The Bucs Start Here - A Pirates Do-Over

[luckymann]

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


I honestly can’t believe that either of us are back here, let alone both.

This ridiculous rivalry continues and it will be interesting to see how much either group has left in the tank after their really tough LCS. Will almost certainly be a case of last man standing here, one would think.

Jim Gott comes back in for us with Don Robinson making way.

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

Game 1 in Pittsburgh

John Smiley (11-16, 3.79) v Roger Clemens (15-11, 3.32)

Would you expect anything less than an instant classic to kick things off? That’s certainly what we get as Clemens and Smiley are fantastic but we tie it late and then win it 4-3 in 12 on a walkoff RBI single by reliever Dan Plesac of all people.




Game 2 in Pittsburgh
Doug Drabek (19-10, 2.97) v Bruce Hurst (14-11, 3.93)
Pirates lead series 1-0

Hurst is brilliant, with a no-hitter going into the 6th before fading a bit but still whipping us 5-1 on just 4 hits over 7+. Compounding matters is the loss of Galarraga for the duration after being HBP.




Game 3 in Boston
Pedro Martinez (18-11, 2.97) v Zane Smith (14-13, 3.56)
Series tied 1-1

They keep throwing the good ones at you, this mob, but this one is ultimately decided by the bats and arguably outdoes Game 1 as we come back late again to tie it at 6 but end up losing it 7-6 in the 12th.




Game 4 in Boston
Sid Fernandez (17-10, 2.93) v Danny Darwin (9-7, 3.88)
Red Sox lead series 2-1

There doesn’t seem much fight left in these boys of ours as Darwin gives us 4 no-hit frames but then gasses and we lose 4-3 with just 6 hits again despite a fine game by Bonds.




Game 5 in Boston
Dave Stewart (1-0, 2.08) v Roger Clemens (1-1, 5.27)
Red Sox lead series 3-1

Clemens finishes us off seemingly without raising a sweat, shutting us out over 8 as we lie down with an insipid performance and the drought continues.

It seems this is our lot, I fear—always competitive but simply not good enough to beat the big boys. Kind of like Moneyball-era Oakland (anachronism alert!).

Kudos to the Red Sox, they have been on one of the best runs we have ever seen with 5 titles now in the past 7 seasons.

Devon White is named MVP.

[luckymann]

OUT & OUTS

Time for another expansion with the Rockies and Marlins joining the fray. That of course means another Expansion Draft, which I shall cover separately in due course.

The Oakland franchise has new ownership.

Bob Friend at the Giants is the only Manager axed with a number of GMs also losing their jobs.


ROSTER MOVES

We void the option year of both Danny Darwin and Joe Orsulak. We'll be looking at trying to have (for us) a fair crack at the FA or trade market this offseason and we need the $$.

Just RP Joe Boever and Mike Dyer off to arb.

Danny Jackson (who we'd like to have kept but he wants $2m per vs the $250k we were paying him for '92), Don Robinson, Neal Heaton, Ken Oberkfell and Junior Ortiz all walk.


The following extensions of note were signed elsewhere:

P Steve Avery (Yankees) 4/16400
OF Mark Whiten (Brewers) 4/8640
P Kevin Tapani (Brewers) 3/11520
OF Larry Walker (Braves) 8/36020


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

Little HoF hope for any of this year's retirees, I'm afraid. baffled as to why Juan Samuel exits so prematurely vs 1998 IRL but there you go.

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

Just the 5 Legacies coming through including one Marquee. Still it is a fascinating bunch and two of the league’s current powerhouses each adds big name to its arsenal.

These are the Legacy Players for the 1993 Season:

Atlanta Braves: Chipper Jones (85.3; 2499 – one-club player) MARQUEE 100%
Boston Red Sox: Manny Ramirez (69.3; 1083)
San Diego Padres: Trevor Hoffman (28.0; 902 GP)
St. Louis Cardinals: Jim Edmonds (60.4; 1105)
Toronto Blue Jays: Carlos Delgado (44.4; 1423)


There are 203 rookies for this season, and the Draft will consist of 7 rounds.

The Draft order will be as follows (winning percentage from 1992 IRL season in brackets; bold indicates Legacy Pick in 1st Round). With the game giving Colorado the first pick in the ED, I prioritised Florida in this one.:

Round 1

1. Atlanta Braves (605)
2. Boston Red Sox (451)
3. St. Louis Cardinals (512)
4. Toronto Blue Jays (593; dice roll)
5. San Diego Padres (506)
6. Florida Marlins (N/A)
7. Colorado Rockies (N/A)
8. Los Angeles Dodgers (389)
9. Seattle Mariners (395)
10. Philadelphia Phillies (432)
11. Kansas City Royals (444; dice roll)
12. California Angels (444; dice roll)
13. San Francisco Giants (444; dice roll)
14. New York Mets (444; dice roll)
15. Detroit Tigers (463)
16. New York Yankees (469; dice roll)
17. Cleveland Indians (469; dice roll)
18. Texas Rangers (475)
19. Chicago Cubs (481)
20. Houston Astros (500)
21. Chicago White Sox (531)
22. Montreal Expos (537)
23. Baltimore Orioles (549)
24. Cincinnati Reds (556; dice roll)
25. Minnesota Twins (556; dice roll)
26. Milwaukee Brewers (568)
27. Oakland Athletics (593; dice roll)
28. Pittsburgh Pirates (593; dice roll)


Rounds 2 thru 7

1. Florida Marlins (N/A)
2. Colorado Rockies (N/A)
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (389)
4. Seattle Mariners (395)
5. Philadelphia Phillies (432)
6. Kansas City Royals (444; dice roll)
7. California Angels (444; dice roll)
8. San Francisco Giants (444; dice roll)
9. New York Mets (444; dice roll)
10. Boston Red Sox (451)
11. Detroit Tigers (463)
12. New York Yankees (469; dice roll)
13. Cleveland Indians (469; dice roll)
14. Texas Rangers (475)
15. Chicago Cubs (481)
16. Houston Astros (500)
17. San Diego Padres (506)
18. St. Louis Cardinals (512)
19. Chicago White Sox (531)
20. Montreal Expos (537)
21. Baltimore Orioles (549)
22. Cincinnati Reds (556; dice roll)
23. Minnesota Twins (556; dice roll)
24. Milwaukee Brewers (568)
25. Toronto Blue Jays (593; dice roll)
26. Oakland Athletics (593; dice roll)
27. Pittsburgh Pirates (593; dice roll)
28. Atlanta Braves (605)


Eligible PIT players: 9 position players + 7 pitchers = 16.


