Season Log: Iowa City Country

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Mon Sep 03, 2012 8:34 am

A few weeks after trading for backup catcher Sean Riggins, on 6/13, the Country traded for another catcher, this time receiving JR Towles (GEEBCC) from the Astros for pitcher Truby (82 DC SL – two, CU – two, CB – three).

Comments: on one hand, the Country received a strong defensive catcher in exchange for a pitcher with mediocre stuff who can rarely get his fastball out of the 70s. Towles has also adequately backed up the SS position, and it appears that if he practices that position in the offseason, the Country will have a very strong defensive catcher and SS.

On the other hand, Truby has decent offspeed stuff and could be a middle reliever if he focused on his top speed. Of course, the Country have strenth in numbers when it comes to mediocre middle relievers, having at least 4 pitchers whose potential would probably top out at "middle reliever" level.

Score: 10/10, if you ignore the fact that the Country have three other backup catchers on their staff. 8/10 if you consider those other catchers.

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:55 am

***AGAIN, FORMATTING PROBLEMS. I THINK THE ISSUE IS WHEN I TYPE THE FORMATTING CODES (LIKE "[u]") INTO MY TYPING PROGRAM AND PASTE IT INTO THIS BLOG, IT DOESN'T RECOGNIZE THE CODE TO TURN OFF THE FORMATTING. I'LL GO BACK TO ADDING ALL CODING INSIDE THE BLOG, BUT I CAN'T TAKE THE TIME TO REDOMIT ALL NOW. SORRY]

9/29 – 30/2008: Iowa City Country versus Minnesota Twins

Game one: Country fight till the end, but come up short

The Country threatened in the first with Erdos singling and reaching third on a deep single from Dan Johnson, but failed to score when Hart flied out to left field. The Twins scored twice in the first, off of singles by Young, Lamb, Cuddyer, and Morneau

Neither team threatened to score again until the top of the fourth, when Dan Johnson led off with a homerun to right and then Hart homered to left. When Grindell, visibly tired, was able to retire the Twins uneventfully with the aid of a double play, it sent the game into the fifth inning tied at two.

Milledge lead off the 5th, hitting the ball up the middle so hard that it rolled all the way to the wall and Milledge ended up with a standing double, and then came home when Spillborghs knocked a two – two pitch into right field. When Grindell, again, retired the Twins in order although he was visibly tiring, it sent the game into the sixth inning with the Country clinging to a three – two lead.

In the top of the seventh, the Country missed an opportunity to pull ahead when Spilborghs singled and stole second with one out, but was stranded. In the eighth, Schrager doubled and moved to third on Huisman's shallow single to left. With one out, Sanchez tapped the ball to second base and Shrager was cut down at the plate. With a runner on second and two out, White popped out to short. Those failures to score left the door open for the Twins, who tied the game when Delmon Young doubled home the tying run, and a Joe Mauer single brought home the go-ahead run.

Liriano was brought in by the Twins to close out the ninth inning

He works to a full count, and then softly singles up the middle, moving the tying runner to second base with one out for Dan Johnson.

the 2nd baseman throws to 2nd base for 1 out, and the SS relays the throw to 1st, but Johnson just beats the throw from second base to avoid the double play.

He hits it sharply up the middle, but it is picked up by the Twins SS who throws the first two and the game with a Twins victory, four – three.

AL playoff scoreboard:

Game two: Country close inaugural season with close, hard-fought win

The Twins pulled ahead in the bottom of the first with their first eight batters making plate appearances. Five of those batters got hits and the Twins came away with a three – zero lead.

The top of the second, after Johnson flied out to right-center field, Hart put a high, outside fastball over the centerfield fence. After the Twins first three batters were retired, with the help of a thrown out base stealer, the game entered the third inning with the Twins leading three – one

The game remained three – one entering the fourth inning when Hart singled with and came all the way around to score on a Schrager double off the centerfield wall. When the Twins threatened, but failed to score, it sent the game into the fifth inning with the Twins clinging to a three – two lead

In the top of the sixth, the Country tied and pulled ahead on singles by Erdos and Hart, and RBI singles by Schrager, Sanchez, and White. After the Twins failed to score the bottom of the sixth, the Country put the game away in the seventh when Dan Johnson hit his 100th career home run over the right-field fence after Milledge and Spillborghs singled, giving the Country an eight – three lead.

