Sunday, August 15 is the deadline for that big deal that will push you over the top, get you into the playoffs or escape relegation.
It was a relatively uneventful week in the standings with no really lopsided scores; good news for those of us who like our positions. My Toronto Walrus beat Garces_not_on_roids 8-4 to remain 9.5 games in front, as second-place AGF defeated the Moscow Rats by the same margin. There were no changes among the next four clubs, all of whom won by 7-5 or 6-5 scores. Baird Brain and the SABR Magicians each moved up a notch.
Although much remains to be decided, it appears we'll be saying goodbye to Jick's Rays, and the Springfield Isotopes are also in trouble, facing a brutal schedule down the stretch including three of the top six teams. One thing we haven't considered in terms of relegation and promotion rules is what happens if an owner drops out of the league. It doesn't seem right to jump someone from the waiting list or even the Leftovers up to the Alomar division. I propose a postseason roll call to ensure that all owners intend to return, and we need to discuss what happens when there's an opening.
While content to stand pat, I can spare a SP, an everyday OF (in descending order of what I'd want in return: Lawton, Crisp, Sanchez, McCracken, Terrero) and Ryan Madson, eligible to return soon from the sprained pinky that put him on the DL. Billy Wagner isn't untouchable; he's a keeper I'd consider moving for a closer who isn't as good but is healthier right now. Carlos Delgado is also available, but only for an equivalent hitter (i.e. a keeper) at another position. Let the last-minute trade talks begin!
It was a relatively uneventful week in the standings with no really lopsided scores; good news for those of us who like our positions. My Toronto Walrus beat Garces_not_on_roids 8-4 to remain 9.5 games in front, as second-place AGF defeated the Moscow Rats by the same margin. There were no changes among the next four clubs, all of whom won by 7-5 or 6-5 scores. Baird Brain and the SABR Magicians each moved up a notch.
Although much remains to be decided, it appears we'll be saying goodbye to Jick's Rays, and the Springfield Isotopes are also in trouble, facing a brutal schedule down the stretch including three of the top six teams. One thing we haven't considered in terms of relegation and promotion rules is what happens if an owner drops out of the league. It doesn't seem right to jump someone from the waiting list or even the Leftovers up to the Alomar division. I propose a postseason roll call to ensure that all owners intend to return, and we need to discuss what happens when there's an opening.
# Team W-L-T Pct GBWith four weeks to go, I'm playing the teams in 11th, 13th, 19th and 20th place, with a combination of narrow wins and splits probably good enough to clinch a first-round bye. There's no doubt I've been lucky — in the draft, in strength of schedule and in avoiding catastrophic injuries. My next opponent, the Birds, hit an intimidating .333/.424/.620 this week, but I like my chances to pick up a few pitching points.
1 Toronto Walrus 129-73-14 .630 --
2 AGF 121-84-11 .586 9.5
3 Mebion Glyndwr 120-88-8 .574 12
4 Red Mosquitos 115-93-8 .551 17
5 hannibal's cannibals 109-92-15 .539 19.5
6 gashouse gorillas 111-96-9 .535 20.5
7 Chatsworth Halos 110-100-6 .523 23
8 Baird Brain 107-98-11 .521 23.5
9 Austin Senators 105-97-14 .519 24
10 Horse Field Hammers 107-101-8 .514 25
11 Eastern Shore Birds 105-104-7 .502 27.5
12 SABR Magicians 99-103-14 .491 30
13 Moscow Rats 101-107-8 .486 31
14 Billie's Bashers 99-112-5 .470 34.5
15 Reykjavik Fish Candy 97-111-8 .468 35
16 Garces_not_on_roids 96-115-5 .456 37.5
17 K-Town Mashers 91-111-14 .454 38
18 Thunderbirds 94-115-7 .451 38.5
19 Springfield Isotopes 86-118-12 .426 44
20 Jick's Rays 59-143-14 .306 70
While content to stand pat, I can spare a SP, an everyday OF (in descending order of what I'd want in return: Lawton, Crisp, Sanchez, McCracken, Terrero) and Ryan Madson, eligible to return soon from the sprained pinky that put him on the DL. Billy Wagner isn't untouchable; he's a keeper I'd consider moving for a closer who isn't as good but is healthier right now. Carlos Delgado is also available, but only for an equivalent hitter (i.e. a keeper) at another position. Let the last-minute trade talks begin!
