get your own free homepage February 10, 1998
By Alex Wassem
General Manager of the Smart Alecs
…Since the EMOO Winter Meetings the hot stove league has heated up with trades occurring almost daily, it seems. The only two teams who have maintained a pat hand over the past month or so is the Hawaiian Laze and The Mudhens. New league owner Eric Widtfeldt has moved the Beckman Braves [formerly the New Orleans Nightmare –ed.], renaming them the Wayfarin’ Strangers, and has turned the roster almost upside down, unloading Curt Schilling, Lance Johnson, Ken Caminiti, Desi Relaford and Moises Alou…
…In terms of talent only, the three teams that must be considered the favorites AS OF NOW (understand that this does not account for draft day) are the Smart Alecs, Tennessee Ruxpins, and Scottnel Suns. These three stand out ahead of the pack. However, these three also have less money available for draft day…
…The Smart Alecs have done a solid job of clearing up some cap room with the trades of Greg Maddux, Brian Jordan and Jeff Bagwell, receiving Jeff Kent, Willie Greene, and Matt Morris via Curt Schilling in exchange. This give the Alec’s GM the ability to give raises if he chooses or to acquire a couple more big names come April 4…
…The Ruxpins have little room to work with and can be expected to either trade or release at least two big name players. I expect Sammy Sosa to be one and possibly either Rondell White or Bernard Gilkey…
…The Suns made two curious trades this weekend; not curious in terms of talent, but curious in the sense that they were already feeling the salary pinch yet pinched harder with the acquisition first of John Smoltz (27) for Tony Womack (10) then the trade of Smoltz and Cordova (2) for Greg Maddux (37) and Edgardo Alfonzo (4). We at EMOO NEWS love both Maddux and Alfonzo. But, barring the releasing or trading of Mike Piazza, the Suns have barely 15 cents to spend for 8 players on draft day…
…The Smart Alecs have assembled a nice blend of veterans and youngsters, pitchers and hitters. Going into draft day they would appear to be in the market for a couple starting pitchers and perhaps a closer. Offensively they could improve their team speed and try to purchase players who don’t weigh down their batting average. They just need to see their keeper players have average seasons and stay healthy and continue to utilize their farm system…
…The Ruxpins, as stated, are strapped for cash at the moment. They need for Hideo Nomo to rebound to his pre-1997 form. Offensively, they could use a Tony Gwynn-type .330 hitter and some corner infielders…
…The Suns have a stud #1 starting pitcher in Greg Maddux, the #1 catcher in the NL in Piazza, four up-and coming young outfielders, three good young 3B, 2 closers, and a pair of promising young starters. The operative word here is "young", these players bring a strong upside but must first still realize the potential that so many observers see in them. What you see is what you get with this team. And that’s not a bad thing if the youngsters are ready to step up…
…The Hawaiian Laze have been in hibernation most of the winter. Yet, they look as though they’ll bring a competitive squad to the race. They have a nice blend of offense and pitching. They look to have a large amount of cap room as well. A first baseman and an outfielder are on the to-do list…
…Along with the Midnite Xpress, the Kittyhawk Flyers have made the biggest jump in talent level over the winter months to date. Their pitching should be much improved although their saves totals may drop a little with Adams and Rojas losing their closer roles (at least partially). They also need to improve on last year’s ERA and CR. With a solid draft, the Flyers could finish in the first division in ’98…
…The other team to show marked improvement over the winter is the Xpress, albeit mainly on the pitching side. The Xpress look to have more money to spend than all but the Strangers (and the expansion teams) and will most surely be looking to buy lots of offense. The Xpress’ choice in complementary pitches on draft day will determine whether the Schilling trade and the Martinez/Stottlemyre acquisition pay off. Being able to keep Travis Lee on the minor league roster for draft day purposes is another plus…
…The Mudhens edge out the Mooners for 7th place in the winter rankings. They have some holes, most noticeably pitching, but have several excellent players. The pitching is threadbare with no one an automatic keeper. If healthy, Mike Grace could pay dividends, though. The Mudhens have money to spend and should do well but maybe not well enough to crack the top three…
…The Mooners after two league titles and yes, I’m going to say it, a first place tie, appear in need of an overhaul. They have little in way of pitching left and only one star outfielder, Steve Finley. They have managed to maintain a solid nucleus in the infield with Gallaraga, Brogna, Veras and Zeile and just completed another in a long series of excellent trades with the positive acquisition of Tony Womack, it allowed them additional cap room, while at the same time giving them Womack. It could even spell the end of Quilvio Veras in a Mooner uniform. The Mooners have taken the biggest drop since October 1. While their work appears cut out for them, if they are able to continue their excellent trading track record, who’s to say they can’t be a factor sometime during ’98…
…The Wayfarin’ Strangers came into the league and immediately put the league on notice that they were not going to stand pat with the roster they inherited. The Strangers have the nucleus of an outfield if Brian Jordan can return to the field healthy and if Cliff Floyd begins to develop his vast raw potential. Floyd should be an everyday player in Florida for the first time in ’98. Expect the Strangers to go after a closer…
…The Dainty Hunchbacks have little more money to spend than about six other league members. They have the start of a decent pitching staff but will need a closer. Offensively, the needs are many. The combination of many question marks and few current all stars relegates the Hunchbacks to the level of rebuilder. Todd Dunwoody and Brad Fullmer may provide some relief at 1B and OF in ’98…
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