The combination of our low pick and the makeup of our eligible draftees means we're certainly not expecting much this time around. if we can grab one guy to fill a fairly pressing need then we'll be happy.

We end up taking the following players:

1. SS Chris Gomez, 21 (PIT IRL: 2008)

• As is so often the case, when we least need it and are on the hunt for a CF, we are instead spoiled for choice with infielders. This selection was a close-run thing between Chris and another IF we’d have considered taking with our next pick, such is the dearth of options for us—a point rendered moot by the other guy going not long after this one.

2. OF Rich Becker, 20 (INELIGIBLE)

• Almost as if he’s the replacement for the imminently-departing Steve Finley, albeit a fair step down from him talent-wise. Pure traid bait.

3. P Ross Powell, 24 (PIT IRL: 1995)

• We’ve lost a few LHRP and are invariably thin anyway, so this is quite a handy get and don’t be surprised to see him suited up in black and gold come OD.

4. OF Andy Tomberlin, 26 (PIT IRL: 1993)
5. 3B Pedro Castellano, 22 (INELIGIBLE)
6. 2B Doug Saunders, 23 (INELIGIBLE)
7. C Larry Gonzalez, 25 (INELIGIBLE)

• AAA depth, with only Andy the most remote chance of a run at the parent club.

Can’t win for losing sometimes.

[luckymann]

It has become painfully apparent to us that if we want to have any hope of breaking this 18-year-and-counting title drought then we need better pitching.

Hopefully signing this guy for 10 years with an option over an 11th for roughly $3.5m per is a step on the right path in this regard.

He is an ineligible and so with Alomar, Galarraga, Burkett and him we are at our full quota, which means Steve Finley cannot be used.

Which results in this swap with the Yanks:

Kenny Lofton was our initial thought but the Cards weren't playing dice and this ended up being a much more beneficial trade for us at any rate and a pretty good one for the Yanks as well, I'd think. Haney is well handy.

Onto the Expansion Draft!

[luckymann]

We're fairly well situated with most of our prospects still under the threshold and have no problem protecting all those we want to.

Here's our list and the noobs' first 8 picks in full. The first 4 of those - Backman, Mesa, Tibbs and Foley - are all from us.

Here's how the Rockies and Marlins squads shape up after all that and the Rule 5 have been conducted.

[luckymann]

Three new plaques needed in C-Town.

[luckymann]

A season that starts with a bit of a whimper ends with a series of bangs and then a series that ends with the biggest bang since 1960 as the Blue Jays repeat. It is a season tainted by off-field tragedy with the deaths of Steve Olin and Tim Crews in a boating accident, marked with futility as Mets reliever loses a record 27 straight decisions and filled with comedic moments such as those that left both Jose Canseco and Robin Ventura with a bump on his head for entirely different reasons. The game itself would be left sporting a far more indelible contusion in the not too distant future.


AL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: Toronto Blue Jays (95-67) / Chicago White Sox (94-68)
NL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: Philadelphia Phillies (97-65) / Atlanta Braves (104-58)
ALCS: Blue Jays 4, White Sox 2
NLCS: Phillies 4, Braves 2
WORLD SERIES: Blue Jays 4, Phillies 2

Pittsburgh Pirates: 75-87, 5th in NL East

AL MVP: Frank Thomas (White Sox)
NL MVP: Barry Bonds (Pirates)

AL CYA: Jack McDowell (White Sox)
NL CYA: Greg Maddux (Braves)

AL RoY: Tim Salmon (Angels)
NL RoY: Mike Piazza (Mets)


Top Ten Lists (courtesy of thisgreatgame.com)

NL Hitters

1. BARRY BONDS, SAN FRANCISCO

• Key Numbers: .336 average, 129 runs, 181 hits, 38 doubles, 46 home runs, 123 RBIs, 126 walks, 43 intentional walks, 29 stolen bases, .458 on-base percentage, .677 slugging percentage.
• Earning $43 million worth of respect he long sought, Bonds repaid the Giants in kind with a prodigious effort that more than confirmed his world-class status.

2. RON GANT, ATLANTA

• Key Numbers: .274 average, 113 runs, 27 doubles, 36 home runs, 117 RBIs, 26 stolen bases.
• The Braves’ slugger continued his roller-coaster career ride, following up a down year with an up-year; he’d be down again in 1994, missing the entire year (and losing his salary) after breaking his leg in a contract-violating ATV accident.

3. LENNY DYKSTRA, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: .305 average, 637 at-bats, 143 runs, 194 hits, 44 doubles, 6 triples, 19 home runs, 66 RBIs, 129 walks, 37 stolen bases.
• You have to go back to Chuck Klein’s gaudy days at Baker Bowl to find anyone scoring as many runs for the Phillies as did Dykstra in 1993.

4. FRED MCGRIFF, SAN DIEGO-ATLANTA

• Key Numbers: .291 average, 111 runs, 29 doubles, 37 home runs, 101 RBIs.
• McGriff’s red-hot final 68 games with the Braves after being shoved out of penny-pinching San Diego helped him set a career high in home runs.

