In 1988, the Milwaukee Brewers won the AL Central for the first time since 1982. In their franchise history they have won 7 AL Central Division Titles, as well as 4 AL East Division Titles. And for the first time since 1981, the Chicago White Sox did not make an appearance in the playoffs, coming up short of the 2nd Wild Card spot by 3 games. 1988 saw both the Cleveland Spiders and the Kansas City Royals lose more games than they did in 1987 and dip under .500, while the Minnesota Twins improved their 1987 record by 2 games but saw their ace walk away in free agency.
1988 AL Central Standings
Milwaukee, 92-70
Chicago, 86-76
Cleveland, 78-84
Kansas City, 77-85
Minnesota, 64-98
Milwaukee Brewers
1988 Record: 92-70, Lost ALDS to California
1989 Prediction: 93-69
Key Additions
1B Scott Braband (Free Agency)
1B Dan Linson (Free Agency)
Key Losses
RF Heriberto Trevino (Free Agency)
Top Players
DH Joseph Daigle (5.0 WAR; 1988 All Star and Silver Slugger)
SP Jerrod Pryor (4.6 WAR; 1988 Rookie of the Year)
3B Juan Santos (4.3 WAR)
Since the inception of the AL Central and 5 team playoff format, Milwaukee has won 7 division titles and even 2 Wild Card berths since expansion in 1977. They have been to the playoffs 13 times since their inception as the Seattle Pilots in 1969 and move to Milwaukee the following season. The Brewers are the most successful team of the 1969 expansion winning 2 World Series in 1976 and 1979 and winning 6 American League pennants. They have not won an AL Pennant since 1982, which was also the last time they won the AL Central prior to 1988. Even during their dry spell of division titles, they never had a record fall below 83-79 despite missing the playoffs 3 of the last 6 seasons. The Brewers GM is the winningest GM since 1970 with a record of 1,851 wins and 1,228 losses, and one of only 2 teams in RLB history to register a winning percentage above .600. The Brewers also has the 10th best minor league system, the 2nd best in the AL Central at the beginning of the 1989 season, and two Top 50 Prospects in LF Ruben Cabrera (OSA #11) and 2B Justin Morris (OSA #37)
Milwaukee is going into 1989 with primarily the same starting rotation as 1988. Rookie of the Year SP Jerrod Pryor (4.6 WAR) leads a staff that also includes Gary Brasher (4.0 WAR), Juan Quintanilla (3.0 WAR), Jeremy Goldberg (3.0 WAR) and Tim Goodhart (3.4 WAR). Their bullpen features Daniel Olsen (2.1 WAR) and Jeremy Innis (1.0 WAR)
Their lineup remains intact, with RF Heriberto Trevino being replaced by LF Jarred McCombs (2.5 WAR). The rest of their outfield will include RF Dan Norris (1.3 WAR), RF Ruben Avila (3.7 WAR), CF Willie Hernandez (1.1 WAR). Their infield will include free agent signing and former Texas Ranger 1B Scott Braband (-0.1 WAR), who is coming off a horrible year but is hoping to regain some of that former spark he once had. At 3B is Juan Santos (4.3 WAR) now in at the age of 33 will turn 34 during his third RLB season. In the middle infield, the Brewers have 2B Rich Patterson (0.8 WAR) and SS Mike Garcia (0.4 WAR) coming back, both have won at least one Gold Glove at their respective positions. Behind the plate is fan favorite C Greg Williams (2.9 WAR). The 1989 Brewers should be able to capitalize on their 1988 season.
Chicago White Sox
1988 Record: 86-76
1989 Prediction: 84-78
Key Additions
SP Alex Gonzalez (Free Agency)
SP Josh Henderson (Trade SEA)
SP Rauno Myllyniemi (Free Agency)
SP Nick Miller (Trade SD)
LF Justin Weinmeister (Trade COL)
3B Mike Rece (Rule 5 Pick)
C David Mendoza (Free Agency)
SS Sean Holmstrom (Trade BAL)
CF Leo Lopez (Free Agency)
Key Losses
C Juan Sordia (Free Agency)
SP Sean Russell (Trade COL)
SP Elias Laguna (Retirement)
SP Mike Howard (Trade PIT)
RP Carlos Ramirez (Trade COL)
SS Mike Colich (Free Agency)
Top Players
SS Garret Myron (3.3 WAR)
RF Jonathan Gardner (2.7 WAR)
LF Justin Gurley (2.6 WAR)
Since 1977, Chicago has seen 7 trips to the playoffs and 4 division titles (1983, 1985, 1986, 1987) which also included an AL pennant in 1987. And since 1977, the White Sox has only fallen under .500 twice, in 1979 and 1981. The White Sox have won 1,064 and lost 880 games since their GM took over Baseball Operations in 1977. His wins rank 11th among active GMs and 15th all-time. Since 1977, they have registered 3 seasons above .600 and won a franchise record 103 games in 1985.
