Messersmith Finally Landed By Yankees

HONOLULU -- The world champion New York Yankees obtained righthanded pitcher Andy Messersmith from the Atlanta Braves for $100,000 in a straight cash deal, one of four major transactions Wednesday at the winter baseball meetings. Messersmith, 32, is a 10-year major league player and still must approve the deal. The Yankees felt they legally had signed him two years ago as a free agent for more than $1 million but following a lengthy hassle over contract details, Messersmith refused to report and signed a three-year contract for $999,999 with the Braves instead.

Baltimore was involved in two of the other deals, first sending pitchers Rudy May, Randy Miller and Bryn Smith to Montreal for pitchers Don Stanhouse and Joe Kerrigan, and outfielder Gary Roenicke. Then the Orioles obtained outfielder Carlos Lopez and righthanded pitcher Tommy Moore from Seattle for righthanded pitcher Mike Parrott. The New York Mets reacquired 27-year-old shortstop Tim Foli from the San Francisco Giants for either an estimated $250,000 or a player to be named. Meanwhile, the Dodgers have offered four players for San Diego outfielder Dave Winfield, vice-president Al Campanis said at a press conference earlier in the day. Campanis, refusing to reveal names, said the offer was "substantial." However, San Diego general manager Bob Fontaine disagreed. "They offered us (pitcher) Rick Rhoden, (infielder) Lee Lacy and two minor league players," Fontaine said. "We will give it some thought, but my first inclination is to say I'm not interested."

In obtaining Messersmith, the Yankees acquired a two-time 20-game winner and a pitcher ranked among National League leaders in earned run average four of the last six seasons. However, he was injured twice in the last two years and is coming off an elbow operation which limited his appaearances last season to 16 games. Injured early in the year, he had a 5-4 record and a 4.41 ERA.

[source: l.a. times]