HARL Reports -- 2009 Season

    Current Reports from Rhino Baseball:        

    Past Reports from Rhino Baseball and Older Online Reports:  

HARL Events and Major News Stories 

HARL 2008 Season Archives   

PLAYOFFS (WEEK 4 - FINAL STANDINGS)

Fantasy Team Stat Date HR OBA R RBI SB Batting FR ERA IP K SAV W WHIP Pitching Total Pts
Jokers 9/28/2008 5.00 1.00 2.66 5.00 2.78 16.44 5.00 2.67 5.00 4.13 3.40 4.67 4.01 23.88 45.32
Gas House Grillers 9/28/2008 2.09 3.62 1.10 1.00 1.00 8.81 1.40 5.00 2.06 5.00 3.80 4.33 5.00 25.19 35.40
Spitting Cobras 9/28/2008 1.00 4.31 1.00 1.00 2.78 10.09 3.78 2.72 3.67 2.87 5.00 2.33 1.72 18.31 32.18
Sevy Rhinos 9/28/2008 3.18 4.31 5.00 3.50 5.00 20.99 1.00 1.81 1.00 1.60 3.00 1.00 1.68 10.09 32.08
Abingdon Assassins 9/28/2008 3.36 5.00 3.54 4.25 1.15 17.30 1.85 1.00 2.73 1.00 1.00 5.00 1.00 11.73 30.88

    2008 News & Reports:

    2008 Draft Reports:

HARL 2007 Season Archives

PLAYOFFS (WEEK 4 - FINAL STANDINGS)

Fantasy Team HR OBA R RBI SB FR ERA IP K SAV W WHIP Total Pts
Sevy Rhinos 3.38 4.00 4.00 4.00 3.25 4.00 1.00 2.51 4.00 2.00 4.00 1.00 37.14
Lucky 7 Reno Gamblers 2.03 1.00 2.74 1.97 4.00 1.88 4.00 4.00 4.00 2.00 1.00 4.00 32.62
Spitting Cobras 4.00 3.47 2.82 3.20 1.00 1.00 3.71 1.00 1.00 1.00 4.00 3.40 29.60
North Market Mudhens 1.00 2.59 1.00 1.00 1.54 3.21 1.72 1.18 3.45 4.00 4.00 1.05 25.74

    2007 Final Stats & Scores:

    2007 Final Player Values:

    2007 Final Rosters and Transaction Log:

1st Half Stats & Standings (June 20, 2009)

Period Y11 Proportional Points & Standings

Fantasy TeamHROBARRBISBTBBattingFRERAIPKQSSAVWWHIPPitchingTotal Pts
Maygamers4.985.607.9110.005.769.6143.8610.0010.008.502.049.5910.003.776.7850.68104.54
Gas House Grillers3.936.866.485.148.466.8237.692.458.9410.0010.0010.003.3610.0010.0062.30102.44
Spitting Cobras4.358.1210.006.045.1110.0043.625.989.745.811.007.953.795.858.8743.0192.61
Jokers10.007.077.858.6510.008.0951.661.116.796.033.806.733.792.384.4433.9686.73
Longball Lemmings7.075.406.427.484.478.0738.915.366.765.253.723.867.003.777.8038.1682.43
Abingdon Assassins5.4010.007.265.956.409.3044.314.526.183.083.965.506.362.385.6833.1481.97
Brewskis7.493.935.418.651.006.4832.965.446.361.311.001.009.145.153.7427.7066.10
North Market Mudhens3.302.885.657.845.507.1332.303.825.335.642.285.501.002.384.9127.0463.16
Sevy Rhinos4.351.007.144.697.696.9831.858.211.001.001.681.002.501.001.599.7749.83
Stampeders1.001.001.001.004.991.009.991.005.323.422.445.093.794.461.0025.5236.51

 

HARL Team Stats for Period Y11: 04/05/09 to 06/20/09

BATTING:

Fantasy TeamBAOBASLGPAGPABRHTB2B3BHRRBIBBSOSBCSOPSSECBB/KEFR
Abingdon Assassins.289.367.45527656882462351712111912120823223034265324.822.3100.714167.44
Brewskis.251.338.44925216442230320560100214411923522915081117.787.3340.573572.03
Gas House Grillers.272.352.43526236572338338637101612614753132855136926.786.3140.564657.02
Jokers.273.353.468256465322823616231069112111043522824728119.821.3550.605150.27
Longball Lemmings.273.345.46025786302321337633106813316903392574053816.805.3150.633671.61
Maygamers.277.346.43928486912579362715113215312803672694584817.784.2850.593094.93
North Market Mudhens.271.333.44025566582339324634102914716723432174594621.773.2810.474063.90
Sevy Rhinos.253.324.41127516762491349630102313414773082604756326.734.2870.553285.97
Spitting Cobras.288.358.44828416872560397736114815314773232814604319.806.2880.613874.76
Stampeders.241.324.4062139595190724646077510414612672324354215.730.3090.534349.74
Average:.270.344.44226196582351339634103813314813292684614920.786.3070.583966.8

PITCHING:

Fantasy TeamWLERAGGSCGQSSVIPHRERHRBBKK/9WHIPK/BBBAARPRQSRXERA
Abingdon Assassins30374.281638014330542.2497277258662334767.91.3452.04.245802.5384.00
Brewskis34304.251797213243521.1514262246612154026.91.3981.87.259774.4444.29
Gas House Grillers41303.801788655416625.2569288264551996279.01.2273.15.2441117.6283.39
Jokers30394.171658144618578.0572279268652254727.31.3792.10.260783.5684.21
Longball Lemmings32304.181808143933568.2559276264831734707.41.2872.72.258888.4814.24
Maygamers32353.611678435347607.2582275244652174286.31.3151.97.254995.6313.93
North Market Mudhens30324.43162813435573.1576294282672074346.81.3662.10.263702.5314.26
Sevy Rhinos28415.181747823212517.2533307298862214197.31.4571.90.267514.4104.97
Spitting Cobras35273.661588064918575.1541253234561834026.31.2582.20.250932.6133.66
Stampeders33344.431747914218546.2552291269562534387.21.4731.73.264663.5324.42
Average:33344.181708034324565.2550280263662134577.31.3472.15.256817.5404.12

Post-Draft Rosters (March 29, 2009)

Pos ASSASSINS MLT Salary Pos BREWSKIS MLT Salary Pos COBRAS MLT Salary
1B GONZALEZ, ADRIAN SD $2.00 1B FIELDER, P. MIL $2.15 1B LEE, DEREK CHC $1.65
2B CASTILLO, LUIS NYM $0.05 2B JOHNSON, KELLY ATL $0.75 2B FONTENOT, M. CHC $0.05
3B SANDOVAL, PABLO SF $0.45 3B ATKINS, G. COL $1.45 3B ZIMMERMAN, RY. WAS $1.05
SS GUZMAN, CRIST. WAS $0.15 SS HARDY, JJ. MIL $0.90 SS FURCAL, R. LA $1.30
C RODRIGUEZ, IVAN HOU $0.05 C IANNETTA, C. COL $0.20 C MOLINA, YADIER STL $0.15
OF BOURN, M. HOU $1.20 OF CAMERON, M. MIL $0.40 OF BRAUN, RYAN MIL $2.65
OF CHURCH, R. NYM $0.55 OF DUKES, E. WAS $0.20 OF LEWIS, FRED SF $0.50
OF DUNN, A. WAS $2.05 OF HAWPE, B. COL $1.75 OF ROWAND, A. SF $0.35
OF PENCE, H. HOU $1.60 OF ROSS, CODY FLA $0.25 OF VICTORINO, S. PHI $1.05
UT ANDERSON, GAR. ATL $0.05 UT DICKERSON, C. CIN $0.05 UT HUDSON, ORL. LA $0.15
UT LONEY, J. LA $1.05 UT LAROCHE, ADAM PIT $1.05 UT SCHUMAKER, S. STL $0.05
SP GALLARDO, Y. MIL $1.55 SP KURODA, H. LA $0.65 SP ARROYO, B. CIN $0.65
SP HARDEN, R. CHC $0.75 SP LOWE, DEREK ATL $1.15 SP CARPENTER, C. STL $0.90
SP KAWAKAMI, K. ATL $0.50 SP MARSHALL, SEAN CHC $0.05 SP COOK, A. COL $0.05
SP LILLY, T. CHC $0.90 SP PEREZ, OLIVER NYM $0.55 SP LANNAN, J. WAS $0.45
SP SANCHEZ, JON. SF $0.05 SP SUPPAN, J. MIL $0.15 SP LINCECUM, T. SF $1.70
SP YOUNG, CHRIS SD $0.65 SP WAINWRIGHT, A. STL $0.95 SP LOHSE, K. STL $0.55
RP HOFFMAN, T. MIL $0.20 RP BELL, HEATH SD $0.75 RP CORDERO, FRAN. CIN $1.00
RP LIDGE, B. PHI $0.90 RP GREGG, K. CHC $0.25 RP CORPAS, M. COL $0.40
RP PEREZ, CHRIS STL $0.05 RP STREET, H. COL $0.25 RP SHELL, S. WAS $0.05
$14.75 $13.90 $14.70
Pos GRILLERS MLT Salary Pos JOKERS MLT Salary Pos LEMMINGS MLT Salary
1B JACKSON, CONOR ARZ $1.00 1B PUJOLS, A. STL $2.05 1B KOTCHMAN, C. ATL $0.15
2B WEEKS, R. MIL $1.00 2B UTLEY, C. PHI $2.15 2B MATSUI, KAZ. HOU $0.35
3B WRIGHT, DAVID NYM $2.75 3B REYNOLDS, M. ARZ $0.40 3B JONES, CHIPPER ATL $1.15
SS ESCOBAR, YUN. ATL $0.05 SS GREENE, K. STL $0.05 SS THERIOT, R. CHC $0.55
C MCCANN, B. ATL $1.30 C SOTO, GEO. CHC $0.25 C BAKER, JOHN FLA $0.15
OF ETHIER, A. LA $0.80 OF KEMP, M. LA $2.35 OF BELTRAN, C. NYM $2.65
OF FRANCOEUR, J. ATL $0.60 OF LUDWICK, R. STL $0.25 OF BRUCE, J. CIN $0.05
OF MILLEDGE, L. WAS $1.50 OF SORIANO, ALF. CHC $2.25 OF IBANEZ, R. PHI $1.05
OF UPTON, JUSTIN ARZ $1.15 OF WILLINGHAM, J. WAS $0.40 OF LEE, CARLOS HOU $1.95
UT GLAUS, T. STL $0.05 UT LAROCHE, ANDY PIT $0.05 UT BRADLEY, M. CHC $0.85
UT STEWART, IAN COL $0.05 UT PIERRE, J. LA $0.05 UT DREW, STEPHEN ARZ $0.40
SP BILLINGSLEY, C. LA $1.05 SP BLANTON, J. PHI $0.50 SP BUSH, DAVID MIL $0.40
SP JOHNSON, JOSH FLA $0.05 SP HAREN, D. ARZ $1.95 SP HARANG, A. CIN $0.25
SP MARTIS, S. WAS $0.05 SP JIMENEZ, UBAL. COL $1.00 SP OSWALT, R. HOU $1.40
SP NOLASCO, R. FLA $0.05 SP SANCHEZ, ANIBAL FLA $0.10 SP RODRIGUEZ, WAN. HOU $0.40
SP PEAVY, J. SD $1.60 SP SNELL, I. PIT $0.25 SP WEBB, BRAN. ARZ $1.80
SP VAZQUEZ, JAVIER ATL $1.55 SP WELLEMEYER, T. STL $0.10 SP WOLF, RANDY LA $0.10
RP GONZALEZ, MIKE ATL $0.05 RP AFFELDT, J. SF $0.05 RP BROXTON, J. LA $0.90
RP HANRAHAN, JOEL WAS $0.05 RP KUO, HC. LA $0.05 RP FRANKLIN, RYAN STL $0.10
RP SORIANO, RAF. ATL $0.05 RP WILSON, BRIAN SF $0.70 RP NUNEZ, LEO FLA $0.10
$14.75 $14.95 $14.75
Pos MAYGAMERS MLT Salary Pos MUDHENS MLT Salary Pos RHINOS MLT Salary
1B HELTON, T. COL $0.50 1B HOWARD, RYAN PHI $2.75 1B BERKMAN, L. HOU $2.20
2B SANCHEZ, FREDDY PIT $0.30 2B BARMES, C. COL $0.05 2B PHILLIPS, BRAN. CIN $1.80
3B CANTU, J. FLA $0.30 3B RAMIREZ, ARAMIS CHC $1.95 3B KOUZMANOFF, K. SD $0.35
SS RAMIREZ, HANLEY FLA $2.65 SS TEJADA, M. HOU $0.40 SS ROLLINS, J. PHI $2.10
C MOLINA, BEN SF $0.20 C MARTIN, RUSS LA $1.35 C SNYDER, CHRIS ARZ $0.05
OF GILES, BRIAN SD $0.25 OF BYRNES, E. ARZ $0.20 OF ANKIEL, R. STL $0.20
OF HERMIDA, J. FLA $0.65 OF HART, COREY MIL $2.25 OF GERUT, J. SD $0.25
OF MCLOUTH, N. PIT $1.15 OF SPILBORGHS, R. COL $0.30 OF WERTH, J. PHI $0.95
OF TAVERAS, WILY CIN $1.05 OF WINN, R. SF $0.45 OF YOUNG, CB. ARZ $1.65
UT BLAKE, C. LA $0.35 UT DELGADO, C. NYM $0.75 UT LOPEZ, FELIPE ARZ $0.25
UT FUKUDOME, K. CHC $0.10 UT DUNCAN, CHRIS STL $0.05 UT MURPHY, DAN NYM $0.25
SP CAIN, M. SF $1.25 SP DEMPSTER, R. CHC $0.10 SP DE LA ROSA, J. COL $0.05
SP CUETO, J. CIN $0.05 SP DUKE, Z. PIT $0.40 SP JOHNSON, RANDY SF $0.30
SP DAVIS, DOUG ARZ $0.20 SP HAMELS, C. PHI $1.55 SP MAINE, J. NYM $0.35
SP GARLAND, J. ARZ $0.45 SP KERSHAW, C. LA $0.05 SP MYERS, BRETT PHI $0.80
SP MAHOLM, P. PIT $0.35 SP MOYER, J. PHI $0.30 SP VOLQUEZ, E. CIN $1.45
SP VOLSTAD, C. FLA $0.05 SP ZAMBRANO, C. CHC $1.30 SP ZITO, B. SF $0.15
RP CAPPS, M. PIT $0.80 RP GRABOW, J. PIT $0.05 RP MADSON, R. PHI $0.05
RP QUALLS, C. ARZ $0.80 RP PARK, CH. PHI $0.05 RP RAUCH, J. ARZ $0.10
RP RODRIGUEZ, FRC. NYM $1.35 RP VILLANUEVA, C. MIL $0.15 RP VALVERDE, J. HOU $1.15
$12.80 $14.45 $14.45
Pos STAMPEDERS MLT Salary          
1B VOTTO, J. CIN $1.65         
2B UGGLA, D. FLA $1.60         
3B ENCARNACION, ED. CIN $0.10         
SS REYES, JOSE NYM $2.95         
C DOUMIT, R. PIT $0.80         
OF HEADLEY, C. SD $0.05         
OF JONES, BRANDON ATL $0.05         
OF RAMIREZ, MANNY LA $2.75         
OF SMITH, SETH COL $0.05         
UT PEARCE, STEVE PIT $0.10         
UT TULOWITZKI, T. COL $0.55         
SP JURRJENS, J. ATL $0.70         
SP OLSEN, SCOTT WAS $0.10         
SP PARRA, MANNY MIL $0.25         
SP PELFREY, M. NYM $0.05         
SP SANTANA, JOHAN NYM $2.10         
SP SCHERZER, M. ARZ $0.05         
RP LINDSTROM, M. FLA $0.05         
RP MARMOL, C. CHC $0.60         
RP PUTZ, JJ. NYM $0.10         
$14.65        

