2014 MLB Expansion: Starting from the Bottom
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Re: 2014 MLB Expansion: Starting from the Bottom
March 30, 2013
Just before the beginning of the 2013 Major League Baseball season, Commissioner Bud Selig had a surprising announcement. He announced that in 2014, the MLB will expand to 32 teams, and will add one team to each league. No new division alignment has been announced, nor have the cities that will host these new teams. -
Re: 2014 MLB Expansion: Starting from the Bottom
July 16, 2013
Just before the 2013 All Star Game, held at Citi Field in New York, Bud Selig revealed more information regarding the 2014 expansion. "Indianapolis and Portland will be the two cities with new major league baseball teams next spring," said Selig. "Team nicknames have not yet been created, but fans should know more after the World Series this year."
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Re: 2014 MLB Expansion: Starting from the Bottom
2013 MLB Award Winners Award Player Pos Team AL Most Valuable Player Prince Fielder 1B Detroit Tigers AL Cy Young Award C.J. Wilson SP Los Angeles Angels AL Rookie of the Year Jurickson Profar SS Texas Rangers NL Most Valuable Player Bryce Harper LF Washington Nationals NL Cy Young Award Clayton Kershaw SP Los Angeles Dodgers NL Rookie of the Year Jedd Gyorko 2B San Diego Padres 2013 MLB Rawlings Gold Glove Award Winners American League Pos National League Alex Avila (DET) C Wilin Rosario (COL) Justin Morneau (CLE) 1B Ike Davis (NYM) Dustin Pedroia (BOS) 2B Chase Utley (PIT) Evan Longoria (TB) 3B Ryan Zimmerman (WAS) Yunel Escobar (TB) SS Zack Cozart (CIN) Melky Cabrera (TOR) OF Justin Upton (ATL) Austin Jackson (DET) OF Carlos Gomez (MIL) Nick Swisher (CLE) OF Jason Heyward (ATL) Justin Verlander P Henderson Alvarez (MIA)
November 11, 2013
Commissioner Selig has announced the names of the two new MLB teams: The Indianapolis Devils, and the Portland Ninjas. Both names were selected with a vote from fans living in the cities. Selig also announced that Indianapolis will play in the NL Central, and Portland in the AL West. With the expansion, Houston will move to the AL East next year, after their lone season playing in the west. The expansion draft will take place on November 22.Comment
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Re: 2014 MLB Expansion: Starting from the Bottom
November 15, 2013
Just one week before the MLB expansion draft, Indianapolis announces 33-year old Matt Grahoben as its general manager. Grahoben spent the previous four years working in the front office of the St. Louis Cardinals. He also played college baseball, and was drafted in the 28th round of the 2002 draft by Milwaukee, although he never made the majors. "I am really excited for this opportunity, and although we have one of the smallest markets in the league, I think we will still be able to put a winning team on the field with smart money management and good scouting," Grahoben said at his press conference.
