OFFSEASON
The 2023-2034 offseason is upon us after the Chandler Chiefs won the IBL World Series. There was one franchise move this offseason as the Yuma Dust Devils have relocated to the central valley of California and will be rebranded as the Fresno Bears. The El Paso Blue Rocks have rebranded as the El Paso Express and the Santa Fe Silver Bullets have rebranded as the Santa Fe Jays.
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Trades:
The first big trade of the offseason occurred at the start of the Winter Meetings in Scottsdale where Goodyear sent 31-year-old left fielder Dewayne Ross (89 OVR) to Chandler in exchange for first baseman Reynaldo Pulido (86 OVR). Pulido hit 30 home runs and drove in 77 in 111 games split between Surprise and Chandler last season. Ross and his $13.1M salary heads to Chandler to fill a need in the outfield, where he hit .228 with 11 home runs in 92 games last season for the Jack Rabbits. The Jack Rabbits threw in pitching prospect Tanner McDougal (66 OVR) to complete the deal.
Las Vegas sent 31-year-old backup catcher Dan Torres (83 OVR) to Santa Fe for three prospects: starting pitcher Mikey Miles (69 OVR, C POT), closer Tawn Hollander (65 OVR, B POT) and centerfielder Ryan Beasley (60 OVR, C POT).
Free Agency:
Surprise made a big move, signing starting pitcher Gus Woodson (95 OVR) away from San Antonio on a 6 year deal worth $145.8M. the 30-year-old Woodson went (15-11, 3.65 ERA) in 199.2 innings with 187 strikeouts in 2023. They also added 31-year-old starter Dave Powers (86 OVR) to a 5 year, $57.0M deal. The 31-year-old went (11-7) with a 4.42 ERA last season in 158.2 innings for Prescott.
Goodyear made a splash as they signed left fielder Vladimir Bruno (95 OVR) to a 7 year, $167.3M deal. The 29-year old played last season in Chandler where he hit .294 with 21 home runs and 65 RBIs in 89 games.
Colorado Springs opened up their wallet and re-signed starter Sam Gonzalez to a five year deal worth $84M. The 29-year-old went (12-11) with a 4.25 ERA last season while pitching 197.0 innings.
Chandler added starting pitcher Stanley Taguchi (92 OVR) to their rotation on a 4 year, $84.8M deal. The 32-year-old comes over from Las Vegas where he went (17-9) with a 3.61 ERA and 163 strikeouts in 202.0 innings.
Salt Lake signed catcher Richie Guerrero (89 OVR) to a 6 year, $100.2M deal. The 27-year-old catcher comes over from Santa Fe where he hit .295 with 14 homers and 64 RBIs in 2023.
St George agreed to terms with 28-year-old center fielder Mikey Fisher (88 OVR) on a 4 year deal worth $64.8M. Fisher hit .303 with 8 home runs and 37 RBIs to go along with 18 steals in 76 games for Fort Worth.
Rio Rancho has resigned 30-year-old first baseman Zack Gallagher to a 4 year, $53.2M deal. They dipped into the free agent market and signed third baseman Richard Gates (89 OVR) to a 5 year, $99.5M deal. The 30-year-old hit .307 with 10 home runs and 36 RBIs last season fro Long Beach.
Santa Fe signed second baseman Robby Flores to a 5 year, $51.5M deal. The 30-year-old hit .290 with 17 home runs and 79 RBIs last season in Roswell and Fort Worth.
Glendale has signed relief pitcher Roberto Francisco (87 OVR) to a 5 year, $48.0M deal. The 29-year-old was (2-6, 3.86 ERA) in 77.0 innings with 71 strikeouts with Salt River and West Texas in 2023.
Flagstaff has re-signed first baseman Josh Ortega (92 OVR) to a 2 year, $38.00M deal. Ortega hit .259 with 40 home runs and 87 RBIs in 134 games for the Hops in 2023. The Hops also dipped into the free agent market to add 26-year-old center fielder Bradley York (86 OVR). York hit .231 with 20 home runs and 60 RBIs last year in Amarillo and Henderson.
Surprise has re-signed right fielder Alberto Ruiz (88 OVR) to a 2 year, $28.00M deal. They also re-signed shortstop Jaime Hernandez (89 OVR) to a 4 year extension worth $77M. The 32-year-old Hernandez hit .278 with 26 home runs and drove in 73 last season.
El Paso has upgraded their bullpen as they have signed 33-year-old reliever Eloy Rosado (86 OVR) to a 3 year, $21.6M deal. Rosado was (1-2, 3.46 ERA) with 26 strikeouts in 39.0 inning sin 2023 with rival Santa Fe in 2023. They have also added 29-year-old reliever Carlos Diaz (87 OVR) on a 5 year, $52.5M deal. Diaz went (4-3) with an ERA of 2.02 in 35.2 innings with 41 strikeouts last season for Glendale.
Gilbert has signed free agent right fielder Neal Samuels (86 OVR) to a one0year deal worth $6.2M. The 34-year-old hit .277 with 18 home runs, 55 RBIs and 22 stolen bases in 2023 with St George.
Coaching:
Flagstaff has hired Dave Roberts as their new farm director. Roberts was let go as manager of Colorado Springs after the season.
There were a bunch of managerial changes this offseason. Four teams changed skippers heading into the 2024 campaign: El Paso, Colorado Springs, Goodyear and Fresno.
Mountain League Champion El Paso has agreed to terms with Kevin Cash on a 2 year, $5.4M deal to manage the club. He takes over after manager David Ross decided to step away.
Goodyear has signed Seth Hill to a 2 year, $4.3M deal after firing Antonio Snyder following a disappointing (70-92) campaign.
Colorado Springs has signed Richie Armas to a 3 year, $3.5M deal. He replaces Dave Roberts who took the farm director position in Flagstaff after his contract expired.
The newly relocated Fresno Bears scooped up Victor Tejeda on a 4 year, #3.2M deal to manage the club.
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