From: fierkelab@bchm.biochem.duke.edu
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball.fantasy
Subject: Re: Brewers catching 1993
Date: 15 Dec 92 23:01:32 GMT
Organization: Biochemistry

In reply to these questions, as I don't care about/am not likely to be able to
pick up Nielsen (sp) :), and am not keen on Jaha.

>3.  How certain are we that HoJo will be a third baseman next season?  As a 
>fantasy outfielder he'd be middle of the pack, but as a 3B, don't you think 
>he'd be wunnerful wunnerful?

Well, I didn't think it likely that the Mets have any idea what to do with
HoJo, nor did I think it likely that HoJo will recover to his pre-92 form. 
Without my reference books, I have to guess at his age, but he's got to be near
or at 35.  It can be awful tough to recover from injuries at his age, playing
in Shea Stadium doesn't help him, and he was starting to slip even before last
season. I play in a "commercial" league, where players have set salary values
based on their last two seasons and owners have X amount of "money" to spend on
them.  I felt that HoJo was not worth the 2.5 million it would take to resign
him (out of my 31 million available).  Therefore I planned to release him. 
Before I did, someone called and I sold him for 1 million and Luis Mercedes. 
I'm not big on Mercedes, but he's as likely to have a good year as HoJo is next
season.  (Of course, in different areas)

>
>4.  Pirate fans, I *need* a fast update on the Zane Smith situation.  We 
>draft in January, so I can't wait for spring training:  will he be ready for 
>Opening Day?  Will he get that start?
>
Hear hear!  I have already made preliminary cuts, and I (regretfully) released
Mr. Smith, ending an association that started when the Pirates picked him up
from the Expos.  Without solid information on his status (D*** that Pittsburgh
newspaper strike!), I couldn't justify his 2 million dollar price (see above). 
Of course, it helps that my starting rotation included Drabek, Appier, and Nagy
(with Arthur Rhodes waiting in the wings).  (Yep, it's a combined NL - AL
league)

Seriously, though, I can think of a couple of other reasons to be skeptical of
Zane Smith, even if his arm does recover.  The Pirates will be significantly
worse than last year, cutting down his win potential.  Without Barry Bonds and
ESPICALLY Jose Lind, the Pirates' fielding will be worse.  (Why Lind?  Zane
Smith is a ground ball pitcher, and Lind, regardless of his woes with the bat,
is still the best-fielding 2B in the game.  Great range, great glove.  Garcia
and Bell will be an OK DP combo next year, but not great, so figure that Zane
Smith will lose an extra 1 - 3 games there also, as well as pick up 0.25 - 0.5
in ERA.)  Finally, it would appear that Zane Smith would be the Pirate number 1
pitcher next season, if he fully recovers.  This means he's more likely to be
matched up against the likes of Dennis Martinez, Tom Glavine, Greg Swindell,
and other aces.  I like Zane Smith, but he's not that good.

However, if he's healthy this season, then he'd be a good bet to pick up NEXT
season, after the Pirates trade him to a playoff contender in late August. 
Yea, sorry Pirate fans, but I just don't see how you'll be better than 3rd in
your division next season.  Montreal will win the division, and St. Louis
should finish 2nd.  At least you shouldn't fall as far as the mid-70's Oakland
A's  did when they dismantled THEIR team!  Barring major changes, you should
win about 80 games, and still beat out NY, Chicago, and the Phutile Phillies.

>This net has gone a little silent lately.  Now is the time to plot our 
>strategies!
>
Well, here's my 2 cents worth!


Eric Roush			Deck us all with Boston Charlie
fierkelab@			Walla Walla Wash and Kalamazoo!
bchm.biochem.duke.edu	Nora's freezin' on the Trolley,
				Swaller Dollar Cauliflower Alla-ga-Roo!

				Walt Kelley
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball.fantasy