The King and his Diamond Table-A Seattle M's Franchise (MLB14-PS3)

[Deuce2223]

Re: The King and his Diamond Table-A Seattle M's Franchise (MLB14-PS3)

So my plan is to turn F.A. back over to the CPU now and see what teams try and make moves.. Obviously because of contracts in the game, Scherzer, Shields, Lester, ect.. Won't get the type of money they would in real life but then again most of the players contracts are no where close to real life.

If anyone has any ideas on what teams should make a big push for any said player feel free to chime in your ideas and I can always add that offer to the player through 30 team control.

I have my eye on a couple of guy's to join the M's as I will look to find this year's Corey Hart and C. Young, plus try and balance my lineup with the Righties I lost (Willingham,Ploufe), plus have a couple of trades in mind as well.

[Deuce2223]

Re: The King and his Diamond Table-A Seattle M's Franchise (MLB14-PS3)

TAMPA'S DAVID PRICE DEALT IN 3-WAY DEAL

The Detroit Tigers moved quickly today to replace Max Scherzer in the rotation by trading 3 players to Tampa Bay for the Ray's #1 Ace David Price (94/A)

Detroit first traded starting CF Austin Jackson (80B) to Seattle for IF N. Franklin(74/B) and then turned around and traded Franklin and current Tigers SP D. Smyly (82/B) and SS W. Adames (69/B)


Deuce

"We are excited to be able to add a player like Austin to our lineup. He gives us a true CF who can bat leadoff. Last season he hit .270 with 18 HR and 56 RBI. We will miss Nick. He did a great job for us in the playoffs and it was tough to give him up, but after we lost out on resigning Bonifacio we really felt it was important to find a top of the order guy who can play CF and bat RH"

[Deuce2223]

Re: The King and his Diamond Table-A Seattle M's Franchise (MLB14-PS3)

USS MARINER ANNOUNCES NEW M'S!!!

GM "The Deuce" has been busy this past month making a flurry of moves in hopes of seeing his team repeat it's A.L. West Division Crown and World Series Title. But first let's take a look at where some former M's will be playing next season.

Corey Hart's 48 HR's and 142 RBI's resigned back in Milwaukee where he is projected to take over 1B for the Brewers, SP C. Young and his 17 wins is headed to Kansas City where he will look to try and help replace Big Game James.

E. Bonifacio is headed back north to Toronto where he will look to replace C. Rasmus in CF. J. Willingham and T. Plouffe will stay teammates once again, only this time it will be in South Beach, as Willingham rejoins the Marlins to play 1B and well Plouffe is expected to challenge C. McGehee at 3B.


Looking to replace huge HR and RBI #'s by Hart, Deuce reached out to a player in which Seattle tried to sign last off-season in former Texas Ranger Nelson Cruz. Cruz however signed a 1 year deal in Baltimore missing out on a championship ring. Now with a 2nd chance, Cruz once again spurned the M's who offered a 3 year deal and instead signed a 2 year deal in Minnesota.

Cruz wasn't the only bigtime bat to turn down the M's. It's been no secret that Seattle really liked KC 1B/DH Billy Butler and quickly offered him a 5 year deal but instead Butler like Cruz went for a 2 year deal worth 20 million in Boston, where he will likely rotate with D. Ortiz at 1B/DH.

So now that you know who isn't going to be joining Austin Jackson in Seattle, let's take a look at who will.

Looking to help replace C. Young's 17 wins, will be former Washington natitive, Jason Hammel (76/C). Hammel split last season with the Chicago Cubs and the Oakland A's going 13-8 with a 3.57 ERA. Hammel will likely be challenged by Jeff Niemann (77/B) who pitched all of last season in Tacoma until Sept where he went 1-1 with a 1.27 ERA out of the bullpen and 1 start.

Loggy J. Russell (72/C) decides to stay in Seattle signing a 5 year deal, giving the M's 8 possible RP's for what will likely be 5 spots in the bullpen as Hammel/Niemann/Paxton/Ramirez hope to fill a long relief role that the M's didn't have last season.

