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Saturday, September 2, 2000
Hawaii's Dane Sardinha signed a historic contract with the Cincinnati Reds yesterday, ending a long summer of waiting for the Kamehameha School graduate. Sardinha signs contract
with Cincinnati RedsThe Hawaii Professional Baseball Report
By Al Chase
Star-Bulletin"He is the first drafted catcher in history to get a major league contract," said Scott Boras, who is Sardinha's agent.
"The contract guarantees Dane $1.9 million and includes roster bonuses worth another $800,000.
"The terms of Dane's contract say he has to be in the major leagues by 2004. I think he will be there by 2003."
Sardinha, who has completed his junior year at Pepperdine University, was selected No. 46 overall in the second round of the June first-year player draft.
Following the draft, Sardinha worked out daily until it got boring as negotiations plodded along.He played a little late in the summer in the Oahu Open League.
Sardinha had the option of returning to Pepperdine for his senior year, something he said he did not want to do.
Classes started at Pepperdine Monday, but Sardinha cancelled a flight to the West Coast last Sunday. Instead, he and his parents flew to Cincinnati two days ago.
"This is a creative contract. It took time because the Reds did not have a lot of bonus money. Obviously the Reds think Dane is a player of major league caliber," said Boras.
Cincinnati also signed its first round pick yesterday, high school shortstop David Espinosa, also represented by Boras.
Both players have been assigned to the Reds' 40-man roster.
In a news release, Cincinnati general manger Jim Bowden noted that in an unprecedented stipulation in contract negotiations involving free-agent draft picks, neither player received a signing bonus.
"These signings show our commitment in building toward the future as we prepare to play in Great American Ball Park in 2003," Bowden said.
"Sardinha can catch and throw in the big leagues right now," said Bob Boone, a four-time All-Star catcher with 19 seasons of major league experience and currently a special assistant to Bowden.
"He is as advanced defensively as any catcher I've seen in the three years I've been here."
Sardinha turned down a reported signing bonus of $750,000 in 1997 when the Kansas City Royals drafted him in the second round, 59th overall.
Instead, he enrolled at Pepperdine and enjoyed three solid seasons for the Waves, setting the career home run record (45). He was co-Player of the Year in the West Coast Conference as a junior.
Sardinha hit .353 this past season with 17 homers and 72 runs batted in.
"Dane was clearly the top catcher in the draft. He's got an arm like Pudge Rodriguez and athleticism behind the plate like Rodriguez. He's now matured, established. He's defined as a player," said Boras.
Sardinha's contract is for six-years through the 2005 season, including the pro-rated Major League minimum through the end of this season and salaries of $250,000 in 2001, $350,000 in 2002 through 2004 and $450,000 in 2005.
The 6-foot, 210-pounder will begin his professional career in a couple of weeks at the Reds instructional camp.
Players with Hawaii connections who, through Thursday's games, qualify for inclusion in the weekly statistics compiled by Howe Sportsdata International: The Hawaii Professional
Baseball Report
Batter
| Team | League | Cl | AB | R | H | HR | RBI | AVG | |
| Benny Agbayani | N.Y. Mets | National | ML | 284 | 48 | 87 | 12 | 51 | .306 |
| J.Thornton-Murray | Cubs | Arizona | R | 179 | 30 | 50 | 2 | 35 | .279 |
