High Flyin' Jays: MVP Baseball 2004

[Young Drachma]

Well, since this is the game that derailed the two dynasties I had been doing (Moneyball and the short-lived Drew Henson dynasty that I might pick up again...Moneyball is unlikely since its an OOTP5 dynasty), I figured I should do a dynasty in this game.

So, here's the story:

The Toronto Blue Jays get smart and hire Dark Cloud to return the franchise to the days of Gillick and company. J.P. Riccardi answers the naysayers and sends boy wonder Theo Epstein to Oakland as their new GM, as Billy Beane goes on the speaking circuit after Moneyball fame, to hawk his new book "Winning isn't everything" profiling the story of the Oakland A's under his regime.

So, with Riccardi back home in Beantown, Dark Cloud settles in and decides to put his own "flava" on the Jays. "We're not just going to contend. We will win," he said, despite the fact that he's playing in a division where he's being outspent by millions.

I will simulate a lot of the games, manage a few and maybe play some as well. The dynasty will last about a decade. The goal is to check out the Jays farm system, see what players we can acquire through the draft, trades and the like.

Really, the goal is just to bring the Jays back to their winning ways, despite having a pretty big mountain to climb.

So, let's get busy.

[Young Drachma]

The rosters obviously don't have all the players in the Jays minor league system.

So, I edited a number of them to create the top 20 or so prospects dotted through Double and Triple A, to keep this interesting.

We're also going to do some non-traditional signings. I've always been an advocate of scouring markets that most teams avoid like Korea and to a lesser extent Australia and Europe.

But mostly the smaller Asian countries with leagues like China/Taiwan and such, because I think cheap talent abounds. Might as well get it now while there is no international draft.

So expect to see non-traditional signings.

[Young Drachma]

The Blue Jays payroll is at about $80.9 million right now.

Ownership, recognizing that we're in a tough division have given me the green light to spend up to about $89 million, meaning if we're in the hunt at the deadline, we can go after a player or two, even if its just a rental. (like in the old days)

For the record, if we are not in the hunt - even if we are - at midseason and I don't feel like we can do a deal with Delgado, I will ship him off for prospects or players that are functional. This team has a deep enough minor league system that I feel like we can still win without him. Not that I want to send him away. I'd like to see him be a Blue Jay for life.

I had two Korean players I wanted as soon as I took over the job. IF Shim Jong-soo and RHP Park Myung-hwan were signed. Hwan is in the minors, will start the year in AA New Hampshire, while Soo is likely going to be in AAA to start the year. We'll see how they progress.

Opening day lineups are next.

[Young Drachma]

FAN'S GUIDE TO DC'S BLUE JAYS
You're going to see more youth on my squad than on the real life Jays, if that's possible. I'm no fan of scrub vets who take up space. If we're gonna win, I want role players, but I also want to give kids a chance to produce, 'cuz winning Triple-A titles don't get me contract extensions.

LINEUP
RF Alex Rios
CF Vernon Wells
LF Reed Johnson
3B Eric Hinske
SS Chris Woodward
2B Orlando Hudson
1B Carlos Delgado
DH Josh Phelps
C Guerillmo Quiroz

ROTATION
Roy Halladay
Ted Lilly
Miguel Batista
Pat Hentgen
Dustin McGowan

Closer: Aquilino Lopez

I decided to bring up Quiroz, who has ML-quality defensive ability and can hit, along with Rios, who is the real deal. McGowan is a stud, who played himself into the fifth spot during spring training. We have a few players in AAA who could be up by mid-season, depending on how they do there and how things go. More info on them later.

[Young Drachma]

JAYS WIN SEASON OPENER 14-8 OVER TIGERS
It was a high scoring affair at Skydome, but the Toronto Blue Jays managed to maintain an early lead to win their season opener against the Detroit Tigers 14-8. Roy Halladay, the reigning AL Cy Young award winner gave up six earned runs on 15 hits. He only had one strikeout, but he managed to get the win at the end of the day.

The teams combined for 38 hits.

[Johnny93g]

What happend to Cattalanoto....he's better then Reed Johnson.....Also, how is Kevin Cash in the game....Cash could be a defensive stud....Noone can steal off him in real life.....

[Young Drachma]

Well, the Jays on paper IRL are not the Jays on paper in this game.

That said, Frankie C is on the Jays active roster, just wasn't an opening day starter. I remember when he was a high-flying minor league infielder in the Braves system way back in da day, so don't worry..I haven't forgotten him.

Updates are forthcoming...for the five of you watching.

[Travis]

Trade Delgado? I may have to quit reading this dynasty before your second game ;)

Seriously though, I'll be watching, aside from being my favorite ball team, I'm curious to see how the early arrival of a few of these prospects turn out while the real Jays toil in mediocrity thus far.

[Young Drachma]

Okay because I come from the OOTP school of baseball, where I'm using to having everything at my disposal, its kinda annoying where you can't even print out information in MVP Baseball. Still, eye candy is king and I'll stop bitching because visually I do enjoy it.

(well, not as much as I enjoy stats and such...but anyway)

So, I've simulated about a month or so, so we can get a better idea of what's happening and such.

Here's a recap:

APRIL 2004
The Jays went 11-12 during the month of April, with six straight losses coming at the end of the month. I left the team as-is during that time, basically maintaining the rosters that emphasized the vets over the rooks. But, I dunno how much longer we're going to be able to do that.

MAY 2004
Same lineup, basically the same deal for May. The Jays were 12-16 in May, still behind in the AL East and showing little sign of "sparks". There is an obvious need for change and so, gosh darnit..it's time for me to come in and make them.

[Young Drachma]

I felt the need to acquire some players, deal some chaff from the roster and release players at will.

So, here's the notable transactions:

April 7th: Acquired RP Joe Valentine and SP Aaron Myette from the Cincinnati Reds for 2B Dave Berg and RP Terry Adams

April 7th: Signed Pedro Astacio

[Travis]

How's Lilly doing? He's a guy I'm hoping to see light it up this year and be the top tier lefty we need, any signs of that for you thus far?

[Young Drachma]

AL EAST GOES NUTS
Remember all that talk about how the AL East was gonna be a pressure cooker. How the Yanks and Red Sox are gonna dominate all the poor other teams?

Well...that's why they play the games.

As of June 3rd, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays have a 3.5 game lead on the Red Sox in the AL East.

Yes, that's right. Tampa. The reason? PITCHING Victor Zambrano has emerged as some sort of freak of nature. He's 8-0 with an ERA of 2.35. Rob Bell is also having a solid year. He's 5-1 with an ERA of 2.45. Jorge Sosa is 6-4 with an ERA under 3.00. Their closer, Jose Colome is has 16 saves, only 1 blown save and an ERA of 0.92.


The Red Sox are in second. Curt Schilling is struggling, with a 3-6 record so far this season and an ERA over 4. Pedro Martinez is his normal self. He's 8-1 with a 2.36 ERA. The Sox are suffering on the offensive side, but could still catch the D-Rays if they falter and if players like Schilling can pick up their production.

The Orioles are a solid third, 6.5 games out of first. 3B Melvin Mora leads the team in homers, while SS Miguel Tejada is hitting solid at .306. SP Omar Daal is making folks do double-takes, with a 6-1 record so far this year.

The big spending Yankees are a dismal fourth, eight games back of the leaders. Kevin Brown and Jon Lieber are certified busts, both with only 1 win apiece and ERAs over 7.00. Jose Contreras and Mike Mussina keep the team afloat, with 5 wins each so far this year.

A-Rod is hitting .296 and is second on the team in RBI, while Gary Sheffield is hitting over .300 and leads the team in homers. They also made a minor deal earlier this year, sending CF Kenny Lofton to Colorado for C Charles Johnson

Still, The Boss is practicing his best Donald Trump impression when he tells the scrubs "You're Fired!"very, very soon.

The last place Jays are not in a good position, but considered we're spending a lot less than the Yanks and we're only a game behind them for last place, I think we will be fine.

We'll make some deals, retool and see if we can't get back in the race. If not, we're going to scuttle some big contracts and try to get ourselves in a position to contend in two years at the most. Yes, that means Carlos Delgado is probably headed for the trading block and I have a few players I might want in mind.

Think "Blue Jays of old"

[Young Drachma]

How's Lilly doing? He's a guy I'm hoping to see light it up this year and be the top tier lefty we need, any signs of that for you thus far?

Thanks for checking in!

Ted Lilly is 2-3 with a 3.99 ERA and 60 strikeouts. Respectable and I think he can do well for himself. One of those wins, was when I pitched with him though. So, I dunno if that means anything. I will say it was enjoyable and he was really solid. He'll be part of any plans I have to make this team better, that's for sure.

