Sea Dogs Make Small Trade, Split With Sacramento August 9, 1999
(AP) WASHINGTON, D. C.--The Sea Dogs split a series with Sacramento today,
but also announced that they have traded right fielder Chris James for
reliever Steve Reed.
"We've been looking for a home for Chris to play some games," Weiner said.
"He's somewhat buried on our bench, and when we get Devon White off the
disabled list in a couple weeks, he was in danger of being sent to AAA."
Part of Washington's insistence in wanting to find a home for James, who
hit .275 with seven homers and a .509 slugging percentage, was that they
no longer had room for James in a platoon role.
"Well, earlier this season, he was platooning with Petrick at first base,
with Young in right field, with Baines at DH - and playing extremely
well," Weiner said. "But none of those guys are where they were to start
the year anymore, and we've got all kinds of new talent," Weiner said.
Baines, Washington's DH since he was acquired has been mostly a bench
player since the acquisition of Jim Eisenreich; Petrick has taken a backup
role to Mike MacFarlane and Young, an All-Star is the every-day third
baseman for the Sea Dogs.
James wasn't particularly upset to be leaving the Sea Dogs.
"Well, you know, I'm moving from a first-place team to a first-place
team," James joked. "But seriously, Deadwood's a quality franchise and a
veteran ballclub, and with all the injuries over there I should get a
chance to play a lot."
Washington acquired Reed because of struggles in their own bullpen. While
it's not clear how Reed, who was sent to the minors earlier this season
with a 6.39 ERA in 31 innings, will help the Sea Dogs, Weiner said that
Reed will replace Bubba Veres in the Washington pen.
"Bubba's blown a bunch of games this year," Weiner said. "We're extremely
displeased with his performance, and while we hope he finds his rhythm
again in the minors, we just can't have him up here blowing games."
Also in Washington transactions, the Sea Dogs activated 12-game winner
Alex Fernandez and reliever Roy Clingman from the DL today.
In other news, Washington split a doubleheader with Sacramento today,
dropping them in the first game behind the excellent starting pitching of
Tim Belcher, who allowed just one run in eight innings. Belcher has
allowed just two runs in his last 15 innings after struggling earlier this
month.
Washington lost the second game to Sacramento's Myles Tauscher, who tied
Frank Callahan for the Knights' team lead in wins with eight.
Washington will host Phoenix in a crucial four-game set at the X-Ray this
week that could determine the fate of the division.
