The offseason has been one of major concern for all baseball fans. The free agent market has verifiably placed the upcoming season in immediate danger. Threat of a strike looms as players cash in on ridiculous salaries. It seems each year someone outdoes the other teams throwing those huge packages around. Is there really that much of a pie to slice? Are the owners putting money on the table that really isn't generated as revenue? Perhaps by signing then MAYBE winning a bit owners can inflate team values for the profit of franchise sell off? One thing is certain the owners are not colluding to set a fair market for each other. I guess that battle we saw in the early 90's has been won, but at what expense?
We saw young franchises stripped of talent by the current free agent system. With baseball economics doing the most damage, systems like Montreal and other small market teams can not throw around the big TV/large market money for established talent. Established talent wins pennants, which in turn draw paying customers. They small markets must bail, and suffer. Can revenue to pay these salaries be generated otherwise? Well, you cant open new stadiums at will so...I beating on a near dead horse so 'nuff said.
Alex Rodriguez. I'm sorry Mr. Baseball
just is another greedy rip-off artist. Our nations youngsters are affected
most. They cant see a ballgame anymore because of nonsensical greed. This
is a role model? Not with that contract. Certainly A-Rod should not talk
about morals or ethics as a role
model since he constituted a great rip
off himself. 252 mill over 10 years? staggering... Take the money and run.
Loyalty means little (aside from my salary discontent issues) has to be..."How
does the off season activity affect the game of Strat-O-Matic baseball?"
Lets discuss how. Obviously as a team, or player changes ballparks, statistics
can be affected as well. Ballpark conditions such as homer distance and
park dimensions, weather or lack thereof, atmospheric physics, and other
lesser factors all may have impact on the cards for 2002. Turf, grass,
foul line angles of inclination/declination can affect ratings. When players
change teams, these ratings may be affected. Lets see who may be affected
by scenario changes.
The obvious names changing uniforms are
Mike Hampton, and Alex "Mr. Baseball" Rodriguez. Lets start with Texas.
A-Hoard's, going to Texas' hot climate may affect several factors such
as stamina, ball flight, and games played, but those are speculative. That
lineup guarantees A-Rod good pitches. Adding this great hitters bat to
other signees Ken Caminiti (A Strat player himself) Andres "Big Cat" Galarraga,
and super player Raffy Palmiero give Texas the most formidable lineup in
the AL. There's nowhere to hide batters on base with this crew added to
A-Rod, Greer and company. Expect improved hit production for A-Rod and
the others with better pitches to hit. The Texas
ballpark may not factor in as the Kingdome
had for A-Rod as pitch selection may compensate for the HR accessibility
loss. When Seattle began in the primarily pitcher oriented park Safeco,
we expected A-Rods numbers to decline which they didn't so its logical
to think Texas' Ballpark will not affect A-Rod.
Age may slow Raffy down a tad, but he keeps chugging along fooling everyone each year. Unless pressure to perform or injury affect Palmiero, There's no reason to think he will be affected by the move. Caminiti's skills appear on decline, so natural cycle may spell a disappointing campaign for this former superstud. I expect Cam's numbers to decline, as his switch to the American League may have some affect. Recently acquired Aaron Myette may be a good pick up as he showed a great fastball and will get a strong look see in the rotation during the spring. He could be a factor with what was good stuff and above average fastball. Mark Petkovsek may help out in long relief for this pitching poor team that needs bullpen. He is a reverse righty who may get middle work. Ruben Sierra gives another go with Texas but don't expect much.
Anaheim rebounded a bit last year, and may have helped Strat mangers chances (not theirs) by signing such garbage players like Tim Belcher, Pat Rapp, Benji Gil, Camera Bartee, Gary DiSarcina to contract. They may make decent last round draft picks if you are stuck for longshot possibilities. DiSarcina, Gil, and Belcher could be a sleeper picks for serviceable cards.
Oakland did little to distinguish themselves
singing guys like Steve Shrenk, Chad Bradford, and Dave Eiland. Expect
little there. Toronto picked up a few possible sleepers in Jeff Frye and
Ryan Thompson. I think both may be worth holding. Frye always seems when
healthy to have a serviceable card, and gets those low e ratings at 2B
which can be a plus. He hits and runs
well, and can bunt making him a candidate
for the 2 hole in the Toronto lineup. Thompson showed a little bit with
the Yanks, and seems to have matured a bit. I always like the potential
on this guy, and he could be poised if he has a good spring camp. Jaime
Navaho can suck up innings, and may rebound but he is a last pick anywhere.
This guy has become a joke of a Strat player, no help there. Dan Plesac
keeps hanging around and has littlevalue, but recent signee Mickey Morandini
could stick around and play well. MickerMo may force Frye to another position
to get his glove and effort in
the Blue Jay lineup.
