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Circuit Clouts
April 1, 1991 • Season Preview Edition
April 1, 1991 • Season Preview Edition
SEASON PREVIEW EDITION
Paradigm Lost
UL Enters Golden Age of Slugging
The United League enters its fifth decade today, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the league's founding in 1951.
The United League emerged from the ashes of the old National and American Leagues, which collapsed into bankruptcy following the 1950 season due to declining attendance and oceans of red ink. From its humble beginnings with just eight teams in six former major league markets (and Louisville), the league went bicoastal in 1955, expanded to a dozen teams in 1962, survived the assassination of President Jimmy Carter and the subsequent Third World War, and added teams in Canada and capitalist Cuba in the '80s and '90s. The 1990 expansion finally put a franchise in Philadelphia, ending a 40-year wait, and Florida, the most populous state to not get a UL franchise (though the Lone Star State lost its Dallas Texans to Seattle in 1976).
With nearly 1,000 players on 18 franchises, the UL enters its fifth decade stronger than ever, despite a recession that hit club revenues in 1990. The league has opened five new ballparks since 1986—including Ralph Carr Field in Denver this year—and will add a sixth in Atlanta in 1992.
The league appears to be on the brink of a new golden age of hitting, with eight of the top 10 prospects hitters, and in particular the slugging variety: Juan Gonzalez, Jeff Bagwell, Moises Alou, Sammy Sosa, Vinny Castilla, Jim Thome, Tino Martinez, Larry Walker. The circuit also faces the prospect of its first non-US dynasty, as the Toronto Polar Bears try to parlay their first championship into a string of trophies and corresponding photo ops.
Happy Returns?
Several Veterans Attempt Comebacks
(aka The Good Soldier Morgan and His Fortunes in the United League)
Several long-time ULers will try to make comebacks in 1991, a few in key roles for their clubs.
After a full year in the minors last year, 36-year-old Paul "666" Moskau will make his UL return as the Atlanta Hilltoppers' #3 starter this spring. The 21st pick in the 1977 draft, Moskau won 13 games in 1979, then bounced around the league for most of the '80s as a back-of-the-rotation kind of guy. Traded to Detroit a month into the 1989 season, Moskau posted a career-worst 5.32 ERA at the tail end of Detroit's worst rotation in a decade. The performance earned him a year-long demotion to Triple-A B.C. in 1990, where he rediscovered his groove, going 9-2 with a 3.03 ERA in 22 starts. His numbers in Vancouver caught the eye of Atlanta GM Andy Chaney, who signed Paul to two-year deal in February for his fourth stint with the Toppers. Moskau is 25-41, 4.94 in 121 games with Atlanta, including 79 starts. He earned the nickname "666" for reasons that elude the staff of Circuit Clouts, whose research department was gutted due to budget cuts. It might have had something to do with Craig Robinson...
Atlanta isn't the only team giving their SP3 role to a comebacker; the San Francisco Spiders have slotted veteran northpaw Mike LaCoss into the third starter role, after he spent almost all of last year in Triple-A New Orleans. LaCoss was taken two picks after Moskau in the famous 1977 draft, and was a top 20 prospect through 1981. He had four good seasons in Chicago, then followed GM Lance Mueller to Havana in 1986, then led the league with the lowest HR/9 for three years in a row. He was 10-5, 3.59 with Manhattan in 1989, but had a horrible start to the 1990 campaign and was exiled to the bayou. The Spiders picked up the 33-year-old in free agency, and hope his veteran presence can stabilize a pitching staff that struggled in 1990.
Finally, there is Mike Morgan, the 30th pick by Los Angeles in—you guessed it—the 1977 draft. Morgan was traded to Cleveland on June 1 of his rookie year, promptly tore his UCL the next day, and didn't break into a major league rotation until 1984. Whatever happened to the two players he was traded for, you ask? Bob Forsch went 10-3, 3.10 for the Outlaws in 1979, and Randy Lerch went 39-18, 3.07 in five seasons with the Outlaws. Since 1979, the Barons have had just two winning seasons. Am I saying that trading for Mike Morgan in June 1978 cursed the Cleveland franchise for the next decade. Yes. The trade for Mike Morgan in 1978 cursed Cleveland for the next decade.
But wait, Cleveland traded Morgan away in 1979 and got Goose Gossage, who led the league with 19 losses in 1981 but two years later had one of the best pitching years in Barons' history, going 15-3, 1.95 and leading the league in ERA, K, and WHIP. They had to give up a first rounder to get the Goose. Who did that first rounder end up being? Oh, nobody special. Just Lee Smith, who as of April 1991 has 310 career saves (#4 on the career list) and was just named the relief pitcher on the All-Decade Team. Am I saying that Los Angeles GM Peter Vays owes all his success to trades with Cleveland? Yes, Los Angeles GM Peter Vays owes all his success to trades with Cleveland.
But wait, I thought this was a story about Mike Morgan? Morgan went to Montreal in 1985, in a deal that included Glenn Hoffman and a third round pick. And who did that third round pick end up being? That would be Cory Snyder, who just hit 32 homers with 89 RBIs for the Outlaws in 1990. Geez Louise! Stop trading with this guy!
