MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

[Itsma806]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

2023 ALDS
Chicago White Sox (109-53) VS. Los Angeles Angels (87-75)

Game 1:
White Sox-1
Angels-0

Game 2:
White Sox-8
Angels-1

Game 3:
White Sox-7
Angels-3

White Sox win series 3-0

White Sox Sweep Angels, move on to ALCS

The White Sox have now won fourteen playoff games in a row. Last year, the White Sox went down two games to none against the Yankees in the ALDS before rattling off three in a row to win that series. Afterward, the Sox swept the Astros in the ALCS and then swept the Phillies in the World Series to take home the championship.

This years ALDS started with a pitchers dual as Mike Clevinger of the Angels and Lucas Giolito of the White Sox combined for 13.1 innings and relinquished 2 hits a piece. Casey Gillaspie would have two of the Sox three hits one of which was a solo homer which would be the only score of game.

Game two saw another dominate pitching performance by a White Sox starter, this time Michael Kopech (7.0 IP/1 H/10 SO) and the Sox bats would come alive to a tune of five homeruns.

Game three would be more competitive as Mike Trout tried to keep his team from being swept (1-4/1 HR /2 RBI) but the Sox offense would be too much for the Angels staff to handle.


The ALCS will see the White Sox face off against either the Oakland Athletics or Boston Red Sox a series that the Athletics currently lead 2-1.


Other Divisional Series Results
American League
Oakland-3
Red Sox-1

National League
Milwaukee-3
Atlanta-1

LA Dodgers-3
Cardinals-2


Okay so I took a lot of time off from The Show but with the release of 19 coming fast, I wanted to finish out this 2023 season with my White Sox.

I do not know yet if I will carry this franchise over or start fresh in 19. We have been dominate the last two seasons but do have quite a few big time players on their last season and it will likely be impossible to resign them all. That may make me continue this franchise in 19 but we will see. For now, let's get back to back World Series titles!

If yall have forgotten, here is my current roster

Lineup
1.Tim Anderson 98 OVR 29 YO SS
2.Yoan Moncada 99 OVR 27 YO 2B
3.Rhys Hoskins 92 OVR 30 YO LF
4.Michael Conforto 87 OVR 30 YO DH
5.Eloy Jiminez 89 OVR 26 YO RF
6.Vladimir Guerror JR. 89 OVR 24 YO 3B
7.Casey Gillaspie 84 OVR 30 YO 1B
8.Johnny Shinjo 89 OVR 22 YO CF
9.Dom Nunez 82 OVR 28 YO C

BENCH
Luis Robert 85 OVR 25 YO CF
Dewayne Preston 79 OVR 25 YO CF
Rob Saunders 76 OVR 21 YO C
Milo Griffiths 83 OVR 25 YO 2B

ROTATION
1.Lucas Giolito 97 OVR 28 YO RHP
2.Michael Kopech 92 OVR 26 YO RHP
3.Stephen Gonsalves 89 OVR 28 YO LHP
4.Reynaldo Lopez 91 OVR 29 YO RHP
5.Carlos Martinez 92 OVR 31 YO RHP

BULLPEN
LRP. Martin Perez 79 OVR 31 YO LHP
MRP.Gregory Infante 74 OVR 35 YO RHP
MRP. Nate Jones 79 OVR 37 YO RHP
MRP.Thyago Vieira 81 OVR 29 YO RHP
SU.Jose Torres 90 OVR 29 YO LHP
SU.Bruce Rondon 84 OVR 32 YO RHP
C.Von Jordan 88 OVR 26 YO RHP

**Moncada,Kopech,Jiminez,Hoskins,Conforto,Rondon, Infante and Gillaspie are going to be free agents after this season.






Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[countryboy]

MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Cardinals lose Game 1 of World Series in 11 innings

A’s beat the Cardinals 6-5 in 11 innings to win Game 1 of the World Series.

The Cardinals committed 4 errors but none more costly than Francisco Pena’s errant throw in the 11th, when Alexander Campos tried to take third on a ball in the dirt. Campos would’ve been out by 5 steps had the throw been on target. Campos scored the game winning run on the error.

Cardinals has several opportunities throughout the game to score runs but consistently left runners on base.

Game 2 will feature Carlos Martinez for the Cardinals and Anderson Espinosa for the A’s.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[DJ]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

The New York Mets are back-to-back NL East champions! The division title wasn't really in question, but the game to secure the title was crazy.

Down 5-0 in the 7th inning to the lowly Marlins (worst team in 2019 in The Show), New York exploded for 7 runs, 4 on a Grand Slam by Yoenis Cespdes to the the game and a 2-run HR by MVP candidate Michael Conforto. We shut Miami down the last two innings to win 7-5.

99-45 on the season.

Washington and Philadelphia are near-locks for the Wildcard, while Chicago has all but wrapped up the Central. The West is interesting with the Dodgers in a major slump and Colorado just 1.5 games back.

In the AL, Cleveland and Houston have won their divisions, while the Yankees are up 2.5 games on the Red Sox. Boston is up big in the Wildcard, with the Angels 1.5 games ahead of the Blue Jays for the second WC.

