Off-Season Free Agent Movement

Many teams dabbled in the free agent market this season, with a few willing to sacrifice a high draft pick in order to sign players in the top 20% at their position group in the big leagues. Washington signed two Type A free agents with Charlotte, New York (NL) and Louisville signing one each. Whether looking to turn around a losing trend, like NY, make a push to return to the playoffs, like DC or take the next step by going deeper into the playoffs, like Charlotte and Louisville, each team hopes these signings will help them reach their season's goal.

Morgan Tyson - CF - 35 and Ray Gilmore - SP - 32 - Washington D.C. Snipers
GM Dunndada was not pleased to be on the outside looking in on the playoffs in season 5, so he took matters into his own hands signing two top free agents. Tyson should help with the Snipers most pressing problem last season, scoring runs. With Honolulu since season 1, Tyson had 3 seasons with at least 30 homers and 100 RBIs. Defensively he is an asset as well, averaging 4 plus plays in CF per season while commiting only 10 errors per season in a key defensive position. Known to steal a base or two as well, the Snipers hope the aging Tyson can keep his production up for a few more seasons, sigining him to a two year contract worth $5 mil per season.

His new teammate should bolster an already impressive pitching staff. Ray Gilmore was a major contributor on the back to back World Series Champion Baltimore Orioles, but left to test the free agent market. Contracted to play for $6.8mil per season for 3 years, Gilmore and the Snipers are looking for a repeat of his career best Season 5. Splitting duty between the pen and the starting rotation, Ray tallied 11 wins, a 1.08 WHIP and a 2.76 era. DC did lose the 19th and 64th picks in the upcoming amatuer draft, but the talent gained should be worth the prospects lost.

Bart Rusch - 3B - 33 - Louisville Pack Mules
The young Louisville Pack Mules are looking to make a deep playoff run in season 6. Coming off their 1st division title and a 2nd round playoff series loss, GM Luisemilio decided it was time to pull the trigger on an offensive juggernaught. Bart Rusch was the guy, inking a deal worth $9.5 mil in season 6 and $10.5 mil in seasons 7 through 9 including a mutual option in season 9 and a no trade clause. Rusch was a terror at the plate his first two seasons, reaching 40 HRs both seasons. A serious shoulder injury derailed his third season, and Bart has been attmepting to reach his prior production ever since. His most recent seasons have netted a .300 average, 28 HRs and 100+ RBIs. The Pack Mules hope to relieve Bart's glory days during his tenure in Louisville.

Socks Stynes - SP - 36 - New York Baseball Giants

Taking over as GM for the New York franchise, GM Warswics is looking to make an impact. With a young team, some elder leadership was necessary in the pitching staff, leading to the signing of Stynes. Despite his age, Stynes has done an excellent job continuing his high level of performance season after season. Signing on for 3 years in New York, $10.5 in season 6, $8.5 in season 7 and $7.5 in season 8, Stynes will look to match his career best season of 15 wins and a 3.29 era in season 4 with DC. The Baseball Giants were in a good spot to sign a type A free agent, only losing the 54th overall pick.

Vern Cole - RF - 35 - Charlotte Greener Pastures
Much like the Washington DC Snipers, the Greener Pastures were a team with a strong pitching staff who lacked punch in their offense. GM Jimmyof looked to the free agent market and found the 35 year old Cole. A steady offensive performer, Vern has never hit less than 25 HRs or 96 RBIs while getting on base at a clip of .405 for his career. Cole will not impress with his defense, but the price was right on the aging star, signing for just $5 mil per year for two seasons.

Season 5 NL Cy Young - Danny Cummings - Helena Camp Dissapointments

Danny Cummings Helena Camp Dissapointments Age: 31 B/T: R/R Born: Glen Rose, TX Position(s): P (SP2) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

The most dominate pitcher in the National League remained dominate in season 5. Danny Cummings earned his fourth Cy Young Award in five years with another masterful season, accumulating a 21-6 record, a 2.58 ERA and 243 strikeouts in 34 starts. A bastion of durability, starting at least 34 games in all 5 seasons, Danny led his team to their first division title and their deepest playoff run to date. At 31, scouts say he is as stong as ever, even though his strikeout total was his lowest since season 1, and his 1.12 WHIP and 2.58 ERA were his "worst" to date. Of course any owner would be crazy to complain about that kind of production. Just ask Helena GM Bpdelia. "Danny Cummings is quite simply a perfect pitcher" states Bpdelia. "He has pinpoint conrol and devastating pitches. He is perhaps the one man that can least afford to be lost by any team."

Season 5 AL Cy Young - Wayne Stratton - Charlotte Greener Pastuers

Wayne Stratton Charlotte Greener Pastures Age: 31 B/T: R/R Born: Oberlin, OH Position(s): P (SP1) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

The Wayne Stratton story has been full of successes culminating in the season 5 AL Cy Young Award. Acquired in a blockbuster deal back in season 3 by the Greener Pastuers, Stratton has proved to be the ace Charlotte needed. He has led them to a wildcard berth in each of the past three seasons, posting win totals of 15, 22 and 18 while keeping healthy, starting at least 34 games each of those years. With two dominate pitches and excellent contol, Stratton has been among the league leaders in strikeouts each season, whiffing 262 batters in season 5, good for 5th alltime and 2 Ks behind last season's totals. At 31 years old, Stratton has shown no signs of decline. "Stratton has easily been one of the best pitchers in the AL the last three seasons. What's so great about him is he can pitch so many innings and when you are scared of your middle relievers that makes him that more valuable." stated Charlotte GM JimmyOF who hopes his performance will lead the franchise to great heights in season 6.

