mooseknucks Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 SPRING TRAINING REPORT With the season coming to an opening, the Devil Rays front office is scrambling to pick up the least production offensively. Thoughts have circulated that newly appointed GM Sicili Ronin wants to buy out the contract of AAA third-baseman Harlen McShaft. McShaft, Iowa born and raised, is a 6'5 power hitter residing in New Jersey currently, but plays for the AAA Durham Bulls. He crushed the ball last year, hitting 38 homers in AAA with a .301 average. They also have a phenominal young lefty pitcher, Howard Dorothy in AA, who may make a jump to the majors early this season. The 6'10 power throwing Dorothy has been quoted saying, "Goddamn I'd love to come play for the Devil Rays. I can't think of one thing in heaven and hell that would make me happier. My god! If only they called me up now, I'd ******* kill up there in Tampa!" Howard, clearly estatic, may take a spot in the second turn of the rotation. GM Sicili Ronin has also been actively talking trade with the Cleveland Indians to acquire DH Travis Hafner and a starting pitcher. Word has yet to leak as to who may the pitcher be or who the Devil Rays are going to give up. The Devil Rays are also working out deals with both free agents Josh Phelps and Billy Koch and their seperate agents. Koch has been reportedly asking for 1.6 million over 2 years. The Devil Rays currently have 13.4 million in the bank and Koch can do nothing but help the team. Phelps, the righty hitting lefty specialist, wasn't asking for much in his 400K over 1 year deal. The Devil Rays have repeatedly offered him 1.20 million over 3 years but word has yet to get back to them. As the rumors swirl and moves have already been made, we'll recap possible and already done deals thus far this season; To the Yankees: SP Mark Hendrickson To the Devil Rays: SP Chien Ming Wang **DONE** -------------------- Old General Manager: Chuck LeMar New General Manager: Sicili Ronin **DONE** -------------------- To the Cleveland Indians: SP Dewon Brazleton 3B Alex Gonzalez 1B Josh Phelps (if signed) To the Devil Rays: 1B Travis Hafner SP Jake Westbrook -------------------- From the free agent pool: RP Billy Koch; Asking: 2 years, 1.6 million : Probable Deal: 2 years, 1.6 million 1B Josh Phelps; Asking: 1 year, 400K : Probable Deal: 3 years, 1.2 million -------------------- GM'S NOTE: "Since taking over this team, I have taken into consideration everything Chuck told me before taking over, and everything Lou says to me before and after games. I've analyzed the things we need and how we can get them. The Hafner deal is looking like a huge deal, but I would need to free up some cap space to do it. Hafner and Jake would be outstanding acquisitions but I still beleive they pale in comparison to our AAA and AA phenoms. Harlen will unabashedly be playing opening day and hitting clean-up. Hopefully things work out and Josh will be in our starting lineup as expected. Like rumored, Howard Dorothy will take a turn in AAA and than will most likely be called upon before the series with the Yankee's. Dorothy and McShaft are both poised boys from the country side looking to make their families pride and I'll be damned if I step in the way. Our pitching has the potential to never succeed, but by the trade deadline, things will be different, I can garauntee. We're talking with Mr. Beane of the Oakland A's about what he needs for Blanton or more so, Harden. So to round off ladies and gentleman, I plan on branding this team and forcing them to play to their potential. We have the top ranked speed in the game with Upton, Crawford, Baldelli, Gathright and McShaft can run. Our pitching is in the bottom five, but our hitting will be number one by months end, I garauntee it." -------------------- Opening Day Lineups: LF Carl Crawford CF Rocco Baldelli RF Aubrey Huff 1B Josh Phelps 3B Harlen McShaft SS Julio Lugo 2B Jorge Cantu DH Nick Green C Toby Hall Opening Day Pitcher: LHSP Scott Kazmir Five Man Rotation: Ace: Scott Kazmir 2P: Chien Ming Wang 3P: Dewon Brazleton 4P: Hideo Nomo 5P: Casey Fossum Bullpen Setup: LRP: Ton Beimell LRP: Seth McClung MRP: Lance Carter MRP: Jesus Colome MRP: Travis Harper SU: Billy Koch CL: Danys Baez Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bama Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 wow. Made some good moves, but c'mon, close with Koch! I'll be reading your dynasty...looks good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastflink2009 Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Ya, looks good. I'll be following. Most people don't do dynastys w/ the devil rays, I guess they are afraid of failure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mroctober430 Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Should've tried and traded away Nomo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyfool Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 where did you get wang? