GW1: Tacoma In preparation for the offseason

I'm mostly set with my team for next year. I'm going to be making some moves at the margins, but don't expect to make any huge trades after the deals I've made the last couple of seasons. With that said, due to the internal promotions and the improve of the talent base I've had over the last couple seasons a couple of players who are good regulars have found themselves without a position.

Steven Piper Tacoma Down Pour Age: 28 B/T: R/R Born: Miami, FL Position(s): LF/1B/RF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Piper has good ratings across the board and can play either corner outfield slot of first base. This will be his second year of arbitration. The right handed hitter, has struggled in translating his strong ratings into solid statistics. Can be had for a low level prospect.

Herman Grace Tacoma Down Pour Age: 29 B/T: R/R Born: Augusta, IL Position(s): 2B/CIF/COF/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Herman Grace is an offensive minded infielder who has played 1b/2b/3b over the last two years. He had a very strong offensive year in season 9, but his production decreased when highly regarded prospects or trade acquisitions took much of his playing time. Grace has strong ratings for his positions and would help many teams.

Both players can be had for low level prospects or can be moved in a package. Would also consider a solid veteran short reliever if on a short contract.

GW1 Historical extremes

Ten regular seasons are in the books in Gleeman World, and the most recent one saw some history made in a few ways. Buffalo tied Los Angeles (Season 1) for the fewest wins by a team with the best record in the world (100-62). Los Angeles set a record for the most wins by a team with the worst record in the world (61-101). And the difference between Buffalo and Los Angeles (39 games) easily set a record for the fewest games between the best and worst teams in the world.

Here's a look at the best team, worst team and difference between the two over the first 10 seasons.

Season 1
Best team: Los Angeles Hangars 100-62
Worst team: San Diego Whales 41-121
Difference: 59 games

Season 2
Best team: Los Angeles Hangars 107-55
Worst team: Colorado Coyotes 59-103
Difference: 48 games

Season 3
Best team: New York Metropolitans 102-60
Worst team: San Antonio Sting 57-105
Difference: 45 games

Season 4
Best team: Chicago Jayhawks 113-49
Worst team: San Antonio Sting 58-104
Difference: 55 games

Season 5
Best team: Chicago Jayhawks 114-48
Worst team: San Antonio Sting 54-108
Difference: 60 games

Season 6
Best team: New York Metropolitans 117-45
Worst team: Tacoma Down Pour 51-111
Difference: 66 games

Season 7
Best team: New York Metropolitans 108-54
Worst team: Colorado Springs Silver Stars 48-114
Difference: 60 games

Season 8
Best team: New York Metropolitans 114-48
Worst team: Las Vegas Armijos 44-118
Difference: 70 games

Season 9
Best team: Minnesota Fatboys and Anaheim Anteaters 112-50
Worst team: Salem Sidehill Gougers 54-108
Difference: 58 games

Season 10
Best team: Buffalo Europeans 100-62
Worst team: Los Angeles Hangars 61-101
Difference: 39 games

Minnesota Bloggers' firesale

Thanks to my No. 1 starter, No. 3 starter, and No. 1 prospect all going down with season-ending injuries already I'm giving serious thought to just blowing the whole team up for a full-on rebuilding effort. Rather than list everyone on the message board, I thought it might be easier to post a blog entry laying out my most valuable players for trade. If you're interested in anyone listed below, please let me know as soon as possible via trade chat, e-mail, or instant message.

Don Murray - 32 years old, reliever
A workhorse reliever with 45 stamina and 66 durability, he can basically pitch every day for you in a late-inning role with 81/74 splits, 91 control, 87 velocity, and 86/99 pitch ratings.

Harry Oliva - 31 years old, second baseman
One of the top 20 hitters in GW2, Olivo has 81 power and 79 eye to go with 66/61 splits and decent contact. He's also a passable defender at second base with 88 durability, and is hitting .280/.319/.636 with 10 homers through 26 games. Signed for the next two seasons at $6.5 million per year, he'd be a middle-of-the-order threat in any lineup.

