How They Were Built! - Atlanta Expos

 Jessica Fletcher - contributing reporter

It's been awhile since we've run one of these, but with as dominate as the defending champions, the Atlanta Expos have been, I figured we'd cover their current team; assuming we don't get lost in all the moves. He ended the NY Empire's reign of the AL East that lasted a decade plus a year. If the season started with a 4, the Empire won the division. This year they come in with only the 14th highest payroll, so slightly above average. They've done a great job keeping the payroll down while still finding a way to win, having made the playoffs the last 4 seasons, even when their payroll was an extremely lite $8M back in Season 48. As of this writing, so far this season they are clear favorite to win; owning a 10 game lead on the second best record in the league (Chicago Gunslingers in the NL) and a 14 game lead on the second best team in the AL, the Philadelphia Harpers of the AL North. The Expos hold a league leading 334 run differential, one of 3 teams above 200 and the only above 300. Many thanks to J.C. Wall and William Thompson already having over 200 IP and 20+ Wins with 20 game still left to play and a team best 3.12 ERA. But you can't forget their league leading 252 HRs, which is still better than the teams in such hitter's parks as Santa Fe, Philadelphia, and Colorado. Though only 2nd in runs scored. Defensively they are well below average for errors.

• Finances - One minor key to this team's strategy has to be finding top coaching talent on the cheap, as they routinely keep their coaching spending down to $8-9M. This current roster can be attributed to it's rebuilding starting with Season 46 where they took the payroll down to $46M from three seasons at $75M. Having owned the franchise since Season 5, when he took over for our now Chicago Gunslinger's owner. He's been well below $90M since Season 33, prior he spent 6 seasons above $100M and once getting up to $124M. Atlanta reached in every nook and cranny possible to build this team, everything from the Rule 4, to IFA, and into the trade markets to build this team.  
• The Good (starters as of writing) 
• Matty Moss (2B) - Season 46's #2 overall pick, but highest pick signed that season as a College freshmen. Signed at slot. Enters Arb3 next season. 
• Brandon Stevens (CF vR) - Season 49 trade with the Vancouver Canucks, giving up Charley Rhymes (CF) and Wilmer James (ClA) in the deal. Both of whom are still on the Cancuks roster and leading their division. Stevens enters Free Agency this off-season. 
• Kyle Crain (C) - Season 48's #5 overall pick and 2nd catcher off the board. Has one more season before entering Arbitration in Season 54. Along with Moss, you'll see Crain likely on the AL MVP ballot this season and rightly so, he looks to break the franchise record for HRs set during the Cobbfather steroid era - Season 2. He is currently at 53 and only needs 4 more to tie. 
• Jonnie Daniels (LF) - Yet another Rule 4 pick, this one in Season 47 as the #3 pick. 
• Akinori Yoshii (DH vR) - An underrated trade in Season 47 that saw him give up Nelson Sims (SuA) and Danry Zapata (2B) to the Austin Son's of Odin. Sims has jumped around after being released by a few teams and currently plays for Anahiem. Zapata on the other hand was just called up to the Majors during his age 28 season. Definitely a winning deal for the Expos. 
• Chuck Herndon (DH vL) - A Season 46 trade with merritr back when his franchise played in Jackson. Headed to Jackson was Alex Perez and money to cover half his salary that season. Perez has proven to have plenty of power and might be facing off with the Expos during the playoffs as merritr looks to win his division. Tagging along with Herndon was Pedro Fernandez (LRB) who currently plays for Anaheim and Rich Peterson (RP) who is retired this past offseason. 
• Nomar Rodgers (1B) - A late find in the Season 46 draft at pick #22 his junior year in college. Rodgers brings the power with Crain, the two will combine for over 100 HRs this season. 
• Adam West (SS vR, 3B vL) - Acquired this season in a deal with NL South defending champs, minihouston in exchange for pitching prospect Danys Solis. I can tell you this one was a tough trade to make for both parties, but the NOOFs acquired another young 3B and needed the pitching depth while the Expos had plenty of pitching depth and like the young control at SS/3B. West was coming off a near .300 average season with 20 HR in 400 ABs. 
