S56 Power Rankings Update

Richard Castle - contributing reporter

Activity has been lacking on the blog, but Skynet is always busy running the rankings. Here we are at the halfway point, let's jump right to it:

In the AL - Atlanta and Helena still own their sizeable leads, but Minnesota and Houston own less than 5 games leads. If Philly doesn't end up winning the division it's very likely they miss out on the playoffs too. Huntington has come on strong as of late and aren't letting Houston pull away. The AL North winner has a chance to still have a losing record. 

In the NL - The top three teams in the League all come from the NL North. Similar to the AL North, the NL East could end up winning the division with a losing record. The NL West is tight as Vancouver has pulled within 2.5 games of the division. Even with all the extensions, is New Orleans ownership of the NL South coming to an end with the new owner in Charleston hanging tight?  

If we look at how each team has expected to win based off recent play, here is what we'd see. Champs and Wildcard are listed based on expected win percentages. Current playoff teams are highlighted in bold.  

1. .743 - Atlanta Expos (AL-E Champ)
2. .737 - Hartford Rising Stars (NL-N Champ)
3. .661 - Helena Hot Dogs (AL-W Champ)
4. .659 - Chicago Gunslingers (NL Wildcard 1)
5. .646 - Houston Space Cowboys (AL-S Champ)
6. .632 - Huntington Tropics (Wildcard 1)
7. .622 - New Orleans Hurricane Dodgers (NL-S Champ)
8. .586 - Oklahoma City Barons (NL-W Champ)
9. .562 - Minnesota Nort Stars (AL-N Champ)
10. .547 - Boston Baseball Team (Wildcard 2)
11. .525 - Tokyo Nomo (NL Wildcard 2)
12. .518 - Charleston Offspring
13. .504 - Salt Lake City Punk!
14. .503 - Vancouver Canucks
15. .495 - Philadelphia Harpers
16. .490 - Anaheim Diablos
17. .474 - Pittsburgh Yinzers (NL E Champ)
18. .470 - Colorado Springs From My Loins
19. .467 - Salem Bourbon Makers
20. .450 - Montreal Fighting Poutine Plate
21. .436 - Columbus Corgis
22. .433 - Buffalo Bisons
23. .432 - Augusta Alcoholics
24. .432 - Jacksonville Lizard Kings
25. .422 - Santa Fe Surf Riders VIII
26. .398 - Washington DC Nationals
27. .387 - Dover Hazmats
28. .385 - Milwaukee Metronomes
29. .360 - Mexico City Staring Frogs
30. .330 - New York Empire
31. .343 - Tacoma Tanks Aroma
32. .317 - Austin Son's of Odin

S56 First Power Rankings

 Richard Castle - contributing reporter

Skynet took a little break and are a few games behind (schedule), much like the Commissioner's team in the standings. By record as of this writing here are the top 5 records:

• 35-9
• Atlanta (AL-E)
• 31-13
• Helena (AL-W)
• 30-14
• Hartford (NL-N), Houston (AL-S)
• 27-17
• Chicago (NL-N), Oklahoma City (NL-W)
• 24-20
• Montreal (NL-N), New Orleans (NL-S)

Atlanta, and Helena have already started pulling away from their divisions.

If we look at how each team has expected to win based off recent play, here is what we'd see. Champs and Wildcard are listed based on expected win percentages. Current playoff teams are highlighted in bold. 

1. .771 - Atlanta Expos (AL-E Champ)
2. .726 - Hartford Rising Stars (NL-N Champ)
3. .669 - Oklahoma City Barons (NL-W Champ)
4. .646 - Helena Hot Dogs (AL-W Champ)
5. .634 - Chicago Gunslingers (NL Wildcard 1)
6. .632 - Houston Space Cowboys (AL-S Champ)
7. .626 - Tokyo Nomo (NL Wildcard 2)
8. .598 - New Orleans Hurricane Dodgers (NL-S Champ)
9. .590 - Huntington Tropics (AL Wildcard 1)
10. .531 - Salem Bourbon Makers
11. .530 - Philadelphia Harpers (AL-N Champ)
12. .526 - Minnesota North Stars (AL Wildcard 2)
13. .509 - Pittsburgh Yinzers (NL- Champ)
14. .506 - Charleston Offspring
15. .488 - Boston Baseball Team
16. .472 - Buffalo Bisons 
17. .469 - Salt Lake City Punk!
18. .459 - Columbus Corgis 
19. .454 - Anaheim Diablos
20. .448 - Augusta Alcoholics
21. .435 - Colorado Springs From My Loins
22. .423 - Santa Fe Surf Riders VIII
23. .417 - Milwaukee Metronomers
24. .416 - Montreal Fighting Poutine Plates 
25. .406 - Dover Hazmats
26. .404 - Vancouver Canucks
27. .397 - Jacksonville Lizard Kings
28. .372 - Austin Son's of Odin
29. .361 - Washington DC Nationals
30. .357 - Mexico City Staring Frongs
31. .349 - New York Empire
32. .297 - Tacoma Aroma 

Prepping for the Draft

 Gabrielle  O. Alvarez-Tillman - Contributing Reporter.

Draft season is just around the corner. This is the time of year that will make or break a season for teams like Tacoma, Mexico City, Dover, New York, and Montreal. As they continue a rebuild, a blown pick could set them back another season or two. Let's hope they don't "a pull a Mini" and are able to secure their picks this season. 

Here's some things we know, or at least assume we know based on knowledge of previous seasons and habits. 

