Friday, February 28, 2003
ELEPHANTS IN THE NEWS...
Ty Wigginton, 3B, NYM (5C)
According to the NY Post, Ty Wigginton is looking like the solution at 3B for the Mets, giving the Elephants 3 excellent keepers at the hot corner.
Full Story
Phillips is nearly sold. Norihiro Nakamura, Joe Randa and Jose Hernandez are memories, and Phillips is sounding more and more as if Shea Hillenbrand and Mike Lowell are pipe dreams. "We are set up to handle third" with Wigginton and Jay Bell, Phillips insists. But Bell has never played the position regularly and hasn't been a good player since 1999. It means this cannot be some mere experiment for the Mets. No, they need Wigginton, a converted second baseman with 116 career major-league at-bats, to be a low-paid solution on this high-paid roster.
Preston Wilson, OF, COL (15D03)
After losing a child 2001, and divorcing shortly thereafter, Preston Wilson looks to get back on the track to superstardom in the friendly confines of Coors Field.
Full Story
If Colorado Rockies manager Clint Hurdle could concoct an ideal center fielder, it would look just like Preston Wilson. "A big, strong, right-handed, power-hitting center fielder who can go get the ball in the gaps and steal you some bases — those aren't easy to come by," Hurdle said. ...
posted by Mariner Optimist 10:42 AM
Tuesday, February 18, 2003
HOFFMAN INJURY MAY HAND SAVES TO NEW ELEPHANT WITASICK
Rotoworld --Feb 15-- "The Padres are concerned that Trevor Hoffman will need invasive surgery, forcing him to miss the entire season. Hoffman underwent another MRI yesterday and the Padres should have the results back today. The team believes that Hoffman might need surgery to shave the clavicle near the A/C joint, the same procedure Jaret Wright has struggled to return from."
This news may lead to many saves for Jay Witasick, who signed this offseason to a two-year, $2.75 million contract with an option for 2005, after a stellar 2001 with the Giants where he posted a 2.37 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 68 innings of work. But, Pads skipper Bochy has used the word "committee" and some are speculating that Jaret Wright could be this year's Mark Leiter, meaning the Elephants may be targeting him for the final round of the reserve draft...
WIGGINTON MAY BE METS STARTING 3B BY DEFAULT
Despite continue trade rumors sending everyone from Joe Randa to Shea Hillenbrand to Mike Lowell to the Mets, Ty Wigginton (5C) remains at the top of the Mets depth chart this Spring. In his 2002 debut, Ty hit 6 home runs and drove in 18 RBIs with 2 SBs and a .302 average in 116 ABs. These kind of numbers make him a definite keeper as a 3B, and a possible keeper as a utility infielder who also played 1B, 2B, and OF. Unfortunately, he is only eligible for 3B, giving the Elephants a Freeze quandary with Aaron Boone (21B) and Matt Williams (2B) both only eligible for 3B on draft day. Of course, Boone will move to 2B on day one, and Williams is likely to see some time at 1B over the course of the season. But don't be surprised if either Wigginton or Williams is dealt before the Freeze date.
posted by Mariner Optimist 6:26 AM
ELEPHANTS DEAL POTENTIAL SLUGGER FOR POTENTIAL CLOSER
Arkansas (--Bubba Gazette--) The new Arkansas franchise in the DCBA, the Payolahs, has made a trade with the Elephants. The deal sends possible Padres closer Jay Witasick (10B) to the Elephants in exchange for former Ranger enjoying the Rockies outfielder Gabe Kapler (11C).
This deal is one of potential keepers. If Hoffman is out for much of the year, as is being rumored, AND if Witasick can win the closers job (he is currently the favorite) in Spring, then Witasick is a nice source of saves for $10. Kapler as a fourth outfielder is probably worth right around $11, but if anything should happen to the brittle Larry Walker, or one of the other Rockie outfielders (Jay Payton trade rumors always abound), then Kapler's value skyrockets.
In either case, both teams were trading from their strength to shore up a weakness. The Payolahs roster is littered with stud closers, but had few position players worth keeping. The Elephants have an excess of position players, but were looking to shore up pitching. With Jay Witasick added to Mike Dejean and Scott Stewart, the Elephants have a closer threesome that could rack up as many as 100 saves for $22. Of course, they could rack up as few as 2 or 3, as none of these three have a guaranteed closer role heading into Spring Training.
posted by Mariner Optimist 6:12 AM
Monday, February 10, 2003
BOARDS GET BEST OF ACHEMEN IN RECENT DEAL
In a recent trade, the Ache Men surrendered a $6 Bubba Trammell and a $3 Wes Helms for a $37 Trevor Hoffman.
