Football
Associated Press 19y

Rockies trade Wilson, get Byrnes in pair of deals

DENVER -- 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 RBIss 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 RBIss, 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 RBIss 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.

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