Doug and GE take on the SSBL (OOTP MP Dynasty)

[GoldenEagle]

The Kansas City Royals announced a change in leadership today by announcing that they had hired Tim Brice to become its new General Manger. The move comes right before the ‘silly’ season in the SSBL, which is the off season where free agents and trades are made to bolster the team. The Royals were sluggish in 2003, winning only 74 games and finishing 11 games behind the divisional winners, Chicago White Sox. While the team had talent, it was unable to consistently win. Therefore, the organization felt like it was time to go in another direction.

Brice has had no previous experience as a General Manager in the league, which some may question. However, he is known as one of the top scouts in all of baseball with an eye for rare talents. The Royals decision, never the less, is a gamble according to Brice. “I think the Royals are taken a chance with me and I hope that I can build them into a talented ball club who can win on a regular basis. That is the goal of any General Manager in this league, whether it be now or down the road.”

When asked if he would attempt to win now or build for the future, Brice replied: ”We need need to evaluate every aspect of our organization and go from there. However, after a quick run down of our talent, I think we should be able to win now. Our minor league system is in shambles and will have to be rebuilt, however. We just have to look over everything and decide which direction we would like to go and stick with it.”

The top priority, Brice said, is resigning some of the team’s free agents to be. They include SS Lino Ocejo (.272, 27 HR and 83 RBIs) , OF Kenneth Gentry (.257, 15 HR, 51 RBIs), RHP Wayne Lark (2.77 ERA, 31 saves), and RHP William Viens (13-12, 4.04 ERA). “A lot of what we do in the off season and next year will depend on these guys coming back or not. It is my hope that we can get them resigned”.

This dynasty will be about two owners in the Stars and Stripes Baseball League, Doug5984 - who is the Reds GM, and myself - GoldenEagle. The league uses ficitional rosters and a salary cap. We hope to spark interest in the league and that future FOFCers will join the league. The league is approaching the 2003 off-season and we will be posting draft and free agent results soon. I will not post my roster until after these stages. The Tampa Devil Rays were the winners of the first season.

[Doug5984]

The Cincinnati Reds hire new GM

Today the Cincinnati Reds have hired a new general manager, Doug Daniel. Last season the team finished last season with 78 wins, 84 losses and in 5th place in their division. Unable to finish above .500 the previous GM was let go. Mr. Daniel has no real baseball managing experience, but he has built a very strong soccer team in a short time, and also has quite a bit of experience in football. Hopefully his expereince in the front office of these other sports, along with a pretty good knowledge of baseball, will be enough to take this team to the playoffs in a few short seasons.

Coming into the offseason the Reds have lost a lot of players to free agency and the minor league system is not in very good shape. The main bright spot in the outfield is #13 CF Andrew "The Phantom" Borquez. The 27 year old spent most of last season on the DL, he started and played in only 34 games. He had a batting average of .370, 6 HRs, 6 2Bs. Hopefully Borquez can stay healthy this season and really help the team batting. In the bullpen there is a star in the making in Jose Ozuna. The 21 year old closer appeared in 83 games last season, and had 46 saves which was good for # 2 in the NL. The team will be hoping to keep Ozuna around for a very long time.

First up for the Reds is the rookie draft, the Reds hold the # 10 pick in the draft. The team is looking to get 3 solid players out the draft to help revive our minor league system. After the draft the Reds main priorities in free agency will be to bring in another starting pitcher along with some quality vets to compete for the starting spot this season.

[GoldenEagle]

It looks the league is going to have some openings if anyone is interested and wants to join the dynasty. Shoot me a PM.

[Doug5984]

In the SSBL the rookie draft and free agency run at the same time, I am posting my free agency update before the draft update. Going into free agency I needed a whole new starting infield, with the exception of SS. I also was looking for a SP or 2, and a MR. Free agency was run days 1-6, then 7-13 (14-21, and 22-30 have not yet been run).

In the first 'round' of free agency I had offers out to 7 players, only 1 signed with me.