[Young Drachma]

AL CENTRAL: ROYALS (30-22) have a 1/2 game lead over the INDIANS 4 1/2 game lead over the TIGERS
AL WEST: A'S (31-20) lead the MARINERS by 7 games
AL WILD CARD: RED SOX (31-23) have a 1/2 game lead over the INDIANS 2 1/2 game lead over the ORIOLES


NL EAST: MARLINS (32-22) lead the PHILLIES and METS by 4 1/2 games
NL CENTRAL: ASTROS (33-20) lead the CUBS by 1 1/2 games and CARDINALS by 4 1/2 games
NL WEST: PADRES (34-19) lead the GIANTS by 4 1/2 games
NL WILD CARD: CUBS (31-21) lead the GIANTS and CARDINALS by 3 games

[Young Drachma]

OFFENSE
We obviously need more run production, but we're far from the worst in the league. More like the middle of the pack. We have three guys with 10+ homers, including Vernon Wells who has 14 homers and is currently in the Top 5 in the league. RF Alex Rios is a certified stud and Rookie of the Year candidate, with 10 homers so far this season. He's hitting .250 and has 25 RBI. I'm glad I brought him up early, if for nothing more than experience. Though recent acquisitions might limit his time.

Carlos Delgado is suffering from the offense anemia afflicting the league. He's only got 17 RBI so far this year and only 7 homers. Needless to say, it'll be harder to deal him now, rather than later, but if we want any shot of making it to the post-season and to sign players in the future, we'll have to put him on the block. So, expect to hear more rumblings about that soon. I want a guy like John Olerud, but I don't know if Seattle will be talking to us. It's worth a shot, though, along with a reliever that can perhaps be a closer or a prospect.

PITCHING
We need more solid starting, but we're not doing awful. Roy Halladay is just 5-5 with an ERA over 4.00, but he's got 2 complete games. I dealt Pedro Astacio to Texas for highly touted rookie SP Colby Lewis. He'll probably fit right into the rotation. I'm considering moving Pat Hentgen who is 3-4 with a 3.78 ERA to the bullpen as a closer. He's got a good BB/K ratio and its obvious that the Aquilino Lopez debacle needs to end NOW. He's only got 5 saves, but has blown 5. In a division race as tight as ours this year, we need every win we can get (look at Tampa Bay!) so I think its important to shore up our bullpen to win those close games.

Dustin McGowan might be headed back to Syracuse. He's 3-4 with an ERA under 4.00, but I think it might be better to keep the more experienced guys in the majors, rather than wasting a solid arm like his in the majors if we're not contending yet. I left him up, because I wasn't sure what direction we were going. Miguel Batista has been solid. He's 4-3 with a 4.75 ERA, but with 50 strikeouts in 11 starts. He's not dominating anybody, but it doesn't look like he's killing us out there yet, either.

RECENT DEALS

Traded 2B Dominic Rich and RP Bruce Chen to Arizona for 2B Roberto Alomar and a minor leaguer.

Rationale: I've long believed he'd find his stroke when he came back to Toronto. Maybe its fools gold. But I guess I just wanted to know if it was possible. That and Orlando Hudson got hurt a month ago and just got back off the DL, so I guess I wanted insurance. Expensive, but still.

Sent C Greg Myers, RF Frank Catatlanotto and RP Kerry Lightenberg to St. Louis for LF Ray Lankford, RP Steve Kline and RP Alan Benes

Don't ask me what the AI is doing here. I think it was probably a salary dump. But....I wanted more relief pitching and thought Benes might help. I know, I know...but maybe he'll prove us wrong?

[Young Drachma]

Oh, I'm going to post the new lineup and all that. It's MVP so it takes like 100 years to go through all of it and make sure the damn game doesn't send players away.

For the record, I acquired Lankford, despite his salary because I wanted to replace Reed Johnson. In my mind and his stats hardly show him to be the "answer" in leftfield. He's hitting .277 with 6 homers and 20 RBI. I think he'd be more effective a pinch-hitter though.

League leaders coming next too

[Young Drachma]

JAYS ROTATION (as of June 3rd)
SP Roy Halladay
SP Ted Lilly
SP Miguel Batista
SP Park Myung-hwan
SP Colby Lewis

LRP Adam Peterson
MRP Adam Benes
MRP Justin Spier

SU Josh Towers
SU Steve Kline

CL Pat Hentgen

[Young Drachma]

To give you an indication of some of the players we had rotting in the minors and how good they probably will be, the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, have a 12 games lead in the Eastern League's Northern Division.

The Syracuse Skychiefs are just a game back and lead the IL Wild Card race.

With some of those players now on the active roster, will the fortunes change for the Jays?

[Young Drachma]

Trade Delgado? I may have to quit reading this dynasty before your second game ;)

Seriously though, I'll be watching, aside from being my favorite ball team, I'm curious to see how the early arrival of a few of these prospects turn out while the real Jays toil in mediocrity thus far.

Dude, I'm a huge Jays fan and the last thing I want to do is deal him. But, his contract is sooooo huge there is little way this team is EVER going to compete with him, unless the game allowed me to do some OOTP style accounting and infuse cash into a team that used to spend with the big boys (Though our budget is not a meagre $89 million, so we can't complain too bad)

Don't worry, once our Korean superstar Shim-Jong Soo steps out and starts busting heads, you're gonna be sold on the new-look Jays.

[Young Drachma]

BLUE JAYS LINEUP
RF Alex Rios
2B Roberto Alomar
CF Vernon Wells
DH Carlos Delgado
1B Shim-Jong Soo
C Guerillmo Quiroz
LF Ray Lankford
3B Eric Hinske
SS Chris Woodward

BENCH
LF Reed Johnson
1B Josh Phelps
SS Chris Gomez
C Kevin Cash
2B Orlando Hudson

[Young Drachma]

JAYS @ OAKLAND
The Pre-Game:

Ted Lilly heads to Oakland to pitch for the first time as a Blue Jay. The Jays are looking for the series win, after splitting the first two games of the series with the AL West leading A's.

The Highlights:

The Jays led 7-1 going after seven innings. Lilly struck out six over seven innings, yielding four earned and six hits. Alan Benes imploded lasting 2/3 innings with 3 walks, and gave up 1 run, as the A's rallied in the bottom of the 8th, scoring four runs. Josh Towers came in to finish out the eighth inning and Pat Hentgen came in to close out the ninth for his first career save, despite giving up one run in the ninth.

The Jays hold on to win 8-6. Vernon Wells had 3 RBI, Shim-Jong Soo hit his first major league homer and had 2 RBI. The Jays are 28-29, still in last, but close to .500 for the first time since early this season.

[Johnny93g]

Alomar, damn him, we dont want that bum back.....

Keep us up to date on Pat Hentgan...personally my favourite player....I will always remember his 96 year....amazing.....

[Young Drachma]

BONUS HOMEGAME:

The Jays welcome the Los Angeles Dodgers for their first visit to Skydome. That means Shawn Green will return for the first time since leaving us in that bad deal for Raul Mondesi.

Anyway, I'll be playing the first game of the series. It'll be "Turn Back The Clock" night. The Jays are wearing jerseys from the great year of '92, while the Dodgers will be in their 1941 jerseys.

Colby Lewis will be making his Blue Jays debut.

There will be screen shots forthcoming.

[Young Drachma]

There has been a Wilson Alvarez sighting

The Jays lead the Dodgers 6-1 in the Bottom of the 4th. Edwin Jackson was taken out after he gave us six runs in 3 1/3 innings. Colby Lewis still in for the Jays. Shim-Jong Soo hit his second homer of the year and also has a triple in the game.

Roberto Alomar has two hits. I have to say that I've never had a baseball game that I enjoy playing more than this one. Like, I've always been a simulation-first guy. But I really enjoy this game. I just do. Sorry, that's a segway.

Back to the action!

[Young Drachma]

With one on and nobody out in the bottom of the 7th, Reed Johnson hit a two-run pinch hit homer after replacing Ray Lankford in the lineup.

Adam Johnson will replace Colby Lewis in the Top of the 8th, after pitching seven strong innings giving up just one run in his Jays debut. Pat Hentgen will be in for the 9th and don't worry, I'll take pictures :)

[Young Drachma]

Pictures from June 6, 2004 game versus LA Dodgers @ Skydome (http://personal.monm.edu/rbronson/bbl.htm) click link

We're in the Top of the 8th.

[Young Drachma]

Adam Peterson pitched 1 2/3 innings, striking out two and not giving up any runs. Pat Hentgen finished off the 9th, as the Jays won their third straight game and seven of their last nine.
"We're trying our best to turn the corner," said Dark Cloud, who said the team was still seeking out ways to improve. "We believe this team should contend, but we're not the Yankees. We can't spend billions. We have to do what we can to succeed in our own economic class," he added.

