[PilotMan]

During the year the team got Steve Garvey to resign for 2 years at half of what he had been making. Smart move for the team. I think Garvey sold himself short.


Valenzuela gets a 6-year/4.8M extension. The team avoids any early arbitration and he is signed through 1988.


Key losses in free agency were Derrel Thomas, Ray Burris, Terry Forster, Rick Monday, Bill Russell, and Rick Reuschel.


Ken Landreaux would be traded in January for Doc Medich (12-14, 3.54, 244.1IP, in 1982) and cash. The team is thinking about Medich as a #5 starter. Seems like a stiff price to pay, but maybe not.


The first five draft picks for the team at the end of the season were:


1^st round – Kurt Stillwell (SS)
2^nd – Joe Klink (RP)
3^rd – Casey Candaele (2B)
4^th – Billie Merrifield (3B)
5^th – Reggie Montgomery (LF)


The team drafted way at the back, but there's not a lot to get excited about there.


In February, the first big free agency signing for the team is consummated. The team is able to sign Floyd Bannister away from the Mariners to a 4yr/3.9M contract. Bannister adds to the southpaws of Valenzuela and Reuss, and was an All-Star the previous year with a record of 15-14, throwing 248 innings with a 3.38 ERA. That's a big improvement over Reuchel and Medich.


Just before the start of the year, Jerry Reuss gets a 2yr extension worth 1.6M.


In May, Burt Hooton gets his extension. His is worth a very affordable 632k over 2 years.