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I need to cut about $550,000, and I got a bit of a gift. Joe Torre asked for a trade so I dealt Jim Merritt and had the Braves retain salary on Torre next year, so I pick up an upgrade at 1B (1 of the owners goals for 1974) and cut $50,000 in payroll. Fan interest went up 10% to 63, so that will make us money in ticket sales as well.
I can't deal my two highest paid players, Fregosi or Wynn. They are too popular locally and I need to keep fan interest as high as I can. My best pitcher and 3rd highest paid player, Rudy May, is a legit #2 and not far from being a #1. I really can't deal him either. George Dixon got some Cy Young votes as well and he's cheap and only 26. So he stays.
Will sit and wait to see if other players ask for a trade and perhaps deal a contract away. I could also deal a few AAAA players making the minimum for low-rated prospects as an easy way to save another $100,000 or so.
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