MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

[countryboy]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

Devastating blow in our game last night vs the Rockies as Michael Wacha left the game in the 6th inning due to head contusion after being struck by line drive. He will miss almost a month of action. Wacha was the most consistent starter we had in the rotation as he improved his record to 8-0 on the year in that game.

Called up Lance Lynn to take his spot. Hopefully we can maintain to stay within a 3-5 games of the Pirates until Wacha gets back. Really need Wainwright and Martinez to turn things around and start pitching well/consistently.

This puts a damper in our plans to move Brett Anderson out of the rotation due to ineffectiveness as we were going to replace him with Lynn. While we have other options in AAA, I'm not sure anyone else is ready to pitch on a regular basis at the major league level.


Wacha wasn't the only pitcher to get injured that day, as Max Scherzer was injured for the Nats and is out with a broken forearm.

[TGov]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

About a month until playoffs and I'm pondering some offseason moves...
My positions in question are...
3B, 1B/DH(depending on Hanley) and SP (of course)

An idea I have is to bring in Big JD, Josh Donaldson IF he doesn't resign with Toronto AND I can afford him (of course).

From there I still have Devers coming through the system. To insure he's not blocked, I can transition him to 1B/DH since he's not a strong defender. He'll probably be ready when Hanley's contact runs out.

I'm unsure what to do with Sandoval, his speed kills the team but he's hitting good against RH. I may use him as DH but I might just release him. It may come down to how his Spring Training goes.

EDIT: The Toddfather, Todd Frazier is also an option if Donaldson doesn't pan out. I'll have to wait and see who else is available in FA...

[countryboy]

MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

The calendar has turned to June. We are sitting 4 games back of the Pirates and are leading the wildcard.

Time to start seriously looking at our roster and what holes we have. And then decide how to best fill those voids.

Looking around league there are a few interesting players on the trade block but nothing at this time I feel that we really need to pursue.

One change being made is that Tommy Pham is being optioned to Memphis and Jeremy Hazelbaker is being brought up.


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[countryboy]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

After taking 2 of 3 from the Giants at home, we are currently on a 9 game road trip. We haven't started out well as we've dropped the first 2 against the Mets in Citi Field. And to make matters worse, we were shut out in both games. We will try to bounce back and win game 3.

We are really struggling to find an option at SS. Peralta isn't playing very well (.211 avg 7 HR 19 RBI) and he's committed now 10 errors on the season, including 4 in one game against the Giants. Reuben Tejada has been playing there at times, but I don't feel that he is the solution.

We have Aledmys Diaz in Memphis, but unlike real life, I'm not sure he's quite ready to be an everyday SS.

There are a few that we've inquired about on the market but the asking price is too steep.

Also I have contemplated trading Wainwright. He hasn't pitched consistently this year, and I'd like to be able to get something in return for him, if we do indeed trade him. Wacha's injury really sets this idea back, but at the same time, Wainwright is declining and he's contracted through next season for $18M.

Indians were interested in him and offered a decent return. I'll monitor how things go as the June unfolds and the deadline looms nearer, but its something I'm really considering.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

We managed to avoid the sweep against the Mets winning 3-1. But unfortunately we started a 3 game set with the Phillies (who are now managed by Joe Maddon) with a loss, 5-4. We jumped out early to a 4-0 lead, but Wainwright couldn't hang on to it.

Peralta continues to struggle and we have now inserted Reuben Tejada into the starting lineup. Something is going to happen with Peralta, but not sure what just yet. He actually has a minor league option left, so we could send him to Memphis and see if things turn around. He's in the final year of his contract so at the very least at the end of the year we will be free of his contract. I have explored trading him, but the return is extremely weak. The only two teams with decent return options are the Yankees and Rangers.

My hesitation is that I don't want to trade him and then see him perform well some place else, especially since we have no one in the minors knocking the door down and there are no viable free agent options.

