The Bucs Start Here - A Pirates Do-Over

[luckymann]

The only expectation we have on OD is an improvement on 1985.

Rob Deer at 1B, Steve Buechele at 3B and Barry at CF. The rest as per last year.

Lee Mazzilli, picked up on a minors deal, joins the squad while John Cangelosi remains at AAA for now.

A few tweaks in the pitching.

If things fall our way we should at least be there or thereabouts but we’re more looking at the years subsequent to this one as our window, not much different to the historical except maybe a year or two earlier.

[luckymann]

A few key decisions to be made as we try to set ourselves up for a sustained run of success.

Joe Orsulak, Gary Redus and Mitch Webster all start getting expensive after next year and with Cangelosi in the wings one will almost certainly have to go.

We'll try lock Don Slaught down long-term as this will be Lance Parrish's final year with us.

Tom Foley and Neal Heaton also need further consideration.

All in all, however, we're looking pretty good.

[luckymann]

An up-and-down start sees us 7-5 after our first dozen games but then we get things going with a 5-game run of wins.

Our BP is all over the shop, with its ERA blowing out to nearly 7 after an early 15-2 thumping from the Friars and hovering just under 6 for the remainder.

Compounding matters we simply aren’t gelling yet on offence so it’s a minor miracle that we finish this opening stanza at 28-18 and on top of the division.

Look out if we can get things where we want them to be this year!



Extensions are signed with Don Slaught (5/3670), Tom Foley (3/2040), Joe Orsulak (6+1/6880) and Neal Heaton (1/505).

Mitch Webster wants a long-term big-dollar deal that we don’t see him being worth, so we’ll just arb him and see what’s what next year.

We claim both Brian Hunter and Bob Walk off waivers and stash them at AAA.




Pretty tight across the board with the Dodgers looking strong again after a down 1985.

How bad is the A's pitching seeing as they have Canseco, McGwire, Tartabull and Rickey killing it this year and are currently under 500?


Monthly Award Winners

April

American League

Batter – Jose Canseco (A’s): 342 / 10 HR / 22 RBI
Pitcher – Bob Welch (A’s): 4-0 / 1.52 / 26 K / 41.1 IP
Rookie – Eric King (Twins): 3-1 / 2.50 / 13 K / 36 IP


National League

Batter – Glenn Davis (Astros): 305 / 8 HR / 24 RBI
Pitcher – Charlie Leibrandt (Dodgers): 4-0 / 1.41 / 16 K / 38.1 IP
Rookie – Will Clark (Giants): 312 / 3 HR / 14 RBI


May

American League

Batter – Mark McGwire (A’s): 394 / 10 HR / 30 RBI
Pitcher – Bret Saberhagen (Royals): 5-1 / 2.62 / 33 K / 48 IP
Rookie – Mark McGwire


National League

Batter – Von Hayes (Phillies): 333 / 5 HR / 21 RBI
Pitcher – Fernando Valenzuela (Dodgers): 4-1 / 1.77 / 28 K / 45.2 IP
Rookie – Scott Bankhead (Expos): 3-1 / 2.11 / 25 K / 42.2 IP


News and Leaders




Milestones and Observations of Note

400 HR: Mike Schmidt (24th player to reach this milestone)
2500 Hits: Jose Cruz
2000 Hits: Bill Madlock, Dave Winfield
200 Wins: JR Richard (nearly double his IRL tally)

The Rangers extend Dennis Eckersley with what looks a pretty cheap 3/2700 deal.

[luckymann]

This is the sort of thing you want to see from a young up-and-coming squad as we post a crooked number for a big walkoff win against Philly. While it's nice to see Barry coming around and finding his feet, the fact cannot be ignored that our BP remains in disarray.

[luckymann]

First nods for Mike Scott, Gary Redus and Johnny Ray, along with a fifth appearance for Lance Parrish.

American League

• SP Jim Clancy (BOS) - 9-4, 2.30 ERA, 133.0 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 4.3 K/9, 2.7 WAR
• SP Roger Clemens (BOS)* - 14-5, 2.26 ERA, 175.1 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 7.2 K/9, 4.6 WAR
• SP Sid Fernandez (MIN) - 10-5, 2.95 ERA, 134.1 IP, 1.20 WHIP, 7.0 K/9, 2.5 WAR
• SP Joe Hesketh (MIN) - 13-2, 2.02 ERA, 107.0 IP, 1.07 WHIP, 6.4 K/9, 3.5 WAR
• SP Eric King (MIN) - 9-7, 2.08 ERA, 138.2 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 4.7 K/9, 2.6 WAR
• SP Bret Saberhagen (KC) - 8-6, 3.27 ERA, 143.0 IP, 1.20 WHIP, 6.1 K/9, 3.8 WAR
• RP Karl Best (DET) - 4-2, 2.54 ERA, 49.2 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, 0.3 WAR
• CL Willie Hernandez (TEX) - 8-5, 9 SV, 2.70 ERA, 50.0 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 4.9 K/9, 0.1 WAR
• CL Dan Plesac (DET)* - 1-5, 11 SV, 2.04 ERA, 61.2 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 7.7 K/9, 1.8 WAR
• CL Jeff Reardon (OAK) - 3-2, 12 SV, 2.33 ERA, 54.0 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 6.2 K/9, 0.4 WAR
• C Darrell Porter (CAL) - .278/.366/.481, 158 AB, 9 HR, 146 wRC+, 1.2 WAR
• C Ernie Whitt (TEX) - .215/.286/.347, 242 AB, 6 HR, 77 wRC+, 0.9 WAR
• C Butch Wynegar (OAK)* - .225/.328/.355, 200 AB, 5 HR, 101 wRC+, 1.3 WAR
• 1B Don Mattingly (NYY)* - .368/.425/.601, 323 AB, 15 HR, 180 wRC+, 4.0 WAR
• 1B Greg Walker (CWS)* - .271/.353/.498, 251 AB, 14 HR, 1 SB, 142 wRC+, 1.8 WAR
• 2B Tony Phillips (TOR) - .299/.404/.455, 288 AB, 6 HR, 3 SB, 152 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
• 2B Willie Randolph (NYY)* - .324/.461/.401, 272 AB, 3 HR, 6 SB, 159 wRC+, 5.0 WAR
• 2B Juan Samuel (SEA) - .320/.351/.496, 272 AB, 8 HR, 35 SB, 143 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
• 3B Wade Boggs (BOS)* - .349/.420/.531, 307 AB, 7 HR, 1 SB, 173 wRC+, 4.1 WAR
• 3B Mark McGwire (OAK) - .270/.367/.540, 300 AB, 22 HR, 1 SB, 151 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
• 3B Paul Molitor (ML4) - .305/.369/.428, 311 AB, 7 HR, 23 SB, 128 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
• SS Tony Fernandez (TOR)* - .298/.365/.427, 302 AB, 3 HR, 10 SB, 124 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
• LF Jose Canseco (OAK)* - .291/.389/.556, 302 AB, 23 HR, 14 SB, 172 wRC+, 5.0 WAR
• LF Rafael Palmeiro (TEX) - .330/.380/.572, 264 AB, 16 HR, 1 SB, 160 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
• CF Kevin Bass (CWS) - .319/.344/.508, 329 AB, 13 HR, 10 SB, 143 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
• CF Chet Lemon (DET) - .274/.356/.490, 292 AB, 17 HR, 141 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
• CF Kirby Puckett (MIN)* - .310/.362/.459, 316 AB, 9 HR, 8 SB, 132 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
• CF Milt Thompson (NYY) - .354/.399/.439, 294 AB, 3 HR, 34 SB, 136 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
• RF Jesse Barfield (TOR)* - .253/.322/.382, 304 AB, 7 HR, 2 SB, 100 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
• RF Kevin Mitchell (SEA) - .286/.359/.529, 308 AB, 15 HR, 2 SB, 153 wRC+, 2.0 WAR

