2015 YEAR IN REVIEW
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BUILDING A CHAMPION
ONLY GETS HARDER The Commissioner was viewing the standings over the last several years and it became clear a change was needed.
The 2012 expansion from a 10-team league to a 12-team league not only added two great owners and personalities to the ACBA, not only added an extra opponent to cycle through for each division, but also made things more difficult for clinching a playoff spot. A 120 game season is long and to miss the playoffs can be disappointing to say the least. The two recent expansions only makes that more difficult for everyone. That point is not lost on the Commissioner. But as hard as that may be to swallow for the teams sitting at home in the fall, seeing teams reach the playoffs with a losing record is worse in the eyes of league officials. "You have to earn it," says Cheslock. "You work during the offseason. You look for that edge. You scout those prospects and build a winner over time. Squeaking in with a 60-60 record doesn't sit well. Is that earning it?" "The playoff format works," the Commissioner admitted. There was no interest in tweaking that. Eight teams, it just works. No byes, no odd ball situations. It's baseball and you play a series that lasts 8 or 9 days. You can't have teams sitting around waiting for other teams to play. And the ACBA certainly wasn't curtailing back to 4 teams. So for 8 to get in, and for it to be respectable, it had to be harder. The top four (in each division) had to earn it. Beating out just one team wasn't cutting it. Beating out two was better but not by a whole lot. The latest expansion means beating out three teams to earn a spot and likely improves the records of the teams that are playing in September. As it was promised before, the Commish added again, "there will be no further expansion to the league. Fourteen is where we stop." Sure there will be 4th seeded teams with losing records from time to time, but having to beat out three teams in a division of seven makes for stronger teams in the postseason. 
SACTO MIKE
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...and the winner is!
For those who missed it, the 2015 results are in. And it's time to give recognition where recognition is due.
Beginning with the ACBA's first ever All Star Game in July, which was made possible by the voters. The AL won the game 57-16 on the back of the All Star MVP, Sacramento's Jake Arrieta and his 30 pitching points. The owners continued their superb involvement with even more voting for the season awards in August. The winners: -ROLLIE FINGERS - Mark Melancon, Senhollow -ALAN TRAMMELL - Alex Rodriguez, Utah -CY YOUNG - Clayton Kershaw, Senhollow -MVP - Josh Donaldson, Green Bay -CONNIE MACK - Brent Ford, Michigan 2013 expansion teams, Michigan Mud Hens and Warren Warriors both won Division Titles this year and Warren, along with Senhollow Abory were the Pennant winners, representing their League's in the World Series. It was Senhollow Abory who came away with their second title in 2015, winning the World Series in 6 games over the Warren Warriors. Other notables along the way: -In January, Tiger Town's Dale Caulkins became the first member inducted into the ACBA Hall of Fame -Florida became a member of the 500 win club 
-Portsmouth and Senhollow both became members of the 400 win club
-Flint became a member of the 300 win club -Green Bay joined the 200 win club -Senhollow tied Florida for most playoff victories in league history with 46 -Michigan broke the record for longest winning streak, which now stands at 13 games -Florida broke the record for longest losing streak, which also now stands at 13 games -Portsmouth's record streak of 11 straight playoff appearances came to end this season Congratulations to all teams on their accomplishments (except Florida's streak). We hope to see many more in 2016! 
