A month is in the books! We’ve made it [mostly] through April in our inaugural season without too many issues in our rules-set, while amending our constitution with a few new minor rules as we go along. It’s been awesome starting up a complex league and figuring out what rules need to be tweaked as we go with feedback from everyone! In the standings, the Cubs/Nats rivalry up top looks like the easy front-runners to win the NL, with the Cubs a mere 0.5 Pts in the lead. In the AL, the Orioles keep on trucking, but I’ve been impressed with the run by the Indians, who have moved into a strong second place. Here’s how week four has gone down in the 2016 REL League, plus a look-in at the REL 2 League with how it’s shaping up:
| NATIONAL LEAGUE | ||
|---|---|---|
| REL Dynasty – NL | ||
| Cubs | 112.5 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $97 | n/a |
| Nationals | 112 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $100 | n/a |
| Mookie Mets | 97.5 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $100 | n/a |
| Cardinals | 96.5 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $91 | n/a |
| San Fran Giants | 94 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $96 | n/a |
| Philadelphia | 87.5 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $91 | n/a |
| Pirates | 84 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $81 | Iván De Jesús Jr. Cin – 2B,3B,SS,OF $5, Jerry Blevins NYM – RP $0 |
| Knoche’s Rockies | 78.5 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $91 | Ryan Weber Atl – SP $0 |
| Diamondbacks | 78.5 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $97 | Tucker Barnhart Cin – C $2 |
| J.T. Marlin | 76.5 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $100 | Alexi Ogando Atl – RP $0, Michael Bourn Atl – OF $0 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 69 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $69 | n/a |
| Dodgers | 67 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $100 | Brandon Barnes Col – OF $0 |
| Brewers | 66.5 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $61 | David Lough Phi – OF $4, Adam Morgan Phi – SP $1, Jemile Weeks SD – 2B $0, César Vargas SD – SP $9, A.J. Ellis LAD – C $3, Jason Rogers Pit – 1B $1 |
| Well, the roller coaster ride has brought me all the way down to 13th after peaking at 3rd a mere 10 days ago. It’s not like I think I had a shot or anything, but horrific pitching and some cold bats show just how bad this team is. More rebuilding – commence!
I think I’m making REL history tomorrow with 4 starters pitching toeing the rubber on the same night. After seeing Charlie Morton go on the DL, I was happy to snag Adam Morgan prior to news coming out he would join the rotation for a mere buck. Mayyyyyybe I overspent on Vargas a little, but after watching his first start, his heavy-dose of cutters should be good enough to lock down a rotation spot for a while, and at only 24 years old, he might even turn into a keeper, or at least some trade bait. For the rest of my adds – they’re just some ABs since it’s against my nature to not at least “try” to have a usable team out there. Unsurprisingly, Scooter Gennett hit the DL this morning, and it’s a good thing I’m not a contender as having 4 RPs in DL spots certainly can’t be the way to go. But I’m bringing this up since mayyyyyybe it’ll give the Brewers a little itch to call up Orlando Arcia?!?! Maybe?!?!?! Just move Villar to 3B and Hill to his natural 2B and we’re good to go! Well, the Brewers should really being taking Hill to that farm where your pet goes when it gets old; to run around and be free… but ya know… Down on the farm, mannnnnn Josh Hader is looking good. Definitely need some home-team pitching help to see a decent future the next few years. Also, Victor Robles continues to be a god amongst single-A men. While technically not on my farm (he’s on the 40-team so he’s an NA on my active squad), I lovvvvvve seeing Michael Reed playing CF right now, with “natural” CFs Keon Broxton and Eric Young Jr. playing the corner spots in AAA. Means Reed is this close to taking over a huge share of the Brew Crew’s CF needs. He’s an on-base machine – his average has fallen to .271 but he holds a 16.9 BB% and .394 OBP for Colorado Springs. Certainly fits the new Brewers mantra of “patient hitting”. With Scoot gone, maybe they call him up sooner than later to hit second to get a strong OBP guy in front of Braunie. This afternoon we’re up against Arrieta. Time for some day drinking. |
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| Braves | 41.5 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $90 | Aaron Blair Atl – SP (called up) |
| Being almost one month into the season, and having the Braves make their first major call-up of the season, I thought this would be a good week to reflect on some decisions made thus far. Freeman, Teheran, and Olivera have all been traded away in a stroke of brilliance before their season turned into dumpster fires and Josh Bell by himself looks to have a better future than those three combined. Throw in 4 OF prospects and a SP prospect and I like my trades quite a bit. At this point it seems clear the Braves will finish last in the NL so dwelling in the bottom spot in the REL doesn’t bother me one bit. Now it’s just a waiting game to see who the Braves trade away (more importantly what prospects they bring in) and who I will have to move on my own. Adonis Garcia and Nick Markakis seem like the most likely candidates to be traded if they can continue their effective starts of the season though the end of May. My FA SP acquisitions are starting to lose their shine as Nicasio and Stripling have each had a few rough outings in recent weeks but if injuries hit any of the contender’s rotations they could still be moderate trade bait later in the season.
