Post by Darell on Nov 20, 2013 13:49:43 GMT -5
Hanley is the real deal
Fresh off a World series appearance I figured I catch up with Steve1213 and see how he feels about his team this year.
Me=Blue
Steve1213=Red
1. Lets start by introducing yourself, whats Steve like off the forum boards?
Well, not too differently...I always say what's on my mind...for better or worse...I don't really sugar coat anything. Work a ton of hours...then I play dek hockey during the weeknights. I'll play some soccer, too, but I haven't in awhile. I've finished a year of county school, and then took a long layoff because of difficult circumstances...so I'm looking to get back into that. Health and Exercise is the field I'm interested in.
Really like that in a person, most people try to create a different persona off the internet but its cool to see that youre the same on the internet and off. Interesting field youre looking to get into, I eat like shit but fortunately Im able to exercise atleast 3-4 times a week so it offsets it a little bit.
2. What are your thoughts on the offseason Play had, I wouldnt consider what hes doing a rebuild but he has really gotten rid of a lot of his talent. Do you think he can still compete for the Central with you?
I think it'll be tough for him to compete with my team. He still has those two aces...the best Starters in the game, but I think in the end, his offense is going to struggle because of a lack of power. Guys like Bellorin/Baustista aren't there yet with their power. Konerko is a big time question mark for Play...if he can perform at the rate you'd think he can, then that will be huge for Play.
Having no power will hurt, but man is it going to fun to see how many steals Play's team gets. What do you think Vegas would set the line on his team? Over/Under 315? They'll scratch out a lot of runs that way. Also, I've never been a fan of Play's bullpen...and this year is no different.
Yeah, and he definitely isn't rebuilding, but as he said in his own words...retooling. I'd say he finishes 2nd in the division, and misses the Playoffs this season.
I could definitely see him missing the playoffs but I dont think Play is really looking to do anything this year, If I had to guess I would say hes trying to get a better pick for next year's amazing draft class. He got a lot younger and hes got a very bright future once guys like Joey Bats and Bellorin develop further.
3. You recently said in a trade thread, "in rebuilding, timing is key". Could you elaborate a little more on that? What goes into a successful rebuild?
Yes, I think that's the epitome of a rebuild. Look, rebuilding is so hard for so many reasons. Young prospects take multiple PD hits that you were looking to become cornerstone players...that stuff sets you back another year or two. Another thing is the financial aspect of it as well. Winning gradually is huge. My team was the exception...I won quicker then I ever thought I'd win. I got lucky during FA with Sheff/Thome which helped expedite the rebuilding process. You need to build FI (fan interest) so you can make moves to increase payroll.
Plus, there might be some guys you like...but if they're helping you win too many games or they'll be too old by the time they're done, then you should trade them regardless. Always get value for your guys during a rebuild. Guys that are veterans (aren't that great), and can fetch a 3rd or a 2nd round draft pick...take that deal. Stockpile picks...that's one of the most important things. Another thing is, trade in-game for board or draft picks. Acquire board cash to boost your draftees. TIA draftees...don't waste IRIs on them.
Having said all of that, you need to get lucky...draft well, and hope your guys don't shit the bed.
Yep I would say thats a great gameplan for a rebuild, most people hate rebuilding because its boring and unpredictable. I think I understand a little better why you said what you said to Stutter, I do think hes rushing his rebuild a little bit but I really cant blame him. Most people dont have the patience to rebuild but its necessary when your team doesnt have any talent. Once you can build that solid core you can constantly retool and compete every year, similar to what Spencer is doing. Although its nice to have 100 FA and a good market.
4. Youve got a solid roster top to bottom and you could even say you have one of the better all around rosters in the game. What do you consider your biggest weakness, and do you think its a big enough weakness that you need to upgrade it ASAP?
My biggest weakness is some of my guys are still not fully developed...really, that's it. Hanley isn't there yet...neither is Utley. To me, that's the scary thing, my team hasn't come close to hitting our peak yet. We have power, we have speed, we have really good pitching...I've been trying to gety another bullpen arm, but that's really it. Love our squad. 100+ wins could be on the table this year.