<-- SACTO MIKE (CONTINUED FROM COLUMN 2)
ML: Blake is a great young player and we’re very high on him. He’s a competitor and wants to play and we like that kind of fire in a young player. That’s what you want to see. Having said that, Carlos Santana is losing his eligibility at catcher in 2016 so Blake certainly has an opportunity there. What we want to see, and hope to see, is that Blake’s 2nd half performance in 2015 is a breakout and that he can continue that level of performance next year. If he does that, the playing time will be there. HD: Let’s talk about Jake Arrieta. He was phenomenal this year. I’ll be honest with you, I was surprised he didn’t win the Cy Young and yet, he wasn’t even in the top 5? Is the field just that good or did he just get overlooked? ML: Well the field is certainly spectacular, but yes, he’s a bit overlooked. That’s one of the reasons we targeted him in a trade as we saw him really performing well relative to his value. I wouldn’t take anything away from Kershaw, Greinke, Scherzer and those guys. I do think there is a slight tendency to favor established guys and guys from bigger markets. HD: The Winter Meetings are coming up here pretty quick. Without giving too much away, have you had a chance to look the items over, and what do you think is most likely to be favored by the owners? ML: Sure, I’ve been keeping an eye on that part of the league website and am very interested in how that will proceed. Personally, I think keeping the All-Star game is a no brainer. It was very successful and enjoyable for everyone. The really interesting one is the waiver trades which I’m in favor of. Anything that brings more complexity, realism and gamesmanship to the league, I’m in favor of. Being able to move players under contract is more in line with MLB rules and play so I’m for it. HD: Mike it’s been a great pleasure of ours to hang out with you today. And your wife blew us away with that chicken parm. Give her our best. ML: Harry thanks again for coming out. I hope this gives the owners around the league a small glimpse at who we are out here. By the way, when does this come out? HD: The next issue gets released later this month. We’ll send you a copy. ML: Great. I want to save a clipping for my office! 
The expansion draft wrapped up this week and the Phantoms and Blue Devils now have something to build on going into the general draft next March.
"I thought it went smooth," Robinson said of the draft. "It was exciting establishing the building blocks for my team. I was really anxious to get involved and the draft was a great way to get started. I've been following the league, watching the season unfold. That was a good experience and it really helped me to see the great culture and competitiveness of my fellow owners." The Sacramento Solons and Warren Warriors contributed the maximum 3 players while the Washington Wolves chipped in two of their own. Six other teams gave up only one player and 3 of the league's 12 teams went completely untouched. It was a broad base of players to choose from but the owners built in a similar fashion. Both expansion teams picked up 2 pitchers and 5 hitters in the 7 round event. Detroit nabbed starter Brandon Beachy from Flint and Washinton's Matt Barnes, a reliever who may turn starter in 2016. They also acquired C Salvador Perez, 1B Matt Adams, 2B Starlin Castro, SS Troy Tulowitzki and OF Desmond Jennings. A solid group to work with and Detroit is already on their way to becoming a force in the AL. Lehigh Valley came away with Florida's Kyle Hendricks and Warren's Drew Hutchinson to begin establishing a rotation -- both of which came from their now division rivals. Their bats include a pair of first basemen, Pedro Alvarez and Chris Carter, 2B Jace Peterson, SS Erick Aybar and OF Steven Souza Jr. The Phantoms GM worked shrewdly, keeping their payroll low, allowing for a strong contract surge in the spring if they choose to go that route. The owners have until October 25 to extend the contracts of any players received in the draft. PARITY: The Way We Like ItAs much as it's fun to ride the wave of a dynasty, the best thing for a league is when teams cycle through good and bad times at a relatively steady rate.
Most teams have been able to make the playoffs year in and year out, especially in the early years of a 10 team league with 8 teams reaching. But with a 14 team league coming in 2016, and still only 8 teams reaching, there's a pretty good chance for that cycle to continue. But taking a look back into the immediate past, the competitive balance seems to be, well... balanced. It's only been three years since the league has been a 12 team league, which means only 2 follow up seasons, since you can't judge the first year. During those two follow up years, a total of 5 teams that missed the playoffs the year before, made the playoffs a year later. That's 5 out of 8 possible teams. The 2013 Washington Wolves, 2014 Warren Warriors, 2014 Springfield Sons of Pitches, 2014 Utah Golden Spikes and Sacramento Solons (Merrimack 2014) all reached in the following season. Meanwhile, in 2015, the 4 teams that missed the playoffs were 2014's #1 Seed, #1 Seed, #2 Seed and #4 Seed in their respective divisions. This keeps owners active by not being perennial losers. And it keeps the perennial power houses on their toes, forcing them to sharpen their managerial skills because it hurts to miss the playoffs, even if it's only every 4 or 5 years. COMMISSIONER'S CORNER
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THE HOT STOVE
Nov 14 @ 8PM ET
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The Winter Meetings are fast approaching (Saturday November 14) and the owners around the league are wanting to do some homework before we get in to vote. Of course there will be time for discussion but owners should be aware of and understand the options ahead of time. There are several items that will impact the 2016 season, so let's get to the specifics. |
- WAIVER TRADES This proposed rule allows teams an option to waive (drop) a player under contract as long as another team is willing to pick up that contract. (If a contract player is released and no team acquires the player, the original team must resign the player after the Waiver Trade deadline, under the original contract terms.)
