1977-78 Offseason Thread

[catcher24]

The Legends announce the following signings, bringing their total payroll for 40 players to 97.75M:
Lou Piniella - 4M, 1 Year
Jim Wohlford - 250K, 1 Year

[Sockeye]

This was my mistake in offering the deal for 5 years in my HTD offer, which forced anyone else to match it (or I suppose point out the error when it was posted). I think Garry should be allowed to have the 5 year deal.

I was wondering how that worked. If it was anyone other than Mark L posting the bid we would have inquired about it. '82 is a big season for Harrah though and affected the amount we offered for him. Without it we weren't have gone after him to the extent we did.

[Windy City Fan]

The Thunder are looking to move utility infielder, Larry Milbourne before the cut deadline. We're also willing to hear proposals for Cliff Johnson, Bill Campbell, Bill Almon, or Jim Wright, but will obviously expect more than we'd ask for Milbourne.

[J W]

The Skipjacks announce the following signings:

Rod Carew - 5 yrs, $13.5M per. Great to have you back, Rod.
Jim Bibby - 5 yrs, $10.0M per. Not too excited about eating '82, but we'll take it.
Dave Lemanczyk - 2 yrs, $1.25M per. Stockpiling part-time SPs for the '79 rotation.
Greg Gross - 2 yrs, $1.0M per. Takes Lee Lacy's spot in '79.
Darrel Chaney - 1 yr, $250K. Relieved to get a second utility IF; rated VG at SS.

Not an awe-inspiring haul considering the large amount of talent in this year's free agency... but not a disappointment either.

This should bring us to 38 players and $90.25 mil.

[J W]

As such, we've got two spots to fill and $9.75 mil to play with. We'd rather entertain trade offers than sign off the waiver wire. Please PM me before the cut-down deadline if you have either a pitcher or left-handed bat on the block, that could help us win games sometime between 1978-1980.

[buppers]

Badgers cut Jerry Terrell - .250, John Hale - .250 and Steve Brye - .500 to get down to 40 players.
Contracts to follow.
Ed

[buppers]

Badgers FA signings
Don Kessinger - .500 - 1 yr
Rowland Office - .250 - 3 yrs
Biff Pocoroba - .250 - 1 yr
Doug Rau - .500 - 1 yr
Mickey Rivers - 2.250 - 3 yrs
Greg Thayer - .250 - 1 yr
Dick Tidrow - 2.750 - 3 yrs
Del Unser - .250 - 3 yrs
Bobby valentine -.500 - 2 yrs
Jack Brohamer - .250 - 3 yrs
Bill Stein - .750 - 3 yrs
Rennie Stennett - .500 - 3 yrs

Brings me to 40 players - for 85.750 and another 1.000 for cut players for Grand Total of - 40 players 86.750 salary. Leaving 13+ mil for absorbing salary in any deal.

BTW, I have 3 CF's rated VG - Office - 439 PA's, CF - VG48, Mickey Rivers - 604 PA's, CF - VG96 and Thad Bosley - 219 PA's, LF, CF and RF - VG118

Ed

[mwiggins]

Spikes final signings:

RF Dwight Evans - 5 yr/$10.75M
DH Hal McCrae - 3 yr/$3.5M
DH Jorge Orta - 1 yr/$5.0M
C Bob Stinson - 1 yr/$2.0M
C Mike Colbern - 1 yr/250K

That puts us at 41 players for $96.25.

We'd like to deal Stinson before cut downs, if possible. Switch hitting catcher with 423 PA's. 111 OPS+. Defensively he lacks range (Pr), but the rest of his game is very solid (Av arm, 2 PB rating, 82 Error rating).

Pretty much anyone on our team would be available outside of McCatty, Blyleven, Bell, and Evans.

[Erik Bedard]

Glenn Abbott - 250K/3 yr.
Mike Barlow - 250K/3 yr.
Pete Broberg - 250K/1 yr.
Pete LaCock - 250K/3 yr.
Willie McCovey - 250K/2 yr.
Freddie Patek - 250K/3 yr.
Ralph Garr - 250K/2 yr.
Jim Kaat - 250K/3 yr.
Jim Rooker - 250K/2 yr.
Joe Rudi - 750K/3 yr.
Dave Cash - 1M/2 yr.
Jay Johnstone - 750K/3 yr.
Gary Thomasson - 250K/2 yr.
Bill Bonham - 1.5M/2 yr.
Reggie Jackson - 21.25M/5 yr.
Don Sutton - 13.5M/5 yr.
Mike Bruhert - 250K/1 yr.
Jim Colborn - 250K/1 yr.
Jim Lonborg - 250K/1 yr.
Mickey Mahler - 250K/2 yr.
Andy Replogle - 250K/1 yr.
Wilbur Wood - 250K/1 yr.
Duffy Dyer - 250K/1 yr.
George Scott - 250K/2 yr.
Dave Rader - 250K/3 yr.