Trammell comes in off a very down year hitting .243/17/56 which is certainly a step back from his 2001 .261/25/92. And Helms hit a similar .243 in 200 ABs in 2002. So what's the big deal? Trammell was gimpy in 2002 and has a clean bill of health and a starting job for the Padres in 2003. Helms was traded to the Brewers in the offseason where he has been handed the starting 3B job. So, for $9, the Boards get two guys given starting roles by their teams, with the capability to put up 20 HRs each.
Trevor Hoffman is one of the best relievers in baseball, but even in his best seasons is not providing much savings at $37.
But what makes this trade especially bad for the Ache Men is that Trevor underwent off-season shoulder surgery. At the time of the trade, rumors were that Hoffman would be able to pitch by Opening Day, but maybe not in back-to-back games. The latest news has Hoffman possibly needing a second shoulder surgery that may sideline him for the first two months, essentially eliminating any chance of him being kept at $37.
So, in essence, the Ache Men gave up two keepers for a non-keeper. And as the AcheMen were one of three teams I had pegged for title contention in 2003, that's the kind of trade I like to see. Now if I can just get the Varks to deal Corey Patterson & Junior Spivey for a bag of donuts, the Elephants hopes for an unprecedented fourth straight title would surely increase.
posted by Mariner Optimist 8:38 AM
Saturday, February 08, 2003
ELEPHANTS DEAL AUSMUS,BELL TO KETEERS FOR TWO "NON-KEEPERS"
Austin (CNNSI) -- In a rare moment of weakness, the Elephants responded to a trade offer from the Keteers, even afer the Keteers published that they had no intention of keeping the two players mentioned. Former Elephants Edgar Renteria (26B) and Javier Vazquez (19C) return to the fold in exchange for David Bell (13B) and Brad Ausmus (6B).
The Elephants were touched after reading a Keteers missive "The Elephants made the Keteers a trade offer for Renteria 26B and J Vazquez 19C, both were considered non-keepers but I drug my feet and he has withdrew his offer. Darn!!!! You snooze you lose!" Normally, the Elephants would have tried to talk the Keteers down in talks for these players, but decided that the Keteers needed a break, and fought a great fight in 2002.
"We had no intention of keeping Ausmus, with three other keepable catchers on the roster in Loduca, Shneider and Barajas, and probably were not going to keep Bell with ABoone, MWilliams, Rolen, and Wiggington ahead of him on the depth charts. So when the opportuity to bring back Javier and Edgar arose, we jumped at it." said Elephants GM Yertle T. Turtle. "Renteria is one of the top shortstops in the game, and just might be worth his $26 pricetag. And while Vazquez' stock has fallen, $19 does not seem to high a price to pay for the Expos ace."
It may be an unimportant deal for the Elephants who currently have about 23 potential keepers on the roster, after their sixth trade in a week (previous fears of a league wide boycott of Elephant trade proposals appear unfounced). The core team looks to be...
C Paul Loduca (8C)
SS Orlando Cabrera (8C)
3B Aaron Boone (21B)
OF Preston Wilson (15D03)
P Kevin Millwood (15B)
P Scott Stewart (2B)
The next six players will come from this talented pool...
C Brian Schneider (1B) - becomes automatic if Barrett gets dealt
1B Todd Helton (43B) - Elephants now have cap room for at least one hitting luxury, and Helton or Sosa will be it.
2/3 Brent Butler (1B) - Fighting Pablo Ozuna for ABs at Coors. Low-cost, high-upside if he wins that job.
SS Edgar Renteria (26B) - best shortstop in the NL, but his high salary may mean he heads to the draft board.
SS Julio Lugo (9B) - good for $10-15 in value most likely.
3B Matt Williams (2B) - if he is hitting in the spring or if he gets the starting 3B nod, he's in.
3B Ty Wiggington (5C) - Looks like he will be the Mets 3B, in which case, he will be an Elephant.
3B Scott Rolen (35B) - Rolen looks good in Cardinal Red.
3/O Jose Macias (8C) - If he gets a starting role, cheap speed aplenty.