Freeze Lists

2009 HARL Freeze Lists -- ACTIVE ROSTERS
============================================
 
JOKERS
  1. ALBERT PUJOLS        1B-STL  2.05
  2. KHALIL GREENE        SS-STL   .05
  3. GEOVANY SOTO          C-CHC   .25
  4. RYAN LUDWICK         OF-STL   .25
  5. TODD WELLEMEYER      SP-STL   .10
  6. BRIAN WILSON         RP-SF    .70
 
GRILLERS
  1. BRIAN MCCANN          C-ATL  1.30
  2. ANDRE ETHIER         OF-LA    .80
  3. CHAD BILLINGSLEY     SP-LA   1.05
  4. RICKY NOLASCO        SP-FLA   .05
  5. JOSH JOHNSON         SP-FLA   .05
  6. MIKE GONZALEZ        RP-ATL   .05
  7. JOEL HANRAHAN        RP-WAS   .05
 
COBRAS
  1. DERREK LEE           1B-CHC  1.65
  2. MIKE FONTENOT        2B-CHC   .05
  3. SHANE VICTORINO      OF-PHI  1.05
  4. KYLE LOHSE           SP-STL   .55
  5. AARON COOK           SP-COL   .05
  6. FRANCISCO CORDERO    RP-CIN  1.00
  7. RYAN BRAUN           OF-MIL  TOPPERS
  8. TIM LINCECUM         SP-SF   TOPPERS          
 
RHINOS
  1. LANCE BERKMAN        1B-HOU  2.20
  2. FELIPE LOPEZ         2B-ARZ   .25
  3. DANIEL MURPHY        OF-NYM   .25
  4. RANDY JOHNSON        SP-SF    .30
  5. JOSE VALVERDE        RP-HOU  1.15
  6. RYAN MADSON          RP-PHI   .05
  7. RYAN DOUMIT           C-PIT  TOPPERS
  8. JIMMY ROLLINS        SS-PHI  TOPPERS
  9. JAYSON WERTH         OF-PHI  TOPPERS
 
ASSASSINS
  1. CRISTIAN GUZMAN      SS-WAS   .15
  2. MICHAEL BOURN        OF-HOU  1.20
  3. RYAN CHURCH          OF-NYM   .55
  4. JONATHAN SANCHEZ     SP-SF    .05
  5. BRAD LIDGE           RP-PHI   .90
  6. CHRIS PEREZ          RP-STL   .05 
 
BREWSKIS
  1. GARRETT ATKINS       3B-COL  1.45
  2. CHRIS IANNETTA        C-COL   .20
  3. BRAD HAWPE           OF-COL  1.75
  4. MIKE CAMERON         OF-MIL   .40
  5. CODY ROSS            OF-FLA   .25
  6. ELIJAH DUKES         OF-WAS   .20
  7. JEFF SUPPAN          SP-MIL   .15
  8. SEAN MARSHALL        SP-CHC   .05
  9. HEATH BELL           RP-SD    .75
  10. MATT CAPPS           RP-PIT  TOPPERS
  11. JJ. HARDY            SS-MIL  TOPPERS
 
MUDHENS
  1. RYAN HOWARD          1B-PHI  2.75
  2. RUSS MARTIN           C-LA   1.35
  3. CARLOS DELGADO      UTL-NYM   .75
  4. COLE HAMELS          SP-PHI  1.55
  5. RYAN DEMPSTER        SP-CHC   .10
  6. CLAYTON KERSHAW      SP-LA    .05
  7. JAKE PEAVY           SP-SD   TOPPERS
  8. PEDRO MARTINEZ       SP-F/A  TOPPERS
 
STAMPEDERS
  1. CHASE HEADLEY        OF-SD    .05
  2. BRANDON JONES        OF-ATL   .05
  3. STEVE PEARCE         OF-PIT   .10
  4. JOHAN SANTANA        SP-NYM  2.10
  5. JAIR JURRJENS        SP-ATL   .70
  6. MIKE PELFREY         SP-NYM   .05
  7. SCOTT OLSEN          SP-WAS   .10
  8. MAX SCHERZER         SP-ARZ   .05
  9. MATT LINDSTROM       RP-FLA   .05
 
LEMMINGS
  1. JOHN BAKER            C-FLA   .15
  2. JAY BRUCE            OF-CIN   .05
  3. AARON HARANG         SP-CIN   .25
  4. RAFAEL FURCAL        SS-LA   TOPPERS
  5. RYAN THERIOT         SS-CHC  TOPPERS
  6. ROY OSWALT           SP-HOU  TOPPERS
 
MAYGAMERS
  1. JORGE CANTU          3B-FLA   .30
  2. HANLEY RAMIREZ       SS-FLA  2.65
  3. NATE MCLOUTH         OF-PIT  1.15
  4. MATT CAIN            SP-SF   1.25
  5. PAUL MAHOLM          SP-PIT   .35
  6. JOHNNY CUETO         SP-CIN   .05
  7. CHRIS VOLSTAD        SP-FLA   .05
  8. CHAD QUALLS          RP-ARZ   .80    
================================================
 
MINOR LEAGUE FREEZES:
 
JOKERS: 
GERRARDO PARRA (OF-ARZ), MIKE STANTON (OF-FLA), JEFF SAMARDZIJA (RP-CHC), TIM ALDERSON (SP-SF)
 
GRILLERS: 
LOU MARSON (C-PHI), MAT GAMEL (3B-MIL), NEIL WALKER (3B-PIT), DEXTER FOWLER (OF-COL),
JORDAN SCHAFER (OF-ATL), JOSE TABATA (OF-PIT), JORDAN ZIMMERMANN (SP-WAS)
 
COBRAS:
BRETT WALLACE (3B-STL), FRED FREEMAN (1B-ATL), JUSTIN MAXWELL (OF-WAS), LARRY BROADWAY (1B-PIT),
JHOULYS CHACIN (SP-COL)
 
RHINOS:
MICHAH HOFFPAUIR (1B/OF-CHC), ANDERSON HERNANDEZ (2B-WAS), DAN DORN (OF-CIN), MITCHELL BOGGS (SP-STL)
 
ASSASSINS:
NATE SCHIERHOLTZ (OF-SF), FERNANDO MARTINEZ (OF-NYM), YONDER ALONSO (1B-CIN),
CARLOS CARRASCO (SP-PHI), JOSH GEER (SP-SD), SCOTT ELBERT (P-LA)
 
BREWSKIS:
TRAVIS ISHIKAWA (1B-SF), GABY SANCHEZ (1B-FLA), CAMERON MAYBIN (OF-FLA), COLBY RASMUS (OF-STL),
JASON PERRY (OF-ATL), EVERETH CABRERA (SS-SD), ERIC YOUNG JR. (2B-COL), ROSS DETWILER (SP-WAS),
JAY HAPP (SP-PHI), JAMIE GARCIA (SP-STL)
 
MUDHENS:
ANGEL VILLALONA (1B/3B-SF), JOSH VITTERS (3B-CHC), JASON HEYWARD (OF-ATL), DREW STUBBS (OF-CIN),
BUSTER POSEY (C-SF), TOMMY HANSON (SP-ATL), WIL INMAN (SP-SD)   
 
STAMPEDERS:
MATT ANTONELLI (2B-SD), DAVID FREESE (3B-STL), JON NIESE (SP-NYM), JAMES MCDONALD (SP/RP-LA),
JARROD PARKER (SP-ARZ)
 
LEMMINGS:
JOE KOSHANSKY (1B-COL), DREW SUTTON (2B-HOU), PEDRO ALVAREZ (3B-PIT), TODD FRAZIER (SS-CIN), 
BRYAN ANDERSON (C-STL), ANDREW MCCUTCHEN (OF-PIT), TYLER COLVIN (OF-CHC), CHRIS MARRERO (OF-WAS),
JASON MOTTE (RP-STL)
 
MAYGAMERS:
ALCIDES ESCOBAR (SS-MIL), ALBERTO GONZALEZ (SS-WAS), LOGAN MORRISON (1B-FLA),
ANGEL SALOME (C-MIL), MADISON BUMGARNER (SP-SF) 
 
 
QUESTIONS? Please forward them to me (sevyrhino@comcast.net).
 
