OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

**KBLover** · 04-14-2018, 01:59 AM

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

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Offseason Transactions Overview

Notable Free Agent Signings
Angels sign P Hirokazu Sawamura (NPB) for $12 million/3 yrs
Tigers sign P Takahiro Norimoto (NPB) for $76.8 million/6 yrs
Dodgers sign P Chris Sale for $139 million/6 yrs
Pirates sign 2B Marwin Gonzalez for $43.5 million/5 yrs
Blue Jays sign 1B Matt Carpenter for $59 million/4 yrs
Dodgers sign P Drew Smyly for $5 million/1 yr
Cubs sign P Jake Arrieta for $66 million/4 yrs
Astros sign 1B Paul Goldschmidt for $107 million/5 yrs (vesting option)
Cardinals sign 3B Todd Fraizer for $52.5 million/5 yrs (vesting option)
Red Sox sign SS Jordy Mercer for $10 million/1 yr
Blue Jays sign 1B Justin Smoak for $39.2 million/4 yrs
Blue Jays sign C Alex Avila for $75 million/5 yrs
Cardinals sign SS Xander Bogaerts for $18 million/3 yrs
Cubs sign P Takuya Tani for $15 million/3 yrs
Red Sox sign P Stephen Strasburg for $110 million/5 yrs
Cubs sign P Trevor Rosenthal for $29 million/3 yrs
Astros sign 1B Edwin Encarnacion for $19.6 million/2 yrs
Cardinals sign P Brandon Morrow for $7 million/1 yr
Tigers sign P Justin Verlander for $7 million/1 yr
Rangers sign CF Billy Hamilton for $123 million/7 yrs
Red Sox sign C Stephen Voigt for $40 million/3 yrs
Cubs sign RF Yasiel Puig for $151 million/7 yrs
Mets sign P Michael Wacha for $126 million/5 yrs
Braves sign P Gerrit Cole for $83 million/4 yrs
Giants sign P Yu Darvish for $127 million/5 yrs
Cubs sign P Andrew Miller for $72 million/3 yrs

Retirements
P Pat Neshek has announced his retirement and will become a color commentator for local Phillies broadcasts.

Major Trades
Nationals trade LF Adam Eaton to Giants for P Ervin Santana.
Cardinals trade SS Luis Andujar and P Coltan Eastman to Rockies for P Wade Davis.
Cardinals trade 1B Lucas Duda and P A.J. Jones to Mariners for P Mike Leake.

Rule 5 Draft
Round 1 – P Corbin Clouse
Clouse is a reliever that features a tremendous curveball as his out pitch and it helps his rather average fastball get hitters out. When he locates down in the zone and gets hitters to chase, he’s devastating. Problem is, he, too often, can hang the curve or sometimes just be completely unable to get ahead first to induce chases. “If he can master control even to a decent level, he could be a monster, so we took a chance on him, “ Yarrow commented.

Round 2 – SS Luis Guillorme
Guillorme features excellent defense. That’s his calling card and will be, at least initially, the reason why he’ll stick on some club’s roster. He only has experience at shortstop, but the Angels will likely work him either at 2B or 3B, with second base being more likely to hopefully form a killer defensive combo with Simmons up the middle. Hitting will be a question mark, but he probably won’t do much worse than the year Solak put up last year.

The Angels lost no players to the Rule 5 draft this year.

Other Angels Moves
Purchased the rights to CF Ty Vanderven from the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association.

Purchased the rights to P Jake Fishman from the Tuscos Saguaros of the Pecos League.

The Angels were quiet during the offseason while other teams made a bevy of moves. While the Angels are probably confident in their roster, some of the AL contenders and want-to-be contenders have been aggressive and, on paper, improved their clubs quite a bit.

The lineup has a hole at third base and center field is still not ideal, defensively. The loss of Shoemaker could go either way since a prospect might do well, or flop. Or the team might can make a move.

Will be interesting to see what happens as Spring Training begins and Opening Day dawns.

**KBLover** · 04-14-2018, 04:07 AM

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

Angels Acquire Michael Chavis from Red Sox
Angels Trade Trio of Prospects

The Angels found a third base option in the form of 23-year-old Michael Chavis.

The Red Sox, with Devers developing into a monster, decided to move Chavis to upgrade their pitching prospects.

The center piece from the Angels side is Christopher Bonilla, a solid-looking 21-year-old pitcher prospect. Scouts rate him at a 55 future value.