So Mike Morgan had a pretty successful stint in Le Metropole, racking up a 47-55 record and 3.90 ERA over four and a half seasons as a top-3 starter. Then on June 10, 1989, he snapped his UCL again, wiping out the remainder of that season and all of 1990. The Seattle Rainiers took a chance on him, signing him to a three-year deal in February 1990 that essentially paid him to do rehab for the first year. As the Rainiers' #3 starter, he is slated to make his first mound appearance in 21 months on April 3 at Comiskey Park against the Colts' Melido Perez.
On the flip side of comeback story, several former UL stars will get their first regular taste of minor league ball in their late 30s. CF Chet Lemon, a career 40-WAR former Gold Glove winner, starts his campaign in Memphis this spring. Catcher Milt May, hero of the 1989 St. Louis Maroons championship team, is playing in Pittsburgh. And John Castino, once one of the top-rated young hitters who could play multiple infield positions, is the starting second baseman for Twin Cities Trappers (whose roster also features Paul Molitor, Pedro Guerrero, Hubie Brooks, and Dave Henderson).
On the pitching side, the aforementioned Goose Gossage is in Phoenix, former Manhattan Gray Sox star Tommy Boggs is in Portland, and former Brooklyn closer Joe Sambito (#2 on the all-time save list) will be trying for his first minor league save in 15 years with Memphis.
Predicted Finish
Predicted Finish
BNN PREDICTED FINISH
East W L GB R RA
Toronto 91 69 - 1 11
Brooklyn 84 76 7 6 12
Cleveland 82 78 9 15 2
Detroit 81 79 10 13 6
Manhattan 79 81 12 4 16
Washington 79 81 12 14 8
Boston 78 82 13 7 13
Keystone 70 90 21 16 14
Montreal 53 107 38 18 18
West W L GB R RA
Los Angeles 103 57 - 5 1
St. Louis 92 68 11 2 9
Havana 85 75 18 11 3
San Francisco 83 77 20 10 7
Chicago 83 77 20 12 4
Seattle 79 81 24 3 17
Florida 78 82 25 17 5
Denver 77 83 26 9 10
Atlanta 69 91 34 8 15
Reed's Read
Reed BNN Diff
02 Washington 11 +9
04 Toronto 3 -1
06 Brooklyn 5 -1
10 Cleveland 8 -2
11 Manhattan 10 -1
12 Boston 13 +1
14 Detroit 9 -5
17 Montreal 18 +1
18 Keystone 16 -2
01 Los Angeles 1 0
02 St. Louis 2 0
05 Atlanta 17 +12
07 San Francisco 6 -1
08 Denver 15 +7
09 Chicago 7 -2
13 Havana 4 -9
14 Florida 14 -1
16 Seattle 12 -4
Positional Rankings
Positional Rankings
CATCHERS
1 1 Rich Gedman WAS
2 5 Mike Scioscia BRO
3 4 Mike Stanley ATL
4 3 Gary Carter STL
5 6 Benito Santiago CHI
6 7 Terry Steinbach SF
7 2 Darrell Porter LA
8 - Brent Mayne KEY
9 9 Mike LaValliere CLE
9 - Mickey Tettleton DEN
FIRST BASEMEN
1 2 Rafael Palmeiro TOR
2 9 Frank E Thomas FLO
3 2 Dion James MAN
4 1 Mark Grace SF
5 4 Alvin Davis STL
6 6 John Kruk CHI
7 5 Cory Snyder LA
8 7 Willie Upshaw SEA
9 - Fred McGriff DET
SECOND BASEMEN
1 1 Ryne Sandberg MAN
2 3 Roberto Alomar TOR
3 2 Tony Phillips STL
4 - Bill Spiers CHI
5 5 Tony Fernandez CLE
6 - Mark McLemore DEN
7 9 Robby Thompson LA
8 6 Jose Oquendo SF
9 - Mickey Morandini BOS
THIRD BASEMEN
1 5 Matt Williams BRO
2 1 Wade Boggs WAS
3 6 Kevin Mitchell DET
4 3 Gary Gaetti CLE
5 7 Gary Sheffield CHI
6 2 Kevin Seitzer HAV
7 - Travis Fryman SF
7 8 Chris Brown SEA
9 4 Howard Johnson TOR
SHORTSTOP
1 1 Alan Trammell DET
2 2 Robin Yount WAS
3 4 Barry Larkin SF
4 4 Bip Roberts MON
5 3 Jay Bell LA
6 5 Scott Fletcher MAN
7 7 Ozzie Smith DEN
8 - Tom Foley BRO
9 8 Mariano Duncan TOR
LEFT FIELDERS
1 1 Barry Bonds BOS
2 3 Kal Daniels HAV
3 4 Andy Van Slyke LA
4 5 John Shelby SEA
5 - Albert Belle CHI
6 6 Dan Pasqua STL
7 - Luis Gonzalez MON
8 7 Chili Davis WAS
9 - Tim Raines DEN
CENTER FIELDERS
1 2 Ken Griffey Jr BRO
2 1 Ellis Burks TOR
3 4 Shane Mack HAV
4 3 Eric Davis ATL
