Henderson is sure to find a home

MAY 11, 2000 Print it! Jon Heyman The Sporting News

Nobody took Rickey Henderson when he was there for the taking. But that doesn't necessarily mean that nobody wants him. Teams just didn't want him for $1.6 million, which is the which is what's left on his 2000 contract (and what a team that claimed him off waivers would have had to pay). If the Mets eventually release him -- and that's still a consideration -- you can be certain there will be interest in Henderson, a surefire Hall-of-Famer. While he has worn out his welcome in some places, and scared off some others with his frequent griping about his salary (a salary nobody else wants to pay, it turns out) and indifferent playing style, he remains a viable leadoff hitter. Combine that fact with the desperation some teams feel about their leadoff situation, and Henderson is sure to find a new home quickly. While Mets manager Bobby Valentine would endorse a release for Henderson, others within the Mets organization are still holding out hope that things can be rectified. The Mets ate Bobby Bonilla's $5.9-million contract for 2000 after Bonilla threatened to become a destructive force inside the clubhouse. Henderson is a tougher call; he's a mere annoyance to them. There will be no "fireworks in the millennium," as Henderson's former card-playing partner Bonilla promise. However, Henderson hasn't exactly sparked the team, either. He's batting just .220 so far, and he's stolen just two bases. Plus, he's been a real liability in the field. Even so, that wouldn't prevent teams from lining up. Here are the most likely candidates to become Henderson's next employer.

1. Tigers. By most accounts, Detroit has shown the most interest in Henderson in recent months, and they way they're going, what could it hurt? The Tigers didn't seem anxious to take Henderson this winter and might have seen Henderson mostly as their best chance to unload unwanted Bobby Higginson this spring. Even so, Henderson makes sense for them. Luis Polonia has struggled in the leadoff spot (.247 BA, .320 on-base percentage), and even at his best, Polonia is no solution against lefthanded pitchers. Another plus, Henderson could be used as a DH with Detroit, and that's clearly his best position now. The Tigers recently signed Rich Becker, but that shouldn't preclude the possibility of Henderson.

2. Mariners. GM Pat Gillick once traded for him, and there's been a hint here and there that the Mariners have interest. Currently, they have something of a rotation at leadoff, with Mark McLemore getting the bulk of the at-bats.

3. Padres. Henderson seemed to get along well in San Diego. Unlike in some other spots, there were no burned bridges. Eric Owens is doing a surprisingly good job in the leadoff spot (.404 on-base percantage, 10 SBs), so it still seems like a longshot, especially with no DH in the NL.

4. Rangers. They've been searching for a leadoff hitter all year, and it seems that Royce Clayton may not be the answer (.294 on-base percentage). Still, they don't seem anxious for Henderson. GM Doug Melvin said as much.

5. Brewers. Manager Davey Lopes just moved Marquis Grissom out of the leadoff spot, which was the right call. Now, Ron Belliard will have his chance.

6. Red Sox. Jose Offerman won't be hitting .198 forever. But if this keeps up, you never know.

7. Orioles. He meets their plus-30 age requirement, anyway. However, they already have a leadoff hitter and several DH candidates.