Maple Season IV - April in Review

Maple started the 4th Season of ABL OOTP 13 baseball in slow fashion going 9-14.  Maple's typically strong pitching staff is ranked around the middle of the pack so far this season.  Maple's bats are about the same as last season with the long ball helping them win some games (#2 in the league).

Maple made one significant trade sending prospect D.J. Richardson to Eureka in return for Leon King MR and SP Dave Blake.  Maple was trying to find a new home for Derek Beimer SS but, after being waived nobody claimed him.  So Derek is now back up with the big club as a bench player.  His age, the $1.75M contract combined with his poor defensive skills most likely the reason for passing him up.  In the past he has had some big games for Maple and definitely still has the power to hit in the ABL.

Maple closed out the spring training with a new look this season with the following news:
A) Cale Hines 3B demoted to AAA.  Last years starting 3B.
B) Carl Dalton MR demoted to AAA.  He had an incredible ST but, no room for him on the active roster.
C) Brandon Crawford MR demoted to AAA.  He had an incredible ST but, no room for him on the active roster.
D) Ramon Villa OF demoted to AAA.  One of my bright young OFs started some games last year as the 4^th OF but, this year no room for him on the active roster.
E) Don Strickland 1B demoted to AAA.  Some may remember his incredible 1^st year and his amazing hit streak of 20+ games.

The starting lineup for Maple will feature some youth this year:

Bobby Shine – C, 22

D.J. Richardson – 1B/DH, 21 (TRADED TO EUREKA)

Jacques Carpentier – 2B/UTIL, 21

The rotation/bullpen will also see some new faces:

Chet Carver SP (Acquired from Mile High)

Johnny Tiller takes over the CL role full time (Acquired from Texas last year)

Down on the minors:

Astoria AAA features an up coming OF Billy Greer (.294, 10 HR, 25 RBI)

Sandy Springs AA features an up coming CL Ariel Goldberg (6 SV, 2.16 ERA)

Kingwood A features an up coming OF Rob Johnson (.300, 1 HR, 14 RBI)

Finances:

The attendance is down -2.8% so far this season.  The 6th largest player payroll will have to get winning soon otherwise expect a player or two to be moved by the deadline if we are not in the running for the division title for the 4th straight season.

Extensions:
Eric McSwan is asking for a 7 year, $105M dollar contract.  He is 32 years old and a DH with a big power bat.  It will be interesting to see if I am able to resign him to a shorter deal with more favorable money :-)