Top 10 - Finance Edition

 Jack Torrance - Contributing Reporter

Here we go again folks, another post in celebration of Season 50, this one about the Top 10s. * indicates signed by a different owner. 

Top 10 First Round Draft contracts

1. $10.13M - S39 - #8 - Hunter DeShields - P - Vancouver Canucks*
2. $9.42M - S5 - #28 - Lynn Castillo - Columbus Corgis*
3. $8.97M - S37 - #17 - Nathan Llanos - CF - Minnesota North Stars
4. $8.97M - S8 - #14 - Chief King - P - Anaheim Diablos*
5. $8.72M - S19 - #5 - Albert Tapies - P - Scranton Hammers*
6. $8.50M - S34 - #17 - Brodie Taijeron - RF - Dover Hazmats*
7. $8.50M - S9 - #36 - Blade Hermann - P - Montreal Fighting Poutine Plates*
8. $8.19M - S17 - #3 - Hensley Breslow - P - Vancouver Canucks*
9. $7.83M - S23 - #13 - Matty Gonzales - P - El Paso Gas*
10. $7.77M - S49 - #2 - Norm Cunningham - P - Los Angeles Lifeguards

Top 10 Winningest Franchises

1. 4550 - Houston Space Cowboys
2. 4366 - Buffalo Bisons
3. 4227 - Atlanta Expos
4. 4214 - Santa Fe Surf Riders VIII
5. 4162 - Oklahoma City Barons
6. 4147 - Boston Massacre
7. 4051 - New Orleans Old Fashioneds
8. 4050 - Colorado Cab Blast
9. 4037 - New York Empire
10. 4005 - Monterrey Stoics
11. 4004 - Colorado Springs From My Loins (bonus)

Top 10 International Prospect Signings by owner
*indicates no longer with the league. 

1. wvwc9092* - 232 
2. bjc30 - 150 
3. dreed115* - 133 
4. topoftheworl - 126 
5. alanharwell - 120 
6. jiml60* - 115
7. ekoontz41 - 112
8. jbburner - 111
9. yoker70* - 99
10. mathias04* - 98

Top 10 International Average Prospect Bonus by owner (min of 20 signings)
*indicates no longer with the league. 

1. yanks21* - $8.9M
2. nadawg77* - $6.7M
3. friarcynric* - $6.6M
4. sowden* - $6.4M
5. alogman1 - $5.6M
6. bjc30 - $5.6M
7. mike22182 - $5.3M
8. rawdk27 - $4.9M
9. isack24* - $4.9M
10. The_Kid* - $4.8M

Top 12 International Prospect Signings over $10M by owner
*indicates no longer with the league. 

1. bjc30 - 31
2. topoftheworl - 19
3. wvwc9092* - 17
4. alogman1 - 16
5. yoker70* - 16
6. rawdk27 - 14
7. alexng6888 - 14
8. nadawg77* - 14
9. isack24 - 13
10. jibe - 12
11. ekoontz41 - 11
12. alanharwell - 11

Top 10 International Prospect Home Country

1. Dominican Republic - 2,536 ($6.24B)
2. Japan - 527 ($1.15B)
3. Venezuela - 428 (1.23B)
4. Cuba - 417 ($1.1B)
5. Mexico - 349 ($936M)
6. Panama - 121 ($384M)
7. Korea - 91 ($158M)
8. Nicaragua - 55 ($130M)
9. Virgin Islands - 52 ($102M)
10. Aruba - 42 ($97M)

Top 6 Most IFA Contracts over $15M by Home Country

1. Dominican Republic - 106
2. Venezuela - 26
3. Cuba - 22
4. Mexico - 20
5. Japan - 17
6. Panama - 10

Fun IFA Facts:

• 4,796 International Prospects signed from Season 1 to 49; an average of nearly 98 a season. 
• Season 39 saw the most prospects signed - 129
• Only 496 Prospects saw contracts with invitations to Spring Training
• 60% of the IFA are 18 years old with only 1% being 23 or older

Top 10 ML Coaching Salaries

1. $7.8M - S33 - Fielding - Larry Castillo - San Juan Fudds*
2. $6.9M - S2 - Pitching - Richard Erstad - Milwaukee Metronomes*
3. $6.4M - S1 - Pitching - John Mancuso - New Orleans Old Fashioneds*
4. $5.5M - S24 - Pitching - Felipe Sosa - Anaheim Diablos*
5. $5.5M - S3 - Pitching - Virgil Romero - Colorado Blast*
6. $5.1M - S38 - Fielding - Ariel Fernandez - San Juan Fudds*
7. $5.1M - S2 - Pitching - Rip Newman - Hartford Rising Stars*
8. $5M -S19 - Fielding - JJ Byrant - Buffalo Bisons
9. $5M - S2 - Pitching - Carlos Santana - Houston Space Cowboys
10. $5M -  S1 - Pitching - Bo Brinkley - Milwaukee Metronomes*

Top 20 IFA contracts

1. $37.0M - S34 - Yohan Mairena - RF - Buffalo Bisons
2. $36.0M - S30 - Louie Banuelos - SS - Buffalo Bisons
3. $35.0M - S40 - Arismendy Costilla - P - Colorado Springs From My Lions
4. $34.0M - S2 - Rafael Benitez (HoF) - 2B - Wichita Aeros*
5. $34.0M - S17 - Vladmir Troncoso - RF - Houston Space Cowboys
6. $33.0M - S18 - Willie Cerda (HoF) - LF - Santa Fe Surf Riders VIII*
7. $32.2M - S18 - Francisco Aramboles (HoF) - P - Pittsburg Yinzers*
8. $32.0M - S40 - Yoervis Colome - 2B - New York Empire
9. $32.0M - S32 - Diego Parraz - P - El Paso Gas*
10. $31.9M - S19 - Willie Esposito - SS - Houston Space Cowboys
11. $31.7M - S34 - Yimi Jacquez - 2B - El Paso Gas*
12. $31.5M - S35 - Einar Johnson - P - Minnesota North Stars*
13. $30.0M - S30 - Alfonso Osuna - P - New Orleans Old Fashioneds*
14. $30.0M - S36 - Gerald Kojima - P - New York Empire
15. $30.0M - S37 - Francisco Bonilla - SS - New York Empire
16. $29.6M - S32 - Magglio Exposito - P - New York Empire
17. $29.1M - S37 - Ezequiel Rosario - P - Buffalo Bisons
18. $29.1M - S48 - Carlos Soto - 2B - Houston Space Cowboys
19. $29.0M - S43 - Tony Lim - P - Colorado Springs From My Lions
20. $29.0M - S46 - Al Cervantes - P - Philadelphia Harpers

Highest Payroll by Franchise (listing all teams)

