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League News -
OTBL
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Written by Kez
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Tuesday, 23 December 2008 15:57 |
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"(Martinez) is a dirty whore. That whole team is a bunch of dirty, cheap shot artists." -- Stuart Bland, suspended 5 games. There seems to be something brewing between the Grays' centerfielder Stuart Bland and the Beaverton Rangers. Bland and Rangers' closer Luis Martinez got into their latest dust-up during a Spring Training exhibition matchup at Olneyville Memorial. The tense atmosphere between the two clubs dates back to the early part of the 2009 season when Providence and Beaverton were battling to establish supremacy in the now-defunct Modern Relic Division. As the 2010 season approaches, it will be interesting to watch the dynamics of the new divisional alignment and the impact on team rivals. Adding Carolina and Des Moines into the mix will make it all the more interesting. Bland and Martinez, however, get to watch from the clubhouse--at least for the first five games.
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League News -
OTBL
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Written by Asamford
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Tuesday, 23 December 2008 15:36 |
The St. Louis Pioneers have had a bit of an erratic history, to say the least. The original owner gave up on the team before the inaugural OTBL2 campaign had barely begun, and controlling interest was handed over to the flaky Jojo Fielder, who then seemingly dropped off the face of the planet and turned over control of the team to what he called his "artificial friends." This highly sophisticated bank of computers found success initially, winning the 2007 Test Of Strength, however this success was short lived and the team soon sank to mediocrity. With contraction looming and the Pioneers threatened with being one of the teams wiped off of the face of the planet, Fielder has re-emerged to retake control of the team.
Not letting the monumental bust of 2009's $100+ million free agent signing Doug Corrigan phase him, Jojo immediately went to work on dumping a whole wad of cash in the free agent market in attempts to shore up some gaping holes on the Pioneers roster. The first big splash was signing Japanese free agent 1B Roku Nakamura, who hopes to find the same success in the OTBL2 as he did in the Nippon leagues. Following that the Pioneers added several more players, the biggest names being SP Bob Hicks who had been with Beaverton, and 1B/3B Robbie Rhodes who was a rookie sensation with Michigan in '09.
The Pioneers outlook for 2010 seems to be pretty positive. 27-game winner Kevin Fowler and offensive star SS Ben McLaughlin return to lead the team, and though there are plenty of question marks defensively and in the bullpen, the Pioneers should have enough talent to be quite competitive in 2010.
Here's how things are shaping up as we enter Spring Training.
C - Although neither player is entirely happy with the situation, both believing they are worthy of full time roles, it looks like Jose Dominquez and Jeff Austin will be platooning behind the plate in 2010. Both players are above average defenders and both have a bit of pop in the bat, so the team hopes they will settle into the platoon role and both excel. Although moving one of them in a trade for some bullpen help was discussed, there was little interest around the league this offseason.
1B - Japanese import Roku Nakamura hopes to display the same proficient power hitting stroke in the OTBL that he was known for in the Nippon League. The Pioneers certainly seem to believe he'll find the same success, inking him to a 6 year deal worth $13 million plus per.
2B - The Pioneers will attempt to have third baseman Lawrence Daniels make the move to second base to keep his powerful bat and fleet feet in the lineup. If Daniels has trouble adjusting to second base, free agent signee Kokei Yasuda will likely step in, though the Pioneers see him in more of a utility role.
3B - Robbie Rhodes was a surprise rookie sensation with Michigan in '09, but was granted free agency in the offseason. St. Louis snapped him up to take over at third base, signing him to a four year deal worth almost $35 million. Rhodes did play a little bit of second base in the minor leagues, and he and Daniels may end up swapping positions depending on how things shape up this spring.
SS - Perennial All-Star Ben McLaughlin returns for what very well may be his final season in St. Louis. His contract is up at the end of the season, and St. Louis is already stretched beyond their means financially. McLaughlin will be at the top of his game as he plays for what will likely be, at age 32, his last big money deal.
LF - Left field is up for grabs in spring training, with the speedy outfielders Nestor Sanegos and Alonso Navarro battling it out with the ageless (well, 40, actually) Dan Harrington. Harrington, signed in the offseason, would seem to have the upper hand, however his defensive skills have eroded quite a bit in the twilight of his career. Should Harrington not be able to handle things defensively, he will still contribute punch off the bench, and Sanegos or Navarro would add some speed to the mostly lead-footed lineup.
CF - Yet another free agent signee, Dave Frederick was a bargain at $3 million compared to the big money being thrown around at other players this offseason. Frederick has a bit of pop and an above average glove in center.
RF - Will the real Doug Corrigan please stand up? Corrigan established himself as a power hitting superstar in the first two seasons of the OTBL2, and was rewarded with the richest contract in OTBL2 history prior to the '09 season. (As an aside, CEO Jojo Fielder claims he has no recollection of this contract being offered, and doubts that he would have ever agreed to offer such a deal.) Corrigan began the year in a monumental slump which came to a head at the end of May when he went ballistic on an umpire after a strike three call, yelling and screaming and then actually shoving the umpire to the ground which resulted in a three game suspension. Corrigan sulked, whined, complained, and was eventually relegated to part time duty. Corrigan's popularity dwindled with the fans, and ownership soured on him quite a bit. Unfortunately, Corrigan still has 4 years to go with a contract that escalates in value each season, making him untradeable. The Pioneers have decided to try and make the best of the situation, and will give Corrigan every chance to be a part of the everyday lineup. The team thinks he can find his swing again, which will hopefully result in an attitude change from the enigmatic outfielder.
SP - The staff is led by Kevin Fowler who is without question the best starting pitcher in the entire OTBL2. Thankfully Fowler's arm did not fall off last season in which Jojo Fielder's "artificial management team" determined that Fowler was so good he should pitch every third game. Sure, 52 starts and 27 wins is unbelievably impressive and unheard of in this day and age, but with Fowler only 31 and with a couple of years left on his contract, the Pioneers will take a much more prudent "human-like" approach with him this season. Thankfully the rest of the rotation isn't too shabby and can help out. 12-game winners Elmer Jennings and Carlos Martinez will fill the #3 and #4 spots, while 17-game winner Bob Hicks was signed away from Beaverton to plug the #2 hole. The team figures that, coming over from Beaverton, Hicks should be an expert at plugging #2 holes. Jack Buckley and Jim Swift will compete for the 5th spot. The #2 overall prospect in the OTBL, 20 year old SP Russell Jamison will begin the year at AAA, but the team will be keeping a close watch on his development, as he should be ready to take the OTBL by storm within another year or two.
RP - Chris Moody saved 37 games in '09 and returns as closer for 2010. Also returning is Carl Whitney one of the best setup men in the OTBL. The club signed free agents Mike Miller and Japanese import Akihisa Ozaki to add bullpen depth.
OUTLOOK - The Pioneers will lean on power hitting and pitching as they make a run at respectability in 2010. There are certainly question marks defensively and in the pen (middle relief is a black hole), but the team feels they have enough top-notch talent to overcome their weaknesses and finish with a winning record and possibly a playoff appearance.
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