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooseknucks Posted July 21, 2005 Author Share Posted July 21, 2005 "During the season opener today, the Devil Rays stayed on the phone with the Cleveland Indians until the 8th inning. A deal which will resonate for years to come was struck at 3:39 PM which brings first base slugger Travis Hafner and finese pitching Jake Westbrook to the Bay. The deal sent veteran pitcher Hideo Nomo who once pitched a no-hitter in his days with the Dodgers, as well as first base wizard Travis Lee and AA left fielder Jose Mochado to Cleveland. The deal gives the Indians a future outfielder who will put up enormous numbers for years to come. Devil Rays GM Sicili Ronin was quoted with the following; "We're done for a while. Our team is full of potential and young guys who want to play the game. Our lineup is now prepared to face left or right handed pitching and post up some dominant numbers. Westbrook will be expected to hold together the end of rotation and Dorothy will fit in the middle whenever he comes. Kazmir pitched amazing today and has proven his spot as our ace. Things are looking up and hopefully Lou doesn't **** with it too much." To Cleveland Indians: SP Hideo Nomo 1B Travis Lee LF Jose Mochado To Devil Rays: 1B Travis Hafner SP Jake Westbrook Manager Corner: Lou Pinella: "Who would've thought this team wouldn't suck so early in the year? I'm busting with what Sicili has done with this team and I'm especially happy with him taking my ideas and not just humoring me. This team will make the playoffs, I can garauntee you that much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooseknucks Posted July 21, 2005 Author Share Posted July 21, 2005 Devil Rays Pull Out Season Opener Tampa Bay Devil Rays (1-0) v. Toronto Blue Jays (0-1) Scott Kazmir (1-0) v. Roy Halladay (0-0) Left: Baldelli hits the game tying single, shortly after robbing Wells' potential 2 run bomb :Right Batting: Josh Phelps: 3/4, 1 run Harlen McShaft: 2/4, 2-run homer Rocco Baldelli: 2/4 GT RBI single Pitching: Scott Kazmir 1-0 : 9 innings, 2 runs, 8 strikeouts The Devil Rays had no answer for Roy Halladay through 7 dominant innings, mustering just one run. They had a few oppurtunities but couldn't capitalize. Jason Frasor came on after Crawford's lead off double in the eighth, and gave up a single to the All Star of the game Rocco Baldelli. On came League to stop the bleeding but to no avail as McShaft crushed a 2 run bomb, landing 415 feet away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastflink2009 Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 So what is your lineup now??? BTW Great Trade to Get Hafner and WEstbrook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooseknucks Posted July 21, 2005 Author Share Posted July 21, 2005 Roster Report Adjusted Lineups: LF Carl Crawford 3B Harlen McShaft CF Rocco Baldelli DH Travis Hafner 2B Jorge Cantu RF Aubrey Huff SS Julio Lugo 1B Josh Phelps C Toby Hall "This lineup will prove to be the lineup to strike fear in any pitchers eye. The big bats are staggered and the role players are shifted around. Expect a lot of run production out of this stacked lineup and nothing less." -- Tampa Bay Herald Adjusted Rotation: Ace: Scott Kazmir 2P: Rob Bell 3P: Chien Ming Wang 4P: Casey Fossum 5P: Jake Westbrook "This rotation is going to come into it's own. It's held together by bits and peices but isn't final. When Dorothy is ready, problems may or may not arise if the rotation has no opening. GM Ronin has been quoted saying Fossum doesn't have very high expectations and will probably be the first to leave the rotation. Only time will tell but even with Dorothy, this rotation will prove to be a big problem." -- The Tampa Tribune Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
probaseball203 Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 y is jake westbrook so far back in the rotation? isint he better than chien ming? but it is ur dynasty...ill be reading!! great start btw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooseknucks Posted July 21, 2005 Author Share Posted July 21, 2005 y is jake westbrook so far back in the rotation? isint he better than chien ming? but it is ur dynasty...ill be reading!! great start btw Jake's taking the 5 spot because I need someone to hold together the rotation. If I have my best 2 guys pitching first and second in the rotation, what's that mean for the rest of the week? I need balance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mroctober430 Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Nice win against the Jays. What are your game settings? