Re: Warrior Beat: Duluth Times Blog
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2019 11:20 am
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Warrior Beat: Duluth Times Blog
Page 3 of 8
Re: Warrior Beat: Duluth Times Blog
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2019 4:20 pm
Oh no - he didn't wreck that plush Racine clubhouse, did he? I hear the mid-century mustard shag carpeting was especially epic ...
Re: Warrior Beat: Duluth Times Blog
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2019 5:45 pm
It's more of a goldenrod after 70 years of tobacco stains...I hear the mid-century mustard shag carpeting was especially epic
Re: Warrior Beat: Duluth Times Blog
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2019 6:27 pm
WARRIOR BREAKFAST: SESSION 2
GM Ricky McCoy puts on the "emerald apron" for his second monthly press meeting/breakfast in left field at Doyle Bluth Stadium.
Following the second .500-ball month for the club, GM Ricky McCoy fired up the large, spraypainted charcoal grill known locally as the "War Wagon" to serve biscuits and gravy to the invited media, for McCoy's second "Warrior Breakfast" seminar.
Q: Ricky, you're nearing the end of your first (partial) season with the Warriors. Are you satisfied with your results so far?
A: Well, Bill, the point of managing ballgames is to win, so no. I take every loss personally, and I won't be satisfied until we've carved out a respectable place in the Sovereign League. But I'm satisfied with the transactions we've made and the direction we're moving.
Q: The Warriors Organization is projected to have it's worst deficit in franchise history this offseason. How did this happen, and how will it affect your rebuild strategy?
A: A fair question. As to the "how," the franchise worked itself into unfavorable player contracts between 2025-2027 that held up until the team under-performed--and when the well dried up, it collapsed. We've cut over eighty million dollars from player expenses this year, and next year you'll see a $100 Million drop in spending. Just think about that. The Warriors have lost $80 Million in talent and are still putting up wins. We've played above .500 for two months straight. Our projections stay the same as last session--this club will be out of debt in 2032.
Q: But how does that change your lineup strategy?
A: You know, this ballclub is a great example that big money doesn't necessarily mean success. I've said it before--the strategy of this franchise going forward is to build sustainable success. So in terms of budget constraints, we won't be in a position to "win now" for three, maybe four years anyway. That's just the facts. When you ride the financial success of one season and base your ten-year budget off that, you will inevitably break the bank and scuttle your red line.
Q: So you're saying Duluth fans shouldn't expect .500 ball for a while?
A: I'm not saying that at all. As I said, the goal is to win ball games. To win the Rodriguez Cup. Our team will do it's best to field the best team we can--with the best chances for success--as long as it's sustainable. That means no more Don Mercers for a while.
Q: Ricky, there's a lot of concern in the fanbase that Duluth won't be able to re-sign Vincente Medina. Do you think he'll wear the Warrior Green next season?
A: As I've said, we've turned things around significantly since July, and that's largely due to Vincente's elite closing this year. He's done everything we've asked, and he's a positive presence in the clubhouse. I can tell you we'll be working hard to make Vincente part of the team's future--but he has been very open about testing free agency.
Q: Who do you see as a closer if Medina is signed by a more competitive franchise?
A: We're exploring some in-house solutions. Our bullpen's struggled this year, and ensuring a reliable closer is something we're willing to invest heavily in. Can't have a ship without an anchor.
Q: Ricky, Joe Kenny is extremely popular in Duluth. For the first time this year, he's sat on the all last week. With a team option next year, are there any discussions in the front office on his future?
A: Bandit's a fine young man with a legacy he can be proud of. There are discussions, yes, but we've been very open about our direction as a team, and we don't pay players $15 Million to bat .192. Let's see how the rest of the season goes.
Q: What about Brian Beddell? He's publicly expressed his desire to stay in Duluth.
A: Brian's had an outstanding couple of months and impressed everyone in the office with his comeback. We'll know more about signings when the offseason officially begins.
Q: Are the "Young Guns" officially on the 2029 starting lineup?
A: You mean Carter, Mendoza, Trujillo? Nothing's official until opening day, but this team is invested in building around our young talent.
