The Colorado Rockies traded outfielder Preston Wilson and picked up outfielder Eric Byrnes in a pair of trades with Washington and Oakland on Wednesday.
The Rockies sent Wilson to the Nationals for right-hander Zach Day, outfielder J.J. Davis and a player to be named later or cash. Colorado also sent left-hander Joe Kennedy and right-handed reliever Jay Witasick to the Athletics for Byrnes and minor league prospect Omar Quintanilla.
Wilson was one of Colorado's more popular players and led the majors in RBIs just two years ago, but is due $5.7 million the rest of this season and will become a free agent when it's over. Though he has 15 homers and 47 RBIs, Wilson has been plagued by a sore knee and hit just .258 with 77 strikeouts.
Day started the season in Washington's rotation, then was moved to the bullpen after struggling. He was 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA before going on the disabled list May 31 with a broken right wrist. Davis opened the season with the Nationals before being sent to Triple-A New Orleans in May.
Byrnes earned a $2 million contract from the A's after setting career highs in nearly every offensive category in 2004, but seemed to fall out of favor with manager Ken Macha and has been the subject of trade rumors since the offseason. He hit .266 with seven home runs and 24 RBIs for the A's.
Kennedy was named Colorado's Opening Day starter after setting a team record for wins by a left-hander with 11, but was about to be moved to the bullpen after going 4-8 with a 7.04 ERA.
Witasick was one of Colorado's most consistent relievers, going 0-4 with a 2.52 ERA in 32 appearances primarily as Colorado's setup man, but he's 33 and will be a free agent at the end of the season.
Earlier Wednesday, the A's acquired outfielder Jay Payton and cash from Boston for right-handed reliever Chad Bradford.
The Rockies sent Wilson to the Nationals for right-hander Zach Day, outfielder J.J. Davis and a player to be named later or cash. Colorado also sent left-hander Joe Kennedy and right-handed reliever Jay Witasick to the Athletics for Byrnes and minor league prospect Omar Quintanilla.
Wilson was one of Colorado's more popular players and led the majors in RBIs just two years ago, but is due $5.7 million the rest of this season and will become a free agent when it's over. Though he has 15 homers and 47 RBIs, Wilson has been plagued by a sore knee and hit just .258 with 77 strikeouts.
Day started the season in Washington's rotation, then was moved to the bullpen after struggling. He was 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA before going on the disabled list May 31 with a broken right wrist. Davis opened the season with the Nationals before being sent to Triple-A New Orleans in May.
Byrnes earned a $2 million contract from the A's after setting career highs in nearly every offensive category in 2004, but seemed to fall out of favor with manager Ken Macha and has been the subject of trade rumors since the offseason. He hit .266 with seven home runs and 24 RBIs for the A's.
Kennedy was named Colorado's Opening Day starter after setting a team record for wins by a left-hander with 11, but was about to be moved to the bullpen after going 4-8 with a 7.04 ERA.
Witasick was one of Colorado's most consistent relievers, going 0-4 with a 2.52 ERA in 32 appearances primarily as Colorado's setup man, but he's 33 and will be a free agent at the end of the season.
Earlier Wednesday, the A's acquired outfielder Jay Payton and cash from Boston for right-handed reliever Chad Bradford.
