In 1982, after several years of self-publishing, Bill James released his annual Baseball Abstract with a major publisher for the first time. Since then, the baseball world has never been the same. The influence of James’ work during the 1980s cannot be overestimated; while some might argue that if not James, then someone would have…
With very few significant free agents unsigned, and the trade market at a bit of a standstill, we thought it would be a good time to look at what your favorite team should look like in three months. Here’s the first in the midwinter Lineupectomy series. BALTIMORE ORIOLES An aging, overrated team whose offense should…
ANAHEIM ANGELS Signed INF Norberto Martin to a one-year contract. [1/9] Signed RHP William VanLandingham to a one-year contract. [1/10] With the defections of Jack Howell and Craig Grebeck, the Angels were getting pretty thin for utility infielders. Paco Martin may have his faults (mostly in the field), but as a pinch-hitter or pinch-runner for…
The Rule V draft is essentially a legal lottery that baseball GMs play. They get to buy a ticket (i.e., a player) in each round, and each ticket has roughly a one in a million shot of turning out to be worth its cost (i.e., a lost spot on the 25-man roster for a year)….
ANAHEIM ANGELS Signed DH/1B Cecil Fielder to a one-year contract. [12/19] The more things change, the more they stay the same. The Angels were confronted with a very similar choice after the 1990 season, when they let Brian Downing walk away to bring in Dave Parker to DH. Fielder’s a better player now than Parker…
GRAB BAG "I’m a little frustrated about our pitching situation right now. We’re still going to be pretty good on the field, but our pitching staff is up in the air, and everybody knows you can’t win without pitching." — Jim Leyland, Marlins manager "I’m an independent person. After this season, I’m a free agent….
With all the focus on players who’ve moved due to expansion, trades, or free agent lunacy, some players whose roles have increased dramatically have received less attention. Here’s a quick review of several players whose ’98 values may rise due to all the recent activity. Mark Kotsay, Cliff Floyd, Todd Dunwoody (Florida of/1b types) If…
ANAHEIM ANGELS Signed C Matt Walbeck to a one-year contract. [12/16] ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS Sold the rights to LF Harvey Pulliam to Orix of the Japanese Leagues. [12/17] Signed RHPs Scott Brow, Greg Hansell, Barry Manuel, and Dave Pavlas to minor league contracts with NRIs to spring training. [12/18] The D-backs’ pitching situation is fluid (to…
ANAHEIM ANGELS Signed RHP Rich DeLucia to a one-year contract, and signed RHP Mark Gubicza to a minor-league contract with a spring training invite. [12/8] Signed RHP Omar Olivares to a one-year contract. [12/11] The Angels haven’t managed to pull off any of the rumored deals for pitching that would in turn move either Garrett…
SIGNINGS "Vinny [Castilla] has become one of the top players in the major leagues at his position. He plays every day and not only puts up big offensive numbers but has surfaced as one of the best fielding third basemen in baseball today." — Bob Gebhard, Rockies GM "There was never any question we wanted…
This year’s Hall of Fame ballot is considered weak by many observers. Indeed, several players who should have been elected have seen their eligibility dry up in recent years, and it’s not until next year that such luminaries as Robin Yount, Carlton Fisk and Nolan Ryan will appear on the ballot. But this year’s ballot…
ANAHEIM ANGELS Signed C Eric Helfand to a minor league contract. [12/3] Signed LHP Greg Cadaret and 3B Frank Bolick to minor league contracts. [12/4] Signed INF Steve Scarsone to a minor league contract. [12/5] Fillin’ up for Vancouver… Scarsone is a handy utility infielder with good offensive skills vs. LHPs, and with Craig Grebeck’s…