OF Matt Stairs (3B) - If he locks up the strong half of the Pirates RF platoon, he will be a cheap source o power.
OF Gabe Kapler (11C) - Another cheap power source if he gets the ABs in Coors. 4th OF behind Larry Walker/Jay Payton likely to see plenty of PT.
OF Sammy Sosa (42C) - Pathetic 2002 (only 49HR, 108RBI) may end his 2 yr run as the prime Elephant power source.
P Javier Vazquez (19C) - Poor 2nd half may make the Elephants shy away, so might being dealt to the AL.
P Mike Dejean (10B) - If he starts out as closer, he is a nice source of cheap saves for the Elephants.
P Matt Morris (30B) - Probably too pricy given the competition
P Mike Williams (32B) - Was a bargain last year at this price.
P Paul Shuey (5C) - Next in line for Dodger saves, but unlikely to be kept unless something happens to Gagne.
and, of course, 4 out of (Jose Reyes, Jake Peavy, Matt Belisle, Hee Seop Choi, and Rod Barajas) wll be kept as Non-Contract players.
Of course, all of the above is subject to change due to trades...
posted by Mariner Optimist 9:56 PM
Friday, February 07, 2003
ELEPHANTS DEAL PATTERSON, WAGNER TO BENEDICTS
Austin (Foxsports) -- The Elephants continued their rebuilding process today, with a six-player deal with the Benedicts. The deal sends Diamondbacks rookie phenom John Patterson (7C) and Stros closer Billy Wagner (35B) to the Benedicts for Expos backup catcher Brian Schneider (1B), Rockies utility infielder Brent Butler (1B), and NC studs Jose Reyes and Jacob Peavy.
Reyes and Peavy round out an NC crew that now also includes Hee Seop Choi, Matt Belisle and Rod Barajas. Reyes is now considered one of the top prospects in baseball, but with the Mets addition of Rey Sanchez, is probably a full year away from contributing to the Elephants.
Once again, the Elephants sacrificed their pitching to improve their overall roster depth. A roster that once had the Big Unit, Brian Lawrence, Hideo Nomo, John Patterson, Brett Myers, and Billy Wagner, now is younger and cheaper with Kevin Millwood, Jacob Peavy, Scott Stewart and Mike Dejean. Closers appear to be a hot commodity in off-season trading as Wagner becomes the 5th closer dealt (Mesa, Hoffman, Stewart, Dejean) in 7 trades. The Elephants are unlikely to part with their remaining closer trio of Dejean, Stewart, and Williams, but then again, anything can happen with the Elephants roster.
Schneider and Butler could make the Elephants squad if playing time opens up for them. Schneider is currently the #2 catcher in Montreal, behind oft-rumored tradebait Michael Barrett. Brent Butler is in the Rockies second base mix with Pablo Ozuna, and could find some playing time at 3B as well.
posted by Mariner Optimist 6:01 AM
Thursday, February 06, 2003
ELEPHANTS DEAL VLAD TO RYNOCHASERS
Austin (ESPN) -- Vladdie, old boy, we hardly knew ye. Within 3 days of acquiring the best player in fantasy baseball, the Elephants shipped him out again. The Elephants send Vladamir Guerrero (25D03) to the Rynochasers for Kevin Millwood (15B), Scott Stewart (2B), Orlando Cabrera (8C), and Hee Seop Choi (NC).
Following the model that Omar Minaya *should* have taken going into the MLB Winter Meetings, the Elephants sent out proposals to 5 teams and by Wednesday had heard back from 3 of them - rejections from the Cervezas and Varks, and acceptance from the Rynochasers.
posted by Mariner Optimist 7:15 AM
Winter Meetings Yields Significant Rule Changes
The meeting was attended by six owners including...
DCBA Commish and Head Egg Craig Estlinbaum (abstained from all votes)
Happily married and child-free Treasurer from the Boards Jeff Bullington
League Secretary and 3-time Champion Elephants GM Corey Horton
2003 runner-up and a "founding father" of the Keteers, Mark Rouse
Woodies GM who packed up his team and moved it from Austin to San Antonio, Johnny "I won't trade with Corey" Underwood.
