Saturday, December 11, 1999Kids temper Junior talks
Reds must plan for pay increases of young stars
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati EnquirerANAHEIM, Calif. — The Reds must balance their desire for Ken Griffey Jr. with their intent to keep their team young and their payroll relatively cheap.
Cincinnati appeared to be the only club with a realistic shot of acquiring Griffey, the Seattle Mariners' center fielder, as baseball's winter meetings began Friday. Further developments could occur today, when Reds and Mariners officials continue their trade talks.
But on the eve of these discussions, Reds General Manager Jim Bowden elaborated on the financial constraints the franchise faces without Griffey — mindful that the Cincinnati native and 10-time All-Star would command at least $15 million a year, about 40 percent of the team's 1999 payroll, if he signed a multiyear deal.
While repeating his commitment to maintain the talented core of youthful Reds, Bowden cited the importance of keeping the next wave of prospects, such as shortstop Travis Dawkins and outfielder Adam Dunn, to plug into the roster two or three years from now to regulate payroll growth.
By that time, if Sean Casey, Pokey Reese and others continue to progress and shortstop Barry Larkin receives a contract extension, the Reds could have a payroll approaching or exceeding the $60 million-$70 million range. That's a level more typical of a team playing in a major city with bigger revenues.
“If there's not significant revenue sharing and we're not in a new stadium yet, you have to have a plan to keep your payroll under budget,” Bowden said. “You can't trade all your young players for one star player and have that one star player take 35 to 40 percent of your payroll and have it work.”
The Reds seemed to be the favorite to land Griffey shortly after he and the Mariners jointly announced Nov.2 that they could not agree on a multiyear contract and would explore trade options. Since then, Cincinnati's refusal to part with either Casey or Reese has been called the main obstacle to a deal.
Now, it's apparent that finances also complicate the issue, though the tug-of-war over Reese continues and the Mariners are known to have little enthusiasm for outfielders Mike Cameron, Dmitri Young and Michael Tucker, whom the Reds have offered in various four-player combinations.
Even if Griffey remains with Seattle for the 2000 season, he still could join the Reds next offseason as a free agent. That has several advantages. Cincinnati wouldn't give up any players. The 2003 opening of the new stadium would be nearer. And teams might be closer to agreeing on sharing the expected bonanza in television revenues.
“We're a small-market team. I think that gets lost in the shuffle,” Bowden said. “... Payroll's a concern. It's a concern not just on what your budget is for this year and next year, but it's (also) a concern with young players. If you have to trade young players to get a star player, then how are you going to keep your payroll down and keep winning in the future as you build to the new stadium? We can't forget who we are. Until this game has better revenue-sharing, I think this is a major factor.”
Sources in Ohio and at the hotel where these meetings are being held said the Cleveland Indians have swooped into the Griffey race by offering right-hander Jaret Wright and sluggers David Justice and Richie Sexson. But Griffey, whose tenure gives him the right to veto any trade, is widely thought to be unwilling to join Cleveland.
The New York Mets, who are believed to be on Griffey's list of approved teams, were vague about their interest in him.
“We're going to talk to everybody,” said Mets General Manager Steve Phillips, who added with a laugh, “I always answer specific questions in general terms.”
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