SP Ramon Avila
Ramon Avila is a 28 year old, who played for Atlanta last season. The Hondura born player is listed at 6"4, and weighs in at 220 lbs. Avila was signed to a 3 year, 4 million a year contract. Avila is good at avoiding hits, and brilliant at getting strike outs. Avila is penciled in as the # 1 pitcher in Cincinnati. We also have offers to 2 other SPs who we would like to come in and be # 3 & 4 in our rotation.

3B Antwan Butkovich
Antwan Butkovich comes to Cincinnati on a 3 year, 1.3 million dollar contract. The 28 year old, 6"0 185 lb 3rd baseman is known for his hitting. Butkovich only had 3 at bats in the majors last season, but we feel he is good enough to come in and start for us immediatley. Butkovich will replace Jose Silva on the active roster, and will replace Robert Vass as the starting 3B. Butkovich is not the long term answer at 3B but he will be a good short term answer.

C Diego Arenas
Diego Arenas is a 26 year old catcher from Puerto Rico. Diego is listed at 6"0 190 lbs. Arenas was brought to Cincinnati on a 2 year, $550,000 contract. Arenas will be the backup Catcher, he is a good hitter but is not a very good defensive player. Arenas was brought in because of his ability to play 1B along with C. Arenas only had 3 at bats last season in the majors, but he should do a decent job as a backup here in Cincinnati.

2B David Rieth
David Rieth is a 26 year old 2B from the USA. The 2B stands at 6"1 and 220 lbs. Rieth is good with the bat, but lacks in defense, he is listed at # 2 on the Cincinnati depth chart. Rieth was brought in for $750,000 for 2 years. In 49 games last season Rieth only recorded 20 hits, and had a .235 batting average.

1B Jose Delmonte
Jose Delmonte was brought into Cincinnati for $750,000 for 3 years. The 27 year old 1st baseman is from Venezula and is listed at 6"2 205 lbs. Delmonte is already penciled in for the starting 1B spot, he will be replacing Robert Standish. Jose spent most of last season in AAA, but like most players signed this offseason we are willing to give him a shot to start and preform in the majors this season.

C Gary Dossett
Gary Dossett spent last season in Cincinnati, but the managment was brought in to late to resign him. He is our most important signing this offseason and he will be the starting Catcher. Dossett was brought in for 3.25 million for 3 years. Dossett was in 146 games last season, and he had a .245 batting average. The 26 year old, 6"6 210 lb right handed catcher was born here in the USA. Dossett is an average batter, but he will have to preform well this season for Cincinnati succeed.

Now with a full roster for the batters Cincinnati is looking to move 2 players who refuse to go to the minors, if they can't be traded before the start of the season they will have to be cut. Right now we have 3 players with offers on the table, all are pitchers, 2 SP and 1 MR. Also up for Cincinnati is the rookie draft, I will save this update until after GE does his (he had the higher draft pick).

[Doug5984]

SP Ivan Maestas
Ivan Maestas signed with Cincinnati today for only $950,000 a year, for 4 years. The 33 year old vet spent last season with Oakland, he appeared in 40 games had 2 wins, 3 losses and 1 save. The Reds really like his ability to be a startin pitcher, possibly # 4 in thier rotation, or a reliever. The 6"2 195 lb player was born in Venezuela.

SP Hal Jones
The 3rd free agent starting pitcher this offseason was brough in for $660,000 for 4 years. Jones looks to be the # 5 guy in the pitching rotation. Jones spent last season in Toronto where he appeared in 31 games. The 30 year old vet is 5"11 185 lbs.

This (should) conclude the Cincinnati Reds very busy free agent signing period. The rookie draft is ongoing, and the Reds will be making their second round pick very shortly. Expect a draft recap sometime in the near future.

