A Look Back on Season 10

Season 10 has concluded it's regular season, which naturally means the Buffalo franchise will be resting for the upcoming weeks. Although 73-89 doesn't look like much, first year owner/GM/coach Jeffrey Lebowski is very pleased about his team's "success." It is the team's highest win total since Season 5 and it is their 4th highest win total in history. Lebowski likes where this team is headed, and is positive this team will be making it's second playoff appearance next season.

Bright Spots:
Here are the players who pleased us this year

Alex Martin: The team MVP, a 24 year old RF, made a big jump from last year, hitting .290 with 32 HR, 123 RBI, 100 Runs and 24 SB. After the Lebowski's traded backup RF Bill Murphy, they made it clear Martin is their RF of the future. It will be interesting to see what the Lebowskis will do with Martin, who hits arbitration next year.

Mac Yamamoto: The 34 year old CF, who was signed by the Lebowskis for one year to platoon with Ernest Presley, won over the starting job with his excellent play. The veteran hit over .350 most of the year before getting injured and going into a little slump at the end of the year. He ended up with a .321 average with 24 SB. Will the Lebowski's give him another year?

Edgardo Fuentes: After Ryan Miller was traded mid-season, and with a gaping hole at the top of the lineup, Jeff Lebowski decided to promote the 25 year old 2B. It was Fuentes first stint in the ML, and was immediately placed at leadoff, starting at 2B. Fuentes started off red-hot and then cooled off, still finishing with a pleasant .267 average, with 26 stolen bases in 446 at-bats. Will he be able to retain the leadoff spot for next year?

Erick Patterson: The recipient in the blockbuster Bill Murphy deal, the young starting pitcher did great in a Lebowski uniform. Winning his first 6 games, Patterson kept the Lebowskis in the division hunt for several weeks. He finished 12-9 with a 3.97 ERA. As the team Cy Young, he looks to lead the staff next year, along with other young starters Sal Harris, Larry Franklin, and Rick Benson.

Brown Spots:
Rob Sweeney: Traded for bright RP prospect Hank Andrews, Rob Sweeney filled a huge void at 3B and had all-star projections written all over him. Although he batted in the 5th or 6th spot, Sweeney ended up with only 50 RBI, while getting 605 at bats. His OPS of .678 is just abysmal, and as an upcoming free agent, will most likely not be a Lebowski next year.

Season Trade Report:
1) Rob Sweeney for Hank Andrews - D-: We already gave you Sweeney's incredible stats. The 19 year old Hank Andrews pitched in High A level for the Colorado Humidors, ending with a 3.00 ERA in 105 innings. The Lebowski's need for the hot corner heightened the GMs desperation into making this move.

2) Sarma Borland and Will Hansen for Fernando Parra, Ollie Simontacchi, and Jason Nunnally - B: A trade made to create cap space ended up an OK move for the franchise. Nunnally had a little ML stint and did absolutely horrible and spent the rest of the year in AAA. Simontacchi was brought into the ML because of injuries and stayed in the rotation. He put in some quality starts and had one horrible game (10 runs in 1 inning) which ruined his stats. Parra was instantly traded to another team. Borland had an excellent year for KC, hitting .313 with 32 HR nad 103 RBI. He would of been behind Don Wilkins for the Lebowski's anyway, so no love lost.

3) Fernando Parra, Bill Murphy, and Ryan Miller for Erick Patterson, Trevor Delahanty and Ralph Spurgeon - A: Although the Lebowski's gave up two ML position player, they received a great young SP and a great prospect RF. Delahanty played well on the bench, and looks to start for the Lebowski's next year, as he adds great contact and fielding.

4) Kevin Howard for Bob McGuire - A: Putting Kevin Howard on the market for pretty much anybody, the Lebowski's were able to get a nice prospect at SS, a position of need. McGuire had a stint in the ML this year when Royce Weathers got hurt, but couldn't assimilate and was quickly sent back to spend the year in AAA. He will be in a position battle to start next year at SS with Weathers.

