A Season Preview, as I See It

I was bored Wednesday evening and became anxious waiting for the season so I took a look at each team’s projections for the upcoming season to see who CBS thinks has the edge. 

I used the projected stats for each team’s active roster and weighed them against the other teams’ using standard rotisserie scoring. I came up with what the standings may look like should the projections hold true.

If you are all like me you probably think the projections are off for your team, and you are probably right. Each season we have good and bad surprises. But assuming CBS projections hold true, this is what our final standings may look like. I have included a little analysis of my own.

I hope enjoy and don't take these projections too seriously.

A Puig of Their Own: 109 (58 hitting, 51 pitching, $269 salary)

First year owners Clark and Curtis spent big in the auction and acquire expensive talent. This is a deep roster, but with lots of question marks. Bounce back seasons from Reddick, Kemp, and Willingham could mean big things.

Smash Box: 105 (62 hitting, 43 pitching, $195 salary)

100-plus wins and a title could be in Mr. Morris’ future, if his pitching doesn’t hold him back too much. Assuming his lineup stays healthy, he should break his own league records. His pitching is unexciting, but appears solid. Start the countdown until Trout is a free agent.

Spruce Bruce: 97 (50 hitting, 47 pitching, $261 salary)

A flurry of recent moves bring the Spruce Bruce into 2014 with a very balance roster.One of only two teams to score better than 45 in both hitting and pitching, Taylor’s success will hinge on the health of Zimmerman, Bautista, and Hanley Ramirez. Can Donaldson repeat his MVP-caliber season? We’ll see.

The Ghost of Chris Carter: 93 (hitting 41, pitching 52, $204 salary)

After nabbing 13 one dollar players, Joey comes into the season with one of the more balanced teams. Pitching is his strength and he will lean heavily on his big-three of Kershaw, Scherzer, and Bumgarner. He has a little bit of everything, but will rely on strong sophomore seasons from Myers and Gray, as well as a bounce back from Prince Fielder to remain in the hunt. 

Jimmy Dugan: 89 (48 hitting, 41 pitching, $254 salary)

No surprise here as Kurt has backed up his lofty expectations with crafting the most improved roster. Continued improvement from Goldschmidt and Brown will certainly help. Health from Carlos Gonzalez and Longoria could be the difference maker. His staff is without a true ace, but does not have many holes besides a source of saves.

Friendly Fire: 84 (25 hitting, 59 pitching, $204 salary)

Mike’s lineup really isn’t much to write home about. It is old and is without a true fantasy superstar. His pitching staff is clearly his strength as depth is his ally. WIll Fernandez pitch deep enough into the season for FF to matter in the postseason? Is this the year Papelbon finally implodes? 

Tom Emanski: 74 (50 hitting, 24 pitching, $194 salary)

This is when the big drop off happens. Considering the bet between Mike and Gregg, the two deserve to be ranked one ahead of the other. Gregg’s bullpen is one of the league’s best, but the rest of his pitching is a much different story. His lineup has plenty of upside, but is not without its fair share of question marks.

Got Heeeeem: 73 (36 hitting, 37 pitching, $204 salary)

Jason has a few bright spots in King Felix, Big Papi, and Ryan Braun. But he traded away most of his future in Bryce Harper and Adam Jones and with them, I believe, went his relevance in 2014. But, like the Ghost of Chris Carter, all of Heeeem’s players are on one-year deals and a rebuild is loomig.

Killer Peas: 64 (8 hitting, 56 pitching, $272 salary)

Despite a startling low score of 8 for his hitting, Tim put together the second best pitching staff in the Daily Grind and remains a playoff contender. However, even the Pujols of old may not be enough to save his lineup.

Roosevelt and the Broncos: 60 (48 hitting, 12 pitching, $200 salary)

His lineup is legit and has lots of pop. A bounce back from Heyward and the continued development of Bogaerts and Gyorko will be critical for returning to the playoffs. AT first glance his pitching staff looks strong, but without a closer and an established number two starter, the youngest Faris may have to wait for his minor leaguers to surface in 2015 and beyond.