National League

• SP Floyd Bannister (HOU) - 8-6, 2.83 ERA, 143.1 IP, 1.23 WHIP, 5.7 K/9, 2.8 WAR
• SP Bert Blyleven (STL) - 7-9, 3.59 ERA, 140.1 IP, 1.32 WHIP, 5.9 K/9, 2.5 WAR
• SP Dwight Gooden (NYM)* - 8-7, 2.97 ERA, 148.1 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 6.9 K/9, 3.4 WAR
• SP Charlie Leibrandt (LAD) - 7-4, 2.86 ERA, 132.1 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 4.8 K/9, 3.0 WAR
• SP Rick Rhoden (STL) - 8-8, 2.73 ERA, 148.1 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 4.6 K/9, 2.6 WAR
• SP J.R. Richard (HOU) - 7-10, 3.68 ERA, 142.0 IP, 1.45 WHIP, 7.7 K/9, 2.4 WAR
• SP Mike Scott (PIT) - 11-3, 2.66 ERA, 135.1 IP, 1.03 WHIP, 6.8 K/9, 3.5 WAR
• SP Fernando Valenzuela (LAD) - 11-4, 2.22 ERA, 142.0 IP, 1.01 WHIP, 7.1 K/9, 3.9 WAR
• RP John Franco (MON)* - 4-3, 5.02 ERA, 28.2 IP, 1.85 WHIP, 6.6 K/9, 0.0 WAR
• RP Rob Murphy (ATL) - 3-3, 4 SV, 3.86 ERA, 35.0 IP, 1.31 WHIP, 6.2 K/9, 0.6 WAR
• CL Jay Howell (LAD) - 7-2, 20 SV, 3.06 ERA, 53.0 IP, 1.28 WHIP, 7.0 K/9, 0.9 WAR
• CL Jesse Orosco (STL) - 4-3, 15 SV, 1.69 ERA, 53.1 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 6.6 K/9, 1.0 WAR
• C Gary Carter (MON)* - .229/.287/.428, 236 AB, 12 HR, 104 wRC+, 1.1 WAR
• C Lance Parrish (PIT) - .254/.312/.417, 228 AB, 9 HR, 107 wRC+, 1.6 WAR
• C Mike Scioscia (NYM) - .241/.341/.386, 228 AB, 5 HR, 1 SB, 111 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
• 1B Jack Clark (ATL) - .276/.386/.498, 283 AB, 16 HR, 151 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
• 1B Glenn Davis (HOU)* - .317/.364/.506, 312 AB, 12 HR, 2 SB, 145 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
• 1B Von Hayes (PHI) - .282/.349/.446, 312 AB, 9 HR, 13 SB, 129 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
• 1B Keith Hernandez (LAD) - .315/.393/.432, 308 AB, 4 HR, 137 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
• 1B Kevin Seitzer (SD) - .336/.445/.466, 292 AB, 5 HR, 1 SB, 161 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
• 2B Johnny Ray (PIT)* - .304/.356/.415, 260 AB, 4 HR, 4 SB, 125 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
• 3B Buddy Bell (STL)* - .291/.373/.455, 268 AB, 10 HR, 3 SB, 141 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
• SS Harry Chappas (SF) - .294/.387/.357, 255 AB, 5 HR, 7 SB, 120 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
• SS Dick Schofield (CIN)* - .262/.350/.417, 290 AB, 11 HR, 7 SB, 120 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
• LF George Bell (PHI) - .276/.319/.561, 301 AB, 18 HR, 4 SB, 146 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
• LF Pedro Guerrero (LAD)* - .299/.371/.560, 291 AB, 19 HR, 3 SB, 162 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
• LF Gary Redus (PIT) - .260/.374/.423, 265 AB, 7 HR, 34 SB, 132 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
• CF Brett Butler (HOU)* - .326/.413/.436, 319 AB, 6 HR, 23 SB, 144 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
• CF Eddie Milner (PHI) - .279/.338/.390, 287 AB, 2 HR, 18 SB, 106 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
• RF Andre Dawson (MON)* - .283/.337/.517, 286 AB, 18 HR, 15 SB, 143 wRC+, 2.5 WAR

Andre Dawson wins the HR Derby, beating Chet Lemon 9-8 in the final, while rookie Rafael Palmeiro leads the AL to an 11-4 ASG win that squares the running total at 26-26.

[luckymann]

The BP situation deteriorates further and we remove Cecilio Guante from the Closer role and switch to a committee structure.

Worse than that, we lose Steve Buechele, who has been great, for what looks almost certain to be the season with back troubles.

Not wanting to start the clock just yet on Jay Bell, we promote Jerry Dybzinski and do a bit of the old infield shuffle—but we go on the lookout for a less stopgap measure.

And yet, by dint of a 11-1 run that includes 7 one-run wins and an astonishing 10-8 walkoff win in 15 against the Cards, we keep things ticking along nicely and extend our NL East lead to 4 by mid-June.

To try and consolidate our gains, we decide to bring back a veteran presence to plug the gap at 3B for the rest of the year, via this trade with the Giants:




We enter July at 46-29 having moved 6 clear but a terrible spell by our staff ensues and it’s clear we are extremely vulnerable to a full-blown regression after this early period of outperformance and being run down over the stretch if we’re not very careful.

We hit the ASB at 53-35, 4½ clear of the Cubs with the Mets having made a charge, winning 11 straight in early July but still 9 back. Sadly, we lose Scott Fletcher for up to 5 weeks in the very last game before the break with a hamstring strain.

