2009 Season Review: Peoria Cardinals

SURPRISE! 2009 was the official coming out party for the 2009 Eastern Division Champion Peoria Cardinals launch into relevancy.


2009 Season Review: Peoria Cardinals
By: Dave Grubb; Peoria Cardinals Owner


From Day 1 back in the winter of 2005/06, the Peoria Ownership made the vow that if they were to invest in a professional baseball franchise that they would not be content for that team to be mediocre. Through several long, losing seasons that saw publicly questioned draft picks and trades completed by this team’s Front Office it all paid dividends in 2009. From the very day that the 2008 Peoria Cardinals cleaned out their lockers for the last time, finishing just 4th in the league in wins, GM Dave Grubb caught many by surprise when he claimed his team a 2009 Playoff Contender, and believed that the team was just a tweak away from competing with the big boys.

“If we aren’t one of those final six teams playing meaningful ball through September, I will personally go door-to-door and apologize to every resident in the great city of Peoria, Illinois”, said Peoria Cardinals GM Dave Grubb at a recent charity sledding event hosted by 2008 Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee. –An excerpt taken from the Christmas, 2008 Edition of Peoria Free Press – “A Look Ahead To 2009”

This focus only gained momentum as the team scored big twice in the 2009 EHCC Major League Draft. While most ‘experts’ still seeing Peoria as a team still in ‘rebuild’ mode mocked the selection of a 36 year-old corner OF, Raul Ibanez, with its first pick (and 33 year-old SP Randy Wolf with its R3, P7). The nay-sayers did nothing to bother GM Dave Grubb who had the last laugh, watching Ibanez absolutely destroy EHCC pitching in the first half of the season; launching 22 HR, driving in 69 and hitting right around .310! Ibanez was slowed in the second half with injuries, but still went on to post career highs in power numbers. Randy Wolf went on to post well over 200 IP, with his numbers actually gaining momentum all the way through the season (posting a sub-3, 1.02 WHIP throughout the second half of 09). These veteran presences implanted into the young Peoria lineup was invaluable in getting the Cardinals player’s minds ready to believe that they were indeed ready to be winners.

Throughout the season, much like with every other quality EHCC team; Peoria faced tough decisions, trade opportunities, and a rash of injuries that could have easily derailed their season. SP Edinson Volquez came into the season as one of Peoria’s blue-chippers, but never could get consistent before blowing his arm off and being lost for much of 2009 and most likely all of 2010. C Geovany Soto, coming off of an All-Star Rookie season, had a little problem giving up the weed, and then mixed in some injuries to have an absolutely forgettable season. SP Chad Billingsley, arguably the hottest pitcher in the EHCC in the first half, ran completely out of gas at the turn of the season, conditioning questions that will surely need to be addressed with this 25 year-old, 250 pounder.

As quickly as chips started falling apart in Peoria however, the front office stayed on top of its business; working the phone lines, burning the midnight oil on AIM and constantly scouting talent around the league. The Cardinals were able to make several Free Agent pickups throughout the season that proved to be intrical to their run at the Eastern Division title. One of these huge additions was two-thirds of the entire bullpen. JP Howell and Rafael Soriano were brought in via Free Agency and instantly brought in much needed closer mentalities, and most importantly closer stats. Both men would finish the season with well over a K per Inning, ERA’s under 3 and solid save numbers. SP Bronson Arroyo, an original draft pick in 09 of the Cardinals but later released, was brought back halfway through the year and performed wonders. Posting a league-best ERA in the second half (2.24, 1.04 WHIP). Arguably one of the team’s MVPs in 2009 was also a Free Agent pick-up, Super-Utility Man and best nickname in the EHCC, Ben “Zorilla” Zobrist. Zobrist burst onto the scene immediately and never slowed. Zobrist saved the day once Ibanez went down, picking up exactly where Ibanez left off; finishing the season with a line of .297/.405/.543, 27, 91, 91, 17 and at still 28 the Cardinals hope they have caught lightning in a bottle. Time will tell, but for one season he was a total beast!

