Well, the Atr has done it again...besides being a great and entertaining read..its insulted one older cdl owner and one brand new one...Let me first say that while I appreciate the fact that Toronto sits at a possible fifth pick in the draft, when this deal was made, the intend was to make the Blue Jays better..not suck ...and Smalley and Reynolds being nothings???..give me a break, Mr. Atr, Reynolds is a very young, great defensive (with speed) second baseman at a position where defense often means more than anything..give Reynolds one little talent improvement and he's a major star...and Smalley is having the best year of his career (a perenial underachiever who may finally be starting to show what he can do). Smalley has power and defense,rare for a shortstop (though why Smalley was sitting in triple a the last few sims I am not sure). Twitty, on the other hand, besides having one of the better names in the cdl, is, at best, an average reliever..anybody got a good nick for Twitty?? so, lets review, Toronto (if i recall) was sitting with a middle range first round pick when it traded to get Smalley and Reynolds..two middle infielders who were to shore up a big hole on this team..the hope was the Blue Jays would get better ..not worse..one owner i talked to 'bout this deal thought that Toronto had taken me to the cleaners when it was initially made...so John, don;t listen to Mr Atr..he;s just talking out of the side of his mouth like 'cause he's got too many feathers up his nose..:)
And.....
Hedlund for Ford...the only logic to this deal for both Chris and I was that Hedlund (now almost 80 years old) was going to be a free agent and neither of us was gonna sign him..hey and now the former great Giant gets to maybe finish his career on a winner where he can really help the Cubbies..that can't be bad...and the Giants pick up Ford whos only 33 and can pop a few outta the park in a back up role...and salary, schmallery..the Giants got tons of room now...
Chuck Groening..Giants GM
The ATR is saddened to see that Terry is stepping down at season’s end, since he did write the first CDL newspaper. On that note, the ATR would like to dedicate ATR Report 9 to him. He will be missed. Now on with the analysis.
Toronto receives 2B Harold Reynolds and SS Roy Smalley
San Francisco receives MR Jeff Twitty and Toronto’s first round Amateur draft choice in 1984
Welcome to the league, John. Please check all your valuables with Chuck as he will be keeping them after this trade. As of right now, Toronto’s draft pick would be fifth overall. That’s where you pick superstars…especially in 1984. I’m pretty certain that if I glued the best parts of Reynolds and Smalley together, I couldn’t create a superstar. This is a big step backward for Toronto and another feather in San Francisco’s cap. (Chuck must be in need of a new cap with all the feathers he has.) Twitty might actually be the second best player in this trade, which is the adding insult to injury portion of today’s ATR. Two more trades like this and the Giants will once again be the best team in the NL.
Winner: San Francisco
San Francisco receives LF Dan Ford
Chicago (N) receives MR Mike Hedlund
Well, the Cubs are well on their way to the playoffs, so trading Ford who had fallen out of favor for Hedlund, who at worst is a useful reliever whose contract comes off the books at the end of the season is quite the coup. However, this is an uncharacteristic move for the Giants, as it makes no sense for them. $4,000,000 a year until 1986 for a mediocre outfielder who has went from MVP to the fourth outfielder on a playoff team is a lot of money. And considering that outfielders are the easiest players to find, this move is perhaps the biggest bust of the Giants’ season. And Ford has the chance to hold those honors for 1984, 1985 and 1986.
Winner: Chicago (N)
Milwaukee receives SP Scott Sanderson and Lou Whitaker
Kansas City receives 2B Julio Franco, SP Ron Darling and San Diego’s first round Amateur draft choice in 1984
When I first saw this trade just after the trading deadline, I said why would Milwaukee trade away all this young talent for Scott Sanderson. (Yes, I know Milwaukee added Lou Whitaker, but his 15 AB haven’t been important. I would also like to point out that Lou Whitaker has to be the biggest draft bust in CDL history. He was a second overall pick and he has never turned in a good season or even a decent one.) Well, Milwaukee has overtaken the Tigers, which I thought was on the list of things that was as likely to happen as a yacht crashing in my living room window. I was wrong about that, but I still don’t like this trade for the Brewers. Sanderson looks like a legitimate ace, but his ERA is hovering around 3.50, which is not legitimate ace territory. He does have a good contract though. On the other hand, Darling should be a fine number 2 or 3 starter in his career, Franco is one of the premier young infielders in the CDL (though they seem to be swapped more than baseball cards this season) and San Diego’s draft choice should be in the middle of the round. I doubt that any player in the CDL is worth THREE good young players. Of course, if Milwaukee wins the World Series this season, I doubt we will hear any crying over this deal.
