Bobby Beat 2004 v1: Offseason News and Notes

[jiminyhopkins]

Washington, DC--

JL Newcomer of the Year
As predicted in previous issues of Bobby Beat, slugging LF Jim Wilson has in fact won the JL NOY Award. Wilson becomes the second consecutive Bobwhite to take home the trophy, after 3B Paco Morales did so in 2002. Wilson received 18 first place votes, but only won by 19 total points (94-75) as Vancouver's Rick Daly was voted 2nd place on nearly every ballot.

Arbitration Results
The Bobs completed the arbitration period as expected, with the team only losing one case. Team officials had made no secret that players such as LF Daniel Kerber, reliever Marcos Cajigas, and veteran RF Terry Blass would be non-tendered, and that's exactly what happened. The biggest arb raise went to talented first baseman Darius Campbell, Jr., who will take home over $2.7 million next season to.... back up Neil McKinney at 1B. The lone player to beat the club in the hearings was lefty reliever Aurelio Rodriguez, who will pocket just shy of $1 million after recording a 5-1, 3.46 ERA season in the oft-maligned Washington 'pen.

Early FA Signings
Washington's efforts in free agency are focused almost exclusively on pitching. One of the club's targets has already signed the dotted line, that being starter Ron Burgundy, who is kind of a big deal. The big deal being that he was 14-10 with a 4.10 ERA and 179 K's last season, which is far better than any Bobwhite last year managed to produce. In addition, reliever and control artist Damario Poso joins the club on a 2 year deal. He looks to shore up the middle relief corps and possibly help Ed Widdicombe set up closer James Endres next season.

More news to come!