[Young Drachma]

DELGADO COULD BE GONE AS EARLY AS WEEKEND
The Blue Jays, just a half game behind the Yanks in the AL East cellar, but rising in the division are seeking a deal that would give them "breathing room" should they need to make a deal later in the year. A number of teams are interested in the free agent to be, Carlos Delgado who is making over $17.4 million this season.

"We want to make a deal that is going to make this team better now and later," said Dark Cloud. The team is considering a package deal that might include younger players. With players like SP Roy Halladay also up for free agency next season, sending Delgado away will allow the team to solidify its base for the future. "Texas showed everyone the problem with big contracts for one player," said one AL scout. "I suspect the Jays know this and are going to deal him now, before the market gets flooded and his value decreases, even if it means packing it in this year," said one AL executive.

The team is said to be talking with the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Florida Marlins and - of all teams - the Montreal Expos, who are likely trying to get a player to make themselves attractive to a potential buyer next year.

More information on this breaking story later.

[Young Drachma]

I simulated two weeks. The Jays are now 35-34, 5.5 games out of first place in the AL East.

The Devil Rays still lead the division by 2 games over the Orioles. The Red Sox fell to third and the Yankees are in last. I've made a minor deal to shore up our bullpen:

JAYS SEND BENES, KLINE TO ANAHEIM
TORONTO - The Blue Jays are working to shore up their bullpen, acquiring relievers Francisco Rodriguez and Brendan Donnelly from the Anaheim Angels for SP Tanyon Sturze, RP Alan Benes and RP Steve Kline. The Angels also included a minor league pitcher in the deal.

Rodriguez and Donnelly are both free agents at the end of this season.

[Young Drachma]

NEW YORK - It was never a matter of "if", just "when" the Boss would decide to get a deal done to lift his "SuperYanks(tm)" out of the cellar. The Kevin Brown debacle ended shortly before it got started.

The Yankees sent SP Kevin Brown, 2B Miguel Cairo and a minor league pitcher to the Expos for 2B Jose Vidro and SP Zach Day

"There is no way that in a normal world, this deal would be allowed to happen," said one NL Gm who repeated the cries of many in the baseball world who "didn't know Vidro was availible, but would've given up more than a washed-up pitcher for him," said another GM.

"We're not doing anything against the rules," said Yankees GM Brian Cashman. Vidro is a free agent at the end of the year. He's hitting .306 with 16 homers and 49 RBI, more than any other player on the current Yankees squad. "He gives them a huge boost right out of the gate," said Boston GM J.P. Riccardi, who is entertaining pulling his own trade before the All-Star break. SP Zach Day is 3-4 with a 5.69 ERA so far this year, but hopes that coming over to the AL will make life better. "The team there is awesome. I just want to contribute," said Day.

[Young Drachma]

Six of our next nine games are against the AL East leading Tampa Bay Devil Rays. "We have a real shot to put ourselves right back in this thing," said Jays manager Cito Gaston, who replaced Carlos Tosca last month after the team sputtered out of the gate. "It feels good to be back," said Gaston, who led the team to back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993.

"We've got a much younger club than we did back then. But that makes it more exciting, because these kids are hungry and they're not jaded. They want to prove people wrong," said Gaston, who was a part-time hitting coach with the club.

WILL HE STAY OR WILL HE GO?
Jays fans are screaming at the top of their lungs that ownership needs to keep Roy Halladay and Carlos Delgado in Blue Jays uniforms. But Dark Cloud has said that "it's not possible for us to keep both of them. We'll lose one and we've made our decision about that. We're just trying to do what's best for both Carlos and the team," he said.

"It's never easy to leave the only place you've ever been," said Delgado, who came up in the Jays organization. "But I realize its a financial decision," he added. The Jays are courting several suitors and Dark Cloud said he wanted a deal in place before the All-Star break. When asked if the Yankees were a potential suitor, he laughed. "That's like giving Popeye the spinich he needs to beat you up when he's weak."

[Young Drachma]

TORONTO - After a 1-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay stormed out of the locker room. "I'm tired of this [expletive]". The strain over not having a contract for next year was visably getting to him.

"You know, you go out there and do what you're supposed to. Win awards. The damn Cy Young and they don't want to do right by me. I just want somebody to be fair. What's wrong with that," he said before leaving reporters at his locker.

Now, the Rocky Mountain News out of Denver is reporting that the Colorado native is being heavily pursued by the Colorado Rockies. "We're not going to comment on that," said Rockies GM Jim Dowd. The Blue Jays had long talked about signing Halladay after this season to a long-term deal, but with Delgado's contract, its impossible to sign him to an extension.

"We're going to explore our options in due time. We won't be rushed by anyone," said Dark Cloud.

[Young Drachma]

CINCINNATI - One player attracting a great deal of interest this year is Reds CF Ken Griffey, Jr. who has seemed to recapture some of his past greatness. He has 16 homers and 49 RBI so far this season. He leads the Reds in both homers and RBI, something he's never done since coming over in 2000. "We're thrilled that Junior has finally realized some of his lost talent," said Reds GM Jim Bowden, who later had to explain his statement.

Despite that, the Reds are struggling. They are dead last in the NL Central, 12.5 games behind the division leading Cardinals, who lead the Cubs by a half game. Griffey is again the subject of trade talks, but this time, more teams are on the phone than normal. "We're excited for Ken to have the opportunity to play elsewhere and for us to be a winner," said Bowden.

The rumors of him returning to Seattle are plenty, but the Mariners are currently mum on such a deal.

[Young Drachma]

SEATTLE - Ken Griffey, Jr. took out a full-page ad in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer early today to say "I want to come back," to Seatttle fans. Some of the Starbucks braintrust who are fans of the Mariners say "it's time forgive and forget. At the end of the day, he can help the team and that's the most important thing," said Beth Simons, a longtime Mariners fan. (The team ain't that old, so how long can a lifetme be?)

The Mariners acquired Griffey from the Cincinnati Reds for CF Randy Winn and SP Ryan Anderson. who is was once a highly touted minor leaguer prospect. "We're delighted to get a player like Ryan Anderson, who will someday be a major league ace," said Jim Bowden, who said losing Griffey's contract will allow the Reds to be "more competitive" now rather than "later".

Will Griffey propel the Mariners, who are just three games behind the A's in the AL West to their first division title in a few years? Who knows? The team hopes that four years with Griffey finishing his career with the club will be as fond as the ones during their heyday.

[Young Drachma]

JAYS DEAL DELGADO, HALLADAY TO ROCKIES IN BLOCKBUSTER
TORONTO - The Toronto Blue Jays and Colorado Rockies consummated a huge deal today by anyone's standards will go down as one of the largest in baseball history.

The Jays sent free agents to be Carlos Delgado and SP Roy Halladay to the Colorado Rockies, in exchange for 1B Todd Helton. "We believe this deal works for both teams," said Rockies GM Jim Dowd. The team was excited about having a homecoming for Halladay, who is a Colorado native and is expected to sign a long-term deal with the team.

"Anytime you can pick up a perennial MVP candidate and a Cy Young award winner in the same deal, you do it. Todd Helton is a great player, but we got two for the price of one here," said Dowd.

Meanwhile, the deal was just the first of a series for the Jays. Later that week, the Jays acquired SS Orlando Cabrera from the Montreal Expos, a coup considering several teams were vying for his services. The Jays sent 2B Roberto Alomar, LF Ray Lankford and a minor league infielder to the Expos for Cabera, who was going to be a free agent next season, but was signed to a three-year extension worth $5.25 million per year.

That makes SS Chris Woodward who had been solid, expendable. "We're not sure what direction we're going in yet," said Dark Cloud. The one direction the team is headed is up. The AL East is deadlocked nearing the All-Star break.

AL EAST
Devil Rays 47-37
Orioles 47-37
Yankees 46-37
Blue Jays 45-39
Red Sox 44-39

The Jays trail in the Wild Card race by two games. "I think we're positioning ourselves to do well down the stretch," said Dark Cloud who said he was happy with the core of the team, despite the losses of key players like Delgado and Halladay. "They weren't having typical years, but then, no one is,"he said referring to the success of the defending champion Marlins and surprise Devil Rays and Kansas City Royals, who lead the AL Central.

