LA Dreams

[mBa89]

Being a Dodgers fan, I have aspired to lead them to the success they found this year under Paul DePodesta. However, merely building a dynasty would be too easy with the amount of money the Dodgers have lying around. So I have resolved to try something new . . . building a dynasty on Mogul with League Revenue at -30% (salary demands are at -40%, not to make it easier but to create a more realistic feel). I am using the Scory/Rotochamp world. My goals are: have a competitive franchise from the first year, cut payroll by at least $20 Million, and maintain a lasting tradition of home-grown talent.

So it begins. I start out with revenue of about 65,000,000 and expenses of about 125,000,000. Some of the contracts I immediately look at moving to save costs:
Steve Finley OF (6.75M/1 Year)
Shawn Green OF (16M/2 Years)
Todd Hundley C (6.5M/1 Year)
Robin Ventura 1B/3B (1.2M/1 Year)
Brent Mayne C (800K/1 Year)
Darren Dreifort P (12M/2 Years)

An overview of my farm system yields the following promising players:
Hee Seop Choi 1B (75/94)-Great plate discipline, but I may try to get Kotchman or Morneau, since they have more power without sacrificing discipline. An A prospect.

Henry Staley CF (66/73)-A few year on the farm may make him a promising leadoff hitter, but I'm thinking mroe of a 4th outfielder. Probably will be packaged in a deal. C+ prospect.

Antonio Perez 2B (73/92)-awful plate discipline, poor hitting, and a high peak will probably lead to this guy being traded to a team that overvalues him, altogh he is a legitimate, quality prospect. B+ prospect.

Chin-Feng Cheng LF (74/79)-Seems like a decent all around player who probably will have a fairly nondescript impact, but he isn't over- or under- valued. B prospect.

Jayson Werth RF (71/79)-Although his peak isn't high, this guy has power, speed, discipline and a cannon arm. If his health holds up, he's a keeper. B+ prospect.

Joe Thurston 2B (71/92)-Pretty much the same player as Perez with better plate discipline and worse defense. B+ prospect.

Willie Aybar 3B (64/82)-He has good tools, and seems like a decent prospect, but I really am looking for a stronger 3B prospect, since I don't know how long I'll keep Beltre. B prospect.

Xavier Paul RF (64/88)-Excellent defense, good discipline, good power . . . looks like a future star. A prospect.

Joel Guzman SS (70/90)-He has a high peak, but virtually no offensive potential. There are better options. C prospect.

James Loney 1B (60/79)-Good discipline, but he doesn't hit well, field well, or run well. C- prospect.

Brian Falkenborg RP (69/76)-Seems like he could develop into a decent reliever in a few years. Pretty unexciting, but worthwhile. B prospect.

Jonathon Broxton RP (63/73)-A slightly worse Falkenborg. C+ prospect.

Greg Miller RP (63/75)-See above. C+ prospect.

I seem to have a hole at catcher as well. Keeping all this in mind, it's time for me to make my preseason trades (and they are many).

[mBa89]

Well, I had to cut my payroll by over 60,000,000, getting rid of most of my high-salary players. However, I think I'm still fielding a competitive team, and since I'm gonig to have to cover a bunch of raises next year (Gagne, Beltre, Bradley, Shury, etc. . .), I definitely need to slim down my payroll as much as possible.
Trade #1
Tom Wilson, Jonathen Broxten, Andy LaRoche, John Barnes, Jose Hernandez, Eric Knott, Olmedo Saenz, Luis Garcia, and Henri Staley to Cleveland.

Josh Phelps (C/1B)(76/85) to LA.

Analysis: I needed a catcher, and although Phelps is defense is poor his bat and price are both irresistable. This trade dumps more than 1.5 Mil of payroll, and Wilson, Hernandez, Knott, Seanz, and Garcia are all stiffs. The rest are all B/C prospects who are blocked by better players.

Trade #2
Chin-Feng Chen, Todd Hundley, Chuck Tiffany, Jose Flores, Chad Billingsley, Cody Ross, and Joel Guzman to Seattle.

Jeremy Reed (CF)(63/87) to LA.

Analysis: Reed has all the tools to be a successful leadoff man, and the only talented players I gave up were Guzman and Chen. Although I liek Chen, Guzman was overrated, and since this trade saved me 8/6 Mil I'm quite pleased.

Trade #3 (Or, how to dump salary)
Joel Hanrahan, Shawn Green, Steve Finley, Darren Dreifort, Brent Mayne, Jose Lima, James Loney, and Alex Cora to Pittsburgh.

