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OOTP Blitz 25: Solo RTS meets Moneyball
Seems I might have finally found a dynasty format that I can sustain for a bit, or at least this is the idea. Having done all of the typical DC-type things in this world I'm currently playing including moving teams around, screwing up histories and adding hella international leagues all over the world, it's currently 2061.
I've been using this save for a few OOTP versions, it started in 2024 where I retired all of MLB and refilled it with entirely fictional players of my own making, then gradually started adding international leagues to make it work for me more. I'm starting a new OOTP dynasty with a twist - using a "Blitz" format (akin to chess) that transforms the game into something closer to real-time strategy. Apparently I did this back in 2015, too. Back then, it was fast-sim style so I played without injuries and I was aiming to get through an entire season in 15 minutes. I wouldn't do that now, I'm more interested in the strategy and also, I played the season with injuries now to create more randomness. Instead of micromanaging every detail, I'll have just 6 moves per season (15 minutes each) The Format - 6 moves per season (15 minutes each) - High injury rates during regular season - Talent Change Randomness: 150+ - Limited intervention creates organic storylines - Both teams share the same move pool TIME VIOLATION SYSTEM:* First Violation: - Lose next available move - Highest rated healthy player suspended 30 days Second Violation (Same Season): - All penalties from first violation - $10M budget penalty next season - Must make a positive countermove for division rival I'm planning to take over two teams, I was going to do both in MLB but ended up deciding not to. We'll be with the Cardinals and the San Juan team in the Federal League. The St. Louis Cardinals(MLB) - Last World Series: 2011 - 15 playoff appearances since 2023 - Only 2 division titles in that span - Goal: Restore this storied franchise to its former glory - No financial constraints besides the $150M salary cap The San Juan Toucans(Federal League) - Never posted a winning season since 2051 inception - Operating under strict $25M salary cap - Perfect laboratory for extreme Moneyball tactics - Initial strategy: Complete teardown and rebuild Like I said, this is a different world. MLB has 36 teams. More on those later. The World of 2060 This universe features a rich tapestry of international leagues, from the winter ball powerhouse in St. Lucia to the emerging talents in the African-based Federal League. MLB sits atop the pyramid with 36 teams, but talent flows globally through:, here's what the rest of the world looks like: Quote:
Will the Cardinals return to October glory? Can the Toucans find success through analytics? Can I manage both teams effectively with such limited moves? Let's find out. First move coming soon... |
PRE-MOVE 2061
I want to get the Cardinals into contender status sooner than later. The last 3 years ahve not been good, despite a mid-table payroll, they’ve won 73, 68 and 81 games respectively. It doesn’t help that the 20-team playoffs have gone away and we’re back to just 12 teams, so they can’t even sneak in substandardly. It’s been an absymsal few decades for a once-venerable franchise in baseball, since 2023 here’s how things have gone, 15 playoff appearances, 4 division titles (2024, 2025, 2034, 2046) and zero NL pennants. Nearly 50 years without a World Series appearance is hard to imagine and yet, that’s where the Cardinals in this shifting baseball universe. We’re going to build on what they have using our moves. The San Juan Toucans meanwhile have been all over the place, they went from Atlantic City to Montreal and now in San Juan for the last 4 years. They have the 4th lowest payroll in the federal league, next year almost no one on this team is under contract after 2061 season, so they’re a perfect team for a rebuild. I’ve spent almost no time in the Federal League besides occasionally looking at players, so it’ll be very weird to figure out how to build a winning team there without spending money. My goal is partially to get better at this analytics shenanigans in 2024, while IDing some weird thing I want to arbitrage around, sign players like that and then see if it works or not. It’s purely an experiment and I don’t particularly care if they win or not, though it’d be fun if we’re able to do that over time. For this first season, I’m going to conserve most of my time by letting San Juan mostly operate on auto-pilot, but I’m not going to sign any of their existing players to new deals, I might make trades to get rid of guys since everyone is in a walk year save for the prospects and aggressively tank while I get a sense of what I want to do with this team. We’re going to use our first season (2061) to focus on the Cardinals and getting them back into shape. |
2061 SEASON LOG, PART ONE
2061 SEASON LOG
St. Louis Cardinals (MLB) & San Juan Toucans (Federal) OFFSEASON LOG 1 - NOV 17, 2060 Time Remaining: 1:35 CARDINALS MOVES: - Signed St. Lucia MVP IF/OF Pinwheel Brown (23) - Landed Japanese CF Monta Matsui (32) - 7y/$216M + $32.5M posting - Added veteran IF depth with Rodriguez (34), 2y/$5.2M - Inherited AI signings: RP Avery, SS Lindblad TOUCANS MOVES: - Flipped Hite/Burnett to St. Lucia for SP Mejia - Committing to full rebuild, minimal intervention OFFSEASON LOG 2 - JAN 4, 2061 Time Remaining: 4:27 CARDINALS MOVES: - Landed SP Urban Henry after protracted negotiations - Final terms: 5y/$232.9M - Sets rotation anchor for contention window COUNTERMOVE 1 (81s): - Signed C Smokey Gonzales (Cuban League) for the Toronto Blue Jays - Blue Jays emerging as potential AL threat - Due to some past history silliness on my part, Carolina & Toronto had mixed up histories, so I swapped all their players back and changed the franchise names for 2061. More Notes: - Henry signing depleted remaining budget - Playoff roster taking shape - Will monitor winter league FAs for mid-season depth - Toucans rebuild on hold during Cardinals push SEASON LOG 3 - April 27, 2061 CARDINALS (21-17, 2.5 GB) TEAM NOTES The interesting thing about playing this way, is knowing how far to let things go early in the season. We have the highest payroll in baseball thanks largely to the Urban Henry signing, but we also inherited a few outfielders the Cardinals had who are on overpriced contracts relative to their performance, but they're young guys and I suspect they wanted to lock them up early. I'd hoped to sim through to the draft, but I needed to stop in and at least see how the team was doing. One of them is 28-year old LF Spencer Van Doren (.282/.383/.483, 141 wRC+, 3.4 WAR in 2060) who is in the 1st year of an 8-year $156.3 million extension that he signed the year before we got here. He won a Gold Glove in 2056 and a Silver Slugger in 2057, but I think he strikes out too much. A Cardinals 1st rounder (21st overall) in 2055, he's clearly delivered on his promise as an in-house talent, but I think I can get recoup some value for him if packaged in a deal whether it's prospect capital or fixing our problem with catching. I don't love that we're using him as a leadoff hitter. I decided to make some lineup changes, something I don't normally do because I want to assess what sorts of moves I want to make before the All-Star break when the Federal League is over and there are some guys on the market. We don't have any money to spend, but if I can move an expensive outfielder contract, I can free up some cash to really fix the offense. As composed, this team could miss the playoffs and that's a really bad idea. Offensively, the team is doing okay, we're 3rd in the NL in Batting WAR (7.1) to start out the year, 6th in Defensive efficiency and our starters ERA is 3rd (3.13). Where we're struggling is the bullpen, currently 12th (4.28) and so I'm going to want to look at fixing that. I think the bottom of the lineup is also really struggling, as I have defensive guys holding down the fort (Catcher Ray Van de Veer .240 SLG & SS Justin Lindblad, .212 OBP) I don't allow myself to make trades before mid-May, it feels a bit unrealistic. I have 3 moves left this season, the draft will be one of them and I'll try to sim to the All-Star break within that same timeframe just so I have a sense of where we are. If I have any time left, might start shopping some guys, but it might not work out. I'll use a move at the trade deadline for sure and then we'll have to save one last move for September in case we're in a situation where we need it because the team is in a pickle or there are injuries I need to account for. It's not clear simming whether that's the case, which is a bit problematic. TOUCANS (28-40-4, 14 GB) TEAM NOTES The FL season is wining down, it ends in late May and the Toucans are poised for another last place finish in the WL East Division. The trade I made this off-season for SP Algenis Mejia, whose last major league appearances came with the Cubs back in 2054 and spent the last six years in St. Lucia paid off. The 35-year old ace has navigated leading a bad team pretty well, going 5-10 with a 3.51 ERA/88 FIP-, 1.3 WAR and 12 QS, despite abysmal run support (1.8 RSG) by our anemic offense. He's a guy that might provide some stopgap support during the MLB season once he's a free agent after the FL season ends. |
SEASON LOG #4, MAY 15, 2061
CARDINALS (34-20, 1st in NL Central) On balance, it worked out how I was hoping it would. I did some lineup reconfiguring and it worked. I moved Spencer Van Doren from leadoff to 3rd in the lineup, he's now batting cleanup but it worked extremely well with Japanese import Monta Matsui (.288/6 HR/25 RBI) having a respectable for MLB season and playing leadoff for us. St. Lucian star Pinwheel Brown is our leading hitter (.335/12 HR/40 RBI) and bats 3rd. First baseman Chase Zuniga leads the NL in RBI (51) and is on track for a 4 WAR season. Offensively, we're among the Top 5 in the NL outside of HRs including Runs scored, OBP, OPS and WAR. Pitching remains our strength as our starters lead the league in ERA, but our bullpen needs a lot of help, currently 11th in the majors in ERA. DRAFT NOTES I stopped to look at the draft. One of the things I did during the recent iterations of this save before I opted for this format was to improve the intake of Latin American players into the game. For whatever reason, I had far fewer Dominicans coming through my league in the last 20 years, so I wanted to rebuild that link, as well as fix the Puerto Rican baseball pipeline, as I have fond memories of that from the 80s. That said, it initially created a wave of very young talented Dominican players entering the majors all a bit too young and I've had to actually make them a few years older so I don't have a glut of 18 year old super players proliferating my league and turned on an 18 year old age limit to MLB. Anyway, the Dominican players and Puerto Rican players are all part of the draft, as part of my robust feeders pipeline in-game that stocks enough players for an 80-round draft (I miss that about baseball, too.) KEY DRAFT PROSPECTS The Cardinals had the 18th pick, there are some decent college prospects in here but two standouts from the DR are the ones I'm most interested in. Oscar Regalado, a starting pitcher who I think would be a very valuable bullpen arm for us right now. He spent the last 3 years at Texas after not being drafted out of HS. College stats are fickle for pitchers in this league, but he had a 7.7 K/9, 108 ERA+ and 1.54 WHIP. OF Leuri Ramirez, who was actually the 6th overall pick in 2058 by the Giants, but he failed to sign. He had a great college career winning National Player of the Year in 2059, an All-American selection and .390/.464/.776 slash line with 160 wRC+ this past year at the University of Washington. DRAFT RESULTS (MOVE #4) We ended up picking Regalado, it's just not everyday you have someone with 5 pitches ready go and with our bullpen woes right now, I don't really have the luxury of taking a bat that might take a while to adjust to major league pitching. I was going to use a countermove to keep Ramirez out of the NL, but it seems like for whatever reason, the AI absolutely hates guys who have difficult signability and prefer prospects with lower potential. I think this is a flaw based on the fact that my leagues play with higher than average ratings, and the game doesn't really know what to do with it, but it's still not logical behavior. Nonetheless, we're past the supplemental round and into the 2nd round and another 16 teams pass on Ramirez, meaning that I'm indeed going to take him. The AI wanted me to take Arizona State OF A.J. Barringer, who hit .470 during his senior year of HS, but didn't make the lineup at ASU. NEXT STEPS Drafting used all of my 4th move, so we're down to two moves left this season to get me through a hopeful post-season appearance for the Cards, I hope the offers I made were good enough to get everyone on board, as I won't be able to waste another move trying to make another offer. Given that Van Doren is playing so much better, I'm less inclined to move him, that contract is a bargain relative to his production, though he'd be worth a haul on the open market. We really need to improve our offense at catcher and middle infield, unless we're just going to double down on defensive options, but all we can really hope to do is look at the market. I'm going to be simming all the way to the trade deadline or nearby, to see if we can bolster the lineup for a post-season run. We use a ladder style playoff system, and we currently are fighting the New York Mets for the top seed, there's a strong incentive to win as much as possible because 1) rust doesn't exist in OOTP and 2) it means fewer games we have to play to potentially win a World Series. TOUCANS UPDATE Still in last place, I haven't checked in on them this move, I'll focus on them in the off-season and I might cut them loose for now, it's a lot easier to manage just one club and the Federal League job is so different and I don't enjoy the context switching. I think at some point I'll add a 2nd club because I like the challenge and the different lens, but I need to get a better handle on this first club before I do that. I have a separate GM profile for them anyway, so I'll just resign when the season is done. |
COUNTERMOVE, JULY 4TH 2061
