Meet an Owner - Nickzaji

Catherine Trammell - Contributing Reporter

 

Comissioner: Tell us about Nickzaji. What is he like? What does he do in his spare time when not obsessing over your rosters?

Nickzaji: I'm a high school football coach in Texas. So I'm used to massively underperforming players like we have up in Fargo.
(Commissioner's Note--Friday Night Lights is one of my favorite shows of all time!)

C: So you've played HBD before. What intrigued you about joining Cobbfather other than your friendship with Alan? Also, what's Alan like? He never reads the blog so you can be sure to speak freely.

N: I was a part of a league where nearly everyone saw each other daily which was a pretty cool aspect of that league. Unfortunately that league merged with another and all traces of its history, including my world series win, disappeared.

I actually coached Allan in high school, shockingly impactful player.

C: Oh really? What was Alan like as a player? What position did he play? This is truly fascinating!

N: He was the center on a team that won the state championship! (Commissioner's Note: Albeit very late, congrats on the State Title!)

C: What is your favorite part about building a franchise? Do you try to make a lot of trades? Would you rather build through the draft or IFA? Or just buy a team like Steinbrenner used to do?

N: I strongly prefer to build through the draft, IFA and Rule 5 (once got a HoF RF there!) but, it seems like IFA is as cutthroat as possible here in Cobbfather so I'll likely be more involved in trades than in the past.

C: That's very true--International Free Agents seem to love Cobbfather and the money they get here. Of your current roster, who do you like most? Promise they will never read these articles! What about prospects? Who are you looking forward to the ML team in the next couple of seasons?

N: Every current ML player except Jairo Benavente disappoints me three times a day or more. I've got a couple of intriguing, yet highly flawed prospects that are destroying AA...which is nice.

C: What are your goals for the upcoming season? Are you looking to push for the playoffs? Or do you expect to rebuild for a couple of seasons?

N: Rebuilding will be a LONG process. The previous owner highly prioritized never drafting any pitchers whatsoever so we have a major lack of arms.

C: What has been your favorite aspect(s) of Cobbfather so far?

N: The fact that everyone is involved daily.

C: What advice would you give a new owner in HBD? Besides making sure to ignore most conversations with the Commissioner of Cobbfather?

N: Dive into the game. HBD is going to be what you make of it.

S60 - History by the Numbers

Jack Torrance - contributing reporter

Let's take a look at the league by the numbers over the last 20 seasons. Underlined are highs from last season. 

