From: baseball@catch-the-fever.scd.ucar.edu (Gregg Walters)
Subject: Re: Cubs Protected 15?????
Organization: Scientific Computing Divison/NCAR Boulder, CO
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 19:06:19 GMT

> These should be the 15 (not counting Dawson or Maddux because of impending free
> agency.
>
> 1. Ryne Sandberg
> 2. Mark Grace
> 3. Shawon Dunston
> 4. Mike Morgan
> 5. Frank Castillo
> 6. Sammy Sosa
> 7. Rick Wilkins
> 8. Steve Buschele
> 9. Mike Harkey
> 10.Derrick May
> 11.Shawn Boskie
> 12.Joe Girardi
> 13.Bob Scanlan
> 14.Rey Sanchez
> 15.Doug Dacenzo

I'll second that list, to the man.  Having followed the Cubbies for 34 years
(HOLY COW!), the last 14 intensively with access to them on cable, I think I
know their talent pool pretty well.

If the Cubs sign Maddux (PLEASE, OH PLEASE) I would drop Boskie from this list.
I believe there is a good chance that Dawson won't be drafted (for that matter,
as a 10 & 5 man, maybe he can't be), because of his age and perhaps only the Cubs
can both afford and want to "showcase" his final years.  Maybe a verbal agreement
has already been made behind the scenes.  Anybody know or care to speculate?

Given a Maddux signing, then after the first round, I believe the next 3 Cubs
protected would be (assuming they weren't taken) Boskie, Assenmacher, and
Vizcaino.  After round 2, (again assuming they weren't taken), McElroy,
Robinson (or Bullinger), and Dwight Smith.  It gets fuzzier past this point.
Do the Cubs have another first baseman in the minors?  About the only people
who have or could spell Grace are Villanueva, Salazar, Dwight Smith.  Maybe
its time, if they keep Dawson, to try him at first base occasionally -
especially on astroturf, to keep his bat in the game without pounding the
pavement in right field.

Judging by the performance of their minor league system, I don't think the
Cubs have much to protect down there.  Who is Doug Glanville?  Is he the
center fielder they drafted last spring?  Gary Scott is showing little sign
of improving his offense.  They won't protect Walton.  Slocumb is a big
question mark - throws hard, but can he learn to pitch?

Does Dave Smith's contract expire this year?  I hope they don't have to
protect him or Patterson.

> Now I'm not sure if minor leaguers can be protected or not, if so the Cubs may
> protect Doug Glanville among others.

Yes, they can be.  All players on the team's 40 man roster, including guys
in the minors, are subject to the draft, unless on the 15-man protected list.

I hope the Rockies draft Villanueva - the big guy oughta be a big hit here,
There's a short left field in Mile High for his homers, and he can both catch
and play first base.  I bet that he is drafted early.  Sure, he's slow afoot,
and not particularly good defensively, but from what I have observed of him,
his personality would be a great asset in the dugout/clubhouse for an
expansion team.  If the Cubs don't protect Dascenzo, I hope the Rockies
nab him for left field (I don't think his arm is strong enough for the yawning
expanses of Mile High's center and right fields).  Dawson played in Denver
years ago - if the Cubs let him go, he might make a good free agent for the
Rockies to sign, but they would certainly have to find a speedy center fielder
to cover the gappers.  Then again, Dawson may want to play in his hometown,
Miami.

Gregg