Realignment May Force Dh Changes

No wonder Paul Molitor is taking a special interest in these realignment talks. The result could affect where he plays next season.

The Minnesota Twins might be among the teams that switch leagues in 1998. If that happens, and if the N.L. does not adopt the DH, Molitor would be out of a job.

Edgar Martinez of Seattle and Jose Canseco of Oakland are among the other designated hitters who could get caught if baseball goes ahead with the realignment plan currently attracting the most support - called “16-14,” it would put the 14 teams east of Chicago in the A.L. and the other 16 clubs in the N.L.

Of course, the DH debate will be a big part of the realignment discussions. But unless it is used in both leagues, Molitor will have to move - perhaps to one of the N.L. clubs shifting to the A.L. - to continue his career next season at age 41.

To trade or not to trade

The White Sox, having already dumped Harold Baines, Wilson Alvarez, Roberto Hernandez and Danny Darwin, might not be done dealing. And if they want to talk about another trade, there’s a good chance the Florida Marlins will listen.

Marlins vice president of player personnel Gary Hughes watched the White Sox on Wednesday at Oakland, and planned to follow the team this weekend in Seattle.

Chicago’s Chuck McElroy and Tony Castillo still interest Florida, and White Sox GM Ron Schueler has said he still intends to put several players on waivers.

Comeback

Todd Van Poppel’s career, which has been a bumpy ride through the Oakland, Detroit, Anaheim and Kansas City systems, seems to be back on track with the Texas Rangers.

The former first-round pick in the 1990 draft is 3-0 with a 2.21 ERA in three starts for Double-A Tulsa. His control, constantly a problem, is under control and he has been able to throw his breaking ball for strikes.

Texas signed the 25-year-old right-hander in June after he was released by the Royals.

Comeback?

The sad saga of Brien Taylor does not appear to be getting any better.

Taylor, taken by the New York Yankees as the overall No. 1 pick in the 1991 draft, wrecked his left shoulder in a fight after the 1993 season and has been trying ever since to recapture his form.

Taylor stayed at the Yankees’ camp in Tampa, Fla., this spring when the rest of the minor leaguers left, but the extra work does not seem to have helped.

Assigned to the Greensboro Bats of the Class A South Atlantic League, Taylor is 1-4 with a 14.33 ERA. On Monday, he made his first relief appearance, and he will remain in the bullpen after being pulled from the rotation.

Once able to throw in the upper 90s mph, Taylor has lost velocity and his control. In 27 innings for Greensboro, Taylor has walked an astounding 52 batters and already thrown 13 wild pitches.

Dodger junk

News Corp.’s Fox Sports is considering hiring former junk bond financier Michael Milken as a top executive with the Los Angeles Dodgers if it buys the team, baseball owners and executives told Bloomberg News.

Milken, who spent two years in prison and paid almost a billion dollars in fines for securities law violations, is an avid baseball fan and an adviser to News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch in his bid to buy the team, baseball owners said.

He could become the team’s president and leave baseball decisions to his friend, Tommy Lasorda, the Dodgers’ manager for 20 years until last season. Lasorda, currently a Dodgers vice president, is rumored to be lobbying to become the G.M. if the team is sold.

Apology accepted

Curtis Goodwin said Saturday he regrets the outburst that prompted the Cincinnati Reds to demote him to the minors last week.

General manager Jim Bowden asked for an apology after Goodwin accused him of using racially offensive language during a meeting last Thursday about the outfielder’s shortcomings. Goodwin left the team and was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Goodwin apologized and is reporting to Indianapolis.