BASEBALL NOTES : Welcome, Blue Jays, to Middle of Pack

The Toronto Blue Jays used to laugh at those who criticized their $50-million payrolls. They ignored the ridicule of their rent-a-player strategy during pennant drives. They gloated when they won the World Series.

Now, perhaps there’s no finer example of baseball’s struggling times than the Blue Jays.

They have become just like the rest of the poor stiffs they took advantage of throughout the years.

They’re the ones who now are willing to dump high-salaried veterans for prospects.

You want an outfielder? Joe Carter can be yours for $6.5 million this season and $6.5 million next.

You prefer a first baseman? John Olerud and his $5.25-million salary this year and $6 million in 1996 with an option of $6.5 million in 1997 can be yours.

Looking for the best second baseman in the game? Roberto Alomar, who is earning $5.5 million this year and is a free agent at the season’s conclusion, is available.

A leadoff hitter? How about center fielder Devon White and his $4-million salary?

How about a D.H. and possible Hall of Famer? Paul Molitor and his $4-million salary with a $4-million option/$1-million buyout is being shopped. The Blue Jays even have bargain-basement deals available for potential free agents Al Leiter, Duane Ward, Danny Cox, Danny Darwin, Lance Parrish and Candy Maldonado.

“It’s become more likely that we’ll move players rather than hold onto them,” General Manager Gord Ash says. “Every player is available if the deal improves our club for the present and future.”

This is why Mr. Ash and not Hideo Nomo will be focus of the All-Star break, when there could be a whirlwind of activity. Teams are making plans for the pennant stretch, and there are going to be an abundance of moves before the July 31 waiver deadline.

The San Diego Padres, who believe they can be legitimate contenders down the stretch, want Carter or Alomar and are willing to part with outfielder Melvin Nieves and first baseman Eddie Williams.

The New York Yankees want starter David Wells from the Detroit Tigers and are willing to part with third baseman Russ Davis. The Milwaukee Brewers want outfielder Danny Tartabull ($5 million this year and next) from the Yankees.

Entering the week, the Minnesota Twins wanted someone to take closer Rick Aguilera and his $4.2-million salary (with a $4-million option) before he became a 10-and-5 player on Thursday. They also have starters Kevin Tapani ($3.6 million) and Scott Erickson ($1.862 million) available.

The New York Mets will listen to offers for outfielder/third baseman Bobby Bonilla ($4.7 million this year and $4.5 million next year) and starter Bret Saberhagen ($4.05 million in 1995 plus $4.3 million next year with nearly $1 million deferred in interest). And soon, the St. Louis Cardinals’ Ken Hill ($4.375 million) might become available.

The cream of the trade crop appears to be Saberhagen, who has acknowledged that it may be best that he leaves.

“I love New York, and I have a home there,” Saberhagen says, “but I want to win. I’ve been miserable over the last month. I don’t want to be miserable. I’d rather be happy someplace else.

“Right now, I’m pitching good, but the team is playing bad, and that does not make me happy. I keep wondering why there are no people in the stands. But with the way we’re playing, I wouldn’t want to come to the ballpark. If I were going to pay to see a baseball game, I’d pay to watch a good team.

“It’s not embarrassing, but it’s not fun. Nobody wants to lose. I’m tired of losing. I’m sick of it.”

Says Bonilla: “Everyone is sitting around waiting for the bomb to drop. Not just here, but all around baseball.”

Who knows, this just may be what baseball needs.

Bring back those good old-fashioned trades. Well, at least the post-strike variety.

*

His followers chant his name before the national anthem. They unfurl Japanese flags and proudly wave them. They pack the Dodgers gift shop and will buy anything with his name on it.

Nomomania?

You’d better believe it.

“I never thought I’d see anything like Fernandomania again in my life,” Dodgers broadcaster Jaime Jarrin says. “But it’s coming. Believe me, it is coming.

“This is the closest thing I’ve seen to Fernandomania, and it’s bringing back very sweet memories of 1981. Fernando was shutting everybody out that year, and Nomo is striking everybody out.”