• Christian Seung (SS vL) - A Rule 5 pick by the Expos in Season 48 at pick #4. Seung is a bit of an exception as he's one of VERY few players with 90+ ratings across the board defensively. 
• Al Little (3B vR, RF vL) - In a roster dump with the OKC Barons, the Expos picked him up in a Season 50 trade along with $5M, costing the Expos only $3.2M that season. He had another $8.2M each of the last two seasons but is a free agent this coming off-season. Juan Gonzalez, the Barons return, is only at AA this season at the age of 21. 
• Davy Oliver (RF) - Another trade, this one with the Portland Messiah's last season, S51. In standard fashion, Portland also covered half of his contract that season. Oliver still has 1 more year left at $6.6M left on his contract. 
• The Bad (bench)
• Ed Watanabe (3B) - Acquired this season from the Montreal Fighting Poutine Plates, costing 23 yr old diamond in the rough Larry Niemann (SP) who is currently at AAA. 
• Chan Ho Jiang (3B) - Acquired this season from the Tacoma Aroma along with 1/3 of his contact. Heading back to Tacoma were Orlando Tomas (CF), Francis Kent (SP), and Reggie Robbins (RF). 
• Jose Ordonez (2B) - The final position player on the list was also acquired via trade. This one during Season 50 from the Scranton Hammers who sold their franchise the following season. Heading back to the now Tacoma team were Chance Beckham (SP1) and Paulie Blackmon (AA SP). Ordonez is along for the ride, though the kid has some decent speed. 
• The Ugly (injuries)
• None
• The Mound
• J.C. Wall (SP1) - The Expos traded for Wall in Season 48, who was with the Helena Hot Dogs. After settling in, he's won the last 3 AL Cy Young awards and is currently leading the charge for his 4th straight. Next year he starts the first of a 5/$41.5M extension he signed this season. Sidenote - he should fire his agent after that contract. The Expos gave up Kenny Jacquez (3B), Andy McLaughlin (2B), Joshua Reames (SP), and $2M. The Expos also received Yovani Bonillla (SS) who will come into play in a trade for Ethier below. 
• William Thompson (SP2) - Signed a 5/$76.9M at the start of S50, and has another 2/$34M left on the backloaded deal. This season isn't finished, but so far Thompson has been 58-21 with the team, logging 660 innings with a 2.69 ERA....so Ace #2. 
• Damaso Ethier (SP3) - The Expos received Ethier in S48 but had to give up Yovani Bonilla (SS) who they had just traded for, Rougned Pulido (SP), and Julian Clay (RP).
• Zephyr Gross (SP4) - Season 45 #4 overall draft pick. Gross, drafted as a College Senior, might just be the longest tenured Expo at the current moment. 
• Cesar Tavarez (LRA) - IFA signing in Season 49 for a $100K signing bonus. 
• Ossie Crow (SuA) - Crow was included as a 2nd piece in the S47 deal that brought Alex Perez (who was later flipped in the Chuck Herndon deal); to acquire those pieces it cost Atlanta Endy Wilste (3B) and David Grichuk (RP).
• Fautino Salas (SuA) - IFA signing in Season 48 for a $12.7M signing bonus. 
• Hiram Helms (SuB) - Helms is technically a S52 free agent signing, however Atlanta traded for him Season 50 and let him walk at the end of the season, choosing to sign him to a 2/$3M with an option. The option was declined but then signed him to a 2/$1.7M this past offseason. 
• Miguel Rivera (SuB) - IFA signing in Season 49 for a $9M signing bonus.
• Ron Steenstra (SuB) - Atlanta signed this former NL Fireman of the Year after a down year in New Orleans to a 1/$1.6M to see if he'd be able to turn it around. 
• Steve Etherton (ClA) - Season 46 #23 overall draft pick has turned in two straight AL Fireman of the Year awards. He's on the list for a third but currently not the favored choice. 
• The Up and Coming
• Quilvio Infante (SP) - This future front end rotation piece was an IFA signing Season 48 to the tune of a $19M signing bonus. Pretty cheap considering more recent prices. 
• Miguel Pena (SP) - Signed with the defending champ Expos just this season for $20.5M.  
• Vince Saarloos (SS) - Arrived this season in a trade with Vancouver, giving up Rando Powell. Atlanta also received Hector Mota in the deal. 
• Jackson Benson (C) - Was the main piece in the S50 deal with Chicago Gunslingers, giving up Albert Robbins, who has received retired after last season; only playing a partial season in Chicago. Also received Brett Crawford but he was later traded to Buffalo. 
• Stephen Ramirez (RP) - Another deal with the Commish's team; giving up Clyde Spivey for Ramirez and Francisley Gomez this season. 

