Kansas City Monarchs: A Fictional OOTP Dynasty

[JetsIn06]

1916 Season: Presidents Cup Series

The Brooklyn Robins will attempt to win their third Presidents Cup Series in a row, but they'll have to go through their cross-town rivals, the New York Giants.

It takes eight games, but in the end, Brooklyn defeats New York, 5 games to 3.

[JetsIn06]

1917 Off-Season

While 1917 was supposed to be the beginning of change with a few top prospects, we ran into a serious injury problem with SP Tom Crumper, the 21-year-old #2 prospect. In August, the former first-overall pick tore his labrum, and will be out until August or September of this upcoming season. The plan was to have him come up sometime in June, but obviously, that plan will have to change. However, the more important issue is that he comes back from the injury without losing any of the amazing potential our scouts see of him.

We still have five other Top-100 prospects who will be ready at some point this year or next, and a full season of SP Larry Gibson (who finished with a 3.64 ERA in 20 starts) won't completely mess up the plan.

We also now feel extremely confident in RF Mark Cooper. Prior to the season I was worried he wouldn't live up to his number-one pick status, but he finished the season with a monstrous .354 batting average, which wins him the 1916 Columbia League batting title.

For the upcoming offseason, we have a bunch of holes to fill, which is a running trend of course. For the first time, we'll be looking for a new SS, but internal option SS Ed Coffelt (who I'd like to see as a bench guy) was incredible on defense in 114 games last year. For now, it's his job to lose, but I'll be keeping my eyes open for an upgrade.

We're also losing veteran 2B Gary Hoffer, who split his time between 1B and 2B last season. With 2B Adrian Black entrenched in his spot, we'll be looking for a more permanent 1B, which has been a revolving door over the last five seasons. We'll need a new starting C, and as always, rotation and bullpen help as well.

[JetsIn06]

1917 Off-Season: Arbitration

We have eight players eligible, and luckily, three of the players we're considering letting go actually make a decent amount of money, which will help our budget significantly.

The player most eligible to be let go is CF Kelly Ahrens, who was once locked in as one of our starting-three OF's. His AVG/OBP/SLG line dropped from .289/.345/.422 in 1915 to a dreadfully bad .161/.224/.241 in 1916. Set to make somewhere in the neighborhood of $4.8m, it's an easy decision to let him go. Before we do, as we typically do, we offer him up in trade discussions. Somehow, New York is interested, likely because they're looking for someone capable of playing CF. They offer us their own corner OF, LF Pierce Bracebridge, who is nothing extraordinary, but he'd certainly start for us in LF and is set to make $1.2m next year. We'll save some money and gain a starting LF through the trade.

With seven remaining players, we end up non-tendering six of them, only retaining MR Raul Flores.

[JetsIn06]

1917 Off-Season: Free Agents

We have five free agents, and as you could have guessed, none will be re-signed prior to them filing themselves as such. Going into free agency, we have a payroll of just $28m, giving us a $38m budget to play with. I think it's time we finally doing something to make a move.

Before the arbitration and free agency period end, the Minnesota North Stars offer us C Manuel Salazar, a guy who's bounced between AAA and the UBA for a while. In return, they want two guys that were not tendered contracts, so we accept and hope Salazar can become a decent backup.

[JetsIn06]

1916 Season: Final Standings and Awards

Columbia League           W   L

Brooklyn Robins           90  64
Baltimore Terrapins       88  66
Pittsburgh Arsenal        79  75
Newark Peppers            75  79
St. Louis Terriers        74  80
Kansas City Monarchs      56  98

United League             W   L

New York Giants           107 47
Toronto Maple Leafs       93  61
Philadelphia Athletics    73  81
Detroit Wolves            66  88
Chicago Packers           63  91
Minnesota North Stars     60  94

Columbia League Rookie of the Year:

C Ed Mayer (Pittsburgh)
.257/.373/.452
20 HR/79 RBI
1.6 WAR

United League Rookie of the Year:

C Lou Dail (New York)
.283/.380/.511
14 HR/51 RBI
1.4 WAR

Columbia League Pitcher of the Year:

SP Roger Browder (Brooklyn)
12-8
2.58 ERA 213 K/58 BB
7.5 WAR

United League Pitcher of the Year:

SP Junior Childress (Toronto)
21-5
2.05 ERA ERA 241 K/44 BB
8.8 WAR

Columbia League Hitter of the Year:

2B Matt Hixon (Pittsburgh)
.290/.284/.448
8 HR/76 RBI/41 SB
6.1 WAR

United League Hitter of the Year:

CF Gerald Greenfield (New York)
.340/.465/.574
24 HR/96 RBI/22 SB/119 BB/28 K
7.1 WAR

[JetsIn06]

1917 Off-Season: Outlook and Overview

Pos.  Name                 Close Prospect          Future Prospect

C     			   John Acton (#2) 	
1B    Charlie Stewart                      
2B    Adrian Black                                 Carlos Bernal (#8)
3B                       
SS    Ed Coffelt             
LF    Pierce Bracebridge                   
CF                         Jamie Gutierrez (#6)
RF    Mark Cooper

C     Manuel Salazar      
IF    Sean Sawicki
IF
OF
OF


Pos.  Name                 Close Prospect          Future Prospect

SP    Ryan Pederson        Tom Crumpler (#1) +
SP    Larry Gibson         Steve Wulff (#3)
SP                         Juan Hernandez (#4)
SP    Stu Pitts
SP    Rafael Rodriguez                                          

CL                         Joel Roller (#5)
SU    Tsumemasa Tanaka     Lance Eldridge (#7)
SU    Luke Overy                             
MR    
MR    
MR    
MR    Raul Flores

FYI, I've added a few notations to better describe the outlook on the team. The "+" indicates a long-term injury. This color represents a good player that could potentially be upgraded, and this color signifies a player pretty much entrenched in his position. Red signifies a player in his last year.

After our final moves prior to free agency, we enter the market with $41m to spend.

[sterlingice]

In 1917, do they treat a torn labrum with leeches?

SI

[JetsIn06]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

In 1917, do they treat a torn labrum with leeches?

SI

[JetsIn06]

1917 Off-Season: Free Agency

Three offers on the table to players on the first day of free agency. One is crazy. I have around $40m in budget room for my payroll, and three-time Columbia League Pitcher of the Year Award winner, SP Roget Browder, is available. He would immediately change the entire look of our club. He's pitching 200+ innings since the league's inception five seasons ago, and has missed 200 strikeouts just once, when he had 199. The guy is an absolute beast.

We also offered a contract to C Carlos Valle, who caught for us last year and did well, but was traded to Brooklyn at the deadline. He finished the year batting .236/.366/.375 and was solid on defense, allowing only 4 PB.

