The IBL's Alaska Avalanche

gehrig38 · 05-12-2013, 12:28 PM

Yes, it's true, I have left Chicago, and been given the Manager, and General Manager's job in Alaska.
Being born in Anchorage and wanting to return has been on my mind, and given the goings on the past 2 years in Chicago, including the 4 and out of last years World Series, this was the time.
I'll give you all a 'state of the org' report on the Avalanche, something more in depth than their 65-97 finish last season.

Teddyballgame · 05-12-2013, 12:40 PM

I had been meaning to follow the Chicago thread but got intimidated by trying to catch up looking forward to getting in on this on the ground floor!

gehrig38 · 05-12-2013, 01:29 PM

STATE OF THE ORGANIZATION ALASKA AVALANCHE 2/15/25

An organization thoroughly depleted in pitching. The 40 man roster is full, and there are just 12 pitchers on it. So moves are happening fast and furious. There's a crap ton of power but it's an offense built around the 3 run homer.

Here's the pitching staff. Actually a much better rotation than I expected for a sub 70 win team. Certainly sustainable, with a nice crop of arms that will be valuable at the deadline.

Name: 2025 Alaska PItching staff.jpg
Views: 1923
Size: 191.9 KB

Name: 2025 Alaska PItching staff.jpg
Views: 1923
Size: 191.9 KB

And here are the position players. No depth at Catcher, a ton of “1B” and a slew of power hitting outfielders.

Name: 2025 Alaska offense.jpg
Views: 1921
Size: 175.9 KB

Name: 2025 Alaska offense.jpg
Views: 1921
Size: 175.9 KB

The one HUGE upside is the numbers below. Some huge contracts coming off the books. A 28.2M dollar payroll next season.

Name: 2025 Alaska salaries.jpg
Views: 2506
Size: 171.2 KB

Name: 2025 Alaska salaries.jpg
Views: 2506
Size: 171.2 KB

I've fired the head scout, and brought in Arturo Torres, one of the games best, to help me rebuild this thing.

Here's what I am dealing with from a front office perspective. A market that needs to grow, an owner that needs to loosen his wallet.

Stadium holds just 37.4, so that's something to talk to Mr. Lane about.

Name: 2025 Alaska Financial.jpg
Views: 2302
Size: 231.9 KB

Name: 2025 Alaska Financial.jpg
Views: 2302
Size: 231.9 KB

Klew1986 · 05-12-2013, 01:32 PM

Could you maybe just let us know what rating scales you use and stuff? Are you using ootp13 or ootp14?

Otherwise it looks great and will be following big time.

gehrig38 · 05-12-2013, 02:00 PM

ALASKA HISTORY

The Avalanche came into the league in 2015, and blew everyone away by making the post season in 2016, quickest ever by an expansion franchise then, and since. Last year was their worst season ever and their pitching was a root cause. We need to work on a few things, not the least of which is expanding capacity in the stadium and generating more TV revenue.

Name: 2025 Alaska club history.jpg
Views: 1857
Size: 94.5 KB

Name: 2025 Alaska club history.jpg
Views: 1857
Size: 94.5 KB

A brief look at their 10 year history. Hitters by VORP makes it clear Alex Rodriguez is the only real talent they've had for any period of time. They've drafted and had some talented players (Gill, Fiermonte) but not kept them.

Name: 2025 ALaska hitters history.jpg
Views: 1936
Size: 187.6 KB

Name: 2025 ALaska hitters history.jpg
Views: 1936
Size: 187.6 KB

Pitchers by wins is even uglier. On the plus side? Rubio and Solis are both #1 picks of theirs, that have clearly panned out. Losing Zito and Sabathia was not a good move, but my guess is the owners kept the budget tight enough to make it so we have to draft, develop, and maximize return before free agency. A new challenge.

Name: 2025 Alaska pitching history.jpg
Views: 1848
Size: 87.2 KB

Name: 2025 Alaska pitching history.jpg
Views: 1848
Size: 87.2 KB

gehrig38 · 05-12-2013, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klew1986

Could you maybe just let us know what rating scales you use and stuff? Are you using ootp13 or ootp14?

Otherwise it looks great and will be following big time.

Here are my ratings settings, in OOTP 14, have been for 2 seasons now I believe.

Klew1986 · 05-12-2013, 02:45 PM

Great thanks! Looking forward to following this Alaska team!!

