McGriff to Cubs If He Agrees to Trade

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July 12, 2001 12 AM PT

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From Associated Press

The Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Devil Rays have reached agreement on a trade that would send Fred McGriff to the Cubs, a Cub source who spoke on the condition of anonymity said Wednesday. McGriff must decide whether to waive his no-trade clause and accept the deal.

No decision was expected before today, the source said. If McGriff agrees to the trade, the Devil Rays would get prospects in return.

“We’ll have to see how it plays out. When it will be resolved, I don’t know,” Devil Ray Manager Hal McRae said. “He’s our best player as of today, and it would devastate the ballclub, but we have a direction. It is to go young and give the young players an opportunity to play.”

While McGriff’s choice might seem simple--he would go from baseball’s worst team to the National League Central leader--he’s a Tampa, Fla., native and likes playing at home. He’s also having one of his most productive seasons, hitting a team-high .330 with 53 runs batted in and 15 home runs.

“Freddie’s a huge part of this team,” said Steve Cox, who would take McGriff’s place at first base if the trade goes through. “He’s doing the best on the team right now. He’s the kind of guy you don’t want to see his bat out of the lineup.”

Former St. Louis Cardinal pitcher Rick Ankiel, continuing a stint in the minors to regain his control, struck out 12 in Johnson City, Tenn., and threw no wild pitches.

Ankiel pitched six innings in the Johnson City Cardinals’ 3-0 loss to Bristol in the Appalachian League. He gave up four hits, one earned run and two walks. It was Ankiel’s first loss after two victories.

“It was OK. I executed some pitches at times and gave up a couple of base hits, but it was an all right performance,” Ankiel said.

Ankiel has 53 strikeouts in 28 innings for Johnson City.

Shortstop Rafael Furcal of the Atlanta Braves returned to Atlanta to begin rehabilitation after season-ending shoulder surgery.

Furcal, the NL rookie of the year in 2000, underwent surgery in Birmingham, Ala., on Tuesday. Dr. James Andrews repaired the player’s dislocated left shoulder.

“He will begin immediate limited therapy,” Brave spokesman Jim Schultz said.

Furcal will need about six months to recover. The Braves expect him to be ready for spring training next season.

He was hurt Friday when he slid awkwardly while stealing second base against the Boston Red Sox. He injured the same shoulder during a Dominican League winter game.

This season, Furcal, 20, was batting .275 with four homers and 30 RBIs. He was among the league’s stolen base leaders with 22.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Strength of Schedule

Combined winning percentage of remaining opponents:

Tampa Bay: .538

Detroit: .523

Cleveland: .522

Texas: .518

Toronto: .517

Angels: .514

San Francisco: .509

New York (N): .508