[Young Drachma]

Here are some players that have moved around since the end of June until now (7/6/04)

The Red Sox acquired 3B Brandon Larson from the Reds for 2B Pokey Reese
The Yankees acquired SP Jared Wright from the Braves with another player, for three players including 2B Enrique Wilson

The White Sox dealt C Sandy Alomar, Jr. to the Mets for LF Shane Spencer

The Tigers acquired CF Marquis Grissom from San Francisco for 1B/LF Dmitri Young
The Royals signed SP Andy Ashby
The Red Sox signed 1B Andres Galarraga
The Mariners dealt SS Rich Aurillia and SP Ryan Franklin to the Brewers for 1B Lyle Overbay and 2B Junior Spivey
The Mets traded LF Cliff Floyd to the Indians for 1B Travis Hafner

[Young Drachma]

TORONTO BLUE JAYS ROTATION
SP Dustin McGowan
SP Ted Lilly
SP Park Myung-hwan
SP Miguel Batista
SP Colby Lewis

LRP Adam Peterson
LRP Josh Towers

MRP Mike Krukow
MRP Justin Speier

SU Francisco Rodriguez
SU Brendan Donnelly
CL Pat Hentgen

[Johnny93g]

Jays fans are screaming at the top of their lungs that ownership needs to keep Roy Halladay and Carlos Delgado in Blue Jays uniforms.

So you trade BOTH OF THEM.....Dark Cloud better get the Jays to the playoffs this year or Jays fans will demand a new gm take over the team.......

[Young Drachma]

THREE JAYS TO REPRESENT TEAM AT MID-SUMMER CLASSIC
The 2004 All-Star game will feature 3 members of the Toronto Blue Jays. Todd Helton, SS Orlando Cabrera and CF Vernon Wells will represent the team.

ALL-STAR BREAK STANDINGS
AL EAST
If the American League decided to just use the AL East champion as their league champ, it wouldn't be too far off. The AL East is a virtual deadlock. The Blue Jays (49-39) are on a six game winning streak and are tied with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for the AL East lead. The Yankees, Red Sox and Orioles are each 1/2 game out of first.

"I've never seen anything like this," said one Yankees GM Brian Cashman, who said the team was going to do whatever it could to solidify itself going into the last half of the season.

In the AL Central, the Kansas City Royals (51-31) have a six game lead over the Cleveland Indians. In the AL West, the Oakland Athletics (45-41) lead the Seattle Mariners by 5 1/2 games.

In the NL East, the Florida Marlins (51-31) lead the Philadelphia Phillies by six games. In the NL Central, the Houston Astros (52-37) lead the NL Wild Card leading Cubs (48-39) by three games. In the NL West, the San Diego Padres (54-34) have "new park fever" leading the San Francisco Giants by a whopping 9 games.

[Young Drachma]

So you trade BOTH OF THEM.....Dark Cloud better get the Jays to the playoffs this year or Jays fans will demand a new gm take over the team.......

I'm confident this Blue Jays team is more competitive than the one we had prior to the Delgado/Halladay deal. There was no way I could sign them both and I might have lost them both, if we'd allowed them to stay until free agency.

In real life, this deal probably would've been harder to do if they were doing well. But considering that Halladay was doing alright - considering the way the league is playing out - Delgado wasn't scorching or anything.

By dealing them and cutting a few other contracts, we managed to acquire two bonafide All-Stars, I extended the contracts of Eric Hinske, Cabrera and we have Helton under contract for at least four more years after this one. Our young pitchers like McGowan and Lewis will come up for free agency next season and we need to have money to keep them around. Or else, it would've been a dismal team to watch.

At least now, we've got a shot to contend in the AL East for a few years, rather than going for broke this season.

But if we don't hold up our end, we expect the fans to riot :)

[Young Drachma]

Carlos Delgado is back in the AL. For now. The Colorado Rockies dealt Delgado to the Baltimore Orioles for 1B Rafael Palmiero and C Ivan Rodriguez. Rodriguez was acquired from Detroit for Javy Lopez earlier in the day as the Orioles seek more offense to counter the Blue Jays and Yankees who are emerging as the early favorites to stake their claim on the AL East title and AL Wild Card.

As of July 26th, the Blue Jays (55-43) are tied with the Yankees atop the AL East, after the Jays swept a three-game series with the faltering Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The next three games will be a series against the Yankees at Skydome. The Yanks took 2 of 3 from the Jays last week at Yankee Stadium. The players know if they want to win, they'll need to do better.

"We're not doing our best all the time. [Cito Gaston] talked to us about playing everyday like its the playoffs and we're trying to get that mindset now," said First baseman Todd Helton. Dark Cloud is openly seeking a leftfielder to upgrade from Reed Johnson but will have to compete with a flooded market of teams seeking upgrades.

The Boston Red Sox dealt LF Ellis Burks and RF Trot Nixon to the LA Dodgers for RF Shawn Green who is hitting under .250 this season, his worst season in the majors.

"We're in a competitive division, but if they can win here, they can beat anybody in baseball," said Cito Gaston.

[Young Drachma]

STEWART HEADED BACK TO TORONTO
TORONTO - Seeking an upgrade in leftfield before the trade deadline, the Toronto Blue Jays sent three players to the Minnesota Twins for former Blue Jay outfielder Shannon Stewart. The Jays sent RP Aqulino Lopez, LF Reed Johnson and RP Mike Krukow to the Twins in the deal.

"It made sense for us financially and I think Shannon bolsters an already improved lineup," said Dark Cloud.

When asked if he thought the team was equipped right now for the playoffs, Dark Cloud said "I think we're going to have to hunker down and win games we need to win. There is little else I can do from up here," he said.

The Jays lost the first game of their three game series with the NY Yankees, after Pat Hentgen blew a save in the 9th inning of a 10-8 loss at home yesterday. They are a game back of the AL East lead, but lead the Wild Card race by a game.

[Young Drachma]

The Boston Globe reported today that Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling is out until September.

Pat Hentgen has been moved out of the closer role. Francisco Rodriguez is the Jays new closer. Hentgen had 11 saves in 12 opportunties as closer. "We think Pat will serve us better in the starter role, than as a closer," said manager Cito Gaston who made the decision to move him back into a starting role. No word yet on whether he'll be moved into the rotation.

[Travis]

Wow, the Rockies basically turn Helton into Halladay, Pudge and Raffy. Looks like their computer GM isn't too shabby himself.

Have to say, I was stunned seeing you trade Roy, but overjoyed when you grabbed Orlando, having never been sold on Woodward at short. Just curious though, what prompted the move of Hentgen out of the closer's role if he had been that successful?

[Young Drachma]

Good question.

I wasn't sold on Woodward either and you'd be amazed at the difference - well, you wouldn't - but its like night and day watching Cabera in the six, rather than Woodward who could hit, but was not the best fielder in the world.

As for moving Hentgen, he's got 11 saves. But when you consider that I don't play every game out, I wanted a guy who was lights-out in the closer role. Plus, I thought he would be more of a "veteran presence" in the rotation, because right now we've got a bunch of kids holding it down. He's won a Cy Young and can really help us out on the starting end, if the kids start to lose gas at the end of the day, as I suspect they will.

[Travis]

Out of curiosity, how much running are you doing? I'm guessing with Wells, Orlando, Stewart and Hudson that you might go for a few more steals than Tosca seems to like to try. Also, any chance of getting an updated lineup for your positional players?

I'm guessing: RF Alex Rios, CF Vernon Wells, LF Shannon Stewart, 3B Eric Hinske, SS Orlando Cabrera, 2B Orlando Hudson, 1B Shim-Jong Soo, C Guerillmo Quiroz, DH Todd Helton.

Any chance of Rios grabbing AL ROY?

[Young Drachma]

Great advice. You're hired! :)

I'll try that and get back to you. I don't steal much at all, the truth is..I'm not the best runner in the game. But I haven't looked at the steals numbers for the season, so I'll do that and report back, since I only play a few games in a given month.

But I like your lineup idea.

[bamcgee]

I assume you're running this dynasty on the computer? I got frustrated with the Xbox version because when a minor league player got injured, I didn't want to have to manage 8 minor league lineups and 2 pitching rotations. However, when the CPU "optimized" the rosters, all kinds of major leaguers got released or promoted - it even signed free agents to long-term deals and crushed my budget. Ruins the game for me - I wish I could limit the AI's actions. Does the computer version do that?

Nice dynasty, but I'm not sure about the Helton trade - seems to me that you had an even swap but then threw in the Cy Young winner on top. Couldn't you have traded Halladay for some young talent?

[Young Drachma]

Yes, the computer version does that too. It's irritating as hell, so I have to be very careful about what I do. Though admittely, because of the budgets it doesn't go releasing any players when I've optimized rosters. It just promotes too many pitchers and I have to send them back so I have some semblence of a bench. I think that's one of the worst features of the game - or a feature that was meant to be good, that went bad.

