Washington Looks To New Season With New Faces March 20, 2000
(AP) WASHINGTON--Following the disappointing loss to Phoenix in the
Defiant League's Division Series, Washington felt they needed to shake up
the team a little.
"There aren't a lot of people who aren't safe," GM Aaron Weiner said, "but
we've made a few changes around the team."
Washington's biggest change was perhaps non-action, as left fielder Lance
Johnson re-signed with his former team, Anchorage.
"When I left Anchorage two years ago, Washington promised me a chance at a
championship," said Johnson, who hit .360 in 300 at bats. "While we've
been to the playoffs two straight years, there's been no championship. I
wanted to go back to my roots."
Weiner wasn't pleased to lose Johnson, though he understood why the
leadoff hitter left.
"Lance was a tough loss," Weiner said. "It's not certain how we're going
to restructure our lineup, though it's pretty certain that either Chuck
Knoblauch or Jim Eisenreich will lead off. But it came down to the
bottom line: we couldn't offer as much money with our load of veterans."
To fill the offensive void left by the departure of Johnson, Washington
quickly traded relief pitcher Roy Clingman, Jr. to Battle Axe for right
fielder Orlando Merced.
"Merced is a player we've pursued for several years now," Weiner said.
"His offensive contributions have been excellent, and his defense is
impeccably solid. He'll fit in immediately."
Merced, when learning he'd been acquired by the Sea Dogs, was extremely
happy.
"I'm glad to go to an organization that makes things happen," said Merced,
a career .302 hitter. "When the Knights were in Larimer, nothing
happened. The move to Battle Axe was one of the biggest moves in three
years."
Soon after, Washington parted with Nigel Fernandez, one of the club's
mainstays since 1997. Fernandez was traded along with original Sea Dog
Bill Mueller to New Orleans for powerhitting third baseman Matt Williams
and Japanese pitcher Hideki Irabu.
"We hated to lose Nigel AND Bill," Weiner said. "But the opportunity to
acquire a man like Matt Williams was just too great. We're hoping that
with our depth, we can give Matt a lot of days off here and prevent the
constant injuries that have plagued him over his career."
Part of the trade was due to the fact that All-Star third baseman Ernie
Young faded badly after the All-Star Break. Young hit just .254 with just
nine homers after his All-Star selection.
"I don't feel particularly slighted by this move," Young said. "I mean,
I'd be pretty perturbed if I didn't have a spot in the lineup at all,
but Aaron (Weiner) has told me that I'll be in there a lot of the time."
The move actually is something of a gamble for Washington, as Williams had
the worst year of his career last year. Despite a .265, 12-home run
performance out of the perennial 30-homer man, Williams says that he's
still capable of performing.
"Everyone has good years and bad years," Williams said. "This was just
one of my bad ones. I'm just glad that the Sea Dogs continued to have
faith in my ability."
After dealing Fernandez, Washington was in need of another bullpen arm.
And they got it, trading last year's fifth starter, Tim Belcher, for
Edmonton's Mike Fetters.
"Simply put, we feel like we got one of the best relievers in the PVBL,"
Weiner said. "He's been astoundingly good for years, and there's no
reason to believe that he won't be just as good for us."
Fetters, who sports a career record of nine wins and five losses to go
with a 2.91 ERA, said that while he isn't pleased to be leaving Edmonton,
he's satisfied with the destination.
"It's a shame that I had to leave Edmonton just as I thought they were
starting to get it all together," Fetters said. "But if I had to choose a
spot, I couldn't have done much better than the Sea Dogs. They're real
winners."
Washington also had to say goodbye to a key part of their record-setting
team last year, Tim Belcher. After a rough start, Belcher was, perhaps,
Washington's best starter in the second half of the season. However,
Belcher allowed two runs in a key playoff loss and with Washington's
addition of Hideki Irabu, Belcher became expendable.
"I hate to leave on these terms," Belcher said. "The last game I pitched
here was the playoff loss. But I don't mind going to Edmonton."
Belcher is the second starting pitcher Washington has dealt to Edmonton.
The last time, however, they dealt ace starter Chuck Finley for young
phenom Mickey Kelly.
"We're not sure we got the best of this deal," Weiner said. "But Tim
Belcher is 35 to start the season, and frankly, we needed to get a little
younger."
Washington is still searching for youth despite being the best
regular-season team in the PVBL last year. Weiner says that it will help
the team down the road.
"Mickey Kelly and Mike Dashiell made great strides in the offseason,"
Weiner said. "We're very happy with their development. Actually, we
could use more young players; some of our LOW guys aren't developing as
fast as we thought they were."
However, Washington is mostly satisfied with their ballclub.
"We're very fortunate that veterans like Harold Baines and Jim Eisenreich
have decided to stay with us another year," Weiner said. "Veterans like
that will make all the difference."
