The Village Idiot (3.31.2027)

[Alan T]

Ownership discussions and possible team movement top FOOL rumor mill

It is not often that the stories of the front office top the stories on the field, but that exactly is what has been occuring of late. There are all kinds of different ownership styles, and many fans prefer the day to day meddling owners such as a George Steinbrenner or Mark Cuban, while other fans prefer their ownership to be hands off and let the "baseball people" make the decisions. Recent criticism of the Napa Valley ownership's preference for a European vacation over seeing to the day to day affairs of the Winemakers hit an all time high when pictures of TeachEnEspanol on some Spanish beach were featured in the New York Post. The heated criticism from Winemaker fans appears to have died down now however that she has returned, plus a trip to last season's playoffs did not hurt the fan interest either.

In other news, it has been reported that the Boston Settlers have been sold for a record-setting deal to an unknown Texas oil tycoon. The passionate fans of Boston are up in arms over rumors that the new ownership fully intends to pick up and move the team in the middle of the night. It is unknown currently what the full intentions are, but a relocation to the state of Texas seems to be the most likely outcome at this time. Over the years, there have been numerous teams in Texas, including at one point three difference Franchises in the state at once. Those teams have always lost interest to football in the fall however. It is uncertain whether one of the FOOL Flagship franchises will be any different in a move there.

Speaking of Napa Valley....

The Winemakers returned to the playoffs last season for the first time in 7 seasons last year, but many wonder if it was a one year fluke similar to the recent Apex domination followed by a return to the bottom of the standings. The Village Idiot has determined that it is no fluke and the Winemakers enter as one of our three teams that we pick to be a favorite in the Continental League.

The Winemakers have a trio of future young superstars that are now major league ready. Last year's CL Benny Myers runner-up Renaud Lemieux appears to possibly be the heir apparent in the CL to Quero, as he perhaps has the best stuff of any young pitcher in the league. At 22 years old last season, Lemieux won 22 games and he should be even better this year. Another two minor league stars that appear to be ready this season for the big show are the pure hitting Sergio Lujan, and the sweet fielding Ersilio Velona.

Those three join team ace Jorge Martinez, and three players who enjoyed breakout seasons last year: Pete Keeping, Mario Chavez and Uksem Gathee to form a solid core that should be together for several seasons.

Records continue to fall

Last year the big story was the all time Home Run record that is now held by Daniel Gil of Hammesmith. The previous assumption was that Gil would only be the temporary record holder and eventually give up the title to Hector Romero of Chico. This spring however scouts were shocked to see how out of shape Romero showed up in camp. He evidently did not stick to any form of offseason training regiment, and instead spent the entire offseason playing Everquest 5. There is now doubt whether Romero will be able to catch up to Gil at this point in his career with this evident lack of discipline.

Two other huge records could fall this season as well. Luis Sowards of Hartford is only 6 hits away from the all time record for hits which is currently held by former Boston Settlers Tomas Santos. That record could even fall in the first two games of the season!

Another huge record that could be within reach is the 30 year old record of former Harpooner Billy Smith for the most wins in a career. Billy Smith set the record at 353 wins in the 1997 season, but now 40 year old Montreal Majestics pitcher Emmett Quero is only 15 wins behind him. Only once in his career has Quero won less than 15 games in a season, but he now is only a shadow of his former self, and the Majestics have been rumored to be in fire-sale mode, trying to get whatever they can to rebuild for the future. It is uncertain whether Quero will be able to make the mark or not.

And the winners will be.....

Juan Sierra has been perhaps the most dominating pitcher in FOOL history, winning 7 Gabriel Prado awards and not even 30 years old yet. He has helped New York remain a contender in the Republic League for the best part of this decade. This will be the year however that New York falls just a game or two short. Hammersmith and Colorado are our picks to win the RL, with Colorado being the suprise pick to make the FOOL Classic.

In the Continental League, the VI really loves this Boston Settlers team, and their pitching. In what seems like an episode directly from the X-files, the downfall of Boston this team might be a lack of power and inability to get extra base hits. In the end, their pitching likely will not be that much better than Napa Valley. Edmonton should also have a steady enough team all around that they likely beat out the Settlers to make the playoffs.

[Chief Rum]

Should I be troubled that, this year, the VI actually picked the Hooligans to make the playoffs? Perhaps he was tired of not picking my team and watching them make it anyway?

I don't know if the VI is right because I haven't watched the other teams closely enough to see if they made some improvements.

