Well, my first sim to run is behind us and we’re up to January 15.

Things seem to have gone well but do check your teams carefully. Not everyone uploaded this time and it would such to have bad things happen do to time constraints.

I’ve got the next sim, which will take us through February 1st, on Friday. We’re moving this along as fast as we’re comfortable.

The game is up to January 11, 2005 and the new league file is posted. Nothing very significant happened, except for some waiver claims and the expiration of waiver periods for the other computer-made changes.

Please make sure to do something with all of the players in your DFA list before their time runs out, lest Nate or I make decisions you don’t want made.

Next sim is tomorrow by Nate.

Here’s the planned schedule for the remainder of the 2005 offseason.

Mon., 12/29 – Sim to 1/11 – Mack
Tue., 12/30 – Sim to 1/16 – Nate
Fri., 1/2 – Sim to 2/1 – Nate
Mon., 1/5 – Sim to 3/1 – Mack
Wed., 1/7 – Sim to 4/1 – Nate
Fri., 1/9 – First regular season sim (to 4/6) – Mack

We’re getting there, guys. Woo hoo!

I have an extra outfielder available for trade. The conversion to 9.0 was very kind to LF/RF Cary Buteau, who is now a 5-star power hitter according to my scout. He also makes league minimum salary which is very nice. Please email me at guitar_shark@hotmail.com with any interest.

I simmed up to January 6 and uploaded the league file. We’re still working on the web pages for the new version, so nothing there to look at. Just update the league file within the game and it should go to January 6. I hope.

Not a lot of note. Some resignings by New York and Pittsburgh, including a great deal struck by Eric to resign a top starting pitcher.

I’ll do another sim Monday evening, of another five days. After that, we’ll start picking up the pace again and get to the new season. I just want to make sure everyone has a second chance to modify the changes made by the computer during the rollover.

If you want one of my MR in AAA it will not cost you much just e-mail me. One of them could be the Middle Reliever that you have been looking for!!!!

I also have some ML ready 1B that will be future stars. They can be yours for the right price.

jgoldman99@yahoo.com or AIM ‘jsg3c’

Pittsburgh Pisces GM Mack Shultz completed yet another deal today, this time with key Platonic League rival Seattle. Pittsburgh has agreed to send 1B/OF Lamont Alcala to Seattle in exchange for Seattle’s 3rd and 10th round picks in the 2006 amateur draft.

Reached at his winter retreat on the beaches of Maui for comment, Seattle GM Matt Macario said “You know, I could barely even bring myself to talk to that guy [Shultz] again, after he waved an ungodly sum of money at The Dominican God of Walks during the offseason, stealing him from his rightful home in Seattle. But I have to admit, that Shultz is a smooth character. He convinced me to let bygones be bygones, and even sent me a brief Merry Christmas message from his blackberry today. Such a thoughtful guy. I mean, that was really a nice touch.”

Asked for his comment on the incoming player, Alcala, Macario said “Who? Oh, yeah. Well, he’s no Zaragoza, but let’s hope this Alcala guy has got a few more solid years in the tank. At the very least, he fills a gaping hole and gives us a chance to get to the playoffs yet again. Maybe this will be the year that we finally go home happy for the winter.”

Meanwhile, after being informed of Macario’s optimitic comments regarding a possible end to Seattle’s postseason futility, Pisces GM Shultz said, simply, “No comment,” then walked away chuckling.

Mack Schultz and the Pittsburgh Pisces do not take a day off not even the period around New Years. In a move that is believed to be made just before the ball dropped in Times Square at midnight the Pisces and Brooklyn Bombers pulled the trigger on a trade that will help both teams advance into the future.

Brooklyn sends Minor League 3B prospect Kevin Grow along with a second round pick in the 2006 draft and $1,000,000 in cash. Grow was never able to advance in the minors and the thought is that a change in scenery might do him well. In return, the Bombers get their coveted 4th outfielder and pop off the bench 25 year-old George Marcano. Marcano was traded to and from Pittsburgh in the last season and has put up solid OPS numbers in AAA and in his cup of coffee with the big club last season.

Marcano will be on the ML roster come opening day and was very pleased with the move. He was heard saying, “Pittsburgh told me I was going to spend another season in the Minors on opening day, and then the next thing I know it is New Years 2005 all over again and I am told I am heading to Brooklyn. I do not know what the hell happened, but I sure do like the results.” He will be expected to be an integral part of the defending champs being the main player off the bench and should fit into the starting lineup maybe as soon as later on this season.

Are the Pisces done trading this offseason? They have an overflow of young talent in the minor leagues, and it would not be surprising if they make a few more moves before the season starts on April the 1st.

We have the first trade under the new system, players. Apparently the ‘living in each others back pockets during the conversion’ syndrome is in full swing these days as Pittsburgh and Marietta complete a deal.

Pittsburgh sends first baseman Benicio Pineda and $300,000 to Marietta in return for Marietta’s second round pick in the 2006 amateur draft.

“I just had to be first.” Marietta owner Nate Wooley was heard to say at his secret Tibetan hideaway where he’d been communing with the Dalai Lama over matters of VORP and WARP. “Really, and all of our choices at first were weak. This Pinny-whatever guy is no Lou Gehrig. Hell, he’s no Wally Pipp. But he’s better than the paycheck cashing weasels we’ve got right now.”

The draft order for the June 15, 2005 draft will be determined by lottery, giving weight based on 2004 and 2005 records, with some equalizing weight to each team. The draft pool will be revealed on May 1 and the lottery will be held June 1, allowing everyone to dream. Nate and I are cruel that way.

Also, these draft picks CAN NOT be traded. The next picks that can be traded will be for the 2006 June draft. We’ll keep track of all trades and make the necessary additional swaps after the 2005 supplemental draft is held.