Baltimore
Renegades
The
Baltimore Renegades are determined to win their first World Series.
This off-season, upper management has done everything in
it's power to try and make this the year. Baltimore
has been extremely busy, as they have rebuilt last
years under-achieving starting rotation and they were also
able to solidify an already-strong bullpen by adding three
more quality arms.
They made
these improvements, while still maintaining one of the most
potent line-ups in the league. Baltimore was one of seven
teams to have scored 1000 runs last season, and this
line-up is aiming to duplicate that feat again this
season. The team has all of the
ingredients needed to make a run at that illusive World Series
championship which Baltimore has been missing from it's mantle.
Some of the Renegades star players are starting to age a little, and several big name players (Craig Cook, Calvin Forbes, and Jim Morris) are free agents at season's end. Baltimore's window of opportunity may be shrinking a little bit, but management still feels there is a 2-3 year window to win. Realistically, this may be the last chance to try to win it all before a rebuilding project occurs.
The
good news is that Baltimore already has a great core of young ballplayers
who are battle-tested in the playoffs. Many of these
core players are locked up to long term deals too. The
Renegades have also begun to shift their focus towards their minor
league system. The team has added to their minor league budget
each of the last two seasons. This, coupled with the fact that
the Renegades have 4 of the first 61 picks in this year's amateur
draft bodes well for Baltimore's future. So, Baltimore should be a force to reckon with for many years to come.
Financially,
GM Terry Swayne has done an excellent job front-loading many of the
team's long-term contracts. Many of the contending teams spent an
over-exuberant amount of money this off-season, but Baltimore found
many bargains. Milt Gagne, Jessie Stein, Anthony Thomas, Lou Guthrie,
and Jake Keppinger were all signed at great salaries compared to what
other teams paid for similarly valued players.
The
biggest news of the off-season was the trade of original Baltimore
Renegade Craig Cook. Cook refused to sign a long term deal, so
he was traded to Montgomery. This move was very unpopular
with the fans; so much so, that when the trade was announced, riots broke
out in the streets of Baltimore and season ticket sales
plummeted 11%. The Renegades quickly addressed
this issue as they reacquired Craig Cook for a package of players and
cash. Craig Cook's short 10 game stint in Montgomery ends his
tenure as the 'last original Renegade" but the fans don't seem
to care as the team has sold out every home game (again) this season, which marks the 10th year in a row.
The
Renegades line-up is still the strength of the team. The
line-up includes returning players C-Walt Harnisch, 1B-Oswaldo
Padilla, CF-Ricky Atchley, SS-Craig Jackson, RF-Red James, DH-Jim Morris, and
re-acquired LF-Craig Cook. Newly acquired 2B-Mickey Reid (a former first round pick by the Renegades) and 3B-Miguel Cabeza (a late free agent signing who will replace injured 3B-Andy Norton-neck surgery) will round out the line-up. The bench is deep and decent with UT-Pepe Cabellero, UT- Junior
Estrada, 2B/OF-Terry Ramirez, 1B/OF-Jessie Stein, and back-up C- Alex
Crosby.
The starting rotation is much improved. Gone are David Vargas and Jimmie Veres. The staff is now anchored by FIVE veterans. RHP's- Milt Gagne, Calvin Forbes, and Jamie Benningson and LHP's- Vic Ordonez and Angel Martin give Baltimore the best rotation it's had in the franchise's history. The long man and emergency starter will be rookie LHP-Tim Leiter, but the team believes that he has tremendous upside (hence the trade of Craig Cook for him). The bullpen will again be anchored by lefty closer Darrin Roth. The set up men are righties Theodore Standridge and Julian Ortiz and lefties D.J. Webster and Olmedo Ramirez.
The starting rotation is much improved. Gone are David Vargas and Jimmie Veres. The staff is now anchored by FIVE veterans. RHP's- Milt Gagne, Calvin Forbes, and Jamie Benningson and LHP's- Vic Ordonez and Angel Martin give Baltimore the best rotation it's had in the franchise's history. The long man and emergency starter will be rookie LHP-Tim Leiter, but the team believes that he has tremendous upside (hence the trade of Craig Cook for him). The bullpen will again be anchored by lefty closer Darrin Roth. The set up men are righties Theodore Standridge and Julian Ortiz and lefties D.J. Webster and Olmedo Ramirez.
Top Rookie- LHP- Tom Leiter
Key
Players Lost- LHP-Neftali Delgado (FA), LHP-Willie Quinones
(trade), RHP-Damien Murphy (FA), RHP-David Vargas (FA),
RHP-Jimmie Veras (trade), LF-Stuart Locke (FA), CF-Bruce Blasingame
(FA) DH-Buddy Williamson (trade).
Key
Players Acquired- LHP-DJ Webster (trade), RHP-Jamie Benningson
(trade), RHP-Milt Gagne (FA), RHP-Theodore Standridge (trade),
3B-Miquel Cabeza (FA), CF-Terry Ramirez (trade).
Key
Off-Season Transaction- Trading, then re-acquiring 1B/RF-Craig
Cook. We were able to pick up one of the best young arms in the
game by acquiring Tim Leiter for Cook, then reacquiring Cook, a week
later, for two off-season free agent signings was a great feat.
Columbus Chesse N' Rice
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Chicago Goshawks
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Philadelphia Balboas
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