[Councilmann_Jamm]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

If one we're to decide to stay with MLB 18. Will the schedule be the exact same as last year. Or will it be the same teams but different days?

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Operation Sports mobile app

[JH927]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Alright, time to catch up on some updates. Sorry, busy week.

It was a three-game sweep on the road for Philly in Arizona, wrapping up the road trip going 6-1 between the D'Backs and Cubs. However, the Phillies suffered another major injury setback, as early Cy Young front-runner James Paxton hits the DL with a fractured forearm for at least one month, maybe two. Sixto Sanchez, one of the heralded prospects in the Phillies system, was called up to replace him in the interim, and with it being his day for a turn in the rotation, he made the start in the finale against Arizona - giving up 1 run on 2 hits in 7 IP, and fanning an astonishing 11 batters for his first major league win.

After a day off, it was back home to start a new homestand against the Giants. The Phils would take two of three, losing in the finale in a heartbreaking 13-inning affair. After that, it was three against Washington to close the month of April. Another clean sweep for the Phightins, who end the month with a jaw dropping record of 26-4 - leading the Braves by 6 games in the East. Sixto Sanchez did have some issues in his second major league outing, though - leaving the game with shoulder pain in the second inning in game two of the series with Washington. However, it doesn't look to be serious, and he should be good to go for his next round in the rotation.

In the NL Central it's the Brewers leading (17-13) with the Cubs just a game behind, and everyone else within five. The Dodgers lead the West (22-9) with the second best record in the league; the Giants are 3.5 back, and nobody else is less than eight out. In the AL East, the Rays are looking good early (21-12), leading the BoSox by 2.5 and the Yankees by 3.5. The Indians hold the top spot in the AL Central (19-13), with the Twins (3.5 GB) and Tigers (4.5 GB) staying in the early hunt. Finally, the Angels are leading out West (20-11), but the A's are hot on their trail a game back, and the Rangers stay a bit further in the shadows at 4.5 back.

Bryce Harper has put together an absolutely incredible first month and change for Philadelphia, garnering many early MVP chants at The Bank, putting up a triple slash of .407/.434/.992 with 20 HRs and 40 RBI. We could be witnessing a very special season. Just imagine what this team could do with him and Trout...

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

I hadn't updated until tonight because well...I was frustrated and bummed. But...we were swept in the World Series by the A's.

Game 1: 6-5 A's (Lost on errant throw by Francisco Pena in the 11th)
Game 2: 4-1 A's (Just beat from the start)
Game 3: 6-5 A's (Down 6-0 after 5 innings we made a valiant comback in the 7th and 8th to get to 6-5 to lose)
Game 4: 3-1 A's (the kicker..lose on a walkoff 3 run homerun by Mark Canha)

For the first time since starting this franchise in '16 I made the World Series only to lose. And not just lose, but be swept in 4 games. It was heartbreaking, it was frustrating, it was...hard to take..lol. I've devoted so much time to this franchise, to building this team, to getting beat early in the playoffs that I thought I had a real shot at winning it all. I get to the World Series beating our October nemesis Dodgers, our arch rival Cubs, only to have our dream shattered in 4 games.

But I have now started the process of the offseason and will look to re-tool this team to get back to the World Series in 2022.

But as of now...

2021 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS

OAKLAND ATHLETICS

[TGov]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

I'm playing Season mode on 17 but I'll just put this here...
Fantasy draft
Just began the month of May...
Houston Astros
Lineup
CF Albert Almora Jr.
1B Max Muncy
SS Trevor Story
RF Andrew McCutchen
DH Marwin Gonzalez
2B Kike Hernandez
LF Tyler O'Neill
3B Brian Anderson
C Austin Hedges

Bench
IF Carlos Sanchez
OF Jake Marisnick
C Tom Murphy
IF Patrick Wisdom

Rotation
Jake Arietta
Mike Clevinger
Chris Archer
Trevor Williams
Joe Musgrave

Pen
CP Blake Treinen
SU Tony Watson
SU Trevor Rosenthal
MR Brad Brach
MR Kevin Siegrist
MR Luke Hochevar
LR/MR Lou Trivino

I trade all the time in this "franchise" season mode but their are some players who I've had since day 1.
Like, Chris Archer, he's by far the worst SP on my team but I think he's turn a corner with his latest outing (6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K), it's been a struggle though, had a 7 ERA through all of April.
Siegrist and Rosenthal have also been here since the beginning.
Siegrist: 15.1 IP, 16 K, 1.76 ERA 0.91 WHIP, Great surprise so far.
Rosenthal: 14.2 IP, 19 K, 2.45 ERA, 1.23 WHIP. Also a great surprise, just promoted him to be my setup man.

My lineup has been very fun to play with but here are some standouts...
First and foremost, Trevor Story, oh what a story.
Story: .391 AVG, 18 HR, 35 RBI, 23 R
He has been unstoppable, so fun everytime he comes to the plate.
Muncy: .404 AVG, 6 HR, 17 RBI, 24 R
He's been Mr. Consistent.
And the Bash Brothers...
Kike Hernandez and Tyler O'Neill
Hernandez: .255 AVG, 10 HR, 22 RBI, 15 R
O'Neill: .301 AVG, 10 HR, 20 RBI, 17 R and he was on the bench for half of April. I hit them back to back because against lefties, LOOK OUT!

