Your Expansion Seattle Mariners!!!

[BoilerRocketScientist]

Mariners Take Series With 9th Inning Heroics

Game 6 heads back to Cincinnati where the Reds need to sweep to take the Series but it all starts with this first game. Seattle will send Burt Hooton (2-0, 5.54 in playoffs) to the hill against Bill Gullickson (1-1, 2.91 in playoffs). Cincinnati has the edge here with Seattle having to sit DH Greg Walker who’s hit .250 with 2 HR’s & 9 RBI’s this post-season.

Seattle got off to a good start against Gullickson getting to him for a pair of hits and a walk scoring a run when Paul Molitor scored on an Andre Thornton double. The Reds answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the first with Dan Driessen scoring on a 2-out single from Johnny Bench. Both traded zeros with minimal threats until the bottom of the 6th. Johnny Bench got to Hooton for a 2-out single followed by a double by George Foster but a spectacular relay from Alvin Woods to Dave Stapleton to John Stearns cut down Bench at home to keep the score tied a 1-1 after 6 innings.

Both starting pitchers were lifted in the 8th inning with the game tied at 1 apiece. Burt Hooton got the lead-off hitter in the 8th before getting lifted for Buddy Schultz. Hooton’s line was 7.1 IP, 6 H’s, 1 R, 0 BB’s, & 7 K’s. Schultz did his job getting lefty Dan Driessen and then Rich Gossage came in to retire Barry Evans. Gullickson was set to lead off the 8th but he was lifted for a pinch hitter. Gullickson’s line for the game is 8 IP, 6 H’s, 1 R, 3 BB’s, 3 K’s. The Reds came up empty in the 8th.

The game enters the 9th inning tied a 1-1 with Seattle facing Cincinnati reliever Britt Burns (0-1, 6.75 in 5 post-season appearances). Burns made quick work of pinch hitter Tim Wallach and Cal Ripken, striking them both out before yielding a walk to catcher John Stearns. Seattle brought in Mike Heath to pinch hit for Gossage. In his first post-season at-bat, Heath grounded to 2nd baseman Barry Evans whose errant throw to Driessen sent Stearns to 3rd while Heath took second base. Instead of intentionally walking Paul Molitor, Reds manager Billy Martin decided to let Burns pitch to him. Molitor made him pay taking 2-1 fastball down the 3rd base line, eluding Howard Johnson for a 2-run double giving Seattle a 3-1 lead with 2 outs. The next batter up Dave Stapleton singled in Molitor for a 4-1 lead before Burns got Ruppert Jones to ground out for the final out. Seattle brought in closer Tom Gorman (0-0, 2 Saves, 0.0 ERA in 3.2 IP in 5 appearances) to try to clinch the Series. The Reds’ first batter Howard Johnson grounded out to Paul Molitor for the 1st out. Johnny Bench grounded a 0-2 fastball to shortstop Dave Stapleton for the 2nd out leaving Seattle 1 out away from repeating as World Series champions. George Foster becomes Cincinnati’s last hope and Foster works a walk to keep Cincinnati’s hopes alive but then Gorman struck out Bernie Carbo on a 1-2 curveball for the final out giving the World Series to Seattle for the second straight year!!!!

Seattle scored their 4 runs on 8 hits but were helped by 3 Cincinnati errors the key one being by Barry Evans in the 9th. Seattle held the Reds to 1 run on only 6 hits and a walk. Rich Gossage (1-0) earns the win for getting the last out in the 8th while Goman pitched the 9th for his 3 save of the post-season. Britt Burns (0-2) earned the loss but there will be a lot of questions for Cincinnati’s manager Billy Martin for leaving Burns in too long in the 9th inning. Paul Molitor earns the World Series MVP going 3/5 with 2 runs and the key 2 RBI’s in Game 6. Overall for the Series, Molitor was 7/12 (.583) with 3 runs, 3 2B’s, and 2 RBI’s both in the decisive Game 6.

[BoilerRocketScientist]

I have to make decisions on 5 free agents this off-season. Here's the summary.

Steve Foucault (33) CL: I obtained Foucault in a trade in 1981 and he’s played well as mostly a setup man for closer Tom Gorman. In two seasons he’s made 90 appearances (104.2 IP) going 1-3 with 12 saves and a 2.49 ERA. The past season he had a WHIP of 1.18 and he held opponents to a .218 batting average. His current salary is $190K and he’s asking for a 5-year, $1.2M contract. Middle relievers are easy to come by and I have some in AAA that could fit nicely into the setup role that Foucault filled this past season. I’ll thank him for his service and send him to test the market with a nice supply of local smoked salmon. Maybe I’ll get some compensation if he gets picked up. [Free Agent Compensation: Type B]

