ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, February 8, 1996             TAG: 9602080080
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL   PAGE: A-1  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: NEW YORK
SOURCE: Associated Press 

BASEBALL TRADE A GLOBAL DEAL RED SOX WANT DOMINICAN FROM JAPAN

In what would be the first trade of players between American and Japanese major league baseball teams, the Boston Red Sox and Hiroshima Toyo Carp are discussing a deal for a pitcher from the Dominican Republic.

Robinson Checo, 24, would be traded to the Red Sox for a player to be named later and perhaps some cash after the 1996 season.

``Terms ... have yet to be finalized between Hiroshima, Boston and Checo,'' Carp spokesman Takashi Hamada said Wednesday. ``They now share only a general understanding for the trade.'' The Carp and Red Sox are expected to sign a formal agreement before the season ends, Hamada said.

In the past, most U.S. players who went to Japan were considered past their prime and never returned to major-league baseball in this country. But over the past 10 years, better players or those seeking to prove themselves - Detroit Tiger slugger Cecil Fielder, for example - have gone to Japan, found success and returned to the majors here.

Though Fielder, Hideo Nomo and other All-Stars have moved between Japan and the United States, those deals have always been straight cash transactions. Never before have players from the two countries been traded for each other.

Boston general manager Dan Duquette said Wednesday, ``We have expanded our international scouting and we are always evaluating talent on a worldwide basis to constantly help our team.''

Any major-league player for Boston would have to agree to be traded to Japan.

LENGTH: Short :   39 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  (headshot) Checo. color.