The Bucs Start Here - A Pirates Do-Over

[luckymann]

We do indeed get Terry Mulholland off waivers from the Mets and he does come in at Zane Smith’s expense to fill a Long Relief / ESP role. He is an ineligible in his walk year and I don’t seem him being retained past the season now in progress.

Andy Van Slyke is hurt again in the third game of the year and misses 3 weeks with back trouble. We call up Turner Ward (PIT IRL 1997-99) for his first MLB go-around.

We’re forced to repeat the dose right at the end of the stanza, although the second time we give John Vander Wal a run.

We’re just downright poor in April, which we finish 10-13 and in the cellar of the NL Central.

Early May is only marginally better and, after yet another implosion that leaves his ERA north of 10, Roberto Hernandez has the Closer role taken from him.

We recall Danny Jackson from his rehab assignment, send Wake to Lincoln and put Terry Mulholland in as Closer to see how he goes.

A run of wins in late May pushes us above 500 for the first time since Opening Day and we finish this first stanza at an improving 28-22, 4 ½ GB of the Cubs.



We take a (cheap) long-term punt on Rick Reed in the form of a 7-year deal worth around $2.1m all told. If it comes off as we hope, this gives us a mid-rotation workhorse for years to come for a paltry outlay.

We also extend Reggie Sanders, Denny Neagle and Joe Oliver each for a year.




Both the Brewers and Expos have rough starts to 1994, losing their first 8 and 12 games respectively.

Colorado on the other hand flies out the gate with a 10-game win streak helping them to an early 17-6 record before cooling off a bit and the Red Sox look back to their best, going 24-6 for their first 30.


Monthly Award Winners

April

American League

Batter – Gregg Jefferies (White Sox): 386 / 4 HR / 25 RBI
Pitcher – Roger Clemens (Red Sox): 5-1 / 2.08 / 43 K / 43.1 IP
Rookie – Brad Cornett (Twins): 3-0 / 0.66 / 1 SV / 8 K / 13.2 IP


National League

Batter – David Justice (Rockies): 316 / 7 HR / 17 RBI
Pitcher – Doug Drabek (Pirates): 5-1 / 3.29 / 24 K / 41 IP
Rookie – William Van Landingham (Reds): 2-1 / 2.30 / 16 K / 31.1 IP


May

American League

Batter – Paul O’Neill (Yankees): 422 / 7 HR / 18 RBI
Pitcher – Erik Hanson (Angels): 5-1 / 2.15 / 26 K / 46 IP
Rookie – Chad Ogea (Red Sox) : 5-0 / 2.72 / 23 K / 36.1 IP


National League

Batter – Derek Bell (Dodgers): 452 / 2 HR / 24 RBI
Pitcher – Charlie Leibrandt (Cubs): 4-0 / 1.25 / 25 K / 36 IP
Rookie – Armando Benitez (Astros): 1-1 / 0.84 / 7 SV / 8 K / 10.2 IP


News and Leaders




Milestones and Observations of Note

3000 Hits: Robin Yount

2000 Hits: Cal Ripken jr, Don Mattingly, Wade Boggs

Veteran SS Ozzie Smith – currently with the Yanks – is set to miss 4 months courtesy of a broken kneecap and a similar injury also ends the season of Tigers 2B Mickey Morandini.

[luckymann]

Our four big names get in - Barry, Bobby, Robbie and Cat.

American League

• SP Britt Burns (NYY) - 12-3, 2.01 ERA, 139.0 IP, 1.12 WHIP, 5.6 K/9, 2.5 WAR
• SP Roger Clemens (BOS)* - 15-4, 2.35 ERA, 141.2 IP, 1.20 WHIP, 8.0 K/9, 2.9 WAR
• SP David Cone (BOS) - 13-3, 2.93 ERA, 135.1 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 6.3 K/9, 3.1 WAR
• SP Joe Hesketh (TOR) - 8-4, 1.64 ERA, 98.2 IP, 0.93 WHIP, 6.5 K/9, 3.5 WAR
• SP Pedro Martinez (BOS) - 11-4, 2.88 ERA, 140.2 IP, 1.02 WHIP, 6.8 K/9, 3.2 WAR
• SP Jack McDowell (TEX) - 10-3, 2.65 ERA, 146.0 IP, 1.22 WHIP, 6.5 K/9, 3.8 WAR
• RP Brad Cornett (MIN) - 6-1, 1.78 ERA, 50.2 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 5.2 K/9, 0.6 WAR
• RP Don Heinkel (TOR) - 1-2, 1.70 ERA, 42.1 IP, 0.94 WHIP, 5.7 K/9, 0.8 WAR
• CL Lee Smith (BOS) - 2-0, 33 SV, 2.44 ERA, 44.1 IP, 1.04 WHIP, 6.7 K/9, 0.7 WAR
• CL John Wetteland (MIN)* - 4-1, 18 SV, 1.70 ERA, 37.0 IP, 1.22 WHIP, 8.5 K/9, 1.1 WAR
• C Ivan Rodriguez (TEX) - .283/.335/.417, 247 AB, 5 HR, 5 SB, 115 wRC+, 1.5 WAR
• C Mike Stanley (NYY)* - .321/.386/.531, 243 AB, 11 HR, 166 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
• C Terry Steinbach (BOS) - .303/.332/.467, 244 AB, 7 HR, 4 SB, 126 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
• C Mickey Tettleton (KC) - .234/.355/.464, 192 AB, 9 HR, 134 wRC+, 1.6 WAR (Injured)
• 1B Tino Martinez (NYY) - .290/.365/.535, 303 AB, 18 HR, 1 SB, 153 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
• 1B Hal Morris (DET) - .329/.394/.483, 325 AB, 9 HR, 3 SB, 145 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
• 1B Frank Thomas (CWS)* - .303/.418/.503, 300 AB, 13 HR, 153 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
• 2B Chuck Knoblauch (MIN)* - .318/.391/.446, 289 AB, 3 HR, 23 SB, 143 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
• 3B Jim Thome (CLE)* - .316/.479/.543, 247 AB, 14 HR, 1 SB, 189 wRC+, 4.3 WAR
• 3B Robin Ventura (CWS) - .266/.374/.472, 286 AB, 15 HR, 2 SB, 146 wRC+, 3.7 WAR
• SS Kevin Stocker (OAK)* - .281/.346/.401, 299 AB, 4 HR, 2 SB, 112 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
• LF Albert Belle (BOS)* - .306/.389/.531, 307 AB, 18 HR, 5 SB, 162 wRC+, 4.2 WAR
• LF Mike Greenwell (BOS) - .323/.377/.527, 319 AB, 13 HR, 1 SB, 154 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
• LF Rusty Greer (TEX) - .308/.418/.510, 292 AB, 11 HR, 160 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
• LF Gregg Jefferies (CWS) - .351/.390/.618, 322 AB, 18 HR, 18 SB, 188 wRC+, 4.4 WAR
• LF Roberto Kelly (SEA) - .299/.347/.485, 328 AB, 14 HR, 20 SB, 138 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
• LF Kevin Mitchell (CAL)* - .312/.366/.565, 340 AB, 19 HR, 162 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
• CF Lenny Dykstra (NYY)* - .253/.345/.406, 308 AB, 9 HR, 12 SB, 120 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
• CF Marquis Grissom (CWS) - .305/.335/.444, 338 AB, 8 HR, 25 SB, 124 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
• RF Jose Canseco (OAK) - .290/.393/.510, 286 AB, 17 HR, 2 SB, 160 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
• RF Manny Ramirez (BOS)* - .350/.429/.537, 300 AB, 13 HR, 5 SB, 179 wRC+, 4.9 WAR

