The Colorado Rocky Rockies

[goyanks225]

Fed up with over a decade of failure and losing baseball in the Rocky Mountains, the owner of the Rockies decided to fire his general manager and hire me to guide the team into the future. The reason he did this is that I have a vision for this team and what I'm going to do to make this team a winner. The plan has 2 portions:
1) On the hitting side, just get players who can get hits and get on base. Once the ball's hit, it's going to go far
2) Pitching wise, get pitchers who strike out a lot of batters and don't give up a lot of hits. If the guys don't hit the ball, it won't go out of the park

Many players on the roster right now, fan favorite or not, are simply not conducive to the kind of team I want to create. It is for that reason that there probably will be a lot of moves over the next couple of years to weed out those players in bring in players for the future. I will also focus much more on bringing in solid pitching, as pitchers who are suited to this kind of team are going to be much harder to find than the hitters. Now that that's been said, let's get started:

Settings
League Revenue: +30%
Salary Demands: -20%
Injury Frequency: -40%

Goals
1) Win 70 games this year
2) Acquire players who can adapt and play well in our system
3) Make a playoff team by 2010

Line-up (players in bold are players who are probably safe in our system)
1) Alfredo Almazaga - SS, 75/76
2) Matt Holliday - LF, 76/79
3) Brad Hawpe - RF, 79/84
4) Todd Helton - 1B, 91/91 (no, not even he is safe, I'd like to try to trade him for a pitcher at some point - but don't tell him, it might make him unhappy ;) )
5) Todd Greene - C, 79/79
6) Preston Wilson - CF, 80/80
7) Ian Stewart - 3B, 71/89
8) Aaron Miles - 2B, 79/79

Bench
Ryan Shealy - INF, 77/84
Reggie Taylor - OF, 77/77
Jorge Piedra - OF, 77/84
Desi Relaford - Util, 71/71
Charles Johnson - C, 79/79
Tom Wilson - C, 73/73

Rotation
Jason Jennings - 78/78
Jeff Francis - 75/78
Joe Kennedy - 75/75
Denny Neagle - 80/80
Jamey Wright - 70/70

Bullpen
Closer: Ryan Speier - 78/79
Setup: Scott Dohmann - 78/79
Short: Allan Simpson - 74/74
Middle: Jim Miller - 78/86
Long: Brian Fuentes - 77/77
Alt: Alex Serrano - 76/79

Prospects
Jeff Baker - 2B, AA, 24, 75/91
Jayson Nix - 2B, R, 22, 67/86
Chin Hui-Tsao - SP/RP, AAA, 23, 73/88
Jeff Salazar - RF, AA, 24, 72/83

As you can see, apart from the bullpen, we have a lot of work to do, so let's get started.

[goyanks225]

Month record - 8-15
Overall record - 8-15, last place, 7 GB

The hitters didn't hit, and the pitchers didn't pitch.

Hitting


Last First AVG HR RBI OBP
Amezaga Alfredo 0.227 1 4 0.284
Francis Jeff 0.4 0 2 0.4
Greene Todd 0.271 4 12 0.311
Hawpe Brad 0.247 6 14 0.293
Helton Todd 0.325 5 12 0.48
Holliday Matt 0.213 1 4 0.278
Jennings Jason 0.182 0 1 0.25
Johnson Charles 0.2 1 3 0.273
Kennedy Joe 0 0 0 0
Miles Aaron 0.308 1 7 0.337
Miller Jim 0 0 0 0
Neagle Denny 0.143 0 0 0.143
Piedra Jorge 0.4 1 7 0.5
Relaford Desi 0.214 0 0 0.267
Serrano Alex 1 0 0 1
Shealy Ryan 0.143 0 0 0.333
Simpson Allan 0 0 0 0
Stewart Ian 0.3 1 7 0.352
Taylor Reggie 0.2 0 0 0.273
Wilson Preston 0.189 4 11 0.25
Wilson Tom 0.357 0 0 0.357
Wright Jamey 0 0 0 0.167


Pitching


Last First W L SV ERA IP
Dohmann Scott 2 1 0 8.27 16.1
Francis Jeff 2 3 0 6.6 30
Fuentes Brian 0 0 0 6.75 1.1
Jennings Jason 2 1 0 3.78 33.1
Kennedy Joe 1 4 0 5.46 28
Miller Jim 0 0 0 8 9
Neagle Denny 1 3 0 6.91 27.1
Serrano Alex 0 0 0 3.18 5.2
Simpson Allan 0 0 0 7.65 20
Speier Ryan 0 1 6 7.71 11.2
Wright Jamey 0 2 0 3.71 17

[goyanks225]

Note: Due to the fact that the stats are going all over the place, when I post them I'm just going to put up a players last name.