In the eighth, Justin Morneau hit a solo home run over the right-field fence, closing the gap to eight – four, Country

The Twins made the 9th interesting, as two singles, an error, and an intentional walk brought up the Twins number six hitter (SS Adam Everett) with the bases loaded and the Country leading eight – five. Andrew "Fireman" Brown was brought in to pitch, as Chamberlain reported in purple condition.

Notable:]/color] with their homeruns, Johnson finishes the year with 58 and Hart finishes with 34.

For the month of September, [color=#0000FF]Dan Johnson and Joba Chamberlain were named players of the month. During this month, Johnson hit 462 with 15 homeruns and 48 RBIs. Chamberlain saved 10 games and had a 1.86 ERA with 9 strikeouts.

AL playoff scoreboard:

AL Playoff Picture: The Yankees and Mariners finished with identical, 92 – 70, records, while the Country finished one game behind them. Because the Mariners hold a tiebreaker over the Yankees, the Mariners will play the wildcard Red Sox in the first round while Country play the Yankees.

In the National League, the Mets play the Reds and the Rockies play the Brewers

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Mon Sep 03, 2012 8:28 pm

On 4/7, the Country received Shawn Green (93 CE SL – two, SP – two, SK – two) from the Mariners in exchange for 2b Narita (DEEEDE).

Comments: Shawn Green has been a valuable late inning reliever, but he was picked up with the expectation that he would grow into the team's closer, and he is clearly not ready for that position. Green is still young, but considering that Marita showed promise in the minors, both at the plate and in the field, it is not clear which team made out better in this trade.

Score: 5 out of 10

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Mon Sep 03, 2012 8:42 pm

On 5/12, the Country made a multiplayer deal with their fellow expansion team. The Country received LF Erdos (DDEEDD) from the Honeybees for pitcher Arriaga (93 DC CU – one, SL – two, FO – one), RF Walter (EFEEFF), and CF Hoffman (EEEDDF).

Comments: Huffman has enjoyed some moderate success at the major-league level and Arriaga flashed some talent in the minors, though both are projected as being non-starters for the next 5 years at least. Walter was strictly a salary dump by the Country. Erdos has played a solid LF and been very productive with his at-bats, although critics say his success is an aberration and he probably would not start on a nonexpansion team without further development.

Erdos has improved his contact rating to C, and if he continues to develop, this trade will likely have improved the country much more than the Honeybees. If not, then the Country have a solid backup OF and saved some funds by paying a single minimum wage player instead of 3.

Score: 7/10

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Mon Sep 03, 2012 8:55 pm

On 4/30, the Country struck a deal with the Twins, receiving Brendan Harris (DBGDDE) from the Twins in exchange for Tomas Perez (DEDDCD – timely whiff).

Comments: if Harris, who improved his contact rating to C, improves his defense or switches to 2b next season, then this trade might eventually favor the Country, but Harris is a liability at short, and a step backwards from Perez. Perez will not be in the running for a gold glove, but he has significantly better range than Harris and makes fewer errors.

The Country were probably enamored with Harris' offensive potential. While Harris was clearly better than Perez offensively, he was not the #3 batter the Country hoped they were getting. Admittedly, he may have had an off year, as the player nicknamed "Hard Luck Harris" seemed to hit more than his share of rockets that, one way or another, found their way into fielder's gloves. Regardless, SS is a defensive position that the Country filled with an offensive player whose offense did not offset his defensive liabilities.

Score: 3/10 if Harris continues to play SS; 6/10 if he switches to 2b

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:02 pm

On 6/2, the Country received cash from the Phillies for 1B McGlinchy (FDFFFF).