National League

• SP Charlie Leibrandt (CHC) - 13-2, 2.52 ERA, 139.1 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 5.5 K/9, 3.6 WAR
• SP Greg Maddux (ATL)* - 8-6, 2.41 ERA, 153.1 IP, 0.96 WHIP, 5.5 K/9, 4.4 WAR
• SP Ben McDonald (PHI) - 6-7, 3.13 ERA, 135.0 IP, 1.29 WHIP, 5.6 K/9, 1.9 WAR
• SP Shane Reynolds (SF) - 7-8, 2.25 ERA, 155.2 IP, 0.83 WHIP, 7.1 K/9, 4.4 WAR
• SP Curt Schilling (PHI) - 12-7, 2.33 ERA, 143.0 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 6.8 K/9, 4.1 WAR
• SP Ismael Valdez (SD) - 7-11, 2.39 ERA, 143.0 IP, 0.98 WHIP, 6.2 K/9, 3.5 WAR
• RP Toby Borland (MON) - 2-2, 5 SV, 2.80 ERA, 45.0 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 6.8 K/9, 1.3 WAR
• RP Gregg Olson (STL) - 4-1, 3.24 ERA, 41.2 IP, 1.30 WHIP, 5.6 K/9, -0.0 WAR
• CL Bryan Harvey (LAD)* - 3-2, 28 SV, 2.96 ERA, 48.2 IP, 0.99 WHIP, 8.3 K/9, 0.8 WAR
• CL Mark Wohlers (STL) - 2-4, 9 SV, 2.79 ERA, 38.2 IP, 1.29 WHIP, 9.3 K/9, 1.5 WAR
• C Brad Ausmus (COL) - .296/.337/.401, 247 AB, 5 HR, 7 SB, 109 wRC+, 1.7 WAR
• C Chris Hoiles (STL) - .247/.357/.396, 235 AB, 9 HR, 121 wRC+, 1.7 WAR
• C Mike Piazza (NYM)* - .337/.375/.543, 282 AB, 14 HR, 158 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
• 1B Jeff Bagwell (HOU) - .294/.397/.527, 313 AB, 16 HR, 8 SB, 156 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
• 1B Andres Galarraga (PIT) - .330/.355/.503, 324 AB, 13 HR, 3 SB, 143 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
• 1B Mark Grace (CHC) - .314/.382/.497, 312 AB, 10 HR, 2 SB, 151 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
• 1B John Olerud (NYM)* - .342/.445/.513, 310 AB, 7 HR, 173 wRC+, 4.0 WAR
• 2B Roberto Alomar (PIT)* - .303/.370/.445, 310 AB, 4 HR, 23 SB, 134 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
• 2B Mark McLemore (FLO) - .286/.368/.414, 304 AB, 6 HR, 20 SB, 124 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
• 3B Bobby Bonilla (PIT)* - .255/.320/.453, 278 AB, 13 HR, 120 wRC+, 1.7 WAR
• 3B Ken Caminiti (ATL) - .302/.363/.448, 308 AB, 5 HR, 5 SB, 135 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
• SS John Valentin (HOU)* - .271/.358/.405, 284 AB, 6 HR, 2 SB, 120 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
• SS Jose Valentin (CIN) - .257/.342/.532, 237 AB, 17 HR, 7 SB, 144 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
• LF Dante Bichette (PHI) - .322/.360/.510, 314 AB, 14 HR, 14 SB, 145 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
• LF Barry Bonds (PIT)* - .292/.408/.584, 274 AB, 21 HR, 9 SB, 176 wRC+, 4.0 WAR
• LF Dion James (MON) - .348/.401/.450, 282 AB, 2 HR, 143 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
• CF Derek Bell (LAD)* - .332/.369/.480, 319 AB, 8 HR, 14 SB, 147 wRC+, 4.3 WAR
• RF David Justice (COL) - .292/.402/.518, 226 AB, 14 HR, 161 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
• RF Sammy Sosa (CHC) - .269/.309/.514, 327 AB, 20 HR, 25 SB, 135 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
• RF Larry Walker (ATL)* - .347/.435/.632, 288 AB, 17 HR, 13 SB, 199 wRC+, 5.5 WAR

Jose Valentin bests Jay Buhner 7-4 in the HR Derby final, while Barry Bonds becomes the first player since Hank Greenberg in 1944-45 to win consecutive All-Star Game MVPs as the NL prevails 6-5.

[luckymann]

For the first time in this timeline, two no-nos have been thrown on the same day.

The Big Unit, of course threw two of them 14 years apart IRL, the first for Seattle on 06/02/1990 and the second a perfecto in 2004 for the Snakes against the Braves.

Darren, on the other hand, never had the pleasure IRL.

[luckymann]

8 straight wins give us some momentum in the early part of June and we hit the 60-game mark at 36-24 and closing fast on the Cubs.

Then we briefly move into first in the later part of June and Van Slyke finally returns to the group around the same time.

We decide to send Billy Hatcher down but he gets nabbed on the wire by Montreal.

Our form turns patchy in the later part of the month and we hit the midpoint at 47-34, trailing the Cubs by 3.

We follow a homestand that sees us drop 5 of 7 with 4 straight wins at Cincy to reach the ASB 5 behind Chicago but with a handy break in the WC race at 51-37.

After we close the gap a bit, 3 losses from 4 at home to the Cubs right at the end of the sectional leaves us 4½ back at 61-45 entering the stretch drive.

No Deadline action for us this year—pickings are slim out there.




The AL looks set to be where most of the action is this season, although not in the AL East where the Red Sox are just killing it.




