Pirates

[coffeyfiend]

Sorry about the abrupt ending of the last Pirates post, my computer fizzled and I lost a lot of stuff, including my saved games. Now that we've got 2006 out I've decided that I should just start over, this time from 2005. Stay tuned, I hope to make this experience better than the last thread.

[coffeyfiend]

For as long as I can remember, I've been a fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates, dating back to the Bonds, Bonilla, Van Slyke, Drabek era. And like many fans, I wash crushed when they were beaten by the Braves in the Playoffs in 1992. From that point on, the Dynasty that is the Pittsburh Pirates has been in disarray. Since that fateful season, the Pirates have not finished a season above .500. Since I don't have a time machine my goal is to start from the year 2004 and attempt to bring the Pirate era back.

I started with the rosters I downloaded from the Player Databases board.

I only made a few initial changes before the start of the season. Here they are:

Jeff Reboulet-Released
Kevin Young- Released
Willis Roberts-Released
Jim Mann- Released
Nelson Figueroa-Released

J.J. Davis-Traded to WAS
Pat Mahomes-Traded to WAS
Mark Corey-Traded to WAS
Terrmel Sledge-Traded to PIT

Next up, a look at the roster...

[coffeyfiend]

MLB Roster

Lineup (The first # in the () is the player's overall ability, the second # is the player's peak ability. If there is only one # then the player has reached his peak)

RF Matt Lawton-$4.2mil. thru 2008 (77)
SS Jack Wilson-$7.4mil. thru 2005 (83)
1B Craig Wilson-$4.8mil. thru 2005 (85)
LF Jason Bay-$320k thru 2006 (80/84)
3B Ty Wigginton-$316k thru 2006 (78)
CF Tike Redman-$316k thru 2007 (77)
C Benito Santiago-$970k thru 2007 (62)
2B Jose Castillo-$316k thru 2007 (76/81)

Bench
Util Rob Mackowiak-$2.8mil. thru 2005 (78)
1B/LF Daryle Ward-$730k thru 2005 (70)
RF/LF Ben Grieve-$330k thru 2006 (73)
IF Bobby Hill-$316k thru 2007 (78)
IF Freddy Sanchez-$316k thru 2008 (73/78)
C Humberto Cota-$316k thru 2008 (68/72)

Rotation
Oliver Perez-$316k thru 2006 (87/88)
Kip Wells-$2.55mil. thru 2005 (81/84)
Mark Redman-$1.2mil. thru 2005 (73)
Josh Fogg-$1.85mil. thru 2005 (70)
Ryan Vogelsong-$316k thru 2007 (68/70)

Bullpen
CP Jose Mesa-$1.95mil. thru 2006 (51/53)
Setup Mike Gonzalez-$316k thru 2007 (79)
Short Rick White-$330k thru 2006 (67)
Middle Salomon Torres-$1.25mil thru 2005 (68)
Long Brian Meadows-$760k thru 2005 (69)
Alt. Dave Williams-$316k thru 2007 (73/74)

AAA
RF/3B Jose Bautista (68/72)
LF Adam Boeve (71/77)
Util. Howie Clark (68)
3B/Util Pat Coffey (86/97)
Util Cesar Crespo (68/75)
3B/C/1B Edwards Guzman (68/70)
SS Javier Guzman (66/81)
1B Graham Koonce (65)
1B/3B Jose Leon (65/67)
LF Nate McLouth (71/87)
2B Victor Mercedes (66/74)
CF Ray Sadler (72/81)
LF/RF/1B Terrmel Sledge (80/85)
CF Rich Thompson (66/68)
2B/SS Jorge Velandia (72/73)
RP Jason Boyd (70)
RP Frank Brooks (66)
RP Kirk Bullinger (53)
SP Sean Burnett (57/63)
RP Chris Enochs (73)
RP John Grabow (68)
RP Mike Johnston (57)
RP Albie Lopez (64)
RP Jeff Miller (71)
RP Brian Reith (62)
RP Joe Roa (64)
SP Ian Snell (69)
RP Cory Stewart (65/68)
SP John Van Benschoten (52/67)

AA
LF Jorge Cortes (70/79)
CF Rajai Davis (72/78)
3B Yurendell De Caster (68/76)
C Ryan Doumit (71/81)
CF Chris Duffy (68/74)
1B Brad Eldred (76/82)
C Ronny Paulino (71/80)
SP Bobby Bradley (72/77)
SP Bryan Bullington (68)
RP Mike Connolly (70/71)
SP Zach Duke (76/85)
SP Tom Gorzelanny (69/71)
SP Paul Maholm (66/71)
SP Matt Peterson (66/72)

I've got a nice mix of veterans and young players throughout my Major League roster and farm system. I also have good talent in the field and on the mound.

Next up, goals and budget...

[alvarez16]

im following

[coffeyfiend]

1 year goals:

For this first year as GM my main goal is to field a winning team, the Pirates are still in the middle of rebuilding and so I'm not expecting to contend yet. My first goal is for the Pirates have a .500 record. If successful this will be the first time since 1992 that the team has done this.

Secondly, my aim is to continue to develop my young talent in the minors and fill the lower teams (A and R) with talented players. Hopefully by this time next year, my Major League roster will be full of good, young players.

Along these same lines I want to make more money so I'm able to sign this young talent to long term contracts, unless I can do this, I have no way field a competitive team.

With that in mind here is how my budget and finances look:

Right now, April 1st I have $3,875,000 in cash. I have $5 million locked up in my farm system and scouting placing the Pirates at 6th and 7th overall, respectively. I've also devoted $4 million to my medical staff, ranking them 7th in the majors. My players are be paid a combined $32,386,068 million which ranks 27th in the majors, with only Tampa Bay, Kansas City and Colorado spending less. This all adds up to $46,386,068 total.

This year the tickets are priced at $22 putting them below the league average of $25.63. I intend to sell hot dogs for $3.50 a piece, beer for $5.00 and ice cream for $2.50. I've set up a normal broadcast contract with a local television company to air Pirates games all season.

All in all my predicted revenue for the 2005 season will be $47,613,258. This doesn't leave me a lot of breathing room, so I will most likely have to trade some of my higher salary players before the end of the season.

Next up, the season begins!

[coffeyfiend]

4/1
Oakland offers
Mark Ellis (2B)
for
Ben Grieve (LF)
Matt Lawton (RF)
Declined-Jose Castillo, has a higher ceiling than Ellis, Bobby Hill and Freddy Sanchez have the same ceiling and can both play the same positions as Ellis. While this trade would lower my payroll, it isn't practical.

Cubs offer
Ryan Harvey (RF)
Henry Blanco (C)
Felix Pie (CF)
Roberto Novoa (P)
for
Chris Enochs (P)
Matt Lawton (RF)
Craig Wilson (1B)
Amended-Harvey, Pie and $1mil. for Enochs, Jason Boyd and Adam Boeve. Harvey and Pie have huge potential, Enochs and Boyd are spare parts. Pie will play for my A club and Harvey for AA.

4/3
Arizona offers
Todd Hundley (C)
Jose Valverde (P)
for
Ray Sadler (CF)
Matt Lawton (RF)
Declined-My roster only has room for one old catcher and my ML bullpen is full, as is AAA.

Toronto offers
Josh Towers (P)
Gustavo Chacin (P)
Ken Huckaby (C)
Justin Speier (P)
for
Rich Thompson (CF)
Matt Lawton (RF)
Jack Wilson (SS)
Amended-Chacin and $1mil. for Thompson and Brian Meadows. Chacin was the only player worth trading for. He'll play in AAA and John Grabow is brought up from AAA to fill Meadows role as the Middle Reliever.

4/4
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Brewers (MIL) 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 7 0
Pirates (PIT) 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 6 5 0
WP: J. Mesa (1-0)
LP: T. Phelps (0-1)

Brewers
2B: C. Lee (1)
HR: R. Branyan 2 (2)
Pirates
HR: B. Santiago (1), T. Wigginton (1), M. Lawton (1)

4/5
Anaheim offers
Josh Paul (C)
for
Matt Lawton (RF)
Josh Fogg (P)
Declined-Paul is a career 4A catcher, nuff said.

Houston offers
Brad Lige (P)
Brad Ausmus (C)
for
Jason Bay (LF)
Jack Wilson (SS)
Edwards Guzman (3B)
Tike Redman (CF)
Amended-Lidge for Jose Mesa, Bobby Hill and Yurendell De Caster. Mesa was a fine CP but when you're offered a pitcher like Brad Lidge, you take it. Lidge will be the Closer, Bay moves from LF to CF, Terrmel Sledge moves from AAA to LF and Pat Coffey moves from AAA to the bench. This moves cuts my payroll by $2.6mil.

4/6
Terrmel Sledge pulls a hamstring and will be out for 4 days. Ben Grieve replace him in LF.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Brewers (MIL) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Pirates (PIT) 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 x 4 8 1
WP: K. Wells (1-0)
LP: D. Davis (0-1)

Brewers
2B: D. Miller (1)
Pirates
HR: M. Lawton (2)

White Sox offer
Dan Wright (P)
David Sanders (P)
Ben Davis (C)
for
Humberto Cota (C)
Matt Lawton (RF)
Rob Mackowiak (RF)
Declined-Wright and Sanders are young pitchers with very little potential and Davis will never cut it as a starting catcher.

4/7
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 + R H E
Pirates (PIT) 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 5 12 1
Padres (SDP) 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 1 2 7 13 0
WP: T. Hoffman (1-0)
LP: S. Torres (0-1)

Pirates
2B: M. Lawton (1)
3B: M. Lawton (1)
HR: J. Bay (1), M. Lawton (3)
Padres
2B: M. Loretta (1), K. Greene 2 (2), R. Klesko (1), X. Nady (1)
HR: P. Nevin 2 (2), K. Greene (1)

4/8
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Pirates (PIT) 0 0 0 1 0 3 3 0 0 7 9 3
Padres (SDP) 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 6 9 2
WP: J. Fogg (1-0)
LP: B. Lawrence (0-1)
SV: B. Lidge (2)

Pirates
2B: C. Wilson (1), T. Wigginton (1)
3B: J. Castillo (1)
Padres
HR: P. Nevin (3), R. Klesko (2), B. Giles (1)

4/9
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Pirates (PIT) 0 2 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 5 12 1
Padres (SDP) 2 0 2 1 0 0 3 0 x 8 10 0
WP: R. Beck (1-0)
LP: J. Grabow (0-1)
SV: T. Hoffman (3)

Pirates
2B: J. Wilson (1)
3B: J. Castillo (2)
HR: B. Santiago (2), B. Grieve (1)
Padres
HR: R. Hernandez (3), K. Greene (2), R. Klesko (3)

4/10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Pirates (PIT) 5 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 9 12 4
Padres (SDP) 2 0 3 4 4 0 2 5 x 20 17 1
WP: A. Ashby (1-0)
LP: O. Perez (0-1)

Pirates
HR: C. Wilson (1), J. Castillo (1), T. Wigginton (2), B. Grieve (2)
Padres
2B: P. Nevin (1)
3B: P. Nevin (1)
HR: P. Nevin (4), M. Loretta (2), R. Klesko 2 (5), B. Giles (2)

4/11
Terrmel Sledge returns to the lineup, Ben Grieve is back to the bench.

Matt Lawton is out for 3 days with a sore tricep. Rob Mackowiak will replace in RF.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Pirates (PIT) 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 4 5 0
Brewers (MIL) 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 x 8 8 0
WP: B. Sheets (1-0)
LP: K. Wells (1-1)

Pirates
2B: J. Wilson (2)
3B: T. Sledge (1)
HR: C. Wilson (2), T. Wigginton (3)
Brewers
2B: D. Miller (3), P. Fielder (2), B. Clark (1)
HR: R. Branyan 2 (6)

Baltimore offers
Geronimo Gil (C)
for
Matt Lawton (RF)
Cesar Crespo (SS)
Daryle Ward (1B)
Declined-Gil isn't a great catcher, not worth Lawton by himself.

4/12
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Pirates (PIT) 2 3 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 11 13 2
Brewers (MIL) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 5 5 0
WP: M. Redman (1-0)
LP: D. Davis (0-2)

Pirates
2B: C. Wilson (2), T. Wigginton (2), T. Sledge (1)
3B: B. Santiago (1)
HR: C. Wilson (3), J. Castillo (2), J. Bay (2), B. Grieve (3)
Brewers
HR: R. Branyan (7)

Florida offers
John Riedling (P)
Ismael Valdes (P)
Matt Treanor (C)
for
Victor Mercedes (2B)
Jorge Cortes (LF)
Declined-Mercedes and Cortes have potential, Riedling, Valdes and Treanor have all reached theirs and its not great.

4/13
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Pirates (PIT) 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 5 10 0
Brewers (MIL) 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 4 8 0
WP: J. Fogg (2-0)
LP: C. Capuano (1-1)
SV: B. Lidge (3)

Pirates
2B: R. Mackowiak (1)
HR: C. Wilson (4), T. Wigginton (4)
Brewers
HR: J. Spivey (1), G. Jenkins (1)

Philadelphia offers
Mike Lieberthal (C)
Dan Giese (P)
Brian Powell (P)
Pat Burrell (LF)
for
Pat Coffey (3B)
Matt Lawton (RF)
Jorge Velandia (SS)
Declined-I offered Lawton and Benito Santiago for Lieberthal and Burrell, but the Phillies insisted on adding Brad Lidge or Coffey in addition to Edwards Guzman and other AAA players.

Milwaukee offers
Chad Moeller (C)
Wes Obermueller (P)
for
Jorge Velandia (SS)
Chris Duffy (CF)
Declined-Duffy alone has the potential to be worth more that Moeller and Obermueller plus two other players with their skills.

4/14
Matt Lawton recovers and moves back to RF.

Minnesota offers
Mike Redmond (C)
Travis Bowyer (P)
for
Rajai Davis (CF)
Howie Clark (1B)
John Grabow (P)
Declined-I don't need another backup catcher or semi-talented reliever.

Baltimore offers
Jay Gibbons (RF)
for
Kirk Bullinger (P)
Frank Brooks (P)
Matt Lawton (RF)
John Van Benschoten (P)
Daryle Ward (1B)
Declined-Gibbons would be a nice addition but I wasn't willing to part with more than Bullinger, Brooks and Lawton for him.

4/15
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Cubs (CHC) 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 3 7 0
Pirates (PIT) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 2
WP: C. Zambrano (1-2)
LP: R. Vogelsong (0-1)

Cubs
HR: A. Ramirez (4), T. Hollandsworth (2)

Next up, the rest of April...

[coffeyfiend]

4/16
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Cubs (CHC) 1 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 10 0
Pirates (PIT) 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 6 0
WP: K. Wood (2-0)
LP: O. Perez (0-2)
SV: J. Borowski (2)

Cubs
2B: A. Ramirez (1), K. Wood (1)
HR: D. Lee (3)
Pirates
2B: J. Castillo (1), T. Sledge (2)
HR: C. Wilson (5), T. Sledge (1)

Arizona offers
Shane Nance (P)
Randy Choate (P)
for
Chris Duffy (CF)
Matt Lawton (RF)
Declined-Nance and Choate show no promise.

4/17
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Cubs (CHC) 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 0
Pirates (PIT) 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 0
WP: M. Prior (1-1)
LP: K. Wells (1-2)
SV: J. Borowski (3)

Cubs
HR: D. Lee (4)
Pirates
2B: J. Wilson (3), T. Sledge (3), J. Bay 2 (2), D. Ward (1)

4/18
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Cardinals (STL) 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 3 1 6 11 0
Pirates (PIT) 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 8 2
WP: C. Carpenter (1-1)
LP: R. White (0-1)
SV: J. Isringhausen (3)

Cardinals
2B: S. Rolen (2)
Pirates
2B: F. Sanchez (1)

4/19
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Cardinals (STL) 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 3 6 11 1
Pirates (PIT) 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 9 0
WP: R. King (1-0)
LP: J. Grabow (0-2)
SV: J. Isringhausen (4)

Cardinals
3B: R. Sanders (1)
HR: A. Pujols 2 (3), R. White (1), R. Sanders (2)
Pirates
2B: C. Wilson (3), J. Castillo (2)
3B: M. Lawton (2)

St. Louis offers
Steve Woodard (P)
for
Jose Bautista (RF)
Matt Lawton (RF)
Declined-I wouldn't make this trade even if I were desperate for pitching help, and I'm not.

4/20
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Pirates (PIT) 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 4 8 3
Reds (CIN) 0 2 1 6 0 0 0 0 x 9 9 2
WP: J. Hall (1-0)
LP: R. Vogelsong (0-2)

Pirates
HR: T. Wigginton (5)
Reds
2B: R. Freel (3)
HR: S. Casey (4), A. Dunn (6)

4/21
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Pirates (PIT) 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 5 0
Reds (CIN) 1 1 1 0 2 1 0 0 x 6 7 0
WP: L. Hudson (1-1)
LP: O. Perez (0-3)

Pirates
2B: J. Wilson (4)
Reds
2B: F. Lopez (3), J. Romano (1), J. Valentin (1)
HR: D. Jimenez (3), A. Kearns (2)

Detroit offers
Sandy Martinez (C)
Lino Urdaneta (P)
for
Jack Wilson (SS)
Declined-Martinez is a 34 year old catcher with poor past and certainly no future, Urdaneta is a 25 year old pitcher who will likely join him.

Kansas City offers
J.P. Howell (P)
Chris George (P)
Alberto Castillo (P)
Scott Randall (P)
Jaime Cerda (P)
for
Jack Wilson (SS)
Declined-This trade is better than the first in terms of talent, but that is not saying much considering Castillo has the highest peak of these players, and he's 35 years old.

Seattle offers
Nate Bland (P)
Miguel Olivo (C)
for
Ryan Harvey (RF)
Matt Lawton (RF)
Rick White (P)
Declined-Bland is just as his name states, Olivo shows promise, but isn't worth any of these three with the exception of White.

4/22
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Pirates (PIT) 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 3 9 2
Cubs (CHC) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 4 1
WP: K. Wells (2-2)
LP: M. Prior (1-2)
SV: B. Lidge (4)

Cubs
2B: T. Walker (3), N. Garciaparra (2)

To be continued
4/23
Kip Wells is sidelined for 3 days with shoulder bursitis. He remains in the rotation as he should be better before his next scheduled start.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Pirates (PIT) 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 9 1
Cubs (CHC) 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 x 4 6 0
WP: G. Maddux (1-2)
LP: M. Redman (1-1)
SV: J. Borowski (6)

Pirates
3B: T. Sledge (2)
Cubs
2B: A. Ramirez (6)
HR: H. Blanco (1)

4/24
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 + R H E
Pirates (PIT) 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 12 1
Cubs (CHC) 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 3 12 0
WP: J. Grabow (1-2)
LP: J. Borowski (0-1)
SV: D. Williams (1)

Cubs
2B: D. Lee (2), K. Collins (3)

4/25
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Astros (HOU) 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 5 8 0
Pirates (PIT) 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 7 8 0
WP: R. Vogelsong (1-2)
LP: D. Wheeler (1-1)

Astros
2B: B. Zobrist (3), L. Berkman (5)
3B: J. Bagwell (1), B. Zobrist (3)
HR: J. Bagwell (9)
Pirates
HR: T. Wigginton (6), M. Lawton (4)

Yankees offer
Jorge DePaula (P)
John Flaherty (C)
for
Ryan Harvey (RF)
Declined-Flaherty is washed up and DePaula has little potential.

4/26
Kip Wells recovers from his injury.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 + R H E
Astros (HOU) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Pirates (PIT) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 6 1
WP: B. Lidge (1-0)
LP: J. Mesa (1-1)

Pirates
2B: T. Sledge (4)
HR: J. Castillo (3)

4/27
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 + R H E
Astros (HOU) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 3 7 1
Pirates (PIT) 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 4 11 2
WP: B. Lidge (2-0)
LP: T. Wendell (2-1)

Astros
2B: Y. De Caster (1), C. Biggio (9)
Pirates
2B: B. Santiago (1)
HR: B. Santiago (3), T. Sledge (2)

4/29
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Giants (SFG) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 9 0
Pirates (PIT) 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 x 4 8 0
WP: M. Redman (2-1)
LP: N. Lowry (2-2)
SV: B. Lidge (5)

Giants
2B: B. Bonds (6), M. Tucker (2)
Pirates
2B: C. Wilson 2 (5), J. Bay (3)
3B: T. Sledge (3)
HR: T. Wigginton (7)

4/30
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Giants (SFG) 0 0 0 0 3 0 2 2 0 7 12 0
Pirates (PIT) 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 1 4 12 1
WP: M. Cain (1-3)
LP: J. Grabow (1-3)
SV: A. Benitez (5)

Giants
2B: M. Cain (1)
3B: P. Feliz (1)
HR: R. Durham (2), M. Alou (1)
Pirates
2B: C. Wilson (6), M. Lawton 2 (3)

Next up, around the Majors...

[coffeyfiend]

Here's a look at the standings in the NL Central at the end of April:
Brewers 13-10 0 games back
Cardinals 12-10 .5 games back
Reds 12-11 1 game back
Astros 11-12 2 games back
Cubs 11-13 2.5 games back
Pirates 11-13 2.5 games back

Not the best start, but luckily for me, every other team in the division also started poorly. Money is tight, but that is to be expected. So far in 2005 the Pirates have made a revenue of $8,306,395 and $6,482,629 worth of expenses. I also have $7,698,766 in cash.