Winner: Kansas City
Well, that covers all 43 trades made this season. I guess the ATR will be on sabbatical until 1984, unless I release a playoff special.
Wednesday 9/13/1983 NEW YORK (N) - Houston's third baseman Wade Boggs accomplished a difficult feat in a game against New York (N), hitting for the cycle to improve his career batting average to .332! A single in the 1st off Tom Seaver accounted for his 1st hit. A 343 feet drive to left field marked his 2nd hit, a three-run homerun off Tom Seaver in the 6th inning. A RBI triple off Lowell Palmer in the 8th inning, accounted for his 3rd hit. Number 4 in the 9th inning accounted for a double. That drive completed the cycle, causing a smile on his face! Wade did drive in 4 while scoring 4 runs on his own. His 4 hit performance increases his batting average to .316. He becomes the 13th player in league history collect at least a single, double, triple and a homerun in a single game. On 6/12/1983, Claudell Washington was the last player to hit for the cycle.
There are no surprises in today's announcement, as both players dominated their leagues during the month of August.
In the American League, the honor goes to Blue Jays' rightfielder Andy Van Slyke. The second player drafted in the last Amateur Draft hit ,349/,425/,624 in 109 at bats, with 3 homeruns, 16 RBIs and 8 SBs.
Even though he arrived in the majors only in July, he is now among the main candidates to win the Rookie of the Year award in the American League.
Pitchers Tom Candiotti of the Royals (4-1, 2,60) and Bill Dawley of the White Sox (2-1, 7 saves, 2,40) had good months but were no match for Van Slyke.
In the National League, Darryl Strawberry adds the Rookie of the Month award to the Player of the Month award. In only 71 at bats, he hit 11 homeruns, had a ,296 average and 18 RBIs. He had an impressive ,803 slugging percentage.
Strawberry was the only player selected before Van Slyke in the last Amateur Draft.
Padres' catcher Don Slaught (,333-3-18) and Astros' closer Tom Henke (8 saves, 0,00) were also considered.
Sunday 8/20/1983 SAN DIEGO - Great things can happen when you throw strikes. And Steve Luebber did so today, in a no-hit shutout against San Francisco. 'I really like to play
baseball, and I love the way I was able to play it today. I still cannot believe I did it.' Luebber (5-13) struck out 2 and walked 3, throwing 57 of 101 pitches for strikes. Don Slaught provided San Diego with the offense Luebber needed as he stroked 2 hits in 3 AB, doubling once, with 3 RBI. San Diego scored 3 runs on 5 hits.
Sunday 8/20/1983 CINCINNATI - Cincinnati's lefty Jerry Reuss will not pitch again this year, suffering a serious injury in the game against Los Angeles on Sunday. After x-rays were taken the diagnosis did not surprise many: Ruptured Disc Back. Surgery will be performed next week. Opposing players hit .216 against Jerry this season. While posting an ERA of 2.29 he went 13-6 in 28 starts, fanning 52 and walking 45 hitters. Jerry has pitched 5 shutouts and 5 complete games. He's 2nd in the National League in ERA and 8th in wins!
Sunday 8/20/1983 MINNESOTA - Minnesota's rightfielder Billy North was in good mood after the game against Toronto, and he had every reason as he made some history while collecting his 2000th career hit. His hit in the 8th inning was a single off Alan Wirth. Along with his 2000 hits, Billy collected 90 homeruns and 609 RBI in 12 seasons. 'It's hard to believe that I did it. I want to thank my family, my friends and my teammates!'
Thursday 9/1/1983 :
American League-Pitcher of the Month :
Bill Laskey (CAL) !!
He had a record of 5-0 in 6 games started, with an ERA of 1.25.
American League-Batter of the Month :
Willie Aikens (KC) !!
He batted .443 in 97 AB, with 10 homers and 33 RBI.
National League-Pitcher of the Month :
Lowell Palmer (NY) !!
He had a record of 4-1 in 3 games started, with an ERA of 0.89.
National League-Batter of the Month :
Darryl Strawberry (PHI) !!
He batted .296 in 71 AB, with 11 homers and 18 RBI.
Just because the trading deadline has passed, that does not mean that everyone can sleep safely in their beds. The ATR still has deals examine and examine the ATR shall.
Montreal receives 2B Rich Dauer
Philadelphia receives Montreal’s third round Amateur draft choice in 1984.