Kennesaw Mountain BigHorn
HARL Commissioner
 

Arbitration Match/Pass Decisions

Here are the Match/Pass Decisions that I received:
 
2009 Salary Arbitration -- Bid Results  
 
     PLAYER              POS-TEAM  HIGH-BID/BIDDER     CURR-OWNER  DECISION  2009-TEAM
  1. RYAN HOWARD         1B-PHI      2.75   MUDHENS    GRILLERS     PASS     MUDHENS 
  2. BRIAN MCCANN         C-ATL      1.30   RHINOS     GRILLERS     MATCH    GRILLERS
  3. MICHAEL BOURN       OF-HOU      1.20   ASSASSINS  STAMPEDERS   PASS     ASSASSINS
  4. MATT CAIN           SP-SF       1.25   RHINOS     MAYGAMERS    MATCH    MAYGAMERS  
  5. CHAD QUALLS         RP-ARZ       .80   RHINOS     MAYGAMERS    MATCH    MAYGAMERS  
  6. HEATH BELL          RP-SD        .75   MUDHENS    BREWSKIS     MATCH    BREWSKIS  
  7. JAVIER VALENTIN      C-WAS      NONE   NONE       MAYGAMERS    PASS     FREE AGENT    
  8. GEOFF JENKINS       OF-PHI      NONE   NONE       MAYGAMERS    PASS     FREE AGENT  
  9. PEDRO FELICIANO     RP-NYM      NONE   NONE       MAYGAMERS    PASS     FREE AGENT  
  10. MATT DIAZ           OF-ATL      NONE   NONE       JOKERS       PASS     FREE AGENT  
Kennesaw Mountain BigHorn
HARL Commissioner
 

Salary Arbitration Bids

The official results of Salary Arbitration bidding for 2009 are shown below. 
 
2009 Salary Arbitration -- Bid Results  
 
     PLAYER              POS-TEAM  HIGH-BID/BIDDER     CURR-OWNER  SALARY EARNED
  1. RYAN HOWARD         1B-PHI      2.75   MUDHENS    GRILLERS     $2.80  $1.75
  2. BRIAN MCCANN         C-ATL      1.30   RHINOS     GRILLERS     $ .95  $1.35
  3. MICHAEL BOURN       OF-HOU      1.20   ASSASSINS  STAMPEDERS   $ .10  $1.35
  4. MATT CAIN           SP-SF       1.25   RHINOS     MAYGAMERS    $1.55  $ .65
  5. CHAD QUALLS         RP-ARZ       .80   RHINOS     MAYGAMERS    $ .05  $ .35
  6. HEATH BELL          RP-SD        .75   MUDHENS    BREWSKIS     $ .05  $ .10
  7. JAVIER VALENTIN      C-WAS      NONE   NONE       MAYGAMERS    $ .05  $ .05
  8. GEOFF JENKINS       OF-PHI      NONE   NONE       MAYGAMERS    $ .85  $ .00
  9. PEDRO FELICIANO     RP-NYM      NONE   NONE       MAYGAMERS    $ .10  $ .00
  10. MATT DIAZ           OF-ATL      NONE   NONE       JOKERS       $ .15  - .20
 
Note-1:

The results show the High Bid Price and High Bidder for each arbitration-eligible player. Additionally, each player's 2008 Salary and the YTD dollar value he Earned in 2008 (according to the HARL Dollar Value formula based on a 67/33 Hitting-vs-Pitching spending split, last year's stat categories, category scarcity, etc.) is also shown in the table.

 

Note-2:

When nobody bids on a player, like happened for the last 4 guys in the table (Valentin, Jenkins, Feliciano, and Diaz), his High Bid Price simply equals his previous Salary. For example, Geoff Jenkins' high price = 85 cents, and Matt Diaz's high price = 15 cents.  

 
Note-3:
Teams have until 8 PM on Saturday, MARCH 14 to decide whether to Match or Pass on their arbitration players.
What does Match or Pass mean?
 

    MATCH = means to keep your player by agreeing to match the high bid price on him.

 

    PASS = means to relinquish the rights to your player to the team that submitted the highest bid.


 

Remember, that in the event nobody bids on a given player, his current team can re-sign him at his current salary.

 

Note-4:

Fantasy teams that acquire players via Salary Arbitration must protect those players on their pre-draft Freeze List.

The only exception to this rule is if a player gets suspended, is traded to the American League, or goes on the DL prior to the March roster freeze deadline on MARCH 16. In those cases (and only those cases), the player does not have to be protected.

 

If a team trades one of these players prior to the freeze deadline, the team receiving that player must protect him on its Freeze List.
 

Kennesaw Mountain BigHorn
HARL Commissioner
 

Voting Results -- No# Keepers

Thanks for your very quick responses on the Keeper Limits issue. I received votes from everyone except Cobra Mike. Since Mike's vote wouldn't change the majority opinion to a different outcome, I'm going ahead and announcing the voting outcome because we need this issue resolved immediately since it impacts how many guys you might want in arbitration and your freeze lists. 
 
VOTING RESULTS --- KEEPERS per TEAM:
That means Option #2 (Reducing Keepers by 2 players) has the majority vote and wins.
 
Even with a split vote like this, there definitely was a clear owner mandate for reducing the keeper limits since we also reduced roster size. What this means is that the new keeper limits for 2009 will be as follows:
  1. JOKERS     = 6
  2. GRILLERS   = 7
  3. COBRAS     = 8
  4. RHINOS     = 9
  5. ASSASSINS  = 10
  6. BREWSKIS   = 11
  7. MUDHENS    = 10
  8. STAMPEDERS = 9
  9. LEMMINGS   = 8
  10. MAYGAMERS  = 8 
Regardless of whether you were with the majority on this issue or not, I think that everyone would agree that this does preserve the sanctity of the annual auction and keeps it exciting because there will be plenty of good talent to draft.
 
Onward!!!
 
Kennesaw Mountain BigHorn
HARL Commissioner
 

Number of Keepers?

Mike Hetrick asks the question "with rosters being reduced to 20 players, shouldn't we also reduce the number of Keepers each team gets?"
It's certainly a fair question and I'm open to polling the masses on this topic.
 
Since we're very much pressed for time (Freeze Lists are due early next week), we need to make a SHOTGUN, RAPID FIRE DECISION on this issue. So I'll ask everyone to pick one of these 3 choices regarding number of keepers:
 
    NUMBER of KEEPERS per HARL TEAM:
  1. NO CHANGE = Keep rules at the current keeper numbers (8-9-10-11-12-13-12-11-10-10) based on order of finish.
  2. REDUCE KEEPERS BY 2 = Deduct 2 keepers from every team (6-7-8-9-10-11-10-9-8-8) based on order of finish.
  3. REDUCE KEEPERS BY 1 = Deduct 1 keeper from every team (7-8-9-10-11-12-11-10-9-9) based on order of finish.
Option #1 (no change) means a typical team can freeze 53% of their roster on average. If you like the idea of having more freeze control over your players, this is the option for you. 
 
Under our old system (24 active players per team), the average team could keep approximately 45% of its active roster from year-to-year.  
Option #2 above (reducing keepers by 2 players) would pretty much maintain that old ratio (43%) and would not change the fundamental design of the tried and true Keepers to Open-Roster-Slots ratios of past seasons.
 
Option #3 (reduction by 1 player) would up the average ratio to 48%, or close to half your roster. This is basically a compromise between the other two options.
 
My view is that I can see viable arguments for all of these options. I feel that even if you could freeze more players (as a percentage of your overall roster) that isn't necessarily the best strategy to follow. Filling a roster slot with an "average quality" frozen player prevents you from drafting a better player in the annual auction. With more talent available to be drafted, your keeper decisions may actually be a bit harder. Some players who were borderline keepers with a 24-man roster are now throw-backs with a smaller 20-man roster. You don't want to hose yourself by keeping too many guys when there are better guys available in the draft pool. Obviously, the available talent varies from year to year, so strategies must be adapted to the current talent pool.
 
On the flip-side, allowing teams to keep too many players makes for a less exciting draft. It's more fun when there are more good guys to draft. So there's a very good argument for cutting the keeper limits by 2 and maintaining our time-tested keeper ratios. I'm sure that Mike favors this option or else he probably would have never raised the question in the first place (although I'm glad he did, because it's worth discussing). 
 
So think this one over and get back to me with YOUR VOTE as soon as you can. With all the preseason stuff coming up, we need to act quickly on this. Thanks. 
 
Kennesaw Mountain BigHorn
HARL Commissioner
 

Farm Draft Results

It finally feels like baseball season has officially started! The 2009 HARL Farm Draft results have been recorded. Here are the picks:
 
ROUND #1
 
 1. GABY SANCHEZ        1B-FLA  BREWSKIS
 2. TOMMY HANSON        SP-ATL  MUDHENS
 3. DAVID FREESE        3B-STL  STAMPEDERS
 4. JASON MOTTE         RP-STL  LEMMINGS
 5. MADISON BUMGARNER   SP-SF   MAYGAMERS
 6. YONDER ALONSO       1B-CIN  ASSASSINS
 7. MICAH HOFFPAUIR     1B-CHC  RHINOS
 8. BRETT WALLACE       3B-STL  COBRAS
 9. JORDAN ZIMMERMANN   SP-WAS  GRILLERS
10. JONATHAN NIESE      SP-NYM  STAMPEDERS
 
ROUND #2
 
 1. EVERETH CABRERA     SS-SD   BREWSKIS
 2. BUSTER POSEY         C-SF   MUDHENS
 3. JAMES MCDONALD      SP-LA   STAMPEDERS
 4. DREW SUTTON         2B-HOU  LEMMINGS
 5. LOGAN MORRISON      1B-FLA  MAYGAMERS
 6. CARLOS CARRASCO     SP-PHI  ASSASSINS
 7. MITCHELL BOGGS      SP-STL  RHINOS
 8. JHOULYS CHACIN      SP-COL  COBRAS
 9. LOU MARSON           C-PHI  GRILLERS
10. MIKE STANTON        OF-FLA  JOKERS
 
ROUND #3
 
 1. ERIC YOUNG JR.      2B-COL  BREWSKIS
 2. DREW STUBBS         OF-CIN  MUDHENS
 3. TODD FRAZIER        SS-CIN  LEMMINGS
 4. ANGEL SALOME         C-MIL  MAYGAMERS
 5. JOSH GEER           SP-SD   ASSASSINS
 6. ANDERSON HERNANDEZ  2B-WAS  RHINOS
 7. FREDDIE FREEMAN     1B-ATL  COBRAS
 8. NEIL WALKER         3B-PIT  GRILLERS
 9. TIM ALDERSON        SP-SF   JOKERS
 
Kennesaw Mountain BigHorn
HARL Commissioner
 

Lost Rookie Eligibility

Our new revamped rules for Rookies go into effect immediately, and the 100 AB / 40 IP statistical limits are grandfathered in from the end of last season.
That means 2 things: (a) all players with ML2 contracts will be changed to ML3 contracts, and (b) some players who might not have remained rookies under the old stat levels are now rookies under the new levels. 
 