RchW · 05-12-2013, 03:23 PM

This is a very cool new development.

PhillieFever · 05-12-2013, 05:41 PM

Nice! Really looking forward to this next chapter of IBL history. Speaking of that, do you think you could post the list of champions plus the all time single season and career leader stats? Now seems the perfect time.

Eckstein 4 Prez · 05-12-2013, 08:33 PM

I always like watching the transformation from cellar dweller to contender. Looking forward to this.

gehrig38 · 05-13-2013, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhillieFever

Nice! Really looking forward to this next chapter of IBL history. Speaking of that, do you think you could post the list of champions plus the all time single season and career leader stats? Now seems the perfect time.

The World Series clubs from the IBL's 1st 13 years. Chicago is poised to be there awhile, which will make this Alaska thing that much harder.

Name: WS Matchups.jpg
Views: 1830
Size: 77.6 KB

Name: WS Matchups.jpg
Views: 1830
Size: 77.6 KB

And here are the single season and career record holders, on Offense...

Name: 2025 all time hitting leaders.jpg
Views: 1756
Size: 119.4 KB

On the mound....

Name: 2025 all time pitching leaders.jpg
Views: 1787
Size: 144.1 KB

gehrig38 · 05-13-2013, 12:12 AM

Here's the guys that have taken home the hardware

In the FL

Name: 2025 FL Award winners.jpg
Views: 1816
Size: 234.0 KB

In the CL

Name: 2025 CL Award winners.jpg
Views: 1764
Size: 239.3 KB

And the Gold Glovers...

Name: 2025 GOld Glove winners.jpg
Views: 2217
Size: 265.8 KB

gehrig38 · 05-13-2013, 12:17 AM

The hitter, pitcher and defender of the first IBL decade...

Name: hitter, pitcher fielder of the decade.jpg
Views: 1804
Size: 281.2 KB

As well as the IBL all decade team from the first 10 seasons...

IBL ALL DECADE TEAM
SP-Walt Thompson 155-94 3.49 2231 K's
CL-Ernesto Cruz 27-26 1.94 377 of 423 Saves .891 Save %
C-Rich Alfred .309/.415/.531 970 games 186 HR's 680 RBI's 1 x Gold Glove 5 x All Star 1 x Rookie of the Year 2 x World Champion
1B-Curt Whimster .309/.410/.583 400 HR's 1247 RBI's 416 2B's 2 x MVP 6 x All Star 2 x World Champion
2B-Jeffrey Hudson .302/.390/.522 255 HR's 882 RBI's 1 x MVP 2 x Gold Glove 7 x All Star 1 x World Champion
SS-Alex Rodriguez .310/.408/.596 263 HR's 789 RBI's 1 x MVP 2 x Gold Glove 5 x All Star
3B-Chandler Harris .250/.331/.467 261 HR's 789 RBI's 107 SB's 3 x Gold Glove 1 x All Star
LF-Angelo Gomez .302/.411/.530 298 HR's 874 RBI's 215 SB's 2 x MVP 2 x Gold Glove 5 x All Star
CF-Hugh Collins .298/.379/.564 314 HR's 218 SB's 997 RBI's 1 x Gold Glove 6 x All Star
RF-Luis Chavez .319/.396/.547 243 HR's 221 SB's 2 x MVP 5 x All Star

gehrig38 · 05-13-2013, 12:31 AM

These are 1 of a kind happenings, and only events (longest hitting streak, only perfect game etc.)

Name: 2025 all time events.jpg
Views: 1697
Size: 43.1 KB

Alfredo Alejandrez and Nick Powell are the only pitchers in history to throw 2 no-hitters, with Powell throwing his, and his perfect game, in the same season.

Number of no-hitters by franchise
Chicago 3 Las Vegas 3 Los Angeles 2 Houston 1 New York 2 Sacramento 4 El Paso 1 Corpus Christi 1 New Hampshire 2 Baltimore 1 Columbus 1 Boston 1 Arizona 1 Edmonton 1 Dallas 1

Number of times no hit
Michigan 1 Chicago 1 Baltimore 2 Dayton 1 San Antonio 2 Buffalo 1 New Hampshire 1 Philadelphia 3 Edmonton 1 Boston 1 West Michigan 3 Dallas 2 Fresno 2 Brooklyn 1 Pittsburgh 1 Los Angeles 1 New Orleans 1

Name: 2025 All time no hitters.jpg
Views: 1758
Size: 208.4 KB

Name: 2025 All time no hitters.jpg
Views: 1758
Size: 208.4 KB

gehrig38 · 05-13-2013, 12:52 AM

A few more moves as spring training opens.

kq76 · 05-13-2013, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gehrig38

As well as the IBL all decade team from the first 10 seasons...