Former Chicago Cub and Texas Ranger Catcher G. Soto (75/C) has agreed to a 2 year deal worth 1.9 million per season to come to Seattle to backup Mike Zunino. Soto hit .224 with 8 HR and 33 RBI last season in 255 AB's for the Rangers.

Former San Diego Padre OF Chris Denorfia (77/C) was rumored as a trade target last season, but the Padres still fighting for their own playoff spot hung on to him instead. So instead the M's add him via F.A. The 34 yr old RH bat hit .286 last season with 11 HR and 41 RBI in 318 AB's.

Deuce

"Well we are disappointed that we were not able to retain more ofour F.A.'s then we did and even more disappointed in being spurned by both Cruz and Butler, we are excited with who we did manage to add and we will continue to monitor the waiver wire and explore trades that could continue to help our team"

[xboxxerx]

Re: The King and his Diamond Table-A Seattle M's Franchise (MLB14-PS3)

Great deal on the David Price trade Deuce. Took a lot of originality to move those guys around. How long did it take to get those pieces to work together to get all 3 teams to agree on it? lol

You see yourself doing any other moves in the off season or staying put now? Maybe a key bat or arm in another trade or signing?

[Deuce2223]

Re: The King and his Diamond Table-A Seattle M's Franchise (MLB14-PS3)

Great deal on the David Price trade Deuce. Took a lot of originality to move those guys around. How long did it take to get those pieces to work together to get all 3 teams to agree on it? lol

You see yourself doing any other moves in the off season or staying put now? Maybe a key bat or arm in another trade or signing?

Actually with 30 team control, it's easy to do any trades you want, because the CPU doesn't have any say in in. I prefer it that way, because the CPU logic is horrible in the game.


I am disappointed that I wasn't able to land Cruz and Butler, so it looks like it will be another year of Ackley and Smoak for me to start the season.

I am pretty happy with the way the roster is taking shape. Soto should be a huge upgrade behind the plate and could start if "Z" gets off to a slow start again, and Denorfia gives me a RH bat to help Ackley be able to play less against tough lefties. I almost didn't sign Hammel because the plan was to let Niemann and Ramirez fight it out for the #5 spot in the rotation but he didn't have any offers. I signed him cheap (2 years 2 mil per). So it might be time to send Ramirez packing because I got guy's like Sanchez, Diaz, and Pike who should be ready for the Majors in 2 years.

[KingFry]

Re: The King and his Diamond Table-A Seattle M's Franchise (MLB14-PS3)

Maybe I missed it but where did Scherzer/Lester/Shields sign?

[Deuce2223]

Re: The King and his Diamond Table-A Seattle M's Franchise (MLB14-PS3)

Maybe I missed it but where did Scherzer/Lester/Shields sign?

Havn't posted the big time Free Agent signings yet. It will be up later today. I have been busy making cuts and trying to get all the rosters fix. Seemed like most teams had like 12 RP's in AAA, so I am working on getting everyone with 25 in the MLB/AAA/AA and cutting back everyone's Overall roster # to 75-80, so they will be able to sign draft picks and pick up F.A. that don't get signed in the offseason

[KingFry]

Re: The King and his Diamond Table-A Seattle M's Franchise (MLB14-PS3)

Havn't posted the big time Free Agent signings yet. It will be up later today. I have been busy making cuts and trying to get all the rosters fix. Seemed like most teams had like 12 RP's in AAA, so I am working on getting everyone with 25 in the MLB/AAA/AA and cutting back everyone's Overall roster # to 75-80, so they will be able to sign draft picks and pick up F.A. that don't get signed in the offseason

Got it. I'm excited to see where they go.

[Deuce2223]

Re: The King and his Diamond Table-A Seattle M's Franchise (MLB14-PS3)

FREE AGENCY ROUNDUP

Every off-season baseball fans scour the web hoping to read rumors of the top free-agents signing with their teams. Well the wait is no more.. Here is a rundown of where all the Top-Free Agents signed this past off-season.

