Squirrels Celebrate Their First eMLB Title!

The Springfield Flying Squirrels of Republic are the eMLB Champions for 2013! In a season that saw a new franchise record for wins, the club's second consecutive Western Division title, and an absolute revolving door of players come and go, the Squirrels hoisted their first eMLB Championship trophy, defeating the perennial powerhouse Dallas Redbirds in the final, 9-3.

The Squirrels dominated the categories throughout the playoffs, ousting three very strong teams in convincing fashion. The overall balance built throughout the year by GM Adam Anson came to fruition and proved its strength. The team was able to take different categories against differently constructed teams, while leaning on its foundation of power hitting and balanced pitching.

The first round found the Squirrels against a strong darkhorse in the Gaylord Dingers. The Squirrels got off to an early lead and never looked back, dominating the Dingers in the pitching categories and scraping out four offensive categories to take the matchup 9-2. Offensively Josh Donaldson and Freddie Freeman led the way, while it was the Squirrels' bullpen that really excelled in the pitching categories.

The second round pitted the Squirrels against the eMLB's winningest all-time franchise in the South Texas Heat. While the matchup was close for most of the week, the Squirrels pulled away during the weekend and ended up winning a matchup that saw the Heat perform well below their season averages, 9-3. Freddie Freeman once again lead the way offensively, and it was once again the bullpen that made the difference in the pitching categories, while most of the Squirrels SPers had strong outings.

In the eMLB Championship, the Squirrels faced off against an injury depleted Dallas Redbirds team that was without Jacoby Ellsbury, Wilin Rosario, and also dealt with a massive deficiency in SP starts. The Squirrels took advantage of their opportunity, and while the team underperformed in the power categories, the pitching was excellent and the offense was solid and efficient batting .332 during the series and posting solid numbers. Adam Wainwright was an absolute horse. In what may have been his final start for the Squirrels, he posted 2W, 10K, a 2.19ERA, and a 0.81WHIP, contributing heavily in several categories that decided a 9-3 decision that was much closer than the final score indicated.

The 2013 season ends in a championship that will be difficult to defend. To build this team, Anson had to deal away a lot, and the cupboard, while not bare, will be much emptier in the 2014 season than in the loaded up 2013. There is, however, a strong core of players coming back for 2014, and the Squirrels will likely be in the playoff hunt again. With a championship under his belt, it seems GM Adam Anson has now proven himself to be a force in the eMLB universe. Four seasons, two division titles and a championship speak for themselves. Here's to the 2013 Springfield Flying Squirrels of Republic! Here's to the eMLB!

2013 Squirrels Post Draft Anaysis

No matter what happens at the Winter Meetings, the draft is where teams are built. While the Springfield Flying Squirrels of Republic had a great Winter Meetings, the draft didn't go nearly as smoothly and while the team should still be a strong contender, the poor performance at the draft has left the Squirrels as just that...contenders. With better drafts in North Texas and Julian, the Squirrels project as a Wild Card team at this point, and that is IF the division doesn't beat each other up too badly.

It was a story of waiting just a touch too long...and it happened again and again and again. An unexpected run on closers left the Squirrels with one legitimate closing option. Waiting around cost the Squirrels a decent catcher and waiting around cost the Squirrels any real depth in the infield. The strengths appear to be in the OF and SP where the Squirrels host a good but not great amount of talent.

Best Case: Jeter comes back in his 2012 form, Valverde and Bell end up closing, the SPing is as stellar as their names suggest, Freeman and Moustakas take another step forward, Trout, Jones, Willingham, and Konerko perform similarly to 2012, and the Squirrels stomp everyone in sight and take the championship.

Worst Case: Jeter hobbles around ending in his retirement, Valverde and Bell inflate team ERA and WHIP, the SPing proves to be nothing but a collection of big names, Freeman, Moustakas, and Trout take a step back, Jones, Willingham, and Konerko regress or stay the same, and the Squirrels miss the playoffs.

Prediction: Jeter is decent, but not great. Valverde closes somewhere, Bell sets up...ERA and WHIP are still inflated. The SPing is good. Freeman and Moustakas improve. Trout regresses, but only slightly. Jones and Konerko hold their numbers. Willingham returns to injury form. Squirrels earn the 4th seed in the playoffs and take 3rd...AGAIN.


