Sin City

[coffeyfiend]

MLB Announces restructuring and expansion teams.
February 1, 2005-In a startling move, Bud Selig announced today that Major League Baseball would be restructuring its leagues and adding two new expansion teams. The restructuring involves the Texas Rangers which spent last season in the American League West, moving to the American League Central. Selig called this move "symmetrical" and it is, for two reasons. Firstly, Texas joins the Houston Astros (also located in Texas) in a Central Division (the Astros play in the National League Central). Secondly, this move also gives both Central divisions 6 teams, as opposed to the National League Central having 6 teams, while the American League Central had 5.
This move also creates some asymmetry though, as the American League West has only 3 teams, while the National League West has 5. To correct this, two cities were granted Major League franchises to join the American League West. The two cities, Las Vegas, Nevada and Portland, Oregon have both made bids for Major League teams in the past. When asked why this move took place Selig had no comment, but a source close to the Commisioner spoke to us, under the condition of anonymity. This source stated, "Major League Baseball was concerned about this whole steroid issue and wanted to take the attention off of it, this move certainly does."

[coffeyfiend]

Major League Baseball unveils two new teams!
February 2nd, 2005-Today Major League Baseball unveiled two new teams, the Las Vegas Vagabonds and the Portland Pounders.
The owner of the Las Vegas Vagabonds, The Caesar Corporation announced today the General Manager of their Major League Club is a young man, virtually unknown in the baseball world, one Patrick Coffey. At 22 years old he is the youngest GM in Major League Baseball and he has a daunting task in front of him.
Along with the GM, Caesar Corp. also announced the opening of the Vagabonds home field, Caesar's Coliseum. The team also announced it's Minor League affiliates, the Fargo Felonists (AAA), Helena Hobos (AA), Cheyenne Criminals (A) and the Bremerton Burglars (R).
Portland owner Paul Allen also announced the opening of Pounder's Park and the team's Minor League affiliates, the Hollywood Agents (AAA), Lincoln Laymen (AA), Boulder Bombers (A) and the Pierre Pilots (R).
The GM for the Vagabonds, Patrick Coffey has agreed to give our paper and exclusive look at the working of his team and has agreed to write the columns himself starting April 1st, 2005. Keep your eyes open and get ready for a wild season.

[coffeyfiend]

February 3rd, 2005-Today is my first day in the office as the GM of the Las Vegas Vagabonds. As you read yesterday, I've agreed to provide you with a look at the day to day life of someone in my position. As you can tell, I'm not a journalist so I won't be writing as if I were, I'll leave that to the professionals. One thing I noticed the papers didn't say was that due to the suddenness of this move, no expansion draft will be held, my counterpart in Portland and I are forced to field a team entirely made up of players with no major league experience. Makes the job a little bit harder.

I've decided that I'll wait until after spring training and then give you run down of all my pre-season moves and a look at the players you've never heard of before. So until next time...

[argh1]

cool idea

[coffeyfiend]

April 1st, 2005-Since no expansion draft was held I had to look outside the organization to find additional talent in order to field a competitive team. This was difficult, as all my players are inexperienced, I wanted talent but I didn't want to sap my entire farm system to get it. So here's a summary of what I did:
Free Agents
The Free Agent market was pretty thin, and asking prices were high, but I managed to get two players from the pool. NTC=No Trade Clause, PO=Player Option, TO=Team Option

Brad Fullmer (1B)-made $316k last season
Player offer-7 years @ $2.95mil, NTC
Team offer-3 years @ $2.5mil, PO:1 year @ $3.3mil, NTC
Done Deal-3 years @ $3.6mil, PO:2 years @ $3.6mil, NTC

Fullmer will be the starting DH, there is absolutely no way he'll be playing any games at 1B.

Robby Hammock (C)-made $316k last season
Player offer-3 years @ $1.65mil, NTC
Team offer-2 years @ $1.8mil, PO: 1 year @ $1.9mil

Hammock took the deal I made him, no real negotiating required, he'll be the starting C.

I looked into signing some starting pitchers, but when Omar Daal is the best Free Agent pitcher on the market, you just say no and walk away.

Trades
Jason O'Connor (SS)
Marcus Cruz (2B) to SEA
for
Bret Boone (2B)

O'Connor and Cruz both have a lot of potential, but a lot of developing to do, Boone should provide strong defense at 2B and some power to along with it. He also provides a veteran presence in the clubhouse.