Monthly Award Winners

June

American League

Batter – Mike Greenwell (Red Sox): 406 / 7 HR / 29 RBI
Pitcher – Pedro Martinez (Red Sox): 5-1 / 1.82 / 39 K / 49.1 IP
Rookie – Chad Ogea (Red Sox): 3-1 / 1.54 / 21 K / 35 IP


National League

Batter – Jeff Bagwell (Astros): 344 / 6 HR / 20 RBI
Pitcher – Ramon Martinez (Dodgers): 5-0 / 2.16 / 25 K / 41.2 IP
Rookie – Shawn Green (Marlins): 330 / 5 HR / 21 RBI


July

American League

Batter – Mark McGwire (A’s): 369 / 11 HR / 21 RBI
Pitcher – Bret Saberhagen (Royals): 5-0 / 1.12 / 28 K / 48.1 IP
Rookie – Carl Everett (Mariners): 303 / 11 HR / 24 RBI


National League

Batter – Barry Bonds (Pirates): 295 / 9 HR / 26 RBI
Pitcher – Charlie Leibrandt (Rockies): 5-0 / 1.49 / 21 K / 36.1 IP
Rookie – Darren Dreifort (Mets): 4-1 / 2.63 / 33 K / 41 IP


Leaders and Top 20s




Milestones and Observations of Note

2500 Hits: Andre Dawson, Paul Molitor

200 Wins: Britt Burns, Scott Sanderson

300 HR: Jose Canseco

The O’s lose SS Royce Clayton for the remainder to an ACL tear.

At AAA, Madison’s Jim Baker no-hits Rocky Mount.

Deadline trades of note:

[luckymann]

Happy to admit I had never heard of Joey Hamilton prior to this but it's an impressive introduction and now I doubt I'll ever forget him.

So, I wonder to myself, what happens in one of these - do they mug him in the dugout rather than on the mound?

[Makonnen]

LOL. I saw this and thought this was the same guy my game keeps wanting to turn him into a dominant pitcher as well. It's a clear error: he was a mediocre 3B who had a couple relief stints in blowouts. But that's JEFF Hamilton. Joey was legit enough. I figure if someone threw a 2-hitter IRL, he has an outside shot at a no-no.

I don't know why the engine sees something like 1989 Jeff Hamilton and wants him to be a 5 star reliever.

[luckymann]

Syracuse makes short shrift of Las Vegas (who had eliminated our Lincoln boys) for their 7th AAA title.

[luckymann]

We’re on the back foot immediately with a few losses and, were it not for a couple tight extra-inning wins against the Cards, we may have lost touch with the Cubs for good in this period.

Still, for the next bit we do just enough not to lose our hold on the WC or fall any further behind and when we suddenly catch fire with a 10-1 run, we finally get some traction and cut the deficit to 3 with plenty of distance left to run.

We keep it going and, by the first couple days of September, have caught them.

Or, should I say, have got within a half-game of them before we hit the wall and an oblique injury for Bonds that will see him miss a month doesn’t help matters.

A home sweep loss to the Padres puts a serious dent in our hopes but we regroup and come at the Cubs again with a 6-game run of wins that cuts their lead to 2 with 12 to play.

That is unchanged – although we have by this time secured the NL Wild Card – as we enter the final week and, after a longer wait than expected, we get Barry Back from the IL.

3 wins from 4 at Shea keep us alive trailing by 2 going into a 3-game series at Wrigley to finish the regular season.

We get a thrilling 9-6 win in 10 to makes things interesting and an 8-2 win the following day means the final game is for all the bickies, although with both of us guaranteed our spot and with our records how they are it will merely decide home-field advantage in another series between us in the first round of the playoffs.

Denny Neagle gets the big assignment up against Jason Bere and it proves too big for him and us as we manage just 3 hits and they do it easily with the final score 10-4.




So dominant are the Red Sox this season that it is still August when they book a playoff berth and they clinch the AL East early in September.

They finish with an MLB-record 117 Wins, beating the Dodgers' 111 in 1980.

The Yankees are the MLB’s first-ever Wild Card, locking it down in mid-September.

The Royals make their move with a strong September and are next to clinch in the new Central Division, with the Mariners winning the West a few days later.

It’s a little tighter across the board in the NL but the Dodgers and Braves eventually lock down division titles.




Final Leaders and Top 20s

Batting titles to Raul Mondesi and John Olerud.

Albert Belle's 39 HR and Kevin Mitchell's 114 RBI lead both leagues, as do Alex Cole's 69 SB.

Three Cs in Clemens, Cone and Candiotti lead the MLB with their 21 Wins.

This season's low ERA belongs to Shane Reynolds with 2.05.

Another comfortable King of K title to Big Unit Randy Johnson.

Lee Smith sets a new MLB high mark with 57 Saves.




Monthly Award Winners

August

American League

Batter – Raul Mondesi (Royals): 404 / 7 HR / 23 RBI
Pitcher – Don Robinson (Red Sox): 5-0 / 0.86 / 17 K / 42 IP
Rookie – Chad Ogea (Red Sox): 5-1 / 2.77 / 20 K / 39 IP


National League

Batter – Mike Piazza (Mets): 360 / 8 HR / 22 RBI
Pitcher – Doug Drabek (Pirates): 4-1 / 1.83 / 29 K / 44.1 IP
Rookie – Toby Borland (Expos): 2-1 / 2.92 / 9 SV / 10 K / 12.1 IP


September

American League

Batter – Edgar Martinez (Mariners): 347 / 5 HR / 18 RBI
Pitcher – Pete Harnisch (Yankees): 4-0 / 1.22 / 27 K / 37 IP
Rookie – Carl Everett (Mariners): 333 / 8 HR / 19 RBI


National League

Batter – Jose Valentin (Reds): 341 / 7 HR / 28 RBI
Pitcher – Jose Rijo (Reds): 5-0 / 1.12 / 40 K / 48 IP
Rookie – Ismael Valdez (Padres): 4-2 / 2.62 / 37 K / 44.2 IP


Milestones and Observations of Note

300 HR: Fred McGriff

Raul Mondesi of the Royals hits safely in 34 straight games.

[luckymann]

And so the Wild Card era begins with the added phase of the best-of-five Divisional Championships.

Unsurprisingly everyone is expecting the Red Sox to summarily dispatch all opponents en route to another title but we all know things are rarely quite so clear-cut in these short series.



A fairly low-key DCS with relatively comfortable wins across the board.

We blow a 4-run lead in the opening game but bounce back as Bonds goes yard twice in Game 2. A close win at home followed by a more comfortable one advances us to the next round.

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

American League
Boston Red Sox v Kansas City Royals

Can the Royals derail the Red Sox juggernaut?

While they are a capable unit with Raul Mondesi a bona fide superstar in the making, I’m not sure anyone can stop this absolutely monstrous Boston bunch.

