Enrique Diaz signs with the Nutmeg

Enrique Diaz Hartford Nutmeg Age: 20 B/T: R/R Born: LaGuaira, VE Position(s): C/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

The Hartford Nutmeg won the bidding war for one of the best catching prospects to ever grace Snider World. Enrique Diaz signed with the Nutmeg in what is a great move for a franchise that was in the dumps just two weeks ago. It took a bonus of $19.0 million to persuade the 20 year old to come to Hartford and considering the other deals that have been offered this year, it might have been a bargain. Diaz is playing for the High A team now, but look for this kid to be in the majors as early as next season. Scouts are projecting Diaz to be the Homerun Champion in years to come.

Chang Signs Monster Contract

Dante Chang has signed with the Charleston Criminals which is only fitting given the contract. Chang committed highway robbery considering he got Charleston to pony-up a $20.1 million bonus and a Major League Contract.

Dante Chang Charleston Criminals Age: 18 B/T: R/R Born: Osaka, JP Position(s): P (none) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

The 18 year old looks like he'll be a solid pitcher in a few seasons, but was he worth the $21 million bonus? Some scouts are saying that his pitches are not good enough to be an ace. He does have a great knuckleball, but his fastball and changeup are average.

Matty Johnson Traded to the Corn Stalkers

Madison traded Matty Johnson, Theodore Lennon, and Khoury Malone for P John Kondou today. At first glance the trade appears to be based on payroll flexibility. The Mallards will save approximately $13 million over the next three years. The Corn Stalkers meanwhile receive a future all star pitcher. Johnson stuff is unquestioned, he has a fastball that will top out in the 92-95 mph range and a plus slider with nasty late break. There are some GM's that feel that Johnson might not have the durability to be a starter but that doesn't concern GM robinmilesto, who feels he has a chance to win a CY Young as early as season 8. Currently Johnson is 1-1 with an ERA of 2.52 and 22 strikeouts while only walking 6.

Sammy Sosa Signs Record Deal

The Columbus Comets stirred up Snider World baseball by signing Sammy Sosa. The deal included a bonus of $24.1 million, which breaks the record for the highest signing bonus in Snider World history. The previous record was held by Tampa Bay, who signed Eduardo Cedeno in a deal that included a bonus of $19 million. The Dominican native will join the Low A Comets to start his pro career. He is projected as a #1 starter in the majors, he has an outstanding cut fastball and will be a great asset for the Comets for years to come.

Earl Clark throws No-Hitter!

Earl Clark of the Burlington Primetimers pitched a no-hitter on Saturday in front of a sold out Mustain Stadium beating the Tampa Bay Flying Fish 3-0. What makes it even more remarkable is the fact that the Fish have one of the stronger offenses in the AL, they rank 2nd in homeruns and 5th in runs scored. "I just used all my pitches and tried to keep them off balance," said the 27 year old from Alabama. The Fish never got a runner to second base as Clark was dominant the whole game. He struck out 7 and walked 2 and needed only 98 pitches to dispose of Tampa Bay. "I didn't expect it to turnout this way, especially after I walked the very first batter," said Clark. The win got Clark to 2-2 on the year.

Interview with the World Champion Manager Slimyizzy

I sat down with the Slimizzy to get to know him a little better. He is the defending World Champion so let's see if we can get inside his head and learn a thing or two.

Buzz: Thanks for the taking the time to answer some questions Slimyizzy we realy appreaciate it.
Slimizzy: No problem thanks for asking

Buzz: So how long have you been a member of the Snider World?
Slimizzy: This is going to be my second season in Snider.
Buzz: Can you tell us where you're from?
Slimizzy: I'm from Ontario, Canada
Buzz: Canadian eh? ...sorry couldn't help it..let's move on...Have you always been a baseball fan? DId you play growing up?
Slimizzy:I'm a huge Jays fan and I still play baseball to this day.
Buzz:You won your first World Series, which means you have to have great commitment to your team, how much time do you put into Snider on a daily basis?
Slimizzy: I check my scores at all three times throughout the day and make my changes for probably 15 minutes after each game. So I probably spend nearly an hour a day doing different things involving my team.
Buzz: What's your strategy of choice....win it with pitching or slug your way to the top?
Slimizzy: I thought I had a good combination of pitching and hitting, but apparently the simulation didn't agree, so I have a great set of young bats that hammer out a ton of runs and my pitching I guess isn't fantastic, but they have their bright spots. Therefore I would have to say my bats have gotten me to where I am in this league.
Buzz: Are you more active in the free agent market or do you generally improve from within?
Slimizzy: I like to grab a player or two that can either fill a positional bench role when it's in the ending innings and I need solid defence or a good hitter to get me the hit in a pinch hitting situation. I also like trading and acquiring players that way.
Buzz: Las Vegas won season 2, you won season 3, how tough is it playing in that division and is there a rivalry brewing?
Slimizzy: The division is tough and Arizona looks like a good competitor this season as well, I started off slower than I would have liked, so we will grind it out all season and hopefully I can repeat what I did last season. I wouldn't say a rivalry is brewing, but I'm open to it haha and I'm really competitive so I watch to see if Vegas won or lost their game.
Buzz: How long do think you'll stay here at Snider?
Slimizzy: I enjoy this league so I'll be around a while.
Buzz: What do you think of the world, and do you have any suggestions for improvement?
Slimizzy: The world can be pretty talkative on the boards I read quite a few lengthy wars on there, which I like. I don't have really many suggestions to give, but I would like it if people started their scrubs when they face me so I can win some more ball games ;)
Buzz: What are your chances of repeating in season 4?
Slimizzy: I lost a key SP in Bill Peterson, not sure what happened, I wasn't able to get to a computer often where I was, so even though I put in a heafty offer, I lost him in free agency. So that will hurt my chances there, but on the other hand, my batters developed even more and I feel they will be a huge force and driving factor to get me back into the WS.
Buzz: What do you think is the key to winning?
Slimizzy: The key to winning I suppose is just paying attention. Know your park, your players and your system.

Well thank your for your time buddy and keep up the good work eh...

Season 4 Highest Paid Players

1. Len Cashman $21 million-Pittsburgh

2. Ernie Franco $20.4 million-Baltimore

3. Kiki Perez $20 million-Baltimore

4. Lance Urich $20 million-New York Mets

5. Kris Gray $16.9 million-San Antonio

6. Damian Jenkins $16.5 million-Hartford

7. Joel Oliver $15.2 million-Cleveland

8. Vasco Mesa $15 million- San Antonio

9. Matthew Reese $14 million-Cleveland

10. Chipper Miles $13 million-Huntington