1. Santa Fe - $144M - S49
2. Houston - $143M - S13
3. Helena - $140M - S48
4. El Paso - $139 - S47*
5. Atlanta - $137M - S12
6. Colorado Springs - $135M - S49
7. New York - $135M - S49
8. Tucson - $134M - S28*
9. Anaheim - $131M - S20*
10. Austin - $130M - S24*
11. Milwaukee - $130M - S25*
12. Huntington - $129M - S28*
13. New Orleans - $129M - S38*
14. Philadelphia - $129M - S30*
15. Boston - $128M - S23
16. Pittsburgh - $126M - S22*
17. Washington DC - $126M - S39*
18. Chicago - $125 - S38
19. Columbus - $125M - S19*
20. Scranton - $125M - S49
21. Monterrey - $124M - S23*
22. Los Angeles - $123M - S45*
23. Dover - $122M - S49
24. San Juan - $121M - S49
25. Wichita - $121M - S34*
26. Colorado - $117M - S35*
27. Oklahoma City - $115M - S46
28. Hartford - $112M - S24*
29. Montreal - $112M - S49
30. Minnesota - $102M - S13*
31. Vancouver - $100M - S1*
32. Buffalo - $94M - S49

Lowest Payroll by Franchise (listing all teams)

1. Atlanta - $8M - S48
2. New York - $14M - S37
3. New Orleans - $14M - S46
4. El Paso - $16M - S29*
5. Anaheim - $17M - S12*
6. Chicago - $18M - S5*
7. Philadelphia - $18M  - 47
8. Monterrey - $19M - S44
9. Tucson - $21M - S7*
10. Houston - $22M - S49
11. Huntington - $24M - S3*
12. Washington DC - $24M - S7*
13. Helena - $25M - S39
14. Minnesota - $25M - S31*
15. Vancouver - $26M - S16*
16. Hartford - $29M - S49
17. Scranton - $29M - S36*
18. Santa Fe - $31M - S12*
19. Colorado Springs - $35M - S36
20. Oklahoma City - $35M - S20*
21. Buffalo - $36M - S10
22. Pittsburgh - $36M - S18*
23. Wichita - $36M - S2*
24. Colorado - $37 - S4*
25. Boston - $40M - S16
26. Dover - $40M - S13*
27. Columbus - $41M - S42
28. Austin - $42M - S12*
29. Montreal - $47M - S40*
30. Los Angeles - $63M - S6*
31. Milwaukee - $67M - S2*
32. San Juan - $69M - S28*

S50 Initial Rankings

 Richard Castle - contributing reporter

After a few press of the escape key and having to ctrl + alt + del out of windows a few times, Skynet proudly presents to you the initial season 50 power rankings! The Top 5 show no signs of anything out of the oridinary and then %^*# gets weird with New Orleans somehow coming in at #6. It must be because EVERYONE else has now become a seller and working on their rebuild. Down at the bottom of the list are still the H cities with Houston at 26, Harford 28, Huntington 31, and Helena at 32. Why is it Skynet hates Houston so much? Is it because their counterparts in that other league (who I remind you is currently on strike) used Skynet to cheat the system and they are getting their revenge? 

S50 Time for the Hall - Part 2

 Eli Cash - contributing reporter

Alright folks, part two is here; let's take a look at the pitchers up for Hall voting. As a reminder, HoF voting ends 12/22 am, so be sure to get those votes in and make them count. The pitching is a little more clear cut than the hitting was, always a little tough to gauge it seems. Another refresher for those who missed the Part 1 - particularly the primer for a detailed explanation of the three scoring system we use. As a quick reminder, a sure thing for a hitter is 60/130/500, for a starter its 60/130/420 and for a reliever (who doesn't use the Test Score) is 130/250. You'll see them highlighted in blue below. 

Players ranked by Monitor score

Bob Graves 

First year on ballot. Graves ranks 3rd overall in pitching on the Monitor score list. Slightly above Hall of Famers Francisco Aramboles, but well above James Haselman and Thomas Hutchinson. There's no reason not to make this guy a first ballot Hall of Fame, unless you are just evil...or Canadian but potayto, potahto. Let's cut right to the chase. 

Stat Chasers: 3000+ K, 300+ W, 7 seasons of 14+ W, 12 of 200+ K and 12x sub 3.00 ERA seasons. 

Trophy Chasers: 9x All Star, 2x World Series rings, 2x Cy Young

MLB (Monitor) Comparisons: Sandy Koufax, Lefty Grove, Tom Seaver

Armando Merced 

In his final year of voting. Cash has supported Merced since the beginning and I still believe he belongs in the Hall; but I clearly have Sean Gosling, Raul Galvez, Edinson Hernandez, and Bob Graves above him. You'll see below that I have Tomo Hayashi above him too. I wanted to throw my vote to Merced instead of Bob Graves just because it's his last time on the ballot and would be sad to not get him in! He's secured no less than 11 votes each time, toping out at 13 last year but that's still 4 short of an induction. The scores don't lie, Merced ranks above 9 other Cobbfather HoF pitchers and just below Chris Pendleton. 

Stat Chasers: 3000+ K, 270 W, 5 seasons of 18+ W, 6 of 200+ K and 6 sub 3.00 ERA seasons. 

Trophy Chasers: 7x All Star, 3x World Series rings

MLB (Monitor) Comparisons: Don Sutton, Catfish Hunter, Early Wynn

Braeden Abercrombie

Another player in their final year on the ballot. When a pitcher tops 3000 K with 9 sub 3.00 ERA seasons you know he's been dominant. Cash wouldn't be surprised to see more votes for him this season, but was he really better than Merced or Graves; the stats say no.  He's seen everything from 1 to 7 votes, let's see how he does this year. 

Stat Chasers: 3000+ K, 4 seasons of 18+ W, 8 of 200+ K, 9 sub 3.00 ERA seasons. 

Trophy Chasers: 6x All Star, 1x Cy Young, 1x World Series ring

MLB (Monitor) Comparisons: Bert Blyleven, Mike Mussina, Jack Morris

Midre Tavarez

Final ballot season yet again. His comps aren't the best, but he has routinely been around the 6-8 mark surprisingly. We covered how similar he is to Merced in Season 47's Hall recap if you'd like to jump over for a quick read. 

Stat Chasers: 270+ W, 5 seasons with 18+ W, 5 sub 3.00 ERA seasons. 

Trophy Chasers: 6x All Star, 2 World Series rings, 1x No Hitter

MLB (Monitor) Comparisons: Jose Mesa, Tommy John, Ron Guidry

Players ranked by Monitor score

Al Balentien

5th and final year on the ballot, he topped out his first year with 4 votes but hasn't had more than 2 any other season. There is just no love for relievers, and as you'll see with Hayashi; especially no love for owners that close stud closers as middle relievers for 80+ games a season. The "counting" stats just don't add up for them. I wouldn't blame you for continuing to push for Balentien for the Hall, as 13 current Cobbfather HoFers rank below Balentien's 179 Monitor score. Nearly topped 500 saves - ranking #3 all time on the saves list. 