5 5 Lenny Dykstra STL
6 6 Stan Javier DEN
7 4 Kirby Puckett LA
8 9 Roberto Kelly MAN
9 8 Otis Nixon CLE
RIGHT FIELDERS
1 1 Tony Gwynn ATL
2 2 Ivan Calderon CHI
3 6 Rickey Henderson STL
4 5 Willie McGee SEA
5 9 Phil Bradley CLE
6 9 George Bell TOR
7 8 Tom Brunansky LA
8 - Jesse Barfield DEN
9 3 Dave Winfield WAS
STARTING PITCHERS
1 01 Dwight Gooden TOR
2 02 F Valenzuela ATL
3 17 John Smoltz CLE
4 06 Floyd Youmans LA
5 07 Jose DeLeon SF
6 04 Teddy Higuera WAS
7 03 B Saberhagen WAS
8 05 Roger Clemens BOS
9 - Mike Mussina FLO
10 15 Erik Hanson CHI
11 12 Chris Nabholz DET
12 08 Greg Swindell LA
13 09 Randy Tomlin DET
14 14 Greg Mathews HAV
15 - Mark Langston HAV
16 18 Andy Benes DET
17 10 Joe Magrane CLE
18 11 Tom Glavine HAV
19 13 S Sanderson TOR
20 - Doug Drabek MAN
- 16 Don Robinson SEA
- 19 Ed Whitson STL
- 20 Jose Rijo SF
TOP RELIEVERS (tiers)
1 1 Rob Dibble CHI
2 2 Michael Jackson TOR
2 3 Dan Plesac CLE
3 4 Paul Assenmacher WAS
3 - Stan Belinda FLO
3 - Norm Charlton HAV
3 4 Luis DeLeon LA
3 4 Jose Mesa TOR
3 4 Gene Nelson HAV
3 4 Calvin Schiraldi HAV
3 4 Lee Smith MON
3 4 Mikey Stanton DET
3 3 John Wetteland BRO
1 - 4.0 stars
2 - 3.5
3 - 3.0
EAST DIVISION
EAST DIVISION
WASHINGTON MONUMENTS
W L Pl R RA Rank
1988 87 75 7th 4.3 4.0 10 4
1989 96 66 2nd 4.3 3.6 9 2
1990 91 69 4th 4.5 4.0 12 4
Avg HR RBI WAR
LF S Chili Davis .310 16 64 4.9
3B L Wade Boggs .377 5 78 7.4
2B R Ryne Sandberg .296 24 88 6.5
C L Rich Gedman .318 26 106 7.2
1B R Bob Horner .271 25 81 2.4
RF R Dave Winfield .298 26 74 3.2
CF S Stan Javier .298 8 54 3.5
SS R Robin Yount .294 7 47 3.9
W L ERA WAR
SP L Teddy Higuera 14 10 4.50 3.4
SP R Bret Saberhagen 15 11 3.05 4.7
SP L Larry McWilliams 14 9 3.40 3.8
SP R Bob Tewksbury 6 15 5.01 2.5
SP R Don Schulze 6 5 4.69 1.0
CL L Paul Assenmacher 26 SV 2.41 2.0
Key Man
After their worst offensive showing in seven years (12th in runs), the Monuments will look for big production from their new Jamaican leadoff man.
IN
LF Chili Davis, SP Bob Tewksbury
OUT
LF Lonnie Smith
TORONTO POLAR BEARS
W L Pl R RA Rank
1988 95 67 2nd 5.1 4.4 1 7
1989 95 67 3rd 5.4 4.5 1 9
1990 92 68 3rd 5.4 4.5 1 10
Avg HR RBI WAR
2B S Roberto Alomar .373 18 77 9.5
CF R Ellis Burks .311 28 86 4.6
1B L Wally Joyner .304 31 109 5.5
LF L Rafael Palmeiro .293 51 126 6.1
3B S Howard Johnson .275 38 105 3.7
RF R Juan Gonzalez rookie
C S Mickey Tettleton .250 36 91 2.9
SS R Mariano Duncan .291 3 51 2.1
W L ERA WAR
SP R Dwight Gooden 21 3 2.75 6.5
SP R Scott Sanderson 13 14 4.99 3.8
SP R Charlie Lea 16 11 4.11 4.2
SP R Brian Holman 12 11 4.04 2.2
SP R Dave Stieb 3 3 4.77 -0.3
CL R Michael Jackson 23 SV 1.90 1.4
Key Man
As good as the offense is, it is hard to imagine the Polar Bears without their five-time Cy Young winner atop the rotation.
IN
*RF Juan Gonzalez, RP Mike Schooler
OUT
LF Terry Puhl, SP Frank Pastore
BROOKLYN SUPERBAS
W L Pl R RA Rank
1988 62 100 16th 4.2 5.3 11 16
1989 62 100 15-T 4.0 5.2 15 16
1990 81 79 9th 4.5 4.6 11 12
Avg HR RBI WAR
CF L Ken Griffey Jr .342 26 73 6.5
LF L Mike Greenwell .265 13 62 1.2
3B R Matt Williams .325 40 124 7.0
RF L Ken Landreaux .287 4 66 3.0
1B R Andres Galarraga .288 9 41 0.9
C L Mike Scioscia .313 10 66 5.0
2B S Luis Alicea .317 3 43 2.5
SS L Tom Foley .318 3 60 4.2
W L ERA WAR
SP L Britt Burns 8 12 4.41 4.6
SP R Kevin Brown 13 15 4.61 3.2
SP L Steve Avery 8 3 2.85 1.9
SP R David Cone 17 7 4.91 2.4
SP R Ramon Martinez rookie
CL R John Wetteland 26 SV 3.27 1.3
Key Man
With Williams and Griffey anchoring the lineup, the season will hinge on starting pitching. Can the 30-year-old southpaw Britt Burns finally snap out of a half-decade slump?
