This week, we’re joined by Daniel Rotenberg, who contribued this piece on the Toronto Blue Jays. We hope you enjoy it. Our thanks to Daniel for his work. Introduction In 1997, the Toronto Blue Jays were last in the AL in runs, walks, batting average, and on-base percentage. They were below average or far below…
The Giants recently traded for Robb Nen, putting to rest the rumors that Julian Tavarez would have to be the team’s closer in 1998. Nen struck out 81 batters in 74 innings last season, and has struck out more than a batter per inning throughout his major-league career. The alternative, Julian Tavarez, is three years…
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS Named Mark Connor pitching coach, and signed LHP Kirt Ojala to a minor league contract. [11/26] Although clearly less guilty than the D-Rays in this regard, chalk this up as an example of Buck Showalter wanting people he’s familiar with. Connor was his pitching coach with the Yankees, and the Boss’ decision to…
THE EXPANSION DRAFT "I think we did as good as we could. I don’t know that there’s anything else we could have done." — Larry Rothschild, Devil Rays manager "I feel extremely good because we had several objectives, and we accomplished all of them." — Fred Claire, Dodgers GM "There were a tremendous amount of…
The Diamondbacks did a fair to middling job in the draft. There were a lot of missed opportunities, and a couple of inexplicable acquisitions before the dust settled, but by and large, they did a passable job, and far better than the atrocities against humanity committed by Chuck LaMar in the name of the Devil…
ANAHEIM ANGELS Signed RHP Ken Hill to a three-year deal with a one-year option. [11/16] Acquired UT Phil Nevin and C Matt Walbeck from Detroit for RHP Nick Skuse. [11/20] Trading Perisho for the subsequently drafted Mike Bell doesn’t hurt as much now, since Hill came around and re-signed. There are still questions about whether…
THE DRAFT 1. Tony Saunders, LHP, Florida 4. Quinton McCracken, CF, Colorado 6. Bob Abreu, LF, Houston (traded to Philadelphia for SS Kevin Stocker) 8. Miguel Cairo, 2B, Chicago-NL 10. Rich Butler, RF, Toronto 12. Bobby Smith, SS/3B, Atlanta 14. Jason Johnson, RHP, Pittsburgh 16. Dmitri Young, 1B, Cincinnati (the PTBNL for the 11/11 trade…
ANAHEIM ANGELS Exercised the option on RHP Ken Hill, who declined and is now a free agent. [11/7] The Angels are supposed to be livid about this, because they claim they would not have traded Matt Perisho to the Rangers had they known this was going to happen. Since the Perisho-Mike Bell deal wasn’t a…
NL MVP AWARD "It’s such a great feeling. I was going up and down the stairs at my house and I don’t think I hit any of the steps. I just kind of glided up the stairs." — Larry Walker, on winning NL MVP "[Larry Walker] is the MVP, no question. But I go out…
The full results of this year’s IBA voting.
ANAHEIM ANGELS Traded third baseman Rob Sasser to the Texas Rangers to complete an earlier trade; traded pitcher Matt Perisho to the Texas Rangers for third baseman Mike Bell. [11/4] I don’t see any reason the Angels should think they can just give away starting pitchers. Getting Mike Bell – who is not a prospect…
THE WORLD SERIES "I didn’t want to make the error, but the Lord allowed it to happen." — Tony Fernandez "You’re looking at a backup catcher from Double A. I’ve finally arrived at the pinnacle of this sport tonight, so there’s hope for all those guys out there. Don’t give up." — Jim Leyland, Marlins…