That leaves us no choice but to start the clock on Jay Bell, who’ll come into the starting role to see how he goes.

The break seems to do us good as we win 4 from 5 when we come back, including a fine 1-hitter by Danny Darwin against the Dodgers.

We put together a nice little stretch to finish out the sectional at 61-40 and 5½ clear of the Cubs.

In the shadows of the Deadline, we spend our final ticket offloading problem child Cecilio Guante for a handy type who should hopefully bolster our BP now and prove a useful swingman over oncoming years:



We also tie up a few loose ends with 4-year low-cost deals for Bob Walk and Walt Terrell and a 3/690 extension for Larry McWilliams.






Only the Dodgers can consider themselves comfortably in control entering the stretch run.


Monthly Award Winners

June

American League

Batter – Chet Lemon (Tigers): 384 / 7 HR / 25 RBI
Pitcher – Roger Clemens (Red Sox): 5-1 / 1.72 / 44 K / 52.1 IP
Rookie – Rafael Palmeiro (Rangers): 374 / 6 HR / 18 RBI


National League

Batter – Pedro Guerrero (Dodgers): 356 / 3 HR / 17 RBI
Pitcher – Jose Rijo (Reds): 5-0 / 1.77 / 30 K / 40.2 IP
Rookie – David Cone (Phillies): 4-0 / 2.36 / 30 K / 42 IP


July

American League

Batter – Don Mattingly (Yankees): 422 / 6 HR / 26 RBI
Pitcher – Bruce Hurst (Red Sox): 5-1 / 2.72 / 33 K / 46.1 IP
Rookie – Mark McGwire (A’s): 253 / 9 HR / 19 RBI


National League

Batter – Jack Clark (Braves): 333 / 8 HR / 21 RBI
Pitcher – Rick Rhoden (Cardinals): 4-0 / 2.02 / 24 K / 40 IP
Rookie – Kevin Seitzer (Padres): 398 / 2 HR / 18 RBI


News, Leaders and Top 20s




Milestones and Observations of Note

400 Saves: Rich Gossage (first to this mark)

Detroit loses gun SS Alan Trammell for 6 weeks to shoulder tendinitis, while Rangers shortstop Greg Gagne is gone for the year after he suffers a torn back muscle.

Deadline trades of note:

[luckymann]

Our AAA Lincoln club almost survives a torrid stretch run and horror run of injuries but loses their final game to fall back into a tie with Eugene and then lose the tiebreaker as well to bow out.

Medford eventually takes their maiden title with a sweep of Denver.

[luckymann]

Despite ongoing problems among our pitching staff, we extend our lead into double figures in the early part of August going 9-3 with all three losses remarkably by a score of 6-5.

By the time September rolls around, we are at 81-49 and a comfortable 13 clear.

That runs out to a 9-game win streak and our squad returns to full strength when Scott Fletcher comes back to us after a quick rehab.

He takes over the everyday 3B role with Jay Bell staying at SS and Bill Madlock being used off the bench and resting our corner IFs when needed.

Only briefly is this the case, however, as Andy Van Slyke has a back issue flare up and we IL him just to be safe while we’ve still got the time.

We are the first to lock down our division, doing so in mid-September and, while we get stuck on 99 wins for a while, we eventually break triple-figures courtesy of a walkoff 3-run homer against the Mets by Scott Fletcher and finish a stellar season at an MLB-best 104-58, 21 to the good of Philly.




Another unusually uncomplicated regular season.

The Dodgers never look troubled and clinch a couple days after us, going on to take out the NL West by 19 games.

Same goes for the Red Sox, who again run away with the AL East, putting it to bed with a 10-game win streak in mid-August and finishing 13 clear.

The A’s run right over and then away from the Twins but suffer a massive blow when sparkplug Rickey Henderson is ruled out for the season after straining his PCL.

They struggle without him in the closing period but still come out ahead by 9 in the end.




Final Leaders and Top 20s

Don Mattingly easily takes out the AL batting crown while Kevin Seitzer just edges out Thad Bosley - they were equal at 325 entering the final day - in the NL.

Jose Canseco leads all hitters with 41 HR, while Donnie Baseball's 122 RBI are the most.

Vince Coleman is the top base-stealer with 94.

Rocket Clemens misses out on the Triple Crown by 2 ERA pips and Fernando Valenzuela also finishes podium across the three stat cats.

Rocket's 24 Wins and 244 strikeouts, and Nando's 2.42 ERA, are the best marks this year.

Ken Dayley leads all relievers with 44 Saves.

I missed it last year but Joe Morgan passed Ted Williams to become the all-time leader in bases on balls; he finishes this year on 2403.




Monthly Award Winners

August

American League

Batter – Don Mattingly (Yankees): 368 / 6 HR / 25 RBI
Pitcher – Tom Henke (White Sox): 1-0 / 0.00 / 10 SV / 22 K / 18.2 IP
Rookie – John Kruk (Red Sox): 320 / 3 HR / 21 RBI


National League

Batter – Will Clark (Giants): 330 / 11 HR / 27 RBI
Pitcher – Fernando Valenzuela (Dodgers): 6-0 / 0.74 / 36 K / 48.1 IP
Rookie – Will Clark


September

American League

Batter – Brian Downing (Angels): 333 / 9 HR / 21 RBI
Pitcher – Bruce Hurst (Red Sox): 4-0 / 3.14 / 29 K / 43 IP
Rookie – Mark McGwire (A’s): 322 / 8 HR / 21 RBI


National League

Batter – George Bell (Phillies): 340 / 6 HR / 21 RBI
Pitcher –Jack Morris (Reds): 5-1 / 1.94 / 30 K / 41.2 IP
Rookie – Greg Maddux (Braves): 3-0 / 1.98 / 26 K / 36.1 IP


Milestones and Observations of Note

2000 Hits: Don Baylor, Bobby Grich

200 Wins: Frank Tanana, Jerry Reuss

Baltimore’s Oddibe McDowell has his season ended by a concussion, while Reds OF Len Dykstra misses 5 weeks with a hand injury.

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

American League
Boston Red Sox (98-64) v Oakland A’s (91-71)


The A’s rode the ascendancy of the “Bash Brothers” to a 9-game improvement this season and have one of the most dangerous offences in the league right now, both the loss of Rickey and Danny Tartabull will make this tough for them against a Red Sox team that is almost a permanent fixture in this part of the season and with their 1-2 combo of Clemens at Hurst at the top of their rotation, I think Boston will prevail here.

The A’s upset them with a hard-fought 5-3 win at Fenway in Game 1 and repeat the dose the following day to head back to Oakland with their tails up.

