Clowns - Line Trade

Continuing in their annual tradition, the Clowns and Line completed a trade prior to the draft.

The Clowns send Madison Bumgarner (.15 21+) to the Line for Luis Urias (.10 21+).

Preparing for the Draft

We are less than four weeks away from the draft and it's time to identify some specifics for Roster Freeze Day and Draft Day.

Roster Freeze Day will be Thursday, March 26th at 3pm Central.  By that point every NL team will have begun play (weather permitting) aside from the Braves vs. the Diamondbacks.  The benefit there is every NL team's roster *should* be finalized and you will know who on your team made the NL roster, who was cut, who was placed on the IL and who was sent to the minors.

A quick recap - Any Non Mx player on your roster has to be kept or cut.  If they are kept and placed on the IL (or sent to the minors) you are allowed to reserve them.  They still count against your salary cap and the 15 player max.

An Mx player sent to the minors retains his Mx contract.  If an Mx player is on the NL roster, even if it's just for the opening weekend with the intent of being demoted Monday, that player HAS to be kept as one of the 15 or cut.  If kept, his contract switches to a 22x.  Yes we are at the mercy of NL GMs.  It's been that way since 1984 for the CFCL.  If you're uncomfortable with this, stop drafting Mx players.

If an Mx player is injured and placed on the team's IL, you can keep him BUT his contract changes to a 22x, salary counts against the 2.60 and he's one of your 15 keepers.  You can argue the point, but there is long standing precedent in the league that this is how we handle it. 

The only caveat to the above paragraph is if the Mx player is placed on the MINOR LEAGUE IL.  Then he is considered to still be a minor leaguer and will maintain Mx status.

I will do everything in my power to turn around the final cuts Thursday night.  The earlier I receive your cuts, the quicker I can do the turn around.  Once you submit your cuts you are not allowed to make any trades.  Please do everything you can to turn in a legal cut sheet.  If I have to chase people down to correct mistakes, the whole league is delayed in receiving the cuts.

You are allowed to keep 15 major leaguers (non Mx players) and four minor leaguers (Mx players).  If you want to keep more than 4 Mx players you MUST reduce the number of major leaguers by that number.  No more than 19 players can be on your active and reserved roster combined.  But under no circumstances are you allowed to keep more than 15 non Mx players.

We will be drafting on Sunday, March 29th at 9am.  We are going to use the same room we've used at my office building for the last few years (Conference room 1W).  There will be outlets for your laptops and cell service should be accessible, but no internet.  The building is located at 387 Shuman Boulevard, Naperville.  They have done massive reconstruction to the front of the building (where you enter).  If it doesn't look familiar, don't panic.  That's just the renovation.

Now, about Draft Day.  The Ruffins will not be able to attend in person.  The best, well the only work around we've been able to come up with is for someone to volunteer their cell phone, have it on speaker and we communicate with the Ruffins thusly.  We may  need a designated owner to repeat bids, identify a team dropping out, but hopefully the speaker part of the phone will do the majority of the work.

The Sombreros have once again volunteered to provide the Master Draft List, so thanks goes to Marc for that.

There is a microwave for heating food you want to bring.  No fridge.  I believe there are vending machines in the hallway, but it's basically like last year.

If anyone has any questions, please let me know.  I will be sending out the cut sheets in the next week or two.  We begin drafting with the Ruffin Privilege at 9am on Sunday the 29th.  Please arrive before that so we can conduct the necessary business of electing an EC, signing the trophy ball and collecting the entrance fee ($120 per team - bring cash or a check).

See you at the draft!

Clowns - Revenge Trade

Candy Colored Clowns trade Brian Reynolds (.07 21+) to the Revenge for Brendan Rodgers (.10 21+).

Clowns - Beatniks Trade

The Clowns and Beatniks completed a trade this evening.

The Clowns send Carson Kelly (.04 21+) and Adam Frazier (.10 22+) to Eukennott while the Beatniks send Kurt Suzuki (.01 20+) and Corey Seager (.20 21!) to the Clowns.

