Just a few days into the season we have already had some very notable IFA signings, led by recent signee of the Pittsburgh Pranksters, Carlos Alvarez. Alvarez projects to be a lf/1b prospect who bats left and projects great contact and power. He sees lefties better then righties and should have the ability to steal 10-15 bases a year. Alvarez signed a $20 million bonus with the club and will start his career at the teams Double-A affiliate.
The Cincinnati Sinners signed a 2b prospect from Bonao, DO, Pascual Moya who projects as a mediocre fielder at the position. He has decent speed to go along with good contact/power projects. Moya received a $16 million bonus and will start the year at the teams High A affiliate.
The Atlanta Crackers signed a solid 2b prospect in Eduardo Javier and The Vancouver Giants signed a long reliever prospect in Benji Rivera.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Wichita Finally Addresses 2b need
After trying to get the trade through the commissioners office for a few weeks the Wichita Black Lightning and Durham Warbulls finally agreed to the specific terms of the deal and got the deal through.
Wichita, who had been trying to fill needs at 2b and rf throughout the Winter Meetings with no success, acquired two players that filled both of those needs in 2b Ethan Ellis and rf Emilio Martin, who will be playing ball in AAA this year as the club continues to play veteran Alex Arnold in right.
The Lightning gave up Starting Pitcher Wayne Anderson who did not win a spot in their rotation and 2b Ivan Valenzuela, who had never been in the good graces of GM zhawks.
Both Franchises were very happy with what they got out of the trade.
The other rf who was linked to the team was Omar Campos, but trade talks broke down in that deal over who the Lightning would send in a deal.
Continue to monitor the team as sources close to the team have said they are not sold on what they have in right this year and would like to upgrade the position if the price is right. GM zhawks has never been afraid to make a move if he feels it will improve his team.
Wichita, who had been trying to fill needs at 2b and rf throughout the Winter Meetings with no success, acquired two players that filled both of those needs in 2b Ethan Ellis and rf Emilio Martin, who will be playing ball in AAA this year as the club continues to play veteran Alex Arnold in right.
The Lightning gave up Starting Pitcher Wayne Anderson who did not win a spot in their rotation and 2b Ivan Valenzuela, who had never been in the good graces of GM zhawks.
Both Franchises were very happy with what they got out of the trade.
The other rf who was linked to the team was Omar Campos, but trade talks broke down in that deal over who the Lightning would send in a deal.
Continue to monitor the team as sources close to the team have said they are not sold on what they have in right this year and would like to upgrade the position if the price is right. GM zhawks has never been afraid to make a move if he feels it will improve his team.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Free Agent Recap
As the Winter Meetings wind down as the Rule 5 draft occurs tonight and spring training is right around the corner let's take a look a few of the big signings this year.
The cream of the Free Agent crop was clearly lefty starter Sandy Murphy. In an interesting turn of events, caused by Kansas City Black and Blue Brachiosaurus GM indiansrck27 being unavailable for his teams budget phase led to the owner being unable to extend the contract that many had speculated they would to Murphy.
Murphy, who has 102 career wins and a 3.13 era, made a surprise move by signing a $94 million / 5 year deal with the the Pittsburgh Pranksters, who had the franchises best record in history with 75 wins last year. The club may be more then an Ace away from the playoffs but this move puts them in the picture for winning the division this year. It is a huge move by the club to show its fans that they are working on putting a winning team out there every game.
RF Kirt Purcell was another top player on the market but signed a $27.6 million / 4 year deal with the Fresno Griz surprisingly quickly. Purcell was very pleased to be joining the club, even though they have not finished higher then 3rd in the division ever. Purcell is an instant improvement in the offense and brings 250 career HRs and a .312 batting average to the table.
Lastly the Vancouver Giants signed 4 time world champ, Galahad Dale. Dale signed a $36.6 million / 4 year deal to join Vancouver, who had a franchise best 85 wins last year.
The Iowa City I Wanna Score More hit big with the signing of 2b Vladimir Calvo. The 31 year old could push 1,000 rbi mark this year and looks to bolster a team that won the division last year. He signed a $55 million / 4 year contract, with the last year and $16 million being a team option.
The cream of the Free Agent crop was clearly lefty starter Sandy Murphy. In an interesting turn of events, caused by Kansas City Black and Blue Brachiosaurus GM indiansrck27 being unavailable for his teams budget phase led to the owner being unable to extend the contract that many had speculated they would to Murphy.
Murphy, who has 102 career wins and a 3.13 era, made a surprise move by signing a $94 million / 5 year deal with the the Pittsburgh Pranksters, who had the franchises best record in history with 75 wins last year. The club may be more then an Ace away from the playoffs but this move puts them in the picture for winning the division this year. It is a huge move by the club to show its fans that they are working on putting a winning team out there every game.
