BALTIMORE – Mike Stanton and Paul Quantrill are the initial blood stains of the Yankees’ putrid first three months, The Post has learned.
The veteran relievers were designated for assignment after last night’s game against the Orioles was rained out.
Granted they weren’t axed to make room for Roger Clemens or Mark Kotsay, but it’s clear the summit meeting in Tampa Tuesday has claimed its initial victims.
Stanton and Quantrill, both of whom struggled in reduced roles than they have been used to, were called into Joe Torre’s office and informed of the move that the club planned to announce tomorrow.
The Yankees have 10 days to trade or release the pitchers, who will likely clear waivers since Stanton makes $4 million and Quantrill $3 million. The Yankees have until tomorrow night to fill the spots. One could be calling up shortstop Felix Escalona from Columbus (Triple-A).
Stanton and Quantrill drove from Camden Yards to their New York area homes together last night and plan on remaining in the area until their situations become clearer.
“(Torre) told me I was designated for assignment and (Brian) Cashman got on the phone and said it was a move from Tampa and some other stuff,” said Stanton, whose last pitch as a Yankee was belted for a game-winning home run Tuesday night by Brian Roberts. “It was shocking, it totally blindsided me. I didn’t see this coming. I am numb.”
Since the 38-year-old Stanton was a key member of the Yankee World Series champion teams in 1998-2000, the move hurt.
“I feel if I had gotten the opportunity to do the job and pitched my way out of it, then that was one thing,” said Stanton, who was 1-2 with a 7.07 ERA in 28 games. “But I had 14 innings. I didn’t think they brought me back (from the Mets) to be a left-handed specialist.”
Even though his overall numbers weren’t good, Stanton did well in the role as a specialist since left-handed hitters batted .176 (6-for-34) against him. Stanton, who has a full no-trade, isn’t ready to retire but he can pick and choose where he continues his career. Quantrill, doesn’t have a no-trade clause, and will think about if he is done at 37.
“I certainly didn’t pitch to my ability,” said Quantrill, who was 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA in 22 games (32 innings). “I was always used to pitching a lot.”
Quantrill, who appeared in a team-high 86 games a year ago despite pitching with a balky knee, will wait and see what develops.
“I don’t want to get into a situation like I was in this year,” Quantrill said. “I wasn’t in the mix. I don’t want to get in a situation like this again. It’s not worth it. But at the end of the day I am big on being accountable and I didn’t pitch well. I didn’t help the team.”
The emergence of Tanyon Sturtze and the addition of Buddy Groom cut into Quantrill and Stanton’s work load and neither adjusted to the irregular schedule.
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Mike Stanton
INNINGS: 14
RECORD: 1-2
ERA: 7.07
WALKS: 6
HITS: 17
Paul Quantrill
INNINGS: 32
RECORD: 1-0
ERA: 6.75
WALKS: 7
HITS: 48
