Tropic Times Vol. XVI (Oct 31 - Nov 24 '98)

[EchoesIE]

Honolulu, HA -- With the Arbitration Period behind us and Free Agency in front of us, General Manger Josh Cornel has alot of work to do. The Tropics were a fantastic 8 games ahead of the rest of the Pacific Division in the Johnson League before seeing in slip in the last month of play. The Tropics posted a dismal 5.04 ERA during the last month of play, while posting just a .262 Average. Cornel is always active in his note taking, and surely there must be a novel about the pitching staff in there somewhere. The Tropics bullpen wasn't terrible throughout the season, but the lack of a sure-fire starter throughout the season is surely something the Tropics need. SP Freddy Bilbao was injured on September 9th, and missed his last 3 scheduled starts. Bilbao had been the single starting pitching hope during the stretch of the season. SP Remington Little proved he belonged on the staff, but more as a #3 or #4 starter. The Tropics will surely look to spend some big bucks on the rotation this winter.

As far as offense goes, the Tropics weren't absolutely horrible. The Center Field slot was a rotating door for the Tropics, and Cornel will surely look to patch someone in there, at least until 1st Round Draft Pick OF Johnny Davis is ready to come to the premier league, where Cornel can slip him into the Left Field slot. 1st Base is another position which needs to be addressed, surely 1B David Smurf's 45 HR and 117 RBI couldn't hurt anything, but the 1st Baseman is 35, in the last year of a 2 year contract and has seen his defense slip into the abyss. Smurf would be a perfect candidate for a Designated-Hitter role, but might see limited time if his defense doesn't improve.

The Tropics minor league system has also suffered some setbacks, and it wouldn't be too unlikely to see Cornel go after some mid-range younger players, looking to perhaps find a diamond in the rough.

Arbitration Notes:
- SP Remington Little received a $600,000 arbitration decision. No news on whether or not the Tropics will attempt to sign Little to a multi-year deal.
- 3B Robb Wells saw his production net him a $1,980,000 Arbitration Deal. The 27 year old was productive in 1998, hitting .288 with 26 homeruns and 83 RBI. Cornel has expressed great interest in keeping Wells and making him a permanent solution in Honolulu.
- MR Ralph Desjardins got a $450,000 decision during Arbitration. No word on any extension for Desjardins.
- CL Leo Lopez was the biggest winner in Arbitration, receiving $4,965,000 in the decision. Cornel and Lopez have met a few times in the past weeks to discuss a multi-year deal.
- SP Freddy Bilbao was another big winner. $1,372,500 was awarded to Bilbao. Like Lopez, Bilbao and Cornel have talked extensively starting in early April about a multi-year deal for the 24 year old.
- CF Mark Paul Gosselaar won big, getting $1,152,000 in the arbitration. No decision yet whether the Tropics want to keep him or ship him off.

Free Agency Notes:
- Talks regarding SP Sammy Bodeen broke off late last week. Some slipped numbers indicated a 5-6 year deal worth well over $100 Million, Bodeen opted out and has decided to test Free Agency. The Tropics, if they don't sign him through Free Agency now, will at least receive some serious compensation for his Type-A Status.
- The other half of the Bodeen Trade, RP Ronald Darling also filed for Free Agency. Darling never sat well with the Tropics organization and wasn't offered a contract.
- Last, but certainly not least, LF Daniel Fabiano broke off initial talks with GM Josh Cornel. Fabiano hit .299 in 361 AB and wasn't nearly as productive as his numbers indicate. Its reported that Fabiano is still in talks with Cornel, but we'll see how things go.
- Tropics have vested interest in SP Jon Starr, who pitched against the Tropics last season.
- SP Dow Jones has also been targeted by the Tropics.
- RP John Rhoades is a 4-star RP whose been in talks with Hawaii.
- CF Eddie Guerrero has been looked at by the Tropics.