Enrique Romo (35) MR: Enrique is an original Mariner and has performed very well starting out as the closer for his first 2 years before moving to a setup role for the last 4 years. His career numbers in 277 appearances (341.2 IP) include a 23-81 record with 67 saves and a 2.95 ERA. He was excellent in 1982 with a 6-1 record and a 1.91 ERA in 75.1 IP (44 appearances). He had a WHIP of 1.04, opponents hit .203 against him while recording a WAR of 1.3. He earned $130K in 1982 and he’s asking for a 4-year, $1.04M contract. I have a soft-spot in my heart for Romo and I may offer him a 2-year contract but not at the yearly price he’s expecting. If he takes my offer I’d be happy to have him back otherwise I have some good AAA options to take his place. [Free Agent Compensation: Type B]

Larry Milbourne (31) IF: Larry is also an original Mariner having been acquired from Houston via the expansion draft. He’s been the team’s super-sub at 2B, 3B, and SS over his six years with the club getting spot-starts or filling in during an injury making 488 appearances and 331 starts. His career numbers with the team are .253/.292/.342 with 11 HR’s, 136 RBI’s and 36 SB’s. He earned $135K in 1982 and is asking for a 3-year, $497K contract. I’m unsure if I should make Milbourne an off or not. He’s filled in nicely but I might be able to someone in the draft since I don’t have much in the way of a replacement in the minors. [Free Agent Compensation: None]

Dave Winfield (31) RF: Winfield was a Type-A free agent signing in 1979 when accepted a 4-year, $1.44M contract when the team decided to make a big splash going into season 3. He’s been a slight disappointment missing 6 weeks in 1979 and 5 weeks in the beginning of the 1981 season. In between, Winfield had a great 1980 season hitting .281/.337/.488 with 32 HR’s and a league leading 131 RBI’s. Those HR and RBI numbers are the second highest in team history behind Ruppert Jones’ 1979 season (38 HR’s’ & 138 RBI’s). Winfield’s 69 HR’s & 320 RBI’s in 4 years rank him 4th overall for the expansion team in each category. Winfield earned $400K this season and he’s asking for a 3-year, $690K contract. His ratings have dropped off a bit the past 2 years so I don’t think we’re going to offer him a contract and hope to get some compensation if he signs elsewhere. Tim Wallach will be move into the starting RF role for 1983. [Free Agent Compensation: Type B]

Richie Zisk (33) LF: Zisk announced his retirement at the end of the 1979 season with a shoulder injury suffered when he was playing with Atlanta. A few trips by GM Woody Tobias convinced Zisk he still had some ball to play and we signed him to a 3-year, $1.15M contract in 1980. He was extremely consistent in his 3 years averaging 19 HR’s and 86 RBI’s while hitting .269/.334/.422 but his average slipped each year - .312 to .260 to .242. His crowning achievement was in 1981 when he destroyed opposing pitchers in earning the World Series MVP while leading the Mariners to their first World Series title. In 8 post-season games, Zisk hit .364/.400/1.061 with 7 HR’s (homering in 4-straight games), 15 RBI’s, and scoring 10 runs. He topped things off with 2 HR’s in the World Series clinching-game. Zisk earned $450K this season and is asking for a 3-year, $1.1M contract. I’m going to gamble in letting Zisk go. Bill Buckner will be back from injury and I’ll insert him in left field, leaving the DH role for Greg Walker. With Zisk’s compensation type I hope someone picks him up and I’ll reap the benefit of an additional draft pick in 1983. [Free Agent Compensation: Type A]

[BoilerRocketScientist]

Team Options
I enter the off-season having to decide on team options on several players – Rich Gossage (MR), Burt Hooton (SP), Andre Thornton (1B), Don Gullet (SP), Bill Buckner (LF), John Stearns (C), and Al Woods (LF). I’ve decided to exercise all the options and keep everyone.

Staff
All of my staff contracts are up as well. This includes Darrell Johnson (Manager), Brian Morgan (Bench Coach), Errol Wilson (Pitching Coach), Austin Johnson (Hitting Coach), and Leslie Taylor (Trainer). Oops, I wasnt' keeping track of that and I should try to keep my staff together. That will be my first order of business.

[BoilerRocketScientist]

The 1982 First-Year draft begins today. Here's the Top 10 prospects.

1. Orel Hershiser, SP
2. Lee Tunnell, SP
3. Phil Bradley, CF
4. Ray Fontenot, SP
5. Tom Candiotti, SP
6. Danny Cox, SP
7. Sid Fernandez, SP
8. Jose DeLeon, SP
9. Andy Van Slyke, LF
10. Craig McMurtry, SP

[BoilerRocketScientist]

The Mariners earned some compensatory picks thanks to Minnesota's signing of Type A free agent Steve Braun last off-season. That means that Seattle will have picks #15 and #26 in the First Round and #18 in the Supplementary Round. That means 3 picks in the first 45. As usual, it is always nice to grab some starting pitching but I'll also be looking for outfield help with the losses of Richie Zisk and Dave Winfield.

