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Inside Baseball
As the trade deadline nears, contenders are looking for reinforcements By Stephen Cannella
Giants general manager Brian Sabean could have been speaking for most of his major league counterparts last week when he discussed the moves he would like to make by the July 31 trading deadline. "All of us are looking to improve our pitching; I don't see the quality out there to meet the demand," said Sabean, who is generally happy with his team, which at week's end was in second place in the National League West, 1 1/2 games behind the Diamondbacks.
Yankees: General manager Brian Cashman deserves credit for picking up outfielders David Justice and Glenallen Hill, lefthander Denny Neagle and infielder Jose Vizcaino without dealing prized prospect Alfonso Soriano, but his work is not quite finished. "Obviously we still have needs," Cashman said last Friday after making the deal with the Cubs for Hill, who will pinch-hit and DH. "I'm not done lining up choices for George [Steinbrenner] to say yea or nay to." With leftfielder Shane Spencer (torn right ACL) lost for the season, the Yankees are trying to fill that hole, and they might be able to use Soriano to reel in Expos outfielder Rondell White, who has a strained right hamstring but may come off the disabled list this week. That deal could be the next choice presented to the Boss. Says manager Joe Torre about the likelihood of a trade for another outfielder: "There's no question we're looking." Braves: Atlanta lost its second baseman and leadoff hitter for the season when Quilvio Veras tore his right ACL on July 14. Though 19-year-old rookie Rafael Furcal and veteran Keith Lockhart have filled in ably, the Braves are considering Rangers second baseman Luis Alicea, a free-agent-to-be who's having the finest offensive season (.307 average, .383 on-base percentage through Sunday) of his career. Alicea, an 11-year veteran, would provide a solid bat and dependable defense, and allow Furcal to continue splitting time at shortstop with Walt Weiss. Atlanta also needs outfield help: Reggie Sanders, Bobby Bonilla and Trenidad Hubbard (combined .216 average, 10 home runs and 34 RBIs) have given the Braves less production from leftfield than any other team in the National League. Mariners: As one of the few teams with pitching depth -- righthander Brett Tomko is buried in the bullpen despite a 4-2 record in eight spot starts -- Seattle is in good position to acquire the lefthanded bat it has craved since spring training. Brewers outfielder Jeromy Burnitz (.217, 20 homers and 58 RBIs), who broke off negotiations for a contract extension last week and may be dealt, could fill that role, as could talented first baseman-outfielder Travis Lee, who was sent to Arizona's Triple A affiliate in Tucson on July 16 after struggling in the majors. The Mariners have also inquired about Astros righthanded-hitting outfielder Moises Alou (.349, 15, 53), who would have to waive his no-trade clause for a deal to go through. Red Sox: Boston has the American League's best ERA (4.19 through Sunday) and is anticipating righthander Bret Saberhagen's return from shoulder surgery next month, so Dan Duquette will be one of the few general managers not looking for pitching. "Our defense has been all right, and our pitching has been a strength," he says. "But we need consistent offensive production from third base, first base and designated hitter." The Rangers are listening to offers for first baseman-DH David Segui (.342, 10, 56), who would give Boston much-needed pop and a defensive upgrade over first baseman Brian Daubach. The Red Sox are also interested in Burnitz. White Sox: Three weeks ago general manager Ron Schueler insisted that the American League Central-leading White Sox didn't need to make major moves. That changed last week when righthander Cal Eldred went on the disabled list with a sore elbow. "We are doing a lot of searching, a lot of talking and a lot of scouting," says Schueler. "We're talking about getting some pitching." One possibility is Reds righthander Pete Harnisch, who was being scouted by the White Sox and several other teams last week when he threw his second straight complete-game win, against Houston. Dodgers: Last week general manager Kevin Malone downplayed the likelihood of his making a big deal, but if Los Angeles, which had crept to within four games of the Diamondbacks in the National League West and 2 1/2 of the wild-card-leading Giants at week's end, is to remain a contender, it must bolster its rotation. A possible addition is Devil Rays righthander Steve Trachsel (6-9, 4.57 ERA). Trachsel, a free agent after the season, is on pace to collect $4.5 million in performance incentives, and Tampa Bay is willing to dump him cheaply to avoid that obligation. That's good news for the Dodgers, who would rather not part with young starters Eric Gagne and Darren Dreifort -- the players other teams keep asking for in trade talks -- in any deal they make. Blue Jays: The major leagues' top homer-hitting team has offense to spare, so general manager Gord Ash is sniffing around for pitching. Last week he grabbed inconsistent but talented righthander Esteban Loaiza (5-7, 5.53 ERA at week's end) from the Rangers and stuck him in the rotation. Ash hopes that deal was just a start. "My belief is that one pitcher wasn't going to be the answer," he says. "[Loaiza] is not the Number 1 guy. He's a guy we liked, and there are other teams we're continuing to talk to." Issue date: July 31, 2000 For more Inside Baseball see this week's issue of Sports Illustrated, on newsstands Wednesday, July 26. Click here to subscribe to SI.
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