BLB midseason coverage: Your Take

[funclown]

Dark days in Pawtucket. The knee jerk reaction would be to tank, but every version (Competitive Pawtucket) is different. Were gonna ride it out this first half of the decade and see how it goes. Would not be shocked to try the merc approach late this decade. Who the hell wants to be the same every single time???? Well maybe some. Still searching for what 'new' is gonna be.

Bold predictions: We go on a August run and finish with 81 wins. Still way short of the wildcard. CF T.J. Wilkins (AAA) comes off the DL and ends up a top 100 prospect. Lynn wins its 2nd Horizon League championship.


First-half surprises, disappointments: Its mostly all bad. Thought our offense would be better rather then sitting at the bottom of the DL. Our defense has actually regressed despite making some improvements (on paper) in the offseason. Bullpen has actually played better of late, but they still suck. Have to re-think how we view pitching....something has changed in this version.


Midseason awards: C Dave Piekarski & LF Sonny Mason. The usual guys. They are doing all they can to keep us competitive.


Breakout stars: CF Shamar Bryant . Not really a star, but our former 4th rounder from 2011 was acquired back from Baltimore and he's batting .308 since. Only 26, I think we saved this kid from that whacky park. Also plays some good D on the corners. Would be nice if we can teach him a little CF.


What's wrong with the BLB?: Nothing at all. Change is good. Some trends that have been there in previous versions aren't there right now. Just a matter of adapting. Still somewhat miss interleague and the three divisions, but people seem happy,

[Delandis]

Bold predictions: What's ahead in the second half and playoffs?
-A tough race for the Stout title. I think this ends up being a war of attrition. Whoever has the least injuries down the stretch will win the title. That includes Philly who is 5.5 back. In the Ale, I think it is another close race that Toronto edges out Pitt by a nose.


First-half surprises, disappointments: What players and teams have defied expectations?
I really though this was Los Alamos' year to take the next step but with I missed on that one. I am disappointed and surprised that Philly didn't fall off the cliff. After such a terrible start and to climb this far back in, that isn't a team anyone wants to see in the playoffs. I'm also surprised that Cali and KC hasn't done better. I feel bad because I expected more out of Dave Dillard for KC but in his defense, that locker room needs a heavier hand than Loong.

Midseason awards: Who would take home hardware if the season ended today?
-Dominguez is looking great for IL ROY and is the big name, but undrafted catcher, Billy Herrera (PHI) is a damn good story.

Breakout stars: You need to be familiar with these names.
J.J. Hanson (BAL)
Dusty Seibert (PIT)
Ian Schneider (IND)
Tom Friedman (SYR)
Dave Webber (SYR)

What's wrong with the BLB?: There are issues and can they be fixed?
Pat, the BLB rabble rouser. Ok I'm game.


One way the BLB can be improved is related to the trading of draft picks. I really think we should do away with the process. I think only trading players would help go a long way to allowing decent talent to trickle down to the later rounds and keep owners engaged throughout the entire draft and maybe even allow for more Tom Driggs and Billy Herrera discoveries in FA after the draft. However, I understand that the BLB is slow to change especially since this is one of the primary ways many of us have constantly stayed ahead of the curve.

Furthermore I know since I'm for it, the league will likely be against it.

[Delandis]

Dark days in Pawtucket. The knee jerk reaction would be to tank, but every version (Competitive Pawtucket) is different. Were gonna ride it out this first half of the decade and see how it goes. Would not be shocked to try the merc approach late this decade. Who the hell wants to be the same every single time???? Well maybe some. Still searching for what 'new' is gonna be.

Bold predictions: We go on a August run and finish with 81 wins. Still way short of the wildcard. CF T.J. Wilkins (AAA) comes off the DL and ends up a top 100 prospect. Lynn wins its 2nd Horizon League championship.


First-half surprises, disappointments: Its mostly all bad. Thought our offense would be better rather then sitting at the bottom of the DL. Our defense has actually regressed despite making some improvements (on paper) in the offseason. Bullpen has actually played better of late, but they still suck. Have to re-think how we view pitching....something has changed in this version.


Midseason awards: C Dave Piekarski & LF Sonny Mason. The usual guys. They are doing all they can to keep us competitive.


Breakout stars: CF Shamar Bryant . Not really a star, but our former 4th rounder from 2011 was acquired back from Baltimore and he's batting .308 since. Only 26, I think we saved this kid from that whacky park. Also plays some good D on the corners. Would be nice if we can teach him a little CF.


What's wrong with the BLB?: Nothing at all. Change is good. Some trends that have been there in previous versions aren't there right now. Just a matter of adapting. Still somewhat miss interleague and the three divisions, but people seem happy,

Bryant is an ass. Alex Gomez hit well in Phillips Field for years.

