Reds Pass on Morris, Mercker and Morgan

The Cincinnati Reds cut $8.2 million off of next year’s payroll by choosing to let pitchers Kent Mercker and Mike Morgan and first baseman Hal Morris become free agents on Wednesday.

The Reds decided not to exercise contract options on the three, whose salaries didn’t fit the club’s cost reduction plans. Mercker and Morris were set to make $3.5 million each in 1998, and Morgan’s option was for $1.2 million.

Morgan had a mutual option in his contract--either side could have terminated it--and had told the club he would look elsewhere.

Morris, 32, was coming off an injury-shortened season in which he hit .276 with one homer and 33 RBIs. The Reds bought out the final year on his contract for $500,000.

It was a tougher decision to exercise the $250,000 buyout on Mercker, 29, who was 8-11 but had a 3.92 earned-run average in 25 starts and three relief appearances.

“It was just a financial decision,” General Manager Jim Bowden said. “We don’t have $3.5 million in our budget to pay Kent. That doesn’t mean we’re not going to try to negotiate a contract with him. We’re just unable to sign him back at $3.5 million.”

The Reds had an opening-day payroll of about $34 million last season and plan to shrink it in 1998. Bowden has talked to Mercker and his agent, Casey Close, about taking less to stay.

Mercker, who made $1.1 million this season, plans to see what he’s worth as a free agent in a year when expansion teams will be added in Arizona and Tampa Bay.

Morgan, who turned 38 on Wednesday, was 9-12 with a 4.78 ERA. He led the team in starts (30) and innings pitched (162).

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The New York Yankees’ team physician recommended that pitcher David Cone undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder. Cone will obtain a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews on Monday. Cone injured his shoulder Aug. 17 against Texas, then, after a month on the disabled list, was sidelined for Game 4 of the playoffs against Cleveland after an MRI showed swelling in the shoulder. . . . San Diego Padre left fielder Greg Vaughn underwent successful arthroscopic surgery to smooth a rough spot on his right kneecap and should be ready for spring training.