5. ANDRES GALARRAGA, COLORADO

• Key Numbers: 120 games, .370 average, 174 hits, 35 doubles, 22 home runs, 98 RBIs.
• The former Cardinal had Colorado manager (and former St. Louis hitting coach) Don Baylor as much to thank as the thin, mile-high Denver air for bringing his career back from the dead.

6. GREGG JEFFERIES, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: .342 average, 89 runs, 186 hits, 16 home runs, 83 RBIs, 46 stolen bases.
• Stigmatized for his immaturity and horrendous defense, the one-time can’t-miss prospect Jefferies finally played to his potential at St. Louis.

7. DARREN DAULTON, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: .257 average, 90 runs, 35 doubles, 24 home runs, 105 RBIs, 117 walks.
• A year after becoming the first Phillies catcher to knock in 100 runs, Daulton became the first Phillies catcher to do it twice.

8. JOHN KRUK, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: .316 average, 100 runs, 33 doubles, 5 triples, 14 home runs, 85 RBIs, 111 walks.
• Given up in 1989 by the Padres for fear he was fattening his way out of baseball, Kruk continued to gorge on opponents at Philadelphia.

9. MIKE PIAZZA, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: .318 average, 81 runs, 174 hits, 35 home runs, 112 RBIs.
• There was more than just Dodger Blue in common within the blood of Piazza and his manager, Tommy Lasorda, who was godfather to the rookie sensation’s brother.

10. MATT WILLIAMS, SAN FRANCISCO

• Key Numbers: .294 average, 105 runs, 170 hits, 33 doubles, 38 home runs, 110 RBIs.
• After sliding to a .227 average and relatively scant 20 homers a year earlier, Williams was more than happy to ride the coattails of first-year Giant Barry Bonds.

AL Hitters

1. JOHN OLERUD, TORONTO

• Key Numbers: .363 average, 109 runs, 200 hits, 54 doubles, 2 triples, 24 home runs, 107 RBIs, 114 walks, 33 intentional walks, .473 on-base percentage.
• Of the many All-Star names within the high-flying Toronto offense, no one flew higher than the previously unknown Olerud—though one wonders if he still wasn’t getting respect despite a Toronto-record .363 average and major league-best 26-game hit streak. He wasn’t even the top MVP vote-getter on his own team (Paul Molitor).

2. FRANK THOMAS, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: .317 average, 106 runs, 174 hits, 36 doubles, 41 home runs, 128 RBIs, 112 walks.
• Unanimously beating Olerud (and Molitor) in the MVP race was Thomas, who made up for being denied in two previous, honor-worthy seasons; he mashed 40 homers for the first of five times in his career.

3. KEN GRIFFEY JR., SEATTLE

• Key Numbers: .309 average, 113 runs, 180 hits, 38 doubles, 45 home runs, 109 RBIs, 96 walks, 25 intentional walks, 17 stolen bases.
• After averaging 22 home runs through his first four seasons, Griffey catapulted into the 40-dinger range himself for the first of seven times in his Hall-of-Fame lifespan.

4. JUAN GONZALEZ, TEXAS

• Key Numbers: .310 average, 105 runs, 33 doubles, 46 home runs, 118 RBIs. 13 hit-by-pitches, .632 slugging percentage.
• “Juan Gone” Gonzalez led the AL in homers for the second straight year—but his .310 mark, after a couple years in the .260s, is what really scared pitchers.

5. PAUL MOLITOR, TORONTO

• Key Numbers: .332 average, 121 runs, 211 hits, 37 doubles, 5 triples, 22 home runs, 111 RBIs, 22 stolen bases.
• For those who think Molitor, in his first year at Toronto, was firmly content in the DH role, he actually hit a sizzling .452 in the 23 games that he started at first base.

6. RAFAEL PALMEIRO, TEXAS

• Key Numbers: .295 average, 124 runs, 176 hits, 40 doubles, 37 home runs, 105 RBIs, 22 intentional walks, 22 stolen bases.
• Another of an unusual number of American Leaguers whose home run production shot up in 1993, Palmeiro’s 37 blasts were 11 higher than his previous career high. He’d surpass that number nine more times.

7. ROBERTO ALOMAR, TORONTO

• Key Numbers: .326 average, 109 runs, 192 hits, 35 doubles, 6 triples, 17 home runs, 93 RBIs, 80 walks, 55 stolen bases.
• Still the Blue Jays’ most complete offensive threat, Alomar was one of four players on the team with at least 109 runs. The last team to claim that stat? The 1949 Red Sox.

8. ALBERT BELLE, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: .290 average, 93 runs, 172 hits, 36 doubles, 38 home runs, 129 RBIs, 23 stolen bases, 14 sacrifice flies.
• Albert Belle—that’s no longer Joey to you, creep—continued his growth as one of the most fearsome and surly of numerous young talents in Cleveland.

9. RICKEY HENDERSON, OAKLAND-TORONTO

• Key Numbers: 134 games, .289 average, 114 runs, 21 home runs, 59 RBIs, 120 walks, 53 stolen bases.
• Playing close to his 1990 MVP level with the A’s, Rickey was sent to Toronto for a short-lived, two-month tenure—and hit just .212.

10. CARLOS BAERGA, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: .321 average, 105 runs, 200 hits, 28 doubles, 6 triples, 21 home runs, 114 RBIs, 15 stolen bases.
• Reaching his peak in a 14-year career that strangely petered out midway through, Baerga became the third Cleveland player (after Joe Jackson and Dale Mitchell) to collect 200-plus hits in back-to-back seasons.

