November 17, 2000

By Mark Derewicz

The latest version of Team USA, which is headed to Panama for an IBAF World Cup qualifying tournament, comprises a bunch of independent leaguers with various levels of experience and one first-round draft pick, who turned down a multi-million dollar contract from the Rockies.

Righthander Matt Harrington couldn't come to terms with the Rockies so he signed a 2001 contract with the independent St. Paul Saints this fall to become eligible to play for Team USA.

But USA Baseball executive director Paul Seiler originally said that adding Harrington to the roster was too risky a move. Seiler weighed Harrington's addition to the team with the possibility of being partially responsible should the 19-year-old talent get injured. But Seiler changed his mind after a couple conversations with Harrington's agent Tommy Tanzer and representatives from the Major League Baseball Players' Association.

Harrington is the only first-rounder from the 2000 draft that hadn't signed with a major league organization. Tanzer said the Rockies agreed to a $4.95 million deal but the Rockies pulled the offer down to $4 million. The Rockies were waiting for a response from Harrington, but Tanzer declined to budge from the $4.95 million predraft agreement. The two parties remained locked in a stalemate of presidential proportions.

Harrington, who was one of 22 players heading to the Pan American Cup, impressed Team USA manager Marty Scott during workouts this fall. Scott, who also manages the independent St. Paul Saints, signed Harrington to a Northern League contract so the power pitcher could play in Panama. Harrington was scheduled to pitch the third game of the tournament against Honduras.

Twelve teams will vie for four spots in the IBAF World Cup next November in Taiwan. According to Major League Baseball officials, USA Baseball will use minor league prospects exclusively for Olympic qualifying events and the Olympics.

USA Baseball associate director of national teams Eric Campbell still managed to put together a solid team, considering the flight to Panama was on Thanksgiving Day and most of the best indy leaguers work normal jobs during the offseason.

Righthander Jeff Keppen, who was a Baseball America second-team independent all-star, went 11-4, 3.38 with 117 strikeouts in 130 innings for Winnipeg. Former major leaguer Bob Milacki went 11-6, 4.03 for St. Paul.

Newark's Ozzie Canseco, another BA All-Star, batted .299-48-129. Outfielder Jim Rushford, the Northern League (Central Division) rookie of the year, could use the tournament as a springboard into the affiliated minors. He batted .329-12-53 for Duluth-Superior this summer.

Here's a list of players and their 2000 team:

Pitchers: LHP Richard Bell (St. Paul), RHP Lance Calmus (Alexandria), LHP Geno Caruso (Schaumburg), LHP John Duffy (Fargo-Moorhead), RHP Keith Davis (Bridgeport), RHP Gary Goldsmith (Aberdeen), RHP Matt Harrington (St. Paul), RHP Jeff Keppen (Winnipeg), RHP Bob Milacki (St. Paul), RHP George Schmidt (Fargo-Moorhead), RHP Andy Shibilo (Lehigh Valley).

Catchers: John Castellano (Long Island), Kirk Pierce (Fargo-Moorhead).

Infielders: Cleatus Davidson (Double-A New Britain), Jesse Ibarra (St. Paul), Doug Livingston (Fargo-Moorhead), Peter Prodanov (Winnipeg), Tony Schifano (Double-A Tennessee).

Outfielders: Ozzie Canseco (Newark), Michael Carter (Bridgeport), Steve Goodell (Double-A Carolina), Jim Rushford (Duluth-Superior).