Owner Offseason Evaluation: New York Empire.

Needs going into the off season:
#5 starting pitcher
bullpen help
offensive shortstop
offensive catcher
center fielder
right fielder
Big bat for DH

Overall, I need to improve on the offensive this season while maintaining the pitching staff and defense.

Acquisitions:
Signed SS free agent Felipe Valenzuela. He should fill the need at short stop, both offensively and defensively.

Re-signed Davey Jacquez to help in the bullpen.

Signed free agent pitcher Chet Sweeney to fill out the bullpen. Sweeney along with Jacques back in short relief should really solidify my bullpen.

Counting on moving AAA pitcher Perry O'Donnell to the majors for long relief. He and King Lieber should really put a lot of depth in the bullpen as long relief pitchers.

Counting on moving AAA pitcher Roger Rollins for a #5 starter in the rotation. This may be a season too soon for Rollins, but I need a #5. We'll see how he does in spring training.

Looking to move Robin Corbin and Frank Sierra to the majors this year to help in the outfield at RF and CF. Again, this may be a year too early, but I need the help now. I would plug them into thhe outfield as their defensive numbers aren't made for the SS position. Also could bring up Carl Hutton again for CF help.

All in all, if my minor leaguers come through, I've met most of my needs this season, other than at catcher, but I'm happy with my defensive catchers there. I also did not get a big bat for the DH, so I will probably use Corbin and a couple of others for DH throughout the season. I may be rushing some of the position playersw to the majors, but I feel my window is very small for winning before I have to look at breaking the team up and rebuilding.

Bottom line si, if my minor leaguers can coome through, New York should be in good shape for the season.

Cleveland Indians top 5.

Next up in our top five prospect series is Cleveland.

5.

Octavio Montero Cleveland Indians Age: 19 B/T: R/R Born: Bluefields, NI Position(s): SS View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Was an IFA who singed for 12.2 million last season. His glove will limit him to utility, RF or 3B role. Has decent power, but at only 19 years old we won't see him in the majors for a few seasons. We might be able to trade him for some pitching as that is our biggest need right now.

4.

Bob Jackson Cleveland Indians Age: 24 B/T: R/R Born: Seattle, WA Position(s): P (P) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Drafter in the first round of season 1, should be good enough to one day make our ML Roster. Issues with him are low health and control, but if he can stay healthy should be able to someday make the ML Roster

3.

Alex Tabaka Cleveland Indians Age: 22 B/T: R/R Born: Sendai City, JP Position(s): CF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Has a solid glove, and a decent bat. I have an everyday CF in the majors right now, so I see him as trade bait for pitching.

2.

Luis Vizcaino Cleveland Indians Age: 22 B/T: R/R Born: Boca Chica, DO Position(s): SS View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Is a solid SS at AA. He has a decent bat for a SS, but his glove his not adequate for a ML SS. Should make a fine utility player next season.

1.

Wayne Pierce Cleveland Indians Age: 20 B/T: L/L Born: Bluffton, OH Position(s): RF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Is the best prospect in the system right now. He's a good young hit with a plus power bat. He was drafted second overall in last seasons draft. The plan is to keep him, and hope he develops into a legitimate ML hitter. The only downside is that his glove will force him to move to LF or 1B.

#32 Mullets.

First up is the Madison Mullets. It appears to me that they have four set guys at the rotation and will either sign someone, or trade for someone; they could also look for in house candidates to fill the final rotation spot, as they have a few nice long relief options.

Heres what their projected rotation looks to be.

Melky Seanez

William Liang

Tex Jarvis

Benny Morales

Now at first glance the rotation seems poor, but two of their pitchers could be inline for a breakout year. Look at William Liang if he can continue to develop he should become a front of the rotation type of pitcher.

If we also take a look at Benny Morales we see someone with not a lot of control, but decent splits. If he can put up an ERA in the mid to low fours you'd have a pretty effective number four.

The other two appear to be more of inning eaters, and veteran guys. If there is one thing you do not want to do is shove a bunch of rookies out into the rotation, this could prove disastrous for the rookies. The mullets appear to be taking the slow tiny steps to an average rotation.

Further look at the minors we see a variety of prospects that if they developed could turn out to be solid pitchers. While only two scream front of the rotation to me, and most shout middle rotation, having the pitching prospects that the Mullets have is a luxury in a league that is deprived of pitching.

Top 5 New York Empire.

Second up in our Top Five prospects is JJRadioguy20 owner of the New York Empire.

#5

Frank Sierra New York Empire Age: 22 B/T: L/R Born: Little River, SC Position(s): SS/3B/2B/CF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Acquired in a trade in season 1 from the Yoshies. Will move him to the majors this year or next. May move him to 3B, 2B or CF. Looking for him to be a lead off hitter and steal bases.