Right now I sit in 3rd place with a 15-13 record.
I started this Season mode to get back into the baseball season and get ready for The Show 19. Been playing this one for a few weeks now and it's really fun. I usually just play with my Red Sox but for a change of pace I'm avoiding all Sox players till I start my new franchise in 19. I may also do a fantasy draft franchise or March to October mode and add these players to the roster in 19 as well. Looking forward to a freshened up version of The Show!

Sent from my SM-G955U using Operation Sports mobile app

[edeadstroke]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

I hadn't updated until tonight because well...I was frustrated and bummed. But...we were swept in the World Series by the A's.

Game 1: 6-5 A's (Lost on errant throw by Francisco Pena in the 11th)
Game 2: 4-1 A's (Just beat from the start)
Game 3: 6-5 A's (Down 6-0 after 5 innings we made a valiant comback in the 7th and 8th to get to 6-5 to lose)
Game 4: 3-1 A's (the kicker..lose on a walkoff 3 run homerun by Mark Canha)

For the first time since starting this franchise in '16 I made the World Series only to lose. And not just lose, but be swept in 4 games. It was heartbreaking, it was frustrating, it was...hard to take..lol. I've devoted so much time to this franchise, to building this team, to getting beat early in the playoffs that I thought I had a real shot at winning it all. I get to the World Series beating our October nemesis Dodgers, our arch rival Cubs, only to have our dream shattered in 4 games.

But I have now started the process of the offseason and will look to re-tool this team to get back to the World Series in 2022.

But as of now...

2021 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS

OAKLAND ATHLETICS

BUMMER! Now this is you actually playing these games or were these simmed? Maybe it was just a nightmare and the next time you load your game it is actually the start of game 1 of the World Series.

[DJ]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

I hadn't updated until tonight because well...I was frustrated and bummed. But...we were swept in the World Series by the A's.

Game 1: 6-5 A's (Lost on errant throw by Francisco Pena in the 11th)
Game 2: 4-1 A's (Just beat from the start)
Game 3: 6-5 A's (Down 6-0 after 5 innings we made a valiant comback in the 7th and 8th to get to 6-5 to lose)
Game 4: 3-1 A's (the kicker..lose on a walkoff 3 run homerun by Mark Canha)

For the first time since starting this franchise in '16 I made the World Series only to lose. And not just lose, but be swept in 4 games. It was heartbreaking, it was frustrating, it was...hard to take..lol. I've devoted so much time to this franchise, to building this team, to getting beat early in the playoffs that I thought I had a real shot at winning it all. I get to the World Series beating our October nemesis Dodgers, our arch rival Cubs, only to have our dream shattered in 4 games.

But I have now started the process of the offseason and will look to re-tool this team to get back to the World Series in 2022.

But as of now...

2021 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS

OAKLAND ATHLETICS

Dang, sorry to hear that, CB. Tough way to go out. But, celebrate making the World Series for the first time; that isn't easy to do!

[edeadstroke]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

2017 CINCINNATI REDS FANTASY FRANCHISE

The Reds made it home from their 6 game road trip and are 6 and 3, they start a 10 game home stand, 4 vs MIL, 3 vs BAL, and 3 vs the Cubs.

Game 1

CIN - SP Mike Leake (0-0) vs MIL - SP Matt Garza

SP Mike Leake gets the start versus Milwauke, Leake went 7 innings last time out against the St. Louis with a no-decision. Things started off shaky for the Reds as,the Brewers would score early on Leake by scoring 2 in the top of the 1st and another run in the 3rd. But the Reds would get 1 run back in the bottom of the 3rd. Mike settled down in the top of the 4th, throwing a quick 1-2-3 inning. In the bottom of the 4th the Reds Jay Bruce went deep, the score was now 3-2, but the Reds still trailed. The Reds continued to hit the ball well and got a couple runners on, but with 2 out and Mike Leake's turn at bat, Manager Rocco had a tough decision. Still a little early pull his starting pitcher, but with the Reds having difficulties scoring runs what was Manager Rocco to do? Rocco gambled and sent Mike to the plate...and BOY! did it pay off, Mike Leake hit a 3 run shot to left field to give the Reds a 5-3 lead. Asked after the game about not lifting Mike for a pinch hitter, Manager Rocco replied, " Mike has always been a decent batting pitcher with some pop, so I just went with my gut feeling and left him in there, and he made me look good." Mike had 5 homers with Cincinnati before being traded to the Giants, he only managed 1 more while away with other teams. Hopefully being back in Cincy, Mike will find his batting grove, a good start so far. (I actually had stop to check my difficulty settings to make sure I was still on All-Star, I was!) Mike would end up throwing a complete game allowing no more runs, and the Reds would tack on two more runs, 1 in the 6th another in the 7th (maybe our inability to score runs is about to change...don't hold your breath).