We are still sitting at the top of the wildcard standings and 4 games back of the Pirates who just don't seem to lose. And when/if they do, we lose as well.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

Well..good thing I haven't made a move with Peralta yet as the last two games who is 4 for 7 with 3 RBI's. He also made two outstanding plays in a close contest with the Phillies, on actually prevented the game tying run from crossing the plate.

And speaking of guys struggling who had breakout performances, Brett Anderson went 8 strong innings allowing 1 run on 5 hits and striking out 6 while not issuing a walk.

Hopefully this is a sign that both will snap out of their season long slumps.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

Michael Wacha has returned to rotation and we reluctantly sent Lance Lynn back to Memphis. Lynn has been pitching well and his last outing went 8 1/3 innings before surrendering a 2 run homerun to Chris Carter of the Brewers. We lifted him (108 pitches) and let Rosenthal close the game out.

I really would like to keep Lynn in the major league rotation but not sure who to bump out. Wacha, Martinez, and Leake are pitching extremely well and won't be moved. Wainwright and Anderson are the candidates to be replaced but not quite sold on moving either one.

So for now Lynn will pitch in Memphis and we'll see how things shake out over the next 5 weeks before the trade deadline.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

We completed a 3 game sweep of the division leading Pirates to pull ourselves to within 1/2 game of the lead. 2 of the 3 wins came in walkoff fashion, a solo hr by Grichuk in game 1 and a RBI double by Tejada in game 3.

Next up is 4 game series with Braves in Atlanta


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[countryboy]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

We now lead the division by 1 game after winning first two of 4 games against the Braves.

We also made a trade to bolster our bullpen as we traded:

C - Mike Ohlman
RP - Seung Hwan Oh
OF - Tommy Pham

To the Rays for:

RP: Danny Farquhar

All three guys we traded were in Memphis. Oh down there as he struggled early this year. Pham down there for being unproductive and Ohlman was backup catcher to Carson Kelly.

Farquhar brings a 2.13 ERA to a bullpen that has been shaky at times.

Never thought about this trade until Rays placed him on the market.

With this move Seth Maness will go down to Memphis. This also gives us a security blanket of sorts should Broxton continue to struggle this year.


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[countryboy]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

Our lead over the Pirates is now 2 games as we've split the first two of three game series with the Cubs in Wrigley.

Michael Wacha improved his record to 9-0 in game 1 of the series as we beat the Cubs 4-2. Game 2 saw Brett Anderson pitch well, but our bullpen once again failed to maintain a lead, although in this game we only were up 1-0 as Jason Hammel really shut down our offense. We lost 4-1.

Still searching to see if there is another reliever out there that we can add to our pen (especially a lefty) as Sam Freeman is a little too inconsistent.

Also we are now without Kolten Wong for 15 days as he went on the DL with a knee injury. Jacob Wilson will be called up to replace him on the 25 man roster.

[TGov]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

In the playoffs with my Red Sox...

Finished the season by clinching first place on the last day of the season (1 game in front of the Blue Jays)

Awards won:
MVP - Chris Sale
Cy Young - Chris Sale
Gold Gloves - 2B Dustin Pedroia and SS Xander Bogaerts
Silver Slugger - Mookie Betts

League Leaders:
HR, Stolen Bases & Runs Scored by Mookie Betts
Wins, Strikeouts, Innings Pitched, WHIP, Win% by Chris Sale
Saves by Craig Kimbrel
Complete Games by David Price

I went on to claim the ALDS by defeating the Mariners 3-1
First 2 games were blowouts, the 3rd game the M's took thanks to a great pitching performance by Drew Smyly. King Felix pitched his 2nd game in the series in game 4 but I was able to beat him... again

Now in the ALCS vs the Indians, I have won Game 1 and 2 so far.
On to game 3!

Notes:
-Chris Sale has continued his MVP/Cy Young performance in the playoffs, David Price is pitching how he used to with the Rays and my offense is hitting how they're supposed to with the amount of talent I have.
-Having the momentum of winning the AL East on the last day of the season has propelled me into they playoffs.
-Sandy Leon has won the catcher position from Blake Swihart in the ALCS, and Sandoval is on his way to the bench with Matt Dominguez's hot bat lately.
-I've been going with a 4-man rotation of Sale, Price, Porcello and ERod. My lefties have been pretty dominate.

