NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees, worried about Chuck
Knoblauch's throwing problems, are trying to trade for Minnesota's Todd Walker as a backup for their troubled second baseman.
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The Seattle Mariners also are talking to the Twins about Walker,
a baseball source who spoke on the condition of anonymity said
Friday night.
Walker, 27, hit well in his first two full seasons in the
majors, but got off to a slow start this year and was demoted to
the minors in early May.
Once he joined Triple-A Salt Lake, he criticized Minnesota
manager Tom Kelly's handling of young players.
"It's evident I'm not going to be able to play under Kelly's
system," Walker said recently. "It's time to move me."
The Yankees' interest in sluggers Sammy Sosa and Juan Gonzalez
has dominated trade talk in the Bronx. Walker, however, might find
a role on New York's bench.
Walker hit .358 in his first 37 games at Salt Lake. His fielding -- like Knoblauch's -- was a bit more shaky in that span as he made
eight errors in that span.
The Yankees have mostly used Wilson Delgado and Clay Bellinger
as a backup to Knoblauch, another former Twin. Knoblauch has missed
several games because of soreness in his left forearm.
Knoblauch's wild throws have been a constant source of concern
for the Yankees. He threw away three balls Thursday night and was
sent home early by manager Joe Torre, then returned to the lineup
Friday night and was flawless in the field.
Bellinger's versatility, along with a few timely home runs, have
earned him a spot on Torre's bench.
But the Yankees seemed perturbed last weekend when the
24-year-old Delgado did not hustle on the basepaths. Delgado,
batting .256, was acquired from San Francisco during spring
training.
The AL West-leading Mariners have Mark McLemore as their
starting second baseman, and also looking for bench help.
Walker hit .316 with 41 doubles, 12 homers and 62 RBIs in 1998
in his first full season with the Twins. He batted .279 with 37 doubles, six home runs and 46 RBIs last
year. He also had a 47-game errorless streak.
Walker was hitting .234 with two homers and eight RBIs when
Minnesota sent him to the minors in the first week in May.
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