What do you make of all the former MLBers?

[Silver Sox Fan]

Does it mean the GBL has finally "arrived" and is being taken seriously by MLB scouts, management, and players?

Obviously, indy leagues don't have the best reputation for survival especially out here in the west. And the first couple of seasons had Rickey and Canseco when they were well past their prime who were brought it to generate a buzz for the league.

But after having sold many contracts back to the MLB, has the GBL finally proved itself stable enough to be taken as seriously as some of the other long standing indy leagues?

This season has more guys with MLB experience than any other and they are guys who are still young enough to warrant at least some looks by the MLB. To me, that anong with the contracts sold means the GBL is credible enough to attract the scouts to see some of these guys.

Thoughts?

[DawgsBooster2]

I've not thought about beyond most all ballplayers would continue to play and play, no matter where they can sign. Well, not "wherever", but pretty darn close to wherever.

[S.Sox]

Reno seems to be missing the boat on the former MLBers. This is suprising to me since Manger Jeffery Leonard played in the MLB & coached in affliated ball.

S Sox

[DawgsBooster2]

Maybe money is an issue for Reno? I can't imagine it's cheap to hire them and then even more would have to be paid to the league in fines for over paying people?

[Silver Sox Fan]

I don't think it is money for the simple fact that LB, RNO, CHO, and YUM are still league owned. I don't know how finances work but since the idea of having the league own teams was that it would allow resources to be shared and reduce any competitive disadvantages money doesn't seem to be the problem. Add in that most went to LB this week (a league owned team) it seems that it could be other factors (location, Yeager vs. other managers, etc).

[S.Sox]

Wow, LB is pulling all the strings!

Now they add AAA veteran David Parrish to handle their catching duties...

Reno & Yuma are letting this season get away on paper!!!! We have nothing close to these other GBL teams in pro experience....

Lets hope Reno/Yuma are holding out on their signings...

S.Sox

[Silver Sox Fan]

Another solid pick up for Long Beach. We'll see how that translates to wins as the season begins but on paper they are starting to look really good.

Pedigree wise, there are now two sons of solid major leagues (Parrish and Gossage families represented). Maybe they can get their dads out for an autograph signing or two. That would be a nice treat for all of us GBL fans who have followed the the league since the start as well as an incentive to get new fans out. I grew up around a Single A Team (RC Quakes) that did that. It seemed to draw well when Steve Sax came out a year or two ago when I was back home.

As for Yuma and Reno, both may be victims of website update issues. Yuma has no roster at all and Reno, as someone on my blog pointed out, still hasn't selected pitching and batting coaches. I would assume with about 5 weeks to go to opening day (and one would assume no more than 2-4 before players start to report and/or conduct pre-season games) that the teams are moving forward but reporting is lacking.

Keep watching the transaction list on the league main page I guess.

[DawgsBooster2]

Not for nothing but if I were an ex-MLBer I'd ask to be in LB over the other locations. *shrug*

Simply for the location alone, all pay being the same.

[Trappers4ever]

Well I think it might be a rebuilding year for Yuma and Reno. The silver sox seem to base their talent from drafting players out of the AWL. Who know's maybe they'll be a powerhouse team pretty soon.

[Silver Sox Fan]

Actually, I'd argue that there should never be a rebuilding year in independent baseball for three reasons:

1. Salaries are capped so since teams can't overspend on players there is no need to ever dump salaries.

2. You can't stockpile picks/prospects because the roster turnover is really high. I think this year the Sox and Outlaws are returning half of their rosters but that is pretty high speaking historically.

3. There are lots of players out there to bring in every year with a variety of experience...especially as MLB Spring Training comes to a close and teams cut players to get down to the proper limits in their organizations. Same with entry draft time.

So I just think between slow updates to the websites and teams having to wait until the MLB roster shuffles are complete some teams are still in the process of picking up new players.

Hey S. Sox--did you see Reno brought back Scott Schneider? He was lights out in 2006!

[S.Sox]

Hey S. Sox--did you see Reno brought back Scott Schneider? He was lights out in 2006!


Yes I did... great pick up by the Sox.... I would venture to guess Schneider will be the first Sox players plucked by a MLB team this year.. He is outstanding!
Where was he last season?
S.Sox

[Trappers4ever]

going over the salary is no problem. I emailed the league about that and they replied it really is no problem going over. The Northen League and the Atlantic League see going over the cap as an offence, an insult, and very disturbing. Teams can be charged $7000 per penalty over there.

[sprtanbaseball]

The atlantic league does not have a salary cap, which is why most of the highly experienced players flock there. The Northern league does have a salary cap but there are many ways around it and many players are paid under the table.