• Anaheim - likely to take highest projected HS player they were able to scout & strong chance they won't sign anybody after the 5th round. 
• Atlanta - given the early IFA signing this one becomes a little tougher to project, our guess is this team goes black and white. Either signs all their draft picks in hope they land something nice, or doesn't sign much hoping to land a somewhat cheap IFA later in the season. 
• Augusta - will draft their fair share of college frat boys to line their minor leagues. With 3 picks in the Top 65, they are hoping for some depth in this year's draft. 
• Austin - a mixed bag of HS and College players with one player drafted somewhere in 6-10 that doesn't get signed. 
• Boston - players drafted by Boston need to be aware that just because you are drafted doesn't mean you get signed. Our guess is it will be a College heavy draft for CollegeBoy33. 
• Buffalo - Similar to the B team brother, it should be well known they will draft nothing but college kids. Buffalo hasn't touched a high schooler since the league was 19 years old. I swear mister officer, the league said it was Season 21!
• Charleston - Hard to tell with the change in ownership. 
• Chicago - An early focus on High Schoolers and good chance they sign majority of their picks. 
• Colorado Springs - Chicago, but your guess is as good as mine if they sign. Some seasons yes, some seasons no. 
• Columbus - We think recent focus has shifted to College kids, which makes sense given the payroll and focus on winning now. 
• Dover - Will be focused on the long term plan with High Schoolers being the initial target. 
• Hartford - Only expect them to sign no more than 40% of their draft picks with a focus on HS.  
• Helena - Should be a college heavy draft unless they divert back to HS, but your guess is as good as mine on how many they will sign. 
• Houston - Will sign their top 3 picks and maybe a couple more, but that is all. And likely only college players at that. 
• Huntington - Won't even look at anybody after the 10th round. Might not even sign anyone outside of the top 100 picks. 
• Jacksonville - Hard to tell with the change in ownership. 
• Mexico City - With owners before him not signing anything, he'll sign every piece he can but they will likely all be college kids. 
• Milwaukee - Leans college but will mix in a few High School kids. Likely to sign the majority of picks as well. 
• Minnesota - High school heavy draft, but likely has quite a few that are drafted and go off to college instead of playing in Minny. 
• Montreal - High school heavy front end of draft but shifts to college kids for the back end of the draft. It's a crap shoot on how many prospects they sign. Might depend on what they are saving for those international stars. 
• New Orleans - One year he signs everybody but their top pick, the next they sign nobody and filling their minors with older tired prospects. 
• New York - Will likely take the opposite strategy they've taken in IFA, and not hand out too many contracts and likely to draft 85% high school players. 
• Oklahoma City - Another club that is focused on High Schoolers, and should sign the majority of them. Positive vibes to this club. 
• Philadelphia - Mixed bag, but this year's Rookie club appears pretty full; we'll see if last year's crop gets waived or if they save money and don't sign this year's draft prospects. Most players don't last more than a year in the club. 
• Pittsburgh - Should likely be college focused but who knows with this club after trading with corner stone Rip Bromberg! The Yinzer faithful...if you can call anyone from Pittsburg faithful, are upset with ownership. 
• Salem - favors college players but isn't afraid to grab a high schooler. If you are drafted after round 10, and your signability goes WAY down with staeben. 
• Salt Lake City - should sign majority of their draftees and appears to be in the mood for a high schooler...errr, that didn't come out right but perhaps they shift back to more seasons prospects. 
• Santa Fe - No High Schoolers allowed club! If you get drafted, there's a 99% chance you get signed. 
• Tacoma - The wildcard, could go HS or College. Could sign their entire drafted prospect list, sign five of them, or sign none of them. 
• Tokyo - Will go all high schoolers, and likely to sign the majority of its drafted prospects. 
• Vancouver - Struggles to find players or even people interested in Canada, much less Vancouver. 
• Washington DC - Still new to the league, we'll see how he rights the ship in the nation's capital. 

S56 On the Clock - redrafting S46

Gabrielle  O. Alvarez-Tillman - Contributing Reporter.

Another year of our new On The Clock series that looks back at decade old drafts. We finished out S45 with Oklahoma City (klown61455) winning the title against Colorado Springs (topoftheworl), and I'm proud to say both owners are currently still in the league. OKC seems to be pushing for another title while Colorado Springs is on the tail end and eventually pushing into rebuild mode.  There were 16 Type A Free Agents to sign, with under half of them landing in the first round. That seems to be a recurring theme as last year 3 of 6 costing first round picks. Might make people rethink holding on to those Type As at the deadline. We'll take a look at each pick, where they are now, and who might have been a better pick (hindsight is everything!) for the first 15-20 picks. The Atlanta Expos (#23) and Honolulu 'Apapanes (#32) both landed Type D picks in the first round; further pushing back the value of the compensation round. 

Take a look at our original recap and let's see how the players have turned out after what should be their first couple of years in the majors. Let's take a look at what could have been the best possible outcome at each pick in a perfect world where everyone has a crystal ball. 

All-in, this group has accounted for 14 all-star appearances, 5 silver slugger awards, 3 gold gloves, 2 fireman of the year, and 12 world series ring (Atlanta's S51 & 53 rings account for the majority of players)

Asterisk denotes picks selected by another owner. Any stats listed are as of this initial draft of this article.