Hehe..the Helton trade was about saving money. Halladay would've been good to get rid of for prospects, sure. But I didn't really want to pay someone else, considering I like the talent I have. I think I'm holding out to pick up a free agent arm during the off-season or two. So, I know it looked crazy, but it was totally about saving money for the long-term. Helton was under contract for a few more years, while Delgado is a free agent. So, the idea is that the hometown boy goes home - signs a long-term deal and then the Rockies pay him and Delgado while I get something - in this case, Helton - plus financial flexibility. If I keep Halladay, the deal wouldn't have happened and I'd be stuck with both of them.

Plus, Halladay was only 6-5 when I dealt him. So he wasn't his Cy Young self.
I appreciate the feedback :)

[Young Drachma]

Out of curiosity, how much running are you doing? I'm guessing with Wells, Orlando, Stewart and Hudson that you might go for a few more steals than Tosca seems to like to try. Also, any chance of getting an updated lineup for your positional players?

I'm guessing: RF Alex Rios, CF Vernon Wells, LF Shannon Stewart, 3B Eric Hinske, SS Orlando Cabrera, 2B Orlando Hudson, 1B Shim-Jong Soo, C Guerillmo Quiroz, DH Todd Helton.

Any chance of Rios grabbing AL ROY?

Apparently, we don't steal. RF Alex Rios is the team leader with 19 steals. Cabrera is the only other player over 10 steals. He has 16 steals. I'm going to tweak the lineup to see if we can get more steals out of the team. Of course, this game has a steals bug, so naturally they won't steal much anyway.

But I think we can get more out of this lineup. I'm going to play out the rest of the Yankees series and will report back on July 31st before the trade deadline.

[Young Drachma]

I did some tweaking, based on this year's stats and all that. Here is the team's lineup:

RF Alex Rios
CF Vernon Wells
LF Shannon Stewart
DH Shim-Jong Soo
1B Todd Helton
SS Orlando Cabrera
3B Eric Hinske
C Guilliermo Quiroz
2B Orlando Hudson

At least, for now anyway.

We're in the Top of the 3rd, beating the Yankees 6-1. We sent Orlando Hernandez to the dugout after less than 2 innings pitched.

Pat Hentgen is in his first start in two months and is holding his own so far.

[Travis]

Heh, you should have made Stewart the leadoff hitter just to piss him off.

Not sure how good Soo is, but Delgado sure would look good hitting cleanup with that top 3 in the order ;)

[Young Drachma]

hehe...Rios does alright up there.

We beat the Yankees in the second game 18-5. Cabrera had seven RBIs in the game. Hentgen is now 4-7, Adam Peterson pitched three innings of relief yielding no runs.

We won the last game of the series 10-8, to win 2 of 3. We lead the AL East by a game over the Yankees. The other teams are all within 2.5 games of the lead.

[Young Drachma]

Heh, you should have made Stewart the leadoff hitter just to piss him off.

Not sure how good Soo is, but Delgado sure would look good hitting cleanup with that top 3 in the order ;)

If Baltimore doesn't resign him, maybe we'll get a discount to bring him back?

Eh, okay...maybe not.

[Young Drachma]

AL EAST RECAP
Today is the trade deadline. The Blue Jays (57-45) are tied with the Red Sox for the AL East lead, with the Yankees just a half game back. The Orioles are a game and a half out, with the Devil Rays sitting 4 1/2 games back of the division (and wild card) lead.

There have been a flurry of deals, so let's get to the action. Before we do that, here are the standings around the league up to this point.

AROUND THE LEAGUE
AL CENTRAL: Kansas City Royals (62-39) 11 games ahead of the Cleveland Indians
AL WEST: Oakland Athletics (56-46) 9.5 game lead on the Seattle Mariners
NL EAST: Florida Marlins (56-47) 1.5 game lead on the Philadelphia Phillies
NL CENTRAL: Houston Astros (61-43) 1.5 game lead on the Wild Card leaders Chicago Cubs
NL WEST: San Diego Padres (62-41) 8.5 game lead on the San Francisco Giants

DEADLINE DEALS
Here are the major deadline deals:

Yankees trade: CF Bernie Williams, SP Orlando Hernandez and SP Jon Lieber to Arizona for SP Randy Johnson, SP Brandon Lyon

Diamondbacks trade: CF Bernie Williams to Oakland for CF Mark Kotsay

Brewers trade: LF Manny Ramirez to Baltimore for LF Larry Bigbie

Blue Jaystrade: SP Miguel Batista, RP Jason Kershner and CF Jaamal Strong to Pittsburgh for CF Tike Redman and SP Kip Wells

[Young Drachma]

Here are the last of the deadline day deals:

Padres trade: RF Ryan Klesko, C Ramon Hernandez and a minor leaguer pitcher to Pittsburgh for C Jason Kendall Hernandez was the NL All-Star starter at Catcher this year

Phillies trade CF Doug Glanville and CF Ricky Ledee to Minnesota for RP Terry Mulholland, CF Torii Hunter and RF Michael Cuddyer.

Blue Jays trade: SP/RP Josh Towers, SP Vinny Chulk and a minor league pitcher to Minnesota for SP Johann Santana

[Young Drachma]

SKYCHIEFS DOMINATE IN IL NORTH
SYRACUSE - While the parent club Blue Jays try to capture their first AL East title since 1992, the Syracuse Skychiefs have the bubbly on ice, as they've dominated the competition.

The SkyChiefs have a 12 game lead on the Pawtucket Red Sox and have won 12 straight games. Since June, the Skychiefs are 47-9. SP Cam Reimers is doing his best impression of a minor league yearning for a callup to the majors. He's 17-2 with a 1.48 ERA in AAA this season with 8 complete games and 148 strikeouts. "He's having a crazy year, I can't wait to see him pitch in Toronto later this year," said Skychiefs manager Joe Carter, who took over the club this season and is in his first year as manager. Pitcher David Bush began the year as a closer and is now in the rotation. He has 3 complete games in his four starts, has 17 saves and is 5-0 overall this year with an ERA under 2.00. "This club is special, no doubt about it," said one AL scout.

[Young Drachma]

The game gives little indication of who is leading the Rookie of the Year race. But here are the MVP leaders and Cy Young candidates

MVP CANDIDATES
NATIONAL LEAGUE

CF Brian Giles San Diego (.323/24 HR/85 RBI)
1B Albert Pujols St. Louis (.324/37 HR/81 RBI)
1B Jeff Bagwell Houston (.282/28 HR/62 RBI)

AMERICAN LEAGUE

1B Todd Helton Toronto (.347/26 HR/76 RBI)
SS Orlando Cabrera Toronto (.327/23 HR/71 RBI)
CF Carlos Beltran Kansas City (.288/18 HR/75 RBI/20 SB)


CY YOUNG AWARD CANDIDATES
NATIONAL LEAGUE

SP Josh Beckett Florida (12-1, 2.41 ERA 149 K)
SP Roy Oswalt Houston (11-5, 3.22 ERA 122 K)
SP Randy Wolf Philadelphia (11-6, 2.99 ERA)

AMERICAN LEAGUE

SP Pedro Martinez Boston (11-6 2.81 ERA, 139 K)
SP Barry Zito Oakland (11-6, 3.09 ERA 147 K)
SP Tim Hudson Oakland (9-7, 2.46 ERA 126 K)

[Young Drachma]

JAYS UPDATE
August 6, 2004

We go into today, a half game ahead of the Red Sox and a game up on the Yankees. We start a four-game series at Yankee Stadium, which could give us the breathing room we need. It won't be easy though. We'll face the Big Unit in his Yankees debut. The Boss wants nothing less than victory and that Yankee team is retooled something crazy, looking like any All-Star team I've ever seen.

We also have to face the Orioles this month and if you've been reading, you'll notice they've added basically every star on God's green earth including Manny AND our departed Carlos [Delgado].

If we can get through this month, we might be able to hang another division banner and dare I say, start the Jays dynasty of olde? Let's not get ahead of ourselves though.

I'll post pictures of the Big Unit in pinstripes and other notable things later on. Meanwhile, put on your 1992 caps and GO JAYS!

[Young Drachma]

The Blue Jays have won ten of their last twelve including three straight from the New York Yankees in the Bronx. The Jays won the first game of the Series 7-2, they shelled Zach Day in the second game winning 11-1 and came back yesterday and sent Randy Johnson home with a loss, with Cy Young candidate Dustin McGowan throwing a 1-hitter as the Jays won 6-0.

After the last game in Yankee Stadium tomorrow (August 9th), they head to Cleveland for a three-game set against the Indians. Followed by a homestand against the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles.

I simulated all of these games, but will play one game today with the Syracuse SkyChiefs to see how good this team really is. I'm curious.