Bradley Kazdur (3B)
David Devine (C)
Christopher Munroe (C)
Leon Mamita (SS) to LAA
for
Tim Salmon (RF)

and then

Tim Salmon (RF)
James Smith (LF)
Sid Andres (RF) to SEA
for
Pokey Reese (SS)
Shigetoshi Hasegawa (RP)

Salmon is a good veteran presence but I wasn't sure if he could handle RF full time. With Fullmer at DH, I decided to trade Salmon for Reese, who will be the starting SS and Hasegawa, who will be the CP.

That's all I did, the rest of the roster is made up of the players I was designated. Let's take a look at this rough talent. Only the attributes higher than 70 are listed.

Kellyn Bryant (3B) 18 years old (69/100)
Power 81
Eye 75
Fielding 72
Health 70
Bryant will be starting at 3B.

Steve Yakovchuk (1B) 18 years old (78/98)
Contact 77
Power 86
Eye 86
Health 77
Yakovchuk also played 36 games in RF, 260 in LF and 92 at 3B in high school. He'll start at 1B and I hope that he'll improve his fielding ability quickly.

Benjamin Towle (RF) 18 years old (68/87)
Power 81
Eye 71
Arm 70
Range 70
Fielding 94
Health 74
Towle can play all three OF positions but only has the speed to play RF well, where he'll be the starter.

Samuel Cruz (CF) 17 years old (67/95)
Power 75
Range 74
Health 72
Cruz is very young, but I'm trusting him with the starting CF job. My other options weren't as promising, so I hope he'll pan out.

Steve Adelman (LF) 21 years old (74/90)
Power 83
Arm 75
Range 72
Health 86
Adelman can also play all 3 OF positions, but is best suited for LF, where he'll start.

Eduard Vrais (2B) 20 years old (69/87)
Contact 70
Power 74
Speed 71
Eye 74
Arm 76
Vrais would start at 2B if I hadn't acquired Boone. He can also play SS and 3B and provides good depth off the bench.

Carlos Gomez (1B) 18 years old (69/96)
Power 82
Eye 78
Like Fullmer, I won't be allowing Gomez anywhere near 1B, unless he's rounding the bags. He does provide some power off the bench though.

Eddie Woods (LF) 17 years old (67/74)
Power 72
Health 77
Woods will fill in off the bench, and is capable of playing all 3 OF positions, unfortunately he doesn't play any of them very well.

James Mesinger (IF) 21 years old (63/93)
Speed 85
Arm 74
Health 72
Mesinger is predominantly a 2nd basemen, but he can also play SS and 3B, he'll provide some bench depth.

Jeff Alfant (C) 22 years old (67/91)
Power 75
Health 83
Alfant should work nicely as a backup C. He also provides more solid 1B depth.

Chris Williams (SP) 18 years old (70/97)
Endurance 83
Control 96
Power 74
Movement 80
Defense 75
Hitting 74
Health 84
Williams will be the #1 starter in the rotation, he possesses all the abilities to be an amazing pitcher.

Arvin Jacobs (SP) 21 years old (73/81)
Endurance 85
Control 84
Power 79
Movement 77
Defense 76
Hitting 74
Health 75
Jacobs will be the #2 starter, he also has the potential to develop into a very good pitcher.

Paul Preston (SP) 18 years old (69/100)
Endurance 78
Control 79
Power 86
Movement 74
Defense 73
Hitting 72
Health 92
Preston is the #3 starter right now, but with time, could develop into a #1 or #2 starter.

Brian Durick (SP) 21 years old (70/75)
Endurance 85
Control 83
Power 84
Defense 72
Hitting 73
Health 82
Durick will be the #4 starter, his ceiling isn't as high as Williams and Jacobs, but he should be a solid back of the rotation starter.

Wayne Wallace (SP) 21 years old (60/96)
Endurance 78
Control 94
Power 75
Movement 76
Defense 79
Hitting 74
Health 76
Wallace is the #5 starter for now, but eventually he'll probably be a middle of the rotation pitcher.

Mel Svidler (RP) 21 years old (67/83)
Power 85
Defense 78
Hitting 72
Health 76
Svidler will be the Setup pitcher, and should hopefully develop into a fine closer.

