Economic uncertainty makes the big waves

Sporting News, The, Dec 6, 1993 by Peter Pascarelli

Whenever a team makes a personnel move, be it a trade or free-agent signing, it has always been fascinating to chart the ripple effect created by player movement.

But in these days of baseball economic uncertainty and an increased eye for clubhouse chemistry, most moves involve layers of significance that go beyond the sole question of a player's going to one team and another player's replacing him.

Take for example the recent deal between the Twins and Cubs in which pitcher Willie Banks was sent to Chicago for catcher Matt Walbeck and minor league reliever Dave Stevens.

It was a trade that didn't involve big names and didn't get many headlines around the country. But the reasons for the trade and the ripple effect it potentially creates could be far more significant.

For one thing, the anatomy of the deal was largely economics. The Twins were in the position of needing a catcher because they needed to lower their payroll. And one way to do that was to not tender a contract to Brian Harper, who hit .306 in five-plus seasons with the Twins. The Cubs, in a budget crunch of their own, needed a starting pitcher but were not free to dip into the free-agent market.

The well-regarded Walbeck was available because Chicago already had a power-hitting young catcher in Rick Wilkins. Banks was available because the Twins had been frustrated with his development and think young pitchers Pat Mahomes, Mike Trombley, Mike Misuraca, Oscar Munoz, Bill Wissler, Todd Ritchie and Latroy Hawkins could end up passing Banks.

But the guy who might create the biggest ripple effect is the unknown Stevens. He was converted successfully to relieving this season and has pitched well in the Arizona Fall League. The acquisition of Stevens, who many scouts feel has closer potential, is a clear signal the Twins are interested in more cost cutting and now will listen more seriously to offers for reliever Rick Aguilera.

The talent-rich Braves have been among a handful of clubs interested in Aguilera, who conceivably can bring Minnesota at least three player.s. Outfielder Shane Mack is also on the trading block because of dollars.

Thus, the trading of Banks could well represent the start of a major shakeup in Minnesota.

Then there is the Rangers' signing of Will Clark. Obviously, he replaces Rafael Palmeiro at first base in Texas. And the Rangers will now hope Clark will be healthy after two subpar seasons and that his hard-driving clubhouse persona win be worth more than Palmeiro's laid-back personality and superior offensive skills.

But the deal has more nuances than just Texas' Clark-Palmeiro swap. For one thing, there is the impact upon the Giants. Having already spent a bundle to re-sign Robby Thompson and add free-agent pitcher Mark Portugal, San Francisco seems unlikely to add anymore payroll. That means Clark's job presumably will be taken by rookie J.R. Philips, who led the Pacific Coast. League in home runs in 1993 and has been the leading home-run hitter in the Arizona Fall League.

Scouts' opinions are mixed on Phillips. There is no questioning his power. But there is a school of thought that he will struggle to be a consistent major league hitter. And he has some problems defensively, especially throwing.

Meanwhile, with Clark signed, Julio Franco likely is history in Texas. Franco is a free agent who is largely a designated hitter, a job Texas must fill with Jose Canseco, whose injured right shoulder will prevent him from playing the outfield. Franco had been the Rangers' fall-back option for first base if they had lost Palmeiro and not signed a replacement.

At the same time, Texas remains interested in a starting pitcher and a proven out-fielder. And despite signing Clark (and left-handed reliever Rick Honeycutt), the Rangers' payroll has room for more additions. They've dropped nearly $15 million with the departures of Palmeiro and Franco along with the retirement of Nolan Ryan and the decision not to offer contracts to Charlie Leibrandt and Bob Patterson. So, with their new stadium set to open, Texas still could spend some money (free-agent outfielder Otis Nixon being one possibility). And by using only the free-agent market to this point, Texas still has some organizational depth to use in trade pursuits.

And with Texas and San Francisco removed as options, Palmeiro's potential market has been narrowed with the Yankees, Mets and Orioles the most likely suitors.

Finally, there is the example of the Rockies' acquisition of Howard Johnson. The Rockies obviously needed a lefthanded hitter and the switch-hitting Johnson's best side is the left side. If he returns to only 75 percent of his best, the Rockies can reasonably expect 20 to 25 home runs from him.

But the acquisition of Johnson also allows Colorado other options. The Rockies can play him in left. They also can play him at third base and can thus afford to listen to offers for third baseman Charlie Hayes. One interested party is Baltimore, which is offering a package including center fielder Mike Devereaux. And Johnson could also be an option at first base, should the Rockies not retain Andres Galarraga or sign another first baseman.