By: Matt McGrath
Coming into the 2008 seasons, the ABL already has 5 new owners, 4 of them running expansion teams. Boston Owner/GM Matt McGrath has been successful. Here, he will interview the next owners of the ABL with the dream of one day winning a championship.
Colorado: Matt Hartley
Matt McGrath: You took Gordon Gahamanajaka with the first pick in the MCP draft, do you see him as a player you can build a franchise around, or more of a piece in your franchise?
Matt Hartley: at this point, he is definitely a player that I will build my franchise around. He has far and away the greatest potential out of anyone I have so far. I would love to have a few more franchise type players near his ability level, but at this point, save the amateur draft, I don't see that happening
Matt McGrath: Obviously you got shafted a bit with your second MCP pick being awful. Is the player you got there, Dustin Baugh, part of your future plans?
Matt Hartley: not at this point. He will be a filler for the time being. There are possibilities for more, if he were to get a sudden talent increase. I am confident that he will be able to reach his talent levels regardless of what they are, because his (owner?) is fairly active, at least for the time being.
Matt McGrath: Tomatsu Ohka was never able to reach his talents in Chicago. Will he be able to do that in Colorado, and become the player his talents project him as?
Matt Hartley: of course there are a lot of variables, but I don't have huge hopes for that to happen. Unfortunately, with the low talent pool available in the draft, he will end up being a very important part of my ML team. From what I have learned so far, that doesn't lead to great improvements on players' overall ratings. I would be happy if he is able to keep up the current overall ratings, which are honestly good enough for me at this point.
Matt McGrath: You are probably in the weakest ABL division, with Minnesota, St. Louis and Seattle as your opponents for the next few years. Where do you see yourself placing in that division this year?
Matt Hartley: from what I have learned so far, St. Louis is a team that should have no problem taking the division this year. Minnesota should be talented this year, but aging considerably the next few years, and falling off in wins each year after a decent showing last year. That leaves Colorado and Seattle. In my opinion, Seattle did a very good job drafting, with Gettle using his longer-term experience here very well. He definitely seemed to me to be drafting on the ML side of things, so I expect him to be decent this year, especially compared to the other expansion teams. So this year I expect to have to fight to be anywhere but the cellar, however I definitely see opportunities to rise up from there in the next couple years.
Matt McGrath: You've got a high pick in the amateur draft, and it is essentially the only thing of major value you have to trade outside of Gahamanajaka. Do you think it is more to your benefit to hold on to the pick, or deal it off for a package of players?
Matt Hartley: I am still very unsure about that. My gut says that it would be best to hold on to my pick, and hopefully get another player near Gahamanajaka's ability levels. However I will definitely entertain all trade offers, and will certainly go for it if something makes me happy, especially if it will give me a top 10 prospect or talent to allow me to compete this year.
Matt McGrath: The age-old debate in the league is pitching versus hitting; deciding as to which one makes a winning team. Towards which of these two philosophies will Colorado be built?
Matt Hartley: pitching and small ball offense. Not only is it more exciting, but its a much more fail-safe plan. You don't have to depend on a big hit or a lucky pitching outing; it�s just always there. Homers are overrated, I would much rather see a 2-1 game with spectacular pitching. In the draft, I definitely drafted on the pitching side, at least at the ML level. With a couple more key pickups with high endurance, I should have a fairly competitive pitching staff. This will be much simpler and more painless than trying to fill all the offensive holes I have to be competitive in those regards
Matt McGrath: Alright, thanks for your time
Phoenix: Kevin Joseph
Matt McGrath: You took Mark Boggs with the third pick in the MCP draft, do you see him as a player you can build a franchise around, or more of a piece in your franchise?
Kevin Joseph: First of all, I didn't think that Boggs would drop to 4, as I thought I would end up with Matt Tuck. I was ecstatic when Donnellan picked Tuck. However, I don't feel that I can build a franchise around a player that plays once every 5 days or so. He does have the potential to be the ace of the Phoenix rotation for a very long time.
Matt McGrath: The expansion draft was comprised of basically discarded players from other teams, yet there are always a few hidden gems, such as Augustine Reyes in 2005. Did you find any players you envision being a big part of Phoenix's future and that could surprise people this year?
Kevin Joseph: Yes, there was a considerable amount of hidden talent in the expansion draft. However, most of these players are very old, and having them on your team does not really help the future of the organization. There are certain prospects, such as Terrence Cano, Francisco Pitre, Marcelo Zuniga, and Klaus Jong to name a few, who, if developed properly, could be a huge part of the Firebird organization for many years to come.
Matt McGrath: You are stuck in a division with perennial contenders Los Angeles and Las Vegas, as well as a team with a well-stocked farm system in San Diego. What kind of situation does this leave you in, in terms of competing now, or building for the future?