Q: There was a good deal of drama over the firing of Cong Ang in the middle of a successful AAA season--a $20,000 loss to the club. Any explanation for cutting him early?
A: There's no place in this ballclub for unprofessional and outburst-prone managers. I've made this message clear to my staff: I don't care how many games you win--if you cannot lead professionally, you will not work for this team. Cong showed his colors on his way out--and I doubt he'll ever manage a professional club again.
Q: Predictions for the rest of the season?
A: For the team? I'd like to keep north of .500 in September and give these call-ups as much field time as possible. For PEBA, I predict a Scottish-Aurora series with the Borealis winning in game 5.
Q: Interesting prediction...No Shin Seiki?
A: (laughs) We beat them 5 out of 6 last series, so I'm going off personal observation.
GM Ricky McCoy puts on the "emerald apron" for his second monthly press meeting/breakfast in left field at Doyle Bluth Stadium.
Following the second .500-ball month for the club, GM Ricky McCoy fired up the large, spraypainted charcoal grill known locally as the "War Wagon" to serve biscuits and gravy to the invited media, for McCoy's second "Warrior Breakfast" seminar.
Q: Ricky, you're nearing the end of your first (partial) season with the Warriors. Are you satisfied with your results so far?
A: Well, Bill, the point of managing ballgames is to win, so no. I take every loss personally, and I won't be satisfied until we've carved out a respectable place in the Sovereign League. But I'm satisfied with the transactions we've made and the direction we're moving.
Q: The Warriors Organization is projected to have it's worst deficit in franchise history this offseason. How did this happen, and how will it affect your rebuild strategy?
A: A fair question. As to the "how," the franchise worked itself into unfavorable player contracts between 2025-2027 that held up until the team under-performed--and when the well dried up, it collapsed. We've cut over eighty million dollars from player expenses this year, and next year you'll see a $100 Million drop in spending. Just think about that. The Warriors have lost $80 Million in talent and are still putting up wins. We've played above .500 for two months straight. Our projections stay the same as last session--this club will be out of debt in 2032.
Q: But how does that change your lineup strategy?
A: You know, this ballclub is a great example that big money doesn't necessarily mean success. I've said it before--the strategy of this franchise going forward is to build sustainable success. So in terms of budget constraints, we won't be in a position to "win now" for three, maybe four years anyway. That's just the facts. When you ride the financial success of one season and base your ten-year budget off that, you will inevitably break the bank and scuttle your red line.
Q: So you're saying Duluth fans shouldn't expect .500 ball for a while?
A: I'm not saying that at all. As I said, the goal is to win ball games. To win the Rodriguez Cup. Our team will do it's best to field the best team we can--with the best chances for success--as long as it's sustainable. That means no more Don Mercers for a while.
Q: Ricky, there's a lot of concern in the fanbase that Duluth won't be able to re-sign Vincente Medina. Do you think he'll wear the Warrior Green next season?
A: As I've said, we've turned things around significantly since July, and that's largely due to Vincente's elite closing this year. He's done everything we've asked, and he's a positive presence in the clubhouse. I can tell you we'll be working hard to make Vincente part of the team's future--but he has been very open about testing free agency.
Q: Who do you see as a closer if Medina is signed by a more competitive franchise?
A: We're exploring some in-house solutions. Our bullpen's struggled this year, and ensuring a reliable closer is something we're willing to invest heavily in. Can't have a ship without an anchor.
Q: Ricky, Joe Kenny is extremely popular in Duluth. For the first time this year, he's sat on the all last week. With a team option next year, are there any discussions in the front office on his future?
A: Bandit's a fine young man with a legacy he can be proud of. There are discussions, yes, but we've been very open about our direction as a team, and we don't pay players $15 Million to bat .192. Let's see how the rest of the season goes.
Q: What about Brian Beddell? He's publicly expressed his desire to stay in Duluth.
A: Brian's had an outstanding couple of months and impressed everyone in the office with his comeback. We'll know more about signings when the offseason officially begins.
Q: Are the "Young Guns" officially on the 2029 starting lineup?
A: You mean Carter, Mendoza, Trujillo? Nothing's official until opening day, but this team is invested in building around our young talent.