You know, the Jorge Orta deal looks stranger and stranger. Yes, he has had a fine season, while the rest of his teammates decided to pack it in April 10th, but was he the player the Phillies’ needed. With both Dauer and Wills on the roster, Second Base was the strongest position for the Phillies. Adding Orta only makes sense if he was going to play the outfield. It hides his subpar glove and allows the Phillies to put a better bat at 2B then they were in the OF. Instead versus righthanders, Darrell Brown gets playing time, Orta goes to 2B, Wills goes to the bench, Dauer goes to AAA and Strawberry becomes the worst defensive 1B in the league. Not exactly the line of moves that makes the Phillies a contender. Anyway, Montreal filled a huge hole with Rich Dauer, who has been one of the CDL's hottest hitters since he has been freed from his stint in AAA, and gave up very little in talent to do so. The Expos have been a surprising team this year, but management was able to take advantage of the situation and has this team poised to make their first playoff appearance in 14 seasons.
Winner: Montreal
Chicago (A) receives: MR Pete Broberg
Montreal receives Chicago (A)’s fourth round Amateur draft choice in 1984.
Lately, deals like this have been to clear off anyone with a decent salary from a team, but sometimes, there is real value to trading away a player for nothing. As you can see above, the Expos were able to convert Broberg’s salary into 2B Rich Dauer. This is the perfect trade for the Expos. They identified a need, what they could do about it and managed to make it work. The White Sox add a reliever, not a very good reliever and someone who in most years could be replaced by someone from the free agency pool. I can think of a lot of players I would rather pay $3,000,000 to than Pete Broberg, especially for two more seasons. Maybe Broberg will have a renaissance in Chicago, but I would want to risk $3,000,000 a year to find out.
Winner: Montreal
Cleveland receives CF Dave Parker
St. Louis receives LF Al Woods, 3B Roy Howell, SS Glenn Hoffman, MR Scott Munninghoff, MR Rich Rodas and Cleveland’s third round Amateur draft choice in 1984.
I will be honest, I think Parker is highly overpaid. The only hitter who makes more than Parker is Reggie Jackson. Ask yourselves, can you name 30 better hitters than Parker? I know I can. (Though I won’t here, since it would spoil the exercise for you and probably bore you to tears.) On the other hand, if you have money to spend, dealing a Costco/Sam’s Club portion of mediocrity for him is not a bad deal. Woods is an expensive mediocrity, Munninghoff has the upside of a decent middle reliever, Rodas would kill to have Munninghoff’s upside, Hoffman is overmatched as a utility infielder and Roy Howell is an acceptable 3B, if you have a lot of high end offensive players at other positions like 2B, 3B and C. Still, the Cardinals save $6,000,000 and get some cheap talent to plug into the lineup this season while they work their way towards a high draft picks. I’d rather have $6,000,000 than Parker, so I guess the Cardinals win.
Winner: St. Louis
Oakland receives SP Doyle Alexander and MR Mike Jeffcoat
Houston receives 3B Wade Boggs and MR JR Richard
I could discuss the failed promise of JR Richard and that he finally landed in an Astro uniform, like in real life, but he never did get a uniform in Houston. (see below) But since the deal is really Doyle Alexander for Wade Boggs, I’m certain that you want to hear about those players. Well, if I was analyzing this trade on July 1, I would say that Houston was the winner. Of course, a month and a half later, Houston destroyed Oakland. Alexander has been just short of awful in the Green and Gold, while Boggs has not been his usual self, he has still been a good third baseman and solid hitter. Beyond that, Boggs is probably the best young hitter in the CDL not named Dave Henderson, whereas Doyle Alexander is a solid pitcher and a former Cy Young candidate whose star burnt out July 2, 1983. None of this had to happen, but Fulgham is a Giant, Boggs is an Astro and the Athletics are an old team. If Oakland doesn’t make the playoffs this season, it could be 15 more before they do. Oh yeah, the Athletics dumped the carcass of JR Richard and added Mike Jeffcoat, who is a decent relief prospect. Band-aid over a shotgun wound. Fun stat: In 63 innings as an Athletic, Doyle Alexander has given up more runs than he did as an Astro in 112 innings. Not pretty.
Winner: Houston
Houston receives SP Jim Wright
San Francisco receives SS Tony Fernandez and MR JR Richard
Well, the hole in the Astro rotation lasted as long as JR Richard remained an Astro. Jim Wright is basically the same pitcher Doyle Alexander is…I wouldn’t even say there is enough of a difference to call him the poor man’s Doyle. Wright has had a tough season this year, but the talent is still there and he appeared to start turning it around in August after a brutal July. The question is whether he is worth Tony Fernandez. I would have to say no. Fernandez is the best SS prospect in the CDL and he is ready to step right in tomorrow if need be to the Giants’ infield. In fact, I would be shocked if he isn’t the Giants’ opening day shortstop in 1984 AND 1994. A deal that was a necessary evil for the Astros, but a big gain for the Giants.
