1st January 1889
After another successful season the fans of the White Stockings were hoping for the off season to see strengthening of the team for another pennant chase. The Owner was elated by the season that has just happened and rewarded the GM Michael Copeland for the success with a new 5 year contract extension.
The awards dinner saw a few awards coming the teams way. Manager Chris Davis picked up a well deserved NL Manager of the Year award.
Their were Golden Gloves for Jack Glasscock, Harry Stovey and Dick Johnston and Platinum Stick awards for Jack Glasscock, Harry Stovey and Doggie Miller.
The GM celebrated his new contract with a quick move in the trade market to strengthen the team. They sent 29 year old Pitcher Frank Beck and 23 year old minor league Catcher Chuck Lauer to the Philadelphia Athletics in exchange for 30 year old Second Baseman Mike Muldoon.
They also traded 30 year old Centre Fielder Fred Lewis to the Brooklyn Bridegrooms in exchange for 31 year old Pitcher Jim Whitney and 22 year old Second Baseman Taylor Shafer.
The team saw one player decide to move on from baseball. That player is Right Fielder Jim Devlin. Devlin spent 15 years with the White Stocking organisation though the last few were minor league years. He was on 5 White Stockings MLB Championship winning teams and takes those 5 medals with him. In his time with the club he played in 149 games with 81 starts. He hit 106 times with 75 runs scored and 57 RBI's for an average of .245.(real life stats 266 games, 340 hits, 180 runs, 132 RBI's and an average of .287)
The team had 5 draft picks in the First Year Player draft. The first round pick was used to claim Pitcher Ad Gumbert. The full draft log is given below.
All draftees signed by the deadline.