[goyanks225]

Month record: 16-13
Overall record: 24-28, 4th place, 9 GB

The bats started to come alive, and the pitching got A LOT better. I'm going to give it another month or 2 before I start making major moves.

Hitting


Last AVG HR RBI OBP
Amezaga 0.222 1 9 0.265
Francis 0.333 0 7 0.333
Fuentes 0 0 0 0
Greene 0.267 8 25 0.308
Hawpe 0.263 14 31 0.322
Helton 0.301 8 23 0.441
Holliday 0.235 3 12 0.286
Jennings 0.13 0 1 0.231
Johnson 0.325 3 14 0.417
Kennedy 0 0 1 0.045
Miles 0.32 2 19 0.346
Miller 0 0 0 0
Neagle 0.15 0 0 0.19
Piedra 0.345 1 7 0.457
Relaford 0.333 0 5 0.364
Serrano 1 0 0 1
Shealy 0.182 1 2 0.308
Simpson 0 0 0 0
Stewart 0.284 2 17 0.34
Taylor 0.161 0 1 0.188
Wilson 0.213 11 29 0.281
Wilson 0.241 0 0 0.241
Wright 0.133 0 1 0.188


Pitching


Last W L SV ERA IP
Dohmann 3 4 1 6.94 35
Francis 5 5 0 6.49 68
Fuentes 0 0 0 3.68 7.1
Jennings 2 6 0 3.11 75.1
Kennedy 4 5 0 4.17 69
Miller 1 0 0 5.09 17.2
Neagle 5 4 0 4.86 66.2
Serrano 1 0 0 2.79 9.2
Simpson 1 0 0 5.63 38.1
Speier 0 1 11 3.77 28.2
Wright 2 3 0 3.88 48.2

[goyanks225]

Month record: 13-14
Overall record: 37-42, 3rd, 12 GB

We're continuing to hit, and the pitching's been OK. Some moves will be made closer to the deadline.

Hitting


Last AVG HR RBI OBP
Amezaga 0.24 3 19 0.298
Francis 0.303 0 10 0.303
Fuentes 0 0 0 0
Greene 0.275 11 46 0.309
Hawpe 0.267 20 43 0.336
Helton 0.314 17 39 0.443
Holliday 0.246 7 24 0.296
Jennings 0.111 0 1 0.179
Johnson 0.318 3 20 0.41
Kennedy 0.103 0 2 0.129
Miles 0.31 3 28 0.335
Miller 0 0 0 0
Neagle 0.154 0 1 0.179
Piedra 0.345 2 14 0.424
Relaford 0.239 2 9 0.276
Serrano 1 0 0 1
Shealy 0.23 1 5 0.337
Simpson 0 0 0 0
Stewart 0.245 5 28 0.316
Taylor 0.205 0 1 0.222
Wilson 0.257 17 51 0.326
Wilson 0.244 1 1 0.262
Wright 0.182 0 2 0.217


Pitching


Last W L SV ERA IP
Dohmann 3 6 1 6.84 50
Francis 7 7 0 5.71 108.2
Fuentes 0 1 0 4.57 21.2
Jennings 7 7 0 3.4 119
Kennedy 6 8 0 4.94 98.1
Miller 1 0 0 4.23 27.2
Neagle 6 5 0 4.47 96.2
Serrano 1 0 0 5.02 14.1
Simpson 2 1 0 6.53 51
Speier 1 1 15 3.1 40.2
Wright 3 6 0 6.14 73.1

[goyanks225]

Month record (minus the 31st): 16-10
Overall record: 53-52, 3rd place, 10 GB

Denny Neagle went down for 101 days with a broken fibula, effectively ending his season. Aaron Cook (73/73) took his place from AAA. I've decided that this season isn't going to be the year, despite our INCREDIBLE progress, so I'm going shopping.

July 31, 2005 - ROCKIES trade Ian Stewart (3B) and Jeff Baker (2B) to ASTROS for Morgan Ensberg (3B) and $1 million
We like Morgan a lot, especially his solid contact. Immediately we re-signed him to a 5 year, $4.05 million extension.

