Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 19, 1990 TAG: 9005190163
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Los Angeles Daily News
DATELINE: MILWAUKEE LENGTH: Medium
He studied his jersey for a few seconds. No pinstripes. He smiled.
Winfield certainly wasn't smiling about his new team, which has lost 20 of its last 28 games, plunging into oblivion in the American League West.
Instead, it was a smile of change and - almost certainly - relief. He stood there, in a crowded clubhouse, all alone for one moment, free of a week's worth of chaos. He chuckled to himself.
"This is a new experience for me," the 16-year veteran said later.
Winfield had never been traded, and he had spent the past nine seasons with the Yankees under the scrutiny of the relentless New York media and the even more relentless New York owner.
He had gone through almost a week of limbo, arguing for his rights to veto his trade from the Yankees to the Angels and anticipating a possible arbitration hearing on the case.
So, he was smiling.
He said: "It's time to pull down the shades on the past nine years and move forward."
Thus began Dave Winfield's career as an Angel, which became official Wednesday night with the agreement to a contract that could earn him $9.1 million through the 1993 season.
The deal, which included a $100,000 signing bonus, will pay Winfield $3.2 million if he's on the Opening Day roster next season. If not, he would get $2 million, plus a $450,000 buyout clause for two option years. If the Angels pick up Winfield's 1992 option, he would earn $3 million, and the option for 1993 would pay him $2.8 million.
Winfield flew to Milwaukee on Thursday morning with only two hours of sleep behind him. Manager Doug Rader initially wanted to start the 12-time All-Star but, realizing the circumstances, changed his mind.
After taking his first batting practice since the Yankees traded him for Mike Witt, Winfield got his first chance as an Angel in the eighth.
He pinch hit with two out and two on and the Angels trailing by three but grounded out to short to end the threat. Winfield stayed in the game in right but didn't have a ball hit to him.
Rader said before Thursday's game that he intended to make Winfield his full-time right fielder, which opens up a lot of questions regarding the rest of the outfield.
Rader won't comment publicly on the likely changes, but here's what to expect:
Dante Bichette will move from right to center - as long as he stays hot - and Devon White and his .200 batting average will hit the bench.
The Angels have been mute regarding White's struggles, so a trade might be in the offing. The Blue Jays reportedly are interested in White's defensive prowess, and the Angels could use an infielder like Nelson Liriano.
Meanwhile, in left, it appears that Chili Davis and Luis Polonia will share the position, with one being the designated hitter when the other is in the outfield. Brian Downing also could get some DH duties in place of Polonia against left-handed pitching.
Still, there remains uncertainty, particularly regarding White. But this is nothing new for the Angels, who have seemed sort of up in the air since they convened for spring training in March.
by CNB