ML Batter of the Month: Ben Grieve (.351 AVG, 3 HR, 12 RBI)
ML Pitcher of the Month: Brad Lidge (2.45 ERA, 2-0 W-L, 5 SV, 19 K)
AAA Batter of the Month: Howie Clark (.292 AVG, 7 HR, 9 RBI)
AAA Pitcher of the Month: Mike Johnston (3.09 ERA, 2-0 W-L, 10 K)
AA Batter of the Month: Jorge Cortes (.323 AVG, 3 HR, 12 RBI)
AA Pitcher of the Month: Zach Duke (3.00 ERA, 3-0 W-L, 20 K)
A Batter of the Month: Felix Pie (.296 AVG, 3 HR, 14 RBI)
A Pitcher of the Month: None
R Batter of the Month: None
R Pitcher of the Month: None

Around the Majors
Milestones
4/6-Kevin Appier KCR 2000th Strike Out
4/7-Matt Lawton PIT Hit for the Cycle
4/10-Phil Nevin SDP Hit for the Cycle
4/14-Craig Biggion HOU 1000th RBI
4/26-Trevor Hoffman SDP 400th Save

Trades
4/5-Gary Matthews (RF) to BAL
Jay Witasick (P) to TEX
Enrique Wilson (2B) to TEX
Javier Martinez (P) to TEX
4/10-Bucky Jacobsen (1B) to SDP
Woody Williams (P) to SEA
Brook Fordyce (C) to SEA
Brandon Puffer (P) to SEA
4/14-Rondell White (LF) to STL
Julian Tavarez (P) to DET
4/21-Scott Sullivan (P) to SEA
Calvin Pickering (1B) to SEA
Jeff Nelson (P) to KCR
Scott Spiezio (3B) to KCR
Scott Atchison (P) to KCR
Shin-Soo Choo (RF) to KCR
4/24-Rodrigo Lopez (P) to SEA
Nick Markakis (RF) to SEA
Asdrubal Cabrera (SS) to BAL
Dan Wilson (C) to BAL
Willie Bloomquist (3B) to BAL
Casey Craig (LF) to BAL
Mickey Lopez (2B) to BAL
Matt White (P) to BAL
Contracts
4/1-WAS signed J.R. House (C) at $420k for 2 years
WAS signed Robert Machado (C) at $320k for 6 years
ANA signed Peter Munro (P) at $610k for 4 years
4/6-PHI signed Jim Mann (P) at $540k for 1 year
4/7-PHI signed Paul Patrick (P) at $316k for 1 year
4/8-ANA signed Albertus Lagasa (P) at $320k for 1 year
4/13-BOS signed Jack Revill (LF) at $316k for 2 years
4/15-NYY signed Danny Garcia (2B) at $410k for 3 years
4/20-ANA signed Nelson Figueroa (P) at $560k for 3 years
4/27-WAS signed Willis Roberts (P) at $840k for 4 years

Next up, May...

[coffeyfiend]

5/1
Giants-4
Pirates-2
WP: A. Benitez (5-0)
LP: R. White (0-2)

Giants
2B: B. Bonds (7)

Cleveland offers
Victor Martinez (C)
Matt Miller (P)
for
Terrmel Sledge (LF)
Jorge Velandia (SS)
Mark Redman (P)
Amended-Velandia, Craig Wilson, Benito Santiago, Ty Wigginton and Ryan Vogelsong for Martinez and Cliff Lee. Martinez starts behind the plate, Pat Coffey starts at the hot corner, Daryle Ward starts at 1st base, Lee takes over the 5th spot in the rotation and Howie Clark and Nate McLouth are brought up from AAA to provide depth on the bench. This move cuts $5,796,000 off of the payroll.

5/2
Pirates-5
Astros-4
WP: S. Torres (1-1)
LP: R. Martinez (0-2)
SV: R. White (1)

Pirates
2B: D. Ward (2)
3B: J. Castillo (3)
HR: R. Mackowiak (1), N. McLouth (1)
Astros
2B: B. Zobrist (5), C. Biggio 2 (11), R. Clemens (1)
3B: B. Zobrist (4)
HR: J. Bagwell (10)

5/3
Pirates-4
Astros-5
WP: T. Wendell (3-1)
LP: R. White (0-3)
SV: J. Mesa (5)

Pirates
2B: V. Martinez (8), J. Bay (4)
Astros
2B: C. Burke (1), C. Biggio (12)

Colorado offers
Brian Fuentes (P)
Tom Wilson (C)
Brent Butler (2B)
for
Matt Lawton (RF)
Mark Redman (P)
Declined-Three poor players for two better ones?

5/4
Pirates-10
Astros-3
WP: M. Redman (3-1)
LP: F. Nieve (1-3)

Pirates
2B: J. Wilson (5), T. Sledge 2 (6)
3B: J. Wilson (1)
HR: J. Wilson (1)
Astros
2B: M. Lamb (1), C. Biggio (13), J. Lane (4)
3B: C. Biggio (1)

5/5
Pirates-2
Diamondbacks-3
WP: S. Estes (2-2)
LP: R. White (0-4)
SV: J. Valverde (5)

Pirates
2B: J. Castillo (3), M. Lawton (4)
Diamondbacks
2B: L. Terrero 2 (7)
HR: S. Hairston (5)

Oakland offers
Adam Melhuse (C)
for
Matt Lawton (RF)
Jose Bautista (RF)
Declined-I don't need more catchers, not for this price.

5/6
Pirates-8
Diamondbacks-2
WP: C. Lee (2-3)
LP: E. Gonzalez (1-3)

Pirates
2B: M. Lawton (5)
HR: V. Martinez (6), D. Ward (1), P. Coffey (1)
Diamondbacks
2B: A. Cintron (4), J. Cruz Jr. (4)
HR: S. Green (9)

5/7
Pirates-0
Diamondbacks-1
WP: B. Webb (3-0)
LP: O. Perez (0-4)

Diamondbacks
2B: A. Cintron (5)
HR: S. Hairston (6)

5/8
Pirates-1
Diamondbacks-8
WP: J. Vazquez (3-1)
LP: K. Wells (2-3)

Pirates
2B: V. Martinez (9), P. Coffey (1), J. Bay (5), R. Mackowiak (2)
Diamondbacks
2B: C. Snyder (3), A. Cintron (6)
HR: C. Quentin (4)

Tampa Bay offers
Mark Hendrickson (P)
Tim Laker (C)
for
Ben Grieve (LF)
Matt Lawton (RF)
Declined-Not even close.

5/9
Pirates-11
Giants-5
WP: J. Grabow (2-3)
LP: T. Walker (0-1)

Pirates
2B: D. Ward (3), J. Wilson (6), J. Bay (6)
3B: M. Lawton (3)
HR: P. Coffey (2), M. Lawton (5)
Giants
HR: Y. Torrealba (9)

Kansas City offers
Scott Randall (P)
Alberto Castillo (C)
Ken Harvey (1B)
for
Josh Fogg (P)
Matt Lawton (RF)
Declined-Another bad offer.

5/10
Pirates-6
Giants-3
WP: J. Fogg (3-0)
LP: N. Lowry (2-3)
SV: B. Lidge (6)

Pirates
2B: D. Ward (4), T. Sledge (7), R. Mackowiak (3)
Giants
2B: M. Grissom (2)
3B: M. Tucker (3)
HR: R. Durham (5)

5/11
Pirates-2
Giants-8
WP: M. Cain (3-3)
LP: C. Lee (2-4)

Giants
2B: R. Durham (8), E. Alfonzo 2 (3), O. Vizquel (3), B. Bonds (9)
3B: R. Durham (1)

5/12
Baltimore offers
David Newhan (2B)
Mickey Lopez (2B)
Dan Wilson (C)
for
Matt Lawton (RF)
Ronny Paulino (C)
Declined-Newhan is the only decent player here.

5/13
Brewers-0
Pirates-9
WP: O. Perez (1-4)
LP: B. Hendrickson (3-2)

Brewers
2B: D. Miller (6)
Pirates
2B: J. Wilson (7), M. Lawton (6)
3B: J. Wilson (2)
HR: J. Castillo (4)

Jason Bay is out for 6 days with a sore rotator cuff. Rob Mackowiak replaces in CF.

5/14
Brewers-0
Pirates-1
WP: B. Lidge (3-0)
LP: T. Phelps (1-3)

Brewers
3B: J. Spivey (2)
Pirates
2B: P. Coffey (2), N. McLouth (1)

5/15
Brewers-5
Pirates-1
WP: D. Davis (3-3)
LP: M. Redman (3-2)

Brewers
2B: R. Branyan (5)
HR: R. Branyan (15)
Pirates
2B: P. Coffey 2 (4)

Arizona offers
Juan Acevedo (P)
Brady Raggio (P)
Craig Counsell (SS)
Kelly Stinnett (C)
for
Matt Lawton (RF)
Rajai Davis (CF)
Declined-All have low peaks and all have reached them.

5/17
Cubs-3
Pirates-2
WP: G. Maddux (5-2)
LP: J. Fogg (3-1)
SV: J. Borowski (13)

Cubs
2B: D. Lee (7)
HR: M. Barrett (5)
Pirates
2B: V. Martinez (10), P. Coffey (5)
HR: T. Sledge (3)

5/18
Cubs-2
Pirates-3
WP: M. Gonzalez (1-0)
LP: L. Hawkins (2-3)

Cubs
2B: J. Dubois (5)
Pirates
2B: J. Wilson (8)

5/19
Jason Bay recovers and resumes patrolling CF. Rob Mackowiak will sit back down on the bench.

5/20
Rockies-3
Pirates-7
WP: K. Wells (3-3)
LP: J. Jennings (2-6)

Rockies
2B: T. Greene (10), M. Holliday (7), J. Piedra (2)
Pirates
2B: J. Wilson (9), B. Grieve (1), H. Clark (1), J. Bay (7)

5/21
Rockies-4
Pirates-3
WP: C. Tsao (1-2)
LP: J. Grabow (2-4)
SV: M. Kroon (2)

Rockies
2B: A. Miles (5), A. Amezaga 2 (9)
Pirates
2B: D. Ward (5)
HR: R. Mackowiak (2)

5/22
Rockies-5
Pirates-4
WP: A. Cook (2-3)
LP: J. Fogg (3-2)
SV: R. Speier (3)

Rockies
2B: R. Taylor (1)
3B: I. Stewart (1)
HR: T. Greene (9)
Pirates
2B: M. Lawton (7)
HR: T. Sledge (4)

Milwauke offers
Matt Ford (P)
for
Ben Grieve (LF)
Declined-Ford is mediocre at best, trade doesn't work for me.

5/23
Pirates-8
Cardinals-3
WP: C. Lee (3-4)
LP: J. Marquis (3-5)

Pirates
2B: V. Martinez (11), D. Ward (6), M. Lawton (8)
HR: R. Mackowiak 2 (4)
Cardinals
HR: S. Rolen (9), R. White (3)

Mets offer
Felix Heredia (P)
for
Matt Lawton (RF)
Declined-Heredia isn't worth Lawton.

Boston offers
Jack Cressend (P)
Chad Spann (3B)
for
Rick White (P)
Nate McLouth (LF)
Victor Mercedes (2B)
Amended-White and Jose Leon for Spann. He has a lot of potential and will play in Lynchburg, our A affiliate. John Grabow moves to Short Relief, Salomon Torres moves to Middle Relief, Dave Williams moves to Long Relief and Ian Snell comes up from AAA to be the Alternate.

5/24
Pirates-4
Cardinals-9
WP: J. Suppan (3-2)
LP: O. Perez (1-5)

Pirates
2B: V. Martinez (12), T. Sledge (8)
HR: D. Ward (2)
Cardinals
2B: A. Nunez (1), S. Rolen (5)
HR: R. Cedeno (1)

5/25
Pirates-8
Cardinals-7 (12 Innings)
WP: D. Williams (1-0)
LP: A. Wainwright (0-1)
SV: I. Snell (1)

Pirates
2B: V. Martinez (13), D. Ward 2 (8), J. Bay 2 (9), M. Lawton (9)
HR: M. Lawton (6)
Cardinals
2B: S. Rolen (6), G. Stephenson (1)
3B: D. Eckstein (2)
HR: A. Pujols (15)

5/26
Pirates-9
Reds-8
WP: M. Gonzalez (2-0)
LP: B. Weber (1-4)

Pirates
2B: T. Sledge 2 (10), J. Bay (10), M. Lawton 2 (11), B. Grieve (2)
HR: V. Martinez (7), M. Lawton (7)
Reds
2B: S. Casey (7), F. Lopez (5), J. Cruz (1)
HR: F. Lopez (4)

Arizona offers
Todd Hundley (C)
Juan Acevedo (P)
Brady Raggio (P)
for
Chris Duffy (CF)
Matt Lawton (RF)
Declined-I passed on Acevedo and Raggio once already, Hundley isn't exactly sweetening the deal.

5/27
Pirates-0
Reds-4
WP: E. Milton (4-2)
LP: J. Fogg (3-3)

Pirates
2B: T. Sledge (11)
Reds
2B: D. Jimenez (12)
HR: A. Dunn (16)

Cubs offer
Jon Connolly (P)
Eddie Oropesa (P)
for
Matt Lawton (RF)
Rob Mackowiak (RF)
Declined-I'll pass.

5/28
Pirates-5
Reds-10
WP: R. Wagner (3-1)
LP: J. Grabow (2-5)

Pirates
2B: V. Martinez (14), P. Coffey (6)
HR: V. Martinez (8)
Reds
2B: J. Romano (7)
HR: F. Lopez (5), A. Dunn 2 (18), J. Romano (4)

5/29
Pirates-2
Reds-0
WP: O. Perez (2-5)
LP: B. Rose (4-3)

Pirates
2B: D. Ward (9)
3B: T. Sledge (4)
HR: J. Castillo (5)
Reds
2B: D. Jimenez (13)

5/30
Marlins-1
Pirates-6
WP: K. Wells (4-3)
LP: Y. Bazardo (0-2)

Pirates
3B: J. Bay (1)
HR: V. Martinez (9), J. Wilson (2)

5/31
Marlins-1
Pirates-4
WP: M. Redman (4-2)
LP: J. Beckett (5-3)

Marlins
HR: C. Delgado (10)
Pirates
2B: P. Coffey (7)
3B: J. Wilson (3)
HR: M. Lawton (8)

Mets offer
Mike Glavine (1B)
Aaron Heilman (P)
Edwin Almonte (P)
for
Ben Grieve (LF)
Matt Lawton (RF)
Declined-I've said no to better offers involving Lawton.

Next up, May, 2005 Around the Majors...

[coffeyfiend]

Around the Majors, May

Here are the Standings in the NL Central at the end of May, brace yourself...

Milwaukee 29-22 0 games back
Cincinnatti 29-23 .5 games back
St. Louis 28-23 1 game back
Chicago 26-25 3 games back
Pittsburgh 26-26 3.5 games back
Houston 23-29 6.5 games back

We went 15-13 for the month and are only 3.5 games back in a very close division. The financial scene is interesting, I've cut my payroll down to $23,576,022 last in the majors, I do have $8,118,704 in my pocket for spending if need be.

ML Batter of the Month: Victor Martinez (.347 AVG, 9 HR, 34 RBI)
ML Pitcher of the Month: Brad Lidge (1.44 ERA, 3-0 W-L, 6 SV, 33 K)
AAA Batter of the Month: Brad Eldred (.287 AVG, 7 HR, 19 RBI)
AAA Pitcher of the Month: Gustavo Chacin (4.64 ERA, 3-2 W-L, 51 K)
AA Batter of the Month: Jorge Cortes (.325 AVG, 4 HR, 21 RBI)
AA Pitcher of the Month: Zach Duke (3.42 ERA, 3-1 W-L, 29 K)
A Batter of the Month: Felix Pie (.291 AVG, 3 HR, 31 RBI)

Around the Majors
Milestones
5/3-Ray Durham SFG 1000th Run
5/8-Travis Hafner CLE Hit for the Cycle
5/9-Manny Ramirez BOS 400th HR
-Jim Edmonds STL 1000th Run
5/13-Randy Johnson NYY 250th Win
5/14-Eric Chavez OAK Hit for the Cycle
5/20-Jose Mesa HOU 300th Save
5/26-Mark Teixeira TEX Hit for the Cycle

Trades
None

Contracts
5/5-ATL Signed Brent Mayne (C) at $410k for 2 years
-LAD Signed Joe McEwing (2B) at $610k for 6 years and Billy Koch (P) at $730k for 3 years
5/15-ARI Signed Rodrigo Rosario (P) at $1.5mil for 1 year
5/20-SEA Signed Robby Hammock (C) at $980k for 3 years

Next up, June...

[coffeyfiend]

6/1
Marlins-3
Pirates-6
WP: J. Grabow (3-5)
LP: S. Olsen (2-5)
SV: B. Lidge (7)

Marlins
2B: A. Gonzalez (8)

6/2
Marlins-5
Pirates-3
WP: C. Resop (4-1)
LP: M. Gonzalez (2-1)
SV: A. Alfonseca (6)

Marlins
2B: P. Lo Duca (1), L. Sutton (5)
HR: A. Gonzalez (7)
Pirates
2B: D. Ward (10), J. Bay (11)
HR: P. Coffey (3)

6/3
Braves-4
Pirates-5
WP: B. Lidge (4-0)
LP: B. Boyer (1-4)

Braves
2B: J. Estrada (8), A. LaRoche 2 (9), M. Giles (9), B. McCarthy (10), E. Perez (1)
HR: M. Giles (7)
Pirates
2B: J. Bay (12)
HR: D. Ward (3)

6/4
Braves-0
Pirates-1
WP: K. Wells (5-3)
LP: A. Lerew (0-1)
SV: B. Lidge (8)

Braves
2B: A. LaRoche (10)
Pirates
3B: P. Coffey (1)
HR: D. Ward (4)

6/5
Braves-5
Pirates-3
WP: J. Smoltz (3-2)
LP: M. Gonzalez (2-2)

Braves
2B: B. McCarthy (11)
HR: A. Jones (6)
Pirates
2B: P. Coffey (8)

6/6
Orioles-2
Pirates-3
WP: J. Fogg (4-3)
LP: D. Cabrera (3-6)
SV: B. Lidge (9)

Orioles
2B: R. Palmeiro (8), B. Roberts 2 (18), L. Bigbie (8), W. Young (1)
Pirates
2B: V. Martinez (15), D. Ward (11), P. Coffey (9)

6/7
Orioles-6
Pirates-3
WP: J. Maine (3-5)
LP: C. Lee (3-5)
SV: B. Ryan (11)

Orioles
2B: M. Mora (11), L. Bigbie (9)
HR: B. Roberts (4), M. Tejada (10), S. Sosa (16)
Pirates
2B: P. Coffey (10)
3B: R. Mackowiak (1)

6/8
Orioles-2
Pirates-0
WP: S. Ponson (8-3)
LP: O. Perez (2-6)

Orioles
2B: L. Matos (13), S. Sosa (9)
HR: S. Sosa (17)

Arizona offers
Shawn Estes (P)
Craig Counsell (SS)
Brady Raggio (P)
for
Matt Lawton (RF)
Graham Koonce (1B)
Felix Pie (CF)
Declined-I might consider trading Lawton for these three, but not seriously.

6/10
Devil Rays-4
Pirates-9
WP: K. Wells (6-3)
LP: D. Moss (1-3)

Devil Rays
2B: T. Hall (12), J. Cantu 2 (12), C. Crawford (11), J. Pridie (2)
Pirates
HR: V. Martinez 2 (11), D. Ward (5), J. Castillo (6), B. Grieve (4)

6/11
Devil Rays-3
Pirates-1
WP: C. Fossum (2-4)
LP: M. Redman (4-3)

Devil Rays
2B: T. Lee (2), B. Upton (8)
HR: C. Crawford (2)
Pirates
2B: P. Coffey 2 (12), T. Sledge (12)

6/12
Devil Rays-3
Pirates-0
WP: C. Fossum (3-4)
LP: J. Fogg (4-4)
SV: D. Baez (10)

Devil Rays
2B: T. Lee (3), D. Bautista (5)
HR: C. Crawford (3)

6/14
Pirates-4
Yankees-5
WP: J. Wright (3-3)
LP: C. Lee (3-6)
SV: M. Rivera (16)

Pirates
2B: J. Bay 2 (14)
Yankees
2B: A. Rodriguez (8)
HR: H. Matsui (10), B. Williams (8), G. Sheffield (10)

6/15
Pirates-5
Yankees-1
WP: O. Perez (3-6)
LP: C. Wang (2-5)

Pirates
3B: T. Sledge (5)
HR: V. Martinez (12), D. Ward (6)
Yankees
2B: H. Matsui (14), G. Sheffield (17)

6/16
Pirates-5
Yankees-1
WP: K. Wells (7-3)
LP: R. Johnson (5-3)

Pirates
2B: J. Wilson (10)
3B: T. Sledge (6)
HR: V. Martinez (13)

Toronto offers
Greg Myers (C)
Shea Hillenbrand (1B)
for
Matt Lawton (RF)
Ryan Harvey (LF)
Declined-Harvey is too valuable.