July 31, 2005 - ROCKIES trade Preston Wilson (CF) and Brad Hawpe (RF) to MARLINS for Juan Pierre (CF)
We like Pierre's ability to make things happen. Luke Allen, who's been in AAA, will take over in right for a while. The line-up now looks like this:
1) Pierre - CF
2) Holliday - LF
3) Helton - 1B
4) Ensberg - 3B
5) Greene - C
6) Miles - 2B
7) Allen - RF
8) Amezaga - SS

We like how the pitching staff's been for the most part, so we're going to stick with it for now.

[goyanks225]

Month record: 13-14
Overall record: 66-67, 3rd place, 16.5 GB

We lost Jeff Francis for almost 6 months with a torn achilles tendon. Chin-Hui Tsao deserved a spot to show himself in AAA this year, so he took the spot. Juan Pierre, Morgan Ensberg, and Luke Allen have all been fantastic since coming up. Pierre is hitting .339 in Colorado, up from .260 in Florida. Ensberg has hit 12 homers in 28 games after hitting 25 the whole season in Houston, and Allen is hitting .311 since coming up. In 2 starts, Tsao has given up 3 ER in 16 innings.

Hitting


Last AVG HR RBI OBP
Allen 0.311 2 10 0.367
Amezaga 0.237 5 33 0.298
Ensberg 0.341 37 101 0.393
Francis 0.265 0 11 0.265
Greene 0.29 25 99 0.324
Helton 0.323 32 81 0.456
Holliday 0.261 13 50 0.314
Johnson 0.317 7 33 0.407
Kennedy 0.19 0 5 0.213
Miles 0.285 10 42 0.314
Pierre 0.278 2 35 0.33
Piedra 0.318 4 28 0.392
Relaford 0.278 3 14 0.335
Shealy 0.261 3 16 0.348
Taylor 0.278 3 12 0.305
Wilson 0.241 1 2 0.29


Pitching


Last W L SV ERA IP
Cook 3 2 0 4.56 51.1
Dohmann 9 7 1 6.2 81.1
Francis 8 13 0 6.64 158.2
Fuentes 0 1 0 3.65 44.1
Jennings 13 11 0 4.12 188
Kennedy 11 11 0 4.76 176
Miller 2 0 0 4.56 49.1
Neagle 7 6 0 4.39 108.2
Serrano 1 1 0 3.64 42
Simpson 3 4 0 7.05 75.1
Speier 2 2 29 2.54 71
Tsao 2 0 0 1.62 16.2
Wright 5 9 0 5.48 115

[goyanks225]

September & October record: 16-13
Overall record: 82-80, 3rd place, 17 GB, Pythagorean 78-84

We really played well this season, far beyond expectations. It's not a bad starting place at all for restructuring this franchise. Let's look back at the goals:
1) Win 70 games this year: Achieved
2) Acquire players who can adapt and play well in our system: Achieved
3) Make a playoff team by 2010: Still in progress

Hitting


Last AVG HR RBI OBP
Allen 0.288 5 22 0.348
Amezaga 0.235 5 39 0.302
Ensberg 0.329 38 112 0.387
Francis 0.265 0 11 0.265
Greene 0.287 33 121 0.322
Helton 0.31 39 99 0.444
Holliday 0.253 18 66 0.304
Johnson 0.333 8 40 0.417
Miles 0.293 11 57 0.328
Neagle 0.2 0 1 0.219
Pierre 0.284 3 46 0.338
Piedra 0.322 4 33 0.412
Relaford 0.268 3 16 0.325
Shealy 0.246 3 17 0.327
Taylor 0.244 3 12 0.277
Wilson 0.231 1 2 0.275


Pitching


Last W L SV ERA IP
Cook 5 4 0 4.07 84
Dohmann 12 7 2 5.42 104.2
Francis 8 13 0 6.64 158.2
Fuentes 3 1 0 4.5 54
Jennings 16 13 0 4.07 232.1
Kennedy 12 15 0 4.68 215.1
Miller 2 0 0 5.34 59
Neagle 7 6 0 4.39 108.2
Serrano 1 1 0 3.45 47
Simpson 4 4 1 6.23 95.1
Speier 5 3 35 2.87 84.2
Tsao 2 1 0 2.8 54.2
Wright 5 12 0 5.65 145


Team MVP: Todd Helton
Team CY Young: Ryan Speier (yes, our closer)
Team Rookie of the Year: Ryan Speier
Team Most Improved: Todd Greene

[goyanks225]

Playoffs
Division Series
Twins vs. Athletics
Athletics in 4

Angels vs. Yankees
Angels in 4

Phillies vs. Dodgers
Phillies in 5

Giants vs. Cardinals
Giants in 3

Championship Series
Athletics vs. Angels
Angels in 6

Phillies vs. Giants
Phillies in 7

World Series
Angels vs. Phillies
Phillies in 5

Going into the off-season, we have a few players at the end of their contracts, so my restructuring of the team will continue.