So I looked at the guys on the rosters (published yesterday) with ML2 contracts. The following players have lost their rookie eligibility because they had more than 100 AB or more than 40 Innings Pitched:
These guys now have MY2 contracts (instead of moving to PF1 contracts like they would have had under our old system).  
 
Everyone else maintains their Rookie eligibility and can be kept on your Reserve List for free (max of 7 players) under a ML3 contract.
Off the top of my head, guys who benefit from the new stat-levels include: Nate Schierholtz, Travis Ishikawa, Jeff Samardzija, and Jay Happ.
 
Kennesaw Mountain BigHorn
HARL Commissioner
 

HARL Rosters (Contracts Rolled Forward) - March 2

Mar 2, 2009                
Rhino Baseball               HARL
Abingdon Assassins                
Player Pos Team Bat Thr Age Status Salary Contract
MIENTKIEWICZ, D. 1B UFA L R 34 ACTV $0.25 PF1
GONZALEZ, EV. 2B SD R R 30 ACTV $0.05 PF1
WRIGHT, DAVID 3B NYM R R 26 ACTV $2.95 PF1
ESCOBAR, YUN. SS ATL R R 26 ACTV $0.00 FA0
GUZMAN, CRIST. MI WAS S R 31 ACTV $0.15 PF1
KOUZMANOFF, K. CI SD R R 27 ACTV $0.75 PF1
QUINTERO, H. C HOU R R 29 ACTV $0.05 PF1
SANDOVAL, PABLO C SF S R 23 ACTV $0.00 FA0
CHURCH, R. OF NYM L L 30 ACTV $0.55 PF1
GILES, BRIAN OF SD L L 38 ACTV $0.75 PF1
HOLLIDAY, M. OF OAK R R 29 ACTV $2.55 PF1
RAMIREZ, MANNY OF UFA R R 36 ACTV $3.65 PF1
WINN, R. OF SF S R 34 ACTV $0.00 FA0
SCHIERHOLTZ, N. UT SF L R 25 ACTV $0.05 ML2
UPTON, JUSTIN UT ARZ R R 21 ACTV $0.00 FA0
ARROYO, B. SP CIN R R 32 ACTV $1.25 PF1
BLANTON, J. SP PHI R R 28 ACTV $2.20 PF1
HERNANDEZ, LIVAN SP NYM R R 34 ACTV $0.05 PF1
KURODA, H. SP LA R R 34 ACTV $1.35 PF1
MARQUIS, J. SP COL L R 30 ACTV $0.00 FA0
SANCHEZ, JON. SP SF L L 26 ACTV $0.05 PF1
SHEETS, BEN SP UFA R R 30 ACTV $0.00 FA0
CRUZ, JUAN RP UFA R R 30 ACTV $0.05 PF1
PENA, TONY RP ARZ R R 27 ACTV $0.00 FA0
PEREZ, CHRIS RP STL R R 23 ACTV $0.05 PF1
SHOUSE, B. RP TAM L L 40 ACTV $0.05 PF1
IGUCHI, T. 2B UFA R R 34 RESV $0.40 PF1
MARTINEZ, FERN. OF NYM L R 20 RESV $0.05 ML2
ROMERO, ALEX OF ARZ S R 25 RESV $0.05 PF1
COUNSELL, C. UT MIL L R 38 RESV $0.05 PF1
DAVIS, JASON SP PIT R R 28 RESV $0.60 PF1
ELBERT, S. SP LA L L 23 RESV $0.05 ML2
VARGAS, CLAUDIO SP LA R R 30 RESV $0.10 PF1
LIDGE, B. RP PHI R R 32 RESV $0.90 PF1
THOMPSON, BRAD RP STL R R 27 RESV $0.25 PF1
JOHNSON, NICK 1B WAS L L 30 DL $0.00 FA0
TORREALBA, YORV. C COL R R 30 DL $0.00 FA0
DE AZA, A. OF FLA L L 24 DL $0.15 PF1
HILL, SHAWN SP WAS R R 27 DL $0.25 PF1
Current Rank = 5              
Option Moves = 0              
FAB Balance = $2.15              
FA Picks Left = 5              
Brewskis                
Player Pos Team Bat Thr Age Status Salary Contract
ATKINS, G. 1B COL R R 29 ACTV $1.45 PF1
BAKER, JEFF 2B COL R R 27 ACTV $0.10 PF1
JONES, CHIPPER 3B ATL S R 37 ACTV $1.35 PF1
HARDY, JJ. SS MIL R R 27 ACTV $0.00 FA0
OCHOA, IVAN MI BOS R R 26 ACTV $0.05 ML2
STEWART, IAN CI COL L R 24 ACTV $0.05 PF1
IANNETTA, C. C COL R R 25 ACTV $0.20 PF1
MOLINA, YADIER C STL R R 26 ACTV $0.00 FA0
CAMERON, M. OF MIL R R 36 ACTV $0.40 PF1
DICKERSON, C. OF CIN L L 27 ACTV $1.10 ML2
HAWPE, B. OF COL L L 29 ACTV $1.75 PF1
PODSEDNIK, S. OF COL L L 33 ACTV $0.25 PF1
ROSS, CODY OF FLA R L 28 ACTV $0.25 PF1
MARSHALL, SEAN SP CHC L L 26 ACTV $0.05 PF1
MORTON, CHARLIE SP ATL R R 25 ACTV $0.35 PF1
MYERS, BRETT SP PHI R R 28 ACTV $0.00 FA0
PARRA, MANNY SP MIL L L 26 ACTV $0.00 FA0
SUPPAN, J. SP MIL R R 34 ACTV $0.15 PF1
ZAMBRANO, C. SP CHC R R 27 ACTV $0.00 FA0
BELL, HEATH RP SD R R 30 ACTV $0.00 AO0
BROXTON, J. RP LA R R 24 ACTV $0.00 FA0
CAPPS, M. RP PIT R R 25 ACTV $0.00 FA0
GEARY, G. RP HOU R R 32 ACTV $0.05 PF1
HOFFMAN, T. RP MIL R R 41 ACTV $0.00 FA0
ISHIKAWA, T. 1B SF L L 25 RESV $0.50 ML2
BARTON, BRIAN OF STL R R 26 RESV $0.60 PF1
MAYBIN, C. OF FLA R R 22 RESV $0.05 ML2
PERRY, JASON OF ATL L R 28 RESV $0.05 ML2
RASMUS, C. OF STL L L 22 RESV $0.05 ML2
DETWILER, R. SP WAS L L 22 RESV $0.05 ML2
GARCIA, JAIME SP STL L L 23 RESV $0.15 ML2
HAPP, JA. SP PHI L L 26 RESV $0.05 ML2
REYES, JOJO SP ATL L L 24 RESV $0.60 PF1
DUKES, E. OF WAS R R 24 DL $0.20 PF1
PAGAN, A. OF NYM S R 27 DL $0.15 PF1
SPILBORGHS, R. OF COL R R 29 DL $0.25 PF1
MAINE, J. SP NYM R R 26 DL $1.45 PF1
ACOSTA, M. RP ATL R R 27 DL $0.05 PF1
Current Rank = 7              
Option Moves = 6              
FAB Balance = $3.75              
FA Picks Left = 6              
Gas House Grillers                
Player Pos Team Bat Thr Age Status Salary Contract
HOWARD, RYAN 1B PHI L L 29 ACTV $0.00 AE0
DURHAM, R. 2B UFA S R 37 ACTV $0.50 OE1
LAROCHE, ANDY 3B PIT R R 25 ACTV $0.05 ML2
DREW, STEPHEN SS ARZ L R 26 ACTV $1.00 PF1
ECKSTEIN, D. MI SD R R 34 ACTV $0.05 PF1
JACKSON, CONOR CI ARZ R R 26 ACTV $1.25 PF1
FLORES, JESUS C WAS R R 24 ACTV $0.05 PF1
MCCANN, B. C ATL L R 25 ACTV $0.00 AE0
DUNN, A. OF ARZ L R 29 ACTV $0.00 FA0
ETHIER, A. OF LA L L 26 ACTV $0.80 PF1
GERUT, J. OF SD L L 31 ACTV $0.05 PF1
HART, COREY OF MIL R R 27 ACTV $1.75 PF1
MOSS, B. OF PIT L R 25 ACTV $2.10 PF1
JOHNSON, REED UT CHC R R 32 ACTV $0.05 PF1
MCPHERSON, D. UT FLA L R 28 ACTV $0.05 PF1
BILLINGSLEY, C. SP LA R R 24 ACTV $1.05 PF1
JOHNSON, JOSH SP FLA L R 25 ACTV $0.05 PF1
LOWE, DEREK SP ATL R R 35 ACTV $0.00 FA0
NOLASCO, R. SP FLA R R 26 ACTV $0.05 PF1
PEREZ, ODALIS SP UFA L L 31 ACTV $0.05 PF1
RODRIGUEZ, WAN. SP HOU S L 30 ACTV $0.00 FA0
YOUNG, CHRIS SP SD R R 28 ACTV $1.50 PF1
GONZALEZ, MIKE RP ATL R L 30 ACTV $0.05 PF1
HANRAHAN, JOEL RP WAS R R 27 ACTV $0.05 PF1
KUO, HC. RP LA L L 27 ACTV $0.05 PF1
MARMOL, C. RP CHC R R 26 ACTV $0.00 FA0
TRACY, CHAD 1B ARZ L R 28 RESV $0.05 PF1
GAMEL, M. 3B MIL L R 23 RESV $0.05 ML2
CEDENO, RON. SS SEA R R 26 RESV $0.25 PF1
FOWLER, D. OF COL S R 23 RESV $0.05 ML2
SCHAFER, J. OF ATL L L 22 RESV $0.05 ML2
TABATA, JOSE OF PIT R R 20 RESV $0.25 ML2
GORZELANNY, T. SP PIT S L 26 RESV $0.05 PF1
BUCHHOLZ, TAYLOR RP COL R R 27 RESV $0.05 PF1
PHILLIPS, BRAN. 2B CIN R R 27 DL $2.00 PF1
DUNCAN, CHRIS OF STL L R 27 DL $0.05 PF1
MATHER, J. OF STL R R 27 DL $0.40 PF1
NIXON, T. OF MIL L L 35 DL $0.90 PF1
SCHMIDT, JAS. SP LA R R 36 DL $0.05 PF1
Current Rank = 2              
Option Moves = 0              
FAB Balance = $2.45              
FA Picks Left = 0              
Jokers                
Player Pos Team Bat Thr Age Status Salary Contract
PUJOLS, A. 1B STL R R 29 ACTV $2.05 OE1
UGGLA, D. 2B FLA R R 28 ACTV $0.00 FA0
FELIZ, P. 3B PHI R R 32 ACTV $1.00 PF1
REYES, JOSE SS NYM S R 25 ACTV $0.00 FA0
VELEZ, E. MI SF S R 26 ACTV $0.05 PF1
LONEY, J. CI LA L L 24 ACTV $0.00 FA0
SNYDER, CHRIS C ARZ R R 27 ACTV $0.00 FA0
SOTO, GEO. C CHC R R 26 ACTV $0.25 PF1
FUKUDOME, K. OF CHC R R 32 ACTV $1.10 PF1
HERMIDA, J. OF FLA L R 25 ACTV $0.65 PF1
LUDWICK, R. OF STL R L 30 ACTV $0.25 PF1
ROWAND, A. OF SF R R 31 ACTV $0.00 FA0
SORIANO, ALF. OF CHC R R 33 ACTV $2.20 PF1
BLUM, G. UT HOU S R 36 ACTV $0.10 PF1
LAROCHE, ADAM UT PIT L L 29 ACTV $1.30 PF1
DE LA ROSA, J. SP COL L L 28 ACTV $0.05 PF1
HAREN, D. SP ARZ R R 28 ACTV $1.80 PF1
LILLY, T. SP CHC L L 33 ACTV $0.00 FA0
LOOPER, B. SP MIL R R 34 ACTV $0.40 PF1
MOYER, J. SP PHI L L 46 ACTV $0.15 PF1
PINEIRO, J. SP STL R R 30 ACTV $0.25 PF1
WELLEMEYER, T. SP STL R R 30 ACTV $0.10 PF1
FRANKLIN, RYAN RP STL R R 36 ACTV $0.70 PF1
ROMERO, JC. RP PHI S L 32 ACTV $0.10 PF1
SAMARDZIJA, J. RP CHC R R 24 ACTV $0.05 ML2
WILSON, BRIAN RP SF R R 27 ACTV $0.70 PF1
WILSON, JACK SS PIT R R 31 RESV $0.00 FA0
MONTERO, M. C ARZ L R 26 RESV $0.15 PF1
PARRA, GER. OF ARZ L L 21 RESV $0.05 ML2
BURKE, CHRIS UT SD R R 29 RESV $0.05 PF1
HAIRSTON, JERRY UT CIN R R 32 RESV $1.90 PF1
HENDRICKSON, M. SP BAL L L 34 RESV $0.15 PF1
MORALES, FRANK. SP COL L L 23 RESV $0.15 PF1
AFFELDT, J. RP SF L L 29 RESV $0.25 PF1
GREENE, K. SS STL R R 29 DL $0.05 PF1
DIAZ, MATT OF ATL R R 31 DL $0.00 AE0
YOUNG, DELWYN OF LA S R 26 DL $0.05 ML2
Current Rank = 1              
Option Moves = 3              
FAB Balance = $2.85              
FA Picks Left = 10              
Longball Lemmings                
Player Pos Team Bat Thr Age Status Salary Contract
FIELDER, P. 1B MIL L R 24 ACTV $2.20 PF1
KENNEDY, ADAM 2B TAM L R 33 ACTV $0.10 PF1
GARCIAPARRA, N. 3B UFA R R 35 ACTV $0.05 PF1
ZIMMERMAN, RY. 3B WAS R R 24 ACTV $1.40 PF1
THERIOT, R. SS CHC S R 29 ACTV $0.00 FA0
BURRISS, E. MI SF R R 24 ACTV $0.05 PF1
BAKER, JOHN C FLA L R 28 ACTV $0.15 PF1
SCHNEIDER, B. C NYM L R 32 ACTV $0.35 PF1
BRUCE, J. OF CIN L L 22 ACTV $0.05 PF1
EASLEY, D. OF UFA R R 39 ACTV $0.05 PF1
GONZALEZ, LUIS OF UFA L R 41 ACTV $0.25 PF1
TAVERAS, WILY OF CIN R R 27 ACTV $0.00 FA0
WILLINGHAM, J. OF WAS R R 29 ACTV $0.80 PF1
HARANG, A. SP CIN R R 30 ACTV $0.25 PF1
MOEHLER, B. SP HOU R R 37 ACTV $0.05 PF1
OSWALT, R. SP HOU R R 31 ACTV $0.00 FA0
REDDING, T. SP NYM R R 31 ACTV $0.05 PF1
SABATHIA, CC. SP NYY L L 28 ACTV $4.20 PF1
WOLF, RANDY SP LA L L 32 ACTV $0.15 PF1
ZITO, B. SP SF L L 30 ACTV $0.65 PF1
OHMAN, W. RP UFA L L 31 ACTV $0.05 PF1
RAUCH, J. RP ARZ R R 30 ACTV $0.25 PF1
TASCHNER, J. RP SF L L 30 ACTV $0.05 PF1
VILLANUEVA, C. RP MIL S R 25 ACTV $0.25 PF1
KOSHANSKY, J. 1B COL L L 26 RESV $0.05 ML2
ALVAREZ, PEDRO 3B PIT L R 22 RESV $0.55 ML2
ANDERSON, BRYAN C STL L R 22 RESV $0.05 ML2
COLVIN, TY. OF CHC L L 23 RESV $0.05 ML2
MARRERO, CHRIS OF WAS R R 20 RESV $0.05 ML2
MCCUTCHEN, A. OF PIT R R 22 RESV $0.05 ML2
BAILEY, HOMER SP CIN R R 23 RESV $0.00 FA0
YOUNG, DMITRI 1B WAS S R 35 DL $0.00 FA0
FURCAL, R. SS LA S R 31 DL $0.00 FA0
FREEL, R. OF BAL R R 33 DL $0.40 PF1
LEE, CARLOS OF HOU R R 32 DL $2.30 PF1
PENNY, B. SP BOS R R 30 DL $0.00 FA0
CORDERO, CHAD RP UFA R R 27 DL $0.00 FA0
WAGNER, BILLY RP NYM L L 37 DL $0.00 FA0
Current Rank = 9              
Option Moves = 7              
FAB Balance = $0.75              
FA Picks Left = 6              