Blockbuster Opens 2020 Trade Season

The Revenge trade Josh Bell (.07 X) and Andrew McCutchen (.07 21+) to the Rebels for Keston Hiura (.10 21+) and Jordan Hicks (.05 21+).

Winter Waivers - fini

No claims were made on Thursday so Winter Waivers is officially over.  Time now to work on your Roster Freeze list.  Maximum of 15 major leaguers, 4 minor leaguers.  We will NOT be having the problems like last year.  Most likely Freeze Deadline will be 3pm Central, March 26th.  Since that's Opening Day, NL rosters should be finalized.  HOWEVER if teams are playing at night and they haven't finalized their roster, A PLAYER CANNOT BE PUT ON YOUR RESERVE ROSTER IF THEY HAVE NOT BEEN PLACED ON THE INJURED LIST OR DEMOTED TO THE MINORS.  We're not having teams walk in with three players on a major league roster, stashed on the reserve roster.

I will post something with absolute deadlines of submitting cuts, start of draft etc.  Speaking of the draft, it looks like we'll be drafting at the same location (387 Shuman Blvd, Naperville).  I'm just not sure if we'll be in the same conference room.  I need to hear some final details from owners before I know what part of the building will work for us.

Questions about Roster Freeze guidelines can most likely be answered by the Constitution.  E-mail me with any questions if there's still uncertainty.

Winter Waivers Round 2

Here are the results of Round 2.  Any claims for Round 3 are due Thursday, January 16th at 3pm Central.

Ruffins

None

Rebels

Josh Rojas  .07

Waive
Wil Myers  .24


Killers

None

Swing

None

Beatnicks

Matt Strahm  .05*

Waive
Pablo Sandoval  .05

Revenge

None

DoorMatts

None

Kenndoza Line

Matt Strahm  .05*

Waive
Cole Roederer  .05Mx

Clowns

Adam Frazier  .10
Matt Strahm  .05*

Waive
Bryce Wilson  .05

Sombreros

None

Players Eligible to be Claimed

Wil Myers  .24
Pablo Sandoval  .05
Bryce Wilson  .05

Winter Waivers Round 1

Below are the results of Round 1.  To claim a newly waived player the deadline is Sunday, January 12th, 3pm Central.  The Trade Season is now open.  Trade fairly, trade equitably.

Ruffins

Alex Dickerson  .09
Jake Lamb  .09*

Waive
Steve Cishek  .01
Matt Strahm  .05

Rebels

Joe Musgrove  .12*
Jeff Samardzija  .10

Waive
Billy Hamilton  .05
Austin Hedges  .04

Killers

None

Swing

None

Beatniks

None

Revenge

Miguel Rojas  .01*
Josh Tomlin  .05
Ender Inciarte  .20

Waive
Daniel Murphy  .20
Jordan Yamamoto  .06
Jarlin Garcia  .05

DoorMatts

Jake Arrieta  .07

Waive
Jon Lester  .06

Kenndoza Line

Taylor Trammell  .15Mx*
Grant Lavigne  .10Mx
Elias Diaz  .01

Waive
Randy Arozarena  .05
Andrew Knizner  .05

Clowns

Taylor Trammel  .15Mx*
Miguel Rojas  .01*
VictorVictor Mesa  .10Mx
Albert Almora  .01
Jake Lamb  .09*
Bryse Wilson  .05

Waive
Jameson Taillon  .26
Yoshihisa Hirano  .10
Donocan Solano  .05

Sombreros

Adrian Houser .05
Joey Lucchesi  .06
Joe Musgrove  .12*
Logan Webb  .05
Elias Diaz  .01*
Josh  VanMeter  .06
Taylor Trammell  .15Mx*