Re-signed
Juan Pierre - CF, 4 years at $4.4 million a year with a player option for 1 year of $4.4 million
Reggie Taylor - OF wins arbitration and will receive $500,000 next year
Desi Relaford - Util, 5 years at $800,000 a year
Tom Wilson - C, 3 years at $500,000 a year
Jason Jennings - SP loses arbitration and will receive $2.5 million next year (we'll give him 1 more year to prove to us that he fits in our system)
Joe Kennedy - SP loses arbitration and will receive $1.5 million next year (same as Jennings)
Brian Fuentes - RP wins arbitration and will receive $550,000 next year

Released
Todd Greene - C. Despite hitting 33 HR with 127 RBIs, he only had on OBP of .322
Alfredo Amezaga - SS. In arbitration, I might have given it a shot, but he asked for far too much money to make arbitration worth it.
Jamey Wright - SP
Aaron Cook - SP

Needs:
- Catcher
- Shortstop
- Starting pitcher

TRADE
November 9, 2005 - ROCKIES trade Denny Neagle (SP) and Cory Vance (SP) to BALTIMORE for $2 million

Free agents
Mike Young - SS, 4 years at $6.5 million a year with a 1 year player option at $6.5 million. He's a good shortstop who can get on base.
We're going to stick with a catcher from within the system, J.D. Closser, who had a .291 average and .361 OBP in AAA this year and is GREAT defensively.
I think we found a GREAT young starting pitcher who fits into our system and who we can afford to sign:
Ben Sheets - SP, 7 years at $9.2 million a year with a no-trade clause

Draft
Round 1 (17): Don Rubin - SP, 18. 47/94. I don't see him fitting into our system, but I'd like to try packaging him and Todd Helton together to get another SP.
Round 2 (47): Charlie Vincent - 1B, 21, 54/90. He might be able to take over for Helton in the future.
That's pretty much it.

[goyanks225]

Line-up
1) Juan Pierre - CF, 82/82
2) Mike Young - SS, 91/91
3) Matt Holliday - LF, 88/88
4) Todd Helton - 1B, 91/91 (last year of contract)
5) Morgan Ensberg - 3B, 88/88
6) Aaron Miles - 2B, 80/80
7) Luke Allen - RF, 77/77
8) J.D. Closser - C, 79/81
9) Pitcher

Bench
Jorge Piedra - OF, 83/83
Ryan Shealy - IF, 81/83
Desi Relaford - Util, 71/71
Reggie Taylor - OF, 77/77 (last year of contract)
Charles Johnson - C, 79/79
Tom Wilson - C, 72/72

Rotation
1) Ben Sheets - 95/95
2) Chin-Hui Tsao - 80/93
3) Jeff Francis - 78/78
4) Jason Jennings - 78/78 (last year of contract)
5) Joe Kennedy - 75/75 (last year of contract)

Bullpen
Closer: Ryan Speier - 81/81
Setup: Scott Dohmann - 81/81
Short: Allen Simpson - 75/75
Middle: Jim Miller - 81/82
Long: Brian Fuentes - 78/78 (last year of contract)
Alt: Alex Serrano - 76/77

Prospects
Charlie Vincent - 1B, A, 21, 54/90
Don Rubin - SP, A, 18, 49/94

[goyanks225]

Month record: 12-11
Overall record: 12-11, 2nd place, 6 GB

Most of our hitters have been pretty game, same with some of the pitchers.

