Welcome to this Special Edition of BTN. The Darkhorse Report will let you in on who the suprise teams may be for the '89 season. To let you in, a Darkhorse is a team that didnt perform well in previous years, but that may suprise alot of people by making the playoffs.
--Top 5 Darkhorse Teams
5 - Kansas City Royals
- Kansas City will be a longshot for a playoff spot, but should definately have a great year. Plenty of good young bats and arms. Look for Maddoz, Gant, and Aquino to have big years for the Royals. If it wernt for the Extremeky tough contenders, the Brewers and Twins, KC could have a shot. Perhaps in a few years, when Shilling starts to pitch, KC will have a shot...but for now, the AL Central will be MInnisota, then Milwalkee.
4 - St. Louis Cardinals
- The Redbirds had a roung year in 1988. For a team with alot of Batting talent, the St. Louis Lineup was definately playing under-par. The Deadline deal for Strawberry, and a decent year by the rest of the Lineup might just make the Cardinals 1st in hitting. in the leauge. Strawberry, Chilli Davis, Jose Canseco, Kevin Mitchell, Fred McGriff, and C Darren Daulton...this is a lineup with some talent. If the St. Louis pitching staff can put together a decent year, this team could put up the numbers Pittsberg did last year. They wont dethrone the current NL Central Champs, but a Wildcard is not out of the question.
3 - San Deigo Padres
- I will most likely be critisized fot this one, but i think this is the Padres Year. A great Lineup, some quality MR's, and 2 new faces to the Starting Rotaion should give this team the boost it needs to perform well in the NL West, which will be the hardest Division in the CDL. Expect Burks, Lind, Slaught, and Larkin to have big years for the Friars. I predict the Bullpin to be one of the best of the leauge, with King, LEfferts, and Alverez each combining for a win total of 20+.
2 - Milwaulkee Brewers
- Milwaulkee has fallen on hard times recently, but have definately picked up some solid young talent, and i think this is the year it pays off. Pitching has been a problem for the Brews in the past, but Smiley and Mcdowwell are starting to learn their way around a Major Leauge strikezone, Sorenson just got brought into the team last year, and Aguilera should be the ace to lead the Staff. Much like the NL Central, The Kings remain the Kings, as i think Minnisota should repeat the pennant win, but the Brews might just play spoiler for the AL West when it comes to the wildcard this year.
1 - Los Angeles Dodgers
-- i know, I know..its my team so of course im gonna make them the number 1. But LA has one thing that these other teams dont have, something thta should ensure a winning season...Don Robinson, 2 time Cy Young winner, went 22-6 Last year for the Angels, while sporting a Leauge Leading 1.62 ERA. Not only did the Dodgers pick up Robinson, LA decided they needed 4 more '89 World Series winners, so they got them. Gary Roenicke, Ruppert Jones, German Rivera, and Ed Jurak. LA lost last years SB Leader and RoY canidate, Stan Javier, and former 7th overall pick 1B Mark Grace..but an extra 150 RBI's never hurt any team. BTN's NL West Prediction has LA on top, San Deigo with the WIldcard, and Houston and San Fran with respectful 3rd and 4th place finishes.
Hold on to your seats, because '89 is gonna be an exciting year!!
You know, writing about trades is fun and all, but the ATR wants to expand his horizons. No longer am I content to just mock you when you deal. Now, I will mock you when you deal and before the Amateur draft. Welcome to the 1989 ATR Mocks The Draft.
Basically, I’m going to run a mock draft and pick the players you should for your teams. I’m sure most of you will read this, say the ATR is crazy and pick a crappier player for yourselves than I would, but it’s your prerogative to screw up at the draft. And with ATR whipping boy Steve Ritter having so many picks in the first round, I’m sure to show someone up on draft day.
1. Toronto – LF Albert Belle
Let’s face it, the most talented player in the draft is also the most loathed. Even the ATR Whipping Boy will take the hitter with the most talent in the draft as a cornerstone to build around. He isn’t quite as good as Barry Bonds was in 1986, but still Albert Belle is a player to build around. Let’s hope that the Blue Jays recognize this as well.
2. Chicago (N) – CF Ken Griffey Jr.
The Cubs rebuilding has taken them from being one of the elite teams in the CDL to a team that needs almost everything to rebuild. Ken Griffey, along with Alan Trammell gives them two great players up the middle. Griffey is nearly the complete package with speed, power, defense, a good batting eye and the ability to hit for average.
But ATR, what could be wrong with a package like that? The answer is health. Griffey is fragile and may never live up to his full potential, but the same can be said for many of the stars in this draft.