1. *Florida (New Orleans) - Lew Kennedy (SS)
• Good ole Lew! He was projected to be the Shortstop version of Kyle Crain, but alas his mother wanted him to go to college; where we hear he flunked out and was never heard from again. Failing to sign the first pick in the draft as since been referred to as 'Pulling a Mini'. Sad to see a rebuilding team, or any team really, blow the #1 overall pick. 
• Redraft Pick: Matty Moss (prev #2) - Imagine Moss lined up with Quevedo, Martin, and either Cordero or Laxton in the future NOOF years!. It's a lot of speed and doubles, but the lineup needed the power of Cordero and Laxton. 
2. Atlanta - Matty Moss (2B) 
• By far the best pick the draft and helped pave the way for the success of the Atlanta Expos. 
• Stats: 1224 games, .282 avg, 177 hr, 734 sb, 1086 r, 615 rbi, 589 bb, 827 k. 5x All Star, 3x 2B Silver Slugger, 2x World Series rings. 
• Redraft Pick: Jim Fien (SP)
3. *Washington DC - Rocky Steenstra (3B)
• Traded in S48 and reacquired the following season where he was given a promotion to the majors. His average has been anywhere from .230 to .288 but never hit more than 21 HRs or stolen more than 10 bases. He strikes out nearly 2.5x more than walks. Unfortunately he hasn't turned out the Gold Gloves the blog thought he would at 3B. 
• Stats: 1047 games, .260 avg, 43 hr, 39 sb, 385 r, 442 rbi, 301 bb, 780 k. 
• Redraft Pick: Leo Wood (DH)
4. *Arizona (Salem) - Jose Romano (RP)
• Romano hasn't appeared in the majors since the 7 games back in S54. This is a tough #4 pick to swallow. If it weren't for the failed signing of the #1 pick, this would be the worst pick in the draft. After pick #2, these picks seem to be getting worst. Perhaps the curse is real, it's shown proven itself 10 years later. 
• Stats: 120 games, 1 start, 6-16, 5/10 saves, 197 ip, 57 bb, 142 k, 1.35 whip, 3.69 era. 
• Redraft Pick: Nomar Rodgers (1B)
5. *Charlotte (Huntington) - Wilfredo Martin (RP)
• Has often thrown 100+ innings the last few seasons, With an ERA above 5 since S54, one has to wonder if his prime is now past. The ratings are there, but the output just isn't matching up. Hard to believe he's blown so many games. 
• Stats: 390 games, 27-38, 62/94 saves, 612 ip, 203 bb, 523 k, 1.40 whip, 4.39 era. 1x All Star
• Redraft Pick: Chuck Herndon (C)
6. Chicago - Lariel Ordaz (P)
• Traded to Helena in S49 but released prior to entering his Arb years where he then signed a FA deal with Santa Fe until S58 on the cheap. Not a great #6 pick. 
• Stats: 146 games, 82 starts, 17-40, 7/8 saves, 531 ip, 222 bb, 341 k. 1.50 whip, 5.25 era. 
• Redraft Pick: Steve Etherton (RP)
7. Austin - Johnny Jay (SP)
• Austin seems to love them some JJ. After 1 year of Arb, they signed him to a 3 year extension buying out 1 FA year. After testing FA, JJ showed some love back to Austin, signing a new deal to return to the team. Currently signed through next season. 
• Stats: 191 games, 191 stars, 63-67, 1159 ip, 408 bb, 919 k, 1.44 whip, 4.62 era. 
• Redraft Pick: Mallex Borenstein (RF)
8. *Anaheim - Max Borenstein (RF)
• Bore-en-stein couldn't be extended after going through Arbitration for three seasons with Anaheim, electing to chance FA after S53. He followed up with a 5/$38M deal with Santa Fe. A few DL stints in the first year of his contract has to make one wonder if he'll produce through the rest of it. 
• Stats: 1271 games, .256 avg, 234 hr, 29 sb, 606 r, 625 rbi, 396 bb, 837 k. 1x All-Star
• Redraft Pick: Sidney Houston (LF)
9. Philadelphia - Jim Fien (SP)
• Signed a 5/$36.3M prior to last season. Fien has pitched 190+ innings since S50 - his first full in the season. His W-L record as of late has slipped a bit but the talent is still there. Some will question if Philly is the 100 win team they used to be, and if they ever become a seller you can bank on them getting a sizeable return. Though as long as they are winning the division, I wouldn't expect that anytime soon. 
• Stats: 206 games, 206 starts, 80-61, 1302 ip, 438 bb, 974 k, 1.22 whip, 3.59 era. S52 World Series ring. 
• Redraft Pick: Ossie Crow (RP)
10. Dover - Leo Wood (C)
• Surprisingly he stuck at catcher for quite awhile and still with Dover but has since shifted more to DH and 1B this season. Fantastic pick and thankfully Dover is in the AL to let him DH. 
• Stats: 963 games, .276 avg. 253 hr, 551 r, 635 rbi, 386 bb, 563 k. 3x Silver Slugger C, 2x All-star. 
• Redraft Pick: Rocky Steenstra (#B)
11. *Iowa City (Augusta) - Hector Park (SS)
• Highest rated player who signed, who is no longer in the majors. Released after his Arb 1 seasons, signed with OKC and traded to Colorado Springs that same season. Went through Arb 2 and released prior to S55. 
• Stats: 643 games, .244 avg, 47 hr, 12 sb, 203 r, 168 rbi, 114 bb, 341 k. 
• Redraft Pick: Nap Ross (P)
12. Houston - Jose Ordonez (CF)
• Jose has been a popular trade bait. Going to Scranton (Tacoma) in S48, then to Atlanta in S50 before being released and signing with Washington DC. After bouncing around with limited at-bats he did finally get a full season in S54 wtih DC but is currently playing on DC's AAA club. 
• Stats: 290 games, .234 avg, 1 hr, 83 sb, 125 r, 54 rbi, 67 bb, 172 k. World Series rings in S51 & 53 - but should these even count? He had a total of 147 ABs those two seasons combined. 
• Redraft Pick: Fred Young (DH)
13. *Jacksonville - Chuck Herndon (C)
• Didn't last long in Jacksonville, who dealt him away in a package deal for Alex Perez who had a pretty good career with the club as they moved into 5 division titles in the next 6 seasons. Herndon signed his extension and is in Atlanta until S59 or the owner deals him; whichever comes first. 
