MLB

Scores   Schedules   Standings   Statistics   Transactions   Injuries: AL | NL   Players   Weekly Lineup   Message Board   Minor Leagues   MLB Stat Search Clubhouses

Teams Anaheim Arizona Atlanta Baltimore Boston Chi Cubs Chi W Sox Cincinnati Cleveland Colorado Detroit Florida Houston Kan City LA Milwaukee Minnesota Montreal NY Mets NY Yankees Oakland Philly Pittsburgh San Diego San Fran Seattle St. Louis Tampa Bay Texas Toronto

Sport Sections

	TODAY: Monday, May 15
	Where will Rickey end up? ESPN.com
	At 41 years old, what are the options for Rickey Henderson? First of all, he won't retire. Henderson has scored 2,117 runs, just 129 behind Ty Cobb's career mark of 2,246 -- a record Henderson would love to break. But what is the market for an aging left fielder with poor defensive skills and bad clubhouse karma? Henderson's indifferent play made it easier for the Mets to waive him. Henderson can still get on base. Despite a .205 average this season, his on-base percentage is a decent .362. However, he has just one extra-base hit in 83 at-bats. And as great as Henderson was in 1999, hitting .315 with a .423 on-base percentage, remember that he hit just .236, .248 and .241 the three seasons prior to that. Henderson's defensive skills have slipped considerably in recent years. Last year, he made 1.69 plays per game -- the second-lowest total among left fielders (only Al Martin was worse). This makes it more likely that an AL team would pick him up, since he could DH. He's making $2 million this year, and if he's claimed on waivers that team will pick up the remainder of his salary. National League teams -- beginning with the team with the worst record -- have first shot at Henderson, followed by AL teams. If he clears waivers, he becomes a free agent. And if he becomes a free agent, would Henderson rather sign on with a team that can win or a team where he can play more? Our guess is Henderson wants to play. Here are some possibilities where Henderson may end up: New York Yankees The Yankees could sign Henderson to be their DH, leaving a left-field platoon of Shane Spencer and Ricky Ledee. Spencer has been getting regular action this year, but he's been ineffective against right-handers (.222, .429 slugging) and really should only play against left-handed pitchers. And with Chuck Knoblauch out, the Yanks could use a leadoff hitter. Would the Yankees take on Henderson's baggage? One way to look at it is that if there is one team that wouldn't be affected by Henderson's attitude, it would be the Yankees. The other way to look at it is the Yankees aren't about to bring in a guy who would rather play cards between at-bats. Texas Rangers The Rangers have two holes: Leadoff hitter, where Royce Clayton has struggled with a .302 on-base percentage; and left field, where Chad Curtis is only an adequate replacement for the injured Rusty Greer. Hmm, sounds like a possible fit, but the Rangers may not want Henderson hanging out around young players like Ruben Mateo and Gabe Kapler. Henderson also doesn't seem like a good fit with Johnny Oates. Oakland A's Could he return for a fifth stint with the A's? After all, he's an Oakland native and Billy Beane loves guys who walk. The answer? No. The A's already have a left fielder in Ben Grieve and plenty of DH-types so they don't need Henderson griping about playing twice a week. Detroit Tigers There were rumors in the spring about a possible Bobby Higginson-for-Henderson trade. While the Tigers could certainly learn the value of taking a walk, would it make sense to bring Henderson onto a team that appears destined for a miserable season? Probably not, although taking playing time from Luis Polonia and Wendell Magee wouldn't exactly stunt the future growth of the franchise. Seattle Mariners Stan Javier has played well with a .418 on-base percentage, but the M's are thin in the outfield, particularly if Jay Buhner goes down (which seems inevitable). Mark McLemore has been mediocre in the leadoff spot (.333 OBP, .287 slugging). Manager Lou Piniella has also managed Henderson before. Colorado Rockies Will any National League team pick up Henderson, who is best-suited for DH duties? As for the Rockies, if they can find playing time for Brian Hunter and Darren Bragg, you know they need another outfielder. But Dan O'Dowd wants good defensive outfielders and Henderson hasn't been one for several years. Pittsburgh Pirates The Pirates need an outfielder as rookie Chad Hermansen has struggled and Wil Cordero has flopped. Trouble is, the Bucs are paying Cordero more than $2 million, so they're not likely to admit just yet that Cordero was a bad signing. And since the Pirates play on turf, Henderson would be a huge defensive liability. Montreal Expos Owner Jeffrey Loria loves ex-Yankees and Henderson is an ex-Yankee. However, the Expos are unlikely to pick up Henderson's salary. But they could send rookie Peter Bergeron down to Triple-A, slide Rondell White over to center and install Henderson as the leadoff hitter. Best bet: Tigers. GM Randy Smith may be scrambling to save his job.		ALSO SEE Mets place Rickey on unconditional waivers Baseball in the Big Apple