They certainly come out showing plenty of fight with a dour 4-2 road win at Fenway to open proceedings and shock the Boston faithful a second time with a 3-2 win the next day.

The Sox show signs of life with a 5-3 Game 3 victory in KC and eke out a series-levelling 7-6 win the next night but the Royals stop the bleeding in dramatic fashion with a 2-run jack by Mickey Tettleton giving them a walkoff 6-4 win.

KC ices what will undoubtedly go down as one of the biggest upsets in MLB history with a blowout 6-2 win.

Fred McGriff is named MVP.





National League
Atlanta Braves v Pittsburgh Pirates

I have been talking up these Braves for a while now and feel like I know them almost as well as I do my own group.

Such a well-rounded squad and pitching that is up there with the best of them means we will need to do everything right to beat them.

That sweep of a handy Dodgers club shows they are primed.

Rick Reed remains out for us while Larry Walker apparently has a niggle he is playing through.

We win a highly-competitive opening game 7-5 with the runs coming in bunches for both sides and then Brown gives us the sort of start that caused us to acquire him as he allows just 3 hits over 7+ and we do just enough against Smoltz to win it 3-1.

Game 3 is another quality affair that we eventually win 6-4 in 10 on a 2-run homer by Andres Galarraga, with Bonds having gone yard twice earlier and we finish them off in four straight with another walkoff win, this time 1-0 on a 10th-inning solo shot by series MVP Moises Alou.

[luckymann]

Kansas City Royals v Pittsburgh Pirates
Best-of-seven, Pirates with the home-field advantage.


In not a one of the myriad permutations that went through my head regarding how this post-season would play out did the scenario present itself that we would be in the World Series and Boston not be.

Yet here we are to defend our hard-won title of a year ago.

The obvious pitfall is to ease up simply because our opponents aren’t the Red Sox. That would only end up one way.

These Royals are obviously a very talented group peaking at just the right time and will take a power of beating.

We, however, are also playing some of our best baseball for the year so this should be a good one.

Rick Reed is finally good to go and comes in with Zane Smith missing out.

Nice to be back here but we’re in it to win it.

[luckymann]

Game 1 in Pittsburgh

Doug Drabek (20-9, 3.27) v Ken Hill (13-6, 3.86)

We get to Hill early with 3 in the 1st but need a late score to put them away for a 5-2 final.

Drabek gives up only 2 hits over 5 but walks 7 and the pen holds fast to get us home.




Game 2 in Pittsburgh
Kevin Brown (10-14, 3.96) v Kevin Appier (13-14, 3.35)
Pirates lead series 1-0

The Battle of the Kevins ends up being no battle at all as the inconsistency that has plagued Brown all season rears its ugly head again, while Appier is superb with 6+ scoreless.




Game 3 in Kansas City
Bret Saberhagen (17-13, 3.27) v John Smiley (13-9, 3.49)
Series tied 1-1

Moises moves to DH for these three games in KC, with Reggie in at RF.

And it is the latter who leads the way with 2 dingers and 5 ribbies, ably supported by Andy Van’s 4-hit performance as we hop on Sabes from the off and blow them out 10-2.

We do, however, lose Dan Plesac to injury and Zane Smith comes back in to replace him.




Game 4 in Kansas City
Mike Boddicker (10-11, 4.84) v Denny Neagle (11-7, 2.85)
Pirates lead series 2-1

The manic offence continues as we can manage just 4 hits here and take a disappointing 4-1 loss.

The top half of our lineup has given us nothing so far and really need to step it up from here on in.




Game 5 in Kansas City
Ken Hill (1-2, 5.65) v Doug Drabek (2-0, 3.32)
Series tied 2-2

This one proves to be a good old-fashioned pitching duel with the ever-reliable Douggie D eventually coming out on top with 8 scoreless as we take it 3-0 and head home needing just one more win.




Game 6 in Pittsburgh
Kevin Brown (2-1, 2.57) v Kevin Appier (1-1, 1.40)
Pirates lead series 3-2

A restless couple of nights with my thoughts constantly returning to that nightmare 1990 WS loss to this very same club from the same position we find ourselves in now.

Thankfully that is all for nought as the lads knuckle down and grind out a 3-1 win to earn us our 29th title.

In a most fitting sign-off from his tenure at our club, Andy Van Slyke is named series MVP.

[luckymann]

OUT & OUTS

The Tigers franchise changes hands.

Jim O'Toole (Orioles), Chris Cannizzaro (Indians), Jim Landis (Dodgers) and Rusty Staub (Padres) are this year's managerial casualties.


ROSTER MOVES

We exercise Zane Smith's option year.

We non-tender Joe Boever and send Jose Mesa and Roberto Hernandez to arb.

Andy Van Slyke (278/352/439 with 151 HR and 46 WAR for his 12-year career with us), Terry Mulholland and Dan Plesac walk.

After close to four decades at the club as a player or part of the staff, Roberto Clemente retires. Pops Stargell has indicated that 1995 will be his final season and we give him the Manager slot at Lincoln as a farewell present.


The following extensions of note were signed elsewhere:

P John Burkett (Mariners) 3/8420
P Butch Henry (Dodgers) 4/6986
2B Eric Young (Reds) 4/6010
OF Derek Bell (Dodgers) 3/7420


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

No budding HoFers here, I'm afraid.

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

With Van Slyke headed elsewhere we need a solid backup CF to cover Reggie Sanders' defensive shortcomings and give us some depth chart reinforcement at the position.

It doesn't take us long to identify our guy and we acquire him from the Dodgers with the following trade:

We will, all things remaining equal, be making a fairly concerted attempt to retain Bonds when his current contract expires in 1997.

We've timed it so Bobby Bo will be walking at the same time and that will improve our chances of getting this done. If Barry is happy with something not too far in excess of his current salary then we're in. If not, Derek looms as a viable alternative and profiles really well with Moises and Reggie.

Becker is a talented guy who tore up AAA last year and won the MVP in that league but he is an ineligible and we are keen to keep that spot free if at all possible. When the Dodgers came to the party with that chunky retention over the rest of DB's contract it was a no-brainer.

[luckymann]

Clearly my comments of a year ago were somewhat premature with a sizeable contingent of quality Legacies inbound, as well as a host of top-flight players unspoken for.