Moneygraph Saberbeanes: 55 (35 hitting, 20 pitching, $209 salary)

This came as a surprise to me. Andrew’s Moneygraph Saberbeanes were my sleeper pick for winning it all this season, but the projections clearly don’t favor him. He has a lot to like, if all goes to plan. Full seasons of production from Stanton and Tulowitzki will carry his team. Otherwise, he will unleash his elite minor league talent on us in 2015.

Scioscia’s Doghouse: 55 (20 hitting, 35 pitching, $206 salary)

Mark took his expansion team to the playoffs last season, but 2014 does not look bright. His lineup has Ellsbury, but not a whole lot else, and even Ellsbury is no sure thing. His top starters rival those of some of the elite teams, but his back end pitchers might bring him down. 

FICA: 51 (hitting 26, pitching 25, $206 salary)

Wait until 2015, then FICA will rule all. But seriously, Jeremy has some major league talent, but not enough to make a mark on the league. His true value is in his deep and talented pool of minor league players. I think he is a sleeper pick for the fifth or sixth seed, but will need health and production from Cespedes, Desmond, and Gonzalez to get there.

Pennyball: 41 (18 hitting, 23 pitching, $134 salary)

Ryan entered this league at a great time. As a low budget team Pennyball’s value is tied up in youth, not necessarily talent. He has no closers, but has a good crop of starters and some elite minor league bats. I think this year will be a rough go for my fellow A’s fan.

Good luck to everyone this season! I hope you found my analysis interesting, but completely meaningless. Projections rarely hold true and nearly every team has a chance to bring home the hardware this year, just keep at it and hope you get hot at the right time.

Is Tom Emanski Under Friendly Fire?

Tom Emanski is looking to dump the gangley San Francisco Giants outfielder, Hunter Pence in an effort to become a more fundamentally sound ball club. 

Following the recent wager between owners Gregg Angier and Michael Angel regarding the final standing of their respective teams, Tom Emanski owner and manger Angier is on the prowl. A trade block update has just been posted to the league homepage saying that Tom Emanski is looking to trade a starter for a first baseman. 

An anonymous source close to the situation told us that Angier is looking to significantly upgrade his lineup

by unloading Pence in favor of his trade partner's best player. Angier's attempt was nothing short of desperate. Citing a more flexible payroll as an advantage his prospective trade partner would gain.

"Diversify your portfolio a little bit and give yourself some cap space to play with," Angier said in an email that was shared with us by our source.

The unsolicited prodding by Angier can only be linked back to the $40 bet made between him and Friendly Fire owner, Angel. Both managers appear very confident they have a team more poised for a deep playoff run as Angier's squad has placed second in the first two seasons of the league and Angel's expansion team, Friendly Fire exited the tournament early in 2013.

--Pedie Gomezz, ESPN

Gregg Angier keeps his cool amidst drunken trade spree

The Tom Emanski franchise pulled off yet another trade early this morning with Scioscia's Doghouse. This move, centered around Joey Votto and Manny Machado, marked his 4th deal in his ongoing coup of his back to back 2nd place finishing team. Owner and manager Gregg Angier acknowledged that he has "blacked out on egg nogg" recently and we may still be seeing parts of the hangover. Controversy ensued when the contract of Machado was called into question.

Interestingly enough, rumors were floated that closed door meetings were being scheduled to start yet another impeachment process of Angier, who also holds the title of "Co-Commissioner" in the league. This marks the second consecutive year such rumors have surfaced, as controversial owner Taylor Holiday led a campaign last year to oust the current regime. Sources say that many of the same suitors were involved in the planning stages of this attempt at a power grab.

In a gesture of good faith, though, Gregg Angier undid the trade and held off his naysayers for yet another day. Mark Hennemuth, the owner of Scioscia's Doghouse, breathed a sigh of relief after noting he misunderstood Manny Machado's contract and value in the league.

                        Emotionally worn out, Hennemuth was spotted being comforted by a feline.

Angier Trades Goldschmidt, Everyone Else, "Isn't Finished"

Within hours of an overhaul of The Daily Grind's labor agreement, Gregg Angier, the maverick owner and GM of Tom Emanski, pulled the trigger on 2 blockbuster trades comprised of 18 total pieces. Angier, whose club has won 2nd place in both of the first two TDG seasons, has now sent away 7 players whose 2014 contracts total $73, including Carlos Gonzalez, Curtis Granderson, and Paul Goldschmidt.

