Taking over for Sal Bando -- Rebuilding the Brewers

[jaykno14]

It is December 1999, the Brewers have just fired Sal Bando, the popular 1980's player, and have hired the youngest GM in history. 27 year old scout Jimmy King, who has spent the past five years going up through the scouting system for the Baltimore Orioles. "I am very excited about rebuilding the team I grew up loving as a kid," King announced at his Press Conference. "I was about ten years old when the team went to the Series and have memory of my father going to the games. I would like to recreate that atmosphere for the city of Milwaukee." In his first move as GM, King announced they were releasing longtime manager Phil Garner. "We feel we would like to start over from the ground up and totally rebuild this team," stated King. The rest of the coaching staff was let go as well. The Brewers have started the search for a manager and will announce it as soon as it happens.

Goals
*Have a winning team by 2004
*Build a new stadium by 2003
*Have an experienced coaching staff
*Build team by signing cheap FA’s and drafting SP’s


Following the Press Conference, the team spokesman announced King's first trade at the helm.

SD RECIEVES: (1b) Kevin Barker
MIL RECIEVES: (SP) Matt Clement

Article: MILWAUKEE - The Brewers traded highly touted 1b prospect Kevin Barker today to San Diego for rookie starting pitcher Matt Clement. "We want to get our starting pitching all shored up, and felt we needed to make a deal. I am confident that Clement will do well for us," stated GM Jimmy King.

After the Trade King announced the teams manager. The Brewers announced that they had hired Arizona bench coach Bob Melvin, who was a bench coach under Garner while in Milwaukee. "He came prepared to his interview and impressed me with his orginizational skills. We are excited to get him,'' stated GM Jimmy King.

[jaykno14]

Spring Training Transactions:
* Bought out the contract of RP Erick Plunk at approximately 340K.
* Released RP Horacio Estrada (no buyout)
* Released RP Hector Ramirez (no buyout)
* Bought out the contract of RP Steve Falteisek at approximately 110K


Lineup
2b Fernando Vina
3b Jeff Cirillo
LF Geoff Jenkins+
RF Jeromy Burnitz
1b Dave Nillson
CF Marquis Grissom
SS Jose Valentin
C Bobby Hughes

Bench
IF Sean Berry
IF Eddie Zosky
IF Mark Loretta
OF Alex Ochoa
OF Lyle Mouton
C Brian Banks

Minors*
Rich Becker
Lou Collier
Ronnie Belliard
Charlie Green
Robinson Cancel

Rotation
Hideo Nomo
Scott Karl
Jim Abbot
Cal Eldred
Matt Clement+

Bullpen
CL Bob Wickman
SU Chad Fox
SR Al Reyes
MR Dave Weathers
LO Reggie Harris
ALT Steve Woodard

Minors*
Jeff D'Amico
Bill Pulsipher
Kyle Peterson
Rafeal Roque
Valerio De Los Santos
Mike Myers
Carl Dale

+Rookie
*Will try to update minor league news every two months

Ratings
Batting: 70 (67)
Pitching: 59 (75)
Defense: 90 (71)
Lineup: 82 (70)
Rotation: 65 (89)
Bench: 75 (82)
Bullpen: 50 (56)

OVERALL RATING: ~70

[jaykno14]

FINANCES
Payroll - 42.1M
Cash - 6.6M
Goals:
* Have Cash up to 15M
* Payroll down to 40M
Ticket Prices - $23.00 ($31.39)
Hot Dogs - $3.50 (+8%)
Beer - $5.20 (+9%)
Ice Cream - $2.50 (even)

Let the Season Begin!! - April 1999

Article
MILWAUKEE - Rumors have been swirling of the Brewers trading away pitching prospects Jeff D'Amico and Bill Pulsipher to Minnesota for CF prospect Torii Hunter. "Hunter is a very talented player but I won't say that the rumors are true or are not true," stated GM Jimmy King. "You guys will have to wait for a for sure fact of a trade accuring if you want any worthful news."

April Recap
Record - 11-12
Average - .259 (.268)
ERA - 4.48
Average Attendance - 22,220
Cash: 6.4M (- .2M)
Surprise - Geoff Jenkins (.340/7/17/.681)
Disappointment - Fernando Vina (.247/2SB)

[jaykno14]

-I am going to do this dynasty in a unique and different form. I am going to write as if I am writing in a Journal about how the season has gone along. I will though still post rosters, drafts, big series, and stats at the end of each month.-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAY 1999

May 1, 1999
We are 11-12 and 3.0 games back of first place Cincinatti. Our first series of the month, @ Cardinals, could prove to be a big series depending on where we go.

May 3, 1999
We ended up splitting the two game series and are 12-13 and 3.5 games back of Cincinatti. I am hoping we can get on a roll and stay in the race.

