[sharknut]

Dusty asked for $1 million and I countered for $900,000 a year for 5 years. He said he liked and would get back to us. He then countered for $1.15 million after the Cubs offered that much. I looked around and Jeff Burroughs was there. While he has played OF so far, he is highly-rated at 1B and his offensive stats are almost a match for Baker. Baker hits about 10 points higher but Burroughs averages 6 more HR's and he also asked for $1 million. I counted for $900,000 and he took it, so he will be our 1B for the next several years.

I want to add 1 more bullpen arm and I think that will be it for this off-season. 22-year old Ray Fontenot is going to get a shot as the #5 starter. Our 1st round pick 3 years ago is the #29 prospect in baseball and between AA and AAA he compiled a 6.6 WAR going 18-7 with a 2.99 ERA and 163 K.

Prior to the draft, our prospect pool is up to 4th, which is the highest it's been. Being 1 game short of the World Series and also having players with potential coming up is a good place to be.

Interestingly, the Blue Jays have the 1st and 7th pick and Eric Davis and cousin Darryl Strawberry are top prospects. Strawberry was drafted by Toronto last year but didn't sign and so they have a compensatory pick.

The last place Jays splashed big cash before the draft signing 26 year old-3 time All-Star Gary Carter to a $1.3 million a year deal for 5 years and 29-year old 2-time All Star Rick Burleson to a $1.6 a year deal for 4. I am not sure how much that will help them as defending World Series champ Boston just signed free agent Jim Rice from Milwaukee coming off a 5.3 WAR season.