Walker and Macfarlane Traded to Sea Dogs April 25, 1999
(AP) Ann Arbor - The Ann Arbor AllKnighters have just pulled off the
largest deal under the new front office. The AllKnighters shipped
all-star caliber CF Larry Walker and power hitting C Mike Macfarlane to
the Washington Seadogs for CF Johnny Damon, C Joe Girardi, 1B John
Olerud and P Mike Baldwin.
While Macfarlane had been rumored to be on the block, the departure
of Walker caught fans off guard. Phone lines at the team headquarters
were swamped with calls from fans and season ticketholders denouncing
the trade of the AllKnighters most talented and popular player.
"We realize this may appear a drastic move to many of the team's
fans, but we assure you we are now a better team, " said Michael
Kennedy, the AllKnighters GM. "It's hard to trade away your two most
productive run producers and say this, but we feel it's true. If not
this year, then next."
"Yes, when ever you trade players of the caliber of Larry (Walker)
and Mac(farlane) you are going to lose some offense, but we feel the
loss was not great, and that what we received will go a long way to
making this club a good team. The core of this team is young, and we
feel that this trade got us players who also will be peaking at the same
time, " continued Kennedy, "We feel Damon is a player only a few years
away from being the same caliber as Larry. He has the contact, power and
speed to draw that comparison. He also should help out immediately and
pick up some of the slack from Larry's departure."
"Girardi will do a fine job as our primary backstop. He brings a
solid bat and some wheels, and is a defensive improvement, and anytime
you can improve defensively, you are becoming a better ballclub. He
should make a very good 8 or 9 hitter for us."
"Baldwin was the player that got the talks going. It's no secret that
the team is in the middle of a youth movement and that Dave Wells may be
headed elsewhere. We wanted to start preparing for that moment. Baldwin
has a live arm, that kind that should make him a great addition in what
ever role he ends up in."
"Olerud was acquired to give the bench a little depth. Behind the
startes there was little else. John may see a little time in LF to take
some pressure off the youngsters we got out there. It will be a problem
getting John some fulltime AB's though, becasue Will Clark is entrenched
at DH and Lawton is off to a terrific start and we won't sacrifice his
AB's," concluded Kennedy.
Manager Buddy Bell also talked about the trade, "Overall I'm very
happy. We got younger without really losing anything. We also added some
depth from our bench, which was something the GM had been trying to take
care for us since we traded Michael Tucker. The only real drawback is
that it leaves with a predominantly lefthanded lineup and with out a
powerhitting righthander to back up Scott Stahoviak. I'm sure Mr.
Kennedy will be addressing that in the near future. We won't have quite
the power we had before, but we'll be forfidable, and with our pitching
it should be enough to make us a competitive team, and in a few years, a
very good team."
"Sure we'll miss Larry and Mac, but they're headed to playoff
contenders and we wish them the best. They are joining a great
orginization and I'm sure they'll prosper."
TEAM NOTES: The team is looking for a righthanded bat to play DH
against lefties. Doesn't have to be a superstar, just somebody solid.
John Olerud, Will Clark, Greg Bosser, Dave Howard and some pitching
would be available. Other player player may be available depending on
the deal. Would prefer to deal either Clark or Olerud for a right hander
of comparable ability. If interested drop me a line.