If you are active on the trade market, you've likely received at least a dozen trade offers from the Expos. Running total - for this purpose we will note how the player was first acquired by the team. List does not list current prospects, with this owner there is a high likely hood they never see the ML; at last not for the Expos before being traded. 

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

One more thing I've learned. Pitching is just different in Atlanta. Don't get me wrong, some of the pitching is very strong but somehow Atlanta seems to find a way to make even the most average pitcher have a sub 3.00 ERA. 

S52 IFA Recap

 Gabrielle  O. Alvarez-Tillman - Contributing Reporter.

We've recently covered the Rule 4 draft players, so it's only fair that we do the same with the IFA signings this season. 

1. Akinori Cho the starting pitcher from Japan signed with the Helena Hot Dogs for $26.2M. He shouldn't have any issues with control or against Righties, but whether he makes it in the majors will all depend on how he handles Lefties. The scouts agree that we shouldn't expect too many strike outs with this guy, so I hope the defense behind him is ready to play. His 4-seam fastball ranks up there and has potential to be near top in the league. He's a slightly S52 Arismendy Costilla who just this past offseason signed a max deal. Not a bad comp and I'm sure Cho hopes to one day make the same money. 
2. Giancarlo Gutierrez is looking to make his mark as a Shortstop after signing a $23.6M deal with the Tacoma Aroma....let's hope he doesn't stink it up. He should make good contact versus both Lefties and Righties and has a decent enough to pass at the ML level. Fantastic health and should prove to be rather durable, maybe missing a game or two all season for a little extra rest. I'd expect him to hit 20ish home runs and might steal 15 bases a season but it's getting on base and setting the table for the power guys behind him. He's probably a mix of Rip Bromberg and Vin Melhuse; both of whom are former #1 picks. Like Rip, I expect him to shift over to the hot corner before being promoted to the majors. 
3. Miguel Pena is next and yet another who signed over the $20M mark though only by an additional $500k. He was also the third IFA signing of the season, so the Atlanta Expos jumped on him quick. And I don't blame them considering how pricey IFAs got last season. Top notch control paired with fantastic 4-seasom fastball should help earn quite a few strikeouts over the course of a season. With that control, I wouldn't expect many free bases either. I'd probably look to Season 42's #2 pick, Brian Fukudome as a soft comp. Fantastic add for a team who already has the best pitching staff, and one who has plenty of arms still in the minors. The biggest question will be if this guy makes it to the majors as a Expo or if he's traded before then. My money is on a trade within the next two seasons. 
4. Yet another pitcher in Horacio Marrero has the next largest contract signing, just missing the $20M mark, coming in at $19.5M for the Hartford Rising Stars. He has ML talent, but it might be more of a back of the rotation type. As long as his 4-seam fastball and his ability to pitch against Righties develops, he should be alright. Austin's Roger Walsh would be the one to watch, though he's been roughed up a bit this year; his prior years had a 3.55 ERA on a 1.30 WHIP. 
5. The fantastic pitch calling of Miguel Romero was signed by Huntington Tropics to the tune of $16.1M. But I hope their Bench Coach is ready for a few passed balls with his limited range and he might see a few DL trips in his career, but sometimes you never know about that. The power is there but he'll struggle to make contact, especially against Lefties. Scouts seem to agree that he only walks down the base paths instead of run; consider he's only 5'-11" and 170 lbs that's surprising. His way on base could be through many walks as well. His owner should be thinking Shannon Bunch without all that power. 
6. So far the steal of the IFA period has been Houston Space Cowboys' $12.5M signing of Dominican Republic's Bengie Ramirez. Especially consider he's the better bat than Romero mentioned above and came nearly $4M cheaper - the cost of a first round draft pick. He might only be a future DH, but the guy can hit and for power. Solid contact and handles both handed pitchers well. Outside of Ground Rule Doubles, I wouldn't expect any extra base hits with his speed. Some of our games best power hitters are just out of reach for comps. Though he'll hit lefties better than Omar and righties better than Alex. Keith Halter on the other hand might be a good one, though Bengie will have a worse eye, FAR worse speed, and slightly less power. Similar comps also have Alex Perez and Yangervis Rosa on the list. Rosa matches up much better with speed, though Bengie will handle Righties better maybe slightly less contact. 

