University of Tennessee Athletics
Former Vol Trammell Traded to Yankees
March 20, 2003 | Baseball
March 20, 2003
By BERNIE WILSON
AP Sports Writer
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) - Rondell White has a place to play and the San Diego Padres have money to spend next offseason.
The outfielder was traded from the New York Yankees to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday for outfielder Bubba Trammell and minor league left-hander Mark Phillips.
More importantly, the Padres cleared approximately $5 million from the books for 2004, which will help them pursue free agents prior to moving into their new downtown ballpark next season.
The trade came less than two weeks after Padres left fielder Phil Nevin had surgery on his dislocated left shoulder, which is expected to sideline him for the season.
White will play left field and bat fifth, providing protection for Ryan Klesko. Trammell had been scheduled to play right field, but rookie Xavier Nady is now the front-runner to start there instead of in left.
The 31-year-old White was a disappointment in his first season with the Yankees, getting hurt during spring training and failing to regain his swing until late in the season, when he was injured again. He batted .240 with 14 homers and 62 RBIs.
New York had little room for him following the signing of Japanese star Hideki Matsui, who figures to be play left field alongside center fielder Bernie Williams and right fielder Raul Mondesi.
"It's good and bad. I'm going to miss the guys," White said in Tampa, Fla. "I had a chance to play with a group of Hall of Famers. I didn't want to leave New York. I wanted to come back and prove what I can do.
"It's a business. I'm getting a chance to play every day. I think I'm an everyday player."
"I'm happy for Rondell," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "Obviously, he wouldn't have a chance to play the outfield here. It's something he's used to doing. It's an opportunity for him. I know he's sad about leaving."
White makes $5 million this year and is eligible for free agency after the season.
Trammell, a former New York Met, makes $2.5 million in 2003 and $4.75 million next year. He has a $4.75 million team option for 2005, with a $250,000 buyout. If the Yankees decline Trammell's option, the Padres will reimburse them for the buyout.
While taking on $2.5 million in salary this year, the Padres at least dumped Trammell's 2004 salary. If they can also trade pitcher Kevin Jarvis and catcher Wiki Gonzalez, they'd clear more than $10 million for 2004.
The Padres have had four straight losing seasons, including last year's 66-96 finish. Their projected payroll is $45.5 million.
"This gives us flexibility in '04 to allow us to be a player in the free agent market," general manager Kevin Towers said. "With Nevin back next year and having Nady, it would be tough for Bubba to get playing time."
The Padres are interested in star Japanese shortstop Kazuo Matsui and Oakland's Miguel Tejada, the reigning AL MVP, who's been told by the Athletics that they can't afford to offer him a multiyear contract after this season. Both are eligible for free agency after the season.
"We couldn't trade Bubba and not get a proven hitter, a quality hitter like Rondell back," Bochy said. "That would be too much strain on the lineup with Nevin out."
Trammell, 31, had a breakout year in 2001, hitting .261 with 25 homers and 92 RBIs. He struggled last year though, while platooning much of the season with Ray Lankford in left, batting .243 with 17 homers and 56 RBIs.
"I'm excited. I'm going to a team that's a perennial winner," Trammell said.
The Yankees save $2.85 million this year - the $2.5 million difference in salaries and $350,000 in luxury tax.
"We're pleased. We think it makes sense for us in a lot of ways," GM Brian Cashman said. "Bubba Trammell is a power bat. He provides with you some flexibility with that bat off the bench."
Phillips will report to Double-A Trenton. He was the ninth overall pick in the 2000 amateur draft.
