Phil Bradley, just weeks away from free agency, is not surprised that the White Sox haven`t filled his mailbox with offers.
”I think they`re waiting to see what my value is going to be in the market, how many teams are going to be interested in me,” Bradley said.
Bradley is hitting a career-low .259 and has only 31 RBIs in 401 at-bats. His numbers since joining the Sox Aug. 1: .232 with no home runs and 5 RBIs.
Baltimore traded Bradley because it apparently had no intention of meeting his demand for a three-year contract after this year.
”Naturally, the ideal situation is going free agent off your best season,” said Bradley, 31. ”I`m coming off my worst.”
Bradley still hopes the Sox will show interest.
Stark under scrutiny: Manager Jeff Torborg said he doesn`t plan to experiment with his lineup if the Sox fall completely out of contention, with one exception.
”I would like to see (catcher) Matt Stark hit a little bit, but it`s going to be down the road,” he said. ”I want to see what he can do. It`s a short time, but he`s a heck of a hitter.”
Stark, 26, said he will catch on Ozzie Guillen`s team in the Venezuelan winter league. If he proves his surgically repaired right shoulder is healthy, he figures to give the Sox a solid trading chip next spring because they already have Carlton Fisk and Ron Karkovice, the best backup in baseball.
Vote for Thiggy: Boston`s Roger Clemens likely will walk away with the American League Cy Young Award, but Torborg thinks Bobby Thigpen deserves consideration.
”I don`t do the voting, but he`s been invaluable to us,” Torborg said.
Thigpen has a strong chance of finishing in the top three in the vote by baseball writers.
No juggling: Torborg won`t juggle his rotation so his top starters will face the Athletics in Oakland next week. ”Every game counts the same,” he said.
Much better: A cool Lake Erie breeze kept Cleveland Stadium mostly clear of bugs Tuesday night. On Monday, swarms of critters invaded the ballpark.
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”I was here five years, and I never remember anything like that,”
Torborg said. ”If they would have been mosquitoes, you would have needed a blood transfusion.”