1978 Off-season Thread (Pre-draft file is up.)

[Young Drachma]

File is going up now.

[Chief Rum]

Wow, Teach, you got Miyahara for $1.8 M! That's a nice deal for a 30 HR guy.

[TimGuru]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Well, I got most of my targets, so pretty jazzed about that. Pretty full up against the cap now, though. Maybe $5 M left.

I have the 12 million I offered Ortiz to fiddle around with now.

[Young Drachma]

While our entire plan didn't work to execution, I'm pleased that we didn't regress this off-season. We still have work to do and we will indeed accomplish said work. I'm optimistic.

[kaosfere]

Did no one offer on Anthony, or is he holding out till the end of FA?

[muns]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Wow, Teach, you got Miyahara for $1.8 M! That's a nice deal for a 30 HR guy.

I only offered like 700k a year for 3 seasons.... Very nice deal indeed Teach

[TimGuru]

Chicago Thunderstorms: Signed free agent 1B A. Barajas to a minor league contract.

This annoys me. I offered him a major league deal.

Enjoy the bus trips, Antonio.

[ekcut]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Awesome. Got Gonzalez.

Grrrrr...he was my 'big' offer'

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by kaosfere

Did no one offer on Anthony, or is he holding out till the end of FA?

I guessing whatever people offered, it must not have been enough. I didn't offer him anything. Though I thought about it. So much for that now, I guess.

[magic_number]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

So no one can beat Tasan's top offer?

You guys are woosies. I have offered at least five $50+ M contracts in my time, probably more.

Let's see, of the ones accepted...Miyahara, Gilliam, Davis, Hendricks, Larsen.

Okay, I am sure there are more...

I only regretted Gilliam, and even he still helped.

If I could type... had to go I'm back now...

[TeachEnEspanol]

Originally Posted by muns

I only offered like 700k a year for 3 seasons.... Very nice deal indeed Teach

Thanks guys.

[magic_number]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Inman back to the Nuts. He belongs there.

I got the Japanese power hitter from Compton. No more need for a power hitting IF, really, with Kiyomizu and Finch on the team.

I hope I don't miss him too much

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by TimGuru

Chicago Thunderstorms: Signed free agent 1B A. Barajas to a minor league contract.

This annoys me. I offered him a major league deal.

Enjoy the bus trips, Antonio.

He also turned down my MLC. I mean, he turned down me to go to Chicago?!? FTW?!?

J/K DC.

[Young Drachma]

Really interested to see how it all pans out.

As a related note, there are some Vulture League players who have entered the free agent pool. So those of you who have saved your money, might get some VL lovin' this off-season push.

Of course, most of us who have been here know that VL pitchers never seem to translate particularly well (e.g. aren't 20-game winners) and VL hitters have a relatively short shelf life unless they are Anthony Payton...who was old when he got here.

But hey, have at it.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by magic_number

I hope I don't miss him too much

I was actually surprised to see him out there. I thought you were going to re-up him.

He actually has me worried. He's exactly the sort I need, but three of the last four years, he has hit abysmally with his batting average and had a sub-.700 OPS. I need more of last year's Kiyomizu, and I am not sure if I going to get him.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

He also turned down my MLC. I mean, he turned down me to go to Chicago?!? FTW?!?

J/K DC.

I learned from you guys signing those MLC guys over the years. I NEVER used to do that. But taking over a team that was bad for so long, taught me to learn how to stock my minor leagues really fast. I just learned from watch muns, Alan and Chief do it right for years.

So thanks for the lessons, guys?

[TimGuru]

I go bed now. Or back to Warhammer Online if I can't drop right off to sleep. I should sleep late tomorrow since the Red Sox come on 1007 local time for me. But I think I'm going to try to catch the early train and sleep on that instead.

Highlanders continue to yearn for ML or ML-ready pitching in exchange for Pila.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by ekcut

Grrrrr...he was my 'big' offer'

There's some short term risk here, to be fair, not that I'm unhappy to get him. He's not ready to start, and I am paying him a cool $8 M this year. Plus, he's a lock for the big league roster as a backup, because I need to get him off of the minor league free agent clock. So having him might actually make me worse this year, even if I am looking very good in a couple years.

Small consolation, too, but I also put in an offer on McIndoe, and you got him.

And, muns, that rat bastard, snuck away with RF Turner. He doesn't even have room for the OF prospects he already has. Oh, and Turner went to Hartford over a significant better offer from me.

[muns]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

He also turned down my MLC. I mean, he turned down me to go to Chicago?!? FTW?!?

J/K DC.

you guys are lucky i didnt offer him anything.... you know they swoon over my MLC'S...

