The Bullwhip - 1996.3 - Corngood Blindsided

[DoubleB]

The Record
July 21st, 1996
Hackensack, New Jersey
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Guy Corngood was in a good place. Coming off a 1995 season which saw him go 19-7 with a 2.90 ERA in 257 innings, the 34 year old lefty of the Hackensack Bulls had just signed a two year contract extension worth $8.5 Million per season, a deal likely to keep him in Hackensack for the remainder of his career. So comfortable was Corngood that he insisted the Bulls add a 'no trade' clause to the extension. He wanted to be in Hackensack.

But now, less than two months later, following the hiring of a new general manager in Hackensack, Corngood has been traded to the Chicago Black Sox in exchange for prospects SP Dean Marrufo, RP James Dao and C Billy Price. The Bulls, pressed up against the cap with too many aging veterans signed to multi-year deals, have jumped ahead of the pending contract extension on Corngood and dealt him just days before the trade deadline.

Corngood spoke to the media this morning: "It's a business... that's all it feels like today. My family and I thought we had secured our future in Hackensack. The extension for next season gave us great peace of mind heading into the winter, knowing where our kids would be going to school. I'm really kind of stunned right now."

For the Bulls, the trade following the jetisoning of Rashardo Menne Jr. to Des Moines and puts this week's salary purging at about $62 Million over the next two seasons, significant financial gains for a GM just 10 days on the job.

[tylertoo]

Blindsided indeed. Corngood's first start for the Black Sox: 1.2 IP, 7 hits, 5 ER. Methinks it was Black Sox management that was blindsided.

[lynchy34]

Blindsided indeed. Corngood's first start for the Black Sox: 1.2 IP, 7 hits, 5 ER. Methinks it was Black Sox management that was blindsided.

Perfetto returns from the DL in a couple days. Just saying.

And the Bulls are on much better financial footing after the salary purge. And my farm system thanks you, Brian.

[DoubleB]

I'm really not that high on Baldwin. McGriff was the one I didn't want to deal.

But that Menne Jr contract was just terrible... the contracts in Hackensack were out of control.

[lynchy34]

I'm really not that high on Baldwin. McGriff was the one I didn't want to deal.

But that Menne Jr contract was just terrible... the contracts in Hackensack were out of control.

Yeah, I'm actually not thrilled with any of them. I like, but don't love the guys I got back. They all have flaws - Baldwin's defense, McGriff's splits, etc.

[aaronweiner]

Except those were his top two prospects, and you gave up nothing except salary.

[DoubleB]

Except those were his top two prospects

.... according to Baseball America. Pass the salt.