The Florida Marlins traded power-hitting outfielder Cliff Floyd to Montreal and pitcher Ryan Dempster to Cincinnati on Thursday. Dempster, the winningest pitcher in Marlins' history, was dealt to the Reds for outfielder Juan Encarnacion, infielder Wilton Guerrero and minor league left-hander Ryan Snare.
The Marlins then sent Floyd, minor league right-hander Claudio Vargas, Guerrero and cash to Montreal for pitchers Carl Pavano and Graeme Lloyd. infielder Mike Mordecai and minor leaguer Justin Wayne.
``This is not a firesale by any stretch,'' Florida president David Samson said. ``This is making moves given the realities of the position of our players. ... The payroll did not go down. The definition of a firesale is to put your bottom line in a position to cut losses. This does not do this at all.''
To clear payroll space, the Reds placed pitcher Seth Etherton on waivers, and he was claimed by the New York Yankees.
Floyd began his career with the Expos and recently said he'd welcome a trade back to Montreal. He was hitting .287 with 18 home runs and 57 RBIs heading into the All-Star break.
When the Marlins left Pro Player Stadium on Thursday, the 29-year-old Floyd told reporters: ``I'll see you all next week, over there,'' and pointed to the visitors' clubhouse. The Expos play at Florida starting July 19.
Dempster, a 25-year-old right-hander and Canadian native, was 5-8 with a 4.79 ERA in 18 starts. He was in Atlanta during the All-Star break visiting his mother and was excused from Thursday's team workout in Miami.
``Although we had to give up Encarnacion and Guerrero, who have contributed to our success this year, we couldn't pass on the opportunity to get a 25-year-old pitcher who has the potential to be a No. 1 or No. 2 starter for years to come,'' Reds general manager Jim Bowden said.
Pavano, 26, was obtained by Montreal from Boston in the Pedro Martinez trade but the right-hander slumped this year. He was optioned to the minor leagues on June 21 after going 3-8 with a 6.30 ERA in 15 games with the Expos.
Lloyd, a 35-year-old left-hander, is 2-3 with five saves and a 5.87 ERA in 41 relief appearances this season.
Encarnacion, 26, is hitting .277 with 16 homers and 51 RBIs.
Etherton, a 25-year-old right-hander, missed the 2001 season following arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder and has made three rehabilitation starts in the minor leagues this year. The Yankees optioned him to Double-A Norwich and cleared space on their 40-man roster by transferring right-hander Christian Parker from the 15-day disabled list to the 40-day disabled list.
<small>[ July 11, 2002, 08:21 PM: Message edited by: JoltinJacket ]</small>
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