THE WEEK IN WRIGLEYVILLE S-9 #6

This week we had some time of during the All-Star break and a few teams took advantage of the extra time by plugging some holes. A late trade today involved last years MVP ,as a team loads up for the stretch run. There were'nt many major injuries which always is good. But the biggest suprise is the lack of quality IFA's . As rbedwell states. "Does anyone else wonder if they dropped the change to the prospect budget because they decided to limit the quality of the IFA pool (without announcing it, of course)?"  I wondered the same thing??

TRADES
The TACOMA TOYOTAS traded Jackie Jackson to the PORTLAND PANDEMONIUM for Ivan Ortiz.
Potland picks up a everyday Good CF/2B that can hit for average. But its curious that he is listed as a 3rd base also. Jackson's arm strength and accuracy are way to low to play at 3RD. Tacoma continues to get Younger with this nice Setup Pitcher.

 The NEW ORLEANS HIP WADERS traded Benjamin Hunter to the PORTLAND PANDEMONIUM for Benjamin Taylor and Curtis Hutchinson.
Portland picks up this very good setup guy. This lefty will want a longterm contract next season. New Orleans gets a future All-Star CF/2B , who was stolen in this years R-5 draft. And they also pick up a very good closer ,whos only weakness is that he gives up alot of flyballs. New Orleans got the better of this trade. But maybe Portland  didn't mind giving up their gift R-5 player.

The CHARLOTTE CHIMPS traded Terry Oliver to the HARTFORD CRUSHERS for Scott Baker
Hartford is the latest owner to trade for Oliver. This is the third time in 4 years this hard hitting RF'er has been traded .Talk about Hot Tater ,this prospect can hit and has speed on the bases. Because he throws left he will play in the outfield and maybe 1st Base. The Chimps pick up a solid Lf'er in his prime .He was wasting away on ARomanos bench so it's good to see him go to a club where he'll see more playing time.


The ANAHEIM 49'ERS traded Vic Benitez to the TAMPA BAY STARS for Ricardo Ortiz and Eddie Locke
Tampa picks up last years MVP and one of the best players in his prime. For this Stud Anaheim picks up two young pitching prospects that will get a shot in the Majors in a couple of years. This is a classic trade of a player who is in the last year of his contract and will be saying show me the money. For a couple of good prospects .Each team met their needs. Tampa is building a super team.





M L INJURIES
Josh Sefcik
This Turkey Pitcher is a DL walking .With health in the 30's he may be a regular on the DL this year. But Jared only signed him to eat innings for 1 season. And the price was right. he's ready to be activated any time.
Billy Savage
This young 1st Baseman suffered a Savage Injury(Too Easy). With a torn ligament in his ankle, he will miss the rest of the regular season .On the bright side ,he didn't take a very big hit.
Shaggy McDonald
Ouch!!!  This Trenton CF'er is out 200+ days with a torn Hammy. This may ruin this guys career . Boehnerm may not resign this player in next years Arb.
Ryan Weaver
This Manatees starting pitcher is out 3 weeks with a sore shoulder. Wuss!!
Doug Tewksbury
This Moonbats 1st baseman is out a couple weeks with and I quote "Oblique, Strained or Stiff" . What...the...????  If someone has a strained whatever wouldn't it be both Strained and Stiff . Get rid of the "OR" WIS!!
Norm Torre
This Prairie Dog is out a week with a Forearm , Cramp/Strained. Notice no "OR" ,Thats right WIS!!
Mateo Mercado
This Salmonbelly SS is out a couple of days with a sore shoulder. "You can't have your pudding if you don't eat your Meat"
Rex Harrelson
My Cf'er is out a couple of weeks with a Neck, Stiff/Strain. Seeing how we lost the first 9 games coming out of the All-Star break . I will bet you he strained his neck watching all those Homers flying over the fences. Egads!!


INTERNATIONAL SIGNINGS

Mark Tamura Toledo Christian Beavers Age: 20 B/T: L/L Born: Osaka, JP Position(s): 1B View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Plugging them Holes in the Rookie Dam.