These are the Legacy Players for the 1995 Season:

Chicago White Sox: Ray Durham (33.8; 1146)
Detroit Tigers: Bobby Higginson (23.1; 1362 – one-club player)
Houston Astros: Billy Wagner (27.7; 464 GP)
Kansas City Royals: Mike Sweeney (24.8; 1282 conceded)
Minnesota Twins: Brad Radke (45.3; 377 GS – one-club player)
New York Mets: Edgardo Alfonzo (28.7; 1086)
New York Yankees: Derek Jeter (71.3; 2747 MARQUEE 100%); Mariano Rivera (56.3; 1115 GP – one-club player)
Oakland Athletics: Jason Giambi (50.5; 1036)


Jorge Posada (42.7; 1829 – one-club player) and Andy Pettite (60.2; 438 GP) were also eligible for the Yankees, but Jeter’s higher WAR makes him the selection.

They get Rivera as a bonus but it could have been either of the others. The Draft has been adjusted to accommodate this.


There are 256 rookies for this season – including, I believe, some residual MiLBers from last year – and the Draft will consist of 8 rounds.

The Draft order will be as follows (winning percentage from 1994 IRL season in brackets; bold indicates Legacy Pick in 1st Round):

Round 1

1. New York Yankees (619)
2. New York Yankees (619)
3. Oakland Athletics (447)
4. Minnesota Twins (469)
5. Chicago White Sox (593)
6. New York Mets (487)
7. Houston Astros (574)
8. Kansas City Royals (557)
9. Detroit Tigers (461; dice roll)
10. San Diego Padres (402)
11. California Angels (409)
12. Chicago Cubs (434)
13. Seattle Mariners (438)
14. Florida Marlins (443)
15. Colorado Rockies (453)
16. Texas Rangers (456)
17. Milwaukee Brewers (461; dice roll)
18. Pittsburgh Pirates (465; dice roll)
19. St. Louis Cardinals (465; dice roll)
20. Philadelphia Phillies (470; dice roll)
21. Boston Red Sox (470; dice roll)
22. San Francisco Giants (478; dice roll)
23. Toronto Blue Jays (478; dice roll)
24. Los Angeles Dodgers (509)
25. Baltimore Orioles (562)
26. Cincinnati Reds (579)
27. Cleveland Indians (584)
28. Atlanta Braves (596)


Round 2

1. Montreal Expos (649)
2. San Diego Padres (402)
3. California Angels (409)
4. Chicago Cubs (434)
5. Seattle Mariners (438)
6. Florida Marlins (443)
7. Oakland Athletics (447)
8. Colorado Rockies (453)
9. Texas Rangers (456)
10. Milwaukee Brewers (461; dice roll)
11. Detroit Tigers (461; dice roll)
12. Pittsburgh Pirates (465; dice roll)
13. St. Louis Cardinals (465; dice roll)
14. Minnesota Twins (469)
15. Philadelphia Phillies (470; dice roll)
16. Boston Red Sox (470; dice roll)
17. San Francisco Giants (478; dice roll)
18. Toronto Blue Jays (478; dice roll)
19. New York Mets (487)
20. Los Angeles Dodgers (509)
21. Kansas City Royals (557)
22. Baltimore Orioles (562)
23. Houston Astros (574)
24. Cincinnati Reds (579)
25. Cleveland Indians (584)
26. Chicago White Sox (593)
27. Atlanta Braves (596)
28. Montreal Expos (649)


Rounds 3 thru 8

1. San Diego Padres (402)
2. California Angels (409)
3. Chicago Cubs (434)
4. Seattle Mariners (438)
5. Florida Marlins (443)
6. Oakland Athletics (447)
7. Colorado Rockies (453)
8. Texas Rangers (456)
9. Milwaukee Brewers (461; dice roll)
10. Detroit Tigers (461; dice roll)
11. Pittsburgh Pirates (465; dice roll)
12. St. Louis Cardinals (465; dice roll)
13. Minnesota Twins (469)
14. Philadelphia Phillies (470; dice roll)
15. Boston Red Sox (470; dice roll)
16. San Francisco Giants (478; dice roll)
17. Toronto Blue Jays (478; dice roll)
18. New York Mets (487)
19. Los Angeles Dodgers (509)
20. Kansas City Royals (557)
21. Baltimore Orioles (562)
22. Houston Astros (574)
23. Cincinnati Reds (579)
24. Cleveland Indians (584)
25. Chicago White Sox (593)
26. Atlanta Braves (596)
27. New York Yankees (619)
28. Montreal Expos (649)


Eligible PIT players: 8 position players + 22 pitchers = 30.


Don’t be fooled by that high number of pitching eligibles – many of them are depth dross. All the same it is nice to theoretically have some choices and we’ll be surprised if we don’t get a couple of decent guys this time around.

Here are the new Bucco boys:

1. P Andy Pettite, 22 (INELIGIBLE)

• We had our eye on an eligible pitcher never thinking that he’d go before Andy. Consider that empty CC slot now filled.

2. OF Mike Cameron, 21 (INELIGIBLE)

• Not usually a fan of using neither of our first two picks on an eligible but we felt the potential return on this guy in a year was worth the risk of missing the one or two eligible guys left we were interested in.

3. P Jeff Suppan, 19 (PIT IRL: 2003)

• No future HoFer by any means but a nice lower-rotation pickup for a few years’ time.

4. C Angelo Encarnacion, 19 (PIT IRL: 1995-96)
5. P Jimmy Haynes, 22 (INELIGIBLE)
6. P Lee Hancock, 27 (PIT IRL: 1995-96)
7. P Ramon Morel, 20 (PIT IRL: 1995-97)
8. OF Les Norman, 25 (INELIGIBLE)

• AAA depth or trade pieces.

An unexpectedly fruitful exercise. Or, should I say, fruitful in unexpected ways...

[luckymann]

After a couple lean years we get just the single HoF inductee this year. Always like seeing when the game has followed the IRL and kept a guy at the one club, especially the Marquees and Legacies.

[luckymann]

After a delayed start, MLB's rehabilitation begins on the back of feel-good stories led by Cal Ripken breaking Lou Gehrig's streak and ending with arguably the most famous double of all time and a long-awaited Braves title.

Old-timers like me might argue that there will be no coming back and that all that follows is merely a needle-infused shell game that will be found out eventually. As happens less than a decade later.


AL EAST / CENTRAL / WEST CHAMPIONS: Boston Red Sox (86-58) / Cleveland Indians (100-44) / Seattle Mariners (79-66)
NL EAST / CENTRAL / WEST CHAMPIONS: Atlanta Braves (90-54) / Cincinnati Reds (85-59) / Los Angeles Dodgers (78-66)
ALDS: Mariners 3, Yankees 2; Indians 3, Red Sox 0
NLDS: Braves 3, Rockies 1; Reds 3, Dodgers 0
ALCS: Indians 4, Mariners 2
NLCS: Braves 4, Reds 0
WORLD SERIES: Braves 4, Indians 2

Pittsburgh Pirates: 58-86, 5th in NL Central

AL MVP: Mo Vaughn (Red Sox)
NL MVP: Barry Larkin (Reds)

AL CYA: Randy Johnson (Mariners)
NL CYA: Greg Maddux (Braves)

AL RoY: Marty Cordova (Twins)
NL RoY: Hideo Nomo (Dodgers)


Top Ten Lists (courtesy of thisgreatgame.com)

NL Hitters

1. Barry Bonds, San Francisco

• Key Numbers: 144 games, .294 average, 109 runs, 30 doubles, 7 triples, 33 home runs, 104 RBIs, 120 walks, 22 intentional walks, 31 stolen bases, .431 on-base percentage.
• Relatively modest output for Bonds, by his standards—yet he clearly remained head and (almost) shoulders above the rest of the National League.

