|
2004 FREE AGENCY PERIOD REPORT
TRADES
As opposed to last season, when I was shuffling things around like crazy in the offseason, I have no reason to make any trades right now.
Here’s the financial situation:
Cash on Hand: $7,233,994
Total Payroll: $44,886,072
Last Year Income: $55,229,085
Available Money: $22,577,007
DESIRES
I have no strong needs, but I have money available. I have a star, near-star or likely-star-to-be at C,1B, 3B, LF, CF and RF, and three SP’s. If there is a star/near-star 2B, SS, SP or RP out there, I’d go after them. Otherwise, I’d be content to stand pat. Here’s who gets signed:
SP Marcos Fernandez (Good/Avg/Brl,8/7/8,33yo)—3yrs@$5.75M—Fernandez has been a steady guy in six seasons in the bigs, all with Toronto. He is 54-49 with a 3.37 ERA, and has been in the top 10 in WHIP each of the last 5 seasons. He was 10-9,3.91 in ’03. He shores up the #4 spot in the rotation for now.
SS Matthew Erwin (Avg/Brl/Fair,4/9/6(—3 yrs@$5.5M--I just couldn’t resist this guy. He has only C range at SS, but he has 110 homers in the past three seasons with the Cubs. He was 2nd in the league with 47 last year. Pardo will be the defensive replacement, but this guy gives us another dangerous bat in the lineup.
RP Sol Steele (Good/Avg/Brl,9/7/9,27yo)—5yrs@$4.25M—He’s established himself as a reliable setup guy. He’s had an ERA under 4.00 for five straight seasons, and he’s only 27. He’ll be my top setup guy. He’s also got “E” endurance as a starter, so he could fill in there in case of multiple injuries.
3B Earl Gosser (Avg/Fair/Avg,6/3/6,31yo)—3yrs@$850K---Gosser has B range at 2B and 3B. He’s never been a full-time starter, but he has a lifetime .261 average in parts of seven seasons in the bigs. He’ll be a defensive replacement for 3B Pluto Reid and his “E” range.
POST-FREE AGENCY THOUGHTS
I decided to go ahead and spend the money to take us to the next level. I believe this is a 100-win, World Series caliber team now.
|