IN
C Mike Scioscia
OUT
RP Frank Wills
CLEVELAND BARONS
W L Pl R RA Rank
1988 71 91 13th 3.9 4.4 15 7
1989 76 86 11th 4.0 4.3 14 6
1990 80 80 10-T 3.9 3.8 15 3
Avg HR RBI WAR
CF L Brett Butler .302 3 37 2.0
2B S Tony Fernandez .333 4 74 3.6
RF R Phil Bradley .323 16 104 3.4
3B R Gary Gaetti .275 26 102 4.5
1B L Warren Cromartie .313 17 74 3.7
LF L Dwayne Murphy .202 19 54 0.0
SS R Rene Gonzales .195 1 34 0.2
C L Mike LaValliere .246 2 32 1.3
W L ERA WAR
SP L Joe Magrane 6 5 3.06 2.7
SP R John Smoltz 10 7 3.29 3.6
SP R Bill Wegman 11 11 4.23 2.4
SP R Kevin Tapani 11 14 5.26 2.4
SP L Al Leiter 2 5 4.36 0.4
CL L Dan Plesac 37 SV 2.42 1.6
Key Man
Offensive overhaul should produce the most exciting lineup in years, with slugging RF Phil Bradley at the heart of the lineup.
IN
2B Tony Fernandez, RF Phil Bradley, CF Brett Butler, SP Kevin Tapani
OUT
2B Mark McLemore, RP Todd Burns, 1B Eddie Murray, 2B Lou Whitaker
MANHATTAN GRAY SOX
W L Pl R RA Rank
1988 89 73 6th 4.2 3.9 13 3
1989 84 78 7-T 4.9 4.8 2 13
1990 79 81 12th 4.6 4.4 9 8
Avg HR RBI WAR
SS R Scott Fletcher .312 4 36 3.5
CF R Roberto Kelly .353 28 87 5.3
1B R Danny Tartabull .267 28 73 2.7
LF R Jose Canseco .262 25 72 1.5
RF R Glenallen Hill .301 8 44 0.7
C R Dave Valle .176 2 12 -0.6
3B R Chris Sabo .310 18 82 3.1
2B R Glenn Hubbard .260 7 47 1.7
W L ERA WAR
SP R Kelly Downs 11 14 4.63 4.4
SP L Matt Young 11 14 3.42 4.8
SP R Doug Drabek 13 11 3.82 3.5
SP R Jim Acker 11 8 5.39 3.5
SP R Ken Howell 5 8 4.69 -0.4
CL R Jeff Robinson 17 SV 3.15 1.7
Key Man
Canseco led the league in homers and RBIs two years ago, but put up half those numbers last year, and just a quarter of his WAR. The Dingy Hose will need more juice out of their cleanup man, or at at age 26, has he already peaked?
IN
1B Dion James, 2B Glenn Hubbard, LF Lonnie Smith, RP Frank Wills, LF Terry Puhl, SP Frank Pastore, C Dave Valle, SP Ken Howell
OUT
RF Ellis Valentine, SP John Stuper
BOSTON FEDERALS
W L Pl R RA Rank
1988 81 81 9th 4.7 4.5 6 9
1989 79 83 10th 4.6 4.9 5 14
1990 90 70 5th 4.8 4.3 4 7
Avg HR RBI WAR
CF S Otis Nixon .252 1 13 0.5
RF R Sammy Sosa .298 2 17 1.1
LF L Barry Bonds .329 40 126 7.4
1B R Edgar Martinez .295 12 97 4.0
C L Darren Daulton .299 24 101 3.7
3B R Kevin Elster .244 8 54 1.2
2B L Mickey Morandini .288 1 26 0.5
SS R Cal Ripken Jr .254 3 20 1.7
W L ERA WAR
SP R Roger Clemens 18 6 3.68 5.2
SP L Dennis Rasmussen 18 6 3.13 4.0
SP R Tom Candiotti 15 11 4.20 1.5
SP R Pat Hentgen rookie
SP R Bobby Witt 6 9 4.93 1.1
SP R Bob Sebra 11 SV 5.10 1.2
Key Man
Boston owes its first playoff appearance in a decade to its much-improved starting pitching, particularly the 31-year-old Dennis Rasmussen.
