Transaction Analysis: September 1-7, 1999

Announced the resignation of manager Terry Collins; named Joe
Maddon interim manager; activated OF Matt Luke from the DL;
released RHP Mike James. [9/3]

Recalled RHP Brian Cooper from Edmonton. [9/4]

Recalled Cs Steve Decker and Bret Hemphill from Edmonton;
purchased the contracts of OF Jeff DaVanon and RHP Steve
Mintz from Edmonton; transferred OF Mike Colangelo from the 15-
to 60-day DL; designated RHP Geoff Edsell for assignment. [9/7]

Most of this is your average reshuffling of deck chairs on the Titanic, but
one name needs to be remembered in this group of callups and cuts: Brian
Cooper. Having made a full recovery from major surgery two years ago, and
happily profiting from an affiliation switch that made Midland, Texas a bad
memory, he’s had an outstanding season between Double-A Erie and Triple-A
Edmonton.

Overall, he’s 12-6 with a 3.38 ERA in 189 innings; he’s yielded 176 hits,
but with an outstanding ratio of 175 strikeouts to 39 walks. If there’s a
cause for concern, it’s that those 189 innings are a career high, but he is
25, and you could argue he’s coming into his own.

As for the rest of the moves…Jeff DaVanon might end up placing a
stranglehold on the fifth outfielder’s spot for next year. Almost everyone
else is just trying to establish for future employers that they were only
following orders during their stint in Bill Bavasi’s fun house.

Recalled 2B/SS Danny Klassen and CF Dante Powell from Tucson.
[9/2]

Klassen’s window of opportunity to claim the starting shortstop job with
the Snakes is effectively right this minute, and possibly never again. If
he doesn’t do something right now to make Buck Showalter even grunt in
appreciation, the chances are that Joe Garagiola Jr. will simply put
"starting shortstop" on the top of this winter’s shopping list.

Klassen has struggled through injuries, and there are still persistent
problems with his glovework. Andy Fox isn’t a long-term solution, though,
and even he is temporarily out of the way. The only obstacle is whether
Showalter decides to keep using Tony Womack at short. Klassen’s future will
be out of his control unless he makes some noise, promptly.

Signed RHP Sean Bergman; placed 3B Wes Helms on the 60-day DL
(separated shoulder). [9/5]

Purchased the contract of RHP Everett Stull from Richmond;
designated 2B Marty Malloy for assignment. [9/6]

The Braves don’t usually bring up a lot of extra people when rosters
expand, but this year they’re doing things a bit differently. The problem
is that the team has several shortcomings they want to compensate for.

First, the absence of Javy Lopez highlights a weak bench, including the
three light-hitting veteran middle infielders. Solution? Howard Battle’s
coming off of a season at Richmond in which he poked 24 home runs. Along
with Randall Simon, that’s the best the Braves have to offer as pinch-hitters.

Second, when you consider the assorted owies that Greg Maddux and John
Smoltz are trying to pitch through, Tom Glavine’s continuing struggles, and
losing Rudy Seanez for the year, it isn’t hard to see how the Braves might
be worried about their pitching depth. So up come Ebert and Stull, and
Bergman isn’t the worst emergency starter or long reliever to have soak up
innings. Stull still has great stuff, and could turn into an outstanding
reliever. Considering where he was with the Expos and the Orioles, that
would be another salvage operation to the organization’s credit.

The disappointing aspect of picking up Bergman is that it probably means
the organization’s more frustrated with Bruce Chen than they should be.
Sure, Chen has had an alarming problem with allowing home runs this year,
but he isn’t going to learn how to avoid those mistakes by watching
somebody like Sean Bergman.

Recalled 2B Jerry Hairston from Rochester. [9/4]

Transferred 1B Will Clark from the 15- to the 60-day DL; purchased
the contract of LHP Matt Riley from Rochester. [9/6]

What’s to know? Riley should claim a rotation spot for keeps, while
Hairston will re-stake the claim to the second base job that the Orioles
mistakenly tried to fill with Delino DeShields. Between the two of them and
hopefully Cal Pickering, you have three potential reasons to care about a
game’s results if you’re an Orioles fan.