[Doug5984]

Round 1 
Pick Team Player 
1 Angels John Crumb 3B  
2 Astros Wilford Mckinzie SS  
3 Braves George Clancy P  
4 Padres Vaughn Althoff 3B  
5 Yankees Dan Flores CF  
6 Twins Paul Defelice RF  
7 Royals Henry Davidson SS  
8 Mets Tetsugorou Shunsen 1B  
9 Diamondbacks Ferdinand Samaniego 2B  
10 Reds Robert Liberatore P  
11 Indians Richard Nevin SS  
12 Tigers Wesley Karpinski CF  
13 Mariners Christopher Bulluck RF  
14 Rangers Alfredo Archuleta P  
15 Rockies(from Marlins) Scott Coffey P  
16 Athletics Oscar Cespedes RF  
17 Cubs James Hagan P  
18 Expos Anthony Bradberry P  
19 Pirates Fernando Reyes P  
20 Phillies Andres Bauza P  
21 White Sox Jacob Jarboe RF  
22 Blue Jays Willie Santoro SS  
23 Red Sox Roger Ventimiglia 3B  
24 Dodgers Daniel Wurm P  
25 Brewers Nelson Segura P  
26 Orioles Rafael Pantoja 2B  
27 Rockies Rick Sarvis P  
28 Cardinals Jeffery Geer P  
29 Angels(from Giants) Ivan Nez C  
30 Devil Rays Jonah Pinelo P 

[Doug5984]

SP Robert Liberatore

With the 10th pick in the SSBL Draft the Cincinnati Reds select pitcher Robert Liberatore. Liberatore was the 2nd pitcher selected in the draft.

Robert "Slugger" Liberatore, P, Age:20

Position: P
Age: 20
Bats: L
Throws: L

Height: 6' 3''
Weight: 195
Born: 9/29/1983 in USA

Pitches: Fastball, Changeup, Curve

Liberatore is a great prospect. He will be very good at avoiding hits, and should be great when it comes to avoiding home runs. The Reds organization hopes Liberatore can develop into a very good starter in the future. The Reds were targetting a few infield players with thier first round pick, but they were dissapointed when the player were selected right above them.

[GoldenEagle]

I will post my pick later, but first a little on the draft...

There was alot of good talent all across the board. The deepest position was probably 3B, where John Crumb and Vaughn Althoff. I would have picked either one of these players at 7, but neither was available. Shortstop also had some talent. Mckinzie really has some talent but I was suprised he was picked 2nd. The guy I got, SS Davidson is the best project in the draft (or at least I think so).Yankees got Dan Flores at 5 and thats the player I had first on my list. However, his nickname was "stinky" which could not be good for team morale. The latter part of the draft was filled with starting pitching, which was not that strong to begin with. Clancy was the best pitcher in the draft, with Liberator a close second.

[Junior 19]

That is right gentlemen. Mark my words. Wildford "Angel" Mckinzie will go down in SSBL history! But seriously, I agree that I think Angel was/is the best overall player in the draft. Great speed, defense, and batting. Maybe his only weakness is that he has an Average talent in Home Runs.

Look forward to reading more of this guys. Espcially Doug's post since I will be battling him for worst in the NL Central. lol

-Astros

[Doug5984]

Round 2 
Pick Team Player 
1 Angels Gabriel Martinez 1B 
2 Astros Rich Coney 3B 
3 Braves Oscar Linares P 
4 Padres Rafael Madera P 
5 Yankees Horace Lee P 
6 Twins Delmer Shreve LF 
7 Royals Ralph Lafferty P 
8 Mets Marvin Wetherington P 
9 Diamondbacks Wenceslao Benedicto 1B 
10 Reds Ronald Pier CF 
11 Indians Alejandro Martinez P 
12 Tigers Gaby Velazquez P 
13 Mariners Herman Davis 3B 
14 Rangers Spencer Koffler LF 
15 Marlins Alberto Garofalo P 
16 Athletics George Palumbo SS 
17 Cubs Timothy Holcomb P 
18 Expos Andrew Norris CF 
19 Pirates Bernie Montero P 
20 Phillies Enrique Segura RF 
21 Angels(from White Sox) Freddie Stewart P 
22 Blue Jays Chris Liggins P 
23 Red Sox Florentino Adrover SS 
24 Dodgers Angel Chairez C 
25 Brewers David Kimberlin CF 
26 Orioles James Nagle C 
27 Rockies Antione Matthews SS 
28 Cardinals Richard Eastman P 
29 Angels(from Giants) Allen Keough P 
30 Devil Rays Flavio Rivera P 

