Saturday, May 30, 2020

              Another Saturday night drinking with the scouts at the Barleymoe

       Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by George Dickel, Johnny Walker  and Jim Beam

 Elijah: This time next week we will know the results of the draft. Anybody got an opinion about the draft.
 Johnny: I hate this week. No matter what you do, it rarely plays out in your favor.
 George: If you are a weak team and have an early draft position, I believe it's best to sign your free agents. The second round starts this year at pick 80.
 Jim: You mean there are 48 compensatory picks?
 George: Yes and I saw one  teams draft board and they had about 23 players ranked at the major league level.
 Johnny: The way it usually works out that means about 70 players will have a decent Major League career.
 Jim: I'm not sure this year's draft isn't going to compare to the internationals already signed.  My guess is that the careers of Oropesa, Torres, Jacques and Fernandez is going to be what people remember from this season. They already have taken 94.6 million out of the prospects budgets.
Elijah: Have some teams hurt their chances of signing draft choices?
 Jim: Yea, Seattle might have 2 million left, Fargo about the same, Trenton has about 5 million.Durham has the lowest payroll so they can do pretty much whatever they want.
Elijah: Well you guys pretend to be the best scouts, why don't you make some predictions.
Jim: I think David Oropesa can stay at shortstop but will hit a lot like Yan Nunez of Louisville.Seattle is loaded with shortstop types so he won't be rushed to the majors. My guess is he hits the bigs in season 55.
Johnny: I'll take Orlando Torres he signed for 25 million; 2 million less than Oropesa. My guess is that their careers will always be about who is Affirmed and who is Alydar. I think Torres is Alydar but he will have a really good career.
George: That leaves Jacques for me. If I were pimpbotlove, I'd move the guy to centerfield and I think he is a better hitter than Affirmed... I mean Oropesa.
 Elijah: Well you guys are finally on record about some players; we will look back on this is 5 seasons and see how you guys did. Anybody want to make a prediction about the draft.
Johnny: No I hate everything about the draft.
George: I think the Voodoo with the seventh and eighth draft picks will be smiling a lot this time next week; kind of like they think got both Affirmed and Alydar!


Tuesday, May 26, 2020

                                                 Dickles  Pickles


                                                This Weeks top five

                  1.)  FARGO: record for the week(14-7)
                  2.) HELENA: record for the week (15-5)
                  3.) CHARLESTON: record for the week (15-5)
                  4.) PORTLAND: record for the week(13-7)
                  5.) SEATTLE: record for the week (12-8)



                                           Three thoughts for next week

                      A few players are threatening to break league records:
                          Henry Moreland has 17 saves , the record is 59 by three different pitchers;
                          Moreland's projection is 73
                          Both Leonys Nieves and Brian Blair have 17 homeruns , the record is85,hit by  Jose         Johnson in season 6. Their projection is 88
                          John Servais is hitting .404 the record is from Season 6 .395, by Nick Abbott
                                         
                                          Best Match of the week

                          Charleston and Seattle have 7 games this week (Seattle's pitching(110 runs allowed)
versus Charleston's hitting (186 runs scored)

                         Best International Free Agent signing for the season
    
                      Tony Jacquez second baseman Las Vegas $23.5 million

Saturday, May 23, 2020

                           Another Saturday night drinking with the scouts at the Barleymoe
                      Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by: Jose Cuervo, Jack Daniels and Jim Beam

Elijah: Did everyone see that milton7 is back in the league!
Jose: Yea , the league needed him back. He's run that franchise since season 4.
Jack: Dover, Dover he may go nuts there.
Jim: After thirty four season of being the Bulls he's got to be a Blue Hen this season; sad
Jose: milton7 always had great team names ; Diamonds, Seawolves and Bulls and now the Blue Hens;sad
Elijah: milton7 might read this, can we be a little more positive the franchise has a little more than 3700 wins in the league.
Jim: I think I'll blame Dean on Lokk being in the league in the first place. Lokk took the team right under milton7 grasp. We cycled quicker than normal this season because everybody is sitting at home working from home.
Jack:Are you blaming Dean for the virus?
Jose: Corona is something I don't do. Don't look at me.
Jim: Jack, you know if Dean was still in the league as soon as a newbie showed up Dean would tell them not to trade their first year. Lokk was obviously a fantasy baseball player who was only interested in trading players. I mean he managed three trades in what the 5 days he was in the league.
Jack: Two of the trades were with coach_orman; and the both seemed equal; young guys getting used to the system. And mike1184 was fair with  him in the other trade.
Jose: I think Jim's point is the guy thought he would make ten or twelve like they do in fantasy baseball and he didn't get enough action in our league so he left.
Jack: So why are we blaming Dean?
Jim: Because Dean dominated the world chat board and would have let him know that we don't trade out of boredom. Dean would have set him straight and milton7 wouldn't have had his payroll go up by $20 million.
Jose: I thought it was funny that trapa answered the comment about him coming back:"He wanted the challenge of having someone screw up his team for him".
Jim: He would know he's had four different franchises in 16 seasons.
Jack: Do you know this or are you making it up.
Jim: To the best of my knowledge this is correct.
Jose: Who have been in the league the longest?
Jim: Mr Stickball and bwb 53. Charter members of the league.
Jose: How many owners has the league had in 49 seasons?
Jim: The easy answer is 220 but trapa counts 4 in that total.
Jose: Which franchise has had the most owners?
Jim: Augusta has had 15 owners.Includding Trapa, vegascowboy, gregor199 and sports guy93
Jack: Worst owner's name?
Jim: suiciderick, he ran a franchise call Anthrax. He played in Toronto and Ottawa until the last season when he played in Burlington.
Elijah: Anthrax, really maybe we should call it a night boys. Thinks are getting out there, Who would believe us.
Jim : Before we go suiciderick played against an owner named the plague
Elijah:You've got to be making this stuff up.
Jim: Look it up Elijah