NL Pitchers

1. GREG MADDUX, ATLANTA

• Key Numbers: 2.36 ERA, 20 wins, 10 losses, 36 starts, 8 complete games, 267 innings, 52 walks, 27 stolen bases allowed, 26 grounded into double plays.
• Maddux likely converted any last holdouts who doubted he was head and shoulders above all other NL pitchers.

2. BILL SWIFT, SAN FRANCISCO

• Key Numbers: 2.82 ERA, 21 wins, 8 losses, .724 win percentage, 34 starts, 232.2 innings, 26 grounded into double plays.
• The perennially fragile Swift was able to tape it all together for one terrific year, pairing up with John Burkett to become the first pair of 20-game winning Giants since 1966.

3. JOSE RIJO, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 2.48 ERA, 14 wins, 9 losses, 36 starts, 257.1 innings, 227 strikeouts, 22 stolen bases allowed.
• After years struggling to hop over the 200-inning mark, Rijo went full workhorse with, easily, career highs in starts and innings thrown; it was his sixth straight season producing a sub-3.00 ERA.

4. JOHN BURKETT, SAN FRANCISCO

• Key Numbers: 3.65 ERA, 22 wins, 7 losses, .759 win percentage, 34 starts, 231.2 innings, 40 walks, 14 caught stealing/picked off, 21 grounded into double plays.
• Burkett, who once bowled a perfect 300, had a field year bowling for Giants wins on the mound.

5. STEVE AVERY, ATLANTA

• Key Numbers: 2.94 ERA, 18 wins, 6 losses, .750 win percentage, 35 starts, 223.1 innings, 43 walks, 32 stolen bases allowed, 26 grounded into double plays.
• The Braves were briefly blessed with the “Big Four” as Avery looked every bit as good as Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz; but while the other three would cruise long-term toward Cooperstown, the 23-year-old southpaw would succumb to injuries and underperformance after 1993.

6. JOHN WETTELAND, MONTREAL

• Key Numbers: 1.37 ERA, 9 wins, 3 losses, 43 saves, 6 blown saves, 70 appearances, 85.1 innings, 13 stolen bases allowed.
• The second-year Expos closer set a career mark with 43 saves—a number he would match twice more in his remaining seven seasons.

7. MARK PORTUGAL, HOUSTON

• Key Numbers: 2.77 ERA, 18 wins, 4 losses, .818 win percentage, 33 starts, 208 innings.
• Putting it all together after eight years of trying, the 30-year-old right-hander was particularly so tough on the Giants (career 11-3 mark, 2.55 ERA) that they signed him the next year—if for anything else, so they wouldn’t have to face him anymore.

8. ROD BECK, SAN FRANCISCO

• Key Numbers: 2.16 ERA, 3 wins, 1 loss, 48 saves, 4 blown saves, 76 appearances, 79.1 innings, 13 walks.
• The burly, scruffy-haired “Shooter” began a stretch of six seasons in which he’d average nearly 40 saves per year.

9. JEFF FASSERO, MONTREAL

• Key Numbers: 2.29 ERA, 12 wins, 5 losses, .706 win percentage, 1 save, 2 blown saves, 56 appearances, 15 starts, 149.2 innings.
• One of many rising young starts on a talented Expos team, Fassero was equally good as a first-half reliever (2.28 ERA) and second-half starter (2.29).

10. TOM GLAVINE, ATLANTA

• Key Numbers: 3.20 ERA, 22 wins, 6 losses, .786 win percentage, 36 starts, 239.1 innings, 25 grounded into double plays.
• The taciturn southpaw became the first NL pitcher since Warren Spahn (1957-61) to pace the circuit in wins three years in a row.

AL Pitchers

1. KEVIN APPIER, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: 2.41 ERA, 18 wins, 11 losses, 32 starts, 11 complete games, 5 shutouts, 246.2 innings, 24 stolen bases, 28 grounded into double plays.
• Fully blossomed into the Royals’ ace, Appier secured his lone ERA crown with the help of a franchise-record string of 33.2 scoreless innings in September.

2. JIMMY KEY, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 3.00 ERA, 18 wins, 6 losses, .750 win percentage, 34 starts, 236.2 innings, 43 walks, 25 grounded into double plays.
• Switching allegiances from maple leafs to pinstripes, the veteran lefty collected a personal-best total of wins and became, for now, the top mainstay of the Yankees’ rotation.

3. JACK MCDOWELL, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 3.37 ERA, 22 wins, 10 losses, 4 shutouts, .688 win percentage, 34 starts, 256.2 innings.
• The lanky right-hander, winning at least 20 for the second straight year, wasn’t the hardest guy to get a hit off of—but he always found a way to outlast you.

4. MARK LANGSTON, CALIFORNIA

• Key Numbers: 3.20 ERA, 16 wins, 11 losses, 35 starts, 256.1 innings, 10 wild pitches, 23 grounded into double plays.
• The 33-year-old lefty kept a weak Angels team competitive, before fortunes would turn for both; his ERA over the next six seasons would be an iffy 4.99.

5. ALEX FERNANDEZ, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 3.13 ERA, 18 wins, 9 losses, 34 starts, 247.1 innings, 24 grounded into double plays.
• In his fourth season, Fernandez suddenly rose to be a top complement to Jack McDowell, learning to shrug off home runs after it had previously bothered him; 18 of the 27 he gave up in 1993 were solo.

6. RANDY JOHNSON, SEATTLE

• Key Numbers: 3.24 ERA, 19 wins, 8 losses, .704 win percentage, 1 save, 34 starts, 255.1 innings, 308 strikeouts, 16 hit-by-pitches, 28 stolen bases allowed.
• Johnson once scared opponents with his blazing wildness; now his lack of it scared them even more. While he struck out over 300 batters, no other AL pitcher collected more than 200.

7. JEFF MONTGOMERY, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: 2.27 ERA, 7 wins, 5 losses, 45 saves, 6 blown saves, 69 appearances, 87.1 innings.
• Outside of the heartland—and very possibly within it—the Royals’ Jeff Montgomery was one of the game’s most effective but unheralded closers.