Comments: this clearly was a situation where the Country did not see a place for McGlinchy in the organization. McGlinchy showed no defensive potential and his offensive potential was significantly overshadowed by that of Schrager and Merrill (who started with ED offense). Odds are, the Country will not regret this salary dump, especially since our understanding is that if McGlinchy was not traded before the draft, he would have been cut in order to make room for potential free agents.

Score: 9/10

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Mon Sep 03, 2012 10:20 pm

Following is an offensive comparison of the Yankee and Country lineups, according to their batting order. In order to compare the players' offensive abilities while (i) accounting for the fact that certain players have played a full season while others have played significantly less, and (ii) ignoring past successes and expected potential, we looked exclusively at slugging percentages and stolen bases, and while stolen base statistics favor those with more at-bats, we looking at this mainly to assess which players have speed:

Johnny Damon 490 SLG, 35 SB versus Lastings Milledge 469 SLG, 54 SB.
Comment: Damon has better extra-base power, but Milledge reaches base more often. Both are fast.
Edge: even

Derek Jeter 598 SLG, 14 SB versus Ryan Spillborghs 607 SLG, 17 SB.
Comment: very similar in terms of offensive production. Jeter has more pop and hits more HRs and doubles, but Spillborghs makes better contact.
Edge: even

Alex Rodriguez, 628 SLG, 23 SB versus Erdos 405 SLG, four SB.
Comment: Rodriguez is one of the greatest hitters of all time while Erdos is a singles hitter who plays within himself. Rodriguez uses experience and savvy to swipe bases while Erdos generally stays at home, although he is aggressive in going from 1st to 3rd.
Edge: Yankees

Morgan Ensberg 491 SLG, 8 SB versus Dan Johnson 736 SLG, 1 SB.
Comments: Ensberg is a solid player, having out slugged Alex Rodriguez, though he only played a portion of the season; however, it pales to the magical season of Johnson.
Edge: Country

Jason Giambi 365 SLG, nine SB versus Jack Cust 801 SLG, one SB.
Comments: Giambi is on the backside of a career that may have been "enhanced" in the first place, while Cust is an offensive powerhouse.
Edge: Country

Robinson Cano 499 SLG, nine SB versus Great Hart 893 SLG, 0 SB
Comments: Hart is the 3rd player enjoying a season so amazing with the Country that as long as his Cinderella ride doesn't turn into a pumpkin, we've got to give Hart the edge over anyone else.
Edge: Country

Bobby Abreu 504 SLG, 24 stolen bases versus Brendan Harris 472 SLG, 0 SB
Comments: For as much as the Country fans have booed Harris, we were surprised to see his slugging percentage up this high. Still, Abreu has a slight edge here - we'd probably call it even - but Abreu's base running is in another class compared to the slow-footed Harris.
Edge: Yankees

Melky Cabrera 402 SLG, 18 SB versus Huisman 372 SLG, three SB.
Comments: Huisman's offensive production has improved since the draft, making the true advantage Cabrera offers being due solely to his speed.
Edge: Yankees

Jose Molina 290 SLG, 0 SB versus White 412 SLG, three SB
Comments: The Yankees trade of Posada was based on their preference to have a defensive catcher over an offensive catcher. White, who unseated Sanchez at 2nd base midyear because of his better defensive range, has been surprisingly efficient offensively.
Edge: Country

Final Comment: the evenness of these teams is quite surprising. The Yankees speed could make the difference, although the Country's catchers are excellent at throwing out base stealers. If the Yankees win, it will be due to their speed turning singles into doubles. If the Countrynwin, it will be due to the 4-6 hitters homering and the other ,embers getting singles with runners in scoring position.

philliesfan134 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 03, 2012 10:28 pm

I'm liking these new features you've added. Meaning the lineup/trade analysis.

BTW, just in case you wanted to change them at all, I believe Great Hart is Josh Fields and Great White is Pete Orr or Joe Thurston.