[Doug5984]

Ronald Pier, CF, Age:18
Position: CF
Age: 18
Bats: L
Throws: L
Height: 6' 0''
Weight: 200
Born: 4/19/1985 in USA

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION Loyalty: Average
Leadership Skills: None at all
Consistency: Good
Durability: Normal
Clutch Performance: GREAT
Type of Hitter: Spray Hitter
Desire to play for a winner: Minimal

Ronald Pier was picked mainly because of his ability to play all 3 outfield positions, and he is pretty good at them also. He is destined to be nothing more than an average hitter, but in time he should be soild starter for some teams.

[Doug5984]

Round 3 : 
 
Anaheim pick: P Eric Swingle
Houston pick: RF Alden Boehme
Atlanta pick: CF Cosme Derosa
San Diego pick: P Jerry Echols
New York (AL) pick: P Michael Bayer
Minnesota pick: CF Jerald Morris
Kansas City pick: C Dennis Yowell
New York (NL) pick: P Fernando Araujo
Arizona pick: P Malcom Clark
Cincinnati pick: 3B Albert Biehl
Cleveland pick: P Robert Kohn
Detroit pick: P Bruce Lyles
Philadelphia pick: 1B Paul Hile
Texas pick: P Leo Juan
Florida pick: P Porfirio Santana
Oakland pick: P Bobby Rentas
Chicago (NL) pick: P Todd Colman
Montreal pick: LF Curtis Belote
Pittsburgh pick: P Orlando Sarvis
Philadelphia pick: LF George Whitbeck
Chicago (AL) pick: C Gregory Boothby
Toronto pick: P Marion Nyquist
Boston pick: SS John Williams
Philadelphia pick: RF Paul Herdon
Milwaukee pick: P Terry Landwehr
Baltimore pick: P Robby Karpinski
Colorado pick: P Jonathan Courson
St. Louis pick: P Marvin Barstow
San Francisco pick: P David Ugarte
Tampa Bay pick: CF Raul Toscano

[Doug5984]

Name : Albert Biehl
Birthday : 9/13/1984
Age : 19
Born in : USA
Height : 6"1
Weight : 180

Biehl is an average player, chances are he will never make a real impact in the majors, we picked what we felt was the best available player that could help us in the future. Biehl can also plas SS which was a plus for him, we like that versatility in our players.

[Doug5984]

The Cincinnate Reds have put a lot of work into the offseason to try and help this team win some game. A lot of new players were brought in, some of the older players on the team are not happy with thier current positions. Expect those players to be moved to another team as quickly as possible, the team does not need that added distraction in the locker room.

This is the roster that will be used for most of the season, it is subject to change at any moment based on the play of the players.
C Gary Dossett
1B Jose Delmonte
2B Michael Lowrance
3B Antwan Butkovich
SS Heriberto Urbina
LF Byron Saavedra
CF Andrew Borquez
RF Louis Frost

The starting pitcher on opening day will be.......
SP Ramon Avila

[Doug5984]

Team goals for this season-

1) Do not finish last.
2) Evaluate our current players and possible big name free agent.
3) Make trades to better our position for next season.
4) Make trades to greatly improve our minors system, currently 21st.

And another goal for me is to get used to doing a dynasty report so that next season it will be much better. (this is my first dynasty so any imput is greatly appreciated)

[Junior 19]

Keep up the work Doug, you're doing great. I'm reading it. Tell GE to get in here and update his. Lazy BUM! j/k

[GoldenEagle]

hey now, I have to run the CFL too I will have more time to update once I get settled in to my new college.

[Doug5984]

First sim (not good for me) + huge trade involving The Phantom & the Astros coming up tonight