Washington Deals For Garret Anderson June 16, 1999
(AP) WASHINGTON--Never trust Washington GM Aaron Weiner when he says he's
standing pat.
The Washington Sea Dogs traded their top pitching prospect, Buddy Moisan,
to the Anchorage Abominations for left fielder Garret Anderson, making the
second deal the Sea Dogs have made since they announced they would cease
to deal for the year.
"No, really, this is the final time," GM Aaron Weiner said, while drinking
a beer, smoking a cigarette, biting his nails and snorting crack. "Barring
serious injuries, we're really done this time."
Anderson, who was hitting .316 at the time of the trade with 17 doubles
and three homers, will most likely start at first base for the Sea Dogs.
"He seems to be our best choice to be the every day first baseman," Weiner
said. "I can't imagine that we'd use anyone else there."
Anderson was surprised that the Sea Dogs came calling.
"According to Nick (GM Nick Tulach of Anchorage), there were several teams
calling about me, but he never mentioned Washington," Anderson said. "I'm
not really happy to be leaving the West Coast, but at least I'm going to a
good team."
When told that he would probably start almost all the games in Washington,
Anderson was extremely surprised.
"With all that talent over there? No way. They'll move me in and out
like it's nothing," Anderson said.
Washington captain Chuck Knoblauch was excited about his new teammate.
"Yeah, I heard that Moisan was something special, but I've seen Garret
play," Knoblauch said. "And I know he can make us a better ballclub."
Moisan was pitching extremely well at AAA Towson. Despite just a 5-3
record, Moisan has a 2.38 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 87 innings.
"It's tough giving up a prospect like Moisan," Weiner said. "We thought
he might be in the rotation as early as next season. But I thought we
needed the bat."
It was expected that Washington would not make any more moves, as they
traded themselves out of the amateur draft, but Weiner said that
opportunity called him.
"I knew we needed another bat with Devo and Johnson out for most of the
season," Weiner said. "This gives us not just another bat, but a guy who
we're glad to have on the team. His acquisition could make all the
difference for our lineup."
Washington entered the amateur draft break with a 45-19 record, tops in
the PVBL.
Draft Notes and Quotes:
"Medina has Scott Karl!"
-Weiner, after learning Washington's #22 pick was dealt for Karl
"I'm kinda glad to be out of the lineup every day. Creaky knees, creaky
back, creaky doorjam I have to fix."
-Chris James, who doubles as the clubhouse repairman on off-days
* * *
Anchorage GM Nick Tulach has taken a lot of heat for the move, as Moisan
is still in the prospect stages. But Weiner says that it may be himself
that made the poor decision.
"Our team was pretty good without Anderson," Weiner said. "Now, we have
to try and draft another guy who can be as good as Moisan. Should we
continue to make the playoffs, we're going to run into real trouble down
the road with escalating salaries."
With the acquisition of Anderson, who makes 2.2 million, Washington's
salary level has reached the 70 million dollar mark, by far tops in the
PVBL.
"We were actually considering Greg Vaugn, but we couldn't take on the
salary," Weiner said.
While Washington has sold out every home game this year, it's possible
that their salary is getting out of hand. However, Weiner says the
monetary sacrifice is worth it despite the consequences.
"Championships come from dealing for guys like MacFarlane and Devon
White," Weiner said, "but those deals come at a price. There's no way
we'll be able to hold onto everyone for next year, even with the way
we're selling out games."
Washington is expected to re-sign their starting pitchers, but fear that
within a few years, a few of their players might become unaffordable.
"Mickey Kelly's definitely a guy we're going to have to lock up to a
long-term deal soon," Weiner said, "'cause if we don't, we'll never be
able to keep him. Shawn Estes is another."
Washington has already taken steps to re-sign their players. Larry Walker
was recently inked to a five-year deal, and Chuck Knoblauch is expected to
sign a 10-year deal with the Sea Dogs that would take him through the end
of his career.
"We're working on keeping our nucleus together, but it could all fall
apart within a year or two," Weiner said.
* * *
Despite the huge influx of power-hitting third basemen in the amateur
draft, Weiner still believes he made the correct decision by trading for
Bill Mueller.
"Sure, there are some good players there," Weiner said. "But it's going
to be a long time before they have the veteran smarts and defensive skills
that make Mueller so vital to our ballclub."
Weiner said that Mueller was re-acquired primarily for his defensive
skills, as he is capable of backing up all three infield skill positions
adequately.
"I mean, what if Larkin or Knoblauch, G-d forbid, goes down with an injury
this year? I mean, guys like Glaus and Beltre are great, but they don't
really have the defensive skills to play short like Bill," Weiner said.
Weiner said that there may be players in this draft that will be better
hitters than Bill in the long run, but none that would play for the Sea
Dogs this year.
"I don't know a single player in this draft that could have possibly
cracked our roster for this season," Weiner said. "Mueller not only
cracks it, he's a vital part of it. We don't think we're going to win
without him."
Mueller says that he's flattered by the complimentary attitude of the GM,
but that all he wants to do is do his job.
"I'm here to do one thing, and that's play ball for this incredible
franchise," Mueller said. "I'm just hoping I can help the team win."
