PLAYERS OF THE WEEK -- 9/9-9/16

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Nicholas Lanier is the Player of the Week. He went 32/85 for a batting average of .376 and hit 16 homeruns in 20 games. Lanier also drove in 37 runs and stole 12 bases.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK

Pat Yang is the Pitcher of the Week. He gave up 8 earned run(s) in 29 innings for an ERA of 2.48. He went 5-0 over a span of 5 games. Yang struck out 29 while only walking 7..

EARLY TRIPLE CROWN WATCH

The season is very early so far, but Arizona's Nicholas Lanier is simply on fire! Lanier is a definite MVP candidate for this season. Here are his season totals so far:

.362 avg (4th), 24 HR (1st), 54 RBI (1st)

We'll be keeping an eye on Lanier as the season continues.

Welcome to the very first installment of "The Rumor Mill". If there's a hot rumor out there in the Shoeless Joe world, you can bet we'll find it and put it on this page. Once this comes out, let me know which setup you like better. Whether it's individualized articles on each rumor, or all the rumors put onto here. So without further adue, here they are.

The Salem Lights have made it known to virtually everybody in the world that they are continuing their search for a legitimate ML SP. They have big time prospects to trade as well, with examples being Bill Barkley, Dennys Rando, and Bob Lambert. If you have one to trade, give rootgargle a TC.

Another team looking for ML SP? Add Pawtucket to that list. And their search is serious, folks. How serious is it? They are dangling super IF prospect Billy Fitzgerald as trade bait. That's pretty serious, folks. If you're interested, give hwaters397 a TC.

The need for SP is extremely serious. Add St. Louis as well to this list. We've gotten word that the Soul are willing to deal Kevin King plus another ML SP to upgrade their rotation. If you are interested, send a TC over to rcktchamp.




So again, let me know which setup you guys like more. If you want the Rumor Mill to continue, get those rumors to me ASAP!

PITCHING STUDS FOR SALE!!

1130 AM - THE FAN out of Minnesota is reporting that the Minnesota 10,000 Lakes have put up arguably the top three pitching arms in their ML rotation: Toby Blasingame, Rudy Dingman, and Bunny Howard. At least ONE of these arms is available, possibly more. We briefly talked to owner Indiansrck27, and he says it all depends on the offers he gets.

"Two of them have pitched like crap all season, Howard is doing good though. But all 3 are studs and all 3 are available. I dont want anyone over the age of 25, and I dont make an offer unless you are serious. Looking for any and all positions."

If you are seriously interested in one of these pitching arms, send a TC over to Indiansrck27.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK -- 9/1-9/8

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Tony Prieto is the Player of the Week. He went 33/74 for a batting average of .445 and hit 5 homeruns in 18 games. Prieto also drove in 21 runs.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK

Mac Griffith is the Pitcher of the Week. He gave up 1 earned run(s) in 10 innings for an ERA of 0.90. He went 1-0 over a span of 10 games including 9 saves. Griffith struck out 11 while only walking 4.

Report: Blue Bombers Looking to Move Two

There is a report coming out of Los Angeles that Cole Lord and Taylor Weeks are currently being shopped around the league.

The two became expendable when Los Angeles acquired Bailey Howard from New York.

If you are interested in either of these two, send a TC over to TooQuick2421.

AL West Team Needs SP/LR

One-half of last year's World Series teams is in need of a pitcher.

The Salem Lights, who last season represented the American League in the Season 4 World Series, is officially in need of a legit Starting Pitcher/Long Relief Pitcher. The pitcher must have excellent control, great splits, and superb first-two pitches.

Elite prospects can be had for the right pitchers, and they include the likes of Dennys Rando and Bob Lambert.

All interested parties, please send a TC or sitemail to Rootgargle.

Season Preview - AL

AL NORTH

Minnesota 10,000 Lakes
Last season: 82-80, 4th Place
Payroll: $90.3M
Offense Grade: C+
Pitching Grade: A
Defense Grade: B
Overall: B

Madison Wizards
Last season: 89-73, 2nd Place / WC
Payroll: $65.6M
Offense Grade: B+
Pitching Grade: B
Defense Grade: C+
Overall: B

Trenton Jokers
Last season: 87-75, 3rd Place
Payroll: $97.9M
Offense Grade: B
Pitching Grade: A-
Defense Grade: B
Overall: B+

Syracuse Iriquois
Last season: 97-65, 1st Place / Division Champs
Payroll: $98.9M
Offense Grade: B-
Pitching Grade: B+
Defense Grade: B
Overall: B

DIVISION OUTLOOK: One of the toughest in the AL, bar none. The defending division champs will have their hands full, as it appears all the other teams have done whatever it takes to improve their respective ballclubs. Minnesota paid a ton for Heinie Roberts, and have a killer starting rotation. Madison has an offense that can score runs against anybody. Trenton just may have the division’s most complete team.