Jesus Jacquez Toledo Christian Beavers Age: 18 B/T: R/R Born: Pozo Hondo, MX Position(s): SS View Hardball Dynasty Profile

A nice Defensive SS who may get a shot at roster expanshion time.

Yamid Velez Hartford Crushers Age: 18 B/T: S/R Born: Maracaibo, VE Position(s): C/1B/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

A career minor league catcher

Placido Pujols Memphis Blues Age: 20 B/T: R/R Born: San Pedro de Macoris, DO Position(s): P (none) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

A swing lowA Sweet chariot player!!

Geraldo Mercado Las Vegas Dealers Age: 22 B/T: R/R Born: Nizao de Bani, DO Position(s): P (SP5) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Heres a nice Major League Mop up pitcher who will get a shot soon!! For 4.5 mil he's worth the risk.

Ivan Montanez Charleston Tobacco Farmers Age: 20 B/T: L/L Born: Guanare, VE Position(s): P (SP1) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

A Rookie Plug of Tabacky!!!

Neifi Casilla Charleston Tobacco Farmers Age: 20 B/T: R/R Born: Chacao, VE Position(s): P (none) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Another Plug of Tabacky!!

Ramon Lee Memphis Blues Age: 18 B/T: R/R Born: Kobe, JP Position(s): P (none) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Add another Blues Brother!!

Ryuu Choi Las Vegas Dealers Age: 18 B/T: L/L Born: Yokosuka, JP Position(s): CF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Las Vegas signed this outfielder for a 6.8 mil bonus. This high roller will hit for average but his low range and glove will keep him from playing CF in the Majors. Because he throws left he will never play 2nd base. To bad he might have been a good one. Still a nice price for this guy.

Sammy DaSilva Cincinnati Howlers Age: 19 B/T: L/L Born: Cambiaso, DO Position(s): P (LRB) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

If it wasn't for his splits he might have got a shot in the Bigs. Hello DITR Ferry???

Gio Villano Hartford Crushers Age: 22 B/T: R/R Born: Pueblo Nuevo, DO Position(s): SS View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Wow , only 1.6 Mil for this Defensive SS?? He is almost major league ready , but with super low LH splits and poor contact he will be a liability facing a Right Handed pitcher. Still the price is worth a look.

Willie Carreras Madison Dairy Heirs Age: 18 B/T: R/R Born: Bani, DO Position(s): P (SP3) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Madison picked up this nice young pitcher for 3.9 mil and a spring training invite. He has good pitching numbers with 4 pitches in the 60's to 80's range. But his Low health rating will slow his development. and Zee will want to keep a close eye on his innings pitched. Again the price paid is worth a look.

Charles Wang Memphis Blues Age: 19 B/T: L/L Born: Fukuoka, JP Position(s): LF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Charles (Sweet Puntang) Wang is a hit with the ladies . But Wang is no hitter on the diamond with splits and contact below the 50's . 2.4 mil is not gonna make the Blues sad.

WRIGLEYVILLE DITR'S SEASON 9

GIVE ME YOUR TIRED , YOUR POOR PLAYERS ,YOUR HUDDLED MASSES YEARNING TO BE MAJOR LEAGUE PLAYERS.

Thanks to those who sent in thier DITRS good or not. It is one of the things that I cannot do a search for. So if you don't send em I cannot show em. Most DITR's are like a $20 Dollar prostitue. You didn't pay much and you hope it's going to be good, But most of the time, they just Suck. So here are the few DITR's that I saw.

Cesar Gonzales Memphis Blues Age: 18 B/T: R/R Born: Hato Mayor, DO Position(s): P (SuA) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

This Hip cat was an IFA this year. And if you go back and read the Week in Wrigleyville # 4. You will see he was just a AA projected pitcher. But thanks to the DITR Ferry this kid could have a M L Career . He now has very good Control , Good RH split, And two really good pitches . He will be effective against Righties but Facing Lefties may be his only weakness as a Set-up man. He is also only 18 and has good health and decent makeup(Patsy is jealous) so he will probably reach his new projections.Cha Ching!!! But for a signing bonus of 140K , He turned out to be a steal.

