On The Block
The lowdown on players the Dodgers would receive in a deal for Mike Piazza and Todd Zeile:
GARY SHEFFIELD
* BACKGROUND--Born Nov. 18, 1968, in Tampa, Fla. Bats right, throws right. Selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the first round (sixth overall pick) of the 1986 free-agent draft. Traded by the Brewers on March 27, 1992, with pitcher Geoff Kellogg to the San Diego Padres for pitchers Ricky Bones, shortstop Jose Valentin and outfielder Matt Mieske. Traded by the Padres on June 24, 1993, with pitcher Rich Rodriguez to Florida for pitchers Trevor Hoffman, Jose Martinez and Andres Berumen. Shares the major league record for fewest double plays hit into by an outfielder (150 or more games)--0 in 1996. Holds the Marlins’ all-time record for home runs and runs scored.
* NOTES--Batted a disappointing .250 last season, but walked 121 times and finished fifth in the National League with a .424 on-base percentage. Above-average speed, aggressive baserunner. Average outfielder with a strong arm. Injury prone.
* AVERAGE SEASON STATS--
.286 batting average, 22 doubles, 20 HR, 69 RBIs.
BOBBY BONILLA
* BACKGROUND--Born Feb. 23, 1963, in New York. Bats both, throws right. Signed as non-drafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 11, 1981. Selected by the Chicago White Sox from the Pirates in Rule V draft on Dec. 10, 1985. Traded by the White Sox to the Pirates on July 23, 1986, for pitcher Jose DeLeon. Signed by the New York Mets as a free agent on Dec. 2, 1991. Traded by the Mets on Aug. 17, 1995, with pitcher Jimmy Williams to the Baltimore Orioles for outfielders Alex Ochoa and Damon Buford. Signed by the Florida Marlins as a free agent on Nov. 22, 1996. Holds the National League record for home runs by a switch-hitter (222). Shares American League single-season record for sacrifice flies--17 in 1996.
* NOTES--On-base percentage of .362 for his career. Average speed, poor fielder, especially at third base. Much better hitter from the right side of the plate (hit .372 against left-handers last year, .278 against right-handers).
* AVERAGE SEASON STATS--
.285 batting average, 31 doubles, 22 HR, 88RBIs.
CHARLES JOHNSON
* BACKGROUND--Born July 20, 1971, in Fort Pierce, Fla. Bats right, throws right. Selected by the Montreal Expos in the first round (10th pick overall) of 1989 free-agent draft, but did not sign. Selected by the Marlins in the first round (28th pick overall) of the 1992 free-agent draft. Holds record for consecutive errorless games by a catcher and most consecutive chances accepted by a catcher without an error.
* NOTES--Raised his average 32 points, his on-base percentage 55 points and his slugging percentage 96 points last season. Has won the Gold Glove Award in each of his three full seasons. Best defensive catcher in the major leagues with a strong arm and quick release. Threw out 47% of runners trying to steal last season.
* AVERAGE SEASON STATS--
.241 batting average, 18 doubles, 15 HR, 48 RBIs.
JIM EISENREICH
* BACKGROUND--Born April 18, 1959, in St. Cloud, Minn. Bats left, throws left. Selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 16th round of the 1980 free-agent draft. Retired from baseball from June 4, 1984, to Sept. 29, 1986, because of Tourette’s Syndrome. Claimed by the Kansas City Royals on waivers on Oct. 2, 1986. Signed by the Philadelphia Phillies as a free agent Jan. 20, 1993. Signed by the Florida Marlins as free agent on Dec. 3, 1996.
* NOTES--Valuable fourth outfielder. Outstanding hitter, average runner and fielder. Power has dropped significantly (slugging percentage dropped more than 100 points last season).
* AVERAGE SEASON STATS--
.294 batting average, 22 doubles, 5 HR, 46 RBIs.
MANUEL BARRIOS
Rookie right-hander appeared in two games after being called up from triple-A Charlotte, where he appeared in 11 games (1-0 record, 3.46 earned-run average in 13 innings).
--Research by Houston Mitchell