May 15, 1999
Sitting in my hotel room in LA, looking over the series stats so far, I recieve a call from the Minnesota GM. ''Hey Jim! Just wanted to let you hear a trade that I was thinking we could pull off. I will trade you Corey Koskie and Torri Hunter for Jeff D'Amico, Bill Pulsipher, and Brian Banks." I decided I would call my advisor and talk to the owner about the deal. I talked to them and we evaluated the deal. We decided it was pretty fair, and that we may be getting the better of the deal in these two promising prospects. The deal was pulled off. I have sent the two guys to AAA Inianapolis to work out the chinks and expect a call later in the year. Also, catcher Charlie Green was called up to replace Banks' spot on the roster.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Have to ride will contiue this month later.

[jaykno14]

May 22, 1999
We are HOT!!! We have won our last 8/9 games and we are in second place only a 1/2 game back!! Things are getting excited in Milwaukee! Fernando Vina, who has been hot as of late, is being placed on the 15 - day DL with a wrist fracture. Rich Becker's contract has been purchased and Lorretta has been inserted into the #1 spot. Here's to more sucess!!

May 29, 1999
You can say that we have "cooled'' down a bit since the streak we had earlier, winning 4/6 games. Mark Loretta has filled in nicely for Vina hitting .297 while filling in. I talked to him earlier today and told him that if he kept it up he could earn a starting spot in the lineup at either 2nd or SS. We'll see what happens. And Oh by the way, we are the Wild Card leaders. Will fill in within the next couple of days with the monthly recap.

June 1, 1999
What a month in May. My biggest concern so far this month has definitely been pitchers Cal Eldred, the fifth starter, and closer Bob Wickman. Each have a dreadful ERA at 6.75 and 5.70 respectively. Eldred will switch spots with Spot Starter Steve Woodard who in 11.1 IP has a .79 ERA and 11 K's. Here are the monthly stats and your monthly DOWN ON THE FARM REPORT!!
Month Record - 18-9
Overall Record - 29-21
Hot Shot - Mike Woodard (11.1/0.79/11Ks)
Ave - .265 (.269)
ERA - 4.23 (4.62)
GA - Wild Card Leader!! .5 GA

DOWN ON THE FARM
Important Prospect Reports
2b Ronnie Belliard - (.344/1SB)
3b Corey Koskie - (.347/4HR/17BI)
OF Torri Hunter - (10-20; .500/4SB/6BI)

[jaykno14]

June 1, 1999
We need to make a mark this month. 16/22 games are against the division I would like to win more than half of those 16. The other six are Interleague. Something that you guys would like to know. We have started contract negotiations with the following players: OF Tori Hunter, 3b Corey Koskie, SP Scott Karl, SP Kyle Peterson, Velario De Los Santos. It is important to get most of these players signed, if we plan on extending their contracts, by the end of the season. I will keep you updated.

June 8, 1999
We started out by winning 4/7 against the Pirates and Reds. I have talked to Corey Koskie's agent numerous times this week and I would like to sign him for about $500K max per year. We are really close to agreeing on a $420K/year contract. I will update you if he is signed. Vina will be back with the team tomorrow after a three day rehab working his way through the minors. He will most likely start at 2b and Becker will have his contract purchased by AAA.

June 11, 1999
We have agreed to term with Koskie's agent. We signed a $1.7M/5 year contract. He will recieve $340K a year. I am very excited he will be with us for the next five years.

June 18, 1999
Nine days after Vina's return he gets injured with a foot stracture. He will be out ANOTHER 15 days and will be place on the 15 - day DL. Becker's contract will be purchased again and Loretta will be put into the lineup.

June 23, 1999
We have slumped a little this month. We have a mediocre 11-9 record for the month and we are 1.5 back in the WC race. We need to get it together to get back into the race. =)

June 27, 1999
Well just got done talking to the Met's GM and we have pulled off a 5 player deal. I have traded away Rafeal Roque, Alex Ochoa, Robinson Cancel, and Mike Myers for top prospect 1b Jorge Toca. He is definitely the future for this club. Torri Hunter will be called up to the Majors tonight.

July 1, 1999
We have got back to within 1.5 back of the WC race. We had a 16-12 month, which we are fine with. I am hoping we can have a more dominant month this July.

Monthly Record - 16-12
Record - 45-33
Average - .268 (.269)
ERA - 4.14 (4.62)

[jaykno14]

July 1, 1999
So far this season, to tell you the truth, I am really surprised at our sucess. Our team has really fough, and we are only 1.5 back of the WC. A month or so ago, I told you who we would extend contracts with. Well at the bottom of this "entry" I will list off everyone who's contract expires at the end of the season.

Expirations
Marquis Grissom
Torri Hunter
Charlie Green
Lou Collier
Scott Karl
Jim Abbot
Kyle Peterson
Valerio De Los Santos
Carl Dale

I will post of any info you need to know about the talks between me and each player.

July 9, 1999
We have started off poorly and have dropped out of the race at 5 games back. We have lost 6/7 games this mnth. I recieved a call today. On the other line was Marquis Grissom's agent. He said Grissom wanted to stay in Milwaukee and wanted to extend his contract. (I am flipping a coin. Heads he wants to stay/tails he wants to leave.) We have begun talkin contract negotiations. I would liek to sign him for less than 1.5M a year. Also we are trying to work out a 2-3 year contract.

