Where will the #1's go?

This is either gonna be an interesting trade season, an interesting offseason, or both.

Why?

Because there are 6 former #1 picks that are potential FA, not even counting arbitration eligible players(8 if you wanna count Ju and Kepp). On top of that 2 are garenteed to be going to FA. Both P Bob Hill and P Derek Ballinger are in the final year of FP deals that can't be extended.

At season's start that made these 2 guys some of the biggest trade fodder out there, but wait a min...Mobile is in 1st Place. For now, you'd have to think that Mobile will have to make a run for it and Hill won't go anywhere. If mobile faulters though, look for the Bob Hill Sweepstakes to heat up. As for Ballinger, Omaha also started out hot, but has cooled off and really it doesn't look like they have the horses to compete this year, so look for Derek to be playing for a contender sooner than later.

Besides the 2 hottest commodities above, vets like George Baumann, Jay Bell, Branch Soller, and Henry Orr are also potential FAs. Of these, Henry Orr is probably the most interesting because Indianapolis is at a point where they might be looking at rebuilding. Orr can be re-franchised, but he's already making roughly 7 and a half million a year. Does Indianapolis trade him? Do they let him test the FA waters? No one really knows, but Indy.

Who's going where? It's a bit early to tell, but stay tuned.

The sickness that is Denis Torrain

Denis Torrain is a disgusting human being.

The Oregon Reign powerhouse currently leads the league in ERA, K/9, BB/9, and Opponent's Slugging against. He also ranks high in saves, hits/9, and batting average/9.

Sounds like a fireman of the year candidate?

You'd think so, but this former #1 pick is currently sitting at 4 1/3 innings pitched over Oregon's first 28 games.

Gotta love the way FPS uses closers.

I think it'd be interesting as hell to see Torrain start. Give him the ball, Rado. Give him the ball!

POY Contender - Biddy McIntee

The best all around player in the league right now is Biddy McIntee. I know, I know... no big news, but it is quite impressive so far.

The El Paso CF currently leads the league in runs created, RBI, and stolen bases, and sits 2nd in hits, 3rd in average, and 4th in slugging and runs scored.

After spurning the Borderhounds' offer of an 8-year FP deal, McIntee is looking to blow his arbitration value through the roof.

"I knew the [FP] deal wasn't right just yet," said McIntee in an offseason interview. "I'm planning on staying in El Paso, but wanted another shot to prove my worth."

That being said, wherever the 62/62/86 superstar ends up, he plans on being a force with his bat and his speed.

"I enjoy making things happen," McIntee grinned. "If I can go out and cause havoc on the basepaths, or hit a double into the gap, or bang out a 3-run homer, I'm going to do whatever I can to make this team better."

El Paso currently sits at 8-8, 5 games back of red hot Mobile.

Look for more player/team profiles to come.

Season begins - Calgary goes streaking!

"We're goin' streaking!"

Yes, it feels that way in Calgary so far this season.

After a 3-game sweep of Orlando to start the year, Calgary was promptly swept by Jackson to begin their roller coaster ride. After two sims, and no streaks of less than 2 (wins or losses), the Marauders sit in first place with a 8-6 record. Calgary is currently on a 3-game uptick and hopes to continue to take that into the next sim. More later...

Inspired...

I was inspired by Aaron's masterful work in the Diamond Notes to set up my own GBC2 Blog. Yes, I know Terry has his own setup on the PTS, but this one will likely be different. I have put together an area for Deuce chatter so multiple owners can BS at once. I will also potentially have some podcasting materials to put up (depending on how ambitious/bored I get). Again, I would like to formally pledge my services for the league as soon as my Win98 laptop arrives and would hope teams would setup their own chat names (I used CalgaryMarauders, for instance) so we can all hang and get to know each other's teams/lives even better.

This is my formal pledge to keep this league alive as long as the participants are willing...

So, on to 2018, and long live the Deuce!

Mike
Calgary
Your 2017 Deuce Champs (like I'd leave that off...)