TAMPA, Fla. - The general managers of both the Reds and Indians threw a large and very cold bucket of water on rumors of a David Justice trade Tuesday.
Cincinnati General Manager Jim Bowden and Cleveland boss John Hart both denied that the Indians are offering Justice in a trade for Reds pitcher Dave Burba and second baseman Bret Boone.
''I've heard all of it. It's not even worthy of comment because it's a fabrication,'' Hart said. ''I've never talked to Cincinnati about Justice or Boone.''
A report Tuesday said the Indians were dangling Justice and perhaps a prospect to the Reds for Burba, who has been dominating this spring, and Boone, who would fill the Indians' need for a solid defensive second baseman.
The report said Cleveland was so desperate for starting pitching, it would swallow about $3 million of Justice's $6.3 million salary to make the deal more attractive.
Cleveland manager Mike Hargrove said simply, ''It's obviously not true.''
Bowden said he has listened to offers from many clubs this spring and has been asked about the Reds' seven potential starting pitchers, including Burba. But he said there was no truth to this rumor.
''I have not talked to John (Allen) about taking on Justice's salary,'' Bowden said. ''That's the kind of salary we can't take on.''
Looking quizzically at a reporter who asked him about the trade rumor, Justice had perhaps the best answer of the day. ''If it's not true why even talk about it?'' he said.
Justice, a Cincinnati native and 1982 graduate of Covington Latin High, recently bought an 8,000-square foot, $1.8 million house in Mount Adams. He said that doesn't mean it's a precursor to him playing baseball in his hometown and that he lives ''all over.''
The Justice scenario has holes for both the Reds and the Indians.
True, the Reds would actually save about $2 million on their 1998 payroll by dumping Burba and Boone, each of whom will make $2.8 million this season. But come 1999, the Reds would be forced to pick up all of Justice's hefty salary, a problem they can't afford because of their payroll crisis.
Justice is signed through 2002 with a club option for 2003. But the Reds aren't giving players longer than one-or two-year contracts right now.
The Indians do need starting pitching, aren't sold on Shawon Dunston's defensive capabilities at second base and are worried about Justice's injured knee, which will force him to be the designated hitter until it heals. But dumping the popular Justice, who hit .329 with 33 homers and 101 RBI last year, would take one of their top hitters out of the lineup.
The proposed deal also contradicts the Reds' commitment to young players like Chris Stynes and Jon Nunnally, and they need Burba if they have any hopes to contend in the National League Central.
''We've said all along what our plan is: to reduce payroll and add as many good young players as we possibly can,'' Bowden said.
The Burba trade rumors began because scouts have drooled over him this spring. He leads the National League in spring innings (33) and is tied for the lead in strikeouts (28).
But Bowden said just because scouts are showing up to watch Burba doesn't mean there's a deal in the offing. He said several teams scouted Eric Owens, but in the end, only Florida was interested in making a deal.
Bowden said that doesn't mean Burba isn't on the table - everyone but Barry Larkin could be traded for the right price - but he hasn't received an offer that has been enough to let anyone but Owens go.
''People are inquiring about a lot of our players,'' Bowden said. ''. . . I'll listen to anyone if it will make this team better in the long term.''
John Fay contributed to this report.
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