Marlon Woods Memphis Blues Age: 23 B/T: L/L Born: Vermilion, AB Position(s): P (LRB) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Tchagnon also sent in this DITR . But unlike Gonzales This cat will be singing in the Minors. Yes he now is projected to have great Stamina , Control  and to very good pitches. But his splits are below AA standards. And most important , at 23 years of age he will never reach his projections. I imagine he'll be teaming up with CHER and singing " If I could turn back time"

Eric Milliard Portland Pandemonium Age: 23 B/T: S/R Born: Valliant, OK Position(s): P (P) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

The DITR Ferry put this Portland player in DITR Purgetory. Yes he now projects to be a nice ML Setup Pitcher with Great Control ,Decent Splits and three ML Pitches. He also has Good health and makeup(Quit whining Patsy) but at 23 years of age can he improve to his new projections . I doubt it. Look for the TRIO of CHER, Millard and Woods.

Haywood Wasdin Vancouver Totems Age: 19 B/T: L/L Born: Seattle, WA Position(s): P (SP1) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

I included my DITR just because I'm Narcissistic and self absorbed. He will never make my M L squad because the Pincha DITR Ferry forgot to up his Splits. Maybe if I leave more money under my Pillow. Nah ....the last thing I need is to have some ferry in my bedroom in the middle of the night. People may get the wrong idea. Ahem how about them BEARS!!

Arthur Buckley San Juan Santurce Crabbers Age: 24 B/T: L/R Born: Queens Village, NY Position(s): 3B/1B/2B/COF/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

The DITR Ferry visited this Player from Queens Village(Insert Laugh Track). For some reason the DITR Ferry was not kind to the Crabbers. Not much of an improvment at all

Raymond Davis Helena Barking Moonbats Age: 22 B/T: S/R Born: Lemmon, SD Position(s): P (SuB) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

This Moonbats DITR is like most of them . He went from a Career Rookie to maybe a AA player. To bad , he has a killer cut fastball and a nasty slider. But low splits and age doom him.

All Star Game Season 9

Ignacio Sosa San Francisco Kickapoos Age: 25 B/T: L/R Born: Curiepe, VE Position(s): 3B/MIF/COF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

           All-Star MVP Season 9


This years all-star game came down to extra innings . Then in the top of the 11th. This years all-star MVP  Ignacio Sosa ,hits a routine grounder to 1st base.  Jaret Hoffman  boots it and Sosa reaches on an Error.  Sosa steals second and  Tony Rosado drives him home for the eventual game winner. A special shout out to pitcher Ryne Bryant who blew the save then pitched 2 more innings for the win. Way to turn it around Bryant.

HOME RUN DERBY S-9

CHAMPION S-9

Vic Velazquez Tucson Ectoplasm Age: 29 B/T: R/R Born: Fantino, DO Position(s): LF/1B/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Vic Valazquez not only hit the most Homers in this years Derby(34) . He also hit the longest ball (534ft) . Vic is in his second season with Tucson . He spent most of last season on the DL ,but has recovered nicely . So far this year he has hit 28 dingers and is hitting .359 . Velazquez is in the last year of his contract and is making a case for a big extension. If he chooses to go to F/A he could break the bank in Wrigleyville. Keep an eye on this guy!!


If you would like to view the entire Derby here is the link.
http://www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/Boxscore.aspx?gid=25457165&pbp=0

THE WEEK IN WRIGLEYVILLE S-9 #5

TRADES
The MEMPHIS BLUES traded Tony Duncan to the PORTLAND PANDEMONIUM for Tommy Peterman and Allen Garcia
Portland gets a good CF'er who can hit and Memphis gets a future Cy-Young winner, the overall #1 pick in from the S-7 Draft . And a Career AAA utility player. To get a solid Cf'er you sometimes have to pay dearly and Portland did hope it works out. I know Memphis will be happy in a couple years.


The PORTLAND PANDEMONIUM traded Duffy Peterman to the CHICAGO AZTECS for Vern May and Orlando Lee
Since Portland Traded for a Solid CF'er , They had a nice young unproven CF'er to trade . And Chicago scarffed him up. In return for their youngster Portland recieved a AAA SS who can help defensivly when rosters expand, And a young #4 or #5 SP'er .
  