Lucky 7 Reno Gamblers                
Player Pos Team Bat Thr Age Status Salary Contract
GONZALEZ, ADRIAN 1B SD L L 26 ACTV $1.15 PF1
UTLEY, C. 2B PHI L R 30 ACTV $2.65 PF1
REYNOLDS, M. 3B ARZ R R 25 ACTV $0.00 AE0
MILES, A. SS CHC S R 32 ACTV $0.05 PF1
JOHNSON, KELLY MI ATL L R 27 ACTV $0.00 FA0
VOTTO, J. CI CIN L R 25 ACTV $0.00 FA0
COSTE, C. C PHI R R 36 ACTV $0.05 PF1
NIEVES, WIL C WAS R R 31 ACTV $0.05 PF1
KEARNS, A. OF WAS R R 28 ACTV $0.90 PF1
KEMP, M. OF LA R L 24 ACTV $0.00 FA0
PENCE, H. OF HOU R R 25 ACTV $0.00 FA0
SCHUMAKER, S. OF STL L R 29 ACTV $0.15 PF1
YOUNG, CB. OF ARZ R R 25 ACTV $2.20 PF1
EVANS, NICK UT NYM R R 23 ACTV $0.05 PF1
BANKS, JOSH SP SD R R 26 ACTV $0.05 PF1
JIMENEZ, UBAL. SP COL R R 25 ACTV $0.00 FA0
MADDUX, G. SP LA R R 43 ACTV $0.75 PF1
SNELL, I. SP PIT R R 26 ACTV $0.75 PF1
VOLQUEZ, E. SP CIN R R 25 ACTV $0.60 PF1
BROCAIL, D. RP HOU L R 42 ACTV $0.05 PF1
CORPAS, M. RP COL R R 26 ACTV $0.25 PF1
GRABOW, J. RP PIT L L 30 ACTV $0.15 PF1
MOTA, G. RP LA R R 35 ACTV $0.05 PF1
RIVERA, SAUL RP WAS R R 31 ACTV $0.05 PF1
DEWITT, B. 3B LA L R 23 RESV $0.15 PF1
ANDERSON, JOSH OF ATL L R 26 RESV $0.05 PF1
GOLSON, G. OF TEX R R 23 RESV $0.05 ML2
HUFFMAN, C. OF SD R R 23 RESV $0.05 ML2
PENA, WILY. OF WAS R R 27 RESV $0.25 PF1
SMITH, SETH OF COL R R 26 RESV $1.10 ML2
CARRASCO, CARLOS SP PHI R R 22 RESV $0.05 ML2
OWINGS, M. SP CIN R R 26 RESV $0.00 AE0
BYRNES, E. OF ARZ R R 33 DL $0.00 FA0
CARPENTER, C. SP STL R R 34 DL $0.25 PF1
HUDSON, TIM SP ATL R R 33 DL $1.55 PF1
WAINWRIGHT, A. SP STL R R 27 DL $0.00 FA0
Current Rank = 8              
Option Moves = 6              
FAB Balance = $4.00              
FA Picks Left = 7              
Maygamers                
Player Pos Team Bat Thr Age Status Salary Contract
JACOBS, M. 1B KC L R 28 ACTV $0.75 PF1
LORETTA, M. 2B LA R R 37 ACTV $0.25 PF1
CANTU, J. 3B FLA R R 27 ACTV $0.30 PF1
RAMIREZ, HANLEY SS FLA R R 26 ACTV $2.65 PF1
KEPPINGER, J. MI CIN R R 27 ACTV $0.55 PF1
BLAKE, C. CI LA R R 35 ACTV $3.20 PF1
CHAVEZ, RAUL C TOR R R 36 ACTV $0.05 PF1
KENDALL, J. C MIL R R 34 ACTV $0.40 PF1
BLANCO, GREGOR OF ATL L L 25 ACTV $0.05 PF1
ERSTAD, D. OF HOU L L 35 ACTV $0.15 PF1
MCLOUTH, N. OF PIT L R 27 ACTV $1.15 PF1
NORTON, GREG OF ATL S R 36 ACTV $0.05 PF1
TRACY, ANDY OF PHI L R 35 ACTV $0.05 PF1
VALENTIN, JAVIER UT WAS S R 33 ACTV $0.00 AE0
CAIN, M. SP SF R R 25 ACTV $0.00 AE0
CUETO, J. SP CIN R R 23 ACTV $0.05 PF1
KENDRICK, KYLE SP PHI R R 24 ACTV $0.80 PF1
MAHOLM, P. SP PIT L L 26 ACTV $0.35 PF1
RUSCH, G. SP COL L L 34 ACTV $0.05 PF1
VOLSTAD, C. SP FLA R R 22 ACTV $0.05 PF1
BEIMEL, J. RP UFA L L 32 ACTV $0.10 PF1
FELICIANO, P. RP NYM L L 32 ACTV $0.00 AE0
GAGNE, E. RP MIL R R 33 ACTV $0.75 PF1
TORRES, SAL. RP UFA R R 37 ACTV $0.15 PF1
CLARK, TONY 1B ARZ S R 37 RESV $0.05 PF1
ESCOBAR, ALCID. SS MIL R R 22 RESV $0.05 ML2
QUALLS, C. RP ARZ R R 30 RESV $0.00 AE0
GONZALEZ, ALBERTO SS WAS R R 25 DL $0.05 ML2
HOPPER, N. OF CIN R R 30 DL $0.55 PF1
JENKINS, G. OF PHI L R 34 DL $0.00 AE0
Current Rank = 11              
Option Moves = 6              
FAB Balance = $4.70              
FA Picks Left = 3              
North Market Mudhens                
Player Pos Team Bat Thr Age Status Salary Contract
DELGADO, C. 1B NYM L R 37 ACTV $0.75 PF1
KENT, J. 2B UFA R R 41 ACTV $0.75 PF1
GLAUS, T. 3B STL R R 32 ACTV $0.65 PF1
TEJADA, M. SS HOU R R 34 ACTV $1.45 PF1
SANCHEZ, FREDDY MI PIT R R 31 ACTV $0.55 PF1
HALL, BILL CI MIL R R 29 ACTV $1.30 PF1
MARTIN, RUSS C LA R R 26 ACTV $1.35 PF1
MOLINA, BEN C SF R R 34 ACTV $0.00 FA0
EDMONDS, J. OF UFA L L 39 ACTV $0.20 PF1
KAPLER, G. OF TAM R R 33 ACTV $0.25 PF1
KOTSAY, M. OF BOS L L 33 ACTV $0.50 PF1
MICHAELS, J. OF HOU R R 32 ACTV $1.40 PF1
PIERRE, J. OF LA L L 31 ACTV $0.65 PF1
KOTCHMAN, C. UT ATL L L 26 ACTV $2.95 PF1
DEMPSTER, R. SP CHC R R 32 ACTV $0.10 PF1
DUKE, Z. SP PIT L L 25 ACTV $0.10 PF1
HAMELS, C. SP PHI L L 25 ACTV $1.55 PF1
KERSHAW, C. SP LA L L 21 ACTV $0.05 PF1
MARTINEZ, PJ. SP UFA R R 37 ACTV $0.00 FA0
PEAVY, J. SP SD R R 27 ACTV $0.00 FA0
CONDREY, C. RP PHI R R 33 ACTV $0.05 PF1
NELSON, JOE RP TAM R R 34 ACTV $0.05 PF1
WOOD, KERRY RP CLE R R 31 ACTV $0.65 PF1
YATES, TY. RP PIT R R 31 ACTV $0.10 PF1
VITTERS, J. 3B CHC R R 19 RESV $0.05 ML2
IZTURIS, CESAR SS BAL S R 29 RESV $0.00 FA0
VILLALONA, A. CI SF R R 18 RESV $0.05 ML2
HEYWARD, J. OF ATL L L 19 RESV $0.05 ML2
PATTERSON, COR. OF WAS L R 29 RESV $0.25 PF1
STAIRS, M. OF PHI L R 41 RESV $0.05 PF1
OJEDA, A. UT ARZ S R 34 RESV $0.25 PF1
INMAN, W. SP SD R R 22 RESV $0.05 ML2
MISCH, P. SP SF R L 27 RESV $0.05 PF1
HANSEN, C. RP PIT R R 25 RESV $0.40 PF1
ISRINGHAUSEN, J. RP TAM R R 36 DL $0.00 FA0
Current Rank = 6              
Option Moves = 10              
FAB Balance = $4.25              
FA Picks Left = 13              
Sevy Rhinos                
Player Pos Team Bat Thr Age Status Salary Contract
BERKMAN, L. 1B HOU S L 33 ACTV $2.20 PF1
WEEKS, R. 2B MIL R R 26 ACTV $1.50 PF1
ENCARNACION, ED. 3B CIN R R 26 ACTV $0.95 PF1
ROLLINS, J. SS PHI S R 30 ACTV $0.00 FA0
BARMES, C. MI COL R R 30 ACTV $0.15 PF1
WIGGINTON, T. CI HOU R R 31 ACTV $0.35 PF1
CASTRO, RAMON C NYM R R 33 ACTV $0.05 PF1
DOUMIT, R. C PIT S R 28 ACTV $0.00 FA0
BELTRAN, C. OF NYM S R 32 ACTV $2.35 PF1
BURRELL, P. OF TAM R R 32 ACTV $1.25 PF1
INFANTE, O. OF ATL R R 27 ACTV $0.05 PF1
MURPHY, DAN OF NYM L R 24 ACTV $0.25 PF1
WERTH, J. OF PHI R R 29 ACTV $0.00 FA0
LOPEZ, FELIPE UT ARZ S R 28 ACTV $0.25 PF1
MATSUI, KAZ. UT HOU S R 34 ACTV $0.70 PF1
CAMPILLO, J. SP ATL R R 30 ACTV $0.70 PF1
FRANCIS, J. SP COL L L 28 ACTV $0.00 FA0
HAMPTON, M. SP HOU R L 36 ACTV $0.05 PF1
JOHNSON, RANDY SP SF R L 45 ACTV $0.30 PF1
KARSTENS, J. SP PIT R R 26 ACTV $0.30 PF1
PEREZ, OLIVER SP NYM L L 27 ACTV $0.00 FA0
DURBIN, CHAD RP PHI R R 31 ACTV $0.05 PF1
GAUDIN, C. RP CHC R R 26 ACTV $0.15 PF1
GREGG, K. RP CHC R R 30 ACTV $0.00 FA0
MADSON, R. RP PHI R R 28 ACTV $0.05 PF1
VALVERDE, J. RP HOU R R 30 ACTV $1.15 PF1
BONIFACIO, E. 2B FLA R R 23 RESV $1.50 PF1
LILLIBRIDGE, B. SS CHW R R 25 RESV $0.05 ML2
TOWLES, JR. C HOU R R 25 RESV $0.05 PF1
DORN, D. OF CIN L L 25 RESV $0.05 ML2
PIE, F. OF BAL L L 24 RESV $0.25 PF1
BRANYAN, R. 3B SEA L R 33 DL $0.05 PF1
ANKIEL, R. OF STL L L 29 DL $0.00 FA0
LOWRY, N. SP SF L L 28 DL $0.25 PF1
Current Rank = 4              
Option Moves = 0              
FAB Balance = $3.65              
FA Picks Left = 0              
Spitting Cobras                
Player Pos Team Bat Thr Age Status Salary Contract
LEE, DEREK 1B CHC R R 33 ACTV $1.65 PF1
DEROSA, M. 2B CLE R R 34 ACTV $0.00 FA0
RAMIREZ, ARAMIS 3B CHC R R 30 ACTV $0.00 FA0
TULOWITZKI, T. SS COL R R 24 ACTV $0.00 FA0
FONTENOT, M. MI CHC L R 28 ACTV $0.05 PF1
DOBBS, G. CI PHI L R 29 ACTV $0.05 PF1
BAKO, P. C CHC L R 37 ACTV $0.05 PF1
BLANCO, HENRY C SD R R 37 ACTV $0.05 PF1
BRAUN, RYAN OF MIL R R 25 ACTV $0.00 FA0
FRANCOEUR, J. OF ATL R R 25 ACTV $1.95 PF1
LEWIS, FRED OF SF L R 28 ACTV $1.90 PF1
MILLEDGE, L. OF WAS R R 24 ACTV $0.90 PF1
VICTORINO, S. OF PHI R R 29 ACTV $1.05 PF1
AMEZAGA, A. UT FLA S R 31 ACTV $0.15 PF1
ROBERTS, DAVE UT SF L L 36 ACTV $0.60 PF1
BUSH, DAVID SP MIL R R 29 ACTV $0.15 PF1
COOK, A. SP COL R R 30 ACTV $0.05 PF1
CORREIA, K. SP SD R R 28 ACTV $1.30 PF1
DAVIS, DOUG SP ARZ R L 33 ACTV $0.25 PF1
LINCECUM, T. SP SF R R 24 ACTV $0.00 FA0
LOHSE, K. SP STL R R 30 ACTV $0.55 PF1
WEBB, BRAN. SP ARZ R R 29 ACTV $0.00 FA0
CORDERO, FRAN. RP CIN R R 33 ACTV $1.00 PF1
FUENTES, B. RP ANA L L 33 ACTV $0.15 PF1
HEILMAN, A. RP CHC R R 30 ACTV $0.15 PF1
WEATHERS, D. RP CIN R R 39 ACTV $0.05 PF1
BROADWAY, LARRY 1B WAS L L 28 RESV $0.05 ML2
PAULINO, RON. C PHI R R 27 RESV $0.40 PF1
MAXWELL, JUST. OF WAS R R 25 RESV $0.05 ML2
MCANULTY, P. OF BOS L R 27 RESV $0.25 PF1
TANKERSLEY, T. RP FLA L L 26 RESV $0.05 PF1
HELTON, T. 1B COL L L 35 DL $1.35 PF1
HUDSON, ORL. 2B LA S R 31 DL $0.85 PF1
BARRETT, M. C TOR R R 32 DL $0.15 PF1
GALLARDO, Y. SP MIL R R 23 DL $0.00 FA0
Current Rank = 3              
Option Moves = 7              
FAB Balance = $4.60              
FA Picks Left = 14              
Stampeders                
Player Pos Team Bat Thr Age Status Salary Contract
BOWKER, J. 1B SF L L 25 ACTV $0.85 PF1
CASTILLO, LUIS 2B NYM S R 33 ACTV $0.85 PF1
HEADLEY, C. 3B SD S R 25 ACTV $0.05 PF1
RODRIGUEZ, LUIS SS SD S R 28 ACTV $0.15 ML2
QUINTANILLA, O. MI COL L R 27 ACTV $0.05 PF1
BELLIARD, RON CI WAS R R 34 ACTV $0.15 PF1
AUSMUS, B. C LA R R 40 ACTV $0.05 PF1
RUIZ, C. C PHI R R 30 ACTV $0.65 PF1
BOURN, M. OF HOU L R 26 ACTV $0.00 AE0
HAIRSTON, SCOTT OF SD R R 28 ACTV $0.00 FA0
HARRIS, WIL. OF WAS L R 30 ACTV $0.05 PF1
PEARCE, STEVE OF PIT R R 26 ACTV $0.10 PF1
TATIS, F. OF NYM R R 34 ACTV $1.60 PF1
HARDEN, R. SP CHC R R 27 ACTV $4.10 PF1
JURRJENS, J. SP ATL R R 23 ACTV $0.70 PF1
LANNAN, J. SP WAS L L 24 ACTV $0.60 PF1
OLSEN, SCOTT SP WAS L L 25 ACTV $0.10 PF1
PELFREY, M. SP NYM R R 25 ACTV $0.05 OE1
SANCHEZ, ANIBAL SP FLA R R 25 ACTV $0.05 PF1
SANTANA, JOHAN SP NYM L L 30 ACTV $2.10 PF1
LINDSTROM, M. RP FLA R R 29 ACTV $0.05 PF1
LYON, B. RP DET R R 29 ACTV $0.60 PF1
PETIT, Y. RP ARZ R R 24 ACTV $0.05 PF1
SANCHEZ, DUANER RP NYM R R 29 ACTV $0.05 PF1
ANTONELLI, M. 2B SD R R 23 RESV $0.05 ML2
JONES, BRANDON OF ATL L L 25 RESV $0.05 PF1
BACKE, B. SP HOU R R 31 RESV $0.25 PF1
BALESTER, C. SP WAS R R 22 RESV $0.05 ML2
MILLER, ANDREW SP FLA R L 23 RESV $0.25 PF1
PARKER, JARR. SP ARZ R R 20 RESV $0.05 ML2
REYNOLDS, G. SP COL R R 23 RESV $0.05 PF1
SCHERZER, M. P ARZ R R 24 RESV $0.05 PF1
DUMATRAIT, P. SP PIT R L 27 DL $0.05 PF1
HERNANDEZ, ORL. SP UFA R R 39 DL $0.05 PF1
SAITO, T. RP BOS L R 39 DL $1.45 PF1
Current Rank = 10              
Option Moves = 1              
FAB Balance = $2.60              
FA Picks Left = 5              
 
