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01/15/2003 Archived Entry: "Today's MLB News: White Sox Acquire Colon"
Today's MLB News by Eric Gartman
White Sox Acquire Bartolo Colon-In a three-way swap, the Yankees sent pitcher Orlando Hernandez and $2 million to Chicago for reliever Antonio Osuna and minor league pitcher Delvis Lantigua. Then the White Sox packaged Hernandez with righthanded pitcher Rocky Biddle, outfielder Jeff Liefer and cash to Montreal for Colon and minor league infielder Jorge Nunez.
Once again, economics are driving baseball's dealings. The perenially cash-strapped Expos, needing to offload Colon's 8.25 million salary, finally traded him away in a long-awaited deal. The Expos, under orders to keep their salary under 40 million, now only will pay 2.5 million for the three players they acquired. This pattern of the Expos dealing high-level talent for prospects is old, as any baseball fan knows (Pedro Martinez, Larry Walker, Moises Alou, Delino Deshileds, etc). The real question, however, is will this be the last time? The Expos are clearly on their way out of Montreal. Baseball has accepted seven candidates-DC, Nothern Virginia, Portland, Charlotte, San Antonio, San Juan, and Mexico City-to replace Montreal as the future home of the Expos. Let us hope that the Expos have traded their last talent for less salary!
Replies: 4 comments
read today that the Japanese team turned down the Red Sox offer for Millar's contract. The Sox have not given up and will continue to seek a combination of cash and a player for Millar's contract. I'd move the odds now to 55-45 he stays with Japan. if the Sox can't work a deal David Ortiz is next on the list. I think Ortiz is a cheaper choice and has a great chance at a career year if he can finally stay healthy.
Posted by Bart Ewing @ 01/17/2003 08:56 PM EST
Jeff, orginally the odds were low as Millar could refuse the assignment and take the bigger bucks but I'm reading now that Boston is quite likely going to sign him by buying him out of the Japanese contract. I'd say it's 65-35 he goes Boston.
Posted by Bart Ewing @ 01/17/2003 12:42 AM EST
How strong are the possibilities of the Boston Red Sox signing Millar away from the Dragons??
Posted by Jeff Ledin @ 01/15/2003 10:56 PM EST
The difference this time is that MLB ordered Montreal to cut salary. That's the real joke is that MLB is running a team it wants to dump. As far as dump trades go, it's not the worst I've seen. If El Duque is healthy he will help supplant the loss of Colon. Liefer is a nice role player who should do well in PT duty based on 2nd half numbers. Obvioulsy The Sox win the day and suddenly the Twins have some competition in the Central. Colon-Buehrle not a bad 1-2 punch at all. Twins can't just sit tight anymore. I've been amazed at how passive AL Central teams have been up until now. This is anyones division who goes after at. Fantasy wise- upgrade both Colon and Buehrle as they feed off the numerous starts vs KC, Det, Clev.
Posted by Bart Ewing @ 01/15/2003 09:25 PM EST
