Jeff captures 2nd Championship

Jeff Moessinger won his second Championship, defeating Ed via tiebreaker to capture the crown. It came down to the wire, with Jake Arrieta (Ed) vs. AJ Burnett (Jeff) providing the drama. With 2 out in the 5th inning, the Pirates decided not to pinch hit for Burnett, despite the fact that Arrieta had not yet given up a hit, and they trailed 2-0. Had they done so, Ed would have won. But these are the breaks.

Jeff won despite leaving John Lackey on his bench Sunday, which almost came back to bite him by the end of the day. At one point in the week, Ed led 12-0.

Moe wins $590, and Ed takes $310.

Payouts

The regular season is over. The draft lottery for next year is set for picks 1-6. The order will be as follows:

Karl (2/7)
Toby (5/21)
Joe  (4/21)
Justin (1/7)
MJ (2/21)
Adam (1/21)

Picks 7-12 will be determined by playoff finish.

Ed had a late surge and stole first place from Moe by .06 percentage points. That's about $10 per .01 percentage points. Each team earned a bye in Week 1 of the playoffs.

The playoffs feature Jon (3) v. Pete (6) in a battle of Cortland alums, and Gordon (4) v. Russell (5) in a battle of two teams searching for their first championship. Ed (2008), Moe (2007), Pete (2010), and Jon have each won a championship, with Jon holding three rings (2009, 2011, 2014).

So far the payouts are as follows:

Ed - first place finish - $150.
Moe - Division 2 winner - $90.

The remaining $660 will be given to the champion ($500) and runner up ($160).

Good Luck everyone.

Gio to Russell; Rondon to Moe

Gio Gonzalez has come on pretty strong after a slow start to 2015.

In two separate deals, Russell added Gio Gonzalez to his rotation and Moe upgraded his bullpen by acquiring Cubs' closer Hector Rondon. Rondon has 4 wins, 20 saves, a 1.68 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 52 Ks in 53 innings this season. To complete the deal, Moe sent Junichi Tazawa and a 9th round pick to Justin and also acquired a 13th rounder.

Russell dealt his 6th round selection to Toby, and acquired Toby's 9th rounder, Chris Bassitt, and Gonzalez. Russell now owns only 1 selection in the first 6 rounds of 2016 (3rd rounder). His 1st (Toby), 2nd (Toby), 4th (Joe), 5th (Toby), and 6th (Toby) round picks have all been moved to get help for 2015.

Gordon adds Marte to Bolster Postseason Lineup

Starling Marte has emerged as a legitimate fantasy threat, hitting .285 with 13 HR and 22 SB.

Just mere days before the deadline, Justin dealt Pirates' star outfielder Starling Marte to Gordon along with Jake Odorizzi, Yovani Gallardo, and a 7th round pick in exchange for Red Sox outfielder Rusney Castillo, Anibal Sanchez, Giants' closer Santiago Casilla, and a 4th round pick. The move appears to be sufficient for both clubs as we move closer to the no-trade period.

Jon pays hefty price for Madison Bumgarner

Bumgarner has been traded twice in 2015.

In a blockbuster move, Jon traded first tier keeper Chris Archer, lifetime keeper Alex Guerrero, and a Round 8 pick in the 2016 draft to Toby for Giants' ace Madison Bumgarner, Mariners' third baseman Kyle Seagar, and a 2016 Round 6 pick.

The move jumps Jon two rounds in next years' draft, and he acquires the best player in the deal. However, Toby sacrificed two rounds in 2016 in order to acquire the keeper rights to Archer and Guerrero, both of whom look to be great value in 2016. 

Toby trades Heyward to Ed for a 6th Round Pick

Heyward has hit .286 with 9 HR and 18 SB in 2015.

Toby acquired yet another top 80 pick by sending Cardinals' outfielder Jason Heyward and a 2016 Round 12 pick to Ed for Athletics' closer Edward Mujica and a 2016 6th Round Pick.

The move looks to be a win-win for both sides - as Toby gears up for 2016, and Ed short on outfielders.

The move leaves Ed with only a 2016 1st, 4th, and 5th rounder in the first 80 selections next year, and gives Toby 9 selections in the first 7 rounds.

Sonny Gray headed to Russell

Sonny Gray has been dominant in 2015.

Russell traded Wade Miley and a 4th round pick to Joe in exchange for A's ace Sonny Gray and a 10th round pick.

Gray is currently 11-4 with a 2.16 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and 124/36 K/BB ratio in 145.2 innings pitched.

The move leaves Russell with only a 3rd round pick in the top five rounds of the 2016 draft.

Moe acquires Price and Reyes from Joe in Blockbuster Deal

David Price has 9 wins with a 2.53 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 2015.

Moe continued his buying ways, acquiring soon-to-be ex-Tigers' ace David Price and Rockies' shortstop Jose Reyes from Joe, along with a 5th round pick and 13th round pick in the 2016 draft, in exchange for Tigers' shortstop Jose Iglesias, Yankees' starter C.C. Sabathia, a 2nd round pick in 2016, and an 11th round pick in 2016. It's a nice move for both teams, as Moe strengthens his lineup for the playoffs, while Joe moves into the top 24 selections yet again. Price gives Moe another ace to pair with Johnny Cueto atop his rotation, while Reyes solidifies one of the weaknesses in his lineup at shortstop.

