They are aging stars nudged aside by cheaper talent, injured veterans trying to make a comeback or longtime role players near the end of their careers. Every season there’s a handful of recognizable names just trying to land a spot on a 25-man roster for one more go-round in the big leagues. They are entering Limbo Land: a place beset with minor league deals and non-roster invitations to spring training. Here’s several of the more formidable players whose futures remain uncertain as opening day approaches:
John Olerud: Olerud was released by the Mariners after a subpar first half of 2004, then signed with the Yankees in August and filled in admirably for Jason Giambi. A career .295 hitter over 16 seasons, Olerud batted .280 with four homers and 26 RBIs in 164 at-bats for the Yankees and was the star in Game 2 of the ALCS against Boston. The 36-year-old wasn’t offered arbitration by New York and was not on a spring training roster.
Fred McGriff: Just seven homers shy of 500, The Crime Dog hasn’t played since being released by the Devil Rays in July. He was working out in the offseason with the hope of getting an invitation to spring training.
Charles Johnson: The four-time Gold Glove catcher was supplanted in the Colorado Rockies’ lineup last September by rookie J.D. Closser. He was traded to the Red Sox in the deal for Byung-Hyun Kim on Wednesday and immediately released. The 33-year-old with a $9 million contract should find a team before the season starts.
Denny Neagle: The 36-year-old hasn’t pitched in a major league game since July 2003 because of shoulder and elbow injuries. He was trying to revive his career with Tampa Bay after being released by Colorado in December – three days after being arrested on a misdemeanor solicitation charge – with $19 million left on his contract. Has 124 career wins but is just 19-23 with a 5.57 ERA since 2001.
Dave Burba: Has a 115-87 record with a 4.49 ERA in a 15-year career. Signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros in January. Was sent to their minor league camp after going 1-1 with a 9.26 ERA in four spring games.
Ben Grieve: Grieve, the AL rookie of the year with Oakland in 1998, has had only 12 homers the last two seasons and didn’t make the Pirates’ 25-man roster this spring. He can become a free agent, but apparently would consider going to Triple-A Indianapolis if asked.
Dean Palmer: The 36-year-old third baseman-designated hitter drove in at least 100 runs from 1998-00, but because of injuries hasn’t played more than 57 games in a season since and missed all of 2004. Hit .303 in 33 at-bats this spring but was told he wouldn’t make the Tigers.
Rick Helling: A 20-game winner in 1998, Helling pitched in the minors last season. He’s trying to make the Brewers as a reliever. He’s 90-78 with a 4.77 ERA in 10 seasons and won a World Series title in 2003.
Doug Glanville: The Ivy League graduate hit a career-best .325 in 1999, but batted just .210 last season, his ninth, as a role player for Philadelphia. Lost the backup center fielder’s job on the Yankees to Bubba Crosby and was released.
Albie Lopez: The Devil Rays’ opening day starter in 2001 hasn’t pitched in the majors since June 2003. Was released by the Pirates after he pulled himself out of the running for a spot on the pitching staff by leaving camp last week. Lopez, who is 47-58 with a 4.94 ERA in 297 career games, wasn’t interested in going to Triple-A on anything but an injury rehabilitation assignment.
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James Baldwin: Baldwin’s career peaked in 2000, when he went 14-7 with the Chicago White Sox and was the winning pitcher in the All-Star game. But he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder in October 2000, and hasn’t had a winning season since. Should start season with Baltimore’s Triple-A affiliate.
AP-ES-03-31-05 1814EST
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