Waive
Adam Frazier  .10
Marcus Stroman  .16
Josh Rojas  .07

Players Eligible To Claim
Steve Cishek  .01
Matt Strahm  .05
Billy Hamilton  .05
Austin Hedges  .04
Daniel Murphy  .20
Jordan Yamamoto .06
Jarlin Garcia  .05
Jon Lester  .06
Randy Arozarena  .05
Andrew Knizner  .05
Jameson Taillon  .26
Yoshihisa Hirano  .10
Donovan Solano  .05
Adam Frazier  .10
Marcus Stroman  .16
Josh Rojas  .07

Winter Waivers 2020

Below is the list of players who have been cut and are eligible for claiming.  You have until Thursday, January 9th, 3pm Central to submit your claims.  Remember the rules:

1)  For every player you claim you MUST waive a player;
2)  If you claim more than one player, rank them in the order you want to get them as that is how the WW system works.  The WW process begins with the last place team getting priority over the list, then 9th place, 8th place, etc.  If your first choice is taken by a lower team, your second choice comes into play;
3)  There is no limit to the number of players you can claim;
4)  There are no positional limits or requirements for claiming or your roster at this time;
5)  At the completion of the first round (1/9/20 3:01pm) the trade season opens.  When considering and ultimately making a trade - whether it's during the off season or during the season up until the trade deadline - remember it is incumbent on BOTH teams to make sure the trade is fair and equitable.  A lopsided trade not only hurts the team on the short end of the deal, it also negatively impacts the rest of the owners of the league.  Since the CFCL is a Gentleman's League, it is expected (not hoped, not wished for but EXPECTED) that all owners operate their teams in a proper manner that does not undermine the integrity of the league nor the efforts of the balance of the owners.

WINTER WAIVER LIST

Chris Archer .19
AJ Minter .09
Dillon Maples  .05
Kyle Freeland  .02
Tanner Roark  .05
Brandon Kintzler  .02
Roenis Elias  .05
Alex Avila  .05
Addison Russell  .10
Albert Almora  .01
Joey Votto  .41
Luis Marte  .02Mx
Jordan Lyles  .08
Julio Teheran  .15
David Bote  .10
Ryan Stanek  .10
Hunter Strickland  .06
Kyle Farmer  .05
Francisco Cervelli  .05
Dallas Keuchel  .10
Anthony Rendon  .44
Tom Murphy  .02
Maikel Franco  .05
Hernan Perez  .05
Buster Posey  .16
Shane Greene  .16
Hyun-Jim Ryu  .03
Sam Dyson  .05
Chase Anderson  .05
Victor Victor Mesa  .10Mx
David Freese  .02
Tyler Mahle  .02
Jeremy Jeffress  .06
Nick Pivetta  .05
Elieser Hernandez  .05
Robbie Ray  .15
Edwin Rios  .05

