MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

[countryboy]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

The free agent market is big this year:

SP - Jake Arrietta
SP - Madison Bumgarner
SP - Chris Sale
SP - Yu Darvish
1B - Eric Hosmer
3B - Mike Moustakas
2B - Jose Altuve


Our biggest signing thus far:

SP - Michael Wacha to 4 years $48M
1B - Matt Holliday 1 year at $5M

Bunch of minor signings as well.

Indians traded C Nick Hundley to the Rangers for 1B Prince Fielder.

Crazy offseason thus far.

Now we need to decide what to do with Adam Wainwright. His production is declining and he's owed nearly $19M this year. I thought about moving him the pen, but that much money dedicated to a single player pitching in the pen. We have guys in AAA who are ready to take a shot at the majors.

I will say this, we are going to make a push for Chris Sale or Madison Bumgarner even though Wacha was signed to be our ACE. We really could use a LH starter since re-signing Brett Anderson is out of the question. Either Sale or Bumgarner will require a major payday ($30M/yr) and I'm not really willing to sign either to a long term deal as I don't want that much money tied up, but I'm thinking if either will take a 2-3 year deal, preferrably with an option at the end, I definitely, even with Wainwright's contract, have the funds to make it happen. If we signed one or the other, we will most likely try to find a suitor for Wainwright.

Free Agency begins!

[countryboy]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

Molina retiring has really "messed" things up.

Plan was to sign him to a 1-2 year deal and bring up Carson Kelly and let them platoon at catcher.

Now Molina and Bryan Pena have both retired leaving us scrambling for catchers, especially one ready to play at the MLB level.

And the market for catchers is scarce


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[Bullit]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

Molina retiring has really "messed" things up.

Plan was to sign him to a 1-2 year deal and bring up Carson Kelly and let them platoon at catcher.

Now Molina and Bryan Pena have both retired leaving us scrambling for catchers, especially one ready to play at the MLB level.

And the market for catchers is scarce


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

GET BACK TO WORK!!

[countryboy]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

Some updates:

The Yankees traded Joe Mauer to the Pirates for prospects

The Angels signed SP Yu Darvish

The Orioles signed RF Carlos Gonzalez


We are still working on seeing if we can't sign Sale or Bumgarner, but it's not looking too good at the moment

[countryboy]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

Well we are officially out the market for Chris Sale and Madison Bumgarner. They are both seeking long term deals and our offers have been rejected.

Funny thing is the White Sox are bound and determined to sign an Ace this year. They have long term, high dollar offers to Jake Arrietta, Chris Sale, and Madison Bumgarner.

Frustrated with myself as we messed around with trying to get Sale or Bumgarner, and inquiring about Eric Hosmer, we neglected Johnathon Broxton to wound up signing with the Marlins. The relief pitching market is pretty weak, and I wanted to check in with Broxton, but that won't be happening now.

We did sign A.J. Ellis to be the "mentor" for Carson Kelly. I'm looking at making a trade for a young prospect catcher, but we will wait until later in the offseason to see who all shows up on the market as arbritration isn't offered and non-tendered contracts.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

WE DID IT! WE DID IT! WE DID IT!

We wheeled and we dealed and it took a tough decision but the Cardinals have signed Madison Bumgarner to a 2 year/$60M deal, with both a player and club option for the 2nd year. We worked hard to get either Sale or Bumgarner but we were constantly getting booted on offers, but with determination we got our man!

It took making a heartstrings tugging trade, in sending Adam Wainwright to the A's for a relief pitcher prospect. The A's were constantly interested in Wainwright when seeking trade partner/options. So we decided to pull the trigger as we really have no spot for Wainwright on our club, especially after the season he just had.

We took a gigantic step into getting over the hump and beating the Dodgers in the NLCS. We also matched the Cubs who signed Alex Cobb this offseason to bolster their rotation. We took another step against the Dodgers by signing J.P. Howell to a one year deal for $2M to beef up our bullpen.

Chris Sale went back to the White Sox on a max deal. The White Sox just missed the playoffs this past season.

