Thursday, April 18, 2013

Kennedy on the Block


The Cleveland Fuego McGregors have expressed interest in trading former MVP Slugger Gregg Kennedy among inside baseball circles.

Reports are the Fuego McGregors debated during the winter meetings whether to make Kennedy  available in potential deals, but ultimately decided against it at the time.  Now early in the season they seem to have decided to explore trade options.  Many fans in Cleveland are crying foul, saying that the slugger was kept to increase season ticket sales before the season.

“It’s B.S.!” cries Clevelander Rick Brown, “We finally get a Lasorda baseball team in town, and now they’re looking to trade one of our best players?  Mularkey says I!”

The team is off to a rocky start in their new home, and at the time of press, are a paltry 8-12.  Rumors are circulating that with somewhat of an aging team, their top brass are considering rebuilding, just two years removed from winning the division title.

According to anonymous sources, including one GM, the asking price for Kennedy is a package of “legit prospects”.

“You have to figure that Cleveland is going to have a steep asking price for Kennedy.” the GM said, “He’s under a reasonable contract for a few more years, and hasn’t really shown any loss in his skillset yet.”

But would Kennedy be worth such a steep price?

Kennedy's stats dating back to Season 22
“In a heartbeat,” a different team official told the Lasorda World Times. “Nothing against whichever prospects could be offered, but he’s a former MVP and still playing at a high level.”

According to sources, it remains unclear whether the Fuego McGregors have even discussed a trade with any teams yet. And one scout speculated that Cleveland would want a top tier prospect in exchange for Kennedy.

Kennedy, considered by many to be one of the best power hitters in the majors, has been the subject of much trade speculation since Cleveland owner Dan Jose Pierce, of the 4516 Investment Corporation, Limited mentioned him a potential trade asset on a local radio station.

It remains to be seen if any teams are willing to pay Cleveland’s price for the slugger, but he undoubtedly could help a team in contention push further towards a World Series appearance.

Friday, April 5, 2013

Montreal Anglais Spring Training Preview

In our first Spring Training Preview here on the Lasorda World Times blog, we go to our Montreal correspondent dvsman for his report on the Montreal Anglais.

"Coming off another losing season, the Canadian media predict the Montreal Anglais are looking at being in the same position again this season. With no big off season signings or trades, the Anglais will pray that someone from their poor starting staff or mediocre fielding and hitting players can emerge to have a career season. 3B Darron Dorsey is expected to bounce back after a humble start in a new city and ballpark.



But not all is doom and gloom in Montreal. Some promising pitchers exist in their system and look to make an impact in the show this season. Bob Scelfo is hoping to take his excellent ball control and shine as the #6 starter and this season will see youngster Curtis "High Hopes" Hammond take over the closer role and lock down any leads the Anglais bring with them into the ninth inning.



Early Vegas odds place the Montreal Anglais as 1200 - 4 to win the world series."

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Highest Yearly Salary by Position

This list is of the highest paid players for Season 25.  This is based on single season salary, not performance or awards.  Position was determined by primary listing on Player Search screen:

Catcher - Roger Romero ($14.25 Million) 
Roger Romero
Toronto
Blue Storm
Age: 31B/T: S/R
Born: Duncan, SC
Position(s): C
View Hardball Dynasty Profile
 
First Base - Harry Tapani ($14.00 Million)

Harry Tapani
Kansas City
Royal Flush
Age: 33B/T: S/R
Born: Red Hook, NY
Position(s): 1B/DH
View Hardball Dynasty Profile
 
Second Base (Tie) - Tony Manzanillo and David Espinoza ($8.25 Million)
Tony Manzanillo
Boston
Gothams
Age: 29B/T: R/R
Born: Bani, DO
Position(s): 2B/1B/COF/DH
View Hardball Dynasty Profile
David Espinoza
Helena
Flatheads
Age: 29B/T: L/R
Born: Nizao de Bani, DO
Position(s): 2B/CIF/OF/DH
View Hardball Dynasty Profile
 
 Third Base - Taylor Naulty ($12.00 Million)
Taylor Naulty
Oakland
Avengers
Age: 36B/T: R/R
Born: Middletown, OH
Position(s): 3B/IF/OF/DH
View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Short Stop - Michael Zhang ($16.50 Million)
Michael Zhang
New York
Skyliners
Age: 30B/T: R/R
Born: Tokyo, JP
Position(s): SS/IF/OF/DH
View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Left Field - Willie Gutierrez ($28.50 Million *Includes $10.00 Million Signing Bonus)
Willie Gutierrez
Charlotte
Hornets
Age: 29B/T: L/L
Born: Jamaica Estates, NY
Position(s): LF/1B/DH
View Hardball Dynasty Profile

 Center Field - Erv Huson ($15.00 Million)
Erv Huson
Trenton
Tremors
Age: 31B/T: L/L
Born: Yazoo City, MS
Position(s): CF/1B/OF/DH
View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Right Field - Donatello Aspromonte ($20.00 Million)
Donatello Aspromonte
Philadelphia
Phantoms
Age: 35B/T: S/R
Born: Bardwell, KY
Position(s): RF/1B/LF/DH
View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Designated Hitter - Greg Kennedy ($5.72 Million)
Gregg Kennedy
Salt Lake City
Strike Outs
Age: 30B/T: S/L
Born: Hazlehurst, GA
Position(s): DH
View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Starting Pitcher - Ray Little ($20.00 Million)
Ray Little
Little Rock
Writer's Block
Age: 32B/T: R/R
Born: Sullivan, ME
Position(s): P (T2B)
View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Relief Pitcher - B.C. Pederson ($20.00 Million)

 

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Most World Series Appearances (through season 24)

Team: World Series Appearances World Series Wins
Columbus 5 4
Montgomery 4 2
Oakland 4 3
Trenton 4 3
Durham 4 2
Houston 3 1
Scotsdale 3 1
Anaheim 2 0
Chicago 2 1
Las Vegas 2 2
Little Rock 2 2
Salt Lake City 2 0
St Louis 2 1
Charlotte 2 1
Boston 1 1
Helena 1 0
Louisville 1 0
Montreal 1 0
Philadelphia 1 0
Richmond 1 0
San Antonio 1 0
San Francisco 1 1
Toronto 1 0

 
Teams with no WS appearances: Austin, Charleston, Hatford, Kansas City, New York (AL), New York (NL), Toledo, Vancouver and Washington D.C.