The Sox finally wake up in Game 3, with John Kruk’s 4-hit game powering them to a dominant 8-1 win and they ground out a 4-2 decision the next day to pull it back to 2 games apiece.

Full of running now, the Red Sox continue the away team win streak with a 7-4 win in Game 5 and a tough comeback 4-3 win gives the Sox their 24th AL Pennant.

Billy Hatcher is named MVP, echoing his IRL demonry over the A’s in 1990.





National League
Pittsburgh Pirates (104-58) v Los Angeles Dodgers (97-65)

We go into these playoffs with plenty of optimism for our chances, though it is decidedly of the cautious variety.

Despite our MLB-best record, there are plenty of warning signs that we’ll struggle from here on in, none more so than the 3-9 record we posted in the reg season against the Dodgers.

Our youth and broad post-season inexperience is another concern, and as for our bullpen… well, let’s not go there. Best to keep things PG at this point.

While we seem to have Buck Buechele’s absence covered thanks to Jay Bell hitting the ground running, we’ll also start the NLCS without Andy Van Slyke, although we have activated him in the hope that he’ll be available at some point.

Mitch Webster has been fantastic for us this season and he’ll start in RF while Van is out.

Our opponents are at full strength.

We fall behind early in Game 1 and never really get into the contest as the Dodgers go on to take it 4-1 but we square things up the next day 4-2 behind a fine Mike Scott outing.

The medical staff give Van the all-clear and we start him in Game 3, in which we stake Candy to an early lead but once again the big stage proves too much for him.

Hate to lump it on one guy but there’s a reason we’ve had so little success with him at or near the top of our rotation and we won’t be sorry to see him go come season-end. He gives up a bunch of runs here as we lose it 6-4 despite a 3-run homer late from Barry Bonds.

John Tudor pitches a gem in Game 4 as we take it 2-1and we take the series lead for the first time the next game as it all comes together with Scott Sanderson giving us 8+ quality innings and Bonds leading the bats in an 8-2 victory.

We head back home needing just one win and this is precisely the sort of assignment we acquired Mike Scott for.

He doesn’t let us down, allowing just one run on 6 hits while fanning 8 over 7+ (and chiming in with a pair of hits) as we book another WS matchup with our grand rivals by dint of a comfortable 9-2 win.

Lance Parrish, 0-for his first 10 in the series, has 4 hits including 2 dingers and knocks in 3 but it is Johnny Ray adjudged MVP.

[luckymann]

Pittsburgh Pirates v Boston Red Sox
Best-of-seven, Pirates with the home-field advantage.


Not much to add here, I think everything has basically been covered other than the news that we get Steve Buechele back and Bill Almon is forced to make way.

Scott Fletcher has been handy and we’ll insert Buck into the soft side of a platoon at 3B and Fletch into the soft side of a platoon at SS with Jay Bell. His defence is too good not to have him playing every day.

Twelve years since we won it all, by far our longest dry spell. Be nice to end that here and now.

[luckymann]

Game 1 in Pittsburgh

John Candelaria (14-10, 3.18) v Roger Clemens (24-8, 2.75)

A tough start for us as we face the all-conquering Roger Clemens and, while the bats get us a few runs with Rob Deer popping a pair of solo shots, John Candelaria is again not up to the task as they chase him in the 5th and go on to win it 6-3.




Game 2 in Pittsburgh
Scott Sanderson (12-11, 3.33) v Bobby Witt (5-5, 4.25)
Red Sox lead series 1-0

Bobby Witt keeps us hitless thru 5 but we eventually find our range and finish the game off strongly to square the series with a 4-1 win.

Scott Sanderson does well again over 7+ and Barry Bonds reaches bases four times with pairs of doubles and walks.




Game 3 in Boston
Bruce Hurst (17-12, 3.58) v Mike Scott (21-3, 2.77)
Series tied 1-1

A high-quality match-up for Game 3 at Fenway with two guys facing off who each have had fantastic years. Mitch Webster comes in as DH for this one against the lefty Hurst.

We get to him early and look to be cruising at 6-2 only for the bullpen problems to come back and haunt us as Jim Gott gives up all 4 runs of that lead and then they blow it again in the 9th after we edge ahead once more.

Finally, we post a 5-spot in the 12th but they even try to give that away before we finally close it out for a wild 12-9 win.

Every starter gets at least one hit with Scott Fletcher going 4-for-5.

The win costs us Bob Patterson, however, who tears his UCL and is done until about the middle of next year. Rod Scurry comes in as an injury replacement.




Game 4 in Boston
Doyle Alexander (14-11, 4.08) v John Tudor (13-9, 3.64)
Pirates lead series 2-1

A win here would be huge for us and it falls on John Tudor to get us it against the wily veteran Doyle Alexander.

Once again we fail to register a hit until the middle innings, by which stage we trail 0-2.

But Tudes hangs in there and we come back twice – the second time from three runs down in the 8th – then post 3 more in the 10th to win it 8-5.

Bell, Deer and Madlock each homer in a fantastic team effort.




Game 5 in Boston
Roger Clemens (2-1, 4.24) v John Candelaria (0-2, 7.71)
Pirates lead series 3-1

Three chances for us to win it but, while there’s something particularly sweet about clinching at home I’d just as soon finish it off first go.

A huge shot at redemption for Candy in what is almost certainly his last appearance for the club but he has to beat the Rocket in order to claim it.

John certainly gives it his best but we can’t solve Clemens who holds us to 5 hits in going the distance as they score late to extend the series with a 3-1 win.




Game 6 in Pittsburgh
Scott Sanderson (12-11, 3.33) v Bobby Witt (5-5, 4.25)
Pirates lead series 3-2

The last thing we want is for this series to go to a decider as it would mean all the momentum is with our opponents. We need to get to the rookie early and never let up.

It doesn’t happen that way as Sandy gives up a run in each of the first 4 frames but we somehow get it back to square before this wretched bullpen of ours does it again and they tack on 6 runs to cruise to a 10-4 victory and force that dreaded Game 7.




Game 7 in Pittsburgh
Mike Scott (2-0, 0.84) v Bruce Hurst (1-1, 4.95)
Series tied 3-3

They’re already putting this series near the top of the list of all-time best and, were I a neutral I would agree 100%. It has been a superb advertisement for the game conducted by two clubs steeped in historic rivalry played at a ferocious and unforgiving pace.

But I am not a neutral and for us to lose from 3-1 will take a lot of soul-searching to process and make for the longest offseason imaginable.

Mike Scott has been so good for us all year – can he deliver us to the promised land with one more good’un or is that asking too much of him?

Much to our despair, it is as the Sox take a famous victory, coming back from our early deuce to take it out 4-2 for their 12th title.

Jim Rice is named series MVP.