Kevin Joseph: As far as competing now, I realize that in order to compete with Las Vegas and Los Angeles, the two powerhouses of the division, it would take some sort of a miracle. For now, I hope to compete with San Diego to at least stay out of the Southwest cellar. Our division is one of the only, which is set through the next expansion, so I have to learn to live with the situation I'm in. Their success, however, does not impede on my plans in building for the future. I hope to build for the future now, while at the same time maintaining a semi - respectable team on the field. Hopefully, my plan will pay off, and I will have enough young players to eventually compete for the division title, although that is a long way off.
Matt McGrath: You've got a high pick in the amateur draft, and it is essentially the only thing of major value you have to trade outside of Boggs. Do you think it is more to your benefit to hold on to the pick, or deal it off for a package of players?
Kevin Joseph: This really does depend on the quality and depth of the draft class. As I said earlier, the plan is to build for the future, but if the right offer comes along, preferably for younger players, I will not be hesitant to pull the trigger. A team can't be built on one star, and if I were to get a package of capable players, it would help the team out a lot.
Matt McGrath: The age-old debate in the league is pitching versus hitting; deciding as to which one makes a winning team. Towards which of these two philosophies will Phoenix be built?
Kevin Joseph: I would rather not rely on or the other. I think that a winning team is built on the right mix of the two. A great example of this are reigning ABL champion Connecticut Thunder. They were built with a great mix of the two, and this led to them winning it all. Even if your pitcher throws a shutout, it's worthless unless you can put a few runs up as well.
Matt McGrath: Alright, thanks for your time
Kevin Joseph: No problem.
Seattle: Dan Gettle
Matt McGrath: You had the lowest pick in the MCP draft, yet some would say that you came out with the most talented player, Marc Rediker. Do you see him as a franchise player, or more of a smaller piece in your team?
Dan Gettle: he's going to be a franchise player, but for now he has guys ahead of him, so he won't be rushed
Matt McGrath: Your second pick, Jerry Velazquez, was pretty late in the draft, but has high talents, given his drafting position. Is he a type of player you envision as a starter for your team down the line, or perhaps more of a bench or AAA player?
Dan Gettle: I really can't say at this point. He certainly has the potential to be a decent starter, but it depends on who else we have a couple of years down the road
Matt McGrath: Usually the expansion draft is filled with mediocre players, discards from other teams. However, there are always a few hidden gems in the draft, like Augustine Reyes in 2005. Did you draft anyone that you think will surprise people with a good year or two?
Dan Gettle: I really want to see what Cosme Fernandez can do if he starts every game. Other than him, I think Franky Carballosa might surprise a few people next year.
Matt McGrath: You've got probably the cushiest ABL division, with St. Louis, Minnesota and Colorado being your competition for a couple years. Where do you see yourself in comparison to these 3 teams?
Dan Gettle: I think we'll be in third place, at least for next year. I feel my team's more set for the present than Colorado, but I'd need some luck to get past Minnesota or St. Louis. I hope with a good year in 2009 or 2010, I might be able to edge my way into 2nd, but that's far from a guarantee
Matt McGrath: You've got a high pick in the amateur draft, and it is essentially the only thing of major value you have to trade outside of Rediker. Do you think it is more to your benefit to hold on to the pick, or deal it off for a package of players?
Dan Gettle: I'm nearly certain I'm going to hold onto it. The biggest downside of my team right now is its age. Outside of my two MCP picks, I have few good young players. Unless I get a deal that really grabs my attention, I'm going to look to start stocking a minor league system through the draft
Matt McGrath: The age-old debate in the league is pitching versus hitting; deciding as to which one makes a winning team. Towards which of these two philosophies will Seattle be built?
Dan Gettle: Seattle's going to be built primarily on pitching and defense. In the league, pitching's a rare commodity. Nearly every one of the teams in their league's cellar was there because of shoddy pitching or defense.
Matt McGrath: Alright, thanks for your time
Dan Gettle: No problem
San Diego: Garrett Williams
Matt McGrath: You are the only new owner to have been given a non-expansion team. Does this give you a leg up on the competition, given the 2 years that San Diego has existed, or are you at a disadvantage, having been given someone else's work in progress?
Garrett Williams: I see it as a handicap; the expansion teams were able to familiarize themselves with every player on their team. Though I have more prospects I believe that many of the players in San Diego's farm system appear as though they won't fully develop. Also, I was not able to receive as many high quality draft picks as the expansions, which will hurt my future.
Matt McGrath: San Diego has the 4th best farm system via OOTP's rankings, are there a few players from your farm you envision building your team around?
Garrett Williams: Yes, I plan to build around a few of my players namely Hayden Williams, Ken Takenaka, and Theodore Tuma. All of whom are players with terrific potential and would help fill large gaps on my current major league team.
Matt McGrath: Starting next season, you get put in a division with perennial contenders Las Vegas and Los Angeles, as well as expansion team Phoenix. Where do you see yourself this year, and how long will it be until you think you'll take home the division?