Kennesaw Mountain BigHorn
HARL Commissioner
 

Voting Results
 
The votes are in on the 9 original voting issues. I still haven't received everyone's vote on issue #10, but it looks like we can make a final decision there anyway.
Here are the results:
 
(1) TWO HALVES to the REGULAR SEASON
So we'll implement the TWO 11-Week HALVES idea, followed by a 5-team Playoffs in September.
 
The votes on seeding the playoff teams ended up with 6 votes in favor of: winners of 1st Half and 2nd Half automatically make the playoffs, followed by remaining teams with best overall Final Scores (1st Half Score + 2nd Half Score) to arrive at 5 playoff teams. There were 2 votes for the other option (straight ranking by overall scores), and 2 people who didn't choose one of the available options. Jack liked the 2 Halves idea, but suggested two 13-week halves and no playoffs. The HARL Playoff system has been very popular with our league members and really spurs excitement for the top teams during September, so eliminating that element of play would probably get me lynched!      
 
 
(2) ADDING 4 AMERICAN LEAGUE TEAMS to the POOL
So we'll be sticking with our National League Only format. The majority felt that adding players from the 4 AL East teams would make our talent pool too deep and turn HARL into too much of an All-Star league.  
 
 
(3) PLAYERS TRADED TO THE AL CAN BE KEPT
No big surprise here since the "add AL players" proposal was squashed. We're sticking with the "tough luck rule" -- if you lose a player to the American League via an interleague trade, you're simply out-of-luck and he won't keep accumulating stats for you.  
 
