The Big 3-0

We're at about thirty games into this season and divisions are starting to take shape. This week let's look at the teams in the basement and their chances of rising through the ranks or "tanking" their way to the number 1 pick.

GASP! Did I just saying "tanking"? Relax everyone, I have never accused someone of tanking and don't plan on starting today. Frankly, I'm just as tired of that conversation after 20 seasons as some of you are after 160.

As most of you know we don't have a minimum win requirement in this league. I've seen and been part of leagues with any all types of systems. In my 8 seasons here I can't recall any issues. That's a great credit to all the owners of this world.

Without further to do your Bad News Bears of Minor Leagues.

NL North - Scranton Yankees (11-18)

Your defending champs have scored as many runs as they've given up. When your Type A FA signing is hitting .169 and your best offensive player missed the first 21 games a slow start was inevitable. As I alluded to in my first blog we're staying the course. Buffalo and Toledo are both improved so moving up in this division will be no small task.

NL East - Dover Dobbins (13-17)

The Dobbins of Dover have actually scored more runs than they've given up but are only 3-8 in 1 run games. I really like Capra and Moose at the top of the rotation. Their exp winning percentage is above .500. If they can improve in the late innings and get some timely hitting I can see them getting out of the cellar.

NL South - Jackson Generals (8-21)

Maddyjack apologized early on for his absence. That's one of the reasons for the slow start. The other is this team is clearly in a rebuilding stage. After trying to sign some high dollar FA's when coming into the world maddy has cooled on that approach and begun building from within. What is the price tag on Alex Sanches anyway?

NL West - Las Vegas 51's (11-18)

This team doesn't have a bad roster, just not a lot of star quality either. The guys with power bats don't have the splits and the guys with splits don't put the ball over the fence. This is only aaron's second season so we should see the roster shape up in a year or two. I didn't add up all the W's and L's from the previous 26 seasons but I would bet it's 81-81 on average. It's difficult to improve when you finish middle of the pack or higher year after year.

AL North - Salt Lake City Bees (11-19)

Looking at the roster...this one is confusing. I see a lot of quality players in their primes. I expect this squad to turn it around. They've been outscored by about a full run a game. Only 1 everyday player hitting above .280 and some horrendous bullpen appearances is what I can see. Again, I think this will even out over the season.

AL East - Augusta Green Jackets (12-18)

This is another roster that lacks star power. When you don't have anyone on your roster with a greater than 70 power it's going to be difficult to put runs on the board. Augusta has been outscored by 57 runs this season. It's gators first season so it might take time shaping the roster to what is wanted.

AL South - Mexico City Azul (7-22)

Factorganize makes nobody wonder about his plans. With 22 of the 25 players on the roster 28 or younger this is a rebuild. When you've won 9 titles in 63 seasons you go with what you know. Collect great young talent and then make a run. The turnaround won't even take that long. 3 years maybe.

AL West - Colorado Spring Millionaires (12-17)

This roster has a few studs...but not much after that. The Millionaires have managed to put some runs on the board but it's burn a turnstile on the other side. Av has a history of success so they might be able to tinker and turn this season around.

Have a good weekend everyone.

The first 10 and the temptation to tinker.

We're 10 games into the season so I decided to take a look at the 8 division leaders and their chances of finishing the season in the same spot.

But first, the temptation to tinker. If you've ever seen "The League" on FX you know what I'm talking about. (If you haven't seen it I highly recommend the show. http://www.fxx.com/theleague. You can find it on Netflix if you don't have FXX in your area). One of the shows main characters, Rodney Ruxin, played by the amazing Nick Kroll, loves to tinker with his fantasy lineup and is always picking the wrong week to start similar players.

Of course, every team is different and owners have different "reasons" for tinkering with lineups, rotations, and moving players up and down in their systems.

Personally, I generally don't do a thing until after the All-Star break. At that point I might try an add a bullpen arm or a starting pitcher if a guy is stinking up the joint. My experience has been tinkering is generally a bad idea in this game. I don't know, maybe folks just get board and make moves for the sake of making moves.

Here are your 8 hot starters by division;

NL North - Burlington Lake Monsters, 5% chance

I have the utmost respect for pak, but the division is too tough and his team is a year or 2 away from serious contention. They've been outscored 47-53 but managed an 8-2 start.

NL East - Trenton Thunder, 58.75% chance

I give silent ed and his boys a greater than 50% because they've done it year after year under Mr. Cheeze. Dover is rebuilding, Charleston is up and coming, and Norfolk is the Los Angeles Clippers of minor leagues. In the words of the owner himself, "every f*cking year". In all seriousness, I really like his squad. I wonder if Ruxin will continue to tinker to turn the franchise around.

NL South - Iowa City Cubs, 32.89754% chance

Dodgers has built his squad around pitching and defense. I still like NO and metsny. I suspect it will come down to the wire.

NL West - Vancouver Canadians, 100 billion % chance

I heart Vancouver. A few years ago I said this was one of the best teams I had ever seen. They were well balanced and punished all with great offense, defense, and the best pitching HBD had every seen. They are no longer that. However, still the class of the division in my opinion.

AL North - Madison Hatters, 25% chance

They have an awesome name. They have the producer of Tom and Jerry as the owner. Do they have enough to hold off mj and the rest of the division? This is one team I might be tempted to tinker with down the stretch.

AL East - New Britain Rock Cats, 51.~@#% chance

josepaco is a great owner. I'm glad we don't compete in the same division. Good luck catching this squad.

AL South - Richmond Braves - infinit.infinit% chance

cyclones, a standard by which other great HBD owners can be measured. Again, good luck catching this squad.

AL West - Omaha Storm Chasers - 25.pi% chance

After years of mediocrity this might be pratts year. This is another team I might tinker with as the season goes on. At some point, you have to go all in. We'll see what pratt does.

*All percentages were calculated using the very advanced and technical formula of E=Mc2/pi x infinite.

Hi everyone, and welcome to season 27 of Minor Leagues.

I'm excited I finally have access to the blog and hope to make the league a little bit better by posting on occasion. I love HBD, so my goal will be to post as often as possible. I'm thinking a minimum of at least once a week. I'm not the strongest writer. More of an oral presentation type of guy. If my blogs come through as a stream of consciousness don't hurt me.

Let's start with a little league history for the newer guys.

This league was founded by erffdogg. His HBD profile is here. http://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/pages/popups/userprofile.aspx?uid=336821

As you can tell by his seasons and WS titles the guy was dedicated to the game. Here is an interview of the man about HBD.
http://mlbbhbd.blogspot.com/2008/12/owner-interview-erffdogg.html

Erffdogg is also the reason for the erffdogg memorial league world. I would consider this the big brother to Minor Leagues as many of the owners here also participate. No offense to this world of course (Minors is actually my favorite) but the ownership has been more steady.

wholck established a rule if you were around during erff's time you are not allowed to leave. Obviously, you can do whatever you choose but I can't remember a guy leaving that was around during errf's time.

I didn't know the guy personally. I wish that I did though because we definitely share a passion for this silly baseball sim.

I hope to have a preview or rankings up soon, Maybe this weekend if I have a chance.