[Guest]

Bold predictions:
Pittsburgh finally gets a championship

First-half surprises, disappointments:

Ian Schneider coming out of nowhere to be an all-star is a surprise, needless to say. I'll be happy if his "normal" is even 75% of what he's doing now.


Midseason awards:

DL New Brew is gonna be a hell of a race between Schneider and Webber, among others.
.

What's wrong with the BLB?: I hate to sound like a broken record, but the new forums (mobile version specifically ) aren't very good at all. I feel like there's been a noticeable dip in activity since we switched, and I'd much rather go back to the old forum and deal with whatever problems it presented.

[Pat]

Bold predictions: What's ahead in the second half and playoffs?
-DL: DAL*, PIT*, MAI, TOR, HAR, CAL
-IL: DC*, DEN*, BAT, BAL, NY, PHI

Not overly bold but Pitt winning the Ale, California making the WC, Washington winning Stout, Denver winning the Bock and no 2nd Bock playoff team are all underdog picks.

I like the moves Pittsburgh has made recently and they are deep enough to withstand a few injuries. California I think will have a better 2nd half, enough to hold off Wilmington. The Bock is a mess. The Gray injury is a big blow to Windy City, if DVS has a bad week or two I think they sell, and I don't see DAV/LAM catching up. I think Philly will be much better in the 2nd half, enough to hold off a low 80s Bock team for #6.

In the playoffs, I'll go bold. Final four: PIT over TOR, DC over BAL.

First-half surprises, disappointments: What players and teams have defied expectations?
Disappointing Teams = DVS, PHI, WC
Surprising Teams = BAL, DEN, SYR

Midseason awards: Who would take home hardware if the season ended today?
Maybe later.

Breakout stars: You need to be familiar with these names.
Maybe later.

What's wrong with the BLB?: There are issues and can they be fixed?
-I held off as long as I could in this Seattle stint to not trade draft picks but it's nearly impossible it seems to do prospect trades. I think this is a result of the scouting issues with the game. It's so hard to find the same opinion on a prospect with another team, that OSA feels similar about and then to determine fair value. It's so much easier to just go draft pick. I wish prospects were traded more in this league but it really seems draft picks are basically trade currency. Because of that, I would actually entertain the idea of turning scouts off until OOTP makes scouting great again. I spent over $10M on just the draft this year, with a LEGENDARY amateur scout and a sim after the rookies were entered he soured on about 90% of my draft picks. Not one improved. That seems like a flaw to me.

-I know the addition of KC/SEA has thrown things a bit off and realignment was done before that even, but I feel the divisions are a bit off competitively. The two best divisions are clearly the Ale and Stout. Only three Bock/Lager teams are above .500 currently, and it might even be less than that if they didn't beat up on their own division. I know a lot can change a few years down the road and we do only guarantee one playoff spot per division, but I just feel bad for Ale/Stout teams. I also wish we had interleague play. Another issue brought on by the addition of KC/SEA. I think adding two teams or removing two would probably resolve both of these issues. We have never discussed contraction before, but eventually one of these 26 are going to have to step down. It's inevitable. This might be a taboo subject but I think it is something we might have to contemplate in the future. And I know this makes me look like a dick, as Seattle's addition is the reason for this "issue". Curious to see what others think. I would prefer to add more teams but finding committed GMs isn't the easiest thing.

-I wish I understood financials. better. I think about 80% of us don't get it.

-I'm about to get super busy IRL and someone is going to have to take over being the media guy and fire starter.

-

[Z]

[B] a LEGENDARY amateur scout and a sim after the rookies were entered he soured on about 90% of my draft picks. Not one improved. That seems like a flaw to me.

-I know the addition of KC/SEA has thrown things a bit off and realignment was done before that even, but I feel the divisions are a bit off competitively. The two best divisions are clearly the Ale and Stout. Only three Bock/Lager teams are above .500 currently, and it might even be less than that if they didn't beat up on their own division. I know a lot can change a few years down the road and we do only guarantee one playoff spot per division, but I just feel bad for Ale/Stout teams. I also wish we had interleague play. Another issue brought on by the addition of KC/SEA. I think adding two teams or removing two would probably resolve both of these issues. We have never discussed contraction before, but eventually one of these 26 are going to have to step down. It's inevitable. This might be a taboo subject but I think it is something we might have to contemplate in the future. Curious to see what others think. I would prefer to add more teams but finding committed GMs isn't the easiest thing.

-

To some extent it's a matter of GM turnover. Continuity helps a lot. Someone starts executing a plan, they leave, and someone new comes in with a different plan, and the cycle repeats. And new people usually have a learning curve.

