Sunday, July 01, 2001
Reds trade Wohlers to Yankees
Team saves money, gets pitching prospect
By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Wohlers
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The Reds continued to stockpile pitching prospects while trimming the budget Saturday by trading Mark Wohlers to the New York Yankees for prospect Ricardo Aramboles.
The move saves the Reds $1.25 million and gets them Aramboles, a 19-year-old Dominican who signed with the Yankees in 1998 for $1.52 million.
Wohlers, who was 3-1 with a 3.94 ERA, had to waive his no-trade clause to allow completion of the deal.
“I just wanted to make sure we weren't burning any bridges,” Wohlers said. “I think it's best for all parties — with the Reds' financial situation. ... Hopefully, it's a win-win situation.”
Wohlers, a 30-year-old right-hander, makes $500,000 this year. There's a mutual option for $4 million next year, with a $1million buyout.
The Reds will call up Frankie Rodriguez from Triple-A Louisville to take Wohlers' roster spot. Aramboles will be assigned to Double-A Chattanooga.
Letting go of Wohlers was difficult for the Reds. Leaving was difficult for Wohlers.
He turned away more money from other clubs to re-sign with the Reds out of loyalty last year because the team had stuck with him through elbow surgery and anxiety problems that prevented him from throwing strikes.
“I told (pitching coach Don Gullett) that if it weren't for him, this wouldn't have happened,” Wohlers said, who went on to mention Dr. Tim Kremchek, physical therapist Lonnie Soloff and trainer Mark Mann. “The job they did, the time and devotion, means a lot.”
“It's tough to let Mark Wohlers go,” Reds general manager Jim Bowden said. “He took a lot less money and security to sign here. Loyalty is rare in this day and age in baseball.”
Wohlers knows his past problems will be back in the spotlight in New York..
“It's a big market,” he said. “A lot of things about my past are going to come up. But I look at it as no risk, no reward.
“I've thought about it a lot,” he said. “I think when I get there I'll answer any question (the media) has. I'll take as long as they want. Then I'll ask (afterward) they allow me to move forward.”
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Reds trade Wohlers to Yankees