Arturo Catalano (RP) 18 years old (61/90)
Control 78
Power 92
Movement 71
Defense 72
Hitting 73
Health 80
Catalano also possesses the ability to be a good closer, but for now he'll pitch out of the short relief position.

Jeremiah McHenry (RP) 20 years old (62/71)
Control 72
Power 84
Movement 77
Defense 75
Hitting 74
McHenry will be the middle reliever, he's a so so pitcher, but I don't have a lot of options, so...

Max Carrasco (SP) 22 years old (51/62)
Endurance 91
Control 94
Power 74
Movement 72
Defense 82
Hitting 74
Health 81
Carrasco will be the long reliever, he doesn't have much potential to get out of the bullpen though.

Chris Wesley (SP) 20 years old (59/77)
Endurance 82
Control 87
Power 78
Movement 70
Defense 76
Hitting 76
Wesley could be another decent back of the rotation pitcher, but his health, is worrisome. He'll be the alternate starter.

I'll include attributes of Minor League players if they are brought up to the Majors at any time during the season.

Starting Lineup
Pokey Reese SS
Bryant 3B
Bret Boone 2B
Brad Fullmer DH
Yakovchuk 1B
Robby Hammock C
Towle RF
Cruz CF
Adelman LF

In the next installment I'll discuss finances and budgets.

[Lobsteve]

Fullmer and the Hammock! Give me back my players!
And sneaking Booney as well!

You can keep Reese and Hasewhatever though.

You are truly a fiend in coffee shape!

:D :D

[hawkeye3200]

LOL @ the "Portland Pounders." What exactly are they pounding? :eek:

I always liked "Portland Cascades," myself...

[egswanso]

Originally posted by hawkeye3200
LOL @ the "Portland Pounders." What exactly are they pounding? :eek:

I always liked "Portland Cascades," myself...

I just stole the name of the Portland AAA team (Beavers)... I suppose it's all fair since MLB stole my name for my BM Washington team.

My Las Vegas team is the HighRollers...

[coffeyfiend]

To answer your question, Portland's team name is supposed to imply what it's player's do to balls, but it is definitely open to interpretation. Maybe we should have a design a mascot competition? Also, Lobsteve, I was merely borrowing your players, and I have every intention of returning them as soon as I am finished with them.

Finances and Budget
Because I am at the helm of an expansion team, my financial situation is a bit tight to say the least. I begin the 2005 season with only a little over $2mil to spend, I will of course be saving this.

The good news is that my team payroll is only $10.6mil and my budget is nearly $29mil. This gives me a lot of breathing room, should any interesting trade offers come my way.

I have allocated an even $2mil in my Farmsystem, Scouting and Medical Staff, placing us at 26th, 27th and 19th overall, respectively.

Tickets for home games at Caesar's Coliseum are an even $20 (the league average is $23.41). Hot dogs are $3.25, beer is $4.75 and ice cream is $2.50.

In an attempt to make more money, I've signed a contract with a local TV station to show Vagabond games.

Goals
This being an expansion team I have no illusions of being competitive in this, our first season. My goals for this season are to get my players both ML and and in the minors experience. I have a good group of young players who have desire and just need to get action in professional games.

Another goal I have for this season is to stay out of debt, no buying any championships for this club. Since money is tight, I'll have to be frugal. Luckily I do have some breathing room in my budget and if the opportunity presents itself, I will use it.

I realize that many of our games will be a bit one sided but I hope to provide a lot of excitement to all our fans, when we get some.

Stick around, it should be an interesting season to say the least.

[Lobsteve]

I was merely borrowing your players, and I have every intention of returning them as soon as I am finished with them.

I can't ask for any better than that.

[coffeyfiend]