Current Depth Chart

C: Jarrod Saltalamacchia
1B: Freddie Freeman
2B: Robinson Cano
3B: Mike Moustakas
SS: Derek Jeter
OF: Mike Trout
OF: Adam Jones
OF: Hunter Pence
OF: Josh Willingham
UTIL: Paul Konerko

SP: Felix Hernandez
SP: Adam Wainwright
SP: Roy Halladay
SP: Dan Haren
SP: Mike Minor

RP: Jason Grilli
RP: Joakim Soria
RP: Eric O'Flaherty
RP: Santiago Casilla
RP: Heath Bell

Bench: OF- Drew Stubbs
Bench: OF- Domonic Brown
Bench: 3B- Lonnie Chisenhall
Bench: 2B- Donovan Solano
Bench: SP- Trevor Cahill
Bench: SP- Wade Davis
Bench: RP- Jose Valverde

2013 Squirrels Draft Review Rds. 1-8

We're going to take just a brief look into the Squirrels 2013 eMLB draft selections in the first eight rounds. With speculation on how the team is shaping up and perhaps some insight into what GM Adam Anson was thinking with each pick.

Selection 1.12: Felix Hernandez- Felix was clearly the best available player at this spot and solidifies a Hernandez/Wainwright/Halladay triumvirate that should keep the Squirrels in contention week to week in pitching categories. No consideration was given to any other player.

Selection 3.1: Paul Konerko- Konerko continues to put um very solid numbers at 1B and will slide into the UTIL spot for the Squirrels giving them yet another power bat. The Squirrels should be extremely difficult to beat in all the power categories. Consideration was given to Jordan Zimmerman at this spot as well as Wilin Rosario.

Selection 4.12: Derek Jeter- This was a selection that HAD to be made. The Squirrels came into the draft deficient at SS and before trading pick 2.12, were considering taking a SS there. The acquisition of Adam Jones was too much to pass up and the Squirrels watched as Asdrubal Cabrera and Jimmy Rollins slipped off the board. Jeter at 4.12 was the Squirrels' last opportunity to take a known commodity at SS to compliment the rest of the offense. No other players were considered.

Selection 6.13: Mike Minor- This was a bit of a homer Braves fan pick, but Minor would have gone shortly anyway. Minor is coming off a very impressive second half and GM Adam Anson believes that was a sign of things to come. As the Squirrels fifth starter behind Wainwright/Halladay/Hernandez/Haren, Minor should do just fine, and if he builds off his strong second half in 2012, the Squirrels could have one of the best rotations in eMLB to go along with an incredibly stout offense. Consideration was given to Alex Avila and AJ Burnett.

Selection 7.12: Jason Grilli- This was a run based selection. Unfortunately the Squirrels came into the closer run a bit too late and had to settle for Jason Grilli. Grilli posted outstanding K:9 ratios last year and has already been declared the Pirates' closer. Grilli should perform well, this was just not a selection the Squirrels' GM was pleased to be forced into. Consideration was given to Brandon League, Grant Balfour, and Reed Addison.

Selection 8.12: Drew Stubbs- The Squirrels added a proven SB commodity that also hits a few HR in Drew Stubbs as their fifth OFer. Stubbs may see a boost in HR output in his new Cleveland home and while his average will still likely be an issue, he is an excellent fifth OFer and presented value with a pick that GM Anson would like to have used on a closer...but the run killed those options before the pick came due.

Current Depth Chart

C:
1B: Freddie Freeman
2B: Robinson Cano
3B: Mike Moustakas
SS: Derek Jeter
OF: Mike Trout
OF: Adam Jones
OF: Hunter Pence
OF: Josh Willingham
UTIL: Paul Konerko

SP: Felix Hernandez
SP: Adam Wainwright
SP: Roy Halladay
SP: Dan Haren
SP: Mike Minor

RP: Jason Grilli
RP:
RP:
RP:
RP:

Bench: Drew Stubbs

Squirrels Still Looking to Move up In Round One

Before fans could even get excited about the return of Brett Lawrie, GM Adam Anson sent him packing for an upgraded pick package. Anson tried to relate his moves to the fanbase as one move rather than a series of moves saying, "We essentially moved two spots back in round 2 and moved up eleven spots in round 3, and we acquired Hunter Pence at the same time. When you look at it, Hunter Pence actually came to us for free...or we almost were paid to take him if you really look at the big picture."