P.T. Beltre - 33 years old, starting pitcher
A very nice mid-rotation starter who can eat a ton of innings with 83 stamina and 30 durability to go with 78 control and 62/59 splits. An impending free agent with a 75 overall rating, you'll get a draft pick when he signs as a Type B free agent.

Steve Dobson - 33 years old, reliever
Solid setup man with 70/58 splits, 85 velocity, and three usable pitches. He has a 13/3 K/BB ratio through 11 appearances as my Setup B.

Harry Lopez - 30 years old, starting pitcher
A nice mid-rotation starter with 78/66 splits who's making just $1.6 million.

Mike Cashman - 34 years old, shortstop
Top-notch defensive shortstop with 81 range and 90 glove, plus 44 power, 55/42 splits, and 47 eye.

Miguel Nunez - 26 years old, shortstop
Switch-hitter who can play anywhere defensively and offers decent ratings across the board offensively. Signed cheaply for the next two seasons.

GW2 International Free Agents Update

The amateur draft scouting results are just one week away in GW2, but three owners already have invested large pieces of their prospect budget into players they hope will be big time contributors down the road. It's been discussed on the league message board that the big checks being cut are the result of having too much money to spend. Hopefully this Int'l FA Bubble doesn't have detrimental affects down the line.

Dennis Kuo Augusta Whitewash Age: 18 B/T: S/R Born: Inchon, KR Position(s): RF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Kuo is your typical top International FA with a huge overall rating requiring a big league contract and a huge signing bonus, a check with August GM Sickchangeup had no problem writing. Armed with a $29 MM prospect budget, the Whitewash got a RF with great power, a keen eye, decent contact, and above average versus ratings. Kuo isn't even a a liability in the field. One does wonder if promoting the 18-year old Korean to the show right off the bat was the right move as he's at least 30+ points away from his projections.

Willie Diaz Minnesota Bloggers Age: 18 B/T: L/L Born: St. Thomas, VI Position(s): P (P) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

The Bloggers have the early lead on the top pitcher coming off the international market. While Willie Diaz will never be a workhorse arm; he projects to have great control, can bring the heat, possesses solid ratings against both righties and lefities, and brings two solid with him to the mound. GM Aaron Gleeman also had a nice war chest available to sign prospects using $20.1 MM of his $25 MM available to sign Diaz to a minor league deal. The lefty from the Virgin Islands will start his pro career in RL.

Felix Nomo Trenton Dirty Jerz Age: 18 B/T: L/L Born: Yokosuka, JP Position(s): P (SP1) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

The most intriguing international free agent so far is Felix Nomo. As franchises were still submitting bids for Kuo and Diaz, GM mrauseo stepped up to the plate and signed Japanese prospect Nomo to a 3-year minor league deal worth $26.1 MM. Placing the 18-year-old in LoA to start the season, early reports suggest he'll develop good control and dominate lefties. It's hard to say whether or not Nomo is worth the money, as the Dirty Jerz currently only have 900k left to fill out their system in the draft.

Remaining International Free Agent Buyers
(Teams with $14 MM Invested into Int'l Scouting)

• Los Angeles Anteaters of Irvine $30 MM (#1 and #42 picks)
  
• Vancouver Rubes $26 MM (#69 is first pick)
  
• Wichita Worgs $22 MM (#14 and #56 picks)
  
• Atlanta Orphans $20 MM (#12, #33, #39, #54 picks)
  
• Chicago Apple Hurlers $20 MM (#16 and #58 picks)
  
• Seattle Slews $20 MM (#10 and #52 picks)
• Colorado Springs Eternal $20 MM (#19, #41 and #61 picks)
• San Antonio Banderas' $16 MM (#22 and #64 picks)
• Tampa Bay PoisonArrowDartFrogs $16MM (#13 and #55 picks)