Traded to the Purple Starfish (Matt):
Pete Harnisch (6A)
Traded to the Opportunistic Infections (Bill C.):
Darren Dreifort (10C), Jacob Cruz (10R), Alan Benes (6A), the Starfish's current free agent pick and the Shepherds' second-round reserve pick
Traded to the Stanwyk Shepherds (Jeff T.):
Rico Brogna (18D), Joey Hamilton (13A) and Mark Grudzielanek (11D)
The Stanwyk Shepherds dealt Jacob Cruz (10R) to the Purple Starfish. The Shepherds then sent Darren Dreifort (10C) and their 1999 second-round pick to the Opportunistic Infections.
The Opportunistic Infections traded Rico Brogna (18D) and Joey Hamilton (13A) to the Stanwyk Shepherds. Then the Infections dealt Mark Grudzielanek (11D) and Pete Harnisch (6A) to the Purple Starfish.
The Purple Starfish traded Mark Grudzielanek (11D) to the Stanwyk Shepherds. Then the Starfish dealt Alan Benes (6A), Jacob Cruz (10R) and the Starfish's current free agent pick to the Infections.
Traded to Opportunistic Infections:
John Olerud (15C), Mark Gruzielanek (11D) and Terry Adams (9C)
Traded to Batbold:
Kevin Orie (8B), Livan Hernandez (5B) and a 12th-round 1998 reserve selection (Mike chose Paul Ah Yat, P, Pittsburgh)
Just like Major League Baseball’s defending champions (Florida), No Fehr’s 1997 champs appear to be a salary-dumping mode. And who can blame them? Batbold (Mike) has four starting pitchers headed into the final year of their contracts:
That’s a combined total of $77 committed to four pitchers, one of whom (Smoltz) is expected to miss at least a month of the season because of off-season surgery. So Batbold decided to deal two guys in their option year (Olerud and Adams), along with Grudzielanek, who’s entering the final year of his contract.
In return, Batbold gets two quality young players at solid prices and a late-round reserve pick. Orie doesn’t give you everything you want out of a third baseman, but he’s got a good upside. And Hernandez figures to suffer numerous late-inning losses thanks to the Marlins’ off-season overhaul, but his ERA and ratio should be great. Getting the two players (combined value for next year: $13) and a reserve pick gives Batbold the edge here.
However, the Infections could make out great if Rod Beck falters as the new closer in Chicago (it’s been known to happen). You have to wonder if the Cubs’ faith in Adams has disappeared, but he could be a steal if he inherits the job there (or somewhere else) in the next two years. Even at $9 this season, he should be a good value as a set-up man. I’d be surprised if he didn’t get 10 saves by accident.
Olerud appears to have had no trouble adjusting to the NL, and there’s little reason to expect him to revert to his 1996 form, when he floundered under Cito Gaston in Toronto. With Gant (29D), Gilkey (26D) and Olerud, the Infections should have a potent offensive trio if all three decide to play to their capabilities at the same time. This deal also gives the Infections another first baseman to put aside Brogna (18D).
Of course, it looks like Grudzielanek was probably the key to the deal. Clearly one of the top shortstops in the NL when he’s healthy (physically and mentally), Gruds makes it worth taking a chance on Adams and signing Olerud to a contract. Gruds is penciled in with new Cubs shortstop Blauser (a steal at 2B) in the Infections infield.
All in all, a very solid off-season deal for both teams. It’s usually hard to swing such a big trade in January, when several owner spots are still up in the air and the No Fehr expansion draft hasn’t been held. But this is the time where teams start positioning themselves for the roster submission day. Look for trade talk to pick up again as soon as the expansion draft is done...by Doug/Harry Careys