2014 MIRACLE MOCK

In what has become the most highly anticipated mock draft each year the Michigan Miracles will once again not disappoint.  With less than two days until the kickoff of the 2014 season let's get right to it....

San Antonio Fire Ants--Joey Votto
---I will be shocked if it isn't Votto.  I'd say 85% Votto, 15% E5.

Arizona Desert Swarm--Edwin Encarnacion
---I wasn't a believer until last year but E5 was certainly a late bloomer.

Olivet Killer Eagles--Evan Longoria
---Five year worthy, you betcha.

Julian Javelina--Jacoby Ellsbury
---Did the hype machine bite Hoyle on the ass??  We may never know.

North Texas Rangers--Ian Desmond
---Y'all are on drugs if you don't think this guy is a first rounder in this draft and getting better.

Montgomery Biscuits--Steven Strausberg
---The top pitcher available to slot in with Cliff Lee.  Very nice indeed.

Mid Michigan Tigers--Max Scherzer
---Two of the Tigers big 3.  Keith can sleep well after this pick.

Oviedo Knights--Albert Pujols
---SP for Reynolds here.  I'm not buying what he is shoveling.

Raging Katafish--Madison Bumgarner
---Top pitcher goes to a new owner.  Nice pick at #9.

Arizona Desert Swarm--Mark Trumbo
--Two nice power additions in round 1 for Josh.

Charlotte Orios--Zack Greinke
--Great pitcher fills a huge hole in Charlotte

Oviedo Knights--David Ortiz
--Unusual pick here??  No more unusual than its owner.

Aberdeen Ironbirds--Josh Donaldson
--Five year worthy??  Time to see how the new owner rolls.

Dallas Redbirds--Jason Heyward
--Same question. Five year worthy??  Will Doyle finally roll the dice??

South Texas Heat--Ian Kinsler
--Berg gladly takes him this year.  His kind of player in 2014 for sure.

Raging Katafish--Anthony Rizzo
--Three of the last four picks could be five years.  What are the odds?

Meetings officially open

In the minutes leading up to the official opening of the Winter Meetings the Michigan Miracles perhaps closed their final trade of the winter, sending Josh Hamilton to the west coast.  Renner stated that in the last year of his contract Josh deserved a chance to play on a team that could go all the way and honestly, this year will be a slight rebuild for our hometown Miracles after two very successful years, including the first Championship being brought home to Michigan.  We all wish Josh well and now on to the meetings and final draft preparation.

Josh Hamilton

As we inch closer to the winter meetings and GM's take a close look at the OF's available in this years free agent draft crop several have turned their attention to the Miracles Josh Hamilton.  A week ago GM Renner would have told you that Hamilton is not available at all.  With more GM's looking at a thin group of OF's and the information that Hamilton is back up to his playing weight in Texas the interest is growing.  The question now becomes will he be traded??  We don't know a lot about this mercurial GM, but we do know, 1-he likes his beer  2-he likes to trade and 3-he likes his beer.  IF Hamilton gets moved, and that IF gets smaller as more teams show interest, look for a trade to be finalized before the Winter Meetings officially open on Saturday.

The Waiting game

After a tremendously busy weekend GM Renner of the Miracles sat back and took a close look at the moves he had made.  Hunkering down on Monday afternoon the Miracle brain trust has come to the conclusion that there is still work to be done before the draft.  They have been actively looking for quality starting pitching but haven't come across one they are interested in at a price that would be palatable.  They have also begun looking at OF's with some speed on expiring 2 year contracts. 

Knowing they would probably trade out of the first round, filling up their 3 year contracts wasn't a real issue since they didn't see that high end player they wanted to give a 3 year to in the second round.  Upon further examination they believe that player might actually be there that would warrant a contract of that length.  It just so happens that on Tuesday morning and afternoon two different owners contacted Renner about the availability of Josh Hamilton.  As Renner does with all inquiries he stated that nobody is untouchable.  When pressed as to if they would be willing to trade Josh the answer was yes....but Renner was honest in saying that he expects Josh, after putting on some weight in the offseason, to be ready to man the Miracle outfield and have an exceptional year.  As of yet no owner has put forth any trade offer so at this point it is simple "wait and see".  Renner further stated that although the Miracles may not have three top ten OF's like some teams do,  he is excited to see what kind of numbers CarGo/Hamilton/Cuddyer can put up over the course of a full year if healthy.

Stay tuned, the Winter meeting are only 4 days away.

Winter Meetings next week

Before the start of the 2013 Winter Meetings Miracle GM Chris Renner had in mind several "bullet" items to complete during the week.  A funny thing happened on the way to the meetings.  Other owners decided to jumpstart things with handshake deals.  No big deal, this happens all the time.  For the Miracles however many of the players they had been targeting or teams that they had hoped to make deals with burst out early and left the Miracles with four flat tires.  In some respects the Winter Meetings were over before they began.  Or at least that is how it felt to Renner.  He decided at that point to not let that happen again.

Fast forward to now.  When Renner looks at his current roster, pending official league approval next Saturday of course, it is grossly different then it was at the beginning of the offseason.  As of this point in time the Miracles have added 4 players, 3 probable starters and 1 reserve, and have moved 2 players, each with an expiring 2 year contract.  Add to that the fact that Renner has traded out of the first round and it has indeed been a busy week before the meetings.  Knowing that this was going to be a "rebuilding" year after going all out the past two seasons Renner is very happy with the moves that have been accomplished. 

After finishing his 16 oz filet and 12 cold bottles of Youngs Double Chocolate Stout, Renner stated that during the upcoming meetings he would like to acquire a SP as long as the price isn't too high.  So far the prices have been more than he is willing to pay.  I will pay for quality, not quality starts unfortunately, but I won't overpay for a starter.  He stated that he might look for a solid closer if an adequate starter can't be found.  On a side note he was very appreciative of the owners online and on facebook this past weekend.  I made 5 deals with 5 different owners.  I wish everyone had been able to be around more but I understand that life does sometimes get in the way. 

Stay tuned for more from this very active and apparently very thirsty owner and GM.

Business is picking up...

With the Winter Meetings now less than 10 days away trade talk and activity is picking up steam.  Our beloved Michigan Miracles are talking to several teams about possible players and if they might fit in Michigan for the 2014 season.  GM Renner has already made a minor trade (pending the start of the meetings) but that will not affect the direction of the Miracle draft.  One or two other trades could be made and it is well know that the Miracles are looking for starting infielders.  Although Nick Markakis is on the trade block he prefers to stay in Michigan and the Michigan brain trust may decide to grant his wish.  The Miracles are more that willing to trade draft picks to add the necessary pieces for the upcoming season.  The first round pick of the Miracles which is 1.9 or 1.10 might also be traded to acquire additional draft picks.  Any interested teams looking for a first round pick in that area simply needs to inquire.