[luckymann]

OUT & OUTS

Jim Kaat (Yankees), Jim Suchecki (Angels) and Don Drysdale (Expos) are kicked to the kerb, while Tony Jacobs (Orioles) doesn't have his contract renewed.


ROSTER MOVES

We send Jerry Dybzinski, Mitch Webster and Rod Scurry to arb and re-sign Bill Almon on a 1/220 deal.

John Candelaria, Lance Parrish and Bill Madlock all walk.


The following extensions of note were signed at other clubs:

1B Glenn Davis (Astros) 4/9900
1B Greg Brock (Redss) 4/2430


SIM ACCURACY



*From here on in I'll provide the in-game comparison as well as my own with the edited LTMs.


HANGIN' THEM UP

One of the last great pitchers from the 70s takes his leave along with one of our favoured sons. Perhaps only the former of these, however, will need his tux pressed in five years or so.

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

Nowhere to go but down from the heights of '86 as a fairly nondescript season ushers in the game's most problematic era to date. Not so much of a concern for Twins fans, who pick their charges up with a wave of their homer hankies and deposit them all the way to the club's first World Championship. But not even on its maximum setting could the Metrodome AC scatter the storm clouds brewing on the horizon.


AL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: Detroit Tigers (98-64) / Minnesota Twins (85-77)
NL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: St. Louis Cardinals (95-67) / San Francisco Giants (90-72)
ALCS: Twins 4, Tigers 1
NLCS: Cardinals 4, Giants 3
WORLD SERIES: Twins 4, Cardinals 3

Pittsburgh Pirates: 80-82, 5th in NL East

AL MVP: George Bell (Blue Jays)
NL MVP: Andre Dawson (Cubs)

AL CYA: Roger Clemens (Red Sox)
NL CYA: Steve Bedrosian (Phillies)

AL RoY: Mark McGwire (A’s)
NL RoY: Benito Santiago (Padres)


Top Ten Lists (courtesy of thisgreatgame.com)

NL Hitters

1. ERIC DAVIS, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 129 games, .293 average, 120 runs, 37 home runs, 100 RBIs, 84 walks, 50 stolen bases, 6 caught stealing.
• Davis came to the majors with far less fanfare than his high school buddy Darryl Strawberry (#2 below), but showed incredible potential—realizing much of it before an endless string of injuries gradually eroded his superstar form.

2. DARRYL STRAWBERRY, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .284 average, 108 runs, 32 doubles, 5 triples, 39 home runs, 104 RBIs, 97 walks, 36 stolen bases.
• Strawberry’s phenomenal talent reached its apex before he too got sadly sidetracked—more by drugs than injury and, like Davis later, by cancer. He partnered with Howard Johnson to become the first teammates with 30-30 seasons.

3. TIM RAINES, MONTREAL

• Key Numbers: 139 games, .330 average, 123 runs, 175 hits, 34 doubles, 8 triples, 18 home runs, 68 RBIs, 90 walks, 26 intentional walks, 50 stolen bases, 5 caught stealing.
• Forced to return to the Expos after colluding owners kept him from going elsewhere in a massive attempt to stifle wages, Raines sucked it up, had another excellent season…and got a belated payday a few years later from the courts.

4. DALE MURPHY, ATLANTA

• Key Numbers: .295 average, 115 runs, 27 doubles, 44 home runs, 105 RBIs, 115 walks, 29 intentional walks, 16 stolen bases.
• After his numbers softened in 1986, Murphy firmly rebounded and set personal bests in home runs and walks; he suffered an instant downturn a year later and hit only .234 for the remainder of his career.

5. TONY GWYNN, SAN DIEGO

• Key Numbers: .370 average, 119 runs, 218 hits, 36 doubles, 13 triples, 7 home runs, 54 RBIs, 82 walks, 26 intentional walks, 56 stolen bases.
• Gwynn shunned the homer but registered the NL’s highest average in 40 years. Unbelievably, he would record two higher averages in the years to come; more unbelievably, he would never score over 100 runs again, despite batting .340 over his remaining 14 years.

6. JACK CLARK, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 131 games, .286 average, 93 runs, 35 home runs, 106 RBIs, 136 walks, 139 strikeouts, .459 on-base percentage, .597 slugging percentage.
• Looking more bulked than ever, Clark went full ‘three outcomes’ on a revived Cardinals offense and evolved into a fearless (if fragile, toward season’s end) slugger, collecting either a home run, walk or strikeout in 55% of his plate appearances.

7. ANDRE DAWSON, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: .287 average, 90 runs, 178 hits, 49 home runs, 137 RBIs, 11 stolen bases.
• The Hawk easily soared to a career-high count of home runs and became the first MVP on a last-place team after practically begging the Cubs to sign him—to the point of handing them a contract with a blank dollar amount. (The Cubs wrote in $500,000.)

8. JUAN SAMUEL, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: .272 average, 655 at-bats, 113 runs, 178 hits, 37 doubles, 15 triples, 28 home runs, 100 RBIs, 162 strikeouts, 35 stolen bases.
• Samuel became the first major leaguer to produce double-figures in doubles, triples, home runs and steals. He would never return to such heights, failing to rekindle the early-career spark over 11 more seasons.

9. MIKE SCHMIDT, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: .293 average, 88 runs, 28 doubles, 35 home runs, 113 RBIs, 83 walks.
• Father Time was closing in on Schmidt—who turned 38 at season’s end—but he gave one last breath of Hall-of-Fame output, belting his 500th career home run, blasting three in one game for the third time, and producing his second-highest batting average.

10. PEDRO GUERRERO, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: .338 average, 89 runs, 184 hits, 25 doubles, 27 home runs, 89 RBIs.
• Guerrero showed he hadn’t lost a step after missing most of the previous season with a torn tendon; his .338 average represented a career high, hitting over .400 in two separate months (July and September).

AL Hitters

1. PAUL MOLITOR, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: 118 games, .353 average, 114 runs, 164 hits,
• 41 doubles, 5 triples, 16 home runs, 75 RBIs, 69 walks, 45 stolen bases.
• A few astonishing facts about Molitor’s memorable (39-game hit streak) and painful (40 games lost to injury) season: He hit an insane .444 with runners in scoring position, and despite missing all that time, still led the AL in runs and doubles.

2. WADE BOGGS, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: .363 average, 108 runs, 200 hits, 40 doubles, 6 triples, 24 home runs, 89 RBIs, 105 walks, 19 intentional walks, .461 on-base percentage.
• In a year where home runs trumped ace pitchers, Boggs rode the slugging frenzy to smack a career-high 24; he never hit more than 11 in any other season. To show it wasn’t all about the power, Boggs hit .390 when making contact on a 0-2 pitch.