Game 2

CIN - SP Tim Adleman (0-0) vs MIL - SP Junior Guerra

Manager Rocco decided he would give his top of the rotation guys an extra day of rest as early in the season the starts had had back to back starts over the last 10 games and fortunately Manager Rocco had Tim Adleman up from Louisville because of our Roster Rotation Program. Tim got his debut in 2016 for the Reds, starting 13 games, going 4-4 with a 4.00 ERA. Tim did real good, by throwing 6 inning and allowing 1 run in the top of the 5th, whiich Cincy got right back in the bottom of the 5th. Adleman left in a 1-1 tie. RP Tony Cingrani would throw a good 7th. SP/LRP Bronson Arroyo would come in in the 8th, with the score being tied Manager Rocco wanted a pitcher who could go a few extra innings without tearing through his bullpen. Arroyo pitched a shut out 8th, but gave up a run in the 9th and the Reds would lose 2-1.

So our scoring whoas would return. Even our hitting fell flat with only 4 hits in the game.

Game 3

CIN - SP Matt Belisle (1-0) vs MIL - SP Zach Davies

The INJURY BUG would show its ugly self. In the first inning SP Matt Belisle would allow 2B Jonathan Villar to single to start off the game. Then 2B Hernan Perez, who is playing short, sent one right back to the mound hitting Belisle in the shin...OUCH! Perez reached first and Villar to second. Now, Manager Rocco had to scramble to his bullpen, Rocco wanted to send SP Anthony DeSclafani out to the mound, but being a Starter and needing a good amount of warm up time, Manager Rocco went with RP Michael Lorenzen as DeSclafani warmed up. Lorenzen was now facing Ryan Braun, Lorenzen got Braun to fly out to right, Viller advanced to 3rd and Perez stayed put at 1st. 1st baseman Eric Thames was up next, Lorenzen started of by getting it to a 1 and 2 count, but hung a change up that Thames deposited into the right field stands for a 3 run homer.

Lorenzen would finish the 1st and come back out to pitch the second as DeSclafani still wasn't fully ready. In the 3rd DeSclafani would finally make his appearance and promptly gave up 2 more runs. DeSclafani would settle down and the Reds would claw and scratch their way back to a 4-5 score, with the Brewers still leading. But the BrewCrew would add one more in the 7th and that was all they would need. Reds lose 4-6, and are down 1-2 in the series. Need to scrounge a win in the finally game badly. (Also in Injury news, Shohei Ohtani, Cincinnati's AAA Japanese prospect experience an shoulder tightness in his start and would have to leave early, expecting Shohei to need to take 1-6 days his next scheduled start could be pushed back.)

AAA call up, utility player, Hernan Iribarren (once in the Brewers organization from 2002 to 2010, making brief Majors appearances in 08 and 09), would get his first start of the year for the Reds in left field. Iribarren played in 24 games for the Reds in 2016, but has been bouncing around from clubs in the minors since 2010. Hernan joined the Reds organization in 2014 and has been a mentor to many of the Reds players who have made the bigs. Manager Rocco expressed, " Hernan is a good guy, always laughing and joking, he has not had an easy pro-ball career, but he just keeps plugging along. I am happy to see him up here (Majors) even if it is just a short time). Hernan went 2 for 4 and scored a run.

Game 4

CIN - SP Homer Bailey (1-1) vs MIL - SP Taylor Jungmann

With the Reds relying on SP Homer Bailey to get a win and a series tie, the pressure was on. Bailey did not disappoint, (Brewers fans) as he gave up a 1st inning home run to Ryan Braun. Ownership really dislikes this guy, Braun. It would remain a 1 to nothing game until the bottom of the 5th, when 2B Scooter Gennett, once a Brewer, would gap one into left center and score 3B Travis Shaw, also once a Brewer, from first. In the 6th, LF Andrew Benintendi would leave the yard with a solo homer to right. SP Homer Bailey finished pitching 7 innings allowing just the one run. RP J.J. Hoover would pitch the 8th striking out the side. Reds CF Drew Stubbs would blast one to center field and give the Reds a 3 - 1 lead. Then CP Jonathan Broxton, (guess what...once a Brewer too) would come in the 9th and record his 5th save of the season.

Other than the couple homers, the Reds bats were okay, getting 8 hits but nothing really exciting.

The Reds are off for a day, then inter-league play starts for the Reds as the host the Baltimore Orioles for 3 games. The Orioles are 4 and 6 early in the season.

Until next time, REDS FANS, have a good night.

[JH927]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

I hadn't updated until tonight because well...I was frustrated and bummed. But...we were swept in the World Series by the A's.

Game 1: 6-5 A's (Lost on errant throw by Francisco Pena in the 11th)
Game 2: 4-1 A's (Just beat from the start)
Game 3: 6-5 A's (Down 6-0 after 5 innings we made a valiant comback in the 7th and 8th to get to 6-5 to lose)
Game 4: 3-1 A's (the kicker..lose on a walkoff 3 run homerun by Mark Canha)

For the first time since starting this franchise in '16 I made the World Series only to lose. And not just lose, but be swept in 4 games. It was heartbreaking, it was frustrating, it was...hard to take..lol. I've devoted so much time to this franchise, to building this team, to getting beat early in the playoffs that I thought I had a real shot at winning it all. I get to the World Series beating our October nemesis Dodgers, our arch rival Cubs, only to have our dream shattered in 4 games.

