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firstbigweekend · 05-21-2004, 11:19 AM

Cleveland Blues Update — 1905 Preseason
By Chauncey St. John, Associated Press

CLEVELAND — Having yet to sign a free agent during the preseason signing period, the Cleveland Broncos made a big splash in the 1905 free-agent market, inking two starting infielders and a backup outfielder.

The Broncos signed SS Honus Wagner and 2B Nap Lajoie, giving them a solid middle-infield combo for the first time in their short history. Wagner signed Feb. 23 for $14,351,810 a year for five seasons, making him the top-paid player in baseball.

"We know we're paying Honus a lot," Cleveland general manager Levi Chronister said, "especially for a 30-year-old player, but we have yet to have a shortstop who can hit and field, and we were willing to go above and beyond our usual contract to get the guy who can do both of those things best."

Lajoie, the only Most Outstanding Batter in the four years of the American League, signed a five-year deal worth $9,351,480 a season.

"I know we have Miller Huggins at second," Chronister said, "but we weren't thrilled with the way he played after being called up last season. Also, and I don't know why this is, but it just seemed right to sign Lajoie."

Cleveland also signed Jimmy Slagle as a defensive replacement and backup outfielder. Slagle will make $1,334,850 a season for three years.

"We wanted a backup outfielder who could hit and field," Chronister said, "and Jimmy, while a bit older than we normally look for, can do both very well. He'll back us up at all three outfield spots and will get the occasional start as well."

Though the Broncos added Ed Walsh midseason last year, they made an offer to Noodles Hahn ($10,894,650 a year for five years), but the 25-year-old starter signed a five-year contract with Brooklyn for $13,446,320 per season.

"Noodles would have been a nice addition to our rotation," Chronister said, "but not a real necessary one. We feel we have four quality young starters already and we're perfectly happy to go into next season with them."

There was some disappointment for the Broncos during February. Chronister entered the signing period hoping to sign a replacement for 3B Jimmy Williams, who wasn't signed to an extension after last season. Chronister expected to be able to choose from three or four talented third basement, but, not fully understanding the free-agent and arbitration system, Chronister was finished the period without a replacement for Williams.

"That is completely my fault," Chronister said. "I thought I had finally figured out the financial complexities of this sport, but I guess there was at least one more thing to trip me up. We'll have to either draft someone to play the hot corner, make a trade or start Jimmy Burke, who I think we'd all prefer remained a backup."

Cleveland also unexpectedly signed catcher Mike Grady to a four-year deal worth $1,584,500 a season. The Broncos were trying to drive up Grady's price to other teams, but ended up making an offer no one else would match. They're stuck with him until at least June, as league rules state that teams may not trade recently signed players until after the first two months of the season.

The Broncos had one more important preseason signing, extending the contract of Buffalo manager Richard Richie for five-years at $700,000 a season.

Picking last in a draft that was very weak after the first 20-25 players didn't seem very promising to the Broncos, but they ended up getting just what they needed — a third baseman.

The Broncos selected Wilbur "Lefty" Good, a slick-fielding third baseman with good, no pun intended, potential at the plate. Good hit .592/.612/.748 in an easy high school league in California and signed for a bonus of $133,650.

"I'm shocked Wilbur dropped this far," Chronister said. "We had him rated much higher on our boards, even not taking our lack of a starting third baseman into consideration. We're thrilled to have someone who can play stellar defense and hold his own at the plate. With Good, Wagner and Lajoie now in the infield, we think our pitchers will be much more confident on the mound."

Other Cleveland draft picks were:
• Catcher Howard Wakefield (.325/.358/.438, 3 HR, 47 RBI at fair Southern Illinois). A potential backup or maybe even replacement for Roger Bresnahan behing the plate; now the starting catcher in Buffalo.
• MR Rip Vowinkel (2-2, 12 SV, 3.74 ERA, 47 H, 43.1 IP at average Toledo). A likely future reliever, maybe even closer; now the closer in Buffalo.
• RF Punch Knoll (.292/.324/.422, 4 HR, 53 RBI in 263 AB at very tought Auburn). A potential future backup outfielder; now the starting rightfielder in Kinston.

With a starting lineup finally set, Cleveland appeared ready to defend its back-to-back World Series titles. With a league-high payroll of more than $84 million, though, Chronister wasn't done acquiring players.

Cleveland sent OF Sam Crawford, Huggins, CL James Bracken and $5 million to Chicago (N) on March 2 for RF Frank Schulte, saving the Broncos more than $13 million in salary. Cleveland's payroll dropped to just over $71 million, fifth-highest in the league.

"We had to do something about our payroll," Chronister said. "We had the cash to pay for an team making $84 million a year, but probably not much past this season or next. This trade allowed us to save a nice chunk of change in the future, even if we had to send $5 million to Chicago to help cover Crawford's salary."

