L.A. loses third baseman Gene Lee for rest of season
As if things weren't dire enough for the big-money, big-market Spinners, who are languishing in last place in the MGL West, yesterday they found out they will be without the services of their Gold Glove, All-Star third baseman Gene Lee for the remainder of the 1987 season.
For the time being it appears that they will be looking to 28-year old backup Kevin Coriell to take over the starting job at third. Although Coriell doesn't represent a big drop in defense at the hot corner, he is certainly not as good a hitter as Lee, with far less power, and there are also questions about his work habits. Their top third base prospect, Ralph Bruce, is at AAA and basically big league ready, but he profiles as an all-glove and run, no hit player and his mostly likely role in the WPK, if he ever has one, will be a multi-position utility infielder. The Spinners 22nd ranked farm system doesn't look like it will be providing any solutions at the position anytime soon.