6/17
Pirates-5
Red Sox-1
WP: M. Redman (5-3)
LP: M. Clement (4-2)

Pirates
2B: V. Martinez (16), T. Sledge (13)
Red Sox
HR: J. Varitek (9)

6/18
Pirates-8
Red Sox-2
WP: J. Fogg (5-4)
LP: B. Arroyo (1-6)

Pirates
2B: J. Wilson (11)
HR: D. Ward (7), J. Castillo (7), H. Cota (1)

6/19
Pirates-1
Red Sox-9
WP: T. Wakefield (4-4)
LP: C. Lee (3-7)

Pirates
2B: D. Ward (12)
Red Sox
2B: J. Varitek 2 (13), D. Ortiz (19), M. Ramirez (16), J. Damon 2 (11), T. Nixon (13)

6/20
Nationals-5
Pirates-6
WP: S. Torres (2-1)
LP: L. Hernandez (7-4)
SV: B. Lidge (10)

Nationals
2B: B. Schneider (13), J. Vidro (21), C. Guzman (8)
HR: V. Castilla 2 (2)
Pirates
2B: D. Ward (13), M. Lawton 2 (13)

6/21
Nationals-1
Pirates-3
WP: K. Wells (8-3)
LP: T. Ohka (6-8)
SV: B. Lidge (11)

Nationals
2B: V. Castilla (4)
Pirates
2B: T. Sledge 2 (15)

6/22
Nationals-2
Pirates-1
WP: J. Patterson (4-2)
LP: M. Redman (5-4)
SV: A. Osuna (14)

Nationals
2B: J. Guillen (15), A. Escobar (1)
HR: V. Castilla (3)
Pirates
2B: V. Martinez (17), P. Coffey (13)

6/23
Pirates-4
Cardinals-11
WP: M. Mulder (8-7)
LP: J. Fogg (5-5)

Pirates
3B: P. Coffey (2)
Cardinals
2B: A. Pujols 2 (21), S. Rolen (10), J. Edmonds (12)
3B: L. Walker (1)
HR: J. Edmonds 2 (26)

6/24
Pirates-7
Cardinals-2
WP: C. Lee (4-7)
LP: C. Carpenter (4-2)

Pirates
2B: D. Ward (14), J. Castillo (4), J. Bay (15), M. Lawton (14)
Cardinals
2B: A. Pujols (22)

6/25
Pirates-6
Cardinals-4
WP: O. Perez (4-6)
LP: J. Marquis (5-6)
SV: B. Lidge (12)

Pirates
2B: J. Castillo (5), M. Lawton 2 (16)
Cardinals
2B: E. Diaz (10), A. Nunez (4), D. Haynes (5)
HR: E. Diaz (1), S. Rolen (19)

6/26
Pirates-6
Cardinals-4
WP: K. Wells (9-3)
LP: M. Morris (3-5)
SV: B. Lidge (13)

Pirates
2B: V. Martinez (18)
HR: D. Ward (8)
Cardinals
2B: D. Eckstein (11)
3B: E. Diaz (1)

6/28
Pirates-6
Nationals-9
WP: T. Ohka (7-8)
LP: M. Redman (5-5)
SV: A. Osuna (15)

Pirates
2B: D. Ward (15), J. Castillo (6), T. Sledge (16)
3B: J. Wilson (4)
HR: J. Bay (3)
Nationals
2B: J. Sandberg (8)
3B: C. Guzman (4)
HR: N. Johnson 2 (3), J. Davis (9)

6/29
Pirates-3
Nationals-5
WP: J. Patterson (5-2)
LP: J. Fogg (5-6)
SV: A. Osuna (16)

Pirates
HR: P. Coffey (4), J. Bay 2 (5)
Nationals
2B: E. Chavez (19)
HR: J. Davis (10)

Toronto offers
Shea Hillenbrand (1B)
Ken Huckaby (C)
for
Matt Lawton (RF)
Jose Bautista (RF)
Declined-Huckaby is only slightly better than Myers.

6/30
Pirates-4
Nationals-3
WP: C. Lee (5-7)
LP: E. Loaiza (5-2)
SV: B. Lidge (14)

Pirates
2B: J. Bay (16)
Nationals
HR: J. Vidro (7), J. Sandberg (4), E. Chavez (5)

Next up, Around the Majors....

[coffeyfiend]

Around the Majors

NL Central
St. Louis 44-34 0 games back
Milwaukee 43-35 1 game back
Chicago 43-35 1 game back
Pittsburgh 41-38 3.5 games back
Cincinnati 39-39 5 games back
Houston 35-43 9 games back

We're still 3.5 games back, and the division is still very tight. Trades could very well have a huge effect on the division. And with $11,174,040 I can afford to make some big trades, will see what happens.

ML Batter of the Month: Victor Martinez (.323 AVG, 13 HR, 49 RBI)
ML Pitcher of the Month: Brad Lidge (1.85 ERA, 4-0 W-L, 14 SV, 47 K)
AAA Batter of the Month: Ray Sadler (.280 AVG, 11 HR, 52 RBI)
AAA Pitcher of the Month: Gustavo Chacin (4.45 ERA, 5-3 W-L, 73 K)
AA Batter of the Month: Jorge Cortes (.319 AVG, 8 HR, 36 RBI)
AA Pitcher of the Month: Bryan Bullington (3.69 ERA, 3-0 W-L, 27 K)
A Batter of the Month: Chad Spann (.318 AVG, 1 HR, 12 RBI)

Around the Majors
Milestones
6/3-Johnny Damon BOS 1000th Run
6/13-Johnny Damon BOS Hit for Cycle
6/15-David Cone? NYM 200th Win
6/21-Bret Boone SEA 1000th RBI

Trades
6/13-Edwin Encarnacion (3B) to FLA
Jason Stokes (1B) to CIN
Frank Castillo (P) to CIN
Jim Mecir (P) to CIN
Bart Miadich (P) to CIN

6/15-Jesus Sanchez (P) to BOS
Kevin Millar (1B) to TOR

6/18-Mike MacDougal (P) to PHI
Rick DeHart (P) to PHI
Sean Lowe (P) to PHI
Scott Randall (P) to PHI
Marlon Byrd (CF) to KCR

6/20-Carlos Almanzar (P) to COL
Jason Jones (LF) to COL
Richard Hidalgo (RF) to COL
Greg Colbrunn (1B) to COL
Jeff Baker (2B) to TEX

6/25-Scott Podsednik (CF) to CIN
Dustin Hermanson (P) to CIN
Pedro Lopez (2B) to CIN
Jason LaRue (C) to CHW
Wily Mo Pena (RF) to CHW

6/27-Aaron Harang (P) to DET
Vance Wilson (C) to CIN
Nelson Cruz (P) to CIN
Cody Ross (RF) to CIN
Warren Morris (2B) to CIN

Contracts
6/20-SEA signed Omar Daal (P) at $1.85mil for 3 years
6/23-ANA signed Kevin Frederick (P) at $316k for 1 year
6/27-SEA signed Brad Fullmer (1B) at $2mil for 7 years
-SEA signed Valerio de los Santos (P) at $316k for 2 years
6/30-CHC signed Alex Sanchez (CF) at $960k for 4 years

Next up, July 2005...

[coffeyfiend]

7/1
Pirates-6
Brewers-3
WP: O. Perez (5-6)
LP: D. Davis (5-5)
SV: B. Lidge (15)

Pirates
2B: J. Castillo (7), P. Coffey (14), J. Bay (17), M. Lawton (17)
Brewers
HR: C. Lee (15)

7/2
Pirates-7
Brewers-6 (11 Innings)
WP: J. Grabow (4-5)
LP: J. Jimenez (2-2)
SV: B. Lidge (16)

Pirates
2B: D. Ward (16)
HR: V. Martinez (14), P. Coffey 2 (6)
Brewers
2B: R. Weeks (3), C. Lee (13), B. Hall (1)
HR: E. Cruz (2), M. Smith (1)

7/3
Pirates-4
Brewers-6
WP: V. Santos (3-2)
LP: M. Redman (5-6)
SV: J. Jimenez (16)

Pirates
2B: D. Ward (17), J. Bay (18), R. Mackowiak (4)
HR: R. Mackowiak (5)
Brewers
2B: C. Magruder (13), B. Clark (7)
HR: D. Miller (9)

Matt Lawton is injured for 4 days with a rib stress fracture, Ben Grieve replaces him in RF.

7/4
Phillies-4
Pirates-5
WP: J. Fogg (6-6)
LP: S. Mathieson (3-4)
SV: S. Torres (1)

Phillies
2B: J. Rollins (22), P. Burrell (13)
HR: P. Burrell 2 (19)
Pirates
2B: J. Castillo (8)
3B: P. Coffey (3)
HR: J. Wilson (3), B. Grieve (5)

7/5
Phillies-3
Pirates-5
WP: C. Lee (6-7)
LP: J. Lieber (4-2)
SV: M. Gonzalez (1)

Phillies
HR: P. Burrell (20), B. Abreu (18)
Pirates
2B: J. Castillo (9), J. Wilson (12), B. Grieve (3)
HR: T. Sledge (5), B. Grieve (6)

7/6
Phillies-1
Pirates-2
WP: M. Gonzalez (3-2)
LP: C. Hamels (9-8)

Phillies
2B: B. Abreu (15)
HR: T. Pratt (3)

7/7
Phillies-2
Pirates-0
WP: V. Padilla (7-6)
LP: K. Wells (9-4)

Phillies
2B: T. Pratt (6)
HR: K. Lofton (1)
Pirates
2B: V. Martinez (19), T. Sledge (17)
3B: T. Sledge (7)

Matt Lawton recovers and moves back to RF, Ben Grieve goes back to the bench.

7/8
Mets-2
Pirates-1
WP: D. Cone (7-6)
LP: M. Redman (5-7)

Mets
2B: C. Beltran (19)
Pirates
2B: J. Bay (19)

7/9
Mets-2
Pirates-3
WP: J. Grabow (5-5)
LP: V. Zambrano (0-1)

Pirates
2B: T. Sledge (18)

7/10
Mets-8
Pirates-9
WP: D. Williams (2-0)
LP: A. Heilman (1-2)

Mets
2B: R. Castro (9)
HR: S. Spencer (7)
Pirates
2B: D. Ward (18), J. Bay (20)
HR: D. Ward 3 (11)

7/12
Home Run Showdown
First Round-Top Four Advance
Adam Dunn (CIN) 10
Alfonso Soriano (TEX) 8
Jim Edmonds (STL) 7
Barry Bonds (SFG) 7
Troy Glaus (ARI) 6
Albert Pujols (STL) 6
Sammy Sosa (BAL) 5
Javy Lopez (BAL) 4
Mike Sweeney (KCR) 3
David Ortiz (BOS) 2

Second Round-Top Two Advance
Jim Edmonds (STL) 4
Adam Dunn (CIN) 3
Alfonso Soriano (TEX) 2
Barry Bonds (SFG) 2

Third Round-Top Performer Wins
ADAM DUNN (CIN) 5
Jim Edmonds (STL) 3

7/13
All Star Game
NL-6
AL-0
WP: J. Isringhausen
LP: K. Brown

NL
2B: A. Pujols, M. Giles, O. Vizquel
HR: M. Giles, B. Bonds, J. Edmonds
AL
2B: A. Beltre

Team Representatives
Victor Martinez (C)-Voted in (0-4)
Kip Wells (P) Did not Play
Brad Lidge (P) Did not Play

7/15
Pirates-3
Cubs-6
WP: C. Zambrano (7-9)
LP: O. Perez (5-7)
SV: J. Borowski (27)

Pirates
2B: O. Perez (1)
Cubs
2B: D. Lee (16)
3B: N. Garciaparra (1)
HR: M. Barrett (10), T. Walker (8), J. Dubois (9)

Philadelphia offers
Randy Wolf (P)
for
Humberto Cota (C)
Joe Roa (P)
Accepted-Great trade, Wolf is a good pitcher. Ryan Doumit comes up from AA to provide backup behind the plate, Wolf is now the 3rd starter, Mark Redman moves to the 4th spot, followed by Josh Fogg in the 5th spot. Cliff Lee moves to the Alt. role and Ian Snell will be demoted to AAA.

7/16
Pirates-2
Cubs-1 (10 Innings)
WP: M. Gonzalez (4-2)
LP: J. Borowski (2-3)

Pirates
2B: M. Lawton (18)
Cubs
2B: K. Collins (24)

7/17
Pirates-0
Cubs-10
WP: G. Maddux (10-6)
LP: R. Wolf (9-5)

Pirates
2B: T. Sledge (19)
Cubs
3B: D. Lee 2 (5)
HR: M. Barrett (11), D. Lee (17), A. Ramirez 2 (18), C. Patterson (14)

7/18
Astros-4
Pirates-5 (10 Innings)
WP: S. Torres (3-1)
LP: D. Wheeler (3-2)

Astros
2B: L. Scott (10)
HR: J. Bagwell (22), Y. De Caster (5)
Pirates
2B: J. Wilson (13), M. Lawton (19)
HR: D. Ward (12), M. Lawton (9)

7/19
Astros-7
Pirates-0
WP: A. Pettitte (10-5)
LP: J. Fogg (6-7)

Astros
2B: J. Bagwell (17)
Pirates
2B: D. Ward (19), P. Coffey (15)

Randy Wolf ruptures a knee ligament and will be out for 27 days. Mark Redman is the 3rd starter, Josh Fogg is 4th, Cliff Lee is 5th and Ian Snell comes back up from AAA to be the Alt.

7/20
Astros-2
Pirates-6
WP: O. Perez (6-7)
LP: E. Astacio (3-9)

Astros
2B: M. Einertson (3)
HR: L. Scott (1)
Pirates
2B: D. Ward (20), J. Wilson (14)
3B: J. Castillo (4)
HR: D. Ward (13), M. Lawton (10)

7/21
Rockies-7
Pirates-2
WP: J. Kennedy (3-4)
LP: K. Wells (9-5)

Rockies
2B: D. Relaford (4)
HR: T. Helton (24)
Pirates
2B: D. Ward (21)

7/22
Rockies-3
Pirates-7
WP: M. Redman (6-7)
LP: J. Wright (1-3)
SV: B. Lidge (17)

Pirates
HR: D. Ward (14)

7/23
Rockies-2
Pirates-3
WP: S. Torres (4-1)
LP: J. Tam (1-2)

Rockies
2B: T. Helton (21)
3B: L. Gonzalez (1)
Pirates
2B: J. Wilson (15), M. Lawton (20)
HR: B. Grieve (7)

7/24
Rockies-5
Pirates-9
WP: J. Grabow (6-5)
LP: R. Speier (0-4)

Rockies
2B: T. Helton 2 (23), R. Hidalgo (15)
HR: J. Piedra (11)
Pirates
2B: J. Castillo (10), P. Coffey (16)
HR: J. Castillo (8), T. Sledge (6)

White Sox offer
Chris Widger (C)
Jose Santiago (P)
Willie Harris (2B)
for
Matt Lawton (RF)
Jack Wilson (SS)
Chris Duffy (CF)
Declined-Any trade offer with a player of Widger's caliber involved is almost always a "no".

7/26
Pirates-1
Marlins-3
WP: A. Leiter (2-6)
LP: O. Perez (6-8)
SV: A. Alfonseca (16)

Pirates
2B: V. Martinez (20), D. Ward (22)
Marlins
2B: M. Cabrera (19)

7/27
Pirates-2
Marlins-5
WP: S. Olsen (7-6)
LP: K. Wells (9-6)
SV: A. Alfonseca (17)

Pirates
2B: T. Sledge (20)
Marlins
2B: P. Lo Duca (3)

7/28
Pirates-2
Marlins-1
WP: M. Redman (7-7)
LP: B. Moehler (1-9)
SV: B. Lidge (18)

Pirates
2B: M. Lawton (21)
HR: J. Castillo (9)
Marlins
2B: M. Lawton (21)

7/29
Pirates-4
Braves-0
WP: J. Fogg (7-7)
LP: C. James (6-6)

Pirates
2B: M. Lawton (22)
HR: P. Coffey (7), M. Lawton (11)
Braves
2B: A. LaRoche (12)

7/30
Pirates-4
Braves-10
WP: R. Aguilar (4-7)
LP: C. Lee (6-8)

Pirates
2B: T. Sledge (21)
HR: V. Martinez (15), J. Castillo (10), P. Coffey (8), T. Sledge (7)
Braves
2B: J. Estrada (13), A. LaRoche (13), M. Giles (22), B. McCarthy (16)
3B: C. Jones (1)
HR: M. Giles (10), C. Jones (16)

Kip Wells strains his chest and will miss 4 days, Ian Snell replaces him in the rotation.

7/31
Pirates-4
Braves-2
WP: O. Perez (7-8)
LP: A. Lerew (0-2)
SV: B. Lidge (19)

Pirates
2B: J. Wilson (16), R. Mackowiak (5)
HR: P. Coffey (9)
Braves
2B: R. Langerhans (7)

Next up, Around the Majors...

[coffeyfiend]

Around the Majors-The July Edition

NL Central Standings
St. Louis 62-42 0 games back
Chicago 60-45 2.5 games back
Pittsburgh 57-48 5.5 games back
Milwaukee 57-49 6 games back
Cincinnatie 55-50 7.5 games back
Houston 43-62 19.5 games back

We're playing competively and have moved up to 3rd place. We're only 3 games back from the Wild Card as well. Here's a look at the rest of the majors now that the trading deadline is over.

NL East
Philadelphia 67-39 0 games back
Washington 60-45 6.5 games back
New York 54-51 12.5 games back
Atlanta 48-57 18.5 games back
Florida 43-61 23 games back

NL West
LA 58-47 0 games back
Arizona 57-50 2 games back
San Francisco 55-49 2.5 games back
San Diego 45-60 13 games back
Colorado 42-64 16.5 games back

AL East
Baltimore 57-48 0 games back
New York 54-50 2.5 games back
Toronto 53-51 3.5 games back
Boston 52-52 4.5 games back
Tampa Bay 47-59 10.5 games back

AL Central
Chicago 50-54 0 games back
Minnesota 50-54 0 games back
Cleveland 50-56 1 game back
Detroit 46-58 4 games back
Kansas City 44-61 6.5 games back

AL West
Oakland 54-50 0 games back
Texas 54-51 .5 games back
Anaheim 54-51 .5 games back
Seattle 45-59 9 games back

Team Leaders-inside () is League Lead
AVG-Pat Coffey .335 (A. Pujols .388)
Hits-Victor Martinez 120 (A. Pujols 154)
HRs-Martinez 15 (A. Dunn 39)
RBI-Martinez 60 (A. Pujols 122)
2B-Matt Lawton and Daryle Ward 22 (M. Loretta 32)
3B-Terrmel Sledge 7 (B. Zobrist 9)
SB-Lawton 10 (J. Pierre 33)

ERA-Josh Fogg 2.99 (P. Martinez 1.99)
Wins-Oliver Perez, Mark Redmand and Fogg 7 (P. Martinez 12)
Ks-Perez 165 (P. Martinez 190)
Saves-Brad Lidge 19 (J. Borowski 31)

Milestones
7/3-Shawn Green ARI 300th HR
7/6-Chuck Tiffany LAD No Hitter
7/8-Sammy Sosa BAL 600th HR
7/9-Alex Rodriguez NYY 400th HR
7/17-Miguel Tejada BAL 4 HRs in game
7/28-Garret Anderson ANA 1000th RBI
7/30-Kerry Wood CHC No Hitter

Trades
7/2-Joel Guzman (SS) to MIN
Giovanni Carrara (P) to MIN
Olmedo Saenz (1B) to MIN
Adam Harben (P) to LAD
Juan Castro (3B) to LAD
Jason Miller (P) to LAD
Corky Miller (C) to LAD
Brad Thomas (P) to LAD
Brent Abernathy (2B) to LAD

7/3-Cliff Bartosh (P) to SDP
Dennis Stark (P) to SDP
Matt Miller (P) to SDP
Robert Fick (LF) to CLE

7/6-Danys Baez (P) to NYM
Lance Carter (P) to NYM
Jose Soler (P) to TBD
Scott Stewart (P) to TBD

7/8-Jorge Julio (P) to HOU
Luis Matos (CF) to HOU
Charles Gipson (SS) to BAL
Brad Ausmus (C) to BAL
Roy Oswalt (P) to BAL
Craig Biggio (LF) to BAL
Carlos Rivera (1B) to BAL
Tripp Cromer (2B) to BaL

7/12-Mike DeJean (P) to SFG
Mike Cameron (CF) to SFG
Deivi Cruz (SS) to NYM
Armando Benitez (P) to NYM
Alfredo Simon (P) to NYM

7/14-Rod Barajas (C) to ANA
Dusty Bergman (P) to TEX
Josh Paul (C) to TEX
Chris Bootcheck (P) to TEX

7/17-Jeff Suppan (P) to SEA
Cody McKay (C) to SEA
Omar Daal (P) to STL
Miguel Olivo (C) to STL

7/18-Craig Monroe (LF) to SDP
Jason Johnson (P) to SDP
George Kottaras (C) to DET
Luther Hackman (P) to DET

7/20-Brian Buchanan (LF) to CLE
Brad Snyder (RF) to TBD

7/21-Ramon Vasquez (SS) to COL
Jarrett Gardner (P) to COL
Rick White (P) to COL
Jeremy West (1B) to COL
Charlie Zink (P) to COL
Keith Foulke (P) to COL
Bill Mueller (3B) to COL
Aaron Miles (2B) to BOS

7/22-Mark Grudzielanek (2B) to CHW
Jermaine Dye (RF) to STL

7/26-Shannon Stewart (LF) to CLE
Mike Redmond (C) to CLE
Jesse Crain (P) to CLE
Franklin Guttierez (CF) to MIN
Jason Bere (P) to MIN
Billy Traber (P) to MIN

7/28-Victor Zambrano (P) to TBD
Brad Snyder (RF) to NYM

7/29-Mike Difelice (C) to KCR
Guillermo Mota (P) to KCR
Brian Moehler (P) to KCR
Shane Costa (LF) to FLA

7/30-Mike Porzio (P) to KCR
Rafael Betancourt (P) to KCR
Leo Nunez (P) to CLE
D.J. Carrasco (P) to CLE
Tom Prince (C) to CLE

-Rob Stratton (LF) to CHW
Felipe Lopez (SS) to CHW
Chris Dickerson (CF) to CHW
Jason LaRue (C) to CIN
Jose Paniagua (P) to CIN
Gio Gonzalez (P) to CIN
Sean Tracey (P) to CIN
Shingo Takatsu (P) to CIN

7/31-Gene Kingsale (CF) to SDP
Ben Petrick (LF) to BAL

-Franklyn Gracesqui (P) to NYY
Carlos Delgado (1B) to NYY
Todd Jones (P) to NYY
Adam Bostick (P) to NYY
Yorman Bazardo (P) to NYY
Steven White (P) to FLA
Kevin Reese (LF) to FLA

-Bruce Chen (P) to SEA
Dan Wilson (C) to SEA
Darwin Cubillan (P) to SEA
Pokey Reese (SS) to BAL
Ryan Franklin (P) to BAL

Contracts
7/31-BAL signs Shane Reynolds (P) at $740k for 1 year

Next up, Pirates post deadline roundup...

[coffeyfiend]

Let's examine the trades I made this season and how they've fared.

4/1 trade with Washington
Terrmel Sledge
for
J.J. Davis, Pat Mahomes and Mark Corey

Where are they now?
Sledge is our starting LF and is batting .244 with 7 HRs and 30 RBI.
Davis is Washington's starting RF and is batting .259 with 13 HRs and 49 RBI.
Mahomes is with Washington's A club, where he has a 3-1 record with a 4.03 ERA and 53 Ks.
Corey is also with Washington's A club, where he has a 2-4 record with a 4.84 ERA, 53 Ks and 3 saves. He also spent time at AA.