| Chris Truby | Houston | National | ML | 162 | 15 | 45 | 7 | 32 | .278 |
| Keoni DeRenne | Macon | So. Atlantic | A | 133 | 13 | 35 | 1 | 10 | .263 |
| Shane Victorino | Yakima | Northwest | A | 214 | 29 | 54 | 2 | 19 | .252 |
| Jason Ross | Greenville | Southern | AA | 243 | 31 | 61 | 11 | 24 | .251 |
| Chad Santos | Spokane | Northwest | A | 248 | 36 | 62 | 13 | 46 | .250 |
| Darren Blakely | Erie | Eastern | AA | 426 | 70 | 101 | 16 | 53 | .237 |
| Scott Suraci | Elizabethton | Appalachian | R | 129 | 22 | 29 | 4 | 26 | .225 |
| Miles Luuloa | Oneonta | NY-Penn | A | 151 | 26 | 33 | 0 | 14 | .219 |
| Buster Small | Medicine Hat | Pioneer | R | 128 | 13 | 28 | 0 | 6 | .219 |
| Brandon Chaves | Williamsport | NY-Penn | A | 149 | 12 | 21 | 0 | 10 | .141 |
Pitcher
| Team | League | Cl | IP | H | BB | SO | W-L | ERA | |
| Kyle Kawabata | Evansville | Frontier | Ind | 17 2/3 | 15 | 5 | 12 | 1- 0 | 1.53 |
| Jay Spurgeon | Baltimore | American | ML | 11 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 1- 0 | 2.45 |
| Rich Snider | Athletics | Arizona | R | 29 | 30 | 2 | 30 | 2- 2 | 2.48 |
| Mike Fetters | Los Angeles | National | ML | 41 2/3 | 27 | 19 | 37 | 5- 2 | 2.81 |
| Ian Perio | Lowell | NY-Penn | A | 28 2/3 | 25 | 10 | 28 | 5- 1 | 2.83 |
| Jerome Williams | San Jose | California | A | 125 2/3 | 89 | 48 | 115 | 7- 6 | 2.94 |
| Corey Miller | Visalia | California | A | 55 | 56 | 25 | 59 | 6- 4 | 3.44 |
| Onan Masaoka | Albuquerque | Pacific Coast | AAA | 37 1/3 | 31 | 36 | 22 | 3- 1 | 3.86 |
| Dusty Bergman | Cedar Rapids | Midwest | A | 163 2/3 | 174 | 60 | 108 | 4-15 | 3.90 |
| Thomas Ford | Bluefield | Appalachian | R | 36 2/3 | 27 | 15 | 41 | 1- 0 | 3.93 |
| Mike McCutcheon | El Paso | Texas | AA | 38 2/3 | 38 | 13 | 31 | 4- 1 | 3.96 |
| Paul Ah Yat | Nashville | Pacific Coast | AAA | 103 1/3 | 103 | 35 | 55 | 3- 8 | 3.99 |
| Kahi Kaanoi | Charlstn,.WV | So. Atlantic | A | 21 | 23 | 11 | 9 | 0- 1 | 4.29 |
| Kaipo Spenser | Valley | Western | Ind | 68 | 66 | 35 | 54 | 4- 5 | 4.37 |
| Jeff Martin | Lynchburg | Carolina | A | 42 2/3 | 34 | 19 | 32 | 1- 2 | 4.43 |
| Damon Yee | Auburn | NY-Penn | A | 62 2/3 | 61 | 16 | 45 | 5- 5 | 4.45 |
| Tyler Yates | Midland | Texas | AA | 25 1/3 | 28 | 15 | 24 | 1- 1 | 6.39 |
| Matt Wheeler | Dubois County | Frontier | Ind | 21 2/3 | 32 | 9 | 22 | 1- 1 | 6.65 |
| Mark Johnson | Toledo | Internat’nl | AAA | 93 2/3 | 136 | 23 | 45 | 1-11 | 6.73 |
| Justin Wayne | Jupiter | Florida State | AA | 19 1/3 | 21 | 10 | 19 | 0- 2 | 6.98 |
| Hawkeye Wayne | Everett | Northwest | A | 21 1/3 | 29 | 29 | 22 | 0- 2 | 12.66 |
| Scott Karl | Anaheim | American | ML | 2 2/3 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 15.43 |
Kahi Kaanoi (Kamehameha), a right-handed pitcher, was placed on the disabled list Aug. 19 with stiffness in his right shoulder. He will remain on the DL through the end of the season.
American League TRANSACTIONS
Baseball
ANAHEIM ANGELS--Activated C Matt Walbeck from the 15-day disabled list. Recalled INF Justin Baughman and RHP Ben Weber from Edmonton of the PCL. Purchased the contract of LHP Bryan Ward from Edmonton.
BOSTON RED SOX--Recalled LHP Sang Lee from Pawtucket of the International League. Activated OF Izzy Alcantara from the 15-day disabled list and recalled him from Pawtucket.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX--Recalled RHP Chad Bradford, INF Craig Wilson and C Josh Paul from Charlotte of the International League. Purchased the contract of RHP Matt Ginter from Birmingham of the Southern League. Optioned RHP Rocky Biddle to Birmingham.
