65 - 89, .422 pct. 5th in Marvin Miller Division, 19.5 games behind.
Overall
It was considered an accomplishment that Miami didn’t end up with the worst record in the WBL: that’s how low expectations were. As such, finding anything to cheer–José Canseco, Robin Yount, Camilo Pascual–makes it a successful season.
It’s all about the future, and while it isn’t exactly bright yet, there are some glimmers of hope in South Beach.
What Went Right
Not a helluva lot.
The Cuban Giants were bad. But they were supposed to be bad. The surprise was they didn’t end up with the worst record in the league: there is hope here, even if it is a few years away.
José Canseco had a nice season, with 35 homeruns and an .889 OPS, leading the team in most statistical categories.
Yasiel Puig and Smoky Burgess showed enough at the end of the season for some optimism about their roles next year, and Robin Yount did enough to lock down the SS position.
Martín Dihigo may be the best defensive prospect in the history of the game.
Eustaquio Pedroso and Alejandro Oms did enough to be intriguing (while Pedroso may never be much above average in the field or on the mound, he does both serviceably; Oms has star power).
Camilo Pascual looks like a front of the rotation starter and both José Méndez and Ramón Martínez showed flashes of that as well. Freddie Fitzsimmons and Phenomenal Smith were strong in brief showings, although Smith’s recovery from injury bears watching.
ALL STAR SELECTIONS OF José Canseco
What Went Wrong
Nobody could really take the C, 1B, 3B, or LF spot and claim it, although Jim Thome‘s tendency to launch 500 foot homeruns on the rare occasions he makes contact has certainly made him a fan favorite.
Martín Dihigo was the worst offensive performer in the league, perhaps.
Cole Hamels sort of imploded after his arrival. Hopefully, he bounces back.
Most everyone else who took the mound for Miami stunk up the joint.
Trade Evaluations
March
OF Yasiel Puig, 2B Cookie Rojas, 1B Joe Adcock, SP Liván Hernández to New York Gothams for 1B Will Clark, C Harry Danning, OF Carlos Morán
Half these guys came back, so we’ll net it out below. Morán did well enough, and looks like a keeper.
June
3B Manny Machado to Baltimore for P Mike Morgan, 1B Richie Sexson, C Chris Hoiles, 3B Joe Dugan
Machado was their second best player at this point, but there also was a logjam of talent on the left side of the infield. Sexson has potential, and Hoiles should be on the roster next year. Still, a bit of a loss here overall.
P Tommy Bridges to San Francisco for P Shawn Estes, P Turk Wendell & 5th Round Pick
Meh all around. Bridges was expendable, so getting anything is fine.
P Don Newcombe, P Clay Condrey & 4th Round Pick to Chicago for OF Minnie Miñoso
Newcombe can’t keep the ball in the park, and it doesn’t feel like you can get Miñoso’s potential in the 4th round. Would feel better about it if he hadn’t struggled so mightily after coming to Miami.
July
P Ed Bauta, 6th Round Pick & 7th Round Pick to House of David for IF Bert Campaneris, P Jeff Heathcock & 3rd Round Pick {Roy Thomas}
Feels like a steal.
P Rube Waddell, 2B Pete Runnels, 1B Will Clark to New York Gothams for P Freddie Fitzsimmons, 2B Cookie Rojas, OF Yasiel Puig & 2nd Round Pick {Josh Beckett}
OK, so you net this out and the deal is Adcock, Hernández, Runnels, and Waddell for Fitzsimmons, Danning, Morán, and a pick, which turned into Josh Beckett. Feels fine if Fitzsimmons or Beckett pan out.
Looking Forward
SP
Pascual, Méndez, and Hamels should be solid. But it drops pretty quickly after that. An area of need.
RP
Please, anybody. Pedroso and Dihigo will help out here occasionally.
C
Burgess and Andy Ashby should handle this next year, but unless Burgess takes control, this is an area of long term need.
1B
Some mixture of Thome, an aging Willie McCovey, and a young Richie Sexson should be OK here, although there could be an upgrade for sure.
2B
Cookie Rojas for now, with some spells from Paul Molitor (although Rojas may end up seeing more time in CF than anticipated). Long term, this is probably Martín Dihigo‘s most played spot.
3B
Carlos Móran‘s surprising shift here highlights how unsettled the position is. Gary Sheffield and Minnie Miñoso will both get time as well, although neither is a long term solve here. Willie Kamm has shown some promise, but again a long-term solve here would be good.
SS
Robin Yount, with some help eventually from Bert Campaneris. But basically Yount.
LF
Ryan Braun for now.
CF
This was a position of strength for the team last season, but seems like there has been regression across the board. Guessing Alejandro Oms sees a lot of time here, although Rojas can play here as well.
RF
Canseco and Puig.
The Rookie Draft
Rounds 1-4
This is a franchise that needs long term, top end talent. Given that, 19 year old Vladimir Guerrero was a no-brainer at #2 in the first round. Another teenager, CF Julio Rodríguez, was taken in round 2, which feels like the right kind of risk for the Cuban Giants. With the 17th pick of that round, they took their first pitcher, franchise selection Josh Beckett.
In the 3rd round, the Cuban Giants were pretty shocked that CF Roy Thomas–who could step right into their starting lineup–was still available.
Rounds 5-8
With the second pick of the 5th round, Miami exhausted their franchise exemptions with the choice of OF Jason Bay. They followed that with OF Mark Kotsay and P Jim Colborn.
Rounds 9-12
OF Randy Arozarena; P Luis Tiant, Sr; P José Lima; and 1B José López.