First IFA Bonus Baby Goes To...

The San Francisco Super Sonics with the signing of Eduardo Pena for $14.9 plus a $54K MLB contrsct. If projections are reached and that will be easy, should be a #1 or #2 starter with the capability at playing a few positions in his spare time. Lacking a little everywhere to be a super starter but could be considered a Cy Young candidate throughout his career. Needless to say, he will be feared by batters.

First IFA of the Season Goes To.....

The International market hasn't been what one would call strong yet, but we have had the first signing of the season! Al Saez signed by the San Diego Surf Babies for the paltry sum of $500K. Although not ML material, Al should have a good minor league career making it to AA and maybe AAA at some point in his career.

Rule 5

The recently held Rule 5 draft was just held. Although there wasn't any real superstars in the draft, there were some good players available. Most teams shied away from pitching as there wasn't much to choose from and most solidified there bench. Overall there was 38 players taken with the Indianapolis Sluggers taking the max allowed with 10. The Augusta Polar Bears lost the most players with 5. Only 15 teams drafted which could be a record and only 9 pitchers also. The question always remains of how many will hit the WW before the end of ST.

1. Christopher Earley was taken with the first pick by the Wichita Wingmen. A LF with some decent hitting abilities.

2. Esteban Fuentes was next on the list drafted by the El Paso Sand Walkers. A young defensive SS with some power but health could be a problem to be an every day player.

3. Phillip Woods drafted by the Rochester Phantoms. A defensive 2B with singles hitting ability, but health could be a major problem.

4. Harley Ripken drafted by the Richmond Poor Men. Listed as a RF but that could be a stretch. Maybe the best hitter available.

5. Trent Lewis drafted by the San Diego Surf Babies. A left handed SP pitcher with weak control but could work out in San Diego.

6. Charlie Sampson drafted by the Portland Bar & Grillers. A COF that could find a home in Portland.

7. Ivan Guerrero drafted by the Trenton Troglodytes. A RF with some power but little else.

8. Juan Lopez drafted by the Washington D.C. Revenge. Probably the best overall defensive catcher available.

9. Eric Petersen taken by the Augusta Polar Bears. A RF with some hitting abilities.

10. Andre Johnstone taken by the Austin City Limits. Has some good pitches for a starter but could be a little too weak with the splits and control combination.

11. Jeremy Lara stolen from El Paso by the Charlotte Gooners. Has the speed, eye and maybe the splits to be in the lead off spot but don't look for a very high average. His temper gets him in trouble alot but has a good glove and some range for a COF spot.

12. Charles Clayton also thieved form El Paso by the Indianapolis Sluggers. After I saw him drafted, I wondered why I didn't protect him, then it dawned on me he is only a bench warmer. Is a good prime position backup but doesn't possess the greatest hitting skills.

13. Sherry Drese drafted by the Las Vegas 69ers. With velocity like that, I wonder if she rolls the ball across the plate?

14. Miguel Bautista drafted by the Columbus Criminals. A power LF, but I don't think 30 HRs a season is in his future.

15. Reggie Bennett drafted the Nashville Kool Kats becomes the last player drafted in the first round. A 2B/OF with some power, a great need for the bench.

How To Link To Players From the World Chat

On the player card, click on the "+" on the left side; then go to the world chat. Put the cursor in the box at the very bottom of the screen, then click the "up arrow" on the right side of the box.

Grading the Big-Name Free Agent Signings

Two-thirds through free agency we've had 3 Type A's and 3 Type B's sign.  There are more out there but here's the scoop so far:

Hartford: SP Felix Woodward - 3 years, $18 million.  The Cream and Clear appear ready to throw around money like the Obama Administration, but they got Woodward for a song.  He'll give them 200+ innings and solid numbers.  Most of his career has been in pitcher-friendly Pawtuckett, but he was quite good in cozy Madison last year, too.  Grade: A+.

Hartford:  SP Brian Nakajima - 3 years, $26.75 million.  That's a little more like it, but still a bargain for a starter of Nakajima's quality.  Some observers have expected him to put up better numbers in Columbus's spacious park, but you know he'll benefit from good run support.  Grade: A.

San Diego: SP Cesar Mendez - 3 years, $27 million.  In the imminently-takable Al West, the Surf Babies make a move.  Something tells me they could've done better for $9MM a year, although everything Mendez throws sinks and he'll love those power alleys at Petco.  Grade: B.

Augusta: SP Cedrick Waters - 2 years, $11.5 million.  Waters has only had 2 good seasons out of 7 in the majors.  He'll benefit from his new stadium, but righties get a lot of good swings on balls up in the zone.  Grade: C+.

Scranton: CF Jimmie Castro - 3 years, $17.7 million.  Castro may end up in a CF platoon for the Beet Farmers.  He's over his head defensively and doesn't offer enough with the bat to make up for it.  Grade: C.

Scranton: 1B James Riggs - 4 years, $23.7 million.  Riggs is capable of having a big year (Season 10 OPS: .974), and he's capable of stinking (Season 8 OPS: .654).  He'll probably do both over the course of this contract, but expect better numbers than he put up in Burlington's ultra-spacious park.  Grade: B.

Official Blog Welcome To New Owners

Time to officially welcome our new owners to Joey Belle

Owner's Name <>New Team Name <>WIS or HBD Experience

gijar <> Portland Bar & Grillers <> 13 Conf Champions in HD
fans_only <> Ottawa Ice <> 2 Div Titles in 8 seasons
mjwilson <> Trenton Troglodytes <> 6 Div Titles in 16 seasons
thekid05 <> Indianapolis Sluggers <> 6 Conf Champions in HD
baseballer77 <> Augusta Polar Bears <> 6 Div Titles in 9 seasons
ruffleswest <> Rochester Phantoms <> 2WS Titles in 20 seasons
br2225 <> Scranton Beet Farmers <> 4 Div Titles in 13 seasons

Welcome aboard, gentlemen, and good luck this season.

Recruiting Update

We have 5 teams open at the moment. I guess it's possible that specimen could still return - he hasn't logged in to his other teams since 5/7 and has not answered sitemail, so I don't know what's up with him.

We haven't had anywhere near the response to our ad on the Classifieds that we did last year, so I'm planning a voluminous sitemail recruiting campaign. I've sent about 25 of the following email so far, and will send aother batch this evening:

Re: Joey Belle

Joey Belle, recently ranked 8th in Green's Rankings of HBD Worlds, is looking for 4 owners for its upcoming season (its 12th). We're looking for owners who:

1) Have good records over multiple seasons in their current worlds;
2) Don't already have a lot of teams (more than 3);
3) Are active in their worlds.
4) Like to keep their teams for the long haul

You look like you may be what we want. If you're considering adding another world and like a highly competitive but friendly world with active owners and a superior blog, check us out. We have profiles of the available teams up on the HBD Clasifieds.