IBL ALL DECADE TEAM
SP-Walt Thompson 155-94 3.49 2231 K's
CL-Ernesto Cruz 27-26 1.94 377 of 423 Saves .891 Save %
C-Rich Alfred .309/.415/.531 970 games 186 HR's 680 RBI's 1 x Gold Glove 5 x All Star 1 x Rookie of the Year 2 x World Champion
1B-Curt Whimster .309/.410/.583 400 HR's 1247 RBI's 416 2B's 2 x MVP 6 x All Star 2 x World Champion
2B-Jeffrey Hudson .302/.390/.522 255 HR's 882 RBI's 1 x MVP 2 x Gold Glove 7 x All Star 1 x World Champion
SS-Alex Rodriguez .310/.408/.596 263 HR's 789 RBI's 1 x MVP 2 x Gold Glove 5 x All Star
3B-Chandler Harris .250/.331/.467 261 HR's 789 RBI's 107 SB's 3 x Gold Glove 1 x All Star
LF-Angelo Gomez .302/.411/.530 298 HR's 874 RBI's 215 SB's 2 x MVP 2 x Gold Glove 5 x All Star
CF-Hugh Collins .298/.379/.564 314 HR's 218 SB's 997 RBI's 1 x Gold Glove 6 x All Star
RF-Luis Chavez .319/.396/.547 243 HR's 221 SB's 2 x MVP 5 x All Star

Did you come up with this yourself or is this a feature in OOTP now? If the latter, where can I find it? I don't have 10 years yet in my league so I very well probably couldn't find it even if it was pointed out to me, but it's definitely something cool to look forward to if it will show up. In the past I've sometimes done up a 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams by year. But I've always liked to ask myself whether a player would have made a team of the best in his era when deciding whether they belonged in the hall of fame or not.

gehrig38 · 05-13-2013, 12:11 PM

I did that myself, checking in after 10 years. I saved all my league info (as I usually do) but paid attention to make sure I kept everything at the 10 year mark.
Not sure how I am going to do 20

gehrig38 · 05-13-2013, 01:22 PM

New camp, new team, new problems. Here's the major injuries from camp, and signings.

David Peterson went down with a torn meniscus, he'll be out until sometime in June. He was going to be an everyday guy in left, so we'll have to manage that. He was likely my #2 hitter and LF.

Kevin Olson went down mid March, out until mid April.

The Williams contract with Dayton runs 3 years.

I have been talking with the agent for Colin Durham, all spring. He's 33 and coming off major shoulder surgery, but is at a price (1.7 per) I can do, and I think signing him could be a huge bargaining chip at the deadline. He's 132-111 3.97 lifetime in 355 games, all starts and a 6-time all star.

And now that camp has ended, and he has not signed, it's likely if he does sign I'll have to send him to AAA to get some innings in.

Name: 2025 SPRING TRAINING injuries.jpg
Views: 1705
Size: 222.8 KB

Name: 2025 SPRING TRAINING injuries.jpg
Views: 1705
Size: 222.8 KB

And here are the standings. We had a good spring. Chicago had a great spring (watch Asmin Swaggat, he and a kid named Bashir Malik (DAY) are two of the best hitting prospects in the leagues history. Neither has power, but both are going to be threats to .400 at some point I bet, and 50+ double guys. Malik set the single season OBP record last year (.506) and well as walks (175). Swagat is 20, Malik 21.

Name: 2025 FINAL standings ST.jpg
Views: 1696
Size: 245.7 KB

Name: 2025 FINAL standings ST.jpg
Views: 1696
Size: 245.7 KB

gehrig38 · 05-13-2013, 02:52 PM

Have managed to make a few deals. First sending 3B Jimmy James to Arizona for SP prospect Mike Ball, and 2nd, and more newsworthy, sending 3 players, including veteran star Ron Stokes, to Philadelphia, getting back C Dave Nicholson (a switch hitting catcher) and former Iron Pig stud prospect Claas van der Ham.

