Thursday, February 10, 2000
Bowden keeps 'crown jewels'
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Reds General Manager Jim Bowden's legacy is now entrenched. The Ken Griffey Jr. trade will go down in history not for what the Reds gave up, but for the players they kept:
• Scott Williamson, the National League Rookie of the Year who fanned 107 hitters in 93.1 innings, could be prepared to make the move to the starting rotation instead of to Seattle. Williamson, who had been mentioned in just about every possible junior combination, may replace Tomko as a starter.
• Jason LaRue, 25, who bolted into the Reds' plans as the catcher of the future in 36 games last season, surprised them with Gold Glove-like defense. He's got time to improve on a .211 average in 90 at-bats.
• Travis Dawkins, who turns 21 in May, staked his claim as the heir to All-Star shortstop Barry Larkin when he hit .364 in 129 Double A at-bats last season.
• Right-hander Rob Bell, 23, projected as a 15-game winner, bounced back from a strained elbow last season to walk just 17 hitters in 72 Double A innings with a wicked curve ball.
• Left-hander Dennys Reyes, who turns just 23 April 19 and already has 98 appearances along with 16 starts, has time to grow into a more defined role.
Join the discussion on our Reds forum
Reds Stories
Reds page