The trade market had mixed results for the Cardinals in 2009. The brightest trade GM Dave Grubb was able to swing, and arguably the most controversial in EHCC History, was a match made with the fire-sale minded, rebuild driven, now defunct, Winston-Salem Green Monsters. The deal centered around former top-prospects Jay Bruce, Chris Davis and Andrew Miller departing Peoria in return of OF Grady Sizemore and SP Rich Harden. At the time of the trade, the Cardinals were sitting just outside the playoff picture and knew that in order to make a legit run this trade was the only way to send the message that they were serious about winning! This trade long-term is sure to benefit both teams. One trade that I’m sure the Cardinals would love to do over if they could would be the deal that sent Ubaldo Jimenez (15-12, 3.47 ERA, 198K) for SS Rafael Furcal. Of course, with the emergence of Zorilla through the year, it is easy to second-guess the teams decision to acquire the SS, and the team was starting to lose hope that Jimenez would gain the control he showed once he arrived in Quebec City. Overall, Furcal looked pretty flat during his time with Peoria in 09, but the fans hope that with a year removed from back injuries Furcal can provide the flash at the top of the lineup they were looking for.

Everything else for the 2009 Peoria Cardinals went as close to ‘according to planned’ as plans go in Fantasy Baseball. The team expected great strides from C/3B Pablo Sandoval, 3B Ryan Zimmerman, 2B Robinson Cano, OF Matt Kemp, SP Adam Wainwright; as well as continuing to get all-star performances from 1B Mark Teixeira and SP Cliff Lee.

2009 Eastern Division Champions. Enjoy it Cardinals fans, with perennial powerhouses like Las Vegas, Weymouth and Bridgewater it is sure to be another dog fight in 2010.

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2009 Season Review: Weymouth Shaddupu

The self appointed "team of the decade" has not fared well the past few seasons. For a franchise that is used to winning championships, anything else is failure.


2009 Season Review: Weymouth Shaddupu
By: Nick Bruce; Owner Weymouth Shaddupu


With a post-season berth every year, to include four championships thank you very much, hard times have fallen on the team from the Island and 2008 was no different. GM Yukon Cornelius tried to spark the franchise back to the winning ways by trading away a cornerstone OF in Bobby Abreu (for Homer Baily) and an elite relief pitcher (Joe Nathan for OF Nelson Cruz and draft picks) and punting saves.

Analyzing the team on paper leading up to Opening Day, the natives were excited. They looked like a favorite to get back to the promised land. The offense was loaded with slugging Ryan Braun, Josh Hamilton and up and coming prospect Nelson Cruz, making up a formidable outfield. They were hoping for a bounce back year from the best catcher in the EHCC, Victor Martinez, as well as SS Stephen Drew to draw from his 2008 coming out party. Filling out the roster with speedster and run machine 2B Chone Figgins, one can see why Weymouth was excited about this offense.

From a pitching standpoint, they were top heavy with starters. That’s the way they were built going into the season while throwing saves out the window. With aces Johan Santana and Dan Haren front and center, anybody would be scared to face this 1-2 punch. Jered Weaver and Ervin Santana were prepared to take off and land in the upper echelon of pitchers after coming off of promising 2008 campaigns. Jeremy Bonderman, coming back from off-season surgery, and new-comer Homer Bailey figured to round out a pretty decent rotation heading into Spring Training.

So, what happened you ask? Well injuries and poor performances happened. It seems like the injury bug is in the water in Weymouth, as I wrote a similar article this time last year. Bonderman never came back to form, Hamilton was in and out (mostly out) of the lineup and never got going, Johan was never himself and shut it down in early August, Drew crapped the bed and E. Santana took a step, but it was not forward.

I’m not here to talk about the past…I’m here to be positive about this subject. Heading into the winter, GM Yukon Cornelius has vowed to get this franchise back to continuing its legacy of winning, and winning championships! They have several chips they are looking to move, including ace Johan Santana and elite closer Huston Street. His top priority is to improve the first base position as that has never been a cornerstone of this proud franchise. With a full and extremely talented roster of uber-prospects in Nantucket, this team could be major players in the trading carousel.

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2009 Season Review: Arlington Warriors

Finishing dead last in the EHCC, the Arlington Warriors season might well be characterized as an embarrassment. Speaking with General Manager Matt Skinner, however, finds a strong overtone of pride and a great deal of optimism about the club’s future.

2009 Season Review: Arlington Warriors
By: Matt Skinner; Owner Arlington Warriors

"This franchise embarked on its current course early in 2008. I’ve already established for the record exactly where this team is heading and I readily acknowledged that the journey might be a rough one. A couple months into 2008, we realized that despite coming off a league championship in 2007 that our team as it was constructed not only held little hope to repeat but was ill equipped to consistently contend. With that realization, we established a three year plan for rebuilding the franchise from the minor league system up. If you look at the league history those teams that consistently contend started with a strong young base of talent and sustained that tradition through strong drafts and a strong minor league system. We set out to copy that model, and as a result we fielded a very young inexperienced team this past season." - GM Matt Skinner.

