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Send in the cavalry
A look at baseball's best 'hired guns'
Posted: Tuesday July 30, 2002 2:36 AM
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The A's are expecting large contributions from Ray Durham. AP |
By Jacob Luft, CNNSI.com
It's not easy being the big midseason acquisition.
When the deal is made to bring in a big hitter or stud pitcher, it creates a buzz throughout a city. Fans, players and media love the move.
But what about the player himself? He is expected to have the best half-season of his career, carry the team to the postseason. Often, it doesn't work out that way.
Of the dozens of trades made at or near the deadline in recent years, only a few players were able to distinguish themselves right away. Fred McGriff ignited the Braves in 1993, helping them reach the postseason. But Curt Schilling went 5-6 for Arizona in 2000 as the club stumbled to a third-place finish. It wasn't until 2001 that he reverted to his dominant form.
This season, Ryan Dempster was supposed to give the Reds a boost, but he has been torched in losing three starts. The results have been similarly poor for Yankees pickups Jeff Weaver (8.00 ERA) and Raul Mondesi (.212). Bartolo Colon has flourished for the Expos, winning four of six starts with three complete games, but Cliff Floyd has yet to produce at the plate, hitting .204 with three RBIs.
Adding to the burden on these "hired guns" is the steep price teams pay for their services. Many a top prospect -- Terrence Long, Jeff Bagwell, Schilling, Derek Lowe, John Smoltz, Freddy Garcia, to name a scant few -- were once used as bait for short-term help.
Here is a look at some players who were able to make the midseason transition gracefully:
| A Little Help |
|---|
| Year |
Player |
Team |
Ex-Team |
Avg. |
G |
R |
HR |
RBI |
| 2001 |
Jermaine Dye |
A's* |
Royals |
.366 |
61 |
41 |
13 |
59 |
| 2001 |
Fred McGriff |
Cubs |
Devil Rays |
.282 |
49 |
27 |
12 |
41 |
| 2001 |
Andres Galarraga |
Giants |
Rangers |
.288 |
49 |
17 |
7 |
35 |
| 2000 |
Will Clark |
Cardinals* |
Orioles |
.345 |
51 |
29 |
12 |
42 |
| 2000 |
Charles Johnson |
White Sox* |
Orioles |
.326 |
44 |
24 |
10 |
36 |
| 2000 |
David Justice |
Yankees* |
A's |
.305 |
78 |
43 |
20 |
60 |
| 1999 |
Randy Velarde |
A's |
Angels |
.333 |
61 |
48 |
7 |
28 |
| 1997 |
Harold Baines |
Orioles* |
White Sox |
.291 |
44 |
15 |
4 |
15 |
| 1997 |
Craig Counsell |
Marlins* |
Rockies |
.299 |
51 |
20 |
1 |
16 |
| 1997 |
Mark McGwire |
Cardinals |
A's |
.253 |
51 |
38 |
24 |
42 |
| 1996 |
Cecil Fielder |
Yankees* |
Tigers |
.260 |
53 |
30 |
13 |
37 |
| 1995 |
Bobby Bonilla |
Orioles |
Mets |
.333 |
61 |
47 |
10 |
46 |
| 1993 |
Fred McGriff |
Braves* |
Padres |
.310 |
68 |
59 |
19 |
55 |
| Year |
Pitcher |
Team |
Ex-Team |
W-L |
S |
ERA |
BB |
SO |
| 2001 |
Woody Williams |
Cardinals* |
Padres |
7-1 |
0 |
2.28 |
19 |
52 |
| 2001 |
Jason Schmidt |
Giants |
Pirates |
7-1 |
0 |
3.39 |
33 |
65 |
| 2000 |
Bob Wickman |
Indians |
Brewers |
1-3 |
14 |
3.38 |
12 |
11 |
| 1999 |
Randy Johnson |
Astros* |
Mariners |
10-1 |
0 |
1.28 |
26 |
116 |
| 1999 |
Kenny Rogers |
Mets* |
A's |
5-1 |
0 |
4.03 |
28 |
58 |
| 1999 |
Juan Guzman |
Reds |
Orioles |
6-3 |
0 |
3.03 |
21 |
60 |
| 1999 |
Matt Mantei |
D'backs* |
Marlins |
0-1 |
22 |
2.79 |
19 |
49 |
| 1995 |
Andy Benes |
Mariners* |
Padres |
7-2 |
0 |
5.86 |
33 |
45 |
| 1995 |
David Cone |
Yankees* |
Blue Jays |
9-2 |
0 |
3.82 |
47 |
89 |
| 1992 |
David Cone |
Blue Jays* |
Mets |
4-3 |
0 |
2.55 |
29 |
47 |
| 1988 |
Mike Boddicker |
Red Sox* |
Orioles |
7-3 |
0 |
2.63 |
26 |
56 |
| 1987 |
Doyle Alexander |
Tigers* |
Braves |
9-0 |
0 |
1.53 |
26 |
44 |
| 1984 |
Rick Sutcliffe# |
Cubs* |
Indians |
16-1 |
0 |
2.69 |
39 |
155 |
* Made playoffs
# Won NL Cy Young
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