Verdict-With only Sledge and Davis playing in the majors I have to give the edge to Washington as Davis is playing slightly better than Sledge.

4/1 trade with Cubs
Ryan Harvey and Felix Pie
for
Chris Enochs, Jason Boyd and Adam Boeve

Where are they now?
Harvey is at AA batting .305 with 9 HRs and 41 RBI.
Pie is at A batting .301 with 6 HRs and 60 RBI.
Enochs is on the Cubs AA team after pitching a horrible 3 innings at AAA. He's 4-3 with a 4.66 ERA and 55 Ks.
Boyd is also on the Cubs AA team, although he pitched well in 2 games for their ML team. He's 3-1 with a 3.82 ERA and 55 Ks.
Boeve is on the Cubs A team, although he spent 3 games at AAA and 72 at AA. He's batting .299 with 5 HRs and 26 RBI.

Verdict-None of these players are making a real contribution to either ML team, only time will tell with this trade.

4/3 trade with Toronto
Gustavo Chacin and $1mil
for
Rich Thompson and Brian Meadows

Where are they now?
Chacin is at AAA and pitching fairly well. He's 6-3 with a 4.52 ERA and 87 Ks.
Thompson is on the Bench in Toronto. he's batting .290 with 0 HRs and 3 RBI in 20 games.
Meadows is pitching middle relief for Toronto. He's 1-2 with a 4.93 ERA, 23 Ks and 2 saves in 28 games.

Verdict-Toronto is third in their division and both players are on their ML roster, while Chacin is pitching in AAA. However, it is important to note that John Grabow is playing for us after the trade and has pitched well. He's 6-5 with a 4.50 ERA and 55 Ks. For now I'll give the edge to Toronto, but if Chacin develops well he'll sway the scales back in our direction.

4/5 trade with Houston
Brad Lidge
for
Tike Redman, Jose Mesa, Bobby Hill and Yurendell De Caster

Where are they now?
Lidge is our closer and is pitching well. he's 4-0 with a 1.71 ERA, 65 Ks and 19 saves.
Redman is playing for Houston's AAA club, where he's batting .267 with 1 HR and 11 RBI. He was on their ML roster until they acquired Luis Matos in a trade. In the Majors, he was playing very similar to how he's playing in AAA.
Mesa is playing for Houston's R club. In 10 games there he's 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA, 14 Ks and 2 saves. He was Houston's closer until they acquired Jorge Julio in a trade. While on their team he was 3-3 with a 7.16 ERA, 24 Ks and 19 saves.
Hill is currently on the DL. Until he went down with a stress fracture in his ankle, he was batting .253 with 7 HRs, and 42 RBI.
DeCaster is Houston's starting 3B, as Morgan Ensberg recovers from elbow tendonitis. He's batting .215 with 6 HRs and 24 RBI in 65 games.

Verdict-Lidge is pitching extremely well, Redman and Mesa have been demoted and their value has dropped. With Hill injured and De Caster playing mediocre, I give the edge in this trade to us.

5/1 trade with Cleveland
Victor Martinez and Cliff Lee
for
Jorge Velandia, Craig Wilson, Benito Santiago, Ty Wigginton and Ryan Vogelsong

Where are they now?
Martinez is our starting C and is batting .311 with 15 HRs and 60 RBI.
Lee is our 5th starter but has also pitched out of the alt. role. He has a 6-8 record with a 5.61 ERA and 76 Ks.
Velandia is playing with Cleveland's AAA club where he's batting .158 with 0 HRs and 38 RBI. He's also played 7 games with the Indians without a hit.
Wilson is Cleveland's DH, he's batting .285, with 26 HRs, 65 RBI.
Santiago is with Cleveland's AA club, where he's batting .264 with 10 HRs and 41 RBI.
Wigginton is Cleveland's starting 3B and is batting .258 with 17 HRs and 45 RBI. He's also spent time in AAA and AA.
Vogelson is pitching for Cleveland's AAA club. He has a 4-0 record with a 4.72 ERA and 44 Ks. He's also played 3 games for the Indians.

Verdict-Martinez is playing great, but so is Wilson, Wigginton and Lee are also playing well. The other players are inconsequential. Pat Coffey is playing great at 3B now that Wigginton is gone and this move did free up a lot of payroll. All things considered, I'd say this trade is equally beneficial for both teams involved.

5/23 trade with Boston
Chad Spann
for
Rick White and Jose Leon

Where are they now?
Spann is playing 3B for our A club. He's batting .306 with 7 HRs and 24 RBIs.
White was traded to Colorado but he pitched in 23 games for Boston. He had a 4-0 record with a 3.47 ERA and 19 Ks.
Leon is playing with Boston's AAA club where he's batting .293 with 10 HRs and 21 RBI.

Verdict-I give us the edge, based solely on Spann's potential.

7/15 trade with Philadelphia
Randy Wolf
for
Humberto Cota and Joe Roa

Where are they now?
Wolf is on the DL but before he was injured he pitched poorly in 1 game for us. He'll be out for 15 more days.
Cota is one of Philadelphia's backup catcher. He hasn't played in any games since his trade.
Roa is pitching for Philadelphia's A club. He has a 1-0 record with a 5.06 ERA and 5 Ks.

Verdict-For the time being, it's even. If Wolf recovers though and pitches better he could sway the trade in our favor, it is doubtful that Cota or Roa will have any impact on the Phillies playoff run.

One interesting note about trades. Matt Lawton has been involved in 26 trade offers to our club. The team that wanted him most was Arizona, who made 5 inquiries about him.

Next up, August...

[coffeyfiend]

8/1
Pirates-1
Braves-9
WP: J. Stevens (7-8)
LP: I. Snell (0-1)

Pirates
2B: J. Castillo (11), P. Coffey (17), J. Bay (21)
Braves
2B: A. LaRoche 2 (15), C. Jones (11)
HR: J. Estrada (12), M. Giles (11), R. Mondesi (22), A. Jones (15)

8/2
Padres-2
Pirates-8
WP: M. Redman (8-7)
LP: A. Eaton (8-5)

Padres
3B: B. Giles (6)
HR: C. Monroe (11)
Pirates
2B: V. Martinez 2 (22), D. Ward (23), P. Coffey (18), J. Bay (22), M. Lawton (23)
HR: P. Coffey (10), J. Bay (6)

8/3
Padres-2
Pirates-5
WP: J. Fogg (8-7)
LP: B. Tollberg (3-7)
SV: B. Lidge (20)

Padres
2B: R. Hernandez (20), S. Burroughs (16), B. Giles (14), B. Tollberg (2)
Pirates
2B: V. Martinez (23)
HR: V. Martinez (16), J. Bay (7)

8/4
Padres-1
Pirates-2
WP: C. Lee (7-8)
LP: A. Otsuka (3-9)
SV: B. Lidge (21)

Padres
HR: C. Monroe (12)
Pirates
2B: V. Martinez (24), J. Castillo (12), T. Sledge 2 (23), J. Bay (23)

Kip Wells recovers and moves back to the second spot in the rotation, Ian Snell returns to the Alternate role.

8/5
Dodgers-6
Pirates-5
WP: K. Wunsch (7-0)
LP: M. Gonzalez (4-3)
SV: E. Gagne (23)

Dodgers
2B: D. Ross (6), N. Nakamura (11), O. Cabrera (16), J. Castro (1)
HR: J. Werth 2 (20)
Pirates
2B: V. Martinez (25), J. Castillo (13), J. Wilson (17), J. Bay 2 (25), R. Mackowiak (6)
HR: J. Castillo (11)

8/6
Dodgers-5
Pirates-6
WP: K. Wells (10-6)
LP: O. Perez (9-7)
SV: S. Torres (2)

Dodgers
2B: J. Werth (27)
HR: R. Martin (4)
Pirates
2B: P. Coffey (19)
HR: D. Ward (15), J. Wilson (4)

8/7
Dodgers-6
Pirates-5 (11 Innings)
WP: E. Gagne (1-5)
LP: J. Grabow (6-6)

Dodgers
2B: O. Cabrera (17)
3B: H. Choi (1)
HR: N. Nakamura (8), J. Werth (21)
Pirates
2B: J. Castillo (14), P. Coffey (20), J. Wilson (18), T. Sledge (24)
HR: J. Bay (8)

8/9
Pirates-7
Rockies-3
WP: J. Fogg (9-7)
LP: J. Young (3-9)

Pirates
2B: T. Sledge (25), J. Bay (26)
HR: V. Martinez (17), T. Sledge (8)
Rockies
2B: L. Gonzalez (2)

8/10
Pirates-7
Rockies-1
WP: C. Lee (8-8)
LP: A. Cook (6-7)

Rockies
2B: J. Closser (10), R. White (1)

*All our runs were scored by singles or walks, no extra base hits!

8/11
Pirates-5
Rockies-3
WP: O. Perez (8-8)
LP: T. Bausher (5-6)
SV: B. Lidge (22)

Pirates
HR: D. Ward (16), J. Castillo (12), T. Sledge (9)
Rockies
2B: M. Holliday 2 (14)

8/12
Pirates-0
Astros-4
WP: F. Nieve (5-10)
LP: K. Wells (10-7)

Pirates
2B: M. Lawton (24)
Astros
2B: H. Gimenez (6), C. Burke (8)
3B: L. Berkman (7)

8/13
Pirates-4
Astros-0
WP: M. Redman (9-7)
LP: J. Hirsh (1-1)

Pirates
3B: M. Lawton (4)
HR: J. Castillo 2 (14), J. Bay (9)

8/14
Pirates-6
Astros-2
WP: J. Fogg (10-7)
LP: R. Clemens (6-7)

Pirates
2B: D. Ward (24)
3B: B. Grieve (1)
HR: P. Coffey (11), T. Sledge (10)
Astros
2B: L. Scott (13), L. Berkman (24)

8/16
Pirates-7
Mets-0
WP: C. Lee (9-8)
LP: P. Martinez (13-8)

Pirates
2B: D. Ward (25), J. Bay (27)
3B: J. Castillo (5)
HR: J. Castillo (15), T. Sledge (11), M. Lawton (12)
Mets
2B: D. Wright (17)

Randy Wolf recovers and moves back to the 3rd spot in the rotation, Mark Redman moves to the 4th spot, Josh Fogg moves to the 5th, Cliff Lee moves to the Alt. role and Ian Snell is sent back to AAA.

8/17
Pirates-9
Mets-3
WP: O. Perez (9-8)
LP: K. Benson (7-6)

Pirates
2B: R. Doumit (1)
HR: M. Lawton 2 (14)
Mets
2B: R. Castro (13), J. Keppinger 2 (15)
HR: D. Wright (13), C. Beltran (21)

Victor Martinez pulls his groin and will be out for 11 days. Ryan Doumit replaces him as the starting catcher and Ronny Paulino comes up from AA to play backup.

8/18
Pirates-3
Mets-0
WP: K. Wells (11-7)
LP: D. Cone (9-7)

Pirates
2B: D. Ward (26), J. Wilson (19), J. Bay (28)
3B: J. Wilson (5)
HR: M. Lawton (15)

8/19
Pirates-4
Phillies-1
WP: R. Wolf (10-5)
LP: J. Lieber (9-4)
SV: B. Lidge (23)

Pirates
HR: J. Bay (10)
Phillies
2B: M. Lieberthal (15)

8/20
Pirates-1
Phillies-2
WP: C. Hamels (14-8)
LP: M. Redman (9-8)

Pirates
2B: D. Ward (27), J. Bay (29)
Phillies
2B: M. Lieberthal (16)
HR: D. Bell (12)

8/21
Pirates-1
Phillies-11
WP: B. Myers (8-5)
LP: J. Fogg (10-8)

Pirates
2B: P. Coffey (21)
HR: J. Wilson (5)
Phillies
2B: J. Thome (17), P. Polanco (21), B. Myers (2)
HR: J. Rollins (6), J. Michaels (12)

8/22
Cardinals-3
Pirates-2
WP: A. Reyes (11-4)
LP: O. Perez (9-9)
SV: J. Isringhausen (23)

Cardinals
3B: J. Edmonds (4)
HR: B. Hart (2), J. Edmonds (38)
Pirates
HR: J. Bay (11)

8/23
Cardinals-1
Pirates-7
WP: K. Wells (12-7)
LP: A. Wainwright (4-2)

Cardinals
2B: B. Hart (5), H. Luna (2)
Pirates
2B: J. Wilson (20), J. Bay (30)
HR: M. Lawton (16)

8/24
Cardinals-4
Pirates-8
WP: R. Wolf (11-5)
LP: M. Mulder (14-9)
SV: B. Lidge (24)

Cardinals
2B: H. Luna (3)
Pirates
2B: D. Ward (28), P. Coffey (22), M. Lawton (25)
3B: J. Wilson (6)
HR: J. Castillo (16), M. Lawton (17)

8/25
Cardinals-2
Pirates-3
WP: J. Grabow (7-6)
LP: J. Isringhausen (2-3)

Cardinals
2B: J. Edmonds (19)
HR: R. White (14)
Pirates
2B: P. Coffey (23), J. Bay (31), M. Lawton (26)

8/26
Reds-4
Pirates-9
WP: J. Fogg (11-8)
LP: J. Hancock (6-6)

Reds
2B: J. LaRue (16), W. Morris (1), A. Machado (11)
HR: A. Kearns (25)
Pirates
HR: J. Bay (12)

8/27
Reds-3
Pirates-6
WP: O. Perez (10-9)
LP: E. Milton (11-9)
SV: B. Lidge (25)

Reds
2B: R. Freel (27)
HR: A. Dunn (43)
Pirates
2B: T. Sledge (26)
HR: J. Castillo (17), P. Coffey (12), T. Sledge (12), J. Bay (13)

8/28
Reds-3
Pirates-6
WP: M. Gonzalez (5-3)
LP: R. Gardner (4-9)
SV: B. Lidge (26)

Reds
2B: J. LaRue (17), S. Casey (21), R. Freel (28)
Pirates
2B: V. Martinez (26), T. Sledge (27), M. Lawton (27)
HR: D. Ward (17), B. Grieve (8)

Victor Martinez recovers and will start behind the plate again. Ryan Doumit is out with a bone spur in his wrist and will be out for 5 days. Ronny Paulino stays on the roster as the backup catcher.

8/29
Reds-3
Pirates-5
WP: R. Wolf (12-5)
LP: S. Kelly (6-7)
SV: B. Lidge (27)

Pirates
2B: J. Castillo (15), P. Coffey (24)
3B: P. Coffey (4)
HR: R. Mackowiak (6)

Mark Redman has a stress fracture in his wrist and will miss 33 days. Cliff Lee moves back to the 5th spot, Josh Fogg moves to the 4th spot in the rotation and Ian Snell is promoted from AAA to fill the Alt. role.

8/30
Pirates-3
Brewers-5
WP: J. Capellan (11-10)
LP: C. Lee (9-9)
SV: J. Jimenez (23)

Pirates
2B: J. Castillo (16)
HR: T. Sledge (13)
Brewers
2B: R. Branyan (18)
HR: D. Miller (13)

8/31
Pirates-3
Brewers-2
WP: J. Fogg (12-8)
LP: D. Davis (7-7)
SV: B. Lidge (28)

Pirates
2B: V. Martinez (27), P. Coffey (25), J. Wilson (21)
HR: P. Coffey (13)
Brewers
2B: C. Lee 2 (25)

Ian Snell has shoulder bursitis and will be out for 5 days. Frank Brooks is promoted from AAA and will pitch out of the long relief role, Dave Williams moves from long relief to Alt. pitcher.

Next up, Around the Majors....

[coffeyfiend]

Here we go folks, one month of baseball left, the playoff race has officially began. It seems like injuries are starting to get the better of my players. If it gets worse, hopefully my minor league players will be able to fill in.

In August, my Pirates went 21-8! They are playing for a playoff berth now! Let's take a look at the standings.

NL Central
St. Louis 79-55 0 games back
Pittsburgh 78-56 1 game back
Chicago 75-58 3.5 games back
Milwaukee 72-61 6.5 games back
Cincinnati 62-72 17 games back
Houston 55-77 23 games back

If the season ended today, the Pirates would be in the playoffs! We're 2 games up on Washington for the Wild Card spot. Hopefully we can hold on this month.
In other playoff new, the Rockies are officially eliminated as they are 31 games back of LA.

ML Batter of the Month: Pat Coffey (.331 AVG, 13 HR, 71 RBI)
ML Pitcher of the Month: Brad Lidge (1.70 ERA, 4-0 W-L, 28 SV, 79 K)
AAA Batter of the Month: Jose Bautista (.280 AVG, 16 HR, 91 RBI)
AAA Pitcher of the Month: Frank Brooks (3.98 ERA, 4-4 W-L, 58 K)
AA Batter of the Month: Jorge Cortes (.311 AVG, 11 HR, 68 RBI)
AA Pitcher of the Month: Zach Duke (3.64 ERA, 5-3 W-L, 59 K)
A Batter of the Month: Chad Spann (.308 AVG, 8 HR, 32 RBI)

Around the Majors
Milestones
8/1-Frank Thomas CHW 1500th RBI
8/2-Hideo Nomo TBD 2000th K
8/3-Alfredo Amezaga COL Hit for Cycle
8/4-Jason Giambi NYY 1000th RBI
8/8-Greg Maddux CHC 3000th K
8/15-Jason Giambi NYY 300th HR
8/17-Reggie Sanders STL 1000th Run
8/19-Jim Edmonds STL 1000th RBI
8/22-Jason Isringhausen 200th Save

Next up, September, 2005...

[coffeyfiend]

9/2
Cubs-8
Pirates-2
WP: K. Wood (15-6)
LP: O. Perez (10-10)

Cubs
2B: K. Collins (29), C. Patterson (21)
HR: M. Barrett (15)
Pirates
2B: V. Martinez (28), J. Wilson (22)

Ryan Doumit recovers and moves back to the bench, Ronny Paulino returns to AA.

9/3
Cubs-1
Pirates-2
WP: K. Wells (13-7)
LP: S. Mitre (8-8)

Cubs
2B: J. Dubois (13)
HR: K. Collins (13)
Pirates
2B: T. Sledge (28)
HR: B. Grieve (9)

9/4
Cubs-4
Pirates-2
WP: G. Maddux (15-7)
LP: R. Wolf (12-6)
SV: J. Borowski (40)

Cubs
2B: M. Barrett (15), T. Walker (14), A. Ramirez 2 (18), N. Garciaparra (19), K. Collins (30)
HR: M. Barrett (16)
Pirates
2B: J. Bay 2 (33)

9/6
Diamondbacks-2
Pirates-0
WP: R. Rosario (13-1)
LP: J. Fogg (12-9)
SV: J. Valverde (37)

Diamondbacks
HR: L. Terrero (8)

Ian Snell recovers and moves back into the Alt. role. Frank Brooks is demoted to AAA and Dave Williams moves back to long relief.

9/7
Diamondbacks-5
Pirates-3
WP: R. Ortiz (8-5)
LP: C. Lee (9-10)
SV: J. Valverde (38)

Diamondbacks
2B: J. Brito (1), L. Terrero (21), J. Cruz Jr. (24)
HR: S. Hairston (24), A. Cintron (9)
Pirates
2B: T. Sledge (29), J. Bay (34)
HR: J. Castillo (18)

9/8
Diamondbacks-5
Pirates-1
WP: B. Webb (11-11)
LP: O. Perez (10-11)

Diamondbacks
2B: T. Glaus (19), C. Quentin (17), J. Cruz Jr. (25)
HR: S. Green (32), T. Glaus (50)
Pirates
3B: J. Castillo (6)

9/9
Pirates-7
Reds-1
WP: K. Wells (14-7)
LP: S. Kelly (6-9)

Pirates
2B: P. Coffey (26), J. Wilson (23)
3B: T. Sledge (8)

Jason Bay goes down with a stress fracture in his ankle, he will miss 18 days. Rob Mackowiak replaces him in CF and Ray Sadler is promoted from AAA to provide backup.

9/10
Pirates-1
Reds-4
WP: L. Hudson (8-8)
LP: R. Wolf (12-7)

Reds
2B: J. LaRue (19), S. Casey (22), S. Podsednik (19)

9/11
Pirates-10
Reds-2
WP: J. Fogg (13-9)
LP: L. Hudson (8-9)

Pirates
2B: D. Ward (29), R. Mackowiak (7), M. Lawton (28), N. McLouth (2)
3B: V. Martinez (2)
Reds
2B: J. LaRue (20)

Oliver Perez has a stress fracture in a finger and will miss 13 days. Zach Duke is promoted from AA and will replace him in the rotation.

9/12
Pirates-4
Cardinals-3
WP: C. Lee (10-10)
LP: M. Morris (10-8)
SV: B. Lidge (29)

Pirates
2B: R. Mackowiak (8)
HR: M. Lawton (18)
Cardinals
HR: A. Pujols (42), R. Sanders (18)

9/13
Pirates-7
Cardinals-2
WP: Z. Duke (1-0)
LP: A. Reyes (13-5)

Pirates
2B: R. Sadler (1), M. Lawton (29), R. Mackowiak (9)
HR: R. Sadler (1)
Cardinals
2B: B. Hart (7)
3B: B. Hart (2), H. Luna (2)

Daryle Ward has a stress fracture in his ankle and will miss 23 days. Howie Clark will replace him at 1B and Jose Bautista is promoted from AAA to fill his roster spot.

Ray Sadler will now start in CF, Mackowiak moves back to the bench to provide more depth.

9/14
Pirates-5
Cardinals-1
WP: K. Wells (15-7)
LP: M. Mulder (16-10)

Pirates
2B: P. Coffey (27), T. Sledge (30), R. Sadler (2), K. Wells (1)
HR: M. Lawton (19)
Cardinals
HR: S. Rolen (35)

Randy Wolf has a strained forearm and will be out for 5 days. Ian Snell replaces him in the rotation.