Jake Lamb  .09

Matt Wieters  .10

Ender Inciarte  .20

Peter Lambert  .06

Kyle Crick  .10

Junior Guerra  .06

Adrian Houser  .05

Joe Musgrove  .12

Trevor Williams  .01

Gerardo Parra  .04

Alex Dickerson  .09

Evan Longoria  .10

Grant Lavigne  .10Mx

Josh VanMeter  .06
Manny Pina  .05
Yasmani Granda  ,07
Robinson Cano  .18
Enrique Hernandez  .14
Harold Ramirez  .07
Nick Anderson  .10
Mike Leake  .09
Zack Greinke  .25
Luke Jackson  .12
Elias Diaz  .01
Jedd Gyorko  .10
Ty France  .06
Matt Adams  .10
Anthony DeSclafani  .10
Anthony Swarzak  .05
Bryan Holaday  .05
Chris Martin  .17
Derek Dietrich  .03
Drew Steckenrider  .02
Jeff Samardzija  .10
Joey Lucchesi  .06
Jose Iglesias  .10
Logan Webb  .05
Rich Hill  .11
Sergio Romo  .10
Phillip Ervin  .05
Tony Kemp  .05
Kristopher Negron  .05
Russell Martin  .10
Melky Cabrera  .07
Austin Slater  .15
Adam Jones  .02
Josh Tomlin  .05
Blake Parker  .05
Merrill Kelly  .15
John Brebbia  .10
Alex Claudio  .05
Andrew Miller  .12
Cesar Hernandez  .19
Bryse Wilson  .05
Curtis Granderson  .03
Ben Gamel  .05
Miguel Rojas  .01
Jose Peraza  .20
John Gant  .05
Amir Garrett  .10
Jhoulys Chacin  .05
Jed Lowrie  .03
Travis Jankowski  .05
Juan Lagares  .01
Scott Schebler  .01
Mike Montgomery  .05
Daniel Poncedeleon  .06
Adam Conley  .05
Martin Prado  .10
Ben Zobrist  .05
Neil Walker .15
Lewis Brinson  .07
Greg Garcia  .05
Matt Beatty  .05
Joe Panik  .10
Taylor Trammel  .15Mx
Cal Quantrill .10
Steven Matz  .10
Jeurys Familia  .08
Jake Arrieta  .07
Jose Urena  .10
Jon Duplantier  .10Mx
Erick Fedde  .05
Taylor Widener  .02Mx
Reyes Moronta  .05
Jay Bruce  .18
Wade Davis  .11
Calvin Mitchell  .02Mx
AJ Pollock  .22
Curt Casali  .02
Brandon Crawford  .11
Jacob Stallings  .05
Frammil Reyes  .09
Sean Rodriguez  .05
Todd Frazier  .10
Adam Duvall  .06
Brian McCann  .01
Drew Smyly  .06
Roman Quinn  .10
Charlie Culbertson  .10
Brian Dozier  .15

17 Days and Counting

So far I have heard from four owners (five if you count the Rebels) on a return for 2020 and which weekend is preferred for drafting.

Since no one has proactively volunteered they are stepping down I will remind all owners that Winter Waivers are due in 17 days - Sunday, January 5th at 3pm Central Time. Provide a list of the players you are keeping (23) and a list of the players you are waiving.  DO NOT include players who were signed in September or had their contract expire at the end of the 2019 season.  Those players cannot be waived and have already been removed from your rosters.

There are no positional requirements for Winter Waiver.  If you want to keep 23 pitchers, so be it. 23 minor leaguers?  Fine. You MUST keep 23 players and waive the rest.

I will have a list of the waived players posted by Sunday night and you will have until Thursday, January 9th at 3pm to claim.

Happy Holidays.

End of Season Wrap Up - 2019

Congratulations to everyone on a successful 36th CFCL Season with special congratulations going to our top four finishers for making things interesting to the very end.

We are entering the dormancy period of the CFCL.  No trading allowed until the end of the first round of Winter Waivers, Mike C. will be scrubbing rosters to remove S and 19 contracts.  Download your rosters soon if you need your season ending information.

Even though we are expecting 85 degrees for the next two days as we close out September and start October, here's a reminder that Winter Waiver Cuts are due by 3pm (Central) on Sunday, January 5th, 2020.  Please provide a list of your 23 Keepers as well as a list of everyone you're cutting.  Do NOT include players with 19 or S contracts.  Technically you are not cutting them for Winter Waivers, they are already off your team as of the last out of the last game yesterday.  But include the player you are keeping and actually cutting so I can do a proper check and balance of all rosters.

Here are the Hometown Discounts for Draft Day 2020.

DoorMatts  .06

Tucker Barnhart
Noah Syndergaard

Revenge  .05

Ian Desmond

Beatniks  .05

Justin Turner

The Swing  .04

Nolan Arrenado

Killers  .02

Jose Alb Martinez
Sean Newcomb
Luke Weaver

Dem Rebels  .02

Johan Camargo
Corey Knebel

Ruffins  .02

None

One final piece of business.  Once you know if you will be returning, please send me an e-mail with your intention (to play in 2020 or resign).  The sooner we know the compliment of owners we have for 2020, the sooner we can address any slots to fill.

Enjoy the playoffs!