Thats one of the toughest things to wait on, coming out of a rebuild. It seems like some players take longer to develop than others but youre definitely in great shape, really love how Affeldt turned out and theres not much more you can say about Hanley, Beast!
5. You have some big decisions to make this season/offseason with guys like Vlad, Stark and Thome becoming free agents. Do you plan on letting of them go or do you think you have enough payroll flexibility to resign them all?
Great question...I definitely have decisions to be made. I might have to part ways with a few of those guys. Vlad will be with me unless I get blown away with an offer. I'll have to probably part ways with one of my SP...Biddle or Stark. Sheffield probably won't be coming back. I'll bring back Guillen, too. God, this is going to be an annoying thing to deal with. Gotta handle this right so I can keep my team great, but also not financially screw myself.
Yep, youre in a tough spot right now. Dont have the flexibility just yet to have a 70-80m payroll because your FA interest is steadily climbing and your market wont allow it. Sucks that none of your pending FAs arent loyal that wouldve made things a lot more easier, than you also have Affeldt whos going to command a huge contract soon. A world series win should satisfy your restless fans and hopefully create a spike for your FA and market.
6. Youre not in the greatest market right now and your market actually fell to below average this season so my question is, how do you keep pace with the bigger markets like SF/Bos/NY etc when you cant spend as much money as them. Is it even possible to keep up with them?
It is...to a degree. You have to be smart financially, while always keeping an eye out on the future. Obviously, I probably can't win all the time like a Spence...I don't have the market or the means, but I have no problem winning for a good 5-7 year stretch, before tearing it down, and quickly rebuilding.
Anyway, I had a better team then Spence last year, so you can build better teams in short stints, but you have to make a lot of shrewd moves at the same time to keep pace. My fans suck...unacceptable for my market to drop after a NL Pennant.
I think youre right, its definitely possible but you cant win all the time like Spencer. At the same time you have to give Spence his due because hes not the only one with the huge market but he seems like the one of the few GMs who knows how to properly take advantage of it. He knows how to get board cash and he uses it efficiently, hes in a tough spot right now because I dont think his team is as good as yours or maybe even Montreal.
7. Hanley has quietly became one of the best prospects in the game, OOTP still considers him a prospect. I remember when you wanted to franchise him but couldnt because of the stupid rules. Now that you can, arent you happy that you couldnt because hes become a lot better since and do you plan to use your franchise on him now?
In a way, it worked out, but I also could have been fucked over, too. He could have had bad PD and then who knows what would have happened. I've already franchised him...
Hanley might be a top 3 overall talent in this league. No weaknesses. Great D...Great speed...Doubles machine...will hit for power...will have good plate discipline. He's going to be an exciting talent. He's only 20 years old, too.
Hanley is sexy, hes only going to get better and its scary how he really doesnt have any holes in his game. In a league wheres its really hard to find any middle IF that are middle of the order type of bats, its a really nice luxury to have someone like Hanley. Didnt realize you franchised him already, glad he didnt get fucked over by a nasty PD, wouldve been unfortunate.
8. What are your thoughts on the mess in Houston, whats the best course of action that the new Astros GM will have the take to sort it all out?
CrazyMike was atrocious...there's no way around that. He needed to trade his vets for quite some time...Houston's run was over for awhile. This course of action should have taken place at least a season ago. The new GM needs to clear salary which he already is doing. He's got some nice core pieces like Ludwick and Jones...so he needs to keep them in the fold.
I sent this interview before bosandohs was hired as the new Houston GM, but hes done a really nice job thus far. Its amazing how he fixed the financial mess with a couple of trades, which is all it really took. Hes good about responding to PMs, not to say Mike wasnt but its a nice quality to have in a GM. Bos has a decent system and now that his vets are gone, he can rebuild for a year or two and make Houston competitive once again.