Schulte's arrival allowed Sherry Magee to move to left field and Jeffrey Schank to replace Crawford as designated hitter, again helping Cleveland's defense. Huggins' departure was made possible by Lajoie's signing, and Bracken was made available by the drafting of Vowinkel.

After the trade, draft and FA-signing period, Cleveland's starting lineup and rotation looks like this:
C — Roger Bresnahan (bats 8th against righties, 8th against lefties)
1B — Frank Chance (5th, 6th)
2B — Nap Lajoie (1st, 2nd)
3B — Wilbur Good (9th, 9th)
SS — Honus Wagner (2nd, 5th)
LF — Sherry Magee (6th, 1st)
CF — Mike Donlin (3rd, 3rd)
RF — Frank Schulte (7th, 7th)
DH — Jeffrey Schank (4th, 4th)

SP — Ed Walsh
SP — Bob Wicker
SP — Moredecai Brown
SP — George Mullin
MR — Roger Mortensen
MR — Charlie Shields
SU — Billy Milligan
SU — Harry McNeal (also spot starter)
CL — Larry Vaughn

The Broncos decided to take advantage of their success over the past two years by expanding their stadium. After drawing a record crowd of 3,475,232 people last season, Cleveland added 20,000 seats at a cost of $1,000 per seat.

"We were close to selling out every game last season," Chronister said, "and we wanted to make sure all our fans could attend. I'll admit that some of these new seats don't have the greatest sight lines, but I promise our fans we did the best we could."

Chronister wouldn't comment on rumors that the Broncos would be raising ticket prices from $8 to $9 a person this season.

In other news
• Starting pitchers George Mullin and Bob Wicker each received healthy raises during arbitration. Mullin went from $300,000 a season to $3,821,429, and Wicker jumped from the same original salary to $3,628,571. Schank also receved a raise to just a bit over $4 million a season.
• Signed 30-year-old RF Sport McAllister to a minor-league deal, goes to Buffalo as starting RF

Around the league
• Pitcher Amos Rusie (257-190, 3.13 ERA, 2004 K in 3945 IP) retires and made the Hall of Fame.
• Outfielder Billy Hamilton (.329/.433/.409, 888 RBI, 2486 H, 1856 runs, 1,076 SB in 16 seasons) retired and made the Hall of Fame.

Other notable draft picks included:
• SP Orval Overall to Chicago (A)
• SP Ed Ruelbach to St. Louis (A)
• C Branch Rickey to Detroit
• 1B Hal Chase to St. Louis (A)