CARDINALS (60-35, .5 GB, +6.5 WC) I stopped to do a countermove to check things out, wanting to stall on actually making moves until closer to the deadline. I decided to look at teams very far out of the race to see if there are some moves I could make on behalf of a team but doing so swiftly, given that we don't get a lot of time you really only get one deal to make to scope out. In this case, Montreal (53-42) is 7 GB in the NL East and .5 GB in the Wild Card race. Even though they're my competition, I'd love to get them into the post-season if we can, so I went trolling from the out of contention teams to bolster their situation, except they are 31st in farm system so it'll be tough to help them out. They acquired three players from Boston for prospects including SP Calvin Reitmeier (4-7, 3.61), OF Gabe Braithwaite (.380 SLG) and infielder Christian Wood. They needed some depth and this should help, though not sure it'll be enough to get them into the post-season. LEAGUE STANDINGS - JULY 4, 2061 AMERICAN LEAGUE Eastern Division Team W L PCT GB Toronto 56 44 .560 - Baltimore 52 50 .510 5.0 Cleveland 51 50 .505 5.5 New York 46 54 .460 10.0 Boston 43 58 .426 13.5 Central Division Team W L PCT GB Minnesota 58 43 .574 - Carolina 54 47 .535 4.0 Milwaukee 52 49 .515 6.0 Detroit 49 51 .490 8.5 Indianapolis 40 61 .396 18.0 Western Division Team W L PCT GB Sacramento 57 43 .570 - Seattle 51 49 .510 6.0 Portland 41 59 .410 16.0 San Diego 40 60 .400 17.0 Southern Division Team W L PCT GB Nashville 61 39 .610 - Houston 53 47 .530 8.0 Texas 48 52 .480 13.0 Kansas City 43 57 .430 18.0 NATIONAL LEAGUE Eastern Division Team W L PCT GB New York 63 38 .624 - Montreal 56 45 .554 7.0 Philadelphia 56 46 .549 7.5 Washington 46 54 .460 16.5 Atlanta 37 63 .370 25.5 Central Division Team W L PCT GB St. Louis 64 37 .634 - Cincinnati 63 37 .630 0.5 Chicago 54 47 .535 10.0 Louisville 45 56 .446 19.0 New Orleans 45 56 .446 19.0 Western Division Team W L PCT GB San Francisco 50 50 .500 - Vancouver 49 51 .490 1.0 Los Angeles 47 53 .470 3.0 Arizona 46 54 .460 4.0 Mountain Division Team W L PCT GB Salt Lake 54 46 .540 - Colorado 52 48 .520 2.0 Albuquerque 45 55 .450 9.0 Calgary 41 59 .410 13.0 Next Move: Trade deadline maneuvering, aiming for that crucial #1 NL seed for playoff positioning |
MOVE #5 - JULY 18, 2061
Cardinals (67-40, 1 GB, +8 WC) I had to make my pre-deadline move here because I would prefer to see what's on the market and try to position us for some better usage out of whatever rentals I can get my hands on. One side effect of the smaller playoffs is that the trade market goes bonkers at this time of year. With not a lot of time to do tons of shopping, I opt for just seeing what's on the trade block and who we can bring in. We could use additional offense, a bullpen arm or two and depth. Farm system is Top 5 now thanks to our recent draft picks, and I have a few players who we inherited from the old regime who are ready to get promoted and either would be good depth guys or trade bait, depending on which way I want to go. We make a blockbuster with the struggling Padres (43-64) that brings us 1B Owen Nielsen (.251/.309/.414, 12 HR, 45 RBI in 90 games), CF Liam Bright (.244/.312/.364, 5 HR, 13 SB), veteran RHP Chase Benjamin (5-10, 5.30 ERA, with San Diego retaining salary), and C Ralph Judd (.140/.222/.217) for depth. We give up some interesting young talent but no elite prospects - two Single-A players with potential (LHP Garcia with a 1.50 ERA and 1B McGowan hitting .267), Double-A outfielder Jordan Avery (.309/.429/.436 with good speed), and two MLB-ready pieces in Jace Coulter (.250/.279/.312) and Julian Vo (.143/.143/.143 in limited time). That deal didn't take long, so we still have another few minutes to see what else we might be able to do. Nothing really materialized, but I decided to shop 3B Terrance Adkins, a 20-year old who has not yet cracked the lineup — he's not ready — but would do well someplace he can develop and not on a contender where we need someone to fill a spot right now. He's the 7th best prospect in baseball, so I can't just give him away, but I'm opting to sell high here rather than see if he's going to develop in a few years well after this window of winning might be gone. I don't know if anyone is offering me anything when I shop him worth moving him and we might just have to roll with what we have right now, I'm about out of time to figure something else out and it's not clear to me what else I can really do — realistically — without dealing a bunch of players and/or taking on bad contracts to do it. Rentals are cool, but I hate trading top prospects for them unless it's something truly elite. [COUNTERMOVE] I bought some time freezing the clock. Sacramento signed 30 year Cuban OF Kaka Machado, the Solons have been bouncing around Northern California and Vegas over the past few decades and they're now in 1st place in the AL West and this is a big moment for them to establish themselves, so I want to see if they can do it. AMERICAN LEAGUE STANDINGS Eastern Division: Tight three-team race with Toronto (56-50) leading Cleveland by 1.0 and Baltimore by 1.5 Central Division: Minnesota (60-48) leads Carolina by 3.5 Western Division: Sacramento (61-46) comfortable with 6.0 game lead on Seattle Southern Division: Nashville (64-42) leading Houston by 6.0 NATIONAL LEAGUE STANDINGS Eastern Division: Mets dominating at 69-39, 9.5 ahead of Philadelphia Central Division: Cincinnati (68-39) leads us by 1.0, Cubs 9.5 back Western Division: Giants (55-52) barely ahead of Vancouver by 2.0 Mountain Division: Salt Lake (57-49) leads Colorado by 2.0 These standings are particularly crucial because of our league's unique ladder-style playoff format. Unlike traditional MLB playoffs, teams face an increasingly difficult path based on their regular season finish:
This makes our current position (67-40) and the tight race with Cincinnati (68-39) and the Mets (69-39) absolutely critical. While we're safely in playoff position at 8 games up on the Wild Card, winning the division - and potentially claiming that #1 seed - would mean avoiding the brutal ladder climb through multiple elimination games |
MOVE #6 - JULY 25, 2061
Cardinals (71-41, +0.5, 2nd Seed) I changed my mind about holding onto this move for late-season insurance. With our strong position - now leading Cincinnati by half a game and guaranteed the #2 seed in our ladder-style playoff format - I decided to be aggressive and use our final move before the deadline. We send Terrance Adkins (#5 prospect in baseball), along with two other Top 100 prospects in CF Dusty Fergus (#195) and 2B Olier Johansson (#99) to the Yankees in exchange for All-Star infielder Sandy Cook and veteran pitcher Joachim De Los Santos. Cook (.324/.423/.470, 13 HR, 8 SB) is a significant addition - a 3-time All-Star having a 5 WAR season who can play multiple infield positions. He's arbitration eligible but controllable, making this more than just a rental move. We also got them to include De Los Santos (8-10, 3.84 ERA, 150 IP) in his walk year to add pitching depth. The prospect cost is steep - headlined by one of baseball's elite prospects in Adkins - but this feels like the right balance between going for it now while still maintaining long-term stability. Taking Cook's arbitration rights means this isn't purely a win-now move, and his versatility gives us lots of lineup options. The standings show why this move made sense - we've edged ahead of Cincinnati by half a game, the Cubs have fallen 8 games back, and we're actually ahead of everyone except the Mets (74-40) in winning percentage. Getting Cook could be the difference-maker in avoiding the longer playoff path through the ladder format. I hate using our last move this early (July 25th), but sometimes you have to strike when the right deal presents itself. Between this and our earlier Padres trade, we've significantly upgraded the roster for the stretch run without mortgaging everything for rentals. AMERICAN LEAGUE STANDINGS Eastern Division: Toronto (59-53) holding slim lead over Baltimore (1.5) and Cleveland (2.0) Central Division: Minnesota (63-51) ahead of Carolina by 2.0 Western Division: Sacramento (64-49) comfortable with 4.5 game lead Southern Division: Nashville dominating at 69-43, up 7.5 on Houston NATIONAL LEAGUE STANDINGS Eastern Division: Mets pulling away at 74-40, 10.5 ahead of Philadelphia Central Division: We've taken the lead (71-41) by half a game over Cincinnati (71-42), Cubs 8.0 back Western Division: Giants (57-56) barely above .500 but leading Mountain Division: Salt Lake (59-53) up 2.5 on Colorado The Mets remain the team to beat overall, but we're sitting with the second-best record in baseball and in prime position to avoid the ladder format's gauntlet by securing one of the top seeds. The Yankees (52-60) being 7 games out in the AL East likely helped make them willing to deal Cook despite his strong season. |
LEAGUE REPORT, NO MOVES
The next sim we'll get is the post-season sim, which at least we know the Cardinals barring a collapse are headed to the post-season again, a triumph but also expected after spending like we did this off-season and coupling that with the players who were here already. I don't know how the post-season will work out. On one hand, I want to run it fast-sim style where I set the rotation/lineup and then we run it all together at once without injuries on. Alternatively, I could feel like getting a bit more immersed and running it series by series could make the post-season feel more rewarding, I will be very annoyed if I could have made a strategic adjustment between series that would've helped things not go poorly in the end. I'll ponder that later, though. STATUS REPORT September 16, 2061 CARDINALS: 99-62 (Tied for NL Central lead) I'm not sure if my trade deadline gambit paid off or not. The team went 18-9 in July, but stumbled to 14-14 in August. We've been 9-5 this month, but I think most importantly I was building a roster that could survive a post-season run, and I feel like we have that. Joachim De Los Santos (0-3, 9.24 ERA in 3 G) has not had a good few weeks, and Sandy Cook (.236, .723 OPS) has also not been great, but I still prefer their veteran presence over a 20-year old. If I were manging more slowly, I'd have just gotten by with a veteran player and held onto the prospect, but in fast-sim it's just not worth being that precious. Today is the last day of the regular season, we ended it -- fittingly -- with a 3-game series against the Cincinnati Reds. We've split this series and today, on Friday September 16th we'll play for the NL Central crown and the 2nd seed in the National League. PLAYOFF BOUND There are still a few races yet to decide, but many teams have punched their post-season ticket. Sacramento and Seattle are battling for the AL West title, Detroit and Toronto hold 1 GB advantage on Houston for the AL Wild Card, with the Mariners two games back, meaning their only pathway to the post-season is through the AL West title. In the National League, I mentioned the Reds and my Cardinals are tied at 99-wins apiece for the NL Central, the winning of their game today will win the division. Montreal won the other NL Wild Card. Salt Lake, San Francisco and the Mets won their respective divisions, the 88-win Phillies will miss the post-season. GAME 163 DRAMA One of the things I like about bringing in the 4-division era and limiting wild cards is bringing back the tiebreaker games. We’ll have 2 in the AL, both for the AL West title (Sacramento and Seattle both finished at 84-78) and a separate showdown for the AL Wild Card with (Toronto and Houston both at 85-77) Houston and Seattle will host. Winners will advance to the playoffs, losers will go home. CARDINALS BACK IN THE POST-SEASON We achieved our first aim, getting the Cardinals back into the playoffs for the first time in 4 years. This NL Central crown is the club’s first division title since 2046 and only our 3rd division title in 27 years. We’ll dig more into the club during the season summary after the post-season ends, but this is still great. I expected it, but the depth really made this year work despite the injury waves that hit. TIEBREAKER GAMES Both road teams won the tiebreakers, Toronto knocked off the Astros 7-2, and Sacramento won a nailbiter in Seattle, 1-0, 2061 REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS Code:
AMERICAN LEAGUE STANDINGSCode:
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALLFIXED THE SEEDING I decided I don't like cheap division champions both getting into the playoffs AND skipping ahead of teams that won more games than them. So I'm keeping the ladder format, but I'll have to manually set the playoff matchups since OOTP automatically does it where wild cards are lower on the ladder than division champions. Division champs do get home field if they play any wild cards though. Here's the seeding for the '61 playoffs AL Nashville Baltimore Minnesota Detroit Sacramento Toronto NL Mets St. Louis Cincinnati Montreal Salt Lake San Francisco |
2061 PLAYOFFS
NL WILD CARD RD 1 San Francisco def. Salt Lake 2-0 (10) AL WILD CARD RD 1 Toronto def. Sacramento 12-2 NL WILD CARD RD 2 Montreal def. San Francisco 1-0 AL WILD CARD RD 2 Toronto def. Detroit 3-1 NL ELIMINATION SERIES Game 1: Cincinnati def. Montreal 13-1 Game 2: Montreal def. Cincinnati 7-4 Game 3: Cincinnati def. Montreal 7-1 AL ELIMINATION SERIES Game 1: Minnesota def. Toronto 10-5 Game 2: Minnesota def. Toronto 4-3 So we're going to have another date with the Reds in the Division Series, not totally surprising or unexpected. We won the season series 11-9, besides knowing we're fresh and our rotation is largely intact, I can't really picture how this will go. We've been going back and forth all year, this one could go all 5 games. |
2061 PLAYOFF RUN - ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES vs. CINCINNATI Game 1: CARDINALS 2, Reds 1 - Urban Henry (W) goes toe-to-toe with Kennedy - Logan Cash saves it in the 9th - Small ball victory with no HRs Game 2: CARDINALS 4, Reds 3 - Kelly Gibbons delivers strong start - Cash gets another save - Takes 2-0 series lead at home Game 3: Cardinals 3, REDS 6 - S. Wallace outduels Benjamin - Nielsen homers in loss - Reds get back in series Game 4: Cardinals 5, REDS 13 - Nightmare at Crosley Field - Willingham roughed up - Series evened at 2-2 Game 5: CARDINALS 6, Reds 4 - Henry goes 7 strong for second win - Brown/Amobi/Cordero all homer - Cash gets 2 huge innings for save Series MVP: Pinwheel Brown NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES vs. NEW YORK Game 1: Cardinals 4, METS 6 - Regalado struggles early - Brown hits two homers in loss - Mets take home field Game 2: CARDINALS 5, Mets 4 - Judd shocks with 2 HRs - Nielsen adds key blast - Cash saves Fawcett win Game 3: Cardinals 2, METS 5 - Henry suffers first playoff loss - B. Brown homers for Mets - NY takes 2-1 lead Game 4: CARDINALS 2, Mets 1 - Garner brilliant in spot start - Small ball manufacturing runs - Cash with clutch 2-inning save |
2061 PLAYOFF RUN - ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES vs. CINCINNATI Game 1: CARDINALS 2, Reds 1 - Urban Henry (W) goes toe-to-toe with Kennedy - Logan Cash saves it in the 9th - Small ball victory with no HRs Game 2: CARDINALS 4, Reds 3 - Kelly Gibbons delivers strong start - Cash gets another save - Takes 2-0 series lead at home Game 3: Cardinals 3, REDS 6 - S. Wallace outduels Benjamin - Nielsen homers in loss - Reds get back in series Game 4: Cardinals 5, REDS 13 - Nightmare at Crosley Field - Willingham roughed up - Series evened at 2-2 Game 5: CARDINALS 6, Reds 4 - Henry goes 7 strong for second win - Brown/Amobi/Cordero all homer - Cash gets 2 huge innings for save Series MVP: Pinwheel Brown NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES vs. NEW YORK Game 1: Cardinals 4, METS 6 - Regalado struggles early - Brown hits two homers in loss - Mets take home field Game 2: CARDINALS 5, Mets 4 - Judd shocks with 2 HRs - Nielsen adds key blast - Cash saves Fawcett win Game 3: Cardinals 2, METS 5 - Henry suffers first playoff loss - B. Brown homers for Mets - NY takes 2-1 lead Game 4: CARDINALS 2, Mets 1 - Garner brilliant in spot start - Small ball manufacturing runs - Cash with clutch 2-inning save |
This series & team have made me appreciate playing games out more because of the control factor than I used to care about.