Vagabonds Win in Season Opener!
April 1st, 2005
Tampa Bay-In their first game ever, the Las Vegas Vagabonds put 11 runs on the board, earning the first win in franchise history. Starter Chris Williams pitched 6 innings, giving up 8 hits and and 4 runs while striking out 4. Williams was replaced by Arturo Catalano who pitched 1.2 innings, only allowing 2 hits. Mel Svidler, finished out the game going 1.1 innings and while allowing 1 hit and striking out 1 batter.
The scoring began in the bottom of the 1st inning, when Tampa Bay's first basemen, Josh Phelps hit a 1 run homer to left field. In the bottom of the 2nd, Tampa Bay put another run on the board when right fielder Jonny Gomes homered over the left field fence for 1 RBI. Tampa Bay did more damage in the bottom of the third, adding 2 more runs to their lead when Toby Hall scored on a fielding error by third basemen, Kellyn Bryant. This was immediately followed by a 1 run single by 3rd basemen Aubrey Huff, making the score 4 to 0 in favor of the Devil Rays. The score remained the same until the top of the 7th inning when the Vagabonds managed to bring a run across the plate when left fielder Steve Adelman walked with the bases loaded. In the next inning, the Vagabond offense opened up for 5 runs, 3 of them coming from a 3 run blast by centerfielder Samuel Cruz. The other 2 runs were scored in the previous at bat when Benjamin Towle laced a double down the right field line, scoring Bryant and designated hitter Brad Fullmer, both of whom reached base on walks. In the 9th, the Vagabonds' scored 5 more runs, but amazingly only managed 1 hit, a double by pinch hitter Eddie Woods, for 2 RBI. The inning began when shortstop Eduardo Vrais was walked. Vrais moved to second on a wild pitch by Tampa Bay's Franklin Nunez. Bryant, the next batter also walked, as did the third batter, second basemen Bret Boone. With the bases loaded Nunez struck out Fullmer, then proceeded to give up back to back walks to first baseman Steve Yakovchuk and catcher Robby Hammock, Towle struck out and Cruz was hit by a pitch. The Vagabonds have just scored 3 runs on 0 hits. Following a pitching change, Woods hit his double and Vrais walked and Bryant struck out leaving the bases loaded. Tampa Bay couldn't get anything going in the bottom of the 9th and lost the game 11 to 4.

Apr 1, 05 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 + R H E
Vagabonds 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 5 11 5 1
Devil Rays 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 11 1

LAS VEGAS ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
P. Reese (SS) 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .333
E. Vrais (PH) 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 .000
K. Bryant (3B) 4 0 2 2 0 0 2 0 .000
B. Boone (2B) 4 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 .000
B. Fullmer (DH) 3 0 2 1 0 0 1 0 .000
Yakovchuk (1B) 2 0 3 2 0 1 1 0 .000
Hammock (C) 3 1 2 2 0 1 0 0 .333
B. Towle (RF) 5 1 0 1 0 2 1 0 .200
S. Cruz (CF) 4 1 0 1 1 4 0 0 .250
Adelman (LF) 3 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 .000
Woods (LF) 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 1.000
TOTALS 33 5 13 11 1 11 7 0

2B: R. Hammock (1), B. Towle (1), E. Woods (1)
HR: S. Cruz (1)

LAS VEGAS ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
C. Williams 6.0 8 0 2 4 4 4 95 6.00
A. Catalano 1.2 2 0 0 0 0 0 24 0.00
M. Svidler 1.1 1 0 0 0 0 1 20 0.00
TOTALS 9.0 11 0 2 4 4 5 139

TAMPA BAY ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
Crawford (LF) 5 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 .200
R. Baldelli (CF) 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200
J. Phelps (1B) 5 2 0 1 1 1 0 0 .400
A. Huff (3B) 4 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .250
J. Gomes (RF) 4 2 0 1 1 1 0 0 .500
J. Cantu (2B) 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 .000
B. Upton (DH) 4 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .250
J. Lugo (SS) 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
T. Hall (C) 4 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .750
TOTALS 39 11 0 4 2 3 5 0

2B: C. Crawford (1)
3B: R. Baldelli (1)
HR: J. Phelps (1), J. Gomes (1)

TAMPA BAY ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
D. Moss 7.2 2 6 0 3 2 4 128 2.35
D. Baez 0.0 2 1 1 3 3 0 15 0.00
F. Nunez 1.0 0 5 0 5 5 2 47 45.00
C. Orvella 0.1 1 1 0 0 0 1 14 0.00
TOTALS 9.0 5 13 1 11 10 7 204

WP: A. Catalano (1-0)
LP: D. Baez (0-1)

[rshackelford]

Keep up the updates Im interested to see how your first year pans out and how well your rookies develop.

[Lock]

and i think that you can use the 'code' tag to make all the stats line up and look neat,etc . Makes it much easier to read,etc

[coffeyfiend]

Sorry about not updating more often, life has gotten the better of me recently. The good news is I will be posting an update very shortly.

