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November 25 1963
I'm talking with FA SS Dick Groat. He wants 3 years at 240k and 1 at 220k. He rejected 4 at $220k with the last two as team option. I can't imagine a 36 year old star SS. I'm having a hard time imagining a 33 year old one even though I'm looking at one right now!
Baltimore will take either one of my 1B and a minor league throw in for great field no hit SS Ron Hansen. They think enough of Hansen that at 26 he's making $178k. Both Stuart and Clendenon are rated extremely popular locally. OTOH I can afford to take a hit on fan interest.
December 16 1963
Groat got two at $266k and two at $254k from Philadelphia. No team or vesting options. Fans aren't happy. Interest modifier dropped 4 points. I wonder if you actually get any positive effect in the game for being over 100 or if the modifier is like a savings account you can draw on.
December 20 1963
Put SS Gene Michael 25yo AAA 1.5/1.5 on 40 man prior to Rule 5 Draft.
Put C/SS/3B/2B Ron Brand 23yo AA 1.5/1.5 on 40 man prior to Rule 5 Draft.
There were eight 2.5 star players in the draft. I was interested in Jerald Robinson who plays all IF and OF positions rated 6 on contact and 12 on power. I could keep him on he 25 man instead of Schofield or Alley to fulfill the roster requirement and he could be a defensive replacement at several positions. He was 6th ranked by my scout but ended up the first draft pick.
I didn't lose any players. Now that the draft is over I can try to find some FA good field no hit CF and SS for AAA. These guys rarely have any options so sending them back down after a callup is a problem. Sometimes it's minors to majors to waiver to release.
Gene Michael, Ron Brand
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