Jake Arrietta is still unsigned as he had a bad year and is seeking a max deal.

I am so estatic! Our rotation for next season:

Michael Wacha
Madison Bumgarner
Carlos Martinez
Lance Lynn
Mike Leake

Additional options:

Alex Reyes
Jack Flaherty

We are still shopping Matt Adams who we signed, but don't have a spot for. Seeking a catching prospect in return.

Now to see what else we can do to finally get over the hump and back into the World Series!


Other big news, the Twins signed free agent 1B Eric Hosmer to a 6 year deal!

[countryboy]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

We continue to try to figure out how the best to construct our roster to be the best we can be. We continue to also shop Matt Adams. Have interested teams, just want to get the best value for him that I can.

Right now our focus is how to construct our bench. Our everyday lineup is pretty much set, but determining our bench is proving to be a bigger chore than I anticipated.

[dowie]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

Hey Country Boy - i am enjoying the read. Question for ya - what sliders and level are you running with?

Thanks in advance!

[Bullit]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

Hey Country Boy - i am enjoying the read. Question for ya - what sliders and level are you running with?

Thanks in advance!

I'm pretty sure he is on HOF across the board and I know for sure he uses default sliders. I think he and I are the last of a dying breed. LOL

[countryboy]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

Hey Country Boy - i am enjoying the read. Question for ya - what sliders and level are you running with?



Thanks in advance!

Thanks!

Bullitt is correct, I play HOF across the board using default sliders.

I use meter pitching and zone hitting


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[countryboy]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

I'm pretty sure he is on HOF across the board and I know for sure he uses default sliders. I think he and I are the last of a dying breed. LOL

We are lol


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[dowie]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

We are lol


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

Add me to the last of a dying breed. default across the board (except injuries and trade sliders). HOF level (Pitch and hit).

All Star too arcadish and Legend too hard.

Last question - do you move bat cursor around or just hit x to swing?

[countryboy]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

Add me to the last of a dying breed. default across the board (except injuries and trade sliders). HOF level (Pitch and hit).

All Star too arcadish and Legend too hard.

Last question - do you move bat cursor around or just hit x to swing?

To the dying breed

I move the bat cursor around

[countryboy]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

Well Spring Training is upon us as another offseason has been completed. The Rockies wound up signing Jake Arrietta to a one year, $16M deal. Curious to see this play out.

We have some decisions to make during Spring Training, like will Leake be our 5th starter or will Alex Reyes or Jack Flaherty beat him out and force us to trade Leake. (he has a market)

Our bench needs to be determined. Jon Jay and Reuben Tejada are locks, but will A.J. Ellis or Josh Thole be the backup to Carson Kelly? Who is the other outfielder and who is the other infielder?

Speaking of Kelly, he will get plenty of playing time in Spring Training as we evaluate how he best fits with the club. We weren't expecting to be in this position this year.

Is our bullpen solid? I feel as though it is, but we'll see throughout the course of the next 30 days (27 games)

Welcome to Spring Training!

[countryboy]

Re: MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

Won our opener in Spring Training, 5-1 over the visiting Marlins. Wacha looked sharp in his outing throwing an inning, striking out 2, while walking 1. Alex Reyes was solid and got the win as he thru 3 innings, striking out 4, but did give up a solo shot to Justin Bour. Bullpen was solid tossing scoreless innings.

Carson Kelly was 2 for 4 in his debut as the everyday catcher. He caught all 9 innings and I'll have him catch Bumgarner for as long as we have MadBum go. After that Ellis and Thole will catch.

Holliday looked good as he went 1 for 2 with a walk and a solo homerun. Curious how this old man would fare and so far so good.

We experimented with Aledmys Diaz hitting 2nd and Piscotty hitting 6th, as Piscotty is a more sound overall hitter than Diaz. Jury still out how this will go.

Next up is the Astros, as MadBum will make his Spring Training debut for the Cards!

In other news:

The Cubs received a devastating blow in their Spring Training opener as Anthony Rizzo has been lost for the season with a Torn Achilles Tendon. Not sure what the Cubs do now, as this could be career ending.