Also if someone could explain the code tag to me that would be great

[coffeyfiend]

April 1-3 @ Tampa Bay (0-0)
1st
LVV-11
TBD-4
WP: A. Catalano (1-0)
LP: D. Baez (0-1)

2nd
LVV-2
TBD-10
WP: S. Kazmir (1-0)
LP: A. Jacobs (0-1)

Starter Arvin Jacobs gave up 8 runs (6 earned) in only 4.2 innings of work. Both our runs were scored in the 9th inning, when Brad Fullmer hit a two run shot. Pokey Reese, who walked as the first batter in the inning stole 2nd and 3rd base.

3rd
LVV-6
TBD-3
WP: A. Catalano (2-0)
LP: D. Baez (0-1)
SV: S. Hasegawa (1)

Paul Preston lasted 6 innings, allowing all three runs. Steve Adelman hit a 1 run homer in the 6th.

April 4-6-Huh!?
4th
LVV-3
NYM-4
WP: S. Trachsel (1-0)
LP: B. Durick (0-1)
SV: R. Hernandez (2)

Brian Durick pitched splendidly for 6 innings before giving up 4 runs in the 6th. Unfortunately, by that time the offense had already met its quota of runs scored for the day.

5th
SFG-18
LVV-8
WP: K. Rueter (1-0)
LP: W. Wallace (0-1)

This game was awful, I blame it on traveling from Florida to New York to Las Vegas without a day off. Talk about harsh. I know for a fact that the travel schedule got to Wayne Wallace who pitched the 1st underhand, giving up 4 runs. The only innings the Giants failed to score were the 2nd and 3rd. On a plus note, Steve Yakovchuk, Bret Boone, Pokey Reese and Brad Fullmer all hit homeruns.

6th
LVV-2
LAD-3
WP: J. Weaver (1-1)
LP: C. Williams (0-1)
SV: E. Gagne (3)

The trip to LA from Las Vegas isn't as bad as the past few days, but tiredness is still taking it's toll. Chris Williams pitched pretty well after giving up 2 runs in the 1st inning. He didn't give up another run until the 6th. He may have actually won if my batters actually managed to get at least one extra base hit. Come on guys you're in the American League now, small ball doesn't work as well over here!

April 8-11 @ Chicago White Sox(3-4)
8th
LVV-5
CHW-11
WP: J. Contreras (2-0)
LP: A. Jacobs (0-2)

Arvin Jacobs doesn't seem to realize that in order to win games, it helps if you avoid giving up 6 runs. We didn't have a chance to catch up while he was pitching and the bullpen just made it impossible. We still tried though as Samuel Cruz and Brad Fullmer each hit home runs.

NYM offers
Jae Seo (P)
for
Benjamin Towle (RF)
Bret Boone (2B)
Declined-Not worth it at all

9th
LVV-4
CHW-6
WP: J. Garland (2-0)
LP: P. Preston (0-1)

Preston pitched alright, he lasted 6 innings again, this time giving up 4 runs. Unfortunately the offense was silent until the 6th inning.

10th
LVV-6
CHW-1
WP: B. Durick (1-1)
LP: B. Jenks (0-1)

Brian Durick pitched superbly, giving up only 1 run. Now we just have to concentrate on getting his pitch count down so he can last past the 6th inning. Boone provided half of the 6 runs in the 6th inning with a 3 run blast.

Arvin Jacobs strained an ankle during a power yoga session and will be out for 7 days. Chris "Weasley" Wesley will replace him in the rotation. I'm leaving Jacobs on the roster rather than replacing him with even more unproven AAA "talent".

11th
LVV-6
CHW-1
WP: W. Wallace (1-1)
LP: F. Garcia (0-3)

Wayne Wallace started the game pitching overhand and pitched considerably better, lasting the whole game and only giving up 1 run. Unfortunately, Wallace relies quite a bit on the defense as he has yet to prove he is a strikeout pitcher. This could be dangerous later.

April 12-13-Got to love 1 game series
12th
SDP-1
LVV-8
WP: C. Williams (1-1)
LP: J. Peavy (0-1)

Chris Williams pitched very well, lasting 8 innings and relinquishing only 1 run. The offense was led by Fullmer, who knocked another ball over the fence, giving him 5 for the season.

BOS offers
Jason Shiell (P)
for
Gustavo Aicega (2B)
Declined-Shiell isn't that good of a pitcher and I'm trying to avoid making my pitching staff worse.