Finally, we also offered a three-year, $27m deal (with a team and vesting option included on the 2nd and 3rd year) to 2B Jim Riggs.

***

We're already in a bidding war with Toronto a few days later over SP Roger Browding. I never mentioned the offer I made to him, but it's already going up. My next offer is a four-year, $77m deal.

***

C Carlos Valle signs a one-year $5.25m deal with a team option for a second year at $6.75m.

***

While we're embroiled in a bidding war with Brooklyn and New York, 2B Jim Riggs signs with us.

***

We draft CF Pedro Rodriguez from the Pittsburgh Arsenal with the first pick in the Rule-5 draft.

***

Wow. SP Roger Browder signs with us! It's a four-year deal worth $94m, with two vesting years at $20m each. The fifth year vests with 15 GS in the fourth year, and the sixth year vests with 20 GS in the fifth year.

This is a huge signing for us, and we front-loaded the contract a bit so as our young players hit free agency we'll have a bit more wiggle room in the later years of the deal.

That wraps up free agency for us, as we don't have much room left, though I may make some minor-league offers before we get to spring training.

[JetsIn06]

1917 Season: Spring Training

We finish spring training at 11-13, with no major injuries.

[JetsIn06]

1917 Season: Amateur Draft

Things started off well, but injuries have taken their toll and we're now in 5th place with a 26-33 record. Other than far too many walks, our pitching has been very good. It's our offense that has stuttered, and part of that is because of injuries to SS Ed Coffelt, who is out for the year, and RF Mark Cooper, who already missed three weeks in May, and then went on the disabled list again in early June for a two-month stay.

In the draft, we have the great opportunity to have the top two picks, thanks to our inability to sign our pick last year, SP John Hadfield. He's back on the table now, as is SP Paul Mach. I feel like I probably should draft a position player with one of the picks though, and 2B Ismael Roman fits that bill nicely. He can probably play SS as well, and he has some power.

The debate really comes down to Hadfield or Mach. They are both 20, but Mach seems to have the better mastery of individual pitches to go along with his great abilities.

With the first pick, we take SP Paul Mach, and with the second pick, we go with 2B Ismael Roman.

In other news, top prospect SP Tom Crumpler is now dealing with another injury, suffered just five games after coming back from his torn labrum. He'll be out for the rest of the year.

[JetsIn06]

1917 Season: Presidents Cup Series

This is not where we wanted to be. We finish 63-91. The only positives we can take from this record is that it's our first time above 60 wins, and that we weren't the worst team in the league.

In the Columbia League, the Baltimore Terrapins have made it to the Presidents Cup Series for the first time, and the United League sees the New York Giants returning, making their fourth trip in six seasons.

In a UBA first, the New York Giants sweep the Baltimore Terrapins, 5 games to 0.

[JetsIn06]

1918 Off-Season: Arbitration and Free Agents

The 1917 season was a failure. I always looked at it as a stepping stone, a season where a bunch of prospects would be called up and set is up with a real core. Injuries screwed up that plan, and our catcher of the future, C John Acton, didn't make his debut until September, so he'll probably start in the AAA next season

Going into the off-season, we have five players eligible for arbitration. RF Mark Cooper, a super-two, will be going for the first time, along with CL Tsumemasa Tanaka and 2B Adrian Black. All three of the guys will be looked at for a long-term extension.

SP Elmer Glasgow, who has bounced between AAA and KC, will be let go.

A more interesting decision is LF Pierce Bracebridge, who we picked up in a trade last off-season. He's in his final year of arbitration, and is asking for $3.2m. He had a down year, but I think he can bounce back in his contract year.

2B Adrian Black was not interested in a reasonable extension, and RF Mark Cooper was uninterested completely. Luckily, our closer CL Tsumemasa Tanaka was interested, and signed a four-year, $8.6m deal.

Free agents MR Raul Flores, MR Gideon Infield, C Carlos Valle, and 2B Jim Riggs will all be let go.

[JetsIn06]

1917 Season: Final Standings and Awards

Columbia League           W   L

Baltimore Terrapins       91  63
Brooklyn Robins           85  69
Pittsburgh Arsenal        79  75
St. Louis Terriers        75  79
Newark Peppers            69  85
Kansas City Monarchs      63  91

United League             W   L

New York Giants           93  61
Toronto Maple Leafs       86  68
Detroit Wolves            82  72
Minnesota North Stars     73  81
Chicago Packers           69  85
Philadelphia Athletics    59  95

Columbia League Rookie of the Year:

SP Cesar Hernandez (Baltimore)
10-5
2.36 ERA 117 K/58 BB
3.7 WAR

United League Rookie of the Year:

Mitsuhide Kodama (Toronto)
.283/.380/.511
14 HR/51 RBI
1.4 WAR

Columbia League Pitcher of the Year:

SP Dewey Peterson (Pittsburgh)
18-8
2.70 ERA 154 K/51 BB
4.1 WAR

United League Pitcher of the Year:

SP Junior Childress (Toronto)
15-2
1.96 ERA ERA 225 K/43 BB
8.8 WAR

Columbia League Hitter of the Year:

2B Matt Hixon (Pittsburgh)
.328/.421/.470
11 HR/91 RBI/33 SB
8.2 WAR

United League Hitter of the Year:

CF Gerald Greenfield (New York)
.349/.478/.576
28 HR/109 RBI/17 SB/133 BB (!)/34 K
8.0 WAR

[JetsIn06]

1918 Off-Season: Outlook and Overview



Sorry to change up the format, but I think you'll agree that this is much easier to look at, and makes me not dread doing this part.

We have plenty of guys ready and waiting to step in to the rotation. God willing, SP Tom Crumpler will avoid another injury and make his debut, but the other four guys are also decent prospects who have a shot to be in the rotation later in the year.

That doesn't necessarily complicate things too much, but the question is, do I stick with the incumbent #4 and #5 starters, SP Stu Pitts and young prospect SP Carlos Cabral, who both struggled, or rely on just one of them and sign a veteran to a one-year deal?

Our bullpen is finally starting to take shape, but I'm in desperate need of a solid left-hander to pair with setup man MR Lance Eldridge.

Every year we also seem to be looking for a 3B and CF, and this year is no different. We have OF Jamie Gutierrez, who played all year for us last year at different positions. He can actually play 3B very well, but he also incredible range in the outfield, but very little experience playing CF. If we can get him the reps he needs there, he could play, but he could also take the 3B job if we find someone in free agency.

We don't have the luxury of $41m to play with like we did last year, but we do have $10m in budget room and $5m extra in cash for one-year deals or trades.