Had to go out and sign a ton of minor league free agents, this system was barren. Going to take a year or few to get this thing turned around, but the team should be decent and competitive this year. The draft and the trading deadline will be the biggest periods of time of the year for the club.

gehrig38 · 05-13-2013, 03:09 PM

Chicago in the news, two times, sort of..
Ex Iron Pig Hugh Collins signs on with Columbus, and look at the FA deal they hand out to Becerra? Thought it was budget conscious time?

05-12-2013, 01:29 PM	#3
gehrig38 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Medfield, Mass Posts: 5,509	State of the organization alaska avalanche 2/15/25 STATE OF THE ORGANIZATION ALASKA AVALANCHE 2/15/25 An organization thoroughly depleted in pitching. The 40 man roster is full, and there are just 12 pitchers on it. So moves are happening fast and furious. There's a crap ton of power but it's an offense built around the 3 run homer. Here's the pitching staff. Actually a much better rotation than I expected for a sub 70 win team. Certainly sustainable, with a nice crop of arms that will be valuable at the deadline. And here are the position players. No depth at Catcher, a ton of “1B” and a slew of power hitting outfielders. The one HUGE upside is the numbers below. Some huge contracts coming off the books. A 28.2M dollar payroll next season. I've fired the head scout, and brought in Arturo Torres, one of the games best, to help me rebuild this thing. Here's what I am dealing with from a front office perspective. A market that needs to grow, an owner that needs to loosen his wallet. Stadium holds just 37.4, so that's something to talk to Mr. Lane about. __________________ The Chicago Iron Pigs 2012-2024 The IBL's first 13 years The Alaska Avalanche 2024-2030 Moving on to my birthplace The San Antonio Silver Stars 2030-2034 From one big state, Alaska, to another, Texas! Last edited by gehrig38; 05-12-2013 at 02:42 PM.

05-12-2013, 02:00 PM	#5
gehrig38 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Medfield, Mass Posts: 5,509	A look at Alaska's 10 year history ALASKA HISTORY The Avalanche came into the league in 2015, and blew everyone away by making the post season in 2016, quickest ever by an expansion franchise then, and since. Last year was their worst season ever and their pitching was a root cause. We need to work on a few things, not the least of which is expanding capacity in the stadium and generating more TV revenue. A brief look at their 10 year history. Hitters by VORP makes it clear Alex Rodriguez is the only real talent they've had for any period of time. They've drafted and had some talented players (Gill, Fiermonte) but not kept them. Pitchers by wins is even uglier. On the plus side? Rubio and Solis are both #1 picks of theirs, that have clearly panned out. Losing Zito and Sabathia was not a good move, but my guess is the owners kept the budget tight enough to make it so we have to draft, develop, and maximize return before free agency. A new challenge. __________________ The Chicago Iron Pigs 2012-2024 The IBL's first 13 years The Alaska Avalanche 2024-2030 Moving on to my birthplace The San Antonio Silver Stars 2030-2034 From one big state, Alaska, to another, Texas!

05-12-2013, 03:23 PM	#8
RchW Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Toronto ON by way of Glasgow UK Posts: 15,629	This is a very cool new development. __________________ Cheers RichW If you’re looking for a good cause to donate money to please consider a Donation to Parkinson’s Canada. It may help me have a better future and if not me, someone else. Thanks. “Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition …There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.” Frank Wilhoit

05-12-2013, 08:33 PM	#10
Eckstein 4 Prez Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: The OC Posts: 6,348	I always like watching the transformation from cellar dweller to contender. Looking forward to this. __________________ Looking for an insomnia cure? Check out my dynasty thread, The Dawn of American Professional Base Ball, 1871.

05-13-2013, 12:12 AM	#12
gehrig38 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Medfield, Mass Posts: 5,509	Award winners through the first 13 seasons Here's the guys that have taken home the hardware In the FL In the CL And the Gold Glovers... __________________ The Chicago Iron Pigs 2012-2024 The IBL's first 13 years The Alaska Avalanche 2024-2030 Moving on to my birthplace The San Antonio Silver Stars 2030-2034 From one big state, Alaska, to another, Texas!

