Washington Makes Two Trades, Still Not Done July 15, 1999
(AP) WASHINGTON--How do you make the best team in baseball even better?
Simple. Add a .344 hitter for a .190 hitter, toss in a prospect and add a
solid bullpen arm.
Washington, over the All-Star Break, traded Kevin Orie and a draft pick to
Calgary for Mike Timlin and prospect Mike Dashiell, then traded their
first round free-agent pick to Richmond for Jim Eisenreich.
"Is there too much of a good thing?" GM Aaron Weiner asked. "I don't
know, but I'd have to say no."
Eisenreich, 37, is the more prominent of the two additions. Currently
fourth in the batting race, Eisnereich has a career average of .325.
"Richmond and I talked, and we basically agreed that I was probably done
after this year," Eisenreich said. "So they shipped me off."
Eisenreich did not seem overjoyed to leave Richmond.
"Well, I was hoping to retire a Panther," Eisenreich said. "But I
certainly don't mind being on the Sea Dogs and getting a chance at a
championship."
While Eisenreich is the big-name player in the deal, Timlin may be the one
more valuable to the Sea Dogs. Timlin, 30, has a career ERA of 4.04 and
was leading the DL's second-worst pitching staff in ERA this season.
"He's a lot better than his ERA suggests," Weiner said. "If you eliminate
this year, he's an excellent pitcher, but he hasn't been able to go as
many innings because he's had to throw so many pitches this year."
Timlin, who served as Calgary's closer this year, will start in long
relief, but will likely switch roles with Bubba Veres and move into a
setup role for Sea Dog closer John Wetteland.
"Wow. I'm stunned just to be here," Timlin said. "I knew I was on the
blocks, but I never figured Washington would go after me."
Along with Timlin, Washington received outfield prospect Mike Dashiell,
considered by many to be among the best LOW players.
"Dashiell's around two years away from the Sea Dogs," Weiner said, "but
he'll be there soon enough. We project him as our starting left fielder
in a few years."
Orie, who was a Sea Dog for two days before being traded, says that he
feels used.
"They threw me around like a rag doll," Orie said. "I feel like a piece
of meat."
Washington has only one relevant pick left for the upcoming drafts, their
first round amateur pick.
To make room for Eisenreich on the roster, John Burkett was placed on the
disabled list with a pulled triceps. Timlin's spot was vacated by the
departure of Orie. To make room for Dashiell in LOW, Washington released
minor-league bust Frank Kane.