[JetsIn06]

1918 Off-Season: Free Agency

I think OF Jamie Gutierrez gives us much more value as a CF, so we kick things off by checking out available 3B. The first guy to catch my eye is 3B Enrico Dominguez. This guy is a defensive wizard, capable of playing SS in his younger days, but his range now lends itself well to 3B. According to our scouts, he's rated an 8 (on a 2-8 scale) in throwing arm, avoiding errors, and turning double plays. His range (6) is fine for 3B, but the guy can still steal bases, with 239 over the last six seasons. We extend an offer a two-year, $14m deal, with the second year being a team option.

Next, we look at the available CF, but there's only two legit starting options who both are asking for $17m or more. There is OF Mal Horton, a switch-hitter who's capable of playing LF and CF, but probably lack the arm to play RF. He had a decent season with Chicago last year, hitting .284/.326/.413 in limited action (218 AB), but it was his first season with a .300+ OBP since 1914, so expecting that again is foolish. But he'd be a decent bench option and his ability to switch hit is nice. He gets a one-year, $1m offer.

Next up, relievers, and we probably need two. We could use a left-handed specialist and a left-hander who can be a setup guy, so he'd need to be good against both sides of the plate.

MR Kenny Reed is a minor league free agent who's bounced around the league a bit. He would sign for $550k, and has some really solid tools, including a fastball that can reach 97MPH and a sinker that induces ground balls at a rate of 67%. At that price, I'm definitely willing to give him a shot.

Our second offer goes to MR Louis Scroggs, a 39-year-old left-hander who had a down year in 1917 after five tremendous years. He gets a one-year, $1.6m offer.

Our final opening offer goes out to 2B Nessun Sommers, who a year in Kansas City in 1914. He struggled then, but it seems to be the only year he struggled. He gets a $900k offer to come off the bench for us in 1918.

***

MR Kenny Reed, LF Mal Horton, and 2B Nessun Sommers all sign. A few days later, 3B Enrico Dominguez signs as well.

***

MR Louis Scroggs signs, giving us all of our opening targets. I may try to sign a veteran SP once we get later into the off-season and demands drop, but until then, we're done in free agency.

***

The Rule-5 draft comes, and in order to protect our young talent, we have to waive a few players, two of which got claimed. MR Martin Watkins, who actually did very well for us in the bullpen, is claimed by Newark, and C Manuel Salazar is claimed by Baltimore. We make no picks in the draft.

[JetsIn06]

1918 Season: Spring Training

We don't make any more offers in free agency, and head into Spring Training. We finish 11-13. cut down to 25, and start praying for a .500 record.

[JetsIn06]

1918 Season: Early Trade

I've been trying to avoid it, but SP Ryan Pederson really lost something over the last two years. He's still just 28 year old, but his walks have started to kill him. Last year, he walked 98 batters. This year, he's walked 11 in just 5.1 innings.

On opening day, we claimed SP Felix Chavez from New York. We're struggling at catcher, and now New York is willing to take on Pederson in exhange for C Bob Fitzgerald. It works out for us, but I'm sad to see Pederson go.

[JetsIn06]

1918 Season: Amateur Draft

SP Roger Browder was having a Pitcher of the Year Award type season. He won't pitch again in 1918. This is a devastating blow to our team, who are managing a record of 29-31 so far. This does open up a spot for SP Tom Crumpler, who's been destroying AAA hitting with a 1.88 ERA so far. When he made his debut, he went eight innings, giving up just one run and three hits while tallying seven strikeouts and walking one.

In the draft, we have the second pick. We take 3B Andy Davis. The 21-year-old power hitter can play any of the four infield spots, but we really see him as a 3B with his very strong arm. If his power develops like we think it will, he'll be a great fit with our team.

[JetsIn06]

1918 Season: A Winning Record

Presidents Cup Series results to come, but after six long, grueling seasons, we've finally achieved a winning record, and a good one at that. We finish the season at 85-69, good for a tie for 2nd place in the Columbia League. That, despite a four-month injury to our best and highest paid player, SP Roger Browder.

[JetsIn06]

1918 Season: Presidents Cup Series

In a rematch of last years Presidents Cup Series, the Baltimore Terrapins will attempt to not just avoid a replay of the five-game sweep they had imposed on them last year by the New York Giants, but to win for the first time in their short history.

Well, in the end, they failed to do either. Another five-game sweep, as the New York Giants overcome the Baltimore Terrapins, 5 games to 0, winning their 3rd Presidents Cup.

[JetsIn06]

1918 Season: Final Standings and Awards



Columbia League Rookie of the Year:

1B Darren Stanley (Brooklyn)
.279/.320/.595
42 HR/122 RBI
3.3 WAR

United League Rookie of the Year:

CF Norm Dodds (Philadelphia)
.271/.336/.420
9 HR/49 RBI
1.0 WAR

Columbia League Pitcher of the Year:

SP Declan Scudamore (Newark/Brooklyn)
21-6
2.20 ERA 197 K/64 BB
6.3 WAR

United League Pitcher of the Year:

SP Lester Almond (Minnesota)
15-7
2.35 ERA ERA 191 K/84 BB
3.6 WAR

Columbia League Hitter of the Year:

2B Matt Hixon (Pittsburgh)
.321/.427/.448
5 HR/72 RBI/30 SB
6.7 WAR

United League Hitter of the Year:

CF Gerald Greenfield (New York)
.338/.449/.626
36 HR/120 RBI/17 SB/109 BB/18 K (!)
7.3 WAR

This is Greenfield's fifth straight Hitter of the Year Award, and his sixth overall.

[JetsIn06]

1919 Off-Season: Arbitration and Free Agents

What a ride that was. But now, this is our moment to strike. We have a very good team right now, but 1919 and 1920 are our last two years with 2B Adrian Black before he hits a massive payday (somewhere else, most likely). We have some pretty good prospects, so we'll have to take a look at any surplus and see if we can use it in a trade to land a final missing piece.

We have nine arbitration-eligible players and three free agents. The first is super-two SP Larry Gibson, and there are some things starting to worry me. In the 1917 season, Gibson finished with a 2.99 ERA despite walking 98 batters, which can largely be attributed to his .238 BABIP. Now, we have a ridiculously good defense which will factor into that, but we also need to consider luck. Our scouts love everything about him other than his control, but he did improve on that this year. However, in twenty fewer innings, he gave up 9 HR more than he did last season. His 4.39 ERA was pretty pedestrian, as were his 130 K. He doesn't want a ton of money in his first arbitration year, but it's worth noting the issues.

The next guy we're looking at isn't because of any issues, but because he has made a ridiculous jump in the last year. 1B Sean Sawicki hit .278.330/.532 with 40 HR and 122 RBI this year, up from .234/.261/.407 with 18 HR last year. We offer him a three-year extension worth $20m, with two team options tacked on that could bring the offer to five-years and $33m.