• Most Hitting Stats
• Hits - 1780 - S59 Huntington
• Fewest: 1228 - S48 Philadelphia
• Doubles - 324 - S51 New Orleans
• Fewest: 130 - S57 New York
• Triples - 47 - S55 OKC
• Fewest: 7 - S54 Mexico City / S57 New York
• Home Runs - 326 - S40 Santa Fe
• Fewest: 88 - S57 Augusta
• Runs - 1037 - S55  Atlanta
• Fewest: 505 - S47 Washington DC
• RBI - 1023 - S55  Atlanta
• Fewest: 486 - S45 Florida (New Orleans)
• BB - 700 - S42 Atlanta
• Fewest: 363 - S51 Washington DC
• K (least) - 771 - S59 Huntington
• K (most) - 1356 - S48 Philadelphia
• HBP - 109 - S49 Atlanta
• Fewest: 27 - S52 Tucson (Scottsdale)
• SB - 444 - S55 OKC
• Fewest: 10 - S56 Chicago
• CS (least) - 7 - S46 Iowa City (Augusta)
• CS (most) - 116 - S57 OKC
• SB% -  86.7% - S45 Buffalo (98 SB / 15 CS)
• Lowest: 33.7% - S55 Huntington (29 SB / 57 CS)
• AVG - .303 - S59 Huntington
• Lowest: .223 - S48 Philadelphia
• OBP - .380 - S59 Huntington
• Lowest: .279 - S48 Philadelphia
•  SLG - .502 - S58 Huntington
• Lowest: .323 - S57 Augusta
• OPS - .873 - S59 Huntington
• Lowest: .618 - S59 New York
• 20 Season Average: 760 R, 201 HR, 738 RBI, 509 BB, 1080 K, 126 SB, 57 CS, .261 AVG, .327 OBP, .415 SLG, .743 OPS
• Most Pitching Stats
• Complete Games - 33 - S46 Tampa Bay (Mexico City)
• Fewest: 69 times teams have finished with 0 Complete Games
• Shutouts - 11 - S42 Tampa Bay (Mexico City)
• Fewest: 250 times teams have finished with 0 Shutouts
• Wins - 124 - S55 Atlanta
• Fewest: 41 - S58 New York
• Saves - 71 - S47 Colorado Springs
• Fewest: 20 - S55 Dover
• Blown Saves - 5 - S49 New York (60/65), S55 Atlanta (59/64), S57 New York (25/30)
• Most: 28 - S40 Monterrey (Charleston - 49/77), S43 Houston (44/72), S56 Santa Fe (50/78)
• Save Percentage - .923 - S49 New York (60/65)
• Lowest: .512 - S56 Dover (21/41)
• Innings Pitched - 1497 1/3 - S44 Trenton (Hartford)
• Hits - 1098 - S42 OKC
• Highest: 1786 - S50 Huntington
• Runs - 401 - S43 OKC
• Highest: 1136 - S44 Dover
• Home Runs - 111 - S42 OKC
• Highest: 299 - S58 New York
• Walks - 380 - S50 Colorado Springs
• Highest - 700 - S57 Washington DC
• Strikeouts - 1306 - S43 Honolulu (Scottsdale)
• Fewest: 868 - S58 Colorado Springs
• K/9 - 8.02 - S43 Honolulu (Scottsdale)
• Lowest: .697 - S57 Colorado Springs
• OAV - .207 - S42 OKC, S46 OKC
• Highest: .300 - S59 Dover
• WHIP - 1.04 - S43 OKC, S46 OKC
• Highest: 1.66 - S43 Santa Fe
• ERA - 2.30 - S43 OKC
• Highest: 6.54 - S44 Dover
• 20 Season Average: 1452 IP, 509 BB, 1081 K, .261 OAV, 1.38 WHIP, 4.33 ERA, 44/60 saves (.730%), 6.695 K/9
• Fielding Stats
• Assists - 1862 - S41 Jackson (Jacksonville)
• Fewest: 1352 - S56 Dover
• Errors - 59 - S56 Hartford
• Most: 164 - S55 Washington DC
• Double Plays: 506 - S40 Charlotte (Huntington)
• Fewest: 268 - S56 Tacoma
• 20 Season Average: 1624 assists, 102 errors, 386 double plays
• Number of 110 W seasons - 24
• Atlanta owns 7 of those. 
• Number of 115 W seasons - 9
• Atlanta owns 4 of those. 
• Most recent was Huntington S58
• Number of 110 L seasons - 15
• Former NY owner owned 4 of those, all over the last 4 seasons. 

S60 On The Books!

 Jessica Fletcher - contributing reporter

Now that we've covered up coming free agents, let's take a look at future money that is already tied up. Who has the most and least amount to spend. 

Here is who has the most committed in future seasons. List in order of most future money committed. In the 'Future salary is future owner problems' are Houston Space Cowboys at nearly $250M; down from $300M just last season. Close behind are Columbus and Philadelphia at $242M & 238M respectively. The next group sits right around the $150M mark but it quickly drops from there all the way down to $0 committed by Chicago, New York, and Vancouver (combined). Add in Colorado Springs and the foursome have at least $1M already spent. Will we be talking about a possible 6th straight #1 pick for New York? Absurd! But sad to say, the team isn't really looking at that impressive either, but maybe that's just me. Guess that's why they continue to rebuild; need more talent. Must sign more IFAs, might draft top prospects! I am a robot, must do more! 

The average commitment in the league is $42M next year, down to $27 then $16, then $5 by S64. Second straight year it's dropped across the board entirely.

I expect a bit of change as extensions are signed after the regular season. 

S60 - Upcoming Free Agents

 Jessica Fletcher - contributing reporter

Transaction deadline has passed but still plenty of time for up coming free agents to resign, but let's take a look at what might be available next off-season. All numbers are based upon the previous 5 seasons. Players are listed by their ages as of spring training S61.