9/16
Reds-9
Pirates-5
WP: S. Takatsu (1-2)
LP: S. Torres (4-2)

Reds
2B: S. Podsednik (20), A. Kearns (27)
HR: A. Kearns (28)
Pirates
2B: J. Castillo (17), J. Bautista (1)
3B: J. Castillo (7)
HR: M. Lawton (20)

9/17
Reds-8
Pirates-6 (19 Innings)
WP: F. Castillo (5-1)
LP: D. Williams (2-1)

Reds
2B: S. Smitherman (1), A. Kearns (28)
HR: J. LaRue (10), A. Machado (5)
Pirates
2B: R. Sadler (3), M. Lawton (30)
3B: R. Sadler (1), F. Sanchez (1)
HR: V. Martinez (18), H. Clark (1)

9/18
Reds-7
Pirates-2
WP: E. Milton (12-9)
LP: C. Lee (10-11)

Reds
2B: A. Machado (14)
HR: S. Casey (16), A. Kearns (29)
Pirates
3B: J. Castillo (8), M. Lawton (5)

9/19
Astros-2
Pirates-1
WP: R. Martinez (4-12)
LP: K. Wells (15-8)

Astros
2B: B. Hill (16), Y. De Caster (13), J. Lane (8)
Pirates
2B: P. Coffey (28), T. Sledge (31)

Wolf recovers and resumes the 3rd position in the rotation, Snell moves back to Alt.

9/20
Astros-5
Pirates-6
WP: M. Gonzalez (6-3)
LP: J. Julio (8-5)

Astros
2B: B. Zobrist (30)
3B: L. Scott (7)
HR: J. Lane (4)
Pirates
2B: T. Sledge (32)
HR: V. Martinez (19), J. Wilson (6)

9/21
Astros-10
Pirates-3
WP: R. Stiehl (2-4)
LP: R. Wolf (12-8)

Astros
2B: J. Bagwell (32), L. Berkman 2 (27)
3B: H. Gimenez (2)
HR: H. Gimenez (2), J. Bagwell (34)
Pirates
2B: J. Wilson (24), T. Sledge (33)
HR: T. Sledge (14)

9/22
Astros-5
Pirates-4 (10 Innings)
WP: J. Julio (9-5)
LP: S. Torres (4-3)

Astros
2B: L. Scott (20)
3B: B. Hill (8)
HR: J. Lane (5), L. Berkman (31)
Pirates
2B: V. Martinez (29)
3B: M. Lawton (6), J. Bautista (1)
HR: H. Clark (2)

9/23
Pirates-4
Dodgers-3
WP: C. Lee (11-11)
LP: C. Billingsley (7-3)
SV: B. Lidge (30)

Pirates
2B: P. Coffey (29)
HR: M. Lawton (21)
Dodgers
HR: J. Werth (31)

9/24
Pirates-4
Dodgers-1
WP: O. Perez (11-11)
LP: C. Tiffany (13-6)

Pirates
HR: T. Sledge (15)
Dodgers
2B: D. Young (10), N. Nakamura (18)

Perez recovers and moves back to the 1st spot in the rotation, Duke moves back to AA.

9/25
Pirates-7
Dodgers-3
WP: K. Wells (16-8)
LP: J. Weaver (12-10)

Pirates
2B: P. Coffey (30), R. Sadler (4)
HR: V. Martinez (20)
Dodgers
2B: H. Choi (20)

9/26
Pirates-0
Dodgers-5
WP: O. Perez (14-9)
LP: R. Wolf (12-9)

Dodgers
2B: R. Martin (19)
HR: J. Werth (32)

9/27
Pirates-6
Cubs-4
WP: J. Fogg (14-9)
LP: M. Prior (12-7)
SV: B. Lidge (31)

Pirates
2B: V. Martinez (30), P. Coffey (31)
HR: V. Martinez (21), P. Coffey (14), J. Bay (14)
Dodgers
2B: M. Barrett (17)
HR: A. Ramirez (34), C. Patterson (24)

Bay recovers and moves back to start in CF, Sadler goes back to AAA.

Pat Coffey moves to 1B, Jose Bautista will start at 3B. Howie Clark moves back to the bench as he wasn't performing.

9/28
Pirates-4
Cubs-7
WP: G. Maddux (17-9)
LP: C. Lee (11-12)
SV: J. Borowski (46)

Pirates
2B: M. Lawton (31)
HR: V. Martinez (22), J. Bay (15)
Cubs
2B: T. O'Leary (7)
3B: A. Boeve 2 (2)
HR: D. Lee (34), A. Ramirez (35)

9/30
Brewers-7
Pirates-1
WP: B. Sheets (10-8)
LP: O. Perez (11-12)

Brewers
2B: D. Miller (16), J. Spivey 2 (19), R. Branyan (22)
HR: L. Overbay (5), E. Cruz (8)
Pirates
2B: J. Castillo (18), J. Bautista (2)

10/1
Brewers-3
Pirates-5
WP: B. Lidge (5-0)
LP: T. Phelps (9-8)

Brewers
HR: C. Lee (32)
Pirates
2B: P. Coffey (32), N. McLouth (3)
HR: P. Coffey (15)

10/2
Brewers-3
Pirates-4
WP: R. Wolf (13-9)
LP: C. Capuano (9-11)
SV: B. Lidge (32)

Brewers
2B: J. Spivey (20), R. Branyan (23)
Pirates
2B: J. Wilson (25)
3B: J. Bautista (2)
HR: T. Sledge (16), R. Mackowiak (7)

Next up, Around the Majors...

[coffeyfiend]

Well, its over, in September and October, we played poorly finishing with a 13-15 record. Worse though, we're not in the playoffs, the season is over.

NL Central
St. Louis 95-67 0 games back
Chicago 94-68 1 game back
Pittsburgh 91-71 4 games back
Milwaukee 81-81 14 games back
Cincinnati 80-83 15.5 games back
Houston 66-96 29 games back

In the end, injuries killed us. But the year wasn't a total wash, we did finally turn out a winning season and we did show the division and the world that we can compete.

Around the Majors
Milestones
9/4-Rafael Palmeiro BAL 3000th Hit
9/16-Damon Hollins TBD Hit for Cycle
9/17-Shawn Green ARI 1000th Run
9/20-Jorge Piedra COL Hit for the Cycle
9/23-Mike Piazza NYM 1000th Run
9/28-Victor Diaz NYM Hit for the Cycle
9/29-Curt Schilling BOS 200th Win

Next up, Playoffs and Season Wrap up...

[coffeyfiend]

Playoffs
Division Series
Yankees (88-74)
Rangers (87-76)

Yankees win 3-1

Athletics (94-68)
White Sox (82-80)

Athletics win 3-0

Dodgers (98-64)
Nationals (95-68)

Nationals win 3-0

Phillies (98-64)
Cardinals (95-67)

Phillies win 3-2

Championship Series
Yankees
Athletics

Athletics win 4-3

Nationals
Phillies

Phillies win 4-1

World Series
Athletics
Phillies

Phillies win 4-3

Season Wrap-up
Matt Lawton (.275, 21, 66)
Jack Wilson (.265, 6, 55)
Jason Bay (.277, 15, 54)
Victor Martinez (.301, 22, 87)
Pat Coffey (.324, 15, 77)
Daryle Ward (.246, 17, 79)
Terrmel Sledge (.239, 16, 57)
Jose Castillo (.261, 18, 69)
Ben Grieve (.309, 9, 29)
Rob Mackowiak (.224, 7, 24)
Freddy Sanchez (.191, 0, 1)
Nate McLouth (.315, 1, 6)
Ryan Doumit (.232, 0, 7)
Howie Clark (.239, 2, 7)

Oliver Perez (3.62, 11-12, 234)
Kip Wells (2.81, 16-8, 197)
Randy Wolf (4.48, 13-9, 108)
Mark Redman (3.34, 9-8, 123)
Josh Fogg (3.14, 14-9, 112)
Brad Lidge (1.47, 5-0, 32, 92)
Mike Gonzalez (3.01, 6-3, 1, 85)
John Grabow (3.53, 7-6, 1, 85)
Salomon Torres (2.40, 4-3, 2, 31)
Dave Williams (2.61, 2-1, 2, 43)
Cliff Lee (5.22, 11-12, 126)

Next up, Free Agent Period...

[coffeyfiend]

It's time for free agent negotiation, time to open the pocketbook and try not to be swindled out of my hard earned money.

The following is arbitration and contract negotiation. The dollar amount next to the player's name is their previous salary. In terms of contract offers, TO stands for team option and PO stands for player option. Let the spending begin!

Arbitration: Daryle Ward $730,000
Player offer-$1.45mil
Team offer-$1mil
Ward wins-He was asking for a pretty hefty raise, and he got it, I was planning on finding a better qualified starter at 1B, and this salary is a tad expensive for a bench player, we'll see what becomes of him.

Arbitration: Jack Wilson $7,400,000
Player offer-$8.95mil
Team offer-$8mil
Pirates win-I like nice round numbers, they seem to work better. Wilson's batting abilities seemed to diminish to pre-2004 ability. Still, he is a good defensive shortstop who I'd like to keep on the team, although this season he'll probably play towards the bottom of the order.

Arbitration: Rob Mackowiak $2,800,000
Player offer-$3mil
Team offer-$2.9mil
Pirates win-I wouldn't have minded forking over the other 100k, but hey, thats what negotiation is all about right?

Arbitration: Oliver Perez $316,000
Player offer-$6.8mil
Team offer-$4mil
Perez wins-Talk about big raises, with this money, he'll have to start pitching like the #1 starter he is. This also means I'll probably have to give more money to Kip Wells too.

Contract Negotiation: Kip Wells $2,550,000
Player offer-6 years @ $10.6mil
Team offer-2 years @ $7mil, PO: 1 year @ $8mil
The compromise-5 years @ $7.55mil, PO: 2 years @ $8.7mil
Wells is a good pitcher who really found his groove last season, he out pitched Perez as the #2 starter.

Arbitration: Mark Redman $1,200,000
Player offer-$3.95mil
Team offer-$3mil
Redman wins-I sizeable raise for a #4 pitcher, but I guess he deserves it, he pitched well, although he's the only starter I had that started 20 games and didn't win at least half that.

Arbitration: Josh Fogg $1,850,000
Player offer-$4.35mil
Team offer-$3.5mil
Fogg wins-He too deserved this raise, he pitched much better than I would request from my #5 starter. These raises mean that I won't be signing any expensive free agent starters.

Arbitration: Brad Lidge $316,000
Player offer-$10mil
Team offer-$8mil
Pirates win-That is still a lot of money, but Lidge did pitch amazingly for me, so I'll part with it only slightly begrudgingly.

Arbitration: Salomon Torres $1,250,000
Player offer-$1.05mil
Team offer-$1mil
Pirates win-I almost wanted to offer him more than he was asking, I mean he didn't ask for a raise but he pitched 45 innings, gave up only 12 earned runs, won 4 games and saved another 2. Granted, he didn't start any games, like he did in 2004, but he was invaluable nonetheless.

Contract Negotiation: Albie Lopez
Released-Money isn't important to Lopez and he wasn't important to me, everyone knows that he wasn't making it out of the minors, not pitching like he did last season.

Speaking of releasing players here are some more I let go, were their contracts up? No. Why didn't I trade them? All of them together wouldn't garner me any more than the likes of Chris Widger and other players of that caliber, and why fill up roster space on that? (It's rhetorical, you don't have to answer).

Howie Clark-Gone He retired after being released, he was 32.
Cesar Crespo-Later
Edwards Guzman-Bye Bye
Graham Koonce-Adios

Gotta love the post-season trades. Or is it pre-season, I'm never sure, its pretty confusing actually. Anyway, here they are.

Rajai Davis (CF) to SEA
for
Jesus Guzman (3B)
But why?: Looking at my minor league system I found myself overwhelmed by CFs; Chris Duffy, Felix Pie, Ray Sadler, there just wasn't enough room and someone had to go. In Guzman I get a developing third basement with a high peak (89). Guzman doesn't have any overwhelming abilities, range being his highest (86) followed by health (82) but he played well in Rookie ball last season and he's only 22, so he's got time and I have patience, I really do. Oh yeah, he'll probably start the season at A ball.

Rob Mackowiak (RF) to SEA
for
Michael Morse (SS)
The goods: Mackowiak got a raise and a new home, what a deal! Its true that he provided a lot of depth with his super-utility role, but he wasn't producing like I wanted, and what I say goes. It's good to be king. Any how, in Morse I get a 24 year old SS with an ok peak (78). Like Guzman, he doesn't have overwhelming abilities; also like Guzman range is his highest (89), but he played well in A ball last year and like I said before, I'm patient so, we'll start him out at AA and see what happens.

Ben Grieve (LF)
Kirk Bullinger (P)
Mike Johnston (P)
Brian Reith (P) to CLE
for
Alex Cora (IF)
Trimming the fat: Grieve played well off the bench, but wanted playing time I couldn't give him, the pitchers weren't and still aren't going anywhere (unless you count Cleveland as somewhere) and Cora provides that bench depth I'm always talking about.

Daryle Ward (1B)
Freddy Sanchez (IF) to SFG
for
Travis Ishikawa (1B)
Merkin Valdez (P)
$2mil
The skinny: Ward was expensive and was going to be a backup anyhow, and Sanchez had trouble hitting over .200 so they're expendable. Ishikawa is 22 years old and has a high peak (93). Like Guzman and Morse before him his abilities aren't spectacular, except for range, but I still have patience so we'll play him at A ball and see how it works out. Valdez is 24 and could be a starter or long reliever. He too has some developing to do yet but he has a peak of 77. He'll play at AAA.

The Real Free Agents
Now to pick up free agents off the market. I'm looking for a 1B and more bench depth.

Contract Negotiation: Pedro Feliz $316,000
Player offer-6 years @ $5.1mil, no trade Clause
Team offer-2 years @ $2mil, PO: 1 year @ 4mil and no trade clause
Can't we all just get along?: 5 years @ $3.85mil, PO: 3 years @ $5.85mil and no trade clause. Feliz can play 1B, 3B, SS, LF and RF. He's got good power and contact and I like that. I was going to give him the starting 1B job until...

Contract Negotiation: Aubrey Huff $316,000
Player offer-6 years @ $5.8mil, no trade clause
Team offer-2 years @ $3mil, no trade clause and PO: 2 years @ $3.5mil
The selling point: 5 years @ $4mil, no trade clause and PO: 3 years @ $5 mil. Huff can play 3B, 1B, RF and LF none of them great mind you but Huff can really swing the bat and I'm hoping he can at least catch balls thrown to him from across the infield.

Next up, Draft day....

[coffeyfiend]

Here's a look at the players I picked up in the draft

Pick # 24
Bernard Grasso SP (61/77) 18 years old
Endurance 93 Defense 93
Control 64
Power 78 Hitting 80
Movement 58 Health 67

Pick # 54
Francisco Rengifo SP (49/78) 18 years old
Edurance 93 Defense 93
Control 77
Power 76 Hitting 75
Movement 60 Health 78

Pick # 84
David Reid 2B (53/69) 20 years old
Contact 53 Arm 70
Power 64 Range 58
Speed 67 Fielding 70
Eye 72 Health 82

Pick # 114
Leon Martinez SP (45/65) 18 years old
Endurance 77 Defense 77
Control 76
Power 70 Hitting 70
Movement 70 Health 64

Pick # 144
Jeff Normand SP (44/61) 20 years old
Endurance 70 Defense 71
Control 72
Power 77 Hitting 77
Movement 67 Health 72

Pick # 174
Sid Navarro SP (42/58) 20 years old
Endurance 76 Defense 72
Control 74
Power 66 Hitting 75
Movement 75 Health 70

Wow, that's a lot of bad starting pitchers. This draft was stocked full of starting pitchers and besides the first 20 or so players, all of them were ****. I'll hang on to these guys for a year or so and see if the scouts were wrong, but I'm not holding my breath.

Next up, Post-Season Recap...

[coffeyfiend]

Here's a look at the end of the season awards.

American League
Cy Young: Barry Zito (SP) OAK
MVP: Mark Teixeira (1B) TEX
ROY: Jason Kubel (RF) MIN
Gold Glove: Roy Halladay (P) TOR
Gold Glove: A.J. Pierzynski (C) CHW
Gold Glove: Carlos Pena (1B) DET
Gold Glove: Tony Womack (2B) NYY
Gold Glove: Eric Chavez (3B) OAK
Gold Glove: Edgar Renteria (SS) BOS
Gold Glove: Carl Crawford (LF) TBD
Gold Glove: Torii Hunter (CF) MIN
Gold Glove: Alexis Rios (RF) TOR

National League
Cy Young: Jason Schmidt (SP) SFG
MVP: Albert Pujols (1B) STL
ROY: Pat Coffey (3B) PIT
Gold Glove: Livan Hernandez (P) WAS
Gold Glove: Chris Snyder (C) ARI
Gold Glove: Derrek Lee (1B) CHC
Gold Glove: Placido Polanco (2B) PHI
Gold Glove: Scott Rolen (3B) STL
Gold Glove: Omar Vizquel (SS) SFG
Gold Glove: Carlos Lee (LF) MIL
Gold Glove: Andruw Jones (CF) ATL
Gold Glove: Richard Hidalgo (RF) COL

Free Agent Signings by team

Anaheim
Orlando Hudson (2B) $7.7mil for 5 years
Jose Jimenez (P) $7.1mil for 4 years
Frank Catalanotto (LF) $1.15mil for 6 years
Dave Weathers (P) $730k for 1 year

Arizona
Carlos Guillen (SS) $9.3mil for 7 years
Jon Garland (P) $2.4mil for 4 years
Jeff Conine (LF) $910k for 2 years
Cal Eldred (P) $610k for 1 year

Atlanta
Adam Dunn (LF) $10.9mil for 6 years
Mark Prior (P) $11mil for 3 years
Brandon Webb (P) $9mil for 3 years

Baltimore
Jody Gerut (RF) $5.6mil for 4 years
Zach Day (P) $4mil for 3 years

Boston
Jeromy Burnitz (RF) $1.75mil for 3 years
Albertus Lagas (P) $1.3mil for 1 year
Travis Harper (P) $1mil for 4 years
David Riske (P) $900k for 4 years
Jose Santiago (P) $1.3mil for 4 years
Scott Stewart (P) $1.35mil for 3 years
Jacob Cruz (RF) $500k for 5 years
Ruben Rivera (CF) $500k for 5 years
Ramon Martinez (SS) $610k for 5 years
Scott Sauerbeck (P) $360k for 2 years
Danny Bautista (RF) $1mil for 5 years
Dan Reichert (P) $340k for 3 years
Scott Hatteberg (1B) $1.1mil for 3 years
Doug Mientkiewickz (1B) $1.25mil for 6 years
Mike DeJean (P) $730k for 2 years
Mike Lamb (3B) $1.45mil for 6 years
John Riedling (P) $440k for 3 years
Scott Linebrink (P) $2.15mil for 4 years
Sean Burroughs (3B) $3.5mil for 4 years
Larry Walker (RF) $2.25mil for 2 years

Chicago Cubs
Jimmy Rollins (SS) $10.9mil for 6 years
Rafael Furcal (SS) $11.1mil for 6 years
Todd Helton (1B) $7.9mil for years
Placido Polanco (2B) $10.5 for 7 years
Matt LeCroy (1B) $2.1mil for 6 years
Gil Meche (P) $810k for 4 years
Endy Chavez (CF) $2.3mil for 5 years

Chicago White Sox
Jim Edmonds (CF) $10.5 for 4 years
Alfonso Soriano (2B) $10mil for 7 years
Marcus Giles (2B) $7.6mil for 6 years
Toby Borland (P) $520k for 2 years
Craig Monroe (LF) $2.65mil for 5 years

Cincinnati
Jose Guillen (LF) $5.9mil for 7 years
Edwards Guzman (3B) $410k for 5 years
Ben Molina (C) $2.1mil for 6 years
Todd Walker (2B) $2.4mil for 5 years
Jim Brower (P) $1.2mil for 3 years
Jay Payton (CF) $2.8mil for 5 years
Brady Clark (RF) $610k for 4 years

Cleveland
Jake Peavy (P) $7.7mil for 3 years
Mark Mulder (P) $8.4mil for 5 years
Barry Zito (P) $9.4mil for 5 years
Jeff D'Amico (P) $810k for 4 years
Darrell May (P) $950k for 3 years

Colorado
Milton Bradley (CF) $6.7mil for 6 years
Brian Sweeney (P) $316k for 1 year
Tommy Phelps (P) $330k for 1 year
Nelson Cruz (P) $540k for 3 years
Javier Valentin (C) $680k for 6 years
Donovan Osborne (P) $860k for 2 years
Alex Cintron (SS) $5mil for 5 years
Trevor Hoffman (P) $910k for 1 year
Kyle Farnsworth (P) $3.45mil for 4 years
Jorge Julio (P) $1.3mil for 3 years
Damaso Marte (P) $2.4mil for 4 years

Detroit
Aramis Ramirez (3B) $7.3 for 7 years
Corey Patterson (CF) $6mil for 6 years
Scott Podsednik (CF) $5.7mil for 5 years

Florida
none

Houston
D'Angelo Jimenez (2B) $6.9mil for 7 years
Melvin Mora (3B) $5.8mil for 5 years
Rodrigo Lopez (P) $1.3mil for 4 years
Victor Santos (P) $1.3mil for 3 years
Rob Bell (P) $860k for 4 years

Kansas City
Matt Morris (P) $4.2mil for 5 years
Ray King (P) $810k for 3 years
Gary Matthews (RF) $1mil for 6 years

Los Angeles
Joe Nathan (P) $4.1mil for 4 years
Francisco Cordero (P) $4mil for 5 years
La Troy Hawkins (P) $4.9mil for 3 years
Ted Lilly (P) $5.6mil for 5 years
Scot Shields (P) $2.25mil for 3 years
Johnny Estrada (C) $1.5mil for 5 years
Willie Harris (2B) $2.6mil for 5 years

Milwaukee
Juan Pierre (CF) $5.4mil for 6 years
Wes Helms (3B) $810k for 6 years
Cesar Crespo (SS) $500k for 5 years
Brett Myers (P) $3.55mil for 3 years

Minnesota
Bruce Chen (P) $610k for 4 years
Trever Miller (P) $520k for 3 years
Jose Paniagua (P) $680k for 3 years
J.C. Romero (P) $1mil for 4 years
Todd Greene (C) $810k for 4 years

New York Mets
Carl Crawford (LF) $4.1mil for 5 years
Keith Ginter (2B) $3.45mil for 6 years

New York Yankees
Carlos Zambrano (P) $10.3mil for 4 years
Eric Gagne (P) $5.2mil for 5 years
Adam Kennedy (2B) $6.6mil for 7 years
Cesar Izturis (SS) $2.8mil for 5 years
Jeremy Bonderman (P) $3.65mil for 2 years

Oakland
Andruw Jones (CF) $11.4mil for 7 years
Scott Eyre (P) $460k for 3 years
Casey Fossum (P) $810k for 3 years

Philadelphia
Aaron Rowand (CF) $11mil for 6 years
Mike Young (SS) $4.8mil for 6 years

San Diego
Brian Schneider (C) $3.1mil for 6 years
Jason Jennings (P) $2.25mil for 3 years
Wilson Delgado (SS) $410k for 5 years
Guillermo Mota (P) $2.1mil for 4 years
Tomo Ohka (P) $1.55mil for 5 years

San Francisco
Erubiel Durazo (1B) $3.1mil for 6 years

Seattle
Jake Westbrook (P) $4.2mil for 4 years
Steve Woodard (P) $610k for 4 years
John Mabry (LF) $1mil for 4 years
Raul Ibanez (LF) $2.05mil for 5 years
Mike Mussina (P) $2.55mil for 2 years
Ramon Hernandez (C) $2.55mil for 7 years
Lou Pote (P) $3.45mil for 3 years
Kevin Mench (RF) $4.4mil for 5 years

St. Louis
Trot Nixon (RF) $2.45mil for 6 years
Eric Byrnes (LF) $2.75mil for 6 years
Brad Penny (P) $3.75mil for 4 years
Austin Kearns (RF) $5.7mil for 5 years
Joel Pineiro (P) $2.55mil for 4 years
B.J. Ryan (P) $2.2mil for 5 years
Carlos Pena (1B) $3.45mil for 5 years

Tampa Bay
Ichiro (RF) $6mil for 5 years
Toby Hall (C) $710k for 5 years
Jesus Sanchez (P) $340k for 3 years
A.J. Pierzynski (C) $3.4mil for 7 years
Ryan Franklin (P) $560k for 3 years
Scott Elarton (P) $590k for 4 years
Garrett Stephenson $1mil for 3 years

Texas
Albert Pujols (1B) $18.1mil for 6 years
Juan Uribe (2B) $5.7mil for 5 years
Doug Davis (P) $5.7mil for 5 years
Albie Lopez (P) $440k for 2 years

Toronto
C.C. Sabathia (P) $8mil for 4 years
A.J. Burnett (P) $7.7mil for 5 years
Julio Lugo (SS) $4.1mil for 6 years

Washington
Mark Teixeira (1B) $13.4mil for 4 years
Ben Sheets (P) $11.2mil for 5 years

Hall of Fame
Rafael Palmeiro (1B) 2011 82%

Next up, Spring Training...