[Young Drachma]

KIP WELLS OUT FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR

TORONTO - Blue Jays pitcher Kip Wells is out for the rest of the year with a rotation cuff injury. Wells, 27, was acquired from Pittsburgh at the trade deadline. The Jays promoted SP Wayne Franklin, 30, a leftie who was the ace of the Syracuse staff. They also demoted SS Chris Woodward and promoted phenom infielder Chico Garcia he hit over .300 in both Double-A and Triple-A this season and will be a backup for 2B Orlando Hudson. "Chico has a future in our organization. Whether its at second or not, we'll see. But he's a real talent, no doubt about that," said GM Dark Cloud.

The Jays are a half game behind the Red Sox for the AL East lead and lead the Wild Card by 3.5 games over the New York Yankees.

[Young Drachma]

September 13, 2004
The Blue Jays organization is proud to announce that at least two of the franchises in the organization will be making playoff appearances. The SkyChiefs win the International League, North Division Championship. The team ended the regular season 112-32, tops in the International League. The closest team were the IL South winning Durham Bulls who won 102 games.

"We delighted to see the success of our minor league teams. Its a testament to what we're trying to do here, " said Blue Jays General Manager Dark Cloud who took over operations this season.

The Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats won the Eastern League Northern Division title, in their first year after moving from New Haven, CT last season. Their league leading 89 wins gives them the best record in the Eastern League, as well as the top record of all Double-A teams this year.

"This is outstanding for our organization to have two teams in a position to win championships and the major league club is in striking distance to a title, too," he said referring to the Toronto Blue Jays who are 89-54, tops in the Majors and with a three game lead over the Boston Red Sox in the American League East, with just 19 regular season games left.

"There is a lot of season still left, so we're not letting our guard down," said Jays manager Cito Gaston, who is the winningest manager in franchise history and has the most wins (currently 771) in franchise history. He has led the Jays to four division titles and the club's only 2 World Series titles.

"We're glad to have Cito back on board," said Dark Cloud. "He's a Blue Jay for life and we're glad that a guy like him is here to help us right the ship. This year speaks for itself and we hope to finish it up right."

[Young Drachma]

THREE BLUE JAYS VYING FOR AL MVP HONORS
If anyone doubted the impact the trades the Blue Jays made this year, consider that three members of the same club are vying for MVP Honors.

Todd Helton, Orlando Cabrera and CF Vernon Wells are 1-2-3 in the latest MVP mock ballot conducted by EA Sports. "We're just trying to win," said Helton.

Wells is hitting .296 and leads the AL with 37 homers, one more than Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez and has 97 RBI. Meanwhile, Helton is the consensus favorite on most people's board. He's hitting a league leading .334 with 35 homers and a league leading (with Vlad Guerrero) 103 RBI.

Cabrera meanwhile is hitting .326, has 26 homers, 87 RBI and is one stolen base short of being one of eight players to notch at least 20 homers and 20 steals. "We're excited to be in such good company and to be on the same team," said Wells.

NL RACE
1B Jeff Bagwell HOU
1B Albert Pujols STL
LF Brian Giles SD

AL CY YOUNG RACE
SP Barry Zito OAK
SP Pedro Martinez BOS
SP Derek Lowe BOS

NL CY YOUNG
SP Roger Clemens HOU
SP Josh Beckett FLA
SP Roy Halladay COL Alright, let's hear it. (15-9 2.87 ERA)

[Young Drachma]

THE DUST SETTLES AND A TRIUMPH

TORONTO - The Toronto Blue Jays won their first AL East title, finishing the regular season with a Major League leading 103-59 record, five games ahead of the Boston Red Sox, who captured the AL Wild Card.

"We're thrilled, but the journey has just begun. Everyone goes back to 0-0 after today," said GM Dark Cloud, who joined the team this off-season. He was reviled by fans and the media for jettisoning fan favorites Carlos Delgado and SP Roy Halladay, but at the end of the day, this new team reminded fans of the "old days". "We're happier because this team has some staying power and shouldn't be going anywhere next week or even next season," said one longtime Blue Jays fan.

Toronto will face off the AL West champion Oakland Athletics who won 87 games in the regular season. The Red Sox will face the AL Central champion Kansas City Royals, who make their first playoff appearance in over 15 years in the other AL Division Series.

In the National League, the Philadelphia Phillies won their first NL East division title since 1993, ironically when they faced the Blue Jays in the World Series. The Houston Astros won the NL Central, while St. Louis Cardinals won the NL Wild Card. The San Diego Padres led the NL West wire-to-wire to capture their first title since 2000.

AWARD WINNERS
The National League MVP was Houston Astros 1B Jeff Bagwell (.274/43 HR/97 RBI)
The American League MVP was Toronto Blue Jays 1B Todd Helton (.342/45 HR/127 RBI)

The American League Cy Young winner was Pedro Martinez of the Boston Red Sox (16-8, 2.84 ERA, 204 K)

The National League Cy Young winner was Roger Clemens of the Houston Astros
(16-8, 2.93 ERA, 171K)

The National League Rookie of the Year was Jerome Williams of the San Francisco Giants (14-7, 3.49 ERA)

The American League Rookie of the Year was C Guillermo Quiroz of the Toronto Blue Jays (.289/26 HR/88 RBI)

AL Reliever of the Year: Mariano Rivera New York Yankees (2-3, 2.89 ERA, 39 SV)
NL Reliever of the Year: Billy Wagner Philadelphia Phillies (0-1, 2.41 ERA, 48 SV)

GOLD GLOVE
AL
----
Tim Wakefield Boston
1B Doug Mientkiewicz Minnesota
2B Fernando Vina Detroit
3B Alex Rodriguez New York
SS Bobby Crosby[B] Oakland
[B]OF Ken Griffey, Jr. Seattle
OF Ichiro Suzuki Seattle
OF Alex Rios Toronto

NL
----
Mike HamptonAtlanta
C Mike Matheny St. Louis
1B J.T. SnowSan Francisco
2B Mark Loretta San Diego
3B Scott Rolen St. Louis
SS Kaz Matsui New York
OF Andruw Jones Atlanta
OF Jim Edmonds St. Louis
OF Mike Cameron New York

SILVER SLUGGER

AL
---
DH Eric Hinske Toronto (.284/21/77RBI)
C Jorge Posada New York (.320/27HR/98RBI)
1B Todd Helton Toronto
2B Alfonso Soriano Texas (.282/36HR/100RBI)
3B Alex Rodriguez New York (.308/43HR/106RBI)
SS Orlando Cabrera Toronto (.296/29/96)
OF Vernon Wells Toronto (.291/46/119)
OF Shannon StewartToronto (.318/35/107)
OF Carlos Beltran Kansas City (.293/25/105)

NL
----
P Greg Maddux Chicago (.279/2/13)
C Ivan Rodriguez Colorado (.286/29/71)
1B Jeff Bagwell Houston
2B Jeff Kent Houston (.297/34/98)
3B Mike LowellFlorida (.300/38/126)
SS Edgar Renteria St. Louis (.325/30/87)
OF Brian Giles San Diego
OF Sammy Sosa Chicago (.273/45/105)
OF Barry Bonds San Francisco (.329/39/95)

[Young Drachma]

The Blue Jays organization is busy! All three Jays clubs are competing for league championships.

Here is the schedule for the playoffs at each level:

MLB

ALDS
Toronto v. Kansas City
Oakland v. Boston

NLDS
Houston v. San Diego
St. Louis v. Philadelphia

TRIPLE-A

GOVERNOR'S CUP SEMI-FINALS (INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE)
Syracuse v. Pawtucket
Durham v. Louisville

DOUBLE-A

EASTERN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

NDCS
New Hampshire v. Norfolk

SDCS
Harrisburg v. Erie

[Young Drachma]

TORONTO - No player remains from the 1993 Toronto Blue Jays or Philadelphia Phillies. Cito Gaston is back as manager of the Jays, but during that time, the manager of those same '93 Phillies, managed the Blue Jays from 2000-01. These two teams - both named Blue Jays at one point in their histories - will meet again for the World Series title.

Can the Phillies avenge their loss to the hands of Joe Carter's homer in Game 6? Will the Jays win their third World Series in franchise history, reclaiming the title of "Most Successful Expansion Franchise in Baseball History"?

Let the games begin!

I intend to play each of the games on All-Star level.

[B]PLAYOFF RECAP
DIVISION SERIES

Boston d. Oakland 3 games to 2
Toronto d. Kansas City 3 games to 1
Houston d. San Diego 3 games to 2
Philadelphia d. St. Lous 3 games to 2

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

Philadelphia d. Houston 4 games to 0
Toronto d. Boston 4 games to 1

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SYRACUSE SKYCHIEFS, GOVERNORS CUP CHAMPIONS 2004

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW HAMPSHIRE FISHERCATS, EASTERN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

I'll post the recap of each of the World Series games. GMs 1 & 2 will come tomorrow.