... putting us at 40 players, 100M.

[Windy City Fan]

The Thunder need to move one player. IF Larry Milbourne is the player on the edge right now. We'd trade him for any reasonable offer. However, there are some other players we would be willing to move for the right compensation.

John Ellis - He's signed for 750K through next season. This year he's a typical backup catcher, but next year he provides a 103 OPS+ in 337 PA. If you're looking for a quality backup or a platoon catcher, he could fit the bill.
Bill Campbell - 107 ERA+ with 227 BF. However is K/BB and HR/9 numbers indicate he may be able to surpass his ERA performance on the right team. He's on the last year of his contract for 1 million.
Jim Wright - 117 ERA+ in 480 BF. He can start or relieve. Signed to a rookie contract for 500K.
Bill Almon - Not a great hitter, but he provides near starter playing time (442 PA) and can play three positions (2B, 3B, SS). Signed to a rookie deal for 250K.

[leecemark]

Corsairs fA signings
Goose Gossage 15.0, 1 year
Andy Hassler 1.25, 3 years
Bill Robinson 4.25, 2 years
Jesus Alou, 1.0, 1 year
Reggie Cleveland 4.25, 1 year
Craig Skok, .50, 1 year
Wayne Cage .50, 1 year
Ken Brett .25, 2 years
Tom House .25, 1 year

now at 40 players for 95.75

[leecemark]

Graig Nettles 15.0, 1 year
Johnny Grubb 17.25, 1 year
Mickey Stanley .25, 1 year
Derrell Thomas .75, 3 years
Mickey Kelleher .25, 2 years
Dan Meyer .25, 2 years
Pedro Borbon .25, 2 years
Willie Montanez .50, 1 year

now at 40 players for 96.50

[mwiggins]

A few of the Spikes players currently on the block who might be able to help out a contender...most can be had for cheap.

Charlie Hough: RH RP, signed to a one-year deal for $1.75M. 93 IP, 108 ERA+, 1.254 WHIP. Very strong vs. RH's (.182 BA-Against, .560 OPS-Against).

Mark Fidrych: RH SP, signed to a one-year deal for 250K. 85 BF's, 161 ERA+, 1.00 WHIP. Could give a contender 3 quality starts in September. And despite being a right hander, he also a good option as a vs. LH Closer or Setup man, as he dominated lefties (.159 BA-Against, .423 OPS-Against).

Bob Stinson: Switch hitting catcher. One year deal for $2M. 423 PA's, 111 OPS+. Av arm, 2 PB rating.

Bucky Dent: SS. One year left on $1M rookie deal. 415 PA's, 72 OPS+. Vg/54 glove.

Bill Buckner: 1B. 3 year's left on a $1.5M deal. 470 PA's, 104 OPS+. Av/65 at 1B. Lefty killer in 1978 (.389 BA, 172 OPS+ vs. LHP)

[Windy City Fan]

Thunder signings:
Dave Goltz 1 year, 13 million
Bob Boone 2 year, 5.25 million
Don Money 1 year, 11.5 million
Cliff Johnson 3 year, 1.25 million

[rmadachik]

I think even without the MP's being set the Corsairs have to be the early favorites for this season

[Windy City Fan]

The Corsairs are looking strong. They're an easy favorite in their division I'd say, with the Iron and Gamblers competing to see who is the runner up. Over in the Hulbert, I think it will be the Skipjacks and Thunder battling it out again, but the Legends have a good club too. I think the WC will be the Hulbert runner up.

Over in the Robinson league, it will probably be the Knights and Angels fighting for supremecy in the Johnson, while the Blues and Beavers duke it out over the Cartwright. I'd bet on the runner up in the Johnson for the WC.

[leecemark]

--With no MPs except my own I wouldn't bet too much on my sim results. The Corsairs probably do project to have the easiest time of it in their diision with the other races projecting much as Craig has them. The Skipjacks have really rocked my early sims though, running about even with the Corasairs as best team in baseball. That is without anything but basic lineups though. The Thunder have alot of talent to mix and match for favorable matchups.