• Catchers
• Adalberto Ontiveros (R - NY - 29) - .240, 10-15 HR. If he asks for more then $500k, he's already too expensive for NY. 
• Jim Randall (R - Bos - 31 yr old) - .300+ hitter with 15-20 HR - he'll start to decline at some point but likely the top catcher on the market. 
• Cliff Calderon (R - Jax - 32) - .250, 25-30 HR. 
• Welington Nunez (R - Aug - 32) - .270, 15-20 HR. 
• Mateo Reyes (R - NO - 34) - .270, 10-15 HR.
• Naoto Sakamoto (L - SFE - 34) - .270 hitter and was hitting 30+ HR just two seasons ago before he became a backup. Buyer beware, offense numbers likely inflated by the hitter's park in Santa Fe. 
• Doug Carpenter (R - Dov - 36) - .250, 15-20 HR. But age is definitely showing.
• Lance Gilmartin (R - Sco - 36) - Great pitch caller who could platoon vL. 
• First Basemen
• Raul Fernandez (L - Mon - 28) - .295, 20-30 HR. He went through arbitration 3 times, so there's a chance he tests free agency. 
• Robinzon Beltre (R - Har - 28) - .275, 20-30 HR. Very similar to Fernandez, has also gone through arbitration 3 times. 
• Ernesto Johnson (S - NO - 32) - .290, 10-15 HR. He's just not finding full time at bats. 
• Josmil Velasquez (L - Min - 35) - Misses the days he played in Colorado and finds himself in AAA this year. Only slight in-season drops but he's power dependent which will drop when he's no longer working with the training in season. 
• Nomar Rodgers (L - Dov - 36) - .275, 20-25 HR but really struggling this season as ratings continue to drop. 
• Alex Perez (R - Har - 36) - .300, 40-45 HR. Ratings are dropping but likely still good on a short contract. 
• Second Basemen
• Dilson Rojas (R - Sal - 29) - .295, 35-40 HR, 15-20 SB. His previous extension bought out one year of free agency, so he'll get a chance at another hefty contract in his prime years. Can't imagine Salem doesn't resign the former S57 MVP. Imagine Tacoma ponying up the money, the right side of the infield would be Rojas and Page. 
• Matty Alvarez (R - Bos - 31) - .260, 10-15 HR. Though he's a having a career year in Boston right now.
• Enos Haas (R - Buf - 32) - .250, 5-8 HR, 10-12 SB. No longer a shortstop though some may try. Could be a Gold Glove 2B though. Loins, we hear you breathing heavy! 
• Ramon Yang (R - Aus - 32) - .260, 20-25 HR, 15-20 SB. Just like Webster, Austin will likely try to resign on a short deal. 
• Domonic Malone (R - Sco - 36) - .260, 10-20 HR, 10 SB. Getting up there in age but stats are holding decently well. Perhaps another 1 year deal is in play, I'm sure he'd prefer a contending team rather than resigning with the rebuilding Sazeracs. 
• Shortstop
• D'Arby Barbato (L - Far - 29) - .250, 2 HR, 10-12 SB. Not sure he finds a job with the range slipping, at least the glove makes up for it. 
• Yusmeiro Del Rosario (L - Bos - 30) - .240, 1 HR (if lucky), 1 SB (if lucky). His ability to stay at short will depend on how or rather when his glove declines to below average. 
• John Costello (S - SFE - 31) - enjoying AAA at the moment but still offers a decent glove with absolutely zero power. None. Zip. Zilch. But still more power than a Canadian. 
• Marshall Banks (R - OKC - 34) - .200, 5-10 HR, 3-5 SB. Still holding is own with the glove but at 34 next year how much longer does that continue? 
• Third Basemen
• Jimmie Bryant (R - Jax - 30) - .245-.250, 25-30 HR, 15-20 SB. 
• Teddy Leon (R - Mon - 32) - .270 - 20 HR. Decent combo of power versus ability to hit righties, but that low contact keeps him from being a top tier 3B. 
• Adam 'Batman' West (S - Hun - 34) - .275, 15-20 HR, 15-20 SB. Could Batman be on the move to his 5th franchise? The guy has played everything from SS to 3B to CF, and even found a couple of games at 2B. Only thing he hasn't done is Pitch. 
• Rip Bromberg (R - Hun - 35) - .300+, 20 HR, 15-20 SB. The former #1 pick is still putting in the work. Who wouldn't want someone who gets on base but also grabs a yearly 20/20? With great make-up (from his mom), I'd venture to guess he ages gracefully. 
• Leftfielder
• Sammy Alou (R - Buff - 31) - He hasn't been a full time hitter in Buffalo outside of S57 and perhaps this year, but bot time he hit .290+ with a .480 slg. With all that Mary Kay he's wearing he should age gracefully. Solid bet he finds a spot, even if on a rebuiding team. 
• Bengie Bonilla (R - Jax - 31) - Currently sitting in AAA Jax where he continues to struggle hitting. His bat rests purely on the power of that swing, one wrong injury or a steep decline that is expect and he's toast - maybe even sent back to Rookie ball. 