[coffeyfiend]

Before Spring Training began, I took another look at the available free agents and decided I wanted another Starting Pitcher. With this in mind I made 3 more trades in order to free up a rotation slot. Actually, I anticipated making only the first trade, but one thing led to another and I pulled the trigger twice more, you'll see what I mean.

Looking at my rotation and my alternate starter I zeroed in on trading Cliff Lee, he pitched the worst out of all my pitchers who made starts so I decided to ship him off.

Cliff Lee (P) to MIN
for
Michael Ryan (LF)
$1 mil

Even though I'm trying to dump Lee, I still don't like to make pointless trade, i.e. getting nothing in return. Ryan hits for contact and power and has a nice glove. He'll be a nice addition to my bench.

Now that that is done, I realized that my bench now had too many OFs. If I demoted either Nate McLouth, Ray Sadler, or Jose Bautista, I'd have too many OFs in AAA, and one would be taking valuable ABs from another. With that in mind, I sent McLouth to AAA and placed my AAA leftfielder, Jorge Cortes on the trading block.

Jorge Cortes (LF) to CLE
for
Paul Shuey (P)

This was the best return for Cortes, but now I have another problem. Too many relievers. All my relievers pitched splendidly last season, as did Shuey and so I had to make another trade. I decided to put Grabow on the block and see what I could get, I found a bunch of worthless players. So I scoured my roster for another player I could part with to maximize my return. Randy Wolf pitched well, but the worst out of my remaining starters, so I added him to the block.

John Grabow (P)
Randy Wolf (P) to ANA
for
Agustin Vazquez (LF)
Brandon Wood (SS)

Vazquez is one of the Angels draft picks and has a peak of 55 and he's reached it! Needless to say, he's getting no where near my ML roster, he'll spend the season at R ball and likely be released at the end of the season, if not sooner. Wood on the other hand is a great SS with a high peak (97). He'll go A ball, and work his way up.

Now that I've taken care of that dirty work, I still need another starter. There are some good starters still out their, John Smoltz, Greg Maddux, Mark Buehrle, Roger Clemens, etc... I didn't want to sign an older pitcher for a year and then have him retire though, so I singled out Mark Buehrle. Turns out Buehrle's injured for 77 days though so he's out. So I decided on Brian Lawrence, he's coming off of a subpar season, but I know he has it in him to pitch better.

Contract Negotiation: Brian Lawrence $316,000
Player offer-4 years @ $2.4mil, no trade clause
Team offer-2 years @ $2.4mil, no trade clause
We can work it out-2 years @ $2.45mil, PO: 1 year @ $2.45mil, no trade clause

Around the Majors, Spring Training Free Agent Signings
CHC signs Eric Hinske (3B) @ $1.2mil for 4 years
CHW signs Ben Weber (P) @ $316k for 1 year
CLE signs Craig Wilson (RF) @ $2.9mil for 6 years
CLE signs Jose Cruz Jr. (RF) @ $3.3mil for 6 years
CLE signs John Lackey (P) @ $1.4mil for 3 years
COL signs Rodrigo Rosario (P) @ $3.35mil for 1 year
COL signs Vicente Padilla (P) @ $2.75mil for 5 years
HOU signs Francisco Rodriguez (P) @ $1.8mil for 3 years
HOU signs Josh Phelps (1B) @ $2.1mil for 6 years
HOU signs Shea Hillenbrand (1B) @ $1.4mil for 5 years
HOU signs Lyle Overbay (1B) @ $1.5mil for 5 years
KCR signs Jason Marquis (P) @ $2.5mil for 4 years
KCR signs Ty Wigginton (3B) @ $1.9mil for 4 years
KCR signs Aaron Boone (3B) @ $610k for 5 years
KCR signs Russ Branyan (3B) @ $3.3mil for 7 years
LAD signs Adam Eaton (P) @ $1.7mil for 4 years
LAD signs Joe Crede (3B) @ $2.3mil for 6 years
LAD signs Nomar Garciaparra (SS) @ $3.1mil for 6 years
LAD signs Vernon Wells (CF) @ $2.2mil for 7 years
MIN signs Antonio Osuna (P) @ $1.5mil for 3 years
MIN signs Richard Hidalgo (RF) @ $3.3mil for 7 years
SDP signs Paul Lo Duca (C) @ $1.2mil for 5 years
SDP signs Brandon Inge (3B) @ $1.7mil for 5 years
SDP signs Pat Burrell (LF) @ $2.5mil for 6 years
SDP signs Victor Zambrano (P) @ $1mil for 3 years
SEA signs Jay Powell (P) @ $2.9mil for 3 years
STL signs Luis Matos (CF) @ $2.1mil for 6 years
STL signs Frank Thomas (1B) @ $3.1mil for 3 years
STL signs Jason LaRue (C) @ $810k for 5 years
STL signs Dmitri Young (1B) @ $2.7mil for 6 years
STL signs Brad Wilkerson (1B) @ $2.1mil for 5 years
TBD signs Kelly Wunsch (P) @ $2.8mil for 3 years
TBD signs Wade Miller (P) @ $1.15mil for 5 years
TBD signs Eli Marrero (LF) @ 810k for 5 years

Next up, Pre-Season 2006...

[coffeyfiend]

My goals for this season are to improve upon last season's record, and to reach the playoffs. Eventually my goal is the world series, but for now, I'm just worried about putting a competitive team on the field, one that can make it to the playoffs.

My payroll, budget for 2006 is only $16.3mil, right now, my payroll is $56.4mil, this difference doesn't concern me much, I have $19,152,323 in cash, so hopefully that will help compensate for the difference.

Speaking of finances, tickets prices are $21.50 for this season. Concessions are $3.45 for hotdogs, $5.05 for beer and $2.65 for ice cream. I've put $9mil into my farm system (7th), $10mil into scouting (8th) and $6mil into the medical staff (8th).
With all that plus salaries, I'm looking at $81,406,622 for this years expenses, and a projected income of only $41,679,797. That will put me into a sizeable debt. Hopefully I'll be able to trim the salary down by the trading deadline.

Roster
Here's a look at my opening day roster, the stats are from spring training of this year and as always the numbers in () are the players overall/peak, or just peak if they've already reached their full potential.

Starting Lineup
Matt Lawton RF .317 AVG, 1 HR, 12 RBI
(75)
Jose Castillo 2B .250 AVG, 0 HR, 1 RBI
(81)
Jason Bay CF .337 AVG, 7 HR, 18 RBI (87)
Victor Martinez C .321 AVG, 4 HR, 15 RBI (82)
Pat Coffey 3B .353 AVG, 2 HR, 19 RBI (93/99)
Aubrey Huff 1B .287 AVG, 4 HR, 14 RBI (82)
Terrmel Sledge LF .333 AVG, 0 HR, 0 RBI (82)
Jack Wilson SS .303 AVG, 1 HR, 12 RBI (82)

Bench
Pedro Feliz 1B, 3B, SS, LF, RF .271 AVG, 1 HR, 12 RBI (80)
Michael Ryan LF, RF .333 AVG, 0 HR, 0 RBI (75)
Ray Sadler CF .250 AVG, 4 HR, 16 RBI (76/78)
Jose Bautista RF, 3B .346 AVG, 4 HR, 16 RBI (75)
Ryan Doumit C .667 AVG, 0 HR, 2 RBI (75/80)
Alex Cora 2B, SS ..272 AVG, 2 HR, 13 RBI (80)

Rotation
Oliver Perez 4.06 ERA, 3-0 W-L, 33 K (88)
Kip Wells 6.33 ERA, 3-3 W-L, 33 K (82)
Mark Redman 4.27 ERA, 4-1 W-L, 20 K (75/76)
Josh Fogg 5.86 ERA, 2-2 W-L, 16 K (73)
Brian Lawrence 4.85 ERA, 2-2 W-L, 17 K (79)

Bullpen
Brad Lidge CL 3.09 ERA, 1 SV, 13 K (79)
Paul Shuey ST 3.00 ERA, 1 SV, 10 K (74/75)
Mike Gonzalez SH 4.50 ERA, 0-1 W-L, 19 K (81)
Salomon Torres MD Did not Pitch (69)
Dave Williams LG 2.92 ERA, 1-1 W-L, 8 K (74/75)
Ian Snell AT 3.26 ERA, 2-0 W-L, 16 K (71)

AAA
Chris Duffy CF .305 AVG, 2 HR, 12 RBI (71/75)
Brad Eldred 1B .273 AVG, 10 HR, 19 RBI (80/82)
Javier Guzman SS .242 AVG, 2 HR, 13 RBI (66/80)
Ryan Harvey RF .241 AVG, 0 HR, 16 RBI (68/94)
Nate McLouth LF .361 AVG, 2 HR, 13 RBI (80/91)
Victor Mercedes 2B .250 AVG, 2 HR, 14 RBI (73/77)
Ronny Paulino C .256 AVG, 3 HR, 14 RBI (75/80)
Bobby Bradley SP 1.29 ERA, 1-0 W-L, 4 K (75/76)
Frank Brooks RP 5.25 ERA, 0 SV, 9 K (66)
Bryan Bullington SP 6.38 ERA, 0-2 W-L, 16 K (71)
Sean Burnett SP 5.60 ERA, 0-1 W-L, 12 K (63/66)
Gustavo Chacin SP 3.44 ERA, 1-1 W-L, 25 K (70/77)
Zach Duke SP 6.57 ERA, 1-0 W-L, 7 K (77/82)
Tom Gorzelanny SP 4.60 ERA, 3-1 W-L, 35 K (73)
Jeff Miller RP 5.91 ERA, 0 SV, 11 K (76)
Matt Peterson SP 4.42 ERA, 1-0 W-L, 14 K (69/70)
Cory Stewart SP/RP 7.56 ERA, 0-1 W-L, 7 K (66/69)
Merkin Valdez SP/RP 5.13 ERA, 1-0 W-L, 20 K (73/77)
John Van Benschoten SP 6.00 ERA, 0-1 W-L, 11 K (59/66)

AA
Michael Morse SS .267 AVG, 4 HR, 14 RBI (76/80)
Felix Pie CF .274 AVG, 2 HR, 13 RBI (73/92)
Chad Spann 3B .266 AVG, 4 HR, 13 RBI (66/85)
Mike Connolly SP/RP 3.86 ERA, 0-1 W-L, 10 K (73)
Paul Maholm SP 4.84 ERA, 2-0 W-L, 8 K (71/73)

A
Jesus Guzman 3B .268 AVG, 1 HR, 4 RBI (68/88)
Travis Ishikawa 1B .220 AVG, 5 HR, 15 RBI (64/93)
Brandon Wood SS .239 AVG, 4 HR, 14 RBI (70/97)

R
David Reid 2B, SS, 3B .222 AVG, 1 HR, 5 RBI (53/69)
Agustin Vazquez LF, CF, RF .156 AVG, 1 HR, 5 RBI (55)
Bernard Grasso SP 5.63 ERA, 2-1 W-L, 32 K (61/77)
Leon Martinez SP 6.35 ERA, 0-1 W-L, 2 K (45/66)
Sid Navarro SP 6.39 ERA, 0-1 W-L, 6 K (42/62)
Jeff Normand SP 4.05 ERA, 1-0 W-L, 5 K (46/81)
Francisco Rengifo SP 6.33 ERA, 1-1 W-L, 15 K (51/80)

Next up, Around the Majors, Pre-season

[coffeyfiend]

I thought I'd give you all a look at what other teams lineups look like, no stats are included, as I don't have THAT much free time.

Anaheim
Lineup
Maicer Izturis SS
Frank Catalanotto LF
Dallas McPherson DH
Vlad Guerrero RF
Robb Quinlan 3B
Garret Anderson CF
Kendry Morales 1B
Orlando Hudson 2B
Rod Barajas C

Bench
Nick Gorneault LF
Chone Figgins IF
Jeff DaVanon OF
Lou Merloni 1B
Jose Molina C

Rotation
Kelvim Escobar
Bartolo Colon
Zeke Hanson
Randy Wolf
Jarrod Washburn

Bullpen
Brendan Donnelly CL
Jose Jimenez ST
Kevin Gregg SH
Ervin Santana MD
Peter Munro LG
Dustin Moseley AT

Interesting names in the Minors
Tim Salmon RF AAA
Juan Rivera RF AAA
Darin Erstad 1B AAA
Steve Finley CF AAA
John Grabow RP AA
Esteban Yan RP A

Arizona
Lineup
Luis Terrero CF
Carlos Guillen SS
Chris Snyder C
Troy Glaus 3B
Carlos Quentin LF
Shawn Green 1B
Scott Hairston 2B
Jonathan Zeringue RF

Bench
Doug DeVore LF
Zach Lorge OF
Jeff Conine LF
Craig Counsell IF
Juan Brito C
Chad Tracy 3B

Rotation
Dustin Nippert
Javier Vazquez
Russ Ortiz
Jon Garland
Edgar Gonzalez

Bullpen
Jose Valverde CL
Mike Koplove ST
Adriano Rosario SH
Brian Bruney MD
Mike Gosling LG
Brad Halsey AT

Interesting names in the Minors
Luis Gonzalez LF AAA
Matt Kata 2B AA
Koyie Hill C AA
Kelly Stinnett C AA
Todd Hundley C R
Juan Acevedo RP AA
Oscar Villarreal RP AA
Cal Eldred RP AA
Randy Choate RP A

Atlanta
Lineup
Wilson Betemit SS
Chipper Jones 3B
Adam LaRoche 1B
Adam Dunn LF
Bill McCarthy RF
Matt Esquivel CF
Nick Green 2B
Brian McCann C

Bench
Ryan Langerhans RF
Esix Snead LF
Kelly Johnson LF
Tony Pena SS
Eddie Perez C
Andy Marte 3B

Rotation
Brandon Webb
Mark Prior
Tim Hudson
Jake Stevens
Chuck James

Bullpen
Bret Christie CL
Chris Reitsma ST
Kyle Davies SH
Ray Aguilar MD
John Thomson LG
Anthony Lerew AT

Interesting names in the Minors
Brent Mayne C A
Mike Hampton SP AAA
Mike Fetters RP R
Gabe White RP R
Danny Kolb RP R

Baltimore
Lineup
Jody Gerut RF
Larry Bigbie LF
Miguel Tejada SS
Sammy Sosa DH
Walter Young 1B
Jeff Fiorentino CF
Javy Lopez C
Tripper Johnson 3B
Nate Spears 2B

Bench
Carlos Rivera 1B
Tim Raines CF
Craig Biggio OF
Tripp Cromer IF
Geronimo Gil C

Rotation
Roy Oswalt
Sidney Ponson
Erik Bedard
Zach Day
David Telesco

Bullpen
Steve Kline CL
Tony Fiore ST
John Parrish SH
David Haehnel MD
Matt Riley LG
Eric DuBose AT

Interesting names in the Minors
Jay Gibbons RF AAA
Willie Bloomquist IF AAA
Brad Ausmus C AA
Karim Garcia RF AA
Kurt Ainsworth SP/RP AA
Jason Grimsley RP R

Boston
Johnny Damon CF
Edgar Renteria SS
David Ortiz 1B
Manny Ramirez LF
Jason Varitek C
Mike Lamb 3B
Larry Walker RF
Mark Bellhorn 2B
Dustin Pedroia DH

Bench
Doug Mirabelli C
George Lombard OF
Adam Hyzdu OF
Ramon Martinez IF
Jeff Bailey C

Rotation
Curt Schilling
Matt Clement
Bronson Arroyo
Manny Delcarmen
Jon Carradus

Bullpen
Albertus Lagasa CL
Scott Stewart ST
Tommy Hottovy SH
Anibal Sanchez MD
Joe Vaquedano LG
Scott Linebrink AT

Interesting names in the Minors
Dave Berg LF AAA
Doug Mientkiewicz 1B AAA
Jeromy Burnitz OF AA
Aaron Miles 2B AA
Sean Burroughs 3B A
Danny Bautista OF A
Scott Hatteberg 1B A
Shawn Wooten 1B R
David Wells SP AAA
Alan Embree RP AA
John Riedling RP A
Scott Sauerbeck RP R

Cubs
Lineup
Rafael Furcal SS
Endy Chavez CF
Todd Helton 1B
Jason Dubois RF
Kevin Collins LF
Michael Barrett C
Eric Hinske 3B
Placido Polanco 2B

Bench
Derrek Lee 1B
Alex Sanchez CF
Peter Bergeron OF
Jose Reyes IF
Henry Blanco C
Jerry Hairston RF

Rotation
Kerry Wood
Sergio Mitre
Renyel Pinto
Gil Meche
Ricky Nolasco

Bullpen
Scott Williamson CL
Jason Boyd ST
Angel Guzman SH
Jon Leicester MD
Ryan Dempster LG
Glendon Rusch AT

Interesting names in the Minors
Jimmy Rollins SS AAA
Matt LeCroy 1B AA
Troy O'Leary OF AA
Rey Ordonez SS R

White Sox
Lineup
Marcus Giles 2B
Wily Mo Pena RF
Alfonso Soriano DH
Jim Edmonds CF
Paul Konerko 1B
Craig Monroe LF
Ben Davis C
Rob Valido SS
Micah Schnurstein 3B

Bench
Rob Stratton LF
Pablo Ozuna 2B
Carl Everett CF
Kelly Dransfeldt SS
Chris Widger C

Rotation
Freddy Garcia
Felix Diaz
Tetsu Yofu
Arnie Munoz
Jose Contreras

Bullpen
Brian Bowles CL
Neal Cotts ST
Toby Borland SH
Brandon McCarthy MD
Bobby Jenks LG
Orlando Hernandez AT

Interesting names in the Minors
Ben Weber RP AA

Cincinnati
Lineup
Andy Machado SS
Ryan Freel 3B
Sean Casey 1B
Jose Guillen LF
Jay Payton CF
Todd Walker 2B
Ben Molina C
Brady Clark RF

Bench
Jesse Gutierrez 1B
Javon Moran CF
Ken Griffey Jr. CF
Ray Olmedo SS
Bobby Estalella C
Kenny Kelly CF

Rotation
Richie Gardner
Steve Kelly
Luke Hudson
Josh Hancock
Eric Milton

Bullpen
Shingo Takatsu CL
Jim Brower ST
Todd Coffey SH
Brandon Claussen MD
Sean Tracey LG
Frank Castillo AT

Interesting names in the Minors
Vance Wilson C AA
Paul Wilson SP AAA
Dustin Hermanson RP AAA
Jose Acevedo RP AAA
Jeriome Robertson RP R
Kent Mercker RP R

Cleveland
Lineup
Casey Blake 3B
Shannon Stewart LF
Grady Sizemore CF
Craig Wilson RF
Ryan Ludwick DH
Ryan Garko C
Ben Broussard 1B
Ron Belliard 2B
Jhonny Peralta SS

Bench
Travis Hafner 1B
Jose Morban SS
Jose Cruz Jr. OF
Jorge Velandia IF
Josh Bard C