S52 Midseason Rankings

 Richard Castle - contributing reporter

Skynet is BACK!!! A virus took down their software for some time, likely caused by their prior issues with the Houston ballclub....not the first time a Houston franchise has had issues with computers. But they've reworked their ranking system using concrete data rather than scouting reports. Let's jump straight to it.

Draft Recap S52

 Gabrielle  O. Alvarez-Tillman - Contributing Reporter.

Yet another draft season in Cobbfather, so let's round up the Rule 4 draft. Time to see how the talent pool shakes out this season. Starting something new this season and going to add in current ML comps to most players - maybe not all. 

1. Portland - Carmen Arnold (P) - Hands down the top pick in the draft. This guy has it all, great K/BB rate, limit base hits, health, and very durable. If Portland can find some players to put around him, they might be on to a future HoF pitcher here. His only downside is the stamina, and lasting long into games. If he doesn't do his conditioning, we might see him out of the pen but Portland will push everything they can to help him develop. Portland has a future Alton Drew with much better control and pitch 2 quality on their hands. 

2.  Oklahoma City - Rolando Salinas (P) - OKC apparently likes to wait to sign their players until after the draft recap. Though appears he might not sign. Maybe they rely on our scouting to sign their players?!? If he signs and pans out, he could be a great combination with Ed Wood from last year. His curveball should be his #1 pitch, but we'll see if he can develop that Split fastball well enough in the minors. Great control, but might not see a ton of Ks. He'll rely on the pitcher's haven in OKC and the fielders behind him. If he signs and develops well, he might turn into OKC's own Victor Ortega.

3. Huntington - Hick English (3B) - Comp pick for spending money on Wei-Yin Wan (1B) over last year's #2 pick Phil Wada (C). Lots of power from the hot corner, though his arm strength falls a little short for the average 3B; but I expect him to make up for it with better range and glove. Health shouldn't be an issue over the years but will he be another power bat that hits .250/.260? Maybe Huntington can keep an eye out for Teheran as to what English will become. 

4. Huntington - Howie Baltz (SS) - Back to back picks this early in the draft, hard to argue with that. The defense on this guy is great, might even win a couple of gold gloves at SS. But I wish the he made better contact or had more power considering his value against Righties. Considering the eye on this guy, he should walk plenty but he moves like tortoise and should be limited to 0-2 steals a season. At the plate he's Buffalo's Don Hernandez with less speed and a better eye. 

5. Washington DC - Dee Valle (2B) - I can't recall a time these guys haven't had a pick within the top 10 since I've been writing. Surely their farm is stocked and ready to dominate for a decade! But let's check this one out. Dee lacks power but more than makes up for it with speed, which both makes sense considering his position on the field. Health is good, though might need to rest a few games a season. At the plate, DC should be looking for a Bernie Molina type, .280 hitter with slightly less HRs but let's call it 12-15 a season. Steals are always hard to gauge given how strict some teams can be on the basepaths and not wanting to give up so called easy outs. 

6. Helena - Mickey Barmes (1B) - After clearing some money via late trades, Helena signs Barmes, and it was well worth it. Highly graded contact, fantastic power from the right side of the plate. He might miss a few throws from the second base and you can forget about the throws from your 3B, but I know plenty of GMs who would still use at him 1B. He's basically Keith Halter without the defense. With the splits he might even be a little better than Halter. 

