[Westheim]

I tried to trade for Milwaukee’s Judd Montgomery, a very good and young starting pitcher, but offering Alejandro Venegas and a group of prospects could not get the deal done. They were also hot on Gustavo Quintanilla, but I was not ready to part with him. He was penciled in as right-handed backup outfielder, and he was only 23 (like Montgomery) and was projected to improve from where he was now.

1987 turned to 1988 as negotiations stalled because 1B Billy Mitchell came down with the flu and was treated as “injured” and could not be traded. I made an offer including MR Dirk Campbell as another major leaguer besides Venegas, but it didn’t pan out either. We finally gave up.

December 25 – The Knights grab legendary SP Juan „Mauler“ Correa (240-80, 2.15 ERA). The 37-yr old gets a 2-yr, $1.74M contract.
December 25 – The Crusaders address their pitching issues by signing SP Travis Newton (134-137, 3.66 ERA).
December 29 – Oklahoma City adds INF Tom Nicks, a versatile .271 hitter, for 3-yr, $1.89M.
January 14 – Former Wolves closer Mike Dye (180 SV) signs with the Knights. The 28-yr old gets a 3-yr, $1.92M contract. The Knights also announced that they have inked ex-Warrior 2B Pat Graham, 29, for 2-yr, $956k. Graham is a solid .286 batter with little power.
January 18 – The Canadiens have a new closer in Rick Evans. The 28-yr old, who has 279 SV, pitched for the Blue Sox the last two years, took two rings, and will now make $1.24M over two years.
January 31 – 27-yr old outfielder Gilbert Dougan (.289, 59 HR, 328 RBI) signs with the Miners, earning $1.22M over the next two years.
February 4 – 3B/SS John Harris, a .287 career hitter, signs with the Condors for one year, making $410k.

It’s the start of the pre-season. I’m still looking for a starting pitcher to replace Venegas.

The Raccoons had offered Correa, who signed for $1.74M with Atlanta, the paltry sum of $1.72M. This keeps happening.

Anybody remember Hoyt Cook? He was a first baseman for the Coons from 1977 to 1981, before being let go after batting .193 in his final season. I randomly found him on the trading block. He’s bounced around four teams since then, never sticking anywhere. His batting history is a sad thing to read. Anyway, he’s still around somewhere, but of course to comparison to Tetsu Osanai, batting .243 in 1,606 big league at-bats.