TAMPA, Fla. — The budget-conscious Tampa Bay Rays saved some money and added some promising bullpen help Tuesday night when they traded infielder Akinori Iwamura to the Pittsburgh Pirates for right-hander Jesse Chavez.
The Rays held a $4.85 million option on Iwamura for next season, but did not intend to pick it up because of the depth they have at second base.
“We’ve got areas we really need to try to address,” Rays Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman said, specifically mentioning the bullpen and catcher as priorities this offseason.
Iwamura hit .290 with one homer and 22 RBIs in 69 games during the final season of a $7.7 million, three-year contract he signed after playing for the Yakalt Swallows in Japan. He signed with the Rays as a free agent in December 2006.
The 30-year-old missed 81 games this season after sustaining partial tears of the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee. Once the Rays determined they were not going to pick up his option for 2010, Friedman listened to offers for a trade.
“Pittsburgh has been all over us for about a month,” Friedman said.
Chavez led Pittsburgh and all major league rookies with
73 appearances in 2009, going 1-4 with a 4.01 ERA in
671⁄3 innings. He was taken in the 42nd round in 2002 by Texas, and made his major league debut with the Pirates with 15 appearances in 2008.
The Rays believe the 26-year-old has the potential to develop into an outstanding reliever.
“This year was a good year,” Friedman said. “We feel like he has the tools and ability to have an even better year.”
Iwamura was a five-time All-Star and six-time Gold Glove third baseman in Japan.
In three seasons in Tampa Bay, he batted .281 with
14 homers, 104 RBIs and 29 stolen bases while playing third base for one year and second for the past two.
His unselfish transition from third to second base in 2008 – a move that opened a position for All-Star Evan Longoria – was one of the keys to Tampa Bay’s transformation from a perennial last-place team into AL champions.
“It is hard to put into words what Aki has meant to the organization,” Friedman said.
The Pirates badly needed a second baseman after trading NL All-Star Freddy Sanchez to Giants before the trading deadline.
“He is a good athlete with above-average speed and is a tough out with a solid career on-base percentage,” Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington said. “Additionally, he played Gold Glove-caliber third base for years in Japan and has made a smooth transition to second base.”
Pittsburgh takes on Iwamura’s option, which the Pirates can pay because their already low payroll was trimmed during the season.
Former Dodgers utilityman Delwyn Young filled in at second base after Sanchez was traded, but struggled defensively and slumped badly at the plate late in the season.
Pro
Bucs deal Chavez for Iwamura
- Pro
-
-
Michigan board gives go-ahead on Winter Classic
The University of Michigan Board of Regents on Wednesday authorized athletic director Dave Brandon to seek a contract with the NHL that would allow the league to hold next year’s Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium.
-
Pens fall to Habs in shootout
Tomas Plekanec scored on Montreal’s eighth attempt in the shootout to lead the Canadiens to a 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night.
-
Steelers make it official: Haley’s their man
The Steelers have named Todd Haley their new offensive coordinator.
-
Steelers press release on Todd Haley
PITTSBURGH ― The Pittsburgh Steelers have named Todd Haley as their new offensive coordinator, it was announced today.
-
Johnstown Generals announce 2012 schedule
The Johnstown Generals will open their second season on the road at Cincinnati on March 3 but will play just three of their 10 remaining games away from Cambria County War Memorial according to a league schedule posted on the United Indoor Football League’s website at uiflfootball.com.
-
Crosby practices with Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby practiced Monday but said he is no closer to returning from a concussion and neck injury that have sidelined him for most of the season.
-
Report: Haley will be Steelers’ next O-coordinator
The Steelers will hire former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley to be their offensive coordinator, according to an ESPN report.
-
Manning wins second Super Bowl MVP award
Eli Manning is elite, for sure. A king of comebacks, too. And far, far more than Peyton’s little brother now.
-
Giant Step: New York scores late to beat New England
Eli Manning is the big man in the NFL after one-upping Tom Brady and leading the New York Giants to a 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots in Sunday’s Super Bowl – in older brother Peyton’s house, at that.
-
Panthers win fourth consecutive game
Pittsburgh senior Ashton Gibbs is a happy man now that his backcourt mate, junior Tray Woodall, is back and healthy in the starting lineup. He’s almost as happy as Woodall, who recovered from a groin/abdominal strain to turn in one of his best performances of the season.
- More Pro Headlines
-
Michigan board gives go-ahead on Winter Classic
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