Activated RHP Ramon Martinez from the DL; recalled OF Jon
Nunnally from Pawtucket; transferred RHP Julio Santana from the
15- to the 60-day DL. [9/2]

Recalled RHP Tomokazu Ohka from Pawtucket. [9/4]

Recalled INF Lou Merloni from Pawtucket. [9/7]

Martinez’s arrival had been expected to be the cure for the rotation’s ills
for several weeks, but he promptly flopped in his first start after what
we’ll charitably call "mediocre results" in his minor league
rehab work. So now the Sox still don’t know what they’re going to do if
Bret Saberhagen isn’t ready to go in the final weeks. Sure, Tim Wakefield
could suddenly straighten himself out, but overall, the Sox continue to
look like a rotation of Pedro and pray, and pray, and hope for an off-day
or two, and pray some more.

Anyone else want to compare sidekicks, and what a star’s choice in
sidekicks might mean for his team? Nomar Garciaparra’s choice is Lou
Merloni, which might sound pretty bad until you consider that Sammy Sosa’s
pick is Manny Alexander. I mean, the choice is bad enough in baseball
terms, but if this were Pokemon, Sammy’s whacked.

At least Lou Merloni plays the same position as Nomar, so Nomar doesn’t
really have too much interest in seeing his sidekick playing. Since both
stars are on a lot of people’s short lists for their respective leagues’
MVP awards, I like to kick issues like this around from time to time.

Signed RHP Bobby Ayala; recalled OF Bo Porter from Iowa;
transferred RHP Jeremi Gonzalez from the 15- to the 60-day DL. [9/3]

Recalled LHP Brian McNichol from Iowa. [9/6]

Recalled OF Roosevelt Brown from Iowa. [9/7]

Picking up Liniak in the Beck deal turns a good bit of salary dumping into
a better bit of adding talent. At the same age, 22 going on 23, that the
infamous Gary Scott was when he was handed the third base job, Liniak has
two full years of Triple-A under his belt. He won’t be an offensive force
(.264/.341/.440 with only 12 home runs at Pawtucket), but unlike
alternatives like Tyler Houston or Gary Gaetti, he’s young enough to
improve. Also unlike either of his predecessors, he can pick it at third.
So the Cubs not only get out from under Beck’s 2000 salary, they add a
starting third baseman.

I don’t see signing Ayala as much more than a bandage for a bullpen that
requires major surgery. The problem revolves around philosophy: Riggleman
and Lynch keep adding known quanitities for situational use, while failing
to evaluate who might grow into something better than that. Both Porter and
Brown have been up before, but both got to rot on the bench while the 1999
Cubs blazed new trails into irrelevance. Both can be useful contributors
and major league regulars, but neither of them can really play center field
every day, and with Sammy Sosa and Henry Rodriguez in the corners, the Cubs
are already stocked.

That isn’t to say that a good manager couldn’t find a way to use all of
them. With those four, you’d want your fifth outfielder to be someone like
Darren Lewis or Damon Buford, someone who can fly in center field or on the
bases when he pinch-runs for somebody who can get on base.

The callups from Charlotte will have to wait until they finish the
playoffs, but the better crowd of prospects was going to be coming up from
Birmingham anyway.

Josh Paul isn’t an outstanding prospect in terms of his hitting, but the
Sox love his on-field Kid Carter antics. With Mark Johnson coming around
and Brook Fordyce hitting well, it should take more than histrionics to
earn playing time.

Dellaero is supposedly much improved at the plate now that he’s loosened
his grip on the bat; he’s up to see if he can mount a plausible challenge
to Mike Caruso in 2000, and the Sox are sufficiently unenthusiastic about
Caruso that they’re willing to give Dellaero every benefit of the doubt.
While Dellaero’s throwing arm wins rave reviews, he’s simply the latest
development in the ongoing battle between Jerry Manuel and Caruso, a petty
fight that hasn’t reflected well on either of them.

With at least two rotation spots there for the taking, both Wells and
Myette should be able to stake claims. On that level, Sox fans shouldn’t
think of 1999 as a wasted year for their starting pitchers. They’ve figured
out that John Snyder can’t fool anyone, that James Baldwin is flaky, and
that Jaime Navarro is still bad. On the plus side, Mike Sirotka and Jim
Parque look like two starters they can count on in a year or two when
they’re in a better position to push the Indians.

Parris’ return to the rotation bumps Brett Tomko to long relief, even with
his start in the doubleheader against the Cubs. That may change if Ron
Villone continues to scuffle.