• Stats: 771 games, .289 avg, 137 hr, 366 r, 431 rbi, 248 bb, 417 k. S54 All-Star. World Series rings in S51 & 53.
• Redraft Pick: Wilfredo Martin (RP)
14. Pittsburgh - Nap Ross (RP)
• I like the quote from the original draft recap: "...Pittsburgh GM shows no regard for his medical staff's opinion.". Nap's career was derailed by a HUGE DL stint last season that took his career and was unable to find a FA deal this off-season. He was used solely out of the bullpen though had the ability to start. 
• Stats: 217 games, 20-15, 10/15 saves, 357 ip, 127 bb, 284 k, 1.35 whip, 3.82 era.
• Redraft Pick: Richard Allen (RP)
15. Milwaukee - Howard Randall (RP)
• Became a Rule 5 pick in S50 by Washington DC who was in the middle of a decade long rebuild; which has since entered decade 2 but thankfully has changed ownership. We see good things in store with the new owner. 
• Stats: 311 games, 53 starts, 36-47, 12/15 saves, 259 bb, 477 k, 1.49 whip, 4.83 era.
• Redraft Pick: Tyrone Greer (CF)
16. *Tampa Bay (Mexico City) - Stefen Chavez (CF)
• Did not sign. Shouldn't be a surprise that sermonauthor didn't sign this draft pick. He's not known for shell out money to high school or college players. 
• Redraft Pick: Doesn't matter, he wouldn't have signed them anyway. 
17. *Trenton (Hartford) - Sawyer Sinclair (RP)
• A three and done reliever who was a Rule 5 pick in back to back seasons. 
• Stats: 214 games, 13-24, 17/26 saves, 273 ip, 95 bb, 187 k, 1.48 whip, 5.00 era. 
18. Vancouver - Vic Cruz (3B)
• Typical mid round pick cut in the middle of this arbitration years, this one being before his second. Signed a FA deal with Santa Fe during S55 for 4/$21.2M.
• Stats: 877 games, .253 avg, 102 hr, 58 sb, 347 r, 390 rbi, 215 bb, 678 k. 
19. *Honolulu (Tokyo) - Phillip O'Sullivan (3B)
• Traded for a rental arm during S49. But apparently even his first arbitration year was too expensive to keep him around in Washington DC. 
• Stats: 201 games, .247 avg, 9 hr, 6 sb, 42 r, 43 rbi, 30 bb, 60 k. 
20. *San Juan (Charleston) - Ned Fussell (RF)
• 28 yr old still with the club on their AAA team. 
21. *Iowa City (Augusta) - Tyrone Greer (CF) - from Santa Fe for signing Joey Pritchett
• Released prior to his Arb 3 year and signed a FA deal with Santa Fe on a 4/$20.6M deal that's set to expire after S58. Kind of funny that he ended up back in Sante Fe, who owned the original pick. 
• Stats: 815 games, .262 avg, 38 hr, 193 sb, 396 r, 259 rbi, 235 bb, 328 k. S55 CF Gold Glove. 
22. Atlanta - Nomar Rodgers (1B)  - from *Boston for signing Tony Santiago
• Atlanta elected not to extend him with their wealth of ML talent bats currently on their 25 man roster, but signed a $5M Arb 3 deal. World Series rings from S50 & 51. Should be a valuable bat to see where he lands next season, even if it's Atlanta who decides to bring him back. 
• Stats: 942 games, .277 avg, 181 hr, 9 sb, 542 r, 545 rbi, 384 bb, 502 k. 
23. Atlanta - Player (Pos) - Steve Etherton (RP) - Type D (Alejandro Latos)
• Since busting onto the scene in S49, Etherton has produced well for the Expos bullpen and playoff runs. Served as their closer for S50-52; average 40 saves those three seasons. Pitching well enough that management elected to extend him last season on a 5/$30M w/ mutual option. 
• Stats: 354 games, 29-22, 143/165 saves, 133 bb, 454 k, 1.04 whip, 2.59 era. S50 & S51 Fireman of the Year. S50 & 51 All Star. World Series rings from S51 & 53.
24. Buffalo - Julio Alomar (SP) - from *Tucson (Salt Lake City) for signing Warren Byrdak
• Signed his Arb 3 deal just this season for $4.9M and is a back of the rotation starter for the Bisons. Who might we add is also on the trading block for any teams interested. 
• Stats: 175 games, 175 starts, 62-54, 1019 ip, 432 bb, 923 k, 1.31 whip, 4.08 era. S55 P Gold Glove.
25. Columbus - Mac Poole (P)
• Released prior to his Arb 3 season and signed with Boston as a long reliever on a 3/$16.8M deal. Has seen his share of up and down seasons, but did eat 200 innings in S55. 
• Stats: 161 games, 67 starts, 20-29, 7/7 saves, 565 ip, 166 bb, 399 k, 1.35 whip, 4.40 era.
26. Augusta (Montreal) - Sidney Houston (LF)
• It's been an interesting journey for Houston. He moved with the ballclub from Augusta to Montreal (same owner) in S48 but was traded to Atlanta in S54; just a year after signing a contract extension. Lasting just a few days, he was dealt to Tokyo before being released and reclaimed by Montreal. S55 his contract was up and he resigned with Tokyo on a 2 year deal with an option on the second. Tokyo still not happy with Houston, declined the option making him a FA again. Just this off-season he signed another 2-year (2nd option) deal with Jacksonville where he currently plays. 
• Stats: 1151 games, .290 avg, 98 hr, 5 sb, 491 r, 460 rbi, 374 bb, 641 k. 
27. *Scranton (Tacoma) - Amp Atkins (RF)
• Retired after 8 years without cracking the majors.
28. Cincinnati (Minnesota) - Russell Heath (RP)
• Was traded to Buffalo during S49. Though after a rough season last year, he's been demoted to AAA but currently on the inactive roster. We aren't expecting to see him survive his Arb 2 hearing. 
• Stats: 165 games, 8-24, 40/50 saves, 185 ip, 65 bb, 151 k, 1.39 whip, 5.10 era.
29. *Tampa Bay (Mexico City) - Viosergy Reboulet (P) - from Oklahoma City for signing Ernest Lewis
• Failed to sign
30. Helena - Denny Young (RF) - from Colorado Springs for signing Cyrus May
• Struck out a ton for his .245ish average without the major power to go with it. It's no wonder he didn't last long in the best league out there!
• Stats: 429 games, .247 avg, 57 hr, 5 sb, 168 r, 195 rbi, 125 bb, 321 k. 
31. Buffalo - Paul Leius (CF)
• Failed to sign
32. *Honolulu (Tokyo) - Jandel Mullaney (3B) - Type D (Dave Patel)