The Angels also parted with 1B prospect Lawrence Butler.

Chavis figures to become the starting 3B. Though, for the spring, Luis Guillorme will be starting to try to teach him the position.

Sawamura Done for the Season

The Angels signed Japanese import Sawamura this offseason and his first season in the MLB will be spent on the DL. He suffered a torn elbow ligament and will be out at least 10 months.

"It's always disappointing to see a guy go down like that. We can just hope that he can make a healthy and full recovery, " pitching coach John Farrel commented.

Darvish Tears Rotator Cuff

The Giants got bad news as Yu Darivsh tore his rotator cuff while pitching for Team Japan in the World Cup of Baseball.

"I mean, I understand why guys want to play for national pride and a different format of competition, but this is why I'm leery of it. Too much wear and tear on arms after doing little in the winter, " manager Tom Prince spoke.

Ohtani Named MVP of World Cup of Baseball

Ohtani keeps enjoying success at baseball in any format. This time, he laid claim to the MVP of the World Cup of Baseball by batting .583 with a 1.929 OPS (that is not a misprint) while going 1-1 with a 2.83 ERA on the mound.

Team Japan won the World Cup by defeating Cuba in a tight 5-4 contest. Ohtani threw a 4-hit shutout through seven innings. Cuba promptly scored four runs as soon as Ohtani left, but they could get no closer.

Angels Expected to be Near 100 Wins

Prognosticators are still confident on the Angels as the BNN predictions came out.

The Angels are expected to win the division and do so with 99 wins. As per usual, pitching is expected to lead the way.

Trout expected to be the lone offensive threat. Kershaw and Ohtani expected to lead the rotation. Nothing unusual there.

Chavis vs. Guillorme?

Evidently, Scoiscia isn't huge on Chavis, but he does like Guillorme and how he played in spring training. Guillorme also learned third base very quickly and scouts think he is at least a plus defender at the hot corner.

However, conflict is averted so far as Guillorme, as expected, will start at second base instead.

Ty Vanderven will start in center field in a surprise move, keeping Jahmai Jones on the bench. Trout moved to right field and Ohtani is back to DH duty when not on the mound.

**KSUowls** · 04-14-2018, 08:33 AM

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

Originally posted by N51_rob

Quick question on awards. My guy and another tied with 82 points but my guy had 13 1st place votes to the other guy getting 5 and the other guy wins the award?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

That seems odd. I always thought first place votes was the tie breaker.

**KBLover** · 04-14-2018, 09:09 AM

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

Originally posted by N51_rob

Quick question on awards. My guy and another tied with 82 points but my guy had 13 1st place votes to the other guy getting 5 and the other guy wins the award?

Interesting. I can't find any MLB rules on voting. The one tie in MVP was in 1979 and I can't found how they resolved it. Most places seem to just call them "Co-MVP", implying they left it as a tie.

So I don't know if they game is using it's own tie breaking system (appearing on most ballots?) or just picking a tied player at random.

**WaitTilNextYear** · 04-14-2018, 12:58 PM

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

Originally posted by KBLover

The Angels found a third base option in the form of 23-year-old Michael Chavis.

The Red Sox, with Devers developing into a monster, decided to move Chavis to upgrade their pitching prospects.

The center piece from the Angels side is Christopher Bonilla, a solid-looking 21-year-old pitcher prospect. Scouts rate him at a 55 future value.

The Angels also parted with 1B prospect Lawrence Butler.

LOL. You drafted Lawrence Butler, too? What round? He was my 1st round pick and is raking in low A ball. My scout raves about his power potential.

**KBLover** · 04-14-2018, 01:06 PM

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

Originally posted by WaitTilNextYear

LOL. You drafted Lawrence Butler, too? What round? He was my 1st round pick and is raking in low A ball. My scout raves about his power potential.

I got him in the 8th round.

My scout likes his potential for extra base hits, his above average stealing skills despite his mediocre raw speed, and his range. He doesn't like him overall, though, putting a below average grade on him (35) and saying he's, basically a future replacement player.

He's average/average+/plus/average-/fringe in his hitting potential grades, so I guess he doesn't like his OBP or his K/BB rate.

He hasn't progressed past R league for me and the Red Sox put him in their R league as well. Hitting decently but no advancement.

I think he'll be a decent hitter and developing well for his age.

