Thursday, July 13, 2006

Rays trade Aubrey Huff to Astros

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays pulled the trigger on a player move that had been anticipated for quite some time, peddling third-baseman Aubrey Huff and cash to the Houston Astros in return for two minor-league prospects.
While Huff is a left-handed power-hitter with something to contribute to the Rays, Huff didn't figure into the team's long-term plans.

Huff's contract was coming due, so this move makes sense if the Rays really didn't figure him into future plans. Error-prone AAA shortstop B. J. Upton has reportedly been moved to third base with an eye toward trying him a third base later in the season. Russell Branyon and Ty Wigginton will fill in at third in the interim.

The Rays picked up decent prospects for Huff, but nothing earth-shaking. The right-handed pitcher is supposed to be one of the best in Houston's minor-league system. The other, a shortstop, projects as a utility infielder. He leads his league in triples, so he apparently has some speed.

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