Thursday, April 17, 2008

10 Questions with nwilson2

On Todays edition of 10 questions we are talking to nwilsion2 owner of the Tampa Bay Red Tides. Tampa Bay has made the playoffs all 5 seasons, the only NL team to do so. This is the first interview from the NL.

1. How did you get into whatifsports?

A friend of mine actually convinced me to give it a try. I had been playing multiple fantasy games with him (Baseball, Football, Basketball, NASCAR etc.) and he thought I would like it. He was right I’ve been pretty into it since Day 1 of the Tampa Bay Red Tide!

2. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Keep in mind that every manager will be asked this. Things like Age, Work, location, family things, hobbies/interests, personality quirks.

I’m 24 years old and currently living in Baltimore, MD. I grew up in the small town of Chestertown located on the Easter Shore of Maryland. I lived there all my life even staying in Chestertown to attend Washington College. Upon graduation I made the move across the Chesapeake Bay to take an internship, which latter turned into a job. I love all sports and get drilled by the girlfriend for playing more attention to them then her. I play all Fantasy sports and usually have multiple teams in multiple leagues. I spend most of the summer weekends on my newly acquired boat and enjoy the summer sun and beaches. I’m going to stop writing about myself now because I’m beginning to feel like this is a personal add that’s going to be posted on a dating website.

3. In your opinion, what minor league player, in your franchise, has the most potential to be a ML star and why?

I would be the first to admit that I don’t really have a very good minor league system. Choosing to sign high priced Free Agents and losing draft picks. My 3 favorite/top prospects are currently in the Majors with Carl Nelson being the one I have the highest hopes for. Of the prospects still in my minor leagues I think Wolf James has the potential to be a solid ML player if he can stay healthy.

4. Would you change anything about your budget this season?

If I could change anything I guess it would be to add more money into my player payroll budget. I know I already have the 3rd highest player payroll in the league but it would have been nice if I could have spent the money needed to sign Perry Bennett! I really need a #1 caliber starter especially since my #2 pitcher went down for the season. Hopefully a stud pitcher will make it into Free Agency this off season!!

5. How did you come up with your team name?

I vacation in Tampa usually for a week every year. Someone had already picked the Baltimore location when I signed up so I decided to go with Tampa. During my last trip to Tampa there had been some Red Tide in the Gulf and so I just used it as a team name. I thought it was an interesting name until I found out my colors were yellow and blue! The Red Tide name kind of lost its edge when the team has no red in the color scheme. Whatif should allow teams to pick their own colors!

6. In real life, what teams/sports do you like? Also did you play sports as a kid and what was that like?

I’m a big Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan! So much so that I convinced myself it was a good idea to buy season tickets even though I live in Baltimore and could only attend one game, at the most, each year! I also love the Baltimore Orioles however 10 losing seasons has made it easy to forget about them and route more for my individual fantasy players then the O’s. Growing up I played all sports but as I got older and practices started to conflict with each other I choose Baseball and Football. I played both sports in High school and continued playing baseball in college. After one year on the Division III College team I called it quits and now only play the occasional game of squash.

7. Who is your team MVP thus far in the ML’s

The MVP of the Red Tide is Tito Wilkerson. Currently he has 14 homeruns, 45 RBIs and 15 SBs and we have only played roughly 30 games. I’m hoping he can win the league MVP award this year!

8. You have made the playoffs all five seasons. Do you think you will continue this streak? Also do you think you can win the world series this year?

I do think the streak will continue this year. It looks like NY and Washington will give me a run for my money but I think my hitting will prove good enough to propel me into the playoffs. I don’t think a World Series win is in the cards for this year even though I hope it happens. I don’t think I have the pitching needed to compete in the playoffs. Last year I thought I was going to make it to the World Series but Chicago swept me and with their pitching I don’t know how I’m going to get by them in the playoffs. Hopefully someone else can do my dirty work and knock them out before I have to play them. Even then without a trade for a big time pitcher I don’t think I have what it takes to make it to the Series.