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snash13 Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Brooklyn, Beautiful trade. You got a steal, Ill be reading Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooseknucks Posted July 21, 2005 Author Share Posted July 21, 2005 Nice win against the Jays. What are your game settings? Thank you. I'm using my rosters (Brooklyn, Pedrospecialk and Sean O v2.3), on MVP with no sliders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kriegz Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Wow, nice work, got a great steal for Hafner, you may be a contender now! :wtg: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lual Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 nice start gaffer keep it going, though dont beat up on the O's too much :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooseknucks Posted July 21, 2005 Author Share Posted July 21, 2005 Pinella Saught for Answers: Tampa Bay Devil Rays manager Lou Pinella and first baseman Josh Phelps got themselves into a heap of trouble with GM Sicili Ronin despite winning the second game against the Blue Jays. In the third inning righty starter Rob Bell threw at and preceeded to hit Blue Jays second baseman Orlando Hudson in the left arm. Hudson charged the mound and was intercepted by first baseman Josh Phelps sending both crashing to the ground and thus emptying both benches and bullpens. After the raucous, the umpires ejected Orlando and Josh both. Manager Lou Pinella than flew off the handle but held himself up enough to get his point across. The following inning Harlen McShaft hit a deep fly to center where the ball popped out of centerfielder Vernon Wells' glove, hit the wall, and he caught it, and Harlen was called out. NOW Pinella lost his cool. He came flying from the dugout and got the hook right off the bat. Pinella was quoted but it was not suitable for public journalism. Josh Phelps apologized at the press conference after the game, as did Hudson but Pinella was no were to be seen. Devil Rays GM had this to say; "I won't stand for this hide and seek crap from Lou. He screwed up and even though we won, I don't want this kind of garbage were he runs and hides after doing something wrong. I've always had respect for Lou to face the heat like he does, but I don't want what this **** is, and I won't stand for it. If Lou doesn't come forward and explain why I and no body else got answers, he'll be looking for another job. There was no reason to fly off like he did and get himself thrown out. It was a disgrace and painful to watch." Rob Bell got off even though plunking Hudson near the face but he came to Ronin and apologized. Ronin took it into consideration and decided to take no further action on Bell. Phelps as well didn't get suspended despite getting ejected. -- Tony Marciloni; Tampa Tribune Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedrospecialk Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 Sweet, i'll be following. A steal indeed with Hafner. Hafner platooning with Phelps is almost Albert Pujos :-O Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooseknucks Posted July 22, 2005 Author Share Posted July 22, 2005 Leather Rains in the Dome Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2-0) v. Toronto Blue Jays (0-2) Rob Bell (1-0) v. Josh Towers (0-1) Left to Right: McShaft shows his rookie power as he belts two solo homeruns Batting: Harlen McShaft: 2/4 2 solo homeruns Aubrey Huff: 2/4 2 two-run homeruns Travis Hafner: 2/4 solo homerun Toby Hall: 1/4 solo homerun Pitching: Rob Bell 1-0: 6 innings, 2 runs, 5 hits, 8 K's, 1 HBP Jesus Colome S1: 3 innings, 2 runs, 3 hits, 6 K's The game started off and ended in a festival of homeruns. The Blue Jays Reed Johnson hit the second pitch of the game off Rob Bell for a homerun and it never stopped. In Tampa's half the first, rookie thirdbaseman Harlen McShaft clobbered one 420 feet. In the second, Harlen's counterpart Shea Hillenbrand tallied another homerun for a 2-1 lead. In the fourth inning McShaft hit number two on the game and two batters later, Hafner hit his first as a Devil Ray. The real drama came in the sixth when a series of events landed Phelps, Pinella, and Hudson in the early showers. Rob Bell hit Orlando Hudson up around the face, resulting in Hudson charging the mound and Phelps catching him off guard. Pinella argued the call for Phelps to take an early one and than argued an out in the next inning, earning himself an ejection. There were nine big flies in the game but the most notable ones were those by McShaft. This kid seems to be poised and ready to play baseball, tallying 3 homeruns in his first 8 at bats, also lining a single in the opener and stealing second on the weak armed Quiroz. Expect big numbers from this kid down the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KerryW Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 Wow, this is already my favorite dynasty to follow. I especially like the side comments from Pinella and the GM. Great stuff :wtg: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooseknucks Posted July 22, 2005 Author Share