SOMETIMES it’s not the big names that make a mid-season trade work, but the right names.
Sammy Sosa is not a Yankee. Neither is Juan Gonzalez. Neither is Curt Schilling. But the Yankees are more than happy with the recent acquisitions of David Justice, Denny Neagle and Jose Vizcaino, three players nabbed before the baseball world knew they were available.
The Yankees may not be done tinkering with their roster, especially if the discomfort in Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez’s elbow is more serious than believed. If the worst-case scenario should occur and El Duque is lost for an extended length of time, at least the Yankees still have a couple of chips, like Alfonso Soriano, with which to bargain.
That might not be the case had they mortgaged the farm by getting Sosa or Gonzalez. Instead, they acquired Justice in exchange for Ricky Ledee, which left them enough juice in their minor-league system to get Neagle from the Reds for Ed Yarnall, Drew Henson and two other prospects.
What has made those deals look even better is the impact the newest Yankees have made. Justice, acquired on June 29, is hitting .279 with three homers and 8 RBIs going into last night’s game against the Tigers. He also has played a decent left field, a trouble spot for the Yankees all season.
Vizcaino, acquired on June 21 from the Dodgers for Jim Leyritz, had six hits in his last 17 at-bats, while spelling Chuck Knoblauch at second base and serving as pinch runner, pinch hitter and all-around, ready-when-called-upon player.
Neagle, meanwhile, was the toast of the town yesterday after his magical debut Tuesday night against the Phillies. Neagle, a Yankee since July 12, allowed just one run and five hits over eight innings, beating Curt Schilling and the Phillies, 3-1, on a day when it was learned El Duque was going on the DL.
It provided a big lift to the Yankees’ spirits and made Neagle an immediate hero. He left the Stadium Tuesday night in a white stretch limo while being serenaded by fans, chanting, “Denny, Denny.” Neagle popped his head out of the roof and raised his arms, encouraging the crowd to chant in rhythm.
“I love the fans here already,” Neagle said.” It’s right up my alley. I’m a little off-the-wall and goofy myself, and the fans are crazy here. I just love being a part of it.”
So far the feeling is mutual. Sosa may have created more headlines, Schilling more hype. But the Yankees’ decision to go for pop and pitching has paid off thus far.
“It’s a couple of great picks,” said Yankee pitcher David Cone said of Justice and Neagle. “Both are veteran players who fit right in. They’ve certainly filled some holes that we’ve had.”
What has helped Justice and Neagle make an easier transition is both are veterans, who understand baseball is a business and weren’t shocked that they were traded. Justice was traded from the Braves to the Indians in the spring of 1997, while Neagle was dealt from Pittsburgh to the Braves in the middle of the ’96 season and then from the Braves to the Reds in the winter of ’98. Those experiences have served them well coming to New York.
“The fact that this is my second time being traded in the middle of the season, I can reflect on the last time it happened when I went from Pittsburgh to Atlanta,” Neagle said. “I think that experience has helped me out making this smooth transition to the Yankees. I went from a team that was in last place to a first-place team like the Braves. That was a big transition for me and it took a little longer to get used to.
“This time around, I knew what to expect. As long as I come here and be myself, as I’ve been, and don’t try to be anybody I’m not then you can have success.”
Their approach to coming to the Big Apple has been different. Neagle and his wife are staying at a midtown hotel while looking for a permanent residence somewhere in Manhattan.
“I love being in the mix,” Neagle said. “I love to people-watch and what better place to people watch than downtown New York?”
Justice is more low key, staying in an apartment in Ft. Lee, N.J., with one of his grade-school buddies. Going to a movie is a big night out. “I really don’t hang out in clubs,” Justice said. “People think I do, but I don’t.”
What the Yankees care about are results. Justice has added some much-needed pop to the lineup, while Neagle has given the rotation a reliable arm while El Duque heals and Cone (1-8, 6.63 ERA) tries to turn his season around.
“David was probably leery as to what to expect from New York,” said Cone, who knows what it’s like to change teams in midseason under high expectations.
“I think he’s starting to realize the plusses outweigh the minuses here. Denny’s in mid-town Manhattan soaking it up. His mentality is less reserved. They’re both good fits.”
The atmosphere around the Yankee clubhouse helps. It’s all business. No bull.
“We’re all geared to win,” Joe Torre said. “That’s our goal. We don’t necessarily need to play cards together. What we do out there professionally is what helps people fit in. As long as you go out there and take your job seriously, that’s the so-called chemistry at work. Personality isn’t as important as professionalism.”