8. WILSON ALVAREZ, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 2.95 ERA, 15 wins, 8 losses, 31 starts, 207.2 innings, 122 walks, 21 stolen bases allowed, 17 caught stealing/picked off, 23 grounded into double plays.
• The Venezuelan-born southpaw was yet another reason Rangers fans hated the Sammy Sosa-for-Harold Baines trade back in 1989; Alvarez was part of the deal that landed him in Chicago.

9. DUANE WARD, TORONTO

• Key Numbers: 2.13 ERA, 2 wins, 3 losses, 45 saves, 6 blown saves, 71 appearances, 71.2 innings.
• With Tom Henke gone to the White Sox, Ward took full advantage and thrived as the Jays’ full-time closer—but biceps tendinitis would force his 1993 campaign to serve as his career coda.

10. CHRIS BOSIO, SEATTLE

• Key Numbers: 3.45 ERA, 9 wins, 9 losses, 1 save, 1 blown save, 29 appearances, 24 starts, 164.1 innings.
• A mostly-up but sometimes-down year for Bosio, tugged in by the Mariners after seven years in Milwaukee; he threw a no-hitter against Boston in his fourth start, was quickly thereafter placed on the shelf for a month, and after a brief midseason swoon finished strong.

[luckymann]

A very cagey beginning to the trade season due to the ED with barely a FA signing until mid-January.

When it does get going, some unexpected names predominate the logs—the Rangers, Padres and Royals, for example. Our two new friends also make it onto the board with a Chris apiece.

Just look at those reliever (Jeff Keener and Doug Jones also net more than $3m per) and shortstop salaries skyrocket!


OF Gary Sheffield: Rangers, 3 years / $24.2m / AAV $8.07m
SS Ozzie Smith: Yankees, 2 years / $13.4m / AAV $6.70m
OF Rickey Henderson: Dodgers, 5 years / $28.0m / AAV $5.60m
SS Greg Gagne: Cardinals, 5 years / $28.0m / AAV $5.60m
OF Darryl Hamilton: Blue Jays, 3 years / $14.7m / AAV $4.89m
SS Jeff Blauser: Padres, 4 years / $17.8m / AAV $4.46m
C Mike Stanley: Yankees, 2 years / $8.3m / AAV $4.16m
P Duane Ward: White Sox, 3 years / $11.9m / AAV $3.96m
C Mickey Tettleton: Royals, 5 years / $19.2m / AAV $3.84m
P Charlie Leibrandt: Cubs, 2 years / $7.6m / AAV $3.78m
OF Ruben Sierra: Indians, 3 years / $10.6m / AAV $3.55m
P Mike Parrott: Tigers, 4 years / $10.2m / AAV $3.40m
OF Mike Devereaux: Braves, 3 years / $9.9m / AAV $3.31m
P Chris Sabo: Marlins, 3 years / $9.6m / AAV $3.19m
P Chris Bosio: Rockies, 3 years / $9.3m / AAV $3.09m
2B Tony Phillips: Royals, 5 years / $15.2m / AAV $3.04m
P Fred Breining: Yankees, 3 years / $9.1m / AAV $3.03m
P Kevin Gross: Giants, 6 years / $17.5m / AAV $2.92m
P Bryan Harvey: Dodgers, 4 years / $11.5m / AAV $2.88m
OF Shane Mack: Brewers, 7 years / $19.3m / AAV $2.76m
P Danny Darwin: Yankees, 3 years / $8.0m / AAV $2.67m


3B Steve Buechele and OF Tom Goodwin from Rangers to Giants for P Vicente Palacios and P Denny Neagle
P Pat Hentgen (LEGACY) from Blue Jays to White Sox for P Greg Swindell and OF Derrick May
C Mike Macfarlane from Orioles to Phillies for P Darryl Kile and C Brent Mayne
SS Gary DiSarcina and OF Omar Ramirez from Padres to Expos for P Ben McDonald
3B Derek Bell and OF Phil Plantier from Indians to Dodgers for 1B Cecil Fielder
C Todd Hundley, P Willie Banks and P Mark Clark from Reds to Cardinals for 1B John Olerud
P Mark Gubicza from Yankees to Reds for C Erik Pappas and OF Reggie Sanders
P Pete Schourek, SS Jose Vizcaino and 2B Miguel Flores from Mets to Padres for P Andy Benes
OF Dan Peltier and SS Mike DeKneef from Tigers to Twins for P Frank Viola (LEGACY)
P John Stuper and 3B Jeff Kent and OF Bernie Williams from Yankees to Padres for SS Vinny Castilla
1B JT Snow and P Carl Johnson from Mariners to Orioles for 2B Harold Reynolds (retaining 85%)
P Victor Cole from Yankees to White Sox for P Dennis Martinez (retaining 50%)
P Michael Ferry and P Kurt Archer from Dodgers to Twins for OF Harold Baines


We go 13-5 in Spring Training but it costs us Zane Smith for 4 months.

BNN is more bullish on us than I am so I’m happy to be proved wrong by all means! They see Houston rebounding and two nip/tuck AL races in the offing.

[luckymann]

Little change to the starting lineup with Reggie in with Moises for backup OF duties. We picked up Darnell Coles on a minors deal and he’ll work the corners while Cesar Morillo gets the nod over Mike Benjamin and he’ll help Dunny up the middle.

As it was, we had pegged Zane Smith to operate from the BP and spot start with Wake coming in but his development has taken longer than anticipated. Zane's injury means Walt Terrell now gets the nod in SP5, leaving us vulnerable down there. Let’s hope the BP can repeat last year’s performance and cover it for us.

