This rebel G.M. creates his own drama: Jim Bowden wants to make it as a television analyst, but he's starring in an even better reality show: G.M. in D.C

Sporting News, The, Nov 29, 2004 by Ken Rosenthal

After signing free-agent shortstop Cristian Guzman and third baseman Vinny Castilla, interim Washington general manager Jim Bowden says he was up at midnight, practicing a segment for ESPN's Cold Pizza that he knew never would air.

When Bowden says he wants to return to television, he isn't just leaving himself an out in the event he is replaced by a new Washington owner. While working with Bowden on Cold Pizza during the postseason, I was taken aback by his commitment to TV. He set up a camera so he could practice in his home, consulted with a prominent television agent and solicited tips and criticism from anyone who could help him.

"I miss it now," he says of his part-time ESPN gig. "I have withdrawal."

And yet, Bowden is back in his element as he tries to kick-start the Washington franchise, displaying his familiar madcap energy, trading for Angels outfielder Jose Guillen three days after signing Guzman and Castilla, thinking big despite his low-revenue position--the same way he did during 10 1/2 years as Reds G.M.

Bowden, 43, was a new-breed, wheeler-dealer G.M. when Then Epstein was an Orioles intern. He remains half-Bill Veeck, half-P.T. Barnum, "the Jim Carrey of G.M.s," a rival G.M. says, chuckling. Many executives don't trust him, but he has grown more humble and still thirsts for action. He'll worry later if he is mortgaging the future by trading youngsters and forfeiting draft picks--or, ahem, it will be a problem for the next G.M.

Ask former Mets G.M. Steve Phillips, who is now with ESPN--dispensing TV analysis is easier than managing expensive payrolls, overseeing dozens of employees and enduring regular barbs as a G.M. Guzman's four-year, $16.8 million deal was the subject of immediate industry criticism, even though Washington needs to over-pay to establish credibility, just as Detroit did last offseason.

White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf was correct when he told a Chicago radio station that Guzman's performance outside the Metrodome was "pathetic"; the former Twin's .618 road on-base/slugging percentage last season was third-worst in the majors. Guzman excels defensively, but many consider him moody and unfocused, and his career OBP is a dismal .303.

"To tie up a 26-year-old shortstop who helped his team win three division titles, I think, is a smart move," Bowden says. "It's a good contract if he doesn't get any better for the next four years. If he improves as he should--and he has never touched his offensive potential--we'll be glad we gave him the (fourth) year."

Say this for Bowden: He acted decisively, knowing he couldn't afford Edgar Renteria or Orlando Cabrera. Almost immediately after becoming G.M., he had Washington assistant G.M. Tony Siegle contact Guzman's agent, Stanley King. Bowden made follow-up calls almost daily. And on the first day that teams could make offers, King walked into his New Jersey office at 9:30 a.m. and heard Bowden on his answering machine, ready to go. Two days later, the deal was done. The Castilla signing--two years, $6.2 million--proceeded at a similar breakneck pace after Corey Koskie balked at a three-year proposal.

The Washington infield--Nick Johnson at first, Jose Vidro at second, Guzman at short and Castilla at third--suddenly is respectable. Guillen, who revived his career with Bowden's Reds in 2003, is an emotional handful but productive. Bowden also wants to add at least one 180-inning starting pitcher in the $3 million price range.

He's fearless, and that's half the battle.

Television can wait.

speed reads

Something to watch as the offseason develops: the number of American League clubs that shy away from N.L. pitchers. The struggles of former Expo Javier Vasquez with the Yankees last season underscored the difficulty of facing deeper A.L. lineups. Even with a quality pitcher such as Earl Pavano, it's buyer beware.

The Giants should change their name to the Geriatrics if they continue to sign older free agents; the addition of shortstop Omar Vizquel gives them four regulars who are 35 or older. Then again, such a plan worked for the world champion 2001 Diamondbacks, who had four regulars 35 or older and four others 31 or older.

The Red Sox are better off losing free-agent catcher Jason Varitek than giving him what he wants--a five-year contract with a no-trade clause. Varitek, who will turn 33 in April, is too risky under those terms. The Sox should act preemptively, signing a lesser catcher and replacing Varitek's offense elsewhere.

INSIDE DISH

In addition to exploring trades for one of their top three starting pitchers, the A's also are involved in two- and three-team discussions regarding Pirates C Jason Kendall, who is guaranteed $34 million over the next three seasons. A straight trade between the A's and Pirates likely would involve the Pirates receiving LHPs Mark Redman and Arthur Rhodes, who are owed $16.15 million combined over the next two seasons. Kendall also could land with the Dodgers--straight up or via the A's--with the Pirates possibly seeking Dodgers CF Milton Bradley. But the expected loss of free-agent CF Steve Finley makes a trade of Bradley unlikely. > Braves officials scoff at reports that the team offered 2B Marcus Giles for one of the A's pitchers. Giles, however, is not untouchable, even though he is a favorite of Braves G.M. John Schuerholz. Nick Green filled in capably when Giles was injured last season, and 2B Pete Orr batted .320 at Class AAA Richmond. > Here's yet another reason why the Cardinals covet Diamondbacks LHP Randy Johnson in a trade: Johnson is 12-0 with a 1.98 ERA in 13 career starts against the Cubs, including 4-0 with a 1.00 ERA in five starts at Wrigley Field. Cubs 1B Derrek Lee and 3B Aramis Ramirez are 7-for-39 combined (.179) against Johnson, with 25 strikeouts and two walks. > Though Jermaine Dye, Richard Hidalgo and Moises Alou are among the best second-tier free-agent outfielders, the Twins' Jacque Jones is attracting trade interest from several clubs. Jones might command $6 million in his final year of arbitration, but teams such as the Mariners, Orioles and Tigers could absorb that salary. > It's a long shot, but the Royals could become a suitor for free-agent OF Magglio Ordonez if they fail to obtain a young corner out-fielder and Ordonez fails to land a multiyear deal with another club. The Royals signed RF Juan Gonzalez under similar circumstances last off-season, but Ordonez figures to be in greater demand than Gonzalez was. > The Tigers overpaid by awarding RHP Troy Percival a two-year, $12 million contract, but the closer should benefit from pitching at spacious Comerica Park. What's more, Percival never has allowed an earned run against the division rival Twins, a streak that spans 40 innings. His 6.68 career ERA against the Indians, however, is his highest against any A.L. opponent. > The Devil Rays are willing to trade any of their five highest-priced players--IF Aubrey Huff, C Toby Hall, IF Julio Lugo, RF Jose Cruz and closer RHP Danys Baez--but not for cost-cutting reasons. "If we could get the right young player or two and free up money to get another player, then we're getting two or three for on," G.M. Chuck LaMar says. Huff is the least likely to depart. > Look for the Padres to make a run at free-agent RHP Woody Williams if they fail to re-sign LHP David Wells. Williams, 38, is three years younger than Wells and keeps himself in better shape. Plus, he pitched for the Padres from 1999 to 2001.

The Tigers' signing SS Carlos Guillen to a three-year, $14 million extension last June is starting to look like a steal. Guillen, 29, is a better player than Omar Vizquel, 37, who negotiated a three-year, $12.25 million contract with the Giants, or Cristian Guzman, 26, who received a four-year, $16.8 million deal from Washington. Their career on-base/slugging percentages: Guillen, .767: Vizquel, .699; Guzman, .685.