Tigers#1
07-02-2003, 09:02 PM
Royals hope Leskanic spells relief
KC trades two minor leagers for right-hander
By Robert Falkoff / MLB.com
KANSAS CITY -- In an effort to bolster their bullpen for the American League Central title chase, the Royals acquired veteran reliever Curtis Leskanic from the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday for minor league prospects Wes Obermueller and Alejandro Machado.
Kansas City general manager Allard Baird had said in recent days that upgrading the bullpen was a priority and that the club would look to make a move if it could swing a trade without increasing payroll. Leskanic, 35, was 4-0 with a 2.70 ERA for the Brewers this season. He has posted a 46-29 record with a 4.41 ERA and 49 saves in 10 big-league seasons. The hard-throwing right-hander has struck out 582 batters in 643 1/3 innings pitched, including 28 in 26 2/3 innings this season.
Obermueller, a right-hander, was 10-5 with a 4.40 ERA for Triple-A Omaha this year. Machado, a middle infielder acquired from the Atlanta Braves organization in the 2001 Rey Sanchez trade, hit .314 for Class A Wilmington last season.
The Royals have been thin in the bullpen this year, with only Mike MacDougal, Jason Grimsley and D.J. Carrasco delivering on a consistent basis. The club recently released veteran right-hander Albie Lopez, who had a $1.5 million guaranteed deal. Kansas City had been counting on Lopez to upgrade the middle relief corps.
The Royals are closely monitoring the pitch counts of their young starters and need quality veterans to back them up and bridge the gap to the closer MacDougal. Leskanic's presence could take some pressure off Grimsley, who was tied for the league lead in appearances (44) entering Wednesday's play.
KC trades two minor leagers for right-hander
By Robert Falkoff / MLB.com
KANSAS CITY -- In an effort to bolster their bullpen for the American League Central title chase, the Royals acquired veteran reliever Curtis Leskanic from the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday for minor league prospects Wes Obermueller and Alejandro Machado.
Kansas City general manager Allard Baird had said in recent days that upgrading the bullpen was a priority and that the club would look to make a move if it could swing a trade without increasing payroll. Leskanic, 35, was 4-0 with a 2.70 ERA for the Brewers this season. He has posted a 46-29 record with a 4.41 ERA and 49 saves in 10 big-league seasons. The hard-throwing right-hander has struck out 582 batters in 643 1/3 innings pitched, including 28 in 26 2/3 innings this season.
Obermueller, a right-hander, was 10-5 with a 4.40 ERA for Triple-A Omaha this year. Machado, a middle infielder acquired from the Atlanta Braves organization in the 2001 Rey Sanchez trade, hit .314 for Class A Wilmington last season.
The Royals have been thin in the bullpen this year, with only Mike MacDougal, Jason Grimsley and D.J. Carrasco delivering on a consistent basis. The club recently released veteran right-hander Albie Lopez, who had a $1.5 million guaranteed deal. Kansas City had been counting on Lopez to upgrade the middle relief corps.
The Royals are closely monitoring the pitch counts of their young starters and need quality veterans to back them up and bridge the gap to the closer MacDougal. Leskanic's presence could take some pressure off Grimsley, who was tied for the league lead in appearances (44) entering Wednesday's play.