2. Dante Bichette, Colorado

• Key Numbers: .340 average, 102 runs, 197 hits, 38 doubles, 40 home runs, 128 RBIs, 22 walks, 13 stolen bases, .620 slugging percentage.
• Bichette became the first of the Coors Field poster boys, putting up mile-high numbers at home for the Rockies while remaining static on the road.

3. Reggie Sanders, Cincinnati

• Key Numbers: .306 average, 91 runs, 36 doubles, 6 triples, 28 home runs, 99 RBIs, 36 stolen bases.
• Barry Larkin got all the accolades (i.e., the NL MVP) in Cincinnati, but Sanders certainly deserved at least equal billing.

4. Larry Walker, Colorado

• Key Numbers: .306 average, 96 runs, 31 doubles, 5 triples, 36 home runs, 101 RBIs, 14 hit-by-pitches, 16 stolen bases.
• One of the many ex-Expos deemed too expensive to stay in low-budget Montreal, Walker’s bat and Denver’s mile-high atmosphere became a lethal mix; he became one four Rockies with at least 30 homers, the second such quartet to do so after the 1977 Dodgers.

5. Craig Biggio, Houston

• Key Numbers: .302 average, 123 runs, 167 hits, 30 doubles, 22 home runs, 77 RBIs, 80 walks, 22 hit-by-pitches, 33 stolen bases.
• Picking up the slack for a cooled down Jeff Bagwell, Biggio twice scored five runs in a game; only two other players did it once in 1995.

6. Barry Larkin, Cincinnati

• Key Numbers: .302 average, 123 runs, 167 hits, 30 doubles, 22 home runs, 77 RBIs, 80 walks, 22 hit-by-pitches, 33 stolen bases.
• The veteran shortstop was a classic case of winning the MVP for more than just the numbers, as good as they were; his unquestioned leadership and excellent Gold Glove-winning defense were all part of his package.

7. Mark Grace, Chicago

• Key Numbers: .326 average, 97 runs, 180 hits, 51 doubles, 16 home runs, 92 RBIs.
• The Cubs’ all-time leader in doubles during the modern, post-Cap Anson era set a personal best with 51.

8. Mike Piazza, Los Angeles

• Key Numbers: 112 games, .346 average, 82 runs, 32 home runs, 93 RBIs.
• Piazza had the inside track to dethrone Tony Gwynn in the NL batting race, but his 10-point lead over the Padres’ star wilted in September. Power-wise, 23 of his 32 homers came on the road.

9. Ron Gant, Cincinnati

• Key Numbers: 119 games, .276 average, 79 runs, 29 home runs, 88 RBIs, 74 walks, 23 stolen bases.
• Gant had yet another comeback year, thanks to a Reds team willing to pick him up after a broken leg in an ATV accident voided a rich contract with the Braves.

10. Tony Gwynn, San Diego

• Key Numbers: .368 average, 82 runs, 197 hits, 33 doubles, 9 home runs, 90 RBIs, 17 stolen bases, 20 grounded into double plays.
• After slightly slumping in May and into June, Gwynn picked up the pace, hit his 1994 groove and batted .395 from June 23 on.

AL Hitters

1. Edgar Martinez, Seattle

• Key Numbers: 145 games, .356 average, 121 runs, 182 hits, 52 doubles, 29 home runs, 112 RBIs, 116 walks, .479 on-base percentage.
• Overcoming injury and a lousy reputation with his glove, a healthy Martinez was given full-time DH duties and saw his numbers explode.

2. Albert Belle, Cleveland

• Key Numbers: .317 average, 121 runs, 173 hits, 52 doubles, 50 home runs, 126 RBIs, 24 grounded into double plays, .690 slugging percentage.
• If anger was a steroid, then Belle juiced himself with rage as never before or since—except maybe after finding out he lost the AL MVP to Mo Vaughn by a 308-300 vote margin.

3. Frank Thomas, Chicago

• Key Numbers: 145 games, .308 average, 102 runs, 27 doubles, 40 home runs, 111 RBIs, 136 walks, 29 intentional walks, 12 sacrifice flies.
• Even while handicapped with strike-shortened schedules, Thomas still managed to hit over .300 and collect at least 20 homers, 100 runs, 100 RBIs and 100 walks for the fifth straight year—breaking a mark held by two guys named Lou Gehrig and Ted Williams.

4. Tim Salmon, California

• Key Numbers: .330 average, 111 runs, 177 hits, 34 doubles, 34 home runs, 105 RBIs, 91 walks.
• Before there was (Mike) Trout, there was Salmon, the favored catch of the day at Anaheim with a swimmingly strong year for the Angels.

5. Mo Vaughn, Boston

• Key Numbers: .300 average, 98 runs, 165 hits, 28 doubles, 39 home runs, 126 RBIs, 150 strikeouts, 14 hit-by-pitches, 11 stolen bases.
• While other players amassed more stats, nobody meant more to his team than AL MVP Vaughn at Boston.

6. John Valentin, Boston

• Key Numbers: .298 average, 108 runs, 37 doubles, 27 home runs, 102 RBIs, 10 hit-by-pitches, 20 stolen bases.
• Not to be confused with up-and-coming Milwaukee shortstop Jose Valentin—whose last name was pronounced differently (rhymed with ‘valentine’), this Valentin stole the hearts of Boston fans after a career-year effort.

7. Mark McGwire, Oakland

• Key Numbers: 104 games, .274 average, 75 runs, 39 home runs, 90 RBIs, 88 walks, 11 hit-by-pitches.
• Though struggling to avoid big-time injury for the third straight season—he missed 244 games since the start of 1993—McGwire was starting to get more notice with a home run rate escalating even beyond that of his early breakout days of the late 1980s.

8. Chuck Knoblauch, Minnesota

• Key Numbers: .333 average, 107 runs, 179 hits, 34 doubles, 8 triples, 11 home runs, 63 RBIs, 78 walks, 10 hit-by-pitches, 46 stolen bases.
• All but convinced he would be traded at season’s end, Knoblauch certainly put on a good performance to showcase his talents.

