Yes, we are talking to a few teams, including Tempe, but there is absolutely nothing to the Barry Murdock for Markus Hancock rumors. In reality, we are discussing a few bench players and relievers, nothing more. And we're absolutely appalled at the back page headlines of the Laredo Midday Times this afternoon. ('Dock for 'Cock?)
We did discuss Ki-tong Pei with the Bears briefly, but at the moment we have a hard time finding a fit for Pei in our lineup. We continue to discuss minor league journeyman Randy Brown, though it remains to be seen if we have a good fit there.
We did inquire about the Coal Sox Carlos Hernandez, but with our pending deal with Manchester that will bring in Jordan, talks for Hernandez are presently tabled. We also inquired about Aurora minor league outfielder Wilson Gonzalez, but those talks are apparently dead for the moment as well.
We have discussed Cris Reyes with several teams, though we are still evaluating where we might find the best match.
Monday
Offseason Begins
The offseason has begun, and as usual I am busy at work preparing the team for next season. Far from being disappointed by our elimination from the playoff race on the final day of the season, we are very much excited about how well we played this season. We are even more excited about our prospects for next season.
We have already negotiated a deal with the Manchester Maulers that we believe will make our offense even more potent next season. This deal will be announced at the conclusion of the PEBA playoffs.
This past season, we were second in the IL in runs scored. But for most of the season we received virtually no production from our middle infield, first base, or catcher positions until we made some moves at the trade deadline. With the deal we have made with the Maulers, we believe our offense will go into next season fully loaded.
When the deal is announced, coming over from the Maulers will be LF Roger Jordan and SS Angel Zarate. Going to the Maulers will be CF Martin Griffin, SP Alberto Magana, SP Ryan Dawson, and MR Nelson Ortiz.
We are very excited to add Jordan to our lineup. While we give up the defense and speed of Griffin, we think Jordan gives us the quality two hole hitter we have lacked. Jordan has posted avg/obp of .291/.396 and .295/.421 in his first two seasons at the PEBA level. He drew 104 walks last season. We believe he is the perfect #2 hitter behind new leadoff hitter McGinnity, and should provide the middle of the order with plenty of rbi opportunities. Zarate should help improve the team as well. Zarate won the All-leather award at SS in 2009, and should give the Calzones an infield alignment that is among the best defensive units in PEBA. With perennial all-leather 3b Kelly and SS Zarate manning the left side of the infield, the better than average McGinnity will man second base and the gifted Barry Murdock will move over to first base. Our pitching staff should be more than pleased with the infield alignment behind them. Zarate also brings enough skill with the bat to help the lineup from the lower part of the order, probably batting 9th. He has walked 189 times the last two seasons, so he adds to a batting order that will make a pitcher throw a lot of pitches. We also like his leadership ability, his veteran presence should only help a team that was one win from a trip to the playoffs last season. If we continue to get the type of production we expect from the veterans already here, and if Brock Brett can take the next step, this could be a truly awesome offensive team next year.
2011 Calzones projected linneup
2b Ben McGinnity (3 levels) .306/.359 52 2b, 9 3b, 50 sb
RF Roger Jordan .295/.421 36 2b, 104 bb
CF Yoshi Miyata .303/.424, 51 2b, 5 3b, 9 hr, 118 bb, 23 sb
1b Barry Murdock .268/.334 27 hr, 93 rbi, 50 sb
DH Octavio Pexego .344/.445 32 hr, 120 rbi, 105 bb
3b Michael Kelly .270/.339 40 2b, 22 hr, 95 rbi,
LF Carlos Madrigal .282/.355 41 2b, 20 hr, 80 rbi
C Brock Brett .197/.265, 12 hr, 48 rbi, (325 ab)
SS Angel Zarate .237/.346, 31 2b, 11 hr, 68 rbi, 86 bb
with our projected lineup set, it's now time to turn our attention to improving the pitching staff heading into next season. You can be sure, we won't be sitting on our hands the next couple of months.
We have already negotiated a deal with the Manchester Maulers that we believe will make our offense even more potent next season. This deal will be announced at the conclusion of the PEBA playoffs.
This past season, we were second in the IL in runs scored. But for most of the season we received virtually no production from our middle infield, first base, or catcher positions until we made some moves at the trade deadline. With the deal we have made with the Maulers, we believe our offense will go into next season fully loaded.
When the deal is announced, coming over from the Maulers will be LF Roger Jordan and SS Angel Zarate. Going to the Maulers will be CF Martin Griffin, SP Alberto Magana, SP Ryan Dawson, and MR Nelson Ortiz.
We are very excited to add Jordan to our lineup. While we give up the defense and speed of Griffin, we think Jordan gives us the quality two hole hitter we have lacked. Jordan has posted avg/obp of .291/.396 and .295/.421 in his first two seasons at the PEBA level. He drew 104 walks last season. We believe he is the perfect #2 hitter behind new leadoff hitter McGinnity, and should provide the middle of the order with plenty of rbi opportunities. Zarate should help improve the team as well. Zarate won the All-leather award at SS in 2009, and should give the Calzones an infield alignment that is among the best defensive units in PEBA. With perennial all-leather 3b Kelly and SS Zarate manning the left side of the infield, the better than average McGinnity will man second base and the gifted Barry Murdock will move over to first base. Our pitching staff should be more than pleased with the infield alignment behind them. Zarate also brings enough skill with the bat to help the lineup from the lower part of the order, probably batting 9th. He has walked 189 times the last two seasons, so he adds to a batting order that will make a pitcher throw a lot of pitches. We also like his leadership ability, his veteran presence should only help a team that was one win from a trip to the playoffs last season. If we continue to get the type of production we expect from the veterans already here, and if Brock Brett can take the next step, this could be a truly awesome offensive team next year.
2011 Calzones projected linneup
2b Ben McGinnity (3 levels) .306/.359 52 2b, 9 3b, 50 sb
RF Roger Jordan .295/.421 36 2b, 104 bb
CF Yoshi Miyata .303/.424, 51 2b, 5 3b, 9 hr, 118 bb, 23 sb
1b Barry Murdock .268/.334 27 hr, 93 rbi, 50 sb
DH Octavio Pexego .344/.445 32 hr, 120 rbi, 105 bb
3b Michael Kelly .270/.339 40 2b, 22 hr, 95 rbi,
LF Carlos Madrigal .282/.355 41 2b, 20 hr, 80 rbi
C Brock Brett .197/.265, 12 hr, 48 rbi, (325 ab)
SS Angel Zarate .237/.346, 31 2b, 11 hr, 68 rbi, 86 bb
with our projected lineup set, it's now time to turn our attention to improving the pitching staff heading into next season. You can be sure, we won't be sitting on our hands the next couple of months.
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