ALL STAR BREAK COVERAGE

Home Run Showdown



FIRST ROUND (10 outs)

PLAYER HOMERS
Mark McGwire (STL) 9
Greg Vaughn (CIN) 9
Mike Piazza (NYM) 9
Jim Thome (CLE) 7
Vladimir Guerrero (MON) 6
Ken Griffey Jr. (SEA) 5
Manny Ramirez (CLE) 5
Tim Salmon (ANA) 4
Larry Walker (COL) 3
Nomar Garciaparra (BOS) 1

SECOND ROUND (5 outs)

PLAYER HOMERS
Mark McGwire (STL) 6
Jim Thome (CLE) 5
Greg Vaughn (CIN) 4
Mike Piazza (NYM) 2

FINAL ROUND (5 outs)

PLAYER HOMERS
MARK MCGWIRE (STL) 3
Jim Thome (CLE) 2

WINNER: Mark McGwire


July 13, 1999
What a showdown!! It was a very good match. A very enjoyful show. Our rep. is SS Jose Valentin, who has hit 21 homers with 69 BI's. He was very excited when I talked to him.

All Star Game
The NL won 8-6. Jose Valentin was 1-4 as the starting short stop.

Next up is the post all star break ...

[jaykno14]

July 16, 1999
We are seriously trying to shop Grissom. There are no particular offers so far in which I am fond of, but we feel we need to trade him to avoid losing him in FA. I'll update you of any offers that happen with us.

July 23, 1999
We have come out of the break very hot and we are back in the division race, only 2.5 games out. We have fallen behind in the WC race and are 3.5 games out.

July 24, 1999
We pulled off a deal with Detroit today. We traded Grissom, Lyle Mouton, Fernando Vina, and Cal Eldred for Gabe Kapler, and 2 million dollars in cash. Lorettta will replace Vina and Kapler will be put at AAA. We will call up Rich Becker and Lou Collier, and Ron Belliard.

July 26, 1999
I am planning on callling a lot of agents today to talk about extensions. I would like to havve most of the guys that we are returning next year signed before the off season. On that subject we have agreed to terms with Torri Hunter and he will be a Brewer for the next 4 years at least. He will make $1.05M over that span at about $262K a year. Charlie Green's agent also called and said that Greene does not want to return as a Brewer next year. There will be no talks between us and his agent.

July 30, 1999
We are now at a record of 56-46 and 2 back of the division and 2.5 behind the WC. Gabe Kapler's agent announced today that Kapler wants a 3 year $920K contract. We quicklysigned the dotted line. Also calling was Scott Karl's agent and he said that Scott did not want to return next year as a Brewer. We told him before the season that we only wanted to sign him for about $1.5 million a year. He is seeking about $2M a year. We started to shop him and we immediatley got an offer we liked. We traded Karl to Philedelphia for another talented starter who will probably come cheaper, in Randy Wolf. He is young and we would like to build around him.

July 31, 1999
Today we got calls from all the agents we haven't talked to yet. First off, Jim Abbot's agent called and said Abbot would LOVE to return to Milwaukee. His contract is a little more interesting than the others, because his agent said that he would also like a no trade clause and would like to remain a Brewer the rest of his career. He is only asking for about $1.2M a year in a 3 year contract. We thought it over with the board of directors and decided he would be good to mentor our young starters. So we also added another job for him in his contract, being a mentor. He accepted without asking for more money. We signed him to a 4 year $4.8M contract. Next, Valerio De Los Santo's agent called and said that Valerio would like a contract for three years and get paid $2.2M. We signed the line and were excited to have our future bullpen arm. Kyle Peterson and Carl Dale will not return next year. We traded both arms for a talented young Catcher by the name of Einer Diaz. The also added RP Dave Wainhouse into the deal. Wainhouse will go to AAA.

Record - 11-15 (56-48)
Ave - .268 (.269)
ERA - 4.19 (4.63)
GB - 3 back of division, 4.5 back of WC.

FARM REPORT
Ron Belliard - (.311/.388 OBP)
Corey Koskie - (.325/6 HR/34 BI's)
Jorge Toca - (.377/3 HR/17 BI) in 21 games
Gabe Kapler - (.283/7 HR/31 BI)
Einer Diaz - (.329/3 HR/32 BI/.988 Field)

[jaykno14]

August 1, 1999
As of now there are 5 teams in the NL Central who have a shot at the division. The only team that doesn't is Chicago who is
36-69. We must have a good month so that we can at least try to narrow down the race.

August 6, 1999
Jose Valentin is injured with a foot fracture and will be out for 17 days. Corey Koskie will be called up and Belliard will go into second with Loretta moving to shortstop.

August 8, 1999
We have started off hot winning 5/6 and we are 2 back of the WC and 3 back of the Division. Something that you don't know, Jeromy Burnitz has hit .308 with almost 30 homers and 100 RBI. He has been a huge sucess to the team.

