Royce
06-29-2005, 06:17 PM
Yanks' need may center on Encarnacion
MIAMI GARDENS ยท Since the 2003 World Series, the Yankees have been enamored with Juan Pierre. They may settle for another Marlins outfielder to fill their need in center field.
According to a National League source, the Yankees have inquired about Juan Encarnacion. Their interest could intensity if they can't pry Mark Kotsay, considered their top target, from the Oakland Athletics. The center field situation has reached a critical point in the Bronx, where the Yankees have resorted to using Tony Womack in the spot Bernie Williams can no longer anchor.
The Marlins continue to tell teams relief help is their top priority leading up to the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline. The Marlins have liked Paul Quantrill in the past and the Yankees are desperate to move him.
Quantrill, 36, has been less than spectacular. He is 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA, including a 4.22 mark in his past six outings. Nonetheless, he does have a solid track record, logging a 1.75 ERA as recently as 2003 with the Dodgers.
Yankees scout Jeff Wetherby has been in attendance this week, and Yankees officials had a major meeting at their Tampa headquarters Tuesday.
The financial implications of a Quantrill-for-Encarnacion deal could make it all the more attractive to the Marlins. The Yankees would likely pick up all or most of the remaining $1.57 million of Quantrill's 2005 salary plus the $400,000 buyout of a 2006 club option they have already declined.
Encarnacion, who did not start Tuesday's game, is owed $2.39 million through season's end, money that could be used to land a more lucrative rental for the stretch run.
The question is whether the Marlins believe Quantrill could contribute to a bullpen they have struggled to fortify. The Marlins have already made unsuccessful plays for Ugueth Urbina, Brian Fuentes, Danny Graves and Jorge Julio, among others.
Quantrill, who has averaged 85 appearances over the past four seasons, has allowed 48 hits and five homers in 32 innings. Three of those homers came in a 17-1 loss to the Red Sox on May 28. In addition, Quantrill has evolved into more of a flyball pitcher. His groundball-to-flyball ratio has dropped each of the past three years.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-marnot29jun29,0,80531.story?coll=sfla-sports-headlines
MIAMI GARDENS ยท Since the 2003 World Series, the Yankees have been enamored with Juan Pierre. They may settle for another Marlins outfielder to fill their need in center field.
According to a National League source, the Yankees have inquired about Juan Encarnacion. Their interest could intensity if they can't pry Mark Kotsay, considered their top target, from the Oakland Athletics. The center field situation has reached a critical point in the Bronx, where the Yankees have resorted to using Tony Womack in the spot Bernie Williams can no longer anchor.
The Marlins continue to tell teams relief help is their top priority leading up to the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline. The Marlins have liked Paul Quantrill in the past and the Yankees are desperate to move him.
Quantrill, 36, has been less than spectacular. He is 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA, including a 4.22 mark in his past six outings. Nonetheless, he does have a solid track record, logging a 1.75 ERA as recently as 2003 with the Dodgers.
Yankees scout Jeff Wetherby has been in attendance this week, and Yankees officials had a major meeting at their Tampa headquarters Tuesday.
The financial implications of a Quantrill-for-Encarnacion deal could make it all the more attractive to the Marlins. The Yankees would likely pick up all or most of the remaining $1.57 million of Quantrill's 2005 salary plus the $400,000 buyout of a 2006 club option they have already declined.
Encarnacion, who did not start Tuesday's game, is owed $2.39 million through season's end, money that could be used to land a more lucrative rental for the stretch run.
The question is whether the Marlins believe Quantrill could contribute to a bullpen they have struggled to fortify. The Marlins have already made unsuccessful plays for Ugueth Urbina, Brian Fuentes, Danny Graves and Jorge Julio, among others.
Quantrill, who has averaged 85 appearances over the past four seasons, has allowed 48 hits and five homers in 32 innings. Three of those homers came in a 17-1 loss to the Red Sox on May 28. In addition, Quantrill has evolved into more of a flyball pitcher. His groundball-to-flyball ratio has dropped each of the past three years.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-marnot29jun29,0,80531.story?coll=sfla-sports-headlines