[Johnny93g]

You know, I liked Josh Towers....You keep trading away players I like....If you trade Vernon Wells, then I will officially jump on the fire Dark Cloud bandwagon...altough it would be pretty lonely....You did make the playoffs though....so I give you props...even if I dont recognize these guys

[Young Drachma]

I promise you I'm not trading your favorites on purpose. :)

Will a World Series title be a salve to your wound? I hope so... wish us luck!

P.S. I don't intend to trade Wells. He's awesome!

[Young Drachma]

PHILADELPHIA @ TORONTO

Blue Jays 8 Phillies 1
Jays lead series 1-0

Park Myung-hwan pitched 6 1/3 innings, giving up 11 hits, 1 earned runs and 4 strikeouts. Pat Hentgen pitched 2 2/3 of relief, with 2 strikeouts, giving up no runs Vernon Wells had 3 RBI in the game. Shim-Jong Soo hit a two-run homer. Eric Hinske went 2 for 4, to bring his post-season batting average to a dismal .122. Alex Rios was 2 for 4 to bring his batting average to .341.

"We're glad to get the first one out of the way," said Jays manager Cito Gaston.

[Young Drachma]

BLUE JAYS 13 PHILLIES 5
Jays lead series 2-0

The Phillies led off the game putting up four runs in the first inning to jump out to a 4-0 lead after Torii Hunter grand slam. The Jays came back and put up eight runs in the bottom of the 2nd. Jim Thome, who is hitting .528 in the playoffs was walked 4 times by Blue Jays starter Colby Lewis. "We weren't going to feed him anything for him to devour," said Manager Cito Gaston, who said the team was excited to go to Philadelphia up 2-0 in the series. Orlando Cabrera, Todd Helton and Vernon Wells all went deep for the Blue Jays and Wells had four RBIs in the game.

Phillies starter Vincete Padilla was pulled after just 1 2/3 innings, after giving up eight runs, five hits and 3 walks. Colby Lewis got the win, pitching five innings, four runs, 3 walks and 2 strikeouts and went five innings. The Jays tacked on two more runs in the 5th and 3 in the eigth, to get the win heading to Citizens Bank Park.

[Young Drachma]

GM 3, 4, 5 in Philadelphia:

The Blue Jays announced that Wayne Franklin will get the start in Game 3, instead of Dustin McGowan, so that the Jays ace can pitch in a potential series clincher in Game 4. "We want to save him for that game and we hope that it works out."

"We've never played there, so it'll be a challenge," said Jays manager Cito Gaston. The last time the two teams faced off in the World Series, the Phillies played at now destroyed Veterans Stadium.

[william4192]

Looking forward to the results of the playoffs. Dark Cloud, I love your dynasty's...just updated Moneyball!!!!

[Young Drachma]

I'll update soon. I'm actually having problems with missing textures from the new Citizens Park I'd downloaded. Makes playing the game not very pleasing to the eye. So..Game 3 & 4 coming soon.

[Young Drachma]

TORONTO @ PHILADELPHIA

It's currently the Top of the Fifth inning in Game Three, the Jays lead 8-0 after a big 2nd inning in which they scored 4 runs. Phillies starter Brett Myers got yanked after the fourth. Jays starter Wayne Franklin has given up just two hits.

The Jays have already announced that Dustin McGowan will pitch Game Four. Jays GM Dark Cloud said they team will wear their 1993 retro jerseys in the game.

More information on Game 3 after its over.

[Young Drachma]

Game 3: The Blue Jays beat the Phillies 14-2, belting 22 hits and putting themselves one game away from winning their first World Series since 1993.

Guillermo Quiroz went deep, as did Vernon Wells and Shim-Jong Soo. Wayne Frankling pitched a complete game, striking out seven and giving up 2 runs.

Dustin McGowan will start in Game 4, when the Jays will wear their 1993 road jerseys.

[Young Drachma]

GAME 4:

Bottom of the 3rd, Phillies lead 1-0. They scored a run in the bottom of the 1st. More updates later on this thread.

Alex Rios just lifted a pitch to right field for a 2-run homer off Eric Milton. Jays lead 2-1 in the Top of the 4th.

In the bottom of the 4th, with two on and two out, Placido Polanco had a basehit to center. With the batter on third heading home, Vernon Wells threw the ball to Quiroz and he was tagged out, saving the run.

Jays still lead 2-1 after 4 innings in Philly.

Phillies score a run in the bottom of the 5th. Game is tied 2-2 going into the Top of the 6th.

Heading into the 7th inning stretch, the Phillies have replaced their starter Eric Milton. Dustin McGowan is still in the game and we're tied 2-2.

We yanked Dustin McGowan after 6 1/3 innings. Brenden Donnelly is on the mound, with one out and one on. The first batter he's facing? Jim Thome. Wish us luck.

Donnelly got us out of the inning. We head into the Top of the 8th. Orlando Hudson came in to play 2nd base, replacing Chico Garcia who started the game.

Going to the Bottom of the 8th, the score is still 2-2. The Phillies have scored just 2 runs on 11 hits, while the Jays only have 2 hits.

We had a 1-2-3 bottom of the 8th, so we're heading to the Top of the 9th still tied. I'm replacing Donnelly with K-Rod on the mound, so we're going to have a pinch hitter for Donnelly. Maybe you'll be right about Vernon. Hope so... Spirit of '93 Boys!

There were no Carter-esque happenings in this 9th inning. Alex Rios, the guy who hit the homer who kept us in the game in the first place, managed to get on first with a single. But Todd Helton hit into a 4-6-3 double play, ending the inning.

Francisco Rodriguez is on in the bottom of the 9th. Two on, one out in the bottom of the ninth. Runners on 2nd and 3rd. Jim Thome is up. Umm....anyone got tickets for Game 5?

Well, no need to buy 'em yet. K-Rod walked Thome to load the bases. We then got Pat Burrell to hit into a double play. So, to the 10th we go!

In the Top of the 10th, we went down 1-2-3. To the bottom of the 10th we go. The Phillies got a hit in the Bottom of the 10th. But we managed to get through the inning. Off to the 11th! Bonus Baseball people!

[Travis]

I'm guessing Vernon with a go ahead jack, then a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth to capture the WS.

[Young Drachma]

In the Top of the 11th, we replaced K-Rod with pinch hitter Josh Phelps. Still it wasn't enough. Shim-Jong Soo also got a hit, but it didn't quite work out. So anyway, off to the Bottom of the 11th.

Adam Peterson is on the mound for the Jays. 1-2-3 inning in the Bottom of the 11th. We're still playin' and ironically, its still light outside. Damn MVP.

Anyway, off to the 12th.

Top of the 12th. Shannon Stewart reached on an error to first, while Alex Rios hit a single. Two on, no outs with Todd Helton up at the plate. Wells, Quiroz and Cabrera are next.

Helton strikes out, Quiroz grounded out as did Cabrera. So, off to the Bottom of the 12th.

One out, runners on 2nd and 3rd in the Bottom of the 12th. Adam Peterson is still on the mound.

Mike Lieberthal hits a sac fly to right. Scores a run, Phillies win 3-2.

Game 5 is in Philadelphia tomorrow. Starting pitcher is Park Myung-hwan.

[Young Drachma]

Randy Wolf is on the mound for the Phillies He's 2-0 with a 1.08 ERA in the playoffs this year. For the Jays, we have Park Myung-Hwan

If the Jays lose, Game 6 and 7 will take place in Toronto.

Top of the 1st
Vernon Wells had an RBI double with two out and one on, scoring Todd Helton and giving the Jays an early 1-0 lead.

Guillermo Quiroz hits a single to short, that advances Wells to third. Orlando Cabrera flies out to right to end the inning.

Bottom of the 1st
Despite getting two runners on base, the Phillies were stopped and didn't score a run. Jays still lead.

Top of the 2nd
Vernon Wells goes deep, hits a two-run homer to right. Gives the Jays a 3-0 lead.

We're in the Top of the 4th, the score is still 3-0 Jays.

[Young Drachma]

We're heading to the Top of 5th, still 3-0 Blue Jays. Amaury Telemaco was warming in the 'pen for the Phils. Hwan is still on the mound for the Jays.

3 up, 3 down in the Top of the 5th, heading to the bottom of the 5th now. With one out in the Bottom of the 5th, Jimmy Rollins hits an RBI double to give the Phillies their first run of the game. Hwan got Jim Thome and Pat Burrell to ground out, to end the inning.

Heading into the 6th, It's 3-1 Jays. Randy Wolf is still in the game, with six strikeouts after retiring the Blue Jays in order. We're going to the bottom of the 6th.

