Hey, Mattingly has rolled and has multiple openings. This is a great league with high quality owners dedicated to sticking around each season - a good mix of guys who've been around forever and newer owners, but all here for the long haul.
As far as teams go, there's a mix of everything. If you want to contend immediately, we've got that. If you want hot prospects, we've got that, and if you're looking for a ground-up rebuild, we've got that too. If you're interested, shoot me
(krindor) a message and we'll get you in and get started.
AL North
Cleveland Curse Franchise - Led by
Storm Bush, they won 97 games last season, and have some solid young professional hitters with more on the way (
Reynaldo Lopez). Likely best served by improving the pitching staff and contending, but there's always trade demand for young hitters so could move either way.
Toledo Mudhens Franchise - The opposite of success, these guys were terrible last season and the season before. The ML roster has a few nice pieces (
Bert Randolph), but lacks the depth and high-end talent to contend right away. Luckily, this team is armed with the #1 overall pick and some lurking talent in the minors (chiefly
Norman Newson). This is a rebuild, but in position to get started right away.
AL East
Hartford Federalists Franchise - One click tells you a lot about this team. Led by 26 year old, 2x Silver Slugger shortstop
Dixie Sutton, this team has a lot of high-end, young talent. Add 27 year old
Dom Griffey, 27 year old
Bucky O'Day, and 26 year old
Mitchell Hendricks and this team has a lineup ready for years to come. Some good minor league prospects also ensure this team the flexibility to contend as the seasons pass.
AL West
Anaheim Halos Franchise - Another team with high-end talent, including
Jordan Coles, who I've personally tried to trade for more times than I can count. Probably makes sense to hold him though with ace
Victor Pujols in the last season of a big contract. This is a team that needs to decide which way to go, right now they don't have the needed depth around their stars to compete at the highest level.
Oakland Athletics Franchise - Built for the future and the future is now.
Nap Rubel and
Beamer Hughes are young and surrounded by a young supporting ML cast with future studs like
Wilfredo Chavez and
Julian Nicasio nearly ready to contribute. They've got the 12th pick this season, but will likley be the last time they pick this high in a while.
NL West
Scottsdale Slumdogs Franchise - Knocked out in the NLCS last season, this team is clearly loaded with talent. Players like
Edgardo Rodriguez,
Jose Carrara,
Joshua Newman, and
Miguel Galvez are elite talents at the ML level and still in their prime.
San Diego Electrics Franchise - A playoff team last season led by veteran
Theo Rivera and young stars like SS
York Hultzen, SS
Tony LaHair, LF
Charlie Castner, true ace
Stuffy Hall, and a score of quality supporting castmembers. This team has kept me out of the playoffs the past two seasons and with the age of their stars, there's unfortunately a good chance that keeps up.
NL North
Tacoma Rainiers Franchise - This one's a rebuild, but has a good foundation for it, with almost no contracts past this season. In addition, they've got promising young 2B
Raymond Skipworth and young prospect pitcher
Juan Ruiz and a few potentially promising options in the lower minors. Additionally, they are part of an ongoing 4 season competition (currently in season 2) of rebuilds, with the winner getting up to $50 in WIS gift cards. Contact me for more details about the competition.
Syracuse Sliders Franchise - After a long time contending and leading the division (9 consecutive seasons), this team has finally ended their run and has a fairly bare cupboard. They've got the #6 pick and the rebuild starts now.
St Louis Red Birds Franchise - Led by Virgil Sosa and Jerrod Smith, this team has been undergoing a youth movement that hasn't really born fruit yet. With 6 years ML time, Sosa's the most experienced player on the current roster, and only contract over $400K. Armed with future stud SP Mike Walker, promising SS Bart Wainhouse, and this year's #5 pick, this team is set to prioritize youth and talent. It may be a season or two before they get really scary, but the foundation is there.
NL South
Huntington Water Buffaloes Franchise - This franchise is led at the ML level by
Asdrubal Pescado, an elite defensive SS with enough bat to contribute at the plate as well. There's a collection of adequate, but not exceptional talent (including SS
Jo-jo Edmonds waiting in the minors). Additionally, they are part of an ongoing 4 season competition (currently in season 2) of rebuilds, with the winner getting up to $50 in WIS gift cards. Contact me for more details about the competition.
San Juan Conquistadors Franchise - This team was in pretty rough straits a few seasons back, but has been cleaned up some and look closer to turning the corner. Not a lot at the major league level, but some prospects are on the way.
Yamil Uribe will likely be the first to arrive, and could either be surrounded with FA or traded for more talent. This one will likely require some care over a few seasons.
Houston Texicans Franchise - 3 consecutive 100+ win seasons and not looking likely to change with a ridiculous rotation featuring
Joe Hultzen,
Apollo Woodall and
Jake Cohen supported by hitters like
Benji Marquez,
Enerio Mesa and
Fausto Ozuna. These guys lost the WS last season in a heartbreaker and are a clear threat to return and maybe take it all this season.
Jacksonville Smugglers Franchise - This team has been a slightly below average for a while. Although they do have useful (and young) ML pieces in multiple GG-winning SS
Zeus Munro, the minors are largely devoid of difference makers beyond 1B
Brian Koplove. They're in need an owner with a long-term vision,willing to build up instead of looking for the overnight quick fix. Additionally, they are part of an ongoing 4 season competition (currently in season 2) of rebuilds, with the winner getting up to $50 in WIS gift cards. Contact me for more details about the competition.