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Let's make a deal Jays, Dodgers discussing Green-for-Mondesi deal
Posted: Monday November 08, 1999 09:37 AM
DANA POINT, Calif. (AP) -- Shawn Green could be the latest star to change teams in a blockbuster deal, as long as he can work out a contract extension with the Los Angeles Dodgers by Monday. The Toronto Blue Jays agreed on a deal Sunday that would send Green to Los Angeles for Raul Mondesi in an exchange of power-hitting outfielders. However, the trade, confirmed by a baseball source who asked not to be identified, will be completed only if the Dodgers reach agreement with Green on a contract extension Monday. "If it's not done Monday, it's on to the next club," the source told The Associated Press on Sunday night. The 27-year-old Green, a Southern California native, is eligible for free agency after next season. The Blue Jays offered him a reported $45 million, five-year contract extension, which he apparently doesn't consider enough to stay in Toronto. Green's agent, Jeff Moorad, who also represents Mondesi, said he presented Blue Jays general manager Gord Ash with a list of teams Green would be comfortable signing with. "I believe he is working off that list. It is true Los Angeles is at the top of that list," Moorad said. Green hit .309 with 42 homers and 123 RBIs last season. He is one of the most coveted players on the trade market this offseason, with the World Series champion New York Yankees also interested. Mondesi apparently became expendable since he leveled a profanity-laced tirade against Dodgers manager Davey Johnson and general manager Kevin Malone on Aug. 11, after being benched for the second straight game. "They try to put all of our problems on me. They're just trying to say that all this ... is my fault. That's the way they feel, fine. Just get me out of here," he said. The following day, he issued a written apology. He batted a career-low .253 this season, but set career highs with 33 homers, 99 RBIs and 36 stolen bases. Mondesi is signed through 2001 for a total of $20.5 million. Green's Toronto teammate, first baseman Carlos Delgado, also is eligible for free agency next year and could be available if he won't sign an extension with the Blue Jays. Delgado hit 44 homers, with 134 RBIs while batting .272 last season. There have already been two major trades this offseason, with the Texas Rangers shipping two-time AL MVP Juan Gonzalez and two other players to the Detroit Tigers for four players. The Colorado Rockies, who are looking to trade high-priced pitchers Darryl Kile and Pedro Astacio, sent outfielder Dante Bichette to Cincinnati in a deal for Jeffrey Hammonds and Stan Belinda. Trade talks dominated the general manager meetings, which began in earnest Sunday, with Ken Griffey Jr.'s name at the top of the list. Griffey has informed Seattle that he wants to be traded to a team that is closer to his Orlando, Fla., home, and the Mariners have said they will try to appease him. The Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, the New York Mets and Yankees are considered among the teams Griffey might be heading to, with the Braves leading the pack. Griffey, who can be a free agent after the 2000 season, has the right to veto any trade. The Mariners also might be forced to trade superstar shortstop Alex Rodriguez, whose contract also expires after next season. Rodriguez and agent Scott Boras met with Mariners management earlier this week. Boras said Rodriguez wants to stay in Seattle next season and then become a free agent. The Mets, Braves and Dodgers are thought to be the leading contenders for Rodriguez, but Boras said his client will not sign a long-term deal until he becomes a free agent. "We will consider whether somebody out there is worth doing something about now, or whether we will wait until players become free agents," Mets GM Steve Phillips said.
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