3. Oakland – RF Larry Walker
This draft is loaded with good outfielders and little else. Luckily for the Athletics, they could use a good outfielder. Walker should be one of the best outfielders in the league if he can stay healthy, but like Griffey, his health is going to be the biggest factor in determining whether or not he is a true contributor for his new team.
4. New York (A) – RF Sammy Sosa
Amazingly, all the teams at the top of the draft could really use a superstar outfielder and a superstar outfielder they shall have. Sosa should spend most of his career driving home Roberto Alomar. Sosa has no health concerns, but isn’t quite the offensive player that Walker or Griffey could be if their health holds. Another team getting a player to build around.
5. Baltimore – RF Juan Gonzalez
Gonzalez can slide over and play CF between McLemore and Buhner, giving the Orioles the best young outfield in the game. Gonzalez has great power and should hit for a high batting average, but is somewhat undisciplined at the plate. Nonetheless, Gonzalez will be a major factor in the Orioles resurgence.
6. Houston – SP Kevin Appier
Someone picks something other than an outfielder. It isn’t so much that the other teams picking aren’t in need of pitching, but the first five outfielders are better than Appier, but David Justice probably isn’t better than Kevin Appier. It’s a close call at this point in the draft, but the Astros could use another future rotation anchor like Kevin Appier.
7. New York (N) – SP Ben McDonald
You know, the Mets have assembled an amazing core of offensive talent to build around. Unfortunately, this is not the year to need pitching. Luckily, the Mets draft high enough to get a solid starter in Big Ben. He’s a bit of reach of at 7, but sometimes you have to draft to your needs.
8. St. Louis – CL John Wetteland
Someone will have to replace Sutter when he retires in a season or two. And John Wetteland should be that guy. The Cardinals, like the Mets, have a great offense ready to be rolled out, but need a few more arms. With the cache of front of the rotation starters already spent by other teams, the Cardinals make the traditional selection of the closer 10 picks too soon that happens in every CDL draft.
9. Chicago (A) – RF David Justice
As pitchers are taken early, the White Sox become the beneficiary by landing David Justice. Justice should be a middle of the order power threat for whoever ends up with him. He lacks the talent of the top five outfielders in this draft, but is still has the potential to be an impact player.
10. San Francisco – 1B John Olerud
The Giants are entering their rebuilding phase and John Olerud is Pedro Guerrero’s replacement at first base. Olerud isn’t the prototypical first baseman, but he excels at getting on base and has decent, but not exceptional power. Of course, going to San Francisco will lead to Olerud developing monster power and winning 4 MVP awards.
11. Montreal – 3B Robin Ventura
The Expos, like the Cardinals and Mets have put together an excellent corps of hitters. And if you look at the Expos’ hitters, you will find that a number of them are pretty poor fielders, like 2B Mike Marshall. So, drafting Ventura to play 3B makes a good deal of sense, since the Expos could really use a shortstop. For those of you wondering, Howard Johnson is a shortstop by trade when needed and Ventura could play 3B while HoJo stands at SS. Lots of offense for everyone.
12. Cincinnati – CF Steve Finley
The Reds love gloves. I mean LOVE GLOVES. Their best teams always featured some mediocre hitters who could field. Finley is an excellent hitting prospect at 12 and can really flash some leather in Center Fielder. He will fulfill the Reds’ glove fetish.
13. Detroit – C Chris Hoiles
Hoiles is a player that has the potential to go a lot higher, since he is a monster hitter behind the plate, though his arm leaves something to be desired. Nonetheless, there is a lack of quality catchers in this draft and Hoiles, despite his warts is the best one available.
14. Toronto – SP Wilson Alvarez
The Blue Jays need pitching like Mars needs women. In the worst way possible. Seriously, there is a lack of pitching available in this draft, but eventually someone is going to break down and take a guy who in most years would be a second rounder in the middle of Round 1. I think Toronto is the team to do it. Alvarez is young, so he could become great in a few years…or he could wash out. As a Blue Jay, he should invest in training for a second career.
15. California – 3B Dean Palmer
When did it become fashionable to go to or even win the World Series, then tear your team apart for prospects. Will there never be a non-Groening dynasty again (Twins win in 1989, you heard it here first.) Palmer has great power, but doesn’t have anything else great to offer. He should be a good fifth or sixth place hitter for the Angels by the time they get their act together again.
16. Kansas City – RF Geronimo Berroa
Berroa seems to be falling down the draft board for whatever reason (mostly a glut of good outfielders amongst the decent teams that inhabit the middle of the draft). The Royals could use an outfielder and Berroa won’t hurt you. He should be a good player, maybe even make an All-Star game in his career. If he hits 4th for the Royals, the rebuilding never worked and the long drought continues. If he hits 7th for the Royals, the rebuilding was a rousing success and the Twins are nearing the end of their reign.