Q: There was a good deal of drama over the firing of Cong Ang in the middle of a successful AAA season--a $20,000 loss to the club. Any explanation for cutting him early?
A: There's no place in this ballclub for unprofessional and outburst-prone managers. I've made this message clear to my staff: I don't care how many games you win--if you cannot lead professionally, you will not work for this team. Cong showed his colors on his way out--and I doubt he'll ever manage a professional club again.
Q: Predictions for the rest of the season?
A: For the team? I'd like to keep north of .500 in September and give these call-ups as much field time as possible. For PEBA, I predict a Scottish-Aurora series with the Borealis winning in game 5.
Q: Interesting prediction...No Shin Seiki?
A: (laughs) We beat them 5 out of 6 last series, so I'm going off personal observation.
Re: Warrior Beat: Duluth Times Blog
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2019 10:46 pm
Sounds good to me!!!Warriors wrote:Q: Predictions for the rest of the season?
A: For the team? I'd like to keep north of .500 in September and give these call-ups as much field time as possible. For PEBA, I predict a Scottish-Aurora series with the Borealis winning in game 5.
Re: Warrior Beat: Duluth Times Blog
Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2019 1:59 am
Mike if this comes true, Duluth will be accepting cash donations.
Re: Warrior Beat: Duluth Times Blog
Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2019 7:59 am
Mandy Scott, Staff Writer
WEEKS IN REVIEW: 5-18 September, 2028
Bury the Hatchet
Forget everything you know about "burying the hatchet."
This phrase, first recorded in a Sixteenth-Century Jesuit's journal, is famously under-interpreted as "making peace with another," largely fabricated by Hollywood in the same fashion as "white man speak with forked tongue," and "the Duluth Warriors are a dynasty." In reality, it's a loose quote that rings to the tune of "let's reach an accord where there is no longer a need for war." In other words, learning to cope.
For most Warriors fans (this reporter included), the fall from grace of the emerald pinstripes has been a bitter poison. Would you believe this team bested both Shin Seiki and Kentucky just 23 short months ago? After so much waiting--through the early years, watching the team rise ever-closer, we achieved our long-awaited victory, and promptly began our nefarious decline.
A big question in the Warriorsphere these days is Who's to blame? Why wasn't a winning team sustainable? Why do we suck again?
The answer: It doesn't matter.
Not all the tweets and hashtags in the universe will make it 2026 again.
As we watch the long-dreaded "e" fall across our team name on the PEBA standings reports, we as a fanbase must reflect and prepare for the future of Warrior baseball. We must bury the hatchet we used to claim Warrior victory in 2026. In that spirit, let's review the facts:
1) Duluth's reported budget next season is reportedly in the ballpark of $155 Million, down about $70 Million from last year.
2) Duluth is expected to enter the 2029 season in a record-breaking $54 Million worth of debt (This after a $56 Million purge of assets in 2028).
3) Duluth's farm program below AAA is all but exhausted, after heavy call-ups this year.
4) In a lackluster Free Agent year, Duluth will be under-competitive on the market with a limited budget.
These are the facts, folks. The clubhouse's strategy to "rip off the band-aid", financially speaking, is in full effect. What's done is done--most of the familiar names on the roster are gone. Bury the hatchet--they're not coming back.
GM Ricky McCoy assures the Duluth Times that he has a plan to balance the books for his boss, owner Jason Bong. So be it. Maybe, once the team's out of the red, they can gain enough gradual revenue to piece together a competitive team--without the wild and unfathomable player-friendly contracts that make up the most overpaid pitching blanks in PEBA history. Maybe the franchise can learn from the consequences that come from loose spending after the sweet taste of victory.
To end on a positive note, Duluth has a lot to look forward to in their three young starting pitchers--Mendoza, Carter and Trujillo. Their call-ups have proved satisfactory this season, and we hope to see more development in the coming years. Gary Charron, 25, has a stand-up year under his belt and assures reporters he hopes for a long career in Duluth. There's a notable change in atmosphere within the clubhouse as well--quite in contrast to the near-rebellion of last June--and many new players with solid leadership ability have risen to establish order down the roster. The team is younger, more economic, and versatile--and if the front office can keep the budget aligned, there may be room for improvement in the coming years.
