1977 Off-season Thread (Post-ST file is up! Season tomorrow night)

[muns]

Originally Posted by Alan T

What did you say? I don't remember anything flamable but might have missed it.

one page back, and in FOFC terms my asshatery

[Young Drachma]

Highest paid players in the league. Numbers are dropping, which explains why teams are able to go out and sign a bevy of stars:

Rank	Player	Team	Salary	 
1	Teruo Miyahara	Colorado	$13,500,000	 
2	Rick Inman	Valdosta	$13,140,000	 
3	Adam Stanley	San Diego	$12,020,000	 
4	Anthony Payton	Rio Grande	$11,650,000	 
5	Hideaki Tanaka	Rio Grande	$11,095,000	 
6	Carlos Vázquez	Atlanta	$11,060,000	 
7	Nori Kitamura	Compton	$11,000,000	 
8	Holden Matthews	Columbus	$11,000,000	 
9	John Hunt	Long Island	$10,985,000	 
10	Artie Wiley	Hartford	$10,805,000	 
11	Mauro Suárez	Baltimore	$10,800,000	 
12	Rich Lang	Brooklyn	$10,545,000	 
13	Joey Higman	Rio Grande	$10,140,000	 
14	Edgardo Reyes	Atlanta	$10,125,000	 
15	Norm Hunter	New York	$10,095,000	 
16	Abraham Luján	Toronto	$10,000,000	 
17	Floyd Yarbrough	Hartford	$10,000,000	 
18	Guillermo Arrojo	Brooklyn	$9,675,000	 
19	Alejandro Corona	Toronto	$9,670,000	 
20	Edgar Hoskins	New York	$9,660,000	 
21	Riley Hollis	Baltimore	$9,315,000	 
22	Lorenz Heijnen	Colorado	$9,040,000	 
23	Alonso Samaripa	Texas	$8,955,000	 
24	David Barajas	New Orleans	$8,585,000	 
25	Craig Davis	Atlanta	$8,555,555	

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by muns

one page back, and in FOFC terms my asshatery

Oh, found it. Had to dig through about 75 Chief Rum posts from the middle of the night!


I think I understand what you were saying about New Orleans, but I don't know if it applied to this free agent class.. this is probably the first year that I remember in a while that I didn't throw out around 20-30 minor league offers at players.. It seems that teams are keeping their young players that I like alot better now than they had in the past few seasons.. or maybe just not being AI control has that effect...

I guess i think I view talent value as being very classest where the best of the best talent wise are irreplacable and thus usually worth being overpaid, but the next step down usually are only a standard deviation difference from the common talent level that overpaying them is a very poor choice. You'd be better off spending half as much on three guys only a hair worse and bank that one of those three end up developing to be the same level.

So that said, I have no problems with New Orleans or anyone overpaying for a Barajas when they come around, that level of talent isn't sitting out there waiting for people to just invite in. I would have more of a problem with a struggling team overpaying for a player just a hair over average because they don't want to be stuck with average...

And I know most of this is just unwanted drivel... but I'm in a talkative mood tonight I guess!

[Young Drachma]

I'm with you. I say -- especially when you're down and out -- that it makes sense to dive into the pool and be a player. That team is on the radar that franchise has NEVER been in before. They have the worst winning % in FOOL history, so really, just winning seasons there is a big deal. Especially since the draft ain't what it used to be.

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

Especially since the draft ain't what it used to be.

heh, i just got through looking at the draft and my initial thought was.. geesh alot of talent available

[Cringer]

I think I am liking my potential lineup from top to bottom this year, which hasn't happened for a while. Pitching is still a problem, but I think I should pull out of last place with this lineup at least.

I was able to get myself Higman, who may end up playing SS, though 1B is not out of the question. Higman may make for a nice #2 hitter, while new OF Gustavo Sanchez (at 34) may be the closest thing I have had to a leadoff hitter in years so he will probably end up there. That will allow me to bump guys who shouldn't be there to the end of the line and others out of it.

[Young Drachma]

Their lone winning season came in 1969 (81-73)

Texas has had two winning seasons in '65 and '66. Besides those two, the three worst teams are Chicago, Toronto and Columbus. Two of the three have titles and the third of course, won a pennant in the past two years.