17. Cleveland – LF Greg Vaughn
You know how the Blue Jays need pitching? Well, the Indians need hitting. Vaughn, despite his low batting averages, should be the middle of the order presence the Indians are looking for. Vaughn isn’t the best hitter the CDL has ever seen, but he might be the best hitter the Indians have seen since the decline of Mike Hargrove (the perfect comp for John Olerud if you are interested).
18. Seattle – SP Tommy Greene
The Mariners have made it very far with some very adequate pitchers. Tommy Greene may never be a staff ace, but he should be a solid rotation starter. Something the Mariners are going to need to get past Rangers and into the playoffs.
19. Atlanta – MR Mike Stanton
The second reliever is taken. There is a pretty large drop-off between Wetteland and Stanton as far as relievers go. On the other hand, Mark Clear was on the Braves playoff roster last season. If you don’t want to look, think whiplash. Stanton should be a top notch setup man for the next decade.
20. Toronto – SP Andy Benes
The Blue Jays could take a batter, but do you really want to take Paul Sorrento to rebuild around? I didn’t think so. Benes should be a league average starter, which if he is, could make him the first league average starter in Toronto history.
21. Texas – DH Chip Hale
Chip Hale is more of an infielder than a designated hitter. Let’s face it, at this point in this draft, you are basically picking the best player around and hoping for something good to happen. Chip Hale is the last hitter rated good in hits…and the pitchers are just dreadful, absolutely dreadful. So, Chip Hale, come on down!
22. Chicago (N) – 3B Todd Zeile
I think the Cubs will take Zeile and stick him behind the plate. The Cubs are like the rich man’s Blue Jays. They need players everywhere and a flexible player like Zeile has a certain allure, since you can always pick other players later and stick Zeile wherever the Cubs haven’t gotten other, talented players.
23. Philadelphia – MR Chuck McElroy
With the Phillies offense basically built, they will look to pitchers. And with all the decent starting pitchers taken, the Phillies will take the best reliever on the board. McElroy is the best reliever left on the board. He should be a very good setup man and might still be around when the Phillies are knocking on the World Series door again.
24. Minnesota – 1B Paul Sorrento
The ultimate best player on the board pick. This is the same team that made Hal Morris a shortstop. Let that one settle in and ask yourself, won’t Paul Sorrento be the perfect double player partner for Hal Morris. The Twins are looking to see how many first basemen they can put into the lineup at once and Sorrento will help them with their sick and twisted goals.
25. Oakland – SP Kenny Rogers
Alright, we are out of hitters and out of pitchers. Basically, Rogers isn’t a bad player and he might be a decent fourth starter if things break right, but he still isn’t the type of player you want to take in the first round. Nonetheless, Rogers is probably the best player left on the board. Shameful.
26. California – RF Glenallen Hill
Hill isn’t the perfect hitter, but he has power and should hit for a decent batting average. Who else is left, some relievers with major issues, some mediocre starting pitchers and hitters who lack even one good in a place you would want one. The end of Round 1 in this draft is one of the thinnest this ATR can remember.
Let’s do a quick recap.
You want a pitcher, you get a crappy one.
You want an infielder, you get a really crappy one.
You want a 3B, you might do OK.
You want a 1B, you could do worse.
You want an outfielder, welcome to paradise.
So, basically, this draft sucks and any of you who traded for picks this season should be ashamed of yourselves.
Ah, there is nothing better than a retrospective to trades of the past. Since the ATR ended up being busy this last week, I will finish off 1988, despite 1989 already being here. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to read it. ON WITH THE SHOW!!!
Houston receives P Ed Lynch and SS Andres Thomas.
Boston receives LF Dan Gladden.
You know, for all the types of trades the CDL has, this is one of the rarest type of trades, the rental deal. You know, a team goes out and gets a mercenary for a few months, then lets him walk to the FA pool.
The Houston Astros rented Ed Lynch to do some pitching for them, then let him walk to the FA pool. Obviously, Lynch was a good acquisition, as the Astros ended up one win away from being the World Champions. He was a solid pitcher, who didn’t hurt anyone with his work. Additionally, the Astros added the only prospect in the deal in Andres Thomas. Thomas is a someone you expect to see on a major league roster for a few years as a utility infielder. He is a good defensive shortstop and can play the rest of the infield adequately.