But I have now started the process of the offseason and will look to re-tool this team to get back to the World Series in 2022.

But as of now...

2021 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS

OAKLAND ATHLETICS

Ah, that sucks. But I feel the pain. Sometimes you just run into one of those teams that you can't beat, no matter how many times you try.

I remember in '13 or '15 I ran into the Angels in the WS. No matter what I did, I just couldn't stop them. They destroyed me at every turn, even through the many rage quits.

[Councilmann_Jamm]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Sorry to hear the CB. But at same time gotta make you more excited to continue the Chise. I feel like winning it in year 5-7 is more fun then year 1-3. Going through early year struggles and finding your team that can finally take you to the promise land!

I feel like if you would've won this WS you would start over with the Paul Goldschmidt lead Cardinals but now you have that parasite eating inside you that you have to win with the current team before you start over!



Sent from my Pixel 3 using Operation Sports mobile app

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

BUMMER! Now this is you actually playing these games or were these simmed? Maybe it was just a nightmare and the next time you load your game it is actually the start of game 1 of the World Series.

This is me playing every game. I don't sim.

Dang, sorry to hear that, CB. Tough way to go out. But, celebrate making the World Series for the first time; that isn't easy to do!

Yeah it sucks..LOL. I think this hurts worse than watching my real life Cardinals lose in the playoffs/World Series. I was so excited to get there.

Ah, that sucks. But I feel the pain. Sometimes you just run into one of those teams that you can't beat, no matter how many times you try.

I remember in '13 or '15 I ran into the Angels in the WS. No matter what I did, I just couldn't stop them. They destroyed me at every turn, even through the many rage quits.

Yeah the A's were the best hitting team in the majors this year and they just kept getting timely hits and runs. We were 2nd in the majors in strikeouts as a staff, but we only averaged I think it was 3 strikeouts per game in the World Series. Tough lineup and dominating bullpen by the A's.

Sorry to hear the CB. But at same time gotta make you more excited to continue the Chise. I feel like winning it in year 5-7 is more fun then year 1-3. Going through early year struggles and finding your team that can finally take you to the promise land!

I feel like if you would've won this WS you would start over with the Paul Goldschmidt lead Cardinals but now you have that parasite eating inside you that you have to win with the current team before you start over!



Sent from my Pixel 3 using Operation Sports mobile app

There is definitely a hunger and motivation to get back. But had I won, I wouldn't have start over. Too heavily invested in this franchise to even consider starting over. I am building my roster and have made the playoffs 6 straight years. Hoping 2022 to make it 7 straight, and a World Series title.

[coach422001]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Well, CB, look at it this way: The Yanks got swept by Cincy in 76 then went on to become the evil empire...you're now well on your way to replicate that path!

[millertime98]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Orioles Franchise Rebuild The Show '18: Year 3 2020

53-109

Boston beats Dodgers in 7

SEASON RECAP:
Awards: C Sisco wins second straight Gold Glove
Top Prospects:
#19 SP Miguel Estrada 19-75^-A (AA)
#39 3B Ryan Mountcastle 23-73^-A (AAA)

The 2020 Orioles got to the bottom. The bright spot was Gonzales who, in the best hitting division in baseball, had a sub 3 ERA. We dealt Mancini and Villar and got younger. We brought up Diaz and he hit .280. The future is bright as we have a fantastic bullpen and rotation in the minors. We are getting some good hitters. We have a chance to be really good for a long time.

1B Joseph .248 16 HR
3B Nunez .253 17 HR 60 RBI
SS Sardinas .280
CF Jaycob Brugman .276 18 HR
RF Diaz .280 10 HR

SP Gonzales 12-14 2.94
SP Rogers 6-7 3.43
RP Tuivailala 1.91
RP Gilmartin 3.13

MVP
BOS JD Martinez .304 52 HR 134 RBI
CHC Javier Baez .289 46 HR 132 RBI

CY Young:
HOU Gerrit Cole 21-5 3.00 254
LAD Buehler 15-6 2.91 217

Batting Title:
LAA Trout .318 41 HR 120 RBI
WAS Rendon .334 32 HR 101 RBI

ROY
TOR Rowdey Tellez .277 41 HR 99 RBI
ARI Tyler Neslony .212 17 HR 56 RBI

October:

September:
9/8 HOU C Perez OFS

August: 40-100 last. worst in mlb
8/1 SFG Mac Williamson out 3 months (ankle)
8/4 CIN Puig out 2 months
8/5 HOU Kemp 2 months
8/11 CHC Bryant out 2-3 months (calf)
8/11 PHI Ramos 2-3 months (hand)
8/11 PHI Williams 2 months (hand)
8/13 NYM Cano 3 months
8/15 KC Soler out 6 months with torn MCL. Wish they would have dealt him