August 9, 1999
Al Reyes has a sprained fingure and will visit the 15 - day DL. We will call up veteren Dave Wainhouse to replace him for now.

August 15, 1999
We are 9-3 this month and 1 back of the division and 2 back of the WC. Also, I would like to say we have started negotiations with and Einer Diaz. We will probably sign him for about $400K a year.

August 16, 1999
Jim Abbot has sprained his finger and will be out 15 days. We have signed FA Tom Rudicel who has never pitched a ML game. We have signed him for the minimum.

August 18, 1999
Tom Rudicel pitched beautifully yesterday. He pitched 8 innings and gave up 0 runs. We are now tied for first place.

August 22, 1999
We are 1.5 back of the division. And 2.5 back of the WC. Right now injuries are killing us. We will recieve Al Reyes and Jose Valentin in about three days. They will spend two days in the minors for rehab. We agreed to a contract worth $1.3M over 4 years.

August 25, 1999
Chad Fox is injured but we have brought back up Al Reyes. Fox is out for about a week with a strained wrist. Corey Koskie was sent down and Jose Valentin was activated.

August 29, 1999
We are struggling and we are now 4.5 back of the division and WC. We need to win the last three games of the month in order to get back ino the race. Abott and Fox will be back in about 4 days.

September 1, 1999
We have recieved both pitchers back and we have optioned Tom Rucidel and Dave Wainhouse have been optioned.

I will give you the stats at the beginning of next month...

[jaykno14]

Setember 1, 1999
And down the stretch we come!!!.... Here are the monthly stats for August:

Record - 17-11 (73-59)
Ave. - .273 (.271)
ERA - 4.34 (4.64)
GB - 3.5 back of division 4.0 back of WC

Setember 8, 1999
Well so far it has been a .500 month. We are 4-3 so far and we are 5 back of the division and 5.5 back of the WC. I think it's time we step it up or else we won't be playing to the end of October. We sent down Al Reyes who has a 5+ ERA and brought up Tom Rudicel who has been a pleasant surprise for us. If he pitches well enough the rest of the season, the 35 year old rookie could earn himself a contract extension.

Setember 15, 1999
Looks like we are everything but out of the race. We are 6.5 back of the WC and 7 back of division. The next couple of weeks we have some key matchups against Houston who leads the division and New York who leads the WC.

Setember 18, 1999
Today we recieved some devestating news, we have lost Jim Abbot for pretty much the rest of the season due to a foot fracture. We have called up Al Reyes and put Tom Rucidel in the rotation.

Setember 22, 1999
We are back in the race!!! We are 3.5 back of the WC and pretty much out of the Divisional race at 7.5 back. The series after the one we're in right now is an important series against Houston. I will updayte you all three games. I will also give you updates on the New York game.

Setember 27, 1999
Well the seriies just got over with. I'll give you the results.

GAME 1
Houston @ Milwaukee
Jose Lima @ Steve Woodard
Won!! 4-3 - Only 18,000 fans showed up to what was a very exciting game. A key player was PH Rich Becker who hit a grand slam in the 7th when we were down 3-0.

NY(N) @ Montreal
MONTREAL 4, New York 1

GAME TWO
Houston @ Milwaukee
Mike Hamton @ Hideo Nomo
Loss. 11-1. Don't feel like talkin. A key player for them was Carl Everett who went 2-5 with 4 RBI's.

Luckily though ...
NY(N) @ Montreal
MONTREAL 2, New York 1

GAME THREE
Houston @ Milwaukee
Shayne Reynolds @ Randy Wolf
Loss, 4-2. We came out of the first with a 2-0 lead and would stay the same until the 8th and 9th when they would score a combined 4 runs.

NY(N) @ Montreal
NY(N) 5, Montreal 2

The thing is though, while these two teams lose, Pitsburgh goes on a tear and the Brewers fall to 6.5 back of the WC. With 6 games left the Brewers are eliminated from the playoffs. =(

October 4, 1999
We ended up at 88-74, a very good record to build on. We really had a poor season in the front office LOSING $6.6M which is not good for our plans to build a new stadium. Here are our season ending stats:

Average - .270 (.271)
ERA - 4.49 (4.67)
Home - 44-37
Away - 44-37
Cash - $1.007M
Profit - (- $6.6M)
Ave Att - 21,297

Next up I won't give a too detailed playoffs explanation just who wins each series and the Playoff champs.