It seems you got the better of those trades. I think I would go for younger players/smaller salaries like you did -- the Moneyball strategy I guess you could say. That's what I usually try to do, whether it be in MLB2K12, PowerPros, any sports game for that matter. It's fun to watch a young team develop into a contender.

Keep up the good work.

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Mon Sep 03, 2012 10:31 pm

philliesfan134 wrote:

I'm liking these new features you've added. Meaning the lineup/trade analysis.

BTW, just in case you wanted to change them at all, I believe Great Hart is Josh Fields and Great White is Pete Orr or Joe Thurston.

It seems you got the better of those trades. I think I would go for younger players/smaller salaries like you did -- the Moneyball strategy I guess you could say. That's what I usually try to do, whether it be in MLB2K12, PowerPros, any sports game for that matter. It's fun to watch a young team develop into a contender.

Keep up the good work.

Thanks for the comments. I am interested in changing the names - especially with Fields - but don't I need to do that before I start my initial season?

ZeroGibson13 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 03, 2012 10:33 pm

No you can register a new name in the commands section

philliesfan134 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 03, 2012 10:34 pm

ERISA Dude wrote:

Thanks for the comments. I am interested in changing the names - especially with Fields - but don't I need to do that before I start my initial season?

I thought there was a setting somewhere for it.

dishnet34 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 04, 2012 6:37 am

Yes, but you can only do that for your own team, not other teams.

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Tue Sep 04, 2012 12:22 pm

Following is a defensive comparison of the Yankee starters the Country will most likely face, according to their fielding position, looking solely at their speed, arms, defense and errors ratings:

Catcher: Jose Molina, (EBCD) versus Huisman (ECCD)
Edge: Yankees

1b: Jason Giambi, (FFFD) versus Dan Johnson, FirstBase (FDDB)
Edge: Country

2b: Robinson Cano (CEDC) versus White, second base (EECD)
Edge: Even

SS: Derek Jeter (BDBC) versus Brendan Harris (GDDE)
Edge: Yankees

3b: Morgan Ensberg (ECCC) versus Great Hart (GBFD)
Edge: Even

LF: Johnny Damon (BECC) versus Erdos (EEDD)
Edge: Yankees

CF: Melky Cabrera (CDDC) versus Lastings Milledge (BEED)
Edge: Yankees

RF: Bobby Abreu (BCBC) versus Ryan Spillborghs (DDFD)
Edge: Yankees

1st base is the only defensive position where the Country are clearly superior to the Yankees, and the Yankees 1st baseman, Giambi, genally is adequate. Derek Jeter's arm has weekened over the years, but his range far exceeds that of the Country's Harris, and the Yankee Outfielders are better than the Country's. The Country try to make up for their deficiencies with player placement, shifting the OF back to protect against doubles when no runner's are on base and aggressively brining their OF in against weaker-hitters, although only the Yankees catcher might fall into that category. In the infield, the Country use a "mid-back" alignment, where the 2b and SS back up to the edge of the outfield grass while the 1b and 3b man their normal positions and try to cut off soft rollers to their inside. This alignment has generally been successful, although it allows more singles up the middle.

With their relatively evenly-matched offenses, odds are that the Yankees' pitching and defense will cut down on the Country's offensive prowess enough to be the difference in this series.

Prediction: Yankees win series in 4 games.

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Tue Sep 04, 2012 3:44 pm

FYI - I made the name change and from now on, "Great Hart" is "Josh Fields". Thanks for letting me know about that!

I didn't change Great White's name since philliesfan wasn't sure on that one.

philliesfan134 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 04, 2012 7:46 pm

ERISA Dude wrote:

FYI - I made the name change and from now on, "Great Hart" is "Josh Fields". Thanks for letting me know about that!

I didn't change Great White's name since philliesfan wasn't sure on that one.

Yep, you're welcome!

I'm unsure because it could really be any FA from when the game was released that was born in 1979. I was guessing it was Pete Orr or Thurston but I wasn't following heavily that season so I wouldn't know who were FA back then.

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Season Log: Iowa City Country

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