9. These new GMs have made a lot of trades recently, is this good for the league or is it bad because they might not know whats valuable?
It's good...the only way you learn is by trading. They need to somewhat know the rules, and other things, but they need to trade so they get a feel of how to value players. Having consistent talks with other GMs helps them know what the true value of a certain type of player is. Trading is always good for any league.
Im actually quite impressed by what they have done so far, and most of the trades they haven't really been raped or anything like that. I think they understand the general values of players, and will soon understand that hitters are valued more than pitchers in BBSBL. Really been impressed by the job Kobe's done, didn't think Montreal could've got any better but hes made some great moves that could position his team for a big run this year.
10. Looking back at your team history you actually had one of the quicker rebuilds ive seen, what do you think is the reason for this? Is it because you had better luck than most or was it because of the anti-tanking penalties?
I had some luck for sure, but I made a lot of good, smart moves. Moved out all of my pieces that weren't going to be apart of my plan. That was the key to help me stockpile a ton of picks. I drafted well...the only pick that totally flamed out for me was Cole Hamels, but otherwise, I nailed a lot of my drafts. Built up my board cash to utilize my TIAs for my younger talent. The anti-tanking penalties didn't really play apart...
A lot of these rebuilding teams dont utilize board cash as much as they should and its really a gamechanger. I will agree that if youre making an effort to field a competitive team while developing your talent, its not that hard to avoid the anti-tanking penalties but as the overall talent in this league and especially in the NL gets stronger it can become a challenge to avoid 100 losses for consecutive seasons.
11. Is this your year, do you think you have all the pieces in place to win it all this year after making it to the world series last year? Do you think there is more pressure on you this year because you fell short?
I believe we have a LEGIT chance to win it all. No doubt about that. However, the Playoffs are a crap-shoot so you never know. To the second part of the question, not really. I just want to make the Playoffs because you never know what can happen. Just get in, and then anything can happen. We have the roster to win it all...that's apparent because I think we were a year ahead of schedule.
You will have some competition, Im not ready to say you're the runaway favorite in the NL, just because your team is still developing but you're one of the favorites without a doubt. Anything can happen, but I really like Montreal's rotation depth and I think he can afford an injury or two to that starting rotation so I feel good about the Expo's chances this year.
12.Other then the Cubs do you think there is another legitimate threat to you in the central, is there a team in the central that could suprise some people?
No...I don't see another team besides the Cubs...Cardinals are okay, but they're missing a bat or 2. Houston is rebuilding. Cincy is improving, but no where near being ready. Milwaukee is stuck in neutral it seems. They're missing too many bats. I don't really see a surprise team in that group...
I love confidence.
You're probably right though, Houston started his tear down but the rest of that division looks like middle of the pack. We have seen stranger things in OOTP but on paper it looks like a two team race, if even that.13. Which division do you consider to be the most competitive, what about the least competitive?
The AL Central looks to be a really competitive division...KC is vastly improving...the Indians made a Wild Card push last year, and the Tigers have won around 85 games. The White Sox have ran that division for a long time, but their competition is growing.
The least competitive division has got to be the AL West...Nanz is going to run away with it yet again. No one is close to touching his team.
Agree with you there, the ALC has 4 teams that looked primed for the postseason and Waldo's reign of running the central might soon be over. The NL west might a division to watch out for this year, you have the usual suspects(SD and SF) but the Dodgers are much better and if this is truly the year Shale shuts us all up it could be one of the more competitive division but maybe im just biased.
14. Lastly which team do you think will come out of the AL and face you in the world series this year, why?
Great question...you know what's up! Anyway, I'd have to say Seattle...I think it's their turn to make a run in the Playoffs. I could easily see Toronto repeating, though.
Yeaahhh Bitch! Seattle has a lot of talent but I still think its Toronto's to lose, especially with that addition of Oswalt. Anything can happen in the playoffs but its always nice when you have one of the filthiest rotations around.