IN
CF Otis Nixon, *SP Pat Hentgen
OUT
CF Kirby Puckett, 1B Dion James, SP Mike Scott, SP Ken Howell
DETROIT GRIFFINS
W L Pl R RA Rank
1988 90 72 5th 4.9 4.5 5 10
1989 67 95 14th 4.1 4.6 13 10
1990 88 72 7th 4.8 4.1 5 5
Avg HR RBI WAR
CF L Steve Finley .298 3 45 2.0
RF L Dwight Smith .307 24 73 4.9
1B L Fred McGriff .303 38 116 4.5
3B R Kevin Mitchell .328 29 118 6.4
LF R Chris James .334 18 87 5.1
SS L Ozzie Guillen .267 2 67 0.0
C R Pat Borders .268 5 73 0.0
2B R Craig Grebeck .252 5 59 1.9
W L ERA WAR
SP L Chris Nabholz 15 4 2.58 2.8
SP L Randy Tomlin 11 6 3.47 3.3
SP R Andy Benes 14 6 4.37 2.9
SP R Scott Bankhead 10 10 3.80 1.2
SP R Alex Fernandez 3 5 3.65 0.1
CL L Mikey Stanton 23 SV 4.08 1.0
Key Man
The Crime Dog's monster breakout year (combined with rookie ace Chris Nabholz' 15 wins) had the Flyin' Lions sniffing playoff contention much sooner than most observers expected.
IN
*MR Mark Wohlers, *1B Mo Vaughn
OUT
SP Greg Mathews
MONTREAL VOYAGEURS
W L Pl R RA Rank
1988 77 85 11th 4.3 4.8 9 13
1989 62 100 15-T 4.1 4.8 12 12
1990 54 106 17th 3.7 5.2 17 16
Avg HR RBI WAR
2B S Bip Roberts .354 5 41 6.3
RF L Larry Walker rookie
LF S Ruben Sierra minors
CF L Luis Gonzalez rookie
1B R Jeff Blauser .247 3 27 -0.7
3B S Bobby Bonilla .287 10 86 3.1
C R Joe Girardi .194 1 14 -1.0
SS S Garry Templeton .279 6 64 3.4
W L ERA WAR
SP R Chris Bosio 11 16 4.07 2.7
SP L Jim Abbott minors
SP L Kenny Rogers 8 18 3.88 3.7
SP R Curt Schilling rookie
SP R Jack Armstrong rookie
CL R Lee Smith 27 SV 1.82 1.6
Key Man
The entire Canoeists outfield did not play in the majors last year. All three could be all-stars for the next decade, but Walker has the potential to be the face of the franchise into the next millennium.
IN
*RF Larry Walker, *Luis Gonzalez, *SP Curt Schilling, *Jack Armstrong
OUT
RP Bob James, SP Bob Tewksbury
KEYSTONE STARLINGS
W L Pl R RA Rank
1990 63 97 16th 4.2 5.4 14 18
Avg HR RBI WAR
CF R Jerome Walton .322 8 69 3.6
LF L Jeff Stone .304 6 55 1.7
2B S Carlos Baerga rookie
3B L B.J. Surhoff .292 16 89 2.8
1B R Cecil Fielder .255 12 49 0.5
C L Brent Mayne .324 3 52 3.1
RF R Juan Samuel .291 21 76 2.3
SS S Walt Weiss .239 2 18 -0.5
W L ERA WAR
SP R Jay Tibbs 5 12 6.77 0.2
SP R Kirk McCaskill 9 15 4.94 1.6
SP R Greg Maddux minors
SP R Moose Haas minors
SP R Gil Heredia rookie
CL R John Dopson 19 SV 2.82 1.0
Key Man
The Starlings invested heavily in the draft, with eight picks in the first two rounds. Of these, #3 pick Jeff Bagwell is best-positioned to be Keystone's first superstar.
IN
*1B Jeff Bagwell, *RP Roberto Hernandez, *2B Carlos Baerga, *SP Denny Neagle, RP Victor Cruz, *LF Billy Hatcher
OUT
none
WEST DIVISION
WEST DIVISION
LOS ANGELES OUTLAWS
W L Pl R RA Rank
1988 92 70 4th 4.6 3.7 7 1
1989 91 72 4th 4.1 4.0 11 4
1990 98 62 1st 4.5 3.6 10 1
Avg HR RBI WAR
CF R Kirby Puckett .352 14 93 5.9
LF L Andy Van Slyke .290 20 76 4.8
C L Darrell Porter .287 18 67 5.0
1B R Cory Snyder .276 32 89 1.9
3B S Ken Caminiti .297 13 90 4.4
RF R Tom Brunansky .266 23 63 2.9
2B R Robby Thompson .313 11 59 4.3
SS R Jay Bell .269 6 51 1.8
W L ERA WAR
SP R Dave Beard 18 13 3.04 5.2
SP R Floyd Youmans 15 6 3.32 4.9
SP L Greg Swindell 11 11 4.59 2.9
SP L Bruce Hurst 16 9 3.03 4.5
SP R Jim Gott 9 6 4.06 1.4
CL R Luis DeLeon 10 SV 3.36 1.9
Key Man
Puckett had 5+ WAR four years in a row. Adding that level of offense to the league's best pitching team is a recipe for success.