Aside from Wilmington changing hands after winning a title and the previous GM originally taking over there in 2012, we haven't seen any other changes in the Ale in over a decade.

In the Lager, Paul took over in California five seasons ago, Andrew joined via expansion three years ago, JJ seized the reins in Indy last year, and Nemesis replaced Jimmy in Los Angeles this year. And even Shark and RobD joined the league since the Ale saw much change.

Then you look at the Stout and you see the DC change seven years ago and ... I can barely even remember the last time one of those other teams saw a GM change. The 1980s or early 1990s?

Finally, there's the Bock. Cory joined seven seasons past. Pat rejoined via expansion three years ago. Sully came back two years ago.

[Pat]

I completely agree.

Thoughts on expansion vs contraction?

[Sharkn20]

I completely agree.

Thoughts on expansion vs contraction?

Expansion!!!

[Pat]

Expansion!!!

I think we are close to neither becoming a reality.

To expand, I think we probably need at least a few seasons in a row without changing of GMs.

I just mention contraction because real life will get in the way for someone, sometime.

[Z]

It doesn't make any sense to me to explore expansion seriously at this time.

Likewise, I don't see a scenario where contraction would be preferable to replacing a GM.

[Delandis]

To some extent it's a matter of GM turnover. Continuity helps a lot. Someone starts executing a plan, they leave, and someone new comes in with a different plan, and the cycle repeats. And new people usually have a learning curve.

Aside from Wilmington changing hands after winning a title and the previous GM originally taking over there in 2012, we haven't seen any other changes in the Ale in over a decade.

In the Lager, Paul took over in California five seasons ago, Andrew joined via expansion three years ago, JJ seized the reins in Indy last year, and Nemesis replaced Jimmy in Los Angeles this year. And even Shark and RobD joined the league since the Ale saw much change.

Then you look at the Stout and you see the DC change seven years ago and ... I can barely even remember the last time one of those other teams saw a GM change. The 1980s or early 1990s?

Finally, there's the Bock. Cory joined seven seasons past. Pat rejoined via expansion three years ago. Sully came back two years ago.

Yea, I think the current dominance of the Stout and Ale just has a lot to do with the GM's in place being here for a long time now.

[Guest]

I completely agree.

Thoughts on expansion vs contraction?

It seems like standing pat (no pun intended) would be best for now...I'd hate to see us over-expand and have issues with filling spots if they come open.

[BDub]

Seems like we just expanded. Why would we contract? Plus, this league is healthy as it is. I'm sure pretty much everyone exports on a sim to sim basis.

[Carlos]

I'm against expansion and contraction right now. Especially expansion. No. No. No. We aren't ready for that again.

Contraction could make sense if we have two owners exit at the same time and we have trouble filling. Then we can start a conversation about what that means.

I think the bigger topic that Pat mentioned is scouts.

I love having scouts. But maybe there's something to what Pat is saying here. When is the last time we, as a league, actually liked scouts. We love having them. But do we love how it works in the game?

I like that we have differing opinions but the difference is extreme. Comparing to real world, when have teams across the MLB disagreed with the top 100. No one ever says, "How is that guy there?"

But we say that because our scouts tell us it isn't right. And that's silly. One scout sees a Hall of Famer and another sees AAA fodder. That's really extreme.

I don't think something like removing scouts ever passes. And I'm actually still on the fence (I'd likely say no) but it's worth discussing if it should be around.

[PaulC]

Bold predictions: What's ahead in the second half and playoffs?

First-half surprises, disappointments: What players and teams have defied expectations?

Midseason awards: Who would take home hardware if the season ended today?

Breakout stars: You need to be familiar with these names.

What's wrong with the BLB?: There are issues and can they be fixed?

What's ahead... Hopefully a strong second half finish, through an improved offence to match the job our pitching staff is doing.

Surprise... The entire staff. We added a few rookies and were hoping Taylor and Contreras would anchor the staff, but I'm not sure I predicted this much success for our staff.

Disappointment... Two words... Mike Morla

Midseason Awards... Silvian Brouwer has been a beast, as a rookie in a DH league. Most years he would garner strong support for new breed, but there are some strong offensive players that'll likely win.

Breakout Starts... See previous line.

What's wrong with the BLB... I FREAKING LOVE THIS LEAGUE!!!!!!!! I am one of the culprits, for switching leagues, but a balancing out of the leagues (14 teams vs 12 teams) would make a lot of sense.

Based on Pat's question, contraction down to 28 teams would seem to make more sense. I don't look at contraction so quickly after expansion as a waste. I looked at expansion as an excuse to add two great owners back into the league. I'm not sure who'd we contract (Those Morgantown pricks for sure), but it might solve some of the league balance and non-voting issues we have at the same time.