Goldschmidt's inclusion was particularly noteworthy: not only was the superstar first baseman signed to a very team-friendly $4 contract for 2014, but earlier this year Emanski sent 4 minor leaguers to Roosevelt and the Broncos to acquire him. Apparently the enigmatic Angier changed his mind.

In return for all of this, Angier has now received 7 minor slots (only one of which is currently occupied, by Danny Salazar) and 4 major leaguers, including Aroldis Chapman and Jurickson Profar.

These two deals constitute nothing short of a total league shake-up, and opinions on Angier's moves have been correspondingly outspoken and negative. Sources from within The Spruce Bruce organization have called his decisions "terrible" and asked rhetorically, "How can he win in the next 3 years?" Smashbox GM Matthew Morris has openly stated that Angier is now out of contention for 2014, quipping, "One down 12 more to go Sent from my iPhone" (sic). 2013 champion owner Joseph DeClercq openly asked if it was a "joke."

Angier, right, partying earlier this year with
one of his many girlfriends/mistresses. 

But Angier insists that he's nothing if not serious.

Such was the tone of his official comment when asked about his moves earlier today: "Yeah, we traded a bunch of dudes. And we'll trade some more. This team isn't finished making deals that will make us better. I have only one question for my haterz: how many times have you finished 2nd place in this league? That's what I thought. Merry f****** Christmas."

No word yet on whether or not the rules committee will move to fine Angier for his comments.

Leaked Photo Falsified, Beltre Rumors Untrue

A trustworthy source inside the Ghost of Chris Carter front office claims the details surrounding the leaked photo are incorrect. Following today's owners meeting to discuss the issue of salary progression two owners were spotted discussing the days events as well as potential trades. However a source inside TGCC's camp has maintained the talks lasted no longer than ten minutes and did not result in a trade agreement. 

"No trade was made, however the framework for what we believe could be a franchise altering deal was put in place," our source, who wished to remain anonymous, shared via conference call this evening. "We have a strong relationship with the folks at Roosevelt and the Broncos and wish to re-engage them in trade discussions once the salary issue has been resolved."

Our source went on to deny the rumor that Adrian Beltre is involved in any potential deal with RTB and went on to say they are not fielding offers for the three-time All-Star third baseman.


"Beltre is under a club-friendly contract for 2014 and has the potential to reach the 500 home run milestone as a member of TGCC, a feat that Mr. DeClercq surely would reward Mr. Beltre for," Beltre's agent Scotty Boraz said. "It is unlikely that the Ghost has any interest in dealing a key member of the 2013 championship run."

—Pedie Gomezz, ESPN

Ghost and Roosevelt conduct secret trade summit on violet lane

Although it's difficult to see, if you look close enough you will see Ghost of Chris Carter manager Joey speaking excitedly with Roosevelt manager Matthew Faris.  For over an hour after the winter meetings concluded the two managers were seen speaking in the street. Rumor has it RB has his sights set on Wil Myers, Jonathan Lucroy and Andrian Beltre. Ghost continues to maintain the position that he is keeping everyone while despite our sources confirming that every team in the league has received offers for his high priced pieces. Time will tell if these talks will amount to anything but for now I'm just gonna bring them some hot coccoa cause it's real cold out there. 

Signing off from the Violet lane meetings. 

-Geeter Pammons

Multiple Owners Interested in Billy Hamilton

Sources from within The Moneygraph Saberbeanes organization say that multiple teams have inquired about Billy Hamilton. Hamilton's actual availability is unknown, apparently even to Saberbeanes' GM Andrew Faris. Sources say that Faris is almost totally uncertain of how to value him because of the massive range of possible outcomes for his performance (though he is also notorious for saying that no player on his roster is ever considered "untouchable.")

When asked to comment on the rumors surrounding his name, Hamilton said, "I just go out there each day and play my game, give it 110%. This game is a business, and there's nothing I can do but just try to keep getting better, one day at a time."