Also at the Winter Meetings the Free Agent draft was held. Here the Hawks were again very successful, and are pleased to announce the following acquisitions:
Starting pitcher John Thomson, a 24 year old right handed pitcher, who showed in 1997 he may have all the tools to be the cornerstone of the Hawks starting pitching corps in 1999. Joining Thomson on the hill will be Mike Johnson, another young arm with a big upside. Veterans Rich Krivda and Rickey Bones round out the starting pitching selections.
In the bullpen the Hawks again were able to come away with two fine arms in the persons of Scott Sullivan and Clint Sodowsky. Both are young, hard throwing righties who will be counted on in a big way in 1999. Also aquired was Mike Bielecki who suffered arm injuries in '97, but when healthy can be an effective man in the pen.
Position players were few and far between, but despite the slim pickin's the Hawks acquired the services of some fine veterans. Catcher Brent Mayne will be counted on to handle the young staff in '99. He brings excellent defense to the team, and swings a good bat as well. Firstbaseman Hal Morris also comes on board, a veteran hitter who is looking to rebound from a power shortage in '97. Hal has always been a high average hitter and the Hawks hope he can turn things around in '99. The last player to announce is utility man Rex Hudler. Rex is the consummate man for all positions, and in all likelihood will be assuming that role for the Hawks.
The Expansion Draft:
Rhody went into the expansion draft with high hopes of stealing away some talent, and accomplished the goal of putting out an interesting team for the '99 season. Young talent was at a premium, thus the decision to bring in a veteran lineup, while building for the future through the rookie auction and free agent draft. The outfield looks like Brady Anderson, Brian McRae, and Jose Cruz, with Cal Ripken, Kevin Elster, Tony Fernandez, Hal Morris, and a combo of John Flaherty and Brent Mayne behind the plate. On the hill, Charles Nagy will lead a starting staff that includes Cal Eldred, and some nice arms in the pen with Arthur Rhodes, Jeff Brantley, Donovan Osborne, and Mike James. Manager Hawkins noted "I like our position players, and I believe we'll be OK with the gloves. We'll be looking to upgrade at shortstop. Offensively, I'd like to add some power in the middle. Of course, my number one priority will be to upgrade our pitching.
Projected Lineup: Starting Pitchers Bullpen 1. Brady Anderson 1. Charles Nagy Arthur Rhodes 2. Tony Fernandez 2. John Thomson Rickey Bones 3. Cal Ripken 3. Cal Eldred Scott Sullivan 4. Brian McRae 4. Donovan Osborne Clint Sodowsky 5. Jose Cruz Jeff Brantley 6. Hal Morris 7. Brent Mayne/ John Flaherty 8. Kevin Elster