9. Rafael Palmeiro, Baltimore

• Key Numbers: .310 average, 89 runs, 172 hits, 30 doubles, 39 home runs, 104 RBIs.
• Still stung by his claim that Will Clark ‘stole’ his first-base job in Texas, the second-year Oriole began an impressive streak of nine straight seasons with at least 38 home runs.

10. Jay Buhner, Seattle

• Key Numbers: .262 average, 86 runs, 23 doubles, 40 home runs, 120 RBIs.
• The taut slugger upgraded himself from the 20-homer range to the 40s, where he’d stay through 1997—and Yankees fan Frank Costanza was never more enraged over the trade that made him a Mariner back in 1988.

NL Pitchers

1. Greg Maddux, Atlanta

• Key Numbers: 1.63 ERA, 19 wins, 2 losses, .905 win percentage, 28 starts, 10 complete games, 3 shutouts, 209.2 innings, 23 walks, 26 stolen bases allowed.
• The incomparable Maddux became the first pitcher to register back-to-back ERAs under 2.00 since Sandy Koufax; among his more notable feats of 1995 was a then-NL record 17 straight wins on the road.

2. Tom Glavine, Atlanta

• Key Numbers: 3.08 ERA, 16 wins, 7 losses, .696 win percentage, 29 starts, 198.2 innings, 26 grounded into double plays.
• Interestingly, Glavine’s ERA was a run worse at home—where early in the season he constantly heard the wrath of Braves fans angered over his role as union player rep.

3. Pete Schourek, Cincinnati

• Key Numbers: 3.22 ERA, 18 wins, 7 losses, .720 win percentage, 29 starts, 190.1 innings, 7 stolen bases allowed, 12 caught stealing/picked off.
• To say that the Reds’ Schourek had a career year is putting it lightly; the 18-game winner won no more than eight in any of his 10 other major league seasons.

4. Ismael Valdes, Los Angeles

• Key Numbers: 3.05 ERA, 13 wins, 11 losses, 1 save, 33 appearances, 27 starts, 197.2 innings.
• While teammate Hideo Nomo was grabbing all the attention in Dodgerland and beyond, it was Valdes—another first-full year import, from Mexico—who arguably had a more efficient year.

5. Joey Hamilton, San Diego

• Key Numbers: 3.08 ERA, 6 wins, 9 losses, 30 starts, 204.1 innings, 11 hit-by-pitches, 22 grounded into double plays.
• Fifty-eight NL pitchers had more wins than the luckless Hamilton, but only four had better qualifying ERAs.

6. Todd Worrell, Los Angeles

• Key Numbers: 2.02 ERA, 4 wins, 1 loss, 32 saves, 4 blown saves, 59 appearances, 62.1 innings, 10 stolen bases allowed.
• It took a few years, but Worrell finally regained the toughness that made him one of the premier closers back in the late 1980s with St. Louis.

7. Ramon Martinez, Los Angeles

• Key Numbers: 3.66 ERA, 17 wins, 7 losses, .708 win percentage, 30 starts, 206.1 innings, 81 walks, 19 grounded into double plays.
• Like emerging star brother Pedro—who threw nine perfect innings before conceding a hit in the 10th during a June start—Martinez missed his shot at perfection with a two-out, eighth-inning walk to the Marlins on July 14, but still got the no-hitter.

8. Hideo Nomo, Los Angeles

• Key Numbers: 2.54 ERA, 13 wins, 6 losses, .684 win percentage, 28 starts, 3 shutouts, 191.1 innings, 78 walks, 236 strikeouts, 19 wild pitches, 5 balks, 30 stolen bases allowed.
• Despite his wildness and ignorance of baserunners, baseball’s sensation of the year was valid for his home ERA (1.73) and an overall opposing batting average of .182—the lowest by an NL pitcher in 10 years.

9. Mark Wohlers, Atlanta

• Key Numbers: 2.09 ERA, 7 wins, 3 losses, 25 saves, 4 blown saves, 65 appearances, 64.2 innings.
• The 100-MPH closer realized everything he was taught about pitching from Tom Seaver just wasn’t good enough—and found his own path toward ninth-inning success in Atlanta.

10. John Smiley, Cincinnati

• Key Numbers: 3.46 ERA, 12 wins, 5 losses, .706 win percentage, 27 starts, 176.2 innings, 39 walks, 21 grounded into double plays.
• After a few rocky years, the one-time 20-game winner for the Pirates found brief redemption on another playoff-bound side in the Reds.

AL Pitchers

1. Randy Johnson, Seattle

• Key Numbers: 2.48 ERA, 18 wins, 2 losses, .900 win percentage, 30 starts, 214.1 innings, 294 strikeouts, 19 stolen bases allowed.
• How automatic was Johnson? The Mariners were 27-3 when he started. It was the first of five Cy Young Awards for the Big Unit.

2. Mike Mussina, Baltimore

• Key Numbers: 3.29 ERA, 19 wins, 9 losses, 7 complete games, 4 shutouts, .679 win percentage, 32 starts, 221.2 innings, 50 walks.
• Once again, the work stoppage jobbed Mussina out of another opportunity to win 20 games.

3. Jose Mesa, Cleveland

• Key Numbers: 1.13 ERA, 3 wins, 0 losses, 46 saves, 2 blown saves, 62 appearances, 64 innings.
• An undistinguished starter two years earlier, Mesa took on the closer role and had the year of his life; in one stretch, he saved 38 straight opportunities without blowing one, at the time a record.

4. Tim Wakefield, Boston

• Key Numbers: 2.95 ERA, 16 wins, 8 losses, 27 starts, 195.1 innings, 11 wild pitches, 9 hit-by-pitches.
• 1992 Sporting News Rookie of the Year and 1994 minor league dud, Wakefield rebounded to prominence with his knuckler in Boston.

5. Kenny Rogers, Texas

• Key Numbers: 3.38 ERA, 17 wins, 7 losses, .708 win percentage, 31 starts, 208 innings.
• A year after throwing the first perfect game in Rangers franchise history, Rogers entered the team record book anew with a consecutive scoreless inning streak of 40.1—longest in Rangers annals.

6. Kevin Brown, Baltimore

• Key Numbers: 3.60 ERA, 10 wins, 9 losses, 26 starts, 172.1 innings, 22 grounded into double plays.
• In the midst of a transitory period in which he’d play for five teams over a six-year period, Brown rebounded from a subpar 4.82 ERA for the 1994 Rangers—though it took a strong finish (5-1, 2.11 ERA over his last eight starts) to make it his lone year at Baltimore respectable.