We lost the NLCS to the defending champion Mets (I had a save where we were up 3-2 but that got crashed) Quote:
On one hand, it's a bummer I thought we could beat the odds this year. On the flip side, this is a team that we refurbished on the fly. There's still more work to do. I'll do a comprehensive season summary, but on balance i'm okay with how this year went. The core will be back and I think that we can finish the job next year. This drought is a really awful thing for a once-proud franchise, but no one can look at this season and argue that we're anything but on the right track again. |
2061 WORLD SERIES
Minnesota Twins (88-74, 1st AL Central) (AL) v. New York Mets (101-61, 1st NL East) (NL) Twins AL pennants: 9 (1965, 1987, 1991, 2032, 2034, 2035, 2041, 2043, 2061) World Series titles: 4 (1987, 1991, 2032, 2035) Mets NL pennants: 11 (1969, 1973, 2000, 2015, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2045, 2058, 2060, 2061) World Series titles: 6 (1969, 1986, 2024, 2025, 2060, 2061) Quote:
The nine-game World Series is the truest test of mettle, in a sport that's a coin flip. No flukes in a 9-game test, you gotta get it done. Mets do that and get the repeat to end 2061 for their 6th title in franchise history, in their 100th season of Mets baseball. |
The Machine Awakens: The Cardinals return to the postseason
2061 Season In Review The ghosts had grown restless in St. Louis. Four years of October silence - an eternity by Cardinals standards - had settled over Busch Stadium like an unwelcome fog. Not since 2057 had playoff baseball graced these grounds, and the drought had begun to feel less like an aberration and more like an identity crisis for baseball's proudest National League franchise. The last time the Cardinals had won 100 games, in 2015, most of their current roster hadn't been born. But baseball, like life, moves in cycles. The 2061 Cardinals didn't just break their playoff drought - they shattered it with a thunderous 100-win campaign that announced the franchise's return to baseball's elite. Led by a rookie who seemed to step out of a baseball fever dream and a veteran pitcher staging his own renaissance, these Cardinals restored the shine to baseball's best-preserved machine. Pinwheel Brown arrived in St. Louis with the kind of expectations that can crush young careers. He left his rookie season as an MVP, having achieved something no player in baseball history had done before: a .400 batting average combined with 123 stolen bases. The 24-year-old first baseman didn't just hit - he reimagined what was possible on a baseball field. Every at-bat became an event, every base hit a prelude to stolen base attempts that brought crowds to their feet. "He's playing a different game than the rest of us," marveled teammate José Cordero, who authored his own breakout season with a .375 average. "The speed, the contact - it's like he's operating on a different timeline than everyone else." But if Brown represented the future, Urban Henry was the bridge from past to present. At 37, the right-hander delivered one of the most dominant pitching seasons in recent memory: 22 wins, a 2.10 ERA, and 297 strikeouts. Paired with Kelly Gibbons (18-6, 2.33 ERA), Henry gave the Cardinals the kind of rotation frontline that had been missing during their playoff drought. The regular season unfolded like a gradually building crescendo. The Cincinnati Reds pushed them to the final week, winning 99 games themselves, but the Cardinals' consistency - that old organizational hallmark - proved the difference. When victory 100 was secured in the season's final series, it felt less like an accomplishment than a restoration. This was, after all, what Cardinals baseball was supposed to look like. October began with promise. They dispatched those same Reds in a tense Division Series, with Henry bookending the series with gems that recalled the franchise's greatest playoff moments. The New York Mets awaited in the Championship Series, and for a moment, it seemed the drought-breaking season might become something more. But on a crisp October night at Citi Field, the dream ended. Domingo Durán spun seven masterful innings, limiting the Cardinals to just four hits and a single run. Rowan Kendrick, who would be named series MVP after hitting .391, delivered key RBIs as the Mets built their lead. When Leuri Ramírez doubled and scored on Sandy Cook's sacrifice fly in the seventh, it provided only momentary hope. The Mets' Hayden Hasenjager closed the door over the final two innings, and just like that, the season was over. The sting of falling short will linger, but the broader picture remains bright. Brown's historic season signals the arrival of a generational talent. The farm system teems with promise - Asher Novak and Reggie Lozano headline a prospect group that should keep the pipeline flowing. Even the financial picture is robust, with attendance over 3.7 million justifying a payroll approaching $190 million. Most importantly, the Cardinals rediscovered their identity. The lost years since 2057 had begun to feel like a new normal, the 46-year wait for another 100-win season a weight too heavy to lift. But these Cardinals proved that excellence, while never guaranteed, remains embedded in the organization's DNA. As winter descends on Busch Stadium, the ghosts have grown quiet again. Not because they've been exorcised, but because they've been replaced by something more tangible: hope. The drought is over. The machine is humming again. And in St. Louis, that's always been enough to warm even the coldest offseason nights. |
Back to a 2nd team
After a year away from running a 2nd club, I'm going back in again. This time, I'm going to take over the Portland Stags in a parallel storyline. heading into their 30th season, the Stags were once an expansion success story, but the last few years ownership changed and they've stopped spending and developing in-house talent. they've made 12 playof f appearances in franchise history, won the NL pennant in 2044 before losing to the Angels in the World Series (then Anaheim, now Vancouver) but won the World Series in 2038 (NL) and 2051 (AL) and since then have struggled to gain a foothold, their last postseason appearance was in 2055. i'm going to take them over as well, but the difference is, I'm only allowed to spend (for now) just 4.4% of the top team's payroll. We'll see what it's likely to develop players, make trades and arbitrage our way to a semblance of respectability knowing the team is at the bottom of the barrel. While I could obviously just go overseas and bring guys over, that'll only be allowed in years when the owner lets us spend more and I have a spreadsheet for this. Right now, the owner is cutting $35.8 million from our books and our team budget was set to $44 million for next year according to our sheet. It means I can't acquire anyone that costs money, we'll likely just trade anyone and go radically down for prospects and see where that lands us. Luckily, my league has a vibrant pipeline of Latin American players who actually enter the draft, part of why St. Louis was good from the jump was two draft picks from the DR who were immediately able to join the lineup. Not sure if the next drafts will have anyone that useful, but I'm saying that this won't be quite as dire a situation as a real life in-game rebuild because I have lots of talent pathways around the world at my disposal, so long as I acquire them when they're cheap and trade them before they hit arbitration. We'll see how long I can run with that parallel story line, but getting the run the Cardinals how I want should make it a bit easier. For the Stags, the house rules will be much simpler: - Cannot ever have a team payroll over 5% of the highest payroll in MLB - Cannot sign or trade for a player with an OVR over 60 - Players 39+ in age are exempt The idea here is mostly to see how well I can develop guys over the course of a storyline, something I've done in online leagues but not much in solo leagues because I don't usually run storylines like this for myself and keep track. I'm curious in my league that has so many players in international leagues, whether there's an arbitrage opportunity among those > 60 OVR players (I don't play with scouts, so ratings I see are accurate) and if it's possible with good defense, and targeting a particular kind of talent whether you can build a team that's more successful than they should be. Because of the lack of other restrictions, I can throw the kitchen sink at different strategies and types of players to see how this plays out and it lends itself to playing fast, since we're gonna suck. Here's what some Stags bloggers think of our current predicament Quote:
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Here's St. Louis stats & financials. Yes, I deliberately overpaid Urban (Legend) Henry to sign here, I'd been watching him for a decade and wanted to take over a team years ago to sign him. I steered the trade from the Yankees to Texas I thought he could take the Yanks to a title but they didn't, so he went to Texas (with Mark Wleh) he led the Rangers to a title and now they're mostly trash too. When I saw he was going to be a free agent, I wanted the best storyline place for him to go.
He's what made me finally take over a team in this dynasty, so there was never going to be another place for him to go. It was amazing restraint that I just overpaid for him rather than just intervene and put him on my roster. Van Doren, Willingham and Amobi were all signed to their deals before I got here. I almost traded Van Doren last off-season, but I held on and his value is even more now so he's for sure going out the door. Willingham was a former ace who has seen better days, he's far too expensive as a bullpen guy, I kept him for a year though as a spare part in case injuries arose or for the post-season, he was useful but not $15.8m useful with a player option. Amobi is very young, I think the Cardinals locked him down early to ensure he could be a cornerstone of their rebuild, but I think it was a massive overpay for a kid that hadn't proven anything yet. Moving them would recapture part of nearly $50m in payroll that I could deploy elsewhere, the 3 of them are about a combined 5 WAR, I feel like I can find that on the open market for that price. I haven't decided whether they'll be prospect dumps -- we're 22nd in the organization ranks -- or whether I'll try to find someone who can fill in gaps to help out. Van Doren is the prize of the 3, he could command a very nice prospect haul if that's what I wanna do. Anyway, here's the details on the Cardinals: Code:
Name Age T OVR POT W L rWAR WAR ERA ERA+ FIP- SIERA G SV QS CG SHO IP HR BB K AVG BABIP WHIP HR/9 BB/9 RSG WPA ZRCode:
POS Name TM Age B T OVR POT WAR AVG OBP SLG G GS PA AB H 2B 3B HR RBI R BB% SO% TB RC/27 ISO wOBA OPS+ BABIP WPA wRC+ wRAA wSB ZRCode:
Pos Name Age 2062 2063 2064 2065 2066 2067 2068 2069 2070 2071 |
For Portland in Year 1, I'm still trying to figure out what my plan is gonna be. We're gonna be doing an aggressive Moneyball thing that if it works well, I'll have probably found a new OOTP talent exploit that probably only works in my leagues because I've got a much bigger world of talent to draw from than a stock one. Unlike my usual leagues, ratings are not as intensely overclocked -- guys under 70 OVR still have a place here -- but it's still a universe where pitchers still throw lots of strikeouts, steals are prevelant & throwing innings isn't a curse word. Offense is still unfortunately the biggest ticket, I'm working on balancing it in future seasons through the league totals so that pitchers can develop better than they have in this big offensive era we've overseen the last 2 decades.
My goal for the Stags is mostly to offload anyone with a pulse financially, try to get back what I can talentwise and aggressively seek out AAAA type guys for the big league roster. In a different style of this kind of dynasty, I'd probably do some shortcut gimmicks to get them back to respectability faster, but I'm genuinely curious what it'll be like to run a major league roster for a few years filled with homegrown prospects, coupled with past-their-prime vets & reclamation projects. Winning isn't the goal here, it's purely about player development and sending guys away once they're showing they can play and team control above all else. I don't think that'll forever be the storyline here, but I want to run with that one for a bit and see where it lands us. 2061 PORTLAND STAGS Off-season Code:
Player ListCode:
POS Name TM Age B T OVR POT WAR AVG OBP SLG G GS PA AB H 2B 3B HR RBI R BB% SO% TB RC/27 ISO wOBA OPS+ BABIP WPA wRC+ wRAA wSB ZRHere are the financials Code:
Pos Name Age 2062 2063 2064 2065 2066 2067 2068 2069 2070 2071 |
The Portland Stags are facing a unique challenge: how to stay competitive under the strictest financial limitations in franchise history. With the ownership imposing a severe budget cap, the Stags have to rely on savvy trades and youth development rather than high-profile acquisitions.