Hitting


Last First AVG HR RBI OBP
Allen Luke 0.3 0 10 0.337
ClosserJ.D. 0.351 1 10 0.438
EnsbergMorgan 0.311 3 11 0.367
Helton Todd 0.318 5 15 0.434
HollidayMatt 0.311 5 12 0.367
JohnsonCharles 0.4 0 1 0.5
Miles Aaron 0.325 2 11 0.391
Pierre Juan 0.293 0 11 0.33
Piedra Jorge 0.071 0 2 0.176
RelafordDesi 0.273 1 2 0.385
Shealy Ryan 0.25 3 9 0.286
Taylor Reggie 0.25 1 2 0.25
Young Mike 0.261 3 15 0.324


Pitching


Last First W L SV ERA IP
DohmannScott 2 0 1 2.25 16
FrancisJeff 2 1 0 4.68 32.2
FuentesBrian 0 0 0 6.94 11.2
JenningsJason 1 3 0 7.23 23.2
KennedyJoe 1 2 0 9.77 15.2
Miller Jim 0 0 0 4.7 7.2
SerranoAlex 0 0 0 7.71 9.1
Sheets Ben 2 2 0 2.68 40.1
SimpsonAllan 2 1 0 10.13 13.1
Speier Ryan 0 0 6 4.5 10
Tsao Chin-hui 2 2 0 5.87 23

[goyanks225]

Month record: 13-15
Overall record: 25-26, 2nd place, 7.5 GB

Joe Kennedy has REALLY strugged - 47 ER, 71 hits in 35 innings. He could be the one to be replaced at some point later in the season.

Hitting


Last AVG HR RBI OBP
Allen 0.316 1 19 0.386
Closser 0.3 2 25 0.383
Ensberg 0.263 6 21 0.336
Francis 0.233 0 3 0.303
Helton 0.378 13 44 0.487
Holliday 0.31 12 29 0.365
Johnson 0.24 0 2 0.321
Miles 0.269 4 20 0.321
Pierre 0.266 2 20 0.305
Piedra 0.179 0 6 0.273
Relaford 0.282 3 11 0.364
Shealy 0.227 3 12 0.244
Taylor 0.242 2 5 0.286
Wilson 0.111 1 1 0.333
Young 0.289 5 27 0.33


Pitching


Last W L SV ERA IP
Dohmann 4 4 1 5.7 30
Francis 7 1 0 3.91 78.1
Fuentes 0 0 0 5.4 20
Jennings 2 5 0 6.49 51.1
Kennedy 2 6 0 12.09 35
Miller 0 0 0 2.95 21.1
Serrano 1 0 1 3.92 20.2
Sheets 3 4 0 3.07 85
Simpson 2 3 0 6.29 34.1
Speier 0 1 12 4.5 22
Tsao 4 2 0 5.76 59.1

[goyanks225]

Month record: 17-10
Overall record: 42-36, 2nd place, 8.5 GB in division, 2 in Wild Card

The hittings are really starting to hit, and the pitchers are pitching much better. Joe Kennedy has gotten his ERA down to 8.92!!! I've decided to hold on to Helton. The fans love him, and he's a great hitter. Therefore, I have Charlie Vincent (1B) and Don Rubin (SP) to trade. I was contacted by the Marlins, who wanted those 2 and in return they offered me Josh Beckett.

July 1, 2005 - ROCKIES trade Charlie Vincent (1B), Don Rubin (SP) and $2 million to MARLINS for Josh Beckett (SP)
This is Beckett's last year on his contract, so if he doesn't pitch well in Colorado, no problem we can release him. Joe Kennedy was sent to AAA.

July 1, 2005 - Todd Helton resigns for 4 years at $8.2 million a year

Hitting


Last AVG HR RBI OBP
Allen 0.307 4 36 0.382
Closser 0.279 4 49 0.362
Ensberg 0.279 10 33 0.359
Francis 0.233 1 7 0.277
Helton 0.342 17 60 0.46
Holliday 0.301 19 52 0.371
Johnson 0.237 0 4 0.293
Miles 0.281 4 28 0.33
Pierre 0.295 2 35 0.329
Piedra 0.205 1 14 0.272
Relaford 0.258 3 15 0.324
Shealy 0.25 4 19 0.292
Taylor 0.25 2 5 0.286
Wilson 0.214 2 2 0.353
Young 0.284 10 46 0.331


Pitching


Last W L SV ERA IP
Dohmann 4 4 1 4.81 43
Francis 9 4 0 4.32 118.2
Fuentes 1 0 0 3.67 34.1
Jennings 6 6 0 4.75 94.2
Kennedy 5 8 0 8.92 71.2
Miller 0 0 0 2.7 30
Serrano 2 0 1 2.29 39.1
Sheets 7 5 0 3.13 123.2
Simpson 3 3 0 5.61 43.1
Speier 1 3 17 5.04 30.1
Tsao 6 5 0 5.81 97.2

[goyanks225]

Month record: 17-10
Overall record: 59-46, 2nd place, 3.5 GB in division, .5 GB in Wild Card

The hitters, for the most part, are getting on base, which is what we need, and the pitchers are doing great (especially Beckett, who has a 1.76 ERA since coming over).