Season 5 NL MVP - David Molina - Atlanta Vipers

David Molina Atlanta Vipers Age: 25 B/T: L/L Born: Don Gregorio, DO Position(s): RF/1B/LF/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

The Dominican Republic is well represented in the major leagues, but their most impressive representative is David Molina. Signed as a 20 year old international prospect in season 1 to a major league contract, David got an early start. He made an immediate impact, sending 44 balls out of the park and knocking in 156 runs for his team. Never looking back, Molina has hit at least 40 HRs each season while playing solid, if not spectatular, defense in the outfield. Season 4 saw Molina take his game to another level, winning the MVP award while hitting .335 with an amazing .707 slugging percentage. Amazingly he improved upon those numbes in season 5, slugging .728 with a career high 64 home runs and led his team to their second straight playoff appearance. This earned David a well deserved 2nd straight MVP award. Looking for either a huge deal from arbitration or a long term, high dollar contract, Molina looks to continue his major production for Atlanta while earning superstar dollars.

Season 5 AL MVP - Manny Lewis - Las Vegas Dealers

Manny Lewis Las Vegas Dealers Age: 27 B/T: L/L Born: Avondale, AZ Position(s): 1B/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Manny completed his second full season by adding a centerpiece to his already crowded trophy case, the AL MVP Award. Since being drafted with the 17th overall pick in the Season 1 draft, Manny has been honored every year. He collected MVP awards at each minor league level, Rookie League in season 1, High A in season 2 and Triple A in season 3. His rookie year in the majors, he earned Rookie of the Year honors, accumulating 44 HRs and 115 RBI, playing in 161 games. Manny improved upon those numbers in Season 6, jacking 58 HRs and 153 RBI leading the Dealers to a Division Title and a #2 playoff seed. Only 27 years old, Manny is poised to be a force in the majors for years to come.

SEASON 5 IN REVIEW

Season 5 proved to be the year of the strong pitching staff. The top 7 teams in ERA all made the playoffs, including all 4 participants of the League Championship Series. These teams, with one exception, were able to secure their playoff spots quickly and easily. So to were many of the other playoff teams. Six of 8 division winners were at least 8 games better than their closest division mate and the top AL wildcard team had their playoff ticket stamped well before season end. Even so, the end of season 5 was not with its drama. Take the battle for the last AL wildcard spot. Charlotte was able to hold off a hard charging DC team, who overcame an extremely slow start to the season to contend.

In the National League, the East Division title and both wild card spots went down to the wire. Eight teams had a late shot at these spots. Despite losing their last 4 games, the Richmond Knights were able to hold off a surging Syracuse Fade to Black team to take the East division title. Arizona, Montreal and Philadelphia fell out of contention late when they were unable to muster the win streaks they needed. Burlington was able to win 4 games to close the year, but had too much ground to make up. That left Atlanta, who had a small late lead, Syracuse and Salem to challenge for the wildcard. A .500 record in their last 10 games was enough for Atlanta to accumulate 86 wins. This ended up being one better than both Salem and Syracuse, who matched each other game for game down the stretch, both winning 7 of 10 including their last 3 to tie at 85 wins. Salem’s better head to head record against the ‘Cuse gave them wildcard spot number two, as the Syracuse season (wait for it) faded to black.

Round 1 of the playoffs were extremely competitive, as no team was swept in their series. Both three seeds lived up to expectations with 3-1 series wins over their competition. NL South champ Louisville Pack Mules were able to cool off the hot Salem team while Charlotte and Cy Young winner Wayne Stratton were unable to hold off a tough Toledo squad. Both top wildcard teams were able to defeat their fourth seeded competition in the other first round playoff matchups. Although a 4 seed, the Nashville Posse actually won 8 less regular season games than their opponent from Honolulu and lost the series 3 games to 1. The Richmond / Atlanta series was the only one to go the distance with the Atlanta Vipers winning game 5.

The Division Championship series saw the playoffs only sweep, when the Honolulu Monk Seals had a rough time with defending World Series Champion Baltimore, who accumulated the most wins during the regular season. The other AL series went the distance as the Toledo War Kittens, who had been beaten out for the second seed and the first round playoff bye by the Las Vegas Dealers, was able to get revenge and advance. In the NL, the chalk held as top seeded Helena ended the Atlanta Vipers season in 4 games. Buffalo also took care of business in 4 games, defeating the young Louisville Pack Mules, who were in the playoffs for the first time since season 1.

Strong pitching highlighted both League Championship series. Buffalo, lead by 20 game winner Frank Matsui and 17 game winner Ebenezer Miller, outpitched Cy Young winner Danny Cummings and the rest of the Helena Camp Disapointments squad. The 4-1 series upset was a surprise, but Helena’s young team is poised to make many more playoff runs in the near future. A hard fought battle in the AL required all 7 games to decide the pennant winner. The Toledo War Kittens gave Baltimore all they could handle, but it was not enough to unseat the defending champs.

With the Baltimore Orioles dreaming of back to back titles, the Buffalo Nanucrons knew they would have their hand full. Despite winning their division title for each of the past 5 season, this was Buffalo’s first World Series appearance. Buffalo and their pitching staff were not push overs. The series lasted all seven games, with most games dominated by pitching. However game 7 featured some offensive fireworks with Baltimore’s squad ending up on top. Now with back to back titles, the young Orioles look as if they will be a favorite again in season 6.