RF Kirt Purcell was another top player on the market but signed a $27.6 million / 4 year deal with the Fresno Griz surprisingly quickly. Purcell was very pleased to be joining the club, even though they have not finished higher then 3rd in the division ever. Purcell is an instant improvement in the offense and brings 250 career HRs and a .312 batting average to the table.
Lastly the Vancouver Giants signed 4 time world champ, Galahad Dale. Dale signed a $36.6 million / 4 year deal to join Vancouver, who had a franchise best 85 wins last year.
The Iowa City I Wanna Score More hit big with the signing of 2b Vladimir Calvo. The 31 year old could push 1,000 rbi mark this year and looks to bolster a team that won the division last year. He signed a $55 million / 4 year contract, with the last year and $16 million being a team option.
Mary had a little Lamb, little lamb, little lamb, Mary had a little lamb, and Boise has him now..
As word of the impending deal between Salem and Boise, err Anaheim broke, a reporter was sent to the seen to capture the inside story of how the deal broke. The offseason begin quietly for Salem GM taz21, placing several inquiries for a young centerfielder to man the outfield for the next 10 seasons. Anaheim's young all star to be CF Eugene Garcia was one of the targets as winter meeting began, but they were quickly rebuffed. Salem looked at several other options, getting rejected quicker than the ugly kid at prom for several, but exchanging indepth talks for a couple others. However those talks eventually broke down, and Salem was convinced it was heading into the season having to worry about all the balls hit into the gaps and how it was going to keep them from reclaiming their W-S crown.
However, a funny thing happened on the way to spring training, Anaheim discovered that their Mayfield moving fan expenses from Boise ate up too much available cash and were looking hard for a staff ace to lead them to the promise land. With talks quickly resuming, Salem conceeded it was willing to trade free agent to be Chad Lamb in order to obtain Garcia, but would need some pitching back to make them feel "ok" with that and similar to their one time deal to move Guiel and company for Santiago and company, a blockbuster was born. The principals were in place, but the details needed to ironed out to make both sides happy. Salem agreed that former international free agent E_Nunez would soften the blow of lossing Garcia and while Pablo Bonilla would lesson the load of lossing a staff ace like Lamb. However, both sides still had mixed feelings. Salem didn't know how much Bonilla, the top setup man in Ripken, JR and set for free agency himself would set the organization back a season, and Nunez, while still a couple years away, isn't that far behind Garcia. On the other side, Anaheim also had reservations about the soon to hit free agency Chad Lamb and the fact that they had given away a reliever to free up cash to go after a solid starter in free agency.
So 10 days after the initial thought of Garcia was put out there, Taz21 hit bed thinking he was going to be making a different deal involding Lamb and another young centerfielder. However, by the time his wife booted him from bed for snooring at 4:00 am tdvy had indicated that he was able to convince Pablo to sign a 5 year extension, giving Salem the services of the top reliever for 6 seasons, but would need ML ready closer prospect Yorvit Johnson in return. Salem had bit plans for Johnson to steady their bullpen (admittaly much less need if Pablo was ruling the roost), but Salem still felt a need for a lefty relief prospect and got Anaheim to agree to include last season's #1 draft pick, Craig_Bell .
So finally, at aroudn 5:00 am est, a blockbuster was agreed to with a laural and hardy handshake.. While some paperwork complications delayed the finalization of the deal, but teams gearing up their gift shops for the sale of new jerseys. Can Anaheim, christen their new digs w/ Lamb at the top of the rotation? Will they wonder if it was all worth it when he hits the free agent market next season? Does Salem stand any chance of contending for a return to the fall classic with out Lamb leading the way, how much of an improvement will Lamb in CF make on the defense (allowing former CFer Trevino to move to 3rd, and Hartley to move to a corner OF spot as age begins to take effect on their range?) What will Salem do with all those extra Purple and Black Lamb Jersey's in the gift shop? Rumor has it, their packaged away in storage while all promtional giveaways have been cancelled this season to make room for the prodigal return of Chad Lamb back to the top of Salem's rotation next off season.
However, a funny thing happened on the way to spring training, Anaheim discovered that their Mayfield moving fan expenses from Boise ate up too much available cash and were looking hard for a staff ace to lead them to the promise land. With talks quickly resuming, Salem conceeded it was willing to trade free agent to be Chad Lamb in order to obtain Garcia, but would need some pitching back to make them feel "ok" with that and similar to their one time deal to move Guiel and company for Santiago and company, a blockbuster was born. The principals were in place, but the details needed to ironed out to make both sides happy. Salem agreed that former international free agent E_Nunez would soften the blow of lossing Garcia and while Pablo Bonilla would lesson the load of lossing a staff ace like Lamb. However, both sides still had mixed feelings. Salem didn't know how much Bonilla, the top setup man in Ripken, JR and set for free agency himself would set the organization back a season, and Nunez, while still a couple years away, isn't that far behind Garcia. On the other side, Anaheim also had reservations about the soon to hit free agency Chad Lamb and the fact that they had given away a reliever to free up cash to go after a solid starter in free agency.