With the loss of SP Elias Laguna (2.9 WAR), SP Mike Howard (2.4 WAR), and SP Sean Russell (2.6 WAR), the White Sox made a big splash in free agency and trades to not only replace Laguna, Howard, and Russell, but also improve their staff for 1989. They signed longtime Yankee SP Alex Gonzalez (3.1 WAR) and longtime Twin Rauno Myllyniemi (2.6 WAR). Gonzalez comes into Chicago with 119 career wins against 89 losses, a 3.22 ERA and a career WAR of 40.6. Myllyniemi, in 7 seasons in Minnesota, has 55 wins and 92 losses, a 4.09 ERA and a career WAR of 26.5, Myllyniemi suffered from lack of run support with the Twins averaging 1.7 runs per game with him on the mound. In 1988, the White Sox averaged 4.4 runs per game and Myllyniemi is likely to see a resurgence in his career behind their bats. The White Sox also traded a prospect by the name of Jason Copeland to San Diego to acquire SP Nick Miller (1.3 WAR) and a couple prospects that the White Sox turned into the SP Josh Henderson (2.8 WAR) deal, sending SP Mike Garcia (OSA #45), LF Jason Weil (OSA #141), and a couple more prospects along with newly acquired SP Phil Koster (2.1 WAR). The White Sox still retain the services of SP Tony James (2.4 WAR), SP John Thompson (2.6 WAR), and SP Jim Kist (1.7 WAR). It’s probable that 1 of their 7 starters may be gone before the season starts or relegated to long relief, but honestly, it may not be a stretch to call the White Sox’s pitching staff among the best in baseball going into 1989.
Behind the plate, Chicago is losing 1988 All Star and Gold Glove winner, C Juan Sordia (3.5 WAR). He is being replaced by Cuban free agent C David Mendoza. They also picked up C Chad Hefley (0.3 WAR in AAA) in a trade with San Francisco. Their core lineup remains intact from 1988, with their infield consisting of 1B Luis Minjarez (0.8 WAR), 2B Sean Holmstrom (-0.1 WAR) 3B Beau Walters (1.7 WAR) and SS Garret Myron (3.3 WAR). Holmstrom was picked up in a trade that saw SP Josh Plante (OSA #195) and CF Eddie Witham head to Baltimore. Myron had a comeback season in 1988, his first year in Chicago after a trade brought him there from Toronto. The White Sox also picked up 3B Mike Rece (2.7 WAR in AAA) in the Rule 5 Draft from Milwaukee, but if he will remain on the 25-man roster is yet to be seen. The White Sox added LF Justin Weinmeister (0.7 WAR) to their outfield through a trade that sent SP Sean Russell and prospect RF Matt Sanders to Colorado. Their outfield also has free agent signing CF Leo Lopez (0.4 WAR) who will play his first season outside of Texas in his 11-year career that saw him win a Gold Glove and appear at an All-Star Game. Another outfielder and longtime Brave RF Cameron Buerkley (-0.5 WAR) looks to bounce back from a disappointing 1988 season. The 1989 White Sox were built to play in October.
Cleveland Spiders
1988 Record: 78-84
1989 Prediction: 102-60
Key Additions 2B Brian Lindsey (Trade COL)
C Derick Mirarchi (Free Agency)
CF James Anstine (Free Agency)
RP Justin Beyer (Trade BAL)
SP Chris Bianucci (Trade SF)
RP Eddie Contreras (Trade SF)
1B Matt Collins (Trade DET)
C Jason Johnson (Trade SF)
Key Losses
2B Jim Barnes (Free Agency)
SP Ryan Barrett (Free Agency)
RF Bill Hundley (Free Agency)
Top Players
3B Juan Perez (3.5 WAR)
SS Alan Ciappi (3.3 WAR; 1988 All-Star)
SP Jesse Straight (2.5 WAR)
In 1987, the Cleveland Spiders ended the season above .500 for the first time in 5 seasons with an 82-80 record but fell to a 78-84 record in 1988 mainly due to injuries to the team’s core lineup. Since expansion in 1969, the Spiders have only made it to the playoffs once, in 1980 as a Wild Card team. They have had 7 winning seasons since 1969 but have not won a pennant or been to the World Series since 1964. After their World Series win, they spent the remainder of the 1960s, 1-3 games back of the AL Champion 3 times and twice behind the eventual AL East Division Champions. Since 1984, when the Spiders GM took over Baseball Operations, the team has been rebuilding hoping to compete in 1988. Will 1989 be their breakout year?