Not only did the Redsox resign John Lester but they brought in some competition to be the #1 as they sign Max Sherzer as well as J. Lackey as their #3, giving them very solid 1-3.

But the Red Sox didn't stop with just with upgrading the rotation. They also went huge signing 1B/DH Billy Butler leaving some to wonder what kind of future M. Napoli has in Bean-town.

The Rich get Richer.. Already with one of the best 1-2 punches in the game with Kershaw and Greinke, the Dodgers outbid everyone for the services of Big Game James Shields giving them one of the best rotations in the game.

To make sure the bats can keep pace with the arms, the Dodgers also sign SS H. Ramirez to a 5 year deal as well as resign 3B P. Alvarez whom they acquired last July.

The Yankees completely whiffed when it came to adding to their rotation settling for S. Marcum as the only upgrade, but they went big in revamping the Infield signing 2B R. Weeks and SS's A. Cabrera and J. Lowrie. . Lowrie is expected to move over to 3B. The Yanks also signed E. Chavez to be a #4 OF until A. Judge, S. Heathcott or M. Williams is ready to make the jump to the Majors.

They also went out and signed J. Peralta and H. Bell to help improve the bullpen

So besides making a huge trade to acquire SP D. Price, the Tigers also resigned F.A.'s V. Martinez and D. Viciedo (acquired last July) and brought back former Tiger C. Granderson to play RF.

With Smyly gone to Tampa in the deal, the Tigers also signed low cost potential #5 SP's in A. Harang and E. Volquez to challenge Top prospect R. Ray who went 2-3 with a 4.14 ERA last year in the Majors.

The Toronto Bluejays best SP last season was 35 yr old M. Buehrle (14-8 3.32 ERA), but he is 35 yrs old, so rather then hoping he could repeat another great year, they signed former Indians J. Masterson (14-12 3.42 ERA) to come in and challenge for the #1 spot in the rotation. Allowing them to possibly hold off for 1 more year before promoting Top-prospect A. Sanchez.

The Blue Jays also did a good job of keeping guy's whom they acquired last year at the deadline, resigning C R. Martin, 2B G. Beckham and RP JJ. Putz as well as bringing back CF E. Bonifacio to replace C. Rasmus.

The Minnesota Twins finished last season with the worst record in baseball but went into the off-season with a plan to upgrade the Offense. They resigned 1B/DH K. Morales and C K. Suzuki to long term deals, as well as landed OF N. Cruz to a 2 year deal and brought back former Twinkie OF Tori Hunter as well.

Looking to not force M. Sano to start the year at 3B, they signed IF L. Valbuena to start the year at 3B.

The Orioles failed to keep N. Cruz (signed with Minnesota) but did manage to keep SS JJ Hardy which means Manny Machado will stay in the hot corner for at least another 3 years. The Orioles also brought back former CP Jim Johnson to help T. Hunter close down close games in the 8th and 9th.

Chicago resigned 1B/DH P. Konerko as well as 3B C. Gillaspie but also brought in SS S. Drew and OF C. Rasmus. Rasmus played CF last season but will slide over to LF well A. Easton stays in CF.

New York Met fans wonder what the Front Office plans to do with their depth of Young SP's (Monetero,Synderguard,De Grom,Wheeler) after seeing their team sign Ervin Santana (15-12 3.34 ERA) to a 3 year deal. Could the Met's be planning a trade for Miami Marlins OF G. Stanton or maybe Chicago Cubs SS S. Castro?

With the trade of B. Parnell to Colorado and the retiring of Madson at the end of the season, the Mets had a huge hole in the 9th, but filled it bigtime as they sign former Giant's CP S. Romo

New York also looked to fill a hole at 1B, with I. Davis traded to Pittsburgh and then retiring and L Duda possibly moving back to the OF, they sign former Washington Nat 1B A. LaRoche

Last year J. Chacin struggled as the Rock's #1 SP, so Colorado traded for D. Gee and CP B. Parnell at the deadline and both pitchers helped them win the N.L. West and make it to the World Series before losing to the M's.

