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MFFL · 07-20-2001, 09:05 AM

NEW YORK POST
TEN BIG BATS METS CAN GET
July 20, 2001

THE pipe dream is Ken Griffey Jr., and that is not happening.

The Mets need a run producer, preferably left-handed. Since forcing his way to Cincinnati after the 1999 season, Griffey has not had the homecoming hero experience. The team has lost. He has struggled with both injuries and output. At times churlish behavior has hurt his reputation and dimmed his status as baseball's No. 1 star. Coming to New York would provide an opportunity to re-start his fame and game.

But Reds GM Jim Bowden said, "We're not trading Ken Griffey Jr. We traded for him so that he could end his career as a Red. End of discussion."

Griffey accepted a below-market, nine-year deal at $116.5 million, with nearly half deferred without interest, to make going to the Reds feasible. His agent, Brian Goldberg, said, "You never say never" about a trade, but that his client's family-related reasons for wanting to be in Cincinnati "have not changed."

Goldberg also said a trade did not make sense because Griffey has multi-year, regional endorsement deals with Reds owner Carl Lindner and because fans bought private suites at a new Reds stadium to open in 2003 with the promise Griffey would be aiming at the short right-field porch and Hank Aaron's all-time homer record.

Can you say class-action suit?

So if not Griffey, who can be the big bat the 2002 Mets need? Free-agents-to-be Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi? The very available Jermaine Dye? Here are 10 less-familiar possibilities:

1. MO VAUGHN - A huge risk. He will not play this year due to a torn bi ceps. He is working out three days a week and hopes to play in the Dominican Winter League. He would have to show full health next spring to be moved.

So why him? Disney ownership would love to move the three years at $42 million he has left. Anaheim needs a shortstop, a first baseman and negotiated last offseason with Steve Trachsel. Would they take on the $22.25 million owed Rey Ordonez, Todd Zeile and Trachsel to save about $20 million overall on Vaughn? Vaughn and Bobby Valentine are both Connecticut guys.

2. NORIHIRO NAKAMURA - The righty, power-hitting third basemen for Kintetsu is a free agent after the Japanese season. He has tried to defuse States talk because the Buffaloes lead the Pacific League for the first time in 12 years. But the feeling is he is coming.

The Mets can use a leadoff hitter, as well, and Seibu's switch-hitting speedster shortstop Kazuo Matsui might be available in the same posting system that enabled Seattle to sign Ichiro Suzuki. Mets assistant GM Omar Minaya was recently in Japan and watched Matsui. Valentine's Japanese managerial stint gives the Mets some advantages.

3. GARY SHEFFIELD - OK, it didn't work in spring, but this is not dead. With major injuries to pitchers with long-term contracts (Kevin Brown, Darren Dreifort and Andy Ashby) plus the need to try re-signing free-agent-to-be Chan Ho Park, the Dodgers may have to clear a position player's salary. Sheffield has two years at $20.5 million and Shawn Green has four years at $59.75 million, but both have no-trade clauses.

4. RAFAEL PALMEIRO -There has been talk about the Mets obtaining Ivan Rodriguez from Texas and moving Mike Piazza to first. But Piazza has no desire to change positions. Like the Dodgers, the Rangers may use position players to get pitching. How about Palmeiro (two years at $18 million) for Zeile, Glendon Rusch and Jae Seo?

5. MOISES ALOU - The Ellis Burks of the upcoming free-agent class; an extremely professional hitter with a dubious health history. But like fellow free-agent-to-be Juan Gonzalez, Alou spurned a trade to the Yanks last year because he does not like New York.

6. SCOTT ROLEN - He is being booed in Philly, is a free agent after next season, is hesitant to go long-term with the Phils and has a poor relationship with manager Larry Bowa. But there are questions about his durability and whether he will ever be as good as he was projected to be.

7. SEAN CASEY - Put the Cincinnati first baseman with Minnesota's Matt Lawton and Kansas City's Mike Sweeney as players who could become available because they are on the verge of becoming too expensive for their employers.

8. RAUL MONDESI - Mondesi is probably the most accomplished current player never to drive in 100 runs. Still, he brings defense, speed, power and two years at $24 million left on his deal.

9. RONDELL WHITE - Injured yet again, so he might not make the 502 plate appearances that vest his option. His frailty scares teams, but he can really hit a fastball.

10. TIM SALMON - Available from the Angels for the same reasons as Vaughn: too much money remaining (four years, $38 million) plus age (32) and injury have begun robbing his skills.

