From: gritter@cs.purdue.EDU (Carl R. Gritter)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: Which team is most improved???
Date: 2 Oct 92 05:02:09 GMT
Organization: Department of Computer Science, Purdue University

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
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