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.

Tacoma: Inks Rincon

Today, the Tacoma downpour inked international prospect Vic Rincon.

Rincon, a lefthanded short reliever, may not have the stuff to closer but should be a quality left handed reliever. Rincon signed for XXX on the back of a strong sinker/slider combo.

Rincon joins fellow lefty shortman Ismael Pimentel as international signee's headed toward Tacoma. Both relievers, fill a void in the upper minor relief, which Tacoma projects as a weakness for their projected season 10 playoff push. Rincon and Pimentel should help address those weaknesses.

Tacoma: Transaction Analysis

In the Downpour's first trade of the season they sent a pair of prospects to Chicago Jayhawks in exchange for recent rule 5 draft selection Milt Dye, Bill Pearson, and Skeeter West.

Dye, the player the Downpour had at the top of their rule 5 draft board will slot int other third spot in the lineup and will be the teams regular catcher. Dye who has a career minor league OPS of 990, will just turn 23 this season. While Dye is slightly below average defensively, he isn't brutal behind the dish, and in fact is likely better defensively than any other of the TDP's other starting options. Dye has above average power, above average ability to make contact and above average walk rate and should hit for a solid average. Pearson, will also contribute to the TDP's this season as part of the starting rotation, though he isn't expected to be a any great shakes he will give the team innings. Skeeter West will play the season in AAA and will likely be on the club in season 9.

Leave Tacoma are prospects: Christian Reid, and Morgan Philips.

Reid a tweener outfield prospect, who has solid ratings across the board is stretched as a full time center fielder, but won't hit enough to be an asset at 1b or a corner outfield spot. Philips is a left handed starting pitcher who looks like will have a solid career as a 3 or 4 starter, but from TDP's perspective he was the 4th lefty on the SP depth chart behind Walt Davis, Robert Fikac and Happy Magadan, and his results haven't yet lived up to his skills.

Dye will be an asset to the club, and will remain on a cheap contract until future star catcher Will Knotts is ready. The club having Dye will allow them to bring Knotts along slowly if need be as well as provide offensive support when the wave of starting pitching starts to matriculate to Tacoma in seasons 9 and 10.