3. DWIGHT EVANS, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: .305 average, 109 runs, 37 doubles, 34 home runs, 123 RBIs, 106 walks.
• The tireless, ageless (35) Evans—who goes back to a time when he could claim teammates such as Carl Yastrzemski, Luis Aparicio and Bob Veale—continued to get better with each passing year.

4. GEORGE BELL, TORONTO

• Key Numbers: .322 average, 111 runs, 188 hits, 32 doubles, 47 home runs, 134 RBIs.
• Bell’s Herculean year earned him the AL MVP, though it was a squeaker over Detroit’s Alan Trammell (332-311) in the final vote.

5. ALAN TRAMMELL, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: .343 average, 109 runs, 205 hits, 34 doubles, 28 home runs, 105 RBIs, 21 stolen bases, 2 caught stealing.
• Trammell’s 20-year career in Detroit peaked—if not spiked—with a stellar effort in which he set personal bests in all major hitting categories.

6. MARK MCGWIRE, OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: .289 average, 97 runs, 28 doubles, 49 home runs, 118 RBIs, .618 slugging percentage.
• The muscular rookie forfeited his shot at a 50th home run when he skipped the year’s final game to witness the birth of his first child. He probably figured he’d get a few more chances at 50 anyway.

7. ROBIN YOUNT, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: .312 average, 99 runs, 198 hits, 25 doubles, 9 triples, 21 home runs, 103 RBIs, 19 stolen bases.
• Yount’s numbers returned to something closely akin to those produced during his first MVP season of 1982—and mirrored those he’d accrue two years later when he won his second such honor. He more than doubled his home run and RBI totals from 1986 despite playing just 18 more games.

8. WALLY JOYNER, CALIFORNIA

• Key Numbers: .285 average, 100 runs, 33 doubles, 34 home runs, 117 RBIs.
• Life was good in “Wally World,” as the baby-faced sophomore—still fuming over finishing second to Jose Canseco in the 1986 AL Rookie of the Year vote—set career marks in the power categories.

9. DON MATTINGLY, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .327 average, 93 runs, 186 hits, 38 doubles, 30 home runs, 115 RBIs.
• Despite a poor start and the onset of back issues that would dog the latter half of his career, Mattingly remained one of the game’s sterling hitting talents; all 10 of his July home runs were hit within an eight-game stretch.

10. KEVIN SEITZER, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: .323 average, 105 runs, 207 hits, 33 doubles, 8 triples, 15 home runs, 83 RBIs, 12 stolen bases.
• Among the rookie’s league co-leading 207 hits were six on August 2 against Boston, making him one of three Royals ever to collect that many in a game.

NL Pitchers

1. OREL HERSHISER, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: 3.06 ERA, 16 wins, 16 losses, 1 save, 37 appearances, 35 starts, 264.2 innings, 11 wild pitches, 30 grounded into double plays.
• With so much offense in 1987, undeserving .500 pitcher Hershiser had to wonder where all of his support was.

2. RICK REUSCHEL, PITTSBURGH-SAN FRANCISCO

• Key Numbers: 3.09 ERA, 13 wins, 9 losses, 33 starts, 12 complete games, 4 shutouts, 227 innings, 42 walks.
• The portly 38-year old received a second wind upon his trade to the Giants, finally feeling relevance with a contender after so many years playing for bad teams.

3. BOB WELCH, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: 3.22 ERA, 15 wins, 9 losses, 35 starts, 4 shutouts, 251.2 innings, 20 stolen bases allowed, 18 caught stealing/picked off.
• Entering the best stretch of his career—capped by a mind-boggling 1990 campaign for Oakland—Welch began a four-year run winning at least 15 while restricting defeats to the single digits.

4. MIKE SCOTT, HOUSTON

• Key Numbers: 3.23 ERA, 16 wins, 13 losses, 36 starts, 247.2 innings, 39 stolen bases allowed.
• Scott retained his brilliant 1986 pace to begin 1987—starting the year at 9-3 with a 2.10 ERA—but afterward was 7-10 with a 4.13 figure.

5. MIKE DUNNE, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: 3.03 ERA, 13 wins, 6 losses, 23 starts, .684 winning percentage, 163.1 innings, 22 grounded into double plays.
• A year of seconds for the 24-year-old right-hander who enjoyed his best of just five major league campaigns; he finished second in the NL in ERA, and second in the NL Rookie of the Year vote (behind San Diego catcher Benito Santiago).

6. DWIGHT GOODEN, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 3.21 ERA, 15 wins, 7 losses, .682 win percentage, 179.2 innings, 24 stolen bases allowed.
• A sober Gooden might have been enough to push the Mets—25-25 until he returned from rehab on June 5—to a second straight NL East title over the Cardinals.

7. TIM BURKE, MONTREAL

• Key Numbers: 1.19 ERA, 7 wins, 0 losses, 18 saves, 4 blown saves, 55 appearances, 91 innings, 17 walks.
• Burke did very little wrong as part of a share-the-wealth Expos bullpen, following the departure of Jeff Reardon.

8. STEVE BEDROSIAN, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: 2.83 ERA, 5 wins, 3 losses, 40 saves, 8 blown saves, 65 appearances, 89 innings.
• Unable to finish any of his 37 starts two years earlier, Bedrosian successfully finished a bunch for his teammates as he converted into the NL’s leading closer—and won the NL Cy Young Award.

9. NOLAN RYAN, HOUSTON

• Key Numbers: 2.76 ERA, 8 wins, 16 losses, 34 starts, 211.2 innings, 10 wild pitches, 270 strikeouts, 45 stolen bases allowed.
• A weird year, to say the least, for the Ryan Express; he turned 40, won his second ERA title but with an 8-16 record that’s the worst by a league leader, and recorded the highest strikeout-per-nine-inning rate (11.5) of his illustrious career.

10. JOHN FRANCO, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 2.52 ERA, 8 wins, 5 losses, 32 saves, 9 blown saves, 68 appearances, 82 innings.
• Though he saved an equal number of games at home and away (16 each), his ERA at Riverfront Stadium was 4.14—while it was 1.20 on the road.

AL Pitchers

1. JIMMY KEY, TORONTO

• Key Numbers: 2.76 ERA, 17 wins, 8 losses, .680 win percentage, 36 starts, 261 innings, 24 grounded into double plays.
• Practically the only left-handed starter the Blue Jays had during the 1980s, Key was arguably as untouchable as Roger Clemens.

2. ROGER CLEMENS, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: 2.97 ERA, 20 wins, 9 losses, 18 complete games, 7 shutouts, .690 win percentage, 36 starts, 281.2 innings, 26 stolen bases allowed.
• Recovered from a slow start fueled by a contract squabble, Clemens shared the major league lead in wins and earned back-to-back Cy Young Award honors—a first for a Red Sox pitcher.