IN
CF Kirby Puckett, C Darrell Porter
OUT
LF Chili Davis, C Mike Scioscia, CF Otis Nixon, C Ernie Whitt
ST. LOUIS MAROONS
W L Pl R RA Rank
1988 100 62 1st 5.0 3.7 2 2
1989 98 64 1st 4.9 3.4 4 1
1990 89 71 6th 5.1 4.2 3 6
Avg HR RBI WAR
CF L Lenny Dykstra .293 14 81 4.0
LF R Rickey Henderson .292 18 70 4.1
1B L Alvin Davis .310 26 97 3.7
RF L Dan Pasqua .310 25 93 4.4
3B R Kevin Seitzer .319 7 71 3.4
SS S Tony Phillips .293 20 91 4.7
2B R Julio Franco .330 0 16 1.3
C R Gary Carter .216 16 40 1.5
W L ERA WAR
SP R Dave Schmidt 10 10 4.14 3.1
SP R Steven Ontiveros 11 7 4.10 4.4
SP R Ed Whitson 11 10 3.97 2.1
SP R Mike Scott 11 11 4.00 2.2
SP R Craig McMurtry 7 3 4.82 0.9
CL L Steve Howe 4 SV 3.19 0.8
Key Man
Schmidt was the ERA leader for the whole decade (2.68), so his collapse to 4.14 (combined with Ontiveros' similar decline) spelled doom for the aging Maroons, who will need their top two starters to return to form to rejoin the league's elite.
IN
SP Mike Scott
OUT
C Darrell Porter
ATLANTA HILLTOPPERS
W L Pl R RA Rank
1988 75 87 12th 5.0 5.1 3 15
1989 71 91 13th 4.2 4.7 10 11
1990 77 83 13th 4.7 4.9 7 14
Avg HR RBI WAR
RF L Tony Gwynn .371 10 67 7.5
2B L Lou Whitaker .234 12 34 0.9
CF R Eric Davis .297 38 119 5.3
C R Mike Stanley .315 20 68 1.8
1B R Mark McGwire .267 41 122 2.2
3B R Luis Aguayo .296 24 88 2.1
LF L Phil Plantier rookie
SS R Dale Berra .198 0 5 -0.2
W L ERA WAR
SP L Fernie Valenzuela 20 7 3.36 7.0
SP L Bob Shirley 10 16 5.42 2.0
SP R Paul Moskau minors
SP R Charles Hudson 0 0 5.65 0.2
SP R Jaime Navarro 7 11 5.03 1.3
CL L Carlos Diaz 25 SV 3.58 0.6
Key Man
As the #2 man behind Fernie, Bob Shirley will need to rebound from a 5.42 season a year ago. But at age 35, are his best days behind him?
IN
2B Lou Whitaker, SP John Stuper, SP Charles Hudson, SP Jaime Navarro, *LF Phil Plantier, 3B Jack Howell
OUT
2B Glenn Hubbard, CF Brett Butler, SP Kevin Tapani
SAN FRANCISCO SPIDERS
W L Pl R RA Rank
1988 77 85 10th 4.4 4.7 8 11
1989 84 78 7-T 4.3 4.1 7 5
1990 72 88 14-T 3.8 4.4 16 9
Avg HR RBI WAR
2B S Jose Oquendo .266 3 31 2.4
1B L Mark Grace .275 11 60 2.1
RF L Mike Aldrete .271 12 68 2.0
LF R Rob Deer .234 32 88 2.5
3B R Travis Fryman .283 10 43 2.4
SS R Dave Anderson minors
CF S Devon White .264 7 63 2.0
C R Terry Steinbach .281 15 80 2.3
W L ERA WAR
SP R Jose DeLeon 14 10 2.68 5.0
SP L Greg Hibbard 11 13 4.38 2.3
SP R Mike LaCoss minors
SP R Walt Terrell 8 13 4.85 2.4
SP R Jose Rijo 4 16 5.56 1.1
CL R Bob James 20 SV 3.80 0.9
Key Man
Co-Rookie of the Year in 1988 and 4th in the batting chase with a .348 average in 1989, Grace slumped hard last year, batting just .275 and slicing his WAR by two-thirds.
IN
RP Bob James, SP Mike LaCoss
OUT
none
DENVER 14ers
W L Pl R RA Rank
1988 82 80 8th 4.2 4.4 12 6
1989 83 79 9th 4.5 4.3 6 7
1990 72 88 14-T 5.1 5.3 2 17
Avg HR RBI WAR
2B S Mark McLemore .297 3 45 3.6
LF S Tim Raines .300 5 36 2.8
1B L Will Clark .287 15 72 2.5
CF R Jesse Barfield .252 26 79 3.4
RF R Ellis Valentine .288 6 22 1.0
3B R Brook Jacoby .298 9 59 2.3
SS S Ozzie Smith .342 5 51 3.8
C L Ernie Whitt .203 3 11 -0.1
W L ERA WAR
SP R Ron Darling 10 12 3.92 2.0
SP R Greg Harris 7 5 4.31 0.4
SP R Sergio Valdez 3 9 3.92 1.1
SP R Bill Swift 9 9 5.78 2.9
SP L John Martin 8 11 4.08 1.9
CL R Todd Burns 0 SV 4.31 0.5
Key Man
With the decline of Bill Swift, Ron Darling will assume the role of staff ace.