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Dickle's Pickles week one

George Dickles top five teams heading into week 2 are:

1  Fargo:(prev rank-1) weekly record(8-2 run, differential 26) comment: somethings never change

2 Chicago:(prev unranked)weekly record(9-1, run differential23)comment:Javier Tavarez has a hit in every game.

3 Seattle:(prev unranked) weekly record(7-3, run differential 37) comment: tough week coming up will play Las Vegas, Chicago and San Juan in the next week.

4 Houston:( prev unranked) weekly record(7-3, run differential 26) comment: with a $43 million payroll this is either a miracle or a mirage.

5 San Juan:(prev unranked) weekly record(7-3, run differential 25) comment: team ERA 1.38


                                                  Odd shots of the week
6 players have hit in every game:
                                                     Javier Tavarez(CHI) 14 for 42
                                                     Chi-Chi Costilla (DUR) 20 for 46
                                                     Sidney Frederick (ALB) 15 for 39
                                                     Ryan Clark (SCZ)  19 for 38
                                                     Alcides Villarreal (LV) 14 for 39
                                                     Julio Hollands (FAR) 16 for 48

Del Bonilla (CH1) Chicago's closer has 6 saves in 5.1 innings and has only allowed one baserunner via  a walk.
Two pitchers have three wins already Carlos Chantres (FAR), Giancarlo Colome (LV).
 Chantres, a starter last season is transitioning to a long relief role in Fargo as the bigdogs seems to have switched to a 4 man rotation
 Colome , the ace, in Vegas' four man rotation has already started 3 games and has 18 innings pitched.

Ryan Cloud (BOI) is our best thief 7sb in 7 attempts.

Cincinnati Americans most homeruns 23; they hit 240 last season.
Augusta Argonauts most runs scored 74; they scored 787 runs  last season
San Juan Expos fewest runs allowed 24; they allowed 675 runs last season(9th fewest)
Louisville Duoz fewest hits of the season 62;  14th in hits allowed last season-1433 allowed.
After ten games three teams have allowed no unearned runs,  : Helena Hot Mess(3 errors committed),Washington D.C. Rising Storm(5 errors committed),Charleston Wharf Rats(2 errors committed). Last year the league average was 63 unearned runs on 101 errors per team.

Saturday, May 16, 2020

                            The first Saturday  night of season 49 at the Barleymoe Pub

              Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by Johnny Walker, Jim Beam and Jack Daniels

Elijah: Gentleman tonight I would like us to discuss anything you find interesting 4 games into the       season.
 Jim: You know I'm always interested in pitching. Pitching wins World championships, scoring runs sells seats for the fans. I have found it interesting that 8 teams started the season with four man starting rotations; but only three teams are committed to it.
 Johnny: What are you talking about. What is a commitment?
 Jim: Boston, Cincinnati,Fargo,Seattle and Trenton all started the season with a four man rotation followed by a day off. El Paso,Las Vegas and New York all started the season with their dept chart showing a 4 man rotation and no day off on the fifth day of the season.
 Jack: Do you really think they will try to have a four man rotation throughout the season?
 Jim: Yes I do!
 Jack: Is there any history of this?
 Jim : Last year Giancarlo Colome started 43 games pitched 270 innings for the Galaxy.  pimpbotlove  is a believer in the four man rotation.
 Jack : What is the advantage of abandoning a five man rotation?
 Johnny: I remember along time ago in the Blyleven league, Breeolad used a 3 man rotation and won a championship.
 Jack: Why would anyone do that?
 Johnny: Back then I wasn't a scout, I Was a CONSULTANT. I got paid big bucks to solve problems.
 Jim: Then why are you now a  scout like us?
 Johnny: That is not the point. If a team, like the one in Blyleven, had several good long relievers and just three strong starters; it is probably better to juggle the long relievers against teams that they had an advantage against than picking one guy to be the fourth starter.
 Jim: But still you're now a scout and not a CONSULTANT. How did it end up?
 Johnny: The team lost the number two starter after 49 starts to an arm injury and the number one starter was done after 3 starts in the next season.
 Jack: So you're and a scout now and not making the big bucks.
 Johnny: If I had it to do all over a again and I found a team with a lot of long relievers and not many good starters I would advocate again that they do it.
 Jim: If you are a damn fool who would make the same mistake twice  you wouldn't be able to afford to buy drinks in the Barleymoe