Sweeney will be an outstanding weapon off of the bench for the Reds. Coming
off of a wasted great year at Indianapolis (.322/.432/.498), he’ll be their
best pinch-hitter down the stretch. Of course, he’d have been a better
spare part to have around for the whole year over Michael Tucker or Jeffrey
Hammonds, but that’s another issue.

Meanwhile, Dawkins’ call-up can give the Reds a glimpse of issues they’re
going to have to sort out someday: will he be the team’s shortstop of the
future? Or is that still Pokey Reese? Where will they move Barry Larkin?
Left field? Third base? Getting too caught up in Pokeymania would be a
mistake.

Activated 3B Travis Fryman from the DL. [9/2]

Activated C Sandy Alomar from the DL; designated LHP Jim
Poole for assignment. [9/6]

They’re calling in the walking wounded, but unfortunately, it looks like
they’re all still hurt. Lofton’s hamstring is still hurting (and now in a
different spot), and neither Fryman nor Alomar is 100%. They’re getting
impatient, and like the decision to rush Jaret Wright back last month,
they’re going to get burned with at least one of these guys.

Activated 3B Kevin Orie from the DL. [9/6]

Activated OF Cliff Floyd from the DL; recalled LHP Brent
Billingsley and 1B Derrek Lee from Calgary; purchased contract
of DH John Roskos and RHP Reid Cornelius from Calgary;
recalled RHP Hector Almonte and LHP Michael Tejera from
Portland (Double-A); placed RHPs Alex Fernandez and Joe
Fontenot on the 60-day DL. [9/7]

With the blush off of Kevin Millar, the interesting question here is
whether the Fish will let Lee or Roskos take their cracks at the first base
job. Otherwise, the guy to take note of is Mike Tejera. Besides having the
advantage of local Cuban roots, he’s coming off of an outstanding year at
Portland, and there are probably two rotation spots open during the
season’s closing weeks (Alex Fernandez’s, and on the basis of results,
hopefully Brian Meadows’ as well).

Purchased the contract of OF Ryan Thompson from Auburn (A-ball). [9/3]

Just because a man’s been activated doesn’t mean he’ll be all that active,
unless you can work up a sweat going between the batter’s box and the bench.

Walter Lippmann once said of the president, "Mr. Coolidge has a genius
for inactivity. It is far from being an indolent inactivity. It is a grim,
determined, alert inactivity." Similarly, Derek Bell’s doing an
outstanding job of looking like a ballplayer, filling his uniform, and
replicating many of the same physical movements you see other major league
players doing. He’s still a killer B, but without the sting to anything but
Drayton McLane’s checkbook. And he takes that very seriously.

Purchased the contract of INF Mendy Lopez from Omaha; transferred
RHP Dan Reichert from the 15- to the 60-day DL. [9/3]

Recalled LHP Glendon Rusch from Omaha. [9/5]

Not a bad crowd of callups, to be sure, but there’s one aspect of these
moves I don’t quite understand. Omaha’s in the playoffs, but Omaha isn’t
going to have two of its starters, or even the best player from Wichita to
replace them. Sure, a PCL trophy doesn’t do much to amuse party guests for
more than the first five minutes, but wouldn’t it be worth pursuing with a
bit more vigor when the only thing the Royals are really gunning for is to
put the Tigers back in the basement of the AL Central?

Brown’s callup brings to light the big issue that the club will have to
resolve in the next seven months: is Brown going to be the team’s starting
left fielder next year, and if so, what do they want to get for Johnny
Damon? While it would be a better idea to trade Jermaine Dye, Damon’s
salary bickering seems to have made him persona non grata. Meanwhile,
Fasano should get a shot at winning the starting catcher’s job from Chad
Kreuter now that he has a good year at Triple-A under his belt:
.275/.415/.554, with 21 home runs and an incredible 26 hit-by-pitches.

Recalled RHP Jamie Arnold, SS Juan Castro, and 2B Alex
Cora from Albuquerque; purchased the contract of LHP Jeff
Williams from Albuquerque; recalled LHP Carlos Perez from
Albuquerque, to place him on the 60-day DL. [9/7]

Gagne should have a clean shot at the rotation, coming off of winning the
Texas League ERA title (2.63) while having a fine year: 12-4, 122 hits in
167 2/3 innings, with 185 strikeouts and just 64 walks. He’s got good
movement on his fastball and his breaking stuff.

The real shame for the Dodgers is that even if they wanted to get really
frustrated about their middle infield, neither Castro or Cora are viable
alternatives. Neither of them can hit a lick, and their defensive skills
aren’t going to be enough to overcome an offense that’s 11th in the league
in runs scored.