13th
LVV-5
SFG-19
WP: N. Lowry (3-0)
LP: C. Wesley (0-1)

"Weasley" made a case for never being allowed to start a game again. He only lasted 3.1 innings, giving up 13 hits and 11 runs (9 earned)! The bullpen didn't pitch much better, giving up 8 more runs as the Giants proceeded to destroy us again.

April 15-16 vs. Arizona (10-4)
15th
ARI-1
LVV-7
WP: P. Preston (1-1)
LP: A. Rosario (0-1)

Paul Preston just keeps improving he pitched a complete game, giving up only 1 run on 5 hits. Steve Yakovchuk connected for 2 homeruns, a 1 run shot in the 1st and a 2 run blast in the 4th.

16th
ARI-12
LVV-6
WP: A. Leclair (2-0)
LP: B. Durick (1-2)

Brian Durick didn't pitch so well. He gave up 10 hits and 6 runs in only 5 innings of work. The bullpen didn't do any better giving up just as many runs.

April 17-19-another couple of 1 game series
17th
ATL-14
LVV-2
WP: B. Boyer (1-0)
LP: W. Wallace (1-2)

Wallace and 5, count them, 5 relief pitchers all came down with HR Derby Syndrome also known as Batting Practice Syndrome; when pitchers forget they are in a game and proceed to throw fastballs down the heart of the plate. You know its bad when Rafael Furcal hits 2 HRs.

Arvin Jacobs recovers and returns to the rotation. Chris Weasley move back to the Alternate role, hopefully to be never heard from again.

19th
LAD-13
LVV-7
WP: J. Weaver (3-1)
LP: C. Williams (1-2)

I have a theory for why we're losing so many games, giving up more than 10 runs in a game makes it difficult to win. This is still a theory though, I'm not certain how accurate is yet. It also doesn't help when your #1 starter only lasts 3 innings.

April 20-24 vs. Chicago Whitesox (9-8)
20th
CHW-5
LVV-7
WP: S. Hasegawa (1-0)
LP: J. Paniagua (0-2)

Jacobs pitched alright in his first game back from injury; better than Chris Weasley anyhow. He pitched 7 innings allowing 5 runs on 10 hits. On the offensive side, Kellyn Bryant hit his 1st homer of the season and finished the game only a triple away from the cycle.

21st
CHW-4
LVV-2
WP: B. Jenks (1-2)
LP: P. Preston (1-2)
SV: C. Politte (2)

Paul Preston pitched another decent game, lasting 6 innings. He gave up 8 hits and 3 runs, all of them solo homers.

LAD offers
Mike Venafro (P)
for
Bret Boone (2B)
Declined-Wow, horrible offer, I mean it, horrible.

22nd
CHW-6
LVV-0
WP: B. Mccarthy (2-0)
LP: B. Durick (1-3)

Durick didn't pitch that poorly, he did allow 6 runs, but 3 of them could have been prevented if he had not been allowed to start the 7th inning.

23rd
CHW-3
LVV-2
WP: F. Garcia (2-3)
LP: M. Svidler (0-1)
SV: C. Politte (3)

Wayne Wallace pitched 8 innings, allowing only 2 runs. The score was tied in the 9th but Svidler blew it after getting the first 2 outs. He went on to give up 3 straight singles. We tried to come back in the bottom of the 9th. Steve Yakovchuk led off the inning with a double and advanced to 3rd on a wild pitch by Politte. Unfortunately he was thrown out at home trying to score on Robby Hammock's grounder to 3rd base.

April 24-25 @ San Diego (7-14)
24th
LVV-9
SDP-12
WP: A. Otsuka (1-0)
LP: C. Williams (1-3)
SV: T. Hoffman (3)

Chris Williams only lasted 5.1 innings in which he allowed 6 runs on 12 hits. When he was pulled though, we weren't out of it. The next inning however, Jeremiah McHenry came in and gave up another 6 runs. McHenry hadn't been scored upon up until this point. Down 5 to 12 in the 9th the offense pulled off a good attempt at a comeback. Benjamin Towle and Samuel Cruz hit back to back HRs, but it wasn't enough. Earlier in the game Kellyn Bryant hit 2 homers and Pokey Reese hit 1.

25th
LVV-8
SDP-5
WP: S. Hasegawa (2-0)
LP: C. Hammond (0-1)
SV: M. Svidler (1)

There is nothing quite like an extra inning win!

