Washington Feels The Heat, Adds Some Speed August 31, 2000
(AP) WASHINGTON--While the Sea Dogs haven't relinquished their slim
one-game wild card lead yet, their five-game losing streak isn't helping
matters.
But Washington hasn't been watching the grass grow beside the hole they're
digging for themselves. Yesterday, Washington pulled out all the stops
and dealt prime prospects Don Coker and Ben Petrick along with recent
acquisition Omar Vizquel for star leadoff man Eric Young and third baseman
Scott Brosius.
"This move comes as a huge relief to the Sea Dogs organization as a
whole," Weiner said. "We were in desperate need of a front-line #2
hitter, and we got one in Eric Young."
Weiner had been, according to those close to him, on the phones for the
entire weekend trying to do something that would upgrade the Sea Dogs
offense.
"Why have we been losing games?" Weiner asked, rhetorically. "The
offense hasn't been as potent as in past years, and our pitching has been
inconsistent. I feel like we've upgraded both areas this month."
The price for Young and Brosius was steep, however, as Washington was
forced to surrender two more major prospects.
"We have weakened our future to help our present again," Weiner said.
"Ben Petrick and Don Coker will be sorely missed in the coming years."
Petrick had faded badly in the second half, and some wonder if he has the
makeup to be a starting catcher. Coker, however, is one of the major
prospects in baseball, and was tearing up AA.
Young seemed more intrigued than ecstatic to be in WAshington, though it
is rumored that the second baseman, in a contract year, has a good chance
of re-signing with the Sea Dogs.
"This is a good ballclub - I wonder how far we can go," Young said.
"Chuck Knoblauch tells me that he could probably hit .400 with me
protecting him in the lineup."
Washington will be relying heavily on the production of Young and Brosius
in September. Young will be in the #2 spot all the time, while Brosius is
likely to bat behind Matt Williams.
"I'm pleased to be in this kind of a veteran lineup," Brosius said. "I'm
protected on both sides by veteran hitters."
Washington dropped two games against Phoenix today as neither Shawn Estes
nor Hideki Irabu could slow the Gila Monsters attack. Harold Baines hit
three homers in the second game and drove in four runs.
The Sea Dogs are 72-62 and stand just a game ahead of Binghamton and
surging Battle Axe for the wild card. They have one more against Phoenix
and move on to a key three-game series in Battle Axe to start September.
