Offseason Recap & 1919 Season Preview:
Hall Of Fame Inductees: P Doc White, P Christy Mathewson, P Addie Joss, P Bill Donovan, P Rube Waddell
White & Donovan are not in the real hall of fame, but they earned it in my league. In this league Christy Mathewson won 378 games, Doc White won 286 games, Addie Joss won 270, Bill Donovan won 262, and Rube Waddell won 192 games. Rube Waddell's numbers were very similar to his real life numbers. Just like in the real MLB, Waddell had back to back 300+ strikeout seasons in 1904 & 1905. He retires as the #2 career strikeout pitcher in my league behind Christy Mathewson.
Yankees 1918 Award Winners: P Lefty Caldwell won his 2nd straight AL Most Valuable Pitcher Award. 2B Dave Bancroft won his 2nd straight AL Gold Glove. SS Stuffy McInnis won his 2nd straight & 3rd career AL Gold Glove. RF Beals Becker won his 5th career AL Gold Glove.
Yankees Draft Recap: Our first pick in the draft was a guy named George Winn. Not much else to discuss for the Yankees. Frankie Frisch was the most famous name from this draft. He was taken by the White Sox #2 overall.
Notable Offseason Transactions: One move basically precipitated a few others. I decided to void the last contract year on C Johnny Bassler because a better catcher was slated to be available in free agency. Also released Pol Perritt as I felt his arbitration award was going to be too much.
December 4, 1918: Signed free agent LF Armando Marsans to a 1 year contract @ $1,800
Marsans can't hit very much, but he's a great defensive outfielder and he's got great speed.
January 19, 1919: Signed free agent C Steve O'Neil to a 3 year contract @ $67,000 per year (year 3 is a mutual option)
This was the catcher I wanted to replace Bassler. His current ratings are 8/8/2/7/10 and he's a gold glove worthy defensive catcher. He's already won 3 gold gloves in the NL with the Pirates.
February 14, 1919: Traded CF George Burns, CF Pat Maloney, 1B Ted Cather, & a minor league catching prospect to the St. Louis Cardinals for Cliff Heathcoate & infielder Frank O'Rourke
I wasn't happy with Burns' production, and I needed to cut some costs after the O'Neil signing. But Heathcoate wasn't exactly what I was looking for either....
February 15, 1919: Traded CF Cliff Heathcoate & C Frank Snyder to Cleveland for CF Braggo Roth
Roth has unbelievable speed and is better defensively then Heathcoate.
February 29, 1919: Signed free agent C Ivey Wingo to a 1 year contract @ $3,500
With all the catchers I lost in the offseason, I needed to add some depth back.
March 4, 1919: Signed free agent CF Frank Butcher to a minor league contract
After I traded all my center fielders, I needed some depth. Butcher runs like the wind and is very good defensively.
April, 1919: Signed 1B Wally Pipp, P Lefty Caldwell, and IF/OF Babe Ruth to contract extensions
These deals were struck during spring training. They were to avoid messy contract situations next season.
Strengths: Our pitching battery will still be excellent, and we've added a ton of speed on the basepaths. We just need guys to get on base so they can run.
Weaknesses: We're still kind of weak at 3B because Ruth's bat hasn't developed a lot yet, and Jack Barry isn't a top drawer 3rd baseman. CF will be a weak spot.
Projected Record: The Yankees won 94 games the last 2 seasons. I think this team is a little weaker. I'll predict 87 wins. That would put us right in the mix for the AL pennant.
1919 Budget: $393,000
1919 Opening Day Salaries:
1919 Opening Day Roster:
