Saturday, March 04, 2000
Bowden looking for arms
REDS NOTEBOOK
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SARASOTA, Fla. — Without mentioning Minnesota Twins ace Brad Radke by name, Reds General Manager Jim Bowden indicated that he remains extremely interested in acquiring the talented right-hander.
Conventional wisdom dictates that Cincinnati needs another top-line pitcher — not just a fourth or fifth starter — to solidify its postseason bid. Asked whether he'd be prepared to “pay a high price” to get that kind of pitcher, Bowden said, “We gave up a lot to get (Ken) Griffey (Jr.). That shows you we'd give up a lot of talent.”
Minnesota would prefer to keep Radke, who'll earn a $3.5 million salary and is eligible for free agency after the season. The Twins offered Radke a three-year, $21 million contract extension but have balked at his request for about $5 million more, along with the right to demand a trade if the team remains non-competitive.
Should the small-market Twins decide to trade Radke, they'd almost surely want promising minor-leaguers or low-salaried and young yet decent major-leaguers. The Reds likely would be asked for many of the same players Seattle wanted in the Griffey deal — Rookie of the Year reliever Scott Williamson, minor-league outfielders Adam Dunn or Ben Broussard, shortstop Travis “Gookie” Dawkins or right-hander Rob Bell.
Colorado, Oakland and both New York teams are among other potential suitors for Radke.
Bowden said that the Reds wouldn't shy from acquiring an impending free agent such as Radke.
“We got a rent-a-pitcher last year in (Juan) Guzman, who helped us win 96 games,” Bowden said. “But we knew that what we gave up (minor-league pitchers B.J. Ryan and Jacobo Sequea) was consistent with a rent-a-pitcher, knowing we'd get two draft picks back (once Guzman entered free agency). We got a first-round and a second-round pick for Guzman, which we thought would be better than the two kids we gave up to get him. So we didn't think we hurt our farm system.”
REESE HURT: Second baseman Pokey Reese insisted he'll play in today's game despite injuring the ring finger on his right hand when he stole second in the fourth inning.
“I sprained it a little bit,” Reese said. “It's fine, though.”
STUCK GATE: Friday's crowd of 3,439 at Ed Smith Stadium was low, or high, depending on perspective.
Griffey's gate appeal helped the Reds exceed the crowd of 2,549 they drew for last year's exhibition opener against Minnesota. But it was less than half than the park's capacity of roughly 7,500.
REYES IMPROVES: Left-hander Dennys Reyes said that his left shoulder felt better after Thursday's 45-pitch throwing session than it did after his 30-pitch workout Tuesday.
“The first time, I was a little tight,” said Reyes, who's trying to overcome tendinitis.
Reyes will throw 60 pitches off a mound today.
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