As for now, bury the Warrior hatchet deep. We'll consider digging it up once again, when the time is right.
Mandy Scott is a staff writer and weekly contributor to Warrior Beat.
Re: Warrior Beat: Duluth Times Blog
Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2019 3:03 am
Mandy Scott, Staff Writer
Offseason Coverage:
Busy Week in the Front Office
While the contentious 2028 Wildcard rages on in PEBA, franchises less fortunate like Duluth try to capitalize on a head-start to off-season management.
If you've followed Duluth social media over the last few days, you know the buzz surrounding the speculative releases in the works. Out of "respect for the families of our players," GM Ricky McCoy has not publicly commented on the pink slips heading out of Warrior Hall--until this morning. In a short press release, the Front Office announced that the following players would not be receiving extensions into the 2029 season:
Brian Beddel
While Beddel came back from a terrible start this season and battled his way down to a 3.80 ERA and 3.88 FIP, GM Ricky McCoy explained in a short memorandum that the club and Beddel were "unable to come to terms" in negotiations regarding his future with Duluth. Beddel was public about his desire to keep his family in Duluth, and the 36-year-old veteran will now contend in the Free Agency. Many expect a retirement announcement, given the unsuccessful forays at the negotiation table. Beddel is a 2-time All-Star who led the league in strikeouts back in 2022. He declined to comment with the Times regarding his future. Given how short negotiations were, it's safe to assume that Duluth wasn't willing to pay anywhere near what Beddel was asking.
Félix Peña
Part of the Esquivel trade that brought prospect Kelsey Buck to Duluth's farm system, Pena's dismal 2028 season was enough for Duluth to defer renewal conversations.
Herb Martin (Team Option)
With little surprise from the fanbase, "Buttah" was bought out by the franchise to the tune of $3 Million--which seemed the lesser poison to the franchise, given Martin's $10.5 Million salary. He pitched a FIP of 6.44 over 21 innings this year.
Joe Kenny (Team Option)
A surprise to many, Duluth opted to avoid Kenny's upcoming $15.5 Million salary (a $5.5 Million increase) with a $4.2 Million Team Option. The "Bandit" is a fan favorite in Duluth, and speculation of his buyout has been forthcoming. A phenomenal Right Fielder and respected leader in the clubhouse, Bandit hit below the Mendoza line in 272 plate appearances this year. To many, Kenny represents the last of the "old guard" to see their pink slip from the new Duluth management--following the trail of Jeff Prat, Jesus Lopez, and Bartolo Esquivel.
Victor Latham
Suffering a torn ECL, Victor Latham ate up $17 Million on the bench this year. He'll leave Duluth without throwing a single pitch for the organization after his 1-year contract. In 2026, Latham produced a 2.51 FIP over 127 innings for Shin Seiki, and was a key ballast that gave the salary variance required to accomplish the famous Hernandez-Hernandez-Schneider-Wallace trade in 2027. The same trade brought Brian Beddel over--along with rookie Orlando Trujillo. Latham announced months ago to pursue free agency when he heals, making him effectively the most useless $17 Million in franchise history.
Who's left to lose?
Julian "Rainmaker" Thomas did not meet his Vesting requirement this season, and his $25 Million contract will not be renewed when the deadline arrives. The Rainmaker didn't start a single game.
Yeong-Hun Kim, part of the Mercer trade with the Scottish this year, has a $3.2 Million Team Option this year. While his time at bat for Duluth this season lacked pizzazz, Kim is popular and a phenomenal glove at second base. His absence from the list of names published in Warrior Hall's memorandum signals a potential declination of the option--though $10.5 Million seems steep for an OPS+ of 96. It's likely that Duluth is gauging the extensions in the coming weeks--but the clubhouse prankster is safe for now.
Closer Vincente Medina announced his plans for Free Agency months ago--and his lack of release signals that Duluth still sees him as part of the club's future. The same goes for reliever Eitoku Tamura.
What does it tell us?