Hitting


Last AVG HR RBI OBP
Allen 0.29 4 39 0.37
Closser 0.287 8 60 0.365
Ensberg 0.276 15 47 0.358
Helton 0.352 23 84 0.456
Holliday 0.288 22 62 0.361
Miles 0.268 6 41 0.319
Pierre 0.304 2 49 0.335
Piedra 0.202 1 17 0.269
Relaford 0.247 3 17 0.301
Shealy 0.25 4 21 0.292
Taylor 0.197 2 5 0.254
Wilson 0.278 2 2 0.381
Young 0.293 12 59 0.337


Pitching


Last W L SV ERA IP
Beckett 9 4 0 3.23 128.1
Dohmann 6 4 1 4.34 56
Francis 13 5 0 3.78 159.1
Fuentes 2 1 0 4.2 40.2
Jennings 7 8 0 4.86 116.2
Kennedy 5 8 0 8.92 71.2
Miller 0 1 1 2.72 39.2
Serrano 2 0 1 3.3 43.2
Sheets 9 6 0 3.41 161
Simpson 4 4 0 5.53 55.1
Speier 1 3 22 4.12 39.1
Tsao 9 6 0 5.9 126.2

[goyanks225]

Month record: 12-16
Overall record: 71-62, 2nd place, 12 GB in division, 6 GB in Wild Card

It looks like the playoffs may not happen this year after a lackluster August, but it's ok because it's been a great season. Just to point it out, Jeff Francis, a SP, has homered twice for us this season.

Hitting


Last AVG HR RBI OBP
Allen 0.279 5 47 0.362
Closser 0.282 11 80 0.361
Ensberg 0.291 25 80 0.375
Francis 0.203 2 10 0.238
Helton 0.334 29 100 0.45
Holliday 0.273 27 72 0.345
Miles 0.265 6 49 0.313
Pierre 0.3 2 55 0.332
Piedra 0.215 1 19 0.28
Relaford 0.245 3 17 0.298
Shealy 0.269 4 25 0.331
Taylor 0.203 2 6 0.25
Wilson 0.333 3 4 0.429
Young 0.298 16 78 0.346


Pitching


Last W L SV ERA IP
Beckett 12 6 0 3.48 165.2
Dohmann 6 7 1 4.88 72
Francis 16 7 0 3.85 194
Fuentes 2 1 0 4.8 54.1
Jennings 8 11 0 5.5 140.2
Kennedy 5 8 0 8.92 71.2
Miller 0 2 1 3.36 56.1
Serrano 2 0 1 4.64 54.1
Sheets 12 8 0 3.41 203
Simpson 5 5 0 5.71 64.2
Speier 1 3 26 4.1 48.1
Tsao 10 8 0 6.06 160.1

[goyanks225]

September & October record: 17-12
Overall record: 88-74, 2nd place, 10 GB in division, 5 GB in Wild Card, Pythagorean 84-78

With the exception of May and August, we had winning months every single month of the season. I'm really happy with this teams progress, and it's only going to get better this off-season.

Hitting


Last AVG HR RBI OBP
Allen 0.275 7 66 0.356
Beckett 0.127 0 4 0.186
Closser 0.279 16 98 0.357
Dohmann 0 0 0 0
Ensberg 0.292 31 102 0.376
Francis 0.208 3 12 0.235
Fuentes 0.4 0 0 0.4
Helton 0.336 31 111 0.447
Holliday 0.276 37 99 0.347
Jennings 0.083 0 2 0.1
Johnson 0.269 0 8 0.329
Kennedy 0.056 0 0 0.056
Miles 0.26 7 55 0.306
Miller 0 0 0 0
Pierre 0.293 2 62 0.327
Piedra 0.22 1 21 0.285
Relaford 0.242 3 17 0.294
Serrano 0.214 0 0 0.214
Shealy 0.252 5 28 0.316
Sheets 0.069 0 5 0.099
Simpson 0 0 0 0
Speier 0 0 0 0
Taylor 0.186 2 6 0.231
Tsao 0.131 0 2 0.194
Wilson 0.379 3 4 0.486
Young 0.291 19 98 0.338


