Thursday, December 17, 1998

BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Eric Goldschmidt, agent for unhappy Reds shortstop Barry Larkin, indicated Wednesday that his client might accept a trade to a team that wasn't on his preferred list.

Goldschmidt said last month that Larkin, who last week renewed his plea to be sent to a contender, would approve a trade to Los Angeles, St. Louis, San Diego, Texas or the Chicago Cubs.

But two of these teams have since addressed their shortstop needs. St. Louis acquired Edgar Renteria from Florida in a Tuesday trade, and Texas signed shortstop Royce Clayton to a four-year, $18 million contract on Dec. 1. And given the departure of pitcher Kevin Brown, third baseman Ken Caminiti and center fielder Steve Finley through free agency, San Diego might no longer attract Larkin.

Neither the Cubs nor Los Angeles is believed to have conducted serious trade talks with the Reds about Larkin.

LARKIN UPDATE

Stories on Barry Larkin's latest demand to be traded: Larkin trade '99.9%' unlikely Dec. 12 Get rid of Larkin Tim Sullivan column, Dec. 12 Larkin trade will take work Dec. 13 Davey would love Larkin Dec. 14 Others' deals scuttle Reds' hopes Dec. 15

Thus, Larkin no longer can be choosy, though his 13-year service time gives him the right to veto a trade. Goldschmidt said that Larkin would listen to any move that Reds General Manager Jim Bowden might engineer.

“If (Bowden) had a deal they would do, then Jim would come to us and ask if we would consider moving to that team,” Goldschmidt said. “But that hasn't happened.”

In fact, Bowden has repeated that Larkin is “99.9” percent certain to be Cincinnati's Opening Day shortstop.

“There's not a lot Barry can do about it,” said Goldschmidt, who noted that he hasn't spoken to Bowden recently. “He's expressed his desire to Jim on several occasions .Ç.Ç. The ball's more in Jim Bowden's court.”

Goldschmidt also represents outfielder Reggie Sanders, who was unsuccessfully shopped at the winter meetings.

“We all agree that he probably would do best with a change of scenery,” Goldschmidt said.

Reds left behind Tim Sullivan column
List of 1998 Reds stories