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Re: 2014 MLB Expansion: Starting from the Bottom
November 21, 2013
The expansion draft pool has been released, and honestly, I am not really impressed by the available pitchers. Doug Fister of Detroit is probably the best, so if I get the first pick, I might take him. Hiroki Kuroda is also a great pitcher, but I won't be taking him due to his age and huge contract. So far, I have offered contracts to Barry Zito ($10.9 mil/2years) and Jeff Niemann ($1.2 mil/1 year).Comment
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Re: 2014 MLB Expansion: Starting from the Bottom
Expansion Draft:
1. SP Doug Fister (POR)
2. CF Austin Jackson (IND)
3. 2B Neil Walker (IND)
4. RP Andrew Cashner (POR)
5. CF Peter Bourjos (POR)
6. SS Zack Cozart (IND)
7. RP Matt Reynolds (IND)
8. LF Andrew M. Brown (POR)
9. SP Hiroki Kuroda (POR)
10. SP Chad Billingsley (IND)
11. RP Gerardo Parra (IND)
12. SS Ian Desmond (POR)
13. SP Anibal Sanchez (POR)
14. RP Jim Henderson (IND)
15. SP John Lannan (IND)
16. C George Kottaras (POR)
17. 3B Chris Nelson (POR)
18. RF Ichiro Suzuki (IND)
19. RP Chris Leroux (IND)
20. 1B Justin Smoak (POR)
21. SP Mark Rogers (POR)
22. 1B Gaby Sanchez (IND)
23. C Martin Maldonado (IND)
24. SP Wade Miley (POR)
25. 2B Howie Kendrick (POR)
26. SP Chris Narveson (IND)
27. RP David Hernandez (IND)
28. RF Daniel Nava (POR)
29. SP Christian Friedrich (POR)
30. 3B Alberto Callaspo (IND)
31. RP Jake McGee (IND)
32. SP Felix Doubront (POR)
33. SP Rubby De La Rosa (POR)
34. RP Allen Webster (IND)
35. RP Jeurys Familia (IND)
36. SP Ivan Nova (POR)
37. SP James McDonald (POR)
38. C Josh Thole (IND)
39. 2B Eric Sogard (IND)
40. C Chris Ianetta (POR)
41. SP Jeremy Hellickson (POR)
42. RP Steve Johnson (IND)
43. CF A.J. Pollock (IND)
44. RP Rob Scahill (POR)
45. RP Vin Mazzaro (POR)
46. LF Blake Tekotte (IND)
47. SP Ross Ohlendorf (IND)
48. CF B.J. Upton (POR)
49. CF Colby Rasmus (POR)
50. LF Gregor Blanco (IND)
51. 3B Matt Dominguez (IND)
52. CF Cameron Maybin (POR)
53. SP David Phelps (POR)
54. 1B Jordan Lennerton (IND)
55. 2B Justin Sellers (IND)
56. SS Jed Lowrie (POR)
57. SS Mike Aviles (POR)
58. 2B Omar Infante (IND)
59. SP Scott Diamond (IND)
60. 3B Luis D. Jimenez (POR)
61. LF J.D. Martinez (POR)
62. CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis (IND)
63. SP Kevin Slowey (IND)
64. SP Dillon Gee (POR)
65. SS Trevor Plouffe (POR)
66. LF Julio Borbon (IND)
67. SS Jordy Mercer (IND)
68. SP Joe Wieland (POR)
69. RF Roger Kieschnick (POR)
70. RF Robbie Grossman (IND)Last edited by grahoben; 01-04-2014, 12:16 PM.Comment
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Re: 2014 MLB Expansion: Starting from the Bottom
Transactions:
December 2: Traded CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis to Texas for 1B Mitch Moreland
December 6: Signed SP Jeff Niemann and RP Jon Rauch to 1-year deals, worth $1,200,000 and $1,056,000 respectively
December 23: Signed SP Barry Zito to a 2-year deal worth $10,900,000
January 14: Signed RP Francisco Rodriguez to a 1-year deal worth $1,250,000
January 16: Signed RP Jose Veras to a 1-year deal worth $1,000,000
March 13: 1B Mitch Moreland sustained a hamstring injury that will keep him out for 2 weeks
March 19: SP prospect Allen Webster will miss 4-5 months with a shoulder inflammationComment
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Re: 2014 MLB Expansion: Starting from the Bottom