• Did his 3 season tour in the majors and then ducked out. 
• Stats: 417 games, .241 avg, 41 hr, 36 sb, 147 bb, 353 k. 
33. *Tampa Bay (Mexico City) - Rio McDowell (P) - from Helena for signing Oswaldo Blanco
• Failed to sign
34. Augusta (Montreal) - Anthony Straily (Pos) - from New York for signing Louis Conley
• Finally made his ML appearance after being traded to OKC; who were rebuilding at the time. Makes since, given the "quality" of relief appearances he made. 
• Stats: 104 games, 1 start, 8-4, 205 ip, 104 bb, 142 k, 1.57 whip, 4.90 era
• LAST PICK OF THE REGULAR FIRST ROUND. 
• START OF SUPPLEMENTAL FIRST ROUND.
35. Atlanta - Charley Rhymes (2B)
• On the first of a 2/$5.2M contract with Jacksonville after brutally spending a few seasons up north with the commissioner's team. Bless this poor soul! Is anyone really surprised he didn't see time at the ML level with Atlanta? His career started off so well but has not aged well. 
• Stats: 730 games, .268 avg, 86 hr, 64 sb, 289 r, 316 rbi, 168 bb, 513 k. S54 RF Gold Glove
36. Dover - Fred Young (DH)
• Drafted as a catcher who shifted into the DH role and hit for legit power with Dover. He's on the final year of a 2/$8.4M contract, so we'll see if he ends up resigning anywhere else or if this is his last year in the majors. Earned a promotion at age 21, just his 4th year pro. 
• Stats: 843 games, .266 avg, 202 hr, 1 sb, 448 r, 505 rbi, 407 bb, 447 k. 
37. Iowa City (Augusta) - Pinky Salazar (CF)
• Pinky has 1 more season remaining after this one as part of the 5/$29M extension he signed with Augusta. Lucky for Pinky (and his Agent the Brain) he was traded to playoff hopefuls Philadelphia Harpers.
• Stats: 943 games, .249 avg, 13 hr, 136 sb, 369 r, 151 rbi, 176 bb, 377 k. 
38. *Tampa Bay (Mexico City) - Willie Solis (P)
• Failed to sign
39. *Trenton (Hartford) - Karim Pickett (RP)
• A rule 5 selection by Boston back in S51, we are surprised he even got 3 seasons in of ML ball. 
• Stats: 112 games, 9-6, 5/5 saves, 234 ip, 118 bb, 143 k, 1.75 whip, 5.62 era
40. *Honolulu (Tokyo) - Cameron Webster (RP)
• Didn't accomplish much during his tenure at the majors, one second mostly starts a second all in the bullpen. 
• Stats: 58 games, 21 starts, 3-14, 1/2 saves, 119 ip, 34 bb, 64 k, 1.54 whip, 5.58 era
41. Columbus - Ted Michaels (3B)
• Failed to sign
42. Augusta (Montreal) - Pedro Alberro (1B)
• Another one of those A-typical 1Bs who lacks speed but has a ton of speed. Finding a home in Helena via Rule 5 and later OKC via trade has been beneficial as those are two of the teams that love to run. 
• Stats: 777 games, .275 avg, 19 hr, 379 sb, 216 bb, 372 k. 
43. *Scranton (Tacoma) - Norm Henry (RP)
• Earned a promotion to the majors at the start of S53, he doesn't throw much due to low stamina but currently sits in the closer role. 
• Stats: 150 games, 4-11, 31/40 saves, 93 ip, 60 bb, 108 k, 1.56 whip, 5.23 era
44. Cincinnati (Minnesota) - Adam Rhodes (RP)
• Retired after 9 years without cracking the majors.
45. Buffalo - Moose Gennett (SP)
• 30 yr old now with New Orleans in AAA
46. Helena - John Shave (P)
• Retired after 6 years without cracking the majors.
47. New York - Riccio Paez (C)
• Failed to sign
48. *Tampa Bay (Mexico City) - Rob Waltman (P)
• Failed to sign
49. Helena - Sydney Knotts (RP)
• Spent a couple of seasons in the majors, but is currently a 30 yr old with New Orleans at AA where he's bounced around the Active/Inactive list. 
• Stats: 53 games, 14 starts, 7-6, 2/2 saves, 125 ip, 43 bb, 80 k, 1.41 whip, 4.16 era
50. New York - Tommy Presley (SS)
• Failed to sign
51. *Charlotte (Huntington) - Marvin Cortes (RP)
• Retired after 6 years without cracking the majors.
52. Austin - Branden Lawson (3B)
• 29 yr old still with Austin in AAA
53. Philadelphia - Francis Kent (P)
• What a journey for Kent. Rule 5 in S50, traded twice in S52 from Montreal to Atlanta to Tacoma where he played through S54 and was released prior to S55. Currently on the final year of his 2/$2.6M contract he signed with Mexico City and serving as a back of the rotation arm for the rebuilding club. 
• Stats: 186 games, 64 starts, 20-32, 6/9 saves, 585 ip, 217 bb, 425 k, 1.41 whip, 4.66 era
54. Dover - Joaquin Prieto (RF)
• Retired after 6 years without cracking the majors.
55. *Iowa City (Augusta) - Tommy Thompson (SS)
• 30 yr old now in New Orleans at AA
56. Vancouver - Galahad MacFarlane (SP)
• Made the majors in just 4 seasons (S50), with on and off again appearances with Vancouver but was eventually released and claimed by Anaheim where he played in the majors for one more season. 
• Stats: 103 games, 76 starts, 21-26, 1/1 saves, 498 ip, 170 bb, 315 k, 1.38 whip, 4.17 era
57. *Boston - Chet Roberts (CF)
• Retired after 7 years without cracking the majors.
58. *Tucson (Salt Lake City) - Troy Turner (SP)
• Retired after 7 years without cracking the majors.
59. Augusta (Montreal) - Guy Brown (SS)
• Retired after 6 years without cracking the majors.
60. New York - Felix Weston (P)
• Failed to sign
61. Austin - Rodrigo Ramirez (SP)
• Retired after 6 years without cracking the majors.
62. Dover - Kendry Molina (2B) 
• Retired after 7 years without cracking the majors.
63. *Boston - Ketel Goulet (2B)
• 28 yr old now in Houston at AA.
64. *Tucson (Salt Lake City) - Troy Bochtler (SP)
• It took being claimed off waivers in S55 to make his ML debut but was released this season and remains unsigned.
• Stats: 37 games, 18 starts, 141 ip, 4-8, 1/1 saves, 46 bb, 97 k, 1.37 whip, 5.08 era
65. *Boston - Deacon Byrne (2B)
• Released and retired after his first Arb season. Began his ML career as a Rule 5 offer back to Boston. 
• Stats: 443 games, .247 avg, 14 hr, 58 sb, 120 r, 103 rbi, 89 bb, 246 k. 