IN
2B Mark McLemore, RP Todd Burns, RF Ellis Valentine, C Ernie Whitt
OUT
2B Tony Fernandez, RF Phil Bradley
CHICAGO COLTS
W L Pl R RA Rank
1988 62 100 15th 3.6 4.7 16 12
1989 87 75 6th 3.9 3.9 16 3
1990 96 64 2nd 4.4 3.7 13 2
Avg HR RBI WAR
1B L John Kruk .327 13 57 4.9
SS R Alan Trammell .312 17 67 6.1
RF R Ivan Calderon .304 23 102 5.5
LF R Albert Belle .305 12 74 3.3
3B R Gary Sheffield .258 10 56 1.6
2B L Bill Spiers .308 5 58 4.6
C R Benito Santiago .275 19 80 2.2
CF R Marquis Grissom .296 6 28 1.0
W L ERA WAR
SP R Erik Hanson 15 6 3.18 3.9
SP L Terry Mulholland 16 9 3.41 3.5
SP R Melido Perez 14 14 4.21 1.7
SP L Jamie Moyer 14 8 3.16 3.9
SP R Charles Nagy rookie
CL R Jeff M. Robinson 0 SV 3.59 1.9
Key Man
Calderon is the key cog in an below-average attack. The Ponies will need his 100 ribs to be a contender.
IN
*SP Charles Nagy
OUT
C Dave Valle
HAVANA LEONES
W L Pl R RA Rank
1988 63 99 14th 4.0 5.0 14 14
1989 72 90 12th 4.3 4.9 7 15
1990 87 73 8th 4.6 4.6 8 11
Avg HR RBI WAR
RF S Vince Coleman .315 6 53 2.6
3B S Terry Pendleton .297 18 99 3.9
LF L Kal Daniels .339 20 86 5.3
CF R Shane Mack .330 22 98 6.5
1B L David Justice .272 9 40 1.6
C L Matt Nokes .249 31 91 1.3
SS R Alvaro Espinoza .298 8 61 1.4
2B S Bill Doran .280 10 71 2.1
W L ERA WAR
SP L Mark Langston 18 14 3.42 5.1
SP L Greg Mathews 8 11 4.11 3.2
SP R Kevin Ritz 17 8 4.29 3.2
SP L Tom Glavine 12 10 3.51 3.0
SP R Omar Olivares 5 2 3.24 0.5
CL L Norm Charlton 9 SV 2.74 1.0
Key Man
Havana leapt by 15 wins last year, thanks in large part to its ace Mark Langston, who finally emerged from a four-year funk to win 18 games with a 5.1 WAR.
IN
SP Greg Mathews, 1B Eddie Murray
OUT
none
FLORIDA FLAMINGOS
W L Pl R RA Rank
1990 51 109 18th 3.2 5.0 18 15
Avg HR RBI WAR
LF R Ken Gerhart .229 8 35 -0.4
2B S Kurt Stillwell .238 1 16 0.0
1B R Frank E. Thomas .274 30 83 3.9
CF R Mike Devereaux .230 4 15 -0.2
RF R Tracy Jones .275 12 50 1.7
3B R Kelly Gruber .242 7 49 0.8
C R Lance Parrish .217 3 27 -0.6
SS S Omar Vizquel .244 4 35 0.2
W L ERA WAR
SP R Mike Mussina rookie
SP L Dave Fleming rookie
SP R Kevin Gross 10 21 3.99 1.8
SP L Frank Viola 8 18 4.22 3.6
SP R Pete Smith 1 4 3.95 1.1
CL R Stan Belinda 17 SV 3.79 0.2
Key Man
The Pink Birds are years from fielding a competitive team. In the meantime, the Big Hurt is poised to become the club's first superstar.
IN
*SP Mike Mussina, *SP Dave Fleming
OUT
RP Mike Schooler
SEATTLE RAINIERS
W L Pl R RA Rank
1988 93 69 3rd 4.9 4.4 4 5
1989 90 73 5th 4.9 4.4 3 8
1990 80 80 10-T 4.7 4.7 6 13
Avg HR RBI WAR
RF S Willie McGee .331 9 72 4.7
2B L Delino DeShields .274 3 48 2.2
LF S John Shelby .304 28 108 5.6
3B R Chris Brown .297 17 66 3.6
1B L Willie Upshaw .310 27 97 4.1
SS S Harold Reynolds .307 2 51 2.1
C R Brian Harper .316 7 60 1.8
CF R Henry Cotto .282 12 88 3.0
W L ERA WAR
SP L Bruce Ruffin 11 5 3.19 4.0
SP R Mike Morgan injured
SP L Mike Mason 10 16 4.30 3.3
SP R Don Robinson 12 10 4.57 3.6
SP L Tim Birtsas 4 7 6.14 0.8
CL R Bill Caudill 1 SV 4.30 0.4
Key Man
A pitching collapse landed the Rainiers at .500 last year. A return to playoff contention will depend on how well #2 starter Mike Morgan returns from UCL surgery.
