Free Agent Wrap-up

With only a few hours left in the free agent signing period and most of the top shelf talent off the market, it seemed like a good time to review the big signings from this past off-season's free agent frenzy.

Tino Rubel (28) CF, Honolulu: 5 years, $90 million
In a peculiar move, Rubel was non-tendered by Kansas City and proceeded to break the bank in free agency, signing one of the largest free agent contracts in Duff Beer history. Only 28 years old, the length of the contract would seem to be less of a concern than the astonishing dollar figure. Rubel is a prototypical leadoff hitter with excellent speed and above average on-base ability, as evidenced by his career .391 OBP. A stellar centerfielder, Rubel will also solidify Honolulu's defense up the middle. Although he is clearly an impact player, the question must be asked... is Rubel worth $18 million/year? Only time will tell.

Mark Hamilton (30) SP, Chicago: 4 years, $44.6 million (team option for season 8)
The most coveted free agent pitcher, Hamitlon ignited a bidding war among several pitching-starved teams. A legitimate top of the rotation arm, Hamilton's resume includes a 20 win season in year 1, eight complete games in only 81 career starts, and a lifetime 4.06 ERA. After consecutive 200 inning seasons to start his career, Hamilton was disabled twice last season with significant arm injuries, reducing the effectiveness of his trademark 4-seam fastball. Signed through his age 33 season, Hamilton is likely to regress with age. That said, with the scarcity of pitching across the league, Hamilton will provide a solid return-on-investment if he can average 25 starts/season over the life of the contract.

Sammy Ramirez (32) SS, Scranton: 2 years, $27 million (player option for year 6)
A gold-glove caliber defender, Ramirez was a steady contributor for the defending champion New Orleans Mardi Gras over the last three seasons, posting an OPS over .800 from the shortstop position. With excellent speed and a keen batting eye, Ramirez should be a fixture atop the Scranton lineup for the next three seasons. Although he's been incredibly consistent up to this point, at the age of 32, Ramirez has probably reached the point of diminising returns. It is unlikely that he will need to be moved off of SS in the near future, but his offensive production is likely to slip as he ages.

Frank Eckstein (34) LF, Richmond: 3 years, $14 million (mutual option for year 7)
Another type-A free agent defecting from the defending champs, Eckstein is a superb defensive left fielder with excellent speed and on-base ability. Averaging only 14 HR over the last three seasons, Eckstein does not fit the mold of the typical slugging corner outfielder. He does, however, profile as a very good leadoff or #2 two hitter in an already stacked lineup. At age 34, it is questionable whether Eckstein will be a good investment over the life of this contract, but it's short money for a productive player who will contribute to a very good Richmond club this season.

Dave King (30) CF, Colorado Springs: 2 years, $11.6 million (mutual option for year 6)
An excellent defensive centerfielder, King is coming off a disappoint year 3 campaign, where he posted a meager .647 OPS. Still, King contributed 41 stolen bases (at over a 95% success rate) with an .287/.350/.461 line only a year earlier, so he was definitely an attractive free agent commodity. A minimal investment in both years and dollars, King could prove to be one of the best bargains of the off-season.

Larry Ford Traded To Portland

Breaking News ----

As we reported to you earlier this afternoon the St. Louis Red Ravens were in heavy discussions about dealing OF Larry Ford. We can now tell you that the trade has in fact gone down.
The particulars of the deal are St. Louis sending OF Larry Ford, Minor leaguers Heinie Perez & Larry Scanlan for minor leaguers Andres Valdes & Tito Simon.

The trade will undoubtedly leave a big hole in RF and at the #3 spot in the lineup for St. Louis but the addition of Valdes to their pitching rotation i'm told was quote "Simply too good to pass up."

Hardball Dynasty's

Larry Ford

Hardball Dynasty's

Andres Valdes

Huge Trade Agreed To

In what can only be described as the first blockbuster of many to come this offseason. The Albuquerque & Cleveland franchise have reached an agreement to send uber prospect Ken Swann to the Indians while the Parenchyma will receive 25 y/o pitcher Lou Adams & Miguel Reynoso.

Hardball Dynasty's

Ken Swann

Hardball Dynasty's

Lou Adams

Off Season Rumblings

Breaking news ----

This just in to our DBDN news room this hour.
A league source has informed us on the condition on anonymity that talks are underway between the St. Louis Red Ravens franchise and a unnamed franchise to discuss a blockbuster involving franchise slugger Larry Ford. Talks are said to be centering around a package of prospects who some within the organization feel are major league ready. The source also disclosed that if a trade is to happen it will happen sometime today or possibly not at all. The talks will not be long and drawn out but rather a question of if both teams feel they can walk away with what they need.