July: 31-79 last 38 gb worst in MLB by 13 gm
7/31 DET SP Mize (#2 prospect) debut = 8 ip 3 H shutout.
OUR GUYS
LHSP Gonzales 28-778-C 7-11 3.26
- Acquired from Seattle in the Gyvens trade, he has been our top of the rotation guy. To have a 3.26 ERA in the AL East in nearly a miracle. He is 14th in the AL in ERA. He doesn't strike out a lot of guys but gets outs. Dealing him would not be hard. However, With Bundy and Harvey struggling we don't have a sure fire replacement. We have a lot of young and talented players but most of them are 2 years away. We won't win next year but I also don't want to ruin their growth by bringing them up too early and having them struggle. This would require the right deal.

RP Tuivailala 27-79-C 27 IP 26 K 0.65 ERA
- Is he the guy with the sub 1 ERA or is he the guy with the 5+ ERA the last few seasons? That's the question we are asking ourselves in the boardroom as we are preparing for the trade deadline. Sometimes it takes RP a while to get it and fit into a role. At one point He was the Cards top RP prospect. He never quite lived up to the hype and we were able to get him as a throw in from Seattle in the same trade mentioned above. We want to lock up some of our guys long term to ensure we will have vets in the pen when our young guns debut in the rotation and are likely to struggle. Is Tuivailala a fluke we should cash in on this year or is he worth locking up? We'll field offers but we'd likely have to be overpaid.

C Austin Wynns 29-76-B .244 Have Snowden 23-83-B waiting 9.308, 13hr AAA)
- Sisco and Snowden are the future. Wynns has been OK with the bat and solid behind the plate. Nothing could be better for the Orioles. With two other young studs waiting, they can now deal him for a C level prospect or 2.

1B Joseph 31-71-C .255 10 hr
- He wouldn't break the internet if he was dealt but he could be a legit bench bat for someone in contention. We have guys coming and we'd like to move on so hopefully, we can get something for him.

2B Villar 28-79-C .271 off DL in 4 days
- He is having a solid season and is finishing up his rehab stindts. There have been several teams watching him. I'm absolutely not going to fleece another team but I think he would help someone. Probably a 1 for 1 deal and no better than a C+

LF Mancini 28-80-B .237 20 HR
- There is no shortage of teams looking for power right now and Mancini is a short term rental. With him at 28 and due for a big raise this off season we have to decide: Is he worth extending? Is he worth a few prospects? We are likely to have the first pick again so we will be loaded with prospects but we need those guys to start performing.

SELLERS:
BAL
TEX
TOR
KC
MIN
CHW
DET
OAK
SEA
ARI
MIA
WAS
MIL
COL + SFG + SDP maybe

BUYERS:
PHI 64-47 1gm lead NEED: OF
ATL 62-47 1gb WC 1st by 3gm NEED: bats 5th SP
NYM 54-54 WC 3gb NEED: set up Bats
CIN 58-51 1st by 0.5 gm NEED: SS SP
CHC 59-53 2nd 0.5gb WC 2nd by 3, lead by 3 NEED: SS
STL 56-53 2 gb WC 1.5 gb NEED: BATs
PIT 54-55 3.5gb WC
LAD 60-50 6m lead
BOS 68-41 1st 2.5gm lead
NYY 65-43 2nd 2.5 gb WC 1st by 3.5
TB 62-49 3rd 7gb WC 1gb
CLE 63-45 1st by 9.5gm NEED: LHRP OF
HOU 73-37 1st by 10.5 gm
LAA 62-47 2nd 10.5 gb WC 2nd 3gb, lead by 1gm NEED: 1B OF 5th SP

- DEAL TB gets: C Castillo CHW gets: 3B Kevin Padlo 23-65-C LF Nathan Lukes 25-68-C

- DEAL CIN gets: SP Scherzer 35-90-A WAS gets: 3B India LF Longhi 24-67-C SP Tan 22-74-B
The Reds need pitching and badly. The Nats are not looking to rebuild but they are looking to cut some payroll to be able to afford their younger players. Scherzer is 4-9 but has a 3.41 to go with 168 K in 137 IP so he adds veteran leadership and a boost to the Reds.

- Deal CLE gets: LHRP Matt Moore 30-76-B ARI gets: Nolan Jones 21-69-B
Cleveland needs a lefty and AZ is rebuilding. Simple.

ATL SP search
TEX LH Smyly 30-79-C 8-10 3.73 3 C's or 3B Gonzalez C +
KC LH Duffy 31-82-B 6-6 4.09 Gonzalez
CHW Archer 31-87-B 9-6 3.51 Childress + Avi Rivera or SP Cabral+Jenista+RF Wilson
MIL Anderson 32-78-B CF Waters+RF Wilson or SP Beck+2B Cruz+or LF Demeritite+Gonzalez+SP Sanchez

- DEAL ATL gets: Anderson MIL gets: SP Beck + 3B Gonzalez
Atlanta gets a veteran starter and Milwaukee rids itself of dead money and can now bring up Peralta. There were other options but the Brewers but none gave them this amount of prospects. Atlanta had other options too but the White Sox wanted way too much, Texas was not serious and Kansas City was pushing hard but Duffy cost too much. This ends the Marco Gonzales to ATL rumors.