Stat Chasers: 8 seasons of 40+ SV, 6 of sub 3.00 ERA

Trophy Chasers: 8x All Star, 5x Fireman of the Year, 1x World Series ring

MLB (Monitor) Comparisons: Tom Glavine, Gaylord Perry, Jim Palmer

Tomo Hayashi - received Eli Cash's vote

3rd season on tehe ballot and the love hasn't been good for him. As referenced in the above, had he been on any other owner's team and used as a closer, he'd likely be talked about as the All-time leader, even ahead of Sale. But he did practically pitch every other game with great success and there has to be some value to that. In fact in Season 36 he pitched in over half of that season's game (86). On the low end he could have averaged 40 saves those 9 seasons; which would have given him 705 saves. And that's if he only managed 40, most top closers secure more a few more than that each year. But a strong bullpen is a strong bullpen. Similar to Balentien, outranks 13 current Cobbfather Hall of Famers. 

Stat Chasers: Pitched to the tune of 13 sub 3.00 ERA seasons (5 were sub 2.00). Even though he didn't close during his prime, he still managed 8 seasons of 30+ SVs.

Trophy Chasers: 7x All Star, 1x Fireman of the Year, 2x World Series ring

MLB (Monitor) Comparisons: Gaylord Perry, John Smoltz, Trevor Hoffman

Eduardo Jose

Third season on the ballot and seems to be able to secure a vote or vote. Sadly he just doesn't have the numbers and those votes are costing some of the above and referenced hitters in Part 1 the Hall. I'll ask of you, if you want to vote for Jose let's put it off until next year and get some of these other guys who deserve in the Hall!

Stat Chasers: 6 seasons of sub 3.00 ERA, 10 seasons of 30+ SV (3 were 40+)

Trophy Chasers: 7x All Star, 2x Fireman of the Year

MLB (Monitor) Comparisons: Catfish Hunter, Rollie Fingers, Andy Pettitte 

Artie Stone

On his 4th ballot, but like Jose; if you want to vote for him let's put it off until next year and get some of these other guys who deserve in the Hall!

Stat Chasers: 5 seasons of sub 3.00 ERA, 5 seasons of 30+ SV (3 were 40+)

Trophy Chasers: 6x All Stair

MLB (Monitor) Comparisons: Jose Mesa, David Cone, Joe Nathan

There you go folks, S50 possible Hall of Famers. Let's see if anyone gets in this year!

VOTE HERE

S50 Time for the Hall - Part 1

Eli Cash - contributing reporter

AND THE CROWD GOES WILD, no Dizzy Leonard in the Hall voting. Let's see if we can do these players right with our Hall of Fame voting. VOTE HERE. 

For a refresher for those new voters, be sure to skim past articles; particularly the primer for a detailed explanation of the three scoring system we use. As a quick reminder, a sure thing for a hitter is 60/130/500, for a starter its 60/130/420 and for a reliever (who doesn't use the Test Score) is 130/250. You'll see them highlighted in blue below. 

Last year we saw Carlos Colome become a first ballot Hall of Famer with 18 votes, just slipping into the Hall. While Raul Galvez fell just one vote short. Come on man, you could be that one vote that gets him in where he belongs! Only five players received more than 5 votes but there are plenty of names that deserve your vote. This year will be Edinson Hernandez, Don Sparks, Haywood Swan, Ernie McEnerney, and Alving Palmeiro last year on the ballot, so if you are going to vote for them; now is the year to do it! Let's dive into the hitters first...

Players ranked by Monitor score

Sean Gosling - received Eli Cash's vote

In his 2nd year - This one is for those who like the power hitters. 

Stat Chasers: 22 HR shy of 600. 11 seasons with 100+ RBI. 12 with 30+ HR (10 were 40+), 9 seasons with 100+ R

Trophy Chasers: 2x MVP, 9x All-Star, 3x World Series ring (3B)

Season averages: 157 H, 39 HR, 14 SB, 94 R, 107 RBI

MLB (Monitor) Comparisons: Sammy Sosa, Vladimir Guerrero, Roberto Alomar

Raul Galvez - received Eli Cash's vote

In his 4th year - 

Stat Chasers: 2 HR shy of 600. 12 seasons with 100+ RBI. 12 with 30+ HR (6 were 40+), 2500+ H

Trophy Chasers: 2x MVP, 6x All-Star, 2x World Series ring (CF)

Season averages: 150 H, 35 HR, 13SB, 92 R, 100 RBI

MLB (Monitor) Comparisons: Sammy Sosa, Vladimir Guerrero, Roberto Alomar

Edinson Hernandez - received Eli Cash's vote

In his 5th and final year - Fantastic lead-off hitter that often times would find himself in scoring position either by a double or a single and a stolen base. 

Stat Chasers: 1 SB shy of 600, 2nd all time in 2Bs, 13 seasons with 100+ R, 6 with 30+ HR (once with 40+), 14 seasons with 35+ 2Bs (3 were 45+) - no other HoF comes even close, 2500+ H, 400+ HR, 500+ 2B

Trophy Chasers: RotY, 7x All Star, 2x World Series rings (RF)

Season averages: 172 H, 27 HR, 40 SB, 117 R, 86 RBI

MLB (Monitor) Comparisons: Paul Molitor, Kirby Puckett, Ernie Banks

Don Sparks

In his 5th and final year - Donny Sparky is definitely a candidate and I wouldn't question if voters wanted him in. But his low Test score and the inclusion of better players on the ballot hurt his chances.  

Stat Chasers: 7 seasons with 100+ R, 7 with 100+ RBI, 10 with 30+ HR(3 were 40+), 2500+ H, 500+ HR

Trophy Chasers: 2x MVP, 2x Gold Glove 1B, 2x All Star, RotY, 2x World Series rings (1B/LF)

Season averages: 158 H, 32 HR, 17 SB, 90 R, 98 RBI

MLB (Monitor) Comparisons: Billy Hamilton, Jim Thome, Dave Winfield

Wiki Unamuno - if Eli has one more vote, he'd receive it. 

In his 4th year - A lot has changed for Wiki. he secures the ballot in every ranking system but just didnt' get the love last year. If he doesn't make the Hall, it will be because of his limited number of seasons played. But the ones he did play, he was great as you can tell by the 542 Cash points a season. His average seasons ranks up there above Edinson Hernandez, but the counting stats just aren't quite there. Imagine having a 30 HR / 40 SB / 40 2B threat at the top of your lineup in his prime. 

