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Questdog · 10-27-2020, 02:44 PM

Saturday, October 18, 2003

Going into this off season, I could just re-post my report heading into last off season. Our needs are still the same: More pitching, a 2nd baseman and a center fielder. We also could use a catcher that can hit, but I am actually fairly happy with what we have there. Neither Don Kern or Bert Swope hit for much average, but they both played good defense, drew some walks and showed some power and both can run well for catchers.

We have an issue with Marty Eades, our 3rd baseman and cleanup hitter. He is losing his range quickly and needs to be moved to 1st base. But that is where we have a future slugger (hopefully) in Jack Washburn. We could platoon them, which would actually be good for the team, but not very fair to Marty, who is our all-time leader in HR and RBI and still a great all round hitter. Washburn does not have the arm to play 3rd. I am not too thrilled with Washburn's error rate, but I am willing to put up with it, if he becomes a 30 HR hitter. So, what we will do is make both of them available for trade and we'll take the first good offer we get for either. That means we need a new 3rd baseman. Editor's Note: If Eades loses any more range this Winter, he probably will not even get a rating for 3rd next Spring. Washburn could move to 2nd, where his bat would be relatively much better than at 1st, but he would likely make 30 errors a season. Statistically, it might be a good trade-off for the team, but it would be too embarrassing for me personally to allow such a crappy fielder in the middle of my defense.

P Dale Gilchrist and LF Cal Doty will be made available for trade because they are both injury prone. If dealt, we will need replacements.

As far as the pitching staff goes, we are looking pretty good in the starting rotation. We never found a 5th starter this year who could get anyone out, but Al Calice or Mike Marsh should be able to fill that hole next season and pitch decently. What we really need is a whole new Bullpen. The only good reliever we have, 2-time All-Star Bill Grant, is 33 and likely to start stinking it up at any time....

2B Leander Gooding and RF Rob Worms may have some value for other teams and we will try to trade them this Winter and WILL trade them both next Spring if they are still around by then. Charlie Faber has asked for a trade, so we will make him available, too.

10-27-2020, 02:44 PM	#707
Questdog Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: In a dark, damp cave where I'm training slugs to run the bases...... Posts: 16,142	Saturday, October 18, 2003 Going into this off season, I could just re-post my report heading into last off season. Our needs are still the same: More pitching, a 2nd baseman and a center fielder. We also could use a catcher that can hit, but I am actually fairly happy with what we have there. Neither Don Kern or Bert Swope hit for much average, but they both played good defense, drew some walks and showed some power and both can run well for catchers. We have an issue with Marty Eades, our 3rd baseman and cleanup hitter. He is losing his range quickly and needs to be moved to 1st base. But that is where we have a future slugger (hopefully) in Jack Washburn. We could platoon them, which would actually be good for the team, but not very fair to Marty, who is our all-time leader in HR and RBI and still a great all round hitter. Washburn does not have the arm to play 3rd. I am not too thrilled with Washburn's error rate, but I am willing to put up with it, if he becomes a 30 HR hitter. So, what we will do is make both of them available for trade and we'll take the first good offer we get for either. That means we need a new 3rd baseman. Editor's Note: If Eades loses any more range this Winter, he probably will not even get a rating for 3rd next Spring. Washburn could move to 2nd, where his bat would be relatively much better than at 1st, but he would likely make 30 errors a season. Statistically, it might be a good trade-off for the team, but it would be too embarrassing for me personally to allow such a crappy fielder in the middle of my defense. P Dale Gilchrist and LF Cal Doty will be made available for trade because they are both injury prone. If dealt, we will need replacements. As far as the pitching staff goes, we are looking pretty good in the starting rotation. We never found a 5th starter this year who could get anyone out, but Al Calice or Mike Marsh should be able to fill that hole next season and pitch decently. What we really need is a whole new Bullpen. The only good reliever we have, 2-time All-Star Bill Grant, is 33 and likely to start stinking it up at any time.... 2B Leander Gooding and RF Rob Worms may have some value for other teams and we will try to trade them this Winter and WILL trade them both next Spring if they are still around by then. Charlie Faber has asked for a trade, so we will make him available, too.