Jessica Fletcher - contributing reporter
Time to take a look at how the defending NL and World Champions were made. In the previous writeup we took at look at Colorado Springs, who is cruising and currently tied with the best record in the AL and hold a 4 game lead out West. Back on the NL side, OKC is currently johnneck's Salt Lake City Tabernacles by a single game. The Mid-season power rankings had the Barons ranked #5 and currently has the 6th highest run differential at 65. Well below New York at #1 with 193. But likely most recent years their team ERA is best in the league. With a mixture of that park (-4 to both HRLF & HRRF) and the pitching staff, you'll be lucky to score against them.
- Finances - since taking over the team, klown has only dipped below a player payroll of 70, twice. With the last seven years never dipping below $100M. Unlike Colorado Springs who built spent a small fortune in IFA, OKC has kept their prospect budget minimal, only three in klown's ownership going above $12M and again unlike Colorado Springs; only once above $22M. He doesn't spend much on coaching either, and considering the minimal prospect budget there's likely not much in any of their scouting departments either.
- The Good (starters as of writing)
- Jordan Taylor (C) - vL - Drafted with the 78th pick overall back in 2nd round of Season 41. Playing his 3rd ML season with the Barons.
- Angel Johnson (C) - vR - Signed a one year $1M deal this past offseason and hitting to the tune of .317 so far. This just shows it's not how much you have, but how you spend it.
- Andres Estrada (1B) - Playing on the final year of a two year $13.6M deal prior to Season 47.
- Gary Standridge (2B) - Acquired in klown's initial season of ownership, S35 from the Santa Fe for Alberto Gonzalez (who played another 8 seasons with the team).
- Al Hernandez (SS) - One of the few IFA's you'll find on this team, only cost the team a cool $3.5M back in S35.
- Al Little (3B) - Signed a 5/$41M deal this past offseason.
- Al Munson (LF) - vL - Drafted in S39 with the #46 overall pick.
- Chul Takada (LF) - vR - The third IFA signing by klown, this one in S36 but unlike the others this one cost him $12.1M.
- Richie Barkley (RF) - Only in klown's second season, but drafted #2 overall in S36 - signed for slot.
- Darren Hughes (CF) - S40 #21 overall draft pick - signed for slot.
- The Bad (bench)
- Leandro Sierra (2B) - Drafted during the Kansas City years for klown with pick #41 of Season 39 as a freshman out of college.
- Archie Wallace (SS) - Was the S40 #47 overall pick, signed for slot.
- Chi-Chi Rojas (SS) - Was a $1.9M IFA signing back in S37.
- Wil Borders (CF) - Signed a 2/$8.4M deal last offseason.
- The Ugly (injuries)
- None
- The Mound
- Jason Gates (SP1) - Acquired via trade with El Paso Ploppies earlier this season along with $5M in exchange for Brent Belinda (SS) & Grant Crick (RP).
- Jair James (SP2) - Draft by the franchise the year before Klown took over with the #5 overall pick back in S34.
- Albert Robbins (SP3) - Originally the #2 pick in S36's Rule 5 draft. Can't believe the (now) Huntington franchise let this one slip through the cracks.
- Diego Parraz (SP4) - On the 3rd year of a 5/$39M deal signed prior to S46.
- Del Baez (SP5) - Playing on the first of a 2/$12.6M deal signed this past offseason.
- Eric Hampton (SuA) - Playing on the second year of a 5/$37.5M deal signed prior to S47.
- Enrique Eusebio (SuB) - Another Rule 5 selection by klown in S44 with pick #32.
- Jimmie Hartman (SuB) - Acquired via trade with Jackson Flaxon-Waxon in S42 in exchange for Marvin Christian (CF) & Tim Malloy (2B).
- Napoleon McKnight (SuB) - Drafted in S40 with the #38 overall pick.
- Vance Douglas (SuB) - Drafted in S41 with the #46 overall pick.
- Willie Fischbach (SuB) - Drafted in S40 with the #56 overall pick.
This year's team were acquired mostly from the Rule 4 draft and smart spending in Free Agency. With the occasional dip into IFA, trades, and Rule 5. Overall it appears to be some smart moves and good supplemental round raft picks.
- 7 players acquired via Free Agency
- 10 players acquired via Rule 4 Draft
- 2 players acquired via Rule 5 Draft
- 3 players acquired via International Free Agency
- 3 players acquired via Trade.
- 0 players claimed of Waivers