Thursday, February 24, 2000
Yanks interested in Young
Mendoza said to be offered in trade
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SARASOTA, Fla. — The New York Yankees are believed to be exploring the possibility of obtaining outfielder Dmitri Young from the Reds in exchange for right-hander Ramiro Mendoza.
Mendoza has pitched mostly in relief since joining the Yankees in 1996 but probably would start for the Reds, who want to add depth to their rotation. Reds General Manager Jim Bowden divulged little about the subject Wednesday, saying only, “We've had no discussions with the Yankees since we've been at spring training.”
Asked about Young and outfielder Al Martin, another player New York was said to be considering, a Yankees official told the Newark Star-Ledger, “Either of those are appealing options.” That was before Pittsburgh traded Martin to San Diego on Wednesday for pinch-hitter John Vander Wal and two minor-leaguers.
Mendoza, 27, was 9-9 with a 4.29 ERA last year in 53 games, including six starts. He's 31-22 with a 4.27 ERA in 145 lifetime appearances, 46 of them starts.
Though Young is the Reds' projected Opening Day left fielder, the team could replace Young, a switch hitter, with a platoon of left-handed-batting Michael Tucker and righty Alex Ochoa.
The Yankees reportedly were discussing a Mendoza-for-Jim Edmonds trade with the Anaheim Angels. But that was before designated hitter Darryl Strawberry tested pos itive for cocaine use, raising the possibility of a suspension. Young, who has hit .306 with 78 doubles in two Reds seasons, could deepen New York's outfield or fill Strawberry's DH role.
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