[BoilerRocketScientist]

With the first pick in the 1982 draft, the Toronto Blue Jays take surprisingly take SP Ron Darling instead of the expected Orel Hershiser. Surely, the Blue Jays took signability in their selection. Here's the rest of the first round.

1. Toronto: Ron Darling, SP
2. Chicago (NL): Orel Hershiser, SP
3. Boston: Jose DeLeon, SP
4. Pittsburgh: Sid Fernandez, SP
5. Montreal: Tom Candiotti, SP
6. Cleveland: Danny Cox, SP
7. Oakland: Danny Jackson, SP
8. San Diego: Andy Van Slyke, LF
9. San Francisco: Matt Young, SP
10. Boston: Kevin Gross, SP
11. Texas: Darryl Strawberry, RF
12. Milwaukee: Ray Fontenot, SP
13. Los Angeles: Phil Bradley, CF
14. Atlanta: Curt Young, SP
15. Seattle: Dennis Rasmussen, SP
16. Kansas City: Darren Daulton, C
17. New York (AL): Dan Morogiello, MR
18. Philadelphia: Juan Samuel, 2B
19. St. Louis: Lee Tunnell, SP
20. Montreal: Craig McMurtry, SP
21. New York (NL): Tony Fernandez, SS
22. Chicago (AL): Charles Hudson, SP
23. Baltimore: Bill Krueger, SP
24. San Francisco: Don Carman, MR
25. Detroit: Kevin McReynolds, CF
26. Seattle: Dion James, RF
27. New York (NL): Mitch Webster, CF

And, that completes the first round of the draft.

[BoilerRocketScientist]

Here's how my draft went. I got a decent starting pitcher and a right fielder. After that, I picked up a first baseman and a bunch of middle relievers ... man, there's a lot of MR's in the typical draft. Not a lot of position players available.

R1, #15: Dennis Rasmussen, SP
R1, #26: Dion James, RF
R1 Sup: # 45: Gerald Perry, 1B
R2, #85: Ralph Citarella, MR
R3, #113: Mark Huismann, MR
R4, #139: Keefe Cato, MR
R5, #165: Houston Jimenez, SS

[BoilerRocketScientist]

American League

Texas Ranger center fielder Chili Davis earned the AL Rookie of the Year award by hitting .286 in 144 games. He tallied 157 hits including 25 HR's and 96 RBI's while scoring 98 runs.

National League

The Cincinnati Reds third baseman Howard Johnson earned the 1982 NL Rookie of the Year award with a great freshman effort. Johnson hit .313 in 150 games while racking up 168 hits, 22 HR's, 76 RBI's, and scoring 101 runs.

[BoilerRocketScientist]

American League

Fernando Valenzuela of the Boston Red Sox earned his first Cy Young award after earning Rookie of the Year honors 2 years ago. This season despite a 17-11 record, Valenzuela was 2nd in the AL with a 2.72 ERA in 264 IP. However, he lead the AL starters with 263 K's, 7.3 H/9, a 1.11 WHIP, and opponents average of .217 while recording a WAR of 9.6, far ahead of 2nd place Shane Rawley at 6.5.

National League

J R Richard of the Houston Astros earned his 2nd Cy Young award with his 21-10 record and ML leading 2.12 ERA in 263 IP. He just edged out his AL counterpart Valenzuela in striking out 264 batters with a 1.10 WHIP while holding batters to a .209 average.

[BoilerRocketScientist]

American League

Despite missing the last 2 weeks of the season, Baltimore Orioles right fielder Joe Lefebvre won the AL MVP award. Lefebvre batted .329 with 32 HR's (and a AL leading 17 triples) and 120 RBI's while scoring 98 runs. He led the AL with a .406 OBP, .610 slugging percentage, and a 1.016 OPS while racking up 343 total bases. Losing Lefebvre for the final 2 weeks of the season was the main reason Baltimore lost the AL East to Detroit when the team lost 8 of 10 at the end of the season.

National League

The New York Mets first basemen followed up his 1981 Rookie of the Year Award with the 1982 MVP award. Hrbek did not have a sophomore slump as he slugged his way to a .313 average with 36 HR's and a NL leading 129 RBI's. Hrbek led the NL with 198 hits, a .557 slugging %, and a .950 OPS while leading the majors with 352 total bases. Hrbek was the leader of the Mets team who won the NL East before succumbing to the Cincinnati Reds in the NLCS.

[BoilerRocketScientist]

I have 9 players up for arbitration this year. Again, Paul Molitor is expecting the a big jump from $375K to my offer of $425K. Floyd Bannister ($262K to $294K) and Dave Stapleton ($79K to $225K) are also expecting big jumps.