After a huge offseason trade to acquire 3 time All-Star and 4-time Silver Slugger Brian Lindsey (6.9 WAR) from Colorado that sent prospects 2B Bob Cockrell (OSA #8), SP Kaleb Fox (OSA #80), RP Edgar Arreguin, 1B Tom Yunger, and RP Jon Heckertt, Cleveland already added to a young dynamic team. The Spiders also acquired young slugging 1B Matt Collins (1.4 WAR) from Detroit and swapped catchers with San Francisco bringing in more power with C Jason Johnson (-0.0 WAR). Collins and Lindsey will join an infield that also includes 3B Juan Perez (3.5 WAR), SS Alan Ciappi (3.3 WAR), and 1B Ray Maas (2.8 WAR). Their outfield will include LF David Stanard (1.5 WAR), who only played 73 games in 1988 in his first RLB season due to a concussion. Joining Stanard in the outfield is RF Jeff Arnold (2.1 WAR) and CF William Pichardo (1.2 WAR).
The Spiders’ added SP Chris Bianucci (0.6 WAR) and RP Eddie Contreras (0.2 WAR) in a trade with San Francisco, and RP Justin Beyer (0.4 WAR) from Baltimore. Bianucci will join SP A.J. Beauchamp (4.1 WAR), in his first full year as a Spider, SP Jesse Straight (2.5 WAR) and Ken Post (1.4 WAR) in the rotation. In the bullpen, the Spiders have RP Lance Trussell (0.4 WAR) and RP Andrew Fisher (1.5 WAR). The Spiders pitching has an average age of 25.33, the 4th youngest in baseball headed into 1989. They also have SP Matt Christopher (OSA #14) in their minor league system. 1989 will be the season the Spiders finally break out of their mediocre slump.
Kansas City Royals
1988 Record: 77-85
1989 Prediction: 71-91
Key Additions
1B Todd Davis (Trade COL)
1B Kevin Vetter (Trade COL)
2B Carlos Serrano (Trade COL)
LF Dean Madden (Rule 5 Draft)
LF Josh Wilz (Rule 5 Draft)
RP Chris Hibbard (Trade DET)
RP Carlos Ramirez (Trade COL)
RP Shaun Hargrave (Rule 5 Draft)
Key Losses
SS Brad Shaw (Free Agency)
SP Kurt Ricks (Trade CIN)
SP Scott Duhl (Trade CHC)
CL Dave Arandia (Trade COL)
LF Gabe Asher (Released)
2B Chris Mayfield (Free Agency)
CF Arturo Aguirre (Free Agency)
CF Randy Rogers (Free Agency)
1B John Price (Free Agency)
C Josh Peyser (Free Agency)
RP Pete Dwiggens (Free Agency)
Top Players
SP Daniel Ledezma (3.6 WAR)
2B Jeff Boender (2.8 WAR)
SP Joel Aredondo (2.7 WAR)
After a disappointing 1987 losing streak, where management felt it was time for a full rebuild, 1988 wasn’t that bad for the Royals as they went 77-85 losing only 4 games more than 1987. 1987 was the franchise’s second-best record after their 1984 division title year when the club would win 94 games but lose in 5 games to eventual World Series Champion New York Yankees in the playoffs. Even their 77-win 1988 would tie as the franchise’s third best record (1976, 77-85). The Royals post the third worst career winning percentage in baseball, only the Seattle Mariners and Florida Marlins have worst winning percentages. Of the 1969 expansion teams, the Royals are the only team to make the playoffs just once. Under new management again, the Royals brought back the GM they first hired before the 1986 season, hoping that he'll take them to their first World Series, but 1989 will not be an easy ride.
The 1989 Royals will feature 10 pitchers with less than 75.0 inning pitched and 2 pitchers who have never thrown in an RLB game before. The 1989 Royals will feature SP Joel Aredondo (2.7 WAR), SP Daniel Ledezma (3.6 WAR), SP Elijah Clark (0.7 WAR), CL Mike Thomas (1.4 WAR) and RP Aaron Rice (1.3 WAR). Their bullpen will likely hurt due to the CL Dave Arandia (4.1 WAR) trade, but Kansas City hopes this will be a temporary problem as in that trade they picked up RP Carlos Ramirez (1.9 WAR in AAA) and brought up Ed Allred (0.8 WAR in SRR), Morgan Anderson (0.3 WAR in AAA), SP Paullo Sottomaior (2.7 WAR in AAA) and traded for RP Chris Hibbard (1.0 WAR in AAA). The Royals pitching staff will be the second youngest in baseball at 24.96, behind only the Boston Red Sox.
