HCL 2009 Preview - 10 Questions (#9)

We continue our previews with the ninth place team in last year's Hardcore League:

The Lousy Street Weasels - The Weasels went into 2008 with ace Chris Carpenter out of action and nothing seemed to go right after that. The organization is moving on to 2009 with a big roster to fill, but a ton of money to spend. Our question is: How Big Do the Weasels Go?

LSW will have the most money to spend at the Hardcore Draft two weeks from now. Sources say they'll be targeting the cream of the crop free agents, hoping to vault them from the bottom of the '07 and '08 standings, and up to championship contention in '09. With over $10 million more to spend than the next club, the Weasels can virtually bring in anyone they want.

Outfielders Vernon Wells and Jason Bay lead the club, with Geovany Soto and Ian Stewart's bats will be needed to contribute once again. Joe Nathan and Francisco Liriano are the pitching staff right now, so they will be joined by a crop of new faces come March 21st.

The main thing Weasels fans are excited about are the prospects. Colby Rasmus is on the verge of making an impact for the big league club. Jason Heyward received a hefty contract last year, and though he's a year or two away from contributing, he's one of the top prospects on the planet. And future softball hall of famers Eric Hosmer and Yonder Alonso are also lurking. Give them a couple years and they will be hitting bombs for the Weasels at will.

Fun Fact: After starting out strong (31-27-2) in the first five weeks, the Weasels ended the season in a September funk (15-32-1).

Meaty Urologists Announce Trade Deadline for Rasmus

Meaty Urologists GM Eric Ferguson emerged from a drunken stupor Thursday just long enough to comment on his team’s continued pursuit of Colby Rasmus. The results were anything but coherent.

“You tell that no-good rotten crotch David Inlow that we’ve got plenty of dollars and players and people and stuff. It’s all on the table. All I’m asking is – wait a minute, I’m not asking, I’m telling! I’m setting a deadline of January 5, 2007, to get something done with that Rasmus kid or else my people will have to have a little talk with his kneecaps.”

When informed that it was actually 2008, Ferguson remained firm on the previously announced deadline.

“I don’t negotiate with terrorists,” he said.

The Urologists’ package is believed to include Jacoby Ellsbury and at least one of their JV prospects (Reid Brignac, Jed Lowrie, Chris Lubanksi, Wladimir Balentien, etc.).

Three Shots Offseason Roster

Team: Duncan’s Stealing Second	Owner: David Inlow
2008 Payroll: 48.75	2008 Remaining: 36.25 + .5 bonus

	Player Name	Salary	Pos	Yrs
1	Chris Carpenter	9,250,000	SP	1
2	Vernon Wells	8,000,000	CF	2
3	Travis Hafner	7,750,000	DH	1+V
4	Jason Bay	6,500,000	LF	2
5	Joe Nathan	5,250,000	RP	2
6	Dan Haren	3,750,000	SP	1
7	Ian Kinsler	3,250,000	2B	1
8	Matt Kemp	2,250,000	CF	1
9	Francisco Liriano	2,250,000	SP	1+C
10	Andrew Miller	250,000	SP	R-1
11	James Loney	250,000	1B	R-1
AA	Colby Rasmus		CF	R-0
AA	Ian Stewart		3B	R-0
AA	Donald Veal		SP	R-0
AA	Chris Volstad		SP	R-0
AA	Jaime Garcia		SP	R-0
AA	Denard Span		CF	R-0
AA	Luke Hochevar		SP	R-0

2007 Contracts - Duncan's Stealing Second

Vernon Wells	$8,000,000	3 years(2009)
Jason Bay	$6,500,000	3 years(2009)
Joe Nathan	$5,250,000	3 years(2009)
Chris Carpenter	$9,250,000	2 years(2008)
Travis Hafner	$7,750,000	2 years(2008) + Vesting
Dan Haren	$3,750,000	2 years(2008)
Ian Kinsler	$3,250,000	2 years(2008)
Francisco Liriano	$2,250,000	2 years(2008) + Club
Matt Kemp	$2,250,000	2 years(2008)