Russ Ortiz

After bringing the Giants to the brink of a world championship, Russ Ortiz (14-10, 3.78) is traded by San Francisco to the Braves for sophomore southpaw Damian Moss (12-6, 4.11) and minor league prospect Manuel Mateo. The 27-year old right-hander left Game 6 of the World Series with 5 – 0 lead, but the Giants bullpen was unable to hold the lead and lost the series to the Angels in seven games.

ByTom

After bringing the Giants to the brink of a world championship, Russ Ortiz (14-10, 3.78) is traded by San Francisco to the Braves for sophomore southpaw Damian Moss (12-6, 4.11) and minor league prospect Manuel Mateo. The 27-year old right-hander left Game 6 of the World Series with 5 – 0 lead, but the Giants bullpen was unable to hold the lead and lost the series to the Angels in seven games.

2002 – Astros deal reliever Nelson Cruz to the Colorado Rockies for minor league outfielder Victor Hall. Cruz, who became disguntled with manager Jimy Williams, had fashioned a 5-9 record in 109 games over two seasons in Houston. Hall returns to Arizona, where the Rule V draftee was claimed, after spring training. 

ByThis Day in Baseball

2002 – Astros deal reliever Nelson Cruz to the Colorado Rockies for minor league outfielder Victor Hall. Cruz, who became disguntled with manager Jimy Williams, had fashioned a 5-9 record in 109 games over two seasons in Houston. Hall returns to Arizona, where the Rule V draftee was claimed, after spring training. 

The Reds and Padres reach an agreement to trade Ken Griffey, Jr. for Phil Nevin

The Reds and Padres reach an agreement to trade Ken Griffey, Jr. for Phil Nevin

ByTom

2002 – The Reds and Padres reach an agreement to trade Ken Griffey, Jr. for Phil Nevin, but Nevin, with a no-trade clause in his contract, nixes the deal. He says he will only agree to a trade to a West Coast team that trains in Arizona. Griffey tore a tendon in his knee during the first week of last season, setting up another season limited by leg injuries. He also pulled a hamstring and strained hip muscles, limiting him to 70 games, a .264 average, eight homers and 23 RBIs. In a week, the White Sox will turn down an offer of Griffey for Magglio Ordonez.

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The Athletics send OF Jeremy Giambi to the Phillies in exchange for IF/OF John Mabry. \

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Athletics send OF Jeremy Giambi to the Phillies in exchange for IF/OF John Mabry. The trade, viewed as one-sided for the Phils, especially by the statistically-oriented community, will be a good one for Oakland. Giambi will homer in his first two Phillie at bats on the 25th, and be the first player in major league history to hit eight homers in each league before the All-Star break. He’ll finish the year with 20. That, plus Jason Giambi’s 41, will give the Giambi boys the record for homers by brothers in the same season, topping the 59 hit in 1937 by Joe DiMaggio (46) and Vince DiMaggio (13). However, Mabry will slug .523 in 89 games and help Oakland to a division title.

Jason Giambi Oakland A s

the A’s trade a stunned Jeremy Giambi to Philadelphia in exchange for pinch-hitter John Mabry

ByThis Day in Baseball

In what appears to be a lopsided trade, the A’s trade a stunned Jeremy Giambi (.274, 8, 17) to Philadelphia in exchange for pinch-hitter John Mabry (.286, 0, 3). The Oakland outfielder is also four years younger than the Phillies’ utility man, but he doesn’t meet the ‘Moneyball’ approach preached by GM Billy Beane.

All-Star outfielder Gary Sheffield is traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Atlanta Braves in 3 player deal.

All-Star outfielder Gary Sheffield is traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Atlanta Braves in 3 player deal.

ByTom

2002 – All-Star outfielder Gary Sheffield is traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for outfielder Brian Jordan, pitcher Odalis Perez and a minor league player. The deal ends Sheffield’s stormy tenure with the Dodgers.

The San Diego Padres obtain OF Al Martin from the Pirates for OF John Vander Wal, and pitchers Jim Sak and Geraldo Padua.

The San Diego Padres obtain OF Al Martin from the Pirates for OF John Vander Wal, and pitchers Jim Sak and Geraldo Padua.

Bypittsburgh

The San Diego Padres obtain OF Al Martin from the Pirates for OF John Vander Wal, and pitchers Jim Sak and Geraldo Padua. San Diego also signs pitcher Matt Clement to a four-year agreement.