Re-sign Rickey Henderson to a 5 year $20 million contract with no-trade clause.
Rickey wants Hollywood and Hollywood wants Rickey.
Just prior to the expansion and Rule V drafts we work out a deal trading 1B Eric Karros, RP Mike Hartley and P Jeff Hartsock to the expansion Rockies. This move clears 2 spots on our 40 man roster.
The Rockies need players ready for the majors and Karros, who had to be protected or who was likely to be drafted, has put up 3 consecutive 3+ WAR seasons in AAA. But, as a first baseman only, we haven't had room for him on the MLB roster. Similarly, Mike Hartley has 179.2 big league innings over the last 4 seasons with 3.81 ERA (105 ERA+), 3.62 FIP (93 FIP-) and 1.2 WAR. But he's fallen behind Beck and Wetteland on the depth chart. Both guys should get a shot in Colorado. Also going is AAA starter Jeff Hartsock (359 AAA innings, 92 ERA+, 100 FIP- and 4.2 WAR). We get 3 guys destined for the lower minors. IF Neifi Perez (19), IF Vicente Garcia (17) and CF Edgard Clemente (16) in return. Clemente has plus range and some power potential, his discipline and contact will need to improve. Garcia is similar. He's an above average infield defender but might be pressed at SS. He's also got power for a middle infiedler, good discipline, but contact issues. Perez is athletic enough for all 3 infield positions. Has some bat to ball skills and is said to be mature beyond his years.
We go through arbitration with no surprises; everyone comes back except OF Lloyd McClendon who we wish well.
Protection lists for the expansion draft are due
The first few names are easy
LF Rickey Henderson, SP Ramon Martinez, C Mike Piazza, 3B Dave Hollins, 2B Jose Offerman, SS Jon Valentin, OF Billy Ashley, SP Pedro Astacio
Mostly young players who have exhibited some major league success. And a future Hall of Famer.
(Note: Piazza and Astacio were not technically available for the draft having less than 3 years professional experience) but, in the name of making the game more difficult I decided that I'd include them because they had had major league experience.)
The next few weren't that difficult of decisions to make
SP Orel Hershiser, SP Tim Belcher, 1B Bobby Bonilla and CF Brett Butler. All established players with multi-million dollar contracts, but who are expected to produce in excess of those contracts.
Now it's getting more difficult. We finally settle on:
RP John Wetteland and RP Rod Beck. Both were dominant last season and have multiple years on control left.
One last spot
We thought that Dave Nied would have been included in the original group. However, his performance down the stretch was worring. He's still young and has 5 years on team control left, though.
Then, there's Lee Smith. Smith might be hall of fame bound. He's regularly putting up 2 WAR seasons out of the bullpen. But, he'll be 35 this year and only has one year left on his deal.
Both players are very likely to be selected.
Would we rather lose 1 year of an established closer?
Or potentially 5 years of a young fireballer?
Quote:
Originally Posted by hillm2ca
Just curious, what happened to Jeff Hamilton? I played in a summer men's league against him a few years after he retired (in 1999). He hit a home run off of us in the only game we played against his team.
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Retired after the 1992 season to prepare for summer leagues. His stated goal is to hit 2 home runs vs hillm2ca's team.