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July 27, 2001
I learned a lesson from the reaction of Henry Cooper to the off-season firing of our manager and coaches. Management doesn’t like to be surprised and caught off guard by the media. So I had a brief meeting this afternoon with Gordon Cooper to go over the potential trade with New York. He gave his full blessing, understanding that it was a calculated gamble on this season in return for a potentially huge future reward.
The acquisition of Bland and infielder Gonzalez would make 2B Rodney Wright and C Julio Martinez expendable in the next couple of years if the young players develop as expected. This could really help balance the budget in 2003 when arbitration and free agency begins to squeeze our payroll.
I called Bill Carter back late in the afternoon, and told him that we have a deal on two conditions. One, we need to be happy with Ron Sims’ start tonight (mainly he needs to come out of it healthy). Two, the third player in the deal must be veteran left-handed starting pitcher Dan Clayton. You may recall that I almost claimed Clayton off waivers prior to the season. I want Clayton because he can be a fifth starter and he will probably be a Type-B free agent with the potential to yield a supplemental draft pick next year.
Carter seemed relieved by this demand and agreed at once. New York had Clayton on the trading block and Carter was planning to send him down to make room for Gonzalez anyway. Clayton makes the same salary as Gonzalez, so Carter will also not have to increase his payroll expenditures for the deal.
The stage is now set and the announcement will likely come tomorrow. I am bracing for the fan reaction to the trade of a popular player. We just lost three straight at home to a horrible Chicago team, so they are not in a good mood as it is.
Otto Orcin
P.S. Sims pitched six innings, allowing three runs, seven hits, no walks, and recorded 6 strikeouts in a 7-3 win over the Seals. We faxed the trade paperwork to the league office around midnight Central time.
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