Well this off-season, the Rockies took it a step futher signing Jake Peavy to a deal that will return him to the N.L. West where he had much success in a Padres uni.

With former closer L. Hawkins retiring, the Rocks bring in another former CP to help Parnell late in games signing J. Motte for depth as well as C. Marmol.

The Padres made the playoffs after beating the Braves in a tie breaker game and then the Dodgers in the 1 game W.C. before losing to N.L. rival Colorado.

Rather then try and find new blood the Padres decided to go out keeping their own, resigning 3B C. Headley and CP H. Street.

Losing Denorfia to the the M's, the Padres filled his OF spot with former Cub N. Schierholtz and then made a very interesting move signing veteran Catchers R. Hanigan and E. Kratz making one wonder if Y. Grandal could be on the move, as Top-prospect A. Hedges will look to make the jump to the Show at sometime this season.

OTHER NOTEABLE SIGNINGS

SP F. Liriano and G. Floyd-Houston, J. Beckett-Arizona, C. Young and S. Baker-Kansas City, Johan Santana-Cleveland

CP J. Soria-Oakland, J. Grilli-Houston, J. Crain-Washington, J. Veras-Milwaukee,

C Doumit-Texas, Laird-NYM, D. Ross-Cincy, AJ Pierzynksi-LAD,

1B-Corey Hart-Milwaukee, M. Reynolds-Washington, J. Willingham-Miami, A. Dunn-KC

2B- A. Hill-St Louis, R. Furcal-Cincinnati, M. Ellis-Oakland, A. Callapso (resgined in LAA)

SS-Y. Escobar-Arizona

3B- T. Plouffe-Miami, C. Nelson-San Diego, W. Betemit (Resigned with Tampa) G. Dobbs-K.C.

[Deuce2223]

Re: The King and his Diamond Table-A Seattle M's Franchise (MLB14-PS3)

A LOOK AT THE M'S SPRING TRAINING ROSTER

Every spring Major League teams pack their bags and head to typically Arizona or Florida as they prepare for the next season. This is no different for the World Series Seattle Mariners as they call Peoria Arizona home.

Last season the M's got huge years from Rookie James Paxton (77/B) and Taijuan Walker (82/A) as they solidified the rotation allowing the M's to pass on giving 17-game winner Chris Young a expensive contract to be a #3 behind King Felix (96/A) and Iwakuma (85/B)

Now with Walker and Paxton looking to hold down the #3 and #4 spots in the rotation, it looks like it will be Free Agent signee J. Hammel (76/C), E. Ramirez (82/B), and J. Niemann (77/B) looking to challenge for the #5 spot.

The #5 rotation spot isn't the only thing up for grabs this spring either.

The Bullpen looks to be over crowded after the M's resigned Lefty James Russell (72/C), it looks like J. Beimel (61/D) , C. Furbush (76/CB) and L. Luetge (67/C) will once again battle for the other 2 Loggy roles out of the pen.

On the Right side, D. Leone (75/B), D. Farquhar (79/C), and S. Pryor (68/C) all had great years last year leaving Y. Medina (73/C) and converted SP B. Mauer (64/C) wondering where they fit in especially when you add into the Righy mix, Carson Smith (81/B) who dominated AAA batters last year as the CP in Tacoma, as the M's will likely go with 3 LHP and 3 RHP in front of CP F. "The Arrow" Rodney (83/A).

Last season the M's struggle getting production from the catcher spot, as M. Zunino (78/B) failed to hit on a consistent basis. Now G. Soto (75/C) takes over the backup role, but just in case its a repeat of last year, the M's will need to see what they have in prospects J. Hicks (66/C), and T. Marlette (66/C) as they move ahead of J. Sucre (65/D) on the minor league depth chart.

