YANKEE NOTES
While their starters have been almost unhittable, there is room for improvement in the Yankees’ bullpen before they get to closer Mariano Rivera.
That’s why they have again discussed internally the possibility of trading for Indians’ right-hander Jerry Spradlin. Blessed with a 96-mph fastball and a nasty split-fingered fastball, the 31-year-old Spradlin has been on the block since the middle of spring training, when the Tribe soured on him. The question now is are the Indians so down on Spradlin to deal him to their No. 1 AL rival?
“I can’t comment on other teams’ players,” GM Brian Cashman said yesterday when asked about the Yankees’ interest in Spradlin, who was acquired from the Phillies for Chad Ogea and has appeared in two games this year with a 4.50 ERA. He has a career record of 10-13 with a 4.35 ERA in 191 games for the Reds, Phillies and Indians.
The Indians, who yesterday placed lefty reliever Ricardo Rincon on the DL (swollen elbow) and brought up veteran Mark Langston, are looking for a prospect in return for Spradlin, who wouldn’t come cheaply. He is in the first year of a two-year deal worth $1.7 million that included a $125,000 signing bonus. He makes $625,000 this year and $900,000 next. There is a club option for 2001 at $1.1 million or a $50,000 buyout.
The money is believed to be steep for the Yankees, who are paying Dan Naulty and Jason Grimsley a combined $650,000 to handle a role in which Spradlin has experience. However, both right-handers have been rocky in their first outings.
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After spending the weekend with the Yankees and picking up his third World Series ring, Darryl Strawberry returned to the team’s minor league complex in Tampa yesterday morning, where he continued his workouts.
“He has looked good,” minor league head Mark Newman said. “We are going to work him hard for a week with agility drills.”
Strawberry will begin extensive work in the outfield this week and could join (Triple-A) Columbus at the beginning of next week if his left knee handles the latest round of tests.
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Switch-hitting DH Chili Davis was named AL Player of the Week yesterday. Davis hit .500 (10-for-20) with three homers and seven RBIs.
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RHP Juan Guzman (0-1; 16.20 ERA) faces RHP Ramiro Mendoza (1-0; 0.00) tonight. RHP Scott Erickson (0-1; 6.43) draws RHP David Cone (1-0; 1.69) tomorrow night. RHP Mike Mussina (2-0; 3.00) takes on RHP Roger Clemens (1-0; 1.93) Thursday night.