To get Lynch, they traded away Dan Gladden. Gladden excels at being a decent hitter and being able to play the outfield. He probably won’t be a starter on a world champion, but he’s a decent regular or a very good fourth outfielder. However, he really doesn’t do anything well enough to be a player you depend on. Not a bad pickup for the Red Sox, who were desperate for someone to replace the retired Andy Van Slyke, but he isn’t a budding star like Andy Van Slyke either.
Winner: Boston
San Diego receives P Danny Darwin.
San Francisco receives 3B Jerry Browne and San Diego’s second round Amateur draft choice in 1989.
Danny Darwin is a riddle wrapped in an enigma. There is no way that Darwin shouldn’t be amongst the top 20 pitchers in the league, but every season, Darwin manages to show up and put together an uninspiring performance. That being said, Darwin is still a reasonably effective pitcher, but probably not the guy you want starting Games 1 or 2 of a playoff series. However, the Padres needed pitching in a bad way and Darwin doesn’t make a lot of money for a man with his “talent”, so he is a reasonable gamble.
For Darwin, the Giants received a decent draft pick, as the Padres finished near the bottom of the league standings. Additionally, they received Jerry Browne. No, not the former governor of California, but the player. Browne has the advantage of playing 5 positions, which means you can use him anywhere you have a hole. His bat should be decent, but not great. He’s a useful player that good teams will find a way to maximize the value of and that bad teams will find a way to minimize the value of. His glove could use some work as well. Considering he is a Giant now, he has a decent chance of going to an All-Star Game and being on a World Series winner.
Winner: San Francisco
San Francisco receives 1B Cecil Cooper.
Chicago (N) receives P Len Whitehouse.
Well, it appears I’ve already approved this trade on the CDL Message Board. Let me just quote the trade, rather than try to add anything meaningful.
From Chuck Groening:
“Note to ATR: yeh yeh yeh..i know..it was a sentimental deal okay....
Cubs to confirm
And the Giants welcome back Cecil so he can retire in a Giants uniform...”
From Chris Hansen:
“Only resigned Cooper last season so that he could retire a Cub but sending him back "Home" to SF is fine too (guess I fall to the sentimental cliche) but Coop wasn't doing for me and a LHP who could start and releive is always valueable.
Cubs agree”
Winner: None, I approved this deal. (San Francisco)
Los Angeles receives C Gary Carter and Chicago (N)’s second round Amateur draft choice in 1989.
Chicago (N) receives P Jamie Moyer, Los Angeles’s first round Amateur draft choice in 1990 and fourth round Amateur draft choice in 1989.
This deal has great potential to blow up in one of these owner’s faces.
For the Cubs, Gary Carter could still be a good catcher. I wouldn’t bet on it at this juncture in his career, as he is grossly overpaid when you look at his remaining skill set. Carter was once a regular on the MVP ballot, but moving from an extreme hitters’ park to an extreme pitchers’ park combined with the loss of talent, ensures that Carter has an uphill battle to be an All-Star.
For the Dodgers, they gave up a first round pick and Jamie Moyer for Gary Carter. The upside is that the Cubs were so horrendously poor in 1988, that the second round pick is almost in the first round. And Jamie Moyer will almost certainly never be an ace, but rather a solid back of the rotation starter, as he is vulnerable to right-handers.
At least the Cubs shed some horrible salary and get to roll the dice a little earlier in the draft.
Winner: Chicago (N)
Los Angeles receives LF Gary Thomasson.
Baltimore receives C Darryl Cias and Los Angeles’s third round Amateur draft choice in 1990.
It appears that at the trading deadline, the Dodgers were serious contenders for the playoffs or in the middle of a three day bender, since they added a lot of veteran talent at the deadline.
Thomasson is one of the most unsung players in CDL history. His real life career was nothing to write home about, but his CDL career featured him as one of the big wheels in the Orioles Dynasty during the late 1970s-early 1980s. A full 1977 campaign would have him on pace to enter the Hall of Fame automatically, but most likely, he will have to await to see if he will get the call from the vote. At this stage in his career, he can still help a team out, but can no longer carry a team with his bat.
To get him, the Dodgers gave up very little. Cias is a decent, but unspectacular catcher and that draft pick has end of Round 3 chaff written all over it. It’s a good deal for the Dodgers, who were making a push for their first playoffs since 1971. Unfortunately for them, it was the Phillies who ended their playoff drought this season.
Winner: Los Angeles
Minnesota receives RF Ron Jones.
Milwaukee receives 2B Keith Millar.
Well, it seems that a bunch of owners think they can do this better than the ATR, so here are there comments, with the blanks filled in. (My comments are in the brackets.)
I can't figure out what
Matt would also like to add that no one should ever trade with a Groening as they almost always win a trade, like this one.
I hope you all enjoyed ATR Madlibs.
Winner: Minnesota