3. FRANK VIOLA, MINNESOTA

• Key Numbers: 2.90 ERA, 17 wins, 10 losses, 36 starts, 251.2 innings.
• The southpaw mimicked the Twins’ schizophrenic home/away fortunes; he was 11-3 at the Metrodome, 6-7 on the road.

4. BRET SABERHAGEN, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: 3.36 ERA, 18 wins, 10 losses, 33 starts, 15 shutouts, 257 innings, 53 walks.
• Making up for a lost previous year that followed up his breakout Cy Young Award campaign of 1985, Saberhagen got back on track—though he stalled after a 14-2 start.

5. TED HIGUERA, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: 3.85 ERA, 18 wins, 10 losses, 35 starts, 261.2 innings, 20 stolen bases allowed, 23 grounded into double plays.
• The Mexico-born southpaw continued to impress in Milwaukee, furnishing the longest streak of consecutive scoreless innings (33.1) in Brewers history.

6. DAVE STEWART, OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: 4.03 ERA, 13 wins, 6 losses, .684 win percentage, 33 starts, 187.2 innings, 27 grounded into double plays.
• His career lost at sea, Stewart found pitching paradise with a forkball and became a perennial 20-game winner.

7. TOMMY JOHN, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 3.20 ERA, 11 wins, 12 losses, 1 save, 32 appearances, 27 starts, 185.2 innings, 24 grounded into double plays.
• Now in his 24th season—he would pitch two more years—the man who made Dr. Frank Jobe proud found a patch of efficiency with the Yankees, who brought him back after a period of nomadic movement.

8. CHARLIE LEIBRANDT, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: 3.41 ERA, 16 wins, 11 losses, 35 starts, 240.1 innings.
• Sure, it wasn’t hard to reach base against Leibrandt, whose WHIP (walks/hits allowed per inning) was better-than-average but not brilliant at 1.28; but it was a little tougher having opponents bring them home, as they hit .202 against the lefty with runners in scoring position.

9. MARK LANGSTON, SEATTLE

• Key Numbers: 3.84 ERA, 19 wins, 13 losses, 35 starts, 272 innings, 114 walks, 262 strikeouts, 26 stolen bases allowed.
• Wayward for two seasons after a terrific 1984 debut, Langston re-acquired ace status and nearly became the Mariners’ first 20-game winner.

10. DANNY JACKSON, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: 4.02 ERA, 9 wins, 18 losses, 34 starts, 224 innings, 109 walks, 20 grounded into double plays.
• For the second straight year, Jackson easily had the worst run support per start in the AL; the Royals averaged 3.35 runs every time he took the mound.

[luckymann]

As with the season that followed it, there was no way this year’s rookie class could match up with that of ’86. All the same, some handy players coming through including two Marquees and four Legacies.

These are the Legacy Players for the 1987 Season:

Atlanta Braves: Tom Glavine (80.7; 518 GS) MARQUEE 76%
Seattle Mariners: Edgar Martinez (68.4; 2055 – one-club player) MARQUEE 100% (conceded)
Baltimore Orioles: BJ Surhoff (34.4; 1001)
Houston Astros: Ken Caminiti (33.4; 1085)
New York Mets: Al Leiter (40.0; 213 GS)
San Francisco Giants: Matt Williams (46.6; 1120)


BJ Surhoff (1102 GP) was also eligible for the Brewers, but the O’s had the higher pick.


There are 155 rookies for this season, and the Draft will consist of 5 rounds.

The Draft order will be as follows (winning percentage from 1986 IRL season in brackets; bold indicates Legacy Pick in 1st Round):


Round 1

1. Atlanta Braves (447)
2. Seattle Mariners (414)
3. San Francisco Giants (512)
4. New York Mets (667)
5. Baltimore Orioles (451; dice roll)
6. Houston Astros (593)
7. Pittsburgh Pirates (395)
8. Chicago Cubs (438; dice roll)
9. Minnesota Twins (438; dice roll)
10. Chicago White Sox (444)
11. Los Angeles Dodgers (451; dice roll)
12. San Diego Padres (457)
13. Kansas City Royals (469; dice roll)
14. Oakland Athletics (469; dice roll)
15. Milwaukee Brewers (478)
16. Montreal Expos (484)
17. St. Louis Cardinals (491)
18. Cleveland Indians (519)
19. Toronto Blue Jays (531; dice roll)
20. Cincinnati Reds (531; dice roll)
21. Philadelphia Phillies (534)
22. Texas Rangers (537; dice roll)
23. Detroit Tigers (537; dice roll)
24. New York Yankees (556)
25. California Angels (568)
26. Boston Red Sox (590)


Rounds 2 thru 5

1. Pittsburgh Pirates (354)
2. Seattle Mariners (414)
3. Chicago Cubs (438; dice roll)
4. Minnesota Twins (438; dice roll)
5. Chicago White Sox (444)
6. Atlanta Braves (447)
7. Baltimore Orioles (451; dice roll)
8. Los Angeles Dodgers (451; dice roll)
9. San Diego Padres (457)
10. Kansas City Royals (469; dice roll)
11. Oakland Athletics (469; dice roll)
12. Milwaukee Brewers (478)
13. Montreal Expos (484)
14. St. Louis Cardinals (491)
15. San Francisco Giants (512)
16. Cleveland Indians (519)
17. Toronto Blue Jays (531; dice roll)
18. Cincinnati Reds (531; dice roll)
19. Philadelphia Phillies (534)
20. Texas Rangers (537; dice roll)
21. Detroit Tigers (537; dice roll)
22. New York Yankees (556)
23. California Angels (568)
24. Boston Red Sox (590)
25. Houston Astros (593)
26. New York Mets (667)


Eligible PIT players: 10 position players + 12 pitchers = 22


Once again, we are fortunate enough to have first crack at those unspoken for and we knew from the moment the pool was announced who that first pick would be spent on. Hopeful that the 27th pick will also reap us a nice benefit.

Here are the new Bucco boys:

1. 1. OF Ellis Burks, 21 (INELIGIBLE)

• So many things have to line up for us to make these high picks realise their full value and we certainly feel they have done so here as we pick up our CF of the future. Will require some roster realignment to fit him into the allotted four ineligibles but we were planning on that happening anyway. A huge add for us.

2. P John Burkett, 22 (INELIGIBLE)

• More of a long-term play here with John – clearly the best option remaining at this point – not really MLB-ready for a few years. After that, however, he is top-notch.

3. 3. SS Felix Fermin, 23 (PIT IRL: 1987-88)

• Sort of in the Bill Almon mould, a solid sixth IF who will likely see some time in the bigs but never look like he belongs there.

