Friday, March 02, 2001
Harnisch expects trade from Reds
Team rejects pitcher's request for 2-year deal
By Chris Haft
The Cincinnati Enquirer
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Pete Harnisch said the end of his Reds career appeared imminent Thursday.
The right-hander and the team declared talks for a contract extension had stopped after Harnisch asked for $8 million a year for two years.
Eligible to become a free agent after this season, Cincinnati's top starting pitcher said he expects to be traded “in the next few months.” The Reds would receive no compensation other than draft picks if Harnisch leaves as a free agent.
“I think we all know what's next,” said Harnisch, who was informed Tuesday night by an official in the organization that talks would not progress. “... I was told we're done, so we're done. That's fine, I can take it.”
Time became an issue because Reds general manager Jim Bowden said Harnisch wanted a deal sealed by Thursday's opening of the exhibition season.
“The organization said that we could not commit to that at this time,” Bowden said. “There are a lot of questions that we have as far as revenue stream, ticket sales, revenue sharing — a lot of issues from a financial perspective.”
Exactly when Harnisch might be traded is open to speculation. He could have value now, as teams try to establish their rotations, or
shortly before the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline, when contending teams strengthen themselves for the stretch run.
But if the Reds consider themselves a threat to win the National League Central Division, they might be reluctant to part with Harnisch. Without him, they have no proven pitcher to anchor their rotation. Harnisch, 34, has a team-best 38-23 record since he joined Cincinnati in 1998. He finished 8-2 after overcoming shoulder problems last year (8-6 overall), improving his career mark to 110-100 with a 3.84 ERA in 12 seasons.
If Harnisch leaves, the Reds will be left without a pitcher who was a full-time major-league starter last season. Scott Williamson (5-8) is a converted reliever; Dennys Reyes (2-1) is being tried in the rotation this spring, but may stay in the bullpen. Elmer Dessens (11-5) and Osvaldo Fernandez (4-3) had their moments last season; Rob Bell (7-8) was in and out of Cincinnati's rotation for much of 2000; and Seth Etherton (5-1 with Anaheim) and Ed Yarnell (0-0 with the Yankees) have minimal major-league experience.
Harnisch, who will earn $3.75 million this year, reiterated that he was willing to take less than market value to sign with the Reds — shown by his initial proposal, which called for $8 million a year for two seasons.
“I don't want it to be construed as a salary demand. I'd like to make that very clear,” Harnisch said. “We went in with a proposal to initiate a proposal from their end ... Believe me, I was leaving plenty of room for negotiating, deferred money.
“If they make an offer, the next step is, we (compromise).”
Harnisch reaffirmed his appreciation for Reds fans and the organization, but indicated the team would have difficulty re-signing him if he stayed all season and went on the free-agent market, where his price tag could soar. “Believe me, it benefits both of us to do it now,” he said.
Harnisch and Bowden differed on several issues:
• Asked if any chance existed for negotiations to resume, Harnisch said, “By the way it was worded to me, with the money they have financially committed, it's not going to change.”
Bowden skirted the question and reiterated the Reds' desire to keep Harnisch. “We want him to pitch this year, and we want him to be with us after this year,” Bowden said.
Said Harnisch, “If you're not going to make a contract offer to me, don't say I'm in the future plans.”
• Though Bowden interpreted the Thursday “deadline” as inflexible, Harnisch emphasized that, because talks began in mid-January, “it was mutually agreed upon that there was no reason for me to have it over my head by this date.”
• Bowden said Harnisch proposed a two-year, $17 million deal — $8 million for each of the next two seasons with a club option of $8 million in 2004 accompanied by a $1 million buyout. Harnisch confirmed the 2002-03 figures, but said the option year wasn't a factor.
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Harnisch expects trade from Reds
