Monday, July 24, 2000
EXPOS MAKE BIG SPLASH
The Montreal Expos continue to be aggressive in the re-envisioning of their roster, trading for two-time reliever of the year Trevor Hoffman. Hoffman has 19 saves with a 2.70 ERA in 42 G with the Padres this season.
Going to San Diego will be 18-year-old outfielder Grady Sizemore, 19-year-old shortstop Brandon Phillips, and 24-year-old reliever Carl Pavano.
Pavano was 5-6 with a 6.01 ERA with the Expos and was recently relegated to the bullpen after the acquisitions of Hideo Nomo and Steve Sparks. Sizemore had a .243 average with 1 homer in Low-A ball, while Phillips was hitting .285 with 9 homers in Low-A ball.
"Carl, Grady, and Brandon are three very good ballplayers that will go on to have fantastic careers, but we simply couldn't pass up on the opportunity to add Trevor to the roster," Expos GM Spencer Lewandoski said.
"We've completely overhauled our pitching staff over the last month. With Trevor, Chuck [McElroy], and Anthony [Telford] in the back end, plus Steve Kline's return being around the corner, we have one of the best bullpen's in baseball. Throw in the fact that [Ugueth Urbina] has returned to form recently, and we might have the best bullpen in the National League. Couple that with a solid rotation that keeps us in ballgames every night, and we will have the chance to win a lot of games," Lewandoski continued.
The Expos are 43-54, 14 GB of the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves and 9 1/2 GB of the Dodgers for the NL wild card.