NLCS is the Dodgers vs the Marlins(surprising I know)
Dodgers are up 2-1 in the series.
I don't know how the Marlins have been winning, mediocre pitching and hitting. I guess they're just scraping by but I don't think they will with the Dodgers.


Back to Boston for Game 3, BOS 2 CLE 0...

[TGov]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

The 2017 World Series is set...
Boston Red Sox vs Los Angeles Dodgers

I beat the Indians in a very close Game 3, 2-1. Danny Salazar shut me down most of the game but Rick Porcello was right there with him. It came down to the bottom of the 9th when Benintendi hit a wall-scraping walk-off homerun to end it.
Game 4, Eduardo Rodriguez was very good through 5 and 2/3 striking out 7 without giving up a run and only surrendering 1 hit but walking 4. Sandoval homered, so did JBJ and Hanley.

Andrew Benintendi won the Postseason MVP award hitting .406 3HR 6RBI

On to LA to take down the Blue! Should be a good one...

[TGov]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

World Series Game 1 in LA

Heartbreaking, heartbreaking loss...
Kershaw shut me down pretty good until Sandy Leon went yard to centerfield to take a 1-0 lead.
That didn't last long as Justin Turner hit a 2-run bomb to left-center field the next inning.
I managed to comeback and tie it with another home run from... Yes! Sandy Leon! (Who does he think he is, Deven Marrero!?)

After 3 bloops and a mishandled catch at the plate, the Dodgers took a 3-2 lead in the 7th.
However, Hanley Ramirez took Sergio Romo deep to tie it in the 8th.(Very excite)
Then, with 2 guys on and Bobby Wilson at the plate, I underestimated him (as I figured I should) and left a changeup over the plate. He hit a 3-run homer that basically sealed the deal.
Jansen came in to close me out and that was that.
The World Series is where heroes are made.

Very tough loss to swallow but at least I'm not facing Kershaw in Game 2...
Time for Redemption.

[TGov]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

World Series Game 2 in LA.

This is an interest series, which is exciting but also very stressful.
I was able to go up 4-0 in the 1st thanks to a Pedroia sac hit and a JBJ 3-run homer which made me feel comfortable.
However, the Dodgers chipped away with a solo shot and timely hitting to bring it within 1, 4-3. Turner actually drilled a liner off the very top of the left-field wall but I somehow keep him to an rbi single, could have been a 3-run homer to tie the game.
I was able to get some insurance thanks to a pinch-hit home run from Chris Young off Rich Hill.
Like I said earlier, it got intense, I used many of my relievers as the Blue have a tough lineup.
But I was able to bring Kimbrel in for the 9th and shut the door.

Tied up the series at 1 a piece.
Going home to Boston to hopefully take hold of this World Series.
I got Porcello, Rodriguez & back to Sale for the home games.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

We lost the final game of the series with the Cubs 4-3 after our bullpen fell apart in the later innings. To make matters worse, we lost Bryan Pena until September due to a fractured arm. Pena was doing an admirable job in backing up Molina as he was hitting .298 with 3 HR and 15 RBI's in only 16 games of work.

We decided to call up recently signed Eric Fryer to the majors to serve as Molina's backup. Fryer played for us last year and did a decent job. We thought about calling up Carson Kelly, but I couldn't see having him set as the backup to Molina instead of developing in Memphis while playing everyday. We also thought about going outside the organization and making a trade. The best candidate that came about was former Cardinal Tony Cruz. But I didn't want to part with any prospects when we had the ability to stay within our organization.

We then started the first of 4 against the Nationals in Washington. We won 7-4 after a late inning rally. Fortunately we don't have to face Scherzer this series who is on the DL. We also don't face Strasburg because he opted to sign with the Rangers in the offseason.