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Flyers Weekly, Volume XXVI, Issue 1 - January 22, 1973

Hot Stove Issue

RP Terry Bingham, RP Oscar Matthews, SS Dave Powell, OF John Hoyle and OF John Trull all head for free agency, leaving a lack of depth in both the bullpen and the outfield, as you'll see in our Winter Organization-Wide Scouting Report:


Starting Pitchers

Bill Morgan [9/6/6] (15-4, 2.60, WHIP 1.16) and Keith Becker [8/10/3] (14-10, 3.04, WHIP 1.04) may be the top one-two punch in the league. Justin Randolph [6/7/7] (19-6, 3.36, WHIP 1.26) and Ken Green [7/6/7] (11-8, 4.38, WHIP 1.37) will probably begin the year in the rotation, as neither Jeremiah Davis [9/4/7] (4.32 in 8 1/3 IP last year; 15-9, 3.38, WHIP 1.36 in 1971) nor Bud Fox [3/10/7] (2.79 in 9 2/3 IP last year; 9-8, 3.60, WHIP 1.32 in 1971) are certain to be ready for Opening Day. Also waiting in the wings are Bill Frazier [5/7/5] (12-5, 4.34, WHIP 1.47), Gerald Bonham [6/5/5] (10-4 in 16 AAA GS, 2.80, WHIP 1.24) and Wilbert Cagle [4/5/7] (4-0 in 6 AAA GS, 1.34, WHIP 1.02).

Relief Pitchers

With the departure of Bingham, Kevin Hodgkins [8/8/9] (1.89 in 71 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.02) will take over the closer's role. Also returning are Bruce Rafferty [6/8/4] (1.93 in 32 2/3 IP, WHIP 1.29), Dave Elliot [7/6/6] (2.68 in 57 IP, WHIP 1.23) and Cecil Nelson [6/5/5] (4.30 in 29 1/3 AAA IP, WHIP 1.43), along with southpaws Bob Lamb [5/10/3] (3.83 in 96 1/3 IP, WHIP 1.21) and Johnny Westerman [8/7/5] (2.27 in 47 2/3 AAA IP, WHIP 1.01).

Catchers

Mike Weber [6/8/7] (.294, 20 HR, 85 RBI, 92 R, 84 BB) should be recovered from his late-season back injury before April comes around, and Tom VanWinkle [5/4/3] (.217 in 83 AB, 2 HR, 10 RBI) will hopefully continue to develop as Weber's backup. Gary Armitage [4/1/9] (.267 in 150 AAA AB, 57 BB) and Ron Ayres [4/6/5] (.270 in 137 AA AB, 10 HR, 35 RBI) also remain in the organization.

First Basemen

Everett Putman [6/3/4] (.299 in 331 AB, 0 HR, 44 RBI) and Darrel Robinson [5/7/6] (.272 in 206 AB, 5 HR, 25 RBI) both return, with Putman as the starter. Steve Brown [5/7/7] (.208 in 125 AB, 3 HR, 10 RBI) goes back to AAA Winston-Salem, where he always put up fine numbers (.295 in 292 AAA AB, 30 HR, 77 RBI, 22 2Bs). Last year's first-rounder, John Radcliffe [3/2/4] (.224 in 361 A-ball AB, 3 HR, 37 RBI, 21 2Bs) will remain in Columbus.

Second Basemen

Clark Davidson's [5/4/9] (.261, 7 HR, 48 RBI, 92 R, 80 BB, 40 SB) late-season turnaround, combined with the team's need of a leadoff hitter, makes Dave Snow [8/6/5] (.275 in 385 AB, 8 HR, 62 RBI) expendable, since $3 million is a lot to pay your designated pinch-hitter. If needed, Thomas Wilkins [5/3/4] (.415 in 41 AB; .292 in 496 AAA AB, 13 HR, 60 RBI, 23 2Bs, 20 SB) would make a solid backup.

Third Basemen

At age 22, Mike Schaaf [9/6/4] (.299, 13 HR, 88 RBI, 23 2Bs) looks to improve on a solid season. Snow and Robinson will see some time at the hot corner, too.

Shortstops

Alan Bruns [6/2/7] (.271, 4 HR, 57 RBI, 70 BB) will again get the starting nod, forcing Francis to the outfield.

Left Fielders

Though Frank Thomas [6/4/4] (.286 in 185 AB, 1 HR, 19 RBI) will be ready for spring training after breaking his wrist late last year, this position is probably the Flyers' biggest hole going into the season. If no pickups are made, Clement Bodine [5/4/5] (.364 in 33 AAA AB; .281 in 430 AA AB, 14 HR, 61 RBI, 93 BB, 22 2Bs) may get a chance to compete for this job.

Center Fielders

Paul LaFontaine [9/6/3] (.360, 10 HR, 80 RBI, 95 R, 24 2Bs) returns after setting a new team record for hits (213). John Swanson [4/5/8] (.309 in 94 AB, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 10 2Bs) will likely be the backup.

Right Fielders

Dale Francis [6/6/6] (.311, 17 HR, 91 RBI, 93 R, 27 2Bs) has lost a step but can still cover the ground in right. Rick Roberts [4/4/8] (.228 in 378 AB, 4 HR, 39 RBI, 69 R, 64 BB) returns as well, but the fourth outfielder slot could also use improvement.


Financial Report

With $88.6 million in revenue (including $1.7 million from the playoffs) and $75.0 million in payroll, the Flyers made a $13.5 million profit last year, giving them just under $24 million in cash on hand.

This year, the club can already count on an extra $2 million from their new broadcasting contract, while the current payroll stands at just $70.7 million, led by SP Bill Morgan ($8.4 mil), CF Paul LaFontaine ($8.0 mil), RF Dale Francis ($8.0 mil), SP Keith Becker ($5.3 mil) and C Mike Weber ($5.1 mil).

Nine Flyers got at least a million dollars out of arbitration this season, one more than last year: SP Keith Becker ($5.3 mil), C Mike Weber ($5.1 mil), SP Jeremiah Davis ($4.9 mil), SP Justin Randolph ($4.8 mil), RP Kevin Hodgkins ($4.2 mil), SP Bud Fox ($3.0 mil), SS Alan Bruns ($1.9 mil), RP Bruce Rafferty ($1.8 mil) and RP Dave Elliot ($1.8 mil). Hodgkins, Rafferty and 1B Darrel Robinson may earn their free agency rights during this season, while 2B/3B Dave Snow is definitely headed to the open market after this year.