Because of Sawicki's success, LF Charlie Stewart, who we got in a trade from Toronto thinking he would be our future 1B, has been playing LF, and doing it well, hitting .285/.404/.436 with 13 HR. We're open to signing him to an extension, but our terms are way off. He won't even agree to a one-year deal with me, so we'll be heading to arbitration. Same with 2B Adrian Black.

We do extend SS Ed Coffelt with a three-year, $8.5m deal.

We also extend RF Mark Cooper, with a four-year, $34m deal with a fifth-year team option worth $12.75m.

[JetsIn06]

1919 Off-Season: Outlook and Overview



On offense, we're pretty much set. We could use a right-handed OF for the bench, but otherwise, I feel comfortable with what we have.

Our rotation is looking great as well. One of the rotation spots will be taken up by one of the many AAA guys we have, who are all good prospects. As a matter of fact, I didn't have enough room on the chart. There's one or two other guys that could step in.

The bullpen is where we really need some arms, but again, those spots could be taken by the rotation guys who don't make it.

I'm debating whether one more top rotation arm, through a trade, would be the best allocation of my resources. I can basically afford a one-year deal for just over $10m. I could find a player in his final arbitration year headed to free agency, but giving up a bunch of young guys for a rental doesn't seem like a perfect idea. I'll have to think about this.

[JetsIn06]

1919 Off-Season: Free Agency

There's really not much to be done, but our first offer is to a right-handed hitting OF for a spot on our bench. CF Octavio Lucero, a 31-year-old who spent time with with Brooklyn last year gets a $1.5m offer.

We also make an offer to MR Chris Brown, who is no stranger to Kansas City. He spent 1912-1915 pitching well for the Monarchs, and after two seasons with St. Louis, he'll hopefully be coming back. He gets an offer for $929k.

***

Both players sign, and barring a trade, our shopping is done.

[JetsIn06]

1919 Season: Spring Training

We finish Spring Training with a record of 14-10. We have to make a few tough cuts to get to 25, specifically in the bullpen, but it's mostly because we have a lot of good guys.

[JetsIn06]

1919 Season: Amateur Draft

Despite a rough patch where all three of our starting outfielders were hurt for two weeks, we're two games up on the Baltimore Terrapins, and for the first time, are in first place.

Remember I said SS Ed Coffelt was a no-hit shortstop? Well, he's shutting me up so far with a .325/.352/.438 batting line, already matching his 2B total from last year (14) and surpassing his two home runs (he has 6 now).

His double-play partner 2B Adrian Black holds the lead in the batting race with a .338 average, and 1B Sean Sawicki leads the entire league with 19 HR.

On the mound, our focus on developing pitching (and the signing of SP Roger Browder are paying massive dividends, as Browder sits atop the pitching WAR leaders with 3.6, followed directly by SP Larry Gibson (2.5 WAR) and SP Tom Crumpler (2.4 WAR).

While SP Stu Pitts is struggling as our fifth starter, we have a truly incredible performance happening from our fourth starter, who was called up because of an injury to SP Felix Chavez. SP Carlos Cabral made his debut a little over a month ago, and the team hasn't lost in a game he has started. He's given up just three earned runs over six starts, giving him a tremendous 0.68 ERA so far. Sustainable? Probably not, but when we had to replaced Chavez, it was between Cabral and top prospect SP Steve Wulff. I went with Cabral because of his prior major-league experience, and it looks like it's paid off so far.

***

But, the topic at hand is the 1919 Amateur Draft, which is our first draft that has us selecting lower than the #2 pick. We'll be picking 9th this year thanks to our first winning record last season.

Once again, there's a clear favorite when our spot comes up, and it's CF Sean Basse. This guy's clearly got the defensive tools to stick in CF, with great speed and some pretty good power potential as well. If he can put everything he has the potential to be good at together, he could be a power-hitting CF with good range in the outfield and speed on the bases, maybe a 15 HR/25 SB kind of guy.

[JetsIn06]

1919 Season: Presidents Cup Series

The long years of rebuilding have paid off. After a Columbia League record 96-win season, we're heading to the Presidents Cup Series! We also set a league record for fewest runs allowed over the season, which was previously at 544, which we set by allowing just 518 runs. To win, we'll need to beat the New York Giants, who are going for their third Presidents Cup in a row.

SP Roger Browder was hurt two games before the end of the season, and we're still waiting to hear how bad it is. Losing him would be a tough blow, but our pitching really is good enough to overcome it.

Game 1

Sensation SP Carlos Cabral, who finished the year with a 16-3 record and a 2.38 ERA came out struggling, finishing just 3.1 innings with a whopping 10 BB and 5 ER.

But then, down 6-2 in the top of the 8th, a grand slam by C John Acton and then a run-scoring fielders choice puts us in the lead! P Steve Wulff and CL Tsumemasa Tanaka close out the 8th and 9th to get the win!

Game 2

We find out SP Roger Browder won't be available for the remainder of the series before the game, but that disappointment quickly wears off as we take a 5-0 lead after five innings. New York scores two, but we make it 9-0 with a four-run 9th and win on the road, heading back to Kansas City up 2 games to 0. 1B Sean Sawicki lead the charge with a 2-for-4 night with a 2B, a HR, 3 RBI and 3 R.

Game 3

C John Acton did his best to win Game 3 for us with a 2 HR game, but SP Tom Crumpler struggles, only lasting 2.2 innings. We lose 8-3.

Game 4

Another tough loss, as once again, our starter can't quite find his command, with SP Felix Chavez walking seven in four innings. We lose 7-4.

Game 5

We head back to New York, tied at two. SP Larry Gibson holds New York to 1 H over 6 IP, but unfortunately walked in a run in the 2nd inning and then gave up a sacrifice fly to the following batter. Our offense does nothing, and we lose 2-0, putting us down in the series 3 games to 2.

Game 6

We desperately need a win, and SP Carlos Cabral comes through with an eight-inning, three-hit game, giving up three runs but keeping us in the game. Our offense broke through in the the top of the 4th, scoring three, and we put it away in the top of the 7th, scoring four more. We win 7-4, and we head back to Kansas City tied 3-3.

Game 7

After an injury during the 2nd inning to SP Tom Crumpler, we were done for. The bullpen valiantly made it to the 6th keeping it 1-1, but by the bottom of the 9th, it was 4-1. With New York closer CL Travis Tremblay, one of the best in the game coming in, it was all but over.

But we wouldn't go down without a fight. After a lead-off walk and then an error, pinch-hitter SS Steve Jacobs struck out. But CF Pedro Rodriguez, who was almost left off the series roster, comes through with line drive into the outfield, scoring both runners, making it 4-3.

After RF Mark Cooper grounded out, it was up to 2B Adrian Black, who smacked a hard grounder to the right of the first-baseman, tying the game at 4-4.