After failing to land Billy Butler in F.A., and watching Corey Hart make his return to Milwaukee and J. Willingham to Miami, the M's will go into 2015 with J. Smoak (77/C) and L. Morrison (72/C) in a platoon at 1B, with the possibility of both seeing playing time as one goes to DH. However don't completely count out 2013 1st Round pick DJ Peterson (71/B). Peterson rocked AA pitching last season but struggle when called up to AAA, however he will get to prove himself this spring as he joins the 40-man roster and heads to Arizona to face major league pitching.

Speaking of DH. It appears that former catching prospect Jesus Montero (74/B) will get the first chance to fill the spot, but it will likely come down to who ever is swinging a hot bat among the OF reserves.

With the trade of CF Austin Jackson (80/B) and LF D. Ackley (75/B) having a huge August/Sept and a decent showing in the playoffs, it appears that RH S. RH Van Slyke (69/C), RH C. Denorfia (77C) and LH M. Saunders (74/C) will likely battle it out for the RF job with the the losers spending time at DH. Personal preference would see Van Slyke winning the job.

Lefties James Jones (70/C) and former Cub Brett Jackson (69/C) will also look to get into the mix as a #4/#5 OF

In the Infield it's a given that R. Cano (97/A) and K. Seager (80/B) have 2B and 3B locked down and one would assume that B. Miller (77/C) has SS as well after hitting well last season, but his 16 errors will open the door for Top-10 prospect Chris Taylor (75/B) to prove he can handle big league pitching and play solid D as the M's look for a utility IF off the bench.

Another player who will look to battle for that role is Stefen Romero (69/B). Romero played 1B and 3B in college but transitioned to the OF after signing with Seattle. The M's hope he can fill the role played by T. Plouffe last season. If he can't look for IF T. Kelly (68/C) to get a chance to prove he isn't a career minor leaguer.

[KingFry]

Re: The King and his Diamond Table-A Seattle M's Franchise (MLB14-PS3)

Jesus crist. The Red Sox....

[Deuce2223]

Re: The King and his Diamond Table-A Seattle M's Franchise (MLB14-PS3)

Jesus crist. The Red Sox....

Them and the Dodgers.. Their rotations are stacked.

[Deuce2223]

Re: The King and his Diamond Table-A Seattle M's Franchise (MLB14-PS3)

M'S ROSTER STARTS TO TAKE SHAPE

Spring Training Roster moves.

LHP Danny Hultzen went 0-1 with a 11.57 ERA in 9 1/3 IP and was sent down to AAA Tacoma where he will start the year in the rotation as he looks to comeback from missing all of 2014 with an injury.

RHP E. Ramirez also is headed to Tacoma after going 0-3 with a 4.76 ERA in 17 IP this spring.

LHP C. Furbush is sent to AAA after posting a 10.97 ERA in 10 2/3 IP out of the pen.

OF Brett Jackson will also head to AAA after hitting just .167 in 23 AB’s

IF/OF S. Romero (.200 3 RBI in 25 AB’s) and OF M. Saunders (.156 with solo HR in 32 AB’s) will join him.

With just 1 week left in Spring Training the M’s roster is down to 32 leaving 7 demotions before Opening Day.

The Current roster has 6 SP, 7 RP, 2 CP, 2 C, 4 1B/DH, 2 2B, 1 3B, 2 SS, and 6 OF

[Deuce2223]

Re: The King and his Diamond Table-A Seattle M's Franchise (MLB14-PS3)

M'S ANNOUNCE OPENING DAY ROSTER

Opening Day Roster Battles.

The #5 spot in the rotation came down to the final day. Jason Hammel made the start against the Rockies going 5 IP giving up just 1 run on 5 hits striking out 4 in the 2-1 loss.

But Overall J. Neimann’s 3-0 2.63 ERA in 27 IP was just too impressive to overlook. Hammel will start the year in Tacoma but has a clause in his contract that states he must be traded unless he is back on the MLB roster by June 1st.

With J. Paxton going 1-3 with a 4.88 ERA this spring all eyes will be on him to see if he can duplicate his 10 win and 3.83 ERA of last season.