**WaitTilNextYear** · 04-14-2018, 01:10 PM

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

Interesting that our scouts have such different takes. I wonder if these rookies are being generated with different skill sets in different games/saves. Similar thing with our Max Alba's being quite different.

**KBLover** · 04-14-2018, 01:18 PM

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

Good point. I wonder if that's what's going on.

BTW, if you want a knuckleballer, see if Jake Fishmen is in your indy leagues. That's why I bought him. He's nothing special, but you never know.

Random topic change: but do you see more pitchers learning pitches in your save. I'm seeing it much more than I remember in OOTP. Is that something they let happen more in recent versions? Used to be a hope and a prayer that they might. Now, while you still can't expect it, it's not a miracle hail mary shot either.

**N51_rob** · 04-14-2018, 01:23 PM

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

Well despite the June free fall, my boys showed some actually fight and heart the rest of the season. I think my thread to demote them all may have hit home. While we did finish below .500 at 74-88 22GB. But the news there was August and September. The club went 18-11 in August and 12-9 in September. Obviously too little too late, but it was fun to watch them battle back.

New Owner

Spoiler

Awards

Spoiler

Arbitration

Spoiler

Big Trade

Spoiler

Rest of the Off-Season

Spoiler

Spring Training and Opening Day Rosters

Spoiler

I'll leave you with a view of us operating totally in the RED. Also fan interest dropped from 74 at the start of 2023 to 52 this year.

Attached Files

rich_orioles_1_2024-04-02_14-21-49.jpg (188.8 KB, 51 views)

**KBLover** · 04-14-2018, 01:57 PM

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

Originally posted by N51_rob

I'll leave you with a view of us operating totally in the RED. Also fan interest dropped from 74 at the start of 2023 to 52 this year.

Ouch. Baltimore ownership must be horrible because that's starting to happen in my game, too. Literally 0 money for extensions and checks are still bouncing with their -$14 million bank account.

And I thought the Marlins finances were garbage.

Good luck making something positive happen. You're trying, that's for sure. Ownership has to do it's part also.

**N51_rob** · 04-14-2018, 02:18 PM

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

To be fair I shoulder a lot of the blame with some bad contracts, but I do my best to move them. Pederson has the option to opt-out after this year, doubt he will. Mountcastle is becoming a problem as his arbitration numbers just keep climbing. The pitcher I traded Lin for is basically the same situation, but he's a starter. He's up for a big payday...(his first start 2.2 ip 9 ER....), so I will probably try to move him after the all-star break. I've been lucky with this club, the accidental expansion saved me from Chris Davis' deal that is probably what you are seeing in your franchise...$23 million over 5 years.

**WaitTilNextYear** · 04-14-2018, 04:44 PM

Carolina Knights Update

SEPTEMBER 1, 2018

Season Record: 64-78 (18.5 GB NL East, 14 GB Wild Card)
August Record: 15-14
Position: 4th Place NL East

TEAM PAGE

STANDINGS

AUGUST SUMMARY

After cutting the cord on some veterans before the trade deadline, the expansion Carolina Knights were able to once again play slightly above .500 ball (15-14) in the month of August. It was nice to see the continued fight in Bobby Cox's 1st year expansion club after struggling some in July (12-16). Not bad for a club with a current player payroll level of $41.9MM.

August itself was almost like two separate months for Carolina. They started piping hot with an 11-3 record against the likes of Atlanta, Miami, Arizona, Colorado, and Milwaukee from 8/1 to 8/15. The team proceeded to limp to the end of the month, closing just 4-11 against New York (NL), Cincinnati, San Diego, St. Louis, and Chicago (NL). There were a couple of hard luck extra inning losses mixed in, including a 4-3 loss in 12 innings to the Cubs on 8/30 and a 5-2 loss in 12 innings to the Braves on 8/31. Another "hard luck" loss occurred when the Knights actually beat Michael Wacha and the Cardinals on 8/26 only for the game to crash and for the Knights to lose the "do over" game.

Carolina #1 starter and "original player" Collin McHugh continues to alternate bad months with good. August was one of the good ones. In 6 August starts, McHugh pitched a beefy 42 IP with a 1.93 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and solid peripherals. He socked away a whole 1.0 WAR in the month and pitched a 1-hit shutout at Cincy on 8/18. McHugh is 7-15 with a 4.38 ERA over 185 IP (1.5 WAR) in 2018 so far.

