Expos sign Zeile for rest of season

good move, omar.



Expos sign Zeile for rest of season
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ The Montreal Expos signed third baseman Todd Zeile on
Wednesday, three days after the 15-year veteran was released by the New
York Yankees.

``I knew that I didn't want to end it the way things ended in New York,
and I think the people in that organization would probably say the same
thing _ that they didn't want it to end for me that way,'' said Zeile,
who turns 38 on Sept. 9. ``I don't know that I was that concerned about
it, but if nobody called, then that's something I'll have to deal with
at some point.''

Zeile's new teammates were already stretching on the field when he
walked into the visiting clubhouse at Dodger Stadium less than two hours
before gametime, following a flight from New York with his family. He
had his Yankees equipment bag _ with the pinstripes still in it.

Manager Frank Robinson, who met briefly with Zeile after he arrived,
walked past his locker while clubhouse attendants were emptying the bag
and said with mock indignation, ``Get that ... uniform out of there.''

Zeile was eager to exchange it for his new No.7 Expos uniform and start
a new chapter.

``I thought the situation in New York was going to be good, going in.
But it turned out to be a little different than I'd expected _
especially in the last few weeks,'' Zeile said. ``With the acquisition
of Aaron Boone. It became glaringly obvious that my at-bats _ which were
few, already _ were going to be basically cut to basically nothing.

``A big part of taking a job there that was going to reduce my playing
time, was because I thought I'd have a chance to win a ring,'' Zeile
added. ``But when it came down to it, I realized that winning a ring
seems insignificant if you're not contributing to it. So I was thankful
for the opportunity to come here because the team's still in the hunt.
And right now, that's all I want.''

Zeile, who made his Expos debut batting sixth and playing third, has
homered for a record 10 major league teams and has 239 career home runs.
He has been to the playoffs with three different clubs, getting to his
only World Series three years ago with the New York Mets. Montreal is
his 11th major league team.

``I remember he was a tough out, a good run producer and a guy who did
his best in clutch situations,'' Robinson said. ``It just makes us a
better team, I think. It gives me more options, and we can do more
things.''

Zeile batted .210 with six homers and 28 RBIs in 66 games this season
with the Yankees, and was 0-for-10 as a pinch-hitter.

``Averages don't concern me with guys like him. It's how he does in
clutch situations late in the ballgame and getting big hits,'' Robinson
said. ``At this stage of his career, that's what you look for from a
veteran guy like him _ not the batting average.''

The Expos, who entered Wednesday with a 66-60 record and a six-game
winning streak, have been using Jamey Carroll, Edwards Guzman and
switch-hitting Jose Macias at third since Fernando Tatis went on the
disabled list because of inflammation in his chest wall. None are
batting higher than .261, and they have combined for only five homers
and 37 RBIs.

``Jamie and Macias and Guzman have been outstanding over there
defensively and they've gotten on base, but I'm looking for a little bit
more punch and run production from that position. Hopefully, Zeile can
give us that,'' Robinson said.

The Expos also transferred right-handed pitcher Dan Smith to the 60-day
disabled list and optioned left-hander Scott Downs to Triple-A Edmonton.
Downs started one game, allowing five earned runs in three innings.