Season Preview: Ireland Invaders

2017 Record: 80-80, last in Euro
Key Losses: SP Tadeshi Kawabata, RF Austin Kearns, P Chien-Ming Wang, P Brian Lawrence, RP Julio Mateo
Key Additions: Travis Blackley
2018 Prediction: 77-83

Mediocre on the field, the Invaders were punished severely. Taking a cap hit for .500 ball despite improving by 10 games, the Invaders are sitting at 60M for the 2018 season. That doesn't leave Ireland much room for error. Homegrown talent is going to have to improve last season's disappointing offense (14th in runs scored, 9th in HR) while ace CC Sabathia will be carrying the load once again for the pitching staff. Last season, Sabathia finished with a 3.42 ERA while being a workhorse at 234 IP. Fellow 36 year-old Josh Beckett returns and will have to better his 4.53 ERA. With the departure of Tadeshi Kawabata, will Ireland have the arms to improve the team ERA of 4.65? That puts them right at the middle of the pack again, and mediocrity on either side of the ball is going to get you hurt in the Euro.

So Kawabata leaves, and who does GM Tony Blake spend his dollars (excuse me, pennies) on? Pitchers Travis Blackley and John Lackey (uh oh) and 3B Barry Rosen (who the heck is Barry Rosen? I hear you asking.) When Beckett and Sabathia eat up 30.25M of a possible 60M payroll, your options are limited. Lackey won't even make the team and Blackley will be showing off his career 5.49 ERA in long relief. But the upside is that by 6 straight seasons of finishing last or 3rd, the Invaders have some serious young talent to put on the field. They'll need to step up now or Blake won't be able to afford them in a few years.

Batting Order
CF Andre Howard
SS Whammy May
RF Jerry "Turtle" Ferrara
C Al Murphy
LF Ad Collins
1B Nicholas Weglarz
2B Geoff Orr
3B Sean Burroughs
pitcher

That's against RHP, which means Boog Johnson is sitting most of the time. Is that a good use of your resources? Holy cow! Weglarz can hit too but with GM Blake also training yet another stud, C Jack Berry to play 1B, does this mean Johnson is trade bait? And catcher Earl Hickey doesn't get a sniff of playing time? Ohmigosh. With a boatload of talent at C/1B, some weaker spots on this squad have to be shored up, no? (Outfield, I'm looking at you. Marcus Giles and Geoff Orr, you too. Bullpen, I'd be renting if I were you. Like anyone trusts Orber Moreno's 3.61 ERA last year, as if.) Hickey, Murphy, Johnson, Weglarz, Collins, Howard and Ferrara are all 26 or younger, and Jack Berry looks ready. Ireland seems to have an unbalanced box of talent, something Blake will have to rectify to compete in the Euro.

Pitching Rotation: CC Sabathia, Josh Beckett, Bobby Brownlie, Steve Earle, Al Snodgrass
Closer: Orber Moreno

Rookies Steve Earle (2nd round, 2015) and Al Snodgrass (3rd overall in 2016) will get an opportunity after having great springs. Yoshi Sasaki, a 2nd rounder in 2015, got beat around in spring training and will start for Aussie but is knocking at the door. Brownlie and Beckett have to get those ERA's under 4 to earn their paycheques and keep the dreadful bullpen off the field. Moreno shocked everyone in the league with his 3.61 ERA which is well above his career 5.19 total.

Predicting the season mark for Ireland this season is difficult. It depends on GM Tony Blake pulling the trigger on some trades and shipping out a great young player or two, and if Beckett and Brownlie show that last year was a hiccup and not a sign of old age. If everything goes right, anywhere up to 2nd place is possible. The Euro isn't easy so Blake will have to be on his toes.

Season Preview: Kyoto Bushido

2017 Record: 75-85, 2nd in Far East
Key Additions: RP Hack Bubser, SP Daisuke Matsuzaka, OF Grady Sizemore, C Tony Montana
Key Losses: P's Roy Oswalt, Jason Jennings, Runelvys Hernandez, CF Josh Hamilton
2018 Prediction: 87-73

Last year's Bushido scored a woeful 635 runs, second fewest in SLB. Finishing just a game out of the playoffs, you'd expect that the Kyoto pitching staff dominated, right? You'd be correct, with GM Darin Keesing's squad putting up a nice 4.13 mark. But instead of grabbing just speed or thunder for the lineup, Keesing appears to be upgrading a strength, signing ace Matsuzaka for 11.25M per season and then picking up some cheap, run-of-the-mill arms to fill out the bullpen and provided depth at AAA. But unless Dice-K can really swing the bat, this team still has obvious flaws. For a team that didn't hit for enough power (second worst slugging percentage), hit into the 4th most double plays, didn't show enough speed (9th in stolen bases, 2nd fewest triples), will Montana, Sizemore and a rookie be enough to improve the offense?

