Always fascinating to compare where players end up in this timeline v the IRL and there are a few interesting ones here.
IRL A’s teammates Lansford and Stewart at their ’88 vanquishers. Hendu at the club whose heart he so dramatically broke in ’86. Dave Winfield to the Twins, where he played his last productive seasons IRL.
Above all of this, however, is the seriously stacked squad the Braves have put together as they continue the search for their maiden title.
Cincy has also been busy.
1B Kent Hrbek: Braves, 6 years / $26.9m / AAV $4.49m
C Tony Pena: Rangers, 4 years / $15.2m / AAV $3.80m
3B Brook Jacoby: Reds, 3 years / $10.3m / AAV $3.44m
3B Terry Pendleton: Giants, 3 years / $9.7m / AAV $3.24m
OF Lyman Bostock: Expos, 3 years / $9.7m / AAV $3.24m
P Frank Tanana: Reds, 3 years / $8.0m / AAV $2.68m
P Charlie Leibrandt: A’s, 1 year / $2.6m / AAV $2.60m
P Scott Sanderson: A’s, 1 year / $2.6m / AAV $2.60m
P Scott Garrelts: Braves, 1 year / $2.4m / AAV $2.40m
P Dennis Martinez: Reds, 3 years / $6.8m / AAV $2.28m
1B Eddie Murray: Angels, 4 years / $8.6m / AAV $2.16m
C Mike Heath: Indians, 2 years / $4.3m / AAV $2.16m
3B Carney Lansford: Dodgers, 2 years / $3.7m / AAV $1.86m
OF Dan Gladden: Reds, 2 years / $3.7m / AAV $1.84m
P Larry Anderson: Giants, 2 years / $3.4m / AAV $1.70m
SS Dickie Thon: Rangers, 1 year / $1.7m / AAV $1.70m
P Ron Guidry: Brewers, 1 year / $1.6m / AAV $1.62m
C Bob Brenly: Cubs, 1 year / $1.5m / AAV $1.52m
P Dave Stewart: Dodgers, 1 year / $1.4m / AAV $1.40m
OF Mitch Webster: Mets, 3 years / $4.1m / AAV $1.38m
P Bruce Sutter: Red Sox, 2 years / $2.2m / AAV $1.08m
3B Ken Caminiti from Astros to Braves for P Bean Stringfellow
3B Howard Johnson from Cubs to Rangers for P Floyd Youmans
2B Nelson Liriano, SS Dale Sveum, SS Joey Cora and C Kirt Mainwaring from Tigers to Mets for 3B Rance Mulliniks
P Eric King from Twins to Yankees for P Dave Righetti
P Pete Smith from Twins to Tigers for OF Dave Winfield
OF Stan Javier, 3B Eddie Williams and P Tim Drummond from Mariners to Royals for SS Ozzie Guillen
OF Luis Polonia from Indians to White Sox for P Jesse Orosco and 3B Jeff Blauser
C Charlie O’Brien from Astros to Reds for P Jack Morris
P Jeff Sellers from Expos to Giants for P Tom Henke
P Bobby Witt from Phillies to Giants for SS Manuel Lee and P Mike Parrott
C Matt Nokes from Astros to Red Sox for OF John Kruk
P Tom Filer and SS Edgar Diaz from Angels to Reds for OF Dave Henderson
P JR Richard and P Pete Harnisch from Indians to Yankees for P Trevor Wilson and P John Mitchell
P John Candelaria (retaining 30%) from Tigers to Expos for OF Darryl Hamilton and P Luis Aquino
P Bill Krueger from Angels to White Sox for C Sandy Alomar jr and 3B Robert Latmore
C Tom Lampkin, OF Shawn Abner and OF Carlos Quintana from Blue Jays to Tigers for P Mike Witt (retaining 65%)
OF Juan Samuel from Mariners to Giants for C Chad Kreuter
OF Kevin Mitchell from Mariners to Braves for P Ken Hill
OF Greg Briley from Dodgers to Royals for OF Lonnie Smith
P David Palmer and P Todd Stottlemyre from Indians to Brewers for P Bob Milacki and 1B Torey Lovullo
P Bob Ojeda from Phillies to Brewers for 2B Bill Pecota
We go 9-9 in Spring Training and lose Neal Heaton for 2 months to arm troubles.
BNN sees all four races as being close-run things this year. They are not as keen on the Braves as I am but do see the Reds being in the thick of things.
Cubs reliever Lee Smith won’t take part in this season after tearing his UCL.