And finally, it was 1B Sean Sawicki. With two outs in the bottom of the 9th, Sawicki launched a deep ball over the center-fielder's head, and over the wall behind him, walking off in his home park, and bringing the Monarchs within a game of the Presidents Cup!

Game 8

Can we win it in front of our home crowd? It will be SP Felix Chavez, who's struggled so far this series.

Unfortunately, the heroics were not from us this game. We took a 6-1 lead after four innings, but nine runs scored between the 5th and 7th innings made it 10-6. We made it 10-8, but wouldn't score again. The series is tied 4-4, and we're heading to New York for the first 9th Game in Presidents Cup history.

Game 9

This is it. The winner goes on a champion, the loser waits for another chance.

After eight innings, we trail 6-5, but it's been us on the attack, coming back from a 6-2 deficit. SS Ed Coffelt, our #6 hitter, leads off. He hits a 2-2 pitch deep, over the right-fielders head and ends up at 2B with a leadoff double!

Now, it's 3B Steve Jacobs. On a 3-1 count, he hits a deep fly ball to LF, but it's not deep enough to move the speedy Coffelt to third.

With one out and Coffelt on 2nd, it's CF Jamie Gutierrez. He swings and missed on a 2-2 count, and now we're down to our final out. It's PH Bob Fitzgerald, our backup catcher, who gets the call.

He swings at the first pitch, and skies it high to LF, but it's not deep enough to even get an over-reaction from fans. The game is over, and New York defeats Kansas City, 5 games to 4.

[JetsIn06]

1919 Season: 2B Adrian Black Signs Six-Year, $79m Deal

The last out was just recorded, but before we do anything else, we reach out to 2B Adrian Black who is entering his final year of team control. He's been our most reliable player since taking the starting job his first full season in 1916, playing in every game but one since. Each year since then, his WAR has gone up, reaching a stunning 7.1 this season with a .313/.396/.408 line and 51 SB.

He accepts a six-year, $79m deal. He can opt out after the fifth season.

[JetsIn06]

1919 Season: Final Standings and Awards



Columbia League Rookie of the Year:

CF Mike Hawkins (Kansas City)
.285/.367/.446
15 HR/68 RBI
4.5 WAR

United League Rookie of the Year:

LF Henry Rush (Philadelphia)
.323/.351/.373
1 HR/37 RBI/20 SB
2.0 WAR

Columbia League Pitcher of the Year:

SP Carlos Cabral (Kansas City)
16-3
2.38 ERA 156 K/76 BB
4.2 WAR

United League Pitcher of the Year:

SP Louis Benques (New York)
17-6
2.84 ERA ERA 204 K/45 BB
7.5 WAR

Columbia League Hitter of the Year:

3B John Boyd (Brooklyn)
.309/.368/.565
31 HR/86 RBI
6.7 WAR

United League Hitter of the Year:

LF Gerald Greenfield (New York)
.322/.449/.533
23 HR/113 RBI/125 BB/23 K
7.3 WAR

[JetsIn06]

1920 Off-Season: Arbitration and Free Agents

We haven nine players eligible for arbitration, and three free agents going into the off-season. There are two arb guys that we'll consider offering long-term extensions to, SP Larry Gibson and LF Charlie Stewart, as well as five non-tender candidates.

Prior to last year, I mentioned my concerns about SP Larry Gibson. His overall numbers were better this year, but he still had a high BB/9 rate (3.76), down from 4.18 the year prior and 4.65 in 1917. Meanwhile, his K/9 rate has slowly climbed from 6.31, to 6.96, to 7.01 this year. The big difference for him this year was his HR/9 rate, which ballooned to 1.23 last year and is down to 0.35 this year. So, now that he is in his second of four arbitration years (he was a super-two), we have to consider a long-term deal. After some negotiating, he accepts a four-year, $24m extension, with a fifth-year option worth $8.5m.

Next up is LF Charlie Stewart. He's been a consisten 4.5+ WAR player for three seasons with improving OBP (.360, .404, .415) and decreasing strikeout totals (125, 116, 75). Unfortunately, he's not interested in anything less than a massive contract, and not willing to sign a one-year deal, so we'll be heading to arbitration.

[JetsIn06]

1920 Off-Season: Overview and Outlook



Our biggest weakness in the lineup is obviously at 3B, but with three guys who we view as good prospects at that position, I'm leaning towards giving 3B Ruben Flores a shot. If he doesn't work out, we go to 3B Luis Rey.

Doing that will let us allocate our budget (about $8m) towards the bullpen, where we're in need of a LHP or two.

[JetsIn06]

1920 Off-Season: Free Agency

The plan is to sign one or two left-handed relievers, maybe a left-handed infield bat for the bench, and that's really it. Of course, I'm always exploring different trade scenarios but I really don't want to mess up the dynamic of our team.

Our first offer goes to SP Dewey Peterson, who we'd plan to use in the bullpen. I like the fact that he can start in an emergency, plus the fact that his very good stats (a career 3.22 ERA) as a starter could be even better out of the bullpen. He gets a one-year, $1.5m offer.

We also make an offer to switch-hitter 3B Bob McTeir for $1.7m. He can play any position in the infield, but is most comfortable at 2B and 3B. He's got some decent power too, hitting 14 HR last year with Newark. He could be our starting 3B, actually, which will change the plan a bit, but having him come off the bench would not be a disappointment.

***

Both players sign with us, and we'll head into the 1920 season as our roster currently stands.

[JetsIn06]

1920 Season: Spring Training

We finish 19-5 with no major injuries, but cutting down to 25 was actually hard for the first time. On the position player side it was easy, but we have a bunch of pitchers who are out of options, so we have to make do with some young guys (like top prospect SP Paul Mach) who only have a few games under their belt. Mach specifically looks like he'll be coming out of the bullpen for a bit, which isn't ideal. I'd rather have him starting in AAA, but I don't have that choice.

[JetsIn06]

1920 Season: Amateur Draft

It's June 5th, 1920, and we're in first place again! Our pitching has been lights out, with three of our five starters sporting a 2.50 ERA or lower, with SP Roger Browder leading by example with a 1.62 ERA. On offense, RF Mark Cooper is leading the charge, hitting .339/.392/.395 with 20 SB.

We pick 15th in the draft, and we have some options. First, there is MR Gustav Boden, probably the best overall talent in the draft, but I'm wary of picking a reliever with our first pick.

SS Brad Patterson is another option, but I really don't like his skill combination. His hitting ratings are one thing, but on defense, he's got good range, but just an average arm, so I'd see him as a 2B, but his ability to turn the double play is below average, so I don't know where I'd put him.

The best starter available is SP Chris Brown, a 6'6" RHP who's skill set would fit well in our park. Good control, great movement, but below average stuff.

