CLEARWATER, Fla. — The biggest free-agent acquisition of Andy MacPhail’s career as a general manager came in February of 1991 when he signed Jack Morris away from Detroit with a one-year deal to play for his hometown Twins. Morris would throw an iconic 10-inning complete game that season and help the Twins win the World Series.
MacPhail, the Phillies president, was reminded of the timing of the move on Friday morning as he pondered the current crop of pitchers that remain unsigned as camps across baseball finish their openings weeks. Player acquisition is a 12-month business, MacPhail said.