[jaykno14]

Playoff Time!!
Wild Card
Indians 101-61
vs
Blue Jays 91-71

Yankees 104-58
vs
Rangers 87-75

Division Series Matchup:
Indians
vs
Yankees

Braves 102-60
vs
Pirates 93-69

Astros 96-66
vs
Dodgers 95-67

Division Series Matchup
Pirates
vs.
Astros

==============================================
Division Series

Indians
vs Winner: Yankees
Yankees

Pirates
vs Winner: Astros
Astros

==============================================
WORLD SERIES!!!
Yankees vs Astros

Game 1: Yankees @ Astros -- 4-1; 1-0
Game 2: Yankees @ Astros -- 5-3; 1-1
Game 3: Astros @ Yankees -- 4-1; 2-1
Game 4: Astros @ Yankees -- 7-0; 3-1
Game 5: Astros @ Yankees -- 6-4; 3-2
Game 6: Yankees @ Astros -- 6-1; 4-2

WORLD SERIES CHAMPS NEW YORK YANKEES

My Goals for the offeason (weak positions to improve)
Sign or draft bullpen help
Build for future
High Potential ''project'' SP's.
A true catcher

[jaykno14]

My Goals for the offeason (weak positions to improve)
Sign or draft bullpen help
Build for future -- but build to contend in 2000
High Potential ''project'' SP's.
A true catcher

Contract talk
*Released Catcher Charlie Green and Lou Collier
*Renewed Tom Rucidel's contract at $370K for two years. (+$70K from last year)

First off a really important thing I must tend to this offseason that I didn't have time for last year because of the short notice, I have raised the expense put towards scouts, minor league coordinators, and medical doctors. For scouts it is at $14M (6th), minor leagues it is at $9M (7th), and medical attention raised to $7M (5th).

FREE AGENCY

November 17 - We are competing with the Cubs to sign RP Doug Brocail to a 4 year $4.8 million deal. We'll see which one he agrees too. His agent has talked to me and said he is leaning toward us because we had a winning year in '99. We'll see what he does.

November 19 - So far we are REALLY close to signing Doug Brocail, but meanwhile, we are starting talks with another RP in Matt Whisenant. He is a 29 year old who had a breakout year in '99 with the Royals going 88 appearances and a 3.41 era.

November 22 - We have signed the contract with Dough Brocail. He agreed to terms on a $4.7M for 4 years contract. He said he wants to make a home in Milwaukee and would like to be able to stay in Milwaukee as long as possible. Rumor has it that Matt Whisenant is also negotiating with the Expos.

December 7 - We started negotiations with Russ Ortiz's agent today and are working a 2-4 year deal. We would like to sign him for les then a million a year. Right now he wants just over a million a year. We have agreed to terms with Matt Whisenant. He signed a 2 year deal worth $2.6M over that span.


December 10 - We have pulled off a deal with the Yankees today. We traded CL Bob Wickman and prospect Ronnie Belliard for 2b/SS Alfonso Soriano and 2 million in cash. Soriano will start out in AAA and we hope to have him up by mid June.


January 7 It has been over a month since we have really talked to Russ Ortiz. Finally I gave them one more chance at a contract offer and he said that he lowered his price to $1.15M. I still want him to lower it more but it seems as though he may have gotten some news that no one was going to sign him for that much money.

January 13 - He has now lowered his price to $1.1M a year. It looks as though we may look into signing him pretty soon.

DRAFT
We have come upon the draft in which I will take time to tell you about my draft picks.

ROUND 1.21 - RP Ward Solomon [22] (O/P) 75/88
Endurance: 24
Control: 94
Power: 74
Movement: 91
Future Role: Setup/Closer in 2001

ROUND 2.21 - SP Jose Cruz (22) 71/87
Endurance: 77
Control: 80
Power: 70
Movement: 79
Future Role: Probably a mid rotation starter. Probably a three hopefully an excellent four.

ROUND 3.21 - RP Webster Cogan (18) 71/87
Endurance: 24
Control: 74
Power: 76
Movement: 79
Future Role: Setup or middle relief

ROUND 4.21 - 3b Rico Mattez (22) 52/75
Contact: 50
Power: 74
Speed: 64
Eye: 62
Future: A bench player but if ALL pans out he could be trade bait and a future starting 3b.

ROUND 5.21 - SP Ozzie Beggins (21) 60/74
Endurance: 76
Control 79
Power: 70
Movement: 65
Future: Spot Starter or 5th starter.

ROUND 6.21 - RF Scott Greenburg (22) 60/65 Future: Bench Bat or scrub

January 18 - Well as you see we focused HEAVILY on pitching in the draft. Solomon will start out at AAA and get a call up sometime during the season. Cruz will also start out at AAA and will probably spend most of the season down there with the exception of injuries. Cogan will start off at AAA also and will get the call next year. The same with the rest.

January 24 - Russ Ortiz signed with the Cubs last week. We are really disappointed we couldn't get him. I have taken the blame in not sighning him.

Next up willl be rest of the FA period and ten Spring Training.

