Right-handed reliever Mark Wohlers was acquired by the Yankees from the Reds yesterday, a move first reported by Joel Sherman in Friday’s Post.
The Yanks traded 19-year-old minor-league pitcher Ricardo Aramboles to Cincinnati for Wohlers, best known for serving up a gopher ball to Jim Leyritz in Game 4 of the 1996 World Series and developing control problems soon after.
The 31-year-old was 3-1 with a 3.94 ERA in 30 relief appearances with the Reds and allowed only one earned run in his last 15 innings. Wohlers waived a no-trade clause in order to come to New York, where he will primarily be used as a set-up man for Mariano Rivera.
“I’m excited about it,” Wohlers said. “I’m looking forward to getting to there as quickly as I can. When you find out the New York Yankees are interested and you have a chance to go back to the World Series, obviously it’s a no-brainer.”
In Atlanta, Wohlers saved 25 or more games each year from 1995-97. He saved the decisive Game 6 of the ’95 World Series, preserving a one-hit, 1-0 victory over the Indians for Braves lefty Tom Glavine. The next postseason was a disaster, however.
The Braves blew a two-games-to-none lead to the Yankees, with the turning point Leyritz’ three-run homer in Game 4 that erased a 6-3 Braves lead. In spring of 1998, Wohlers developed uncontrollable wildness similar to St. Louis’ Rick Ankiel. Wohlers said since he underwent Tommy John surgery in ’99, he’s had no relapse of wildness and isn’t concerned about it.
“When I was struggling, I threw so much to get to where I was I probably just blew out my elbow,” he said. “I think it was probably a blessing in disguise.
“It kept me away from baseball and probably helped me put my priorities back in place.”
Former Braves teammate Mike Stanton said Wohlers would be welcome in the clubhouse.
“He throws extremely hard, he’s got very good off-speed stuff and he has great experience,” Stanton said.