Winner: San Francisco
Monday 8/7/1983 NEW YORK (A) - Bill Sudakis got a standing ovation from 47761 fans in New York (A), who witnessed his
2000th career hit. His best year so far was 1982 where he hit .283 with 33 homeruns and 89 RBI. 'I guess I'll celebrate a bit today. But the most important thing is winning, and my whole career I gave everything I could to help my team.' His hit in the 8th inning was a double off Charlie Walters.
Domingo Ramos won his second consecutive Rookie of the Month Award in the American League by hitting for ,338 in 68 At bats with 2 homers and 18 RBIs. The Red Sox' shortstop had a ,403 OBP and a ,515 SLG.
For the year, he has a ,290 AVG with 4 homeruns and 40 RBIs.
He finished ahead of Blue Jays' outfielder Andy Van Slyke (,250-3-8) and Twins' reliever Mark Huismann (1-0, 0,84 in 21,1 innings)
In the National League, Philadelphia Phillies' outfielder Tim Raines dominated the rookies in July by hitting at a ,338/,379/,474 clip. He had 1 homerun, 11 RBIs and 13 stolen bases.
He was also Rookie of the Month in May. Up to now, he has a ,293 average, with 5 homeruns, 38 RBIs and 38 SB.
Teammate Darryl Strawberry (,338-5-15) and Astros' closer Tom Henke (9 saves, 0,90 ERA in 10 IP) were also considered.
With all 4 teams in the running, the AL West looks to be the most contested Division in the CDL. The Angels, last in their division, are still 2 games above .500 and only 6 games behind Texas Rangers. Its only August, and their is still alot of baseball left to play, so the AL West is still completely up for grabs. So which team will end up winning? This Report will now take you deep into the lineups of the AL West, and see who has the stuff to be a champion.
Texas Rangers
Current ERA leaders in the AL, the Rangers pitching has allowed them to stay on top of the division race so far. Texas isnt much for offence, but they have enough stars to get by. Veterans Ron Blomberg and Jim Spencer are leading the way for this Rangers lineup. Most of the Texas Stars are starting to go over the hill, so its do or die time for the Rangers. If the Rangers pitching holds up, they might be looking at a division title. At the very least, the AL West should be the recipient of the Wildcard spot, Texas is in position to get that for sure.
Seattle Mariners
The A's may boast some of the best contact hitters in the leauge, but its Seattle that has by far the best offence. This is partialy due to the running ability of Ricky Henderson and Willie Wilson. Its alot easier to pound in the runs when your 2 OBP guys can steal 50+ bases a year. So now you got them on base...who brings them home? Top 2 RBI Leaders Eddie Murry and Jonny Bench do. The bangup job of these 4 guys is part of the reason Seattle is still in this race, because it has nothing to do with pitching. This is something the Mariners are going to have to deal with if they want to do make it to the playoffs. If Seattle can keep pounding in the runs, they might just get to the playoffs. Because of a sub-par pitching staff though, i dont think the will do very well.
Oakland Athletics
Oakland may suprise everyone this year and get to the playoffs, but can they do it without rookie sensation Wade Boggs? The answer is yes. Right after the Boggs trade a forgoten member of the A's lineup, Jerry Harriston, came off the DL and is back in the game. How important is Harriston exactly? In 156 AB he has a .356 avg with a .440 OBP and a .494 slugging percentage, id say he was definately missed. The A's not only have a solid lineup with Brett, Harriston, Mumphrey, and Boisclair. But the Boggs trade added pitching ace Doyle Alexander. Unfortunately, since starting the A's with a shutout, Doyle has had an over 6 era in the past 3 games with the A's. Unlike Texas and Seattle, the A's are a complete package with both solid pitchers and batters, but if they dont start performing like they should, The A's will be playing 9 rounds of golf in October, rather than 9 innings of baseball
California Angels
Last place in the West, but not out of the race, California is really gonna need more out of the team to get them to the playoffs. They have had some great individual efforts from Ozzie Smith and Rupert Jones on offence, and Don Robinson and Bill Laskey on the mound. The Angels are definately missing Jim Dwyer. A healthy Dwyer may be just what this team needs to jump start this Angels squad.