Interesting Start

We are four games into a brand new season and it has already brought despair, anger, joy, happiness and the slightest bit of promise. I wouldn't go to far though, it was only the first four games and we do have Syracuse coming to town next. If we can put up a strong showing against the Saltine Warriors, and get a win or two, my views may really start to change, but until then, do not get excessively overjoyed about this team. Yes, we did win two straight and split the series against the 42's, who have eclipsed the 100 game mark the past couple seasons, but don't forget what happened in the first two games. We blew an opportunity to spoil their opening day with a disgusting 9th inning flop by Matty Castillo, that made me wish I could drink on the job. He did, however, come back two nights later and redeem himself with a 2 strikeout 9th inning to drop his ERA and get that first save. I'm not saying that makes up for the first game of the season but he's ok in my book for now even if he likes to play with fire and make me not want to watch the end of the games he enters. The second game was good all-around just happened to end the wrong way for us on a great play by SS Wilfredo Mesa. Not much you can do when a guy whips the ball perfectly to the catcher in time for him to make the tag and the baserunner is able to slip it and score in the bottom of the 10th. It happens at times just wish it wouldn't be against us. I am pretty impressed with our starting pitchers and even the bullpen aside from that first game. If they keep this up we might actually have a decent season. Our lineup is proving to be pretty tough also, as I thought it would be. The 42's struggled in each and every game with this lineup and I think they are for real. Jake Roberts made a quick name for himself here in Philly by going 2 for 4 with a double, a HR, 3 RBI's and 2 runs in his first appearance as a Fish. Keep it up Jake and you won't be buying dinner for along time in this city. It was a fun opening series, even with the first game frustration, I just hope they all continue to be as good.
-Kelly Denner

GM Making Moves

Looks like the Flying Fish are bringing in some new faces and sending out some of the old before the start of the 2013 season. It has been reported that 2nd baseman Jake Roberts is coming to Philadelphia for pitching prospect Pepe Alvarez. Roberts should be a solid addition to this lineup but may also cause some problems if Philly can't find a good place for him in the daily lineup. The Fish already have 3-time Gold Glover Pedro Mangual at 2nd base and a great Rule 5 pickup in Will Hansen a 2nd baseman as well. 1st base is also covered with Medina and Arnold. The only other position Roberts might be put at would be LF where we have Kirwan and Fox, although Kirwan has been placed on the trading block possibly in an attempt to make room for Roberts to start there. Roberts is a good player who looks to help us alot and hopefully will find himself playing daily.

Another reported trade is one that will send career Fish, Rodrigo Unamuno, to Scranton for Jumbo Rivera, Francis Bellhorn, and Octavio Chavez should this trade be approved. Unamuno does have the ability to reject the trade. I like this trade but dislike it at the same time. We are getting rid of a guy in Unamuno, that yes has struggled recently but has always been a solid guy to put on the mound, in exchange for Chavez, who does not impress me at all. But on the positive side we did bring in a 2 prospects that have the potential to make it to the big leagues soon. Who knows what will come of these 2 trades as they wait for league approval but I'm excited to see what matthewm3 has in mind. He seems prepared to shake things up in the ML roster and I'm ok with that as long as it helps us win. I think this lineup is going to be tough from top to bottom but the pitching continues to lack anything impressive. It may turn out to be a long season with the Fish being forced to outscore their opponents most games unless matthewm3 can bring in some better pitching. I don't know what to expect Philadelphia, I just wouldn't get to excited yet.
-Kelly Denner

The Missing Returns

A buzz is in the air and the future looks brighter. Sort of. The Flying Fish have brought back fan favorite GM matthewm3 after he went missing last season. "We have alot of work to do to get this team back to playoff contending form, but I look forward to the challenge", matthewm3 said with a smirk growing, "And to my NL East foes 'beware' because I'm back." Typical matthewm3. But where is the confidence coming from? I understand thats his persona but seriously we are coming off a 59-103 season with a slotted number 1 pitcher who has gone 14-40 the past two seasons and a lineup that could use some help of its own. I don't see it but maybe he knows something you and I don't. I highly doubt it for this season, unless a miracle happens. The future can only get better right? I hope so as much as all of Philadelphia.
-Kelly Denner