A fairly low-key offseason indeed, with extensions and returns to former clubs seemingly the name of the game. The Twins are unusually prominent – amazing what a change of scenery can do for a club – and make Larry Jackson the league’s highest earner. One club stalwart who is moved on is Robin Roberts, who heads to Beantown. Bob Trowbridge, acquired by Cincy in a trade with the O’s, is attacked by a mugger and will miss pretty much the entire season. And a nice bit of serendipity as, in what could well be his final season, Jackie Robinson ends back in Kansas City.
Here are the highlights:
- P Larry Jackson: Twins, 6 years / $842000
- P Joe Nuxhall: Reds, 5 years / $490000
- 2B Daryl Spencer: Twins, 4 years / $320000
- P Warren Spahn: Yankees, 3 years / $312000 (extension)
- OF Minnie Minoso: White Sox, 3 years / $306000 (extension)
- P Mike McCormick: Athletics, 5 years / $271200 (extension)
- P Don Newcombe: Cubs, 3 years / $237000
- C Yogi Berra: Yankees, 3 years / $222000 (extension)
- OF Dick Kokos: Yankees, 2 years / $176000
- C Hank Foiles: Cardinals, 3 years / $173000
- SS Eddie Bressoud: Cardinals, 3 years / $146400 (extension)
- 3B Jackie Robinson: Phillies, 1 years / $97000
- 3B Frank Thomas from White Sox to Reds for C Cam Carreon
- C Jimmie Coker from Indians to Twins for OF Jackie Brandt
- P Red Murff from Cardinals to Braves for OF Ken Hunt
- 2B Billy Moran and 1B Hawk Taylor from Giants to White Sox for P Bill Fischer and P Gary Peters
- P Billy O’Dell from Cardinals to Athletics for 3B Steve Boros and 3B Charley Smith
- P George Perez from Reds to Orioles for P Bob Trowbridge
- P Joe Schaffernoth, OF Don Landrum and OF Leo Posada from Cubs to Orioles for P Ralph Terry
- P Robin Roberts and 1B Duke Carmel from Phillies to Red Sox for OF Danny Murphy and SS Bobby Wine
- P Billy Hoeft from White Sox to Cardinals for P Tracy Stallard
- P John Tsitouris from White Sox to Red Sox for 1B Pete Runnels
A 9-9 ST that is uneventful other than another injury to George Brunet. We get cheeky and defer our decision on what to do with him by putting him on the 60-day.
ALL TRANSACTIONS
The BNN boffins see a tight Yankees win and an easy Giants one, with us mid-table and not very competitive. No sign of Maris in the leaderboards but Killer Killebrew is tipped to hit 50 HR.
FULL PRESEASON PREDICTIONS