Padres trade Ashby to Phillies; Reds say Griffey too expensive, for
now
By BERNIE WILSON
AP Sports Writer
DANA POINT, Calif. -- While other teams talked about Ken
Griffey Jr., the San Diego Padres traded ace Andy Ashby to the
Philadelphia Phillies for three pitchers Wednesday night.
The Padres received Carlton Loewer, Steve Montgomery and
prospect Adam Eaton for Ashby. The trade was announced at the
general managers' meetings.
Ashby has veto power over the trade, but the two-time All-Star
said he would likely accept the deal.
``You hate to leave somewhere where you've been so long and what
we've been through there,'' Ashby said from his home in Pittston,
Pa. ``But I knew it was going to happen.''
Ashby, a 32-year-old right-hander, began his career in the
Phillies organization in 1986. He was 17-9 with a 3.34 ERA as the
Padres reached the World Series in 1998, then went 14-10 with a
3.80 in 1999.
``It's going to be nice, I hope,'' he said of a return to
Philadelphia. ``I want to go back and definitely help them go where
they want to go and help them win.''
Loewer, 26, was 2-6 with a 5.12 ERA. He missed nearly four
months because of a stress fracture in his right humerus bone.
Montgomery, 28, was 1-5 with three saves and a 3.34 ERA. Eaton,
22 later this month, was a combined 11-10 at Class A, Double-A and
Triple-A.
Earlier in the day, Cincinnati general manager Jim Bowden said
he made five proposals involving Griffey that Seattle rejected, and
the Mariners made three proposals that the Reds rebuffed.
Bowden wouldn't say how many players were included in the
offers, but he gave a hint at what it would cost to get Griffey.
``It would make us non-competitive,'' said Bowden, who put
together a team that lost a one-game playoff to the New York Mets
for the NL's wild-card spot. ``Instead of 96, we think we'd win 79.
They're asking for all of our best players.''
Bowden didn't plan to meet again with Seattle's Pat Gillick
before the general mangers meetings end Thursday.
``We want to continue the discussions, but certainly not at the
price that they're asking at this point,'' Bowden said. ``We would
not be willing to play at that level.''
Griffey, eligible for free agency after next season, asked to be
traded closer to his home in Orlando, Fla., and the Mariners said
they will try to comply.
Griffey grew up in Cincinnati, where his dad was a star on the
Big Red Machine of the 1970s and is currently a coach. The two
played together in Seattle, where in 1990 they became the first
father-son duo to start a game and to homer in the same game.
Bowden said the developments here don't mean the Reds are out of
the picture.
``Things can change in a month or two months if they haven't
traded him by then.''
Bowden made it clear how big it would be if the Reds were to get
Griffey.
``We'd love for him to come back home. His dad's our bench
coach, he went to Moeller High School, his agent's a few miles from
our stadium,'' Bowden said.
``One of the big reasons we want Ken Griffey is not just he's
the best position player in all baseball, but the fact what he can
do for the city of Cincinnati. After winning 96 games, you bring
Griffey into the house, he might have the effect on Cincinnati that
(Mark) McGwire had on St. Louis, or even more.''
Bowden didn't blame Gillick for setting a high price.
``If I were in his position, I'd be asking for a lot, too.
You're talking about Ken Griffey Jr. These kinds of trade of take
time.''
Gillick has said the team has no timetable on a deal, other than
he hopes it can be done before the start of spring training.
``I really can't say any more than we're continuing to talk,''
Gillick said. ``We're optimistic and we had good dialogue with
everyone.''
The few trade rumors that were floating around Wednesday
involved the Toronto Blue Jays. GM Gord Ash tried to dance away
from them.
One rumor had right-hander Pat Hentgen, the 1996 AL Cy Young
Award winner, going to St. Louis. ``Nothing to report right now,''
Ash said.
Another involved the Detroit Tigers. ``We've talked to a lot of
clubs about pitching, yes,'' Ash said.
And David Wells? Rumors have circulated that he, too, is on the
trade block.
``He's wearing No. 33 and pitching for the Toronto Blue Jays,''
Ash said.
``I'm sorry I don't have anything to tell you,'' he added.
The Blue Jays were involved in the biggest trade so far at these
meetings when they sent Shawn Green to the Los Angeles Dodgers on
Monday along with a minor league infielder for Raul Mondesi and
reliever Pedro Borbon. The Dodgers then signed Green to an $84
million, six-year contract.
12:33 am Eastern time, November 11
