Sunday, February 27, 2000Santiago wants to compete
REDS NOTEBOOK
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati EnquirerSARASOTA, Fla. — The National League's 1987 Rookie of the Year and a four-time All-Star, Benito Santiago realizes that his current status with the Reds falls under “a different category” than any he has experienced.
“I have to come here and show what I have,” Santiago said Saturday upon reporting to the club. “If (I'm) going to be (judged) on that, it won't be any problem at all ... I've still got it pretty good.”
Santiago, who signed a minor-league contract Friday, looked smooth in his initial workout, connecting solidly during batting practice and displaying a strong arm.
“I can still throw you out from my knees,” said the catcher who some thought would revolutionize the position at the outset of his career.
General Manager Jim Bowden has said Eddie Taubensee and Jason LaRue are the team's top two catchers. To make the team, Santiago must beat out either Taubensee or LaRue, step in if one of them's injured, or force manager Jack McKeon to keep three catchers, which is unlikely.
Santiago won't go to the mi nor leagues. The Reds will allow him to seek another major-league job on Opening Day if they don't intend to keep him. But if they let him go, they lose the depth they sought by obtaining him. LaRue has an minor-league option remaining. If Santiago excels, the Reds could send LaRue to Triple-A.
“Let's go day-by-day,” Santiago said. “I'm pretty much ready to do whatever they want me to do here. If they want me to pitch or do whatever, I'll do it.”
DMITRI'S DEFENSE: Dmitri Young improved his defense significantly in 1999, trimming his outfield errors from 10 to four. Continuing to refine his fielding remains his primary concern.
“For the time being, the thing I'm working on most is my defense,” Young said. “I wouldn't say that's the weakest part of my game, but that's the part of the game I want down first. I want to have it where there won't be any eighth-inning replacements.”
Young, projected to start in left field, said he studies center fielder Ken Griffey Jr., a winner of 10 consecutive Gold Glove awards.
“I'm not going to have feet like him or anything,” Young said. “But you can pick up anything by watching anybody.”
ETC.: Jerry Springer, the television talk-show host and former Cincinnati mayor, made his first visit of camp. Springer, who has a home in the Sarasota area, appeared at several workouts last year. Saturday, he donned a catcher's glove and joined a group of Reds shagging flies in the outfield. Springer made a few plays, though his most memorable moment occurred when he dropped a Pokey Reese line drive that landed in the middle of his glove.
• The Reds signed pitchers Pat Flury, John Riedling and Eddie Gaillard to one-year contracts. First baseman Sean Casey and third baseman Aaron Boone are the most prominent of the seven unsigned players whose contracts can be renewed anytime between Tuesday and March 11.
• Fewer than 750 of 5,000 baseballs commemorating Griffey's arrival with the Reds remain available. Proceeds from the sales benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of southern Ohio. Each ball costs $34.95 and can be purchased by calling 800-345-2868.
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