[jaykno14]

My Goals for the offeason (weak positions to improve)
Sign or draft bullpen help
Build for future -- but build to contend in 2000
Draft High Potential ''project'' SP's.
A true catcher
**Keep payroll below $45M

**ADDED

An explanation about each:

#1 - So far we have really hit this one hard. We signed to bullpen relivers and drafted 2 in the top 3. I feel really confident about the future bullpen and the present. ACCOMPLISHED

#2 - We have also done this pretty well. We would have LOVED to get Russ Ortiz because he would have been for the future and for the present unfortunately we get veteren Doug Brocail who is a very good reliver and Matt Whisenant who is for the future also. (29) The draft was a really good sign for the future as was the trade we made in which we traded for Alfonso Soriano. ACCOMPLISHED

#3 - We did this with the #2 pick in the draft he will be ready for next year though. He isn't a project unfortunately. UNACCOMPLISHED

#4 - We needed a true catcher. We can get this in free agency but I think we may have it already. I am planning on calling up Einer Diaz the inspired young cathcer, to see what he's got. I will keep Bobby Hughes as a backup for now. ACCOMPLISHED

#5 - Well, right now we are about $.8M over the wanted payroll. Expect a late move to get it below. UNACCOMPLISHED

Now with the rest of the Offseason.

February 25 - We have talked to Eric Milton about signing a contract and he agreed we'd give it a try. He said no team has contacted him yet. Learning from our mistake with Ortiz, we decided we wouldn't wait to accept terms. We decided to sign him for a deal that is worth $1.9M for up to 4 years. He is the type of guy that we needed and is sort of like Ortiz young but can contribute now.

March 1 - We have pulled off a trade that lowers our payroll to 45.3. We have traded Jeff Cirillo to LA for the STARTING pitcher Eric Gagne who has an 81 potential. Another trade we did today was we traded away Hideo Nomo to Boston for #16 pick Anthony Preyss who has a potential of 92. He will spend the year in the minors. This trade lowers the payroll to 43.5M.

[jaykno14]

First off, I am going to go quicker in the season and not as much info. I will inform on any trades or negotiations talks. I will give monthly recaps and positive and negative notes. Similar to bellm24's format. I will give the first half of the season (pre all star) and the second half of the seaason. Down the stretch I will inform you of anything you need to knwo.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lineup
CF Torii Hunter
2b Mark Loretta
LF Geoff Jenkins
RF Jeromy Burnitz
1b Dave Nillson
3b Corey Koskie
SS Jose Valentin
C Einer Diaz

Bench
IF Eddie Zosky
OF Rich Becker
1b Jorge Toca+
OF Gabe Kapler+
C Bobby Hughes

Minors*
Alfonso Soriano
Rico Mattez
Scott Greenberg

Rotation
Randy Wolf
Jim Abbot
Matt Clement
Steve Woodard
Eric Milton

Bullpen
CL Doug Brocail
SU Matt Whisenant
SH Dave Weathers
MR Chad Fox
LO Reggie Harris
ALT Tom Rucidel

Minors*
Valerio De Los Santos
Al Reyes
Dave Wainhouse
Ward Solomon
Jose Cruz
Webster Cogan
Ozzie Beggins
Eric Gagne
Andy Preyss

+Rookie
*Will try to update minor league news every two months

Ratings
Batting: 70 (64)
Pitching: 52 (73)
Defense: 75 (67)
Lineup: 77 (67)
Rotation: 60 (80)
Bench: 76 (79)
Bullpen: 50 (65)

OVERALL RATING: ~65

MY EXPECTATIONS - Sorry but unfortunately true, we will probably only win about 70-75 games. That would be a sucess. We'd like to stay below the 90 loss mark though.

[jaykno14]

I ALMOST FORGOT!! Here are the awards for 1999:


AMERICAN LEAGUE (1999)

Cy Young Roger Clemens (NYY)
Player of the Year: Manny Ramirez (CLE)
Rookie Of The Year: Cristian Guzman (MIN)

Gold Glove (P): Kenny Rogers (OAK)
Gold Glove (C): Charles Johnson (BAL)
Gold Glove (1B): Jeff King (KCR)
Gold Glove (2B): Scott Spiezio (OAK)
Gold Glove (3B): Travis Fryman (CLE)
Gold Glove (SS): Alex Gonzalez (TOR)
Gold Glove (LF): Chad Curtis (NYY)
Gold Glove (CF): Bernie Williams (NYY)
Gold Glove (RF): Jermaine Dye (KCR)

NATIONAL LEAGUE (1999)

Cy Young Ismael Valdes (LAD)
Player of the Year: Larry Walker (COL)
Rookie Of The Year: Alex Gonzalez (FLA)

Gold Glove (P): Kirk Rueter (SFG)
Gold Glove (C): Javy Lopez (ATL)
Gold Glove (1B): Sean Casey (CIN)
Gold Glove (2B): Mickey Morandini (CHC)
Gold Glove (3B): Fernando Tatis (STL)
Gold Glove (SS): Neifi Perez (COL)
Gold Glove (LF): J.D. Drew (STL)
Gold Glove (CF): Andruw Jones (ATL)
Gold Glove (RF): Mark Kotsay (FLA)


April 2000 -

INJURY: 4/21 Corey Koskie out 11 days with a foot fracture; replaced by Sean Berry in the lineup and we signed Ron Coomer at $2.3M for 1 year.
4/25 Einer Diaz is out for 35 days with a wrist fracture. Replaced in the lineup by Bobby Hughes.