So...parity is upon us. Long Island is the only other team (besides the Texas and New Orleans clubs) to never have made a playoff appearance in their histories. (Though again, Chicago, Columbus and Toronto JUST left that club..)

The tide is turning.

[Alan T]

ok, bedtime for me. I'll have to figure out what my draft list looks like tommorrow!

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by Cringer

I think I am liking my potential lineup from top to bottom this year, which hasn't happened for a while. Pitching is still a problem, but I think I should pull out of last place with this lineup at least.

I was able to get myself Higman, who may end up playing SS, though 1B is not out of the question. Higman may make for a nice #2 hitter, while new OF Gustavo Sanchez (at 34) may be the closest thing I have had to a leadoff hitter in years so he will probably end up there. That will allow me to bump guys who shouldn't be there to the end of the line and others out of it.

Higman is great, because he can play so many positions. I think he should be well suited for a good year if he's played right in the lineup.

[Cringer]

Well, if OOTP plays like real life, hitting in front of Payton(who seems to be staying with us as I had no real interest), Tanaka, and O'Cleary should get him some good pitchers for him to put into play.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by Cringer

Well, if OOTP plays like real life, hitting in front of Payton(who seems to be staying with us as I had no real interest), Tanaka, and O'Cleary should get him some good pitchers for him to put into play.

That's a pretty nice lineup.

[Tasan]

Okay so I'll ask again, did anyone else bid on SS Heijnen? I'm guessing that I bid against myself, but just wanted to know. Anyone?

[muns]

Originally Posted by Tasan

Okay so I'll ask again, did anyone else bid on SS Heijnen? I'm guessing that I bid against myself, but just wanted to know. Anyone?

Not me

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by Tasan

Okay so I'll ask again, did anyone else bid on SS Heijnen? I'm guessing that I bid against myself, but just wanted to know. Anyone?

I didn't either.

[kaosfere]

Originally Posted by muns

Not me

Nor I.

Been quiet tonight. I'm having a low-key off-season, with the exception of that one trade. Managed to grab one guy tonight, but nothing exciting.

Not sure how this year is going to be. My lineup is the most loaded it's been since I've been here, but my pitching staff is weaker. Of all the teams who were in the mix at the end of the season last year, I think I'm looking the weakest for this year. Probably not going to be a banner season for me unless something surprising happens.

[Cringer]

So I am moving my guys in the minors around to their place for the upcoming season and I notice SP Stephen Joyce on my rookie league team. He is 18, and appears to be 68. lol

SP Rich Payne is close to the same....

[TimGuru]

Niiiiiiiice. I'm paying Hoskins all that money to benchwarm at AAA

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Tasan

So Heijnen decided to wait til the last day to decide to take my shorter offer. Glad he took it, hope I wasn't just bidding against myself but I have a feeling I was.

If I hadn't blown my wad on Davis, he would have received a competitive offer from me. SS is one of the positions I still don't feel great about. Good signing. Maybe a little high of a salary, but that's not a bad overpay.

BTW, I was ecstatic to slip in under the radar and sign former Ranchero Walt Withecombe to a one year deal. I don't know if he will make my pen, but he's still one of my favorites.

[muns]

I have exported

[magic_number]

Originally Posted by Tasan

Okay so I'll ask again, did anyone else bid on SS Heijnen? I'm guessing that I bid against myself, but just wanted to know. Anyone?

That poser! He hits well enough during a contract year, but after he gets the $$ watchout!! I was glad to see him go & I feel Cole will fill his shoes just fine... too bad I did not get a good SP as well. If he's seen back in the Hood, he better run!!!

X-up.

[Chief Rum]

I need maybe 5 mins. Most of draft list is done, maybe another 10 players to list.

Spring training lineups are all done.

BTW, this is a wonderful, wonderful draft, full of Chief and Alan types of players. The whole league will (sadly, for us) be enriched.

[Chief Rum]

Done and exported. G'luck, everyone!

[TimGuru]

What are the odds?