ATL INF BAT SEARCH
DET Spangenberg 29-79-C .319 17 HR $1.5M final Fabian or 3 mix of B-C
MIL Shaw 29-81-B .277 21 HR 70 RBI $2.7M final Rivera + Billingsley + Didder

NYM 2B SEARCH
NYM gets 2B Spangenberg + CP Shane Greene 31-72-C $1M final
DET gets CP Gsellman 26-80-B 5.91 era 15k 21ip + RF Luplow 26-68-C depth
The Mets get a quality RP and a surprising All Star. The Tigers get a RP with huge upside.

STL NEEDS LF
BAL Mancini 28-80-B $3M final .237 20 HR
- 3B Gorman 20-69-B or SS Frederiksen 19-63-B or SS Ellis 22-55-A or 2B Sosa 24-78-C or
SP Hudson 25-72-B+LF Woodman 25-67-B + CF Infante 22-63-C

TOR Grichuk 28-79-C .302 23HR 74RBI Probably want to extend him for their rebuild

KC Soler 28-82-A .279 20 HR 73RBI
- 3B Gorman+SS Frederiksen+CF Hurst 24-68-C. I think they'd like to keep him if possible.

DET Khris Davis 32-87-B .263 33HR 106 RBI signed 5 year deal in offseason so might keep.

WAS Gomez 34-80-B .255 11 HR
- SS Perez 21-63-B or LF Arozarena 25-71-B or SP Cabrera 23-71-C or 2RP Sanchez+ CF Infante

DEAL:
STL gets: Carlos Gomez
WAS gets: LF Randy Arozarena 25-71-B

CUBS NEED SS/2B

DEAL:
CHC gets Garcia 30-79-C (.310)
CHW get RP Fellows + RP Shinjo

INDIANS NEED OF
BAL Mancini 28-80-B .233 20 HR SP Hankins 20-69-B / CP Rivera 21-63-A + 1B Rodriguez 25-75-C + LF Paulino 25-59-C
Rodriguez (AAA) .293 16 HR CP Rivera 1st pick for CLE in '19 draft (AAA) 2.77
- This seems like a ridiculous package for someone who is hitting below .240. A top 100 prospect CP and a great hitting 1B? I know they have Bauers as their future but damn. They have Bauers coming off the DL in a week or two. He can play OF. As tempting as this is, I just can't do it. I want Rivera and Rodriguez but they don't need Marco Gonzales or Tuivailala or Villar.

Instead I send them Josh Reddick 33-81-C .255. for CF Quentin Holmes 20-66-C

PIT NEEDS OF HELP
They are 3.5 gb in the WC and aren't willing to make a major deal.
BAL Mancini 28-80-B SP Dunham 23-67-B / 1B Castro 22-60-A / SP Saucedo 19-69-B + SS Valerio 23-64-C + LF Hughston 25-60-C
Dunham (AAA) 6-1 3.43 59K 57 IP LH 78 velo 72 K
Saucedo (AAA) 0.94 63 velo

DEAL PIT gets Mancini BAL get Saucedo '18 5th round + RP Eric Gomez 19-67-B '18 rnd 6

- Looking around the league for a Villar deal I see that the Padres, Giants and Rockies are all in the same boat. They are about 6 gb in the division and 4 gb in the WC. None of them wants to give up too much but all need to improve.
SD has a lot of young guys hitting their weight so I drop them down, bring up Solarte and then deal them Villar. Solarte can play everywhere and he was hitting around .300 in AAA. Villar adds depth, versatility, experience and a bat. Plus, it only costs them an 18 year old RP. They have several top prospects so he isn't going to be missed. At AAA he has a 0.45 ERA. We are trying to stock our pen and we did that in the Mancini and Villar deals. We are still getting younger and I didn't do any super lopsided deals.

June: 23-62 last 34 gb worst record in MLB by 10 games
6/5 2B Villar 2 months (shoulder) 28-81-C (.271) was likely our best trade piece.


THE DRAFT: We have the first pick in the draft! As of June 3rd there are 8 Blue Chip prospects:
SP
Adam Gale 19-55-2024+
Barack Pullicin 20-65-2023
Sean Blair 22-60-2024+
Lewis Cody 20-55-2024+
Enrique Zambrano 19-55-2024+

C
Felipe Franco 21-50-2024+

2B
Marco Gonzalez 18-65-2022 High contact, decent glove and speed.

RF
Alex Hernandez 19-50-2024+ seems to be a BC due to speed ratings. Avg off ratings.

I have several young SP and a few young C so I think I'll be taking Gonzalez #1.

- ROUND 1
Gonzalez comes out and we don't hesitate to take him.

