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March 1 1962
There were some more moves over the winter but only one for big money. That is CF Jim Piersall age 32 $675k/5yr $135k AAV last two years are team option.
I traded RP Jim umbricht age 31 2.5 stars and 3B Danny Cater age 21 for LF Wally Post age 32 3.0 stars. The Reds pay 45% of Post's $200k annual salary. Cater was a Rule 5 pick for me this year. The trade was necessary because it appears neither Donn Clendenon nor Willie Stargell will be ready to play LF this year.
I also signed CF Bill Lajoie and 2B Daryl Spencer as bench players.
April 9 1962
The Vernon Law era has ended in Pittsburgh. He has the stamina but not the pitches to be a starter and is below average in the pen. When he refused a demotion to AAA (he likely would have been called up at some point) the only thing to do was arrange a trade. The 32 year old Law went to Philadephia for 25 year old John Buzhardt. He isn't ready for but big club in Pittsburgh but has options and so is pitching for the Columbus Jets to start the season.
The Wally Post trade doesn't look as good as it did in the winter as Post's ratings dropped. However neither Donn Clendenon nor Willie Stargell was able to put him out of work. Clendenon has the back up jobs at first base and the corner outfield spots. Stargell, not as far along in his development, is playing AAA for the Jets.
The experts predict a third place finish this year which would be a disappointment considering the payroll. The Bucs claimed the highest payroll spot by about $7k over the Yankees.
Here's a connection to real life. 3B Gilbert Watts who never played a game in MLB but was 325/440/558 in five minor league seasons made the team as a backup infielder. I have set him to be the first pinch hitter off the bench.
CF Bill Lajoie is another player with no real life MLB experience. He made the 25 man but before he got into a game I signed CF Rocky Nelson and sent Lajoie to AAA. After his real life baseball career in the minors Lajoie became a scout and eventually rose to GM of the Tigers.
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