[gern11]

Despite coming off a World Series title, the organization can stand on its past accomplishments. Moves had to be made, some a little more earth shattering than others.

NOVEMBER
Moving 1B Don Mincher to Minnesota in exchange for 3B Don Money got us a little more veteran presence at the hot corner as Ron Cey develops. Tip of the cap to Mincher for his production the last three years. He was a solid bat for us. Money gives us some balance at third.

We DFAd 3B Katsuhiro ****anishi and 1B Glenn Stitzel.

DECEMBER
With the World Series crown comes the last pick in the draft. Still, I thought we got some quality. Drafted and signed C Ernie Witt; RHP Rick Langford and RHP Odell Jones.

Wound up trading ****anishi and LHP Jim Rooker to St. Louis for 1B/C Cliff Johnson.

MARCH
So, third base has always been an issue. Money and Cey are nice but when the chance to reeling in a future HOF arose, I had to act on it. Thus, we sent RHP Bert Blyleven to the Cubs to land 19-year-old prospect George Brett.

Fan reaction wasn't great. I get it. Blyleven was a pillar in the rotation last year, but I'm banking on Vida Blue stepping into that spot and Brett to be a fixture at third beginning in a few years.