New CF Sizemore (career .299) is the writing on the wall for veteran Andruw Jones, who may not make another appearance in SLB. Sizemore is 34, doesn't handle CF too well anymore and has lost a step or two but is still considered an upgrade. Rookie Dave Meijas, who charmed Keesing in spring with his .302 average, is being handed the starting 2B spot and will bat leadoff. If Meijas can handle the pressure and show some baserunning smarts, that may help make up for the mediocrity of RF Jeremy Reed and SS Bobby Crosby in the bottom of the order. Manager Bobby Valentine had to like what he saw out of 22 year-old LF Cray Boggs this spring, who hit .302 with some power and speed. If Keesing can find a taker for the 8M mistake Jeremy Reed, look for Boggs to get called up. The key to the offense will be Montana, who hit 69 bombs last year in Osaka but now has to the same in Kyoto, where good catchers go to die.

Batting Order
2B D Meijas
CF G Sizemore
LF A Mule
C T Montana
1B M Hamilton
RF J Reed
3B E See
SS B Crosby

With a bench of C K Thibault, 1B R Howard, 3B B Hawpe, OF S Smitherman and CF A Murphy, there are some excellent pinch-hitting options and short-term injury fill-ins. Noone Valentine will want to play for a long period of time but his GM still has plenty of cash to spend when and if a serious injury occurs.

Pitching Rotation: Jordan Auerbach, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jake Peavy, Hank Daniels, Jeremy Affeldt
Closer: Tim Gudex

Matsuzaka makes any rotation look good, doesn't he? The 24 year-old Auerbach gets the Opening Day nod though. 35 year-old Jake Peavy shows no sign of slowing down and Daniels was league average. That's a nice 1-4. Affeldt in the 5th spot? He hasn't pitched in SLB in two years and I can't see him making it through the first month of the season, unless Valentine hides him on the bench going with a 4-man rotation. Look for some tweaks to the pitching staff with Affeldt and Rule 5 pickup Bubser vanishing. Tim Gudex, only 26, dominated last year and if he repeats his success should be looking at a huge payday after the season. Kyoto should be able to afford it, because with the additions of Matsuzaka and Montana, they'll be in the playoffs this fall.

Season Preview: Chiang-Mai Kwaan

2017 Record: 76-84, 1st in Far East
Key Additions: 3B David Wright, SS Adrian Cardenas, SP E Krueger
Key Losses: SP Michael Pelfrey, 1B Ken Ryu, SP Mark Prior, LF Walt Coon
2018 Prediction: 75-86

Blech. After finishing 12 games under .500, the lucky Kwaan team managed to backdoor their way into a playoff appearance and put some more money in their coffers. They should have refused that cash infusion from the league just on principle. How embarrassing. The Kwaan finished 14th in the league in runs scored despite a "where have you been?" performance from 2B Cap Jackson, who hit .311 with 110 steals. Outfielder Walt Coon is taking his power to division rival Taipei, leaving just power-hitting catcher Thurman Murman and RF Joe Belinda from a short list of last seasons contributors.
The Kwaan didn't score much last year and the pitching staff delivered just a 10th best ERA ranking (4.71). Gone from last year's staff is Mark Prior to Scotland, and Michael Pelfrey to Philly, leaving a rotation that is suspect with the retirement of Dan Haren.
With Taipei in his division, GM Ben Royer is obviously unconcerned with finishing last and taking the cap hit. It appears he's attempting to stay competitive while adding some picks and prospects for a serious run at a title down the road. Pelfrey went as a rental to Philly for a nice bounty, SS A Cardenas, who will be groomed in the minors for a season or two. It isn't necessarily a bad plan, with no Far East team making you say, "wow!" So if things go right and luck is on his side, Royer could repeat last year's playoff appearance. Or he could finish third, resign Jackson after the season, and hope that CF T Bayne, 2B C Jackson, RF J Belinda and Cardenas are his foundation for the future.