Their latest move—a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies—signals a commitment to this strategy, bringing in young talent with real potential while shedding salary commitments. The Trade: In the deal, the Stags sent right fielder Yago Gonzalez (27) and first baseman Troy Goggans (25) to Philadelphia. In exchange, they received five promising young players: 1B Jackson Fiorilli (24): Fiorilli is the centerpiece of the trade. Fresh off a season where he finished second in the National League in RBIs, his .284/.332/.468 slash line with 29 home runs highlights his power and consistency. Although relatively young, Fiorilli has already shown he can produce at a high level and could become a key part of Portland's lineup for years to come. LF Terell Ford (21): Ford is a high-ceiling outfield prospect with impressive raw skills. Despite a modest .224 average, his .393 on-base percentage and .578 slugging in 161 ABs point to his ability to draw walks and hit for power. Ford’s blend of speed and pop makes him an exciting, albeit raw, addition to the Stags’ outfield. CF Alvin Peca (21): Known for his solid defense in center field, Peca also provides some offensive upside, hitting .231 with a respectable .316 OBP in 281 ABs. Portland hopes his athleticism and defensive prowess can anchor their outfield as he develops his bat. RF Pete Chaney (24): With a .275/.336/.440 line and 13 home runs in 480 ABs, Chaney is a balanced hitter who can contribute across the board. He may not have the superstar potential of Fiorilli, but his steady production and strong fundamentals could make him a reliable asset. SP Odysseus Bermejo (22): A young pitcher with a strikeout-heavy approach, Bermejo posted a 4.77 ERA but struck out 79 batters in just 60.1 innings in A+ ball. He’s a project, but his raw ability offers the kind of upside Portland needs for its future rotation. This trade represents the Stags' commitment to building around young, controllable players who can grow with the team. Fiorilli, in particular, stands out as an immediate impact bat, offering power in the heart of the lineup without the escalating costs of arbitration or free agency that come with more established players. Yago Gonzalez, while valuable, was becoming too expensive for Portland’s strict budget, and Troy Goggans, though talented, was also trending toward a higher price tag in the near future. Evaluating the Trade: While trading Gonzalez and Goggans might sting, adding a young star like Fiorilli, who has already proven he can drive in runs at an elite level, makes the deal easier to justify. Fiorilli has shown he can deliver in clutch situations and has the potential to anchor the Stags' lineup, especially in a cost-controlled environment. Meanwhile, players like Ford and Chaney bring complementary skills, adding depth to a roster that will need every bit of production it can get from affordable players. |
The Last of His Kind: Celebrating 15 Years of Layton Willingham
By Gordy Metzger, Viva El Birdos In an age where player movement has become as routine as the seventh-inning stretch, there's something wonderfully defiant about seeing Layton Willingham still taking the mound at Busch Stadium in 2061. Yes, his $15.75 million salary is hefty for a swingman who threw just 70 innings this year. No, he's not the same pitcher who anchored our rotation during that dominant 2053 season. But sometimes baseball value transcends the spreadsheets. The numbers tell part of the story: 121 wins in Cardinal red, a career 4.10 ERA, and those masterful seasons in the early '50s when he was one of the National League's most reliable arms. The 2053 campaign stands out - a 2.70 ERA, an All-Star selection, and some of the most dominant pitching we've seen in this ballpark. His 15-strikeout performance against Detroit that May remains one of the greatest pitching displays in recent Cardinals history. But Willingham's true value to this franchise goes beyond his stat line. In a clubhouse that just won 100 games behind Urban Henry's historic season, Willingham provides something increasingly rare - institutional memory. He's the last active Cardinal who remembers the lean years, who was here before our current dynasty took shape. He's seen prospects come and go, watched teammates chase bigger contracts elsewhere, and somehow remained, steadfast as ever. Sure, the contract that runs through 2066 might make the front office squirm. Modern baseball logic says you don't pay for past performance, and Willingham's best days are admittedly behind him. But in an era where even franchise icons bounce around chasing that last payday, there's something to be said for a player who's been part of the Cardinals story for 15 years and counting. The game has changed dramatically since Willingham first donned the Birds on the Bat. The mound is different, the ball is different, and the analytics revolution has transformed how we evaluate pitchers. Yet through it all, there's been Willingham, adapting his arsenal, accepting new roles, and remaining a steady presence in an increasingly turbulent sport. So here's to you, Layton. Your ERA might not be what it once was, but your place in Cardinals history is secure. Sometimes the most valuable thing a veteran can offer isn't found in the box score or justified on the payroll - it's the simple comfort of knowing that as long as #18 is still in the bullpen, some part of Cardinals baseball remains blessedly constant. Besides, what's $15 million between family? Gordy Metzger has been covering the Cardinals for Viva El Birdos since 2057. He still maintains that Willingham's slider in Game 3 of the '57 NLCS was one of the filthiest pitches he's ever seen. |
TALKING REDBIRDS PODCAST - EMERGENCY TRADE EPISODE
November 20, 2061 MIKE: "Well folks, just when we thought the Cardinals were going to stand pat, they drop a bombshell on us. The Birds have acquired Mark Wleh from the Rangers in what can only be described as a franchise-altering move. Dan, I'm still processing this one." DAN: "Mike, this is the kind of trade that shows you're truly all-in. Mark Wleh isn't just any pitcher - we're talking about a guy who's put up a 66.2 WAR over his career. His 2061 season with Texas? Twenty wins, 3.39 ERA, 264 strikeouts. And the advanced metrics love him even more - that 125 ERA+ tells you everything you need to know about his dominance." MIKE: "The price tag is steep though. Spencer Van Doren, Benson Amobi, Troy Burgess, plus two prospects in René Novas and Geraldo Amado. That's a lot of young talent walking out the door." DAN: "But here's why I love this deal - it pairs Wleh with Urban Henry at the top of the rotation. You want to talk about a playoff rotation? Those two veterans together... that's how you win in October. And Wleh isn't some rental - he's signed through 2064. Dan, I can't help but think back to that 2058 Rangers team" MIKE: "That's exactly where my mind went. Urban Henry and Mark Wleh were absolutely untouchable for Texas that year. And now, three years later, the Cardinals have managed to get the band back together. If you're a Cardinals fan who remembers watching those two dominate in the '58 Series, you've got to be ecstatic. The thing that jumps out at me is Wleh's durability. This is a guy who's thrown over 200 innings eight times in his career. Even at 30, he just gave Texas 249 innings. That kind of workhorse mentality fits perfectly with the Cardinals' pitching philosophy." DAN: "And let's be honest about what we gave up. Van Doren and Amobi are talented, no doubt, but we've been waiting for them to take that next step. Sometimes you have to give up potential for proven elite talent. The Rangers taking on 75% of Van Doren's contract and 75% of Amobi's makes this even more palatable." MIKE: "This feels like a statement from the front office after that NLCS loss to the Mets. They're saying the window is now, and they're pushing their chips to the center of the table." DAN: "One hundred percent. And remember - Wleh isn't just great, he's consistent. His worst ERA+ in the last five years is 102. His worst! Most pitchers would kill for that as their average. The Cardinals just got themselves an ace who makes their rotation arguably the best in baseball." MIKE: "Final thoughts before we take some calls?" DAN: "When you have a chance to pair two elite starters like Henry and Wleh, you take it. Yes, the prospect cost hurts. But flags fly forever, and this trade makes the Cardinals better right now when they're already a 100-win team. That's scary for the rest of the National League." DAN: "We've seen plenty of teammates reunited over the years, but rarely two pitchers of this caliber who've already proven they can win it all together. The rest of the National League has to be shaking their heads right now. The Cardinals just took a 100-win team and added a proven ace who has built-in chemistry with their current ace." MIKE: "Alright, let's take some calls. First up is Tony from South County... Tony, what do you think about getting the other half of that Rangers championship duo?" Talking Redbirds is recorded live from St. Louis and airs daily on KFNS 590 |
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Bernie Miklasz May 16, 2062 On an unseasonably cool evening at Busch Stadium, as Urban Henry wrapped up his fifth complete game of the season, the scoreboard told a story that even the most optimistic Cardinals fan couldn't have dreamed up: 42 wins against just 12 losses, a start that has the rest of baseball searching for answers. But the numbers, staggering as they are, only tell part of the story. This isn't just about the reunion of Henry and Mark Wleh, though their combined 2.70 ERA certainly helps. It's not just about Oscar Regalado's emergence (2.22 ERA, 80 strikeouts in 69 innings) as baseball's next great young arm. And it's not even about the lineup that's producing more consistently than any in franchise history. It's about Pinwheel Brown stealing 31 bases while hitting .348. It's about José Cordero's .359 average and Leuri Ramírez driving in 49 runs from the outfield. It's about Jon Gallegos emerging from nowhere to post a .936 OPS. This team isn't just winning – they're redefining what Cardinals baseball looks like. "What makes this group special," manager Bubby Harris told me before yesterday's game, "is how the veterans and young guys have meshed. You've got Henry and Wleh showing these kids what championship baseball looks like, and you've got guys like Brown and Cordero bringing an energy that's infectious." The numbers are almost comical. Seven regulars with an OPS+ over 120. Three starting pitchers with ERAs under 3.00. Logan Cash hasn't allowed a run in his last twelve appearances. But walk through the Cardinals clubhouse, and you won't hear talk about statistics or projections. Instead, you'll hear Urban Henry discussing pitch grips with Regalado. You'll see Pinwheel Brown working on baserunning reads with rookie Liam Bright. This isn't just a talented team – it's a team that seems to be actively making each other better. "The beauty of baseball," Henry said after his last start, "is that it doesn't matter what the computers say you should do. It matters what you do between those lines." And between those lines, the 2062 Cardinals are doing things we haven't seen since the legendary teams of the 2040s. They're winning with power (Cordero's 12 homers) and speed (Brown's 31 steals). They're winning with youth (Regalado's emergence) and experience (Henry's mastery). But most importantly, they're winning with a swagger that suggests they don't plan to slow down anytime soon. The question isn't whether this team can make the playoffs – it's whether anyone can stop them when they get there. And watching Henry and Wleh work their magic while Brown and Cordero rewrite the franchise record books, it's getting harder and harder to bet against them. In St. Louis, we've seen our share of special teams. But this one? This one feels different. This one feels historic. And we're only in May. Bernie Miklasz has been covering St. Louis sports for the Post-Dispatch since 2038. May 15, 2062 MLB STANDINGS Code:
AMERICAN LEAGUE |
PORTLAND BASEBALL PROSPECTUS
May 16, 2062 The Unexpected Contenders: Breaking Down Portland's First Quarter When we look at the Stags' surprising wild card position, the story starts with their young offensive core. Through 53 games, we're seeing legitimate breakout performances that demand attention: The Youth Movement - Matías Santana (.335/.432/.558, 166 OPS+) has been nothing short of revelatory at first base - Mel Johnson (.319/.434/.500, 152 OPS+) is showing elite plate discipline at second - Paul Correa (.289/.367/.515, 135 OPS+) looks like a future cornerstone in right field - Payton LaBay (.333/.366/.590, 153 OPS+) is making the most of limited playing time The Red Flags - Marc McCoy (.245/.330/.367, 89 OPS+) has struggled to match his prospect pedigree - Yorki Torres (.199/.269/.333, 62 OPS+) is showing concerning swing-and-miss issues - The rotation beyond Bill Ballard (3.32 ERA) is frighteningly thin - The bullpen features just one truly reliable arm in Ryder Moring (1.66 ERA) The Financial Reality The Stags are getting elite production at bargain prices right now. Santana, Johnson, and Correa are all making $900K this year. But here's where it gets tricky: - Santana jumps to $6.5M in 2065, then $10M in 2066 - Johnson goes from $900K to $3.8M next year - Correa escalates to $4M in 2064, then $7M in 2065 The Verdict The temptation to "let it ride" with this group is strong, especially with the fanbase energized. But there's a strong case for selective selling: Trade Candidates: 1. Jaxson Tiller (.294/.367/.497) - His value will never be higher, and his arb numbers are scary 2. Ryder Taylor - Solid CF with team control, but not part of the long-term core 3. Bill Ballard - Could fetch a premium as a controllable starter performing well Keep At All Costs: 1. Matías Santana - Potential franchise cornerstone 2. Paul Correa - Too much upside to move 3. Mel Johnson - Elite plate discipline at a premium position The smartest play might be threading the needle - move 2-3 key pieces while keeping the young core intact. This would give Portland financial flexibility while maintaining their competitive window. Remember: This isn't about 2062. It's about making sure that when Santana, Correa, and Johnson hit their primes, we have the supporting cast - and the payroll space - to truly compete. *Analysis by Jeff Wong, Portland Baseball Prospectus. Follow @PDXBaseballPro for daily Stags coverage.* |
BASEBALL NATION QUARTERLY
June 19, 2062 FIRST HALF STORYLINES: BIRDS SOARING, ORIOLES RISING, YANKEES DIVING The 2062 season has reached its All-Star break, and the story of the year continues to be the St. Louis Cardinals' historic pace. At 57-27 (.679), they're not just leading the NL Central – they're redefining excellence. José Cordero (.369 AVG) and Pinwheel Brown (.325, 15-game hitting streak) have turned the Cardinals' lineup into baseball's most relentless offensive machine. Division-by-Division Breakdown: AL East: Orioles Setting the Pace - Baltimore (58-25, .699) has been nearly unstoppable - Toronto hanging tough at 47-36 - Yankees' collapse continues at 31-52, dead last AL Central: Twins Lead Tight Race - Minnesota (47-37) leads slim - Carolina (45-38) and Milwaukee (40-43) within striking distance - Detroit's rebuild continues at 34-50 AL West: Solons Control the Coast - Sacramento (50-33) living up to preseason hype - Seattle (42-41) staying competitive - Portland (40-43) exceeding expectations despite youth AL South: White Sox Surprise Leaders - Nashville (44-39) leads tight division - Houston (43-40) just a game back - Texas (35-48) disappointing NL East: Mets Holding On - New York (46-37) leads competitive division - Montreal (45-40) within striking distance - Philadelphia (33-50) in freefall NL Central: Cardinals' Historic Run - St. Louis (57-27) on pace for 100+ wins - Chicago and Cincinnati (both 46-37) fighting for wild card - New Orleans (32-52) rebuilding NL West: Giants Lead Tight Pack - San Francisco (44-39) slim lead - Arizona (41-42) staying close - Los Angeles (31-52) shocking collapse NL Mountain: Rockies Rolling - Colorado (55-28) dominating - Albuquerque (46-37) solid - Salt Lake (45-38) exceeding expectations Wild Card Races Heating Up: AL: Toronto (+1) leads Cleveland, Carolina, Houston for final spot NL: Cubs, Reds, Albuquerque all tied at 46-37 First Half Awards Watch: AL MVP Race: - Gabriel Bonilla (BOS): .387 AVG - Jorge Galo (SAC): .370 AVG - Matías Santana (POR): .354 AVG NL MVP Race: - José Cordero (STL): .369 AVG, 65 RBI - Pinwheel Brown (STL): .325 AVG, 15-game streak - Cyrus Edwards (AZ): 24 HR Key Second Half Questions: 1. Can anyone catch the Cardinals? 2. Will the Yankees' collapse continue? 3. Is Portland's youth movement for real? 4. Can Colorado keep pace in the tight NL race? The season's second half begins Wednesday. For St. Louis fans, history beckons. For everyone else, the chase is on. Analysis by Sarah Chen, Baseball Nation Quarterly. Follow @BaseballNation for daily MLB coverage. |
The Portland Paradox: Why the Stags' Front Office Is Facing Their Most Fascinating De
The numbers tell a story, but not the whole story. The Portland Stags sit at 45-46, exactly where you'd expect a team ranking second in OPS (.792) but 15th in starters' ERA (5.14) to land. They're the baseball equivalent of a Rorschach test: look at their +1.0 base running and second-ranked wOBA (.341), and you'll see a sleeping giant. Glance at their 18th-ranked Zone Rating and -56.9 Defensive Efficiency, and you'll see a fundamentally flawed roster.
Welcome to baseball's most interesting deadline dilemma. The Case for Going All-In (No, Really) Before you close this tab, hear me out. The Stags' offensive metrics aren't just good—they're elite. Their .345 on-base percentage ranks second in the league, powered by a lineup where six regulars are hitting above .290. Matias Santana (.360) and Jaxson Tiller (.310) have formed one of baseball's most underrated offensive duos, combining for 32 home runs and 123 RBIs. The rotation, though? That's where things get interesting. The Rotation Situation Bill Ballard (9-2, 3.47 ERA) has been the ace this staff desperately needed, but the drop-off after him is steeper than Portland's property taxes. Alex Gibson (6-7, 5.63 ERA) and Pearl Ritter (3-7, 4.99 ERA) have shown flashes, but consistency has been as elusive as an affordable rental in the Pearl District. The Bullpen Blueprint Here's where it gets intriguing: the bullpen hasn't been the disaster many predicted. Danny Beard (23 saves, 3.00 ERA) and Ryder Moring (2.02 ERA) have formed a reliable late-inning duo. The middle relief? That's a different story, but it's also the easiest thing to fix at the deadline. The Wild Card Math Four and a half games out with three months to play isn't just manageable—it's an opportunity. The teams ahead of them aren't exactly the '27 Yankees: Quote:
The Money Question Yes, there's the payroll issue. But consider this: the Stags are drawing well (their batting stats suggest an entertaining product), and a playoff push could energize a fanbase that's been starving for meaningful September baseball since before TikTok existed. The Path Forward If the Stags are going to do this, they need: A mid-rotation starter (their 5.14 starters' ERA screams for help) Another bullpen arm (the 4.92 bullpen ERA could use a boost) A defensive upgrade (that -56.9 Defensive Efficiency isn't fixing itself) The Bottom Line The Stags aren't just a team on the bubble—they're a fascinating test case for modern baseball decision-making. Their offensive metrics suggest a contender (2nd in wOBA!), while their run prevention numbers scream seller. But in an era where getting hot for two months can turn an also-ran into a World Series team, maybe the real question isn't "Should they go for it?" but rather "Can they afford not to?" The deadline is coming. The metrics are mixed. But sometimes the boldest move is the right one. For a team with a .792 OPS and a fanbase hungry for success, standing pat might be the biggest risk of all. |
The Portland Paradox: 30 Years of Almost-There Baseball
Remember 2051? When gas was cheaper, TikTok was still cool, and the Portland Stags put together the kind of season that makes you believe in baseball magic? That 112-win campaign wasn't just the high-water mark for Portland baseball—it was a glimpse of what this franchise could be. Now, at 45-46, the 2062 Stags find themselves at a crossroads that feels eerily familiar to long-time fans.