Rotation
Mark Mulder
Jake Peavy
Barry Zito
Darrell May
Jeff D'Amico

Bullpen
Jesse Crain CL
Chad Zerbe ST
Fernando Cabrera SH
Kazuhito Tadano MD
John Lackey LG
Jason Davis AT

Interesting names in the Minors
Coco Crisp OF AAA
Mike Redmond C AA
Robert Fick LF AA
Benito Santiago C A
Ryan Vogelsong SP AAA

Colorado
Lineup
Milton Bradley CF
Ian Stewart 3B
Ryan Shealy 1B
Brad Hawpe RF
Matt Holliday LF
J.D. Closser C
Alex Cintron SS
Luis A. Gonzalez 2B

Bench
Jorge Piedra CF
Reggie Taylor OF
Preston Wilson CF
Ramon Vazquez IF
Charles Johnson C
Jeremy West 1B

Rotation
Steve Merwitz
Jason Young
Vicente Padilla
Rodrigo Rosario
Aaron Cook

Bullpen
Keith Foulke CL
Scott Dohmann ST
Damaso Marte SH
Chin-hui Tsao MD
Cory Vance LG
Kyle Farnsworth AT

Interesting names in the Minors
Tom Wilson C AAA
Dustan Mohr RF AA
Clint Barmes SS AA
Bill Mueller 3B AA
Garret Atkins 3B A
Greg Vaughn LF R
Rick White RP AAA
Jorge Julio RP AA
Trevor Hoffman RP A

Detroit
Lineup
Scott Podsednik CF
Corey Patterson DH
Magglio Ordonez RF
Mike Hessman 1B
Marcus Thames LF
Aramis Ramirez 3B
Ivan Rodriguez C
Omar Infante 2B
Tony Giarratano SS

Bench
Chris Shelton 1B
Nook Logan CF
Eric Owens OF
Jason Smith IF
George Kottaras C

Rotation
Rob Henkel
Nate Robertson
Aaron Harang
Joel Zumaya
Jason Grilli

Bullpen
Troy Percival CL
Luther Hackman ST
John Ennis SH
Wilfredo Ledezma MD
Fernando Rodney LG
Humberto Sanchez AT

Interesting names in the Minors
Bobby Higginson RF AAA
Fernando Vina 2B AA
Julian Tavarez RP AAA
Ugueth Urbina RP A

Florida
Luis Castillo 2B
Eric Reed CF
Kevin Reese LF
Miguel Cabrera RF
Mike Lowell 3B
Josh Willingham C
Joe Dillon 1B
Derek Wathan SS

Bench
Juan Encarnacion OF
Mark Little OF
Chris Aguila LF
Noah Diebel IF
Angel Molina C
Matt Treanor C

Rotation
Dontrelle Willis
Josh Beckett
Paul Benn
Logan Kensing
Scott Olsen

Bullpen
Chris Resop CL
Tim Spooneybarger ST
Kevin Olsen SH
Nate Bump MD
Jason Vargas LG
Joshua Johnson AT

Houston
Lineup
Tike Redman CF
Ben Zobrist SS
Melvin Mora 3B
Lance Berkman RF
Luke Scott LF
Lyle Overbay 1B
D'Angelo Jimenez 2B
Mitch Meluskey C

Bench
Yurendell De Caster 3B
Willy Taveras CF
Jason Lane OF
Adam Everett SS
Hector Gimenez C
Todd Self 1B

Rotation
Rob Stiehl
Andy Pettitte
Shaun Cobain
Fernando Nieve
Ronnie Martinez

Bullpen
Francisco Rodriguez CL
Daniel Wheeler ST
Mike Burns SH
Taylor Buchholz MD
Jason Hirsh LG
Victor Santos AT

Interesting names in the Minors
Josh Phelps 1B AAA
Bobby Hill IF AAA
Morgan Ensberg 3B AA
Jeff Bagwell 1B AA
Orlando Merced RF AA
Shea Hillenbrand 3B A
Rodrigo Lopez RP AAA
Brandon Backe RP AA
Chad Harville RP AA
Tim Redding SP A
Jose Mesa RP A

Kansas City
Lineup
Angel Berroa SS
David DeJesus CF
Mike Sweeney 1B
Russ Branyan 3B
Matt Diaz LF
Justin Huber C
Gary Matthews RF
Byron Gettis DH
Ruben Gotay 2B

Bench
Aaron Boone 3B
Luis Ugueto 2B
Ruben Mateo RF
Mendy Lopez IF
John Buck C

Rotation
Jason Marquis
Matt Morris
Zack Greinke
Ken Vickers
Mike Wood

Bullpen
Jeff Nelson CL
Ray King ST
Rafael Betancourt SH
Jeremy Affeldt MD
Andy Sisco LG
Denny Bautista AT

Interesting names in the Minors
Ty Wigginton IF AAA
Marlon Byrd CF AAA
Mike Difelice C AAA
Aaron Guiel LF AA
Ken Harvey 1B AA
Scott Spiezio IF AA
Tony Graffanino 2B A
Graeme Lloyd RP AA
Brian Anderson SP A
Kyle Snyder RP R

Los Angeles
Lineup
Willie Harris 2B
Nomar Garciaparra SS
J.D. Drew RF
Hee Seop Choi 1B
Joe Crede 3B
Jayson Werth LF
Vernon Wells CF
Johnny Estrada C

Bench
Jeff Kent 2B
Brent Abernathy 2B
Ricky Ledee OF
Juan Castro IF
Russell Martin C
Mike Rose C

Rotation
Chuck Tiffany
Jeff Weaver
Odalis Perez
Adam Eaton
Derek Lowe

Bullpen
Billy Koch CL
Francisco Cordero ST
Joe Nathan SH
Yhency Brazoban MD
Chad Billingsley LG
Ted Lilly AT

Interesting names in the Minors
Orlando Cabrera SS AAA
Dave Ross C AAA
Jason Grabowski LF AA
Joe McEwing IF AA
Corky Miller C AA
Paul Bako C A
Ron Coomer 1B R
La Troy Hawkins RP AAA
Scot Shields RP AAA
Darren Dreifort RP AAA
Wilson Alvarez RP AA
Elmer Dessens RP AA

Next up, The remaining rosters...

[coffeyfiend]

Milwaukee
Lineup
Juan Pierre CF
Rickie Weeks 2B
Carlos Lee LF
Prince Fielder 1B
Wes Helms 3B
Damian Miller C
Chris Magruder RF
Enrique Cruz SS

Bench
Geoff Jenkins LF
Trent Durrington IF
Anthony Gwynn CF
Bill Hall IF
Lou Palmisano C
Pete Zoccolillo RF

Rotation
Jose Capellan
Brett Myers
Chris Capuano
Ben Hendrickson
Wes Obermueller

Bullpen
Travis Phelps CL
Mike Crudale ST
Rey Cuesta SH
Dana Eveland MD
Gary Glover LG
Jayson Durocher AT

Interesting Names in the Minors
Mark L. Johnson C AA
Jeff Cirillo 3B AA
Gary Bennett C A
Brooks Kieschnick RP A
Rick Helling SP R

Minnesota
Lineup
Lew Ford LF
Joe Mauer C
Jason Kubel DH
Eric Munson 3B
Justin Morneau 1B
Kevin West RF
Torii Hunter CF
Mike Cuddyer 2B
Joel Guzman SS

Bench
Richard Hidalgo OF
Jason Tyner OF
Jacque Jones OF
Augie Ojeda IF
Todd Greene C

Rotation
Johan Santana
Francisco Liriano
Brad Radke
Cliff Lee
Jason Bere

Bullpen
Juan Rincon CL
Antonio Osuna ST
J.C. Romero SH
Scott Tyler MD
Adam Schrader LG
Jose Paniagua AT

Interesting Names in the Minors
Kyle Lohse SP AAA
Bruce Chen RP AA
Billy Traber SP R

Mets
Lineup
Carl Crawford LF
David Wright 3B
Carlos Beltran CF
Ramon Castro C
Victor Diaz RF
Mike Piazza 1B
Keith Ginter 2B
Kazuo Matsui SS

Bench
Prentice Redman CF
Wayne Lydon CF
Tsuyoshi Shinjo OF
Jay Bell IF (huh?)
Rafael Arroyo C
Jeff Duncan CF

Rotation
Pedro Martinez
Neal Musser
Kris Benson
Yusmeiro Petit
Tom Glavine

Bullpen
Armando Benitez CL
Braden Looper ST
David Lee SH
Heath Bell MD
Brian Bannister LG
Steve Trachsel AT

Interesting Names in the Minors
Cliff Floyd LF AAA
Deivi Cruz SS AA
Marlon Anderson 2B A
Danys Baez RP AA
Lance Carter RP A
Felix Heredia RP A
Mike Stanton RP R
Scott Strickland RP R

Yankees
Lineup
Tony Womack 2B
Derek Jeter SS
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Carlos Delgado DH
Jorge Posada C
Hideki Matsui LF
Gary Sheffield RF
Jason Giambi 1B
Bernie Williams CF

Bench
Bubba Crosby RF
Felix Escalona IF
Doug Glanville OF
Adam Kennedy 2B
Dioner Navarro C

Rotation
Carlos Zambrano
Randy Johnson
Carl Pavano
Jaret Wright
Jeremy Bonderman

Bullpen
Mariano Rivera CL
Eric Gagne ST
Tom Gordon SH
Colter Bean MD
Eric Abreu LG
Matt Desalvo AT

Interesting Names in the Minors
Cesar Izturis IF AAA
John Flaherty C AA
Bubba Trammell LF AA
Damian Rolls IF AA
Kevin Brown SP AAA
Paul Quantrill RP A

Oakland
Lineup
Jermaine Clark RF
Omar Quintanilla DH
Andruw Jones CF
Eric Chavez 3B
Daric Barton C
Dan Johnson 1B
Nick Swisher LF
Bobby Crosby SS
Marco Scutaro 2B

Bench
Jason Perry RF
Freddie Bynum 2B
Mark Kotsay OF
Mark Ellis 2B
Jason Kendall C

Rotation
Rich Harden
Seth Etherton
Brad Knox
Joe Blanton
Casey Fossum

Bullpen
Octavio Dotel CL
Chris Mabeus ST
Huston Street SH
Dan Meyer MD
Steven Bondurant LG
Ben Fritz AT

Interesting Names in the Minors
Adam Melhuse C AA
Bobby Kielty OF AA
Charles Thomas LF AA
Ron Gant OF AA
Danny Haren RP AAA
Kiko Calero RP AA
Juan Cruz RP AA
Kirk Saarloos RP A
Chad Bradford RP R
Ricardo Rincon RP R

Philadelphia
Lineup
Bobby Abreu RF
Mike Young SS
Aaron Rowand CF
Jim Thome 1B
Chase Utley 2B
Lou Collier LF
David Bell 3B
Mike Lieberthal C

Bench
Ryan Howard 1B
Michael Bourn RF
Jason Michaels OF
Tomas Perez IF
Humberto Cota C
Todd Pratt C

Rotation
Cole Hammels
Cory Lidle
Gavin Floyd
Scott Mathieson
Jon Lieber

Bullpen
Billy Wagner CL
Eric Junge ST
Ed Yarnell SH
Ryan Madson MD
Jim Mann LG
Mike Williams AT

Interesting Names in the Minors
Kenny Lofton CF AA
A.J. Hinch C R
Tim Worrell RP A
Rheal Cormier RP R

San Diego
Lineup
Shane Victorino CF
Mark Loretta 2B
Brian Giles RF
Pat Burrell LF
Bucky Jacobsen 1B
Khalil Greene SS
Brandon Inge 3B
Paul Lo Duca C

Bench
Ryan Klesko LF
Freddy Guzman CF
Gene Kingsale OF
Wilson Delgado IF
Brian Schneider C
Michel Hernandez C

Rotation
David Bradley
Tomo Ohka
Jason Jennings
Joey Hamilton
Victor Zambrano

Bullpen
Ryan Bukvich CL
Akinori Otsuka ST
Guillermo Mota SH
Natanael Mateo MD
Brad Baker LG
Justin Germano AT

Interesting Names in the Minors
Xavier Nady LF AAA
Keith Lockhart 2B AAA
Charles Nagy SP AAA
Sterling Hitchcock RP AA

San Francisco
Lineup
Mike Cameron CF
Omar Vizquel SS
Erubiel Durazo 1B
Barry Bonds LF
Mike Cervenak 3B
Yorvit Torrealba C
Michael Tucker RF
Freddy Sanchez 2B

Bench
Moises Alou LF
Fred Lewis CF
Marvin Benard OF
Edgardo Alfonzo IF
Mike Matheny C
J.T. Snow 1B

Rotation
Jason Schmidt
Jesse Foppert
Matt Cain
Jerome Williams
Noah Lowry

Bullpen
Armando Almanza CL
Brian Burres ST
Tyler Walker SH
Matt Kinney MD
Brett Tomko LG
Kirk Rueter AT

Interesting Names in the Minors
Marquis Grissom CF AAA
Daryle Ward 1B AA
Dave Veres RP AA

Seattle
Randy Winn CF
Adrian Beltre 3B
Brad Fullmer DH
Calvin Pickering 1B
Kevin Mench RF
Raul Ibanez LF
Jose Lopez SS
Robby Hammock C
Ismael Castro 2B

Bench
Justin Leone 3B
Rajai Davis CF
Rob Mackowiak OF
Ramon Santiago IF
Ramon Hernandez C

Rotation
Mike Mussina
Jake Westbrook
Carlos Sert
Felix Hernandez
Bobby Madritsch

Bullpen
Eddie Guardado CL
Lou Pote ST
Jay Powell SH
Rafael Soriano MD
Matt Thornton LG
Clint Nageotte AT

St. Louis
Lineup
Bo Hart 2B
Eric Byrnes LF
Austin Kearns RF
Scott Rolen 3B
Brad Wilkerson 1B
Jason LaRue C
Luis Matos CF
Hector Luna SS

Bench
Reggie Sanders OF
David Eckstein SS
Roger Cedeno OF
John Nelson SS
Miguel Olivo C
Frank Thomas 1B

Rotation
Chris Carpenter
Anthony Reyes
Brad Penny
Joel Pineiro
Adam Wainwright

Bullpen
Jason Isringhausen CL
B.J. Ryan ST
Jimmy Journell SH
Brad Thompson MD
Stuart Pomeranz LG
Omar Daal AT

Interesting Names in the Minors
Dmitri Young 1B AAA
Rondell White OF AAA
Carlos Pena 1B AA
Jermaine Dye RF A
Jason Simontacchi RP A
Rick Ankiel RP A
Bob File RP R

Tampa Bay
Lineup
Ichiro Suzuki RF
B.J. Upton SS
Rocco Baldelli CF
Brandon Larson 3B
Johnny Gomes DH
A.J. Pierzynski C
Jorge Cantu 2B
Eli Marrero LF
Wes Bankston 1B

Bench
Earl Snyder 3B
Joey Gathright CF
Adam Piatt LF
Terry Shumpert 2B
Toby Hall C

Rotation
Hideo Nomo
James Houser
Wade Miller
Damian Moss
Scott Kazmir

Bullpen
Chad Orvella CL
Kelly Wunsch ST
Jesus Colome SH
Andrew Sonnanstine MD
Garrett Stephenson LG
Dicky Gonzalez AT

Interesting Names in the Minors
Chris Truby 3B A
Travis Lee 1B A
Al Martin LF R
Tim Laker C R
Denny Neagle SP AAA
Ryan Franklin SP AA
Scott Elarton SP AA
Paul Abbott SP R

Texas
Lineup
Ian Kinsler SS
Jason Botts 1B
Jason Fransz RF
Albert Pujols DH
Hank Blalock 3B
Laynce Nix CF
Juan Uribe 2B
Will Smith LF
Gerald Laird C

Bench
Santiago Perez SS
Andres Torres CF
Jason Conti OF
Enrique Wilson IF
Josh Paul C

Rotation
Doug Davis
Joaquin Benoit
Alan Benes
Chan Ho Park
Colby Lewis

Bullpen
Brian Shouse CL
Michael Tejera ST
Juan Dominguez SH
Chris Young MD
Kameron Loe LG
Travis Hughes AT

Interesting Names in the Minors
David Dellucci OF AAA
Chad Kreuter C A
Albie Lopez RP AA
Chris Bootcheck RP AA
John Wasdin RP A

Toronto
Lineup
Julio Lugo SS
Alexis Rios RF
Corey Koskie 3B
Eric Crozier 1B
Kevin Millar DH
Guillermo Quiroz C
Gabe Gross LF
Miguel Negron CF
Frank Menechino 2B

Bench
John Hattig 3B
Rich Thompson CF
Chad Hermansen OF
John McDonald IF
Curtis Thigpen C

Rotation
Roy Halladay
A.J. Burnett
C.C. Sabathia
David Bush
Dustin McGowan

Bullpen
Jason Frasor CL
Tom Yance ST
Sean Douglass SH
Steve Andrade MD
Brian Meadows LG
Shaun Marcum AT

Interesting Names in the Minors
Reed Johnson OF AAA
Gregg Zaun C AA
Ken Huckaby C R
Miguel Batista SP AAA
Scott Schoeneweis RP AAA

Washington
Lineup
Cristian Guzman SS
Brendan Harris 2B
J.J. Davis RF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Ryan Church LF
Vinny Castilla 3B
Alex Escobar CF
Robert Machado C

Bench
Nick Johnson 1B
Henry Mateo 2B
Jeffrey Hammonds OF
Jamey Carroll IF
J.R. House C
Val Pascucci RF

Rotation
Ben Sheets
Livan Hernandez
Jon Rauch
John Patterson
Jose Mercedes

Bullpen
Chad Cordero CL
Luis Ayala ST
Gary Majewski SH
Claudio Vargas MD
Shawn Hill LG
Willis Roberts AT

Interesting Names in the Minors
Jose Vidro 2B AAA
Wil Cordero 1B A
Carlos Baerga 1B A
Tony Armas Jr. SP AAA
Rocky Biddle RP AA
Mark Corey RP AA
Pat Mahomes RP A

Next up, April 2006...

[coffeyfiend]

Finally April is here, get ready for some Bucs Baseball!

4/1-TEX offers
Josh Paul (C)
Nick Regilio (P)
for
Paul Shuey (P)
Declined-Paul is a backup catcher at best and Regilio is a bad starting pitcher.

4/3-CIN offers
Todd Coffey (P)
for
Alex Cora (2B)
Declined-Coffey is a decent pitcher, but Cora's depth is too important to my bench.

4/4-CIN offers
Brandon Claussen (P)
Pedro Lopez (2B)
for
Paul Shuey (P)
Brad Lidge (P)
Amended-Shuey, Frank Brooks and Bryan Bullington for Claussen and Lopez. Lopez will play in AA and Claussen will be my long reliever. Dave Williams is now the middle reliever, Salomon Torres is the short reliever and Mike Gonzalez is the setup reliever.

4/5-Opening Day!
Cubs-0
Pirates-3
WP: O. Perez (1-0)
LP: K. Wood (0-1)
Oliver Perez pitches a complete game shutout, giving up only 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 5. Victor Martinez hit an RBI single in the 1st. Terrmel Sledge scored on a passed ball in the 5th, and Martinez hit a 1 run homer in the 8th.

4/6
Cubs-2
Pirates-5
WP: K. Wells (1-0)
LP: S. Mitre (0-1)
SV: B. Lidge (1)
Kip Wells gave up 2 runs on 7 hits in 7 innings. He also walked 3 and struck out 5. Mike Gonzalez pitched 1 inning of relief, striking out 1. Brad Lidge got the save, getting 3 outs on 12 pitches. Pat Coffey led off the scoring with a 2 run double in the 1st, he went on to score a 3rd run on Aubrey Huff's single.
Terrmel Sledge hit a 2 run blast in the 7th ending the scoring for the game.

4/7-TEX offers
Josh Paul (C)
for
Mark Redman (P)
David Reid (2B)
Declined-I still don't want Paul.

4/8
Astros-1
Pirates-5
WP: M. Redman (1-0)
LP: S. Cobain (0-1)
Mark Redman only lasted 5 innings, he allowed 3 hits and 1 walk. Salomon Torres pitched 2 innings of scoreless relieve and Mike Gonzalez pitched 1 inning and gave up a run. Brad Lidge pitched the 9th inning giving up a walk and a hit before ending the game. Matt Lawton reached 1st base on an error in the 5th, the bases were loaded and Aubrey Huff scored. In the 6th, Victor Martinez hit a 2 run shot over the right field fence. Finally in the 8th, Martinez hit a double, which scored, defensive replacement, Ray Sadler. Pat Coffey hit Martinez in with a single the following at bat.

4/9
Astros-3
Pirates-9
WP: J. Fogg (1-0)
LP: F. Nieve (0-1)
Josh Fogg pitched 8 innings surrendering 1 run and 5 hits, walking 4 and striking out 2. Dave Williams pitched the 9th and gave up 2 runs on 4 hits before finally ending the game. In the 1st, Jason Bay hit a 3 run bomb, scoring Matt Lawton and Jose Castillo. 3 batters later, Aubrey Huff also homered, this one a solo shot. In the 2nd, Castillo singled in Lawton for another run. The scoring continued in the 3rd when Pat Coffey hit a double, scoring Victor Martinez. Then in the 8th, Lawton hit a 3 run homer, scoring Jack Wilson and Terrmel Sledge.

WAS offers
Gary Majewski (P)
T.J. Tucker (P)
Val Pascucci (RF)
for
Gustavo Chacin (P)
Matt Lawton (RF)
Mike Gonzalez (P)
Declined-All three are decent pitchers but they aren't worth 3 good ones.

4/10-The streak continues...
Astros-1
Pirates-2
WP: B. Lawrence (1-0)
LP: R. Stiehl (0-2)
SV: B. Lidge (2)
Brian Lawrence pitched 6 innings,giving up 4 hits and striking out 2. Mike Gonzalez, Salomon Torres and Brad Lidge all pitched one inning. Gonzalez gave up the only run. In the 2nd, Terrmel Sledge hit a triple, scoring Aubrey Huff and in the 6th, Sledge scored another run as Jose Bautista hit a pinch hit double.