Vernon Wells made an awesome throw to third base, to get the advancing runner as the Phillies try to mount a rally.

Now its bases loaded, with one out after Placido Polanco and Shawn Wooten get on base. We're going to warm someone up in the bullpen, but hope Hwan can get out of the inning. The Phillies replaced Randy Wolf with pinch hitter Jason Michaels.

Michaels hit a grounder to third, Soo tagged the runner coming from second and threw Michaels out at first. Hwan gets out of the jam. After six, Jays lead 3-1.

[Young Drachma]

Reliever Dave Coggin is in for the Phillies in the Top of the 7th.

Shim-Jong Soo, grounds out to 1st. Then Orlando Hudson strikes out on four pitches. We decide to leave Hwan in to bat, who strikes out to end the inning.

It's Seventh inning stretch time in Game Five of the World Series, live from Philadelphia.

In the Bottom of the Seventh, Jimmy Rollins leads off for the Phillies. Park Myung-Hwan strikes him out on three pitches for the first out. Bobby Abreu grounds out to Orlando Hudson who throws to Todd Helton for out number 2 of the inning. Next up, Jim Thome. With a 1-2 count, he hits a liner to left field. Shannon Stewart robs him of a hit with a diving catch, to end the inning.

We've got two innings left, with the Jays leading the Phillies 3-1.

8th
In the Top of the 8th, Shannon Stewart gets struck out by Dave Coggin. Next up, Alex Rios. He works the count to 2-0, then 2-1. He fouls off a pitch to make the count 2-2. He then strikes out. Two down, with Todd Helton up next. He hits a weak grounder to third to end the inning.

To the Bottom of the 8th, with the score still 3-1 Jays.

Hwan will be replaced with Justin Speier.

Pat Burrell is the first batter and he hits a dribbler to short, Cabrera handles it and throws to Helton for the first out. Torii Hunter slammed one to the right field wall that looked gone. But Alex Rios - and I've never seen this before - stole it for the 2nd out. Mike Lieberthal hits one to the left center gap and gets a double out of it. One on, with two out. Placido Polanco is up next. He hits the first pitch, a flyout to Hudson to end the inning.

The Jays are just six outs away from winning the World Series!

[Young Drachma]

9th
Vernon Wells grounds out to record the first out of the inning. Guillermo Quiroz hits a single with out in the Top of the 9th. Orlando Cabrera flies out to left for the 2nd out. Shim-Jong Soo struck out to end the inning.

So, with three outs to go, the Jays lead the Phillies 3-0.

Bottom of the 9th
Pat Hentgen comes in for the Jays. The Phillies replaced Dave Coggin with pinch hitter. He flies out on a catch in foul territory by Todd Helton. One down. Next up, Marlon Byrd. He flies out on the first pitch to center field, Vernon Wells grabs that. Two down, one to go!

Hentgen is replaced by Adam Peterson. Jimmy Rollins hits a single past Orlando Cabrera at short. The tying run comes to the plate, Bobby Abreu.

Abreu hits a ball to third, Soo grabs it and his throw to first is late. Runners on first and second with two outs. Tomas Perez hits a single, to load the bases. We warm up Francisco Rodriguez in the 'pen.

Torii Hunter flies out to third, Soo catches it and the BLUE JAYS WIN THE WORLD SERIES

[Young Drachma]

The underwhelming World Series Championship photo from the game

http://personal.monm.edu/rbronson/jays.jpg

[Young Drachma]

World Series MVP: RF Alex Rios .375/1 HR/13 RBI

[Young Drachma]

2004 IN REVIEW

2004 must be some sort of fluke. Each one of our organization's teams wins their respective league titles. It's impressive and our budget was increased a modest $4 million. I'd expect more than that!

Anyway, here are some of the major retirements:
Tom Glavine Mets
Fred McGriff Mets
Kenny Lofton Rockies
Omar Daal Orioles
Wilson AlvarezDodgers
Andy AshbyRoyals
Chris Carpenter Cardinals

[Young Drachma]

The Expos have the #1 pick in the draft.

The Blue Jays selections:
C Jesus Lowe
(Has lots of defensive upside, could be a future Gold Glover)

RF Matt Rodriguez
(Average speed, Average Arm)

RP Matt Salazar
(Wicked Splitfinger)

3B Cliff Clemens
(Average Hitter)

The rest weren't notable.

[Young Drachma]

RESIGNED (contracts over the life of the deal, not per year)
We resigned 2B Orlando Hudson to a 3 year deal worth $1.2 million
S/RP Pat Hentgen to a 4 year year deal worth $5.16 million
SP Kip Wells to a 3 year deal worth $3.276 million
SS Chris Woodward to a 2 year deal worth $1.194 million
CL Francisco Rodriguez to a 5 year deal worth $6.45 million
SP Cam Reimers to a 5 year deal worth $8.46 million

Regular Players we'll lose:
RP Brenden Donnelly
RP Adam Peterson
RP Justin Speier

Amount to spend on free agents pre off-season deals
$24.495 million (8,195 points)

[Young Drachma]

I'm going to make some deals, but only those that I think improve the team.

I want a front-line starter, no doubt about that. Otherwise, I'm not sure. I mean, it'd be nice to upgrade at second base via free agency. Bullpen help is always at a premium, but other than that, I like the team we have. One could argue that stronger starting pitching would be good, to prevent our young staff from combusting next season.

But that would likely mean dealing younguns and I don't want to do that. So..we'll see.

[Young Drachma]

TRANSACTIONS:

2B Orlando Hudson, SP Ted Lilly are traded to Chicago (A) for Mark Buerhle

Looking at our staff just now, we have an overabundance of pitching.

With Hwan, McGowan, Buerhle, Lewis and a whole littany of guys (Franklin, Hentgen or Santana) who can pitch in the 5th spot, we really could afford to package one of them for a 2nd baseman of some worth. Will we? That's the new challenge. Or we might just sit on it, because guys do get hurt often and it's better to have too much than not enough.

SS Chris Woodward is traded to Boston for 2B Carlos Febles and another minor league infielder

Current amount available: $16.395 million

[Young Drachma]

Notable Free Agents:

RP Brenden Donnelly
CF Steve Finley
SP Wade Miller

and lots of junk.

We're not going to be signing anyone major on the FA market. We'll just be exploring a deal in which we send a pitcher(s) for a second baseman. Febles could eventually turn into the answer at 2nd, so we're going to wait and see on that one.

I hate that this game automatically assumes that teams will sign players, just because they have the money, resulting in teams with no money and no major free agents on the market. It's really stupid, but then its a console game in PC clothing. So what can I expect?

So, expect the dynasty go in the direction of real life, because some of the stuff that happened is dumb and I think it needs to be remedied.

[Young Drachma]

I had to restart the off-season over before I got into signing anyone, because you can't save the off-season in progress and I went to bed last night before doing it, didn't shut my machine down and had to restart in the morning.

I redid the Buerhle deal, the Woodward deal, but I just auto-drafted in the draft phase. I resigned all the same players above, but at whatever deal the computer had them at, for simplicity's sake.

I'm now in Week 1 of the off-season and we have about $25 million or 8,603 points to spend. There are a few free agents out there that weren't before, like Mark Texiera, SP Horacio Ramirez, Brett Tomko, Byung Kim, Sandy Alomar Jr and others. So, its not nearly as dismal as before where the best free agent was one of the middle relievers I didn't sign.

So, off we go.

[Young Drachma]

RED SOX GET MAGGLIO A YEAR LATER
BOSTON - The Red Sox finally got their guy, after sending Manny packing before last season. Magglio Ordonez comes to Boston, while Nomar Garciaparra heads to Los Angeles. The White Sox pick up RP Scott Williamson from Boston, along with LF Jeremy Giambi and SP Jeff Weaver from Los Angeles.

[Young Drachma]

The Expos sent Kevin Brown and Tony Armas, Jr. to Texas for SPs Joaquin Benoit, SP Kenny Rogers and LF Rusty Greer.

[Young Drachma]

Toronto traded SP Pat Hentgen, SP Wayne Franklin and 2B Aaron Hill to Seattle for 2B Bret Boone.

[Young Drachma]

The Marlins dealt SP Brad Penny and two minor leaguers to Arizona for SP Brandon Webb

[Young Drachma]

The White Sox acquired SP Tom Glavine, SP Aaron Heilman from the NY Mets for 1B Paul Konerko, RP Akinori Otsuka, RP Scott Williamson

[Young Drachma]

http://personal.monm.edu/rbronson/boone.gif
Bret Boone as a Blue Jay

http://personal.monm.edu/rbronson/garciaparra.gif
Nomar as a Dodger

[Young Drachma]

We'll be going around the league, looking at key players and the teams we think will be players in 2005.

Stay tuned.