07-20-2001, 09:05 AM	#7
MFFL Guru Join Date: May 2001 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 13,149	NEW YORK POST TEN BIG BATS METS CAN GET July 20, 2001 THE pipe dream is Ken Griffey Jr., and that is not happening. The Mets need a run producer, preferably left-handed. Since forcing his way to Cincinnati after the 1999 season, Griffey has not had the homecoming hero experience. The team has lost. He has struggled with both injuries and output. At times churlish behavior has hurt his reputation and dimmed his status as baseball's No. 1 star. Coming to New York would provide an opportunity to re-start his fame and game. But Reds GM Jim Bowden said, "We're not trading Ken Griffey Jr. We traded for him so that he could end his career as a Red. End of discussion." Griffey accepted a below-market, nine-year deal at $116.5 million, with nearly half deferred without interest, to make going to the Reds feasible. His agent, Brian Goldberg, said, "You never say never" about a trade, but that his client's family-related reasons for wanting to be in Cincinnati "have not changed." Goldberg also said a trade did not make sense because Griffey has multi-year, regional endorsement deals with Reds owner Carl Lindner and because fans bought private suites at a new Reds stadium to open in 2003 with the promise Griffey would be aiming at the short right-field porch and Hank Aaron's all-time homer record. Can you say class-action suit? So if not Griffey, who can be the big bat the 2002 Mets need? Free-agents-to-be Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi? The very available Jermaine Dye? Here are 10 less-familiar possibilities: 1. MO VAUGHN - A huge risk. He will not play this year due to a torn bi ceps. He is working out three days a week and hopes to play in the Dominican Winter League. He would have to show full health next spring to be moved. So why him? Disney ownership would love to move the three years at $42 million he has left. Anaheim needs a shortstop, a first baseman and negotiated last offseason with Steve Trachsel. Would they take on the $22.25 million owed Rey Ordonez, Todd Zeile and Trachsel to save about $20 million overall on Vaughn? Vaughn and Bobby Valentine are both Connecticut guys. 2. NORIHIRO NAKAMURA - The righty, power-hitting third basemen for Kintetsu is a free agent after the Japanese season. He has tried to defuse States talk because the Buffaloes lead the Pacific League for the first time in 12 years. But the feeling is he is coming. The Mets can use a leadoff hitter, as well, and Seibu's switch-hitting speedster shortstop Kazuo Matsui might be available in the same posting system that enabled Seattle to sign Ichiro Suzuki. Mets assistant GM Omar Minaya was recently in Japan and watched Matsui. Valentine's Japanese managerial stint gives the Mets some advantages. 3. GARY SHEFFIELD - OK, it didn't work in spring, but this is not dead. With major injuries to pitchers with long-term contracts (Kevin Brown, Darren Dreifort and Andy Ashby) plus the need to try re-signing free-agent-to-be Chan Ho Park, the Dodgers may have to clear a position player's salary. Sheffield has two years at $20.5 million and Shawn Green has four years at $59.75 million, but both have no-trade clauses. 4. RAFAEL PALMEIRO -There has been talk about the Mets obtaining Ivan Rodriguez from Texas and moving Mike Piazza to first. But Piazza has no desire to change positions. Like the Dodgers, the Rangers may use position players to get pitching. How about Palmeiro (two years at $18 million) for Zeile, Glendon Rusch and Jae Seo? 5. MOISES ALOU - The Ellis Burks of the upcoming free-agent class; an extremely professional hitter with a dubious health history. But like fellow free-agent-to-be Juan Gonzalez, Alou spurned a trade to the Yanks last year because he does not like New York. 6. SCOTT ROLEN - He is being booed in Philly, is a free agent after next season, is hesitant to go long-term with the Phils and has a poor relationship with manager Larry Bowa. But there are questions about his durability and whether he will ever be as good as he was projected to be. 7. SEAN CASEY - Put the Cincinnati first baseman with Minnesota's Matt Lawton and Kansas City's Mike Sweeney as players who could become available because they are on the verge of becoming too expensive for their employers. 8. RAUL MONDESI - Mondesi is probably the most accomplished current player never to drive in 100 runs. Still, he brings defense, speed, power and two years at $24 million left on his deal. 9. RONDELL WHITE - Injured yet again, so he might not make the 502 plate appearances that vest his option. His frailty scares teams, but he can really hit a fastball. 10. TIM SALMON - Available from the Angels for the same reasons as Vaughn: too much money remaining (four years, $38 million) plus age (32) and injury have begun robbing his skills.