Teams Think Big With Minor Deals

Most baseball fans know the major deals that took place this winter. Very possibly, though, the subtler moves could prove more significant in the future.

For instance, when Minnesota signed then-free agent Juan Berenguer on Jan. 9, 1987, who would have guessed he would go 8-1 and help the Twins win the World Championship?

Several clubs made minor deals over the winter, seeking the one that could bring dramatic improvement. Here is a look at some of those, and how the new players may fit in:

Rafael Santana, New York Yankees -- Not as glamorous as Jack Clark, this 30-year-old shortstop still represents a big acquisition because his glnvi will help the pitching. The Yanks got Santana in a five-player deal with the Mets. He is durable, has played for a winner, and can add an RBI now and then.

Joe Johnson, California -- A perennial puzzle, this 26-year-old right-hander passed through the Braves organization, then was traded to Toronto. He went 3-5 in 1987, giving him a 20-18 career mark. The Angels took him in December’s major-league draft, and will give him a chance to become their fifth starter.

Doug Sisk, Baltimore -- A 30-year-old right-hander, Sisk reached a career-high of 15 saves for the 1984 Mets before being pushed aside by Jesse Orosco and Roger McDowell. Sent to the Orioles for a minor-leaguer and a player to be named, Sisk could hardly hurt the second-worst pitching staff in the league.

Mike Davis, Los Angeles -- Not long ago, the Oakland outfield of Davis, Dwayne Murphy and Jose Canseco looked like one of the most powerful in baseball. Davis became a free agent after hitting .265 with 22 homers and 72 RBI. Only 28, he could make as big an impact as his new mate, Kirk Gibson.

Dan Schatzeder, Cleveland -- No world-beater, he might have no job at all if teams didn’t need lefties so badly. But they do. Schatzeder, 33, went 3-1 with a 6.39 ERA last year for the Twins, and became a free agent. Can get a key out because his experience allows him to throw his breaking ball in a big spot.

Al Nipper, Chicago Cubs -- Included in the deal that sent Lee Smith to Boston, Nipper comes off an 11-12, 5.43 ERA season. His flirtation with the knuckler, however, makes him an explosive acquisition. Suppose Nipper, still only 28, could master the knuckler to the same extent Texas ace Charlie Hough has?

Melido Perez, White Sox -- Part of the six-player deal that sent lefty Floyd Bannister to Kansas City, Perez could make Chicago’s starting rotation. A 22-year-old right-hander from the Dominican Republic, Perez has established an ability to throw the ball over the plate. He also starred in winter ball.

Bob Dernier, Philadelphia -- He signed as a free agent, returning to the club where he began his career. He’s 31, but the Phils still like the way he runs and throws. A .317 hitter last year with the Cubs, Dernier can spell Milt Thompson in the outfield, pinch-hit, or pinch-run. He stole 16 of 23 bases.

Steve Trout, Seattle -- There’s not much subtlety involved here. Trout failed in his brief stay with the Yankees, going 0-4 with a 6.60 ERA. The relative calm of Seattle may better suit this 30-year-old veteran lefty, who arrived in a five-player deal that also sent left-hander Lee Guetterman to New York.

John Hoover, Montreal -- A former No. 1 pick of the Orioles and a member of the 1984 Olympic team, he developed a “tired” arm that hurt his progress. Expos received good reports on the right-hander, and got him in a five-player deal. They plan to send him to the minors, and let him go at his own pace.