The ALBUQUERQUE TURKEYS traded Eduardo Sanchez to the TAMPA BAY STARS for Al Fernandez
Tampa gets a veteran setup pitcher and the Turkeys get a young CF'er who may get a shot at the Bigs.

M.L. INJURIES

Ken Andrews
San Francisco loses a very good Mid relief pitcher for 3 weeks. may keep the Kickapoos from winning 120 games this year. Poor Mark!!

Bud Shelley
Las Vegas gets dealt a major blow when this good setup pitcher goes on the 60.

Tarrik Francis
Money bags Tarrick took a week off with pay for a sore elbow. It was probably sore from counting all that Money. LOL

Craig Savage
It's an epidemic ....Another Big F/A signing goes on the DL. But this Fargo player is out  for 60 days???

David Fuentes
This Moonbat has a swollen wing and is out for 2 weeks.

Ronnie Jones
This Christian Beaver is out 2 weeks with a sore shoulder. Dam!!!!

Henry Worthington
This Salmonbellies waiver wire special is ready to come back when activated. More Beef!!!

Ruben Soriano
Jackson loses this solid rotation pitcher for a month with a sprained shoulder.

Jimmie Guerrero
Ouch!!! This rookie pitcher was a 3rd overall pick and he's out 60 days with a Elbow strain. What an elbow strain??? Listen you pansey ,you took a 10 mil signing bonus. And now that your playing with the adults , you wuss out with a Wittle Stwain. Boo Hoo!!!



INTERNATIONAL SIGNINGS

Jose Gomez Memphis Blues Age: 18 B/T: S/L Born: Cagua, VE Position(s): P (LRB) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Are you kidding me ?? This farm hand is already on the 60DL!!!

Javier Hernandez Memphis Blues Age: 19 B/T: R/R Born: Agua Prieta, MX Position(s): P (SuA) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

A solid minor league pitcher who could help in the bigs once in a while.

Virgil Guerrero Fargo Prairie Dogs Age: 19 B/T: R/R Born: Ramon Santana, DO Position(s): SS/IF/OF/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Fargo picked up this nice young SS from the Islands for a measley 3 Mill. Great defensive numbers and health means he will play in the Bigs. and add good Contact and Eye with average splits and he may have a decent career. A steal for 3 mil

Julio Ethier Indianapolis Indians Age: 18 B/T: L/L Born: Rancho Viejo, DO Position(s): P (SP3) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

A career Minor Leaguer for the Injuns!!

Tony Aguilar Vancouver Totems Age: 22 B/T: R/R Born: Hatillo Palma, DO Position(s): P (P) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Lets see....I had a cool mil left in my prospect budget .So i threw it at this pitcher with a ST invite and  he is now a Totem . He may get a shot at the bigs during this years roster expansion.

Jeffrey Moreno Cincinnati Howlers Age: 20 B/T: S/R Born: Gustavsberg, SE Position(s): P (SP2) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

The Howlers signed this fine looking SP'er for a bonus of  7.4 mil. Nice price for a very good future major Leaguer. Great Control ,Stamina and 3 ML pitches could make him a star??

Edgar Guzman Jacksonville Manatees Age: 20 B/T: L/L Born: Palenque, DO Position(s): 1B/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

The Manatee's are going for the bats. This young future DH will  be a hitting machine .He will not hit as many homers as some DH'es but right hand pitchers won't have a prayer.

Julio Fuentes New York Highlanders Age: 18 B/T: L/L Born: San Francisco De Macoris, DO Position(s): P (SP2) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

The Highlanders picked up a future super star pitcher witha signing bonus of  11.3 mil. Fuentes has good stamina ,control ,splits and three pitches in the 80's. One of the best so far indeed!!

Benji Urbina Memphis Blues Age: 20 B/T: L/L Born: Banes, CU Position(s): P (none) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Memphis replaces Gomez with a much better pitcher. Really this pickup for 360K is a very good deal. Could be a fill in in the Majors??