101 Wins, BNN? I’ll take it.

[luckymann]

Charlie Hayes is the big decision to be made as he has finished his arb course and wants close to $4m per. I love him but with Bobby Bo able to play the hot corner and Ed Sprague in the wings for that price I think we're going to let him walk.

Just Moises and John Burkett as our other big-ticket items and we'll sit Darnell Coles down and see what he wants to hang around a while longer to help with that 3B depth as well.

[luckymann]

None IRL for Steve and this is his first in this timeline.

[luckymann]

Don't remember a rook coming in quite so hot since the Mays-Mantle days - here's what Señor Ramirez has done to this point, including the 3-homer game that has prompted this post:

It compares somewhat favourably to his IRL path...

[luckymann]

We are sluggish to begin with, winning just 3 of our first 10 with Charlie Hayes hardly laying bat on ball and when he picks up a niggle and needs an IL stint it is probably for the best. It also allows us to see what Ed Sprague has to offer.

We then lose Van Slyke for a week and Alomar for a minimum IL stint and Dunston for 5-6 weeks as we exit April at 9-14.

A totally unsettled start to the season as we have to scratch and scrape for every win—but the lads’ willingness to do so is an encouraging sign.

We bring Charlie Hayes straight back in once he’s good to go and eventually Robbie comes back as well after a setback but these early weeks have been as much about survival as anything else with us behind by as much as 10½ games at one point and 7 games under 500 at our worst.

Still, we come good in mid-May including a 3-game sweep of division leaders NY at Shea and a win in our 40th game that sees us get back to .500.

We exit May at 25-24 and 6½ behind the Mets.

Better news off the field with Moises Alou signing on for 12 years at an AAV just under $2m, a real bargain if he delivers on his potential.

We also sign a 1-year deal with John Burkett for $735k. That’ll probably do him and we’ll try to flip him next year for a similarly-talented but hopefully cheaper eligible.

Joe Boever (1/460) and Darnell Coles (2/950) are also extended.

Monthly Award Winners

April

American League

Batter – Manny Ramirez (Red Sox): 393 / 5 HR / 16 RBI
Pitcher – Mark Langston (Angels): 4-0 / 0.69 / 30 K / 39.1 IP
Rookie – Manny Ramirez


National League

Batter – Mariano Duncan (Rockies): 391 / 1 HR / 25 RBI
Pitcher – Andy Benes (Mets): 5-1 / 1.94 / 38 K / 46.1 IP
Rookie – Aaron Sele (Giants): 3-0 / 1.73 / 29 K / 36.1 IP


May

American League

Batter – Mark McGwire (A’s): 316 / 9 HR / 14 RBI
Pitcher – John Wetteland (Angels): 1-0 / 0.00 / 10 SV / 15 K / 13 IP
Rookie – Kirk Rueter (A’s) : 3-0 / 3.14 / 25 K / 43 IP


National League

Batter – Albert Belle (Phillies): 326 / 9 HR / 25 RBI
Pitcher – Randy Myers (Mets): 1-0 / 2.70 / 11 SV / 10 K / 13.1 IP
Rookie – Matt Mieske (Giants): 310 / 5 HR / 17 RBI


News and Leaders




Milestones and Observations of Note

2500 Hits: Willie Wilson

2000 Hits: Rickey Henderson, Jack Clark

300 Saves: Lee Smith

The Marlins open their MLB existence with a 6-1 home win over the Dodgers (and follow it up with a thrilling walkoff win the next night), while the Rockies don’t fare so well, on the wrong end of a 12-2 hiding by the Mets at Shea.

Florida loses former Bucco 2B Johnny Ray for the year to a knee injury.

Donny Baseball scorches the Indians for 5 hits in consecutive games.

[luckymann]

In the entire IRL history of the MLB, only 4 players whose surnames begin with N have thrown a solo no-hitter*. Denny is not one of them but gets his moment in the sun in this timeline.

* Hideo Nomo (twice), Phil Niekro, Don Nottebart and Juan Nieves.

[luckymann]

Bobby Bo usurps Barry Bonds as the NL's top vote-getter (McGwire beats him overall, however) and all three of our starting OF will be next to each other for first pitch, with Jay Bell, Kevin Brown and Doug Drabek also getting the nod.


