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Dodgers Trade for Finley, Send Roberts to Red Sox
The Arizona Diamondbacks traded Gold Glove center fielder Steve Finley and catcher Brent Mayne to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday, just beating baseball's deadline to make deals without waivers.
Having gotten Finley, the Dodgers traded center fielder Dave Roberts to the Boston Red Sox for minor league outfielder Henri Stanley.
While ace Randy Johnson stayed in Arizona, his veteran teammate joined a contender. Finley had a right to block the deal, but decided to accept a trade to the NL West-leading Dodgers.
"This has been one of the tougher trading periods in our seven-year history, and it is particularly difficult to deal a couple of players the caliber and personality of a Steve Finley and Brent Mayne," Diamondbacks general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said. "At Steve's request, we began the process of assessing trade possibilities."
The Diamondbacks had two possible deals for Finley to choose from, with the Dodgers and with the San Diego Padres. Finley decided to accept the trade to Los Angeles -- 10 minutes before the deadline -- after receiving a call from Dodgers owner Frank McCourt.
"I want to thank the Diamondbacks for 5 1/2 years, probably the best 5 1/2 years of my playing career," Finley said. "We were successful and won a World Series. I'm thankful they've given me an opportunity to possibly win another ring."
Finley said he would consider rejoining the Diamondbacks this winter.
The Dodgers sent minor league catcher Koyie Hill, outfielder Reggie Abercrombie and left-hander Bill Murphy to Arizona. The Dodgers acquired Murphy on Friday in a trade with the Florida Marlins.
Finley, a four-time Gold Glove winner, hit .274 for the Diamondbacks this year, with 23 home runs and 48 RBI. Last year, he led the National League in triples at the age of 38.
"This gives him an opportunity to expand his horizon for the remainder of the season," Garagiola said.
A two-time All-Star, Finley played for Baltimore, Houston and San Diego before signing with Arizona as a free agent in 1999. He hit .368 (7-for-19) in the 2001 World Series against the New York Yankees.
Philadelphia also was interested in the 39-year-old Finley, but he recently said he would accept a deal only to a West Coast club.
Mayne, 36, was signed in December and has been backing up rookie Juan Brito for the Diamondbacks. He should strengthen the Dodgers, who gave up regular catcher Paul Lo Duca in the trade with Florida.
Mayne was hit .255, with six doubles, a triple and 10 RBI, in 36 games this year. The Dodgers will be his seventh major league team, following Kansas City, the New York Mets, Oakland, San Francisco, Colorado and Arizona.
Hill went 1-for-3 during a brief look with the Dodgers last season. He emerged as a star this year with Triple-A Las Vegas, hitting .286 in 91 games. He had 13 homers, 26 doubles, 54 RBI and 57 runs.
"We got him for a reason," Arizona manager Al Pedrique said. "We need to know what Koyie Hill can do. He has some power, runs well for a catcher and he receives well, blocks well and has a good arm."
Abercrombie began this year with Double-A Jacksonville but has been playing with Class A Vero Beach.
Murphy, invited to the Futures Game during the All-Star break, struck out 113 in 103 2/3 innings with Double-A Carolina this season. He was 6-4 with a 4.08 ERA in 20 starts.
"We get a very interesting young pitcher whose name has been out there, Billy Murphy, and in Koyie Hill we get a switch-hitting catcher who has already put up good numbers in Triple A," Garagiola said. "He has some pop in his bat. He makes us deeper at that position."
Brito is one of six rookies playing regularly for the Diamondbacks because of injuries. The group also includes second baseman Scott Hairston, third baseman Chad Tracy, infielder Tim Olson, closer Greg Aquino and right-handed starter Edgar Gonzalez.
Four other players have less than two years' experience -- thanks in part to the loss of Roberto Alomar (broken hand) for 56 games starting April 21, and slugger Richie Sexson's shoulder injury April 29. On his return, Sexson reinjured his right shoulder and had season-ending surgery. Outfielder Luis Gonzalez will have season-ending elbow surgery on Monday.