5) Luther Marte for Juan Duran - B+: After claiming David Perez off waivers, Lebowski's were freee to deal Luther Marte, former MVP who was signed by the Lebowski's for one year. Duran came into the AAA squad and was put immediately at closer. He ended the year with a 1.23 ERA, saving 8 games in 14.2 innings.

Draft and International Signings:
Bud Johnston - C - $6M - The first round pick for the Lebowski's, Johnston took a long time to commit, as he seriously considered college. It took $6 million to convince him to come. In 191 at bats in the Rookie League, Bud batted .390/.463/.644 with 8 HR and 60 RBI and a 9.10 RF. Yikes.

Javier Fernandez - CF - $5.9M - The 18-year-old Colombian looks to be the starter in Buffalo in a few years. He made it up to Low A this year, overall batting .338/.413/.519 with 20 RBI in 133 at bats.

Donaldo Roque - RP - $1.9M - The 18 year old Dominican played in Rookie ball the entire season and finished with a 4.41 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 17 K's in 16.1 innings. Hopefully, he will keep progressing and become a staple in the Buffalo bullpen.

Francisco Jose - RF - $1.5M The power hitting 20-year-old Dominican dominated Rookie ball this year, batting .323/.368/.717 with 30 HR and 131 RBI in 353 at bats. He could be in the ML as soon as season 12.

Next year, the Lebowski's look forward to an improved Alex Martin, Don Wilkins, Stephen Mitchell, Sal Harris, and Erick Patterson, the possible promotions of Bob McGuire, Rick Benson, Larry Franklin and Juan Duran, and the World Series Crown. Until next year, the Lebowski's abide.

Buffalo Revamped

Coming into tonights game, the opener in a series against the Salt Lake City Sea Monkeys, the Lebowskis will be experimenting with a new lineup. The Lebowskis finally found a suitor for RF Bill Murphy who repeatedly exhibited resentment towards his lack of playing time. Bill Murphy, RP Fernando Parra, and 2B Ryan Miller were traded in-state to the Big Apple for SP Erick Patterson, 1B Ralph Spurgeon, and OF Trevor Delahanty.

Ryan Miller, former starting 2B for the Lebowskis, will be replaced by AAA star Edguardo Fuentes, who's deserved his shot for a while now. Coach Circelli sees Fuentes as lead-off material, which will allow 40/40 man Justin Hutton to move more into the heart of the lineup. Slugger Don Wilkins will also be joining the team tonight, returning from a stint on the DL. Ralph Spurgeon will start in AA, with management keeping a close eye on his progress. Trevor Delahanty will replace Bill Murphy's role as the 4th outfielder after some minor roster complications sort themselves out.

Erick Patterson will join the staff immediately, and will start tomorrow afternoons game. The Lebowskis are very excited for the future, as big arms like Patterson, Sal Harris, Rick Benson, and Larry Franklin aim for the rotation.

It's time to get ready for tonight's game. Hopefully, this move will turn around the franchises past discretions. We will find out shortly. Till then, the Lebowskis abide.

More Buffalo Rambling

Hey again. Our Lebowskis kind of, uh, stubbed a toe heading out of the gates. A 12-15 start isn't what the new ownership was looking for, but our confidence remains strong. We caught a couple injuries, a couple muffed plays, and, of course, who can forget that streaker that costed us that game just a couple days back. Things will turn around. Slugging DH Don Wilkins is close to returning from a neck strain, and is eager to get back to knocking the ball like the Wilkins of old.

In other news, the Lebowskis have been shopping RF Bill Murphy, looking for a right-handed starting pitcher that can hopefully patch up the young staff full of lefties.

While the big league team is having mixed success, some young achievers are on their way to becoming big Lebowskis. While ace in the making Rick Benson struggles to find his way in AAA, his right-hand man Larry Franklin has shown he can get people out, and has a high possibility of seeing the major leagues in season 11, if not 10. Stephen Mitchell has shown that he will be the future catcher for the Lebowskis. The 24-year old is batting .388, with 5 home runs and 26 RBI, with a 1.036 OPS.

Well, my joint is done, so I'm gonna go, uh, play video games. Till next time, the Lebowskis abide.