7. Dennis Martinez, Cleveland

• Key Numbers: 3.08 ERA, 12 wins, 5 losses, .706 win percentage, 28 starts, 187 innings, 12 hit-by-pitches.
• Showing how to do it right at age 40, Martinez shined on a Cleveland rotation that otherwise posted a 4.52 ERA.

8. Kevin Appier, Kansas City

• Key Numbers: 3.89 ERA, 15 wins, 10 losses, 31 starts, 201.1 innings, 20 grounded into double plays.
• The reliable Royals right-hander started the year at 11-2 with a 2.04 ERA, and threw a pair of perfect innings at the All-Star Game, before a late-season slide.

9. David Cone, Toronto-New York

• Key Numbers: 3.82 ERA, 18 wins, 8 losses, .692 win percentage, 30 starts, 229.1 innings, 88 walks, 11 wild pitches, 28 stolen bases allowed.
• The reigning AL Cy Young winner split his 18 wins evenly between the Blue Jays and Yankees, then added another in New York’s spirited but ultimately unsuccessful ALDS against Seattle.

10. Jim Abbott, Chicago-California

• Key Numbers: 3.70 ERA, 11 wins, 8 losses, 30 starts, 197 innings, 25 grounded into double plays.
• Abbott’s tenure with the White Sox was over barely after it had begun, traded back to where it all started for him in Anaheim with the contending Angels; he’d return to Chicago in 1998 for another brief yet successful (5-0) spell.

[luckymann]

The Yanks, already stacked with talent thanks to a nice little run at the Draft table the past few years, enhance that with some good old wallet-throwing. One feels their rivalry with the Sox should crank up over the remainder of this save.

We’ll get to see veteran Cal Ripken close-up after he is traded to the Cubs, another club prominent in the offseason market.


P Jack McDowell: Yankees, 5 years / $34.5m / AAV $6.90m
C Mike Stanley: Red Sox, 4 years / $27.0m / AAV $6.75m
P Charlie Leibrandt: Yankees, 3 years / $19.9m / AAV $6.63m
OF Marquis Grissom: Cubs, 7 years / $45.7m / AAV $6.53m
P Dennis Martinez: Dodgers, 3 years / $17.1m / AAV $5.70m
3B Gary Gaetti: Orioles, 1 year / $5.7m / AAV $5.70m
C Terry Steinbach: Cubs, 5 years / $25.0m / AAV $5.00m
OF Orlando Merced: Astros, 3 years / $14.2m / AAV $4.72m
P Erik Hanson: Dodgers, 4 years / $18.0m / AAV $4.50m
OF Ellis Burks: Cardinals, 4 years / $17.0m / AAV $4.24m
OF Dante Bichette: Royals, 4 years / $15.7m / AAV $3.92m
C Benito Santiago: Tigers, 3 years / $15.2m / AAV $3.81m
OF Harold Baines: Expos, 1 year / $3.8m / AAV $3.80m
3B Tim Naehring: Blue Jays, 6 years / $22.7m / AAV $3.78m
OF Mike Kingery: Astros, 4 years / $14.9m / AAV $3.72m
1B Paul Molitor: Angels, 1 year / $3.7m / AAV $3.68m
P Joe Hesketh: Mets, 1 year / $3.5m / AAV $3.52m
P Oil Can Boyd: Cardinals, 3 years / $10.4m / AAV $3.45m
OF Gregg Jeffries: Phillies, 3 years / $9.5m / AAV $3.17m
C Mike McFarlane: Yankees, 3 years / $8.4m / AAV $2.80m
P Todd Stottlemyre: Twins, 3 years / $8.2m / AAV $2.72m
OF Chili Davis: Rockies, 2 years / $5.4m / AAV $2.68m
1B Kent Hrbek: Cardinals, 2 years / $4.9m / AAV $2.44m
P Pete Harnisch: Royals, 3 years / $6.8m / AAV $2.27m
OF Glenallen Hill: Expos, 3 years / $6.8m / AAV $2.27m
P Jaime Navarro: Tigers, 3 years / $6.2m / AAV $2.07m
P Juan Nieves: Tigers, 7 years / $13.7m / AAV $1.96m
2B Delino DeShields: Phillies, 3 years / $5.8m / AAV $1.94m
P Eric Plunk: Cardinals, 3 years / $5.0m / AAV $1.67m
P Todd Worrell: Tigers, 2 years / $3.1m / AAV $1.56m
P Dan Plesac: Padres, 3 years / $3.6m / AAV $1.21m


SS Jose Valentin from Reds to Angels for OF Juan Gonzalez
P Omar Daal, P Johnny Ruffin and cash from Twins to Indians for OF Ruben Sierra (retaining 100%)
SS Cal Ripken jr (LEGACY) from Orioles to Cubs for 1B Rico Brogna and P Jason Bere
OF Jeffrey Hammonds and P Sam Militello from Indians to A’s for P Jeff Brantley
P Steve Cooke and OF Tony Tarasco from Rangers to Blue Jays for P Jimmy Key (LEGACY) (retaining 75%)
P Alan Embree from A’s to Blue Jays for P Wes Gardner
P Eddie Guardado and P Jeff Juden from White Sox to Blue Jays for OF Darryl Hamilton (retaining 70%)
OF Gary Sheffield from Rangers to Mets for P Mike Hampton
P Brian Anderson and P Darren Oliver from Marlins to Rockies for C Brad Ausmus
3B Charlie Hayes (retaining 75%) from Yankees to Mets for P John Franco
P Greg Swindell from Mariners to Phillies for OF Jeromy Burnitz
P Storm Davis from Marlins to Padres for P Jeff Blauser (retaining 45%)
P Melido Perez (retaining 90%) from Twins to Mariners for OF Carl Everett
P Tony Castillo from Rangers to Cardinals for OF Tim Raines (retaining 80%)
OF Kirby Puckett (LEGACY) (retaining 55%) from Twins to Reds for SS Alex Gonzalez
OF Lance Johnson from Twins to Royals for 3B Tony Phillips
OF Danny Bautista from Astros to Mets for OF Brett Butler


We go an encouraging 14-4 in Spring Training but will be without Andres Galarraga for the season’s first couple weeks.




It would appear the BNN boffins aren’t at all impressed with the Cubbies’ moves, calling for them to lose 100!

Ruben Amaro (Red Sox; 6 weeks), Tim Salmon (Angels; 3 weeks), Kevin Rogers (Expos; 7 weeks), Mariano Duncan (Yankees; 3 months), Jerald Clark (A’s; 6 weeks),
Geronimo Pena (Giants; 5 weeks) and Mike Hartley (Cardinals; season) are some of the more noteworthy OD absentees.


Fun fact: only two players named “Mariano” have ever played in the MLB and, in this timeline, both are currently with the Yankees.