Saturday, February 20, 1999REDS NOTEBOOK
Hudek loses arbitration case
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati EnquirerSARASOTA, Fla. — A three-man panel ruled in favor of the Reds in the John Hudek arbitration case, awarding the reliever an $800,000 salary — $301,000 more than he earned last year. Hudek had filed for a $1.3 million wage.
The decision gave teams a 7-2 lead over players in salary arbitration. Reds General Manager Jim Bowden said Mel Southard, the attorney who directed the Reds' case, has won nine of 11 hearings.
Bowden said the Reds' case revolved around the absence of wins, saves or “holds” accumulated in recent years by Hudek, who was 5-6 with no saves and a 3.09 ERA last year. Bowden quickly added that this wasn't Hudek's fault, because the right-hander was injured in 1995-96.
Hudek said he was told 21/2 hours before his Thursday morning arbitration hearing, which lasted 41/2 hours, that Allen had rejected his counterproposal for a compromise agreement. Bowden said the proposal was for $900,000 with $200,000 in incentives.
Hudek realized that challenging the Reds could prompt his being traded or released. It happened to catcher Joe Oliver, the last Red before Hudek to go to a salary arbitration hearing, after he won a $2.5 million settlement in 1994.
“That's their decision,” Hudek said. “It's over. Now I've got to go out and do my business (pitch).”
GARDNER vs. REDS: San Francisco Giants manager Dusty Baker has said that right-hander Mark Gardner likely will start the April 5 season opener at Cinergy Field against the Reds.
But Reds manager Jack McKeon is in no hurry to name his starter, indicating that he'll wait until the last 20 days of spring training to see how his rotation is developing. McKeon said injuries or ineffectiveness could influence his decision.
McKeon has narrowed his range of potential Opening Day starters to the most obvious trio: Denny Neagle, Pete Harnisch and Brett Tomko.
“Basically, you're talking about three No. 1 starters,” said McKeon, who added that Neagle, who won 52 games from 1996-98, and Harnisch, the Reds' leading winner with a 14-7 record last year, were the most logical choices.
ETC.: Dennys Reyes missed Friday's workout with lower back spasms. He is day-to-day.
• Catcher Eddie Taubensee, recovering from Jan. 13 surgery to repair torn ligaments in his right wrist, took batting practice against pitchers (instead of coaches) for the first time without problems. While practicing blocking pitches, Taubensee admitted feeling mild discomfort in the wrist when he braced himself by putting his hand on the ground. “But it was fine after that,” he said.
• Bowden said architect Michael Schuster, who has been seeking input from various groups about the Reds' new stadium, will visit here Feb. 28 to take suggestions.
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