The final option is C Mauro Valdez, a 17-year-old Puerto Rican backstop whose only real above-average tool is his plate discipline.

When I put it all like that, maybe the reliever is the best option? MR Gustav Boden is a 22-year-old left-hander with excellent stuff, good movement, and good control. He could probably step in immediately, but we'll let him develop for a bit. We take him with the 15th pick.

***

It looks like we made the right move, considering we end up getting SS Brad Patterson and C Mauro Valdez with our next two picks.

[JetsIn06]

1920 Season: Trade Deadline

I have a crazy idea.

I have an abundance of pitching, so much so that not only is my entire rotation pitching like an ace, but I have at least three guys in the bullpen that could also be starting. The ace of my team is SP Roger Browder, but he's also owed another $40m for the next two seasons. The contract wasn't a mistake by any means, and I'm definitely getting enough value out of it, but I made that offer when we had, literally, no pitching to speak of.

If I traded Browder and got, say a power-hitting 3B, or a SS that could field AND hit, I'd probably be making my team much better just by making it more balanced. The downgrade in pitching wouldn't be a big one, but I could really upgrade my offense. Even a package of prospects would help more than losing Browder hurt.

Initially, it seems like our most willing trade partner is Chicago, but I don't think they're willing to give up enough. We'll re-approach this in the off-season, when some of the bigger budget teams are looking to reload.

***

Wait. One more idea. I had sort of knocked out Brooklyn as a rebuilding team since they are 11 games back. I didn't consider turning this in to a "buyers" kind of trade for us, but if we went after a guy like 3B John Boyd from Brooklyn who's in his last year and is a power-hitting, slick fielding third baseman, and sent Browder along with a few prospects, maybe the the idea would work? It turns out I was right. We send SP Roger Browder, SP Juan Hernandez, 2B Carlos Bernal, 3B Ruben Flores, and SP Stu Pitts to Brooklyn, getting 3B John Boyd, MR Scott Powell, and 1B John Cooper.

[JetsIn06]

1920 Season: Presidents Cup Series

We do it again! With a 93-61 record, we finish 1st in the Columbia League, and we'll face off once again with the New York Giants.

Game 1

SP Tom Crumpler delivers a gem, with 7 IP, giving up no runs and just four hits. 1B Sean Sawicki and CF Mike Hawkins both hit one deep, and we win 3-0.

Game 2

The polar opposite of Game 1, the score was 7-5 after just two innings. Our six-run 2nd inning put us on top, but we gave up three more and lose 9-7.

Game 3

A fairly non-descript game. It was pretty close, everyone was always within a run or two of each other, and only one crooked number on the board, when New York scored two in the 4th off two doubles. We lose 4-2.

Game 4

This one is tough to take. In the top of the 9th, we're down 7-4, when 3B John Boyd hits a two-run HR to make it 7-6, and then RF Mark Cooper triples to tie it up with two outs, and the game goes to extras. In the bottom of the 11th, three straight one-out singles brings home the winning run, and we lose 8-7, and go down 3 games to 1.

Game 5

Payback! It was close, as we almost blew it. Up 2-0 going into the 8th, New York scored after we loaded the bases on two walks and a HBP, followed by another walk, making it 2-1. In the 9th, the tie the game on a RBI-single. In the bottom of the 9th, a leadoff double by LF Charlie Stewart, an intentional walk to 3B John Boyd, and then a sac fly made it 1st and 3rd with one out. OF Jaime Gutierrez struck out, but RF Mark Cooper comes through with a single, and we win 3-2, bringing the series to 3-2.

Game 6

A win and we're even. Down 5-2 in the bottom of the 8th, we tie the game with three runs as nine players come to the plate and record just three hits, with a bases loaded walk and a RBI-fielders choice contributing. After a scoreless 9th and 10th, we came to bat in the bottom of the 11th, and after a one-out single by RF Mark Cooper, 1B Sean Sawicki launched a bomb, deep into the night over the left-field wall. We win 7-5, and the series is tied at three games a piece!

Game 7

Just a bad game. We lose 8-2, and we're one loss away from going home again.

Game 8

After going down 4-0 in the 5th inning, things didn't look good. In the top of the 8th, we made our move, scoring two runs on four straight singles. C John Acton brought us within one with another RBI-single two batters later, but with one out and runners on first and second, CF Mike Hawkins grounded into a 6-4-3 DP. We went down 1-2-3 in the 9th, and New York wins their fourth straight Presidents Cup, 5 games to 3.

[JetsIn06]

1920 Season: Final Standings and Awards



Columbia League Rookie of the Year:

RF Ramiro Torres (St. Louis)
.312/.346/.472
11 HR/69 RBI
3.4 WAR

United League Rookie of the Year:

MR Jose Martinez (Minnesota)
78 IP
76 K/ 24 BB
1.3 WAR

Columbia League Pitcher of the Year:

SP Carlos Cabral (Kansas City)
19-4
2.68 ERA 192 K/104 BB
3.5 WAR

United League Pitcher of the Year:

SP Mario Romero (Chicago)
16-8
3.19 ERA ERA 158 K/71 BB
5.5 WAR

Columbia League Hitter of the Year:

1B Darren Stanley (Brooklyn)
.282/.347/.574
45 HR/126 RBI
5.2 WAR

United League Hitter of the Year:

3B Wayne Keeler (Detroit)
.335/.388/.559
38 HR/127 RBI
6.4 WAR

[JetsIn06]

1921 Off-Season: Arbitration and Free Agents

After three straight winning seasons, our attendance has risen dramatically. A yearly crowd of less than 1.3m in 1912 reached just under 3.8m in 1920. We'll have to keep up what we're doing if we want that to continue, but luckily the increase in attendance has also given us a pretty significant bump in budget, going from $90m or so in 1912 to $140m. I tend to invest much more of that than league average back into scouting and player development, but it also allows us to lock up some of these guys like 2B Adrian Black that looked like goners a few years ago.

We have a few interesting cases in our arbitration class this off-season. CF Jamie Rodriguez, who's lost the starting job to CF Mike Hawkins still had a very good year, and he's extremely versatile, coming off the bench or spelling our starting OF's against RHP's, but starting at 3B against LHP. I love that, but he's now in his first year of arbitration and asking for $4.4m. Not bad, but I'd really like to lock up these years, just for the sake of cost certainty. I wouldn't want him demanding $10m a year from now and be forced to trade him or something. We offer him a three-year deal worth $18.2m, essentially giving him what he wants, along with a raise each year, but now we'll know his cost moving forward until he hits free agency.

Then, there's LF Charlie Stewart. He refused to sign any kind of offer last year, and now that he's in his last year under team control, I'm not sure what to expect. It looks like he's expected to make $13.75m in arbitration, which is a lot, but probably worth it for an almost-guaranteed 3.5 WAR. He's asking for a four-year, $60m extension, with the ability to opt-out after three years. I'll have to come back to this.