Who would start the year in the Pen was the toughest decision for GM “The Deuce” and Manger Lloyd “Mac” McClendon.

RP/CP Carson Smith looked good in his 5 IP posting a 1.80 ERA and a 10.80 K/9 but he will start the year in AAA as the closer once again. With F. “The Arrow” Rodney in the last year of his contract, odds are Smith will at some point get a chance to close some games this season at the MLB level.

Former CP Danny Farquhar went 0-1 with a 3.72 ERA in 9 2/3 IP but his 11.17 K/9 will keep him in the pen as Rodney’s RH setup man.

Converted SP, B. Maurer (2.45 ERA in 3 2/3 IP) will head to Tacoma to get more work in as a RP. His 100+ fastball seems perfect for the pen, so we can probably expect to see him back in Seattle at some point this year.

With C. Furbush starting the year in Tacoma yet again, it will be Lucas Luetge (0.00 ERA in 15 IP and a 3-0 record) joining J. Russell yet again in the Loggy roles this season.

So for those keeping track at home, that’sLHP L. Luetge and J. Russell and RHP Farquhar and plus Rodney. Leaving D. Leone (3.38 ERA in 16 IP), Y, Medina (0.00 ERA in 7 1/3 IP), and S. Pryor (1-1 2.08 ERA in 13 IP) fighting for the last spots, but Duece and Mac decide to go with a 12 man rotation with all 3 making it. However sooner then later someone might need to be traded with C. Furbush and B. Maurer both chomping at the bit to prove themselves in Tacoma, plus C. Smith

Rookie 1B DJ Peterson played well hitting .289 with 2 HR and 5 RBI in 45 AB’s this spring, but will start the year in AAA, so he can get more time in at 1B after playing the majority of his year at 3B last season. However with his strong play, he could be back in Seattle before June.

Jesus Montero was expected to challenge for the DH role but after hitting just .243 with 1 HR and 3 RBI in 37 AB’s, Montero is headed back to Tacoma where he will work on his defensive game behind the plate in hopes of making it back to Seattle as a backup Catcher.

Why a backup C you ask? Well that’s because Free Agent signee G. Soto hit just .179 with 1 HR in 28 AB’s this spring well starter M. Zunino hit .265 with 2 HR and 8 RBI, leaving the M’s still looking for a solid option behind the plate.

Backup IF.

SS B. Miller once again proved he can hit, batting .379 with 1 HR and 6 RBI in 66 AB’s this spring, but his 3 Errors continues to concern Deuce and Mac.

Chris Taylor on the other hand didn’t commit any errors in 21 PO’s and hit .319 with 6 RBI’s in 47 AB’s.

The Decision is both players make the team and will likely make up a platoon with Taylor playing vs LHP and Miller playing vs RHP

With both making the squad Utility IF Ty Kelly (.277 4 RBI in 47 AB’s) will start the year in Tacoma playing 2B as result of the M’s going with a 12 man rotation

The Outfield
With Romero, Saunders and B. Jackson already in AAA, the Outfield shakes out like this.

D. Ackley (.211 2 HR 11 RBI in 71 AB’s), S. Van Slyke (.333 2 HR 3 RBI in 39 AB’s) and C. Denorfia (.388 1 HR 6 RBI in 49 AB’s) will rotate between LF/RF/DH, with Ackley likely sitting against LHP.

James Jones (.310 2 HR 8 RBI 3 SB’s in 71 AB’s) makes the team as another option in the OF and some wheels off the bench. H could also start in RF against tough RHP with Van Slyke and Denorfia both sitting.

Austin Jackson will continue to play CF and bat leadoff despite hitting just .263 in 57 AB’s this spring.

[HadlerT]

Re: The King and his Diamond Table-A Seattle M's Franchise (MLB14-PS3)

What's the opening day lineup? Would love to see it. Also, who's gonna bat cleanup for you? Seager? Kind of sucks not having someone like Corry Hart to fill the role.