I will say this: this is one of the stronger teams I have had, if Gil and new addition Mark Chattaway hold up. The last time I had two close to ace level pitchers (Chattaway may actually be more of a sub-ace now, I acknowledge), I won over 100 games.

This is not a team without potential issues. I am still concerned about the back end of my rotation. Coleman has now more or less solidified his ratings, and he should be a serviceable #3. But the question of who goes at #4 is a difficult one, and I have many candidates to consider. That's a bad thing, not a good thing. If it were a good thing, I would know who would be #4 because of how terrific they look.

The pen should be very good again. Just very deep.

The lineup is....well, we're going to have to see. I lost a couple big bats in Souza and Sosa, and it will be interesting to see if I have the hitting depth to make up for that. Longtime top prospect Gustavos Rosales steps in for Sosa at 1B, looking to finish his development, which still has a long way to go. Souza's departure probably means Dudley Jackson, our top prospect, makes the team and figures in the DH rotation.

Of course, with Aguilar, Yan, Rodriguez (x2), Bignell, Cuevas and (of course) Gil, it's not like we're hurting for offense. But Sosa and Souza were very nice bats to have around, and I'm not sure right now where their production is going to come from.

Gil seems likely to start full time this year, as he did last year. He is looking to become the first FOOL player to hit 600 homeruns, and also he is close enough to get his 3,000 hit.

This coming offseason is going to be an interesting one. At one point three seasons ago, the Hooligans were looking at a salary drop off from some $55 M-plus to just under $4 M. That's right, $4 M! Guys like Aguilar, Hernandez, Rodriguez and Davis were all in the their final years or close to it. That has changed some, as we have re-upped all of them, but Davis. But we're still looking at needing to make some decisions. Is this Yan's last year for instance with the Hooligans (with Doran in the wings)? Is the pen going to get a complete makeover, with long time guys like De Los Santos, Howell and Brooks in their walk years? Do we bring back Manuel Lopez? And finally, this is option year time for Gil and (already) for Chattaway? Do we pick up their big contracts?

I don't think we can afford to do it all, so next year's Hooligans team could look very different.

[Montreal_GM]

Not sure Quero is going to make 15 wins this season, but I'm sure he can manage that number in the next 2 seasons. Will he play 2 more seasons? I don't know. He has 2 years left on his deal so I'm assuming he'll stick around until at least the end of that. Although the 2nd year is a team option I'll most likely void that year and offer him a less expensive 1 year deal for next season. That said, I'm really looking forward to his retirement so I can truly get on with turning this team around.

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by Montreal_GM

Not sure Quero is going to make 15 wins this season, but I'm sure he can manage that number in the next 2 seasons. Will he play 2 more seasons? I don't know. He has 2 years left on his deal so I'm assuming he'll stick around until at least the end of that. Although the 2nd year is a team option I'll most likely void that year and offer him a less expensive 1 year deal for next season. That said, I'm really looking forward to his retirement so I can truly get on with turning this team around.

I have seen players retire mid-contract before. I don't know that I know exactly what the decision for them depends on since at times it just seems random.

I do know if he is without a team at Jan 1st, the chance of him retiring goes up. I'm just not sure he will stick around one more year if he doesn't get his 15 this season. I can easily see him getting 13 wins this season and retiring, which would be a crying shame!

[ekcut]

Originally Posted by Alan T

I have seen players retire mid-contract before. I don't know that I know exactly what the decision for them depends on since at times it just seems random.

I do know if he is without a team at Jan 1st, the chance of him retiring goes up. I'm just not sure he will stick around one more year if he doesn't get his 15 this season. I can easily see him getting 13 wins this season and retiring, which would be a crying shame!

The push for 353 is a great story!
I can wait to read the "Q-watch" during the season updates.

[TeachEnEspanol]

Originally Posted by Alan T

Recent criticism of the Napa Valley ownership's preference for a European vacation over seeing to the day to day affairs of the Winemakers hit an all time high when pictures of TeachEnEspanol on some Spanish beach were featured in the New York Post.

Cute...Real Cute

Napa Valley's owner's official statement, released earlier today explained that TeachEnEspanol not only provided ample notice to her team and those directly involved but the break served to provide the clarity and rejuvination necessary to come back, start over, and eventually win it all. Upon arriving home, Teach and her team were able to heartily conclude that the entire situation was beneficial to all as it was apparent that they had indeed been left in very capable hands.