So all this to acquire Hunter Pence? Granted, he is a solid contributor in 4-5 categories if his avg returns, but a whirlwind of deals gets people excited, and now the return can be looked at as minimal...maybe. Or, does Anson have another move up his sleeve? Sources close to the team say that their GM is still looking to move up in Rd 1 and having 1.12, 2.14, and 3.1 in his pocket, one would have to believe he has the firepower to do so. If the Squirrels can find the right trade partner, it appears they would like to do just that.

Squirrels Kick Off Winter Meetings with a Bang

Sources have confirmed that the Springfield Flying Squirrels of Republic have traded for two impact bats at the winter meetings.

GM Adam Anson has sent picks 2.12, 3.12, 5.12, 13.12, and Anibal Sanchez and has acquired Brett Lawrie(3/14), Hunter Pence(3/14), and picks 3.1 and 6.13. These of course were in separate deals, but in the end, the Squirrels look like they have made out well, and now have a dynamic offense for the 2013 season.

Lawrie is still somewhat of a question mark, but Anson spent a 3rd round pick on him last year and was quick to snatch him back up. Pence will provide good power numbers across the board, and his average is likely to rise from last year given that he will finally spend a full season with one team this year. "We planned to aggressively seek offense at this year's winter meetings, and that is precisely what we have done. You have to pay for offense in this league, and while we sent some early picks for these guys, we feel we got good return in a year that the draft looks really weak," said Anson.

Rumors are flying that Lawrie could be flipped, and re-opening a 3yr deal makes sense, but Anson may be all-in for 2013. "We're still looking to improve our team in as many ways as possible. No one is untouchable, but our players know that the first day they put on the uniform. We've added quantifiable value in our deals so far, and we would be happy to go into the season with our roster the way it is pre-draft." The beauty of these deals is that if the Squirrels do stand pat, they have extended their window of contention with Cano/Lawrie/Freeman/Pence and a likely extended Trout.

It's an interesting time in Squirrel land and it looks to get more interesting in the week ahead.

2013 Squirrels as of Day One at the Winter Meetings


05yr -- Robinson Cano -- 2016

03yr -- SP -- Roy Halladay-- 2013
03yr -- 1B -- Freddie Freeman -- 2014
03yr -- SP -- Dan Haren -- NT
03yr -- OF --Hunter Pence -- 2014
03yr -- 3B -- Brett Lawrie -- 2014

02yr -- OF -- Josh Willingham -- NT
02yr -- OF -- Mike Trout -- 2013
02yr -- 3B -- Mike Moustakas -- 2013
02yr -- SP -- Adam Wainwright -- 2013
02yr -- OPEN
02yr -- OPEN
02yr -- OPEN
02yr -- OPEN
02yr -- OPEN
02yr -- OPEN
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Flying Squirrels Depth Chart

C --
1B -- Freddie Freeman
2B -- Robinson Cano
3B -- Mike Moustakas
SS --
OF -- Mike Trout
OF -- Josh Willingham
OF -- Hunter Pence
OF --
UT --Brett Lawrie

SP -- Roy Halladay
SP -- Adam Wainwright
SP -- Dan Haren
SP -- Anibal Sanchez
SP --
RP --
RP --
RP --
RP --
RP --

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Winter Meetings Update

As it appears the Winter Meetings have been kicked off a little early this year, it seems appropriate to update what the Squirrels will be looking to acquire once the meetings officially start...or before..or now that they've begun...or whatever. :)

Rumor has it that the Squirrels have acquired two solid impact bats for draft picks in the upcoming 2013 draft. This gives the Squirrels an absolute mess of offense to go with Halladay, Wainwright and Haren, leaving the Squirrels in an envious position when the draft rolls around. Sources close to the team say that GM Adam Anson is making a push to move up in round one. This could mean that the two acquired bats are not necessarily staying put, and that a player/pick combo could be had if an owner in the top 10 wanted to move back in the first round.

When asked, all Anson would divulge was that "We're in a great spot. We've got some really nice trade chips and we'd like to move up in the first round...that said, if we sit still at twelve, there will still be a lot of options for us. We could easily snag another top flight SPer or just go all out offense. We like the position we have put ourselves in."

Squirrel Rumors

Unconfirmed sources close to the Flying Squirrels say that GM Adam Anson may already have two under the table deals for two impact bats. When asked, Anson simply said, "I'm looking to build this team into a perennial powerhouse. A strong foundation was built through the draft last year and if we can augment that, we're going to do so aggressively...to answer your questions though, I can't confirm any particular deal at this time."

