SPRING TRAINING 1989
Biggest news occurs just prior to spring training when ex-Toronto Blue Jay 1B Cecil Fielder signs a free agent contract with the Chicago Cubs. Fielder batted just .230 but hit 9 homers in 190 plate appearances in Toronto last season.
The Royals got bad news in learning pitcher Tom Gordon was done for the year with arm troubles. The defending champion Dodgers resigned both Kirk Gibson and catcher Mike Scioscia while also trading 28 year old OF Franklin Stubbs to St Louis in exchange for 30 year old Willie McGee. Finally the Yankees made another deal following the Will Clark trade, acquiring 3B Darnell Coles from Seattle in exchange for P Andy Hawkins and minor league arm Dave Burba.
The preseason predictions are not kind to either of our trade partners. The Red Sox are heavy favourites to repeat as AL champ with the Yankees pegged to finish in 3rd, 11 games back. Clark is tabbed to have a monster year in his new park after a big spring that saw him sock 6 homers and bat .397 in 77 plate appearances. Mattingly did not fare to badly in spring either, batting .311 with 4 homers. The Giants will finish third in the NL 12 games back of Cincinnati with the Dodgers in second place, at least according to the prognosticators.