The Three Ages of Stags Baseball The Foundation Years (2032-2037)
The Golden Era (2038-2044)
The legendary 2051 season (112-50) Another championship Dramatic pendulum swings:
The 2051 Blueprint That 112-win team wasn't just good—it was historically great:
The Current Reality The 2062 Stags are eerily similar to many of their predecessor teams:
Looking at the Stags' 30-year history, a few patterns emerge: They're never bad for long (longest streak under .500: four seasons) Their best years come after period of "meh" baseball When they hit, they hit BIG (see: 2051, 2039) The Case for Going For It History suggests the Stags are due. Consider:
The Case for Patience Then again:
The Bottom Line The 2062 Stags aren't the 2051 team—but they might not need to be. This is a franchise that's made the playoffs with less, won with worse, and historically shown a knack for turning "maybe" seasons into "magic" ones. The current team sits at a familiar crossroads: good enough to dream, flawed enough to doubt. But if 30 years of Stags baseball has taught us anything, it's that this franchise has a habit of making history just when everyone's stopped expecting it. The only question is: Will 2062 be another footnote in Stags history, or the start of its next golden age? |
The Stags' Shopping List: Finding the Missing Pieces in Baseball's Bargain Bin
Remember when your fantasy baseball team was one closer away from domination? That's essentially where the Portland Stags find themselves, except with real players and actual playoff implications. Let's break down the trade block's most intriguing options, because who doesn't love a good shopping spree?
The Big Fish: Cyrus Edwards (AZ) If the Stags are serious about October baseball, Edwards is the type of player who moves the needle. His numbers are the baseball equivalent of finding a PS5 on sale:
The catch? He's 27, entering his prime, and Arizona probably wants your firstborn child in return. But when you're hitting .313 with a .626 slugging percentage, you're worth at least a conversation about said firstborn. The Rotation Savior: Cayden Robertson (COL) If you're looking for the pitching equivalent of finding an original Nintendo Switch in 2020, Robertson might be your guy:
Playing in Colorado and still maintaining a sub-3 ERA is like beating Elden Ring with a Guitar Hero controller – technically possible but impressively rare. The Steady Hands Club Several veterans on the block could provide immediate help without breaking Portland's prospect bank: Noé García (NYY)
Stephen McKittrick (ATL)
The Bargain Bin Heroes For those who love finding value (looking at you, Moneyball rewatchers): Kennedy Daka (ATL)
Jace Goldenstein (MIL)
The Bottom Line The Stags need to answer one question: Are they shopping at Whole Foods or trying to make magic happen at Trader Joe's? The talent is available, but as with any shopping trip, it's all about budget and priorities. If they're serious about that Wild Card push (and that .792 team OPS suggests they should be), Edwards or Robertson would be the swing-for-the-fences moves that energize the fanbase. But maybe the smart play is grabbing a García or McKittrick while everyone else is distracted by the bigger names. Either way, the clock is ticking, and unlike your fantasy league, there's no commissioner's veto to save you from a bad decision. Choose wisely, Portland. The right move could be the difference between October baseball and October golf. |
This is a great dynasty report. Entertaining, informative, and immersive—even when experienced exclusively through the written (well, typed) word. Thank you for sharing.
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# The Mets' Path to Three-Peat: How Baseball's Most Unlikely Dynasty Keeps Evolving
jULY 2, 2062
Figured at the halfway mark of the season, might be wise to check in on the defending champs who are once again running the NL East, 7.5 games ahead of the Expos. The defending champion Mets aren't just chasing history – they're redefining what a modern dynasty looks like. Sitting atop the NL East at 56-37, they've built their success not on superstar power or a loaded farm system (ranked 33rd), but on something far more reliable: an absurdly deep pitching staff that's making the ladder format look almost unfair. The Rotation That Changes Everything The numbers are staggering: Quote:
"It's not just the ERAs," one NL scout told The Athletic. "Look at their advanced metrics. Kitahara's 3.67 SIERA, Watamura's peripheral numbers – these aren't guys outperforming their stuff. This is sustainable dominance." The October Equation The ladder format's top seed – guaranteeing direct NLCS entry – looks custom-built for this Mets rotation. With three starters posting ERA+ numbers above 149, the ability to skip early playoff rounds becomes almost unfair. "You're basically asking teams to beat Kitahara, Watamura, and Friedman four times in seven games," a rival pitching coach noted. "Good luck with that when they're fully rested." The Farm System Reality Ranking 33rd in farm system strength isn't just a number – it's a mandate. The Mets have to go all-in now. Their core is locked up (expensively), their depth is built for October, but their window isn't infinite. Deadline Shopping List Despite their success, clear needs exist: 1. Another power bat (currently 9th in OPS) 2. Bullpen depth (Hasenjager's 4.94 ERA exposing middle relief concerns) 3. Bench reinforcements (particularly right-handed power) The Sustainability Question The payroll structure tells a story: - Heavy investment in starting pitching - Core position players locked up long-term - Limited minor league reinforcements coming This isn't built like traditional dynasties. There's no endless pipeline of prospects, no surplus of young talent. Instead, it's a precisely constructed machine designed for one specific goal: maximizing the ladder format's emphasis on elite starting pitching. What's Next As the deadline approaches, don't expect the Mets to stand pat. Their farm system ranking means one thing: The future is now. With three starters performing at historic levels and a clear path to October through the top seed, adding the right pieces could make a third straight title less a hope and more an expectation. "They've basically created a new blueprint," a front office executive from an AL team said. "Instead of building for sustained success over a decade, they're maximizing a three-to-four-year window with elite pitching and strategic additions. And in this playoff format? It might be the smartest approach anyone's figured out yet." The Bottom Line The Mets aren't just defending champions – they're revolutionizing how teams approach championship windows. In an era obsessed with farm system rankings and future value, they've built a win-now machine powered by arguably the best rotation in baseball. The question isn't whether they can three-peat. The question is: Who can beat this rotation four times in seven games when October arrives? For a team with two rings, the hunger for a third might be their most impressive feat yet. Because in Queens, they're not just chasing history – they're rewriting the blueprint for how to make it. |
Farm Fresh: How Baseball's Elite Prospects Could Reshape the 2062 Playoff Picture
Look, we need to talk about Colorado.
The Rockies are sitting pretty at 58-34, their farm system is ranked first in baseball, and somewhere in their front office, someone's probably staring at a spreadsheet trying to figure out if they should mortgage tomorrow for today. Because here's the thing about having baseball's best farm system while you're also winning: it's like having a blank check and trying to decide if you should actually cash it. Their system is, frankly, ridiculous: Code:
SS Andy Owens (#2 overall) is doing SS things in Triple-A (.250, 20 HR)Meanwhile, in the Windy City... The Cubs' second-ranked system feels like a time bomb waiting to go off. 2B Roger Grimmett (#5) is hitting .337 in Triple-A, which is absurd. SP Calvin Perkins (#15) has a 2.25 ERA in A-ball, and CF Ryder Collom (#78) is the type of prospect who'd be top-40 in most systems. They're 10 games back of St. Louis, but 2063 might be terrifying for the rest of the NL Central . The Most Interesting System Nobody's Talking About Indianapolis might be my favorite farm system to watch right now. RF Raymond Nadeau (#24) is already in the show, LF Charlie Mueller (#39) looks like a future star, and they're loaded with the kind of prospects that make trade deadline discussions fascinating. They're probably not competing this year at 42-51, but they could absolutely wreck the trade market if they decided to sell. The "What If" Teams Seattle's system is sneaky-loaded. 2B Danny-David Dailey (#6) has 32 bombs in Triple-A, which is just silly for a middle infielder. SP Sameli Jokinen (#20) could be in their rotation tomorrow if they wanted. At 45-47, they're just hanging around enough to make the next few weeks interesting. Minnesota's sitting on a gold mine too. SS Justin Yan (#12) is exactly the type of prospect that gets dangled at the deadline then comes back to haunt you for a decade. And they're leading the AL Central, which means their phone lines are probably already burning up. So Here's The Thing About Colorado Six years after their last title, the Rockies are facing the best kind of problem. They're winning now. They have arguably baseball's best farm system. And the NL isn't exactly running away from them. Think about it this way: If you're Colorado, and you're looking at SS Andy Owens raking in Triple-A, you have to ask yourself - is he more valuable as your shortstop of the future, or as the centerpiece of a package that brings back the kind of veteran who puts you over the top in October? These are the decisions that keep GMs up at night. And with the deadline coming up, someone in Colorado's front office is probably not sleeping much. Because here's the truth about baseball's best farm system: Sometimes the best thing about having valuable prospects is using them to win now. And if Colorado decides to go shopping, they've got more to spend than anyone else. The rest of the NL Mountain Division probably doesn't want to think about that too much. |
COLLINS: The Cost of Contention in Colorado
By Woody Collins Mile High Sports Chronicle DENVER — Let's start with the headline: The Colorado Rockies just went all-in. The first-place Rockies acquired 1B Noé García (.280/.360/.433 this season) and SP Mochi Zavada (8-9, 4.01 ERA) from the Yankees, with New York retaining 80% of Zavada's $24.25M salary and 50% of García's $7.45M deal. The cost? Just their future: 2B Jessie Hayes, top pitching prospect Elmer Horta (#11 overall), SS Jamad Duvall, LF E.J. Lucas, and C Jayden Wood. This is the kind of move that defines a franchise's trajectory. García will slot into the 5-hole of an already potent Rockies lineup that's been steamrolling the NL Mountain Division. Zavada, despite some recent struggles, immediately becomes their No. 2 starter – a role they've desperately needed to fill behind their ace. The money part is clever – the Yankees eating most of Zavada's contract through 2065 makes this more palatable. García's a rental, but when you're 58-34 and haven't sniffed a title since '56, maybe that's exactly what you need. But here's what keeps nagging at me: I've sat in the press box at Coors for 30 years, and I've seen deadline moves that felt like opportunity and ones that felt like desperation. This one? This feels like both. Yes, García's bat plays. Yes, Zavada's splitter could be devastating at altitude (when it's working). But Horta wasn't just another prospect – he was the kind of pitching talent that small-market teams dream about. The type that anchors a rotation for a decade. I remember sitting with Sarah Chen-Martinez when she bought this team, talking about building something sustainable in the Mountain time zone. Hard to square that conversation with shipping out five young players for a rental bat and a veteran arm. The Rockies are better today than they were yesterday. García's left-handed power will play beautifully in that lineup. Zavada, even in a down year, gives them 180 innings they desperately need. But at what cost? This is the kind of trade that defines careers – both for the players involved and the executives who make them. If the Rockies are hoisting a trophy in October, nobody will care about Horta's potential or Hayes' promise. But if they're not... Well, let's just say I've seen enough deadline deals to know that sometimes the trades that look the best in July look the worst in hindsight. The Rockies are all-in. They've pushed their chips to the middle of the table. In baseball, just like in poker, that's either very brave or very foolish. We'll know which by October. Woody Collins is a Hall of Fame baseball writer who has covered the Colorado Rockies since their inception. His column appears Sundays and after significant team developments. |
As Stags Surge, Front Office Faces Critical Deadline Decision
By Marcus Chen The Oregonian JULY 10, 2062 PORTLAND — The math is simple: The Portland Stags sit one game out of a Wild Card spot, have scored more runs than any team in baseball (535), and possess a lineup that's first in on-base percentage (.349) and OPS (.802). But in baseball, simple math rarely tells the whole story. "We're playing meaningful baseball in July," veteran Matias Santana (.366, 20 HR, 74 RBI) said after yesterday's 6-4 win in Seattle. "That's all you can ask for." Yet around Pioneer Courthouse Square, the conversation isn't about what the Stags are doing — it's about what they might do next. With three weeks until the trade deadline, General Manager Maddie Wardell finds herself in an unprecedented position. The Stags, projected by most analysts to finish near the bottom of the AL West, have instead emerged as legitimate contenders, riding a scorching W5 streak and sitting just seven games behind division-leading Sacramento. "The energy in the clubhouse is different this year," said Bill Ballard (10-2, 3.61 ERA). "We've got something special brewing." But Portland's success creates its own complications. The team's payroll constraints are well-documented, and the looming arbitration rules — which will impact 25% of players with under four years of service time — mean this might be the only shot with this particular group. "You have to be realistic about the financial picture," notes Portland baseball historian Sandra Rodriguez. "This isn't just about 2062. It's about whether you can keep the lights on in 2063." The farm system offers little immediate help. The Stags' 26th-ranked prospect pool, headlined by C Otis Ramírez and SS N.C. May, lacks the type of impact talent that could provide reinforcement down the stretch. Which leaves Wardell with three options:
"You don't want to waste opportunities like this," says former Stags executive Thomas Nguyen. "But you also don't want to mortgage your future for three months of hope." The Stags' immediate schedule — four games against Seattle, followed by a crucial series with San Diego — could influence the decision. But with Toronto and Carolina also fighting for that final Wild Card spot, time is becoming a factor. For now, Wardell remains diplomatic. "We like our club," she said before Monday's game. "If there's an opportunity to improve, we'll explore it. But we believe in the group we have." The question is whether belief alone is enough in a season where opportunity has unexpectedly knocked. Additional reporting by James Washington |
Cardinals Fire Warning Shot: St. Louis Acquires Del Angel in Win-Now Move
By Marcus Chen The Baseball Chronicle The NL-leading Cardinals aren't waiting for the deadline to bolster their roster, acquiring veteran second baseman Miguel Del Angel from Kansas City while retaining 75% of his $20.75M salary. The price? Three prospects, including highly-regarded southpaw Jayson Stine. For first-place St. Louis (65-35), the message is clear: They're gunning for more than just the Central Division crown. Del Angel, slashing .303/.352/.492 with 7 homers this season, gives the Cardinals another potent bat in an already lethal lineup. But it's the timing of this move — three weeks before the deadline — that should put the rest of the National League on notice. "This isn't just about getting better," one NL executive told The Chronicle. "It's about showing the rest of the league that they're ready to deal. The Cardinals just set the market rate for impact bats." For Kansas City (42-57), moving Del Angel represents a chance to restock their farm. Jayson Stine, Trayvon Harris (.233/.355/.378 in A+), and Bentley Martin (.250/.250/.312 in AAA) provide much-needed young talent for a rebuild that's looking increasingly necessary. But the real story here might be what this means for other contenders. With St. Louis showing they're willing to add salary and deal prospects early, the pressure now shifts to teams like Colorado (62-37) and New York (58-42). The trade deadline just got interesting. And we're still three weeks out. |
Stags Riding Historic Wave, Now Hold Wild Card Position
By Dennis Wertz The Oregonian PORTLAND — Remember when we were debating whether the Stags should be buyers at the deadline? Seven games and a franchise-record W12 streak later, the question isn't whether they should buy — it's whether they can afford not to. The Stags (59-47) have surged into playoff position, holding a 3˝ game lead for the final AL Wild Card spot on the back of a blistering two-week run. It's not just that they're winning; it's how they're winning. The offense, led by Matias Santana's otherworldly .367 average (2nd in AL) and 182 OPS+ (tied for AL lead), has transformed the team from surprising contender to legitimate threat. "The energy in the ballpark is electric," said longtime season ticket holder Janet Wu. "You can feel something special building." Yet while the Cardinals answered the bell early by adding Del Angel, and the Rockies are rumored to be aggressive in the pitching market, Portland's front office remains quiet. With their +3˝ game cushion and the league's hottest streak (L10: 10-0), the pressure mounts on GM Maddie Wardell to supplement a team that's proven it can compete. The schedule offers no respite: after wrapping up in San Francisco, the Stags face a crucial series in New York against the defending champion Mets. By the time the trade deadline arrives, we'll know if this magical run was a mirage or a message. For now, Portland finds itself in an unfamiliar position: playing meaningful baseball in late July, holding a playoff spot, and wondering if the front office will match the team's momentum with decisive action. The clock is ticking. The Stags are soaring. And somewhere in the front office, tough decisions await |
Fire Sale in the Bronx: Inside the Yankees' Dramatic Deadline Pivot
July 19, 2062
By Emma Rodriguez The Athletic The signs were there if you knew where to look. The 39-70 record. The aging roster. The depleted farm system. But when the New York Yankees – baseball's most storied franchise – executed what amounts to a full-scale surrender this weekend, it still sent shockwaves through the industry. "This isn't just a white flag," one AL executive told The Athletic. "This is a complete organizational reset." In a series of moves that reshaped three franchises, the Yankees traded away veterans Zachary Kendrick, Carter Klassen, Jaxson Rall, and Roger Edwards to the Toronto Blue Jays, receiving a package centered around promising 2B Jack Saunders (.176/.222/.353) and several developmental pieces. The Toronto Gambit For the Blue Jays (56-51), sitting 17˝ games back in the AL East but just 3˝ games out of a Wild Card spot, this represents a fascinating calculation. "They're buying low on established talent," a rival AL East scout explained. "Kendrick and Klassen aren't having their best years, but Toronto's taking educated gambles that they can recapture their form in a playoff push." The Blue Jays will retain 70% of Kendrick's $12.1M salary and 75% of Klassen's $13.2M deal, making this as much a financial transaction as a baseball one. The Broader Impact What makes this trade particularly intriguing is the timing. With two weeks until the deadline, the Yankees have essentially announced to the market that everything must go. "This is going to ripple through the entire deadline market," one NL front office executive noted. "When the Yankees become sellers at this scale, it changes the whole equation. Every contender is going to be calling about their remaining pieces." The Prospect Haul While Saunders (#72 prospect) headlines the Yankees' return, the real value might be in the volume. Woody Lloyd, Noah Crowell (#126 prospect), and Aspér Marín represent the type of high-upside lottery tickets that rebuilding teams covet. "The Yankees are basically buying scratch tickets," a scout with an NL team said. "But they're buying a lot of them, and that's how rebuilds often work." The Blue Jays' Calculation Toronto's aggression here is notable. In adding multiple veterans while keeping their top prospects, they've threaded a difficult needle. "This is the kind of move you make when you believe your window is now," a former MLB GM told The Athletic. "They're betting that getting these guys into their system, their analytics, their coaching – it can help them find another gear." What's Next? With the Yankees officially entering seller territory, attention turns to their remaining veterans. Multiple sources indicated that more moves are likely coming. "The Yankees just changed the entire deadline landscape," another AL executive said. "They've got more veterans to move, and now everyone knows they're open for business. This could get really interesting." For Toronto, the message is clear: They believe they can make a run. For New York, an equally clear message: The future matters more than the present. In a deadline season that's been relatively quiet, the Yankees just turned up the volume. The only question now is: Who's next? |
Dominican Dominance Could Drive Deadline
The Dominican Republic's grip on baseball's elite talent pool is about to reshape the trade deadline in ways we never imagined.
With Dominican stars already dominating the league – including Jorge Galo (.349), José Cordero (.357), Matías Santana (.371), and Kris Tavarez (31 HR) leading offensive categories, and Jesús Dávilos (14-3, 1.80 ERA) dominating on the mound – two more potential franchise cornerstones find themselves on the trade block. Archer Fernández and Gabriel Bonilla aren't just trade chips; they're the next wave of Dominican talent that's revolutionizing the game. Their availability, thanks to their current teams' positions in the standings, could trigger a bidding war unlike anything we've seen. "When you look at what Dominican players are doing across the league, these aren't just good players available – they're potential cornerstone pieces," one NL executive said. "Fernández's combination of contact (90) and power (80) puts him in elite company with guys like Tavarez. Bonilla's ceiling might be even higher." The Royals (43-62) and Red Sox (53-55) find themselves in enviable negotiating positions. With Dominican talent performing at historic levels across the league, the price for young, controllable stars from the DR has never been higher. "Look at what Santana's doing in Portland at 19, or Galo in Sacramento," another AL executive noted. "The track record of Dominican talent right now is unprecedented. That makes Fernández and Bonilla even more valuable – we know exactly what this generation of Dominican players can do." For contenders, the calculus is simple: In an era where Dominican stars are leading both leagues in nearly every offensive category, can you afford not to be in on these trades? With multiple teams – including the Cardinals (68-38) and Stags (59-47) – looking to add impact bats, the price for the next wave of Dominican talent could reach historic levels. ------ International Market Heats Up As Deadline Approaches: Could Cuban Imports Shift MLB's Balance of Power? By Marcus Chen Baseball Weekly As contenders scramble for reinforcements ahead of the July 31st deadline, three intriguing international signings might have already changed the complexion of the AL playoff race. The Cleveland Guardians and Houston Astros, both hovering around the wild card spots, struck first in the Cuban League market. Cleveland landed LF Adrian Hernandez, while Houston secured SP Trinidad Romero. Not to be outdone, Minnesota plucked SP Sandy Bautista from the St. Lucia League's winter session. "These aren't your typical deadline acquisitions," one AL scout noted. "You're getting fresh arms and bats who haven't ground through 100 games yet. That could be huge down the stretch." But the real intrigue might lie with two contenders still searching for that final piece. The St. Louis Cardinals, armed with baseball's 11th-ranked farm system including CF Asher Novak (#11 overall) and RP Moisés Reyes (#32), have the prospect capital to make a major move. After last year's NLCS disappointment, they're rumored to be aggressive buyers. "When you look at their system, they could probably land any player they want," a NL front office executive told Baseball Weekly. "The question is whether they're willing to move someone like Novak in a win-now move." Meanwhile, the Portland Stags find themselves in a more precarious position. Their 25th-ranked system, topped by C Otis Ramirez (#34) and SS N.C. May (#63), offers less flexibility. Their payroll constraints make any significant addition challenging. "Portland's in a fascinating spot," another AL executive said. "They're probably better than anyone expected, but they can't really take on money, and their system isn't deep enough to get creative with prospects. They might need to decide if they're willing to move Ramirez to get immediate help." Both teams could be eyeing Kansas City's Archer Fernandez, though his upcoming arbitration numbers ($6.9M in 2063, $13.1M in 2064) might put him out of Portland's reach. The Cardinals' deeper system could allow them to get creative. Sources indicate they've inquired about package deals that would let them add both a bat and an arm, with Novak as the centerpiece. For Portland, the path forward is trickier. "They might need to decide if they believe enough in this season to move Ramirez," a scout suggested. "He's their best trade chip, but also their best prospect. That's not an easy call." With Cleveland, Houston, and Minnesota already making their international moves, the pressure increases on other contenders to respond. The next two weeks could determine whether St. Louis and Portland can find the right deals to keep pace. |
@StagsInsider
Breaking: Stags acquire C E.J. Monaghan from Phillies, paying just 65% of remaining 2062 salary. Cost: 1B prospect Brandon Garner (AA). #MLB #StagsSZN The Stags Daily Blog by Ryan Martinez July 21, 2062 Ok, let's break this down real quick because my notifications are blowing up:
Spoiler
----- @StagsInsider BREAKING: Stags acquire SP Glenn Hayes, SP Stephen Maldonado from Royals for prospect package and OF. Details to follow. #MLBTrade #StagsSZN The Stags Daily Blog by Ryan Martinez July 23, 2062 Two days after the Monaghan deal, and Wardell isn't done yet. Quick thoughts while I process this:
Spoiler
Look, I get it. These aren't the splashy moves we were hoping for. But let's be real - we're a small market team playing with house money this season. Nobody expected us to be here. Getting Monaghan for basically nothing and adding two arms without breaking the bank? That's... fine? The concerning part is we're hearing crickets from St. Louis. The Cards are sitting on the 11th best farm system and haven't made a move yet. Meanwhile, we're scraping by with partial salary deals and hoping it's enough. Anyone else nervous about August? Ryan Martinez has been covering the Stags since 2058. Follow him @StagsInsider for more updates. |
The Stags payroll is still only $44.26 million, still the lowest in MLB.
KMOX 1120 THE FASTLANE - BREAKING NEWS: Cardinals acquire 2-time MVP Archer Fernandez from Royals for prospect package including Reggie Lozano (#68), Santana Sanchez (#116), Lucas McIntyre, and Jason Husted LEONARD: "Stop what you're doing, Cards Nation. Just got word from Mo Cordero - Archer Fernandez is coming to St. Louis. Two-time MVP, three-time batting champ, and he's about to slot into the best lineup in baseball. Tony, I'm shaking." MARTINEZ: "Mike, this is one of those moments you'll remember where you were. Let me put this in perspective for our listeners - in the history of baseball, only three players have won multiple MVPs before turning 24. Ted Williams, Mike Trout, and Archer Fernandez. That's the list." LEONARD: "And the numbers this year - .332/.448/.572 before the strain. Career .373 hitter. Already at 28.6 WAR at age 23. Lisa in Brentwood, you're on The Fastlane." LISA (Caller): "Is this real? We get to watch Cordero AND Fernandez in the same lineup?" MARTINEZ: "That's the thing, Lisa. Cordero's leading the league at .357, and we just added a guy who might be even better. The rest of the NL just collectively shuddered." LEONARD: "Pete in South County, what's your take?" PETE (Caller): "We gave up a lot though. Lozano was raking in AAA..." MARTINEZ: "Stop right there, Pete. You know what separates great teams from good ones? Knowing when to push your chips in. Fernandez isn't just another good player - he's a generational talent. Yes, arbitration's coming - $6.9M next year, $13.1M in '64. For a player like this? That's pocket change." LEONARD: "Can we talk about October? Because that's what this is really about." MARTINEZ: "Exactly. This isn't about catching Colorado - we're already up three games. This is about what happens when that NLCS rolls around. About not letting what happened last year happen again. Fernandez changes everything." LEONARD: "Cardinals baseball in 2062. What a time to be alive. More reactions after the break." WHB 810 ROYALS REALITY CHECK - BREAKING NEWS: Royals trade franchise cornerstone Archer Fernandez to Cardinals for four-player package WATSON: "Royals fans, take a deep breath. Alexander Sherman IV just made the hardest call of his ownership - Archer Fernandez is headed up I-70. Ray Thompson's been breaking down the return package all afternoon. Ray, help us process this." THOMPSON: "Let me be clear - this hurts. But this package is sneaky good. Lozano isn't just another prospect - he's hitting .437 in AAA with plus tools across the board. McIntyre's got three plus pitches and could be a frontline starter. Husted can play right now, and Santana Sanchez was a top-35 guy coming into the year." WATSON: "Steve on line 2, you've had season tickets since Sherman III took over. What's your take?" STEVE (Caller): "Danny, my kid's got an Archer jersey. How do I explain this?" WATSON: "Tell him his favorite player was so good, he brought back four pieces to build our future. That's the reality - we're 47-64, looking at a $7M arbitration bill next year, and our farm system needed restocking. Sometimes the hard call is the right call." THOMPSON: "And here's what people aren't talking about - that $13.1M arbitration number in '64? In our market? This way, we get value now, reset our timeline, and build around young, controllable talent." WATSON: "Cards got their man. We got our future. Sometimes that's how baseball works. More calls after the break on 810." THE HOT CORNER WITH JACK CHEN KPNW Sports Radio 620 July 24, 2062 - 2:00 PM PST CHEN: "Alright Portland, huge day of moves across baseball. Stags add some arms, but the bombshell just dropped: Archer Fernandez is heading to St. Louis. Tomas, I can't even process this one." RIVERA: "Two-time MVP, three-time batting champ, and he's only 23. Part of this Dominican revolution we're seeing - Jack, there are what, eight, nine Dominican players leading most offensive categories right now?" CHEN: "Entire game's been transformed. Those development academies in La Romana are churning out superstars. Fernandez might be the best of them all - .332/.448/.572 before that intercostal strain. Let's go to Miguel on line 1. Miguel, you're on The Hot Corner." MIGUEL (Caller): "Jack, as a Dominican baseball fan, watching Fernandez join Cordero in St. Louis... that lineup's terrifying now. Cordero hitting .357, adds Fernandez..." RIVERA: "And that's the thing - St. Louis already has José Cordero leading the league in hitting. Now they add another elite Dominican bat? The whole complexion of the NL changes." CHEN: "The price though - Husted, Lozano, McIntyre, Santana Sanchez. That's two major league-ready outfielders plus arms. Tomas, you're okay with this if you're Kansas City?" RIVERA: "Have to be. Fernandez hits arbitration next year - $6.9 million, then $13.1 million in '64. For Kansas City, this lets them develop these guys without pressure. But for St. Louis? That arbitration doesn't scare them. They're all-in." CHEN: "Meanwhile, we're trading Taylor for Stock and some arms..." RIVERA: "Different universes, Jack. We needed pitching, and Stock helps. But watching St. Louis add another elite Dominican bat while we're bargain hunting... that's the reality of our market." CHEN: "Let's take Sarah on line 4. Sarah, you're on with Jack and Tomas." SARAH (Caller): "Thanks Jack. The Dominican talent in the league right now is incredible. Santana here in Portland, Galo in Sacramento, Tavarez in Boston, and now Fernandez to St. Louis..." RIVERA: "It's unprecedented. The league hasn't seen Dominican talent like this in decades. And now St. Louis pairs Fernandez with Cordero? October's going to be something else." CHEN: "If you're just joining us, massive trade news today. Cardinals land two-time MVP Archer Fernandez, Stags add some pitching depth, and the Dominican takeover of baseball continues. |
BASEBALL WEEKLY PRESENTS: THE PENNANT PULSE
August 1, 2062 - By Marcus Chen THE POWERHOUSES • BALTIMORE ORIOLES (82-38): Somehow getting stronger as the season progresses. Their .683 winning percentage isn't just leading baseball - it's threatening the post-integration record. Good luck, AL East. • ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (76-43): Already terrifying, then added Archer Fernandez at the deadline. The NL Central race is technically alive, but Cincinnati's playing for Wild Card positioning now. • COLORADO ROCKIES (75-44): Six years removed from their last title, they loaded up at the deadline despite an 8-game cushion. Message sent to the rest of the NL. THE FASCINATING RACES AL West Theater Sacramento (73-46) looked untouchable until Portland (69-50) went nuclear. The Stags, everyone's favorite underdog, are just 4 back with 43 to play. That September series at Rose City Ballpark might be appointment viewing. NL East Intrigue The Mets (68-52) lead Montreal (62-58) by six, but there's nervous energy in Queens. The two-time defending champs know six games in August isn't what it used to be. Mountain Drama Colorado's cruising, but Albuquerque (67-52) and Salt Lake (65-54) are staging their own compelling battle. Two games apart, six head-to-head matchups left. Wild Card implications everywhere. THE WILD CARDS American League • Cleveland (65-55) leads a five-team logjam • Carolina (64-55) clinging to the second spot • Portland hovers if they can't catch Sacramento • Minnesota (61-59) and Toronto (62-57) within striking distance National League • Cincinnati (70-50) has first spot all but locked • San Francisco (66-53) holding second • Albuquerque breathing down their necks • Mets could drop here if Montreal surges THE DISAPPOINTMENTS • Yankees (42-78): From Bronx Bombers to Bronx Busts • Calgary (42-77): Mountain Division cellar dwellers • Phillies (45-74): Fire sale complete, future uncertain THE REVELATIONS • Portland: From afterthought to legitimate contender • Sacramento: Living up to their preseason dark horse status • Nashville: Leading the AL South while rebuilding - that's art Editor's Note: All standings as of August 1, 2062. Six division winners make playoffs, plus two wild cards per league. Division winners with best record in each league advance directly to LCS. |
2062 FINAL DAY DRAMA: NL Wild Card Comes Down to the Wire
By Marcus Chen, Baseball Weekly While the American League playoff picture is set, the National League's final spot remains up for grabs. Here's what we know: AMERICAN LEAGUE FIELD SET Baltimore (101-60) - East champs, top seed Sacramento (95-66) - West champs Carolina (89-72) - Central champs Nashville (83-78) - South champs Cleveland (92-69) - First Wild Card Portland (89-72) - Second Wild Card NATIONAL LEAGUE DRAMA Today's Critical Games: Cubs (89-72) vs Montreal Albuquerque (88-73) at Colorado Scenarios: Cubs win: They clinch final Wild Card Cubs lose + Albuquerque wins: Game 163 in Chicago tomorrow Cubs lose + Albuquerque loses: Cubs clinch The Cubs control their destiny at Wrigley, but they're facing a Montreal team that won their division. Meanwhile, Albuquerque has the unenviable task of trying to win at Colorado, where the Rockies are 98-63 and looking to maintain momentum heading into the playoffs. PLAYOFF PICTURE IF CUBS WIN NL Bracket: St. Louis (100-61) awaits NLCS opponent Colorado (98-63) awaits NLDS opponent Cincinnati (96-65) vs Chicago/Albuquerque* AL Bracket: Baltimore awaits ALCS opponent Sacramento vs Cleveland/Portland winner *Final seeding to be determined |
2062 MLB SEASON RECAP
By Marcus Chen, Baseball Weekly DIVISION CHAMPIONS American League • East: Baltimore Orioles (101-61) - dominated wire to wire • Central: Carolina Pilots (90-72) - 2nd division title in 3 years • West: Sacramento Solons (96-66) - held off Portland's late surge • South: Nashville White Sox (84-78) - won weakest division in baseball National League • East: Montreal Expos (88-74) - edged Mets in September • Central: St. Louis Cardinals (100-62) - added Fernandez, never looked back • West: San Francisco Giants (89-73) - consistent all year • Mountain: Colorado Rockies (99-63) - another dominant season WILD CARD QUALIFIERS American League • Cleveland Guardians (93-69) • Portland Stags (89-73) National League • Cincinnati Reds (97-65) • Chicago Cubs (90-72) AWARD CONTENDERS AL MVP Race • Matias Santana (POR): .372, 38 HR, 138 RBI • Gabriel Bonilla (BOS): .370, career year • Jorge Galo (SAC): .347, elite defense NL MVP Race • Leuri Ramirez (STL): .327, anchored league's best team • Marshal Axford (CLG): .322 in losing effort • José Cordero (STL): .320, formed deadly duo with Fernandez PLAYOFF FORMAT REMINDER • Division winners with best record (BAL/STL) advance straight to LCS • Other division winners host Division Series • Wild Card teams play one-game elimination followed by best-of-3 series • Division Series best-of-5 • LCS and World Series best-of-7 Playoff coverage begins with Wild Card games... STAGS SURVIVE WILD CARD GAUNTLET By Ryan Martinez, Stags Beat Writer Two games. Two road victories. The Portland Stags' improbable season continues. Game 1: PORTLAND 16, NASHVILLE 7 First Horizon Ballpark turned silent as Jaxson Tiller launched his second homer of the night, part of a three-hit, six-RBI performance that powered Portland past Nashville. The Stags ambushed White Sox starter C. French for seven first-inning runs and never looked back. Key Moments: - Tiller's grand slam in the 1st inning - Mel Johnson goes 3-for-4 with 4 RBI - Six Stags relievers combine to lock down final 7.1 innings Game 2: PORTLAND 8, CLEVELAND 6 In hostile League Park, E.J. Monaghan showed why he was one of the deadline's most important acquisitions. The left fielder went 3-for-4 with a homer and 4 RBI as Portland held off a late Cleveland rally. Key Moments: - Monaghan's two-run blast in the 1st inning - Four-run 4th inning highlighted by Monaghan's two-run double - Danny Beard slams the door with two scoreless innings Now comes the real test: The AL Elimination Series against Carolina. But for a team that just won two do-or-die road games in three days, nothing seems impossible anymore. Next Up: AL Elimination Series Game 1 at Carolina, Friday 8:05 PM ET |
ELIMINATION SERIES PREVIEW: STAGS vs PILOTS
By Marcus Chen, Baseball Weekly Two teams that weren't supposed to be here face off in a best-of-three that could define their seasons. The Carolina Pilots (90-72) host the surging Portland Stags (89-73) in what promises to be a fascinating contrast of styles. TALE OF THE TAPE OFFENSE • Portland: MLB's best offense (.281 AVG, .822 OPS, 963 runs scored) • Carolina: League average (.252 AVG, .749 OPS, 755 runs scored) • Edge: PORTLAND STARTING PITCHING • Portland: 4.91 ERA (14th in AL), struggled down stretch • Carolina: 4.00 ERA (3rd in AL), anchored by Hutchinson (19-7, 3.00) • Edge: CAROLINA BULLPEN • Portland: 5.00 ERA, but Danny Beard closing strong • Carolina: 3.84 ERA (5th in AL), Wally Rexford (41 SV) • Edge: CAROLINA KEY MATCHUPS Game 1: LHP Rudy Hutchinson (19-7, 3.00) vs Portland TBA Hutchinson leads a Carolina staff that ranked 1st in AL strikeouts. He'll face MLB's most potent lineup, led by Matias Santana (.372, 38 HR). X-Factors • Carolina: Justin Tarnowski (.335, 28 HR) and Jason Stratton (.298, 31 HR) provide pop • Portland: Deadline acquisition E.J. Monaghan heating up at right time HOME FIELD FACTOR • Carolina: 52-29 at home (.642) • Portland: 38-43 on road (.469) PREDICTION I cannot see a world where we can beat this Carolina pitching situation, we have the bats to compete, but Portland's staff is held up with mostly duct tape & chewing gum. I'm happy and impressed we got this far, with a team that is overachieving, but I suspect the playoff run ends here unless the bats declare otherwise. Series opens tonight in Carolina, 8:05 PM ET PLAYOFF MATCHUP: Game 1 Starters Announced By Ryan Martinez, Stags Beat Writer When Layton Willingham waived his no-trade clause to join Portland at the deadline, few expected him to be starting Game 1 of a playoff series. But baseball has a way of writing its own stories. The former Cardinals ace (123-108, 4.09 ERA career) will face Carolina's Rudy Hutchinson (19-7, 3.00) in tonight's series opener. For Willingham, it's a chance at redemption after being relegated to St. Louis' bullpen this season. "Sometimes you need a change of scenery," Willingham said yesterday. "This team reminds me of my early Cardinals days - young, hungry, nobody believing in us except ourselves." TALE OF TWO SEASONS With St. Louis (2062) • 1-1, 2.93 ERA in 46.0 IP • Moved to bullpen despite career 4.08 ERA as starter • 11 years with Cardinals, including 19-win season in 2057 With Portland • 1-1, 5.71 ERA in limited action • Veteran presence for young staff • Fresh arm after limited use this year "Layton's seen everything," Manager Mike Wilson said. "Having someone who's pitched in big games, who's been an ace - that matters in October. He wanted to be here. He wanted this opportunity." Against Hutchinson's power arsenal, Willingham will rely on guile and experience. In a series where Portland's offense meets Carolina's pitching, Game 1 might come down to which veteran starter blinks first. First pitch: 8:05 PM ET at Carolina |
Willingham and Liam Bright, an outfielder were both languishing on my bench in St. Louis, Bright was a guy I got last year but didn't really pan out like I'd hoped and had a huge contract, Willingham was a former ace that was here long before I got to St. Louis, I planned for him to retire a Cardinal, but felt like letting him get mopup innings in the bullpen wasn't benefitting a competitor, so I engineered this trade for him and Bright to head to Portland.