To the other extreme, #4 starter Derek Gordon, an early season purchase from the independent Lincoln Saltdogs, was really bad. He's actually getting worse as the year goes on: 3.51 ERA (May), 4.94 ERA (June), 5.79 ERA (July), 6.04 ERA (August). Needless to say, he probably won't be filling a rotation spot with the parent club in 2019 after this extended tryout.

#5 starter Trevor Williams, originally of the Pirates, has probably been the most consistent starter despite pitching to the tune of -0.4 WAR this season. Williams has made all 26 starts with a reasonable 3.92 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. He has likely earned himself a spot in the 2019 rotation along with McHugh.

On offense, the team has been anchored by its 1/2 hole hitters Brett Gardner and rookie sensation Breyvic Valera.

The Knights haven't been able to come to terms on an extension with the just-turned-35-year-old Gardner despite intermittent talks. With a $12.5MM team option for 2019 (that there's no way in hell will be exercised), the club low-balled Gardner with a $2.5MM offer instead. After some initial consideration, he rejected the offer out of hand. The club and Gardner are currently about $2MM apart in negotiations (offering $4MM, expecting $6.5MM). Still, the veteran left fielder has been great for Carolina this season: .291/.363/.419 in 579 PAs with 8 HR, 50 RBI, 10 SB, +6.7 ZR, and 3.0 WAR. Certainly worthy of his team-high $11MM salary.

Valera followed up NL Rookie of the Month honors in July by hitting .314/.381/.446 in August. This strong NL ROY candidate is now slashing .316/.355/.444 with 9 HR and 50 RBI in 460 PAs while playing an above average 2B (+2.7 ZR). One of my favorite Valera stats is he's striking out in just 8.7% of his plate appearances. He leads all NL rookies in hits (136), batting average, and OPS (.799), while placing 2nd in WAR (3.3).

September 1 means expanded rosters. The Knights have decided to call up a bunch of players, including: LHP Anthony Banda, RHP Diego Castillo, LHP Joe Filomeno, RHP Nick Gardewine, C Kyle Farmer, INF Jake Peter, OF Brian Goodwin (nabbed off of waivers yesterday), and OF Teoscar Hernandez. With Banda in the fold, the club plans to go to a 6-man rotation down the stretch.

**KBLover** · 04-14-2018, 07:09 PM

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

The Angels have the best record in baseball. So, if any fans were worried about the quiet offseason the Angels had, they probably can relax. At least until the postseason, when your regular season record is pointless.

It is fitting that the best NL team is the cross-town rival Dodgers, also over the .700 mark.

What Angels fans were worried about is Kershaw grabbing his elbow after a pitch. He was ruled day-to-day for a few weeks, but the team took no chances and shut him down. The rotation didn't miss a beat, as you can see from the team pages.

As strong as the Angels squad has been, they are the best team no one outside of L.A. has heard of, apparently. The team is made up of four people, Trout, Kershaw, Ohtani, Myers according to baseball fans and Myers is probably on the verge of dropping off. They are the only one getting any major attention for the (extremely late) All-Star game.

And that's just how GM Yarrow likes it.

"Must mean we are truly a total team effort. If folks have a hard time naming our roster and pointing to one or two guys and saying 'this is why they are winning', that means we're doing our job up here in the front office and in the scouting room, " Yarrow commented, "We're building a team that can beat anyone from anywhere on the roster."

Indeed, the Angels roster, other than the stars, seems like a motley collection of cast-offs, Rule 5 picks, and quiet, "just do my job" types that never gain attention. Even Zach Britton and his 30 saves and 1.72 ERA isn't getting notice.

Yarrow credits Mike Scoiscia and his staff for the team's success. Scoiscia's contract has already been extended for four more years, "to keep that out of his mind and let him focus on keeping our boys winning".

"He's the conductor on the field getting our guys to play the song of victory game after game. He's making the calls, moving guys around, making everything click in the clubhouse, and the players have bought into the culture, " Yarrow commented.

Aside from Jose Abreu, who's still aggravated about hitting .170 with a .219 BABIP and is now going to be more aggravated when he realizes that Bobby Bradley being at first base...is actually a thing.

"I think the Abreu situation will be dealt with. Either he'll be shouted down in the clubhouse if he tries to make waves...this team has a very strong leadership core, headed up by Kershaw...and trying to argue against what's producing a freaking .730 win percentage seems like a lost cause, or he'll be shipped off. Just ask Justin Upton, " one sportswriter commented, "And with the Angels finances like they are, they'll pay to get rid of him if that's what it comes to."

