March 10, 1998

Transaction Analysis

February 27-March 5

by Christina Kahrl

ANAHEIM ANGELS

Assigned Ps Mo Sanford, Rob Banano, Darryl Scott and Brian Cooper and Cs Ben Molina and Jaime Burke to their minor league camp. [3/3]

The only surprise here is that Mo Sanford is still around to throw his wicked breaking stuff. Here's hope he's got the aptitude to coach, because it doesn't look like he'll be one of the "expansion pitchers."

ATLANTA BRAVES

Signed GM John Schuerholz to an extension through 2003. [3/5]

I applaud this move! I salute this move!

I believe in accountability, after all, and its nice to see that Feldzeugmeister Schuerholz is willing to stick around past the life of the Big Cat and Walt Weiss contracts.

CINCINNATI REDS

Signed CF Midre Cummings to a minor league contract.

May get a shot as the fourth or fifth OF for the always-contending Indians (of Indianapolis).

DETROIT TIGERS

Released RHP Robert Ellis. [3/3]

Even Randy Smith will give up on a guy who throws 90 once in awhile, but Ellis' control problems and injury history would scare off the most brazen optimist.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Signed RHP Antonio Osuna to a two-year contract with club options for 2000 and 2001. [3/3]

MILWAUKEE BREWERS

Signed RHP Robert Ellis to a minor league contract. [3/4]

Speaking of brazen optimism...

MINNESOTA TWINS

Signed 3B Ron Coomer to a three-year contract. [3/1]

I'm as happy to see a useful minor league veteran like Coomer break through and get generously compensated as the next guy, but is a three-year commitment to a 31 yo really sensible? In an organization with Corey Koskie pounding his way up the chain?

MONTREAL EXPOS

Signed C Chris Widger to a four-year contract with a club option for 2002. [3/1]

As I've been reminded by an Expos fan, the organization has, to date, still only developed one catcher of any value (some fella named Carter), so this could be a case of overreaction to secure a handy catcher. Since he's going to be pushed by Bob Henley at some point in the next two years, there's a good chance that Widger's multi-year commitment will have value to shopping GMs.

NEW YORK YANKEES

Assigned Ps Ryan Bradley, Luis DeLosSantos, Darrell Einertson, Katsuhiro Maeda and Alberto Castillo, and Cs Rene Pinto, Jamie Torres and Victor Valencia to their minor league camp. [3/4]

No surprises here, although Maeda was gone so fast I don't think anyone found out what color his hair is this time of year.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

Signed 3B Scott Rolen to a four-year, $10 million contract. [3/3]

Its an open question which direction the organization is heading as it tries to shrug off unfortunate commitments to free agent veterans, but making a quick commitment to Rolen is a fine move.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

Assigned Cs Tim Edge and Jonathan Sweet and INF Garrett Long to their minor league camp. [3/4]

Nothing to say here. Spring's shaking down, and you don't need to carry six catchers too far into March.

Christina Kahrl is an author of Baseball Prospectus. 
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