I lost arbitration hearings for Dave Stapleton ($289K), Paul Molitor ($525K), and Dave Collins ($130K to $192K despite being mired in the minors). But I did win my arbitration case with Floyd Bannister who had asked for $362K.

[BoilerRocketScientist]

I've managed to sign all of my draft picks but 5th round pick Houston Jimenez is driving a hard bargain. I've met his asking price plus a small bit but it's my last offer. I'm in no mood to get strong-armed by some piss-ant 5th rounder who will likely never get more than a cup of coffee in the bigs.

[BoilerRocketScientist]

The top free agents heading into the 1983 season are below.

1. John Candelaria, SP [17-15, 3.17, 274 IP]
2. Eddie Murray, 1B [.286/.360/.459, 26 HR's, 120 RBI's]
3. Don Aase, SP [10-9, 3.54, 183 IP]
4. Mike Paxton, SP [8-17, 4.67, 206 IP]
5. Ray Burris, SP [6-9, 3.25, 119 IP]
6. Tommy John, SP [20-10, 2.75, 281 IP]
7. Tom Dixon, SP [12-12, 4.34, 203 IP]
8. Otto Velez, LF [.319/.399/.526, 29 HR's, 104 RBI's]
9. Dennis Martinez, SP [9-9, 4.26, 141 IP]
10. Reggie Smith, RF [.246/.359/.428, 24 HR's, 89 RBI's]

[BoilerRocketScientist]

Orioles Re-sign Murray

11/27/1982 - In the first big move of the off-season, the Baltimore Orioles re-signed their slugging first baseman Eddie Murray to a 6-year, $5M contract solidifying the first-baseman position for years to come. In his 6 seasons with Baltimore, Murray is hitting .289/.358/.440 with 118 HR's and 550 RBI's. This past season, Murray enjoyed career highs with 189 hits, 34 2B's, 26 HR's, 120 RBI's, and 96 runs scored.

[BoilerRocketScientist]

Baltimore Continues Moves

12/07/1982 - The Orioles continue their off-season activities by dealing 1st-year reliever Dave Dravecky (1-2, 2.32 in 19 games, 3 starts) to the Texas Rangers for left-fielder Claudell Washington. In 9 seasons, Washington is a career .281/.323/.408 hitter and will move right into the starting lineup for Baltimore in the left-fielder position allowing them to move Ken Singleton to Designated Hitter.

[BoilerRocketScientist]

Angels Lockup Jackson for 5 Years

12/14/1982 -The California Angels filled their third baseman position for the next 5 years when they signed Ron Jackson to a 5-year, $3.5M contract today. Jackson left the Angels after the '81 season and signed a 1-year free agent contract for $188K but he parlayed that into a big payday. This past year with Oakland, Jackson hit .307/.340/.468 with 16 HR's and 82 RBI's. He'll take the place of Roy Howell who became a free agent at the end of the season.

[BoilerRocketScientist]

Baltimore Opens Checkbook Again!

12/16/1982 - The Baltimore Orioles are big buyers again with the big signing of free agent left-fielder Otto Velez. The O's signed Velez to a 4-year, $3.5M contract and have declared themselves contenders for the AL pennant in 1983. Velez had a breakout year in 1982 for Atlanta hitting .319/.399/.526 with 29 HR's and 104 RBI's.

[BoilerRocketScientist]

Detroit Inks Hampton to 4-Year Deal

12/19/1982 - The Detroit Tigers signed catcher Ike Hampton to a 4-year, $2.5M free agent contract today. Hampton played for Boston this past year and hit .305/.337/.504 with 22 HR's and 75 RBI's.

Baltimore Trades for Pitcher

12/19/1982 - The Baltimore Orioles continue their off-season blitz when they sent Lynn Jones (CF) to the San Francisco Giants for starting pitcher Bob Knepper. The lefty Knepper was 12-10 with a 3.72 ERA in 34 starts for the Giants this past season. He'll join a staff that already had the 2nd lowest ERA in the AL in 1982. Jones is a contact hitter (.312/.358/.375) who'll take over the starting center fielder position in San Francisco.

[BoilerRocketScientist]

Angels Win Cox Lottery

12/21/1982 - The California Angles struck again signing free agent 3rd baseman Ted Cox to a 3-year, $1.8M contract today. Cox had spent his entire 6-year career with Boston and has averaged 17 HR's and 70+ RBI's for the past 4 seasons. Last season Cox hit .286/.324/.434 with 14 HR's and 59 RBI's in 143 games.

[BoilerRocketScientist]

Red Sox Sign Baker to 4-Year Deal

12/23/1982 - The Boston Red Sox announced the signing of left fielder Dusty Baker to a 4-year, $3M contract giving him an early Christmas present. Baker, 33, has spent the past 4 seasons with the New York Mets and hit .289/.369/.472 with 17 HR's and 59 RBI's last season.