RECORD: 8-15

POSTITIVES: Geoff Jenkins hitting .364 with 5 homers and 23 bis.

DISAPOINTMENTS: The disapoinment is my 6.56 TEAM era. Also we have lost $5.5M in profit. I am starting to lean towards relocation. :\

May 2000 -

Monthly Record: 17-11
Record: 25-26

Positives: 17-11 month, brough era down to 5.35. Jenkins is on a TEAR and has hit 12 homers. Koskie has about a .350 average.

Negatives: Doug Brocail has done AWFUL as closer so far. Whisenant has also been AWFUL with an era of 7.27!!!! Rudicel has an era of 11.25 in 14 inning of work.


Whisenant has been demoted to short relief and Brocail will get a chance at setup while Weathers gets a shot as closer. Rudicel will be demoted to AAA and we will purchase the contract of Valerio De Los Santos.

June 2000 -

INJURY: June 19 Jose Valentin will miss 17 days due to a foot fracture. Alfonso Soriano will replace him in the lineup and be called up.

Record: 14-13 (39-39)

Pos
Alfonso Soriano is 14-39 (.359). Jenkins has 19 homers so far this season and is on FIRE!!!! Our era has come down to 5.09.

Neg
Torii Hunter continues to slump with a .227 average. We have averaged 15,778 per game this year. =(

July 2000 -

We brough up Jose Valentin and sent down Eddie Zosky and Valentin will start with Soriano on the bench.


NEXT POST I WILL GIVE YOU OUR RECORD UP TO JULY 11 and A RECAP OF THE FIRST HALF!!

[jaykno14]

RECAP OF THE FIRST HALF
Record: 45-44

Average: .264

ERA: 5.00

Co Hitting MVP: Mark Loretta: .341; 6 hr, 46 bi, 60 r, .407 OBP,
Geoff Jenkins: .305, 22 hr, 69 bi, 72 r, 20 double

Pitching MVP: DOUG BROCAIL: Has brought his era doown from 7.27 in the fitst to month to 3.99!!!. He ahs done exceptional as the setup man and has K'd 54 in 56 innings.

We have lost $22.0M this year and are struggling mightily to bring fans to the game. I am afraid that inless the profit starts to go up, we will have to sell these players who are in their final years of contracts:

Jenkins
Coomer
Jorge Toca
Alfonso Soriano
Bobby Hughes
Eddie Zosky
Randy Wolf
Matt Clement
Steve Woodard
Chad Fox
Al Reyes
Dave Waainhouse

TRADE
We Recieve Nate Stanczak (#25 pick in the draft this year) who is a RF and we recieved Emil Brown who will start out on the bench this year. We sent away Soriano, Toca, Jeromy Burnitz, and Al Reyes.

BTW, our All Star rep was Geoff Jenkins. He 0-1 in the ASG and te AL won 4-2.

[jaykno14]

July 16 and on
July 28 we have decided a very tough decision to KEEP Geoff Jenins. We have gained 4 million over the past two weeks and we feel we can continue that feat. We will still sell some players though.

TRADE - July 28
We have sold Ron Coomer and Randy Wolf to Chicago White Sox for $1M in cash. We have brough up Tom Rudicel to replace Wolf and brought up Eddie Zosky to replace Coomer.

TRADE - July 30
We have traded Steve Woodard to Chicago Whitesox for Kip Wells and $3M in cash.

Record: 13-14 (53-54)

Pos
Jenkins 24 homers .314 ave. Team era down to 4.94.

Negs
Einer Diaz .221 average and Eric Milton with a 6.62 era.

August

Record: 8-20 (60-73)

Pos
um.................

Negs
Fell out of the race. Kip Wells 8.76 0-6 record.

September & October

INJURY: Jose Valentin is out for hte season with a ruptured civical disk. Eddie Zosky takes his place.

Record: 13-16 (73-89)
Average: .261
ERA: .261
Home Record: 41-40
Away Record: 32-49
Finished: 13.5 back in last place.

[jaykno14]

Playoff Time!!

Wild Card
Angels 92-70
vs
Red Sox 91-71

Yankees 98-64
vs
White Sox 90-72

Division Series Matchup:
Red Sox
vs
Yankees

Mets 92-70
vs
Rockies 91-71

Dodgers 102-60
vs
Astros 87-76

Division Series Matchup
Dodgers
vs
Rockies

==============================================
Division Series

Red Sox
vs
Yankees
Winner: Yankees

Dodgers
vs
Rockies
Winner: Dodgers

==============================================
WORLD SERIES!!!
Yankees vs Dodgers

GAME 1: Yankees
GAME 2: Yankees
GAME 3: Dodgers
GAME 4: Yankees
GAME 5: Dodgers
GAME 6: Yankees

WORLD SERIES CHAMPS NEW YORK YANKEES

My Goals for the offeason (weak positions to improve)
*Replace anything I lose.
*Cut Payroll
*Have two "Franchise players" in which I sign them to long term contracts