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STAGS SHOCK CAROLINA IN GAME 1: WILLINGHAM, JOHNSON PLAY HERO
By Ryan Martinez, Stags Beat Writer CHARLOTTE - Sometimes baseball writes poetry. Tonight, it wrote two verses: A veteran pitcher finding redemption, and a kid from Wyoming delivering the biggest hit of his life. Layton Willingham, the former Cardinals ace turned deadline acquisition, silenced doubters with five gutsy innings, and Mel Johnson's seventh-inning double proved the difference as Portland stunned Carolina 5-2 to take Game 1 of the AL Elimination Series. THE BIG MOMENTS 7th Inning Magic Down 2-1, Portland finally solved Rudy Hutchinson: - Runners on first and third - Johnson doubles to left, scoring two - Flips momentum completely 9th Inning Insurance Back-to-back homers from Tiller and Bright off closer Wally Rexford sealed it. The Willingham Effect "This is why I came here," said Willingham, who scattered 4 hits over 5 innings. "These kids don't know they're not supposed to win. Sometimes that's better than experience." BY THE NUMBERS - Paul Correa: 3-for-4, RBI - Danny Beard: 2 scoreless innings for the save - Hutchinson: 7.1 IP, 3 ER in tough-luck loss WHAT'S NEXT Portland needs one win to advance. They'll send Warren Knight (11-12, 4.08) against Carolina on Saturday. "We didn't come here to win one game," Johnson said, still soaked from the celebration. "But it sure feels good to get it." Game 2: Saturday, 4:05 PM ET at Duke Energy Field Code:
GAME 1 - AL ELIMINATION SERIES |
HAYES, TIMELY HITTING SEND STAGS TO DIVISION SERIES
By Ryan Martinez, Stags Beat Writer PORTLAND — The improbable run continues. Glenn Hayes, one of Portland's deadline acquisitions, delivered six stellar innings and a decisive three-run fifth pushed the Stags past Carolina 4-2, completing a stunning sweep of the AL Central champions. The victory sends Portland to the Division Series against Sacramento. GAME-CHANGING FIFTH Tied 1-1 in the fifth, Portland finally broke through against Warren Knight: - Tiller doubles with two outs - Johnson singles - Santana delivers clutch two-run double - McCoy follows with RBI single "Sometimes baseball comes down to one inning," said Mel Johnson, named series MVP after hitting .429. "We got the big hits when we needed them." HAYES STEPS UP Hayes, acquired from Kansas City in July, scattered six hits over six innings, striking out four. The veteran kept Carolina off-balance all afternoon, allowing just one run before turning it over to the bullpen. "Glenn gave us exactly what we needed," Manager Mike Wilson said. "Experience matters this time of year." FINISHING TOUCHES Despite Williams' solo shot in the seventh off Moring, Jody Foor slammed the door with two scoreless innings for his first postseason save. The Stags' magical run continues against a Sacramento team that won the season series 11-8. But after winning two elimination games in Nashville and Cleveland, then sweeping Carolina, Portland isn't fazed by anyone. "Why not us?" Johnson smiled. "Nobody thought we'd be here anyway." Division Series schedule and rotation to be announced. Code:
CAROLINA AB R H RBI BB KPortland advances to face Sacramento in the ALDS. Mel Johnson named series MVP (.429, 2 RBI). Division Series schedule to be announced. |
The Sacramento-Portland Division Series Is More Fascinating Than You Think
Here's my favorite thing about these Portland Stags: They have absolutely no business being here. Think about it. They started the season with the 25th-ranked farm system. Their payroll wouldn't cover Aaron Judge's annual Christmas party. Their most reliable pitcher (LHP Glenn Hayes) was Kansas City's castoff. And yet... here we are. But let me tell you why this series against Sacramento is going to be more interesting than Vegas thinks (Solons -280 favorites). Five Reasons This Could Get Weird 1. The "Nobody Believes in Us" Factor Remember the 2019 Nationals? The 2021 Braves? Every year we get one of these teams that just refuses to die. Portland has already won elimination games in Nashville, Cleveland, and Carolina. At some point, this stops being a fluke and starts being an identity. 2. The Jorge Galo Problem Sacramento's LF is having an MVP-caliber season (.347/.438/.551). He's basically been Ted Williams if Ted Williams also played elite defense. But here's the thing - Portland's terrible defensive metrics? They're actually above average against left-handed hitters. Small sample size theater or a legitimate tactical advantage? 3. The Bullpen Chess Match The Solons have baseball's best bullpen ERA (3.43). Portland... doesn't (5.00). But the Stags have somehow turned this weakness into strength by being absolutely ruthless about quick hooks. They used six relievers in their Wild Card win. Who needs a good bullpen when you use your entire bullpen every night? 4. The Matias Santana Factor Portland's 1B is hitting .372 with 38 homers. Sacramento's pitching staff, led by LHP Mike Heraklion (16-11, 4.63), has been more "pretty good" than "great." If Santana gets hot... things could get interesting. 5. The Schedule Quirk After playing three straight road series, Portland finally gets home games. The Stags were 51-30 at home this year. Small market teams in the playoffs with rabid home crowds? That's usually good for at least one inexplicable win. The Reality Check Look, Sacramento won 96 games for a reason. Their lineup is stacked (CF Izan Rodriguez, 3B Bryson Stevenson, 1B Alejandro Palomo are all having career years). But here's the thing nobody's talking about: Portland went 13-10 against the Solons this season. Let that sink in. The team that wasn't supposed to compete, that everyone wrote off, actually won the season series against the AL West champs. This isn't just about "it" factor anymore - there's actual, tangible evidence that Portland matches up well with Sacramento. Maybe it's the way Portland's pitchers handle Galo. Maybe it's something about Sacramento's park dimensions fitting Portland's swing patterns. Or maybe - and this is my personal theory - the Stags' "nothing to lose" mentality particularly bothers a Sacramento team that's been pressing to validate their regular season success. The Prediction I was going to pick Sacramento in 4. But that head-to-head record keeps nagging at me. The Stags aren't just playing with house money anymore - they've shown they can beat this team. Portland in 5. I can't believe I'm typing this, but the numbers don't lie. We're officially entering "team of destiny" territory. Game 1 starts tonight in Sacramento: Portland's RHP Stephen Maldonado (9-15, 6.57) vs Sacramento's LHP Mike Heraklion (16-11, 4.63) The Stags' Secret Sauce: Breaking Down the 13-10 Edge Over Sacramento By Bub Gonzales The Ringer Let's get weird for a minute and break down exactly how Portland - a team that, again, has no business being here - somehow owned the 96-win Solons this season. The Park Factor Portland went 7-3 at Sacramento's Pioneer Park this year. That shouldn't happen. But the Stags' pull-heavy right-handed hitters (looking at you, 1B Matias Santana) seem to love that short left field porch. Meanwhile, Sacramento's lefty-heavy lineup (LF Jorge Galo, CF Izan Rodriguez) loses some advantage in Portland's more spacious outfield. The Pitching Matchups Remember when Portland grabbed LHP Layton Willingham and everyone shrugged? Here's why that matters: Sacramento's three best hitters (Galo, Rodriguez, and DH Chandler Graeve) are all significantly worse against lefties. The Stags can now bookend their series with LHP Willingham and LHP Glenn Hayes. The Chaos Factor Sacramento is built on structure. They have defined roles. Set lineups. A methodical approach. Portland? They used 11 different pitchers in three playoff games. They'll pinch-hit in the third inning. They'll use closers in the sixth. It's baseball anarchism, and the Solons historically struggle against teams that don't "play right." The Specific Matchups That Matter • Sacramento's ace LHP Mike Heraklion has a 6.12 ERA against Portland this year • Stags' catcher Delvin Rael somehow turns into Johnny Bench against the Solons (.361 in head-to-head games) • Portland's bullpen ERA against Sacramento (3.89) is way better than against everyone else (5.00) The Bottom Line Sometimes matchups just work. The 2001 Mariners won 116 games but couldn't handle the Yankees. The '88 Mets owned the Dodgers until October. Baseball is weird like that. Portland doesn't beat Sacramento because they're better. They beat Sacramento because they're built - probably by accident - to exploit specific weaknesses in an otherwise superior team. Will it work in a short series? We're about to find out. But anyone dismissing Portland's chances based on overall record is missing the deeper story. The Stags might be a chaos team, but their success against Sacramento is anything but random. Game 1 starts tonight. Time to see if the regular season matchup was a fluke or a blueprint. |
I think Sacramento will beat us in this series, not false modesty. The Solons won the AL pennant in 2046 but haven't gotten back, the franchise has 9 division titles. I think they're overdue for a run at the whole thing and I just can't see our Doordash pitching staff full of castoffs being able to get through the AL's 2nd best offense, but a generally more complete team.
We're beyond playing with house money at this point, and at least it's a best of 5 game series, but this could be a short series. |
SOLONS STUNNED IN 12: MCCOY'S BLAST GIVES STAGS GAME 1
By Thomas Wu Sacramento Bee SACRAMENTO — After five hours and thirteen minutes of October baseball that felt like a prize fight, it was Portland third baseman Marc McCoy delivering the knockout punch. McCoy's solo shot off Clint Capozzi in the 12th inning silenced a raucous Arco Park crowd and gave the underdog Stags a shocking 10-9 victory in Game 1 of the American League Division Series. The blast capped a 4-for-7 night that included two doubles and three runs scored. "Sometimes baseball writes scripts you couldn't believe," Solons manager Jack Martinez said. "We had our chances." Those chances were plentiful in a game that saw five lead changes. Portland jumped out early, chasing Sacramento ace Mike Heraklion after just 3⅔ innings, having tagged him for seven runs. But the Solons, as they've done all season, fought back. Chandler Graeve's two-run homer in the seventh seemed to shift momentum, tying the game at 9-9. But Sacramento couldn't capitalize on multiple late opportunities, stranding the winning run in scoring position in both the ninth and tenth innings. "Zane (Grifaldo) had a night - three hits, two doubles," Martinez noted. "Jorge (Galo) will be better than 1-for-6. We're not worried." The loss spoiled strong performances from several Solons, including Grifaldo (3-for-6) and Kaká Machado (2-for-5). But the night belonged to McCoy and a Portland bullpen that somehow pieced together 7⅓ innings after starter Stephen Maldonado faltered. "One game," Martinez reminded reporters. "They still have to beat us two more times." Game 2 features another lefty matchup as Sacramento's Jim Frahm (13-5, 4.59) faces Portland's Rocky Smith (0-0, 15.12). First pitch tomorrow at 8:05 PM at Arco Park. |
MACHADO, SOLONS EVEN SERIES WITH STATEMENT WIN
By Wei Chen Sacramento Bee SACRAMENTO — If Game 1 was a marathon, Game 2 was a reminder of why the Solons won 96 games this season. Kaká Machado's thunderous three-run homer in the fifth broke a 4-2 deficit, powering Sacramento to a series-evening 9-5 victory over Portland. The blast highlighted a 2-for-5 afternoon that included a seventh-inning double, as the Solons head to Portland with momentum. "Yesterday hurt," Machado said of the 12-inning opener. "Today we showed who we are." The game turned in a fifth inning that encapsulated Sacramento's offensive potential. After Thallo Olivo and Bryson Stevenson singled, Machado turned on a Layton Willingham fastball, sending it deep into the left field bleachers. The Solons wouldn't trail again. "That's the thing about our lineup," manager Jack Martinez said. "It can explode at any moment." Jim Frahm, after a rocky start that included Paul Correa's two-run homer, settled in to work 6⅓ solid innings. The bullpen, taxed after yesterday's marathon, got clean work from Jesse Bodine and Bryson Vogel to seal it. The series shifts to Portland's Civic Stadium for Game 3, where Sacramento's Roger Shearer (12-9, 3.78) faces Portland's Ezequias Ramos (9-10, 7.11). GAME NOTES • Anakin Smith added a two-run homer in the eighth • Jorge Galo drew two walks and drove in two • Portland's Marc McCoy, hero of Game 1, went 0-for-4 • Attendance: 35,123 "We've got our rotation lined up how we want it," Martinez added. "Now we just need to win two in Portland." Game 3 Friday night at Civic Stadium, 7:05 PM PT |
Stags Take Control of ALDS Despite Rodríguez's Two-Homer Day
PORTLAND -- Even a heroic performance from Sacramento center fielder Izan Rodríguez couldn't prevent the Portland Stags from seizing control of their American League Division Series, as the home team powered their way to a 7-4 victory on Thursday afternoon at Civic Stadium. The win gives Portland a 2-1 series lead and puts them one victory away from advancing to the League Championship Series. Rodríguez put on a show for the visiting Solons, launching two solo home runs off Portland right-hander Grant Hayes and adding an outfield assist, but the Stags' balanced offensive attack proved too much to overcome. The Portland lineup racked up 12 hits, with third baseman Marc McCoy delivering the decisive blow -- a two-run double in the fifth inning that put the Stags ahead for good. "Feels good to get the job done," McCoy said after his clutch hit broke the game open. The afternoon started promisingly for Sacramento when left fielder Jorge Galo gave them an early 1-0 lead with a solo shot in the first. Rodríguez followed with his first homer in the second inning to make it 2-0, but Portland's offense wouldn't stay quiet for long. The Stags struck back with three runs in the fourth inning to take their first lead of the game. They added two more in both the fifth and sixth innings, with left fielder Erik Monaghan's two-run homer in the sixth providing crucial insurance runs. Hayes (2-0) battled through seven innings to earn his second win of the series, allowing four runs (three earned) on just four hits. The veteran right-hander surrendered three home runs but limited the damage by holding the Solons to just one hit with runners in scoring position. Sacramento right-hander Roy Shearer (0-1) took the loss after being tagged for five runs on eight hits in 2⅔ innings. Right-hander Dominic Beard closed out the victory with two scoreless innings for his third save of the postseason, setting up a potential series-clinching Game 4 tomorrow at Civic Stadium. "We're in a good position, but we know this series isn't over," McCoy added. "Sacramento's a tough team and we need to bring the same energy tomorrow." The announced crowd of 30,765 was treated to perfect baseball weather, with partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid-60s providing an ideal backdrop for postseason baseball in the Pacific Northwest. Quick hits - Rodríguez became the first Solon to hit multiple home runs in a playoff game this season - Designated hitter Peter LaBay continued his hot hitting, going 2-for-5 with an RBI double - The Stags improved to 2-0 at home this postseason |
Rocky Road to Glory: Smith's Shutout Sends Stags to ALCS in Historic Fashion
If you had "career minor leaguer throws complete game shutout to clinch ALDS" on your 2062 playoff bingo card, congratulations—you're either psychic or lying. Yet that's exactly what happened Friday afternoon at Civic Stadium, where starting pitcher Rocky Smith authored one of the most improbable playoff performances in recent memory, leading the Portland Stags to an 8-0 victory over the Sacramento Solons and their first ALCS appearance of the decade. For six innings, this was the kind of white-knuckle playoff game that sends cardiologists' kids to college. Smith and Solons starter Derek Linard traded zeros through three frames, with both pitchers working efficiently despite the October pressure. The Stags finally broke through in the fourth when centerfielder Luke Bright's double drove in leftfielder Eric Monaghan, who had worked a walk earlier in the inning. That 1-0 score would hold until the seventh, creating the kind of tension that makes playoff baseball both beautiful and unbearable. Then came the moment that could have unraveled everything. Sacramento's centerfielder Isaac Rodríguez led off the seventh with a triple that had the visiting dugout buzzing. Smith, with all of five career MLB starts under his belt, found himself staring down the barrel of a game-tying situation with no outs. What happened next will be talked about in Portland bars for years: a groundout, a hit batter, and another groundout. Threat neutralized. Civic Stadium erupted. If the top of the seventh was tense, the bottom half was cathartic. The Stags didn't just break the game open—they took a sledgehammer to it. Seven runs crossed the plate in an inning that featured everything: third baseman Marc McCoy's bases-clearing double, Monaghan's two-run homer, and the kind of sustained offensive explosion that makes you wonder if the baseball gods were just waiting for the right moment to unleash chaos. The final line for Smith looks like something out of a video game: nine innings, four hits, no runs, one walk, seven strikeouts. Not bad for a guy who hadn't started a single game this season. The win makes Portland the first wild card team in the Ladder playoff era to navigate four rounds successfully, a feat that seemed improbable when they entered the postseason gauntlet weeks ago. "This team just doesn't know when to quit," said McCoy, who was named series MVP after hitting .389 with six RBIs across the four games. "Rocky exemplified that today. We're not supposed to be here, he's not supposed to be doing this, but here we are." The victory sends Portland to the ALCS, where they'll face the Baltimore Orioles. But for now, the city can celebrate a historic win and an unlikely hero who chose the perfect moment to pitch the game of his life. As the champagne flowed in the Stags' clubhouse, Smith stood in front of his locker, still trying to process what he'd just accomplished. "Complete game shutout to clinch it... I don't even know what to say," he managed, before being interrupted by another spray of bubbly from his teammates. Sometimes baseball writes scripts that even Hollywood would reject as too far-fetched. On a cloudy September afternoon in Portland, Rocky Smith turned fiction into fact, and the Stags' improbable October run lives on. |
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