Winfield’s Book May Have Placed Him on the Block

An abnormally placid spring training wound up in typical Yankee turbulence Friday with slugger Dave Winfield reportedly on his way out of New York for writing a book that offended his boss.

While radio stations made up hypothetical April Fool’s trades, Yankee owner George Steinbrenner actually seemed determined to deal his 36-year-old right fielder.

The most likely deal seemed to be to the Baltimore Orioles for Fred Lynn, a trade reported by newspapers in both Baltimore and New York.

However, the Baltimore Sun quoted a source as saying: “The Orioles could put something together, but whether the Yankees would accept it, I don’t know.”

There were also possible deals pending with the Houston Astros for Kevin Bass, with the Angels for Johnny Ray and with the Seattle Mariners for a package of prospects.

The latest round of controversy started when the New York Daily News began publishing excerpts from Winfield’s book, “Winfield, A Player’s Life.” In the excerpts, Winfield says that second baseman Willie Randolph told him when he joined the team that a black couldn’t be a “true Yankee.” Randolph, the team captain, has denied making the statement.

Steinbrenner, who was upset by this excerpt, said he hasn’t read Winfield’s book.