2014 Opening Day Roster # PITCHERS POS B/T AGE HT WT SALARY 27 John Lannan SP L/L 29 6-3 235 $3,400,000 29 Jim Henderson RP L/R 31 6-5 190 $492,000 30 David Hernandez RP R/R 28 6-2 230 $2,000,000 35 Jeff Niemann SP R/R 31 6-9 285 $1,200,000 39 Chris Narveson SP L/L 32 6-3 205 $2,200,000 41 Jose Veras RP R/R 33 6-5 240 $1,000,000 45 Matt Reynolds RP L/L 29 6-5 240 $1,700,000 57 Jake McGee RP L/L 27 6-3 230 $1,700,000 58 Chad Billingsley SP R/R 29 6-0 240 $12,000,000 60 Jon Rauch RP R/R 35 6-9 295 $1,056,000 61 Francisco Rodriguez RP R/R 32 6-0 195 $1,250,000 63 Chris Leroux RP L/R 29 6-5 225 $750,000 75 Barry Zito SP L/L 35 6-2 200 $4,450,000 # CATCHERS POS B/T AGE HT WT SALARY 12 Martin Maldonado C R/R 27 6-0 220 $494,000 20 Josh Thole C L/R 27 6-0 215 $1,250,000 # INFIELDERS POS B/T AGE HT WT SALARY 15 Gaby Sanchez 1B R/R 30 6-0 235 $2,200,000 19 Mitch Moreland 1B L/L 28 6-2 280 $1,800,000 18 Neil Walker 2B S/R 28 6-3 215 $3,800,000 4 Omar Infante 2B/3B/SS R/R 32 6-0 200 $1,300,000 6 Alberto Callaspo 3B S/R 30 5-8 200 $4,875,000 31 Eric Sogard SS/2B/3B L/R 27 5-10 190 $495,000 2 Zack Cozart SS R/R 28 6-0 195 $527,000 # OUTFIELDERS POS B/T AGE HT WT SALARY 8 Gerardo Parra OF L/L 26 5-10 200 $2,800,000 14 Austin Jackson CF R/R 27 6-0 185 $5,500,000 16 A.J. Pollock OF R/R 26 6-0 210 $491,000 32 Ichiro Suzuki RF L/L 40 5-10 170 $6,500,000
EDIT: Sogard is not on the active roster
Pitching Rotation:
1. Billingsley
2. Zito
3. Lannan
4. Niemann
5. Narveson
Bullpen:
Closer: Veras
Setup: Reynolds, Hernandez
Middle: Henderson, Rodriguez, Rauch, McGee, Leroux
Lineup vs RHP:
1. Parra LF
2. Suzuki RF
3. Walker 2B
4. Moreland 1B
5. Jackson CF
6. Callaspo 3B
7. Thole C
8. Cozart SS
Lineup vs LHP:
1. Jackson CF
2. Cozart SS
3. Walker 2B
4. Sanchez C
5. Callaspo 3B
6. Maldonado C
7. Suzuki RF
8. Pollock LFLast edited by grahoben; 01-04-2014, 04:05 PM.Comment
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Re: 2014 MLB Expansion: Starting from the Bottom
Indianapolis Devils at Atlanta Braves Apr 6, 2014 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Indianapolis (1-0) 0 2 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 6 8 0 Atlanta (0-1) 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 1 W: Chad Billingsley (1-0, 7.20) L: Brandon Beachy (0-1, 9.82) S: Matt Reynolds (1, 0.00)
Gerardo Parra led off the game with a double, and although the Devils couldn't score, it awakened their bats. Josh Thole produced the first runs of the game, hitting a two-run homer, but Atlanta quickly came back, gaining a 4-2 lead. Starter Chad Billingsley regained his composure after the third, pitching two scoreless innings after the third. A big fourth inning gave the Devils the lead, and they wouldn't look back, as the bullpen pitched 4 scoreless innings. Matt Reynolds came in for the ninth because the Braves had three lefties coming up.
Austin Jackson left the game with an injury in the 8th inning. The severity of his injury is unknown.
Indianapolis Devils at Atlanta Braves Apr 7, 2014 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Indianapolis (1-1) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 1 Atlanta (1-1) 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 7 0 W: Kris Medlen (1-0, 1.13) L: Matt Reynolds (0-1, 5.40) S: Craig Kimbrel (1, 0.00)
Neil Walker gave the Devils a quick lead with a home run in the first, but Atlanta scored on an error by Alberto Callaspo in the 6th to tie the game. In the 8th, Nelson Cruz hit a pinch hit home run to ultimately win the game for Atlanta.
