[sharknut]

Change of plans:

Nettles is a 34 year old pending UFA. The Red Sox are asking for a ton for him.....however....they are offering 28 year old 2b Juan Beniquez for 34 year old Blue Moon Odom.

Beniquez has won ROY, 1 gold glove, 1 silver slugger and been an All-Star 3 times. Odom is still a really good pitcher with 4 years at $656,000 a year left and Beniquez has 3 years left at $610,000.

I have a nice 2b with Ivan DeJesus and I was going to use Odom as my closer this year, but I did sign 35-year old Bob Johnson as a swing man, and he can close as can Dick Drago.

I already signed 2 backup infielders, Jack Brohamer and Doug Radar to back up all my infield spots, but I can use DeJesus at all those spots and when my 36 year old SS Jim Fregosi becomes a UFA next year, I can have DeJesus slide right into that spot unless I can upgrade again.

Beniquez' 162 game avg has been .278/.327/.371 7 HR 20 doubles 10 triples 42 steals and a 4.2 WAR and over a 5.0 zone rating at 2b. He started games at 7 positions last year and is doesn't have a spot open this year.

Rookie of the Year Ozzie Smith is their 1b!! 2b Rick Burleson is an All-Star that hits over .300, the SS is Al Cowens who is a 5 time All-Star and Graig Nettles is at 3rd.

So I will take Beniquez in exchange for Odom, whom I will assume will start for them as they already have Rollie Fingers to close.

ETA....fan interest went from 84 to 87, nice. I am bumping up season ticket prices, though I am still low compared to most clubs. Season tickets are already up 10% over last year.