• Avisail Gonzales (R - Far - 31) - Fargo is probably hoping for a Type A compensation here. .260, 25-30 HR, 10 SB. Unless a team gets desperate I think he'll sign late in the off-season with concerns for production and how he'll age. The latter can be taken care of with a short 2-3 year contract; but is that worth giving up a pick? Sure if you don't have the scouting anyway. 
• Hugh McMillan (S - Pit - 34) - .270. 15 HR, 3 SB - but he's been begging to get out of Pittsburgh for years now. Unfortunately with other talent in left field and his age, if he signs it's likely to fill a minor league slot and be a backup for injury. 
• Centerfielder
• Marlon Fowler (R - Hel - 32) - .265, 25-30 HR, 10 SB. With Helena contending, I'd assume he'll be resigned on a mid length contract. 
• Francis Jefferson (S - CLB - 33) - Hasn't received much playing time this year, but his career numbers are .267, 20 HR, 25-30 SB. Pretty solid for a center fielder if you ask me. The fact that he's a switch hitter helps even more to play those matchups. 
• Dicky Chang (L - NO - 33) - Ch-ch-ch-chang. Is what he's hoping for, but it will likely just be a ticket back to Kobe, Japan to play in the Japanese league for the Hanshin Tigers. 
• JP Avilan (R - OKC - 36) - Ratings have held up this season, but might sign on as a role player in a lefty platoon type of thing. 
• Rightfielder
• Lisalverto Lobaton (R - Hou - 29) - Limited at bats this season have the average down, but he's a career .282 hitter with 15-20 HR and 20-30 SB. The speed will start to drop but makes great contact and handles righties very well. Without a bunch of big names out there, he stands a change to sign given his age at least. 
• Jason McGuiness (L - OKC - 29) - Seems OKC is freeing up a bunch of money this season; you have to wonder if they continue to push in a weak division; with only really Salem as their competition or if they choose the quick rebuild path. Hasn't found full time at bats since S56 and his average outside of this season has shown it. Limited home runs but adds speed; Defensive is to Colorado Springs as Speed is Oklahoma City. 
• Earl Hawkins (S - NO - 31) - He's been a .280+, 15-20 HR and 10 SB in the slightly hitter friendly. Or maybe its the booze that is readily available - that sale, a new home in Salem for the Bourbon or Scotsdale for the Sazeracs could really extend his career. 
• Paco Garces (R - CLB - 32) - Paco Taco! .270, 25-30 HR, 25-30 SB. One last contract before people start to question his drop. Good speed, good base runner, eye and against lefties; he'll find a home though it be as a Type A. 
• Yovani Franco (R - Buf - 34) - Last 4 seasons he's been .290-.300, 35-40 HR. A very solid add for any lineup gunning for the Series, BUT....his makeup has already worried for the upcoming years of his career. Might be better on a short term unless you can look up the extra budget without any concerns. The speed and baserunning are big concerns as well. Starting to see lots of red flags as he starts to age. 
• Douglas Laxton (S - Tuc - 34) - He's seen his fair share of the playoffs over the years, and he's a bit of a hot head. Even after struggling mightily in S59, he's still a .302 career average, though starting to look more like a 25-30 HR hitter than the 40+ of years past. He'll also get caught stealing more than he actually steals. Might be the last big contract he signs. 
• Juancito Uribe (R - Bos - 35) - The average is starting to slip, hitting just .265 this season, but he's been a 15-20 HR guy with minimal SBs. But he hits lefties very well and has a great eye. Unless that power drops by a large margin, he'll get at least a 1 year deal. 
• Brace Lansing (R - OKC - 35) - .260, 10-15 HR, 10 SB. Which direction the club goes might determine what happens with Lansing does next. 
• Starting Pitcher
• Edgard Seguignol (L - Jax - 31) - Was a bullpen arm in Vancouver but transitioned into a starter in Jacksonville with decent results. 1.35 WHIP, 3.65 ERA since S57. Better used in a 6 man rotation or 4 man rotation as the 5th man needed every once in awhile. 
• Yuniesky Herrera (L - CLB - 31) - Solid innings eating that fills out nicely in the back of the rotation. 1.40 whip, 4.50 era. 
• Hanser Whiten (R - Sal - 32) - 1.35 whip, 3.75 era. I'd fully expect him to resign in Salem as they continue to push for the division crown. If not, he'll get a decent contract by someone given the age alone. 
