Moving Out:The Pittsburgh/Portland Pirates (2004)

April 1st, 2004

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/1828/pithc2.png

For the past eleven years the Pittsburgh Pirates have been a less then stellar team. Longing to return to their glory days of the past. But never the less the league feels there is need for a change. Secret negotiations have been started with the Pirates organization on a move to Portland. The move is being kept under wraps from the public and players and is being set for the 2008 season. The Pirates will also move to the AL west and get a uniform and name change. The only problem is the league has told the Pirates Organization that in order to make the move they must have a cash balance of $100,000,000 by January 1st, 2008. So let the rebuilding begin.

Interesting start. Would the move to the AL West result in odd number of teams in each league, but balanced divisions? Either way I look forward to more.

Starting Linup

1. Abraham Nunez 2B**
2. Jason Kendall C*
3. Craig Wilson RF*
4. Jason Bay LF
5. Randall Simon 1B**
6. Rob Mackowiak 3B
7. Jack Wilson SS
8. Tike Redman CF
9. Pitchers Spot P

Bench

Humberto Cota C
Chris Stynes IF*
Freddy Sanchez IF
Raul Mondesi RF*
Ruben Mateo OF
Daryle Ward 1B

Starting Rotation

1. Kris Benson*
2. Kip Wells**
3. Oliver Perez
4. Zack Duke
5. Josh Fogg

Bullpen

CL Mike Gonzalez
SU John Grabow
SR Jason Boyd
SR Willis Roberts
MR Brian Boehringer*
LR Jose Mesa**

* Denotes a player is on the trading block
** Denotes a player is on the trading block, and has a replacement ready

Manager Lloyd McClendon Strategy Settings

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/7568/95426578wc7.jpg

Hit and Run: 60
Sacrifice Bunt: 70
Squeeze Play: 60
Extra Bases: 40
Steal Bases: 40
Tag Up: 60
Pitchout: 30
Intentional Walk: 30
Pitch Around: 70
Infield In: 50
Guard Lines: 50
Cutoff Throws: 50
Pinch Hit: 90
Pinch Run: 90
Defensive Replacement: 90
Start On Short Rest: 10
Pitch Through Trouble: 70
High Pitch Counts: 40

mbanghar:Yes it is to balance the AL west with the rest of the divisions.

I'm gonna continue this tomorrow morning. :)

Interesting.

Are you going to change the name if they move to Portland?

JeepGuy63:Yes I am.

if you move to the AL west, you will have to expand both leagues or move two teams to keep an even number in each league, or else the schedule will go crazy.

$150,000,000. Guess we know what the Pirates will be playing for.

And I like Portland Pirates. It's alliteral. They have an ocean near portland, it works. Seahawks are kinda like parrots...

RedsoxRockies:How do I do that?

filihok:Yup I'm gonna be dumpin' salary quicker than the Marlins.

League News:
Trades

STL gets:
Ugueth Urbina

Det gets:
Julian Tavarez
Randy Flores
Steve Kline
Marlon Anderson
Reggie Sanders
Jeff Suppan

St. Louis gets the better of this deal as they get a former all-star closer to fill that empty spot. Detroit gets a lot of salary dumped on them for mostly a group of aging bench players.

Pirates Win First as Jason Bay Goes Off
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/4684/38974003ng5.jpg

Pirates Bullpen Gets Pumelled by Braves Offense
http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/3651/97482374un4.jpg

Braves Win Closely Contested Rubber Match
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/439/45194311vp2.jpg

League News:

Misc

Vladimir Guerrero hit for the cycle. Nice job!

Injury

One of our top prospects Paul Maholm will be out for a good month with a wrist stress fracture. Hopefully this won't stunt his growth as a player.