Other notable picks:

• #69 - Cy Purcey (RP) - *Arizona (Salem)
• Stats: 285 games, 7 starts, 16-24, 62/80 saves, 106 bb, 202 k, 1.40 whip, 4.12 era.
• #73 - Thumper Treinen (SS) - Chicago
• Stats: 741 games, .236 avg, 24 hr, 2 sb, 121 r, 135 rbi, 125 bb, 328 k. 
• #82 - Richard Allen (RP) - *Jacksonville 
• Stats: 431 games, 19-19, 73/98 saves, 122 bb, 295 k, 1.30 whip, 3.97 era. 1 World Series ring
• #115 - Jose Cruz (3B) - *Iowa City (Augusta)
• Stats: 753 games, .227 avg, 141 hr, 312 r, 354 rbi, 201 bb, 698 k.
• #342 - Alex Kuo (RP) - *Iowa City (Augusta)
• Stats: 91 games, 5-12, 41/51 saves, 32 bb, 80 k, 1.63 whip, 3.97 era
• #463 - Tony Holdridge (SP) - *Arizona (Salem)
• Stats: 205 games, 205 stars, 73-89, 1351 ip, 484 bb, 1028 k, 1.39 whip, 4.42 era
• #490 - Ossie Crow (RP) - Helena
• Stats: 337 games, 10 starts, 48-27, 31/40 saves, 588 ip, 177 bb, 400 k, 1.31 whip, 3.75 era
• #524 - Eric Mashore - *Florida (New Orleans)
• Stats: 676 games, .277 avg, 118 hr, 13 sb, 322 r, 370 rbi, 190 bb, 420 k. 
• #603 - Allan Wright (C) - *Tampa Bay (Mexico City)
• Stats: 859 games, .249 avg, 153 hr, 0 sb, 371 r, 438 rbi, 234 bb, 627 k. 2 All-star games.

