Emailing The Commissioner - Please Read.

This probably won't affect you too much, as you probably do this when you email me anyway, but here goes:

In the last sim, I missed an email that one owner sent me regarding lineup/roster changes.  This was due to the fact that my inbox is an utter mess - a state of affairs that is entirely my fault.  I have apologized to the owner regarding this.

In an attempt to make sure that this doesn't happen again, I set up a folder in my inbox and a rule to filter email there.  If you want to be sure that I see your OOTP-related email before the next sim, please make sure that it meets at least one of the two following criteria:

1.  It is sent to my commissioner email address (which can be found in the owner directory).
2.  It has the string "OOTP" in the subject line.

If either of those conditions are met, the email will be filtered into that folder which I will check before sims.  If not, it will go to my general email box where I may see it or (as has proven to be the case) it can be missed.

As I said, most (if not all) of your emails to me meet these conditions anyway, so, for the most part, no real changes should be necessary for you.  I just wanted to be as transparent as possible and make sure everyone knows the best way to make sure that your email will be seen.

Any questions?  Feel free to fire away.

Zev

Blockbuster Trade by Division Leaders

The Adams Division leading London Dragons and the Zotti League leading Seattle Monarchs today agreed to a blockbuster trade. Seattle sends star outfielder Jonathan "Lefty" Anderson across the pond along with two relievers, veteran Bong-ok Ch'On and prospect Javier Lugo. In return, London sends top prospect outfielder Logan Francis and a first-round pick in next year's draft.

"It's extremely tough to part with Jonathan," said Seattle owner/GM Mack Shultz. "He's spent his entire career with the Monarchs after we drafted him out of Colorado Springs. He's been a key part of numerous championship teams and is off to a torrid start. Ch'On also has been here seemingly forever. But we felt like this was a deal we had to make for the long-term future of the franchise."

Anderson, who is literally the most popular player on the team, will be sorely missed. He is hitting .317 with 25 home runs and 75 RBI and has regained his place as one of the top hitters in the league after a couple of injury-plagued campaigns. Ch'On has also been a Monarch for his entire career, since being signed as an international free agent. Lugo is on the brink of the majors, posting a 0.99 ERA for AAA Tacoma.

Meanwhile, Francis has been one of the top prospects since his selection a couple years ago. But in A-ball, he has a lot to prove before he reaches the majors. even if he develops, it would be difficult to match the career Anderson has had.

Shackamaxon begins unloading

Despite winning twelve games in the first sim of July, as many as the team won in the entire month of June, the Shackamaxon Lenape have realized that this season isn't going to be theirs. The team has traded its best starter this season, Ivan Gallardo, and a promising reliever, Sergio Lujan, to division rival Brick.

Heading to the Lenape farm are two prospects, slugging outfielder Don Jones, and infielder Carlos Madrigal.

The teams also swapped draft picks in next year's draft. The Lenape received Brick's first round pick, and the Barracudas will get Shackamaxon's fifth rounder.

Edit: Since Don Jones is injured, the trade has been amended to exclude him, and replace him with a Player to be Named Later.

Philadelphia / Maui Trade

In its latest bold move to strengthen its future, Philadelphia has agreed to send rising star SS Thomas "Nitro" Lyons to the sunny shores of Maui.  In exchange, Philadelphia will receive the following young talented Maui prospects:

1B Luis Lozano
LF Tony Gabriel
SS Dave Lund

"It's a rebuilding year for the Maui franchise, but we couldn't resist trading for a player like 'Nitro'," Maui GM Matt Macario said.  While perhaps not likely to play the shortstop position long term, Lyons has the defensive chops to play any position in the infield, and his bat could become a major boost to a Maui lineup that has been less than impressive to date.  "We're sorry to lose Luis, Tony, and Dave, all of whom have bright futures in store for them in Philadelphia.  But we feel like we have a great deal of future depth at the 1B and outfield positions, so we felt comfortable making this move," Macario said. 

When asked how Maui plans to respond to the recent career-ending injury to Maui outfielder Kyung-hwan "Steely" Pak, Macario sighed and said, "That's a tough break there.  Steely has hit 18 home runs for us this season, and his power will be sorely missed.  We feel bad for Steely and the fact that his career has been cut short.  He'll be tough to replace, but this will give an opportunity to our young outfield prospects, and we'll also be exploring the trade market for additional help."  Maui also lost starting CF and defensive whiz Clint Attwood to injury, so Macario will obviously be busy in the coming days searching for further outfield help.

July I Sim Done

Game Date:  July 16, 2026

I don't have time to write a sim report.  If someone else wants to do it, please feel free to go ahead and do so.

The next sim will be next Sunday night and will take us through July 30, giving us an extra sim before the trading deadline.

Shackamaxon's Fire Sale

Not to be outdone by my neighbors across the Schuylkill, here are some difference makers I have to offer at the trading deadline:

• Catchers George Robinson and Barney Maxon
• 1B David Seibel
• 2B John Grondin
• SP Ivan Gallardo
• MR Mike Campbell
• MR Ambroz Ondra (currently in AAA)

Philadelphia's FIRE SALE

Philadelphia is now looking to move some players to build for the future. Everyone is available and the GM is looking for prospects and/or picks to rebuild the team to win multiple championships in the future!