9.You made three trades this year. Which do you think is your best trade and do you think you will make the playoffs because of these trades?

By far my best trade was the one that netted me Tito Wilkerson. He has done nothing but hit since he has come to the Red Tide. Even though that was the best trade the other 2 trades were for guys that have proven to be key pieces of my team currently.

10. Who do you consider to be your rival/rivals in this league?

My biggest rivals are the teams in the NL east. I really can’t single anyone of the teams out has each year a different team has taken the title from me or given me a good chase. One year it was NY, one year it was DC, last year it was Huntington and this year it looks like DC and NY are going to be tough to get by.

A Big thanks to Tampa Bay for answering my questions! Good Luck the rest of the way!

Up next a team from the AL...

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Highest Paid Players in season 6

I thought an article should be done to show the top paid players in our league. I will break it down into the top 15 pitchers and top 15 position players.

The top Paid 15 Position Players For this season Are...

Team name and salary in the millions...Forgive the way it all squished together...i had more things, like age and position but you can imagine how awful that looked! Back to Blogging school i go!



1. Pablo Mercedes Syracuse 14.125
2. Javier Baez Syracuse 11.7
3. Brian Rodgers Fargo 10
4. William Hunter Austin 9.9
5. Harry Montero Chi Cubs 9.281
6. Darren Brohawn Helena 9.250
7. Fred Hill NY Com 9.1
8. Oswaldo Park Little Rock 9
9. Dave O'Brien NY Ama 9
10. Peter Fox Richmond 9
11. Tommie Allen Vancouver 9
12. Albert Bennett Little Rock 8.950
13. Howie Watson Detroit 8.815
14. Norm Christman Philadelphia 8.6
15. Roy Nelson Detroit 8.6

The total of all these players salaries is about 144.321 million, the average player on this list makes 9.62 million and is about 29.5 years old. Are all of these players deserving? I will leave that for you to decide!

It should be noted that, for position, I used the position that the owner has listed, so it may be incorrect at times.

Also, No Players who have their primary position listed as C or DH made this list. The Highest Three paid Catchers for this season were 25 yr old Ralph Randal of the NY Comics, who makes 6.875 mil, 32 yr old D'Angelo Pescado who plays for Santa Cruz and makes 6.190 mil, and 32 yr old Josh Beltre who plays for Tamba Bay and will make 6 million this season

The highest three paid players listed at DH were 34 yr old Eddie Norton from San Jose who is making 7.760 mil, 28 yr old Nicholas Maduro from Detroit who is making 7 mil, and 32 yr old B.C. Villa from Oakland who is making 5.7 mil.

Highest Paid Pitchers to Come Shortly...

10 Questions with Primetime17

For the first installment of the AL 10 questions, we are starting with Primetime17 , owner of the Little Rock Primetimers . They have been with us in JAHA now for 6 seasons and are the only team to have won their division 5 seasons and counting.

1. How did you get into whatifsports?

I saw a link on MLB.Com and have been hooked since the day I clicked it

2. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Keep in mind that every manager will be asked this. Things like Age, Work, location, family things, hobbies/interests, personality quirks.

Im a NYC boy, born and raised. Im not on the other side of the mountain but I can see the top. For the last 20 years I have been a Race Horse Trainer, racing in the tough NY/NJ circuit (Meadowlands, Yonkers, Freehold). For a number of years I was 1 of the leading Trainers at Yonkers Raceway and won the training title in 2001 with 113 Wins. These days I mostly play poker and play HBD for my entertainment. I have been known to be a little bit of a hot head here in WIS but its only my competitive nature. Deep down I can be very sensitive and warm hearted.

3. In your opinion, what minor league player, in your franchise, has the most potential to be a ML star and why?

Unfortunately all my good young players were pressed into duty and playing in the Big Leagues. Also with a very low draft choice every year its hard to find any new ones. The one that does stick out in my mind is AAA pitcher Carlos Izquierdo. So far he has moved up the ranks and pitched well at every level.