Jose Castillo (2B)(71/82) to LA.

Analysis: This one should be fairly obvious. If I didn't get rid of these guys, I would be in the red by May. Castillo, a decent prospect, was about the best I could get in return. Anyway, now I don't have those albatrosses hanging around my neck. Not a great trade, but it had to be done.

Trade #4
Antonio Perez, Ryan Ketchner, and Giovanni Carrera to Baltimore.

Jerry Hairston (2B)(81/82) to LA.

Analysis: I give up nothing I'll miss dearly, and get back a quality 2B. I add less than 1M salary after giving Hairston an extension at a slightly lower salary (1.5M). I'm happy with this trade.

Trade #5
Robin Ventura to Arizona

Alan Zinter (1B)(71/72) to LA.

Analysis: Ventura makes more than Zinter, and he's a significantly worse player. Despite his low peak, Zinter is actually a very good hitter (73/85), and he ahs a decent eye (76). He's actually a better hitter than Choi, who I've been looking to deal for a better quality prospect. This trade seems like a steal to me.

Trade #6
Mike Venafro to Detroit

Tony Giarratano (SS)(74/92) to LA.

Analysis: Give up a mediocre, overpaid reliever, and get back an A+ SS prospect? Sounds good to me! Giarratano is the real deal, a solid contact hitter with a good eye who plays exceptional defense. With Izturis, I can get give him as long as he needs to hit the majors.

Trade #7
Hideo Nomo to Tampa Bay

Chad Gaudin (SP)(69/85) to LA.

Analysis: Nomo, is a nice pitcher, but he also makes $8M. Gaudin is a future ace, who I can afford to bring along slowly in the minors or relief due to having 8 starters going in to spring training.

Trade #8
Kazushisa Ishii to Arizona

Randy Choate (RP)(76/79) to LA

Analysis: Ishii honestly isn't even one of my top 5, and he makes 3M. Choate is a quality reliever who makes nothing. He will contribute to my bullpen, and cutting the payroll more will give me more cash to bail me out of what may be a painful offseason next year.

Trade #9 (Final one)
Hee Seop Choi to Anaheim

Casey Kotchman (1B)(74/94)

Analysis: Choi probably wasn't even a good enough hitter to start for me, and Kotchman is one of the game's top 1B prospects. I'n loving this trade.

I also made a number of significant signings to bolster my depleted bench and buy my prospects some development time.

Signing #1
Steve Torrealba (C)(63/75) for 300K/2YR.

Analysis: Torrealba is a mediocre player who comes cheap and makes a decent backup to Phelps/Ross (if Phelps has to move to first).

Signing #2
Ron Coomer (1B)(74/74) for 330K/2YR

Analysis: A good hitter, Coomer may get playing time if Zinter struggles or Beltre gets hurt. He makes nothing, and is a good insurance policy.

Signing #3
Keith Lockhart (2B)(54/68) for 300K/2YR

Analysis: 54/68 looks awful, but Lockhart still has some skils left. I needed a middle infield backup, and again, he makes nothing.

So I have my roster set for opening day. Next post will contain lineup, etc. . .

BTW, is everyone enjoying this? Am I going too slow? I apologize if I am, but I play very slowly and micromanage. I would appreciate any feedback! :)

[mBa89]

OK, here's my lineup and rotation and everything. However, before I get into that, I've gotta admit I'm a bit of a Moneyball follower, and as such my lineup/starter choices my seem kind of strange. Worry not, for all will be explained. It's also worth noting that I've signed Beltre to a 6.1 M/YR extension. Without further ado:

1. Jerry Hairston (2B)(81/82)
2. Jeremy Giambi (RF)(75/75)
3. Adrian Beltre (3B)(92/100)
4. Josh Phelps (C)(76/85)
5. Milton Bradley (LF)(92/92)
6. Jayson Werth (CF)(71/79)
7. Cesar Izturis (SS)(88/90)
8. Alan Zinter (1B)(71/72)

The most major discrepancies in this lineup are the presence of Zinter and Giambi, as well as Giambi's slot in the order. Why, you may ask, do I bat Giambi #2 when I have Izturis? Well, Giambi has an 80+ eye and good power. Izturis is a great contact hitter, but he doesn't get on base well, and as such isn't suited for hitting at the top of the order.