Arlington’s front office backed their word in 2009 with the youth movement driving their every roster consideration and strongly encroaching upon every facet of their game. Their fans certainly saw this as trade after trade brought in fresh baby faces.

· On December 9, 2008, closer Jose Valverde was shipped to the Golden Gryphons (GLD) for Michael Bowden, Quebec City’s (QC) 3^rd Round Major Draft Pick (MaDP), and Golden’s 2^nd Round Minor Draft Pick (MiDP). The 2^nd Round MiDP received from Golden would eventually be used to draft the promising power bat of C Derek Norris.

· Arlington later packed that QC 3^rd Round MaDP, along with it’s own 2^nd Round MiDP in a Februrary 12, 2009 trade with the Tijuana Hispanics (TIJ) that would bring a new closer to town, Mike Gonzalez along with young starter Sean Marshall.

· Arlington was not a silent participant in the 2009 Major Draft, connecting with Tijuana once again to exchange a bevy of draft picks. Trading their own 1^st Round MaDP, along with a 1^st Round MiDP obtained from QC, Arlington brought home QC’s 1^st Round MaDP, TIJ’s 1^st Rd Supplemental MaDP, and TIJ’s 2010 1^st Rd. MiDP. The slew of new picks brought in SP Derek Holland, OF Jordan Schafer, and secured additional lottery chips for this upcoming year’s minor league draft.

· April 9, 2009 saw Arlington ship recently drafted OF Ryan Spilborghs to QC in exchange for a 2010 6^th round MaDP.

· It was with great regret, on July 2, 2009, that Arlington parted ways with SS Derek Jeter. The star had been a rock up the middle for Arlington since it’s championship season of 2007, but fell far outside the organization’s youth movement. Shipped to the Tokyo Omyoujis (TKO), Jeter netted the Warriors OF Jeff Francoeur, minor league SS/3B Mike Moustakas, and TKO’s 2009 2^nd Round MiDP. Exciting young SP Jake Arrieta was selected with that pick, and hopes to break camp with the big league club this spring.

· Parting paths with familiar faces became a trend when old timers SP John Smoltz and utility man Mark DeRosa were moved to the Las Vegas Doggs (LV) at the trade deadline, July 30, 2009 for OF Michael Saunders, SP Vin Mazzaro and LV’s 2010 2^nd Round MaDP.

While Arlington made moves with their various trades, Skinner turns most profuse about the team’s drafts and especially regarding its minor leaguers. Arlington’s Major Draft brought to the franchise multiple players Skinner sees as key to the team’s youth movement and future success. Arguably, the most immediate success found by a 2009 Arlington draftee was by SP Derek Holland, chosen 10^th overall. Success may be a relative term, as his surface numbers profile as 7 Wins, 12 Losses, 6.12 ERA and 107K’s in 138IP. A closer examination however, reveals peripheral numbers that bespeak a brighter future with BB/9 of 3.12 and K/9 of 7.16.

Splitting time at 1B and LF, Kyle Blanks saw limited action with the Warriors but in stretches flashed the powerful bat and keen batting eye that prompted his selection. In only 148AB, Blanks mashed ten homeruns, compiling a .514SLG. His 10.4% walk rate drew rave reviews from Skinner, who also admitted “his strikeout rate was disappointingly high, but the expectation is that those numbers will fall back much closer to his past performance of 18%-25%.”

Starting pitcher Ross Detwiler may have been the biggest disappoint of them all, but even in the greyest of clouds Skinner manages to find a silver lining. “Certainly Ross floundered, we would have liked to have seen stronger peripherals in the K/9 and BB/9 (5.11 and 3.93 respectively), but his FIP was substantially lower than his actual ERA, indicating that with some better defensive player and maybe a little better luck, we could see some improved performances from him in the future.”

Also drafted were outfielders Jordan Schafer and Ryan Spilborghs. When questioned about the failure of the draft with these two selections, Skinner remained evasive. “Failure is a strong word. Schafer, after his injury, became expendable; the necessity of rostering players who could actually play and develop was a top priority for the team. As for Spilborghs, we faced roster decisions and had the opportunity to move him for a pick in this upcoming Major draft. We always have an eye on the future, and the extra draft pick gives our team the flexibility we want to improve our team.”

