Wednesday, February 23, 2000
Bowden still trying to catch Santiago
REDS NOTEBOOK
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SARASOTA, Fla. — Reds General Manager Jim Bowden indicated Tuesday that he hasn't given up on trying to sign catcher Benito Santiago.
Cincinnati wants a proven catcher to keep in reserve — most likely in the minor leagues — in case Eddie Taubensee or Jason LaRue suffers an injury. LaRue was handy last year when Brian Johnson needed arthroscopic knee surgery.
The Reds lack confidence in their five non-roster catchers. Only two, Mike Hubbard and Guillermo Garcia, have a smattering of major-league experience. When a reporter asked who's the No.3 catcher, Bowden said, “Can you squat?”
The Reds and Santiago broke off talks last week after the club refused to include termination pay in his contract. But Bowden pinned his fresh hopes to Santiago's change of representation. The 14-year veteran hired a new agent, Gregg Clifton, after firing Lonnie Cooper.
“Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't,” Bowden said of the agent switch.
Clifton happens to represent a pair of key Reds: special assistant Tim Naehring and right-hander Pete Harnisch.
NEW WEAPON? Scott Williamson liked the movement he saw on his deliveries after pitching coach Don Gullett gave him a little tip.
“Maybe I found a new sinker,” Williamson said.
Gullett and bullpen coach Tom Hume have concentrated on fixing Williamson's mechanical flaws. Gullett pointed out that the reigning National League Rookie of the Year sometimes drops his right hand too low after breaking from the “set” position.
“But when I got "on top,' my pitches were sinking really hard,” said Williamson, who complements his fastball with a sinkerball. “That's why he's one of the best pitching coaches in baseball, him and "Hummer' (Hume). They see stuff like that. Little things help people in this game.”
Hume repeatedly yelled and motioned to Williamson as he threw batting practice, reminding him to keep his momentum coming toward home plate after each delivery. “I have a tendency to roll to the left when I follow through,” Williamson said.
PRIME PUPIL: First-base coach Dave Collins, whose specialties include outfield defense, took Deion Sanders to a deserted diamond and tutored the two-sport athlete on tracking fly balls. Hume hit practice flies to Sanders as Collins supervised.
Sanders, overcoming an injured right knee, isn't expected to be at top speed for today's first full-squad workout. But, said Collins, “I gave him a practice routine he can follow every day.”
Sanders sounded grateful for the help. “He already has shed some light on things I never knew,” Sanders said of Collins. “He's challenging me. That's one thing I love, a challenge. If I have a challenge in my life every day, I will stay successful.”
SETTLED IN: Unlike some other non-roster invitees, Mike Bell feels at home in the Reds' clubhouse. “It's great,” said Bell, who hit .274 with the New York Mets' Triple-A Norfolk affiliate last year before a hand injury ended his season. “I get to put on the same uniform my grandfather (Gus) and my dad (Buddy) did. It's really pretty amazing.”
Bell, 25, could have re-signed with the Mets or followed his father, who became the Colorado Rockies' manager. But he thought he'd have a better chance with the Reds. Not to mention more fun.
“It's something I wanted to do — play for the Reds like my grandpa and dad did,” said Bell, a 1993 Moeller High graduate. “Cincinnati is a great place. I don't really have any desire to move anywhere else. And if I could play there, that would be great.”
ETC.: Infielders Travis Dawkins, Brandon Larson and Ron Wright signed one-year contracts, leaving 11 players unsigned. Sean Casey and Aaron Boone head the list of unsigned players, whose contracts will be automatically renewed March 11.
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