[Moriarty9]

Devil Rays, Braves make big deal
Big names change uniforms in eight-player deal
July 30, 1998

ATLANTA - Fighting for a playoff spot, the Braves this morning dealt two promising young players for six players, including slugger Greg Vaughn and southpaw Jeff Fassero.

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays agreed to send Vaughn, Fassero, left-handed reliever Greg Cadaret, right-handed pitcher Mark Gubicza, and minor league hurlers Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams and Armando Reynoso to the Braves for outfielder Andruw Jones and pitcher Kevin Millwood.

"Both Andruw and Kevin have high ceilings on their potential, but adding a bat like Greg Vaughn to the middle of the lineup and shoring up our pitching staff with the lefties Fassero and Cadaret, it really gives us a shot at gaining the ground we need to make the playoffs and make a run at the World Series," said Braves General Manager John Schuerholz.

Devil Rays GM Shaun Moriarty said the decision was a tough one, but with Tampa Bay sitting 10 1/2 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East and finances being tight, the deal was too good to pass up.

"A few weeks ago we really began talking to Greg (Vaughn) about a new contract and it just wasn't going to work out with our budget. At that point, we knew it was best for us to sell high," Moriarty said. "We weren't going to re-sign him, so we may as well get something for him. We spoke with many teams about trades these last couple weeks, and this deal developed slowly."

Vaughn was signed by the Devil Rays in late April, having been cut by the San Diego Padres in the spring. He signed for little money in an effort to prove himself, and did just that. In 79 games with Tampa Bay, Vaughn hit .237 with 29 home runs and 67 RBI. While his average is low and his strikeouts (78) high for 312 at bats, his power production was impressive.

"This is a great opportunity for me," Vaughn said by phone. "I can showcase my talents on a brighter stage, hopefully do something in the playoffs, and show the league what I can do when it matters."

Vaughn is expected to take over in left field for Armando Rios, who will likely share time with Michael Tucker in right field. He is also expected to bat fifth, behind Chipper Jones and Fred McGriff.

Fassero, 35, signed a two-year deal with a mutual option for a third season this winter after going 20-5 with a 3.18 ERA for the Seattle Mariners last year. This season, he has pitched admirably for the expansion Devil Rays, going 8-8 with a 4.31 ERA in 21 starts. He will likely make his Braves debut in the next few days, taking Millwood's spot in the rotation.

Jones, 21, has shown power at times, is a strong defensive outfielder and has great speed in the field and on the bases. In 301 at bats with Atlanta, Jones hit .249 with 10 home runs, 39 RBI, 47 runs, and has stolen 17 bases. He will likely replace Mike Cameron in centerfield, though Cameron is expected to remain in the starting lineup somewhere. The Devil Rays currently have outfielders Ryan Radmanovich and Darryl Hamilton on the disabled list, providing some time to figure out their new outfield situation.

Millwood, 23, surprised many by going 10-4 with a 3.49 ERA as a rookie last season, starting 22 of his 33 appearances with Atlanta. This year, Millwood has gone 7-5 with a 4.67 ERA in 21 starts. He will replace Fassero in the rotation and will pitch in the next few days.

Cadaret, a free agent at season's end, has struggled in the Tampa Bay bullpen. In 36 appearances, the southpaw is 0-1 with a 5.63 ERA. He will work with fellow lefty Mike Magnante and right-hander Matt Herges as the primary bridges to closer Kerry Ligtenberg.

The Devil Rays will fill the two remaining roster spots from within, likely calling up a pitcher, ideally a left-hander, for the bullpen, and either a 12th pitcher or an extra-player off the bench. Those decisions had not been made by press time.