[Alan T]

Hey DC, I'm really late tonight because of all kinds of problems. Can I have like 30 minutes? I just need to set spring training stuff. i did the others earlier.

[Tasan]

Aw crap, totally forgot about spring training because of all the draft stuff. Oh well, I'm not totally concerned about it, I'll try real quick.

[Tasan]

Okay my ST stuff is in. I thought I had pretty much set up things, just didn't have stuff adjusted for my last trade.

[Young Drachma]

DC just woke up from a nap. So it kinda worked out that everyone needed more time. LOL....

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Tasan

Okay my ST stuff is in. I thought I had pretty much set up things, just didn't have stuff adjusted for my last trade.

So you didn't switch out rosters?

Heh, heh, with a little more time last night, I switched out almost my entire active roster, and replaced them with fringe hanger ons and prospects trying to make the jump. My AAA payroll is around $60-$65 M right now, lol.

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

DC just woke up from a nap. So it kinda worked out that everyone needed more time. LOL....

I need another 15 minutes.. I'm almost done.

[Alan T]

ok I put together a relatively crappy attempt at spring training rosters and exported.. sorry for the wait.

[Anthony]

wait, why do people switch out their ST rosters? should i do it too?

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by Anthony

wait, why do people switch out their ST rosters? should i do it too?

There is a school of thought that ST is a good time to 1) demo out kids who might want to play for you at a 24th or 25th roster spot and to 2) develop guys to play out of position.

That's why a lot of us do it.

[Anthony]

oh, i thought it had to do with injuries and stuff.

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by Anthony

oh, i thought it had to do with injuries and stuff.

Not at all, I use it to get a better feel for which AAA guys might make the major league roster each year. Going in, I usually have 20-23 of the positions already decided on, so realistically it is 20 people competing for 2-4 positions, with the possibility of a youngster with an incredible spring training making the roster in a suprise (Like Joel Garner did for me back in the 1960s)

[Young Drachma]

Nope. No injuries in these parts.

Ok, I'm gonna run this thing.

[muns]

Originally Posted by Anthony

wait, why do people switch out their ST rosters? should i do it too?

It really depends. In my experience, ive gone away from this thinking. ive noticed that guys do jump up in ratings and can jump up a good amount in ST. Its usually younger guys (since i did a total rebuild i mostly played younger guys) but im never going to leave that up to chance again.

I put the max of 40 up with my usual 25 and put the hightest ranking spects that have a shot at making the club on the ST roster. I use ST now for more of a chance at a ratings jump rather than using it for roster battles.

[Young Drachma]

Everyone exported.

[muns]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

Everyone exported.

Thats great, as its not usually the case. Good job people.

[Young Drachma]