Coming Down The Stretch

As we head into the final month of the season there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

1)  Starting with this Free Agent period (Sunday, September 1st), all Free Agents acquired from here on out will be assigned a contract status of S, meaning that they will be released immediately from your roster at the end of this season.  Unless, of course, a bid of .25 or more occurs, in which case the player has to be kept going into next year's draft.

2)  As of Monday's roster moves, you can add one more player to your active roster as a September Roster Expansion move.  Please remember this DOES NOT mean you can ACQUIRE an extra player on your 40 man roster.  You are still limited to 40 players on your Roster.  However, instead of 23, you can now play 24 on your ACTIVE ROSTER, thereby leaving 16 players on your Reserve List.

Line - Clown Trade

The Kenndoza Line trade Charlie Blackmon (.43 21+), Stephen Strasburg (.33 19), Orlando Arcia (.03 21+), Craig Kimbrel (.15 21+) and their 15th pick to the Clowns for Nick Senzel (.15 21+), Yasiel Puig (.23 21+), Derek Dietrich (.03 21+) and Jonathon India (.10 Mx).

Swing - Clown Trade

The Swing trade Kirby Yates (.07 19), Jarod Dyson (.05 21+) and Yairo Munoz (.01 21+) to the Clowns in exchange for Dansby Swanson (.07 21+), Alec Bohm (.05 Mx) and Keone Kela (.11 21+)

IAFB and Trade Deadline

A couple of quick reminders about CFCL deadlines this week.

Thursday, August 1st at 3pm (CST) is IAFB wherein you can bid on ANY player in the Free Agent Pool, not just the ones that have been traded over from the American League.

Also on Thursday, August 1st, but three hours earlier (Noon, CST) is the CFCL Trade Deadline.  All trades AND CORRESPONDING MOVES must be reported to the Commissioner by Noon.  If both teams do not report (or confirm) the trade and submit corresponding moves THE TRADE WILL BE NULLIFIED.  We're going to keep it easy.  There is NO grey area.  It's black and white.  No judgment calls, or stretching the clock.  The e-mail is time stamped in the In Box.  In fairness to ALL OWNERS, 12:01 is not 12:00.  An e-mail saying "I agree to the trade, I'll submit my moves before first pitch" is not acceptable.

We haven't had problems in the past, but I've learned this year it is important to be specific and clarify the rules.

We have four teams that have a legitimate chance to win it all.  All fair and equitable trades are encouraged to make this a race for the ages.

Clowns - Revenge Trade

The Candy Colored Clowns traded Ozzie Albies (.12 X), Jordan Yamamoto (.06 21+) and Tyler Mahle (.02 21+) to the Revenge for Aaron Nola (.15 19!), Lorenzo Cain (.28 20+) and the Revenge's  10th pick.

Killers trade with Sombreros

Twin Killer trade Zack Greinke (.25 20+) and Scott Alexander (.02 21+) to the Sombreros for Pablo Lopez (.03 21+), Tony Gonsolin (.02 Mx) and their 4th Round Pick.

Ruffins and Clowns Trade

The Clowns strike first in the rush to the top.

They trade:
Alex Verdugo (.02 20+)
Julio Urias (.05 20+)
Curt Caseli (.02 21+)
Kiebert Ruiz (.05 Mx)
Their 4th and 7th Round picks

to the Ruffins for:
Max Scherzer (.49 20+)
Sonny Gray (.15 21+)
Marcel Ozuna (.18 19)
Their 14th round pick

2019 Natural Day Results

To commemorate the 35th anniversary (!) of the Sandburg Game, the CFCL's Natural Day played out this way:

Sombreros 46 (Combination of Total Bases, Runs and RBI)
Dem Rebels 44
Kenndoza Line 42
Twin Killers 37
Revenge 27
Beatniks 24
Clowns 23
RYNE SANDBERG 20
Swing 19
DoorMatts 15
Ruffins 10

The Sombreros will receive at $25 gift card to mlb.com in their InBox shortly.

Swing - Line Trade

Kenndoza Line trades Cole Tucker (.02 21+) to the Swing for Mike Soroka (.10 20x)