#4

Dummy York New York Empire Age: 20 B/T: S/L Born: Tucson, AZ Position(s): P (P) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Future closer or set up man.

#3

Perry O'Donnell New York Empire Age: 20 B/T: R/R Born: Woodside, CA Position(s): P (LRA) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Will put in majors this season to help out the bullpen as a long reliever.


#2

Mark Huang New York Empire Age: 19 B/T: R/R Born: Kasugai, JP Position(s): SS/3B/2B/RF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Ssigned as my top IFA in season 2. Will likely be moved to 3B, 2B, or RF. The plan will be to move him up slowly and into the majors in his 3rd season. Looking for him to fill the #3 or #4 position in the lineup.


#1

Robin Corbin New York Empire Age: 21 B/T: R/R Born: Huntington, NY Position(s): SS/3B/2B/RF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

#1 overall pick in Season 1. SS now, but will move into 3B, 2B, or RF in the majors. Will most liikely make the move to the bigs this season.

Salem Blurrs top 5:

First up is my team, the Salem Blurrs. The point of this series is to allow owners to brag about their teams a bit; since bragging is part of the game.

5:

Miguel Ozuna Salem Blurrs Age: 22 B/T: R/R Born: Sahuayo, MX Position(s): SS/3B/2B/CF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

is a Defensive oriented shortstop who spent the last year at AAA. The plans this year for Ozuna is to start the year at MLB taking over full time SS duties, allowing Clement to shift to 3rd.

4.

Troy Barkley Salem Blurrs Age: 20 B/T: R/R Born: Loyalton, CA Position(s): 1B View Hardball Dynasty Profile

was the first round selection of the Season 2 player draft. Barkley performed well when he was actually on the field. Due to health issues, he hit the DL twice. As far as the future for Barkley KCatlantis sees him as a good DH in two or three seasons. He plans to have Barkley start the year at Low A as the main DH hoping he will spend more time on the field, and less on the DL

3:

Catfish Friend Salem Blurrs Age: 20 B/T: R/R Born: Naperville, IL Position(s): P (ClA) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

is the third best prospect in The blurrs system. Last year he was acquired in a trade with the New York Empire. He is considered to be the closer of the future, especially after a strong second half. This yes he will start the year in AA with a chance to finish at AAA.

2:

Al Howington Salem Blurrs Age: 20 B/T: R/R Born: Eatonville, FL Position(s): P (SP4) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

is considered the second best prospect in the system. He was drafted in the first round of season one. In rookie ball he struggled as a starter, eventually leading to the pen. After success in the pen he was once again sent to the rotation where he excelled. Last year he excelled in the low levels of the system. This upcoming the plan is to have him start at AA eventually moving to AAA. By season four he will be in the big leagues, working out of the pen. The plan is to have Howington eventually become the ace of the franchise.

1:

Tony Infante Salem Blurrs Age: 21 B/T: R/R Born: Ciudad Bolivar, VE Position(s): 2B View Hardball Dynasty Profile

is the number 1 prospect in the system. Currently Infante is the starting second baseman for the Blurrs. He skyrocketed through the minors, earning a mid season promotion. Infante was the key play in the Bradshaw trade with the Wind in Season 2. The plan is to have Infante bat 6th in the lineup and start second. The future for this guy is high.

Hardball Dynasty News: Steinbrenner Season 2 Power Rankings (106 games)

Hardball Dynasty News: Steinbrenner Season 2 Power Rankings (106 games): "THE ELITE TEAMS 1. Chicago Wind [ericwoody] (78-28) (Points = 134.76) #3 Hitting/ #1 Pitching/ #2 Fielding 2. Philadelphia Brick Tops [dpa..."

Draft.

Well we've got the draft fast approaching and what does that mean? A new round of fresh meat for our owners. Some have already spent a lot of money on IFA's while others have patiently waited. Others chose to take the approach of letting others develop their talent from them. The question is what did you choose?

One thing to keep in mind when it comes to young talent is when will they make a splash in the big leagues? What will the size of the splash be, and how long will it last? Could they make an immediate splash, but the splash only last this season. Or could they make a splash two seasons from now and last 14 seasons?

Most owners will want the longest splash, but also the best results. Remember prospects generally have two values: Trade bait to bring in a major league talent, or future major league talent.
Whatever your stance on this controversial topic is, remember what you do in the draft greatly influences your future; whether you get enough talent to stay competitive, or you get no talent with the sacrifice of winning now. Whatever it is be aware and prepare for the consequences.