Round 9
Round 9, Pick 1 - Rio Grande Roadrunners: MR O. Andelbeek
Round 9, Pick 2 - Texas Travelers: CL R. Wade
Round 9, Pick 3 - New Orleans Wrens: LF M. Mori
Round 9, Pick 4 - Compton Brothers: MR I. Kobayashi
Round 9, Pick 5 - Brooklyn Brownstones: SS B. Bow
Round 9, Pick 6 - New York Highlanders: CF D. Trovisqueira
Round 9, Pick 7 - Colorado Rancheros: RF G. Reyes
Round 9, Pick 8 - San Diego Fathers: CF T. Ikeda
Round 9, Pick 9 - Chicago Thunderstorms: CF S. Rich
Round 9, Pick 10 - Long Island Violators: MR F. Yan
Round 9, Pick 11 - Toronto Osprey: MR L. Bowers
Round 9, Pick 12 - Atlanta Firecrackers: RF B. Chong
Round 9, Pick 13 - Hartford Harpooners: 3B P. Carruthers
Round 9, Pick 14 - Baltimore Terrapins: MR A. Chávez
Round 9, Pick 15 - Columbus Crusaders: MR J. Cook
Round 9, Pick 16 - Valdosta Peanuts: 1B A. Bartlett
Round 8
Round 8, Pick 1 - Rio Grande Roadrunners: 2B Á. Martínez
Round 8, Pick 2 - Texas Travelers: LF G. Gagnon
Round 8, Pick 3 - New Orleans Wrens: SP P. Polanco
Round 8, Pick 4 - Compton Brothers: C M. Lawson
Round 8, Pick 5 - Brooklyn Brownstones: C J. Lozano
Round 8, Pick 6 - New York Highlanders: SP R. Salgado
Round 8, Pick 7 - Colorado Rancheros: SP J. Gómez
Round 8, Pick 8 - San Diego Fathers: 1B C. Ortega
Round 8, Pick 9 - Chicago Thunderstorms: SP R. Rommel
Round 8, Pick 10 - Long Island Violators: SP M. Newbury
Round 8, Pick 11 - Toronto Osprey: CF T. Woodworth
Round 8, Pick 12 - Atlanta Firecrackers: MR J. Ray
Round 8, Pick 13 - Hartford Harpooners: MR R. Hernández
Round 8, Pick 14 - Baltimore Terrapins: 1B D. Colbert
Round 8, Pick 15 - Columbus Crusaders: 1B D. James
Round 8, Pick 16 - Valdosta Peanuts: MR M. Sánchez
Round 7
Round 7, Pick 1 - Rio Grande Roadrunners: SP E. Avery
Round 7, Pick 2 - Texas Travelers: SP M. Porter
Round 7, Pick 3 - New Orleans Wrens: RF M. Maldonado
Round 7, Pick 4 - Compton Brothers: SP R. Hartman
Round 7, Pick 5 - Brooklyn Brownstones: C P. Collins
Round 7, Pick 6 - New York Highlanders: CF J. MacIntosh
Round 7, Pick 7 - Colorado Rancheros: RF M. Gonzáles
Round 7, Pick 8 - San Diego Fathers: SP D. Ch'oe
Round 7, Pick 9 - Chicago Thunderstorms: LF D. Zimmerman
Round 7, Pick 10 - Long Island Violators: SP V. Núñez
Round 7, Pick 11 - Toronto Osprey: SP S. Lane
Round 7, Pick 12 - Atlanta Firecrackers: MR A. Campos
Round 7, Pick 13 - Hartford Harpooners: C D. Larson
Round 7, Pick 14 - Baltimore Terrapins: SP R. Stewart
Round 7, Pick 15 - Columbus Crusaders: SP R. García
Round 7, Pick 16 - Valdosta Peanuts: 3B A. Macías
Round 6
Round 6, Pick 1 - Rio Grande Roadrunners: SP J. Días
Round 6, Pick 2 - Texas Travelers: 1B J. Montés
Round 6, Pick 3 - New Orleans Wrens: SP P. Deleón
Round 6, Pick 4 - Compton Brothers: RF M. Whitaker
Round 6, Pick 5 - Brooklyn Brownstones: SP A. MacIntyre
Round 6, Pick 6 - New York Highlanders: SP J. Dale
Round 6, Pick 7 - Colorado Rancheros: SP W. Krant
Round 6, Pick 8 - San Diego Fathers: C B. Brewer
Round 6, Pick 9 - Chicago Thunderstorms: SP R. Holcomb
Round 6, Pick 10 - Long Island Violators: 1B B. Rogers
Round 6, Pick 11 - Toronto Osprey: CF S. Carpenter
Round 6, Pick 12 - Atlanta Firecrackers: MR P. Bell
Round 6, Pick 13 - Hartford Harpooners: MR A. Ramírez
Round 6, Pick 14 - Baltimore Terrapins: 1B B. Slot
Round 6, Pick 15 - Columbus Crusaders: 2B E. Brooks
Round 6, Pick 16 - Valdosta Peanuts: SP R. Monroe
Round 5
Round 5, Pick 1 - Rio Grande Roadrunners: SS G. Watters
Round 5, Pick 2 - Texas Travelers: SP J. Torrez
Round 5, Pick 3 - New Orleans Wrens: SP C. Vázquez
Round 5, Pick 4 - Compton Brothers: SP C. Pérez
Round 5, Pick 5 - Brooklyn Brownstones: C C. Gagné
Round 5, Pick 6 - New York Highlanders: SP E. Fisher
Round 5, Pick 7 - Colorado Rancheros: 3B R. Edwards
Round 5, Pick 8 - San Diego Fathers: SP J. Cline