Zinter is playing becuase there are three alternatives, none of which are as good:

A. Start Coomer instead. Coomer is a worse hitter who is likely to get worse.

B. Switch Giambi to 1st and start Grabowski in RF. Bad idea. Grabowski is a poor hitter with no power.

C. Start Kotchman. I'd rather let Kotchman get some minor-league seasoning than rush him into the majors. If he hits well, he may take Zinter's job.

My bench runs thusly:
Steve Torrealba (C)(63/75)
Jason Grabowski (RF)(71/75)
Keith Lockhart (2B)(54/68)
Dave Ross (C)(74/74)
Ron Coomer (1B)(74/74)
Joe Thurston (2B)(71/92)

My farm system:
Jeremy Reed (CF)(63/87)-92 Eye.
Jose Castillo (2B)(71/82)-Nothing stands out.
Tony Giarratano (SS)(74/92)-82 Speed, 91 Arm, 82 Range.
Willie Aybar (3B)(64/82)-88 Arm, 79 Range.
Casey Kotchman (1B)(74/94)-96 Eye, 79 Power.
Xavier Paul (RF)(64/88)-92 Speed, 95 Arm, 88 Range, 81 Fielding.

Next post will bring you pre-season pitching . . .

[mBa89]

My rotation, going to the season:
1. Odalis Perez (90/90)
2. Jeff Weaver (88/88)
3. Brad Penny (84/84)
4. Edwin Jackson (75/88)
5. Wilson Alvarez (81/81)

If someone gets hurt, Gaudin will step into the rotation.

My bullpen:
Closer: Eric Gagne (99/99)
Setup: Paul Shuey (87/87)
Short: Randy Choate (76/79)
Middle: Scott Stewart (76/79)
Long: Chad Gaudin (69/85)
Alt: Brian Falkenborg (69/76)

Down on the farm . . . nothing spectacular.
Troy Brohawn (RP)(71/71)
Roy Smith (RP)(64/74)
Duaner Sanchez (RP)(63/76)
Orlando Rodriguez (RP)(63/71)
Yhency Brazoban (RP)(63/63)
Greg Miller (RP)(63/75)

The next post will bring you the month of April.

[mBa89]

April 2004
April 5: Padres 2, Dodgers 1. Gagne (!!) blows the game in the 10th.
April 6: Padres 8, Dodgers 6. Weaver gets messed up.
April 7: Dodgers 8, Padres 5. Beltre drives in 4, while Phelps and Bradley each add a pair.
April 8: Off day.
April 9: Dodgers 4, Rockies 3. The bullpen pitches four scoreless, while Giambi and Beltre each knock in two.
April 10: Dodgers 4, Rockies 1. Alvarez pitches a complete-game masterpiece.
April 11: Dodgers 8, Rockies 2. Perez stifles the Rockies while Zinter goes 3 for 3.
April 12: Off day.
April 13: Dodgers 3, Padres 2. Weaver wins as Zinter knocks in 2.
April 14: Padres 8, Dodgers 3. The relief corps+Penny don't get it done.
April 15: Dodgers 11, Padres 3. Giambi homers and knocks in four.
April 16: Giants 2, Dodgers 1. Stewart blows the game in the 12th.
April 17: Dodgers 8, Giants 3. Werth knocks in 3 while Beltre homers.
April 18: Giants 2, Dodgers 1. Jerome Williams confounds us.
April 19: Off day.
April 20: Dodgers 14, Rockies 5. Giambi homers twice, and the offense explodes.
April 21: Dodgers 4, Rockies 2. Edwin Jackson earns the "W."
April 22: Dodgers 6, Rockies 2. Hairston and Beltre homer, while Alvarez pitches well.
April 23: Giants 6, Dodgers 4. Izturis's error leads to a three run homer in the 11th.
April 24: Dodgers 8, Giants 5. Beltre homers, Werth knocks in 2.
April 25: Giants 3, Dodgers 2. Choate can't hold the game.
April 26: Off day.
April 27: Mets 13, Dodgers 0. Edwin Jackson gets lit up.
April 28: Dodgers 4, Mets 3. Giamni knocks in two, Werth is out for four days (replaced by Grabowski). Hairston is also out for two (replaced by Lockhart).
April 29: Dodgers 5, Mets 2. Perez pitches a gem.
April 30: dodgers 4, Expos 1. So does Weaver. :)

April analysis in next post.

[mBa89]

Hey, is anyone actually reading this? Because it takes a really long time to play the game and then write this up, and I don't have a ton of time. I'll update this whenever I can, I guess.