Well, on the heels of the real-life Trade Deadline, we are now faced with the REL Trade Deadline looming this Sunday. We’ve started seeing a huge influx of trades as team build for the final stretch or rebuild for the future. You know the saying “the future is now”? Things couldn’t be further from the truth for my REL Brewers!
To the teams that are actually good, and we’re starting to see runaways in both leagues. In the AL, the Blue Jays are migrating to the top of every category, and in the NL, the Nats have already lived there. Looks like the initial REL World Series will be the 1 Canadian team vs. the 1 former Canadian team. At least things are going better for the ol’ US of A in the Olympics! Here’s how week 19 went down in the 2016 REL League:
| NATIONAL LEAGUE | ||
|---|---|---|
| REL Dynasty – NL | ||
| Nationals | 139 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $88 | Trevor Gott Was – RP NA $0 |
| Still sitting in 1st place, we made another trade with the Brewers, sending Michael A. Taylor, Luis Ortiz, and the PTBNL in the Jonathan Lucroy deal for Tyler Thornburg and Brandon Phillips. We wanted as much major league depth as possible heading into the final part of the season and hopefully the World Series. We dropped Jim Henderson and picked up Nationals reliever Trevor Gott, securing another minor leaguer that could see some playing time when rosters expand. | ||
| Cubs | 115 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $95 | Edwin Jackson SD – SP,RP $1, Anthony Recker Atl – C $0 |
| J.T. Marlin | 106 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $100 | Ryan Vogelsong Pit – SP,RP $0, Brian Ellington Mia – RP $0 |
| San Fran Giants | 98.5 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $6 | n/a |
| Pirates | 96 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $60 | n/a |
| Suplex City Cards | 95 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $79 | n/a |
| Dodgers | 83.5 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $100 | n/a |
| Knoche’s Rockies | 82 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $54 | Ross Stripling LAD – SP $5 |
| Mookie Mets | 77 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $95 | n/a |
| Diamondbacks | 66 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $66 | Rob Whalen Atl – SP $6 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 66 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $5 | José Domínguez SD – RP $0, Michael Bourn Ari – OF $0 |
| Philadelphia | 57.5 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $45 | Jake Thompson Phi – SP (called up) |
| Braves | 42 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $84 | n/a |
| Brewers | 41.5 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $22 | Will Middlebrooks Mil – 3B DL $0, Michael Reed Mil – OF NA $0, Adam Morgan Phi – SP NA $0, Álex Reyes StL – SP (called up) |
| Wow, an unbelievably busy week for the Brewers and our rebuild effort. No old people allowed! But if I had to sum up this week in two works, it would be this: One Hundred And One Miles Per Hour! Dammit, I went a little over. Let’s condense it to Alex Reyes. Mannnnnnn he looked awesome in his debut. Hit 101 twice in an inning of relief, nice compact delivery, awesome breaking ball… Who cares if he’s in the bullpen right now? He’s 21 and I don’t need the stats.
So a flurry of trades, and with Junior Guerra on the DL, I loathe myself for having no current pitchers in their respective rotations. Ouchie! But my exodus to get pitchers away from Miller Park has lead to this conscious decision. In a 3-team deal, I more-or-less gave up Jimmy Nelson and Tyler Thornburg for Luis Ortiz (dammit, he’ll be in Miller Park!), Michael A. Taylor and the Texas PTBNL in the Lucroy trade. But this was a huge trade for me, and worked for both the Marlins getting a pitcher (Nelson) and Nats getting hitting depth (Brandon Phillips, who was the 3-team mover). On my end, I now have all the pieces we’ve picked up in trades to make Milwaukee the best farm system, except Lewis Brinson (wahhhhhh) and Phil Bickford (has some question marks). The real pull here was securing the PTBNL, as rumor has it, it will be a significant piece. If it’s indeed this Yohander Mendez dude, that would be aweeeeeeesome. Michael A. Taylor was kinda a throw-in, but he’s still fairly young and maybe if he can get that K rate to 27-28%, he can be usable. Then to the biggie. It comes with a heavy heart and needle-riddled butt that I have traded Ryan Braun. The rebuild necessitated it as much as I didn’t wanna do it… The hesitation is I again have to try and trade for the prospects he is dealt for in the offseason or next deadline (although he apparently only garnered one terrible offer this deadline, but who knows about the MLB rumor mill) or he’s moved to 1B. I don’t have anything for 1B until Josh Naylor comes around (hopefully), and if Braun is converted to first sometime next year (probably would need to trade Chris Carter first), I will be a sad panda. Anywho, I