Batting Order
2B C Jackson
SS B Willemburg
RF J Belinda
C T Murman
3B D Wright
1B D Callahan
LF N Swisher
pitcher
CF T Bayne

Yeah, it looks like Royer wants to get tricky and bat his pitcher 8th. We'll see how that goes. Can David Wright show anything for the 4M per Royer's paying him? 1B Callahan had a serious case of "teh suck" last season and you can't ever have first base being a black hole in your lineup. Chiang-Mai has never been shy about making a move so we'll be patient.
Bench spots go to C J Egan, who has some pop but can't seem to see the ball, LF O Lord, 3B H Sloat, LF B Swope (who must have Egan as his hitting coach) and hey, a Rocco Baldelli sighting!

Pitching: Eddie Krueger, Eddie Degerman, Mark Rogers, Dan Brauer, Curt Wilson.
Closer: Cole St. Clair.

Kwaan fans won't see a lot of sock from their guys, but when the other team bats - lookout! Degerman had an ERA over 4 while in pitcher's mecca Scotland, Dan Brauer was just under 6 in Scotland and Rogers is mediocre. That leaves the unproven Wilson (4 appearances last season) and Krueger to hopefully lead the way. I can't see a dominating arm in the bunch just yet but they are young. The underwhelming Cole St. Clair will attempt to be the shutdown guy in the 9th, he'll need a ton of luck to be and average closer.
I can't see this team making the playoffs this season and if they do, Osaka and Kyoto should do serious jail time. There isn't enough power or depth, and the pitching staff is short on experience. The Kwaan are tough to play against, pinning their ears back and scampering around the bases, but unless Nick Swisher and David Wright go off, Chiang-Mai will be coming up short more often then not.

Spring TrainingTrade

(AP) Thursday, April 25, 2018
Fatigued and over-caffeinated, GM's Ben Royer and Bri Boitano? finally agreed to a multi-player swap during spring training. "I've never spent that long on the phone in my life," said Royer. "What a battle. I think we both get what we want and we're glad it is finally over with."
SP Michael Pelfrey, who had been told he was involved in trade talks last week, was relieved to finally get it over with. "I've had my bags packed for a week. I've passed 2 physicals. I've had my agent looking for apartments for me, then stop, then start again. I am looking forward to pitching this season in Philly, however. I'm used to the hot and muggy stuff and I heard Philly and Thailand have the same climate in the summer."
Also moving to Philly are 1B K Ryu, SS A Cannizaro and RP R Quinonez and $5M US. Fever GM Bri B sent 25 year-old P P Connick, 24 year-old P R Delmas, 37 year-old LF N Jackson and SS Adrian Cardenas, Philly's 1st round pick last season out of Auburn. "We didn't want to part with this guy at all," said Bri B. "But we want to take a shot at the North this year. We dragged our heels a little bit I guess, but we like to be certain. There's the physicals, private detectives, Department of Homeland Security investigation, and we even like to speak to a possible new player's grade school teachers - it helps us out with our character assessment."
Noted GM B Royer, "I dealt with the delivery of our new child, sold our house, bought a new house and moved during the time it took to do this trade. It had better pay off."
A few things that don't take as long as a CHNG-Royer/PHI-BriB trade discussion:
A 7 player game of Risk.
Summits between world superpowers.
Winter.
Presidential primaries, nominations and elections.

News and Notes: Friday, September 29 2017

Around SLB this week:

- There are still some important matchups as SLB finishes up the 2017 Regular Season Schedule. In the South, SAV has clinched a playoff spot with the collapse of BED. BAL has won 6 straight, including a big sweep of the Flyers and has moved into a tie with ATL for 3rd place. The Panthers host SAV for 3, the Flyers travel to Philly.
- PHI still has a shot at 3rd in the North. Only 2 games back of BED, Philly aims for a sweep of ATL while BED hosts HAL.
- CLE's experiment of throwing players into the fire has paid off as they find themselves in 2nd place. Will the Dawgs go with RP M Towaki in a setup or closer role next season? Towaki, signed for another two seasons at 6M, is 4-4, 7.03.
- The surging Dawgs will fly to SJ for their final three games. The Senadores could score a first round pass with a successful series against CLE, who just finished up a sweep v BED.
- Either LON or SCO will come out of the weekend with a playoff spot. The Rebels have to fly to France to take on 98 game winning Pimpernels, while the Knights host lowly TAI, winners of 48 games so far. Despite TAI's best effort, CHNG/TEN will still hold the mark of most losses in a season, 125 in 2011.

