yagsy
12-22-2004, 12:11 AM
http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news.jsp?ymd=20041221&content_id=924808&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp
12/21/2004 5:11 PM ET
Surprised Mohr ready to move on
By Rich Draper / MLB.com
http://mlb.mlb.com/images/2004/06/22/3SMi3VYN.jpg
Dustan Mohr overcame a slow start to have a solid season in 2004. (Ben Margot/AP)
It was the last thing on Giants outfielder -- uh, make that ex-Giants outfielder -- Dustan Mohr's mind, to be a free agent.
But that's the 28-year-old's status now after San Francisco declined to tender him a contract despite a wonderful campaign last season when he hit .275 overall, including .297 in his final 100 games, and dazzled as a pinch-hitter with a .389 mark.
"I was real surprised, to be honest with you," said Mohr, whose daredevil defense endeared him to fans. "That's part of the business side of the game, obviously. The Giants felt the need to go in a different direction, and hopefully that's created some options for me.
"I gave everything I had for the Giants, and there's still a chance I could be back. You never want to close a door on anything. But I'd be dumb not to explore all options and the possibilities for me to do better elsewhere."
Funny thing, but there was interest in Mohr even before he became a free agent, with Colorado zeroing in on the four-year player after veteran Rockies outfielder Jeromy Burnitz declined a $3.5 million option.
Expect Colorado to woo Mohr relentlessly.
Mohr's wish is typical for all Major Leaguers -- to shed the utility, backup role and become a full-time starter.
"I want to play regularly, get 500 at-bats," said Mohr from his home in Fort Myers, Fla. "I have a lot of confidence that I can be a pretty good player. You never know until you find out, but I feel I did reach another level last season."
That's exactly why the Giants acquired him last offseason from Minnesota, feeling the young outfielder was beginning to blossom offensively.
Mohr says he loved the Giants, the city of San Francisco and its baseball fans, so there was some heart-string tugging when he learned he might not return to the Bay Area.
"I don't have any ill will toward the Giants," he said. "They didn't do anything wrong. That's the way it is. From a personal standpoint, it allows me to see what interest is out there. You take away that first month [Mohr hit .042 in April and .233 in May] and it was a breakout year."
San Francisco has been looking for a true center fielder all winter, but candidates keep getting snapped up by other teams. Steve Finley, Jermaine Dye. Scott Podsednik. Dave Roberts. General manager Brian Sabean says the Giants will likely acquire an outfielder via trade, but a free agent like Burnitz is a possibility.
Burnitz made a base salary of $1.25 million last season and San Francisco showed interest in the 35-year-old slugger a year ago and liked his 37 homers last year.
Still, Mohr was expected to either start in right field for the Giants next season or platoon with Michael Tucker, with either possibly playing center while Marquis Grissom moved to right.
"I don't take it personal," said Mohr. "It's understandable to me. I love to play the game and it's hard not to be a part of what's going on with the Giants. I'm not a selfish player, that's the main thing, and I'll do what's best for the team."
But the outspoken, hard-playing Mohr won't easily forget his season with San Francisco.
The inside-the-park homer against the Reds in a pinch-hit role on Aug. 4 ... his huge two-run blast that landed on the second balcony of the Western Metal Supply Co. building at PETCO Park ... his brilliant catches against Chicago and Arizona ... his knee-twisting, exasperating tumble off the San Diego bullpen mound while making a 10th-inning catch that brought in the Padres' winning run.
"The coaching staff was great -- Joe Lefebvre and Willie Upshaw worked countless hours with me on aspects of hitting," said Mohr. "I was pleased with the strides I made. I've been criticized for dropping the ball against the Mets and for that play in San Diego. But I'm aggressive defensively and there's going to be mistakes.
"I proved a lot but I still have a lot of work to do," he added. "I would have liked to have stayed. We'll see what's out there."
Rich Draper is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
12/21/2004 5:11 PM ET
Surprised Mohr ready to move on
By Rich Draper / MLB.com
http://mlb.mlb.com/images/2004/06/22/3SMi3VYN.jpg
Dustan Mohr overcame a slow start to have a solid season in 2004. (Ben Margot/AP)
It was the last thing on Giants outfielder -- uh, make that ex-Giants outfielder -- Dustan Mohr's mind, to be a free agent.
But that's the 28-year-old's status now after San Francisco declined to tender him a contract despite a wonderful campaign last season when he hit .275 overall, including .297 in his final 100 games, and dazzled as a pinch-hitter with a .389 mark.
"I was real surprised, to be honest with you," said Mohr, whose daredevil defense endeared him to fans. "That's part of the business side of the game, obviously. The Giants felt the need to go in a different direction, and hopefully that's created some options for me.
"I gave everything I had for the Giants, and there's still a chance I could be back. You never want to close a door on anything. But I'd be dumb not to explore all options and the possibilities for me to do better elsewhere."
Funny thing, but there was interest in Mohr even before he became a free agent, with Colorado zeroing in on the four-year player after veteran Rockies outfielder Jeromy Burnitz declined a $3.5 million option.
Expect Colorado to woo Mohr relentlessly.
Mohr's wish is typical for all Major Leaguers -- to shed the utility, backup role and become a full-time starter.
"I want to play regularly, get 500 at-bats," said Mohr from his home in Fort Myers, Fla. "I have a lot of confidence that I can be a pretty good player. You never know until you find out, but I feel I did reach another level last season."
That's exactly why the Giants acquired him last offseason from Minnesota, feeling the young outfielder was beginning to blossom offensively.
Mohr says he loved the Giants, the city of San Francisco and its baseball fans, so there was some heart-string tugging when he learned he might not return to the Bay Area.
"I don't have any ill will toward the Giants," he said. "They didn't do anything wrong. That's the way it is. From a personal standpoint, it allows me to see what interest is out there. You take away that first month [Mohr hit .042 in April and .233 in May] and it was a breakout year."
San Francisco has been looking for a true center fielder all winter, but candidates keep getting snapped up by other teams. Steve Finley, Jermaine Dye. Scott Podsednik. Dave Roberts. General manager Brian Sabean says the Giants will likely acquire an outfielder via trade, but a free agent like Burnitz is a possibility.
Burnitz made a base salary of $1.25 million last season and San Francisco showed interest in the 35-year-old slugger a year ago and liked his 37 homers last year.
Still, Mohr was expected to either start in right field for the Giants next season or platoon with Michael Tucker, with either possibly playing center while Marquis Grissom moved to right.
"I don't take it personal," said Mohr. "It's understandable to me. I love to play the game and it's hard not to be a part of what's going on with the Giants. I'm not a selfish player, that's the main thing, and I'll do what's best for the team."
But the outspoken, hard-playing Mohr won't easily forget his season with San Francisco.
The inside-the-park homer against the Reds in a pinch-hit role on Aug. 4 ... his huge two-run blast that landed on the second balcony of the Western Metal Supply Co. building at PETCO Park ... his brilliant catches against Chicago and Arizona ... his knee-twisting, exasperating tumble off the San Diego bullpen mound while making a 10th-inning catch that brought in the Padres' winning run.
"The coaching staff was great -- Joe Lefebvre and Willie Upshaw worked countless hours with me on aspects of hitting," said Mohr. "I was pleased with the strides I made. I've been criticized for dropping the ball against the Mets and for that play in San Diego. But I'm aggressive defensively and there's going to be mistakes.
"I proved a lot but I still have a lot of work to do," he added. "I would have liked to have stayed. We'll see what's out there."
Rich Draper is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.