05-12-2013, 12:28 PM	#1
gehrig38 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Medfield, Mass Posts: 5,509	The IBL's Alaska Avalanche Yes, it's true, I have left Chicago, and been given the Manager, and General Manager's job in Alaska. Being born in Anchorage and wanting to return has been on my mind, and given the goings on the past 2 years in Chicago, including the 4 and out of last years World Series, this was the time. I'll give you all a 'state of the org' report on the Avalanche, something more in depth than their 65-97 finish last season. __________________ The Chicago Iron Pigs 2012-2024 The IBL's first 13 years The Alaska Avalanche 2024-2030 Moving on to my birthplace The San Antonio Silver Stars 2030-2034 From one big state, Alaska, to another, Texas!

05-12-2013, 12:40 PM	#2
Teddyballgame Major Leagues Join Date: May 2002 Location: Boston Posts: 332	The IBL's Alaska Avalanche I had been meaning to follow the Chicago thread but got intimidated by trying to catch up looking forward to getting in on this on the ground floor! __________________ The roads in America are paved with cheese

05-12-2013, 01:32 PM	#4
Klew1986 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,727	Could you maybe just let us know what rating scales you use and stuff? Are you using ootp13 or ootp14? Otherwise it looks great and will be following big time.

05-12-2013, 02:45 PM	#7
Klew1986 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,727	Great thanks! Looking forward to following this Alaska team!!

05-12-2013, 05:41 PM	#9
PhillieFever Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Elk Twp. NJ Posts: 6,763	Nice! Really looking forward to this next chapter of IBL history. Speaking of that, do you think you could post the list of champions plus the all time single season and career leader stats? Now seems the perfect time.

05-13-2013, 12:17 AM	#13
gehrig38 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Medfield, Mass Posts: 5,509	Best of the best The hitter, pitcher and defender of the first IBL decade... As well as the IBL all decade team from the first 10 seasons... IBL ALL DECADE TEAM SP-Walt Thompson 155-94 3.49 2231 K's CL-Ernesto Cruz 27-26 1.94 377 of 423 Saves .891 Save % C-Rich Alfred .309/.415/.531 970 games 186 HR's 680 RBI's 1 x Gold Glove 5 x All Star 1 x Rookie of the Year 2 x World Champion 1B-Curt Whimster .309/.410/.583 400 HR's 1247 RBI's 416 2B's 2 x MVP 6 x All Star 2 x World Champion 2B-Jeffrey Hudson .302/.390/.522 255 HR's 882 RBI's 1 x MVP 2 x Gold Glove 7 x All Star 1 x World Champion SS-Alex Rodriguez .310/.408/.596 263 HR's 789 RBI's 1 x MVP 2 x Gold Glove 5 x All Star 3B-Chandler Harris .250/.331/.467 261 HR's 789 RBI's 107 SB's 3 x Gold Glove 1 x All Star LF-Angelo Gomez .302/.411/.530 298 HR's 874 RBI's 215 SB's 2 x MVP 2 x Gold Glove 5 x All Star CF-Hugh Collins .298/.379/.564 314 HR's 218 SB's 997 RBI's 1 x Gold Glove 6 x All Star RF-Luis Chavez .319/.396/.547 243 HR's 221 SB's 2 x MVP 5 x All Star __________________ The Chicago Iron Pigs 2012-2024 The IBL's first 13 years The Alaska Avalanche 2024-2030 Moving on to my birthplace The San Antonio Silver Stars 2030-2034 From one big state, Alaska, to another, Texas!

05-13-2013, 12:31 AM	#14
gehrig38 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Medfield, Mass Posts: 5,509	One of a kind, all timers.... These are 1 of a kind happenings, and only events (longest hitting streak, only perfect game etc.) Alfredo Alejandrez and Nick Powell are the only pitchers in history to throw 2 no-hitters, with Powell throwing his, and his perfect game, in the same season. Number of no-hitters by franchise Chicago 3 Las Vegas 3 Los Angeles 2 Houston 1 New York 2 Sacramento 4 El Paso 1 Corpus Christi 1 New Hampshire 2 Baltimore 1 Columbus 1 Boston 1 Arizona 1 Edmonton 1 Dallas 1 Number of times no hit Michigan 1 Chicago 1 Baltimore 2 Dayton 1 San Antonio 2 Buffalo 1 New Hampshire 1 Philadelphia 3 Edmonton 1 Boston 1 West Michigan 3 Dallas 2 Fresno 2 Brooklyn 1 Pittsburgh 1 Los Angeles 1 New Orleans 1 __________________ The Chicago Iron Pigs 2012-2024 The IBL's first 13 years The Alaska Avalanche 2024-2030 Moving on to my birthplace The San Antonio Silver Stars 2030-2034 From one big state, Alaska, to another, Texas! Last edited by gehrig38; 05-13-2013 at 12:37 AM.

