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Moriarty9 · 03-08-2009, 10:05 PM

Hernandez dealt to Padres
Tampa Bay solves infield battle with trade
March 30, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays brought in a handful of infielders to compete for roster positions this spring, and Jose Hernandez found himself as one of the odd men out with a trade to the San Diego Padres.

The Devil Rays dealt Hernandez to San Diego for 23-year-old right-hander Kyle Farnsworth, finalizing the club's 25-man roster as Opening Day approaches.

Hernandez, 30, struggled this spring, batting .167 in 23 exhibition games. He hit .240 with 14 home runs and 58 RBI in 143 games for Tampa Bay last year, down from his .278/22/63 campaign in 1998, his first year with the Devil Rays.

"We really like Jose but somewhere, something had to give between Jose, Timmy Naehring, Dave Berg, Eddy Sprague, Graffanino, Wilton, and the rest of the group," said Tampa Bay manager Christian O'Neal. "The front office and the coaching staff talked, we discussed performance and potential, they talked about options and money and that sort of thing. Ultimately the decision was made and Jose wound up being shipped out to San Diego."

The move was the last transaction to bring the team's roster down to 25 players in preparation of Opening Day. The team will go forward with Tony Graffanino, Tim Naehring, Ed Sprague, Dave Berg, and Wilton Guerrero working at second base, third base and shortstop. Sprague and Guerrero have some outfield experience.

Farnsworth will open the season with Tampa Bay's AAA affiliate in Akron, Ohio. He made seven starts with the Padres last season, going 2-2 with a 3.92 ERA, striking out 33 in 41 1/3 innings. He went 8-14 in San Diego's minor league system last year, struggling to an 0-6 record and 6.69 ERA in six starts with the Padres' AAA affiliate last year. In 15 innings of work this spring, Farnsworth posted a 3.60 ERA in eight relief appearances.

03-08-2009, 10:05 PM	#187 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,858 Thanks: 10 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Hernandez dealt to Padres Tampa Bay solves infield battle with trade March 30, 2000 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays brought in a handful of infielders to compete for roster positions this spring, and Jose Hernandez found himself as one of the odd men out with a trade to the San Diego Padres. The Devil Rays dealt Hernandez to San Diego for 23-year-old right-hander Kyle Farnsworth, finalizing the club's 25-man roster as Opening Day approaches. Hernandez, 30, struggled this spring, batting .167 in 23 exhibition games. He hit .240 with 14 home runs and 58 RBI in 143 games for Tampa Bay last year, down from his .278/22/63 campaign in 1998, his first year with the Devil Rays. "We really like Jose but somewhere, something had to give between Jose, Timmy Naehring, Dave Berg, Eddy Sprague, Graffanino, Wilton, and the rest of the group," said Tampa Bay manager Christian O'Neal. "The front office and the coaching staff talked, we discussed performance and potential, they talked about options and money and that sort of thing. Ultimately the decision was made and Jose wound up being shipped out to San Diego." The move was the last transaction to bring the team's roster down to 25 players in preparation of Opening Day. The team will go forward with Tony Graffanino, Tim Naehring, Ed Sprague, Dave Berg, and Wilton Guerrero working at second base, third base and shortstop. Sprague and Guerrero have some outfield experience. Farnsworth will open the season with Tampa Bay's AAA affiliate in Akron, Ohio. He made seven starts with the Padres last season, going 2-2 with a 3.92 ERA, striking out 33 in 41 1/3 innings. He went 8-14 in San Diego's minor league system last year, struggling to an 0-6 record and 6.69 ERA in six starts with the Padres' AAA affiliate last year. In 15 innings of work this spring, Farnsworth posted a 3.60 ERA in eight relief appearances.