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| Since Joe has left this job, I, Gabe (Dodger GM), will be taking over the task. Now for my first interview. He's got Barry Zito, a hatred for the Montreal GM, and a team that can compete in 2003. He's Kbelrlx, the GM of the up and coming Texas Rangers, and this is what he had to say about the upcoming playoffs, the 2003 season, and the teams and GMs around him. Gabe: Alright KB, first question…The season is basically over, the post-season is about to begin, who's going to win the IBC World Series. Kbelrlx: There is so NO DOUBT in my mind that Halos is going to win it in 6 games against Pitt. G: Wow. You seem pretty confident in that answer. Any particular reason why? Kb: Yes, for Halos, if a team is good enough to sweep me twice, they deserve to be in the WS. Pitt for two reasons, he STOLE my leadoff hitter and my ace in Leiter. And Pit has been a good mentor to me lol. G: He stole them? Kb: I wasn't really thinking about trades then.... Anyone could have gotten a good player from my team at that certain period of time. G: I see. If you could pick one winner for all the major yearly awards, who would they be? Kb: CY - Gotta be Pedro.... If I was biased and picked Zito, Bren would personally destroy me! Pedro is leading in about every statistic there is for a pitcher....nuff said. MVP - Schilling…Yes I am choosing a pitcher...There has to be a way the Dbacks are winning so many games with no offense. ROY - I have no clue.... come on now.... none of them are the logical choice like Prior or Hinske or Blalock or Burroughs. No comment. G: Fair enough. Who on your team doesn't get the respect he deserves from the sim, from your fellow GMs, or from both? Kb: I would have to say Raul Ibanez.... Yes I do know this is his break out year, but I do think he will continue this.... He is now a starter who has produced. batting .300 25 hrs, 100 RBIs, plays 3 positions..... something he has never done with the Mariners, G: The carryover rule passed. Do you have any idea who your carryover player is going to be? Kb: I had a choice to make.... Chuck Friggin Knobluach or Gary Glover...I picked Glover... Pitching is everything in this league.... So once you get a decent one, you hold onto them... G: Understandable. Speaking of pitching, what has the addition of Barry Zito done for your team? He is talked about a lot on the message board, he seems to be an IBC favorite. Kb: Zito is an IBC favorite? I don't know about that.... Members seem like they don't want to face him.... ;)…His addition has been HUGE!!! Even though I gave up Perez and Sexson for him, I think it was worth it.... for a team to be a contender you need an ACE, Zito is just that... G: All right. Enough about this season, let's talk about next year. A lot of teams moving, some new GMs moving into the league, what do you think will be next year's toughest division? Kb: Probably still the NL Central. With two 90 win teams in Pitt and Cincy, plus the Cards. G: So let's talk about your team. There's some talk about the Rangers next season. Now that Oakland is leaving the division, what do you think of your chances? Kb: Well I think I will come in 2nd next year. I do need to make A LOT of trades, I got many holes to fill. I don't know what team Oakland will be next year.... depends on the new GM draft. My chances of winning the Division? I say... 35 - 40 percent with my current team! As of right now, Anaheim has the division. G: What big addition do you need to make the Rangers real contenders next season? Kb: That's easy...A #3 or #4 hitter...Any, in any position.... My offense, IMO, is not good. Just look at the Halos or Reds lineup... any of their hitters from 3-7 would be my #3 hitter... I need to make a trade for one before the end of the season.... that simple... well sorta... Pitching wins.... but I believe you need a balance of both... G: So then, what team, as of right now, has the best chance for next year's title? Kb: Next years title...well that's easy..... it has to be me! ME ME ME, ALL ME!!!! I have a great team.... lol there's even a ME in TEAM..... heh.... anyway, I'm sure ill make some very key trades till than, to vastly improve my team. Watch out now!...Bren please tell the IBC players not to get intimidated when they play my team next year.... ok? Just to be fair.... G: All right then, what team is set up to be next years worst? Kb: Ok before I answer this question....GMs, don't take this personally, except you Montreal, whose team will be down the gutter next year! 1st team…Twins...not much he's got there...and said he's playing for years to come. 2nd team... SF.... frankly I don't even know who is on his team... never made a site.... probably won't do much next year either. 3rd team…Brewers...... love the gm.... not its players. 4th team, LA and Cleveland....well...not sure about these two....They have pitching just no offense..... (That's how you do it, Montreal!) 5th...Florida and yes... even the rangers..... If I cant make a trade.... G: If you could contract one team, whether it is because of the gm, or the team, who would it be? Kb: That's and easy question..... It's gotta be the Montreal Expos team and their GM.... I think we need to contract the Expos in MLB AND IBC!!... Come on now... just look at his team! Sure he has a decent lineup, (filled with cardinals) but look at his rotation.... UGH!…I can find waiver wire players better than them! Bad bad bullpen. For so many trades he made he can at least try to improve his team! This guy over-paid for Vlad, and when he traded him away didn't get enough in return. G: So let's close this out. Any ideas for improvement on the league? Kb: Well...I would like their to be a Salary Cap...make the league more interesting.... I don't see why they can't do this... I wouldn't mind being in charge of it.... And GM's don't seem to bench injured players which they should do, so maybe Bren should just make it so that no player could ever get injured in this league.... My closing thoughts… Kb's a good guy and a good GM. No matter what players end up on the new Oakland, the team won't be as talented as the current Oakland team, which increases his chances for success. Some of his opinions I agree with, some I don't. I'm not too fond of the salary cap idea, all though the DL issue does need to be addressed (again). He's a good, easy interview, and if one or two key deals go through, he's a real contender next season. Any questions or requests, or if you would like to be interviewed, IM me or email me [email protected]. |
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