05-13-2013, 12:52 AM	#15
gehrig38 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Medfield, Mass Posts: 5,509	Signings and news into camp A few more moves as spring training opens. Attached Images __________________ The Chicago Iron Pigs 2012-2024 The IBL's first 13 years The Alaska Avalanche 2024-2030 Moving on to my birthplace The San Antonio Silver Stars 2030-2034 From one big state, Alaska, to another, Texas!

05-13-2013, 12:11 PM	#17
gehrig38 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Medfield, Mass Posts: 5,509	I did that myself, checking in after 10 years. I saved all my league info (as I usually do) but paid attention to make sure I kept everything at the 10 year mark. Not sure how I am going to do 20 __________________ The Chicago Iron Pigs 2012-2024 The IBL's first 13 years The Alaska Avalanche 2024-2030 Moving on to my birthplace The San Antonio Silver Stars 2030-2034 From one big state, Alaska, to another, Texas!

05-13-2013, 01:22 PM	#18
gehrig38 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Medfield, Mass Posts: 5,509	2025 Spring training New camp, new team, new problems. Here's the major injuries from camp, and signings. David Peterson went down with a torn meniscus, he'll be out until sometime in June. He was going to be an everyday guy in left, so we'll have to manage that. He was likely my #2 hitter and LF. Kevin Olson went down mid March, out until mid April. The Williams contract with Dayton runs 3 years. I have been talking with the agent for Colin Durham, all spring. He's 33 and coming off major shoulder surgery, but is at a price (1.7 per) I can do, and I think signing him could be a huge bargaining chip at the deadline. He's 132-111 3.97 lifetime in 355 games, all starts and a 6-time all star. And now that camp has ended, and he has not signed, it's likely if he does sign I'll have to send him to AAA to get some innings in. And here are the standings. We had a good spring. Chicago had a great spring (watch Asmin Swaggat, he and a kid named Bashir Malik (DAY) are two of the best hitting prospects in the leagues history. Neither has power, but both are going to be threats to .400 at some point I bet, and 50+ double guys. Malik set the single season OBP record last year (.506) and well as walks (175). Swagat is 20, Malik 21. __________________ The Chicago Iron Pigs 2012-2024 The IBL's first 13 years The Alaska Avalanche 2024-2030 Moving on to my birthplace The San Antonio Silver Stars 2030-2034 From one big state, Alaska, to another, Texas!

05-13-2013, 02:52 PM	#19
gehrig38 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Medfield, Mass Posts: 5,509	End of camp news Have managed to make a few deals. First sending 3B Jimmy James to Arizona for SP prospect Mike Ball, and 2nd, and more newsworthy, sending 3 players, including veteran star Ron Stokes, to Philadelphia, getting back C Dave Nicholson (a switch hitting catcher) and former Iron Pig stud prospect Claas van der Ham. Had to go out and sign a ton of minor league free agents, this system was barren. Going to take a year or few to get this thing turned around, but the team should be decent and competitive this year. The draft and the trading deadline will be the biggest periods of time of the year for the club. Attached Images __________________ The Chicago Iron Pigs 2012-2024 The IBL's first 13 years The Alaska Avalanche 2024-2030 Moving on to my birthplace The San Antonio Silver Stars 2030-2034 From one big state, Alaska, to another, Texas!

05-13-2013, 03:09 PM	#20
gehrig38 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Medfield, Mass Posts: 5,509	Last minute FA signings... Chicago in the news, two times, sort of.. Ex Iron Pig Hugh Collins signs on with Columbus, and look at the FA deal they hand out to Becerra? Thought it was budget conscious time? Attached Images __________________ The Chicago Iron Pigs 2012-2024 The IBL's first 13 years The Alaska Avalanche 2024-2030 Moving on to my birthplace The San Antonio Silver Stars 2030-2034 From one big state, Alaska, to another, Texas!