American League

• SP Kevin Appier (KC)* - 8-3, 3.08 ERA, 146.0 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 6.2 K/9, 3.5 WAR
• SP Roger Clemens (BOS) - 9-7, 3.99 ERA, 140.0 IP, 1.34 WHIP, 6.8 K/9, 2.7 WAR
• SP Danny Darwin (NYY) - 10-3, 2.62 ERA, 127.1 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 4.5 K/9, 2.7 WAR
• SP Jimmy Key (TOR) - 10-5, 2.59 ERA, 128.2 IP, 1.03 WHIP, 4.5 K/9, 3.1 WAR
• SP Mark Langston (CAL) - 10-4, 2.64 ERA, 129.1 IP, 1.20 WHIP, 6.6 K/9, 1.9 WAR
• SP Pascual Perez (SEA) - 8-2, 2.34 ERA, 107.2 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 4.1 K/9, 1.9 WAR
• RP Mark Eichhorn (ML4) - 0-1, 1.12 ERA, 32.0 IP, 0.72 WHIP, 4.2 K/9, 0.7 WAR
• RP Dennis Martinez (NYY) - 5-3, 2.86 ERA, 97.2 IP, 1.17 WHIP, 4.4 K/9, 1.7 WAR
• CL Mike Henneman (NYY) - 2-3, 31 SV, 1.90 ERA, 42.2 IP, 1.27 WHIP, 3.0 K/9, 0.4 WAR
• CL John Wetteland (CAL)* - 2-3, 19 SV, 2.20 ERA, 32.2 IP, 1.22 WHIP, 8.5 K/9, 1.1 WAR
• C Darren Daulton (TEX)* - .281/.386/.503, 199 AB, 12 HR, 4 SB, 154 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
• C Dave Nilsson (CLE) - .284/.346/.491, 222 AB, 9 HR, 138 wRC+, 1.5 WAR
• C Mike Stanley (NYY) - .306/.410/.455, 222 AB, 7 HR, 153 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
• 1B Mark McGwire (OAK)* - .271/.418/.549, 288 AB, 22 HR, 178 wRC+, 3.9 WAR
• 1B Paul Molitor (CWS)* - .291/.373/.452, 323 AB, 8 HR, 3 SB, 135 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
• 1B Hal Morris (BOS) - .336/.404/.453, 298 AB, 6 HR, 4 SB, 145 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
• 1B Frank Thomas (CWS) - .272/.421/.551, 283 AB, 22 HR, 2 SB, 167 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
• 2B Robby Thompson (CAL)* - .293/.381/.415, 205 AB, 4 HR, 5 SB, 128 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
• 3B Travis Fryman (DET) - .259/.315/.479, 309 AB, 17 HR, 1 SB, 127 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
• 3B Gary Sheffield (TEX)* - .273/.344/.441, 304 AB, 13 HR, 10 SB, 118 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
• 3B Jim Thome (CLE) - .234/.357/.511, 274 AB, 22 HR, 1 SB, 147 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
• SS Ozzie Smith (NYY)* - .305/.345/.373, 295 AB, 1 HR, 9 SB, 101 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
• LF Roberto Kelly (SEA)* - .295/.345/.397, 302 AB, 4 HR, 25 SB, 114 wRC+, 2.5 WAR (Injured)
• LF Shane Mack (ML4) - .311/.371/.521, 309 AB, 13 HR, 15 SB, 156 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
• CF Lenny Dykstra (NYY)* - .300/.408/.519, 293 AB, 10 HR, 17 SB, 163 wRC+, 5.1 WAR
• CF Ken Griffey Jr. (SEA) - .284/.372/.540, 285 AB, 20 HR, 10 SB, 151 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
• CF Marquis Grissom (CWS) - .280/.325/.430, 321 AB, 11 HR, 41 SB, 118 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
• CF Devon White (BOS) - .276/.324/.406, 308 AB, 6 HR, 20 SB, 108 wRC+, 3.7 WAR
• RF Manny Ramirez (BOS) - .318/.382/.558, 308 AB, 17 HR, 1 SB, 168 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
• RF Tim Salmon (CAL) - .252/.360/.472, 286 AB, 15 HR, 6 SB, 138 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
• RF Danny Tartabull (KC)* - .281/.378/.509, 281 AB, 15 HR, 155 wRC+, 2.4 WAR

National League

• SP Steve Avery (HOU) - 9-5, 1.89 ERA, 133.2 IP, 1.05 WHIP, 5.3 K/9, 3.5 WAR
• SP Kevin Brown (PIT) - 7-7, 2.33 ERA, 139.1 IP, 1.00 WHIP, 6.1 K/9, 3.9 WAR
• SP Doug Drabek (PIT) - 7-5, 2.84 ERA, 136.1 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 5.8 K/9, 3.3 WAR
• SP Charlie Leibrandt (CHC) - 9-6, 2.29 ERA, 133.1 IP, 1.05 WHIP, 5.7 K/9, 3.2 WAR
• SP Ben McDonald (SD) - 9-6, 2.38 ERA, 143.2 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 6.6 K/9, 3.0 WAR
• SP Jack McDowell (PHI) - 8-9, 3.28 ERA, 142.2 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 6.0 K/9, 3.3 WAR
• SP Terry Mulholland (NYM) - 9-4, 2.27 ERA, 127.0 IP, 1.02 WHIP, 5.1 K/9, 2.9 WAR
• SP Jose Rijo (CIN)* - 9-5, 4.43 ERA, 142.1 IP, 1.29 WHIP, 7.1 K/9, 1.7 WAR
• SP David Wells (STL) - 9-5, 2.69 ERA, 140.1 IP, 0.99 WHIP, 6.5 K/9, 4.6 WAR
• RP Paul Kilgus (SD) - 6-1, 2.44 ERA, 62.2 IP, 1.12 WHIP, 5.5 K/9, 1.2 WAR
• RP Jeff Montgomery (PHI)* - 2-1, 2.62 ERA, 34.1 IP, 1.22 WHIP, 5.2 K/9, 0.7 WAR
• CL Bryan Harvey (LAD) - 4-4, 23 SV, 1.49 ERA, 36.1 IP, 1.10 WHIP, 7.7 K/9, 1.3 WAR
• CL Roberto Hernandez (SF) - 1-4, 23 SV, 2.41 ERA, 33.2 IP, 1.49 WHIP, 6.7 K/9, 0.5 WAR
• C Chris Hoiles (STL) - .229/.409/.371, 210 AB, 8 HR, 1 SB, 102 wRC+, 1.8 WAR
• C Mike Piazza (NYM)* - .263/.326/.412, 262 AB, 11 HR, 99 wRC+, 1.1 WAR
• C Rick Wilkins (SD) - .309/.372/.513, 236 AB, 11 HR, 156 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
• 1B John Kruk (LAD) - .306/.426/.448, 297 AB, 6 HR, 1 SB, 152 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
• 1B John Olerud (CIN)* - .300/.397/.465, 297 AB, 12 HR, 143 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
• 2B Carlos Baerga (SD)* - .327/.374/.498, 321 AB, 12 HR, 4 SB, 148 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
• 2B Mariano Duncan (COL) - .341/.372/.516, 308 AB, 7 HR, 10 SB, 147 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
• 3B Dave Magadan (CIN)* - .297/.410/.398, 259 AB, 2 HR, 135 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
• SS Jay Bell (PIT)* - .367/.444/.496, 264 AB, 3 HR, 2 SB, 169 wRC+, 4.4 WAR
• SS Jeff Blauser (SD) - .291/.395/.425, 285 AB, 5 HR, 5 SB, 139 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
• LF Albert Belle (PHI) - .292/.385/.536, 291 AB, 18 HR, 12 SB, 164 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
• LF Barry Bonds (PIT)* - .271/.375/.602, 266 AB, 22 HR, 8 SB, 167 wRC+, 4.1 WAR
• LF Dion James (MON) - .318/.388/.483, 296 AB, 9 HR, 144 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
• LF Kenny Lofton (STL) - .339/.404/.473, 277 AB, 4 HR, 26 SB, 151 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
• CF Andy Van Slyke (PIT)* - .292/.353/.450, 271 AB, 6 HR, 3 SB, 132 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
• RF Bobby Bonilla (PIT)* - .309/.391/.539, 282 AB, 17 HR, 170 wRC+, 4.1 WAR
• RF Larry Walker (ATL) - .319/.404/.522, 295 AB, 15 HR, 14 SB, 165 wRC+, 4.1 WAR