4. Would you change anything about your budget this season?

Yes. More player payroll as I am at my limit.

5. How did you come up with your team name?

I actually had a Sports Memorabilia business at one time called Primetime Sports. I got that name from a coach that said I was the best 6:00 hitter he ever seen (but too bad the games started at 7:00) and he also used to say you needed to be a Primetime player, not a 6:00 player. No, it has nothing to do with Deion Sanders.

6. In real life, what teams/sports do you like? Also did you play sports as a kid and what was that like?

Guess I kinda answered that already but I played baseball and basketball almost my whole life. Loved basketball more but was a way better baseball player. My life is my beloved NY Mets but I am also a big NY Jets fan and, sorry to say, a NY Knicks fan.

7. Who is your team MVP thus far in the ML’s

Hard to answer that because I am off to my usual slow start but LF Cecil Bush and SP Kent Hart are my 2 best players and Im sure they will rise to the top.

8. As the only owner to have 5 straight division champions, do you feel any pressure? Also do you think you will do it again this season? Could this be the year you win the world series?

I actually do feel the pressure right now because despite 5 straight divisions I have won only 1 playoff series. This year with basically everyone coming back I added a #3 hitter in Alex Guevara and an Ace in Pokey Smith and feel they put me over the top. Unfortunately I am only at 12-14 at this moment and Im starting to worry why I cant get rolling.

9. Are you worried about the loss of Alex Guevara? Do you think he will be at risk now for repeat injuries?

Well I dont think I can afford to lose him because I was 8-2 before he got hurt and went 4-12 without him. He is back now and his health rating is 90 so I cant feel he is going to be injury prone.

10.You have had a number of guys promoted to the big leagues this season. In your mind which of them has the best chance of becoming a star?

This is Alex Guevara 1st year in the majors and I think he has a big career ahead. Also I have two young RP's named Victor Lee and Denny Zhou that are in their 1st full major league season and I think that 1-2 punch before my super steady closer Buster Lankford are going to make it tough to come back against the Primetimers late in the game when we have a lead.

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions Primetimers! Best of luck the rest of the way

Next up on ten questions, from the NL, we have the Tampa Bay Red Tide. Look for new questions from the NL and AL every4 days or so. Until then...







Monday, April 14, 2008

Huge Trade

Paul Simon
Colorado
Lumber Company
Age: 22B/T: S/R
Born: Andover, MN
Position(s): SS
View Hardball Dynasty Profile

for
Phil Stewart
Los Angeles
Dodgers
Age: 21B/T: R/R
Born: Bakersfield, CA
Position(s): P (SP3)
View Hardball Dynasty Profile

and
Fausto Johnson
Los Angeles
Dodgers
Age: 21B/T: R/R
Born: Denton, TX
Position(s): 2B/CIF/OF/DH
View Hardball Dynasty Profile


The classic hitting for pitching deal. The Lumber Company acquired their SS of the future in Simon. His defense should be average at short and his ratings indicate that he should hit for a decent average as well. The Dodgers receive a future ace in Stewart and a decent utilityman in Johnson. All three of these players should be ML-ready in short order, possibly as soon as this season.

Friday, April 11, 2008

The Original 10

The Jaha League is now in its sixth season. We are fortunate to have 10 original owners

From the AL West we have the
San Jose Squeables . They won the world series in the first season, and with 3 of the 5 world series champs coming from this division, it is for sure, one of the most competitive in the league.

The Al South has one original owner, the Little Rock Primetimers. They have been the Division winners in 5 straight seasons. Pretty remarkable! Will this streak continue?

The Al East also has one original owner, the New York Comics , they have made the playoffs 3 seasons and look to be in the playoff hunt come the end of the season.