 
(4) TOTAL BASES and QUALITY STARTS
  • IN FAVOR = 9 votes (Sevy, Doug, Kevin, Mike Hughes, Jack, Dave, Rich, Mike Hetrick, Mayer)
  • AGAINST  = 1 votes (Geoff)  
Pretty much a slam-dunk, we will be adding TOTAL BASES (TB) and QUALITY STARTS (QS) as new stat categories to the league.
Jack suggested eliminating WHIP, and Mayer suggested eliminating FR several months ago. Sorry guys, but I strongly disagree with you on those two points and they're here to stay. I like the new additions; they'll spice things up a little and give us new statistical areas to consider, something that I was hoping for.
 
 
(5) FRANCHISE PLAYERS  
  • IN FAVOR = 7 votes (Sevy, Doug, Geoff, Kevin, Mike Hughes, Jack, Dave)
  • AGAINST  = 3 votes (Rich, Mike Hetrick, Mayer)  
Looks like we'll be implementing the new Franchise Player rules that permit teams to keep up to 3 players under a "franchise" tag.
If desired, on May 1st of each season you can designate up to 2 new players with MY2 contracts as Franchise Players. The contracts of these franchise players changes to MY3 (you get an extra season out of them), but you must retain them for all 3 years of their contract or pay a penalty (lost FAD money and lost draft pick). They can be traded to another team, who inherits the Franchise Player tag. You DO NOT have to have any Franchise Players if you don't want to -- it's an optional choice.      
 
 
(6) BROADER ROOKIE GUIDELINES
  • IN FAVOR = 9 votes (Sevy, Doug, Geoff, Kevin, Mike Hughes, Jack, Dave, Rich, Mike Hetrick)
  • AGAINST  = 1 votes (Mayer)  
Another virtual slam-dunk, all of the PRO voters were in favor of a complete ROOKIE REVAMP. That means there will be revised stat-levels for Rookie classification [100 AB for hitters, 40 IP for pitchers], all Minor Leaguers are now signed to ML3 contracts (3 years under control), and all players signed after the All-Star Break are now signed to MY2 contracts (whether they're a minor leaguer or not) to prevent poaching of the prospect talent pool. This was a good decision and I'm happy to see these improvements implemented.
 
 
(7) TRADE MEETINGS  
  • IN FAVOR = 7 votes (Sevy, Geoff, Kevin, Mike Hughes, Jack, Dave, Rich)
  • AGAINST  = 3 votes (Doug, Mayer, Mike Hetrick)  
We'll now hold 2 Trade Meetings each season (around May 15 and around July 15). I suspected that most people would like this idea.
I can understand the No votes to some degree (availability is an issue for the guys who live farther away, and face-to-face trade dealing isn't everyone's cup of tea). But attendance at these Trade Meetings is completely OPTIONAL; you aren't required to come if you don't want to.
The meetings are simply a means for us to get-together, talk baseball and stoke the trade fires, and ramp up league-wide involvement.
 
 
(8) MONTHLY PRIZES  
  • IN FAVOR = 9 votes (Sevy, Doug, Geoff, Kevin, Mike Hughes, Dave, Rich, Mike Hetrick, Mayer)
  • AGAINST  = 1 votes (Jack)  
Everyone will kick in an extra $15 to fund a Monthly Team Prize based on best point score for a monthly stat period.
There will be 5 awards (for April, May, June, July, and August), and monthly winners will pull down $30 in prize money.
 
I'll admit that I'm a little surprised by the positive reaction to this idea. I wasn't so sure that in tough economic times that people would be too receptive to kicking in extra money to fund monthly prizes. l guess $15 bucks really isn't a big deal, and the potential for more chances to win something really appealed to everyone. The only No vote was Jack, but he thought the money was coming out of the regular prize pot. The $15 extra is solely to fund the Monthly Prizes; the main prize pot is unaffected.  
 
 
(9) BIWEEKLY FAD
We'll be switching to a BIWEEKLY FAD system this season. I'm amazed and pleased that this idea garned so much support. Each FAD should be more meaningful and a bit more exciting since they don't come around as often. Teams will be forced to build a strong bench and trade to fill holes, rather than simply cherry-picking the FA pool each week. That's all good.      
 
 
(10) SMALLER ROSTERS
 
I'm still waiting for votes from Kevin, Jack, and Mike Hughes on this one. But based on the votes we have in, there were 5 YES votes in favor of smaller rosters (Sevy, Doug, Dave, Rich, and Mayer), 1 conditional YES vote by Geoff who felt smaller rosters were okay as long as we weren't going to be adding AL teams to the mix, and 1 NO vote by Mike Hetrick who likes the bigger rosters.
 
That means it's currently 6-to-1 in favor of going with SMALLER 20-Man rosters. I still would like to hear from those who didn't vote to get an official final count, but it appears this one is going to pass into law. 
 
With 20-Man Rosters, the breakdown is: C=1, 1B=1, 2B=1, 3B=1, SS=1, OF=4, UTL=2 (any hitter), SP=5, RP=3, and P=1 (any pitcher).
 
Also, we would drop $1 off the salary cap, so SALARY CAP would be $15 for 20 players (or basically 75 cents per player instead of 67 cents per player average like before). Reserve roster and DL limits would remain exactly the same. 
 
So there you have it, the masses have spoken. A quick recap for everyone:
 
NEW STUFF
NOT CHANGED
Kennesaw Mountain BigHorn
HARL Commissioner
 

Additional Voting Issue -- Roster Size

So far, it looks like I have received votes from 8 of the 10 HARL owners. I haven't tallied the votes yet, so I can't report definitively on what changes will be occurring to the rules. From the few quick glances I've seen of things, there are a wide mix of responses, which is to be expected when you get a bunch of people voicing their opinions. It's democracy in action! 
 
Before I get to the voting issue, I need to make a few heartfelt comments on the current state of HARL and where I see it heading in the future.
 
When I started HARL back in 1987, I was full of enthusiasm and excited to bring together 3 things that I loved: baseball, games, and social interaction with family/friends. Those early years were filled with the sense of wonder you get when you open a new toy. Everything was new and shiny, and we were exploring all the little nuances of play and trying to master the game. We also had fairly frequent social interactions, whether it was calling up a league-mate on the phone and discussing players, teams, and trades, or getting together face-to-face to talk rotisserie ball. It was true that whenever the 3 Severino men got together, we spent the first hour talking rotisserie non-stop. Those were truly great days. 
 
Fast forward 23 years later to today. HARL is a very different animal now. I still enjoy playing rotisserie baseball. But I don't have the same amount of excitement for it that I used to have. After 20+ years I have mastered what you need to learn to become very good at this game (although that knowledge certainly doesn't mean you'll win every year -- there are too many variables outside of your control). What keeps me coming back is the PEOPLE. I enjoy the camaraderie of playing games with friends and family. Unfortunately for me, the family part is no longer present, and I'll be honest, that's a huge hole that simply cannot be filled. But I truly value my friends, and as long as you guys are having fun and enjoying the league, then I feel inspired to do my part in keeping this game running. 
 
The HARL of 2009 isn't what it used to be. With no intentional slight to the abilities of anyone in the league, we're just not as competitive a bunch as we were 10 to 15 years ago. Compared to the old days, there's less meaningful communication between owners (no phone calls or face-to-face meetings), fewer trades, and an absence of good-natured ribbing of fellow owners. Our current group of owners takes a much more relaxed and passive approach to playing the game, and that includes me as well. As we've gotten older, the increased demands of work, family, and other hobbies have combined to diminish the time we have to spend on rotisserie baseball. I don't blame anyone for that; it is what it is.
 
With this obvious change in the way owners approach the game, we MUST CHANGE the way HARL works, or risk the league simply going the way of the dodo-bird. We've lost many team owners over the years. Overwhelmingly, the single biggest reason that people leave HARL is because they simply don't have the TIME needed to give themselves a reasonable shot to win. They say things along the lines of "the league is a lot of fun and really well run, but I just don't have enough time to keep up with my team, research players, and make the picks or trades I need to make in order to give myself a fair shot to win". So it's not that things aren't fun, or they hate the people in the league or the way that things are run. It's always TIME, TIME, TIME. And that's because HARL is a pretty involved league rules-wise. There's a LOT going on. Dealing with that depth and complexity takes TIME. And if everyone else is spending a lot more time than you on the game, they're going to win and you're going to finish near the bottom of the standings. So people strapped for time quit, rather than throw their entry-fee money away year after year. 
 
Since we're all increasingly strapped for time, we need to make a conscious effort to scale-things back a little. That means simplifying the rules and streamlining game-related events where necessary. We need to make the game less demanding. In addition to that, we also need to do a better job at maintaining interest in the league. People have shorter attention spans nowadays. So several of the rule proposals that I sent out earlier were aimed at addressing these things. By having two mini-seasons (two halves), there would no longer be those "dog days" of July and August when teams out of contention simply zone out and lose interest in participating. With Monthly Prizes you have more chances to win something even if you're not going to be league champ that year. By scaling-back the FADs to every 2 weeks, there's less pressure to make draft pickups every week; you've got some breathing room. Holding Trade Meetings spurs more social interaction, which spurs interest.
 
But the biggest thing we need is to ease up on the level of player-research that owners are required to do in order to compete. Digging deep into the 40-man rosters of every NL team and mining for hidden minor league gems takes a fair amount of research. And this research takes TIME. That's why I included the proposal to add 4 AL teams to the pool. I figured it would greatly enhance the number of available players you could use. With all that extra major league talent available, you wouldn't need to worry too much about who the reserve infielders were on every team, who is 3rd in line for Saves, or which AA-players are most likely to be called up. Not having to research as deeply takes LESS TIME. But on the flip-side, I can certainly see that it's not the perfect solution by any stretch of the imagination. You would need to become familiar with players on more MLB teams, and that takes time too. 
 
So that finally brings me around to my 10th rule proposal... 
 
In addition to the original list of 9 issues that I sent out, there was 1 voting issue that I left out. I did that on purpose, because it's really a different approach to a problem that I see with our league: the player talent pool needs to be enriched/expanded. Not only would that make the FADs more enjoyable and make trading easier, but it means less digging into the unseemly bowels of the player pool, which takes lots of time.
 
My proposal comes at this issue from an entirely different angle. Instead of ADDING more players to the free agent pool, why not keep the pool at its current size, but REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS YOU MUST ROSTER. Smaller Active Rosters mean more talent available in the player pool, and fewer active players to manipulate on a week-to-week basis. Mor precisely:
  • ACTIVE ROSTERS would be reduced from 24 to 20 players. The positional breakdown of your 20-man Active Roster would be as follows: C=1, 1B=1, 2B=1, 3B=1, SS=1, OF=4, UTL=2 (any hitter), SP=5, RP=3, and P=1 (any pitcher).       
In effect, we got rid of the backup Catcher slot, the MID and COR infielders, the 5th Outfielder, and 1 Relief Pitcher. That's 5 players. We ended up adding a second UTL hitter, which is how we arrive at 20 total players (11 Hitters and 9 Pitchers). The Flex spot is gone.
 
Truth be told, I like this proposal better than the "Add 4 AL East Teams" proposal (which I was also in favor of). Nobody has to learn any AL rosters; we're sticking with what we know. But it simplifies things a little bit (less active roster guys to manipulate), beefs up the player pool (addition by subtraction), and that means better quality players to draft & trade (fewer scrubs clogging up your roster). I STRONGLY believe this is the right move for the current state of HARL. Simpler = Better.
 
So please vote on this:
 

10 = SMALLER ACTIVE ROSTERS

 

YOUR VOTING OPTIONS for #10

  • YES = scale-back the Active Rosters to 20 players (11 Hitters and 9 Pitchers).   
  • NO = Leave the Rosters alone.  
Let me hear from you. Thanks!     
 
Kennesaw Mountain BigHorn
HARL Commissioner
              

Event Dates

 
With the late start to the preseason and our early Draft Day this year, we've got a really tight timeframe to squeeze in preseason events such as the Farm Draft, Arbitration, and Freeze List submission. So buckle your seatbelts, because the deadlines are coming fast & furious over the next few weeks. Here's the scoop on EVENT DATES:
So mark your calendars and prepare your brain for 2009 baseball!
 
