[ayaghmour2]

December 1st, 1902: Members of all 16 UBL organizations met way out west in Los Angeles for the Winter Meetings. The first day was rather quiet, as no major trades or signings were announced.

That is until I started getting to work...

I knocked down a major domino, sending SP Justin Davies to the Boston Patriots for LF Justin Arrington.

An unexpected star, Arrington was a 17th Round Pick of the then Patriots in 1891 out of Fitch HS in Groton, CT. He grinded through the minor leagues and recieved two cups of coffee in 1896 and 1897. He became a full time starter in 1898, and has put together a solid career, hitting .277/.395/.523 with 194 homers, 483 RBI's, and 186 stolen bases in 2,906 at bats. The 30-year-old lead the league in runs in 1899 and 1900, homers in 1900, walks in 1899 and 1900, and dsteals in 1899, 1901, and 1902. An impending Free Agent, we'd look to get him extended during the offseason, although I didn't want to give him the 8-year deal he was looking for...

The next trade was much smaller, as I was able to dump Allan Sain on the Mustangs for RHP Ben Follmar.

"Future" is a 28-year-old who was the Washington Wildcats 3rd Round selection in the 1893 draft. He debuted with the Wildcats in 1898 before being traded to the Mustangs in the offseason. He's had an up and down big league career, recording a 5.44 ERA and 1.49 WHIP, but he's been much better the past two seasons. A lot of his bad outings came in the rotation, and we will use him strictly in the pen. He's controllable at until at least 1904 as he's currently on an arbitration contract.

I finished the night with another dump for project, sending Robert Lehmann to the Lightning for RHP Justin Pezzetti.

A two-way player (although a much better pitcher), Pezetti was the Lightnings 2nd Round selection in 1893. He's split time between the pen and the rotation in his big league career, going 19-10 with a 4.28 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 257 strikeouts in 319.1 innings. He's lacking a third pitch (his change is a 6/40) so he'll likely end up in the pen. He was a Super-2 player, and will be under control until 1906.

December 2nd, 1902: I can see why the Lightning wanted to get rid of Tobias' salary, as they signed 3-Time Jeff Russell Pitcher of the Year and 1898 MVP Eddie Long. The 31-year-old agreed to a 6-year, $3,960 per year deal with the final season a 180 inning vesting option. The former 3rd Overall Pick spent his whole career with the Pittsburgh Pilots, going 110-67 with a 3.38 ERA, 1.15 WHIP. He struck out 1,714 batters in 1,700 innings, leading the league in that category for 4 of the last 6 seasons.

The Newark Venom sent LHP Roberto Sotelo and RHP John Conn to the Buffalo Calvary for LHP Xavier Young.

I did my best to overshadow the Long signing, sending RF Eric Creel (100% retained) to the Cleveland Cyclones for CF Carlos Sandate (35% retained).

Like Laranjeira, Sadante has a huge deal with an opt-out after this season. If he decides to stick with us, he'll make $3,680 per season until 1907.

A 3-Time MVP with the Cyclones, Sadante signed a $300 bonus in the 1890 IFA signign period and topped out at #4 on the Top Prospect list in 1895. He has a career .283/.379/.569 triple slash with 324 homers and 913 RBI's while swiping 213 bases in 247 attempts. His player page is full of red ink, and the 29-year-old has already been worth over 50 WAR in his 8 year career.

This offense is starting to get scary!

If only we had starting pitching...

Yes, I know I traded my ace...

But I guarantee he'd tear his UCL if he stayed in Detroit...

December 3rd, 1902: A quiet Winter Meetings continued today with just one trade. The Buffalo Calvary acquired RHP Jake Doherty from the Cardinals for 3B Brian Wyss and LHP Sean Richeson.

I looked to address my SP issues by trading the former starting CF Mike Jennings. It didn't work...

December 4th, 1902: The Winter Meetings came and left with not too much action.

More Free Agency next!