YANKEE NOTES
When the Expos called up outfielder Milton Bradley yesterday, it was the final sign that they will move Rondell White before the Aug. 1 trading deadline.
White, currently on the DL with a hamstring problem, is eligible to come off the shelf Sunday. However, since the Expos are off Monday, they don’t plan to play White until Tuesday against the Mets if they haven’t dealt him by then.
Since the Yankees have talked to the Expos about White for two years, they will be in the thick of the chase for the right-handed-hitting outfielder. However, they won’t be alone and may not have enough to give the Expos, even if they are willing to part with stud shortstop prospect Alfonso Soriano. The Expos are looking for a pitcher in addition to Soriano and George Steinbrenner is wary of raiding the minor-league system further after making deals for David Justice and Denny Neagle.
Having admitted they need to upgrade their offense, the Braves are interested in White. So, too, are the Mariners and Red Sox. White makes $4 million this year and there is a club option for $4 million next season, so there is a financial commitment as well as a talent
With Ryan Thompson hitting .125 (2-for-16) with one homer and five RBIs in five games, the Yankees continue to search for Shane Spencer’s replacement.
According to a Phillies source, the Yankees have a slight interest in Ron Gant, who homered off Denny Neagle Tuesday night and has been swinging the bat better across the last six weeks. Other names out there are Jose Canseco, who recently came off the DL, Wil Cordero, Jeromy Burnitz, Johnny Damon and David Segui.
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Neagle reveled in the attention he received yesterday in Manhattan when he went looking for an apartment one day after his successful Yankee debut. However, when it comes to signing a contract extension, Neagle didn’t strike when the iron was hot.
“I haven’t got a time table in my mind,” Neagle said. “I will let my agent and Brian Cashman talk about it, but I don’t want it to be a distraction.”
Neagle, 31, earns $4.75 million this year and thanks to a short list of potential lefty starting free agents after the season, is expected to command at least $9 million a year for four years.
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If Joe Torre wants to use Chuck Knoblauch as his DH for the remainder of the season, Knoblauch won’t gripe.
“I told him that it would be fine with me,” Knoblauch said. “Hopefully I will get better at hitting.”
Torre had Knoblauch in the DH spot last night for the second straight game. When the Yankees acquired Jose Vizcaino from the Dodgers, Torre had an option at second base and took advantage of it by shifting Knoblauch to the DH role. Last night was the eighth time Knoblauch DHed. Torre started Vizcaino at second and David Justice in left.
“We are not trying to hide him,” Torre said of Knoblauch, who hasn’t made an error since June 28. “What I have been trying to do is get more offense in there with Vizcaino and left field has been a struggle.”
After getting his average from .272 on June 25 to .297 on July 6, Knoblauch entered last night batting .281 thanks to a 5-for-32 (.156) slide that certainly is the result of an injured left thumb suffered on July 13. Knoblauch showed signs of coming out of the slump by going 2-for-4 in the Yanks’ 9-1 win over Detroit. He’s now hitting .284.
Torre hasn’t noticed Mike Piazza suffering from any aftereffects from getting beaned by Roger Clemens.
“It certainly didn’t hurt Mike Piazza,” Torre said. “It may have hurt him momentarily but he has been as hot as a firecracker lately.”
In his first rehab start yesterday, Ramiro Mendoza allowed one run and three hits in two innings for Tampa (Single-A).
Mendoza has been sidelined since June 25 by right shoulder weakness. He is expected to make another start for Tampa this weekend. If all goes well, he could come off the DL Monday.
“I’m fine,” said Mendoza, who faced the Vero Beach Dodgers. “My arm was a little tight in the first inning. The more I pitched, it got looser.”