The Lebowskis Hit Spring Training

The Lebowskis head southwest from Buffalo, New York to Los Angeles, California for some spring training baseball. There's a new look to the team; a loose, "what-the-hell" kind of confidence. Heading into the spring training games, the starting line-up is as follows (with last years stats):

1) Justin Hutton - LF (.252/.337/.528, 35 hr, 99 rbi, 44 sb)
2) Ernest Presley - CF (.264/.346/.419, 17, 75, 10)
3) Rob Sweeney - 3B (.284/.338/.435, 16, 86, 8)
4) Don Wilkins - DH (.318/.368/.644, 46, 135)
5) Alex Martin - RF (.276/.349/.463, 23, 92, 13)
6) Luther Marte - 1B (.306/.394/.459, 15, 84)
7) Ryan Miller - 2B (.257/.338/.353, 7, 57, 21)
8) Kevin Borders - C (.303/.347/.394, 4, 25)
9) Royce Weathers - SS (.197/.258/.213, 0, 4)

Mac Yamamato will likely split time with Presley occupying centerfield. Catcher Erubiel Martinez will also likely split with Kevin Borders, all with prospect Steven Mitchell breathing down their necks. The rotation is unset and up for grabs. Frank Rapp, Kevin Howard, and Sal Harris seem to be the favorites to occupy the top 3 spots, with the 4th and 5th spots being auditioned at spring training. What we do know Pat Yamamoto will be closing games.

Between games and practice, the players and coaches usually just drive around, bowl, and have the occasional acid flashback. All fans are welcome to Lebowskifest the day before the season begins, where the Buffalo Lebowskis head of security Walter Sobchak will host a fan vs. player bowling tournament. Till then, the Lebowskis abide.

Ramblings out of Buffalo

Seems as though the Lebowskis have made their last moves of the offseason, losing out on the Russ Jerchower sweepstakes, being unable to offer their 2 year, 40-million dollar contract due to a trade being completed a few hours too late. However, some replacement moves have been made and the Lebowskis look ready to compete.

The Lebowskis made the bullpen a prime focus in this offseason, acquiring not only closer Pat Yamamoto but also many set up men and specialists. Sal Harris is being moved from the trading block to the big league starting rotation in an attempt to counter the 3 lefties making up the rest of the rotation. The Lebowskis are also excited about LF Justin Hutton, a 40-40 man twice in his career, who will take over leadoff duties.

Although recently coming in #26 in the league power rankings, and without their best player and pitcher, the Buffalo Lebowskis are hopeful of the playoffs. When asked about their spot in the rankings, new Lebowski 1B Luther Marte said, "Well, you know, that's just like, uh, their opinion, man. We're acheivers." Seems like Marte will be a perfect fit for the Lebowskis.

The Lebowskis Hit the Free Agent Pool

In the first days of free agency, the Buffalo Lebowskis show that they are going to throw some money around, giving 31 year-old closer especial Pat Yamamoto $10 million to finish games off for the next three years. Pat has saved 40 games twice in his career and posted 23 saves with a 2.31 era last season.

Shortly after, the Lebowskis secured their first basemen for the next season, signing 36 year old veteran Luther Marte for $6,000,000. The former MVP batted .306 last year with 15 home runs and 84 RBI. Buffalo is hoping Luther can return to his former self, adding some power to the lineup.

The Lebowskis have hinted that they aren't close to being finished in free agency. They are persistently shopping slugging DH Sarma Borland. More to come...

A Fresh Start

What's up everybody. This is my first time doing something like this, so it's gonna take me a while to get into everything this blog offers.

This is the new home page for the Buffalo Lebowskis, formerly the Trenton Trash, the Burlington Drunken Catamounts, the Trenton Titans, the Trenton Chucks, the Trenton Titans, the Jacksonville Knights, the Hartford Hoodlums, and the Hartford Homer 45's. And all in only 9 years! It's been a franchise of turmoil, only breaking the .500 barrier in our 1st year. However, the franchise will move to upstate New York for the future. Hopefully it will give us better luck than Jersey has.

Just wanted to put an opening post out there. Once the season schedule is created, I'll start putting up team notes and players on the block and all that nonsense. Till then, the Lebowskis abide.