Garrett Williams: Honestly I haven't spent much time looking through Phoenix team this off-season but as for Las Vegas and Los Angeles, it will be at least 3 years before I think I can compete. With the loss of a few power hitters on my major league squad to the expansion draft and the deterioration of start James Fisher I see myself winning 45-48 only games this year. To answer your question about taking home the division, my guess is 5 years, as a lot will depend on the development of potential ace Theodore Tuma.
Matt McGrath: A high draft pick is always a helpful tool, but given the still semi-shallowness of your farm system, do you think you'll be best off trading the pick to acquire 2 or 3 players, or best off keeping it?
Garrett Williams: I think I would be best off keeping the high pick as there is no substitute for talent. I am looking for a starting pitcher with the pick to complete my 5 man future rotation and I don't want to short change my rotation. I have enough decent talent that can move up to fill in major league positions. In my opinion moving down picks and grabbing a greater quantity would only minimally improve my major league squad.
Matt McGrath: You kind of just touched on this, but with a good amount of flexibility still allowed in San Diego's system, are you aiming to make this a team based around pitching, or hitting?
Garrett Williams: Recently I put orders in for the new San Diego ball park to be a pitcher's park as I would like to add to my pitching depth in the up coming draft. Both Los Angeles and Las Vegas have strong rotations I believe that the only way I can possibly compete in the future will be to have an equally strong rotation to theirs, if not better.
Matt McGrath: Alright, thanks for your time
Garrett Williams: Yep, no problem
San Antonio: Chris Donnellan
Matt McGrath: With your first pick in the MCP draft, you took Matt Tuck. Obviously, as a starting pitcher, he's not a guy you'll have on the field every day, but is he still the type of player you can build this franchise around?
Chris Donnellan: Yes, I feel that every good team revolves around pitching. If I can acquire 2 or 3 more quality starters like Tuck and get them going deep into ballgames then I think that I have my franchise going in the right direction
Matt McGrath: Your second pick, Alberto Garcia, is a well-rounded player, but doesn't excel in any aspect of the game. Do you see him as playing a part in the future of San Antonio?
Chris Donnellan: In the expansion draft there was a huge shortage of outfielders so any outfielder in the organization could get a shot with the team if they progress well enough. However, he is a well-rounded player like you said and I would like to use him as trade bait in any potential deals I might make in the future
Matt McGrath: The expansion draft is known mainly as the throwaways of the league, but there are always surprises, much like Augustine Reyes for Minnesota. Did you draft anyone that you feel will make a big impact for your team?
Chris Donnellan: Well, as most of the owners in the league will tell you, I messed up big time in the expansion draft. I wasn't prepared for it at all and things moved really fast. I didn�t get a chance to look through all the players and make a good pick based on what I needed. However, I do think I drafted some solid players. Jeffery Weatherall formerly of Tampa had a great year last year and I hope he can make it to my starting rotation eventually. Also, Daniel Rodrigues although I took him way too early, was up last season with Philadelphia and hit over .400 during the time he was up.
Matt McGrath: You are probably in the worst situation of the four expansion squads, being placed in a division with Dallas, Houston and New Orleans, all of whom have a strong farm system. What type of position does that leave you in, and when do you foresee yourself competing with these teams?
Chris Donnellan: Your right. I would much rather be Colorado or Seattle. But there�s nothing I can do so Ill have to live with it. I think I can do one of two things. The first would be to trade away my prospects and draft picks to try and compete now. The second would be to trade away my older guys and some draft picks to fill in the positions for this year with capable guys but not the best, and work on strengthening my minors. If I choose the first one I probably wont get enough talent to compete this year and my farm system will be ruined. Because of that, I�m going to go with the second option and strengthen my farm system. Hopefully, I can get some good prospects and compete with them in the long run.
Matt McGrath: You've got a high pick in the amateur draft, and it's essentially the only thing of major value on your team, outside of Tuck. Do you think it is more to your benefit to hold on to the pick, or to deal it off for a package of players?
Chris Donnellan: Well have to wait until the amateur pool is announced but I have a feeling that I�m going to trade it away. A lot of owners are asking for picks in return for players. Personally, if I could get prospects or ML ready players who have proven they are worth it, I wouldn�t have a problem trading away every one of my picks. With such a high pick, I�m going to be looking for a SP prospect, an outfielder to hold down a ML spot while the young guys develop, and either another pick from a lower round or another prospect of some sort. So yes, I�m going to be looking to deal it soon after trades reopen
Matt McGrath: Finally, you touched on this before, but whether pitching or hitting is the philosophy to build a team around is always up for debate. Around which of these strategies do you intend to build San Antonio?
Chris Donnellan: I put a lot of thought into this when I was first given the franchise and I decided that pitching was the way to go. Like you mentioned earlier, I picked Tuck in the MCP Draft and I will be looking to trade for other SP prospects in the future. Most of my picks in the amateur draft will go towards pitching unless there is another player who I really have my eye on. Basically, I feel that if I can have good starting pitchers, then all my offense has to do is score 3 or 4 runs a game and well be in good shape.
Matt McGrath: Alright, that's it, thanks for your time
Chris Donnellan: No problem. I�m always happy to help out.