Stat Chasers: Feel just shy of 2500 H by 59, 500+ 2B, .300+ career AVG, 11 seasons with 100+ R, 7 with 100+ RBI, 9 with 35+ 2B (4 were 40+), 4 seasons 30+ HR

Trophy Chasers: 6x All Star, 1x World Series ring (RF)

Season averages: 188 H, 26 HR, 36 SB, 118 R, 99 RBI

MLB (Monitor) Comparisons: Gary Carter, Ozzie Smith, Edgar Martinez

Wandy Guillen

No current Cobbfather Hall of Fame position player has a Monitor score lower for Wandy or the names below him. Surprising to see him above .300 for his career when he only averaged 160 hits a season - only played more than 145 games a season 3 times. 

Low Monitor & Cash Score

Stat Chasers: .300+ career AVG, 9 seasons with 100+ R, 12x greater than .300 AVG. 

Trophy Chasers: 7x All Star, RoyT, 1x World Series ring (2B)

Season averages: 159 H, 13 HR, 41 SB, 111 R, 62 RBI

MLB (Monitor) Comparisons: Sam Rice, Orlando Cepeda, Ted Simmons

Haywood Swan

In his 5th and final year - He's close but not there. Least amount of seasons played for any current Hall of Famer, though also has one of the higher OPSs. 

Low Test and Monitor Score

Stat Chasers: 9 seasons with 100+ R, 8 with 100+ RBI, 8 with 30+ HR (4 were 40+), 

Trophy Chasers: 2x MVP, 7x All Star

Season averages: 150 H, 32 HR, 22 SB, 104 R, 97 RBI

MLB (Monitor) Comparisons: Jeff Kent, Barry Larkin, Andre Dawson

Ernie McEnerney

In his 5th and final year - Wandy Guillen was the better 2B, but similar to Swan, both lost votes last year. McEnerney also struck out a ton. 

Low Monitor & Cash Score

Stat Chasers: 10 seasons with 30+ HR, 500 HR

Trophy Chasers: 2x All Star, 1x Gold Glove (2B)

Season averages: 157 H, 28 HR, 17 SB, 87 R, 87 RBI

MLB (Monitor) Comparisons: Earle Combs, Pee Wee Reese, Roger Connor

VOTE HERE

Part Two coming later for pitchers...

#1s

Jack Torrance - Contributing Reporter

In celebration of Season 50, let's review the best #1 picks in Cobbfather history. A quick recap, there were 23 High Schoolers draft, 16 Shortstops drafts, and includes 7 Hall of Famers. 

• Season: Current Franchise: Player (Position), age, background, Cash score
• Season 1: Chicago Gunslingers: Trey Padgett (2B), 19, JC, 8739
• Season 26: Anaheim Diablos: Bob Graves (P), 19, JC, 8610
• Season 3: Huntington Tropics: Zach Charles (SS), 19, JC, 8490
• Season 5: Los Angeles Lifeguards: Yamid Montanez (SS), 18, HS, 8127
• Season 23: Columbus Corgis: Ahmed Ratliff (RF), 18, HS, 8036
• *Season 32: Scranton Hammers: Lee Schlitter (RF), 19, JC, 7949
• Season 14: Austin Son's of Odin: Jerrod Griffiths (LF), 19, JC, 7861
• Season 21: Washington DC: Red Collins (P), 22, COL, 7661
• Season 22: Helena Hot Dogs: Braeden Abercrombie (P), 18, HS, 7602
• Season 15: Colorado Springs From My Loins: Thomas Hutchinson (P), 18, HS, 7393
• Season 7: Hartford Rising Stars: Al James (RF), 19, JC, 7368
• Season 9: Monterrey Stoics: James Haselman (P), 21, COL, 7160
• Season 30: Huntington Tropics: Sean Gosling (SS), 20, JC, 6921
• Season 13: Colorado Springs From My Loins: Vic Vizcaino (P), 18, HS, 6604
• Season 8: Wichita Aeros: Charlie Borders (SS), 18, HS, 6444
• Season 11: Austin Son's of Odin: Morgan Cerda (CF), 18, HS, 6388
• Season 12: Austin Son's of Odin: Clarence Poole (P), 22, COL, 6334
• Season 6: Los Angeles Lifeguards, Alex Andrus (P), 18, HS, 6076
• Season 16: Vancouver Canucks: Luis Duran (SS), 18, HS, 6074
• Season 28: El Paso Gas: Bubbles Guerra (SS), 18, HS, 6033
• Season 31: Huntington Tropics: Graham Wallace (LF), 22, COL, 5956
• Season 19: Huntington Tropics: Junior Roberts (SS), 19, JC, 5517
• Season 17: Dover Hazmats: Aneury Tejeda (P), 18, HS, 5484
• Season 18: Huntington Tropics: James Dillard (SS), 20, JC, 5206
• *Season 35: Atlanta Expos: Carl Martinson (SS), 20, JC, 5137
• Season 24: Colorado Cab Blast: Francis King (RF), 22, COL, 5104
• Season 4: Tucson Tubas: Vic Costilla (SS), 20, JC, 5100
• Season 2: Huntington Tropics: Branch Borders (C), 18, HS, 5025
• Season 10: Minnesota North Stars: Ned Myers (P), 22, COL, 4803
• Season 27: Chicago Gunslingers: Monte Daley (P), 20, JC, 4726
• Season 29: Santa Fe Surf Riders VIII: Virgil Murphy (P), 18, HS, 4661
• *Season 36: New York Empire: Louis Conley (P), 18, HS, 4567
• Season 33: Scranton Hammers: Wilfredo Correa (P), 22, COL, 4427
• *Season 37: Atlanta Expos: Jon Everett (SS), 22, COL, 4056
• *Season 34: New York Empire: Forrest Kelly (SS), 18, HS, 3973
• Season 25: Columbus Corgis: Emmett Jefferies (P), 18, HS, 3768
• *Season 38: Atlanta Expos: Kenny Jacquez (SS), 19, JC, 3693
• *Season 39: Helena Hot Dogs: Vin Melhuse (RF), 19, JC, 3438
• *Season 41: Columbus Corgis: Keith Halter (1B), 18, HS, 3363
• *Season 40: Helena Hot Dogs: JC Wall (P), 18, HS, 3247
• *Season 42: Columbus Corgis: Louis Combs (P), 22, COL, 1991
• *Season 45: Anaheim Diablos: Bonk Burnett (CF), 20, JC, 1414
• *Season 44: Pittsburg Yinzers: Rip Bromberg (SS), 18, HS, 1380
• Season 20: Helena Hot Dogs: Andres Flores (P), 19, JC, 1270
• *Season 43: Anaheim Diablos: Felipe Vargas (SS), 18, HS, 1091
• Season 46: New Orleans Old Fashioneds: Lew Kennedy (SS), 18, HS, Not Signed
• *Season 47: New Orleans Old Fashioneds: Gregorio Cordero (C), 18, HS, Minor League
• *Season 48: Washington DC Nationals: Olmedo Nunez (C), 18, HS, Minor League
• *Season 49: Huntington Tropics: Roger Simon (P) 19, JC, Minor League

* denotes still playing

__ denotes Hall of Fame member

Final S49 Rankings

Richard Castle - contributing reporter

Let's take our final look at the S49 power rankings. It was a tight race, but Buffalo claims the top spot with the World Series win. The next two spots are the every predictable New York and Colorado Springs. You can bet on them being top 5 next season as well. 

