2013 Franchise/Season Progress Thread

[Zeppelin8]

Re: 2013 Franchise/Season Progress Thread

Well, I jumped the Oakland A's bandwagon.

So far I am 22-28 (playing 2 series every month - roughly 30 games a year), out of the 12 user controlled games won only 3. Had some Needed an extra righty in the bullpen to support Cook and Balfour, so I went on and signed Bobby Jenks as a free agent. I also called up Fernando Rodriguez and send Scribner down. I'm happy with Dolittle (although he gave 3 runs in a single inning the last time I played with him) but Blevins ain't getting it done, whether I'm playing or simming. I might trade him away for another lefty, but I'll wait until the all star break. If my record gets better, I'll add a few minor guys to get a better lefty set-up guy.

Starting rotation is solid, I'm moving Straily to replace Colon as the 5th starter (Colon is declining real fast).

Offense is struggling, 4-5 guys have a cold streak going on. I might trade Reddick away for some talent, he is really struggling offensively and I do not need a gold glove guy on right field, so he is more of a luxury for me. Plus, this summer arbitration will kick in for Moss and Reddick. So I don't think it will be possible for me to keep Moss, Reddick and Anderson together considering my low budget. Coco will re-sign for cheap, so I plan to keep him around for 2 more years. Lowrie is struggling as well, but since Reddick has more trade value (also will have a more expensive arbitration contract), he is the first guy to go.

I'm also heavily scouting for infielders, especially looking for ETA 2014/2015 guys who can produce some extra offense from the infield.

Any of you guys finished a season with A's? Is it possible to keep all the talent together with that low budget? Even if I manage to keep them together, I guess I won't have anything left to spend on free agents. I actually plan (and hope) to upgrade infield through free agency.

[kmoser]

Re: 2013 Franchise/Season Progress Thread

Just played my first game of the season with my Astros and all I can say at the moment is wow! Bud Norris was my SP and he went through the 1st inning fairly easily. Then had some trouble in the 2nd giving up back to back jacks to Cruz and Berkman. I didn't score until the 5th inning. I hit an infield single with the bases loaded that looked like Andrus wasn't going to get to, so my the guy on third scored and I sent the runner from second, but since Andrus made a nice fielding play, he through him out easily. Then in the 7th the rangers tallied a run so I took Norris out. I scored a run in the bottom of the 7th to come within 1. Then in the bottom of the 8th Chris Carter and Carlos Pena hit back to back homers to take the lead. With the lead I brought Jose Veras to come in and close things down. But wouldn't you know it, Cruz hits a single and then Berkman smashes a ball that bounces off the right field wall so Berkman gets a triple scoring Cruz. In the bottom of the ninth Ankiel strikes out, then Cedeno grounds out. Then Jose Altuve who was 2 for 3, gets a single. Wallace comes up and I get Altuve to steal 2nd, which he does successfully. Then wallacxe hits a single to Nelson Cruz in right fiels, I send altuve and the throw from Cruz was off and we won!
Sorry if this was too much detail but I am pumped!
I will update on how I am doing after a few games so wish me luck!

[Capitalx]

Re: 2013 Franchise/Season Progress Thread

Well at the end of April the soaring Nationals have come back to earth due to stringing in losses with the Reds and the Cards.

We end the month at (15-9...1st in NL East) with 2 games left in April

With Wilson Ramos out till June, my hitting has gone cold at the back of the lineup...Starting rotation has been solid at still one of the highest ERAs, but the bullpen has been dysfunctional to say the least, although Soriano has been great with 10 saves and none blown

The Nationals need to find answers for the bullpen and batting....

...not in panic mode yet but if this trend sticks into May....the NL East Lead will be lost to the Braves

[willIam9387]

Re: 2013 Franchise/Season Progress Thread

Moved to 8-4 on the year with Indians. Beat up the White Sox pretty bad, 10-1. Chris Sale has really struggled to start the season and that was pretty much seen in the first couple innings as he couldn't locate and didn't really try to locate his fastball.

Retired 24 White Sox in a row, their offense was putrid this game. My pitching thus far has been really good, was absolutely dominated in the Blue Jays series, but they've settled down.