And there's a blocked prospect just waiting for the chance. First baseman Matt Thaiss has quietly waited for his chance, hitting as best he can in AAA-Salt Lake to make sure he stays on the organizational radar.

"It's all I can do. Getting upset will just make me play worse, look worse, and hurt my chances. I want to be in the majors for sure and I know I can handle it, but the big club is winning and they aren't just going upset things for me, " Thiass spoke.

Little does he know that a path might be opening for him sooner than later.

One player not particularly happy, though, is Jahmai Jones. Jones was brought up on the hope of being the center fielder that moves Trout to right field. Instead, the team goes and finds "a nobody".

"I just feel duped right now. They want me to learn left field to get my foot in the door, then they get Wil Myers. They want me to go back to center field, and they bring that nobody in...who even knows who he is. Now I'm on the bench behind him and being a fourth outfielder. That's not why I was brought up, and that's from their mouth not mine, " Jones spoke.

There's some tension behind the success, especially as the Angels continue to employ the "cast a wide net" philosophy of talent acquisition. Both Yarrow and head scout Ze-min Que are both constantly search for talent...no matter where from or what channel.

Don't expect that to change now.

Attached Files

**N51_rob** · 04-14-2018, 07:11 PM

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

I do so enjoy the twist and turns everyone's individual leagues are taking. This is quickly becoming my favorite thread on OS outside of the NFL OT.

**N51_rob** · 04-14-2018, 08:50 PM

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

Perhaps it was the black cloud that was the Peter Angelos tenure as owner but the 2024 Baltimore Orioles have started the 2024 season off to a blistering start. The club sits at 19-7 on May 3rd (was gonna stop at the end of April but a three game set vs Boston was calling to me.). Its hasn't been w/o some trials but the club has responded.

I guess the first place to start is the Bullpen, who's 1.94 ERA is best in the American League. New closer Pete Merrill had a amazing April. He recorded 9 saves and a 1.54 ERA. He didn't give up his first earned run until April 30th. Set-up man Ryan Meisinger has not allowed an ER in 10 innings, in 16 innings Jose Torres has a 14.1 K/9. New addition Francisco David Sanchez has allowed 1 ER and 10 hits in 12.2 innings.

After that the rotation has been holding their own to my surprise the "worst" pitcher has been the newest member of the organization. Merandy Gonzalez has a 3-1 record but his 6.32 era is off his career 3.78 in Miami. Most of that can be attributed to his rough start on Opening Day going only 2.2 innings and allowing 9 ERs vs the Angles he's allowed 13 ER in his 5 other starts he's also been every bit the innings eater he was. Gregory Soto and George Kirby both have sub 2 ERAs. Nick Storz leads the team in wins with 4, he also flashed a bit of his stick. Playing 1B on May 2nd in Boston Stroz went 1/3 with a 3 run HR in a 4-3 win over Boston.

Offensively 1B Jack Yalowitz has been carrying the offense early on. After only playing 5 games last year due to injury he's made sure that coaches know its his time. In 23 games he's hitting .333 is second on the team with 7 HRs and leads the club with 20 RBIs. He also won rookie of the month for April. RF and reigning ROY Griffin Conine hasn't rested on his laurels, his .308 average and 5 HR 15 RBIs in the 2 spot continue to be a key cog in the offense. C Gary Sanchez leads the team in HRs with 8 and is second with 17 RBIs. The only negative would be Joc Pederson who's 2023 struggles have continued into 2024 he's only hitting .184 but is still being patience at the plate as his .324 OBP represents. He has hit 5 homers and driven in 15 RBIs.

Not all good news though. Injuries continue to be an issues. SS Bobby Witt Jr who's comeback season was off to a well enough start suffered elbow inflammation on April 25th that will sideline him for 5-6 weeks. RP Dylan Bundy's sore elbow from March 28th continues to plague him and he hasn't played a game yet. Injury management will be key as the Orioles organization was ranked 32nd as far as prospects go and have no players in the top 100. This years draft will be a change to replenish the farm system as much of the younger talent is now in the majors and from the looks of it primed for a run.

Attached Files

rich_orioles_1_2024-05-03_21-49-21.jpg (232.5 KB, 64 views)

OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

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