Cool Papa Bell has 8 openings for next season after rollover. We are a league with a core of committed owners and an active and generally positive world chat. We typically have short roll-over waiting periods and high owner retention despite the exodus this season. We have a great track record of helping new owners find their bearings here in HBD and are always on the lookout for veteran owners interested in joining a solid league with very little drama.
Private World Rules
We have a three season minimum wins requirement of 55/120/195 games. Failure to meet the MWR will result in a vote of approval from the league body. Failure to meet the MWR in consecutive seasons will result in removal. Teams are also required to maintain a healthy pitching staff at the ML level. Teams deploying pitchers at below 50% fatigue for three consecutive games will receive a warning. After 7 consecutive games of players pitching below 50% fatigue will result in removal from Cool Papa Bell. As always HBD fairplay guidelines will be enforced.
Al North #1
Season 31 Record: 91-71. Season 32 Payroll Commitments: $75 Million. Amateur Draft Position: #25 overall. Key ML Players:
George Perez,
Vincente Posada,
Geraldo Escobar,
Howie Waters, and
Red Brock. Top Prospects:
Bobby Joe Wells. This squad rode a potent offense to an AL Wildcard and is primed to do so again this season with plenty of payroll flexibility and the core returning more or less intact.
AL East #1
Season 31 Record: 100-62. Season 32 Payroll Commitments: $74 Million. Amateur Draft Position: #29 overall. Key ML Players:
Adys Arcia,
Sammie Wohlers,
Ronald Shafer,
Neil Arendado,
Will Ford,
Kevin Long and
Paco Lorenzo. Top Prospects:
Sandy Kidd. Perennial Cy Young Candidate Arcia and MVP candidate Wohlers drove this squad to a division title and with the core in their primes this team should be a World Series contender for another season or two.
AL East #2
Season 31 Record: 95-67. Season 32 Payroll Commitments: $50 Million. Amateur Draft Position: #27 overall. Key ML Players:
Teoscar Alomar,
Sammy Posada,
Rene Morgan,
Pepe Aquino,
Dennis Hansen,
Emilio Bonilla,
Osvaldo Leucuna, and
Tim McCormick. Top Prospects: None. This a team whose window is just opening. There is elite young talent across the diamond and they are poised to be a World Series factor for the next 5 seasons especially since the team has the payroll flexibility to add a few additions to strengthen the rotation.
AL East #3
Season 31 Record: 79-83. Season 32 Payroll Commitments: $74 Million. Amateur Draft Position: #19 overall. Key ML Players:
Danny Hemmingway,
Ray Burroughs, and
Benji Paredes. Top Prospects: None. With an aging core and the two juggernauts ahead of them in the AL East this squad is primed for a complete rebuild. Paredes and company would bring back a nice prospect haul for the owner willing to tear it down and make the team in their image.
AL East #4
Season 31 Record: 67-95. Season 32 Payroll Commitments: $37 Million. Amateur Draft Position #5 overall. Key ML Players:
Steve Erickson, and
Don Fujikawa. Top Prospects:
Jay Herges,
Gregory Isringhausen, and
Pedro Butera. With a long way to go to catch the top of the division, the previous owner began the rebuild here. Armed with a low payroll and the #5, the next owner will have a great opportunity to add two or three impact prospects and develop the foundations for future success.
AL South #1
Season 31 Record: 69-93. Season 32 Payroll Commitments: $53 Million. Amateur Draft Position #7 overall. Key ML Players:
Jair Martin,
**** Maldanado,
Banana Hendrick,
Yuniesky Diaz,
Koyie Ramsey. Top Prospects:
Marco Ross,
Louie Polanco, and
Shep Bloomquist. In a weak division this squad has the offensive talent and cornerstone pitching to make a few moves and compete immediately or to continue the slow rebuild undertaken by the previous regime. Payroll flexibility and the #7 overall pick in the draft should allow for the new owner to do both in the first season.
NL West #1
Season 31 Record: 79-83. Season 32 Payroll Commitments: $60 Million. Amateur Draft Position: #18 overall. Key ML Players:
Tim Patterson,
Kevin Hayashi,
Joakim Baerga, and
Edgmer Terrero. Top Prospects:
Moises DeRojas, and
Neftali Fernandez. This team has been stuck in the middle of the NL for a few seasons. The next owner must decide if they will go all in and compete with a solid roster or tear down and begin the rebuild. There is some talent in the upper tiers of the minors and Neftali Fernandez looks like a future All-Star at SS/3B if he develops and stays healthy.
NL West #2
Season 31 Record: 64-98. Season 32 Payroll Commitments: $66 Million. Amateur Draft Position: #4 overall. Key ML Players:
Jack Fordham,
Richard Milton,
Shawn Adams,
Mycal Upton, and
Kole Lindsey. Top Prospects:
Don Robertson, and
Preston Durham. The offense here is squared away with impact talent in the OF and behind the plate, however pitching has been an issue for a few seasons here. With the #4 pick and some room in the payroll this team is ready for the sustained rebuild it needs or could add an ace in Free Agency and push for the playoffs.
11/1/2016 1:10 PM (edited)