The Braves called up Aaron Blair to start over the weekend and he was fine. Clearly not a finished product but he had an excellent sting of starts to begin the year in the minors. I have a feeling the Braves are going to call up quite a few prospects this year before they are ready and that could cause some problems with our keeper rules but I love the young kids getting experience in this throw away year. Maybe I can get JB to trade me some more of this prospects for Adonis Garcia since he is looking for an everyday third baseman….. I promise he won’t go to jail the next day! |
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| Jay the Wrongest | 38.5 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $100 | n/a |
| AMERICAN LEAGUE | ||
|---|---|---|
| REL Dynasty – AL | ||
| Orange Birds | 115.5 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $90 | Ezequiel Carrera Tor – OF $5 |
| The Tribe | 109.5 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $100 | n/a |
| Rays | 101 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $60 | Marc Rzepczynski Oak – RP $3 Waiver |
| Well, we’re no longer in first place, but we’re very happy with our team’s performance so far. Currently sitting in the 3rd place spot, the Rays squad (with the additions of Travis Shaw and JJ Hardy) is poised to be a definite contender. Our biggest weakness at the moment is in the saves/holds category (last place), but that should correct itself once our starters begin to hit their stride and Boxberger returns from the DL. As predicted, our pitching has been absolutely dominant so far. First in Ks, Second in WHIP, and Third in ERA. That’s with a rather rough start from Archer as well. We sit middle of the pack in wins, but that should come around. The bullpen has been picking up an absurd amount of wins so far, particularly Erasmo with 4.
Since we’re trying to make a push this year, we are definitely selling prospects if any of the rebuilding squads are interested. |
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| White Sox | 100.5 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $88 | n/a |
| Red Sox | 95 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $67 | Dillon Gee KC – SP $2 Waiver |
| Halos | 89.5 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $87 | Miguel González CWS – SP $2 |
| Blue Jays | 84 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $99 | Mason Williams NYY – OF $0, Buck Farmer Det – SP,RP $0, Eric Sogard Oak – 2B,SS $0 |
| The big news for the Blue Jays is no doubt that Chris Colabello was caught doping. Not just doping, but old school, illegal even outside of baseball, West German style doping. I’m not sure what to say about it other than 80 games sounds about right. This calls into question his surprising year last season, and since he knew about the failed test prior to opening day it may help explain his horrible start to the year as he obviously had all of this on his mind knowing he’d been caught. He was promptly dropped from my team the first waiver period after the announcement, making him the only sub 1000 ranked position player available in the pool (and he’s at 415). Sad, and disappointing really, but it had to be done. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s done with the Jays frankly. Whether another team gives him a shot? All it takes is one I guess. Which oddly is the number of teams that bid on him in the REL (and $0 at that).
Replacing him I picked up Mason Williams from the Yankees and promptly stashed him on my DL. He’s a 24 year old outfielder who’s in the minors that put up a .318 average across AA/AAA last year and walked more than he struck out. He also threw in 13 stolen bases and 14 doubles in 200 at bats. It’s also nice that if anything he improved when he went up to AAA and hit .286 in his short stint with the Yankees last year, including a homer in his first big league game. With that open spot I then grabbed another DL guy in Eric Sogard. I figure I might as well make use of my DL spots, and this will allow me to grab another player for the next waiver period. I also dropped Eric Surkamp since the A’s sent him down. It was fun while it lasted, well all except the start against my Jays. He’s replaced with a SP eligible reliever from Detroit in Buck Farmer. He should help a little with ERA/WHIP and K’s hopefully. Lastly I was a little surprised that my boy, 26 year old Matt Dominguez went for $20! He of the career .232 batting average. Granted he was playing well in the minors, and he will get some playing time with the Jays, but he is behind Donaldson/Edwin/Smoak for 1B/3B at bats. I bid $1 and thought I had a shot but might get outbid by $1 or $2. I was a little off there. |
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| Power Rangers | 79 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $97 | Josh Thole Tor – C $0, Ryan Hanigan Bos – C $0, Mike Pelfrey Det – SP $0, Zach Putnam CWS – RP $0 |
| Tigers | 78 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $90 | n/a |
| Recap for the week:
