Juan Qutnones. For the week he appeared in 4 games, went 4.2 IP, struck out 3 and put up a WHIP of 0.43. I love what I've gotten out of this guy; he's like a poor man's Joe Negron.

I couldn't give him away when he was with us. Scout always liked him and I tried to get him to an IL team because I thought he'd do better there. Nice signing...he's doing very good for you.

[Clay]

Only looking for a few equal rolls of the dice.

Maybe you just need better dice?

[Pat]

Maybe you just need better dice?

Maybe.

Or maybe the season just needs to get into the Dog Days of summer and "Doorbell" and Nino will take a trip to the disabled list.