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Moriarty9 · 04-12-2009, 08:34 PM

Devil Rays, Braves make trade
Lo Duca, Wall swapped for Ausmus, Byrnes
June 5, 2001

ATLANTA — The Braves and Tampa Bay Devil Rays agreed to a four-player trade this morning, swapping back-up catchers and two others.

Tampa Bay sent catcher Paul Lo Duca and right-handed reliever Donne Wall to Atlanta for catcher Brad Ausmus and outfielder Eric Byrnes.

"We thought it was a good way to add a young outfielder who can play at the big league level to help replace Benny [Agbayani]," said Devil Rays GM Shaun Moriarty. "We get a good game-caller in Brad Ausmus in the deal, and it really doesn't effect our payroll any."

Byrnes, a 25-year-old corner outfielder, hit just .179 with two home runs and six RBI in 67 at bats with the Braves this year. In 31 games with Atlanta's AAA affiliate, Byrnes hit .202 with three home runs and 10 RBI. He has a reputation for playing hard and with great intensity, and Devil Rays scouts believe his offensive numbers will improve as he matures.

Ausmus, 32, is a veteran with a solid reputation across baseball. In 34 at bats with Atlanta this year, he hit .324 with one home run and two RBI, scoring nine runs. He is a career .249 hitter with 33 homers and 210 RBI in 760 big league games with the San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Indians, and Braves.

For Tampa Bay, Wall never quite fit into the clubhouse and struggled in the bullpen. Acquired in a trade with Houston in May of last year, Wall has posted a 6.69 ERA with the Devil Rays since being acquired. He had gone 0-1 with two saves and a 3.65 ERA with the Astros before being traded last year.

The Braves believe a change of scenery will do the reliever well as he returns to the National League. Prior to going to the Devil Rays, Wall had spent his entire career with Houston. In seven big league seasons, he owns a 24-22 record with a 5.01 ERA.

Lo Duca will take over as Atlanta's backup backstop. The 29-year-old hit .197 with three homers and 10 RBI in 66 at bats with the Devil Rays, playing behind Charles Johnson. Lo Duca can also play first base and outfield.

04-12-2009, 08:34 PM	#229 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,858 Thanks: 10 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Devil Rays, Braves make trade Lo Duca, Wall swapped for Ausmus, Byrnes June 5, 2001 ATLANTA — The Braves and Tampa Bay Devil Rays agreed to a four-player trade this morning, swapping back-up catchers and two others. Tampa Bay sent catcher Paul Lo Duca and right-handed reliever Donne Wall to Atlanta for catcher Brad Ausmus and outfielder Eric Byrnes. "We thought it was a good way to add a young outfielder who can play at the big league level to help replace Benny [Agbayani]," said Devil Rays GM Shaun Moriarty. "We get a good game-caller in Brad Ausmus in the deal, and it really doesn't effect our payroll any." Byrnes, a 25-year-old corner outfielder, hit just .179 with two home runs and six RBI in 67 at bats with the Braves this year. In 31 games with Atlanta's AAA affiliate, Byrnes hit .202 with three home runs and 10 RBI. He has a reputation for playing hard and with great intensity, and Devil Rays scouts believe his offensive numbers will improve as he matures. Ausmus, 32, is a veteran with a solid reputation across baseball. In 34 at bats with Atlanta this year, he hit .324 with one home run and two RBI, scoring nine runs. He is a career .249 hitter with 33 homers and 210 RBI in 760 big league games with the San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Indians, and Braves. For Tampa Bay, Wall never quite fit into the clubhouse and struggled in the bullpen. Acquired in a trade with Houston in May of last year, Wall has posted a 6.69 ERA with the Devil Rays since being acquired. He had gone 0-1 with two saves and a 3.65 ERA with the Astros before being traded last year. The Braves believe a change of scenery will do the reliever well as he returns to the National League. Prior to going to the Devil Rays, Wall had spent his entire career with Houston. In seven big league seasons, he owns a 24-22 record with a 5.01 ERA. Lo Duca will take over as Atlanta's backup backstop. The 29-year-old hit .197 with three homers and 10 RBI in 66 at bats with the Devil Rays, playing behind Charles Johnson. Lo Duca can also play first base and outfield.