AL NORTH PREDICTION: Trenton – Division Champs / Minnesota - WC


AL EAST

New York Nippers
Last season: 89-73, 1st Place / Division Champs
Payroll: $65.7M
Offense Grade: A-
Pitching Grade: B
Defense Grade: B+
Overall: B+

Scranton Schrutes
Last season: 70-92, 3rd Place
Payroll: $62.7M
Offense Grade: A-
Pitching Grade: B
Defense Grade: B-
Overall: B

Pawtucket Bombers
Last season: 61-101, 4th Place
Payroll: $42.9M
Offense Grade: B
Pitching Grade: C+
Defense Grade: A
Overall: B-

Atlanta Convicks
Last season: 87-75, 2nd Place
Payroll: $76.2M
Offense Grade: C+
Pitching Grade: B
Defense Grade: B
Overall: B-

DIVISION OUTLOOK: I see a two-team race for the Division Title here, New York and Scranton. Both teams have the right combination of offense and pitching to both compete for entrance into the playoffs. Pawtucket made major strides upward this season with the acquisition of career HR leader Hector Rodriguez. Atlanta seems destined to bring up the rear this season.

AL EAST PREDICTION: New York – Division Champs


AL SOUTH
Texas Trail Blazers
Last season: 95-67, 1st Place / Division Champs
Payroll: $72.3M
Offense Grade: B
Pitching Grade: B
Defense Grade: B-
Overall: B

Monterrey Ping the Rookies
Last season: 94-68, 2nd Place / WC
Payroll: $98.8M
Offense Grade: A-
Pitching Grade: A-
Defense Grade: B
Overall: A-

Austin Bats
Last season: 58-104, 4th Place
Payroll: $34.2M
Offense Grade: B
Pitching Grade: B
Defense Grade: B+
Overall: B+

Memphis Rum Runners
Last season: 63-99, 3rd Place
Payroll: $72.1M
Offense Grade: B-
Pitching Grade: B-
Defense Grade: B
Overall: B-

DIVISION OUTLOOK: Monterrey seems to be the strongest in this division, and may upgrade their Wild Card playoff showing last season, to a Division title this season. Texas, Austin, and Memphis appeared to have all evened out this season, as one of them could take 2nd, 3rd, and 4th places, respectively.

AL SOUTH PREDICTION: Monterrey – Division Champs


AL WEST
Oklahoma City Redhawks
Last season: 75-87, 3rd Place
Payroll: $84.3M
Offense Grade: B
Pitching Grade: B
Defense Grade: B-
Overall: B

Vancouver VooDoo
Last season: 70-92, 4th Place
Payroll: $99.1M
Offense Grade: B-
Pitching Grade: B+
Defense Grade: C+
Overall: B-

Salem Lights
Last season: 90-72, Division Champs / Defending AL Champs
Payroll: $13.9M
Offense Grade: A
Pitching Grade: B+
Defense Grade: B
Overall: A-

Las Vegas Vegan Vampires
Last season: 85-77, 2nd Place
Payroll: $60.8M
Offense Grade: B+
Pitching Grade: B+
Defense Grade: B
Overall: B+

DIVISION OUTLOOK: Salem came out of nowhere last season, as their mostly-rookie team went on to win the division, and head to the World Series. They won’t be able to sneak up on teams this season. Las Vegas looks primed for a division title. Oklahoma City and Vancouver fight it out for third place.

AL WEST PREDICTION: Las Vegas – Division Champs / Salem – WC


AMERICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS OUTLOOK: Minnesota made big splashes in both the Free Agency Market and in trades. I feel that starting rotation will be enough to carry them through. Las Vegas and Monterrey both have strong clubs which will contend as well. The edge goes to the club south of the border.

ALCS PREDICTION: Monterrey over Minnesota, 6 games

St. Louis: Future Stud on the Block?

It's not often that something like this happens.

A stud prospect, on the move?

It could be happening, in St. Louis. Derrek Dodson, St. Louis' power hitting prospect currently in the low minors, could be headed out of town.

St. Louis' need for a superstar SS is prompting the possible move. St. Louis manager rcktchamp told us that the SS he wants needs to have the entire package.

"I need a SS that has it all. Great defense, AND a good bat. To get a guy like Dodson in return, I better get AT LEAST that!"

If you are interested in Dodson, send a trade proposal or a TC to rcktchamp.

New York: Howard Wants Out!

There are major rumblings coming out of the Big Apple. One of Shoeless Joe's premier catchers wants out.

Bailey Howard, the New York Nippers' slugging catcher, has informed the media today that he wants out of New York. Howard indicated that a fresh start could be exactly what he needs.

Bailey Howard was a mainstay in the Boise lineup in the first three seasons of the world, averaging nearly 30HR a season, while hitting nearly .270 a season. Last season, he was traded to Louisville, where he took his powerful swing with him. Now, he may be on the move again.

If you are interested in obtaining Howard, send a TC to Austinfan1.