Phoenix moves experience for youth and vigor in trades, draft Febuary 20, 1998
Phoenix, AZ (AP) - The clubhouse is buzzing in Phoenix. After a
division-winning season, one in which team ace Shane Reynolds won the
Cy Young award, most observers expected little change in the Phoenix
team. After all, the team batted .278 last year, and pitched a
league-leading 3.64 ERA. Certainly, another impact hitter might be
nice, but surely not a team in need of large changes.
Apparently, Phoenix management disagreed. In a prepared statement from
the Phoenix front-office, Gila Monsters GM and manager Patrick Bridges
said, "Our team was getting old, and our farm system was somewhat thin
in places. In addition, we didn't feel that we had enough great
players to challenge some of the powerhouse teams in the league for
the World Series title. Certainly players like Justice, Mondesi, and
Reynolds are fantastic, but by themselves can't win it all. They need
quality around them to get it done. Since our goal is to establish a
long-term contender and eventual series winnner, we felt some changes
needed to be made."
And changes they made. They traded Rich Amaral and one of their
up-and-coming young power hitters, John Wojcik, to the Sacremento
Kings for Mike Lansing and center-fielder Shannon Stewart. In
addition, Phoenix improved their second-round free-agent draft pick
with this trade, a draft pick that would later be traded for another
center-field prospect, Angel Kaat of the Montreal Royals. "We're
really high on Shannon and Angel, and we felt that the amount of time
Rich could continue to help us was really limited. In addition, Mike
Lansing is a great number-two hitter.", said Phoenix GM Bridges.
Of course, Bridges wasn't done yet. He then traded Molitor and Jack
McDowell, along with utility infielder Mark Lewis, to Spokane for
Wilson Alvarez, Alex Gonzalez, and another 2nd round draft pick. This
draft pick would be turned into RHP Amaury Telemaco in the free-agent
draft. Again, this trade was apparently about youth. McDowell, coming
off a great season, was demanding a high salary, and Molitor is
pushing 39 years old. Alvarez is a great up-and-coming pitcher who
should move into the number 2 spot in the Phoenix rotation, while
Gonzalez is a phenomenon at shortstop who has a magical glove and,
according to scouts, a wealth of potential power.
Lastly, Phoenix took another center fielder, Ryan George, with their
first pick in the free-agent draft. George, a speedy youngster and
relative of the Ryan George who owns the Brooklyn Flaming Skulls, is
an unknown quantity. "We know he's fast, and could be a great hitter,"
said Phoenix GM Bridges. Apparently Phoenix plans to use George to
fill the shoes of David Justice when Justice starts to age.
Phoenix does have a wealth of outfield talent at the moment. Mondesi
and Justice have both arrived and established themselves as dominant
hitters, although Mondesi may be moved to the DH position in the near
future. Stewart is also well on his way to establishing himself a
permanent position in Phoenix.
In addition, Bob Abreu and James Brosius both have a wealth of
talent. Both should arrive in the next 2-3 years. One of them will be
moved to a different position, with an Abreu move to 3B being the most
likely at the moment. This opens up an outfield position for a player
like Angel Kaat or Ryan George, either of which could arrive in under
3 years. Damon Buford will probably be the Monster's starting 1B this
year, with his solid spring training performance. His time with the
team may be limited, however, given the other outfielder talent on the
Monsters.
Phoenix's pitching remains as solid as ever, although questions still
about who will be the fifth starter this next year. Glendon Rusch,
Amaury Telemaco, and Greg Swindell are all possibilities for this
position. In addition, the bullpen could use a good lefty, and a good
setup-man for closer Jeff Nelson.
With their recent emphasis on youth, however, the Monsters should be a
very good team for the foreseeable future.