Building a team from S46 draft.

C: Chuck Herndon (#10)

1B: Nomar Rodgers (#22)

2B: Matty Moss (#2)

SS: Thumper Treinen (#73)

3B: Vic Cruz (#18)

LF:  Sidney Houston (#26)

CF: Tyrone Greer (#21)

RF: Mallex Borenstein (#8)

DH: Leo Wood (#10)

SP1: Jim Fien (#9)

SP2: Julio Alomar (#24)

SuA: Ossie Crow (#490)

ClA: Steve Etherton (#23)

Not the best lineup compared to last year's

Next year we'll take a look at S47 draft. 

For the Records
S46 - 14 all-star, 5 silver slugger awards, 3 gold gloves, 2 fireman of the year, and 12 world series ring
S45 - 27 all-star, 12 silver slugger, 1 gold gloves, 3 rookie of the year, and 9 world series ring
S44 - 17 all-star, 4 silver slugger, 8 gold gloves, 1 fireman of the year, and 6 world series ring

S56 Free Agent Signings and Extensions

 Jack Torrance - contributing reporter    

Let's take a look at some of the offseason signings and extensions made this year. Who made the biggest splash this off-season? Players are listed by overall contract.

• Extensions
• Yohan Nova - Houston (27 - 5/$42.5M)
• Signed a bit early as he was only entering Arb 2, but likely saves money on his demands and still gets 3 years of FA value out of it. .290 average, 25 HR, 20 SB, while somewhat limiting strikeouts offers quite the value for Houston. 
• Grade: A
• Johnnie Daniels - Atlanta (29 - 5/$42 w/ mutual)
• Daniels has either made the All-Star game and/or a Gold Glove the last three seasons; his plus defense in RF paired with 35ish HRs and a .285 average have been great for the Expos in the dominance at the top of the AL East. In any other franchise he'd likely be hitting higher in the lineup but with Crain ahead of him there aren't often people on base for him to knock in. Props to his agent for securing $8.4M per. And with the season he's having, we feel bad for giving this grade. 
• Grade: A-
• Douglas Laxton - New Orleans (29 - 5/$42M)
• This contract should be a no brainer, 100+ R, 35-40 HR, 125 RBI, and a .304 career average. Even better, he has the potential to walk over 100 times a season, while striking out even less. This All-Star and Silver Slugger should see plenty of opportunities with the other players Ploppie locked up. 
• Grade: A+
• Marlon Fowler - Helena (27 - 5/$40M)
• Fowler makes good on his first All-Star appearance last season, and props to Helena on this contract for the simple fact that it decreases $1M each season until the final 5th year where Fowler stands to make just $6M. He's a streaky hitter but should be solid for 20 HR / 20 SB hitter. $8M per feels a bit much for him though. 
• Grade: B-
• Neo Lecuona - Hartford (28 - 5/$39M w/ mutual)
• Early in his career he was a .280, 30+ HR hitter but it seems slipping lower in the lineup he's struggled a bit more, and hitting for less power. A shift out to RF this season should improve the team defensively. If he can get things going again, $8M per isn't a bad deal, though seems a bit high for what he's producing now, even with the shift to RF. 
• Grade: B
• Kyle  Crain - Atlanta (28 - 5/$39m)
• Locking up a guy whose won 3 of the last 4 AL MVPs and might have won all four if he didn't have a season ending injury during S54. 55+ HR, 150+ RBI on an above .300 average; who wouldn't take it and will be well worth the $7.8M he's paid the next 5 seasons. Crain needs to fire his agent for this deal. 
• Grade: A++ 
• Paco Garces - Salt Lake City (27 - 5/$38.9M w/ mutual)
• Seems about your typical extension, $7.75M per for this former All-star who hopes to get back to form playing just his second season in SLC. A career low in power, the difference in a 20 and 30 HR hitter can be huge, especially for one that hits .270 and triple digit strikeouts. 
• Grade: B
• Damaso Ethier - Atlanta (28 - 5/$37.5)
• Ethier has a 3.06 lifetime ERA with a 1.20 WHIP and a 73% win rate; routinely throwing over 200 innings a season. In this day and age of hard to find pitchers, you better believe he got locked up. This is another one of those no brainers. 
• Grade: A+
• Juancito Martin - New Orleans (30 - 4/$37.2M)
• Martin and Quevedo have been a great combo at the top of the NO lineup the last few seasons, Martin offers 25 SB speed, a .300+ average, and 30+ doubles with 20ish HRs. You'll see a common theme with the NO extensions, a lack of 5 year commitments. 
• Grade: B+
• Josh Hunt - New Orleans (28 - 4/$34M)
• One of many NO extensions this off season, but why not get that 5th year from Hunt? Similar to Martin, was this agent driven or a miss on the part of ownership? Hunt has been streaky but offers great defensive value at the hot corner. His 35+ HR power, ability to knock in 100 runs, and steal 30 bases is huge. 
• Grade: B+
• Ossie Crow - Vancouver (29 - 5/$33.9M)
• Crow misses Atlanta without a doubt, but I expect good things out of him going forward, even though nearly $7M a season does feel a little high for a reliever. If he manages a sub 3.00 ERA and below 1.25 WHIP; that's locking down some innings late in the game. 
• Grade: B+
• Wilfredo Martin - Huntington (28 - 5/$32.5 w/ mutual)
• Even though he's struggled the last two seasons to the tune of a 5.29 ERA, Martin is slotted as a SuA this season. Unless he can turn things around we don't like this control for the young Tropics squad. Thankfully before their younger players like Wei-Yin Wan and Louie Weiss start to make top dollar, this contract will be off the books. We'll say, his ratings show he should be a better bullpen pieces, maybe he just hasn't found his groove or being used properly. 
• Grade: B
• Grayson Lowry - Colorado Springs (29 - 5/$27M w/ mutual)
• Lowry brings a lot of power potential to the From My Loins lineup, but with an aging team, we see Lowry being positive trade bait before his contract expires. His average has been everywhere from .248 to .319 over the last 5 seasons but still worth a decent prospect for a team needing a 3B
• Grade: A-
• Albert Doubront - Huntington (28 - 5/$27M)
• He's had recent success the last two seasons, with an ERA below 4, but his career mark is still a 4.28 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. He's slotted into the SuB role this year, but $5.4M per seems a bit extra to pay for that kind of arm who is only seeing 45-60 games a season. 
• Grade: C+
• Javier Quevedo - New Orleans (29 - 3/$25.5M)
• Either the agent played hardball or the owner didn't try very hard on this one. Quevedo who has been a near .300 hitter, offering 30+ doubles and 40+ SBs in a season is the perfect lead-off/#2 hitter with the power bats of NO behind him. But why not lock him up for 5 seasons? At age 29, a 5 year deal would have been perfect as he entered his age 35 season before that speed starts to drop a bit. 
• Grade: C+
• Jeremi Diaz - Huntington (29 - 4/$24M)
• A mid to high 20s HR hitter with a .290 career average and limits strikeouts. Not sure if it's bad base running coaches who are sending him or just Diaz not knowing when to attempt but that's likely the weak part in his game. At $6M per season, that seems right in line with the production he's giving the team on the FA market. 
• Grade: B+
• Olmedo Nunez - Salt Lake City (26 - $23.3M)
• In a crazy backloaded deal, the power hitting catcher looks to continue where he left off last season. I'd expect 40+ HR, 105 RBI, 55 BB, 100 K on a .268 AVG this season. 
• Grade: B+
• Gregorio Cordero - New Orleans (27 - 3/$22.5M)
• This one gets a little interesting as Cordero still had 2 years of Arbitration left, which means this 3 year extension only buys out one year of Free Agency. The positive side, this shores up the core of New Orleans bats for the next few seasons and let them focus on how they will field their pitching staff. 
• Grade: C-
• Chuck Herndon - Atlanta (28 - 4/$20.8M w/ mutual)
• Herndon offers the Expos depth at C/1B/DH between Crain, Villano, and Rodgers; but that's four men for 3 positions; which is why they have all sorts of different platoon combinations. But that's only a problem this season as Rodgers just went through Arb3 and has a chance to walk next season; and while it's debatable if he'll find a better team to paly for, he stands a chance to get every day at bats elsewhere. And at $5.2M per, he puts up 25 HR, .290, and 85 RBI. He may not have the best range, but with that pitch calling; any team would be happy to have him on their roster. 
• Grade: A-
• Eric Mashore - Tokyo (30 - 3/$18.9M w/ mutual)
• Having found himself released by Mexico City just last year after just 1 year in Arbitration, This guy has been all over the place, anywhere from 20-30 HR and a .240-.295 batting average; no wonder it's only a 3 year deal with a mutual. 
• Grade: B
• Tomas Urias - Vancouver (27- 3/$17.4M)
• Not a huge commitment, but only buys out 1 season of Free Agency. If Urias can  stick to the .300+ average he had during S52, 53, & 55 I'd gladly take it, but if he hits .250ish like he did in S54 I'd have more doubts given how many strikeouts the guy has paired with 25ish HRs. Last year he showed some improvement and went off for  31 with 122 RBI. 
• Grade: A-
• Wil Johnston - Vancouver (30 - 3/$17.4M)
• We don't quite think Johnston has a full time gig in Vancouver, but $5.8M per for a guy capable of hitting 30 HR over the course of a full season isn't half bad. Even if it's just off the bench, he offers quite a bit of power late in games. 
• Grade: B
• Tomas Benitez - Helena (27 - 3/$17M)
• When pitching is hard to find, you gotta lock them up and that's just what Helena did, well at least for the next 3 seasons where they could still sign a 5 year extension that sees him hit FA after his age 35. So maybe this is a long term play. His career 4.03 ERA, 1.30 WHIP fall into the - is Helena still rebuiding or going for it mode? Given their recent start, maybe it's time we start seeing their names a lot more. 
• Grade: B
• Benito Posada - Minnesota (27 - 3/$16.8M)
• Another young 30ish home runner with the ability to hit anywhere from .230 to .305 it seems. Streaky hitters that provide power seem to be the North Stars MO. 
• Grade: B
• Vance DeSclafani - Minnesota (30 - 2/$9.2M)
• Acquired back in S51, Minnesota decides to keep VDS for at least another two seasons. His average has been all over the place, but he's consistently hit 30ish HR and driving in 100+ runs; though awful on the base paths. 
• Grade: B
• Norichika Zhou - Pittsburg (30 - 2/$9.2M)
• A catcher who is all bat...that's a DH right? Considering all the trades the Yinzers eventually made; anything longer and this extension doesn't make sense even if they were made before those trades. $4.6M for under 20 HR, a .270ish average, and twice as many K as walks. He'll work as the team starts a rebuild. 
• Grade: C
• Michael Craig - Pittsburg (26 - 2/$6M)
• This contract is shall we say...creative. Craig hadn't even hit arbitration yet so it overpaid him for his first year and might have overpaid for his second year. But now that he's closing in Boston, the new owner will get at least one more year out of him and still has a good chance to extend him. 
• Grade: D