4. P Barry Jones, 22 (PIT IRL: 1986-88)
5. C Mark Parent, 24 (PIT IRL: 1995)

• AAA depth, although Ballard has at least one decent season in him by our reckoning.

Another big step forward for us.

[luckymann]

No bookmakers in this universe means Charlie hustles his way to Cooperstown, while Dick Allen remains oh so close with plenty more chances at his disposal.

[luckymann]

The bleeding has only just been stemmed - that was a tough beat.

Our initial target among this year's FAs fell by the wayside (see the Preseason post in a bit for more) and we had to wait until after the Draft to try and acquire our other chief want, so it was a slow start to the offseason other than signing quality RP Alejandro Pena on a 5/4500 deal. He'll step into the vacant Closer role.

As soon as the Draft was done with, we approached the Mets and ended up making the following trade:

That's right kids, the Killer B band is back together. Actually, with Buechele and Bell we've got a veritable hive going.

The Burks addition meant Cangelosi was totally blocked and the Mets were keen to take him off our hands so it was a fairly straightforward swap.

That left us with one ineligible too many now that Ellis is on board and we always knew which one was the odd man out. It took some figuring but eventually we rolled the dice and brought another IRL club fave into the fold via this transaction:

This was one of those trades you can do deals. We were planning on using LaValliere to back Sluggo up this season then trade him but this was the only way we could get the thing done and we decided we had another only slightly less preferred option in Brian Harper so we pulled the trigger. It gets Sandy off the books, bringing us back within the allowed CC membership, and improves our balance sheet mightily to boot. Where it could come unstuck is if Slaught gets hurt but we'll just make sure the trainers treat him like a Fabergé egg until further notice.


OK so that leaves us with one unused transaction voucher to deploy as needed over the course of the season.

[luckymann]

A busy old offseason as salaries move past the $4m mark and the big boys continue to exert their financial influence, most notably the World Champs. We tried to sign Pascual Perez with an initial asking price of $2.2m AAV but were quickly shoved aside in the bidding war that ensued and which they eventually won.

Here are the transactions of note:

OF Chet Lemon: Red Sox, 4 years / $22.8m / AAV $4.56m
P Pascual Perez: Red Sox, 4 years / $18.2m / AAV $4.54m
2B Willie Randloph: Dodgers, 5 years / $22.4m / AAV $4.48m
P JR Richard: Royals, 3 years / $12.5m / AAV $4.16m
1B Jack Clark: Cardinals, 4 years / $16.5m / AAV $4.12m
C Ernie Whitt: Giants, 4 years / $16.3m / AAV $4.08m
3B Howard Johnson: Cubs, 3 years / $11.7m / AAV $3.91m
OF Jerry Mumphrey: White Sox, 4 years / $14.6m / AAV $3.64m
OF Fred Lynn: Mariners, 4 years / $12.8m / AAV $3.20m
2B Tony Phillips: Blue Jays, 4 years / $12.4m / AAV $3.09m
SS Hubie Brooks: Giants, 4 years / $11.4m / AAV $2.84m
P John Candelaria: Tigers, 4 years / $10.1m / AAV $2.52m
OF Tom Brunansky: Dodgers, 3 years / $7.6m / AAV $2.52m
SS Roy Smalley: Yankees, 4 years / $9.2m / AAV $2.29m
OF Lee Lacy: Phillies, 1 year / $2.3m / AAV $2.28m
OF Lyman Bostock: Angels, 3 years / $2.5m / AAV $1.24m (extension)
C Ron Hassey: Tigers, 2 years / $5.9m / AAV $1.96m
OF Eddie Milner: Tigers, 2 years / $3.8m / AAV $1.89m
P Bart Johnson: White Sox, 1 year / $1.9m / AAV $1.88m
1B Darrell Evans: Twins, 3 years / $5.5m / AAV $1.85m
C Ozzie Virgil: Phillies, 3 years / $5.2m / AAV $1.72m
P Storm Davis: Blue Jays, 3 years / $5.1m / AAV $1.69m
P Mike Witt: Tigers, 4 years / $4.9m / AAV $1.64m
OF Dave Parker: Cardinals, 1 year / $1.6m / AAV $1.64m
1B Greg Walker: Mets, 3 years / $4.8m / AAV $1.59m
P Bert Blyleven: Royals, 1 year / $1.6m / AAV $1.60m
OF Dave Henderson: Reds, 4 years / $6.2m / AAV $1.55m
P Tom Henke: Giants, 3 years / $4.6m / AAV $1.52m
C Lance Parrish: Cardinals, 1 year / $1.4m / AAV $1.36m
2B Bobby Grich: Angels, 2 years / $2.5m / AAV $1.24m (extension)


3B Chris Alvarez from Tigers to Yankees for 1B Cecil Cooper (retaining 90%)
OF James McCollom and P Rocky Childress from Cardinals to Royals for C Tony Pena
OF Darrin Jackson from Orioles to Indians for P Dennis Lamp (retaining 40%)
3B Bob Zambrano from Cubs to Royals for 3B George Brett
OF Darnell Coles and C Jim Puzy from Blue Jays to White Sox for P Mike Moore
P Ron Darling from Mariners to Giants for P Jay Tibbs and P Don Schultze
P Dave Wehrmeister from Blue Jays to Phillies for C Rich Gedman (retaining 30%)
3B Davey Lopes from Astros to Giants for P Mark Portugal and P Brian Fisher
2B Jerry Browne from Orioles to Blue Jays for P Charlie Hough (retaining 55%)
SS Mariano Duncan and P Dave Leiper from Indians to Twins for P Sid Fernandez (retaining 90%)
P Britt Burns and cash from Yankees to Phillies for C Ed Hearn
P Frank Tanana (retaining 60%) from Rangers to Mets for 3B Chris James and P Drew Hall


We go 11-7 in Spring Training and suffer no injuries of any importance.

BNN see the league returning to its close and competitive ways with the Red Sox, A’s and Reds narrowly coming out on top in the other groups.

In our division they cannot separate ourselves and the Expos, with the Cubs and Cards close at hand.

[luckymann]

Bobby Bo at 1B, Ellis at CF and he'll lead off, Fletch and Jay Bell platooning at SS.

Jo Orsulak will spend the year at AAA, along with Rob Deer and Bill Almon. Unless / until injuries and/or form decree otherwise.

Vance Law, who we picked up on a minors deal, makes his return as part of the back IF crew. Brian Harper into backup catcher as previously discussed.

Mike Scott takes over the SP1, with Don Robinson and Doug Drabek also in the rotation.

Bob Walk makes his first appearance for the club in a relief / spot starter role.