05-21-2004, 11:19 AM	#33
firstbigweekend Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Lawrence, KS Posts: 43	Cleveland Blues Update — 1905 Preseason By Chauncey St. John, Associated Press CLEVELAND — Having yet to sign a free agent during the preseason signing period, the Cleveland Broncos made a big splash in the 1905 free-agent market, inking two starting infielders and a backup outfielder. The Broncos signed SS Honus Wagner and 2B Nap Lajoie, giving them a solid middle-infield combo for the first time in their short history. Wagner signed Feb. 23 for $14,351,810 a year for five seasons, making him the top-paid player in baseball. "We know we're paying Honus a lot," Cleveland general manager Levi Chronister said, "especially for a 30-year-old player, but we have yet to have a shortstop who can hit and field, and we were willing to go above and beyond our usual contract to get the guy who can do both of those things best." Lajoie, the only Most Outstanding Batter in the four years of the American League, signed a five-year deal worth $9,351,480 a season. "I know we have Miller Huggins at second," Chronister said, "but we weren't thrilled with the way he played after being called up last season. Also, and I don't know why this is, but it just seemed right to sign Lajoie." Cleveland also signed Jimmy Slagle as a defensive replacement and backup outfielder. Slagle will make $1,334,850 a season for three years. "We wanted a backup outfielder who could hit and field," Chronister said, "and Jimmy, while a bit older than we normally look for, can do both very well. He'll back us up at all three outfield spots and will get the occasional start as well." Though the Broncos added Ed Walsh midseason last year, they made an offer to Noodles Hahn ($10,894,650 a year for five years), but the 25-year-old starter signed a five-year contract with Brooklyn for $13,446,320 per season. "Noodles would have been a nice addition to our rotation," Chronister said, "but not a real necessary one. We feel we have four quality young starters already and we're perfectly happy to go into next season with them." There was some disappointment for the Broncos during February. Chronister entered the signing period hoping to sign a replacement for 3B Jimmy Williams, who wasn't signed to an extension after last season. Chronister expected to be able to choose from three or four talented third basement, but, not fully understanding the free-agent and arbitration system, Chronister was finished the period without a replacement for Williams. "That is completely my fault," Chronister said. "I thought I had finally figured out the financial complexities of this sport, but I guess there was at least one more thing to trip me up. We'll have to either draft someone to play the hot corner, make a trade or start Jimmy Burke, who I think we'd all prefer remained a backup." Cleveland also unexpectedly signed catcher Mike Grady to a four-year deal worth $1,584,500 a season. The Broncos were trying to drive up Grady's price to other teams, but ended up making an offer no one else would match. They're stuck with him until at least June, as league rules state that teams may not trade recently signed players until after the first two months of the season. The Broncos had one more important preseason signing, extending the contract of Buffalo manager Richard Richie for five-years at $700,000 a season. Picking last in a draft that was very weak after the first 20-25 players didn't seem very promising to the Broncos, but they ended up getting just what they needed — a third baseman. The Broncos selected Wilbur "Lefty" Good, a slick-fielding third baseman with good, no pun intended, potential at the plate. Good hit .592/.612/.748 in an easy high school league in California and signed for a bonus of $133,650. "I'm shocked Wilbur dropped this far," Chronister said. "We had him rated much higher on our boards, even not taking our lack of a starting third baseman into consideration. We're thrilled to have someone who can play stellar defense and hold his own at the plate. With Good, Wagner and Lajoie now in the infield, we think our pitchers will be much more confident on the mound." Other Cleveland draft picks were: • Catcher Howard Wakefield (.325/.358/.438, 3 HR, 47 RBI at fair Southern Illinois). A potential backup or maybe even replacement for Roger Bresnahan behing the plate; now the starting catcher in Buffalo. • MR Rip Vowinkel (2-2, 12 SV, 3.74 ERA, 47 H, 43.1 IP at average Toledo). A likely future reliever, maybe even closer; now the closer in Buffalo. • RF Punch Knoll (.292/.324/.422, 4 HR, 53 RBI in 263 AB at very tought Auburn). A potential future backup outfielder; now the starting rightfielder in Kinston. With a starting lineup finally set, Cleveland appeared ready to defend its back-to-back World Series titles. With a league-high payroll of more than $84 million, though, Chronister wasn't done acquiring players. Cleveland sent OF Sam Crawford, Huggins, CL James Bracken and $5 million to Chicago (N) on March 2 for RF Frank Schulte, saving the Broncos more than $13 million in salary. Cleveland's payroll dropped to just over $71 million, fifth-highest in the league. "We had to do something about our payroll," Chronister said. "We had the cash to pay for an team making $84 million a year, but probably not much past this season or next. This trade allowed us to save a nice chunk of change in the future, even if we had to send $5 million to Chicago to help cover Crawford's salary." Schulte's arrival allowed Sherry Magee to move to left field and Jeffrey Schank to replace Crawford as designated hitter, again helping Cleveland's defense. Huggins' departure was made possible by Lajoie's signing, and Bracken was made available by the drafting of Vowinkel. After the trade, draft and FA-signing period, Cleveland's starting lineup and rotation looks like this: C — Roger Bresnahan (bats 8th against righties, 8th against lefties) 1B — Frank Chance (5th, 6th) 2B — Nap Lajoie (1st, 2nd) 3B — Wilbur Good (9th, 9th) SS — Honus Wagner (2nd, 5th) LF — Sherry Magee (6th, 1st) CF — Mike Donlin (3rd, 3rd) RF — Frank Schulte (7th, 7th) DH — Jeffrey Schank (4th, 4th) SP — Ed Walsh SP — Bob Wicker SP — Moredecai Brown SP — George Mullin MR — Roger Mortensen MR — Charlie Shields SU — Billy Milligan SU — Harry McNeal (also spot starter) CL — Larry Vaughn The Broncos decided to take advantage of their success over the past two years by expanding their stadium. After drawing a record crowd of 3,475,232 people last season, Cleveland added 20,000 seats at a cost of $1,000 per seat. "We were close to selling out every game last season," Chronister said, "and we wanted to make sure all our fans could attend. I'll admit that some of these new seats don't have the greatest sight lines, but I promise our fans we did the best we could." Chronister wouldn't comment on rumors that the Broncos would be raising ticket prices from $8 to $9 a person this season. In other news • Starting pitchers George Mullin and Bob Wicker each received healthy raises during arbitration. Mullin went from $300,000 a season to $3,821,429, and Wicker jumped from the same original salary to $3,628,571. Schank also receved a raise to just a bit over $4 million a season. • Signed 30-year-old RF Sport McAllister to a minor-league deal, goes to Buffalo as starting RF Around the league • Pitcher Amos Rusie (257-190, 3.13 ERA, 2004 K in 3945 IP) retires and made the Hall of Fame. • Outfielder Billy Hamilton (.329/.433/.409, 888 RBI, 2486 H, 1856 runs, 1,076 SB in 16 seasons) retired and made the Hall of Fame. Other notable draft picks included: • SP Orval Overall to Chicago (A) • SP Ed Ruelbach to St. Louis (A) • C Branch Rickey to Detroit • 1B Hal Chase to St. Louis (A) __________________ -- Life, its beauty, is all bound up in the fact it can surprise you.