That $2-million signing bonus the Dodgers shelled out to Hideo Nomo? They have already made that up in ticket sales and memorabilia sales. Of course, it helps when you sell Nomo Dodgers jackets for $150, Nomo sweatshirts for $50, Nomo T-shirts for $25 and $18, Nomo baseballs for $15 and $10, Nomo pennants for $5 and Nomo pins for $3.

*

Pittsburgh Pirates Manager Jim Leyland and Oakland Athletics Manager Tony La Russa continue to say they’re content to stay put, but associates close to each are convinced that Leyland will be managing the St. Louis Cardinals in 1996 and La Russa will be with the Chicago White Sox. ... It’s unfair to Padres General Manager Randy Smith, who has done a fabulous job in bringing the team back to respectability, but Frank Robinson will be the general manager in 1996. The only thing that can save Smith’s job is a division title. Maybe. ... Don’t be surprised if Phil Regan has a new job next season -- as general manager of the Orioles. Orioles Owner Peter Angelos wants to make front-office changes, and he believes Regan may be the perfect fit.

*

The New York Mets thought the signing of free-agent center fielder Brett Butler would make them contenders. Instead, Butler is hitting in the .260 range, and the Mets believe he may be finished. “He’s in with the rest of the guys in terms of being an enigma,” Manager Dallas Green says. “Because of his age (38), you get worried to a point about a guy like Brett.” Says Butler: “I’m a big reason why this team is struggling right now. I have to get on base and make things happen. And I haven’t done that.”

*

Kenny Henderson, a high school pitcher, was picked in the first round of the 1991 amateur draft but rejected a $650,000 signing bonus by the Milwaukee Brewers and headed to the University of Miami. Last year, Henderson was drafted in the second round by the Montreal Expos but rejected a $350,000 signing bonus and returned for his senior season. This year, Henderson was drafted in the fifth round by the Padres and offered $60,000, which he also has rejected. Just wondering, but is he related to Padres second baseman Jody Reed?

*

After Andres Galarraga’s three homers in consecutive innings June 25, the Hall of Fame requested his bat, as did the Colorado Rockies. But Galarraga said he wasn’t giving up the bat until it was broken. He broke it two days later against the San Francisco Giants, shattering it in two pieces. “One piece goes to the Rockies,” he says, “one piece goes to the Hall of Fame, and nobody gets mad at me.” ... Padres catcher Brad Ausmus, on the three mammoth shots by Galarraga at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium: “We’re sending him a bill for damages to the stadium.” a -- even had 3,000 at-bats. ... Athletics starter Dave Stewart is a bit apprehensive about the new Texas law beginning next year that will allow residents to carry concealed weapons. “Somebody from a long time ago could remember me,” Stewart says. “There was a time when I was pitching there that the fans hooted on me, hooted on me pretty good. And I hooted on them, too. Some people never forgive, and I’m afraid that people in Texas have longer memories than most.”

Did anyone notice that the Reds’ John Smiley and the Pirates’ Denny Neagle, who were traded for one another, each hit homers on the same day? It was Smiley’s second homer of the season after failing to hit one the previous nine seasons. ... Yes, that was Dodgers closer Todd Worrell batting for the first time in six years last Saturday night. Surprise, he struck out. ...The Giants should be making folks in the N.L. West a little nervous, considering that they have stayed in the race and All-Star third baseman Matt Williams is scheduled to return by the end of the month.

The best-kept secret in baseball is Reds outfielder Reggie Sanders, who ranks among the league leaders in 11 offensive categories but is ignored by the media because of his quiet personality. “I like it that way,” Sanders says. “I like being the other Sanders.”

White Sox reliever Scott Radinsky, who missed all of last season while undergoing treatment for Hodgkin’s disease, produced his first save in two years last week. “I went through some stuff, man,” Radinsky says. “I went through hell. And the more and more I get into shape, the more I realize how bad I felt.” ... Royals starter Kevin Appier is 0-2 with a 7.43 ERA against Cleveland this season, and 11-1 with a 1.78 ERA against everyone else.