The Jints make a big splash early, locking down Hammerin’ Hank on a long-term deal, but this offseason market takes longer than usual to get going and doesn’t last very long. The Tribe make another huge commitment and the Yanks are their usual industrious selves, but it is a fairly low-key offseason.
Here are the major moves of interest:
- P Bill Byrd: Indians, 7 years / $289000
- OF Hank Greenberg: Giants, 6 years / $228800
- P Bill Lee: Yankees, 5 years / $142000
- 3B Cookie Lavagetto: Tigers, 3 years / $100200
- P Luis Tiant: Cardinals, 3 years / $106200
- P Paul Derringer: Yankees, 3 years / $102400
- 1B Elbie Fletcher: Red Sox, 4 years / $100800
- P Leroy Matlock: Browns, 4 years / $96400
- OF Augie Galan: White Sox, 3 years / $86400
- P Bill Walker: Phillies, 3 years / $86400
- SS Billy Myers: Reds, 4 years / $85600
- P Lon Warneke: Yankees, 3 years / $84000
- 2B Frank McCormick: Phillies, 3 years / $80400
- P Leon Day: Pirates, 3 years / $78400
- P Max Lanier: Pirates, 4 years / $71200 (extension)
- P Denny Galehouse: Dodgers, 3 years / $70200
- 2B Bob Repass from Athletics to Cardinals for 2B Howard Easterling
- SS Bill Lillard from White Sox to Reds for P Bobo Newsom
- OF Chet Ross and P Tom Gorman from Braves to Red Sox for P Paul Dean
- P Hilton Smith from Senators to Athletics for IF Hills Layne and OF Dick Burkhardt
- OF Wally Judnich from Browns to Pirates for P Joe Dobson
- 1B Dolph Camilli from Braves to Pirates for 1B Jake Jones and SS George Sutch
- OF Bobby Estalella and 1B Tony Lupien from Browns to White Sox for 1B Eddie Waitkus and 2B Lennie Merullo
ALL TRANSACTIONS
The Pirates look strong in a 14-4 ST warm-up and get through it injury-free.
The status quo will abide as far as the pundits see things, picking the Yanks and Bucs to win yet again. I think the Cards are the team to watch this year, along with the Indians.
FULL PRESEASON PREDICTIONS