Transferred RHP Chad Fox from the 15- to the 60-day DL. [9/5]

Transferred both 2B Fernando Vina and C Bobby Hughes from the
15- to the 60-day DL; purchased the contract of RHP Jason Bere and
OF Lyle Mouton from Louisville; recalled RHP Carl Dale from
Louisville. [9/7]

With the alternatives being a rag-armed Brian Banks and a light-hitting
Charlie Greene, you have to like Cancel’s shot at some serious playing time
down the stretch. Don’t get too caught up in his gaudy month in Louisville
(.368/.436/.564); his hitting at Huntsville wasn’t nearly so sparkly
(.251/.328/.372). Even so, with Dave Nilsson and Bobby Hughes out of the
way (and Nilsson bound for a free agent departure), Cancel should get a
good opportunity to win part of the job for next year.

Don’t blink, Jason Bere’s back after being ineffective at Cincinnati,
Indianapolis, Louisville and some discreet out-of-the-way sandlots. It
would be typical of the Brewers to think they’ll be credited with
intelligence for giving him a shot, after enough people made the same
mistake saying exactly that when the Reds gave him another lease on life
last fall.

Released 3B Shane Andrews. [9/6]

Recalled INF Trace Coquillette and LHP Ted Lilly from Ottawa;
purchased the contract of OF Peter Bergeron from Ottawa; activated
RHP Carl Pavano and 1B Fernando Seguignol from the DL. [9/7]

It’s worth keeping in mind that while the two central players from last
summer’s heist from the Dodgers are coming up, both Lilly and Bergeron have
had summers saddled with shoulder woes. Plus, the organization is convinced
that Wilton Guerrero should get first crack at a regular outfield job ahead
of Bergeron. While I’d like to be optimistic and hope things work out for
the best, Jim Beattie and Felipe Alou seemed determined to build roadblocks
to prevent future success.

Here’s hoping the Rox come to their senses, realize they’re playing in a
beer league ballpark, and snag Andrews to play third base while they can.
Return Vinny Castilla to shortstop, and faster than you can print up some
cheezy sound effects, whammo!, you’re scoring more runs. Andrews is coming
off of an awful season in which he clearly couldn’t adjust to playing
part-time after last year’s breakthrough, but he’s a good glove at third
who can add power and a few walks. If there’s a place for Russ Davis, there
ought to be one for Andrews.

Activated LHP John Franco and RHP Rick Reed from the DL. [9/4]

Now that Reed is back, the Mets are once again going with a six-man
rotation down the stretch. It didn’t really seem to work too well last
year, and it’s mostly the product of an unwillingness to tell Orel
Hershiser that he’s the team’s worst starting pitcher.

Calling up Toca is more than just bringing him up after giving the Cuban
slugger a big bonus last winter; he’s hit well at Binghamton
(.308/.384/.584) and Norfolk (.335/.357/.500), and the Mets could use some
power from one of their pinch-hitters, especially now that Benny Agbayani
has turned back into a pumpkin.

Optioned LHP Ed Yarnall to Columbus. [9/5]

That nice George Steinbrenner, always giving out third or fourth chances.
If forgiveness is divine, then it must have been the Boss talking to Moses.
Yessireebob.

Purchased the contract of UT Frank Menechino from Vancouver;
transferred OF Tim Raines from the 15- to the 60-day DL. [9/3]

Recalled RHP Chad Harville from Vancouver. [9/4]

The happy event here is Menechino’s callup, after he labored away in the
PCL for most of the last three years. The A’s have slowly worked him from
being just a second baseman into a multi-position utility man, ready to
play any infield position or the outfield corners. Like almost everyone in
green and gold these days, he’s patient (73 walks), but he hit for more
power than in years past (.309/.403/.497, with 31 doubles, nine triples and
15 home runs). As utilitymen go, I’d rather have Menechino around to chip
in on offense and spot anyone on any day, than mess around with Jorge
Velandia or his ilk.

Activated RHP Curt Schilling and C Tom Prince from the DL;
purchased the contract of INF Torey Lovullo from
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre; recalled RHP Cliff Politte from Reading
(Double-A). [9/3]

Activated RHP Carlton Loewer from the DL; transferred LHP Yorkis
Perez from the 15- to the 60-day DL. [9/6]

Loewer’s only coming back to pitch in relief, but Schilling will resume his
ace slot, and none of it will significantly affect the Phillies’ standing
in the NL East or the future of the franchise.

