CBadDad
08-31-2006, 08:38 PM
Wells traded to San Diego Padres (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5922812)
David Wells is going home again.
The Padres won the last-minute sweepstakes for Wells, acquiring the veteran left-hander from the Red Sox on Thursday in exchange for a player to be named or cash. The player is Class AAA catcher George Kottaras, FOXSports.com has confirmed.
The trade, completed just hours before the deadline for setting postseason rosters, gives the Padres a proven big-game pitcher at a time when they are competing for both the NL West title and wild card.
The Padres hope veteran hurler David Wells can help lead them into the postseason. (Jim McIsaac / Getty Images)
The Dodgers, leading the West by three games, refused to part with one of three top position prospects for Wells, 43, resisting the Red Sox's demands for outfielder Matt Kemp, third baseman Andy LaRoche or first baseman James Loney.
A third team, most likely the Cardinals or Reds, also made a late bid for Wells. But the Padres and Dodgers were the only true contenders; Wells reserved the option of retiring if the Red Sox did not honor his wish to be sent to the west coast.
Kottaras, 23, was the most advanced catching prospect in the Padres' system. Rival scouts consider him a promising offensive player but question his defense, particularly his throwing. Kottaras, at 6-feet and 190 pounds, also might be too small to handle an everyday load at catcher.
Wells, a native of San Diego, pitched for the Padres in 2004, then signed with the Red Sox as a free agent after that season. He spent two months on the disabled list with right knee soreness earlier this season but was 2-2 with a 2.65 ERA in five August starts.
If Wells stays healthy, he will bring vast postseason experience to a rotation that already includes right-handers Jake Peavy and Woody Williams and left-hander Chris Young. In 26 career postseason appearances 16 starts Wells is 10-4 with a 3.15 ERA.
Ken Rosenthal is FOXSports.com's senior baseball writer.
David Wells is going home again.
The Padres won the last-minute sweepstakes for Wells, acquiring the veteran left-hander from the Red Sox on Thursday in exchange for a player to be named or cash. The player is Class AAA catcher George Kottaras, FOXSports.com has confirmed.
The trade, completed just hours before the deadline for setting postseason rosters, gives the Padres a proven big-game pitcher at a time when they are competing for both the NL West title and wild card.
The Padres hope veteran hurler David Wells can help lead them into the postseason. (Jim McIsaac / Getty Images)
The Dodgers, leading the West by three games, refused to part with one of three top position prospects for Wells, 43, resisting the Red Sox's demands for outfielder Matt Kemp, third baseman Andy LaRoche or first baseman James Loney.
A third team, most likely the Cardinals or Reds, also made a late bid for Wells. But the Padres and Dodgers were the only true contenders; Wells reserved the option of retiring if the Red Sox did not honor his wish to be sent to the west coast.
Kottaras, 23, was the most advanced catching prospect in the Padres' system. Rival scouts consider him a promising offensive player but question his defense, particularly his throwing. Kottaras, at 6-feet and 190 pounds, also might be too small to handle an everyday load at catcher.
Wells, a native of San Diego, pitched for the Padres in 2004, then signed with the Red Sox as a free agent after that season. He spent two months on the disabled list with right knee soreness earlier this season but was 2-2 with a 2.65 ERA in five August starts.
If Wells stays healthy, he will bring vast postseason experience to a rotation that already includes right-handers Jake Peavy and Woody Williams and left-hander Chris Young. In 26 career postseason appearances 16 starts Wells is 10-4 with a 3.15 ERA.
Ken Rosenthal is FOXSports.com's senior baseball writer.