Pirates Cut Payroll With Trade

The Pittsburgh Pirates kept trimming payroll and adding young players, sending second baseman Carlos Garcia, outfielder Orlando Merced and reliever Dan Plesac to the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday for six prospects.

Pittsburgh gets right-handers Jose Silva and Jose Pett, who once received the largest bonus paid by Toronto, plus shortstop Brandon Cromer and three players to be named.

Since being ordered by owner Kevin McClatchy in August to rebuild with prospects, General Manager Cam Bonifay has acquired 11 prospects and cut $11 million in 1997 salary by trading Denny Neagle, Charlie Hayes, Dave Clark, Merced and Plesac.

Thursday’s trade slashes nearly $6 million from a 1997 Pirates payroll that is expected to drop to $13 million to $14 million from $21 million.

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Whitey Herzog has reportedly accepted the managerial position of the Boston Red Sox. The Providence Journal, citing a radio report in Kansas City, said Herzog could be introduced as Boston’s new manager as early as today.

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The Dodgers have made signing free-agent third baseman Todd Zeile their top priority after being informed that Dave Hollins wants to stay in the American League.

“We’ll definitely do something at third base,” said Fred Claire, executive vice president, “and we’ve had conversations with [Zeile’s] representatives.”

The Dodgers, meanwhile, expect to sign free-agent infielder Eddie Williams to a minor league contract today.

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The Angels acquired minor league catcher Scott Vollmer from the Chicago White Sox to complete a July 27 trade for catcher Don Slaught.

Vollmer hit .260 with four home runs and 31 runs batted in at double-A Birmingham last season. He was a 17th-round draft pick in 1993.

The Angels also announced a four-year extension with the Boise Hawks, a Class-A team.

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Times staff writers Bob Nightengale and Chris Foster contributed to this story.