Source: AP
Having gotten Finley, the Dodgers traded center fielder Dave Roberts to the Boston Red Sox for minor league outfielder Henri Stanley.
While ace Randy Johnson stayed in Arizona, his veteran teammate joined a contender. Finley had a right to block the deal, but decided to accept a trade to the NL West-leading Dodgers.
"This has been one of the tougher trading periods in our seven-year history, and it is particularly difficult to deal a couple of players the caliber and personality of a Steve Finley and Brent Mayne," Diamondbacks general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said. "At Steve's request, we began the process of assessing trade possibilities."
The Diamondbacks had two possible deals for Finley to choose from, with the Dodgers and with the San Diego Padres. Finley decided to accept the trade to Los Angeles -- 10 minutes before the deadline -- after receiving a call from Dodgers owner Frank McCourt.
"I want to thank the Diamondbacks for 5 1/2 years, probably the best 5 1/2 years of my playing career," Finley said. "We were successful and won a World Series. I'm thankful they've given me an opportunity to possibly win another ring."
Finley said he would consider rejoining the Diamondbacks this winter.
The Dodgers sent minor league catcher Koyie Hill, outfielder Reggie Abercrombie and left-hander Bill Murphy to Arizona. The Dodgers acquired Murphy on Friday in a trade with the Florida Marlins.
Finley, a four-time Gold Glove winner, hit .274 for the Diamondbacks this year, with 23 home runs and 48 RBI. Last year, he led the National League in triples at the age of 38.
"This gives him an opportunity to expand his horizon for the remainder of the season," Garagiola said.
A two-time All-Star, Finley played for Baltimore, Houston and San Diego before signing with Arizona as a free agent in 1999. He hit .368 (7-for-19) in the 2001 World Series against the New York Yankees.
Philadelphia also was interested in the 39-year-old Finley, but he recently said he would accept a deal only to a West Coast club.
Mayne, 36, was signed in December and has been backing up rookie Juan Brito for the Diamondbacks. He should strengthen the Dodgers, who gave up regular catcher Paul Lo Duca in the trade with Florida.
Mayne was hit .255, with six doubles, a triple and 10 RBI, in 36 games this year. The Dodgers will be his seventh major league team, following Kansas City, the New York Mets, Oakland, San Francisco, Colorado and Arizona.
Hill went 1-for-3 during a brief look with the Dodgers last season. He emerged as a star this year with Triple-A Las Vegas, hitting .286 in 91 games. He had 13 homers, 26 doubles, 54 RBI and 57 runs.
"We got him for a reason," Arizona manager Al Pedrique said. "We need to know what Koyie Hill can do. He has some power, runs well for a catcher and he receives well, blocks well and has a good arm."
Abercrombie began this year with Double-A Jacksonville but has been playing with Class A Vero Beach.
Murphy, invited to the Futures Game during the All-Star break, struck out 113 in 103 2/3 innings with Double-A Carolina this season. He was 6-4 with a 4.08 ERA in 20 starts.
"We get a very interesting young pitcher whose name has been out there, Billy Murphy, and in Koyie Hill we get a switch-hitting catcher who has already put up good numbers in Triple A," Garagiola said. "He has some pop in his bat. He makes us deeper at that position."
Brito is one of six rookies playing regularly for the Diamondbacks because of injuries. The group also includes second baseman Scott Hairston, third baseman Chad Tracy, infielder Tim Olson, closer Greg Aquino and right-handed starter Edgar Gonzalez.
Four other players have less than two years' experience -- thanks in part to the loss of Roberto Alomar (broken hand) for 56 games starting April 21, and slugger Richie Sexson's shoulder injury April 29. On his return, Sexson reinjured his right shoulder and had season-ending surgery. Outfielder Luis Gonzalez will have season-ending elbow surgery on Monday.
Source: AP