Want to capture some of that Monarchs Magic(TM) for your team? Looking to bring in some Cecil Cup-tested veterans to bring your franchise to the next level? If so, call Manic Mack, the GM/owner determined to break up his first Cecil Cup Champion team. It's a down market in free agency this year and you won't be able to find these types of players for these prices on the open market. Here are just some of the top players available for the right price:
George Rawlins. Winner of the 2009 Adams League Outstanding Batter of the Year Award. Hit .317/.415/.557 last year with 26 home runs and 121 runs batted in. Sporting a cap friendly one-year, $11.65 million dollar deal. Plays all three outfield positions. Three-time All-Star. Underrated baserunner as his veteran wiles make up for his lack of speed.
Peter Bird. A 4.5 star starting pitcher who elevated his game in the playoffs, throwing 14.2 shutout innings in the Cup and winning pitcher in the decisive Game Seven. Gave up just six hits and one walk to the mighty River City line-up. Likely Cecil Cup MVP (if we had the award). Three-time All-Star with 52 victories over the last three years. Has three years remaining on his contract at $10 million per year. A true ace ready to lead your pitching staff.
John Willer. The highest rated third baseman in the game with 4.5 stars. Hit .320 in the 2009 Cecil Cup with 7 RBIs, tied for most in the series. Hit .324/.414/.494 in 2009. Four-time All-Star. Has a conservative contract at $8,000,000 per year for two more years. Can also play shortstop.
Looking for something not quite at the top end of the scale? Here are some of the bargain options:
Franklin Jackson. A feared pinch hitter for the Monarchs, he's a 2.5 star outfielder looking for an opportunity to start. Hit 33 and 25 home runs in his only years as a full-time starter. A little defensively challenged in left field, he's a masher who just needs the chance to get in a groove. Entering his last year of arbitration and projected to make just $1.6 million.
Kevin Stephens. A starting pitcher who can't crack the Monarchs rotation, Stephens has put up a 2.99 ERA over 81.1 innings in his two years in the majors. He may not strike out a lot of hitters, but he doesn't walk people and keeps the ball in the park. He's likely a solid #3-4 starter for many teams could be an upgrade for you! Will have the minimum $300,000 salary for one more year and you can control him through arbitration for three after that.
Donald Gilreath. A career AAA pitcher, but one with promise. He went 2-1 with a 3.13 ERA in six starts in August and September of this year and struck out 179 hitters in 146 innings in AAA. His ERA was hurt in AAA by my attempts to teach lots of players new positions, as evidenced by the sky-high .343 BABIP. Basically, I sabotaged his defense trying to give some players more versatility. He could fill the backend of your rotation or be your sixth starter ready to step in when the inevitable injury strikes. Under club control basically forever.
As always, I'm looking for quality prospects or draft picks. On the major league level, I could use a solid fourth outfielder with some defensive versatility or an upgrade at second base or behind the plate.
Interested? You know where to find me.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.