IN
SP Mike Morgan
OUT
RP Victor Cruz
1990 League Leaders
1990 League Leaders
Batting Average
Wade Boggs WAS .377
Roberto Alomar TOR .373
Tony Gwynn ATL .371
Bip Roberts MON .364
Roberto Kelly MAN .353
Kirby Puckett BOS .352
Ken Griffey Jr BRO .342
Kal Daniels HAV .339
Chris James DET .334
Tony Fernandez DEN .333
Earned Run Average
Chris Nabholz DET 2.58
Jose DeLeon SF 2.68
Dwight Gooden TOR 2.75
Bruce Hurst LA 3.03
Dave Beard LA 3.04
Bret Saberhagen WAS 3.05
Den Rasmussen BOS 3.13
Jamie Moyer CHI 3.16
Erik Hanson CHI 3.18
Bruce Ruffin SEA 3.19
Infield Zone Rating
Alan Trammell CHI 12.7
Rene Gonzalez CLE 12.2
Craig Grebeck DET 11.0
Cal Ripken Jr BOS 10.3
Ozzie Smith DEN 10.0
Home Runs
Rafael Palmeiro TOR 51
Mark McGwire ATL 41
Barry Bonds BOS 40
Matt Williams BRO 40
Eric Davis ATL 38
Howard Johnson TOR 38
Fred McGriff DET 38
Mickey Tettleton TOR 36
Rob Deer SF 32
Cory Snyder LA 32
Wins
Dwight Gooden TOR 21
Fern Valenzuela ATL 20
Dave Beard LA 18
Roger Clemens BOS 18
Mark Langston HAV 18
Den Rasmussen BOS 18
David Cone BRO 17
Kevin Ritz HAV 17
Bruce Hurst LA 16
Charlie Lea TOR 16
Terry Mulholland CHI 16
Outfield Zone Rating
Lloyd Moseby MON 10.6
Devon White SF 10.2
Stan Javier WAS 10.0
Henry Cotto SEA 9.3
John Shelby SEA 8.8
RBIs
Barry Bonds BOS 126
Rafael Palmeiro TOR 126
Matt Williams BRO 124
Mark McGwire ATL 122
Eric Davis ATL 119
Kevin Mitchell DET 118
Fred McGriff DET 116
Wally Joyner TOR 109
John Shelby SEA 108
Rich Gedman WAS 106
Strikeouts
Floyd Youmans LA 261
Fern Valenzuela ATL 253
Mark Langston HAV 248
Roger Clemens BOS 247
Dwight Gooden TOR 233
Dave Beard LA 220
Jose DeLeon SF 207
Bobby Witt BOS 204
Teddy Higuera WAS 196
Doug Drabek MAN 192
bWAR
Roberto Alomar TOR 9.5
Tony Gwynn ATL 7.5
Barry Bonds BOS 7.4
Wade Boggs WAS 7.4
Rich Gedman WAS 7.2
Matt Williams BRO 7.0
Shane Mack HAV 6.5
Ken Griffey Jr BRO 6.5
Ryne Sandberg MAN 6.5
Kevin Mitchell DET 6.4
pWAR
Fern Valenzuela ATL 7.0
Dwight Gooden TOR 6.5
Roger Clemens BOS 5.2
Dave Beard LA 5.2
Floyd Youmans LA 5.1
Mark Langston HAV 5.1
Jose DeLeon SF 5.0
Matt Young MAN 4.8
Brt Saberhagen WAS 4.7
Britt Burns BRO 4.6
1990 Awards
1990 Awards
Batter of the Month
APR Roberto Alomar TOR
MAY Darren Daulton BOS
JUN Roberto Alomar TOR
JUL Rafael Palmeiro TOR
AUG Ken Griffey Jr BRO
SEP Eric Davis ATL
Pitcher of the Month
APR Mike Scott BOS
MAY Roger Clemens BOS
JUN Jose DeLeon SF
JUL Mark Langston HAV
AUG Dave Beard LA
SEP Lee Smith LA
Rookie of the Month
APR Melido Perez CHI
MAY Randy Tomlin DET
JUN Albert Belle CHI
JUL Frank E. Thomas FLO
AUG Frank E. Thomas FLO
SEP Chris Nabholz DET
Player of the Week
4/9 Roberto Alomar TOR
4/16 Hal Morris CLE
4/23 Rob Deer SF
4/30 Tony Fernandez DEN
5/7 Wally Backman KEY
5/14 Tony Bernazard BRO
5/21 Darren Daulton BOS
5/28 Matt Williams BRO
6/4 Roberto Kelly MAN
6/11 Andy Van Slyke LA
6/18 Lonnie Smith MON
6/25 Ken Griffey Jr BRO
7/2 Benito Santiago CHI
7/9 Roberto Alomar TOR
7/16 Phil Bradley DEN
7/23 B.J. Surhoff KEY
7/30 Rafael Palmeiro TOR
8/6 Chris Sabo MAN
8/13 John Kruk CHI
8/20 Shane Mack HAV
8/27 Roberto Alomar TOR
9/3 Willie Upshaw SEA
9/10 Juan Samuel KEY
9/17 Luis Aguayo ATL
9/24 Brian Harper SEA
Injuries
Injuries
CHI RP Rob Dibble (2 mo)
SF SP Neil Allen (3 mo)
SF SS Barry Larkin (4 wk)
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