think the return is worth it. Cubbie number one is Jason Heyward. Ewwwww, I know. But he’s signed forever and only 26, so if he can rebound and go 15/15 and hit .270 into his 30s, that’ll have value as he’s gonna play every day. He’s got a .269 BABIP this year and still walking pretty well, so I think he could still be OK. Cubbie number two is a cub in real life, but mannnnn is he getting sexy. Eloy Jiminez joins my farm, and I add another high-upside young OF to the mix. In A Ball, he’s hitting .335 with 12 homers and 8 steals, and just looks like a huge grown man already. In a few years, I’m hoping my OF is Robles/Tapia/Jiminez, and those 3 could go like 50 HR with 100 steals. Ahhhh, the magical elixir of youth and my hopeful future. Elsewhere for my awful active team, Orlando Arcia has been underwhelming, but it looks like he belongs. Adam Ottavino is now the closer, and he’s available on the cheap, RELers! As is Ryan Schmipf, but no one seems to want to pay much for him, so I’m likely holding there for some cheap power. Keon Broxton has worked his way into a mixed-league context and is playing every day now, so that’s encouraging. And well, that’s pretty much it as I slid into 14th place. But hey, this was the plan all along, and with the Major League’s best farm system under my blanket and I think arguably the best REL farm system with who is protected, things are looking bright down the road. |
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| Padres | 35 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $100 | n/a |
| AMERICAN LEAGUE | ||
|---|---|---|
| REL Dynasty – AL | ||
| Blue Jays | 132 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $80 | Casey McGehee Det – 1B,3B $10, Cody Anderson Cle – SP,RP NA $1, Max Muncy Oak – 1B,2B,3B,OF $1 |
| The more things change the more they stay the same. I’ve gone from a 12.5 point lead to a 13 point lead this week. The second place team is now The Tribe as they’ve finally overtaken the Orange Birds and gotten a little (at least temporary) separation. I’ve somehow gone to an 18 point lead over those birds of a different colour. Not sure how that happened, but I won’t look a gift bird in the mouth, or is it a bird in the mouth is worth two birds in the pot? Anyways, I’m happy about it.
My trade for Jordan Zimmermann last week had an ominous start as he apparently got injured before ever throwing a pitch for my team. The nice guy he is though, he sucked it up and gave me a solid 1.2 IP with 6 hits, 2 walks, and 6 ER before going on the DL. It’s the thought that counts, right? I’m hoping he’s back when his 15 days are up [fingers crossed]. I made two more trades this week, picking up Jeremy Jeffress for Kaleb Cowart and Xavier Cedeno. This gives me another more reliable holds guy with Cedeno being kind of on the fence whether he’s getting holds on most nights. I also traded away Paulo Orlando, Vance Worley, Jon Harris, and Reese McGuire for Brad Miller, Erasmo Ramirez and Jhonleider Salinas. This gives me a guy who should help in runs and power over the (for some strange reason) 8 hole hitting Orlando. He’s only hitting about 130 points higher than the guy right above him in the lineup, but whatever KC. I will very much miss Orlando’s .330ish batting average of course. I also get a starting pitcher eligible holds guy (which is what I was hoping Worley was gonna be), who’s maybe back in the rotation somewhere next season. Both guys are in their prime, whereas the MLB guys I traded were 30+. I hate to give up Harris and McGuire, but you’ve gotta give to get, so be it. The REL trade deadline is fast approaching, and I’m sure we’ll see some last minute tinkering with the contenders still. I feel pretty good other than the fact that both Bautista and Pillar have gone on the DL in the last few days (along with Zimm). I can weather the storm though, especially if Melvin Upton keeps stealing 3 bases in one game like he did last night (stole third base twice I think, and easily at that). Here’s hoping I’ve got more guys that are hot than guys who are slumping from here on out. Good luck all! |
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| The Tribe | 119 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $66 | Desmond Jennings TB – OF DL $1 |
| 13 points back. I don’t know why I keep thinking I should keep going for it. There are points to be had in the standings. 4 or 5 in just S/H category which I thought I’d get for sure until Cam Bedrosian hit the DL. I still might get them. I’m 1 run back from the O’s and 2 back from the Jay’s in runs. Those are some good offenses but 2 points possible there. There is 1 point in BA if I overtake the KC. 3 wins back from the Jays which would be a big one since it drops them a point too. And 1 strikeout behind the O’s for another point. I have a couple other possible deals out there but I’m starting to wonder if it’s time to put the breaks on. That is a lot I need to go right just to make it close. Sunday is the deadline we’ll see what happens.