• Movers
• Dover climbs three spots and inches away from the top 5. 
• Chicago, lead by their pitching, continues to show well and moves 5 spots to #13. 
• Philadelphia's young crew shows off and rises 5 spots to the top 20. Should be interesting to see where they fall next season. 
• Shakers
• Hartford slips 2 spots to the #31 spot. 
• Anaheim, Colorado, Santa Fe, and Los Angeles all slip 1 spot from their previous spot. 

S49 Record Books

 Jack Torrance - Contributing Reporter

Winner Winner....Chicken Dinner 

What a playoff season we had this year! 3 of the final 4 teams were Wildcard teams with both #6 seeds making the final series of the season. Congrats to Buffalo, who after 8 straight division titles, took 3rd place in the division but finally won the ultimate prize! And the 3rd for the franchise. 

Congrats again and let's get ready for The Golden Season (Season 50).  

Major League

Owner of the Year

Attempting to continue this new tradition, let's take a look at possibilities for Owner of the Year. The top two owners we felt deserved a deeper look were: rawdk27 & mike22182, but the prize ultimately went to rawdk27 for leading an underrated ragamuffin group to a division title. The computers rated them at the bottom of the rankings time after time, but yet they continued to press on; ignored Skynet and it's opinion of them. Will be interesting to see where they fall in the final rankings and to start next season. 

All-Star Weekend

American League topped the National League once again - 8-4
All Star Game MVP - Francisco Bonilla (Colorado Springs)
Home Run Derby Champ - Shannon Bunch (Houston) - 24 total HRs (9 - 11 - 4)

American League 

Division Titles
AL North: Minnesota North Stars 
AL East: New York Empire (11th straight division title) 
AL South: Houston Space Cowboys 
AL West: Colorado Springs From My Lions (3rd straight division title)
Wildcards: Atlanta Expos & Dover Hazmats

League Leaders
Batting
Hits: Harry Padilla (NY Empire) - 200
Average: Yoervis Colome (NY Empire) - .334
Home Runs: Felipe Benitez (NY Empire) - 56
Runs: Felipe Benitez (NY Empire) - 146
Runs Batted In: Felipe Benitez (NY Empire) - 145
Stolen Bases: Matty Moss (Atl Expos) / Al Munson (Min North Stars) - 90
Longest Hit Streak: Felipe Benitez / Yoervis Colome  (NY Empire) - 19

Pitching
Wins: Magglio Exposito (NY Empire) / Yan Armas (Mty Stoics) - 20
Quality Starts: J.C. Wall (Atl Expos) - 33
Saves: Bobby Davis (Mil Metronomes) - 37
ERA: J.C. Wall (Atl Expos) - 2.00
Strikeout: Mac Inouoe (Dov Hazmats) - 241
OAV: J.C. Wall (Atl Expos) - .185
WHIP: J.C. Wall (Atl Expos) - 0.96

Fielding
Plus Plays: Christian Seung (Atl Expos) - 31
CS%: Trevor Torres (Min North Stars) - .400
C ERA: Bob Kiermaier (Atl Expos) - 3.30

Awards
MVP: Felipe Benitez (NY Empire) - 18 votes
Cy Young: J.C. Wall (Atl Expos) - 12 votes
Rookie of the Year: Joaquin Owen (Phil Harpers) - 19 votes
Fireman of the Year: Bobby Davis (Mil Metronomes)

National League

Division Titles
NL North: Scranton Hammers
NL East: Columbus Corgis
NL South: Santa Fe Surf Riders VIII (9th straight division title)
NL West: Salt Lake City Tabernacles (2nd straight division title)
Wildcards: Pittsburgh Yinzers & Buffalo Bisons

League Leaders
Batting
Hits: Omar Gonzales (SLC Tabernacles) - 205
Average: Omar Gonzales (SLC Tabernacles) - .324
Home Runs: Alex Tarraga (Buf Bisons) - 65
Runs: Omar Gonzales (SLC Tabernacles) - 138
Runs Batted In: Omar Gonzales (SLC Tabernacles) - 140
Stolen Bases: Clyde Spivey (Mon Pout Plates) / Brayan Skinner (SF Surf Riders) - 44
Longest Hit Streak: Alan Harris (Col Corgis) - 25

Pitching
Wins: Alton Drew (Chi Gunslingers) - 19
Quality Starts: Tomas Gomez (Col Corgis) / Diego Parraz (OKC Barons)  - 26
Saves: Ronnie Andrews (Scr Hammers) - 48
ERA: Louis Combs (Col Corgis) - 2.57
Strikeout: Diego Parraz (OKC Barons) - 202
OAV: Diego Parraz (OKC Barons) - .214
WHIP: Diego Parraz (OKC Barons) - 1.09

Fielding
Plus Plays: Renato Martinez (Aus Son's of Odin) - 34
CS%: Lucas Peterson (Pit Yinzers) - .530
C ERA: Mike Walls (Col Corgis) - 3.38

Awards
MVP: Omar Gonzalez (SLC Tabernacles) - 16 votes
Cy Young: Alan Street (Col Corgis) - 13 votes
Rookie of the Year: Lou Porzio (Aus Son's of Odin) - 12 votes
Fireman of the Year: Ronnie Andrews (Scr Hammers) 

Trivia

With 90 stolen bases from the AL league leader, Matty Moss; the Atlanta team stole 318 bases on the season. Second best was New York Empire with only 191. Atlanta was caught 104 times, while NY was caught 80. Atlanta was caught more times than 12 teams had stolen bases. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Santa Fe Surf Riders are riding no free waves this past season, only stealing 19 bases of the 37 they attempted. 

