Thursday, April 9, 1998 | 9:22 a.m.
Nobody can ever accuse George Arias of being a pessimist.
It would be perfectly understandable if the 26-year-old Arias, who two years ago was the Angels' starting third baseman on Opening Day, was more than a little disheartened following his trade to the San Diego Padres for outfielder Rickey Henderson last August. After all, the Padres already have a pretty fair third baseman by the name of Ken Caminiti, the National League's MVP in 1996.
And if that wasn't bad enough for his morale, Arias finds himself starting the 1998 season in triple-A in Las Vegas.
But Arias, who was shipped along with pitchers Ryan Hancock and Stevenson Agosto for Henderson, has managed to keep positive outlook entering sixth professional season.
"I'll admit that I had mixed feelings when I heard about the trade," said Arias before the Stars' 6-5 loss to Edmonton on Wednesday night at Cashman Field. "I thought, 'Why me?' They already had Caminiti. But I believe every trade is a good trade. I've just got to go out every day and play the best I can and everything will work out."
Although the former All-American from Arizona thinks he's "an insurance policy" in case Caminiti should get hurt, he believes he can still become an everyday player in the big leagues.
"I believe I'm an every day player and I'm here to prove it," Arias said. "It's going to happen. I know in my heart it is. I'm just going to keep my head up and play."
If the first two games of the season are any indication, Arias is well on his way to proving it.
After going 3-for-3 with a home run and a double and two RBIs in Tuesday's opener, Arias went 2-for-4 with a double and a RBI in the Stars' loss on Wednesday night. So for the young season, Arias is 5-for-7 (.714) with a home run, two doubles and three RBI.
"I'm not just playing for the Padres, I'm playing for 29 other major league teams as well," said Arias. "I like it here and everybody has treated me well. But then at the same time I believe I'm an every day player (in the big leagues)."
Stars manager Jerry Royster believes Arias shouldn't count himself out of the Padres' plans.
"(Caminiti's) contract is up at the end of the season," Royster pointed out. "You don't know what's going to happen in that situation. You don't know what direction the franchise is going to go in. He's just got to be ready."
Royster, who played 16 years in the majors as a third baseman, believes Arias has what it takes to return to the big leagues.
"He's got the attitude to do it," said Royster. "He knows what he needs to work on and he goes out and does it. I don't need to ask him, he just goes out and does it. He has a great knowledge of the game and is very coachable. He just needs more experience ... when to hit with power and when not to. And the power is there. It's not something he needs to develop."
"I've just got to put up some numbers and get a little better," says Arias simply.
So far, so good.
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