[mwiggins]

The Spikes will go ahead and cut Ted Cox to get down to 40, taking the 500K hit to our cap. That leaves us at 40 players for $96.5M.

[mwiggins]

* No MP files from me for the time being, Mark, until technical difficulties are resolved. You can keep sending me the files, though. Other than opening the MP screen in databases that I've loaded from you (I don't have that problem on seasons I've purchased myself), DMB appears to be working flawlessly on the new computer.

Spikes 1978 MP

25-Man Roster
SP Bert Blyleven
SP Frank Tanana
SP Bob Forsch
SP Chris Knapp
SP Larry McWilliams
RP Randy Moffitt
RP Charlie Hough
RP Paul Mitchell
RP Ray Burris
RP David Clylde
C Butch Wynegar
1B Bill Buckner
2B Junior Kennedy
3B Buddy Bell
SS Bucky Dent
LF Steve Henderson
CF Garry Maddox
RF Dwight Evans
DH Jorge Orta
DH Hal McCrae
C Bob Stinson
1B/3B Enos Cabell
2B Duane Kuiper
SS Johnnie LeMaster
OF Larry Harlow

Farm System
RP Don Hood
RP George Frazier
RP Rob Dressler
SP Mark Fidrych
SS Bert Campaneris
SP Steve McCatty
LF Andres Mora
SP Don Aase
IF Jimmy Sexton
RP Stan Perzanowski
RP Jim Todd
C Mike Colbern
SS Rob Picciolo
C Buck Martinez
OF Willie Norwood

Lineup vs RHP
CF Garry Maddox (Larry Harlow)
DH Jorge Orta (Hal McCrae)
LF Steve Henderson (Larry Harlow)
RF Dwight Evans (Larry Harlow)
1B Bill Buckner (Enos Cabell 20%)
3B Buddy Bell (Enos Cabell)
C Butch Wynegar (Bob Stinson 10%)
SS Bucky Dent (Johnnie LeMaster 10%)
2B Junior Kennedy (Duane Kuiper 20%)

Lineup vs LHP
CF Garry Maddox (Larry Harlow)
1B Bill Buckner (Enos Cabell)
LF Steve Henderson (Larry Harlow)
RF Dwight Evans (Larry Harlow)
DH Hal McCrae (Jorge Orta)
3B Buddy Bell (Enos Cabell)
C Butch Wynegar (Bob Stinson 10%)
SS Bucky Dent (Johnnie LeMaster 10%)
2B Junior Kennedy (Duane Kuiper 20%)


Pitching Assignments
Rotation: 5 Man Skip
SP1: Bert Blyleven
SP2: Frank Tanana
SP3: Bob Forsch
SP4: Chris Knapp
SP5: Larry McWilliams
Mopup Relief: David Clyde
Longman: Paul Mitchell, Ray Burris, Randy Moffitt, David Clyde
LH Setup: David Clyde, Ray Burris
RH Setup: Charlie Hough, Ray Burris
LH Closer: Charlie Hough, Randy Moffitt
RH Closer: Charlie Hough, Randy Moffitt

Managerial Profile
Hitting
Bunt for hit: Standard
Sac Bunt: Standard
Squeeze: Standard
Hit and Run: Standard
Steal: Standard
Take Extra Bases: Standard
Take Pitches: Standard
Pinch hit for pitchers: Standard
Pinch hit for non-pitchers: Standard
Pinch hit for Platoon Partner: Standard
Pinch hit in blowouts: Standard

Pitching
Pitch Around: Standard
IBB: Standard
Pickoff: Standard
Pitching Out: Standard
Use Relievers: Standard
Use Closers: Standard

Defense
Hold Runners: Standard
IF In: Standard
Guard Lines: Standard

[Sockeye]

