OFF-SEASON WINTER 1989-90
DECEMBER 1989
A busy winter of free agent signing with the Twins and the Angels looking to be the most improved. Minnesota adds Bruce Hurst, who was 21-8 in his one season in San Diego while the Angels lure Jack Clark and Tony Gwynn away from San Diego, convince Alan Trammell to leave Detroit for his native Southern California and with the addition of Clark the Angels are able to deal 1B Wally Joyner to Houston for pitcher Mike Scott. The Padres are decimated by free agency with the only notable newcomer to San Diego so far being 3B Brook Jacoby, acquired in a trade with Cleveland.
As for the Yankees and Giants. Well, New York loses Rickey Henderson, Catcher Don Slaught and 2B Steve Sax to free agency. Atlee Hammaker is also gone but none of those players will be greatly missed because the Yankees added Darryl Strawberry from the Mets, Ozzie Smith from the Cards and ex-Pirates pitcher Bob Walk in free agency.
No additions for the Giants but a few subtractions with veteran closer Rich Gossage retiring, Rick Rhoden, Ivan Calderon, Candy Maldanado and Jose Uribe all filing for free agency. Only the Padres took a bigger hit in WAR over this off-season than the Giants.
THE DRAFT
Oh boy. This might go down as one of the worst draft moves ever. With Chipper Jones, Vinny Castilla, Pedro Martinez and Mike Mussina among plenty of others available the Philadelphia Phillies take OF Matt Mieske first overall. Jones goes second to Detroit with the Tigers hoping he can replace the recently departed Alan Trammell in a few years. Nice draft for Detroit as they also get a reliever by the name of Mariano Rivera with their supplemental pick. Pedro Martinez goes 5th to the Cubs but signing him and Jones may be tricky.
Our two teams first round picks are 18 year old Ray Durham for the Giants at 10th overall while the Yankees get 2B Brian Raabe with the 22nd pick and also add catcher Jayhawk Owens and reliever Darryl Scott as supplemental picks.
JANUARY 1990
The Yankees have officially lost Lefferts and Hammaker as both signed elsewhere as free agents. Lefferts went to Oakland while Hammaker inked a deal with the California Angels. Ex-Giant Rick Rhoden remains unsigned but seems unlikely to return to San Francisco so only the two principals remain from the deal.
By the way, the Yankees also signed Ivan Calderon, who had been dealt at the deadline last season from the White Sox to San Francisco.
HALL OF FAME CLASS
A large group heads to Cooperstown this year with six players (all in their first year on the ballot) getting the call. Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan of the Big Red Machine go in together, along with Carl Yastremski and pitchers Jim Palmer, Gaylord Perry and Fergie Jenkins.
All of the first round draft picks with the exception of #7 Carl Everett (Pit) and #25 Gregg Zaun (OAK) have signed. Both have elected to play college ball and will be eligible for the draft again in 2 years.
SPRING TRAINING
As spring training begins Rhoden signs a minor league deal with Houston.
The Yankees go 19-11 in spring action with Will Clark slashing a torrid .403/.500/.731 with 6 homers in 80 plate appearances.
The Giants are 15-15 behind a big spring from Kevin Mitchell but Mattingly still looks lost at the plate, slashing .222/.271/.444 in 23 spring games.
The preseason predictions have the Yankees second in the AL East with 89 wins, 2 less than Toronto. They are calling for a huge year from both Clark and Darryl Strawberry, who will bat 3-4 in New York.
The Braves are the team to beat in the NL West followed by Cincinnati. San Francisco is pegged to finish third, 6 games back with an 83-79 record. Kevin Mitchell and 24 year old Matt Williams are projected to have strong years but no mention of Mattingly.