Signings and trades

Florida signed a bunch of young players to long-term deals, most of whom have yet to play in the majors:

Ruben Ressler 18 million/ 6 years
Doug Guzman 40/8
Bart Riley 36/8
Todd Johnson 38/9
Superion 36/9
Kenny Anderson 30/8

Also, they acquire minor league OF Drew Ward from Utah for a player to be named later.

Rumor has it that the PTBN will be Jason Gonzalez.

Trouble in Paradise?

According to sources close to the Estate of Michel Angelos there may be a power struggle brewing in Baltimore. Two-Headed Executive of the Year, BrugelMash has apparently been arguing a little with Manager of the Year, Juan. No word on the underlying issue, but after a 106 win season you'd think things would be running smooth. Perhaps the lack of ownership is causing issues? Neither the GM nor the Manager were available for comment. Stay tuned.

APBA news, 2-8-09

Mars and the New York Knights made a trade to address each team's depth charts. New York needs outfielders and acquired Ernie Escobar, Mike Reeder, and Michael Johnson from the Eyebiters. Mars had a surplus of outfielders and needed infielders Rod Oliver, Jose Munoz, Travis Griffin, and Carlos Rodriguez. Griffin and Munoz may compete for the starting 3B job, and Oliver will be in the mix for atbats at first and DH.

Florida extended pitcher George W. White for 5 years and 53.75 million.

Charlotte announced that Anakin Solo will move to first base for the 2009 season, opening 3B for younster Mike Conner. Toledo is unlikely to bring back closer Paul Williamson, as they have indicated that hard throwing Justin Warriax will move to the bullpen. Warriax can throw in the upper 90's, but there were doubts about his stamina and secondary pitches as a starter.

Free Agent pitchers

The highest rated pitcher is Kevin Milhouse, 32 years old and a 12Y pitcher. Last season he went 17-9 with a 2.98 ERA. Storm Morris, the 2008 Cy Young winner, is 33, a 10YZ, and coming off a 20-6 season for Baltimore.

There are 3 hard throwing veterans with the 10X rating:
Bryan Brooks, age 34, coming off a terrible 9-15, 4.97 season
Johnny DeMario, age 35, 9-13, 3.96
Ryan McCloud of the clan McCloud, age 29, 11-11, 4.20

Dave Fitzgerald is a 10Y, age 34, who had a very good 11-11, 3.18 season for Phoenix

There are 7 pitchers with 9 ratings, including 3 with excellent control:
Johnny Jackson, 27, 14-9, 3.02
Jimmy Doyle, 32, 13-12, 3.51
Derek Howe, 33, 15-9 3.20 Howe, one of the premier sinkerballers in the game, has kept his ERA below 3.3 each of the last 3 seasons, including a Cy Young season in 2006.

14 pitchers carry the 8 rating, and 2 of those have great control, a pair of ancient lefthanders:

Stuart Coppolla, 38, 10-10 4.10 last year with a career record of 234-138. He has been offered a one year deal for 10 million from New York but like Andy Pettite, is holding out for less money.

Tom Groovine, 40, was 15-9, 3.48 last year. Groovine has 12 straight seasons with ERA's under 3.70 and is 251-137 lifetime. He is a long shot for 300 wins, but could get it if he pitches effectively to age 43.

The bullpen is led by Toledo closer Paul Williamson, 37, coming off a 40 save year and 2.74 ERA. His rating is 11YZ. Denver's Luther Trautwein, 10XY at age 31, saved 41 with a 2.82 ERA.

There are 2 10X pitchers: Andy Parsons, 32, had a magical 17-3 relief record for Baltimore. Don Thompson, 31, had a 4.90 ERA for Boston. While he has great stuff, Thompson has only one good season in his career, for the 2006 Stars.

Heathcliff George is a 10Y after an 11-8, 3.26 season in Las Vegas. Henry Rollins, 38 and an 8XZ, had a disappointing 4.72 ERA in his second season as the Saving Ute™. Rollins won the Cy Young award with the 2007 Championship Utes, saving 53 games.

Holmes stays with Gamblers

Kermit Holmes, now 40, signed a 1 year deal for 4 million dollars to stay in Las Vegas.

Louisville traded pitcher Homer Nelson to Alaska for outfielder Brady Robinson. As a rookie last year Nelson went 5-9 with a 4.76 ERA. Robinson, facing a an outfield crowded with young talent in Alaska, hit .256 with 3 homers and 26 RBI. He will have a better chance to win a starting job with the Sluggers.

Vegas trade Kurt Scherman

Las Vegas traded shortstop Kurt Scherman to Springfield for righthanded reliever Chris McCloud. Scherman will start for Springfield, and Las Vegas may have opened the position for rookie Ryan Fitzpatrick. McCloud, a hard thrower, joins a deep bullpen in Las Vegas.

Chicago reached a deal with Catfish North, the top lefty reliever in the free agent market. He will get 22 million over 4 years and will be the closer in 2009. Last year he was a workhorse in middle relief, pitching 133 innings with a 3.11 ERA.

Sithas Kawasaki agreed to a 2 year extension for 15 million dollars.

Herrell signs

Las Vegas agreed to a 6 year contract with arbitration eligible starter Charlie Herrell. The contract will pay him 64.2 million dollars, or 10.7 per season. Last season Herrell, 26, went 9-8 with a 3.84 ERA.

Las Vegas is rumored to be shopping shortstop Kurt Scherman, who hit .286 with 8 homers and 56 RBI last year. He's 34 and has 12.5 million remaining on his contract over the next 2 seasons.

Gerald White Jr: Next 30-30 man?

Gerald White Jr. is one of the most talented players in the game. He's a gold glove quality center fielder, though he played right with the Penguins due to the presence of Kenny Anderson Jr. and Kimba Bartee. He hit a career high 26 homeruns last season, and 25, his power is still developing. Gerald is really fast too, but you'd never know that from his stolen base numbers in Orlando.

Gerald only stole 39 bases during his first 3 seasons, and was thrown out 38 times. "I had no idea how to read pitchers or get a jump. I just thought it would be like high school where I stand on first, take off when the pitcher threw, and still beat the catcher's throw." Since joining the Penguins, Gerald has taken lessons on the art of stealing from Kenny Anderson himself. "Kenny knows that to steal bases like Kenny, you gotta be a genius in this league. The catchers are just too good. Kenny know that for Kenny to steal like Kenny did, Kenny had to get inside the pitcher's head" said Kenny. "Gerald will learn, he's really fast. In fact, he's probably the 4th fastest player in the game. His teammates, Kenny Jr. and Kimba, are faster." When asked who was the fastest player in the game, Kenny smiled and responded "Why, Kenny, of course." White stole 23 bases in 30 attempts last year, an excellent percentage, and may try for 50 to 80 next year.