Moe, Russell, and Ed continue to buy, while Joe, Toby, and Justin sell off their most coveted assets for futures. The other six squads have remained somewhat quiet, but that is expected to change in the next few weeks as teams assess their playoff chances.

Justin sends Britton, 17th to Ed for Montgomery, 9th

Britton with his funky delivery has posted 25 saves and 47 Ks in 40.2 IP with a 1.77 ERA.

Justin continued to sell, picking up a 9th rounder and moving up around 120 spots in the 2016 draft at the expense of Orioles' closer Zach Britton. Meanwhile, Ed continues to give up draft picks and solidify his roster for a deep postseason run.

It appears to be an arms race between Russell, Moe, and Ed, with Pete, Gordon, MJ, and Jon hanging tight and silent as the playoff race tightens. The only clear sellers as of now are Karl, Justin, Toby, and Joe, with Karl being the only one of the four yet to make a move.

Trade Deadline: August 16, 2015

Just a reminder: The Trading deadline looms as the last date to move players via trade is August 16, 2015.

Moe acquires Uehara for an 8th

Uehara has 22 saves and a 2.67 ERA as the Red Sox closer this year.

Moe solidified his bullpen by sending an 8th round pick to Joe in exchange for Boston closer Koji Uehara and a 20th round pick in 2016. The move strengthens the first place team's bullpen and gives Joe another top 10 round pick as he rebuilds again in 2015. Moe is a clear favorite to take home the championship in 2015.

Russell goes big, deals 1st for McCutchen and 2nd for Gonzalez

In a "down" year, Cutch is hitting .293/.389/.496 with 13 HR and 59 RBI.

Russell is going for it all - after dealing his 2nd round pick to Toby for Adrian Gonzalez, he dealt his 1st and 5th round pick to Toby in a subsequent deal, acquiring outfielder Andrew McCutchen, starting pitcher Garrett Richards, and speedster Mookie Betts. Toby is in full sell mode, with ace starter Madison Bumgarner still on the block. The moves, while potentially damning in 2016, put Russell as the likely favorite to capture the 2015 championship.

Ed continues to add talent, acquires Greinke

The NL All-Star starter hasn't allowed a run since June 13

Ed continued to add elite talent in exchange for future assets, as he dealt lifetime keeper Gregory Polanco and a third round pick in next year's draft to Adam for the hottest pitcher in baseball, Zack Greinke. Adam also sent a fourteenth round pick to Ed in the deal.

Joe continues Fire Sale, sends Storen to Ed for a pick

Storen is currently fourth in Major League Baseball with 25 saves.

Joe continued his fire sale, sending Nationals' closer Drew Storen to Ed with a 2016 15th Round pick for Red Sox outfielder Alejandro De Aza and a 2016 8th Round Pick. The 8th Rounder heading to Joe was originally his own, acquired by Ed in the deal involving Clayton Kershaw and Yoenis Cespedes.

Ed acquires Kershaw, Cespedes for picks

Kershaw is 3-0 with a 0.94 ERA and 39 Ks over his last 4 starts

After struggling a bit to begin the season, Clayton Kershaw has been dominant over his last four starts. Joe, in last place, decided it was time to sell and sent the ace along with Red Sox slugger Yoenis Cespedes to Ed in exchange for a 2016 second round and seventh round pick. Struggling Angels' "ace" Jered Weaver and bumbling Rangers' speedster Leonys Martin went to Joe in the deal, with 2016 eighth and fourteenth round selections heading to Ed to round out the trade.

"Nice trade. He gave up a lot and got a lot," a rival GM said.

It's about that time of year where buyers and sellers will emerge, but it's tricky with arguably ten teams still in contention.

Toby trades a 3rd to Justin for Bumgarner

Bumgarner is currently 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 46 Ks in 50.2 IP.

Toby picked up San Francisco Giants' ace Madison Bumgarner and a 2016 15th round pick from last-place Justin in exchange for Chris Young and a 3rd round pick in the 2016 draft. Currently sitting in 10th place, Toby must think the addition of Bumgarner will help him climb the standings, while the move indicates Justin is foregoing the 2015 season and is willing to sell.

2015 DRAFT ORDER and DIVISIONS

Here is your 2015 Draft Order:

1. Toby
2. Joe
3. Ed
4. Jeffery
5. Adam
6. P-Sweenz
7. MJ
8. Karl
9.  Gordon
10. Justin
11. Russell
12. Jon


Divisions are set by Draft Order. Odd #s v. Even #s.

Division 1
(1) Toby
(3) Ed
(5) Adam
(7) MJ
(9) Gordon
(11) Russell

Division 2
(2) Joe
(4) Moe
(6) Pete
(8) Karl
(10) Justin
(12) Jon