ROSTER

SP: Juan Berenguer 0.50K Contract: 1978 Rookie, Exp 1983
OF: Steve Braun 0.25K Contract: 1977 FA/trade, 3 Years Exp 1979
RP: Warren Brusstar 0.50K Contract: 1977 Rookie, Exp 1982
SP: Mike Caldwell 6.00M Contract: 1977 FA, 5 Years Exp 1981
LF: Jose Cardenal 0.25K Contract: 1977 FA, 3 Years Exp 1979
SP: Larry Christenson 1.50M Contract: 1973 Rookie, Exp 1978
1B: Tim Corcoran 0.25K Contract: 1977 draftee/trade, Exp 1982
1B: Dan Driessen 1.50M Contract: 1973 Rookie, Exp 1978
C: Joe Ferguson 5.75M Contract: 1978 FA, 2 Years Exp 1979
RP: Rollie Fingers 10.00M Contract: 1974 FA, 5 Years Exp 1978
SP: Ed Halicki 1.00M Contract: 1974 Rookie, Exp 1979
SS: Toby Harrah 6.50M Contract: 1978 FA, 5 Years Exp 1982
SP: Catfish Hunter 2.00M Contract: 1977 FA, 2 years Exp 1978
RP: Roy Lee Jackson 0.50K Contract: 1977 Rookie, Exp 1982
3B: Ray Knight 0.25K Contract: 1974 Rookie, Exp 1979
SP: Kevin Kobel 0.50K Contract: 1973 Rookie, Exp 1978
RP: Bob Lacey 0.75K Contract: 1977 Rookie, Exp 1982
SP: Dennis Leonard 2.50M Contract: 1974 Rookie, Exp 1979
RF: Jeffrey Leonard 0.50K Contract: 1977 Rookie, Exp 1982
RP: Skip Lockwood 4.00M Contract: 1976 FA/trade 3 Years Exp 1978
2B: Davey Lopes 7.00M Contract: 1978 FA, 2 Years Exp 1979
1B: John Mayberry 2.50M Contract: 1977 FA/trade 3 Years Exp 1979
CF: Lee Mazzilli 2.00M Contract: 1976 Rookie, Exp 1981
SP: Scott McGregor 2.00M Contract: 1975 draftee/trade, Exp 1980
DH: Jose Morales 0.50M Contract: 1973 draftee/trade, Exp 1978
2B: Joe Morgan 4.00M Contact: 1978 FA, 3 Years Exp 1980
OF: Bobby Murcer 0.75K Contract: 1977 FA, 2 Years Exp 1978
SP: Mike Norris 1.00M Contract: 1975 Rookie, Exp 1980
CF: Billy North 5.50M Contract: 1977 FA, 4 Years Exp 1980
OF/IF: Ron Pruitt 0.50K Contract: 1975 Rookie, Exp 1980
SP: Eric Rasmussen 1.00M Contract: 1975 Rookie, Exp 1980
OF: Merv Rettenmund 2.50M Contract: 1977 FA, Exp 1978
LF: Gene Richards 1.50M Contract: 1977 Rookie, Exp 1982
3B/1B: Pete Rose 5.25M Contract: 1977 FA, 4 Years Exp 1980
SP: Lary Sorensen 1.00M Contract: 1977 Rookie, Exp 1982
SP: Craig Swan 0.75K Contract: 1973 draftee/trade Exp 1978
RF: Otto Velez 0.75K Contract: 1973 Rookie, Exp 1978
C: John Wathan 0.75K Contract: 1976 Rookie, Exp 1981
1B: Bob Watson 7.50M Contract: 1978 FA, 1 Year Exp 1978
2B: Larry Wolfe 0.25K Contract: 1977 FA, 3 Years Exp 1979

40 PLAYERS = 92.25M + 0.25 released = 92.50M

25 Man Roster

OF: Steve Braun 0.25K Contract: 1977 FA/trade, 3 Years Exp 1979
RP: Warren Brusstar 0.50K Contract: 1977 Rookie, Exp 1982
SP: Mike Caldwell 6.00M Contract: 1977 FA, 5 Years Exp 1981
SP: Larry Christenson 1.50M Contract: 1973 Rookie, Exp 1978
1B: Dan Driessen 1.50M Contract: 1973 Rookie, Exp 1978
C: Joe Ferguson 5.75M Contract: 1978 FA, 2 Years Exp 1979
RP: Rollie Fingers 10.00M Contract: 1974 FA, 5 Years Exp 1978
SP: Ed Halicki 1.00M Contract: 1974 Rookie, Exp 1979
SS: Toby Harrah 6.50M Contract: 1978 FA, 5 Years Exp 1982
SP: Kevin Kobel 0.50K Contract: 1973 Rookie, Exp 1978
SP: Dennis Leonard 2.50M Contract: 1974 Rookie, Exp 1979
2B: Davey Lopes 7.00M Contract: 1978 FA, 2 Years Exp 1979
CF: Lee Mazzilli 2.00M Contract: 1976 Rookie, Exp 1981
SP: Scott McGregor 2.00M Contract: 1975 draftee/trade, Exp 1980
DH: Jose Morales 0.50M Contract: 1973 draftee/trade, Exp 1978
2B: Joe Morgan 4.00M Contact: 1978 FA, 3 Years Exp 1980
OF: Bobby Murcer 0.75K Contract: 1977 FA, 2 Years Exp 1978
CF: Billy North 5.50M Contract: 1977 FA, 4 Years Exp 1980
OF: Merv Rettenmund 2.50M Contract: 1977 FA, Exp 1978
LF: Gene Richards 1.50M Contract: 1977 Rookie, Exp 1982
3B/1B: Pete Rose 5.25M Contract: 1977 FA, 4 Years Exp 1980
SP: Lary Sorensen 1.00M Contract: 1977 Rookie, Exp 1982
SP: Craig Swan 0.75K Contract: 1973 draftee/trade Exp 1978
RF: Otto Velez 0.75K Contract: 1973 Rookie, Exp 1978
1B: Bob Watson 7.50M Contract: 1978 FA, 1 Year Exp 1978