-Sevy-

HARL Draft Day 2009

Of the two fallback HARL draft dates I proposed, the only date which worked for everyone was MARCH 29.
So I guess that's the winner by default.
 
So please mark SUNDAY, MARCH 29 down on your calendars as HARL 2009 DRAFT DAY.
 
Place will be my house (4125 Darius Drive). Starting time will probably be NOON or 1 PM. I'll have more on that a bit later.
 
-SEVY-
 

HARL 2009 Voting Topics

Okay guys, here's the list of rule-related topics that we'll be voting on this preseason.

Thanks to everyone who submitted suggestions and helped stimulate my mind with regards to possible rule/system changes. 

 
There are some ideas that I did NOT include here as things for us to vote on. In particular, Mayer offered an idea for Head-to-Head play.
I must confess that I'm ANTI Head-to-Head. I've played in several leagues with a H2H format. While they're fun, I've also found them to be extremely frustrating because the outcomes are heavily luck based. There are some ways around that, but they're far from perfect. Plus, H2H style works MUCH better for Point-style leagues rather than Rotisserie category-style leagues like ours. But above all else, the worst thing about moving to a H2H format is that you always have to have the perfect number of teams to make it work. With owner-turnover being a reality in HARL (and most leagues in fact), we just don't have the stability to move to a H2H format and keep that in place from year-to-year. One year we have 12 teams, the next 10, then 11, and then back to 10. Scheduling and constant rules-alterations become a nightmare to keep it going. So I'm afraid that H2H is not an option for HARL. 
 
Below are the topics for everyone to vote on. Please choose ONE of the available voting options for each topic.
Email your votes to me by no later than FEBRUARY 28. I'll tally the votes at that time and let you know how the unwashed masses have voted.  
 
PS: If you don't vote by 2/28, I will automatically assume that you vote the same way as me. So don't abdicate your vote!
 
Off we go...

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1 = TWO HALVES to the REGULAR SEASON

 

Divide the Regular Season into two stat-keeping segments; each segment is 11 Weeks in length.

 

¨  Weeks 1 thru 11 comprise the 1st Half of the season. HARL Point Scores are determined for every team based on their cumulative stats through Week 11 and recorded as each team’s 1st Half Score.

¨  Weeks 12 thru 22 comprise the 2nd Half of the season. HARL Point Scores are determined for every team based on their cumulative stats for the period starting at Week 12 and ending at Week 22 (Labor Day). These 2nd Half Scores are also recorded for each team.

¨  Each team’s FINAL Regular Season Point Score is obtained by adding its 1st Half Score to its 2nd Half Score.

 

The Playoff Teams would be determined using one of these 2 methods:

 

(A) The teams having the Top 5 Final Scores make the PLAYOFFS, which run for the 4 weeks of September (Week 23 thru Week 26).

    

(B) The winner of the 1st Half automatically makes the Playoffs, and the winner of the 2nd Half automatically makes the Playoffs.

     The remaining playoff teams (to get 5 teams total) are based on the highest Final Scores amongst all teams in HARL.

 

The winner of the PLAYOFFS is crowned the HARL champion.

 

RATIONALE = Having 2 halves of the season keeps more owners interested in playing for a longer time. Why? If you have a crappy start to the season and are buried deep down in the standings after 8 or 9 weeks, you've got the chance to wipe the slate clean and make a fresh start in the 2nd-Half and possibly redeem yourself.      

 

YOUR VOTING OPTIONS for #1

      IF you voted YES for this, what method should be used to determine playoff seeds?

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2 = BIGGER PLAYER POOL

 

In addition to players from the 16 National League teams, baseball players who play for the New York Yankees,
Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, and Tampa Bay Rays are now part of our league’s available player pool.

 

I chose teams from the AL East since it’s geographically closest to us (i.e. it’s feasible to take a trip to go see the Orioles or Yankees play).
Plus, the Yankees and Red Sox are large-market teams and typically have good players to pick from. We could choose different teams if there was a strong clamoring for this. The Los Angeles Angels would be a good alternate pick as a large-market team on the West Coast.

 

RATIONALE = Incorporating players from 4 American League teams really helps to beef up the talent pool. This makes trading and weekly drafts more interesting because instead of dealing with scrubs & longshot rookies, you've got more legitimate quality players to deal & draft. Plus, it opens up scouting of AL players and gives you more potential games to watch on TV or go to in person. Yes, HARL teams will certainly be better talent-wise, but it's still not a Superstars-only league like a true AL/NL mixed league using all 30 teams would be.    

 

YOUR VOTING OPTIONS for #2

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3 = PLAYERS TRADED TO THE AL CAN BE KEPT

 

This topic is strictly contingent on whether or not issue #2 passes (adding 4 AL teams).

 

If we end up adding 4 AL teams to our player pool, we’ll be using Combined AL/NL Stats to score our fantasy league in the Rhino Baseball software package rather than NL-only stats. As a result of that technical change, we could gain the benefit of implementing a new rule:

when your player gets traded to the American League, you DO NOT lose him – he remains on your team and keeps accumulating stats.  

 

RATIONALE = Previously, it wasn’t technically possible to make this happen since we only had access to NL-only player stats. But if we use combined AL/NL stats, we can still track a player’s stats when he changes leagues. So there’s no real reason to force a HARL owner to automatically dump someone who gets traded to the Texas Rangers or Oakland A's for instance.

 

YOUR VOTING OPTIONS for #3

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4 = TWO NEW STAT CATEGORIES

 

Right now, we have 6 stat categories for Batters/Fielders (OBA, RUN, HR, RBI, SB, and FR),

and 6 categories for Pitchers (WIN, SAV, IP, ERA, WHIP, and K). To this mix I would like to add:

 

¨  TOTAL BASES (TB) = for Batters/Fielders. This accounts nicely for total hits, and 2B and 3B which are currently ignored in our categories.
The only downside is that you’re accounting for HR again, so HR hitters will generally do well in both HR and TB. That said, I strongly prefer this as a meaningful stat over something like Extra Bases (2B+3B), Doubles, or Slugging Pct% (Total Bases as a ratio).

¨  QUALITY STARTS (QS) = for Pitchers. This adds a Starting Pitcher-only category to counterbalance the Reliever-only category of Saves.
Since I’m a firm believer that Starters should be valued more highly than Relievers, I think the addition of QS would finally give Starters their just due.

 

RATIONALE = the rationale is explained above, along with each new stat category.   

 

YOUR VOTING OPTIONS for #4

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5 = FRANCHISE PLAYERS

 

On MAY 1st of each season, teams may choose to designate up to 2 players (whose contracts are currently MY2) as Franchise Players.

The contracts of these Franchise players instantly changes to MY3. So you’re getting an extra keeper year out of these players.

 

In exchange for the longer contract, you MUST KEEP the Franchise player for all 3 years of his contract. Should you decide to WAIVE him at anytime during that 3-year period, his Salary gets deducted from your FAD Balance and you automatically lose 1 Farm Pick during the next Farm Draft. You can trade a Franchise player to another team, but he becomes a Franchise player for the team that acquires him.

 

You can only have 3 Franchise Players on your roster at any time.

 

RATIONALE = This provides a way for each HARL team to keep their favorite players or "brilliant picks" (great players with low salaries) for a period of 3 seasons instead of just 2. But it involves a bit of a risk (you could get stuck with someone who suddenly goes downhill) and adds another neat little layer of strategy to roster-management. And since it's limited to only 3 players per team, it doesn't become a nightmare to administer.  

 

YOUR VOTING OPTIONS for #5

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6 = BROADER GUIDELINES for ROOKIES

 

The level of excitement surrounding our annual Farm Draft has really waned in recent years. One of the reasons is that GMs scarf up rookies late in the season via free agent drafts. Another reason is that the 50 AB and 20 IP stat levels for players to retain their Rookie status are fairly severe. 
I’m for loosening the stat guidelines to 100 AB for batters and 40 IP for pitchers; double the previous levels.

 

Rich has also suggested when you sign a rookie he gets a ML3 contract, meaning you control him for 3 seasons rather than just 2. I like that.

 

I'm also in favor of adding a rule which says:
 

ANY PLAYER acquired after the ALL-STAR BREAK is automatically signed to a MULTI-YEAR (MY) contract.
 

This could greatly reduce late-season poaching of rookies and enhance the quality of the Farm Draft player pool. In effect, when July or August rolls around you can still purchase that guy from AA if you want to, but you’re not going to be able to protect him as freebie farm player next season (so he better be someone who can help you THIS SEASON).

 

RATIONALE = explained above.

 

YOUR VOTING OPTIONS for #6

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7 = TRADE MEETINGS

 

We can hold 2 in-season Trade Meetups: one around MAY 15, and the second around JULY 15. The purpose of the meetings is to gather together and eat munchies, talk trade, and hopefully spur some baseball deals. Volunteers would be welcome to host an event at their place, or we could alternatively meet at a restaurant / sports-bar in Central PA area. 

 

RATIONALE = there's definitely NOT enough trading in HARL. There are several reasons for this, but probably the single biggest issue is the lack of face-to-face interaction between owners. That inevitable with a fantasy league where the owners are spread out across the state and most things are done via email/internet. More interaction would hopefully spur trades and add some more excitement to the league.       

 

YOUR VOTING OPTIONS for #7

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8 = MONTHLY PRIZES

 

In addition to our seasonal prizes... perhaps we can get everyone to kick in an extra $15 to fund a new MONTHLY prize awarded to the HARL team who “wins the month” (based on stats accumulated during a single month of play)?

 

I would run the stats for a 1-month period and generate Point Standings for that monthly period. The top scorer for that month wins $30 in prize money. There are 5 monthly prizes (APR, MAY, JUNE, JUL, AUG). There's no award for September since half the teams are no longer playing while the playoff are taking place.   

 

RATIONALE = Simple. This gives everyone more chances to win something. Your team could suck for most of the year, but get hot for 1 month and pull down a prize. Perhaps that makes the long season more bearable for some folks?

 

YOUR VOTING OPTIONS for #8

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9 = BIWEEKLY FAD

 

Starting this season, our stats-week will run from SUNDAY thru SATURDAY. That means FADs will be held on Saturdays this year.

 

Along with this change, perhaps we should scale-back the FAD to a BIWEEKLY event held every other week instead of a Weekly FAD?  

If we scale back the FADs to a biweekly schedule, we would have a Free Agent Draft every other Saturday in 2009 as follows:

APR 18, MAY 2, MAY 16, MAY 30, JUN 13, JUN 27, JUL 11, JUL 25, AUG 8, AUG 22, and SEP 5.       

 

RATIONALE = Fewer FADs would result in several side effects. First of all, experience shows that there's often very little action in many of the weekly FADs. You get 3 or 4 people picking up scrubs or reach-picks. There are "heavy action" weeks, especially when stud players come over from the AL, but those weeks are the exception rather than the norm. It seems counter-productive to have someone spend time administing the FAD every week when the payoff (in terms of talent acquired) is often minimal.

 

Second and more importantly, scaling-back to a BIWEEKLY draft means owners can't simply rely on cherry-picking free agents every week to fill their roster holes. Building a strong bench and USING it, and TRADING to fill your needs would be more strongly encouraged. Plus, with drafts occuring only every other week, you'll face stiffer competition against the most popular free agents. Your anticipation will build up and you'll face the urgency to "act now or wait another 2 weeks" to fill pressing needs. That's makes for much more fun in my eyes.

 

YOUR VOTING OPTIONS for #9

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And there you have it... Please be sure to VOTE, and get your selections in by FEB 28 (next Saturday).

Thanks!

 

Kennesaw Mountain BigHorn
HARL Commissioner