I must have missed him when going through the file... Nice find DC

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

I learned from you guys signing those MLC guys over the years. I NEVER used to do that. But taking over a team that was bad for so long, taught me to learn how to stock my minor leagues really fast. I just learned from watch muns, Alan and Chief do it right for years.

So thanks for the lessons, guys?

You're welcome, Padawan.

[muns]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

There's some short term risk here, to be fair, not that I'm unhappy to get him. He's not ready to start, and I am paying him a cool $8 M this year. Plus, he's a lock for the big league roster as a backup, because I need to get him off of the minor league free agent clock. So having him might actually make me worse this year, even if I am looking very good in a couple years.

Small consolation, too, but I also put in an offer on McIndoe, and you got him.

And, muns, that rat bastard, snuck away with RF Turner. He doesn't even have room for the OF prospects he already has. Oh, and Turner went to Hartford over a significant better offer from me.

Quit hatin

He will look good in my AA uniform improving.... All these FA know that if your a young OF your gonna improve your game with huge bumps in ratings in the pooners system....

[magic_number]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

I was actually surprised to see him out there. I thought you were going to re-up him.

Wish I had the free $$ my soon to be happy bro. I feel his best days are yet to come... good sign, many good signs tonight... hope we all get what we wanted!!!---M#

He actually has me worried. He's exactly the sort I need, but three of the last four years, he has hit abysmally with his batting average and had a sub-.700 OPS. I need more of last year's Kiyomizu, and I am not sure if I going to get him.

M# - wish I had the $$ to keep him.... his best days are yet to come, IMO.

[muns]

Dola. Not like anyone is beating down my door looking to trade for them either....

[Tasan]

Wow

I considered going into the 50s for Ortiz, but decided against it. Thats silly money, good luck to whoever got him.

And crap on a stick with Samaripa. Anthony and I both gave a contract to him last sim, and he liked Anthony's better, but hadn't signed. He more than doubled my offer. Yikes.

Got beat on Kiyomizu as well, for about double again. Miyahara wouldn't resign after opting out of his deal, and then I get barely beat out on his contract.

Only got King and a last minute offer on Livingstone. Oh well.

[Young Drachma]

I guess I wonder if the balance of power shifted in either league after today. I think we need a more complete picture. But...with the CL in flux and the RL seeming to be a "ring around the rosey" situation with different teams winning it each of the last 3 years...I truly am wondering how this season will pan.

[Young Drachma]

57%

If nothing else, I've improved my pitching this off-season. And frankly, that's all I sought to do. While we've lost a lot of the big name guns offensively over the years, it was clear that we weren't a balanced team and you simply can't win with too much of one and none of the other.

[ekcut]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

Thursday, November 10th, 1977
Atlanta Firecrackers: Signed free agent 2B E. Finch to a 3-year contract worth a total of $5,850,000.

Chief??? How could you...he was the only guy I really needed

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

I guess I wonder if the balance of power shifted in either league after today. I think we need a more complete picture. But...with the CL in flux and the RL seeming to be a "ring around the rosey" situation with different teams winning it each of the last 3 years...I truly am wondering how this season will pan.

Only thing I am wondering is whether Alan's squad will choke again when he gets back to the Classic.

I kid, cuz I care!

[magic_number]

Originally Posted by Tasan

Wow

I considered going into the 50s for Ortiz, but decided against it. Thats silly money, good luck to whoever got him.

And crap on a stick with Samaripa. Anthony and I both gave a contract to him last sim, and he liked Anthony's better, but hadn't signed. He more than doubled my offer. Yikes.

Got beat on Kiyomizu as well, for about double again. Miyahara wouldn't resign after opting out of his deal, and then I get barely beat out on his contract.

Only got King and a last minute offer on Livingstone. Oh well.

Ortiz may be my 1st CASHMAX case, we shall see...

[Tasan]

Had a feeling CR might pick up an ex-Ranchero or two that was out there. To be honest I thought you might get in on the cheap Miyahara.

I have to learn how to bid on free agents in online leagues. I'm just not offering enough yet.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by ekcut

Chief??? How could you...he was the only guy I really needed

Sorry, ekcut. I needed that big bat against lefties, and he murders lefty pitching. Plus, he and I, we go back.

Any interest in Jetté or Harper? I can also move Guzman, McIntosh and Rodriguez (at AAA), too. I would probably just look for a prospect.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Tasan

Had a feeling CR might pick up an ex-Ranchero or two that was out there. To be honest I thought you might get in on the cheap Miyahara.

I have to learn how to bid on free agents in online leagues. I'm just not offering enough yet.

I like Miyahara, but I was under .500 against lefties last year, and Miyahara is much stronger against righthanders. If I thought I could get him cheap, I would have given him the money I gave Gerald Numbers, but I assumed he would get a nice deal from someone.