GM of the 2001/2002 runner-up HoDogs and a helluva nice guy, Mark Howard
With this "quorum", the meeting came to order, and much was discussed. Jeff's well-written email from 1/25 was the basis for most of the discussion, and the following was resolved:
DRAFT DATE (2003/2004):
Much discussion around whether to have auction on traditional first Saturday after season starts, or move to last Saturday BEFORE season starts. Most were willing to try the earlier Saturday, assuming that a website could be agreed upon to be the source of eligible players for the draft (at that time). It was thought that most significant roster cuts would've been made by then, and was probably no more/less arbitrary then Opening Day rosters.
If owners (especially out-of-state) can make it this year on Saturday, March 29th, we will consider moving the date. However, since it is unlikely to get all 12 owners to agree to that on relative short notice, the 2003 draft will likely be Saturday, April 5th. At the auction, we will discuss with the full league whether or not to move the date of the 2004 auction. Please let Jeff know ASAP whether March 29th would work for you THIS YEAR. The first "NO" he gets ends the debate. But if we get 12 - "YES" then we'll move it.
DRAFT LOCATION:
2003 auction will be in San Antonio at a location to be determined. The time is likely to be 11AM. If the auction is on April 5th, the Missions are in town for post-auction entertainment. (Not mentioned in meeting - 2004 auction will be in Austin. Columbus will continue to be the site of the Winter Meetings, methinks).
INCREASED FEES - PASSED (5-0):
Motion to Increase the dollar equivalent of one unit from 20 cents to 25 cents (essentially a 25% increase in all fees) passed 5-0.
REDUCE NUMBER OF PLAYERS ON RESERVE ROSTER TO 14 - PASSED (5-0)
After debating the merits of 12 vs. 17 players, a compromise size of 14 was reached. The hope is that this will increase Free Agent spending, AND speed up the reserve rounds, while preventing the Elephants from ever again sneaking off with the Phillies closer in the 17th round (Mark Leiter).
TIERED PRICING OF NC PLAYERS - NEVER CAME TO A VOTE/DEFEATED
After going through a discussion down to the details of where $15NC guys could be kept the next year, it was decided that the $ differences did not provide enough stratification, reduced the value of the #1 pick in first round (5th place team's reward), and that the system was fine the way it was.
BEGINNING IN 2004, REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ALLOWED NC KEEPERS BY TWO - PASSED (4-1)
Teams in positions 1-4 will only be allowed to keep TWO(2) NC players going into 2004. Teams in postions 5-12 will only be allowed to keep FOUR(4) NC players going into 2004. The goal of this is twofold - first and foremost to limit dump trading, and second to keep a dumping team from being able to establish too huge of an advantage by carrying six potential starters at no auction cost.
BEGINNING IN 2004, LAST PLACE TEAM BUYS THE FIRST ROUND OF DRINKS AT AUCTION - PASSED (4-1)
Some sort of deterrent for coming in Last was hoped for, and this was quickly decided to be a good one. At the auction, the returning owner of the lowest placed team (usually the last place team unless last place team owner quits) will take drink orders from each owner and ensure that the first frosty (beer/tea/soda/shot) is on him.
CHANGE ROSTER FREEZE DAY TO THE MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAY BEFORE THE DRAFT - PASSED (5-0)
Gives teams a few extra days to prepare for the auction. This year's freeze date will be Sunday March 31st at midnight.
BEGINNING WITH NEXT YEAR'S WINTER MEETINGS, ALLOW PROXY VOTING ON ANY RULE CHANGES - PASSED(5-0)
This assumes that the motion is discussed by email beforehand, and that the motion is brought up as written in the email. Can't just say, I vote *for* any NC limitations. Essentially, this should get us to discuss many of these things by email/phone before the Winter Meetings.
CRAIG TIRADE TO INCLUDE INNINGS PITCH AS CATEGORY - EVENTUALLY TALKED DOWN.
What started as a discussion on limiting dump trading turned for awhile into Craig pontificating on the over valuation of closers and the need for another cumulative stat like strikeouts, or better yet innings pitched. After a while, it appeared that Mark R, Jeff, and Johnny had Craig under control, so I used this time to think up and make first round of trade offers, so I may have missed important points here. Eventually, rest of group decided we still like 4X4 as is.
