For a few chaotic hours last Friday evening, baseball turned into
Christmas Eve at Macy's. At the end of a week filled with juicy
rumors but few deals, suddenly there were 13 swaps involving 45
major league and minor league players on the final day before the
trading deadline. Among the playoff hopefuls who participated in
these 11th-hour trades, the Orioles, Cubs, Mets and Giants did
not significantly alter their destinies. But now that things have
settled down a bit, we present a scorecard of the most prominent
winners—besides the Astros—and losers in these deals.
WINNERS
Rangers. Of all the contenders for a postseason berth, Texas made
the most daring commitment to reaching the playoffs. By acquiring
three veterans—shortstop Royce Clayton, third baseman Todd Zeile
and righthander Todd Stottlemyre—the Rangers obtained a new left
side to their infield and a top starter. While Clayton, who was
acquired from the Cardinals, brings defense and Zeile (Marlins)
adds punch to the Rangers' already potent offensive attack, the
key newcomer could be Stottlemyre, who had a 3.51 ERA in 23
starts with St. Louis and joins a rotation that already includes
Rick Helling (14-6 at week's end) and Aaron Sele (13-8). The
moves are a little risky for Texas, which traded some talented
prospects for older players, two of whom can be free agents at
season's end. "I wish we would have played better up to the
trading deadline and wouldn't have had to make these moves," said
Rangers general manager Doug Melvin, whose team trailed the
Angels by one game at the deadline, "but I think you have to put
your best foot forward and help the club when you're this close."
Perez should give L.A. a hand in the wild-card
race.
(Chuck Solomon)
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Dodgers. Give fledgling general manager Tommy Lasorda credit for
meeting a pair of needs with the acquisition of lefthanded
starter Carlos Perez and shortstop Mark Grudzielanek from the
Expos, and he got them without overpaying with top prospects. By
adding Perez, who was 7-10 with a 3.75 ERA in 23 starts, and
Grudzielanek, who was batting .275 with eight homers and 41 RBIs,
L.A. improved the most of any of the National League wild-card
contenders.
Red Sox. They took significant steps toward locking up a playoff
spot by filling their two biggest holes. General manager Dan
Duquette reacquired DH Mike Stanley from the Blue Jays last
Thursday to get a righthanded bat and added Greg Swindell from
the Twins at the deadline to give Boston an experienced lefty out
of the bullpen.
Yankees. Because neither the Yanks nor the Indians got Randy
Johnson from the Mariners, the advantage goes to New York.
LOSERS
Mariners. The banner headline in last Saturday's Seattle Times
said it all when it screeched, IS THIS BEST M'S COULD DO? Indeed,
Mariners fans wondered how general manager Woody Woodward could
trade Johnson, the best pitcher in franchise history, and get
only two unheralded Astros minor leaguers and a minor league
player-to-be-named-later in return? Don't blame Woodward for
dealing Johnson, whose dismay over his contract squabbling had
become a distraction to both himself and the club. The fault lies
with Woodward's timing. During the off-season Seattle reportedly
could have sent Johnson to the Yankees for David Wells and
Mariano Rivera. Then, on June 2, one Mariners owner vetoed
another trade that would have brought righthander Ismael Valdes,
second baseman Wilton Guerrero and pitching prospect Ted Lilly
from L.A. Finally, after potential deals with the Indians and the
Yankees melted away last week, the Mariners had to settle for
Houston's best offer just minutes before the trading deadline.
For many Seattle players this deal represented the latest in a
series of trades that have hurt the franchise (for example, Jose
Cruz Jr. for Mike Timlin and Paul Spoljaric, and Jason Varitek
and Derek Lowe for Heathcliff Slocumb). "It was a lousy trade,
and we're definitely disappointed," said first baseman David
Segui. "When somebody [Johnson] is going to be in the Hall of
Fame, you expect to get more than minor leaguers. I would hate to
see what they would get for me—a cracked bat and a resin bag?"
Angels. While American League West rival Texas improved
dramatically, Anaheim acquired only Charlie O'Brien, a
37-year-old journeyman catcher with a broken thumb. Angels
general manager Bill Bavasi reportedly decided not to trade
centerfielder Jim Edmonds for Mets free-agent-to-be Mike Piazza,
or outfielder Garret Anderson for Royals righthander Tim Belcher.
"As a G.M., you know the guys in the clubhouse are counting on
you to get something done," Bavasi said. "The Rangers got better,
a lot better, no doubt about it. I had a job to do, and I didn't
get it done."
Mark McGwire and Ken Griffey Jr. With the Cardinals and the
Mariners having surrendered their playoff aspirations by dumping
veteran players at the deadline, each of the two sluggers will
now absorb the full brunt of his city's attention and scrutiny
during the pursuit of Roger Maris's home run record.
Issue date: August 10, 1998
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