OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Expansion Revision: 1998 Devil Rays and beyond

Moriarty9 · 01-18-2009, 06:59 PM

Devil Rays, Twins make trade
Cromer to Minnesota for minor league reliever
March 26, 1999

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Faced with a few roster decisions, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays today traded infielder Tripp Cromer to the Minnesota Twins for a minor league pitcher.

Cromer, 31, was out of minor league options and would have to pass through waivers in order to be sent to the minor leagues, so the Devil Rays decided to trade him rather than demote infielder Dave Berg. Cromer hit .236 with five home runs and 19 RBI in 157 at bats with Tampa Bay last season.

Cromer will be a bench player for the Twins with J.T. Snow at first base, Todd Walker at second base, and John Valentin at third base. Alex Arias and Denny Hocking have been fighting for the starting job at shortstop, a position Cromer has played in the past — including 94 innings last season — but does not have the range to play short daily for most, if not all, Major League teams.

In return, the Devil Rays acquire 22-year-old Joe Fontenot. Fontenot appeared in 13 games with Minnesota last year, 10 of which were starts, going 2-4 with a 4.91 ERA. He has a 10-10, 2.33 ERA in 26 minor league starts in 1997 and 1998. In 23 innings this spring, Fontenot went 0-2 with two saves and a 4.70 ERA, walking 10 and striking out 20.

01-18-2009, 06:59 PM	#81 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Devil Rays, Twins make trade Cromer to Minnesota for minor league reliever March 26, 1999 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Faced with a few roster decisions, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays today traded infielder Tripp Cromer to the Minnesota Twins for a minor league pitcher. Cromer, 31, was out of minor league options and would have to pass through waivers in order to be sent to the minor leagues, so the Devil Rays decided to trade him rather than demote infielder Dave Berg. Cromer hit .236 with five home runs and 19 RBI in 157 at bats with Tampa Bay last season. Cromer will be a bench player for the Twins with J.T. Snow at first base, Todd Walker at second base, and John Valentin at third base. Alex Arias and Denny Hocking have been fighting for the starting job at shortstop, a position Cromer has played in the past — including 94 innings last season — but does not have the range to play short daily for most, if not all, Major League teams. In return, the Devil Rays acquire 22-year-old Joe Fontenot. Fontenot appeared in 13 games with Minnesota last year, 10 of which were starts, going 2-4 with a 4.91 ERA. He has a 10-10, 2.33 ERA in 26 minor league starts in 1997 and 1998. In 23 innings this spring, Fontenot went 0-2 with two saves and a 4.70 ERA, walking 10 and striking out 20.