• Damaso Ethier (R - Hou - 33) - Will be the top pitcher in Free Agency, but we'll see if Houston can convince him to resign or not. I suspect he'll want to see what kind of money is out there for the 4x World Series Champ, 7x All-Star, with multiple seasons being top 5 in Cy Young voting. Career record at the time of this writing is 195-73 with a 1.22 whip, and 3.31 era. Get that money Ethier! 
• Julio Alomar (L - Buf - 34) - S60 hasn't been good to Alomar or the Bisions, his career 1.30 whip has been a 1.60 this season. The career 4.03 ERA has bee a 6.10 this season. Word on the street - he loved his time in Buffalo but its time to move on. 
• Ron Hill (R - NO - 34) - Another mid to back of the rotation arm, though he may need a start or two skipped to rest up a bit. 1.40 WHIP, 4.40 ERA. 
• Tim Timmons (L - CLB - 35) - After owner minihouston wouldn't give him the time of day, Columbus made good use, 1.29 whip, 4.23 era. 32 starts easy, 190-220 innings, easy. Could use a better first pitch and to handle righties better; but then he'd be more expensive. 
• Jesse Fields (L - OKC - 36) - Another minihouston cast off that found solid success in OKC. Unlike Timmons it wasn't a question of talent, it was a budget problem. Career 1.25 WHIP, 3.75 ERA; though he's moved into long relief for the Barons this season. 
• Alan Street (R - Atl - 36) - Fantastic pitcher at the end of his career. At the game of 36, there's no way he resigns with Atlanta. Let me rephrase that, no way he pitches more than another year there. Might sign, but I'd expect him to be moved quickly. Ratings are still solid, at least to this point this season they are. 
• Relief Pitcher
• Darby Hatcher (R - Chr - 29) - 1.20 WHIP, 3.48 ERA. Still hard to believe Chicago traded for him and got 0 innings out of him because he became a Rule 5 selection. But Life I suppose. Still young and should find an easy spot in a bullpen somewhere. 
• Micheal Craig (R - Bos - 31) - 1.17 WHIP, 3.61 ERA - what keeps his ratings low is his stamina and durability. He's only averaged 50 innings a season since coming over to Boston, was down at 40 innings in his years in Pittsburgh. His control is great, splits are good, and has a great first pitch with good velocity.
• Fautino Salas (R - Was - 31) - 1.19 WHIP, 3.44 ERA, he's enjoyed closing out games in DC the last 4 seasons though a bit of struggles the last two. He was up to 140 innings in Atlanta over 80-85 games in middle relief, so it's all in how you use him. 
• Juan Latos (R - Hel - 32) - 1.17 WHIP, 3.50 ERA, another high use bullpen arm who logged 60-70 games and 120 innings. Solid choice for the late innings. Either way he'll be ready for the call that rely on his two plus pitches and pin point control. 
• Gabe Brown (R - Hou - 32) - Recently demoted to AAA for the Houston club, and while he cannot handle lefties; he offers solid control paired with a decent 1-2 combo.
• Wilfredo Martin (L - Hun - 33) - 1.40 WHIP, 4.33; considering his ratings it feels like he should be performing better than this. More of a 1.20 / 3.50 kind of guy. Perhaps he'll get it figured out during his next contract. 
• Ichiro Suzuki (R - Hou - 33) - Was quickly demoted to the minors in Houston where he's struggled quite a bit over those 30 games. 1.40 WHIP, 4.20 ERA. 
• Ossie Crow (R - VC - 34) - 1.30 WHIP, 3.85 ERA - a little surprised this guy wasn't moved at the deadline. You know everybody jumps at a chance to get out of Canada....even the Canadian. The last two seasons have been pretty solid, even reached 145 innings in 86 games last year. Feels like a few of these guys all paired up, could quickly eat all the innings you need at the back of the rotation. 
• Salvador Creek (R - Har - 35) - 1.23 WHIP, 3.83 ERA. Another low stam guy which great control and quality splits. Another idea would be to sign a Creek or Craig type with a guy like Latos or Crow. Let the former come in and get the job done then let the other finish it off. 
• Yao-Hsun Higashioka (R - Har - 36) - He's been around for quite some time and enjoy numerous playoff pushes between the mid seasons in New Orleans to the current ones to Hartford. Though his numbers are slipping from the sub 1.00 WHIP and low 2.00-2.10 ERA days of years past. 
• Marcos Owen (R - Tac - 38) - The pitcher's haven in Tacoma has really helped out Owen get back to some quality years. Those years in Hartford weren't so kind to him with 1.30-1.45 WHIPs; but he's down to a sub 1.00 this year. But at 38, the question is; how much does he have left in the tank? That control has dropped every update this season.

There you have it folks, budget accordingly!