New Orleans Gets Serious About Rebuilding May 27, 2000
The New Orleans Vampires' owner, Jeremy Chrabascz, finally came out strong on a rebuilding plan this morning after 2 seasons of teeter-tottering back and forth and cycling between youngsters and veterans. He issued the following statement:
After two long years of experimentation and after 1 month of re-evaluation, my staff and I have determined, finally, what would be best for our franchise and that is to rebuild. But we will be rebuilding and sticking by it, not just saying so. We need an influx of young talent and numerous draft picks again. We need to get serious and stay serious. However, we also need not be stupid about how we go about it. We will not conduct a complete fire sale. What we do will be calculated, unlike other clubs' supposed attempts to rebuild of late that have not been very well calculated. Below you will find a list of a couple "core players" who will form the foundation for the future of our franchise. We will be making a long term commitment to these particular players and will *not* be accepting offers for them under any circumstances. This will be followed by a list of the better known players available for trade. These players have already been informed that they will be dealt and they and their families have already planned accordingly. All I will say in closing is that we need picks, preferrably high quality picks, and young, quality talent (anywhere in the field). We will build and we will be patient. We will calculate and we will be intelligent in how we approach things. I just ask that our fans walk kindly along with us and support us through what is sure to be a difficult season or two. However, I make a solemn promise to our fans and to the state of Louisianna that if you put your faith in us we will win and we will make you proud. Thank you, good day and here are the lists:
The following players are "core players" and will not be available for trade (this is only 20% of the club):
Catcher Jason Kendall
First baseman Mo Vaughn
Center fielder Doug Glanville
Right Fielder Socks Byrne
Pitcher Sterling Hitchcock
Pitcher Kevin Millwood
Pitcher *Charlie Bunker
Pitcher *Pete Wilson
Of the remaining 33 Vampires available for trade (80% of the team), here are the more notable ones:
3B Bill Mueller
SS Kurt Abbott
LF Bernard Gilkey
RHP Ken Hill
RHP Jaime Navarro
LHP Denny Neagle
So, feel free to look over our roster and make an offer. Remember! we're looking for high quality Ammy and FA picks and quality youngsters under the age of 25.