[HozAndMoose]

Re: 2013 Franchise/Season Progress Thread

3rd season with my royals. With 18 games to go we were 83-61 2nd in the central behind Cleveland. We proceeded to get swept by the White Sox. And from there it was all down hill. Went 4-14 over the last 18 and finished 87-75. Missed the playoffs by 4 games. Detroit passed me to take the last wildcard. Reds ended up winning the world series. Off season i signed Dexter Fowler to help out a lefty dominate lineup. Hopefully 2016 will be a better year.

[kmoser]

Re: 2013 Franchise/Season Progress Thread

So I finished up the opening series with the Rangers earlier. After winning the first game, I ended up losing the 2nd, and getting blown out in the 3rd game 15-6. The Rangers had 22 hits. 22! I am going to play the first 5 games so I can play with all my pitchers, then I will play 1 sim 5.
As of now my bats have been ok with Carlos Pena having 3 HR in 3 games and Jose Altuve is hitting .500, but my pitching is terrible. My bullpen is terrifying and my starting rotation is not the greatest. Phil Humber got blasted giving up 4 runs in 3 innings, but Norris and Bedard have been average to say the least. About to start the next series vs. the A's with Harrell on the mound against Colon. Ready to play again!

[Sacrafice]

Re: 2013 Franchise/Season Progress Thread

"Seattle Mariners"
8-9 / 4.5 GB (4-7 Division)

Got lucky and a struggling Detroit Tigers came to town for a 3 game set and I feared game #1 with Joe Saunders on the mound, but he did his job once again and I ended up winning with a walk off single by Kendry Morales in the 10th inning and he is now 2 of 15 with runners in scoring position with a .380 average... Game #2 was the one I expected to do well in with King Felix on the hill, but he gave up 3 HR's allowing 4 runs to score and fell 4-3. Came back in game #3 and Hisashi Iwakuma pitched a gem and we took the series with a 3-1 victory. Also got lucky we didn't have to face Verlander.

Some guys are breaking out of their slump Like Kyle Seager is over .200 after nearly falling under .100 and Dustin Ackley has been tearing the cover off the ball with 2 more HR's in the series, but Franklin Gutierrez and Michael Saunders have falling hard into slumps. Gutierrez is nearly under .200 and that's not good for my lead off and my project for this 6 game road trip is to get him back going. I am thinking either putting Jesus Montero at lead off since it's a road trip or use him at DH to keep his energy up as April is a long month for us and he can start the game hitting or bench Brendan Ryan which is still under .200 for Robert Andino and place him at lead off until Franklin can get his bat going again.

Other than that nothing has changed much. Nice to see most of my team hitting the ball ok now and my pitching is still doing better than expected.

The 6 game road trip takes us down to the state of Texas against the Rangers and the Astros.

[HozAndMoose]

Re: 2013 Franchise/Season Progress Thread

Through 4 games in my 4th season. Off to a slow start at 1-3. Starting pitching has been up and down. James Shields and Wade Davis both have an ERA over 7. John lamb helped us get our win going 7 and giving up 2 runs.

I played the 4th game. It was the opener of a series in Baltimore. Pitching was my First round pick from the '13 draft. (which i renamed to be me ) Got going early. 3rd inning had 5 hits. Eric Hosmer comes to the plate with runners on 1st and 2nd. Hits a no doubter on a 3-0 change up off Jake Arrieta to deep right. My starter ended up going 7. Giving up 2 runs.

Breezed through the 8th. Brought in Kelvin Herrera to get his first save of the year in a 3-2 game. #8, 9, and 1 hitters a due up. I proceed to walk the 1st. Second lays down a bunt. Moose and Herrera cant decide who should field it so he reaches. Next batter gets a bloop single to left. (was hoping he would test Gordon's arm). Bases loaded no outs. #2 batter strikes out on a FB up and in. Adam Jones comes up. Hits a fly ball to medium left. I get a catching animation i dont want and Gordon cant get behind the throw so the runner scores from 3rd. Tie Game. I strike out the last batter and we move on to the 10th.

Fast forward to the bottom of the 14th. 2 outs and a man on second. 3-2 count. Nathan Addcock tries to throws a Knuckle Curve on the inside of the plate. Misses high and out over the plate. Chris Davis crushes is for a 2 run walk off homer.

Longest game i have played so far this year. And looking for revenge when i wake up in the morning.

