Brad

Cresse

Cresse used to a a quality prospect as an offensive-minded catcher, but he’s struggled the last two years. Unless be bounces back in 2004, he probably won’t even make it as a reserve.

Cresse will split time with Robby Hammock behind the plate for Tucson. Hammock is expected to be the player called up if something happens to either of Arizona’s catchers.

Cresse, a former Diamondbacks prospect, caught for Double-A Tennessee last season.

This would seem to mean that the trade consummated in January is off. The Expos acquired Cresse from Arizona for a player to be named, but it appaears that they decided they didn’t want him.

If the Expos were a normal team, we’d criticize them for giving up a player for Cresse instead of just claiming him on waivers. However, they probably had to do it this way in order to save some money. Cresse no longer looks like much of a prospect, but he could bounce back offensively after two down seasons and maybe someday become a part-time player in the majors.

Neither Arizona nor Montreal wanted Cresse, so he ended up signing a minor league deal with the Cardinals. He’s batting .474 in five games for Tennesssee.

After a disappointing 2002, Cresse isn’t a candidate to make the Rays.