2013 Off-Season Primer - Stout Preview

[Pat]

Stout Primer

Washington Bats 92-70 (1st in Stout)
2012 Brewmaster's Champions

The Bats won their 6th Brewmaster's in a 4-3 series win over the Los Angeles Dinos. Also defeating the Baltimore Bulldogs in five ILDS games and the defending Champion Tobs in seven in the ILCS as underdogs without Pat Ladd and Troy Martin, both of whom were injured the final week of the season.

Who is back?

The rotation remains intact lead by Dave "Pizza" Lippert, #goatslovepizza. The IL's #1 bullpen brings everyone back with a looming decision on CL David "The Sheriff" Rodriguez's team option.

The lineup however will look a lot different with as many as eight players without contract extensions or impending team options.

Who is on the fence?

Rodriguez mentioned above has a $8.1M team option and has been the subject of trade rumors. The most important impending batter free-agent is 3B/SS Antonio Cardenas. The soon to be 38-year-old just put up 28 homer runs, his highest since 2005 and the Bats are desperate to bring that power back.

Who is getting paid?

Second Basemen Danny Romero had a down year with the bat in 2012 but is still projected to get $13M in his final arbitration season. The Nelson "brothers" Wayne and DJ both enter their second season of arbitration and are expected to make $17M combined.

Who is gone?

It's very unlikely the Bats would bring back a pair of 1B in Diego Flores and Jon Montalbo, maybe even neither. Long-time outfielder Manny Reyes has underperformed the past two years so expect the Bats to decline his $15M team option. Also infielder Tyler Winslow and his $7.2M team option.

2013 Shopping List:

1st - First Baseman
2nd - Backup OF

Key Losses:
TBD

Key Gains:
TBD

[Delandis]

2013 Off-Season Primer - Stout Preview

Stout Primer

Baltimore Bulldogs 92-70 (1st in Porter)
2012 Porter Champions

Despite winning their 12th division title, the Bulldogs ended 2012 with a heartbreakingly, poor performance against the eventual BLB Champion Bats, losing 4-1 in the IL Division Series. Along with former division mates the Philadelphia Freedom, the Bulldogs have been relocated to the Stout. The Stout is a division with a storied history of achievement, disgrace, and most importantly, the permanent home of the most successful franchise in the IL, the Washington Bats.


Who is back?

The rotation was one of the better rotations in the second half of 2012 led by 2012 Pale Ale winner, Todd Taylor. Midway through 2012, Baltimore did extend Roberto Crespin (IF) and Jimmy Lee (OF/1B) They also extended the contract of 32 year old backup catcher, Jimmy Scherer in early December.

Who is getting paid?

The only significant payout was to Alejandro Rueadas (SP) who earned 5.5MM in 2012 arbitration hearing.

Who is gone?
Travis Krummen (2B) and Billy Alvarado's (3B) departures will insure that the Baltimore infield will look different in 2013. The two hitters combined for a dismal, 4 for 34 performance against the lefties of Washington and will not be missed. The Bulldogs also watched as Tara Tanaka (OF) and Pat Silvia (1B) left for free agency. Danny Ybarra (MR) and Ian Strachan (MR) didn't perform will down the stretch in 2012 and were shipped out to Toronto. The departure of Danny Ybarra meant that there was no one left in Baltimore who was a part of that 2001 Championship team.


Key Gains:
-The Bulldogs struck out in FA for the most part and had to settle with just tinkering with the success of 2012. Starting with their pitching, the Bulldogs reacquired starting pitcher, Ruben Mendoza (SP) who was traded from Baltimore to Hartford in 2008. Mendoza has the talent to be one of the more dominant pitchers in the league, evidenced by his 200+K in both 2011 and 2012. Baltimore has toyed with using Mendoza as their closer, but it isn't clear where he will be used yet.

-Baltimore added a slew of bargain basement types to the team including Tommy Tipsword (TOR), Victor Rodriguez (TOR), Ted Self (CAL), Negussu Sadiki (PIT), Daniel de Leon (LAM), Travis Wallis (IND), and Tom Hau (SYR and who I had no idea was injured). Nobody really stands out a real impact player outside of Wallis and even he has his questions as he turns 35 in May.

Can the Bulldogs remain as one of the more successful franchises of the BLB despite an aging roster, a minor league system with no obvious talent, and no draft picks in 2013? With a up-and-coming Wilmington squad, a renewed Philadelphia team, and the defending champs, one thing is for sure:

They have a tough road back to the playoffs.

[Pat]

Stout? Oh no sir.

[Delandis]

What did I say?


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[Pat]

What did I say?


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You said 1st in Stout last year....

Maybe this year

[Delandis]

Oh I see.


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