Philadelphia offers
Cory Lidle (P)
for
Matt Lawton (RF)
Mike Connolly (P)
Amended-Lawton, Connolly and Mark Redman for Lidle and Brian Hitchcox. Hitchcox is a 27 year old SS that has a lot of potential but hasn't realized it yet. He'll be playing at AA. This presents a problem though as Michael Morse, another SS is already at AA. Also, Pedro Lopez is at 2B and Chad Spann is at 3B, making it difficult to find Hitchcox a place to get regular playing time. To remedy this I've moved Hitchcox to 2B, hopefully he'll be able to realize his potential here. Lopez will be promoted to AAA, where Victor Mercedes is already at 2B, and will move to 3B so he can get regular playing time in. Since Lawton is gone, Aubrey Huff will move to RF and Pedro Feliz will now get regular time at 1B. Lidle will start in the 3rd rotation spot and Brad Eldred will be promoted to the ML bench. This trade cuts $4.4mil off my payroll.
Here's what the lineup looks like following Lawton's departure:
Jose Castillo 2B
Jack Wilson SS
Jason Bay CF
Victor Martinez C
Pat Coffey 3B
Huff RF
Feliz 1B
Terrmel Sledge LF

4/11-...and continues...
Pirates-2
Marlins-0
WP: O. Perez (2-0)
LP: P. Benn (0-2)
Oliver Perez pitches his 2nd complete game shutout in as many starts, this time a 1 hitter. He also walked 4 and struck out 10. The Pirates scored both runs in the 6th as Terrmel Sledge hit a double, scoring Pat Coffey and Aubrey Huff.

4/12-Atlanta offers
Adam Bernero (P)
for
Alex Cora (2B)
Declined-Bernero isn't a very good pitcher.

4/13-...and continues...
Pirates-9
Marlins-4
WP: K. Wells (2-0)
LP: L. Kensing (0-2)
Kip Wells pitched 7 and 2/3 innings, giving up 4 runs on 5 hits and striking out 7. Mike Gonzalez pitched 1/3 of an inning and Dave Williams closed out the 9th, striking out 2 batters. In the 1st, Victor Martinez hit a 3 run blast to dead centerfield, scoring Jack Wilson and Jason Bay. In the 5th, Bay added a run with a solo shot to rightfield. In the 6th, Aubrey Huff hit a 2 run homer, scoring Pat Coffey, and in the 7th, Coffey walked in another run, this time Jose Castillo. In the 8th, Bay hit a single, scoring Terrmel Sledge from 3rd and finally in the 9th, Castillo grounded to 1st, scoring Huff.

Brian Lawrence sprains his shoulder and will miss 6 days, Ian Snell will replace him in the rotation.

TEX offers
Josh Paul (C)
Joaquin Benoit (P)
Michael Tejera (P)
for
Francisco Rengifo (P)
Brad Lidge (P)
Pedro Lopez (3B)
Jeff Normand (P)
Declined-Guess who I don't want? Josh Paul. Really, I don't want him.

TOR offers
Ken Huckaby (C)
Davis Romero (P)
Scott Downs (P)
for
Alex Cora (2B)
Declined-These three all have peaks below 70, no way do I want them.

4/14-...still going...
Pirates-7
Marlins-3
WP: C. Lidle (1-1)
LP: S. Olsen (0-2)
Cory Lidle pitched 7 innings surrendering 2 runs on 7 hits. Mike Gonzalez and Dave Williams eached pitched an inning, Williams gave up 1 run. The Pirates offense almost lost this one, they trailed 0-2 until the 8th inning when they erupted for 6 runs. Here's what happened: Terrmel Sledge singles, Michael Ryan pinch hits for Lidle and grounds out, Jose Castillo walks, Brad Eldred pinch hits for Jack Wilson and singles, scoring Sledge, Jason Bay walks, Victor Martinez doubles, scoring Castillo, Eldred and Bay, Pat Coffey pops out, Jose Bautista doubles, scoring Martinez, Pedro Feliz doubles, scoring Bautista and Sledge strikes out. The final run was scored in the 9th when Pat Coffey walked with the bases loaded, scoring Ryan Doumit.

CLE offers
Josh Bard (C)
Leon Perez (P)
Darnell McDonald (RF)
for
Dave Williams (P)
Jack Wilson (SS)
Chris Duffy (CF)
Amended-Williams, Wilson and Duffy for Bard, Perez, Brandon Phillips and $1mil. Alex Cora will now start at SS and bat 1st, Jose Castillo will bat 2nd. Phillips will be on the bench providing infield depth and Bard joins him. Ryan Doumit is demoted to AAA. Perez will be a starter in AA. Jeff Miller is promoted from AAA to take over as middle reliever. This trade cuts another $7.56mil off of the payroll.

4/15-...we're unstopable...
Pirates-3
Astros-2
WP: J. Fogg (2-0)
LP: S. Cobain (0-2)
SV: B. Lidge (3)
Josh Fogg pitched 6 innings, surrendering 2 runs. Salomon Torres pitched 2 innings in relief and Brad Lidge pitched 1. The offense almost blew this one as well, waiting until the 9th to score all 3 runs. All 3 runs were scored on singles, by Jose Bautista and Ray Sadler. Terrmel Sledge scored on Bautista's single and Michael Ryan and Bautista scored on Sadler's.

Washington offers
T.J. Tucker (P)
for
Michael Ryan (LF)
Declined-I still don't want Tucker.

4/16-...there's nothing like starting the season with a 10 game winning streak!
Pirates-5
Astros-1
WP: I. Snell (1-0)
LP: R. Stiehl (0-3)
Ian Snell pitched nicely in place of the injured Brian Lawrence, giving up 1 run in 7 innings of work. Mike Gonzalez pitched the remaining 2 innings, giving up only 1 hit and striking out 3. In the 3rd, Jose Castillo hits a solo homer. The game was tied at 1 until the 8th when Aubrey Huff hit a 2 run double, scoring Jose Castillo and Pat Coffey.

Next up, the end of an era...

[coffeyfiend]

Do streaks ending, constitute an era? No? What about a 10 game streak? Still no? Well, then it's at least the end of a epoch. No? Fine, it's the end of a streak, that's it, nothing more, just a lousy 10 game winning streak. But still, I've decided that from now on, all players on the Major League roster are recognizable enough of last name only recognition, if not, you need to start reading better.

4/17-It's all over, the streak that is
Pirates-2
Astros-8
WP: A. Pettitte (3-0)
LP: O. Perez (2-1)
Perez lost his touch, giving up 7 runs, 5 of them earned, and only striking out 7, he lasted 5 and 2/3 innings. Torres pitched 1/3 of an inning giving up an unearned run and Claussen pitched the final 2 innings. Both of the Pirates runs came in the 3rd inning, when Andy Pettitte threw two wild pitches in a row, scoring Sledge and Perez.

Cora is injured for 3 days with mild elbow inflammation, Phillips will replace him at the top of the order and SS.

4/18-Two losses in a row?
Phillies-4
Pirates-3
WP: S. Mathieson (2-1)
LP: M. Gonzalez (0-1)
SV: B. Wagner (3)
Wells pitched 6 innings giving up 3 runs, Torres, Gonzalez and Lidge all pitched 1 inning, Gonzalez gave up the winning run. In the 7th, Bay hit a solo homer, and Feliz hit a 2 run single, scoring Martinez and Coffey.

4/19-Three losses in a row?
Phillies-3
Pirates-2
WP: E. Yarnall (1-1)
LP: C. Lidle (1-2)
SV: B. Wagner (4)
Lidle pitched a good game, going 8 innings and giving up 3 runs, 2 of them earned. Gonzalez pitched the 9th, striking out 3 of the 4 batters he faced. In the 2nd, Huff hit a 2 run homer, scoring Martinez.

Wells will miss the rest of the season-147 days to be exact-with severe elbow tendonitis. Lawrence comes back from injury to start in the 2nd slot in the rotation. Matt Peterson comes up from AAA to pitch as the long reliever, Claussen will be the alternate.

4/20-three in a row? What's going on?
Brewers-2
Pirates-0
WP: B. Hendrickson (1-2)
LP: J. Fogg (2-1)
Fogg only pitched 5 innings and gave up 2 runs. Torres and Gonzalez eached pitched 2 scoreless innings.

Cora comes back to the lineup. Perez will miss 6 days with elbow inflammation. Lawrence starts in his place, Claussen will start in the 2nd spot.

4/21-Another elbow injury! I need a better elbow doctor.
Brewers-6
Pirates-11
WP: J. Miller (1-0)
LP: D. Mehrabani (0-1)
Snell gave up 5 runs in 4 innings and was replaced by Miller who pitched 1 scoreless inning. Torres pitched the 6th and 7th, giving up 1 run and Gonzalez and Peterson eached pitched one scoreless inning. In the 1st, Coffey hit a 1 run single, scoring Bay. In the 2nd, Cora hit a single, scoring Feliz. The Pirates took the lead in the 5th when, Feliz hit a single with the bases loaded, scoring Bay. Ryan followed by hitting another single, this one scoring Martinez and Coffey. Eldred pinch hit for Miller, and hit another single, scoring Feliz. Finally, Cora hit a two run double, scoring Ryan and Eldred. The Pirates scored 4 more in the 8th when, Coffey hit a single with the bases loaded, scoring Castillo. Huff singled and Sadler and Martinez scored. A few batters later, Bard walked with the bases loaded, scoring Coffey.

Lidle will miss 5 days with elbow tendonitis. Matt Peterson will start in his place

4/22-Another injured starter!
Pirates-7
Cubs-2
WP: B. Lawrence (2-0)
LP: J. Anderson (0-1)
Lawrence started for the injured Perez and gave up 2 runs in 7 innings. Peterson finished the game with 2 scoreless innings. In the 4th, Feliz walked with the bases loaded, scoring Sadler. Sledge followed by hitting a grand slam. In the 5th, Coffey hit a sac fly and scored Castillo. In the 8th, Huff hits a 1 run single, scoring Martinez.

Snell will miss 22 days with an ankle stress fracture (at least it isn't his elbow). Gustavo Chacin will start in his place.

4/23-three game winning streak
Pirates-3
Cubs-0
WP: B. Claussen (1-0)
LP: K. Wood (1-3)
SV: B. Lidge (4)
Claussen pitched 7 scoreless innings, giving up 4 hits and striking out 4. Gonzalez and Lidge eached pitched an inning, each struck out 2. The scoring didn't begin until the 7th, when Bay hit a solo homer. In the 9th, Martinez hits a 2 run homer, scoring Castillo.

STL offers
Randy Flores (P)
Rhett Parrott (P)
for
Josh Fogg (P)
Pedro Lopez (3B)
Declined-I'm not trading Fogg, he's the only starter who hasn't been injured.

Philadelphia offers
Geoff Geary (P)
for
David Reid (2B)
Josh Fogg (P)
Declined-See above.

4/24-four game winning streak...
Pirates-8
Cubs-2
WP: M. Peterson (1-0)
LP: J. Anderson (0-2)
Peterson pitched 7 and 2/3 innings giving up 2 runs and striking out 5. Miller pitched the remainder of the game, allowing 1 hit and striking out 2. In the 1st, Bay hit a sac fly, scoring Cora and Martinez hit a single, scoring Castillo. In the 2nd, Castillo singled, scoring Peterson and Cora. Bay doubled, scoring Castillo. In the 3rd, Castillo grounded out, scoring Sledge and Bay homered, scoring Peterson.

SFG offers
Jerome Williams (P)
for
Alex Cora (SS)
Josh Fogg (P)
Jose Bautista (RF)
Michael Ryan (LF)
Declined-Williams is a good pitcher, but not worth these four.

4/25-Here we go again, 5 game winning streak...
Pirates-5
Reds-0
WP: J. Fogg (3-1)
LP: R. Gardner (1-3)
Fogg pitched 7 shutout innings, only allowing 4 hits. Gonzalez finished off the game, allowing 1 hit and striking out 3. The Pirates offense came alive in the 8th inning with Feliz singling Bay home, followed by Sledge hitting a triple, which scored Huff and Feliz. In the 9th, Coffey singled, scoring Castillo and Feliz walked with the bases loaded, scoring Sadler.

4/26-...another streak ends
Pirates-5
Reds-6
WP: S. Kelly (2-2)
LP: G. Chacin (0-1)
SV: J. Brower (1)
Chacin pitched in his first game with the Pirates and went 5 and 2/3 innings, relinguishing 5 runs. He was replaced by Torres for 1/3 of an inning and then Miller pitched the final 2 innings. The scoring began in the 1st, when Coffey reached first on an error and Cora scored. In the 2nd, Castillo hit a single, scoring Sledge. In the 9th the Pirates made a serious come back from the 6-2 defecit. It started with Sledge walking with the bases loaded, scoring Coffey, then pinch hitter Bautista did the same, scoring Huff. Pinch hitter Ryan singled, scoring Feliz. It wasn't enough though and the Pirates lost by 1 run.

WAS offers
Rocky Biddle (P)
Corey Thurman (P)
Nick Johnson (1B)
for
Michael Ryan (LF)
Ray Sadler (CF)
Bobby Bradley (P)
David Reid (2B)
Declined-Johnson is a good player, but I don't want Biddle or Thurman.

4/27-the starters return
Perez and Lidle are back here's what the rotation looks like now:
Perez
Lawrence
Lidle
Fogg
Claussen
Chacin moves to the long reliever role and Peterson to the alternate role.

Pirates-1
Reds-2
WP: L. Hudson (1-2)
LP: O. Perez (2-2)
SV: P. Shuey (4)
Perez pitched a complete game, not giving up a run until the 8th inning. He gave up 3 hits and struck out 8. Neither team scored until the 8th inning, when Huff singled home Castillo. The Reds then scored 2 in the 8th and the Pirates were unable to score again.

HOU offers
Chad Harville (P)
for
Bobby Bradley (P)
Declined-Bradley has a promising future, Harville would be nice, but I don't need him.

4/28-CLE offers
Kevin Kouzmanoff (3B)
Fernando Cabrera (P)
for
Alex Cora (SS)
Ryan Doumit (C)
Declined-Both are good players but once again, not a beneficial trade.

4/29-Another pitcher goes down
Cardinals-2
Pirates-7
WP: B. Lawrence (3-0)
LP: A. Wainwright (1-1)
Lawrence pitched 8 innings, only giving up 1 run. Miller finished on the mound, also allowing a run. The Pirates started scoring early with a run in the 1st. Bay hit a solo shot to centerfield. Pittsburgh broke a 1-1 tie in the 6th by hitting more long balls. Bay hit another homer, this time scoring Castillo as well. Martinez followed with a homer for back to back jacks. Coffey singled and Huff hit the 3rd homer of the inning, a 2 run blast to left field. The Bucs scored their final run in the 8th, when Sledge hit a solo shot.

Fogg will miss 6 days with shoulder tendonitis. Peterson replaces in the rotation.

OAK offers
Doug Vaver (P)
Joe Kennedy (P)
for
Ray Sadler (CF)
Declined-I have no need for mediocre pitchers.

4/30
Cardinals-5
Pirates-3
WP: S. Pomeranz (2-2)
LP: C. Lidle (1-3)
SV: J. Isringhausen (7)
Lidle pitched 5 innings allowing 4 hits and 4 runs, all of them unearned. Torres pitched 2 innings giving up 1 run while striking out 3. Gonzalez and Lidge eached pitched 1 hitless, scoreless inning. In the 2nd, the Pirates started the scoring when Huff hit a 2 run homer, knocking in Coffey and himself. The Pirates didn't score again until the 8th, when Bay singled home Sledge.

Up next, Around the Majors, the April edition...

[coffeyfiend]

The first month of the season was a wild one, a ten game winning streak, a four game losing streak, a five game winning streak. Lawrence, Perez, Lidle, Wells, Snell and Fogg all injured, along with Cora. Thankfully, the beginning of May finds the team with only Wells, Snell and Fogg injured. Both Snell and Fogg should return this month. And with a 16-7 record, my Pirates are sitting atop the NL Central 1.5 games ahead of St. Louis. Here's how the division looks:

NL Central Standings
Pittsburgh 16-7 0 games back
St. Louis 15-9 1.5 games back
Chicago 11-11 4.5 games back
Houston 10-13 6 games back
Milwaukee 9-14 7 games back
Cincinnati 8-16 8.5 games back

Team Batting AVG-.259
Team ERA-2.16

Runs Scored-107
Runs Allowed-59

Team Leaders
ERA-Perez (1.42) 1st in League
Wins-Lawrence and Fogg (3) 3rd
Saves-Lidge (4) 4th
AVG-Huff (.370) 3rd
HR-Bay (7) 3rd
Steals Castillo (3) 5th

Finances
I've got my payroll down to $43,566,000. To get down to the payroll budget I still need to cut nearly $27mil. It is not likely that I'll do that though.

ML Batter of the Month-Huff (.370/5/16)
ML Pitcher of the Month-Perez (1.42/2-2/30)
AAA Batter of the Month-Nate McLouth (.300/3/6)
AAA Pitcher of the Month-Tom Gorzelanny (3.93/1-1/13)
AA Batter of the Month-Felix Pie (.289/2/16)
AA Pitcher of the Month-Paul Maholm (3.22/1-1/12)
A Batter of the Month-Jesus Guzman (.293/1/17)
A Pitcher of the Month-none
R Batter of the Month-David Reid (.234/0/7)
R Pitcher of the Month-Sid Navarro (3.10/2-1/14)

Around the Majors
Milestones
4/7-Alex Rodriguez NYY 4 HRs in a game
4/10-Pedro Martinez NYM 200th Win
4/15-Vlad Guerrero ANA 300th HR
4/16-Keith Foulke COL 200th Save

Trades
4/9-Jesse Garcia (SS) to CIN
Jason Johnson (P) to CIN
Ryan Klesko (LF) to CIN
Javon Moran (CF) to SDP
Josh Hall (P) to SDP
Vance Wilson (C) to SDP
And the winner is-Garcia is warming the bench, Johnson is in the long relief role, and Klesko is also on the bench. On the other side, Moran is at AAA, Hall is at A and Wilson is at AAA. Cincinnati gets the nod, as all 3 of their players are on the ML roster.

4/18-Adam Bernero (P) to SEA
Wiki Gonzalez (C) to ATL
Mike Mussina (P) to ATL
Huh?-Bernero is a bad pitcher and now he's the 4th starter for the M's and pitching badly. Gonzalez is on the bench of ATL and Mussina is pitching out of long relief for ATL and hasn't pitched in a game since the trade. He did pitch better for SEA than all of the Brave's starters are pitching now. If he does make it into the rotation though the braves would have, Mussina, Brandon Webb, Tim Hudson, Mark Prior and Jake Stevens as their starting five! The Mariners just made the worst trade in franchise history.

4/26-Kyle Snyder (P) to NYM
Armando Edinho (P) to NYM
Nate Field (P) to NYM
Mike Difelice (C) to NYM
Jason Middlebrook (P) to KCR
Eh-Snyder, Edinho and Field are all playing for the Met's R club. Difelice is at AAA and Middlebrook is pitching out of the Royals bullpen. The Royals win be default, but the trade still isn't that great.

4/28-Jason Ellison (CF) to NYY
Damon Minor (1B) to NYY
Jason Schmidt (P) to NYY
Eliezer Alfonzo (C) to NYY
Ray Durham (2B) to SFG
Bubba Crosby (RF) to SFG
John Flaherty (C) to SFG
Felix Escalona (SS) to SFG
Double huh?-The Yankees get Schmidt and Alfonzo for Durham and Crosby. The other players don't make a difference. The Yankees win this one as their "2" players are better than the "2" the Giants got.

Contracts
4/1-CHW signs Chad Moeller (C) at $316k for 5 years
STL signs Luis Rivas (2B) at $480k for 6 years
COL signs Carlos Silva (P) at $350k for 2 years
TEX signs Ryan Drese (P) at $450k for 3 years
HOU signs Jeff Suppan (P) at $1.55mil for 4 years
CLE signs Kevin Millwood (P) at $1.15mil for 4 years
OAK signs Joe Kennedy (P) at $590k for 3 years
SDP signs Kazuhisa Ishii (P) at $430k for 2 years

4/2-ARI signs Damian Compagno (P) at $316k for 1 year

4/3-STL signs Ramon Ortiz (P) at $410k for 3 years
COL signs Pokey Reese (SS) at $470k for 5 years
COL signs Andres Cuesta (P) at $316k for 1 year

4/5-DET signs Neifi Perez (SS) at $810k for 5 years
COL signs Jose Valentin (SS) at $790k for 3 years
COL signs Brian Simmons (P) at $316k for 1 year

4/7-CHC signs Junior Spivey (2B) at $780k for 5 years

4/8-NYY signs Ray Durham (2B) at $1.7mil for 5 years
NYY signs Danny Graves (P) at $380k for 3 years

4/9-HOU signs Tino Martinez (1B) at $890k for 2 years
HOU signs Sammy Villareal (P) at $316k for 1 year

4/10-PHI signs Alex Gonzalez (SS) at $3.6mil for 7 years
PHI signs Joe Mays (P) at $560k for 3 years

4/13-MIN signs Mark Buehrle (P) at $2.55mil for 4 years

4/14-DET signs Mike Maroth (P) at $420k for 2 years

4/16-HOU signs Chris Singleton (CF) at $410k for 4 years
HOU signs Jeremy Toledano (P) at $316k for 1 year

4/17-CHW signs Einar Diaz (C) at $316k for 5 years

4/23-TOR signs Lee Hertel (P) at $316k for 1 year

4/24-CHC signs Chris Gomez (SS) at $440k for 4 years
CHC signs Warren Dougherty (P) at $316k for 1 year

4/25-PHI signs Terrence Long (LF) at $430k for 6 years
PHI signs Josh MacSween (P) at $316k for 1 year

4/26-NYY signs Paul Byrd (P) at $440k for 2 years

4/27-HOU signs Felipe Lopez (SS) at $2.25mil for 5 years
HOU signs Danny Patterson (P) at $530k for 2 years

4/30-NYM signs Jimmy Haynes (P) at $530k for 3 years

Next up, May 2006...