News and Notes: Friday, September 22, 2017

Around SLB this week:

- The Far East chase can't get any tighter. CHNG has moved back into the lead with a narrow lead over KYO and OSA. If the Kwaan win all 9 of their remaining games, they could finish at .500 for the season. CHNG goes on the road to face KYO and TAI, and return home to host KYO for their final three.
- The banged up KYO squad split 2 games with LON this week. Just a game back of CHNG, the Bushido host CHNG before travelling to LON for three and then to Thailand for their final three.
- OSA split 4 games with SCO to remain 1.5 back of the Far East lead. The first three contests were tight but Ronin game 4 starter B Sheets gave up 9 R/8 ER in 3 IP in a must win game. Rebel starter J Sowers dominated the Ronin as well, giving up just 1 hit in his 8 innings of work. OSA finishes up their schedule with 8 games versus the Euro division, going to IRE before hosting SCO and IRE.
- The North American League playoff teams look decided. Both HAL and SJ have clinched spots, while SAV has a 7 game lead for the Wildcard.
- Bedford totally folded in Crunch time. 3-7 in their last 10, BED is now under .500 for the season and is tied for 2nd in the North with CLE. "We can't hit the big bombs to win us a game," complained Manager Tommy LaSorda. "We're missing that one big hitter. If I've told management once, I've told them a thousand times. You go and spend 12 million on Kazmir but you can't get me a bat?" BED has the fourth lowest HR total in SLB, LHP S Kazmir is 9-13, 4.24.
- After a disastrous start, ATL has taken control of 3rd in the South, 4.5 games ahead of cellar dwelling BAL. At 71-79, the Flyers have a record better than any team in the Far East.
- HAL took 3 of 4 from SJ in a possible playoff preview. "That's great," said Manager Tim Raines, "but it means absolutely nothing come playoff time." SS J Upton went 9-19 with 3 doubles, 2 home runs and a stolen base in the series.

News and Notes: Friday, September 8, 2017

Around SLB this week:

- KYO had a heck of a double header on Thursday. After dropping the first two games to division rival OSA, the Bushido beat the Ronin Thursday afternoon and then made their way to the private jet for the flight to Dublin where they defeated IRE 3-2. RHP J Peavy, who left Japan a few days earlier, was the victor and kept the Bushido within 2 games of OSA (65-74).
- SCO dropped 2 of 3 crucial games to LON and remains 2 back in the World League wildcard race. Even with RHP Jered Weaver on the mound for the Knights in game 3, the Rebels again fell short in their quest for a playoff spot. Weaver, getting good run support once again, is 11-11, 5.44 with 231 baserunners in 167 IP.
- 20/20 players so far: ATL's 2B J Ewing and CF D Lemming, BAL 2B F Vanderwal, BED CF T Johnson, CLE's LF A Hildenbrand and 2B J Mercer, LON's CF W McFadden, LF J Russell and 3B D Clemente, OSA CF J Schalk, PAR's SS S Dinkman and CF R Robinson, PHI CF J Bruce, SJ's LF M Musser and SS F Larkin, and SAV CF Z Tobin.
- BED dropped all three games to SAV, leaving the Crunch at .500 and 19 games back in the North. The Crunch, who led the North for much of the season, are now in danger of being passed by CLE who are just 3 games back of BED. The Crunch and Dawgs have 7 games left against each other this season.
- After losing 7 straight to BAL (seriously?), HAL rebounded with 2 wins (and 1 run against) in a short series in Maryland. The two losses drop the Panthers to 32-43 at home and into the basement of the South.
- TAI's longest winning streak so far in 2017? 4 games in June (1 win v PAR followed by a sweep of OSA). Longest losing streak for TAI? 11 games in May v CLE, SCO, IRE, HAL, OSA and PAR.
- OSA is once again dealing with injury problems. SJ has LHP A Dailey on the DL, SAV 1B H Choi is on the DL for the 3rd time this season (playing in 90 of 140 games so far), SCO has lost CF D Ford for a few weeks and TAI's 2B L Kargel is out for 3-4 months (quite a blow to their chances of 3rd pla ... oh nevermind). HAL SS K Brezovan is about 10 days away from returning, which will most likely knock the suddenly hot hitting J Minner to the bench or AAA.