Bob McTeir was signed last off-season and came off the bench for us, only getting 90 AB. Despite that, he did very well in those 90 AB, so he gets a one-year, $2m offer to keep that role going into 1921.

Now, a very tough call is SP Felix Chavez, who we claimed on waivers prior to the 1918 season. He's done extremely well for us, both in the rotation and in the bullpen, finishing last season with a 3.65 ERA with 96 K, 45 BB, and 2.6 WAR in 133.1 innings. The hard part? He's injured with a very serious arm injury and will be out for nine months. That means a June return, and a month of rehab or so, so in the end three months of contribution for his $3m asking price. Obviously, paying it would also let us retain him for future years. He gets his asking price, a one-year deal for $3m, but because he'll finish with just four years of service time, we'll still control his rights after the contract.

Now, the really hard one. SP Carlos Cabral has had stunning results with us. We landed him way back in 1914, in the trade that sent C Orland Torres to Minnesota. He's 26 years old now, and over the last two seasons has pitched to absolutely stunning results, winning the 1919 Pitcher of the Year Award, and probably being in the mix for it again this year after a 19-4, 2.68 ERA season with 192 K's. The problem? I have no idea if it's sustainable. He walks far too many guys, finishing with 104 walks this year. He also gave up 22 HR. The part that scares me is his .213 BABIP. As I've said before, we have a terrific defense, but our team-wide pitching BABIP is .276, so even with that as the baseline, .213 is pretty crazy. I'm not considering non-tendering him, but I am debating a long-term deal. He'd sign one, too, and it'd be a bargain. Five years, $50.25m is his asking price, so I could probably get him down a bit. But do I commit that to a guy that looks like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode back to his true talent level? Do I go year to year and pray that his demands don't go up to $20m per year when he puts up the same numbers for another two years? After looking at his 4.14 FIP, I can't take the risk, and I offer him a one-year deal for $6.8m, and we'll revisit the extension after 1921 season, or just go year-to-year in arbitration if I'm not convinced. I really hope I didn't just make a mistake passing on that extension.

Going back to LF Charlie Stewart, I think I'm willing to make the move and offer him a three-year, $41m deal with two team options that would bring the total to $69m.

That's it for arbitration players, but 3B John Boyd, who we picked up from Brooklyn, is a free agent. He's asking for a seven-year, $157m deal, and I can't justify giving that to him with multiple 3B prospects waiting. He is a Type-A free agent, so we'll at least get a couple extra picks.

[JetsIn06]

1921 Off-Season: Outlook and Overview



With 3B Andy Davis ready and waiting, I don't think I'll be doing anything crazy to fill that spot. For now, OF/3B Jaime Gutierrez will likely take that job until mid-June.

As usual, I could use another left-handed reliever so our focus will be on that. Otherwise, we'll put some of our budget back into player development, but may also try to make a big international splash in the upcoming season.

[JetsIn06]

1921 Off-Season: Free Agency

Our first, and possibly only offer goes to MR Jose Hernandez, a 33-year-old left-handed reliever who finished last season with a 2.64 ERA and a 2.80 FIP. He wants a three-year deal worth $6.5 per year, so I offer him two. He signs a few days later.

[JetsIn06]

1921 Off-Season: Kansas City Acquires SP Cesar Hernandez

We just made a big move. Risky? Definitely. But it also erases some of the things I've been worried about.

SP Carlos Cabral accomplished incredible things for us, but I really had no way of knowing if he could continue them. I can let some other team worry about that. Baltimore was very willing to take Cabral, along with four other players, in exchange for SP Cesar Hernandez, a 24-year-old who's already going into his 5th big-league season. He boasts a 95 MPH fastball, along with a great curve and change, with a good splitter as well, the combination of which leads to a 75% ground ball rate. In addition, he's left-handed, which will compliment my four other right-handed starters nicely. In four seasons, he has a 2.54 ERA and a 3.05 FIP, and strikes out 7.72 per nine innings, while walking 3.27.

To get him, we deal SP Carlos Cabral, 2B Ismael Roman, SS Dennis Dasher, C Diego Castro, and SP Steve Wulff.

[JetsIn06]

1921 Off-Season: UBA Announces Expansion Plans

The UBA has announced that four new teams will begin play in the 1922 season. Two teams will be added to each league, and existing teams will each be able to protect 40 players from their organization, while some players who have under a specific number of years experience will be automatically protected. Teams will be allowed to choose just one player from each team, and must fill the remainder of their roster with free agents.

The city and name of each of the four teams will be announced during the 1921 season.

[JetsIn06]

1921 Season: Spring Training

We finish the spring with a 16-8 record, but RF Mark Cooper will miss the first month of the season.

[JetsIn06]

1921 Season: Amateur Draft

Because of 3B John Boyd heading back to Brooklyn on a four-year $74m deal, we get their first-round pick and a supplemental pick, giving us 3 of the top 19 picks.

With our first pick, we select 20-year-old 2B Louis Blake. This doesn't seem like a very deep draft, but Blake is a good fielder with a good eye and fantastic speed on the bases.

With our next pick, we take SP Tommy Mossman, and our supplemental pick nets us power-hitting LF Brooks Bosley.

In other news around the league, the four expansion teams have been named for the 1922 season. Playing for the Columbia League will be the Cleveland Foresters and the Washington Capitols. For the Federal League, the two new clubs will be the Boston Minutemen and the Buffalo Blues.

Our record stands at 38-21, back on top in first place, eight games ahead of St. Louis.

[JetsIn06]

1921 Season: Presidents Cup Series

For the third straight season, we've made it to the Presidents Cup Series, but for the first time, we'll be looking to win it. The United League featured an intensely close race, with the Chicago Packer winning their final game of the season, and the Minnesota North Stars losing their final game of the season, after going into those final games tied with an 88-65 record.

We're going into the series without LF Charlie Stewart and SP Paul Mach, who's first year in the rotation was incredible, finishing 12-8 with a 2.64 ERA. Unfortunately, he had a devastating injury at the end of August, and not only will he miss this series, but he'll be out until at least September of next season.

This is also the first time we're not facing the juggernaut offense of the New York Giants. Chicago's pitching is their strong suit, finishing with the best overall ERA in the United League with a 4.04 ERA. Luckily for us, ours is just 3.29, so we should have an advantage in almost every area.

Game 1

Our ace SP Tom Crumpler takes the mound for us in Game 1 and gets demolished, finishing just two innings with 7 H allowed and 4 ER. Our offense does nothing, and we lose 6-1.

