The Twins take a gamble by shopping their keystone

Sporting News, The, Feb 9, 1998 by Peter Schmuck

Desperately seeking offense

The Blue Jays, desperate for offensive help, apparently are close to signing Jose Canseco to a one-year contract

Canseco's stock has fallen over a series of injury-marred seasons but could be the answer to the Jay's run-production problem, which got worse when it became apparent that young first baseman Carlos Delgado won't be available at the start of the season because of shoulder surgery

The Jays have spent liberally in the past 14 months to improve their pitching staff, signing Roger Clemens last winter and premier bullpen closer Randy Myers earlier this offseason. But they still are far fro creating the kind of run-production potential necessary to complete for a wild-card berth.

The club ranked last in the American League in runs scored in 1997 and has since lost Delgado (temporarily) and free agent Joe Carter, who combined to drive in 193 runs and account for about 30 percent of the Jay's league-lagging 654 runs.

G.M. Gord Ash already has signed free agents Mike Stanley and Tony Fernandez, among others, but a healthy Canseco could give Toronto enough offensive punch to re-emerge as an A.L. East force.

Orioles castoff Geronimo Berroa also was considered for the Jay's designated hitter role, but he signed a one-year deal with the Indians.

Being Rickey

Rickey Henderson cited a number of reasons for signing yet again with the A's, but the main incentive was one more chance to be Rickey Henderson.

The A's have assured Henderson, 39, that he will be their everyday leadoff man, which means a lot to a former superstar who has been playing less than full time lately.

"I hope to play 162 games," Henderson says.

That would be quite an accomplishment for an aging outfielder who has had his share of nagging leg injuries, but the A's are in a win-win situation. They signed him for the relatively small price of $1.1 million and should benefit in several ways from his presence on their rebuilding club.

Henderson had a reputation for being a selfish player during his glory years, but he clearly has matured and may be ready to act in an informal player/coach capacity. If so, he still has a lot to offer -- on the field and off.