Round 5, Pick 9 - Chicago Thunderstorms: SP J. Strickland
Round 5, Pick 10 - Long Island Violators: SP F. Alaniz
Round 5, Pick 11 - Toronto Osprey: SP H. Watanabe
Round 5, Pick 12 - Atlanta Firecrackers: MR D. Moore
Round 5, Pick 13 - Hartford Harpooners: 1B B. Fulgham
Round 5, Pick 14 - Baltimore Terrapins: SP P. Castle
Round 5, Pick 15 - Columbus Crusaders: SP M. Velázquez
Round 5, Pick 16 - Valdosta Peanuts: SP G. Díaz
Round 4
Round 4, Pick 1 - Rio Grande Roadrunners: 3B A. Cardenas
Round 4, Pick 2 - Texas Travelers: 2B A. Carpenter
Round 4, Pick 3 - New Orleans Wrens: SP C. Medina
Round 4, Pick 4 - Compton Brothers: LF G. Vilardeb
Round 4, Pick 5 - Brooklyn Brownstones: SP A. Bean
Round 4, Pick 6 - New York Highlanders: SP T. Kato
Round 4, Pick 7 - Colorado Rancheros: 1B E. Easson
Round 4, Pick 8 - San Diego Fathers: RF A. López
Round 4, Pick 9 - Chicago Thunderstorms: SP N. Vans
Round 4, Pick 10 - Long Island Violators: 2B B. McGinnity
Round 4, Pick 11 - Toronto Osprey: SP L. Gentile
Round 4, Pick 12 - Atlanta Firecrackers: SS M. Williams
Round 4, Pick 13 - Hartford Harpooners: CF J. Molina
Round 4, Pick 14 - Baltimore Terrapins: SS M. Maeda
Round 4, Pick 15 - Columbus Crusaders: RF F. Ortíz
Round 4, Pick 16 - Valdosta Peanuts: CF M. Ibarra
Round 3
Round 3, Pick 1 - Rio Grande Roadrunners: SP A. Rodríguez
Round 3, Pick 2 - Texas Travelers: SP J. Cardoza
Round 3, Pick 3 - New Orleans Wrens: SP M. Dunlap
Round 3, Pick 4 - Compton Brothers: SP J. Luna
Round 3, Pick 5 - Brooklyn Brownstones: 3B H. Eperaima
Round 3, Pick 6 - New York Highlanders: SP T. Campbell
Round 3, Pick 7 - Colorado Rancheros: CL M. Terada
Round 3, Pick 8 - San Diego Fathers: SP B. Aberdein
Round 3, Pick 9 - Chicago Thunderstorms: SP V. Espinoza
Round 3, Pick 10 - Long Island Violators: SP S. Campbell
Round 3, Pick 11 - Toronto Osprey: SP K. Gardner
Round 3, Pick 12 - Atlanta Firecrackers: CF W. Contreras
Round 3, Pick 13 - Hartford Harpooners: 3B D. Henderson
Round 3, Pick 14 - Baltimore Terrapins: SP R. Dionne
Round 3, Pick 15 - Columbus Crusaders: SP J. Bonilla
Round 3, Pick 16 - Valdosta Peanuts: 3B M. Whitaker
Round 2
Round 2, Pick 1 - Rio Grande Roadrunners: SP A. O'Dell
Round 2, Pick 2 - Texas Travelers: RF T. Andrews
Round 2, Pick 3 - New Orleans Wrens: SP M. Lilly
Round 2, Pick 4 - Compton Brothers: LF N. Green
Round 2, Pick 5 - Brooklyn Brownstones: MR C. Budgell
Round 2, Pick 6 - New York Highlanders: SP R. Dryden
Round 2, Pick 7 - Colorado Rancheros: 2B F. Harrison
Round 2, Pick 8 - San Diego Fathers: CF G. Salinas
Round 2, Pick 9 - Chicago Thunderstorms: SP M. Klockow
Round 2, Pick 10 - Long Island Violators: 3B R. Williams
Round 2, Pick 11 - Toronto Osprey: SP J. Ramírez
Round 2, Pick 12 - Atlanta Firecrackers: 2B L. Castillo
Round 2, Pick 13 - Hartford Harpooners: MR D. Ch'oe
Round 2, Pick 14 - Baltimore Terrapins: SP J. Ruíz
Round 2, Pick 15 - Columbus Crusaders: C B. Johnson
Round 2, Pick 16 - Valdosta Peanuts: RF J. Olivas
Round 1
Round 1, Pick 1 - Rio Grande Roadrunners: SP B. Smith
Round 1, Pick 2 - Texas Travelers: SS Z. Allam
Round 1, Pick 3 - New Orleans Wrens: SP J. McGorry
Round 1, Pick 4 - Compton Brothers: CF A. Morales
Round 1, Pick 5 - Brooklyn Brownstones: SP W. Steward
Round 1, Pick 6 - New York Highlanders: SP J. Williams
Round 1, Pick 7 - Colorado Rancheros: CF P. Morris
Round 1, Pick 8 - San Diego Fathers: CF J. Estronza
Round 1, Pick 9 - Chicago Thunderstorms: SP D. Thian
Round 1, Pick 10 - Long Island Violators: RF J. López
Round 1, Pick 11 - Toronto Osprey: LF C. Cervantes
Round 1, Pick 12 - Atlanta Firecrackers: C T. Powers
Round 1, Pick 13 - Hartford Harpooners: SP M. Clark
Round 1, Pick 14 - Baltimore Terrapins: 2B M. Martínez
Round 1, Pick 15 - Columbus Crusaders: MR D. Spencer
Round 1, Pick 16 - Valdosta Peanuts: RF K. Fujii