Game 2

That's more like it. SP Larry Gibson goes seven, giving up just 3 H with 8 K and 0 BB. 3B Steve Jacobs comes through with 2-3 day with a HR, 2 RBI, and 2 R scored.

Game 3

Another game where we just can't muster any offense. We get just 3 H and score one. We lose 5-1.

Game 4

We go down 3-0 early, but in the top of the 5th, we have a two-out rally, scoring four. We scored one, then an error on their shortstop kept our inning alive, and we scored three more to take the lead. They matched us in the 6th, scoring one to tie, and the game went scoreless until the top of the 10th, when rookie CF Sean Basse drove him 2B Adrian Black on a sac fly after he reached third on an error. We struck out with the bases loaded to end the inning, but we had our run. A 1-2-3 inning in the bottom half sealed the 5-4 win, and we tie the series at 2.

Game 5

Wow. Just wow. We go into the top of the 9th with a 4-1 lead after an 8-inning masterpiece by SP Tom Crumpler. We get two quick outs. A single, and then a double make it 2nd and 3rd. A 2-RBI single makes it 4-3. Then, disaster, as 3B Bob McTeir makes an error on an easy play. Thet batter singles, driving home the winning run, and we go out 1-2-3 in the bottom half. We lose 5-4.

Game 6

Another terrible performance. Not much to be said, other than we lose 11-1. We need a miracle.

Game 7

Another blown lead. We're up 3-2 in the 8th, and the typically reliable CL Tsumemasa Tanaka blows it, allowing the inherited runner at 2nd to score on a double, and then another single. We lose 4-3, and the Chicago Packers take the series, 5 games to 2.

[JetsIn06]

1921 Season: Final Standings and Awards



Columbia League Rookie of the Year:

1B Armand Gibson (Pittsburgh)
.276/.361/.405
11 HR/73 RBI
2.5 WAR

United League Rookie of the Year:

CF Santiago Barajas (Philadelphia)
.360/.376/.563
13 HR/47 RBI/21 SB
4.2 WAR

Columbia League Pitcher of the Year:

SP Cesar Hernandez (Kansas City)
20-7
2.88 ERA 211 K/85 BB
6.1 WAR

Hernandez wins the Pitcher of the Year Award after being traded for the incumbent POTY award, Carlos Cabral. My instincts on Cabral were correct, at least for this past season. He finished with a 9-15 record with a 4.18 ERA, 166 K, and 114 BB.

United League Pitcher of the Year:

SP Colin Sabin (New York)
17-8
2.63 ERA 206 K/42 BB
7.5 WAR

Columbia League Hitter of the Year:

1B John Searle (St. Louis)
.288/.358/.544
40 HR/114 RBI
4.1 WAR

United League Hitter of the Year:

LF Gerald Greenfield (New York)
.333/.442/.530
22 HR/70 RBI/100 BB/29 K
6.3 WAR

This is Greenfield's 8th HOTY award.

[JetsIn06]

1922 Off-Season: Arbitration and Free Agents

This is going to be a challenge. We have a lot of good guys up for arbitration, the majority of them in their first year, and they're already asking for a lot. Six guys are eligible for their first time, and we have a difficult call to make with the injured SP Felix Chavez.

Let's start there. Chavez has been with the team since the 1918 season and has performed in multiple roles, both starting and coming out of the bullpen. He injured his shoulder during the Presidents Cup Series, but will be back before the start of the 1922 campaign. He had an okay, but not great season in 1921. He only made 12 starts due to other injuries throughout the year, and finished with a 4.55 ERA. It would take $3.4m to sign him for the year, and I could really use the depth now that SP Paul Mach is out for the season. At the same time, I could really use the money, as you'll see soon, with two free agents leaving that I'd like to re-sign. For now, I'm going to non-tender him, but attempt to sign him back in free agency at a lower cost.

SP Tom Crumpler also had limited action due to injury, starting 13 games but finishing with a solid 3.42 ERA, but a 4.02 FIP. He had a homerun rate almost double that of the previous seasons. Luckily, he's open to a very team-friendly deal, as we basically buy out his first two arbitration years for $14.5m, his third arbitration year will be worth $6.25m but we hold a team option on it, and his first free agent year will be worth $7.25, but we also hold a team option on that.

We sign MR Bill Alexander to a five-year, $10.6m deal with the last two years being team options. We also re-sign MR Greg Sommer to a low-cost two-year deal.

The next big name is C John Acton, who has become an incredible player in his first four years. For the past two seasons, he's hit 31 HR each time and hit .281/.339/.512 and .276/.340/.491, finishing with 4.8 and then 4.3 WAR. He's the ideal long-term extension candidate, and we offer him a four-year, $39m deal, with two team options that would bring it to six-years, $64.6m.

The final long-term candidate is CF Mike Hawkins, who's first three full-time seasons have totaled 12.2 WAR. Last season, he finished with a .293/.396/.492 line, but his CF defense has been just average. Still, he's contributing in a huge way on offense. He's not as open to a team-friendly deal, asking for a six-year, $93m contract. We talk some sense into him, a get him at six-years, $61.7m, with the final of two of those six years being team options.

Now, free agents. 3B Bob McTeir had a down year and will walk, but CL Tsumemasa Tanaka and starting SS Ed Coffelt are both big parts of our team.

We try to get Tanaka, who wanted a five-year deal, down to two years, but after a back and forth he broke off negotiations. As for Coffelt, I actually thought he'd be open to something very reasonable, considering it's his defense that's contributed so heavily to his value. He's finished with an OBP higher than .300 just three times in his six full seasons. I was wrong. He's asking for a five-year, $73m deal, which I can't even come close to affording at this point. He'll enter free agency and we'll see what we can do, but it looks like he'll be playing for someone else next season.

That is, unless we bring our scouting and player development budgets down to league average. If we did that, we could afford him. The question is, should we do that? Scouting is probably a little more important now that we're picking lower in the draft, as guys aren't as sure of thing, but in terms of player development, maybe we can sacrifice a little there now that we don't have the type of budget that makes prospects can't miss. Coffelt has been such an important part of our club, and I also haven't even tried to get him down to a friendlier deal. Let's see what we can do.

We got him. It's not the most favorable deal in the world, but we get him for five years for $64.5m, the final of which he can opt out, but that year is worth $16.5m, but we had to do that to save some money up front.

[JetsIn06]

1922 Off-Season: Overview and Outlook



Wow, our farm system is barren. We need a closer and a RHB infielder for the bench, but I'm going to look on the scrap heap, so any remaining budget can go towards signing some international amateurs. We clearly have other guys in the minors who could step up and become good prospects, but for this, I only marked guys that I think have a chance of becoming regulars in the majors.

[JetsIn06]

1922 Off-Season: Free Agency

We bring back 3B Bob McTeir on a one-year, $900k deal. There's literally no bullpen help worth pursuing.