Lankford Sent to Phoenix in 4-man Deal May 26, 1998
by Jack Frodd
With the way the season was going for Ray Lankford, we all knew changes
would be made in his regard. Before being traded, the centerfielder
Lankford was batting a .204 and had only a .267 OBP, one of the lowest on
the team, and certainly unacceptable for a #2 hitter. He was particularily
a dissapointment because he was expected to post big numbers in the stolen
base department looking at an injury-free season. While he was one of the
league leaders in the stolen base department, the numbers weren't nearly
what was expected of him. Considering his OBP was so low, he was unable to
get the chances he needed (he was caught stolen 2 times in 16 attempts).
Phoenix hopes to turn the underachiever around. They sent reliable second
baseman Mike Lansing and young Alberto Castillo (who has yet to get a hit
in the majors) to the Montreal Royals in exchange for Lankford and
lefthanded specialist Omar Daal.
Omar Daal got only 1 inning of action since being acquired from the
Deadwood Outlaws before being shipped to Phoenix.
"Montreal had a lot of depth in the bullpen, so unfortunatly they didn't
give me a lot of chances," said Omar Daal. "Hopefully I'll be of some use
in Phoenix. I'll be working behind good relievers like Veres and Nelson, so
I'll have to work hard to get some innings in Phoenix, just like Montreal."
In Montreal, Lansing will provide the much-needed defense at second base.
Curtis Goodwin filled in for a few games, but obviously it was only a
temporary measure. While Lansing has commited a sorrowful 6 errors and his
fielding average is not what is expected of him, he has posted pretty
impressive offensive numbers.
Alberto Castillo, a 25-year old catcher, will platoon with the familiar
Darrin Fletcher. Castillo will have to work hard to get hits in the major
leagues, but what impressed Montreal scouts the most was his work ethic and
strong arm.
Said pitching coach Tim Burke, "during practice he's already gotten some
high praise from the pitchers who have been taken aback by his strong arm.
Darrin Fletcher will now have some serious competition for the starting
position."