RESTRICT TRADING AFTER ALL-STAR BREAK UNTIL TRADE DEADLINE SO THAT NO TEAM MAY TRADE MORE THAN TWO(2) TOTAL PLAYERS TO ANY OTHER TEAM DURING THAT PERIOD - PASSED (4-1)
Much discussion on ways to restrict/limit dump trading, especially the 7-for-1 type deals that have become commonplace in the late part of our season. It was decided that until the All-Star Break (Monday noon deadline as usual), any trade would be allowed, so teams that want to dump then may do so without restrictions. Most teams will have dumped long before then (see 2002 HoDogs, Varks for examples). During the period from the All-Star break until the Trade deadline (second Monday in August) no team may trade more than 2 players to any other team. Trades for NO players are also not allowed. (So a 2 for 2, 2 for 1, 1 for 2 or two 1 for 1 trades could happen between two teams in that period). This rule is intended to prevent some of the large scale trades we see when the 4th-6th place teams who still had a shot in July decide by mid-August that they are out of it, and shop EVERY non-keeper they have to the top three or four teams left, resulting in trades that can have a HUGE effect on the pennant race.
As a side note, last year, I made two such deals that I heavily regret having had to make - Berkman(15D03)+Riedling(NC)+Cabrera(8B) to Rynochasers for LWalker/Green/Jordan/DBell AND Smoltz(8D03)+Wolf(3B)+... to the Payolahs for Morris/Wagner/Benitez/Nevin/Kent/Kotsay. For me as the team in the lead, these moves were made to prevent similar trades to the Boards/Keteers, and allow me to hold my lead. While I won the league, the pressure put on me by the Boards/Keteers forced me to make these type of deals and really hurt my 2004 chances. With this rule in place, the Payolahs/Rynochasers might have gotten a little less in return, but would have spread the players out to the top 3 teams, having a less drastic effect on the pennant race. For example, I might have sent Wolf to Payolahs for Morris/Wagner only, and Keteers could've sent Mesa for Benitez/Kent...
With this resolved, the trading frenzy began with pieces of paper flying back and forth between the five owners (after the Keteers bailed). A good time was had by all, and the food as usual was excellent. Thanks to everyone who participated. Please review and make sure I didn't screw anything up.
posted by Mariner Optimist 7:11 AM
Elephants Make 3 Big (Unit) Trades at Winter Meetings
Columbus, TX (Schoebels) -- Besides all the rule changes that were passed at the Winter Meetings (which Jeff should have a report on soon - or Jeff will let me know to make the report), the Elephants took advantage of the trade talks to setup their 2003 season by pulling off deals with three of the five other teams present.
First, the blockbuster. The Elephants dealt Cy Young stud Randy Johnson (34C), along with Brian Lawrence (10C), Juan Pierre (19C) and Craig Wilson (10B) to the Boards for superstar slugger Vladamir Guerrero (25D03).
Within minutes of that deal, the Elephants then traded Hideo Nomo (8B) and Shawn Green (32C) to the Ho-Dogs for NC players Sean Burroughs, Matt Belisle and Rod Barajas.
At this point, the Elephants had decimated their pitching staff, traded three of their five great keepers (leaving Brett Myers-NC and John Patterson-7B), but had gained their goal of an improved offense in Vlad, and 4 NC keepers. But within another hour, after much negotiation, they would blow away their NC strategy as well.
This time, the Woodies, who earlier in the day had sworn they would no longer trade with the Elephants, broke down at the last minute and agreed to deal Preston Wilson (15D03), Mike Dejean (10B) and Matt Williams (2B) to the Elephants for NC studs Brett Myers and Sean Burroughs, and Cubs multi-positional power hitter Mark Bellhorn (10B). These negotiations waffled back and forth as they initially focused on Myers and 3B Aaron Boone, who was discussed in trades with all three teams, but who stayed on as an Elephant. "I'm glad I wasn't dealt, " said Boone in a phone interview, "I know its tough to stay a full year with the Elephants, but I liked how winning a Championship felt, and as I move to second base this year, I'd like to show the Elephants and their fans that I'll be a bargain for the next two years!"
Randy Johnson was bitter when he heard the news. "That ungrateful little #$(&. I single-handedly win him two championships, and instead of negotiating a long-term deal with me, he trades me. Well, he will pay dearly for one year of Guerrero, as Lawry, Craig, Frenchy & I lead the Boards to the promised land."
For Sean Burroughs, he was traded by the Elephants for the second time in a year before he even knew that he was dealt by the HoDogs. "Well, its nice
to be wanted.... I guess." said Sean. The Hodogs sent Burroughs to the Elephants after rejecting an offer to send Burroughs to the Benedicts for Adam Eaton.