Lineup vs RHP

LF: Gene Richards L
RF: Bobby Murcer L
CF: Lee Mazzilli S
3B: Pete Rose S
1B: Dan Driessen L
2B: Joe Morgan L
C: Joe Ferguson R (Morales 35% R)
DH: Steve Braun L (North 30%)
SS: Toby Harrah R
PH vs RHP: Merv Rettenmund
PH vs LHP: Merv Rettenmund, Bob Watson, Otto Velez

Lineup vs LHP

LF: Gene Richards L
RF: Bobby Murcer L
DH: Otto Velez R
1B: Bob Watson R
CF: Lee Mazzilli S
3B: Pete Rose S
2B: Davey Lopes R
C: Joe Ferguson R (Morales 35% R)
SS: Toby Harrah R
PH vs RHP: Merv Rettenmund, Joe Morgan, Dan Driessen
PH vs LHP: Merv Rettenmund



Pitching Assignments
Rotation - 4 Man, strict
SP1: Mike Caldwell
SP2: Craig Swan
SP3: Ed Halicki
SP4: Scott McGregor

Closer: Rollie Fingers
LH Set Up: Kevin Kobel
RH Set Up: Larry Christenson, Lary Sorensen
Long Relief: Dennis Leonard, Warren Brusstar
Mopup:


Strategy
Bunt For Hit: Normal
Sacrifice Bunt: Normal
Squeeze Bunt: Normal
Hit and Run: Normal
Stealing: Normal
Running: Normal
Taking Pitches: More
PH For Pitchers: Normal
PH For non Pitchers: Normal
PH For Platoon Partner: Normal
PH In Blowouts: More
Pitching Around: Normal
Intentional Walk: Normal
Pickoffs: Normal
Pitching Out: Normal
Using Relievers: Normal
Using Closers: Normal
Holding Runners: Normal
Infield In: Normal
Guard Lines: Normal

[jaybird_1981]

The Hard Cider are placing Willie Stargell on the trading block. He has a very manageable contract of 6M over the next couple seasons and will provide the big bat that might make the difference for a contender this year.

[catcher24]

* No MP files from me for the time being, Mark, until technical difficulties are resolved. You can keep sending me the files, though. Other than opening the MP screen in databases that I've loaded from you (I don't have that problem on seasons I've purchased myself), DMB appears to be working flawlessly on the new computer.

Mark - Make sure you are running the game under administrative privileges. I saw something about this over at the DMB forums - I presume your new system is a Windows 7 system. I went in and made the suggested change as soon as I loaded DM onto my new Win7 system and I've never had a problem with it. Here is a link to that thread. If this is the source of your problem it should fix it. If not, register for these forums and post your problem. There are some very knowledgeable people over there.
DMB Windows 7 thread

[jaybird_1981]

The Hard Cider will cut Ron Schueler to get down to 40 men.

[Windy City Fan]

The Thunder cut Larry Milbourne to get under 40.

[dust bunnies]

The Dust Bunnies sign the players acquired in the FA bidding process the following contracts:

Jerry Morales - 3 years (78-80) $0.25M
Preston Hanna - 3 years (78-80) $0.25M
Dave Tomlin - 2 years (78-79) $0.75M)
Stan Bahnsen - 3 years (78-80) $1.75M
Grant Jackson - 3 years (78-80) $3.75M
Jerry Koosman - 2 years (78-79) $5.00M
Sparky Lyle - 2 years (78-79) $2.25M
Bill Lee - 2 years (78-79) $6.50
Gary Matthews - 2 years (78-79) $11.00
Dusty Baker - 5 years (78-82) $10.50

Jack