CLEVELAND INDIANS--Recalled RHP Jim Brower, LHP Cameron Cairncross, OF Dave Roberts and RHP Jake Westbrook from Buffalo of the International League. Placed Westbrook on the 60-day disabled list. Purchased the contract of RHP Chris Nichting from Buffalo.
DETROIT TIGERS--Activated 1B Tony Clark and C Robert Fick from the 15-day disabled list. Recalled LHP Sean Runyan from Toledo of the International League. Purchased the contract of Rodney Lindsey from Jacksonville of the Southern League.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS--Activated C Jorge Fabregas from the 15-day disabled list.
MINNESOTA TWINS--Recalled OF Brian Buchanan from Salt Lake of the PCL.
NEW YORK YANKEES--Activated 2B Chuck Knoblauch and RHP Ramiro Mendoza from the 15-day disabled list. Transferred LHP Alan Watson from the 15- to the 60-day disabled list. Purchased the contract of OF Ryan Thompson from Columbus of the International League. Recalled RHP Craig Dingman from Columbus.
OAKLAND ATHLETICS--Recalled C A.J. Hinch from Sacramento of the PCL. Activated RHP T.J Matthews from the 15-day disabled list.
SEATTLE MARINERS--Activated OF Jay Buhner from the 15-day disabled list. Recalled RHP Frankie Rodriguez, OF Charles Gipson and RHP Kevin Hodges from Tacoma of the PCL. Purchased the contract of INF Brian Lesher from Tacoma.
TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS--Recalled OF Kenny Kelly and LHP Trevor Enders from Orlando of the Southern League and INF Jace Brewer from Charleston, SC of the South Atlantic League. Activated INF Damian Rolls from the 60-day disabled list. Sent RHP Billy Taylor outright to Durham of the International League.
TEXAS RANGERS--Activated LHP Darren Oliver from the 15-day disabled list. Recalled RHP Jonathan Johnson from Oklahoma of the PCL.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS--Designated LHP Eric DuBose for assignment. Transferred OF DeWayne Wise and 2B Homer Bush from the 15 to the 60-day disabled list. Recalled OF Vernon Wells from Syracuse of the International League.
National League
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS--Purchased the contract of OF Matt Mieske from Tucson of the PCL. Recalled OF Rob Ryan and C Rod Barajas from Tucson. Activated RHP Todd Stottlemyre and INF Danny Klassen from the 15-day disabled list.
ATLANTA BRAVES--Recalled INF Steve Sisco, OF George Lombard and RHP Jason Marquis from Richmond of the International League. Purchased the contract of C Mike Hubbard from Richmond.
CHICAGO CUBS--Recalled INF Jose Nieves from Iowa of the PCL.
CINCINNATI REDS--Signed SS David Espinosa and C Dane Sardinha. Recalled LHP Hector Mercado from Louisville of the International League. Activated RHP Osvaldo Fernandez from the 15-day disabled list.
FLORIDA MARLINS--Activated SS Alez Gonzalez from the 15-day disabled list.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS--Activated INF Chris Donnels from the 15-day disabled list. Recalled LHP Onan Masaoka and C Paul LoDuca from Albuquerque of the PCL. Purchased the contract of RHP Luke Prokopec from San Antonio of the Texas League.
MONTREAL EXPOS--Activated C Lenny Webster from the 15-day disabled list.
NEW YORK METS--Signed LHP Billy Traber. Purchased the contract of 1B Matt Franco from Norfolk of the International League. Recalled RHP Eric Cammack and LHP Rich Rodriguez, C Vance Wilson and INF Jorge Toca from Norfolk.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES--Recalled C Gary Bennett and RHP Cliff Politte from Scranton of the International League.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS--Recalled OF Thomas Howard from Memphis of the PCL.
SAN DIEGO PADRES--Recalled RHP Will Cunnane from Las Vegas of the PCL. Activated C Ben Davis from the 15-day disabled list.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS--Signed RHP Robb Nen to a four-year contract. Added C Scott Servais to the roster. Recalled RHP Miguel Del Toro, INF Pedro Feliz and INF Damon Minor from Fresno of the PCL. Purchased the contracts of INF Juan Melo and OF Terrell Lowery from Fresno, and RHP Ryan Vogelsong from Shreveport of the Texas League.