Bobby also takes home the HR Derby trophy, beating Frank Thomas in the final, while Barry closes out a fine showcase for our club by being named MVP in the NL's 7-1 ASG win.

[luckymann]

Charlie Hayes comes out of hibernation with a bang, destroying the Jints with a 106 GSc performance that sees him go 5-for-5 with 2 doubles and 2 homers while driving in 5.

Little niggles to Van Slyke and Alomar play their part as we are unable to make up any real ground on the Mets in the early part of June and remain 6 ½ back of them when they come to TRS for 3.

Just ahead of that, we finally send Tom Prince (hitting .097 on the season) down to AAA and call up veteran Tony Pena (PIT IRL 1980-86), picked up in the offseason on a minors deal.

We also claim Jose Mesa off waivers from Florida (who took him from us in the ED) and install him in the BP with Hector Fajardo headed to Lincoln.

We split that series but get a scare when Bonds is HBP—thankfully he’s OK and will miss no time.

We do finally start closing the gap with a 9-game win streak as the Cards come along for the ride and even in early July it looks set to be a three-way go, although the Cubs also make a nice move around this time and can’t be ruled out yet.

A fairly hectic 11-8 win over the Reds sends us to the ASB a game clear at 51-37 with the Cards and Cubs right there as well.

We’ve two transaction tix left and spend one of them over the break in the following manner:




It’s a move not without its risks, primary among them being if anything happens to Jay Bell then our fallback plan suddenly moves from Shawon to untested rookie Chris Gomez, who will now come up for his first appearance in the Show.

All the same, we feel the presence of Roberto in those late and close situations is worth it.

And wouldn’t you believe it, we get to see how right or wrong we are quick smart as Bell suffers a separated shoulder not two days later and is set to miss 6 weeks.

That comes at the end of a dreadful series in Atlanta where we are swept and Bobby Bo is also hurt. He’ll have to be nursed but doesn’t need an IL stint.

Mike Benjamin comes back to the group and Chris Gomez, come on down, you’re the next contestant on The Shortstop is Right…

Later the same week, Bonds goes down with a hamstring strain and he’ll miss 6 weeks as well.

Talk about misery loving company…

We seriously flirt with the idea of trading our way through all of this ahead of the Deadline but just can’t get it done so Marvell Wynne comes up and Moises Alou will play the lion’s share of innings in LF with some help from Reggie Sanders.

Then four more guys get hurt in one game—Alomar, Van Slyke, Wynne (in his first game) and Big Cat.

None will miss serious time – Van Slyke will be out for a week, the most serious of the four – but the cumulative effect this is having on the group will undoubtedly hit home at some point later in the season when we least want it to.

For now, we enter the stretch run tied with the Cards on 58-46, a game clear of the Mets.

Oh well, I guess I didn’t need those fingernails anyway…




The Yanks make a nice move in July that puts them in the perfect place to break their fans' hearts again...




Monthly Award Winners

June

American League

Batter – Jim Thome (Indians): 299 / 12 HR / 25 RBI
Pitcher – Mike Henneman (Yankees): 1-0 / 0.50 / 15 SV / 7 K / 18 IP
Rookie – Manny Ramirez (Red Sox): 320 / 6 HR / 21 RBI


National League

Batter – Sammy Sosa (Cubs): 309 / 8 HR / 13 RBI
Pitcher – Steve Avery (Astros): 4-0 / 1.05 / 22 K / 34.1 IP
Rookie – Bobby Jones (Expos): 4-1 / 2.59 / 25 K / 41.2 IP


July

American League

Batter – Mark McGwire (A’s): 309 / 12 HR / 18 RBI
Pitcher – Pete Harnisch (Yankees): 4-1 / 2.06 / 25 K / 48 IP
Rookie – Greg McMichael (Royals): 3-0 / 0.67 / 6 SV / 3 K / 13.1 IP


National League

Batter – John Kruk (Dodgers): 378 / 6 HR / 15 RBI
Pitcher – Chris Bosio (Rockies): 4-1 / 1.60 / 33 K / 56.1 IP
Rookie – Jason Bere (Cubs): 4-1 / 3.41 / 33 K / 37 IP


News, Leaders and Top 20s




Milestones and Observations of Note

300 HR: Darryl Strawberry

2000 Hits: Kent Hrbek, Harold Baines

300 Saves: Tom Henke

The Braves lose catcher Lenny Webster for the year with an ACL tear and knee problems also spell the end this year for Mariners OF Roberto Kelly.

Deadline trades of note:

[Makonnen]

Which of course leads to the trivia question (the answer to which I have no clue ...) of what pitchers have been traded in the same season after throwing a no-hitter?