Adding Mike Mussina has given the Yankees
another solid starter for that terrific rotation. Mussina who was affected
by Baltimore's poor support in his winning pct, will bring his fairly low
ERA to the house that Ruth built.The Yankee defense is an improvement over
the Orioles defense, and may lower the Mussina hit and ERA numbers even
further giving "Moose" a few nice cards
along the way. Expect Mussina's draft
value to increase and Strat marketability to rise accordingly going to
a winning team like NY. Gooden, Sojo, and Boehringer were signed
to minor league contracts, and may see late season action but are not worth
holding.
Detroit proved to be problem for Juan Gon,
and may hurt Mitch Melusky's numbers too. A good young catcher, Melusky
may not see the numbers in Detroit he did in Houston's Enron and his value
may drop a bit. Wait and see before shelling the big bux for this guy.
Ausmus may improve his offense in Enron and could have picked up some value
in addition to that excellent defense. Chris Holt goes to the Tigers and
may see his ERA drop slightly in Comerica. He is not worth the risk as
he's injury prone with nothing too great to offer a Strat manger in 2001
let alone the future. Jermaine
Allensworth may resurface again as he's
signed with Detroit's minor league team. I always liked this guy, and he's
never had much a chance in recent years.
Can be worth a last round pick? Roger Cedeno was also acquired. This fella is a bit enigmatic, but still worth keeping around. He can be quite a force, and may eventually DH a bit in MoTown.
Boston improved signing Ramirez. On the surface it appears that Fenway may benefit Manny as a hitter. Can he improve anymore? Lets see if other factors play in his performance. He can become a legitimate triple crown candidate and improves as Carl Everett did when he moved to the cozy Fenway. If you can get him now, go get him at any expense. The Fenway wall may increase his extra base production.
Everybody's favorite gritty starter, Rick Reed, re-upped with the Mets on Thursday with a new three-year, $21.75-million deal. Although he struggled a bit late last season, Reed ended the 2000 campaign with a solid 11-5 record and a 4.11 ERA in 30 starts. Reed was due for a big raise (he made a little over $4 million last year), as he has compiled a 51-30 mark over the last four seasons in the Big Apple.
At 36 years of age, Reed is obviously entering
the twilight of his career; however, he should still have a couple more
solid seasons in him. Reed is the perfect third starter in the modern (i.e.
diluted) starting rotation, but he certainly won't be confused with a staff
ace anytime soon. Expect more of
the same from Reed next season, but if
you're in a keeper league, there may be younger, more inexpensive options
available to you. Appier's signing may be a boon to his value. The Mets
defense (Rey returns) and pitchers park Shea are certain to drop that ERA
and hit total. Appier may come cheaply, and if so now is the time to get
him before the season starts.
LA signed Andy Ashby who struggled a bit
last season. However that LA Chavez Ravine stadium may help keep his flyball
mistakes in the park. I expect a solid year from Ashby who always seems
to have a nice card. 2001 may not be kind to Ashby, but don't give up yet
that could change. Darren
Dreifort's signing could bring this talented
pitcher some improved Strat cards. Darren Dreifort has all the tools, and
is quite healthy. Several teams expressed interest with good reason. He
could be on the verge of a breakout season. Can strikeout hitters and keep
it in the park. With Dodger
stadiums high grass, and deep fences,
Dreifort can do well. Consistency perhaps as he now matures with a secure
contract behind him. Try and pry him loose.
The Cards and the 'Spos completed a nice deal exchanging the disappointing Mr.'s Hermanson and Tatis. With pitching at a premium and Hermanson looking better as a closer, this could be a steal for the Cards. In strat terms, relievers seem to have less value than starters. Hermanson's seemingly headed to the pen, so there goes his Strat value way down. Hermy always seems to run out of steam and give up the big innings around the 5th or 6th so the progression to reliever seems logical. Tatis still tatoo's the ball, and under Felipe spell he may re evolve into the threat he once was. Montreal always seems to find new pitchers, so this may not hurt as bad as those suffering Canadians think.
Jeff Fassero comes to Chicago, and as a lefty in a new league may show better than expected results. Jeff may be worth a hold.
After struggling with the Yankees during
the second half of last season, it appeared as though Denny Neagle's career
was on its way downhill. Statistically speaking, we may never see the same
Neagle again; surely not after he signed with the Rockies (i.e. pitching
oblivion) for five years for the tidy sum of $51 million. Dump him now!
Didn't anyone learn anything from Darryl Kile and Brian Bohanon? Colorado
is pitchers hell. Mike Hampton? Trade him. What the heck were these fellas
thinking signing there? Suicide and pain hand in hand. Perhaps being lefties
may help a bit in road
games but at Coors, don't make us laugh.
Even if they pitch well enough to lead the Rockies to a division title,
they will suffer in Strat terms for 2 reasons....Lefty curse (sorry guys,
lefties still get shelled) and Coors (The House of Pain). Dump both now,
unless you are contending for your leagues championship and need the cards
for 2001.