Minor League

AAA: 

Wichita over Columbus 4-3 (to be updated)

MVP: Alexander Middlebrook (AL - ELP, 27 - 2nd Straight) & Wilkin Javier (NL - LA, 26)

Cy Young: Jose Despaigne (AL - Min, 25) & Yan Manzanillo (NL - NO, 24)

AA: 

Vancouver over Wichita 4-1

MVP: Yadier Saenz (AL - Hel, 21) & Yuniesky Tavarez (NL - Chi, 22)

Cy Young: Paul Chang (AL - Mont, 21) & Benji Gonzalez (NL - NO, 21)

A+: 

New Orleans over Anaheim 4-1

MVP: Hugh McMillan (AL - Ana, 22) & Markus Justice (NL - LA, 23)

Cy Young: Al Black (AL - Hou, 23) & Eric Kane (NL - SJ, 21)

A-: 

Hartford over Wichita 4-2

MVP: Kyle Crain (AL - Atl, 21) & Marv Broome (NL - Van, 23)

Cy Young: Leuris Smith (AL - Col, 23) & Sebastian Taillon (NL, NO, 22)

Rookie: 

New Orleans over Wichita 4-3 

MVP: Juan Gonzalez (AL - Atl, 18) & Bernard Morton (NL - DC, 20)

Cy Young: Michael Henry (AL - Min, 22) & Alejandro Romero (NL - Aus, 20)

Great minor league seasons by both Wichita and New Orleans with both teams playing in three of the five minor league world series. NO with the advantage (winning 2 of their 3) and the head to head victory in Rookie ball. Should be exciting to see if any of these players make the ML roster in the not to distant future. 

Record Books

Look at the single season records, here is anybody who placed within the top 5 of a category. (electing to not include those who tie for 5th)

• HITTING
• None
• PITCHING
• None
• FIELDING
• None

Moving on to team records.

• HITTING
• Philadelphia Harpers tied last year's record for most Strikeouts. 
• PITCHING
• None
• FIELDING
• None

Career Records

• Batting
• Batting Average: Al Samuel - .334
• Home Runs: Albert Cruz - 771
• RBI: Albert Cruz - 2,032
• Hits: Johnny Sherman - 3,232
• Runs: Andres Candelaria - 1,927
• Stolen Bases: William Katou - 957
• Hit Streak - Jose Pizzaro - 42
• Pitching
• Wins: Chick Munson - 334
• Saves: Jace Sale - 716
• Strikeouts: Chick Munson - 4,190
• Quality Starts: Chick Munson - 462
• Complete Games: Chick Munson - 105
• ERA: Yeico Miranda - 2.21
• WHIP: Jair James - 1.00
• OAV: Jair James - .191

Award Winners
(* indicates Hall of Famer member)

• MVP
• 7 Time
• Alex Tarraga (NL - S39, 41, 42, 43, 45, 46, 47)
• 6 Time
• *Willie Cerda (AL - S23, 25, 30, 31, 32. NL - S29)
• 5 Time
• 4 Time
• *Albert Cruz (AL - S22, 23, 24, 27)
• 3 Time
• Don Sparks (NL - S27, 30, 31)
• Omar Berroa (AL - S39, 41, 43)
• 2 Time
• Brian Taylor (NL - S1, 2)
• Moises Terrero (AL - S1. NL - S3)
• Jordan Abernathy (AL - S2, 4)
• *Rafael Benitez (AL - S6, 10)
• *Dan Carter (NL - S7. AL - S11)
• *Bill Everhart (NL - S6, 13)
• *Johnny Sherman (AL - S9, 14)
• *Brutus Henry (AL - S12, 16)
• Morgan Cerda (AL - S18, 19)
• Dustan Jackson (AL - S20, 21)
• Ray Rudolph (NL - S19, 24)
• Sean Gosling (AL - S35, 36)
• Raul Galvez (AL - S34, 37)
• Haywood Swann (NL - S36, 37)
• Yoenis Portillo (NL - S34, 38)
• Yohan Mairena (NL - S38, 40)
• Yoervis Colome (AL - S44, 47)
• Omar Gonzales (NL - S48, S49)
• 1 Time
• Stuart Paulson (AL - S1)
• Ed Morris (AL - S3)
• Buddy Poole (NL - S4)
• Hector Ball (AL - S5)
• Martin McCarty (NL - S5)
• Charlie Dickinson (AL - S7)
• Zach Charles (AL - S8)
• Marvin Mays (NL - S8)
• Dennis Jefferies (NL - S9)
• Jose Rijo (NL - S10)
• Stevie Stanley (NL - S11)
• Chico Villarreal (AL - S12)
• Fred McNamara (NL - S12)
• Clarence Loney (AL - S13)
• Al Samuel (NL - S14)
• *Mendy Kondou (AL - S15)
• Ollie Brock (NL - S15)
• Jose Pizzaro (NL - S16)
• Elston Lloyd (Al - S17)
• *Andres Candelaria (NL - S17)
• Howard Greer (NL - S18)
• *Eugene Brantley (AL - S21)
• Pascual Hernandez (NL - S21)
• Felipe James (NL - S22)
• Vic Park (AL - S25)
• Vic Crowe (AL - S26)
• *Ahmed Ratliff (NL - S26)
• Vladimir Troncoso (AL - S28)
• Dorian Whitaker (NL - S28)
• Timothy Steinbach (AL - S29)
• Jared Gonzales (NL - S32)
• Francis King (AL - S33)
• Julian Barber (NL - S33)
• Yasmany Cubillan (NL - S34)
• Edinson Hernandez (NL - S35)
• Greg James (AL - S38)
• Gregory Treinen (AL - S40)
• Carl Rossy (AL - S42)
• Geronimo Nunez (NL - S44)
• Andres Estrada (AL - S45)
• Birdie Kydd (AL - S46)
• Bonk Burnett (AL - S48)
• Felipe Benitez (AL - S49)
• Cy Young
• 6 Time
• *James Haselman (AL - S13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 22)
• 5 Time
• *Norman LaPorta (NL - S13, 14, 21, 25, 26)
• Jair James (NL - S38, 40, 44, 46, 47)
• 4 Time
• *Carl Sosa (AL - S5, 6, 8, 10)
• *Don Monahan (NL - S20, 23, 27, 28)
• Gregor Lopez (NL - S36, 39, 41, 45)
• 3 Time
• *Chris Pendleton (AL - S7, 12. NL - S17)
• *Thomas Hutchinson (AL - S21, 24, 26
• *Francisco Aramboles (AL - S25, 27, 28)
• *Chick Munson (AL - S31, 36, 38)
• Magglio Exposito (AL - S40, 42, 47)
• Gerald Kojima (AL - S41, 44. NL - 48)
• 2 Time
• Francis Munoz (AL - S1, S2)
• Justin Powell (NL - S5, 8)
• Vasco Serra (NL - S7, 8)
• *Barry Carew (NL - S6, 9)
• *Alberto Beltre (NL - S11. AL - S16)
• *Harry Mieses (NL - S15, 16)
• Lewis Peterson (NL - S18, 22)
• *Douglas Banks (NL - S19, 24)
• *Red Collins (NL - S30, 33)
• Sherman Berkman (NL - S37, 38)
• Carlos Colome (AL - S33, 39)
• Bob Graves (AL - S34, 42)
• Jimmie Hartman (AL - S35, 43)
• Louis Conley (AL - S43, 46)
• J.C. Wall (AL - S45, 49)
• 1 Time
• Calvin Pong (NL - S1)
• Harry Farr (NL - S2)
• Tony Saunders (AL - S3)
• Octavio Solano (NL - S3)
• *Ken Evans (AL - S4)
• Billy Cox (NL - S4)
• was also Fireman of Year - S4
• *Sammy Felix (NL - S5)
• was also Fireman of Year - S5
• Timo Green (NL - S6)
• Emmett Rhodes (AL - S9)
• Julio Rodriguez (NL - S10)
• *Edgar Cortez (AL - S11)
• Alex Andrus (NL - S12)
• Emmanuel Cora (AL - S15)
• Carlos Pena (NL - 15)
• was also Fireman of Year - S15
• *Victor Almanzar (AL - S17)
• Ron Gross (AL - S23)
• *Yeico Oliva (AL - S29)
• Josh Stark (NL - S29)
• Randall Washington (AL - S30)
• Quilvio Odor (NL - S31)
• Felipe Sosa (AL - S32)
• Erubiel Morales (NL - S32)
• Ryan Fisher (AL - S34)
• Monte Daley (NL - S35)
• Olmedo Valdez (AL - S36)
• Ned Morris (NL - S36)
• Arismendy Costilla (AL - S48)
• Alan Street (NL - S49)
• Fireman of the Year
• 6 Time
• 5 Time
• Al Balentien (NL - S34, 35, 39, 40, 41)
• Jace Sale (AL - S35, 37, 40, 42, 48)
• 4 Time
• Arthur Camilli (AL - S11, 13, 14, 20)
• 3 Time
• *Sammy Felix (NL - S2, 3, 5)
• Billy Cox (NL - S4, 6, 7)
• Anthony Gordon (AL - S2, 7, 10)
• Allen Cox (AL - S16, 18, 19)
• Rodrigo Ontiveros (NL - S24, 25, 30)
• 2 Time
• Leon Meyer (NL - S9, 12)
• Jung Hasegawa (NL - S17, 19)
• Marvin Walsh (NL - S16, 20)
• Homer Butler (NL - S18, 21)
• Gus Masaoka (AL - S23, 24)
• Walt White (AL - S22, 27)
• Antonio Ishida (AL - S26, 28)
• Jhoulys Olmedo (AL - S29, 32)
• Troy Hudek (AL - S33, 34)
• Eduardo Jose (NL - S37, 38)
• Yeico Miranda (AL - S38, 39)
• Abdul Melton (NL - S45, 46)
• Christopher Romero (AL - S46, 47)
• 1 Time
• Julio Perez (NL - S1)
• Valerio Rodriguez (AL - S1)
• Paul Watson (AL - S3)
• Jeremi Welsh (AL - S4)
• Pat Smith (AL - S5)
• Yamil Alvarez (AL - S6)
• Luis Gonzales (AL - S8)
• Del Campos (NL - S8)
• Pat Smith (Al - S9)
• Wilson Bonds (NL - S10)
• Thurman Sandford (NL - S11)
• Felix Tamura (AL - S12)
• Mark Ogawa (NL - S13)
• Carlos Pena (NL - S14, 15)
• Roger Hermida (AL - S15)
• Edwin Radlosky (AL - S17)
• Jayson Klesko (AL - S21)
• Manuel Estrada (NL - S22)
• Will Ogden (NL - S23)
• Carlos Pena (AL - S25)
• Dock Kramer (NL - S26)
• Tomo Hayashi (NL - S27)
• Chris Rivera (NL - S28)
• Will Morris (NL - S29)
• Carlos Prieto (AL - S30)
• Bob Berg (AL - S31)
• Juan Belliard (NL - S31)
• Jiggs Cuddyer (AL - S32)
• Andre Harper (NL - S33)
• Braeden Abercrombie (AL - S37)
• Larry Maday (AL - S41)
• David Gabriel (NL - S42)
• Deivi Perez (AL - S43)
• Felipe Barrios (NL - S43)
• Alfredo De Aza (AL - S44)
• Eric Pride (NL - S44)
• Roger Franco (AL - S45)
• Tony Espinosa (AL - S47)
• Ron Steenstra (NL - S48)
• Bobby Davis (AL - S49)
• Ronnie Andrews (NL - S49)

