Friday, March 19, 1999
REDS NOTEBOOK
Reds back off on Baerga
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
TAMPA, Fla. — Jim Bowden spent all Thursday morning in a special meeting with his fellow general managers and left it without making a trade.
Obviously, it's a tough market out there.
Though injuries have robbed San Diego (Carlos Hernandez) and Texas (John Marzano) of catchers for varying periods of time, Bowden said that one of the two teams has no interest in the Reds' Brook Fordyce, who has no options left but is stuck behind Eddie Taubensee and Brian Johnson. Hernandez is out for the season, and Marzano will be sidelined for four to six weeks.
Bowden also said he had no interest in offering a major- league contract to infielder Carlos Baerga, waived Wednesday by St.Louis. Baerga, who reported to camp noticeably overweight, received a two-year contract offer from the Reds before he signed with the Cardinals.
“We have enough problems with the infielders we have,” said Bowden, referring to the glut that includes Hal Morris, Mark Sweeney, Mark Lewis, Jeff Branson, Chris Stynes and Ralph Milliard. At least two won't make the Opening Day roster.
Bowden said he told Baerga's agent, Scott Boras, that he would consider offering his client a minor-league contract if Baerga improved his physical condition.
Though USA Today reported that every National League Central Division team has scouted Kansas City's Kevin Appier, Bowden scuttled the no tion of a deal involving the ace right-hander, saying that the Reds can't afford him.
And with Denny Neagle struggling to recover from his weakened left shoulder, the Reds have no pitching to offer the Milwaukee Brewers for second baseman/leadoff batter Fernando Vina.
TALENT SEARCH: Bowden was transfixed by the sight of Willie Pena, a 17-year-old outfielder from the Dominican Republic who's seeking millions as an amateur free agent.
Bowden said the bidding is “out of hand already” among the teams pursuing Pena. Asked how many clubs were involved, Bowden said, “a lot.”
He added; “We'll see how creative and innovative we can get to try to figure out a way to make it work. Because I don't believe in the word "no.' We'll find a way somehow.”
Accompanied by his agent, Don Nomura, the 6-foot-2 Pena engaged in a tryout at the Reds' Sarasota, Fla., training complex and took batting practice with Barry Larkin, Greg Vaughn and Mike Cameron before the exhibition game against the New York Yankees at Legends Field.
At the latter site, Pena hit a mixture of line drives and weak grounders against the unchallenging deliveries of Triple-A hitting coach Mark Berry. It probably wouldn't have mattered if he had missed every pitch.
“That's a (physical) specimen,” Bowden said, marveling at Pena, who was merely standing by the batting cage at the time. “Seventeen years old. Legit. Look at him. Hasn't shaved in his life.”
After watching Pena hit, Bowden said: “That's what scouting's all about, trying to find those players. It's like finding a Vladimir Guerrero or Dave Parker or Eric Davis or those types of athletes.”
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