b-ball-lunachick
08-08-01, 02:25 PM
FALL LEAGUE LOOMS
FOR NICK, DREW
By JOEL SHERMAN
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http://www.nypost.com/sports/yankees/31212.htm
August 8, 2001 -- Hoping to speed the progress of their corner infielders of what they hope is the near future, the Yankees will send first baseman Nick Johnson and third baseman Drew Henson to play in the Arizona Fall League, The Post has learned.
It had been assumed since the Yankees reacquired Henson from the Reds in spring training that they would try to place him in the AFL to force-feed more baseball to a third baseman who has spent half his time previously playing quarterback. A third-base spot opened up in the six-team developmental league when the Padres decided to have one of their top prospects, Sean Burroughs, play second base in the AFL rather than his normal third base.
Johnson's presence in the AFL is slightly more surprising, but he essentially is being sent for the same reasons as Henson - the Yankees simply want him playing more because of disruptions in his career. Johnson missed almost all of last season due to a wrist injury, and has missed parts of this season due to injury problems.
Rosters for the AFL are not to be finalized until next week, but The Post has learned the Yankees also are planning to send outfielder Marcus Thames and pitchers Jeremy Blevins, Ryan Bradley and Adam Roller.
The Mets intend to send first baseman Earl Snyder, outfielder Robert Stratton and pitchers Tyler Walker, Jason Saenz, Jae Seo and Ken Chenard.
In their fantasy scenario, the Yankees will sport a home-grown infield of Johnson, Alfonso Soriano, Derek Jeter and Henson. But it almost certainly will not play out to start next season.
Henson was hitting just .202 in 44 Triple-A games with six homers, 22 RBIs, nine walks and 55 strikeouts. The consensus around the majors is Henson should be playing at Double-A right now, but according to sources, George Steinbrenner wants Henson at Columbus because The Boss gave the righty hitter a six-year, $17 million contract to buy him out of playing any more football.
The Yanks hope the AFL, which plays 52 games between Oct. 2 and Nov. 15, will hasten Henson's growth. Still, they recognize they either have to re-sign free-agent-to-be Scott Brosius or find a stopgap until Henson is ready.
Johnson's stats at Triple-A also are underwhelming, as he was hitting .252 with 14 homers and 41 RBIs in 95 games. However, Yankee officials still believe he is on target to take over at first base next season, citing his stellar International League-leading .409 on-base percentage.
FOR NICK, DREW
By JOEL SHERMAN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.nypost.com/sports/yankees/31212.htm
August 8, 2001 -- Hoping to speed the progress of their corner infielders of what they hope is the near future, the Yankees will send first baseman Nick Johnson and third baseman Drew Henson to play in the Arizona Fall League, The Post has learned.
It had been assumed since the Yankees reacquired Henson from the Reds in spring training that they would try to place him in the AFL to force-feed more baseball to a third baseman who has spent half his time previously playing quarterback. A third-base spot opened up in the six-team developmental league when the Padres decided to have one of their top prospects, Sean Burroughs, play second base in the AFL rather than his normal third base.
Johnson's presence in the AFL is slightly more surprising, but he essentially is being sent for the same reasons as Henson - the Yankees simply want him playing more because of disruptions in his career. Johnson missed almost all of last season due to a wrist injury, and has missed parts of this season due to injury problems.
Rosters for the AFL are not to be finalized until next week, but The Post has learned the Yankees also are planning to send outfielder Marcus Thames and pitchers Jeremy Blevins, Ryan Bradley and Adam Roller.
The Mets intend to send first baseman Earl Snyder, outfielder Robert Stratton and pitchers Tyler Walker, Jason Saenz, Jae Seo and Ken Chenard.
In their fantasy scenario, the Yankees will sport a home-grown infield of Johnson, Alfonso Soriano, Derek Jeter and Henson. But it almost certainly will not play out to start next season.
Henson was hitting just .202 in 44 Triple-A games with six homers, 22 RBIs, nine walks and 55 strikeouts. The consensus around the majors is Henson should be playing at Double-A right now, but according to sources, George Steinbrenner wants Henson at Columbus because The Boss gave the righty hitter a six-year, $17 million contract to buy him out of playing any more football.
The Yanks hope the AFL, which plays 52 games between Oct. 2 and Nov. 15, will hasten Henson's growth. Still, they recognize they either have to re-sign free-agent-to-be Scott Brosius or find a stopgap until Henson is ready.
Johnson's stats at Triple-A also are underwhelming, as he was hitting .252 with 14 homers and 41 RBIs in 95 games. However, Yankee officials still believe he is on target to take over at first base next season, citing his stellar International League-leading .409 on-base percentage.