Took a huge drop in the standing due to some lack of hitting and high ERA’s but rebounding nicely after some nice performances. Rodon looked better this week after an awful outing last week, while Justin Upton, who I traded away for Rodon has looked lost at the plate. I was in attendance last night for the Tigers A’s game and I must say, he looks to be just trying to get through the at bats and hoping to accidentally come up with a hit. He’s just fouling off balls just to stay alive and hope to see something better the next time around. As a Tigers fan I wouldn’t lose hope because he’s streaky but man he doesn’t look good right now. I’m glad I don’t have Pelfrey since he’s hot garbage as well, but I’d be much happier if Fulmer turns in some stellar outings and stays up and takes his place instead of Greene’s once healthy. Zimmermann has been quite the surprise, he obviously can’t keep this up with the paltry K rate he has and diminished velocity, but the wins sure are nice and I’ll ride it while I can. I could certainly use some hitters to replace my depth a bit, but I’m certainly glad I don’t have that fan hating Tyler Collins however. I’d rather be short of players than short tempered and back down to the minors. |
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| Royals | 77 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $99 | n/a |
| Mariners | 75.5 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $86 | Mayckol Guaipe Sea – RP $0 |
| Astros | 62 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $86 | n/a |
| Joe Musgrove – SP – AA – Through his 1st 4 appearances in the minors, 3 starts but fear not he is a starter, Musgrove has thrown 17.1 innings, K’d 21, and has allowed only 1 ER, 2 BBs, and 12 hits. That would be an 0.52 ERA, a .182 avg against, and an 0.81 whip. For a groundball pitcher (1.37 career GO/AO) those are some pretty good numbers (esp the Ks). At 23 years old and on the 40-man roster (and the Astros SP being abysmal) there’s a good chance Joe makes his MLB debut this year. All this is fine and all but at eye level it looks even better. The fastball looks like a plus pitch, the slider is definitely getting better, but the change is still a bit of a work in progress. Defensively he’s a superb athlete, something that should help considerably considering all the ground balls he forces. The negatives are few and far between and he has had some health issues in the past but with that said he still managed to throw 100 innings across 3 levels last year without a single hickup (and an 8.9 k/9). For now he appears to max out at about 75 pitches per game so he’s going to need to improve there before he sees the majors.
David Paulino – SP – AA – After another good performance last night Paulino has now thrown 17 innings, K’d 23, and has allowed only 3 ER, 4 BBs, and 13 hits. Not quite Musgrovian but an ERA of 1.59, an avg against at .210, and a 1.00 whip are all still very solid. He’s been a groundball pitcher through most of his milb career but so far this year his GO/AO sits at 0.86, kind of scary but that comes without a HR allowed so there’s that. Also he’s only thrown 123.1 career milb innings and missed all of 2014 after Tommy John surgery, but the 22 year olds stuff, especially his fastball, is top notch and the Astros decided it was a good idea to protect him on the 40-man roster instead of leaving him open to the rule-5 draft. I kind of doubt we see him in the majors this year, especially since he only threw 67.1 innings last year, and like Musgrove it was across 3 levels with nary a hiccup. But if we do see him this year in Houston it will more than likely be out of the bullpen considering his secondary offerings still need work. At eye level the thing that sticks out the most is his extreme over the top motion which coming from a guy 6’7″ causes a ton of swing and misses on his fastball. Like Musgrove, Paulino also tops out at about 75 pitches per appearance which limits his ability to go deep into games. Although I’m guessing this is probably pretty common in AA ball. |
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| Athletics | 53 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $97 | n/a |
| Yankees | 47 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $89 | n/a |
| Minnesota Twins | 33.5 | Waiver Adds and Prospect Callups Past Week: |
| FAAB Remaining: | $80 | Matt Domínguez Tor – 3B $20, Chris Colabello Tor – 1B,OF $0, José Berrios Min – SP (called up) |
REL 2 – NATIONAL LEAGUE
REL 2 – AMERICAN LEAGUE
Phillies – As of today, all of my Injured Reserve spots are filled. (Hey,) Pham, Huntley, Altherr, Morton, and (Pain in my) Asche are all out at this point, so fielding a full team, and maximizing my usage of IP and AB, is a challenge. I have picked up Goeddel, Butcher, Joyce, Ruiz, and Oberholtzer, all for zero bids. Hopefully I get some guys back from the DL and I get some prospects called up.
Surprisingly, the Phillies have been playing well (above expectations) as of April 25th. My pitching (Velazquez, Eickoff, Hellickson) has been piling up some good innings and generally out performing expectations, ranked 7th in the league. Conversely, my hitting has been hit by the injury bug and been weak overall, ranked 13th. That puts us at 10th place overall. But, to be honest, this is a rebuilding year for the Fightin’s. While it is early in the season, 3 rough tiers of teams are starting to establish themselves in the rankings. It will probably be another month or two before the tiers stabilize more, but we are exceeding expectations that we will be the worst team in baseball this year. If we land in the middle tier and can challenge for the top of the middle, I will be happy in the short term.
I am hoping to get some more prospects called up soon (Crawford hitting .306, Williams hitting .291, Appel pitching well, Jorge Alfaro in AA hitting .500 and already on my roster) or to make some trades, but so far I have been conservative. My general approach has been to try to maximize one trade, which has meant I have let some decent trades die on the vine while something else was in the works.