Honestly, not much--other than Duluth is once again willing to lay down fan favorites at the the Golden Altar of the Rebuild. These moves--while picking up some bills in the form of Team Option buyouts--opens up around $38 Million this off-season. However, losing popular players like Thomas, Kenny, and Martin will have it's own cost in the form of gate revenue--already at a 12-year low. With player expenses dropping nearly $130 Million this year, how Duluth chooses to spend the newly-found budget space will be critical to the next several years of the club--as they will not see this much cash available at once for some time. As they say over in Wisconsin, "The cheese has been squeezed."
In terms of arbitration, GM Ricky McCoy was willing to comment briefly with the Times, assuring us he "doesn't expect difficulty" with the arbitration estimates presented to the management by Front Office experts.
Keep up-to-date with the Times for 2029 predictions as we eagerly await the playoff results this year.
Amanda Scott is a Staff Writer and Senior PEBA Analyst for the Duluth Times.
Re: Warrior Beat: Duluth Times Blog
Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2019 9:37 am
You’re making the right moves, Drew. Glad Mandy sees it that way! 
Re: Warrior Beat: Duluth Times Blog
Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2019 7:02 pm
Mandy Scott, Staff Writer
Minor League Players of the Year
Warrior Hall announces top honors at AAA
This week, Warrior Hall announced the annual Franchise Minor League Player of the Year trophies in a ceremony on the field. While playoff teams prepare for the Divisional round, GM Ricky McCoy and owner Jason Bong presented two minor leaguers with the traditional “Rising Warrior Award” to their top batter and pitcher, as determined by the coaches and management.
In his debut season at AAA, lefty Sean Kirkland lit up the league with 29 Home Runs and an OPS of .857 over 514 plate appearances. He was 5th in Slugging overall, and tied for 4th in home runs, batting in 69 runs. Kirkland, a second-round 2024 draft pick, had a phenomenal debut season in 2024 with Rapid City, and cooled off for a couple years of AA play before rising to AAA for his stand-out season.
His batting efforts were enough to earn a September call-up in Duluth, where the young lefty did not disappoint. He hit 6 home runs in 10 games, driving in 11 with only 3 strikeouts. With a 10-game slash-line of .324/.395/.912, GM Rick McCoy told the Duluth Times he was “thrilled” with Kirkland’s PEBA debut and “looked forward to seeing him in Spring Training.”
“It’s a powerful feeling,” Kirkland told reporters after the ceremony, cradling the chrome trophy under his arm. “You dream about the big leagues your whole life—and the opportunity to come up in September and perform—it’s overwhelming.”
With long-time Right Fielder Joe Kenny optioned to Free Agency this week, Duluth will be looking for new talent next season. If Kirkland can maintain his confidence and plate ability through Spring Training, he may find himself a spot on the Duluth lineup.
When Duluth called up two of the top AAA Pitchers (Jeffrey Mendoza and Henry Carter) this season, new starters were promoted to fill the gap in talent in Racine. Brought into the Franchise in 2026 in a trade with Neo-Tokyo, Holguin played one game with Short-Season Kailua before skipping A and AA entirely for a starting spot in Racine.
In 52 innings, Andres kept his WHIP at 1.00 and his FIP at 3.10, with an ERA of 1.56. At 23, the Spanish prospect told the Duluth Times he had “proved his place” and expected a “shot at the Majors” next season.
“It was impressive to see how quickly Andres adjusted to the talent leap between Short-Season and AAA,” GM Ricky McCoy told the crowd gathered on Doyle Bluth Field for the ceremony. “The ability to adjust and maintain resiliency—to perform incredibly in a new and high-pressure environment, speaks to Andres’ discipline and work ethic.”
Amanda Scott is a Staff Writer and Senior PEBA Analyst for the Duluth Times.
Re: Warrior Beat: Duluth Times Blog
Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2019 8:05 pm
Kirkland sounds like he could be your next Mercer! Will be interesting to watch him develop!
Re: Warrior Beat: Duluth Times Blog
Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2019 6:45 pm
There is only one Jasper!Claymores wrote:Kirkland sounds like he could be your next Mercer! Will be interesting to watch him develop!
But definitely excited for Spring Training.