The 1989 Royals will also feature 9 batters who have played in 20 games or less, and of those 9, 4 have never batted in an RLB game before. Among those coming back from last season are 2B Jeff Boender (2.8 WAR), 3B Jonathan Nunez (1.1 WAR), 3B/DH Jordan Hernandez (0.4 WAR), C Juan Torres (0.4 WAR) and RF Kent Rees (0.3 WAR). Joining them will be recently acquired 1B Todd Davis (2.8 WAR) straight off his World Series Championship with Colorado, 1988 Gold Glove winner 1B Kevin Vetter (2.7 WAR) and 2B Carlos Serrano (0.6 WAR) came by way of the Chicago Cubs SP Scott Duhl trade. Rule 5 Draftees LF Dean Madden (2.5 WAR in AAA) and Josh Wilz (1.0 in SA) will join Rees in the outfield along with Rookies Jason Burchett (2.2 WAR in AAA) and Andy Nelson (0.5 WAR in AAA). Starting at SS for the Royals in 1989 is Rookie Josh Shorter (1.7 WAR in AAA).
The Royals have the 9th best farm system in baseball right now with 4 Top 50 Prospects in SP John Cordle (OSA #13), SP Chris Curran (OSA #23), CF Zach Peake (OSA #25) and 2B Mike Bedingfield (OSA #42). Peake may be called up at some time in 1989, and Curran may see some RLB playing time, but as it stands right now, the Royals are poised to have their worst season since 1982 when they lost 102 games and are a few years away from competing.
Minnesota Twins
1988 Record: 64-98
1989 Prediction: 64-98
Key Additions
SP J.J. Holland (Free Agency)
SS Tim Finger (Rule 5 Draft)
SS Julio Marquez (Free Agency)
Key Losses SP Rauno Myllyniemi (Free Agency)
RP John Vick (Free Agency)
2B John Butler (Free Agency)
1B Effren Gallardo (Free Agency)
RP Hirokazu Nakada (Free Agency)
Top Players
1B Mike Klang (3.0 WAR)
SP Kory Williams (2.7 WAR)
SP Josh Doan (2.7 WAR)
Minnesota ended 1988 at the bottom of the AL Central for the 5th straight year after their magnificent 1983 season where they enjoyed a trip to the playoffs for the first time since their 1960 World Series title when they were still the Washington Senators. Since the 1969 expansion, they have only seen four winning seasons, with their 1970 season ending with 94 wins, but 5 games behind AL West Division Champions Chicago White Sox. Since 1973, they have posted a .441 winning percentage, but their GM ranks 13th all-time with wins, and 10th all-time among active GMs. With most of their young core from 1988 returning, with the exception of SP Rauno Myllyniemi who signed with long-time division rival Chicago White Sox. Will 1989 be the year they finally get out of the cellar?
The Twins’ pitching staff is anchored by SP Kory Williams (2.7 WAR), SP Josh Doan (2.7 WAR), SP Ted Carlos Rodriguez (2.3 WAR), SP Ted Pinkerton (1.2 WAR). Add newly signed SP J.J. Holland (1.4 WAR), RP Evan Gregg (1.2 WAR) and Rookie RP Ryan Conger (3.3 WAR in AA), the Twins’ pitching will likely turn some heads this season with the 6th oldest pitching staff in baseball at 28.12 years of age.
Their lineup is built around the power of 1B Mike Klang (3.0 WAR) and 2B Rich Bautista (2.2 WAR). Their infield also includes 3B Chad Van Cannon (2.1 WAR), along with the newly acquired SS Julio Marquez (2.9 in AAA), SS Tim Finger (2.0 in A) and the Rookie 2B Kyle Hightower (1.7 in AA). Their outfield holds the talents of LF Justin Carrithers (1.1 WAR), LF Ben Watson (1.1 WAR), RF Tom Casey (1.2 WAR) and joining them will be Rookie CF Matt Eassa (1.8 WAR in AA). Behind the plate the Twins have 23-year-old C Joe Van Noy (2.5 WAR), in his second big year in the majors. Minnesota also has two Top 50 prospects in their minors, CF Andre Smith (OSA #16) and RF Nate Pierce (OSA #34). If the Twins can provide their pitching staff runs their team could be a threat to division rivals.
Σχόλια