7. Anaheim - Jimmie Perez (SP) - Anaheim needs pitching, and it should be fun to watch Perez develop over the years. He's not as good against right handed hitters, but if he can live up to expectations he'll be a great #1 or 2 pitcher for the Diablos...assuming he doesn't throw out his arm during bullpen sessions. He reminds me of a slightly better Yuudai Park or a Santiago Terrero but with much better pitch quality. Perez's quality 4-seam and curveball should keep most hitters off balance. The second the Diablos are ready to turn up the heat at the major league level, Perez will get the call!

8. Vancouver - Patsy Shipley (CF) - <insert your joke about the name Patsy> If the power develops he'll be more than just a platoon player, otherwise the weak contact and splits against lefties might hurt him a bit. But I'm getting a lot of Noe Lecuona vibes with this one. The limited range might keep him out of centerfielder but I've seen worse players man the position. But you gotta feel bad for this guy, he's gotta play for the commish's team up in Canada. For his sake I hope he gets traded. 

9. Austin - Boone Rudolph (2B) - Currently player SS in Rookie ball, he'll switch back to 2B in the majors. Some say his power's already maxed out at the age of 18. Contact should be alright, but he'll struggle to put the ball in play. You'd hope with the limited bat, his eye might be a bit better to help him get on base but tough break there. His best hope is to bunt the ball and hope that speed gets him a single. Daniel Taylor with a little less speed and slightly better contact. 

10. Anaheim - Derrek Schlereth (SP) - Another comp pick from not signing last year's Tim Cotts (P) and they stick with another pitcher. Great control that should limit the amount of walks and a high quality velocity that should end in quite a few Ks. But will the quality of his knuckleball and change-up be enough to limit hitters? Del Alvarez's career 4.00 ERA mark could be the baseline. 

11. El Paso - Carl Jackson (RP) - I think we all know this guy will be traded next offseason and if history finds a way to repeat itself, we all know to who. Enough stamina to comfortably get through an inning and a little extra when needed. Superb velocity and control over his 4-seam FB that will rarely leave the yard. Pair that with great control and a way to manage both lefties and rights, we should expect to see Carl Jackson with a few Fireman of the Year awards...assuming he's used as a closer. I'd look to NY's bullpen this season for a few comps in  Gaylord Butler & Radhames Machado.

12. Houston - Benny Ward (LF) - I haven't seen their schedule but I'm guessing Houston might be near the end of their rebuild once they had a few more bats. The power and contact should be fun to watch, but it's too bad Benny has no jets. Health might be a bit of a concern down the road, but with the right training he should be fine. Imagine a one-eyed Chuck Rupe but better defensively and you'll have Ward. 

13. Boston - Ernie Gaetti (SP) - Ernie 'The Yeti' Gaetti is an interesting case. Not too many ML comps, likely due to his lower control; but if he has a saving grace it's his pitch quality of his curveball, change up, and slider all being above average. Health shouldn't be an issue, neither should lasting until the 6th or 7th if he hasn't been roughed up yet. He's got Eric Lehr vibes with less control and less pitch quality. 

14. Montreal  - CJ Frazier (SP) - The make-up of Frazier has some scouts wondering if he'll meet projections, but that control is his high point with no issues versus lefties. If he doesn't hit projections against righties he might struggle a bit. Similar to a few pitchers above him, the pitch quality should help him against those righties. He's Doc Cortes with one less highly rated pitch. 

15. Tacoma - Blake Frankoff (SS) - Scouts can't seem to decide if this guy's glove fits at shortstop or if he'll need shift elsewhere on the diamond. Either way, he's purely a defensively replacement late in the game. He'll be lucky to hit .050 at the ML level. And since my grandma runs faster than him, he won't be any good besides that 9th inning. His bat is so low we couldn't even find a defensive specialist at the ML level that matches his projections. This writer doesn't expect him to be signed, at least not for $2.5M. 

Seems a pretty solid group of draft picks for 1-15 this year. Let's go prospects, it's nearly your time to shine!!