Outlaws Get Salmon, Mortgage Future September 2, 1999
(Deadwood, SD)..The trade that brought RF Tim Salmon to the Outlaws from
Washington nearly didn't happen. The Outlaws sent RHP Hank Gill (who was
traded to the Outlaws from Washington before the season), two draft picks
and future considerations (rumored to be more draft picks) to Washington in
exchange for the power hitting Salmon. According to sources close to the
situation, many in the organization believed that adding Salmon was not
neccessary, but manager Don Slaught was able to talk GM Philip Raisor into
the move. "Salmon gives us even more depth then we had," said Slaught.
"With Salmon, I'd take our one through nine lineup over any in the league."
The trade also helps the potential loss of a player via free agency,
according to Raisor. "Now if we lose a position player, we'll still have
one of the best offenses in the league, and if we lose a pitcher we'll have
the manuverability to make a move for a new one. All and all, I think we're
set, not only for this year, but next."
Many in the organization are concerned that the club has traded away too
many prospects and draft picks in the last three seasons, and worry about
the club's future. Raisor disagrees: "Yes we've traded away just about
everyone that was worth anything in our minor league system. However, if we
start having problems in the next couple of years, you can be sure we'll
take the steps necessary to rebuild the club. But most of our position
players are in the 27-31 range, which just happens to be the prime of most
ball players."
PROTECTED LIST
This paper has secured a partial list of players that will be protected in
the Free Agent Draft, assuming the Outlaws can hold of Montreal.
The six currently projected to be protected by Raisor:
1. OF/1B Brad Fullmer
2. 2B Roberto Alomar
3. SS Travis Fryman
4. OF Tim Salmon
5. RHP Greg Maddux
6. undecided
