From: twromero@McRCIM.McGill.EDU (Michael Lin)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: Which team is most improved???
Date: 2 Oct 92 15:36:42 GMT
Article-I.D.: thunder.1992Oct2.153642.22859
Organization: McGill Research Centre for  Intelligent Machines
Originator: twromero@celeborn.mcrcim.mcgill.edu


In article <19822@ector.cs.purdue.edu>, gritter@cs.purdue.EDU (Carl R. Gritter) writes:
|> In article <1992Oct1.222355.27143@ringer.cs.utsa.edu> crobbins@lonestar.utsa.edu (Chris S. Robbins) writes:
|> >
|> >Lets start a debate.  Which team has improved the most this year.
|> 
|> Its already been stated, but I'll make a case for the Expos.  However,
|> I'll say out front that the Astros have also improved dramatically and
|> who's to really say which team has improved more.
|> 
|> The end of the 1991 season was probably an all time low for the Expos
|> organization.  The team finished last in the NL East and only the
|> Astros had a worse record (although hotly contested until the final
|> weeks).  An inexperienced Tom Runnells had replaced a very popular
|> Buck Rodgers and it already seemed that there was no positive
|> "chemistry" between manager and players.  The Florida Marlins and Dave
|> Drombrowski had raped the organization of most of its top scouts and
|> development people in the farm system.  To top it all off, the stadium
|> fell apart and the Expos were forced to play their last month on the
|> road.  The only thing left was a Expos team with some young stars in
|> place and plenty of promising youngsters on the horizon.
|> 
|> The team started spring training with a bang as Runnells tried to
|> transform it into a military camp.  Further complicating things was
|> the reluctance of Tim Wallach to switch to first (which was a bad
|> solution to the first base problem anyways) and Ivan Calderon's injury
|> to his shoulder.  The only things for sure going into the spring were
|> that Marquis Grissom, Delino DeShields, and Larry Walker positions
|> were written in stone and that four of the starters would be Dennis
|> Martinez, Ken Hill, Chris Nabholz, and Mark Gardner.  Thats it.  Even
|> DeShields was coming off a bad sophmore year and was not close to a
|> favorite of mine at that point.  Big question marks were John
|> Wetteland and anyone else in the bullpen, a fifth starter, Wil Cordero
|> at shortstop, and catching.  The first and third base situation was a
|> major headache.
|> 
|> Well, over the year alot of the uncertainty has vanished.  And how!
|> How could a team with so many question marks even contend for the NL
|> East title?  Most prognosticators read the situation as another last
|> place finish for the 'spos.  My own prediction certainly didn't see them
|> contending but I "knew" they wouldn't finish last again.
|> 
|> Positives: The most important change was Felipe Alou as manager.
|> Almost overnight, pessimism changed to optimism.  Walker, Grissom, and
|> most incredibly DeShields developed from the promise they always had
|> into bona fide players.  Arci Cianfrocco led a long list of promising
|> major league debuts of youngsters from the farm system.  John
|> Wetteland struggled early but gained confidence and has become a
|> excellent closer (easily the best since Reardon -- whether he is
|> better is yet to be seen).  Mel Rojas developed into an excellent
|> setup man after starting the year at Indy.  Jeff Fassero showed
|> promise last year as a reliever and became a decent left hander in the
|> bullpen.  Moises Alou development into a excellent outfielder and
|> hitter (after a year on the DL) was a big surprise and made most
|> people forget about Calderon.  Brian Barnes solidified the fifth
|> starter position (at least for a while) when he was called up in June.
|> Wil Cordero is the first "future shortstop for the Expos" that may
|> actually come close to fulfilling the prophecies about him.  He did
|> pretty well after he was finally called up after a disastrous spring
|> and some time on the DL.  Even so, Spike Owen had by far his best year
|> as an Expo, with his normal consistency on defense and a surprisingly
|> good offensive year (approx .270 average and a great OBA as usual).
|> Unfortunately, he will probably be some where else next year.  His
|> leadership abilities will be sorely missed.  Greg Colbrunn looks like
|> a solid hitter but may not have a position if he can't catch.  The
|> Expos are also high on Tim Laker but I haven't seen why yet.  A late
|> acquisition at 3rd, Sean Berry, has also shown some good things
|> recently.  Bret Barbarie played well after a disastrous start (he has
|> a great OBA even though his average isn't that great).  Gary Carter
|> and Tim Wallach, if only for their leadership in the club house for
|> all these young players.  I'm sure Felipe was happy they were around
|> (what a great moment for Carter and Expos fans last Sunday at Olympic
|> Stadium).  Even the long road trip at the end of the 1991 season
|> turned into a positive as the Expos had a great record on the road
|> this year (now if they could only learn to win at home ... %^).
|> 
|> Negatives: Tim Wallach.  Didn't hit at all.  Did OK but not great
|> defensively.  He just gets alot of "bad" outs (strikeouts, popups, and
|> hard grounders that turn into double plays).  Gary Carter and Darrin
|> Fletcher. Both call a great game, but can't throw anybody out and
|> are terrible offensive players -- again many "bad" outs.  Even with
|> Tim Laker, Greg Colbrunn, and Sean Berry in future plans, the Expos
|> have really not solved their problems at first, third, or catcher.
|> The Expos will probably lose three good young players in the expansion
|> draft.
|> 
|> If Alou doesn't get rehired after the season, there'll be a lynch mob
|> waiting for Dan Duquette in Montreal.  He shouldn't be manager of the
|> year because Jim Leyland deserves that honor, but he should be a close
|> second (Art Howe deserves strong consideration here also).
|> 
|> Carl


   WELL SAID!!!