There is no risk to the team offering the players.
The teams acquiring a contract player in a waiver-trade will have to forfeit a draft pick based on the player's value, as compensation in the trade.
The Waiver-Trade period will be for 10 days, beginning at the trade deadline.
Teams acquiring a player in a waiver trade will get a prorated contract amount. Since the player's service time on the new team's roster will be for only 1 month during the regular season, the salary will be split 80% (old team) to 20% (new team) for the current season and will be represented accordingly for luxury tax purposes. (Thus moving luxury tax day to the end of the waiver trade period, not the general trade deadline).
Any contract extending beyond the season in which the trade takes place will transfer as normal, with the acquiring team assuming the contract.
A player with a value of less than $5, the compensation is a 9th - 12th round draft pick (depending on the acquiring team's available draft picks).
A player with a value of $6 - $10, the compensation is a 8th - 11th round draft pick (depending...).
A player with a value of $11-$15, the compensation is a 7th - 10th round draft pick (depending...).
A player with a value of $16-$20, the compensation is a 6th - 9th round draft pick (depending...).
A player with a value of $21+, the compensation is a 5th - 8th round draft pick (depending...).
Any team acquiring a player from waiver-trades that does not have the available compensation will have to compensate with the same round in a future draft.
Any team acquiring a player from waiver-trades may extend contracts. - ACBA ALL STAR GAME This proposal is whether to continue with or remove the All Star Game from the All Star Break
- 2-ROUND OFFLINE DRAFT This proposal is whether to continue with or remove the 2-round offline draft leading up to the 1 day draft for the remaining rounds
- SHORTENED DRAFT This proposal is to determine if 22 rounds is too long for the annual draft. Most teams carry several contract players and a full 22 rounds is no longer necessary in the contract era. The proposal is to cut the draft to 17 rounds. Teams that have acquired any draft picks in rounds 18-22 would get their additional picks tacked on to the end of the draft if this proposal passes.
- INCREASE IN SCORING (Premium Categories)
Hit for Cycle - Increase from 5 points to 8 points
No Hitter - Increase from 5 points to 8 points
Perfect Game - Increase from 10 points to 12 points (keeping in mind, a perfect game includes No Hitter points)
Argument in favor of increase is rarity of feat; should weigh heavily on games decision - REGULAR SEASON TIE BREAKER A minor adjustment in the tie breaker format. Rather than using the highest scoring bench player, simply using the highest scoring active player as the tie breaker. This rewards the owner who uses the best players, rather than rewarding the owner who sat a player with higher points.
- ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Inclusion of a Rookie of the Year Award during the Season Awards voting.
Qualifications TBD
If voted on to include, then vote on name of the Award. Finalists: Rod Carew, Derek Jeter - DROPPED PLAYERS MUST SIT OUT A SERIES DURING THE PLAYOFFS Determine whether a player that is dropped and clears waivers can be added by another team without sitting for a round or not. The playoffs are sometimes staggered in a way that allows for an extra day between series (or especially in the case of a team advancing early). This may allow for some players to clear waivers prior to the start of the next round beginning. Should those players that are dropped be available?
- CONTRACT BUY OUTS Allow owners to buy out contracts after the 1st year of the contract, instead of having to wait until the 2nd year. The buy out fee is the normal rate, plus $1.
Atlantic Coast Baseball Association © 2015