[Chief Rum]

BTW, love King going back to Colorado. He was always one of my favorite relievers.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

BTW, love King going back to Colorado. He was always one of my favorite relievers.

I got tired of paying him. He's nice and all and I'm sure he'll haunt me all season, but...given that my bullpen by committee is something I'm fond of, there isn't a reason to pay a closer that much who isn't all that great at closing anymore.

Or at least, for me.

Glad he's doning the Rancheros cap tho. Or maybe I'm not...what if he's good? lol

[magic_number]

Originally Posted by Tasan

Had a feeling CR might pick up an ex-Ranchero or two that was out there. To be honest I thought you might get in on the cheap Miyahara.

I have to learn how to bid on free agents in online leagues. I'm just not offering enough yet.

++1 2nd time I "win" A BETWAR but the -'s may be more then the +"s... it still is fun... the kid in us all

[Young Drachma]

File is up.

[magic_number]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

File is up.

[kaosfere]

This is novel.

[magic_number]

Originally Posted by kaosfere

This is novel.

WTF w/that 1B dud?

[magic_number]

bed is calling...M# out.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by magic_number

bed is calling...M# out.

Why do I get the feeling M# has his own theme song?

And where can I get one?

[kaosfere]

Originally Posted by magic_number

WTF w/that 1B dud?

Beats me, man. The game seems to think he's both an MR and a 1B. He shows up when I sort for either position.

He's also confusing it so that it thinks he's my best reliever, and ranks me as #16 in the league in relief staff, which is... silly!

Actually... DC, any chance you could look at his player file to make sure there's nothing wacky in it that your magical commisioner powers could let you see? It would be annoying if he got sent into my bullpen by the AI because it thinks he's on par with Zijm. (Where by "annoying" I mean "really freaking funny, but not at the time".)

[Young Drachma]

I don't know that I understand how arrived there, but nothing in his ratings indicate any prowess as a pitcher of any sort.

I think it's probably a sign of OOTP apocalypse.

[Tasan]

He's not the first I've seen like that. I think last year there was a hitter that kept coming up in my sorts for pitching. I'll try to say something next time I see that happen.

[Chief Rum]

I have John Campbell on my team. He qualifies as both a 1B (with good CON 82) and a MR (solid STF and MVT ratings). I keep him around for fun, and in the offchance he develops his Control.

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Inman back to the Nuts. He belongs there.

I overpaid to get him. He'll likely be fine this year, but next year he'll probably barely be good enough to make the team hitting wise. I just wanted him to retire with this team and not have someone pull a Heath Palmer and rush out to sign him only to watch him hit .244 for them.

[ekcut]

Originally Posted by Alan T

I overpaid to get him. He'll likely be fine this year, but next year he'll probably barely be good enough to make the team hitting wise. I just wanted him to retire with this team and not have someone pull a Heath Palmer and rush out to sign him only to watch him hit .244 for them.

I stared at him with stars in my eyes for about an hour, plotting of ways to scrape together enough money to throw at him...reason overcame awe though, and I never made a pitch. Somethings are just meant to be.
Ripken on the Orioles, Sakic on the Av's (that is hockey for those who don't know) and Inman on the Peanuts. I will vote in favour of him having a .244 average though....is there a poll up?

[kaosfere]

Originally Posted by ekcut

I will vote in favour of him having a .244 average though....is there a poll up?

There is now!

[Anthony]

Violators definitely imrpoved our offense this offseason, bringing in a monster bat in 3B Authur Summers and nabbing OF Samaripa out of free agency. we took a step back on our pitching staff, which may be why we don't win a championship, but with the ability to score many runs in a game you don't necessarily need 1990's Pedro Martinez as your pitcher to stay in the game. Violators are shaping up to be more like 2007 Colorado Rockies - our sheer ability to score runs will overshadow our weakness in pitching. scoring is more fun anyway. chicks dig runs.

i think the key to this year is moving OF Joe Smith out of the top of the lineup. strikes out too much, doesn't garner enough walks. i like his excellent contact so i'll look for him to kinda "move things along" as i say for the guys who can get on base more consistently. i just want guys on base and Smith to knock in singles and allow my team's natural speed to do what it do. it sucks cuz Smith is just so friggin fast and having him sacrifice at-bats means less steals, but we haven't done anything in this league yet so you gott keep tinkering till you find something right. i don't know of many teams in my conference that has, on paper, some of the bats i do. i have 4 legitimate threats in my lineup, possibly 5 if i can limit the negative aspects of Smith.

[ekcut]

Bob Arnold is back in the FA market.

That buyout musta cost a pretty penny!!!