Wednesday, March 24, 1999
Reds pick up Baerga
Overweight 2B going to Indy
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Reds signed second baseman Carlos Baerga, which caused much less excitement Tuesday than it would have a few years ago.
Considerable emphasis was placed on the type of deal Baerga signed: a non-guaranteed minor-league contract. General Manager Jim Bowden said that Baerga, a nine-year veteran whose performance has declined as his weight has soared, has no chance to make Cincinnati's Opening Day roster and will begin the season at Triple-A Indianapolis — if he improves his physical condition.
“He's in bad shape,” Bowden said. “That's why the Cardinals released him, because he's not in shape at all.”
Thus, the Reds expect Baerga to focus on conditioning when he reports to camp today. Asked how many pounds the switch-hitter had gained above his listed weight of 215, Bowden said, “A lot.”
Obtaining Baerga, Bowden said, was a “no-risk gamble,” given the structure of his contract and his position in the organization. “He's not going to be blocking any prospect at Triple-A,” Bowden said.
Baerga was released Wednesday by St.Louis, which signed him Jan.27 for $1.25 million, outbidding the Reds and other suitors.
But Baerga reportedly arrived at camp overweight. He hit .133 (2-of-15) and suffered a knee injury March 14 before St.Louis released him.
Baerga, 30, was one of the American League's top players in the first half of the 1990s, making three All-Star teams and batting .312 or higher between 1992-95 with Cleveland.
He played 147 games with the New York Mets last year, batting .266 with seven homers and 53 RBI.
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