MLB Trade Clock Ticking
July 31, 2000 -- The Chicago Cubs got an early start as baseball’s trade deadlineapproached, closing a deal for Montreal outfielder Rondell Whiteand sending outfielder Henry Rodriguez to Florida.
The St. Louis Cardinals also were busy today, getting catcherCarlos Hernandez for reliever Heathcliff Slocumb.
Other teams were working, too, to make moves before the 4 p.m.EDT deadline. Any trades made after that point require waivers,always a tricky proposition.
On Sunday, outfielder Ron Gant was traded from Philadelphia toAnaheim. In a pair of deals involving relievers, Jason Christiansenmoved from Pittsburgh to St. Louis and Doug Henry went from Houstonto San Francisco.
The Expos traded White to the Cubs for left-hander Scott Downs.The deal had been set on Sunday, contingent on Chicago being ableto sign the outfielder, who has been on the disabled list, to amulti-year contract extension.
“Yeah, there’s something on the table, but if it’s not right,I’m not going to sign with the Cubs,” White said after Montreallost to Cincinnati 7-4.
White Hot Prospect
White’s name had been prominently mentioned in trade talks. TheNew York Yankees, Seattle, Atlanta and Milwaukee had beeninterested, but may have backed off because of his history ofinjuries.
“I’ve known from the get-go that they were trying to trademe,” White said.
Chicago Abuzz with Trade News
About an hour after that deal was announced, the Cubs tradedRodriguez to Florida for minor league prospects Ross Gload, a firstbaseman-outfielder, and Dave Noyce, a pitcher.
In 76 games this season, Rodriguez batted .251 for 18 homers and51 RBIs. Over his final 19 games for Chicago, Rodriguez had sixhomers and 19 RBIs.
The NL Central-leading Cardinals, having acquired Christiansenand reliever Mike Timlin during the weekend, filled another need byacquiring Hernandez.
“We had three primary concerns to address before the tradingdeadline,” St. Louis general manager Walt Jocketty said. “We feelwith today’s addition of Hernandez, we have accomplished what weset out to do — improve the bullpen and add a quality catcher.”
Hernandez, 33, fills a void left when Eli Marrero went on thedisabled list with a strained left thumb on July 2. Marrero, whohad been splitting time with Mike Matheny, isn’t expected backuntil September at the earliest.
Hernandez is hitting .251 with two homers and 25 RBIs.
Slocumb, 34, was 2-3 with a 5.44 ERA this season. He ledCardinals relievers with 49 2-3 innings.
Also as part of the deal, the Cardinals acquiredinfielder-outfielder Nate Tebbs and gave up outfielder Ben Johnson.
Philly, Anaheim Make Power Moves
The Angels hoped to boost their lineup, getting Gant and cashfrom the Philadelphia Phillies for pitcher Kent Bottenfield.
“We obviously needed a right-handed bat to help us,” Anaheimmanager Mike Scioscia said. “He’s versatile, he can play theoutfield, he can DH, neutralize some left-handed pitching.” .
Philadelphia made the move four days after trading ace CurtSchilling to Arizona. Though he officially was a member of theAngels, Gant did not leave the Phillies right away — he took theteam charter to San Diego on his way to Anaheim.
“I’m still saying ‘us’ instead of ‘them,“‘ Gant said.
Gant, 35, led the Phillies with 20 homers. He hit .254 with 38RBIs.
Bottenfield, sent from St. Louis with Adam Kennedy to Anaheim inthe off season for Jim Edmonds, was 7-8 with a 5.71 ERA.
“I’m not surprised,” Bottenfield said. “I knew it was coming,I’ve known for the last week something was going to happen.”
The Cardinals added a lefty reliever by getting Christiansenfrom the Pirates for minor league infielder Jack Wilson.
Christiansen was dealt shortly after allowing four of the fivebatters he faced to reach base in the Pirates’ 9-8 loss to SanDiego.
While leaving the mound, Christiansen flipped the ball tomanager Gene Lamont, prompting a heated exchange in the tunnelleading to the clubhouse.
“I did something you shouldn’t do to a manager,” Christiansensaid. “You should never show up your manager. I did that when Ithrew the ball in the air. It’s tough for me right now. I just gottraded and the last thing he and I have to remember about eachother is that.”
Christiansen was 2-8 with one save and a 4.97 ERA in 44 games.He also had a seven-game losing streak.
Henry, who helped San Francisco win the NL West in 1997, wastraded by the Astros to the Giants for pitcher Scott Linebrink.
Henry, 36, was 1-3 with a 4.42 ERA in 44 appearances. The rightyalso had one save, which came June 18 at San Francisco.
In 1997, Henry worked 75 games as a setup man for San Franciscocloser Rod Beck.
“Our familiarity with Doug and his track record makes this awin-win situation for us,” Giants general manager Brian Sabeansaid.
On Saturday night, the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox gotcatcher Charles Johnson and DH Harold Baines from Baltimore forcatcher Brook Fordyce and three minor league pitchers.