DB135
07-30-2006, 06:21 PM
07/30/2006 4:40 PM ET
Indians acquire Luna, trade away Belliard
By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com
CLEVELAND -- The Cardinals needed a second-base solution for the stretch run, and the Indians needed middle-infield depth for the long haul.
Both sides got what they wanted Sunday afternoon, as the Indians are believed to have shipped veteran second baseman Ronnie Belliard to the Cards for utility infielder Hector Luna.
The trade had yet to be officially announced by either club, but an Indians team source confirmed it shortly after the Tribe's 7-3 loss to the Mariners.
Belliard exceeded all expectations in his three seasons with the Tribe. This year, he's hit .291 with eight homers and 44 RBIs. He missed six games recently with a strained left hamstring but returned to the lineup Saturday. The Cardinals reportedly wanted to ensure he was back to full speed before acquiring him.
"I'll go to St. Louis, it's a good city to play ball in," said a surprised Belliard. "I'll try to help them win the division. I know I'm going to make friends over there, but I have a lot of friends here. I feel good about them, and I know they feel good about me, so it's hard for me."
General manager Mark Shapiro had said Belliard was an option for his club at second base next season. But the 31-year-old Belliard is likely to command a multiyear deal in free agency, and the Indians aren't expected to want to go that route with him.
The 26-year-old Luna, known for a solid bat but inconsistent glove, will join the Indians in Boston on Monday. With the Cards this season, he's hit .291 with four homers and 21 RBIs in 75 games.
Luna is no stranger to the Indians' organization. He was originally signed by the Tribe in 1999. The Indians lost him to the Devil Rays in the December 2002 Minor League draft and returned to them in April of the following year. They lost him again to the Cards in December of '03 in the Rule V draft.
According to the source, the two sides discussed including Indians reliever Guillermo Mota in the deal, but that aspect didn't pan out.
Anthony Castrovince is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Indians acquire Luna, trade away Belliard
By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com
CLEVELAND -- The Cardinals needed a second-base solution for the stretch run, and the Indians needed middle-infield depth for the long haul.
Both sides got what they wanted Sunday afternoon, as the Indians are believed to have shipped veteran second baseman Ronnie Belliard to the Cards for utility infielder Hector Luna.
The trade had yet to be officially announced by either club, but an Indians team source confirmed it shortly after the Tribe's 7-3 loss to the Mariners.
Belliard exceeded all expectations in his three seasons with the Tribe. This year, he's hit .291 with eight homers and 44 RBIs. He missed six games recently with a strained left hamstring but returned to the lineup Saturday. The Cardinals reportedly wanted to ensure he was back to full speed before acquiring him.
"I'll go to St. Louis, it's a good city to play ball in," said a surprised Belliard. "I'll try to help them win the division. I know I'm going to make friends over there, but I have a lot of friends here. I feel good about them, and I know they feel good about me, so it's hard for me."
General manager Mark Shapiro had said Belliard was an option for his club at second base next season. But the 31-year-old Belliard is likely to command a multiyear deal in free agency, and the Indians aren't expected to want to go that route with him.
The 26-year-old Luna, known for a solid bat but inconsistent glove, will join the Indians in Boston on Monday. With the Cards this season, he's hit .291 with four homers and 21 RBIs in 75 games.
Luna is no stranger to the Indians' organization. He was originally signed by the Tribe in 1999. The Indians lost him to the Devil Rays in the December 2002 Minor League draft and returned to them in April of the following year. They lost him again to the Cards in December of '03 in the Rule V draft.
According to the source, the two sides discussed including Indians reliever Guillermo Mota in the deal, but that aspect didn't pan out.
Anthony Castrovince is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.