April 27-30 @ Portland (3-20)
27th
LVV-5
POR-12
WP: E. Beach (1-4)
LP: M. Carrasco (0-1)

Remember what I said earlier about my theory? Well it looks to be proven again as Paul Preston lasts only 3 innings and we give up 12 runs total.

28th
LVV-10
POR-12
WP: B. Emmitt (1-4)
LP: C. Wesley (0-2)
SV: T. Carlisle (2)

You know you suck when a team with a 3-20 record can hand you 2 losses in a row in which they score at least 12 runs against you. The only thing worth mentioning is Steve Adelman's 2 homers.

29th
LVV-5
POR-17
WP: G. Barber (1-4)
LP: W. Wallace (1-3)

Make that 3 straight losses; disgraceful, I'm so embarassed. Once again nothing worth mentioning.

Brian Durick has a blister on a finger and will miss 5 days. I suspect that he just wants to take a break from getting hammered every 5 days. Unfortunately I'll have to replace him with "Weasley". Man I wish I had decent starters in AAA.

30th
LVV-12
POR-4
WP: C. Williams (2-3)
LP: A. Thompson (1-4)

That's right! Who sucks now? Well we still do, but so does Portland and at least we have a better record than they do! Williams pitched 6 innings giving up only 2 runs and is starting to look more and more like a #1 starter.

[coffeyfiend]

Parents you may want to avert younger viewer's eyes as what you are about to see is very disturbing. These standings are intended for mature adults only.

Standings
Los Angeles 16-12 0 games back
Oakland 14-13 1.5 games back
Seattle 13-15 3 games back
Las Vegas 9-17 6 games back
Portland 6-21 9.5 games back

It's actually much more tame than advertised, but still not pretty.

A look at the Vagabonds

Leaders
ERA: Paul Preston (4.80)
Wins: Chris Williams, Shigetoshi Hasegawa & Arturo Catalano (2)
Saves: Shigetoshi Hasegawa, Mel Svidler & Max Carrasco (1)
Average: Pokey Reese (.356)
Homers: Bret Boone, Brad Fullmer & Steve Adelman (6)
Steals: Pokey Reese (6)

Finances
Cash: $7,377,239
Team Payroll: $10,600,000
Payroll Budget: $26,960,841

Around the Majors

Trades
April 16th-
Ismael Castro (2B) to FLA
Ramon Castro (C) to SEA
Frank Castillo (SP) to SEA
Luis Castillo (2B) to SEA
Guillermo Mota (RP) to SEA
Verdict-Look at all the Castros and Castillos. I think the Mariners may have just pulled off the best deal in team history. I. Castro is the starting second baseman for FLA and is batting .323 with 3 HRs. R. Castro is the starting catcher for SEA (don't ask me why) and is batting .132 with 1 HR. L. Castillo is the starting second baseman for SEA and is batting .232 with 3 HRs. F. Castillo is the #4 starter for SEA and has a 9.28 ERA with a 0-4 record. Perhaps the best player in the deal, Mota is the setup reliever for SEA and has a 1.80 ERA with a 3-0 record and 4 saves.

April 17th-
Gene Kingsale (CF) to MIL
Brad Nelson (LF) to BAL
Victor Santos (SP) to BAL
Verdict-For some unexplained reason, Kingsale is the starting centerfielder for MIL, he's batting .262 with 1 HR. Nelson is currently with the Orioles R club. Santos is at the Orioles AAA club. I think Nelson will be the deciding factor in this trade, so I'll give the nod to BAL.

April 25th-
Jason Bere (SP) to TEX
Jeff Nelson (RP) to CLE
Verdict-Bere is the #2 starter for Texas and has pitched all of 3.2 innings. He has a 2.45 ERA and a 0-0 record. Nelson is the setup reliever for CLE, he has a 1.72 ERA and a 3-0 record. I'll give the nod to CLE, but Bere could really help the Rangers pitching staff.

[b]Milestones[b]
April 7th-Kevin Appier KCR 2000th SO
April 10th-Craig Biggio HOU 1000th RBI
April 18th-Rocco Baldelli TBD Hit for the Cycle
April 19th-Bret Boone LVV 1000th RBI
April 28th-Jim Edmonds STL 1000th Run

Next up, May 2005...