- ROUND 2
After a Competitve Balance Round A that had 30 teams pick there aren't a lot of sure things there. We are looking at
3B Orlando Gonzalez 22-70-80-40%-'21 Can play OF. potential 75-80 con and 65-70 pwr, 80 vision, discipline and a good fielder

2B Jackie Kovalenko 20-65-80-65%-'22 Potential 75-70 con, 80 vision, stealing, decent fielding.

I take Kovalenko for his accuracy.

- ROUND 3

Orlando Gonzalez is still there so we go with him

- COMPETITIVE BALANCE ROUND B pick #7
LHRP Sam GLover 20-70-80-20%-'21 potential star

- ROUND 4
RF Robb Bowyer 20-70-70-'21-50% 80-75 con 80 speed and stealing

- ROUND 5
SP Mariano Rivas 22-70-80-'21-20% A long shot but could be a diamond in the rough. Has a potential 80 for control and stamina, brk, HR, and has a great sinker and slider.

RECAP:
"The Orioles Draft Grade is a B+. They picked up 3 potential All Star infielders. They likely will all end up in the OF somewhere but they got some good hitting. Glover, their LH pickup is a real sleeper. He has started in the past and could again but I seem them using him as an Andrew Miller type. 4 innings here, 1 batter there, 8th inning, 4th inning, 9th inning. I can't believe they got him that late. This kid Rivas is a real question mark but I know he throws hard."

2B Marco Gonzalez 18-68-99 Nearly ready for MLB pitching now will likely speed through the minors. His glove is an issue so he will likely be a LF when it's all said and done.

2B Jackie Kovalenkko 20-66-84 hits lefty and has a great eye already. At 6'4" he is likely headed for the OF as well.

3B/OF Orlando Gonzalez 22-64-87 A professional hitter. Has good plate vision and discipline and will likely be in the OF are at 1B.

LHRP Sam Glover 20-63-77 82 K rating due to his devastating slider.

RF Robb Bowyer 20-63-63 probably a roster filler but he can hit

SP Mariano Rivas 22-60-71 He throws hard (92 velo) and long (86 stam) just not very accurate. If he adds weight (6'0" 190lbs) he could be a real help long term.

May: 16-44 last, worst in MLB
5/1 CIN SS Peraza out 2 months. Bring up Senzel #4 prospect 24-77-A
5/5 WAS CP Doolittle 2 months (shoulder)
5/11 CHC Heyward 2 months (calf) looking into trades but they are 21-23...
5/14 PHI Franco 3 months (wrist)
5/15 SDP Margot OFS
5/19 CIN Votto OFS (ankle) SIGNED FA NEIL WALKER
5/27 NYY Stanton out 3 months (wrist)

April: 10-23 last, 11.5 gb. Worst in MLB
4/7 WAS SP Strasburg out 3 months with broken arm. SIGNED ZACH DAVIES from FA list
4/7 NYM Cespedes 3 months (wrist) SIGNED BEN REVERE from FA list
4/16 LAD Muncy 2 months (wrist)
4/26 ATL Albies OFS (Achilies). 23-94-A (.340 7HR) SIGNED KIPNIS from FA list
4/28 CHW Moncada OFS (MCL).

March:
3/16 LAD Turner out 3 months with broken hand
3/27 CHW C Castillo 2 months fractured hand
3/29 WAS OF Juan Soto out 3 months with torn calf. Will they trade or bring up #2 prospect OF Victor Robles 22-83-A? No, I decided to promote from within, then bring up Robles later in May if need be just like in real life.
3/29 LAD OF Joc Pederson OFS with disclocated ankle. SIGNED ADAM JONES from FA list

SEASON PREVIEW:
A Rival GM's Take On Baltimore - "They are going to be bad again. They have a lot of young talent but they aren't going to be in the Majors this season. If you want to see good players go buy minor league tickets. Those guys will put on a show."

TOP PROSPECTS:
#15 SP Miguel Estrada 19-73-A (AA) ETA 2022
#25 OF Yusniel Diaz 23-75-A (AAA) ETA 2020
#47 3B Ryan Mountcastle 23-71-B (AAA) ETA 2020

ROTATION:
Marco Gonzalez 28-81-C
Dylan Bundy 27-79-B
Yefry Ramirez 26-72-B
Gabriel Ynoa 26-72-B
Hunter Harvey 25-70-A

BULLPEN:
Sam Tuivailala 27-78-C
Evan Phillips 25-77-C
Sean Gilmartin 29-72-C
Ian Krol 28-73-C *Rule 5
Miguel Castro 25-70-B
Jimmy Yacabonis 28-67-B

CATCHER:
Chance Sisco 25-79-A
Austin Wynns 29-76-B

1st BASE:
Corban Joseph 31-71-C

2nd BASE:
Jonathan Villar 28-83-C
Isiah Kiner Falefa 25-75-C

3rd BASE:
Renato Nunez 25-74-A

SHORTSTOP:
Tzu-Wei Lin 26-73-B
Luis Sardinas 26-67-C

OUTFIELD:
Trey Mancini 28-82-B
Cedric Mullins 25-77-B
Jaycob Brugman 28-71-B
John Andreoli 29-72-B
Anthony Santander 25-70-B

If you read all of that...congrats and I'm sorry.