Monday, May 11, 2020

                                                 Dickel's Pickles
               
                   A weekly ranking of George Dickels top 5 teams and their upcoming week

           First: Fargo
The defending champions start the season on the road traveling to Cincinnati and Ottawa, before opening at home against San Antonio.It will be an exciting day at the Great American Ballpark ; with a likely pitching matchup of Carlos Chantres facing off against Donald Miles.
           Second Santa Cruz
The scream open the season at home against the Stickballers, followed by the Islanders before their first road trip to Dover. The Scream haven't won 100 or more games since season 3 and this year promises to be the year.
           Third: Las Vegas
The Galaxy start the season on the road at Dan Bailey stadium against the Voodoo before going to Albuquerque for three games. The end of the week brings them to Cashman field to face San Juan.
           Fourth: Helena
The Hot Mess open at home, against their long time rival the Storm Troopers. They then face the Wrenchheads before traveling to Memphis to face the Blues.
           Fifth:Washington
The Rising Storm get my pick at #5 after signing 5 type-A free agents.The Storm opens the season in San Juan before going to Durham for three games. After that they open Nations Stadium for the season against the Voodoo

Sunday, May 10, 2020

                                         Another Saturday night at the Barleymoe


  This Saturday Elijah Craig is joined by George Dickell, Johnny Walker and Jim Beam

 Elijah: What do you guys think of the new season?
 Jim: More importantly, Elijah, don't you think we should discuss free agency. Washington was very aggressive.
 Johnny: I think the most important information coming out of free agency is that no player signed a max contract. The highest contract given out was Kevin Bush's at 16.6  million. This league, unlike others in HBD doesn't give max contracts.
 George: Your right Johnny the next highest contract was $8 million to Ydwin Brinkey  moving to Seattle from Stickman's Portland team.
  Jim: A three year contract for a 35 year old pitcher is making  a statement.
 George: Jim I'd like your thoughts on San Antonio spending 29.6 million  on upgrading their pitching in free agency; it was't just Bush but they added Bob Lowe and Julio Herrera.
 Jim: It's an interesting theory the cowboy is using. His pitching was better than  his hitting last year. Improving his pitching above his hitting is along the lines of whatever you do best improve it be elite!
 Johnny: Do you guys realize we started this discussion about Washington and haven't mentioned it since?
Jim: Washington lost David Mercado at first base but added  Kike Amarista at first base plus  Tom Clemens,Charlie Marte, Reynaldo Soriano and D J DePew.
 Johnny:Mercado contributed 7.66 runs created to 27 at bat last year. That is a big hole  to fill.
 George: Guys we don't know what is going to happen. Nobody's crystal ball is clearer than anyone else's. I think this season, I'm going to post the Dickel Pickles! The Pickles are going to be my top 6, posted every week or at least every two weeks. Elijah, do you have a problem with that?  Will I be allowed to come to the Barleymoe for our discussions.
 Elijah: George it's not like to have been easy to get along with but you're always welcome; at long as Jack is not here.
                                     National League West preview


 In the west it's the same old story. After two years of rebuilding. pimpbotlove won the division again. In the past 23 season the Vegas franchise has won 19 division titles. The Galaxy scored the fifth most runs in season 48 and gave up the seventh fewest runs.They have no significant free agents to sign and look for good health and timely hitting to repeat again this season.
  Seattle is again chasing Las Vegas. The Super troopers gave up the fourth fewest runs in the league in season 48. The staff was betrayed by the 25th best offense in the league.This off season the Troopers added two more pitchers, Rich Mateo and Ydwin Brinkley after losing Sammy Cruz to Chicago. Offensive improvement will be internal in that the only position player over 27 is the catcher Carl Roberts.
 In Albuquerque, a franchise loaded with young pitching in the minors, it may come down to how Russell Evers, Thad Kemp and Ralph Collier pitch this season. If this trio of young pitchers break through and have stellar years, Albuquerque will be able to nurture the strength of their farm system(young dynamic arms) while enticing free agent batters to push this franchise to unknown heights.
  In Vancouver picc818 starts the Elmer Whitt era. picc818  has been in our league for 42 years and this maybe his best player ever. The Nl west is an offensive group and Elmer maybe able to dominate for years to come.