Franchise Titles
(bold is recent winner)

• 5 Titles
• Atlanta (S3, 10, 26, 27, 29)
• Houston (S4, 7, 8, 28, 33)
• 4 Titles
• Anaheim (S15, 18, 19, 32)
• El Paso (S36, 41, 43, 44)
• Oklahoma City (S40, 42, 45, 47)
• Pittsburgh (S2, 21, 22, 23)
• 3 Titles
• Chicago (S9, 11, 12)
• Buffalo (S24, 39, 49)
• 2 Titles
• Monterrey (S17, 37)
• New Orleans (S31, 35)
• Santa Fe (S1, 30)
• Washington DC (S6, 14)
• Colorado Springs (S20, 48)
• 1 Title
• Austin (S16)
• Boston (S38)
• Los Angeles (S13)
• Helena (S46)
• Milwaukee (S5)
• Colorado (S34)
• Vancouver (S25)
• 0 Titles
• Cincinnati
• Columbus
• Dover
• Montreal
• New York (AL)
• Ottawa
• Philadelphia
• Salt Lake City
• San Juan
• Scranton
• Wichita

How They Were Built! - NY Empire

 Jessica Fletcher - contributing reporter

Building off last year's articles of how teams were built, we'll take a look at the New York Empire who have been a top team in the league and winners of the AL East the last 10 seasons. With a big time payroll, let's take a look how this year's team was exactly put together. The Empire are built for the regular season, often times leading the league in wins but always seem to struggle to win playoff series. Starting with their first division title back in Season 39, they are 7-10 with two World Series appearances. But since their last World Series appearance in Season 42, they are 2-6. This year so far has been no different, they are sitting on a 10 game lead above the #2 team in the AL and home field advantage throughout. They own a 14 game lead on the top NL team, so maybe this is their year!

The Empire hold a league leading 221 run differential, one of 5 teams above 100. Their pitching staff is second in strikes outs, 5th in earned runs, 4th in home runs against, 4th in OAV, and 5th in ERA. While their bats are first in runs, 4th in home runs, and 4th in OBP. Their defense has been getting it done too, 8th in plus plays, first in (fewest) negative plays, and 6th in fewest errors. 