So 10 days after the initial thought of Garcia was put out there, Taz21 hit bed thinking he was going to be making a different deal involding Lamb and another young centerfielder. However, by the time his wife booted him from bed for snooring at 4:00 am tdvy had indicated that he was able to convince Pablo to sign a 5 year extension, giving Salem the services of the top reliever for 6 seasons, but would need ML ready closer prospect Yorvit Johnson in return. Salem had bit plans for Johnson to steady their bullpen (admittaly much less need if Pablo was ruling the roost), but Salem still felt a need for a lefty relief prospect and got Anaheim to agree to include last season's #1 draft pick, Craig_Bell .
So finally, at aroudn 5:00 am est, a blockbuster was agreed to with a laural and hardy handshake.. While some paperwork complications delayed the finalization of the deal, but teams gearing up their gift shops for the sale of new jerseys. Can Anaheim, christen their new digs w/ Lamb at the top of the rotation? Will they wonder if it was all worth it when he hits the free agent market next season? Does Salem stand any chance of contending for a return to the fall classic with out Lamb leading the way, how much of an improvement will Lamb in CF make on the defense (allowing former CFer Trevino to move to 3rd, and Hartley to move to a corner OF spot as age begins to take effect on their range?) What will Salem do with all those extra Purple and Black Lamb Jersey's in the gift shop? Rumor has it, their packaged away in storage while all promtional giveaways have been cancelled this season to make room for the prodigal return of Chad Lamb back to the top of Salem's rotation next off season.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Miller, Phillips Agree to Extensions
Wichita, KS - Earlier today Wichita Black Lightning GM zhawks announced that the club had agreed to contract extensions with two of its top players. As was reported earlier this week the club signed All-Star lf Walter Miller to 4 year, $29 million extension. Miller has 1154 career hits to go along with 256 home runs and 734 rbi and 272 stolen bases. His entire career has been played with zhawks organization.
The bigger news today was the long-term deal signed by the clubs Ace, Ted Phillips. Phillips who is coming off a very strong year, where he posted 13 wins and 3.89 era came into the season arbitration eligible. There were talks about signing him to a long-term deal but many in the club believed they would take their chances with Arbitration this year and use this season to finalize a long-term deal. When arbitration broke, Phillips was asking for over $8 for this season. Quickly zhawks sat down with both the player and his agent and worked out a 5 year $37.5 million contract. Both sides were happy with the deal.
"I didn't want to leave Wichita, I like it here. We have a good organization and a great chance to win every year," said Phillips in the early morning press conference,"last year didn't go so well but we still have a very good team and I'd expect nothing less then for us to contend for the division title this year."
The bigger news today was the long-term deal signed by the clubs Ace, Ted Phillips. Phillips who is coming off a very strong year, where he posted 13 wins and 3.89 era came into the season arbitration eligible. There were talks about signing him to a long-term deal but many in the club believed they would take their chances with Arbitration this year and use this season to finalize a long-term deal. When arbitration broke, Phillips was asking for over $8 for this season. Quickly zhawks sat down with both the player and his agent and worked out a 5 year $37.5 million contract. Both sides were happy with the deal.
"I didn't want to leave Wichita, I like it here. We have a good organization and a great chance to win every year," said Phillips in the early morning press conference,"last year didn't go so well but we still have a very good team and I'd expect nothing less then for us to contend for the division title this year."
Friday, April 2, 2010
Rumor: Miller to extend contract with Lightning
Wichita, KS - Rumor has it that the Wichita Black Lightning are in Negotiations with All-Star LF Walter Miller. The club has been throwing around the idea of extending his contract this offseason and has approached Miller's agent about a potential deal. It is rumored that Miller is seaking a 3-year deal in the range of $25 million.
While club officials would not disclose any contract talks as the Winter Meetings have yet to start, a person close to Miller disclosed that the club was offering closer to $20 million.
Baseball Tonight Anylists agreed that Miller will likely stay with the only club he has played for after this year and were not surprised by this report.
"He'll stay," said Peter Gammons,"I have no doubt that they will come to an agreement."
Stay tuned for more developments in this story.
While club officials would not disclose any contract talks as the Winter Meetings have yet to start, a person close to Miller disclosed that the club was offering closer to $20 million.
Baseball Tonight Anylists agreed that Miller will likely stay with the only club he has played for after this year and were not surprised by this report.
"He'll stay," said Peter Gammons,"I have no doubt that they will come to an agreement."
Stay tuned for more developments in this story.
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