Headed for a new pad, The Rocket in a bargain

Sporting News, The, Dec 14, 1998 by Peter Schmuck

RELATED ARTICLE: High and inside

* ARIZONA GREENBACKS: The second-year Diamondbacks have spent nearly $100 million to upgrade their pitching staff, if they can score some runs, who knows what might happen in 1999.

* BIG MAN BACK ON CAMPUS: Cecil Fielder, discarded by the Angels and Indians last season, hopes to get a spring training invitation from his old team, the Tigers.

* TRADING PLACES: Maybe someone can explain the Dodgers' decision to trade the best defensive catcher in the N.L. (Charles Johnson) and a solid outfield prospect (Roger Cedeno) to the Mets for a catcher (Todd Hundley) who is only one year removed from radical elbow surgery.

* NO EXPLANATION IS NECESSARY IN BALTIMORE: The Orioles solved a long-standing problem behind the plate by acquiring Johnson from the Mets in the three-way deal.

* NEXT STOP, COOPERSTOWN: Paul Molitor handled his retirement announcement the way he handled just about everything else during his career--with a ton of class.

* OFF THE HOOK: White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf will never say so publicly, but he is thrilled to be out from under the huge contract he gave Albert Belle. He also saved big bucks when Robin Ventura signed with the 3. But what kind of a team is he going to have?

Peter Schmuck covers baseball for the Baltimore Sun. E-mail him at schmuck@sportingnews.com.