This could also signal that the Red Ravens plan to pull out of talks for sluggers Alvin Ross & Hoss Wiltse. As talks have reached an impasse with their respective clubs.
Stay tuned to the DBDN Redline for up to the minute news.

As The Duff Brews

With another successful rollover accomplished, the Duff beer world looks towards the start of the 4th season of this league.
After a very tumultuous first season the league has improved every season since. From the additions of vets, quality rookies & established WS winners. The turnover rate has seen a dramatic drop & the stability of the league as a whole has blossomed from it. Here is a look at the season 4 GM lineup.


NL North
Cleveland Indians - brownsfantb 1 Season & 2nd season in Duff.
Minnesota Baggies - sportsboy010* 15 Seasons, 7 division titles, 11 playoffs & 1 WS title. 4th season in Duff.
Buffalo Russerts - jimedcrew 4 Seasons , 1 playoff & 2nd season in Duff.
Chicago Hawks - scottie14 New to HBD, 1st season in Duff.

NL East
Rochester Charlie-A** Kickers - coonja76 44 Seasons, 10 division titles, 17 playoffs & 1 WS title.
2nd season in Duff.
Pittsburgh Steel Makers 2 - charlie22098* 23 Seasons, 7 division titles & 17 playoffs. 4th season in Duff.
Washington D.C. Senators - demoratz Also new to HBD. Has a team in Mattingly as well. 1st season in Duff.
Syracuse Sasquashes - amerith 3 Seasons, 1 division title & 1 playoff. 1st season in Duff

NL South
Little Rock Bill Clintons -orangeboy19* 15 Seasons & 1 playoff. 4th season in Duff.
Houston Cowboys - cyoress1 13 Seasons & 2nd season in Duff.
New Orleans Mardi Gras - bobkordecki* 62 Seasons, 15 division titles, 20 playoffs & 1 WS title. 4th season in Duff & the defending WS champion.
Tampa Bay Tacoma - mmccann55 1 Season & 2nd season in Duff.

NL West
Portland Proletariat - prahasmc 5 Seasons & 1 playoff. 3rd season in Duff.
Colorado Springs Starrs - rigbystarr 12 Seasons, 1 division title & 1 playoff. 3rd season in Duff
San Francisco Bay - ACEROTHSTEIN 16 Seasons, 7 division titles, 7 playoffs & 1 WS title. 1st season in Duff.
San Diego Figs - jceffali 9 Seasons, 2 division titles & 3 playoffs. 2nd season in Duff.


AL North
New York Winfields - garmansouth 6 Seasons, 1 playoff & 2nd season in Duff.
Scranton Office - nittany88 2 Seasons & 1 playoff. 3rd season in Duff.
Chicago Mob - captain10a* 11 Seasons, 4 division titles & 4 playoffs. 4th season in Duff & former league commish.
St. Louis Red Ravens - deaconsoule 11 Seasons, 2 division titles & 2 playoffs. 3rd season in Duff.

AL East
Kansas City Tequila Drinkin Barflies - domiisgod 27 Seasons, 5 division titles & 11 playoffs. 2nd season in Duff.
Richmond Whack-A-Moles - ewd330* 40 Seasons, 35 division titles, 40 playoffs & 9 division titles. 4th season in Duff
Boston Massacre - biffle 21 Seasons, 5 division titles & 6 playoffs. 1st season in Duff & making his return to HBD.
Charlotte Orange Crush - dkhorsemen* 14 Seasons, 1 division title & 5 playoffs. 4th Season in Duff.

AL South
Santa Fe Heat - raybie2305* 22 Seasons, 8 division titles & 12 playoffs. 4th season in Duff
Mexico City Sombreros - parkav97* 13 Seasons & 4th season in Duff.
Memphis Screaming Mimes - cincysteve 9 Seasons, 3 division titles & 5 playoffs. 3rd season in Duff.
Durham Bull****artists - tisi29* 30 Seasons, 11 division titles, 18 playoffs & 1 WS title. 4th season in Duff.

AL West
Sacramento Rivercats - giant_dwarf* 14 Seasons & 1 playoff. 4th season in Duff.
Honolulu Sun Gods - zactor 2 Seasons & 2nd season in Duff.
Scottsdale Redlegs - mfoster55 10 Seasons, 1 division title & 2 playoffs. 3rd season in Duff & newly appointed league commish.
Albuquerque Parenchyma - calvinhydro* 11 Seasons, 2 division titles & 6 playoffs. 2nd season in Duff. Original season 1 member.

* = Original Duff Beer Leaguer.

Off Season Rumblings

Breaking news ----

This just in to the DBDN studios. A team source has just informed us that the Scottsdale Redlegs are in serious talks regarding slugger Del Lee. It is reportedly a 6 player mega blockbuster but the source declined to mention the name of the other team involved in the talks.