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SAMMY SLUGGING IN BALTIMORE
The AL East got thicker when Sammy Sosa was traded in July to the Baltimore Orioles in a three-team deal.
Sosa and and a minor leaguer were sent to Baltimore for ace Roy Halladay and RF Jay Gibbons. San Diego then traded Halladay to Texas for a young starter named Greg Runser and a highly touted minor league pitcher.
"This deal helps our club tremendously", said Texas GM John Hart, who pulled the trigger and helped seal it for San Diego. The Padres, shifted gears once they realized the club would not contend and attempted to do whatever they could to free up space on their payroll to acquire other players. Sosa's deal inhibited that, so being able to send him away and to a contender, was important. "We wanted to make sure Sammy was able to pursue his goal of winning a title. We'll be there someday, but right now is not the time for us." said Padres GM Kevin Towers.
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