Posted July 22, 2005 Pinella Comes Forward "Devil Rays manager came forward tonight and apologized to the fans, the team, and most importantly, GM Sicili Ronin. "This is my public apology. I've had a lot of things running through my head since getting myself tossed and I didn't need Sicili to start tearing into me, saying I'm not a gentleman. I've coached teams my way years now and if he wants to come in and tell me how much I was a disgrace and it was painful to watch me argue calls, so be it. I'd like to see him step into my shoes and coach a baseball team. Even with a win, we never get everything right. It's atrocious and I think Ronin brought in too many new guys. The team is stand offish with each other and Sicili left me to fix that by myself. We don't have a lockerroom prescense like we did with Tino and Boggs. Our team is so young. Nomo had it a little bit but he could barely speak english. So if Sicili wants to make all these moves glorifying himself, let him, it's his job. We can't keep winning this long. One loss and it's the flood gates opening, I garaun-damn-tee it. Once again, I apologize because of the levity of me not publically apologizing. I can't afford to lose my job because I may be too old to find a new one. Sorry for running off and not facing the heat, and sorry for acting like a horses *** on live television. I'm sorry America!" Pinella's apology, albeit a weak one, was accepted with no comment from the GM. Ronin took into affect Lou's personal life and decided to not publically respond but rumor has it, set up a meeting before tomorrows game with Lou." -- Tony Marciloni; Tampa Tribune Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kccitystar Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 :hail: Best dynasty EVAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooseknucks Posted July 24, 2005 Author Share Posted July 24, 2005 Westbrook Dominates in Tampa Debut Tampa Bay Devil Rays (3-0) v. Toronto Blue Jays (0-3) Jake Westbrook (1-0) v. Dave Bush (0-1) Left to Right: Hafner boosts the Rays to victory as Westbrook dominates, lighting 14 away Batting: Travis Hafner: 2/4, 2-run homerun Julio Lugo: 2/4, triple, 1R Josh Phelps: 1/3, RBI single Pitching: Jake Westbrook 1-0: 9 innings, 14 K's, 1 hit The Devil Rays swept the opening series of the season for the first time in franchise history. The week was full of superstars and standout performances, from rookie Harlen McShaft's 2 homerun game, to Jake Westbrook's dominant bebut in Tampa. Westbrook started and ended the game in the same good fashion, sending down twelve batters in between. His purely dominant performance earned him a standing ovation from the Tampa crowd, as well as a curtain call to designated hitter Travis Hafner after his potential game winning 2 run homerun in the seventh inning, shortly followed by a triple by Lugo and an RBI single from first baseman Josh Phelps. PLAYER OF THE SERIES The player of the series will be shortly announced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooseknucks Posted July 24, 2005 Author Share Posted July 24, 2005 PLAYER OF THE SERIES Rookie Harlen McShaft cracking one of his 3 homers in 3 games With many canidates for the Player of the Week, the notch goes to Harlen McShaft. McShaft hit .333 by going 4 for 12, 3 of which were homeruns. He also drove in 5 runs and made some fine defensive plays, proving himself worth every penny. General Manager Sicili Ronin has this to say about the young phenom; "Harlen is a poised individual with a big league attitude. He made his first speech before our last game, though he went 0/4. He suffered a dose of reality but still came out as the better. He made two diving stops in the game and still has the fans on his side. Lou is very pleased I brought him in and brought him up early. He has more love for the game than I've ever seen in any rookie. He's twenty-one years old but plays like he's a seasoned veteran and I couldn't ask for more. He needs more time in the cages to hit for average, but he's always there to hit a homerun." McShaft may have won but everyone on the team deserved the award. Travis Hafner hit .455 with six hits, two homers, and four RBI's. Than there was Jorge Cantu who also hit .455 with six hits and three RBI's. Jake Westbrook also had a shot with his dominant performance, striking out fourteen Blue Jays and allowing one hit in the first inning. It's safe to say GM Sicili Ronin has put together one hell of a squad, thought rumors are swirling that he's look to bulk up the bullpen. -- Tony Marciloni; Tampa Tribune Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yankee4Life Posted July 24, 2005 Share Posted July 24, 2005 Now a Devil Ray Dynasty?? Goodnight!!! I wonder if there is a loophole in the forum rules that will let me lock this? :chin: :shrug: :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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