Last year, Oates used only 76 lineups for the season. It was the fewest variations in the league. Curtis keeps quiet Outfielder Chad Curtis, who will see his playing time greatly diminished by the arrival of Dave Martinez, said he had no plans to go to manager Johnny Oates and ask for more time. Curtis, who often finds himself the lightning rod in clubhouse controversies, has asked for more playing time previously in his career in Anaheim and Detroit. He said publicly in New York that he wanted more playing time last year when he ended up with just 195 at-bats, but he never went to manager Joe Torre.
Nothing is written in stone.
You don't have to go plead your case. Curtis did acknowledge the possibility that fatigue has hurt his performance lately. McMichael will negotiate with both Jack Heard and agent Tommy Tanzer. We've had amiable conversations. Hopefully this week we'll establish real parameters.