Greater Chicago Strat League Newsletter
August 3, 2016
KEY DATES:
1. 8/2/2016 (Tuesday) or Immediately
following the Trade Deadline – Each team must submit to the League Secretary proof that they
meet the following minimums: 185 AB+BB at each position, 1850 total AB+BB, and
440 total IP.
2. 8/9/2016 (Tuesday) – Computer Manager
(.MGR) files containing 25-man rosters (initial Major/Minor setup) and pitching
rotations (Starter Schedule) due to Game Manager.
3.
8/18/2016 (Thursday) – Computer Manager
(.MGR) files containing final player settings and manager tendencies, along a
separately attached default lineup number specifications document/spreadsheet
for each game due to Game Manager.
TRADE SUMMARY (since 7/2):
July 15, 2016
To HUC: CAL-4
To CAL: Scooter Gennett*, CAL-15
July 16, 2016
To HUC: Jake Elmore
To TAM: Fernando Salas
July 26, 2016
To HEP: Andre Ethier*
To COL: Steve Pearce, Huston Street
July 29, 2016
To DUB: Trayce Thompson
To CAL: Jorge Soler
July 29, 2016
To DYE: VRN-7
To VRN: Delino Deshields, DYE-12
July 30, 2016
To HUC: Delvin Perez, DUB-6
To DUB: Tyler Clippard, HUC-14
August 1, 2016
To TAM: VRN-5, VRN-14
To VRN: Chris Johnson, TAM-9, TAM-13
August 2, 2016
To VRN: Andres Blanco+, Kevin Quackenbush, HEP-10
To NYY: Alexi Amarista*, Randall Delgado, Felix Doubront*, VRN-4
August 2, 2016
To CRC: Chris Young, David Robertson
To COL: Daniel Norris*, Ian Happ+, Trent Clark*
August 2, 2016
To NYY: CUB-10
To CUB: Alexi Amarista*, NYY-12
What this means for HEP (1 trade):
Total Additions: Andre Ethier*
Total Subtractions: Steve Pearce, Huston Street
Not a big move, but Ethier brings 67 very good ABs vs R to help HEP hold on to a first round bye. The biggest reason for this is Ethier brings a rare left handed bat to the lineup - as Lindor and Smith were getting lonely. Street has a solid card, but he was not going to help HEP win a game and is struggling in the current season. Pearce is no longer needed with the acquisition of Canha. Another nice addition that should bring HEP a first round bye.
What this means for VRN (3 trades):
Total Additions: Delino Deshields, Chris Johnson, Andres Blanco+, Kevin Quackenbush, TAM-9, HEP-10, DYE-12, TAM-13
Total Subtractions: VRN-4, VRN-5, VRN-7, VRN-14, Alexi Amarista*, Randall Delgado, Felix Doubront*
Guessing Deshields will be a pinch runner in the playoffs. Johnson and Blanco add some nice depth vs L, with Blanco likely starting. Quackenbush is some bullpen depth the final months. These are some nice pieces at a minimal cost that could help secure a first round bye. The VRN fans have not forgot about Gray, but they are grateful HUC is not making any moves. VRN has a slight hold on the bye over HUC, but with a much more challenging schedule.
Here is some feedback from the manager himself:
“Am I hearing footsteps? Yes. The next area to address (after taking care of the bullpen and SS defense last month) was the lineup against LHP. I'm almost 200 points lower in winning percentage against LH starters as opposed to RH starters. In August I expect to face (at a minimum) Kershaw, Santiago, Bumgarner twice, and Liriano twice, all in key games. Squeezing an extra couple of wins out of those games could very well be the difference in earning a first-round bye.
The price (thankfully not The Price): blowing a hole in my mid-draft, losing #4, #5, and #7. I still hold my #2 and #3 in my pocket, and I am hopeful to rebuild the draft by trading talent after the season (maybe Ortiz if the value is there; maybe some asterisked starters). Now, to go out for the next 48 games and finish the deal.”
What this means for DUB (2 trades):
Total Additions: Trayce Thompson, Tyler Clippard, HUC-14
Total Subtractions: Jorge Soler, Delvin Perez, DUB-6
With the wins finally coming, Clippard will provide some nice bullpen depth for the stretch run and Thompson adds some nice outfield depth with Span starting to run out of ABs. The cost is not going to be noticeable.
What this means for HUC (3 trades):
Total Additions: Jake Elmore, Delvin Perez, CAL-4, DUB-6
Total Subtractions: Scooter Gennett*, Tyler Clippard, Fernando Salas, HUC-14, CAL-15
Is this a team throwing in the towel on the season or only 2 back of a first round bye? It seems a bit odd that they did not look to at least make some minor deals to help the last 2 months and fill some situational roles for the playoffs. Instead, they are selling assets not critical to the season (Gennett and Clippard) to position themselves better for next year. Perez is a nice prospect having a good 17 year old season in rookie ball (.313/.371/.420). The fans are not happy as management seems to be signaling that they do not believe they are good enough to actually win a championship.
What this means for CRC (1 trade):
Total Additions: Chris Young, David Robertson
Total Subtractions: Daniel Norris*, Ian Happ+, Trent Clark*
The race is on! Young slots in nicely to the back of the CRC rotation and Robertson moves into at least a closer platoon with Rodriguez. This is a nice move to position CRC for the stretch run, but the cost was not insignificant as Happ and Clark are good prospects that CRC snagged late in the draft. CRCs deep prospect pool will be replenished, so this is a good move to put YDR in a tough position in the Wild Card race.