• Free Agent Signings
• Bernie Mendez - Tokyo (31 - 5/$110M w/ mutual & no trade - $10M signing bonus)
• Most everybody assumed he was getting this contract, it was just a matter of where he'd be playing next. But is a max contract right for this RF who is typically a mid-20s HR hitter with a career .270 average? He had a couple of really good seasons with Buffalo and with the plus bats in Tokyo surrounding him, perhaps he gets back to it. That's $40M tied up thru S59 for this Mendez and Omar Gonzales
• Grade: B
• Midre Benavente - Columbus (35 - $62.5M - $10M signing bonus)
• The Corgis elected to cover nearly half his contract this season, and we all know FA pitching is going to cost you in Cobbfather. But I don't see Columbus with the talent on its current roster to warrant such a short term play. But then again, this is truly anyone's division...or no one's division.  The winner will likely end up having a losing record for the season. The positive part, this signing only cost the Corgis a 4th round pick at #140. We'll see just who Benavente is without the pitcher's haven in OKC to help him, but early signs are positive. Just three seasons ago he made 22 starts with a 0.98 WHIP and 1.96 ERA. I'd expect something slightly above his career marks this season and moving forward. 
• Grade: B-
• Ray Aaron - Chicago (29 - 5/$51.5M w/ mutual - $10M signing bonus)
• Chicago is at it again, turning a mid-ling SP into some quality. Aaron owns a lifetime 4.83 ERA and 1.40 WHIP pitching in Boston, but through 5 starts (WARNING: small sample size) has an ERA of 3.45 and WHIP of 1.57. He's gotta get that whip....whip it good....down if he wants the ERA to stick around. But for a back of the rotation arm this isn't awful as long as he doesn't regress to his Boston days. The last year in the contract is $10.3M but has a mutual option on it. 
• Grade: B-
• Edgardo Boscan - Boston (32 - 5/$33.5M w/ mutual)
• After 3 awful starts, Boscan has already been moved to the bullpen in long relief. Seeing how successful Boscan was in New Orleans, perhaps he just needs a few drinks before taking the mound. Or perhaps it's the pitch calling difference that causes Boscan to throw his AA quality pitches at the wrong time. He's much better than the 12.91 ERA and 2.15 WHIP show, but maybe not quite the sub 3.00 era and 1.18 whip he was in NO but closer to the 3.50-4.20 ERA and 1.25-1.30 WHIP he was in Columbus at best. The team likely declines his age 36 season which is valued at $7.5M. 
• Grade: B
• Benji Rodriguez - Helena (31 - 4/$31.5M)
• S55 saw him make his first All-Star appearance and even won the NL Fireman of the Year award with the Canada West team and now he's getting PAID on a front loaded contract with Helena. His early season struggles are just an indicator of the ups and downs most relievers go through. But at nearly $8M per, he's gotta get things turned around and be more consistent. 
• Grade: C+
• Naoto Sakamoto - Santa Fe (29 - 5/$31M)
• What hitter doesn't love calling Santa Fe home? Especially one with the power of Sakamoto who has been an absolute tear early this season. He has limited range behind the plate but decent enough pitch calling. He's been a mid-20s HR hitter but already up to 9 as of the time of this writing having only played 20 games. Surely he doesn't keep up the 73 HR pace...or does he with half his games hit the hitter haven? Nah, but still the perfect signing for this club. It's interesting to note, next year's contract is only $3.5M before it kicks into the backloaded 3/22.5. That's future Pokey's concerns, not current Pokey's. 
• Grade: A-
• Kevin Kashmir - Columbus (33 - 4/$29.2M)
• The new closer in Columbus seems to be pitching well this season but will it continue? A career 4.74 ERA and 1.43 WHIP says otherwise. His makeup might keep his later years being unbearable but we wonder if Columbus was bidding against themselves for this contract.  Either way, he'll likely eat some innings out of the bullpen over 
• Grade: C+
• J.P. Avilan - Tokyo (31 - 4/$26M w/ mutual)
• Never shy to hand out a FA contract, foster covers 2B for the foreseeable future with a player who been rather productive the last two seasons in Pitt compared to his early years. We think his average will come back down below .300, but if he offers up a .280+ with low teen HR and 30-40 SB, he definitely brings some value to the club who has other big bats such as Omar Gonzales, Yangervis Rosa, Bernie Mendez, and Spud Campbell.
• Grade: B+
• Bubba Alexander - New Orleans (32 - 3/$18.9M)
• Being based in New Orleans, its easy for us to be overly critical of this squad, but we think this move was because the current owner wants someone to hit at least .250 in response to last year's SS hitting a career low .199 compared to his .245 the year before. At age 32 Bubba barely covering it at Short, and might be a hard sell by the last year of this contract; needing to move him elsewhere on the diamond. With a few weaker bat, better fielding options in the minors the money might have been better spent on pitching needs. 
• Grade: B-
• Allan Wright - Columbus (31 - 3/$16.5M)
• A defensive minded catcher who still provides some value at the plate. Low 20s HR power, a .255 average on a good year, but nearly 3 times as many K as walks. If he can call a good game for this pitching staff, it's worth it. But we still hate giving up so many free outs. 
• Grade: B-
• Vic Chavez - Minnesota (30 - 2/$8.2M)
• In his first season in quite a few, Chavez received full time at bats for Helena last year with decent success as their DH/C. The early season numbers are good at the plate, but what about behind the plate? The low grade is because we think they could have waited a bit longer and got him for cheaper. Chavez isn't the make or break your lineup type, so why not save a million or two. 
• Grade: C+
• Louie Cubillan - Austin (31 - 2/$5M)
• He's struggled so far this season and recently dropped from the starting LF spot, but entering this season he had been a .250 hitter with low 20s HR power though he'd often strike out 2x-3x more times than he'd walk. Not a great sign if he can't get on base to help the club produce runs. But the cost is cheap and you get what you pay for. 
• Grade: B
• Yoervis Colome - New Orleans  (34 - 1/$3.5M)
• Without a starting spot and two young players on their roster that can cover 1B/RF/LF, this one is questionable but we'll consider the $3.5M injury insurance for NO's main stars who were all extended this season. 
• Grade: B-
• Sammy Figureoa - Montreal (30 - 1/$1.5M)
• This signing received mixed reviews, he's shown some decline as a Shortstop but Montreal is using him as a defensive and rest replacement around the diamond thus far. For the cost, that seems a fantastic add, but the debate is around giving up the #69 pick to sign him. Some scouts say there isn't much but AAAA depth at that pick, other scouts say if he can retain his Type A status into next season, or even if he drops to a Type B; as long as he signs elsewhere then Montreal pays $1.5M for defensive help late in games plus an extra supplementary round pick next year. It's a chance for the rebuilding Montreal club, but one that could pay off. 
• Grade: B+

Good luck this season, we'll see if any of these contracts become future Fat Cats!