Righting Wrongs - 1999 Cubs, White Sox and Reds

 

Aguilera had a...decent 2000 card from the Cubs. But he wasn't best known as a Cub. Just like with Beck previously, many people wouldn't otherwise know that there was a much better version of a reliever in the not too distant past. As part of the World Champion Twins, Rick offers a much better control and chart to close out your wins with.

I couldn't decide between these two versions of Lance Johnson, so I decided to post both. On one hand you can select the Johnson with a very attractive chart that makes his official 2000 card blush, or you can opt for the previous version with a higher on-base and way higher speed for the exchange of natural homers and corner outfield eligibility. Either way, you get a rock solid defender with speed.

Gary Gaetti had a homer heavy chart with a sad 5 on-base that no one feared. Put him back on the Royals during his last great season and see what happens when he has a slightly better on-base. He keeps his perfect +3 defense at 3rd and adds some 1B coverage, too.

Mike Caruso's card was abysmal, and he barely had a career to pick from. Amazingly, one year before he was a much better player that finished 3rd in AL ROY voting. Not a very good card, but waaaaaay better than the 5 on-base, no power version that we got in 2000.

Brett Tomko in 1999 had a solid control of 5, but gave up way too many doubles and allowed homers on his chart. His brief stint with San Diego almost a decade later made for a much better option. Reliever instead of starter, but a good 2IP and an even better control, and most importantly he doesn't allow homers.