On the block – Go Tribe! |
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| Orange Birds | 114 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $74 | Danny Barnes Tor – RP NA $5 |
| Astros | 103.5 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $48 | Chasen Shreve NYY – RP $3, Kyle Ryan Det – SP,RP $1, Peter Moylan KC – RP $1 |
| This recent stretch of Astros games has been brutal, swept by the Tigers, lose 3 out of 4 to the Blue Jays and score 5 total runs in those 4 games, then lose 2 out of 3 to the Rangers. So far they’ve split 1-1 with the Twins and if it wasn’t for the rainout yesterday they would probably be looking at another series loss already. With all that said I’ve somehow managed to stay at 103.5 points over the past 2 weeks. It’s obvious I’m no longer playing to win this year but with a 5-year prize also awarded I’m kinda sorta still trying to finish as high as I can.
The big news out of Houston over the past few days was the DFA of Gomez. I’ve been benching him whenever possible lately and I’ve been trying to sell him ever since the day I decided to play as the Stros but alas to no avail. I possibly could have gotten a ‘C’ level prospect this past week but I couldn’t get anything that I thought could be a fulltime starter someday and no one was giving up an MiLB starter for him so I don’t feel too bad about losing him for nothing. I did get his last game as an Astro, a pinch run SB, a nice parting gift from an otherwise useless asset. Or whatever the opposite of asset is. When I started this season my goal was to have half of my FAAB still available for September callups. I currently stand (sit) at $48 dollars remaining and with several guys returning in the next couple of weeks, Gurriel, Valbuena, Gregerson, LoMo (maybe), and Colby Lewis I think I may be done spending FAAB until September. I know there’s only 3 days left until our trade deadline but I think I may be done on that front too as I have no one left (of value) that I don’t at least consider a potential keeper for next year. |
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| Red Sox | 102.5 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $22 | n/a |
| Tigers | 96.5 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $50 | n/a |
| Mariners | 87 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $15 | n/a |
| White Sox | 84 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $63 | n/a |
| Yankees | 66 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $59 | n/a |
| Power Rangers | 65.5 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $12 | n/a |
| Rays | 62.5 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $1 | Ryan Garton TB – RP $3, Luke Maile TB – C $0 |
| Halos | 62 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $34 | José Álvarez LAA – RP $0, Juan Centeno Min – C $0 |
| Royals | 47.5 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $55 | Andrew Triggs Oak – RP $0, Shawn Morimando Cle – RP NA $0 |
| The focus for the REL Royals continues to be in getting younger and more upside-y (if that’s a word). Big trade with the Tigers this week as Lorenzo Cain, Ryan O’Hearn and Josh Staumont were shipped away for Daniel Norris, Christin Stewart, and Spencer Turnbull. With Norris and recent acquisition Mike Clevinger paired with my Ace…Ventura (Yordano that is, not Jim Carrey) and hopefully Strahm as well next season, a young rotation with lots of upside is starting to come together. Lots of risk too for sure, but liking the situation better now than when my starting staff was anchored earlier by the likes of Volquez, Nova, and Chris Young.
Also very excited about obtaining outfielder Stewart, the Tigers top power-hitting prospect who I have been targeting for a while. On the downside, the loss of Cain will definitely set my offense back for next year, but with the depth the real-life Royals have in the outfield and the contract situations they have to juggle, I’d be kind of surprised if Cain doesn’t leave as a free agent after next season. While I also wasn’t looking to part with prospect O’hearn and his power potential, one of the ugly truths in trading is that the other damn side always seems to want something valuable back in return, well, unless you’re trading with the real-life Marlins of course. |
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| Athletics | 39 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $4 | Abraham Almonte Cle – OF $51 |
| Minnesota Twins | 19 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $70 | n/a |