After the game, we learn that Austin Jackson's injury is a seperated shoulder. He will be out for about 3 weeks. Gregor Blanco has been called up from AAA to fill the roster spot.
Indianapolis Devils at Atlanta Braves Apr 8, 2014 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Indianapolis (1-2) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 7 0 Atlanta (2-1) 0 1 0 0 0 6 1 0 0 8 10 1 W: Tommy Hanson (1-0, 1.13) L: John Lannan (0-1, 11.12)
John Lannan kept the Braves in check for the first five innings, but Atlanta rallied for 6 in the 6th inning, knocking the Devils out of the game.Comment
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Re: 2014 MLB Expansion: Starting from the Bottom
Cincinnati Reds at Indianapolis Devils Apr 9, 2014 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Cincinnati (2-2) 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 6 0 Indianapolis (2-2) 1 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 11 1 W: Jeff Niemann (1-0, 1.50) L: Homer Bailey (0-1, 27.00) S: Jose Veras (1, 0.00)
The Devils opened up Sutton Stadium with style, defeating division rival Cincinnati 6-3. The Reds scored first, but Indianapolis tagged Homer Bailey for 6 runs in just two innings of work. Jeff Niemann pitched well in his first start of the year, and the bullpen continued its success. Through 4 games, the bullpen ERA is 3rd in the National League at 1.46.
Cincinnati Reds at Indianapolis Devils Apr 10, 2014 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Cincinnati (3-2) 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 4 8 0 Indianapolis (2-3) 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 6 0 W: Tony Cingrani (1-0, 2.25) L: Chris Narveson (0-1, 5.40) S: Aroldis Chapman (2, 3.00)
Chris Narveson wasn't bad in his season debut, but our offense didn't give him nearly enough support. Zack Cozart hit a home run in the 1st inning to tie the game, but the Reds were able to put together more offense, winning by 2.
Cincinnati Reds at Indianapolis Devils Apr 11, 2014 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Cincinnati (3-3) 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 7 1 Indianapolis (3-3) 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 10 0 W: Chad Billingsley (2-0, 4.09) L: Mat Latos (0-1, 3.46) S: Jose Veras (2, 0.00)
Key hits by Neil Walker and Omar Infante helped the Devils get ahead early against the Reds, and for the final three innings, the bullpen slammed the door. Chris Leroux, Matt Reynolds, and Jose Veras each pitched a scoreless inning, and they combined to strike out 5 batters and allow just 1 hit.Last edited by grahoben; 01-06-2014, 01:58 PM.Comment
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Re: 2014 MLB Expansion: Starting from the Bottom
Indianapolis Devils at New York Mets Apr 12, 2014 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Indianapolis (3-4) 4 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 6 9 2 New York (3-4) 1 1 0 3 0 0 0 2 x 7 11 0 W: Aaron Laffey (1-0, 6.75) L: Jim Henderson (0-1, 3.86) S: Scott Atchison (2, 3.38)
Indianapolis quickly jumped on Tyson Ross and the Mets, scoring four runs in the first inning. Devils lefty Barry Zito couldn't hold on to the lead however, as New York took the lead in the fourth inning. The Devils would eventually reclaim their lead, but the bullpen could not hold on, allowing the Mets to win the series opener.
Indianapolis Devils at New York Mets Apr 13, 2014 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Indianapolis (4-4) 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 3 9 0 New York (3-5) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 W: Chris Leroux (1-0, 0.00) L: Bobby Parnell (0-1, 23.63) S: Francisco Rodriguez (1, 0.00)
A rain delay in the second inning prevented John Lannan from going deep into the game, but he still dominated the Mets, holding them to one hit and no runs in five innings of great pitching. The Devils bullpen would not allow a hit in four innings, and an RBI double by Neil Walker in the 7th finally broke the 0-0 tie.