[Gostorm10]

Re: 2013 Franchise/Season Progress Thread

Started a new franchise with the BoSox. First game was a 7-6 victory over the Yanks in 15 innings. Will Middlebrooks hit 3 hr's including a go ahead 2 run shot in the 15th. Was ahead 5-4 in the 9th but Joel Hanrahan gave up a game-tying HR to Ichiro. Buchholz on the mound next.

[jeremym480]

My Red Sox improved to 4-5 last night after getting past Baltimore 8-7. We were down 7-4, but an 8th inning rally that included three HR's (solo shots from Pedroia and Napoli and a two run HR by Salty) propelled us to victory.

This win was especially satisfying for two reasons

1) it helped us avoid the sweep

And

2) in our two previous games Baltimore beat us in extra innings (14 innings in the first game and 13 the next). Both of our bullpens were depleted so it felt good to be able to edge the last game out.

Next we welcome the Rays into town.

Sent from my VS920 4G using Tapatalk 2

[vinny_pizza]

Re: 2013 Franchise/Season Progress Thread

Played a phenomenal game last night with my fantasy draft Washington Nats. We beat the Braves 4-0 but the entire game was a pitchers duel throughout. Roy Halladay threw a gem going nine innings scattering six hits while walking one and striking out five for the win. Joe Saunders was on the hill for the Braves and pitched great other than the bloop and a blast he gave up in the sixth to Granderson for a 2-0 Nats lead. Stayed tight into the top of the 9th when Michael Bourne reached on a fielding error and Bautista hit a 2-0 slider 425ft dead center.

I just love this game.

[pistonica]

Re: 2013 Franchise/Season Progress Thread

Started a franchise with Texas Rangers...First of all i wanted to make my team younger so I traded 1B Moreland,LF Murphy and RF Nelson Cruz to the Colorado Rockies for LF Carlos Gonzalez, CF Dexter Fowler and LHP Drew Pomeranz

Also traded 3B Andre Beltre and SP A.Ogando to LA Dodgers for SP Zach Greinke, RP Kelen Jansen and RF Yasiel Puig

Signed in the begining of the season 2 free agents in CP Brian Wilson and 1B Aubrey Huff..

Started the season low...now the team has a record of 9-11...we are struggling but the team has potential...Carlos Gonzalez is 5th in hitting percentage while Yasel Puig is second in HR...

[Pesan915]

Re: 2013 Franchise/Season Progress Thread

Started a franchise with Texas Rangers...First of all i wanted to make my team younger so I traded 1B Moreland,LF Murphy and RF Nelson Cruz to the Colorado Rockies for LF Carlos Gonzalez, CF Dexter Fowler and LHP Drew Pomeranz

Also traded 3B Andre Beltre and SP A.Ogando to LA Dodgers for SP Zach Greinke, RP Kelen Jansen and RF Yasiel Puig

Signed in the begining of the season 2 free agents in CP Brian Wilson and 1B Aubrey Huff..

Started the season low...now the team has a record of 9-11...we are struggling but the team has potential...Carlos Gonzalez is 5th in hitting percentage while Yasel Puig is second in HR...

WOW! You totally ripped the computer with these trades lol! There is no way this would ever happen.

[BZito75]

Re: 2013 Franchise/Season Progress Thread

Gonna start a franchise tonight with Colorado ..... Tulo is my fav player and that division is tough.

[Armor and Sword]

Re: 2013 Franchise/Season Progress Thread

So the New York Yankees just completed a big time sweep of the defending AL champion Detroit Tigers in Detroit.

After getting off to a 1-2 start and missing key players like Grandy, Tex and Jeter the yankees found their mojo.

Travis Hafner is off to a blazing start as the new Yankees DH/1B. He is in beast mode early on.

Ed Nunez was a hero in game three of the series blasting a mammoth 3 run shot off Verlander to break open a 1-1 game in the 6th. CC was a horse pitching 8 1/3 on 113 pitches fanning 9 walking 2 and giving up only 1 run.

Ichiro broke out in this 3 game set almost hitting for the cycle in game three. He was a double away. He blasted a HR off Verlander in the first inning to open the scoring for the Bronx Bombers.

It was an impressive bounce back for the Yankees who struggled out of the gate vs the Red Sox. Jeter is expected back in May while Grandy and Tex are not expected back till early June at best. Alex Rodriguez is out for a minimum of 6 months and may have played his last game as a Yankee back in the 2012 post season.

On to a 3 game series vs the Tribe.