Pitching


Last W L SV ERA IP
Beckett 15 9 0 3.52 204.1
Dohmann 6 7 1 4.18 88.1
Francis 21 8 0 3.59 251
Fuentes 2 1 0 4.5 62
Jennings 9 13 0 5.83 154.1
Kennedy 5 8 0 8.92 71.2
Miller 0 3 1 4.16 67
Serrano 2 0 1 3.93 68.2
Sheets 17 9 0 3.07 249
Simpson 5 5 0 6.41 73
Speier 1 4 31 4.21 57.2
Tsao 13 11 0 5.97 197.1


Team Cy Young: Tie between Ben Sheets and Jeff Francis
Team MVP: Todd Helton
Team Rookie of the Year: J.D. Closser
Team Most Improved: Matt Holliday

[goyanks225]

Division Series
Yankees vs. Angels
Yankees in 5

Athletics vs. Twins
Athletics in 4

Dodgers vs. Mets
Mets in 4

Braves vs. Cubs
Braves in 5

Championship Series
Yankees vs. Athletics
Athletics in 4

Mets vs. Braves
Braves in 5

World Series
Athletics vs. Braves
Braves in 4

[goyanks225]

I think we're almost at the point of reaching the quality of players that fit in our system that we need in order to contend for the World Series. We have a lot of players going to arbitration, so what we may do is give some borderline players another year to prove to us that they fit.

Re-signed
Aaron Miles (2B) wins arbitration and is awarded $1.7 million
Matt Holliday (RF) wins arbitration and is awarded $3.8 million
Jorge Piedra (OF) loses arbitration and is awarded $1.25 million
Reggie Taylor (OF) wins arbitration and is awarded $.6 million
Chin-hui Tsao (SP) wins arbitration and is awarded $1 million
Josh Beckett (SP) signs a 4 year deal at $6.1 million a year
Scott Dohmann (RP) loses arbitration and is awarded $.85 million
Brian Fuentes (RP) wins arbitration and is awarded $.75 million

Released
Jason Jennings (SP)
Allan Simpson (RP)
Joe Kennedy (SP)

Needs:
- a starting pitcher
- a reliever

To solve the former, I'm going to sign not a top notch starting pitcher (we don't have the money and don't need one with Sheets and Beckett). For the latter, I think I'm going to bring up a kid named Aaron Taylor, who gave up just 83 hits in 93 innings in AAA this year and is a 78/78.

November 9, 2006 - Chris Capuano (SP) signs a 4 year deal at $4.85 million a year. He an 81/81, had a 3.18 ERA last year, and gave up just 156 hits in 191 innings.

Draft
Round 1 (21): Joseph Thomas - 2B, 17, 51/100. If Aaron Miles doesn't work out, he's the likely replacement.
Round 2 (51): Guillermo Guerra - SS, 21, 65/84. He was the best player available.
Rounds 3-6: Nothing important

[goyanks225]

I believe that this could be the season we go to the playoffs. We've improved the starting rotation, and everybody has developed and improved their game. I'm looking forward to see what happens.

Line-up
1) Juan Pierre - CF, 82/82
2) Mike Young - SS, 90/90
3) Matt Holliday - LF, 86/86
4) Todd Helton - 1B, 90/90
5) Morgan Ensberg - 3B, 82/82
6) Aaron Miles - 2B, 80/80
7) Luke Allen - RF, 80/80
8) J.D. Closser - C, 82/82

Bench
Jorge Piedra - OF, 86/86
Ryan Sheely - INF, 86/86
Desi Relaford - Util, 71/71
Reggie Taylor - OF, 77/77
Charles Johnson - C, 78/78
Tom Wilson - C, 74/74

Rotation
1) Ben Sheets - 94/95
2) Josh Beckett - 92/92
3) Jeff Francis - 78/78
4) Chris Capuano - 80/80
5) Chin Hui-Tsao - 82/93

Bullpen
Closer: Ryan Speier - 80/80
Setup: Scott Dohmann - 82/82
Short: Jim Miller - 80/81
Middle: Brian Fuentes - 78/78
Long: Aaron Taylor - 78/78
Alt: Alex Serrano - 78/78

Prospects
Guillermo Guerra - SS, AA, 21, 63/86
Joseph Thomas - 2B, R, 17, 50/100