[jaykno14]

Well going into my last "contract year" I must improve over last year. I would like to say I wanna make it to the playoffs but I am going to have to settle for 80 wins. Here are my goals

My Goals for the offeason (weak positions to improve)
*Replace anything I lose.
*Cut Payroll
*Have two "Franchise players" in which I sign them to long term contracts [Now this goal i won't be able to accomplish but I wanna accomplish it in a couple of seasons]

CONTRACTS
Eddie Zosky Released
Geoff Jenkins Released
Bobby Hughes Released
Matt Clement Released
Chad Fox Released
Dave Wainhouse Released

PAYROLL: $36.5M

TRADING TIME
We are trying to trade away Doug Brocail because we cannot afford his contract. We traded him to Colorado for a 2b named Casey Dranfeldt.

PAYROLL: $32.1M

We have just traded away Dave Nillson and Einer Diaz for C prospect Wiki Gonzalez. They also gabe us 1 million in cash. We got our payroll down to $29.2M.

DRAFT

We have come upon the draft in which I will take time to tell you about my draft picks.

ROUND 1.7 - RP **** Richards [21] (O/P) 83/94
Endurance: 21
Control: 92
Power: 94
Movement: 91
Future Role: Closer in 2001
STATS: He had 44/44 saves in AA

ROUND 2.7 - SP Feliz Aribzu (20) 76/85
Endurance: 82
Control: 81
Power: 69
Movement: 93
Future Role: Probably a mid rotation starter. Probably a fourth or third starter.

ROUND 3.7 - SP Frederico Ameida (18) 71/83
Endurance: 78
Control: 85
Power: 75
Movement: 77
Future Role: 5th Starter

ROUND 4.7 - RP Adam Fisher (19) 63/78
Future: MR

ROUND 5.7 - LF Calvin Sklar (22)

Rest of them don't matter

[jaykno14]

LINEUP
Torri Hunter, CF
Mark Loretta, 2b
Gabe Kapler, LF
Nathan Stanczak, RF
Sean Berry, 1b
Corey Koskie, 3b
Jose Valentin, SS
Wiki Gonzalez, C

BENCH
Rich Becker
Emil Brown
Rico Mattez+
Kelvin Abbott+
Scott Greenberg+
Kelly Dransfeldt+

MINORS
Calvin Sklar
Joey Benoit

ROTATION
Jim Abbott
Eric Milton
Kip Wells
Andy Preyss+
Eric Gagne+

BULLPEN
CL **** Richards+
SU Ward Solomon+
SH Dave Weathers
MI Matt Whisenant
LO Valerio de los Santos
AL Jose Cruz+

MINOR LEAGUES
Webster Cogan
Ozzie Beggins
Reggie Harris
Tom Rucidel
Felix Arbizu
Fredrico Almeida
Adam Fisher

GOALS FOR YEAR
*Win 75-80 games
*Have a rookie of the year
*Average 20,000+ in attendance
*Have a positive profit

[jaykno14]

APRIL
Record: 14-9
Ave: .269
Era: 5.01
Profit: -$2.5M
Ave Att: 22,794
Pleasant Surprise: Andy Preyss (3-1 2.92)
Hurting: Kip Wells (1-3 10.58)
GB: 1.5

Milestone News: None

MAY

INJURIES:
Kip Wells - 14 days with stretched ankle ligemant. Brought up Tom Rudicel.

Record: 17-10 (31-19)
Ave: .286
Era: 5.16
Profit: -$4.9M
Ave Att: 21,234
Pleasant Surprise: Nathan Stanczak (.346 14 hr 49 bi)
Hurting: Eric Gagne (4-3 9.05)
GA: 2.0 (Division)

[jaykno14]

JUNE
Record: 6-19 (37-38)
Ave: .276
Era: 5.47
Profit: -$8.2M
Ave Att: 19,502
Pleasant Surprise: Nathan Stanczak (.317 17 hr 65 bi)
Disapoinment: Kip Wells (1-7 8.72)
GB: 6

Milestones: None

JULY
Brought up Feliz Arbizu for Kip Wells.

ALL STAR BREAK
Nathan Stanczak was our lone represenative. He ended up not playing in the game. NL lost 2-1.

TRADE: We have traded away Emil Brown and his expiring contract and Tom Rudicel to Chicago White Sox for McKay Christenson.

SS Kelly Dransfeldt has worked his way into the starting lineup and will replace SS Jose Valentin.

TRADE: Kip Wells to Arizona for a second year SS Jason Sternal. Sternal will be in the minors.

Record: 13-15 (50-53)
Ave: .274
Era: 5.35
Profit: -$11.4M
Who's Hot: Sean Berry (.314 30 hr 83 bi)
Who's Not: Eric Gagne (6-9 6.65)

Milestones: Ken Griffey Jr hit his 500th HR. Randy Johnson picked up his 3000th strikeout.

[jaykno14]

For some reason I lost my dynasty so I will start a new one soon with someone else. Sorry for those who followed my dynasty.