What this means for CAL (2 trades):
Total Additions: Scooter Gennett*, Jorge Soler, CAL-15
Total Subtractions: Trayce Thompson, CAL-4
Gennett returns home to CAL where he looks to be the everyday 2B (.806/.723 OPS vs L/R) at a very reasonable price tag. Soler is a good gamble and can always be sent to the CUBs to add to their collection of Chicago Cubs. Nothing too remarkable here, but some smart moves at little or no cost.
What this means for COL (2 trades):
Total Additions: Steve Pearce, Huston Street, Daniel Norris*, Ian Happ+, Trent Clark*
Total Subtractions: Andre Ethier*, Chris Young, David Robertson
Ethier still is not playing and has no value for COL anymore and Roberston and Young were heading to the cut pile. The haul was not great, but Pearce is having a solid season and will be a good carryover. Happ is the gem of the prospects, but Clark has good upside too and it is too early to give up on Norris. Street is not having a good year and looks to just be some relief flexibility.
What this means for TAM (2 trades):
Total Additions: Fernando Salas, VRN-5, VRN-14
Total Subtractions: Jake Elmore, Chris Johnson, TAM-9, TAM-13
Extra infield ABs moved for some needed relief innings and a modest pick swap for Johnson - a solid hitter vs L who was expected to be cut.
What this means for NYY (1 trade):
Total Additions: Randall Delgado, Felix Doubront*, VRN-4, CUB-10
Total Subtractions: Andres Blanco+, Kevin Quackenbush, HEP-10, NYY-12
Blanco has a nice current card as a utility, but neither he nor Quackenbush is having a current season worth a carryover spot. This could cost NYY a draft position or two, but after a tough month, the top 3 spots are probably not in reach. There may be a hidden gem among the players, but none are going to be big contributors for next year. A 4th is a solid return.
What this means for CUB (1 trade):
Total Additions: Alexi Amarista*, NYY-12
Total Subtractions: CUB-10
Extra usage at the deadline.
What this means for DYE (1 trade):
Total Additions: VRN-7
Total Subtractions: Delino Deshields, DYE-12
This trade is going to make DYE an immediate contender for next season.
FINES & FINANCES:
Since 7/2:
No Fines.
9 Owners have traded picks in the 1st 3 rounds next year. HEP’s fees are waived. BUR, CRC, HUC, OAK, SRD and VRN have settled the outstanding balance. CAL ($21) and DUB ($17) still owe a balance.
Bank account balance was $2,031.91. New Bank account balance remains at $2,031.91.
MISC COMMENTARY:
Playoff Projections:
The races are on! Despite some big leads in the divisions, there have been some big swings recently and I would not make any assumptions. Meanwhile, the Wild Card races are going to be great to watch up until the final day most likely.
Capitol Division:
HUC (17-7 last month, 73-41 overall) had another great month sending them to 35-13 over the past 2 months and they are sitting on a 10 game winning streak - with 4 of those over SRD. SRD (14-10, 61-53) now sits 12 back in the division and 5 back in the Wild Card race - with OAK and CRC both in front of them in the chase for DUB and YDR. Of note - in their 10 losses this past month, they scored 0 or 1 run 6 times and more than 3 only once. This team can pitch, but they still struggle to score runs. They sold everything to go for it this year, including their first rounder - which is looking like a top 3 pick.
Midwest Division:
DET (11-13, 60-54) came back down to earth, but they still hold a 6 game lead over CHI (15-9, 54-60). DET’s run differential went negative again and despite the fact that they are likely to hold on, they are not making any moves to ensure that. Thankfully, CHI is not making any moves either (buying or selling), as this division is looking like they are satisfied to just be the eventual loser to the #5 seeded Wild Card winner.
South Central Division:
HEP (17-7, 75-39) has gone all out making numerous moves to make sure they not only win their division, but lock in that first round bye. It looks like all of that hard work is paying off in the regular season, but it will be interesting to see how that translates to the playoffs. Meanwhile, YDR (12-12, 66-48) finds themselves 9 back of HEP and with only a 1 game lead over CRC in the Wild Card race. This team, once looking like a Division winner and shoe in for the playoffs, has not made any moves and now looks to be comfortable with the idea of a top 3 pick. OAK (11-13, 62-52) seems content to hold out for a top 3 pick as well.
Coastal Division:
VRN (13-11, 75-39) actually extended their division lead to 9, despite DUB (18-6, 66-48) finally making their move and CRC (11-13, 65-49) still hanging around. The 9 game lead is probably going to be hard to overcome, but with arguably the top 3 teams ready to battle it out head to head over the last 2 months, VRN’s first round bye is definitely at risk. DUB and CRC find themselves in the heart of the Wild Card race - probably as the favorites to both advance. All 3 teams made some nice moves at the deadline, but none look like difference makers. Will VRN hold on to the first round bye or face one of these teams in the first round? Which of these teams will face DET in the first round? Will all 3 be playoff bound? It is going to be an interesting final 2 months!
Top Draft Pick Projections:
Right now, CRC, OAK and SRD have the top 3 picks, with SYI and CHI sitting at 4 and 5. Best guess says YDR slots into the #1 overall pick with OAK and NYY (SRD-1 is owned by NYY) picking 2nd and 3rd.
**Note - all commentary is not intended to offend, just to provide some “conversation” to recent activity.