The Al North has two original owners, the Philadelphia Ham Fighters and the Detroit Wolves. The Philadelphia Ham Fighters have made it the playoffs twice, and have been competitive every season, and the Detroit Wolves have made it the playoffs four times, and won the world series once.

Now we move regretfully on to the NL. This Blogger has almost no respect for the NL but will try to withhold any bias from, this blog : ) As a side note, 4 out of the five World Series Winners from the Jaha league have been from the AL. Perhaps now the readers will understand this bloggers feelings in writing about the NL....

In the NL West There are no original owners. The owner that has been in this division the longest is the Los Angeles Dodgers who joined up in season 4.

In the NL South you can find two original owners. The Richmond River Pirates have made the playoffs one time, and have to be itching to get back in it! Our League Commish, owner of the El Paso Coyotes also resides here. They have made the playoffs the last three seasons. It should also be noted that this league has managed a low turn out rate the last few seasons, and a fast fill up rate, due in large part to this manager. Thank you Commish!

The NL East has three original mangers. The New York Amazins , Tampa Bay Red Tide and the Washington D.C. Clones. The New York Amazins made the playoffs the first two seasons and havent made the playoffs since. I think they are long over due for an appearance. The Tampa Bay Red Tide have made the playoffs all five seasons! It is only a matter of time before they win a world series. You never know this could be the year! The Washington D.C. Clones made the playoffs in the 4th season. With a huge free agent signing this year, its apparent they are shooting for another post season appearance.

The NL North has no original owners. The longest owner is of the Chicago Cubs and they joined this division in season three. However in season two this owner managed the Albuquerque Pilots in the NL West.

A big thanks to all the original owners!!! But Also to newer active owners. This league has made great strives in the past few seasons, and i think it will only get better in the seasons to come!



Power Rankings

Here are the Jaha Power Rankings through 26 games:

1. Florida Swamp Grass (19-7) - An outstanding start fueled by phenomenal pitching. The team ERA of 3.13 is the lowest in the AL by over a run.
2. Chicago Cubs (19-7) - A balanced team with solid pitching and hitting. Perennial MVP candidate Harry Montero has 25 RBI through the first 26 games.
3. Santa Cruz Jacks (18-8) - Quick start includes a recent three game sweep of El Paso. A revamped rotation has lopped nearly 2 runs off of last season's ERA.
4. New York Amazins (18-8) - Excellent hitting has more than made of for inconsistent pitching. Veteran Dave O'Brien is flat out raking, with a 1.329 OPS and 15 HR in 26 games.
5. Detroit Wolves (19-7) - The top record in the AL is helped by a 7-1 record in 1-run games. A mediocre 14 run differential indicates regression might be approaching. Still, 19 wins is 19 wins.
6. El Paso Coyotes (16-10) - The top run differential in the NL so far, but this team has struggled in series against the Cubs and Jacks.
7. Colorado Lumber Company (16-10) - The defending World Series Champions are scoring runs by the bushel, as usual. They will need to improve run prevnetion to make another run for the title.
8. Charlotte Pea Pods (16-10) - The top scoring team in Jaha has been led by rookie Chris Rivers, who has a blistering 1.293 OPS in his first 26 ML games.

Season 6 is Underway

We are less than 20 games into the new season, and several franchises have already fallen victim to the fickle HBD Gods.

The first major blow was in Spring Training, where the Texas Titans lost starting left fielder Theo Hansen for the season with a mysterious case of nerve irritation. Hansen had recently signed a 5 year, 25 million dollar contract, giving him 4 more years to justify his contract. Charlie Larkin, Luis Montanez, and Tyler Glavine were also lost to the 60-day DL in the early weeks of the season.

Several of Season 5's top teams have struggled out of the gate, with the division winners Los Angeles, Syracuse, and Little Rock struggling to get over .500 in the early going.

It's not all gloom and doom though, as several teams look like they are primed for major turnarounds. The Santa Cruz Jacks, New York Amazins, and Florida Swamp Grass are all poised for playoff runs after several years of missing out on the postseason.