The only team not active in trade talks were the Keteers, who earlier this offseason dealt Jose Mesa to Arkansas resident Joe Paoli & the Payolahs for a $42 Barry Bonds. This deal pretty much left the Keteers with little to deal, and so the Keteers did not hang around for all of the trade talks.
The overall effect is the Elephants have more money to spend at the auction, and now have a huge need for pitching, but with Vlad and Preston anchoring the outfield, have a solid offensive core for $40 to replace the $61 they would have spent on Green, Pierre, and Wilson. The big loss is obviously the Big Unit, and Lawrence, Nomo, and Myers will all likely hurt as 2003 gets underway, but the Elephants felt the value of Vlad and Preston was too great to pass up.
The Elephants are likely not done, as they still want to add 2 more NC players to the team, and will probably negotiate around any and all players, even the newly acquired Vlad...
posted by Mariner Optimist 7:08 AM
Winter Meetings Preview
With the Winter Meetings just days away, the three-time defending DCBA Champion Elephants look to have reached the end of their run. Their roster is littered with decent keepers, but few of the $15 Lance Berkman or $8 John Smoltz variety around which they built their empire. A few stalwarts left from the run include Randy Johnson, Sammy Sosa, and Juan Pierre, and rumor has it that these players and any Elephant may be dealt during the offseason. The Elephants only have one NC player, so they will certainly be looking to bolster their bench in that area.
Heading into the Winter Meetings, the top favorites for 2003 would have to be the Rynochasers, Varks, and AcheMen. The Rynochasers are stocked with a $15 Kevin Millwood, $2 Scott Stewart, and former Elephants $15 Lance Berkman and $8 Orlando Cabrera. The Varks sport both excellent young pitching in a $5 Odalis Perez and a $10 Josh Beckett, and a Elephant-like NC list that includes Junior Spivey, Corey Patterson, Bobby Hill, and Marlon Byrd. The AcheMen added onto their well-rounded team this offseason when $2 Mike Hampton left Coors for Atlanta, joining a group of cheap keepers that includes $1 Eli Marrero, $10 Adam Dunn, and $6 Wade Miller. The AcheMen have a long NC list, but few stellar players among them. The Varks & AcheMen were the DCBA Champs in 1999 & 1998 respectively, and are well poised to return to the summit.
In the next tier of teams, the Payolahs have extreme depth at closer with a $8 John Smoltz, $20 Jose Mesa, and NC Scott Williamson.
The former Ponyboys, now owned by David Steele have a nice team to build around $10 Roy Oswalt and NC Austin Kearns. The HoDogs could have a big year if one or more of their $4 and under closer wannabes (Mantei, Spooneybarger, Remlinger, Leskanic) steps up, and they also sport a strong NC crew including Sean Burroughs, Lyle Overbay and Kurt Ainsworth. The Benedicts scored a $5 Albert Pujols to go with a decent batch of NCs including Mets uber-prospect Jose Reyes. The Elephants have to be considered in this tier on the basis of Randy & Sammy alone. And add in cheap keepers like $8 Paul Loduca and $10 Brian Lawrence to go with a new batch of up-and-coming players like Mark Bellhorn, John Patterson, and Gabe Kapler, and the Elephants might be a contender by season's end.
A few teams who challenged the Elephants in 2002 look to have a rough road ahead of them in 2003. The Cervezas are the best looking team of this group in that they have a $10 Eric Gagne and NC Mark Prior to build around. The Boards are moving up as $9 Jose Hernandez signed with the Rockies, to join the studly $25 Vlad. The Woodies got a bonus when $15 Preston Wilson moved to Coors, but aside from that its slim pickins.
At the bottom, the Keteers have $42 Barry Bonds and little else, and are clearly in a rebuilding mode. But the win-at-all-costs efforts of the Keteers in 2002 pressured the Elephants into making some bad late-season trades dealing away Smoltz & Wolf to the Payolahs, and Berkman and Cabrera to the Rynochasers. For that, the rest of the league should be buying the Keteers beers at the auction.
The Elephants are looking forward to another exciting (even if not a Championship) year, with a new owner in the league - welcome David!, and what looks to be a batch of new rules, as we head into 2003! See y'all on Sunday!
posted by Mariner Optimist 7:04 AM