In July’s Minor Draft, Arlington flashed that flexibility, making not only its own draft picks but two additional picks it had accumulated through trade. Arlington’s picks drew a degree of criticism, as several draftees were seen as high risk prospects. Skinner would say,

"We honestly picked players we thought were the best available, defining that as players with high upside and who have performed to some degree. Carlos (Santana), Jake (Arrieta), and Jhoulys (Chacin) all have the pedigree demanded by their draft slots. If I had to be completely honest however, Derek (Norris) was a bit of a gamble. I really liked the brilliance he’d flash, and realizing his inconsistent performance I still thought the high upside he’d shown warranted a late draft pick, so shoot me."

The team’s assessment of catcher Carlos Santana appears to be spot on. Highly touted, and ranked by many to be one of the top five prospects in the game, Santana’s bat loudly sang his praises. A glimpse at his numbers shows a stat line of 428AB, 23HR, 91RBI, and a triple slash of .290/.413/.530. Santana may quickly rise through the Arlington farm system, but questions of where he’ll fit on the big club are raised considering young blue chip prospect Matt Weiters currently mans the dish.

Jake Arrieta flashed a season of mixed results, dominating early in the season, but struggling later on as more advanced hitters seem to figure out his stuff. Over his first 59IP, Arrieta flashed a 2.59ERA (3.08FIP) while striking out seventy and walking only twenty-three. The final 91.2IP saw those numbers slip, slightly, with a 3.93ERA (4.15FIP) and only 78K’s and 33BB. Regardless, Arlington sees him as a strong middle of the rotation starter with his mid-90’s fastball, slider, curve and changeup.

Jhoulys Chacin continued to make strides exhibiting the strong propensity to lure groundballs that has been characteristic of his success in the minor leagues. At 59.6% Chacin really sets himself apart from other prospects.

Praise shouldn’t be reserved for the Warriors moves or drafts alone. Several young stars made headway for the big league club. Especially encouraging for fans was the promotion and successes of 2008 draftees SP Brett Anderson, SP Brett Cecil and C Matt Weiters. Brett Anderson proved, by far, to be the most consistent of the trio and provided the Warriors with a strong 175 innings pitches. Winning eleven games, Anderson’s ERA and WHIP were 4.06 and 1.28 respectively and he managed to whiff 150 opponents. Anderson’s success was widely recognized, culminating in being awarded the EHCC Rookie of the Year award. Cecil’s success came in spurts, spurts that must increase in duration and frequency if he is to endure as a member of the big club. Catcher Matt Weiters came into the 2009 season touted as the best prospect in the game. It’s a valid question whether or not those expectations were realistic and just how Weiters could have been expected to live up to them. Weiters inaugural season realistically shouldn’t be described as a failure however, as the young receiver managed to cobble together a .288 batting average with 9 homers and 43RBI in only 354 at-bats.

When asked to sum the organizations thoughts on the past season, GM Skinner thoughtfully opined,

"I’m very proud of this team, we saw a number o f players take big steps forward, and flashes of brilliance from others; we’re excited about the future. Regarding that future, in the short term we’ll continue to build a strong youthful base this off-season with an eye to contend no later than 2011. Optimistically, we think this team can make a strong showing this coming season and depending on how things develop, possibly make a run of it."

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Peoria Acquires SP Dan Haren

Haren Introduced To Peoria

Peoria, Ill. – Today the Peoria Cardinals introduced its newest acquisition, SP Dan Haren, to the media. After winning its first ever Division Championship and making their first postseason appearance last season, many experts believe that the Cardinals are once again poised to make a run at the Division crown. On Wednesday evening, after weeks of back and forth negotiating with Weymouth GM Yukon Cornelius, the Cardinals pulled the trigger on a deal sending away youngsters Pablo Sandoval, Max Scherzer, and a 2nd Round Draft Pick for pitching ace, Dan Haren.

“It’s not good enough just to win a Division title. After several losing seasons of course it’s nice to finally make the playoffs last year, but this year we plan on being one of the last two teams standing come Fall. We felt like last year our offense was a powerhouse, but our pitching was lacking something. It sucks that we had to deal the Kung-Fu Panda, but gaining a pitcher the caliber of Dan Haren we feel really puts us over the top. Between Wainwright, Lee and Haren we really feel like we have a three headed monster at the front of our rotation that will be tough to match. This is the most confident I have been in our team since it’s inception”, said GM Dave Grubb regarding the latest trade.

While some critics say this trade could easily turn into a regrettable one if Sandoval and Scherzer go on to become elite players in a few years, the Cardinals have made it clear that they are looking to win, and win now. Peoria fans should be excited headed into the season. There is little doubt that the Cardinals will be making more noise in 2010!

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