The Mets trade right-handed reliever Brian Stokes to the Angels for Gary Matthews Jr.

The Mets trade right-handed reliever Brian Stokes to the Angels for Gary Matthews Jr.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Mets, in need of a center fielder until Carlos Beltran returns to the lineup in early May, deal 30 year-old right-handed reliever Brian Stokes (2-4, 3.97) to the Angels in exchange for the highly-paid, but under-achieving Gary Matthews Jr. (.250, 4, 50). Los Angeles agrees to pay a significant portion of the slumping outfielder’s $50 million five-year contract that ‘Little Sarge’ signed three seasons ago with the Halos.

A’s prospect Grant Desme is retiring from baseball to pursue his calling to be a Catholic priest. In 2009, The 23 year-old minor league outfielder, who was recently named the Arizona Fall League’s Most Valuable Player, hit .288 along with 31 home runs and 89 RBIs, playing single A ball with the Kane County Cougars (MWL) and the Stockton Ports (CAL).

ByTom

A’s prospect Grant Desme is retiring from baseball to pursue his calling to be a Catholic priest. In 2009, The 23 year-old minor league outfielder, who was recently named the Arizona Fall League’s Most Valuable Player, hit .288 along with 31 home runs and 89 RBIs, playing single A ball with the Kane County Cougars (MWL) and the Stockton Ports (CAL).