[Tasan]

draft results draft results draft results

[Alan T]

Nice, drafted the #2, #15, #18 and #21 players on my draft list.

[fairly]

So much for letting the computer pick... 7 starting pitchers out of 9. Nice balance.

[Young Drachma]

SPRING TRAINING STANDINGS, 1977
------
RL
---
Compton 16-8
Hartford 15-9
San Diego 15-9
Long Island 13-11
Chicago 11-13
Columbus 10-14
Colorado 10-14
New Orleans 6-18

CL
---
Valdosta 16-8
Baltimore 16-8
Brooklyn 15-9
Toronto 13-11
New York 11-13
Texas 10-14
Rio Grande 9-15
Atlanta 6-18

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by fairly

So much for letting the computer pick... 7 starting pitchers out of 9. Nice balance.

This happened to me, but I did it purposely, by loading my file with as many pitchers as possible.

[Young Drachma]

PAYROLL
----

Rank	Team	Payroll
1	Atlanta Firecrackers	$67,849,955
2	Toronto Osprey	$63,527,760
3	Rio Grande Roadrunners	$63,527,600
4	Baltimore Terrapins	$63,100,000
5	New York Highlanders	$61,493,800
6	Valdosta Peanuts	$60,180,800
7	Columbus Crusaders	$60,107,550
8	Long Island Violators	$59,871,400
9	New Orleans Wrens	$58,597,200
10	Colorado Rancheros	$56,935,750
11	Compton Brothers	$56,686,500
12	Hartford Harpooners	$55,301,000
13	Brooklyn Brownstones	$54,032,800
14	San Diego Fathers	$52,609,900
15	Texas Travelers	$52,266,800
16	Chicago Thunderstorms	$51,510,000

[Young Drachma]

Uploading the file.

[Alan T]

Based on the payroll figures, I take it that I didnt sign any free agents!

[Tasan]

I got #s 4, 6 17, 31, and 35 from my list. Not shabby.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Alan T

Nice, drafted the #2, #15, #18 and #21 players on my draft list.

Fujii was your #2? Not what I would have expected. I dropped him to 20.

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Fujii was your #2? Not what I would have expected. I dropped him to 20.

I see the exact same thing in him that I saw in Edgardo Reyes when I originally got him. I'll quietly hope for the same results!

He fits my system perfectly, and will hopefully develop the way I need him to. Not every player is for every team, so I can see how some teams would lower him, but he's a good fit for Valdosta.