This town is big enough for both of us. That is new Cub closer Dave Smith`s response to Mitch Williams` petulant plea that he be traded rather than surrender his status as numero uno on the Cubs` bullpen staff.
”If I get a championship ring on this finger,” said Smith Friday, holding up the appropriate digit, ”I don`t care if he`s No. 1. We can work together. All the great teams you see are deep in the bullpen.”
Smith, introduced to the Chicago media in Wrigley Field Friday for the first time since signing with the Cubs as a new-look free agent, said it was precisely because he thought he finally could get a World Series ring after 11 seasons with the Houston Astros, that he threw in his lot with the Cubs.
”I`d like to finish my career with a World Series ring,” he said. ”I feel I have a good shot here in Chicago.”
The previous free-agent signings of pitcher Danny Jackson and outfielder George Bell influenced his decision, he said, as did the Astros` dismantling of a team that as recently as 1986 won a division championship.
”I saw the direction the Astros were taking, and I saw the direction the Cubs were taking,” he said. ”I think the Cubs have got to be favored (to win the NL East).”
General Manager Jim Frey, who introduced Smith, endorsed his new closer`s idea that he and Williams can pitch together in the same bullpen.
”He explained it best,” Frey said. ”Nobody pitches well all the time. The more people you have and the more options there are for the manager the better chance you have to be consistent. I think with Les Lancaster and Paul Assenmacher back where they belong, in the roles they had two years ago, there won`t be as much pressure on them. With Smith you have more options, and with Williams you would have even more. It would make the bullpen very strong.”
Frey said he spoke to Williams after reading the unhappy left-hander`s quotes in the wake of the Smith signing.
”I called him to explain what this business is about,” he said. ”I tried to reassure him that this was not a slam on anyone; you`re just trying to make your club better. A lot of young pitchers go through this. An ego is probably involved.
– Also Friday, shortstop Shawon Dunston agreed to a one-year, $2.1 million contract. By agreeing to sign, he avoided filing for arbitration as he did a year ago when he was awarded $1.25 million.
He is eligible for free agency after the season but does not seem to be entertaining that possibility: ”I`m looking to stay a Cub all my life.”
Added Dunston, who had feared he`d be traded after the club signed Bell and pitchers Jackson and Smith to big contracts: ”When you`ve been here all your life and you know you`re a Cub, and then they take care of others, you don`t like it. I knew they were bringing a championship team here, but I had the feeling maybe they wouldn`t have enough for me.”