Lovullo’s coming off of a great year at Scranton (.279/.371/.482 with 21
home runs), which is why it seems strange he got promoted rather than
allowed to help the Barons in the playoffs.

Recalled CF Chad Hermansen, 3B Aramis Ramirez, and RHP
Jason Boyd from Nashville; purchased the contracts of RHP Mike
Garcia and C Tim Laker from Nashville; designated C Chris
Tremie for assignment. [9/6]

After participating in a tremendous PCL stretch-drive fold for Nashville,
the Bucs of the future get to participate in the quest for .500 in the big
leagues. Hermansen and Ramirez need to be in the lineup for the next six or
seven years if they Bucs have any interest in being a baseball team instead
of someplace for Ed Sprague to renew other people’s interest.

It seems unfortunate that the Bucs chose this moment to call up Laker,
after already surrendering Jose Guillen just to rent two months of Joe
Oliver’s less-than-valuable time.

Recalled 2B/SS Placido Polanco and RHP Jose Jimenez from
Memphis; activated RHP Alan Benes from the DL. [9/7]

Jimenez looked good in Memphis, so perhaps he’ll return to the rotation
with a renewed sense of purpose.

Benes’ much-anticipated return is to the bullpen, where hopefully even Tony
LaRussa will use him with a sense of restraint and conscious regret for ill
deeds not so distantly done.

Well, the Pads have a third baseman, and surprisingly enough his name is
definitely not George Arias. The interesting aspect of this is whether you
want to be silly and start speculating for what this means as far as Sean
Burroughs’ timetable. I’m willing to guess that Burroughs could be ready by
the end of 2001. At that point, maybe Nevin moves to first base, because by
that time the California state legislature will have passed a bill
forbidding Kevin Towers from giving Wally Joyner any more money.

Activated OF Armando Rios from the DL. [9/2]

No real surprises, but Rios’ return gives the Giants a needed bit of power
off the bench to help in their final push to make the Snakes–or the people
who crowned them a month ago–remember that there are a few weeks to go.

Activated LHP Butch Henry from the DL; transferred UT John
Mabry from the 15- to the 60-day DL. [9/3]

Recalled RHP Brett Hinchliffe, LHP Steve Sinclair, and OF
Shane Monahan from Tacoma. [9/7]

Nothing here will help, although Henry’s reactivation serves as a nice
reminder of the folly of counting on him in the first place.

Signed 1B Fred McGriff to a two-year contract extension. [9/3]

Recalled CF Randy Winn from Durham. [9/4]

Signed manager Larry Rothschild to a contract extension through 2004. [9/7]

The Devil Rays just want to announce that despite all appearances to the
contrary, they have no intention of letting Larry Rothschild challenge Connie
Mack’s various managerial records. But if he gets close, they will confirm,
off the record, that Rothschild’s contract includes a clause that his Hall of
Fame plaque must include that symbol of baseball greatness, the manta,
terror of plankton throughout the South Seas, or an aquarium near you.

Outrighted 1B Shawn Gallagher to Tulsa (Double-A); purchased the
contract of INF Scott Sheldon from Oklahoma; recalled LHP Matt
Perisho and RHP Danny Patterson from Oklahoma. [9/3]

Activated OF Mike Simms from the DL. [9/7]

Here’s a pair of moves I just don’t get. Scott Sheldon didn’t get to come
up when Royce Clayton was hurt and the Rangers needed him. He didn’t come
up when Mark McLemore was hurt. He got to stew in Oklahoma while Jon Shave
got to hand out high fives or make sure there were sunflower seeds near the
bench. After another great year (.311/.385/.587, with 28 home runs), with
Oklahoma dancing into the postseason, why does he now get called up? I’m
sure he’s happy, but if I happened to be a baseball fan from Okie, I’d be
pretty fed up.

You can run through a similar list of complaints as far as Matt Perisho’s
callup. He’s had an outstanding year as the staff ace: 15-7, a 4.61 ERA,
with 150 strikeouts, 78 walks, and 160 hits allowed (only 14 home runs).
While he might have been better than Mike Morgan or John Burkett during the
summer, the Rangers elected not to find out, and now they want him mopping
up blowouts, when their Triple-A affiliate’s season matters most?

Like it’ll matter.