• Finances - 9 straight seasons (32-40) he kept payroll down below $50M, allowing the extra bump in Prospect spending. 5 of those seasons he was below $30M (2 seasons below $20M). 5 straight seasons he was able to spend more than $45M on prospects. But that was seasons ago, let's see how many of those names remain. During those rebuild years, for the Rule 4, they focused practically solely on teenage kids out of High School in the early rounds. 
• The Good (starters as of writing) 
• Harry Padilla (2B) - Harry signed a $26.7M international deal during Season 39 and after a single arbitration year, signed an extension during Season 46 to the tune of 4/36 that ends after this season. Given NY's spending and Padilla's performance, hitting .296 with 19 HRs and 55 SBs in the leadoff spot, alexng6888 will look to resign him before he actually reaches free agency. 
• Felipe Benitez (RF) - A Free Agent signing prior to last season. Has 3/54 left on his deal. 
• Yoervis Colome (LF) - Colome comes to the Empire as an International Free Agent signing during Season 40 and cost alex a cool $32M. At only 27 years old, he still has a good bit left in the tank and becomes a free agent after next season when he finishes a 3/27.9 deal signed back in Season 48. 
• Eduardo Figureoa (1B) - A Season 39 trade with the Helena Hot Dogs for Luis Banuelos and Jeff Newfield; oddly enough as of this season both of those guys are playing for the Chicago Gunslingers now.  
• Jon Everett (3B) - Signed a S47 for 5/34 deal that has him part of the Empire through S51; his age 36 season. Could we see another 1 or 2 year out of him? 
• Omar Acevedo (C) - Acevedo came to New York as a S44 free agent 5/26.5 deal and followed that up last offseason with a one year extension worth 3.8M. Still getting starts and having a career year at the plate, hitting .300 so far this season; we'll see if Alex brings him back for another year. 
• Enrique Mateo (CF) - Mateo came to the Empire during a Season 38 spending spree on International talent for $650k. At 30 years old, he's just now making his ML debut this season.
• Ramiro Tarraga (SS) - Making a sweet $2,800,014 this season as part of his second time through arbitration. Tarraga joined the Empire way back in Season 38 via trade with Ernie Scheffer, sending Dave Reaves to Washington DC Franchise (then Florida Sharks - second to last time they had a winning record). 
• Butch Clevenger (DH) - First round pick of the final "rebuild" season. Drafted at pick #26 out of West High School in Sioux City, Iowa. This 27 yr old still has one more year of arbitration left before he's eligible for free agency. 
• Vin Prieto (DH) - Joined the Empire the same season as Colome, Season 40 but Prieto was drafted in the Rule 4 draft at pick #3 after a 53-109 finish to Season 39. Probably to no one's surprise, the Empire then went 90-72 in Season 40 and have won at least 100 games every season since. Spent quite a few seasons in the minors and will finally reach arbitration next off-season. 
• The Bad (bench)
• Nerio Cameron (2B) - The young 2B was signed as a bench role player this season on a 1 year, $950k deal. Nice deal for Nerio considering he's only played 38 games this year. 
• Forrest Hughes (3B) - A Free Agent signing this past offseason on a one year - $820k deal. Considering he's a safety net backup that's logged 39 ABs with some defensive replacements at 3B (50 innings), that's a decent signing. 
• Herman Hines (SS) - Hines has been with NY since being drafted 15th overall in Season 33. At this point he's a role-player and only hitting .217 this season and is wrapping up the final year of a 3/16.5 he signed back in Season 47. 
• The Ugly (injuries)
• None
• The Mound
• Magglio Exposito (SP1) - A Season 32 IFA signing for $29.6M, becomes a Free Agent once his 2/16.4 contract expires after this season. Considering he has the second lowest ERA of his career this season, many will likely look to sign him up for his age 36 season. 
• Louis Conley (SP2) - This one gets fun, he was drafted in Season 36 as the top over all pick after an abysmal 48-114 season. But he was traded to Montreal (then Augusta) during Season 45 for much of the year before becoming a free agent and returning home to NY on a 5/100 deal that keeps him there through his age 32 season next year. How close will he get to another max deal? 
• Jiovanni Poole (SP3) - Acquired in a Season 43 deal with Salt Lake City (then Honolulu) a year after he was drafted #5 overall. Also acquired Juan Carlos Calixte (C) in the deal, but he is still in AAA ball. Players going the opposite way include Ben Curtis (current C at ML level for Salt Lake City), Forrest Kelly who signed a S48 offseason deal with Austin, and Octavio Castillo who left Honolulu to sign with Santa Fe in Season 47. 
• Del Alvarez (SP4) - Acquired in the Season 45 trade with Montreal (then Augusta - same owner) along with Walt Hall (who had 2 good seasons in NYC) for Louis Conley. It's gotta irk Montreal to see Alvarez and Conley pitching together. 
• Bernie Tavarez (SP5) - Speaking of those early rebuild years, Tavarez signed with the Empire has an international free agent back in Season 37 for $10.7M and after his third time through arbitration will potentially be a free agent this coming season as a 31 yr old. 20 game winner in Season 48 and owns a 3.90 career ERA. 
• Torii Waters (LRA) - 15 seasons in Cobbfather but only his second year with the Empire. Waters becomes a free agent after this season after signing a 2/5.3 deal last year. Given some of his regression this season, our bets is Waters retires. 
• Wilfredo Santiago (LRA) - Wilfredo has been with the Empire for nearly 10 years after signing an IFA deal during Season 35 for $10.9M. His 4/21.6 deal expires after this season. Will he get a full 10th season with the Empire?
• Glynn Haas (SuA) - Another Season 49 signing who hasn't logged too many innings this year; appearing in 35 games for 39 innings thus far. Signed a 3/16.8 deal. 
• Radhamas Machado (SuA) - Season 41 IFA signing for $24M. Has one more arbitration year remaining before he becomes a free agent. Signing a $6.07M Arb 2 deal, you have to wonder how much a third year will cost New York or if they will be able to sign an extension with him. 
• Rafael Marquez (SuA) - Would you be surprised if I told you he signed with New York as an IFA in Season 42? Signed for an easy $6M, just goes to show you don't need to spend $20M+ for an ML level talent oversees. 
• Jung Nishioka (SuB) - Another cheap IFA signing by alex in Season 39 for $3.5M. Give his usage, we don't think we'll see him as part of the Empire for much longer once he reaches a year into arbitration. 
• Noe Tejera (SuB) - Yet another international signing from the Empire back in Season 38, needing only $900k to head to New York. This season was his third time through arbitration, so we'll see where he ends up next. 

Given the financials we shouldn't be surprised about the number of International Free Agents they've signed, but I can't blame the players; New York City has its perks. Where this stud of a team doesn't look for talent? Rule 5 draft or the Waiver Wire, let's leave those players for weaker teams! Running total - for this purpose we will note how the player was first acquired by the team.

• 6 players acquired via Free Agency
• 5 players acquired via Rule 4 Draft
• 0 players acquired via Rule 5 Draft
• 10 players acquired via International Free Agency
• 4 players acquired via Trade. 
• 0 players claimed of Waivers