Indianapolis Devils at New York Mets Apr 14, 2014 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Indianapolis (5-4) 0 0 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 4 8 1 New York (3-6) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 W: Jeff Niemann (2-0, 0.75) L: Zack Wheeler (0-2, 4.85)
For the second consecutive game the Devils pitching staff carved up the Mets lineup, holding the team to just five hits and no runs. Jeff Niemann pitched another very good game, lowering his ERA to a microscopic 0.75. Indianapolis didn't have a lot of offensive production, but four runs were more than enough with the great pitching performance.Comment
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Re: 2014 MLB Expansion: Starting from the Bottom
Arizona Diamondbacks at Indianapolis Devils Apr 15, 2014 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Arizona (8-2) 2 4 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 10 13 0 Indianapolis (5-5) 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 3 7 12 0 W: Brandon McCarthy (2-0, 3.46) L: Chris Narveson (0-2, 11.25) S: J.J. Putz (5, 5.06)
Chris Narveson was very ineffective, allowing seven runs in a start that only lasted three innings. A 3-run homer by Mitch Moreland in the ninth brought the Devils within striking distance, but they would not be able to complete the comeback.
Diamondbacks at Devils | Apr 16, 2014 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Extras R H E Arizona (9-2) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 8 0 Indianapolis (5-6) 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 8 0 W: J.J. Putz (2-0, 3.68) L: Jose Veras (0-1, 5.06)
Chad Billingsley pitched shutout baseball for five innings, but a rain delay interrupted his great outing. The Indianapolis bullpen held the Diamondbacks scoreless until the ninth, when Jose Veras blew his save opportunity. He allowed 2 more runs in the 10th, as Arizona improved to 9-2.
Arizona Diamondbacks at Indianapolis Devils Apr 17, 2014 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Arizona (9-3) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 Indianapolis (6-6) 0 2 0 3 2 0 1 0 0 8 11 0 W: Barry Zito (1-0, 2.81) L: Daniel Hudson (2-1, 6.30)
Home runs accounted for 7 of the 8 Indianapolis runs, as four Devils (A. Callaspo, G. Parra, M. Maldonado, G. Blanco) went deep for the first time this season. Meanwhile, Barry Zito pitched brilliantly, throwing seven shutout innings and allowing just four hits.Comment
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Re: 2014 MLB Expansion: Starting from the Bottom
Indianapolis Devils at San Francisco Giants Apr 19, 2014 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Indianapolis (6-7) 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 4 0 San Francisco (7-6) 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 9 0 W: Ryan Vogelsong (1-1, 3.26) L: Francisco Rodriguez (0-1, 2.08) S: Sergio Romo (3, 2.25)
John Lannan pitched well for the Devils, but Francisco Rodriguez could not protect the lead in the 7th, and aside from a homer by Gregor Blanco, Indianapolis had no offense.
Indianapolis Devils at San Francisco Giants Apr 20, 2014 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Indianapolis (7-7) 0 0 1 2 0 0 1 2 0 6 12 1 San Francisco (7-7) 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 6 1 W: David Hernandez (1-0, 3.86) L: Dan Runzler (0-1,10.80)
A rain delay in the third inning shortened the outings of both starting pitchers, and this likely helped the Devils, as they didn't have to face Roy Halladay for long. Neil Walker carried the offense, smacking three hits and driving in three runs in the 6-2 win.
Indianapolis Devils at San Francisco Giants Apr 21, 2014 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Indianapolis (7-8) 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 6 0 San Francisco (8-7) 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 X 4 9 1 W: Madison Bumgarner (2-2, 5.04) L: Chris Narveson (0-3, 10.50) S: Sergio Romo (4, 1.80)
Chris Narveson struggled once again, and Madison Bumgarner shut down the Devil lineup, allowing San Francisco to win the three-game series.Comment
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