Gibson May Find Pickings Slim in Free-Agent Market

Will Kirk Gibson be 1985’s answer to Rick Sutcliffe?

One year ago, Sutcliffe was the class of the free-agent market. He opted to test the waters even though he later said he had nearly every intention of returning to the Chicago Cubs. Sutcliffe didn’t hurt himself by declaring free agency as he signed a pact worth about $1.8 million a year.

Gibson is the class of the current free-agent market and in some ways is in a similar situation to Sutcliffe.

The Detroit Tiger outfielder has close ties to Michigan, having played collegiate football and baseball there and having family roots in the city. He also has enjoyed his glory days with the Tigers.

Gibson is an ideal player to have on a ballclub. He is still young (28), can hit and hit with power, runs the bases extremely well and has a fiery, competitive spirit that is contagious.

Gibson may wind up opting for the bigger bucks he may get elsewhere, but the bet is that he, like Sutcliffe, will feel the pangs of loyalty and stay with the Tigers.

But an interesting comment from Cub President-General Manager Dallas Green a few days ago may serve warning that another round of intense Sutcliffe-like bidding may not occur for anyone this year. Green, who could use a Gibson-type playing right field in the cozy confines of Wrigley Field, says he won’t get into the megabucks bidding for any other team’s players.

If a deal could be worked out for Gibson via the traditional trade routes, fine. Otherwise, no sale for Gibson and his agent with the Cubs. The Tiger star may find similar responses from other interested teams who feel the same way Green does about free agency.

There are some other players who have already declared for free agency that would help a ballclub, if not for the long term certainly the short term.

White Sox catcher Carlton Fisk is coming off his most productive season and isn’t likely to stay with Chicago. The New York Yankees still have their eye on the 37-year-old veteran and they may outbid other clubs for his services.

Relief pitcher Donnie Moore of the Angels is coming off a very good year but he hasn’t had the consistency throughout his career.