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Hendu Style · 02-04-2019, 03:46 AM

Sunday -- February 28th, 1999

Marlins, Royals Big Winners in Off-Season
Padres look to repeat as teams begin Spring Training in Arizona, Florida

The celebratory champagne has been mopped up. The World Championship Trophy now resides in a case next to the 1991 World Series title in San Diego's front office. The 1998 Major League Baseball season is a distant memory.

"They've started a nuclear arms race," one prominent NL executive says on the condition of anonymity. "And everyone's playing."

San Diego's return to the top of the baseball world has prompted an unprecedented spending spree. Larry Walker joined the Philles on a 6-year, $59 million contract. Scott Rolen joined up with the White Sox for $53.9 over six years. Roger Clemens got a hefty 2-year deal that will pay him $9.6 million a year. Even light-hitting second baseman Quilvio Veras joined the fun, landing a 7-year, $54 million with the Tigers.

Meanwhile, the defending champions stayed relatively quiet this off-season. The Padres' key set-up man, Rod Beck, bolted to the rival Dodgers via free agency. Veteran pitchers Ismael Valdez and Pedro Astacio were picked up in a swap with Los Angels. In a salary dump, the Brewers shipped Greg Vaughn off to San Diego, where he will be the team's fifth outfielder. That is an improvement, but other teams are gaining ground.

The Kansas City Royals are in "buy" mode after winning 96 games last season. Shortstop Mark Loretta, fresh off a .328 campaign in Milwaukee in 1998, cashed in with a mammoth 5-year, $39 million free ageent contract. Outfielder Dante Bichette, a .303, 26 HR, 107 RBI hitter for the Cardinals last season, also joined the team through free agency. They bolstered their starting rotation by signing Steve Trachsel (14-13, 3.96 ERA for the Reds last season) to a 7-year, $36.5 million free agent deal, and trading for Kenny Rogers (7-10, 4.85 ERA with the Cubs).

The Florida Marlins, tired of playing it slow and steady as a '93 expansion franchise, played it aggressive by trading for Carlos Delgado (.268, 29 HR, 107 RBI with Toronto), and signing outfielder Jeff Conine (.288, 13 HR for Detroit and Arizona), 2B Fernando Vina (.280 for Texas and Pittsburgh), and the prize of the off-season, Ivan Rodriguez (.326, 21 HR in 98 games for Texas).

The San Diego Padres are still the clear favorite to win it all in the final season of the 1900's, but teams have shown they're willing to spend big to catch the most successful team of the 1990's.

1999 MLB Predictions:

02-04-2019, 03:46 AM	#57
Hendu Style All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,450	1999 MLB Preview Sunday -- February 28th, 1999 Marlins, Royals Big Winners in Off-Season Padres look to repeat as teams begin Spring Training in Arizona, Florida The celebratory champagne has been mopped up. The World Championship Trophy now resides in a case next to the 1991 World Series title in San Diego's front office. The 1998 Major League Baseball season is a distant memory. "They've started a nuclear arms race," one prominent NL executive says on the condition of anonymity. "And everyone's playing." San Diego's return to the top of the baseball world has prompted an unprecedented spending spree. Larry Walker joined the Philles on a 6-year, $59 million contract. Scott Rolen joined up with the White Sox for $53.9 over six years. Roger Clemens got a hefty 2-year deal that will pay him $9.6 million a year. Even light-hitting second baseman Quilvio Veras joined the fun, landing a 7-year, $54 million with the Tigers. Meanwhile, the defending champions stayed relatively quiet this off-season. The Padres' key set-up man, Rod Beck, bolted to the rival Dodgers via free agency. Veteran pitchers Ismael Valdez and Pedro Astacio were picked up in a swap with Los Angels. In a salary dump, the Brewers shipped Greg Vaughn off to San Diego, where he will be the team's fifth outfielder. That is an improvement, but other teams are gaining ground. The Kansas City Royals are in "buy" mode after winning 96 games last season. Shortstop Mark Loretta, fresh off a .328 campaign in Milwaukee in 1998, cashed in with a mammoth 5-year, $39 million free ageent contract. Outfielder Dante Bichette, a .303, 26 HR, 107 RBI hitter for the Cardinals last season, also joined the team through free agency. They bolstered their starting rotation by signing Steve Trachsel (14-13, 3.96 ERA for the Reds last season) to a 7-year, $36.5 million free agent deal, and trading for Kenny Rogers (7-10, 4.85 ERA with the Cubs). The Florida Marlins, tired of playing it slow and steady as a '93 expansion franchise, played it aggressive by trading for Carlos Delgado (.268, 29 HR, 107 RBI with Toronto), and signing outfielder Jeff Conine (.288, 13 HR for Detroit and Arizona), 2B Fernando Vina (.280 for Texas and Pittsburgh), and the prize of the off-season, Ivan Rodriguez (.326, 21 HR in 98 games for Texas). The San Diego Padres are still the clear favorite to win it all in the final season of the 1900's, but teams have shown they're willing to spend big to catch the most successful team of the 1990's. 1999 MLB Predictions: __________________ Catch me on Twitch.tv as Dr. Dynastic (drdynastic) Previous OOTP Dynasties: SimNation Fictional Universe (est. 1889) This is Oakland A's Baseball Beane Counting: The Oakland A's