Re: Warrior Beat: Duluth Times Blog
Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 8:27 am
Mandy Scott, Staff Writer
Offseason Coverage:
Rumors, Speculation, shaking fist at moon, etc
October 29th, 2028
While the Warrior season is over, the real work begins in Warrior Hall. While most of the staff jumped at upper management's offer of a much-needed vacation extended above PTO, Ricky McCoy is enroute (along with yours truly) to Asheville to attend the State of the League press conference, where insiders claim big news is coming. In passing, on his way past Business Class, McCoy told us "It's a press conference, Mandy. I presume there will be news."
Look for a detailed analysis of the State of the League soon.
Meanwhile, there's plenty of speculation in the Warrior Nation regarding offseason moves, as hopes for an improved 2029 team begin to clout the social networking spheres.
Trade Rumors
While no official data has been offered, insider sources confirmed 2B John Dickson is on the block. Dickson generated 1.4 WAR in 129 games with the Warriors, with a solid .284 BA and 92 OPS+. A commendable utility man with impressive infield skills, Dickson was removed from everyday starts with the deadline acquisitions of Dmitri Hill and Yeong-Hun Kim.
Minor Leagues
Sean Kirkland, awarded the Duluth Minor League Batter of the Year, tore through his September call-up and has high expectations this coming Spring. While he lacks the fielding speed of fellow newcomer John Howe, Kirkland has the potential to produce some solid dingers for the Warriors and fans are eager for any news of a good young slugger.
The acquisition of RP Christian Contreras, claimed off waivers from Reno this September, was welcome news to the bullpen. Contreras pitched posted a 2.24 FIP at AAA last season, and helped provide some levity to a gap in AAA starter talent.
Ichiro Takanawa, son of former Duluth GM Mark Kierstead, was promoted to AAA recently in an early sweep of the Duluth farm system. The Japanese-American First Baseman hit .228/.258/.446 in AA Missuaga last season, earning one PCAL Player of the Week honor.
Kelsey Buck, acquired from Aurora in the Esquivel trade, pitched at 2.34 in AA before moving to AAA mid-season, where his ERA was 3.44 over 52 innings.
Next Year
Warrior Hall has been tight-lipped on the offseason strategy this year. With two of the team's best relievers, Vincente Medina and Eitoku Tamura, headed for the market, the Warriors will likely look to either re-sign or find alternatives to bastion an already struggling bullpen.
All three rookie pitchers for Duluth lived up well to the pressure this season, led by Henry Carter with a 3.17 FIP. His cutter and fastball improved all season, as the young gun from Eastern Carolina University built up his command all-season and earned him All-Star honors last summer. Likewise, lefty rookie Jeffrey Mendoza came in at 3.18 ERA and a 3.82 FIP, with the exact same amount of homers as Carter. His fastball tops out at 100 mph. Finally, Orlando Trujillo rounds out the triumvirate of talented Duluth rookies, whose dismal July offset an otherwise excellent season and sent him to Racine for over a month. Trujillo has masterful command of the strike zone, with an elite curveball and a talented glove. Each of these pitchers--all 24 years old--are the foundation of the rebuild under veteran starters Kata Nakamura and Eric Perkins.
Given the contracts of the current team, the outfield requires some searching in the absence of departed veterans.
Arbitration
While only slugger Gary Charron has been extended by the organization, Warrior Hall told the Times to expect more signings when the season officially ends.
Conclusion
While it's early to speculate, we should get a better field of the intended direction of the franchise with the Free Agency filings. With the player expenses cut over 60%, the moderate amount of available budget will have key needs in the outfield and the bullpen.
Follow us on Twitter for live updates on the upcoming State of the League address in Asheville.
Amanda Scott is a Staff Writer and Senior PEBA Analyst for the Duluth Times.
Re: Warrior Beat: Duluth Times Blog
Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 9:51 am
That Mandy is one prolific reporter! Should be a fascinating off-season in Duluth - at least you’ve got some good young pieces to build around. Kirkland looks like he could be a stud.
Re: Warrior Beat: Duluth Times Blog
Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 11:58 am
Warriors wrote:
I love the twitter feed. Would you be horribly offended if I stole the idea?