With a solid young core of offense and good depth at SP, one would wonder what the Squirrels are targeting. Anson has hinted at an all out push toward acquiring contracted offense with draft picks, which makes sense given the team's strong championship aspirations. It seems if the Squirrels were going to trade talent it would come from the depth of starting pitching. Anibal Sanchez and Roy Halladay seem like the most likely targets to be traded. Sanchez would likely be had at a fairly cheap price, but Halladay has to be treated like the ace he has proven himself to be over time and not the injured hack he seemed to be last year.

More to come...and yeah, I stole Doyel's depth chart and contract setup. :)



05yr -- Robinson Cano -- 2016

03yr -- SP -- Roy Halladay-- 2013
03yr -- 1B -- Freddie Freeman -- 2014
03yr -- SP -- Dan Haren -- NT
03yr -- OPEN
03yr -- OPEN

02yr -- OF -- Josh Willingham -- NT
02yr -- OF -- Mike Trout -- 2013
02yr -- 3B -- Mike Moustakas -- 2013
02yr -- SP -- Adam Wainwright -- 2013
02yr -- SP -- Anibal Sanchez -- 2013
02yr -- OPEN
02yr -- OPEN
02yr -- OPEN
02yr -- OPEN
02yr -- OPEN
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Flying Squirrels Depth Chart

C --
1B -- Freddie Freeman
2B -- Robinson Cano
3B -- Mike Moustakas
SS --
OF -- Mike Trout
OF -- Josh Willingham
OF --
OF --
UT --

SP -- Roy Halladay
SP -- Adam Wainwright
SP -- Dan Haren
SP -- Anibal Sanchez
SP --
RP --
RP --
RP --
RP --
RP --

BN --
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Squirrels Winter Meeting Preview

As the 2013 Winter Meetings and Draft approach, the Springfield Flying Squirrels of Republic are loaded up for a run at their first eMLB Championship. The team returns an outstanding core that led the team to a surprising 3rd place finish in 2012.

The offense features a talented group of young stars in Robinson Cano, Freddie Freeman, Mike Moustakas, Josh Willingham and 2012 eMLB MVP Mike Trout. Unconfirmed reports say that the team may already have an under the table deal for a contracted impact OFer as well.

The SPing, which was the downfall of the 2012 Squirrels team, returns four quality arms headlined by Adam Wainwright and Roy Halladay. GM Adam Anson expects Halladay to return to form in 2013 after battling an injury for most of 2012 and expects Adam Wainwright to be even better than he was in 2012, now a full season removed from Tommy John surgery. Dan Haren and Anibal Sanchez both seemed to find their old form towards the end of the 2012 season, and if they can continue to build upon that success, the Squirrels' rotation could be one of the best in the league. "Our top four guys are all capable of 200K's and they all play for solid teams. It's a stretch, but four fifteen game winners all topping 200K's isn't out of the realm of possibility with these guys," said Anson.

Looking to the Winter Meetings, the Squirrels will look to be aggressive in any opportunity to move up in the first round, and would likely package their first round pick with picks or players, likely a pitcher, to do so. "I'm not saying I want to trade one of my arms, but if the right deal was there, we'd definitely consider it."

Here is a brief rundown of available players in easy to understand categories:

"Blow Me Away"

Mike Trout- 2/13 He's the MVP. He's the man. Think of your best offer...then throw in an extension and your first round pick. :)

Robinson Cano- 5/16 Best player at his rather scarce position and a top 5 player overall. Perfect age to make every year of this contract worthwhile.

"Come Big or Don't Come At All"

Freddie Freeman- 3/13 Had a solid sophomore campaign, and I expect about the same this year with better average and more walks. .280/25hr/95rbi/80r/60bb is pretty solid from you1B.

Mike Moustakas- 2/13 Excellent power numbers and an extension worthy guy at a scarce position.

Adam Wainwright- 2/13 Really came on at the end of 2012, and looked like the Wainwright of old.

Roy Halladay- 3/13 Should be back after battling an injury for most of last year.

"Let's Make a Deal"

Anibal Sanchez- 2/13 Really turned it on late last year after he finally figured out the AL. If he dominates, extend him, if not, let him go...that's the beauty of an expiring contract.